ΤΟ MRS. HARRIOTT JANSSEN. MADAM, To be well descended, happy in your fortune, nobly allied, to be agreeable in your person, to have an understanding solid and extensive, and a wit at once the most poignant, and yet the most inoffensive and agreeable, may justly raise admiration and esteem in others, as they distinguish you in so eminent a manner, and constitute your personal happi ness. But as it is that easy graceful manner in which you enjoy them, that freedom from vanity, affectation or pride, which form your real character; so the use you make of your fortune, interest, and good sense, renders them a general blessing to all who have the happiness of being within the reach of their influence. MADAM, Your generosity and condescension in permitting this Address, is an instance of both, so much to my advantage, that I find it impossible, to suppress either my pride, or gratitude, on this occasion; especially when I consider that it is an honour, that many before have solicited in vain. That the conversation and friendship of a lady of your accomplishments, should be highly esteemed by persons of the first rank both for dignity and virtue (not to mention the noble lord to whom you are so happily allied) is no more a wonder, than that there should be among the nobility, those who are as eminent for their good sense and fine taste, as their high stations. That you may still continue the ornament of your own sex, and the admiration of ours, must be the sincere wish of all who are any ways acquainted with your merit, but of none more than of, MADAM, Your grateful and obliged humble Servant, GEO. LILLO. SILVIA, or the COUNTRY BURIAL, was one of the pieces which the general vogue of Ballad Operas, occasioned by the success of the BEGGAR'S OPERA, brought forth into the world. It was performed at Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre, but with no very great applause." BIOGRAPHIA DRAMATICA, Vol. 2. VOL. I. SILVIA, OR THE COUNTRY BURIAL. ACT I. SCENE, A Room in Welford's House. Welford. Now, now is the very crisis of our fate.-On this important hour depends the happiness or ruin of my dear and only child, and all my future peace.-Why am I thus alarmed! The event must sure be happy! I have long, with pleasure, beheld their mutual love. -The end of all my hopes and fears is near.-This happy marriage will restore my long-lost peace of mind.—After marriage, should he prove false or unkind-what means are left-what power on earth can do her justice then!-Now my pains return! thus joy and anguish alternately possess my breast, as hope or fear prevails. AIR I. ["Since all the World's in Strife."] Whilst with himself at peace, |