Book contents
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- CHAP. I In which the author introduces himself to the public by some letters he has received from unrequested correspondents, and the answers he gives to them
- CHAP. II Contains the history of a very extraordinary funeral, and also of some other pretty particular occurrences which the author was witness of, in Invisible visit he made to the most favourite part of the family of a lady of distinction
- CHAP. III Is a kind of a warning-bell to the public, and gives a melancholy, tho' a common proof, that a person in endeavouring, by unjust or imprudent measures, to avoid falling into an imaginary misfortune is frequently liable to bring on effectually what otherwise might never have happen'd
- CHAP. IV In which the reader is requested to expect no more than a continuation of same narrative begun in the preceding chapter; and which has in it too great a multiplicity of incidents to be fully concluded in this
- CHAP. V In which the consequences of Cleora's elopement, in relation both to herself and husband, are fully shewn, and an end put to that suspense which it is probable the former pages may have excited in the mind of every interested and curious reader
- CHAP. VI Treats of divers and sundry matters, some of which the Invisible author flatters himself will be very agreeable to the greatest part of the readers, but if, contrary to his expectations, they should happen to he found otherwise he hopes at least they will be excused on account of others, both past and to come, more entertaining and suitable to his taste
- CHAP. VII Presents the reader with a full view of the beautiful and much Sabina, in an impartial description of her person and character, with particulars in relation to her two amours, and the consequences which attended this last assignation made with her favourite Youngly
- CHAP. VIII Contains the catastrophe of an adventure, which the author thinks fit declare is inserted in these lucubrations less to amuse his reader than the sake of setting in a true light those facts which some people have artfully endeavoured to misrepresent to the public
- BOOK IV
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
CHAP. III - Is a kind of a warning-bell to the public, and gives a melancholy, tho' a common proof, that a person in endeavouring, by unjust or imprudent measures, to avoid falling into an imaginary misfortune is frequently liable to bring on effectually what otherwise might never have happen'd
from BOOK III
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- CHAP. I In which the author introduces himself to the public by some letters he has received from unrequested correspondents, and the answers he gives to them
- CHAP. II Contains the history of a very extraordinary funeral, and also of some other pretty particular occurrences which the author was witness of, in Invisible visit he made to the most favourite part of the family of a lady of distinction
- CHAP. III Is a kind of a warning-bell to the public, and gives a melancholy, tho' a common proof, that a person in endeavouring, by unjust or imprudent measures, to avoid falling into an imaginary misfortune is frequently liable to bring on effectually what otherwise might never have happen'd
- CHAP. IV In which the reader is requested to expect no more than a continuation of same narrative begun in the preceding chapter; and which has in it too great a multiplicity of incidents to be fully concluded in this
- CHAP. V In which the consequences of Cleora's elopement, in relation both to herself and husband, are fully shewn, and an end put to that suspense which it is probable the former pages may have excited in the mind of every interested and curious reader
- CHAP. VI Treats of divers and sundry matters, some of which the Invisible author flatters himself will be very agreeable to the greatest part of the readers, but if, contrary to his expectations, they should happen to he found otherwise he hopes at least they will be excused on account of others, both past and to come, more entertaining and suitable to his taste
- CHAP. VII Presents the reader with a full view of the beautiful and much Sabina, in an impartial description of her person and character, with particulars in relation to her two amours, and the consequences which attended this last assignation made with her favourite Youngly
- CHAP. VIII Contains the catastrophe of an adventure, which the author thinks fit declare is inserted in these lucubrations less to amuse his reader than the sake of setting in a true light those facts which some people have artfully endeavoured to misrepresent to the public
- BOOK IV
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
Summary
Of all the passions which distract the human mind, sure there is none more pernicious in its quality, or more dreadful in its consequences, than jealousy; – it is look'd upon, indeed, as the most certain proof of a strong and violent affection; yet it is such a proof as no one would wish to experience, as it infallibly involves the beloved object in a variety of disquiets, whether innocent or guilty; – nor is the person possess'd of this raging fury less wretched; – so just are these words of mr. Dryden:
O jealousy! thou raging ill,
Why hast thou found a place in lovers hearts?
Afflicting what thou can'st not kill,
And poisoning love himself with his own darts.
And as the inimitable Shakspear yet more emphatically, in my opinion, expresses it:
O what damn'd minutes tells he o'er,
Who doats, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves.
But it is altogether needless to bring any testimonies from printed quotations on this head; – even those who have happily lived free from the direful passion in their bosoms, or never felt the effects of it from those by whom they are beloved, cannot but have seen, among their acquaintance, enough to convince them better of its malignity, than they can be by the pen of any author.
But as jealousy frequently takes possession of the soul by almost imperceptible degrees, the following little narrative may serve as an antidote against its poison, and warn every one, married persons especially, not to give way to its first attacks, lest it should be in time wholly subdued by it.
Cleora had from her very infancy been promised in marriage to the son of a neighbouring gentleman, – about three years older than herself; an inclination for her intended husband grew up with her years, nor was his affection less tender for her, whom he expected would one day be his wife; but when the innocent pair became ripe for the consummation of their mutual wishes, an unhappy dispute happen'd between their parents, which entirely broke off the match at once, and they were forbid to see each other any more.
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- The Invisible Spyby Eliza Haywood, pp. 134 - 140Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014