Regina Marie Roche

The Vicar of Lansdowne: or, Country Quarters:  A Tale

London:  J. Johnson, 1789. 2nd ed., 1800.

Synopsis of The Vicar of Lansdowne

Roche begins her novel first with a dedication to the Marchioness of Buckingham and follows it with an address to the critics. She implores them "to disregard this humble TALE." She asks them to acknowledge the novel as a mere trifle by which to pass time. She makes this request solely on the fact that this novel is her first endeavor with fiction. It has been noted that this address in fact caused this work, but moreover, her subsequent works, to be criticized in contemporary literary journals. Furthermore, this address did not go unnoticed in their reviews. To the story . . . .

A regiment is stationed in the remote village of Lansdowne. They complain about the seclusion from the city and about the company offered in such small villages. Two of the officers sit by the window, admiring the bucolic scene of the village. Outside of the inn the ladies of the village walk about the "parade," as the officers call the little walk opposite the inn. Two ladies walk about the mall, and the two admirers desert the conversation within the inn to follow them.

The two officers, Captain Melford and Captain Manning, follow the ladies, Rosina and Lydia Ouseley, hoping to find proper reason by which to introduce themselves. Luckily a white cow moves forward towards the ladies, affecting a scream from one of them. The gentlemen move to the ladies in order to "protect them." The ladies thank the gentlemen and the party walks along in merriment. They arrive at the Ouseley house, and the men gaze at the ladies walking into the house and out of view.

The men talk about each girl, describing their attractions to each. Rosina, the older of the two sisters, is a beautiful coquette who captures the attention of most men who meet her. Melford, the more haughty and impetuous of the two officers, admires Rosina, while Manning, the honorable and sensible officer, adores the delicate and prudent Lydia. Melford, like Rosina, is said to often be found irresistible by the opposite sex.

At the vicarage we are introduced the vicar, a widower who is ever saddened by the death of his loving wife, a death which is never explained. His younger sister Margaret, an old maid, lives with the vicar and his two daughters. The vicar is a sensible man who says at one point in the novel that prudence is the most inestimable of virtues. He is a loving father who prides himself on the filial worship of his daughters and their obligation to the preservation of virtue and propriety. Miss Margaret, on the other hand, is the antithesis of Mr. Ouseley. She is a lover of novels and romance, disregards proper etiquette in all settings, and often encourages virtues in opposition to those conveyed by her brother. In addition to the two daughters already mentioned, the vicar has a son Francis, who is described as noble and sensible. Francis is away at the University of Edinburgh studying medicine. Roche, in defining the family says, "Virtue ennobles its possessors, and glows with brightest lustre, when grandeur and illustrious birth fade to insignificance." This level of virtue is reemphasized throughout the novel by the convoluted and melodramatic monologues of the poetic vicar.

The next morning Rosina sees the officers walking along the road and excitedly tells Lydia. Lydia finds it highly improper that they let the officers accompany them home the previous evening. Miss Margaret approaches, and Rosina tells her that Lydia is remonstrating Rosina's interest in the officers. Rosina is Margaret's favorite niece, so she scolds Lydia for making such an objection.

The ladies decide to walk along the parade during the afternoon. They meet with the officers and their friend Captain Welford. The gentlemen accompany the ladies home and are even more enamored by them than the day before. However, Welford and Melford must now compete for Rosina's affection, while Manning is taken by Lydia's charms.

At the vicarage Mr. Ouseley objects to the intimacy between his daughters and the officers, accusing them of being libertines who sever the peace of a family. The vicar, on multiple occasions, asserts that his daughters need not attempt to "marry up," but should instead be content with a companionate marriage with fewer means. His sister, on the other hand, encourages the enchanting romances developing between her nieces and the officers.

The following day while Mr. Ouseley was away, Miss Margaret makes plans to receive the officers at the vicarage. The party flirts and plays cards, and the ladies sing for the officers. Again the officers become even more taken by the sisters. Melford, Welford, Rosina, Manning, and Lydia go for a walk in the garden. Melford chases Rosina into a confessional cell on the vicarage plot, and they laugh and play in frivolous flirtation. Manning grabs Lydia's hand to follow the others, but Lydia pulls away in prudence. Through the evening Melford realizes that Rosina is truly no more than a coquette, but Manning further admires Lydia as something more. The town is buzzing the next day, slandering the daughters for their imprudence.

During the following days Welford frequently visits the vicarage in attempting an honorable conquest of Rosina's heart. Melford becomes jealous and encourages Welford to write Rosina a letter, declaring his passion for her. When Rosina receives the letter, she shows it to Melford. The letter is addressed to Miss Ouseley, so Melford tells Rosina to respond as Miss Margaret. In the letter she tells Welford not to write or visit the vicarage anymore. And so Welford is immediately gone from the story.

The officers invite the ladies to an extravagant public breakfast. Rosina again gains the attention of many, making Melford jealous. A dance is held during which Melford ignores Rosina. During the dance Manning and Lydia retreat to a bench in the arbor, where Manning professes his love. Lydia is also in love with Manning, but cannot respond, and the two return to the dance.

The following evening the officers celebrate the success of their gala and become extremely inebriated. The ladies walk along the parade, and Melford joins them. Rosina, still hurt by the jealousy game from the previous day, asks him to leave, but Melford refuses. Manning had left the dinner early, so he was not drunk, and when he sees Melford teasing the sisters, he hastens after them. Rosina forgets her anger and imprudently flirts with Melford, while Manning and Lydia walk along behind. Rosina and Melford escape to the garden where Mr. Ouseley finds them. He immediately orders Melford to leave and Rosina to return home. Mr. Ouseley scolds his daughter for her deviation from virtue as he has taught her.

The following day a young curate name Sedgeley, who lives close to the vicar, breakfasts with the Ouseleys. Sedgeley is quite opposite to Miss Margaret, but holds the favor of Mr. Ouseley. He loathes and ridicules novels and is found to hold an essay on old maids in his back pocket. The vicar hopes to unite Sedgeley and Rosina, for Sedgeley's views on virtue are more like his own. Rosina craves his attention, but does not love him.

Before the regiment leaves Lansdowne, Manning tells Lydia that, though he loves her, he cannot marry her, as he is engaged to another. Lydia is left broken-hearted, but reveres Manning for his obligation to honor. The night before the officers leave, Melford requests that Rosina meet him. Rosina sneaks out of the vicarage during the night to see him one last time. He propositions her, but Rosina holds true to her virtue and runs away from Melford. She is hurt by his imprudent actions, but also cannot deny her true feelings of love for him.

The vicar is relieved of the officers' departure and takes his daughters to meet with an old woman with which he is acquainted. Melinda Clifford is an old recluse who did not listen to her father and married a man of the upper class. She relates her story to the vicar's daughters. The imprudence she displayed by eloping with this man against her father's wishes destroyed Melinda's honor. When her husband died she returned to the cottage of her father to discover that he had died. Melinda was taken in by a peasant woman and her daughter. When the woman died, Melinda took care of the woman's daughter. Melinda and the girl live secluded in the small cottage. She laments her decision and encourages the girls to live with prudence, with virtue, and by their father's will. The girls, especially Rosina, come away in awe of Melinda's story and convinced of their obligation to virtue.

Not long after Melinda's story, a young man in distress arrives at the vicarage. The man carries with him a fatally injured man. He implores the vicar to help him, and seeing the man's harrowing circumstance, the vicar obliges. Once the party arrives inside, it is revealed that the injured man is in fact the vicar's son Francis. The young man tells the vicar that Francis had decided to surprise his family with a visit and had invited his friend to join him. In route to Lansdowne, Francis and his friend came across the regiment in a tavern. A drunken Melford slanders the name of Rosina, and Francis confronts him. During the confrontation, Francis's friend (for some reason) quits the scene only to find Francis severely wounded a short time later. Rosina finds herself to be completely at fault, and the vicar, only after strong persuasion from Lydia, forgives Rosina. Francis's prognosis is at first not favorable; however, over the weeks he begins to recover.

During his recovery a young woman arrives at the vicarage and tells Mr. Ouseley that she heard of Francis's accident. The vicar tells her that he will tell Francis of her kindness; however, she does not leave. She soon after tells the vicar that she has fled from Scotland because she is betrothed to a man she does not want to marry, for she is in love with Francis. The vicar, because of his advocacy of filial obligation in relation to virtue, at first refuses to harbor her under such circumstances. However, after hearing her story, he obliges. Maria Douglas's fortune is in the hands of the man to whom she should marry, and by her dead uncle's orders, she is not to receive any portion of this fortune unless she marries this man. If she fails to carry out her uncle's wishes, the fortune belongs solely to her intended. The vicar tells Maria that she can stay, but that she is not to see Francis until his consent is granted.

Rosina, Lydia, and Margaret are all captured by the enchantment of Maria's story and are resolved to help her see Francis. The three ladies and the vicar go to Francis's room and ask him about the prospect of any lovers while he was away at school, and he tells his story. During a trip to the Scottish countryside with a friend, he met Maria and they fell in love. At the end of Francis's story, Maria bursts into the room, apologizing to the vicar at the same time. Francis and Maria are both overcome and embrace each other. The vicar is upset with her betrayal, but sees the effects her presence has on his son's well-being and does not force her to leave.

Maria has sent a letter to the man whom she should marry, asking him to release her from the contract. The vicar agrees to let Maria stay until the man responds. Maria receives the letter, but does not disclose its contents. The man comes to the vicarage, and on the day Maria requests that they be allowed a private meeting. After the meeting concludes she tells Mr. Ouseley that she is freed from her contract; the vicar blesses a marriage between Maria and Francis. Shortly after, Maria requests a private meeting with the vicar. When they return Maria tells Lydia that the man would like to marry her instead. Lydia is surprised and aghast at such a proclamation. She is further distressed by the vicar's blessing of such a marriage. The vicar further causes anguish to his daughter when proclaiming that he could not understand a lady's wish for any end other than marriage. Maria opens the door to another room, and Manning enters the parlor. Maria's intended partner is Captain Manning!

Manning relates to the party that he could not sever his honor regarding his intended marriage because, through the fortune he is to receive, he must take care of his mother and sister. He felt that his refusal of the contract in order to succumb to his passions would affect others more severely than it would affect him. However, because both he and Maria consent to the dissolution of the contract, each will receive their respective fortunes. The vicar soon marries both couples.

Rosina is jealous of the couples' unions, and Margaret laments the impropriety of Lydia's marrying before Rosina's. Margaret encourages Rosina to accept Sedgeley's favor. However, Rosina is invited to accompany the couples, first with the Ouseley's to Scotland, and then to Manning's estate. Though she is the highlight of the party in Scotland, Rosina cannot help but to think of her trip to Manning's house, for she hopes to see Melford there.

When Rosina finally goes to visit her sister, she is upset to see that amidst all of the friends visiting the newly married couple, Melford is not in their presence. Manning's younger sister Eliza is present, and Roche describes her as pleasant and kind, but not nearly as attractive as either Rosina or Lydia.

Finally Melford arrives one evening, and though Rosina's passions are inflamed, she regains her composure and her obligation to prudence. Rosina and Melford resume their tempestuous relationship through games of pride. Rosina refuses to take Melford's hand, and Melford in turn treats Rosina with distant civility. Throughout his stay he flirts with Eliza, and Rosina begins to believe she has lost his affection, as he believes he has lost hers. Manning keeps portraits of his closest friends in the library, and while reading one day, Rosina sees a picture of Melford. She gazes at the picture and begins to cry. While she is weeping, someone touches her shoulder, and it is Melford. He confesses his love for Rosina and apologizes for his last evening in Lansdowne, as he thought she was merely a coquette. However, upon seeing her prudence and since his departure, he has realized his undying love for her. Though Rosina is greatly touched, she is unsure of his original feelings for her. She refuses Melford, but as she walks away is afraid that her refusal is too cold.

Shortly after this confrontation Rosina endeavors to leave the Manning estate. She contrives a plan with Lydia in order to win Melford back and takes Eliza with her to the vicarage. She hopes to carry out her departure without Melford's knowledge, but notices him looking out his bedroom window as they are getting into the carriage. While on the road, she hopes to see his phaeton approach, but is despaired at no such following.

Upon their arrival into Lansdowne, Rosina and Eliza meet Sedgeley. Eliza is hidden within the carriage, and Sedgeley attempts to get a look at her. His interest is appeased, and his feelings towards Rosina are only strengthened after he sees Eliza. While at the vicarage, Rosina hopes for Melford's arrival daily. The vicar can see Rosina's despair, and she eventually discloses all of the events to her father. He applauds her penitence and her dedication to prudence.

Miss Margaret encourages Rosina to accept Sedgeley in order to secure a married life. Therefore, Sedgeley is invited to the vicarage often, and Rosina obliges his attention, not because she loves him, but because she simply enjoys the attention of the opposite sex. One evening Sedgeley reads a poem he has written for his muse Rosina, and Rosina accidentally laughs in the middle of his recitation. Eliza castigates Rosina for the impropriety of her actions. Upon this incident Sedgeley's affections are permanently transferred from Rosina to Eliza.

Eliza, Rosina, and Margaret are invited to the Sedgeley household one evening. As the time grows late, and Sedgeley has plans for the party in the morning, Mrs. Sedgeley asks all of the ladies to stay. Rosina, for Eliza's sake, agrees to stay, but Miss Margaret is obliged to return to the vicarage.

During the ladies' evening at the Sedgeley's the vicar is met with the arrival of Manning and Melford. Manning softens the vicar for Melford's entrance. Once admitted Melford begs the vicar for forgiveness and tells him of his love for Rosina. He says that he is a penitent man and has seen the wrong in his past behavior. The vicar, knowledgeable of Rosina's feelings, blesses a marriage between the two on the basis of approbation for their repentance.

Melford insists that he and Manning go directly to Sedgeley's, but Manning warns the eager lover of the impropriety of such an action. Furthermore, Manning has a plan to reunite the couple. The vicar encourages both men to get some rest. After they retire, the vicar stays up, awaiting the return of the ladies. He is disappointed to find Miss Margaret return without Rosina. He tells his sister of the evening's events, and she is, of course, overjoyed at the news.

The following morning the vicar sends Susan, the house-servant, to the Sedgeley's to request Rosina's presence at home. He promises Susan a new hymn book if she does not reveal to Rosina that Melford is at the vicarage. Rosina is surprised to see Susan at such an early hour. Susan insinuates the nature of the vicar's request, and Rosina guesses that Melford has come for her. Eliza is disappointed to leave Sedgeley, but is happy for Rosina. When she arrives home, Rosina pretends not to know the news, but Mr. Ouseley can tell that the secret was revealed. Rosina goes to her room to freshen up, and upon dropping something, wakes Melford in the other room. He realizes it is morning and immediately arises. He thinks he hears the sound of female feet on the stairs and looks into the hallway only to catch a glimpse of Rosina. He follows her down the stairs and the two meet in the parlor. Soon after, the vicar arrives and blesses the union.

Mrs. Manning (Manning's mother) and Lydia are then invited to the vicarage. During Mrs. Manning's stay, she and Manning meet with the Sedgeley's to consent to the marriage between their children. Another double marriage is conducted.

Roche ends the novel with accounts of the futures of all of the characters, including the details on Welford and Melinda Clifford. All of the couples live happily ever after. Miss Margaret lives with her favorite niece Rosina. The family meets for two months every year at the vicarage and delights in the joys of life, which are results of their virtuous choices and dedication to Christianity. This message is explicitly conveyed at the novel's end. Roche officially concludes with another plea to the critics to ignore her humble tale rather than criticize it, if they find it wanting.

-- Prepared by Diane Sylofski, University of Nebraska, April 2006.
© Diane Sylofski, 2006.