I am by birth a Genevese, and my family is one of
the most distinguished of that republic. My
ancestors had been for many years counsellors and
syndics, and my father had filled several public situations
with honour and reputation. He was respected
by all who knew him for his integrity and indefatigable
attention to public business. He passed his
younger days perpetually occupied by the affairs of
his country; a variety of circumstances had prevented
his marrying early, nor was it until the decline of
life that he became a husband and the father of a
family.
As the circumstances of his marriage illustrate his
character, I cannot refrain from relating them.
One of his most intimate friends was a merchant who,
from a flourishing state, fell, through numerous mischances,
into poverty. This man, whose name was Beaufort,
was of a proud and unbending disposition and could
not bear to live in poverty and oblivion in the same
country where he had formerly been distinguished for
his rank and magnificence. Having paid his debts,
therefore, in the most honourable manner, he retreated
with his daughter to the town of Lucerne, where he
lived unknown and in wretchedness. My father
loved Beaufort with the truest friendship and was
deeply grieved by his retreat in these unfortunate
circumstances. He bitterly deplored the false
pride which led his friend to a conduct so little
worthy of the affection that united them. He
lost no time in endeavouring to seek him out, with
the hope of persuading him to begin the world again
through his credit and assistance. Beaufort had
taken effectual measures to conceal himself, and it
was ten months before my father discovered his abode.
Overjoyed at this discovery, he hastened to the house,
which was situated in a mean street near the Reuss.
But when he entered, misery and despair alone welcomed
him. Beaufort had saved but a very small sum
of money from the wreck of his fortunes, but it was
sufficient to provide him with sustenance for some
months, and in the meantime he hoped to procure some
respectable employment in a merchant’s house.
The interval was, consequently, spent in inaction;
his grief only became more deep and rankling when he
had leisure for reflection, and at length it took
so fast hold of his mind that at the end of three
months he lay on a bed of sickness, incapable of any
exertion.
His daughter attended him with the greatest tenderness,
but she saw with despair that their little fund was
rapidly decreasing and that there was no other prospect
of support. But Caroline Beaufort possessed
a mind of an uncommon mould, and her courage rose to
support her in her adversity. She procured plain
work; she plaited straw and by various means contrived
to earn a pittance scarcely sufficient to support
life.
