This author, however (continues the letter writer) has not fet forth half the merits of the piece under confideration, nor is the great care which he has taken. to prevent our reading any other book, instead of this, been fufficiently taken notice of: beware of counterfeits, these books are not to be depended on, unless figned by E. Hoyle, is a charitable admonition. As you have fo much power at Bath, and are abfolute, I think you should imitate other great monarchs, by rewarding those with honours who have been ferviceable in your ftate; and I beg that a new order may be eftablished for that purpose. Let him who has done nothing but game all his life, and has reduced the most families to ruin and beggary, be made a Marshal of the Black Ace; and thofe who are every day making profelytes to the tables, have the honour of knighthood conferred on them, and be diftinguished by the ftyle and title of Knights of the four Knaves.

The

The moment I came into Bath, my ears were faluted with the news of a gentleman's being plundered at the gaming table, and having loft his fenfes on the occafion. The fame day a duel was fought between two gentlemen gamefters on the Downs, and in the evening another hanged himself at the Bear; but first wrote a note, which was found near him, importing that he had injured the best of friends. These are the atchievements of your Knights of the four Knaves. The Devil will pick the bones of all gamefters, that's certain ! Ay! and of duellers too! but in the mean time let none think that duelling is a mark of courage; for I know it is not. A person served under me in Flanders who had fought four duels, and depended fo much on his skill, the ftrength of his arm, and the length of his sword, that he would take up a Quarrel for any body; yet, in the field, I never faw one behave fo like á poltroon. If a few of thefe gamefters and duellers were gibbeted, it might perhaps help to amend the reft. I have often Q2 thought,

thought, that the only way, or at least, the most effectual way, to prevent duelling, would be to hang both parties, the living and the dead, on the fame tree *; and if the

A scheme to prevent duelling, fimilar to this, was attempted by Guftavus Adolphus; and is thus recorded by the writer of his life.

"In one of the Pruffian Campaigns, when the irrational practice of duelling arofe to a confiderable height in the Swedish army, not only amongst perfons of rank and fashion, but even amongst common foldiers. This prince published a fevere edict, and denounced death against every delinquent. Soon after, a quarrel arofe between two officers of very high command, and as they knew the king's firmness in preferving his word inviolable, they agreed to request an audience, and befought his permiffion to decide the affair like men of honour. His Majefty took fire in a moment, but repreffed his paffion with fuch art, that they easily mistook him; of course with fome reluctance, but under the appearance of pitying brave men, who thought their reputation injured, he told them, that he blamed them much for their miftaken notions, concerning Fame and Glory; yet as this unreasonable determination appeared to be the refult of deliberate reflection, to the best of their deluded capacity, he would allow them to decide the affair at the time and place specified and, gentlemen, faid he, I will be an

eye

the winner and the lofer were treated in the fame manner, it would be better for the publick; fince the tucking up of a few R-Is might be a warning to others, and fave many a worthy family from deftruc

tion.

I am yours, &c.

The author of this letter appears to have been very angry, and not without reafon for if I am rightly informed, his only fon was ruined at Bath, and by fharpers.

eye witness myself of your extraordinary Valour and prowefs."

At the hour appointed Gustavus arrived, accompa nied by a small body of infantry, whom he formed into a circle round the combatants. Now, fays he, fight till one man dies ;" and calling the executioner of the army to him (or the provoft-marshal, as the language then ran) Friend, added he, the inftant one is killed, behead the other before my eyes."

Aftonished with fuch inflexible firmnefs, the two generals, after paufing a moment, fell down on their knees, and asked the king's forgivenefs, who made them embrace each other, and give their promise to continue faithful friends to their laft moments; as they did with fincerity and thankfulness.

Q 3

But

But why is Nash to be blamed for this? It must be acknowledged, that he always took pains to prevent the ruin of the youth of both fexes, and had fo guarded against duelling, that he would not permit a fword to be worn in Bath.

As the heart of a man is better known by his private than public actions, let us take a view of Naft in domestick life; among his fervants and dependants where no gloss was required to colour his fenti, ments and difpofition, nor any mask neceffary to conceal his foibles. Here we fhall find him the fame open-hearted, ge nerous, good-natured man we have already defcribed; one who was ever fond of promoting the interefts of his friends, his fervants and dependants, and making them happy. In his own houfe no man perhaps was more regular, chearful, and beneficent than Mr. Nah, His table was always free to thofe who fought his friendfhipx x or wanted a dinner, and after grace was faid, he ufually accofted the company in the following extraordinary manner, to

take