at least twenty thousand wounds, he cried, | offence his resentment might have prompted "O Jesus!" and fell flat on the floor. I him to commit.-"I would willingly," said stopped the bleeding with a little dry lint, he, "make you my friend; but as it is imand applying a plaster over it, cleansed my possible for me to divest myself of my passion self from the gore, shifted and dressed, for Narcissa, I am too well convinced of while he lay senseless at my feet; so that your sentiments, to think we shall ever when he recovered, and saw me perfectly agree on that subject. I took the liberty, well, he could scarce believe his own eyes. therefore, of sending for you, in order to own Now that the danger was past, I was very candidly, that I cannot help opposing your well pleased with what had happened, hoping success with that young lady; though, at the that it would soon become known, and con- same time, I promise to regulate my opposisequently dignify my character not a little tion by the dictates of justice and honour: in this place. I was also proud of having this, however, I think proper to advertise you shown myself, in some shape, worthy the love of, that she has no independent fortune, and of Narcissa, who, I was persuaded, would not if you should even succeed in your addresses, think the worse of me for what I had done. you would have the mortification to see her reduced to indigence, unless you have wherewithal to support her-and I am credibly informed of your incapacity that way-nay, I will confess, that, urged by this consideration, I have actually sent notice to her brother of the progress I suspect you have made in her affection, and desired him to take his precautions accordingly." Alarmed and provoked at this information, I told his lordship, that I did not see how he could reconcile that piece of conduct with his profession of open dealing, and flung away from him in a passion.

CHAPTER LX.

I am visited by Freeman, with whom I appear in public, and am caressed-am sent for by Lord Quiverwit, whose presence I quit in a passion—Narcissa is carried off by her brother-I intend to pursue him, and am dissuaded by my friendengage in play, and lose all my money set out for London-try my fortune at the gaming table without success-receive a letter from Narcissa―bilk my tailor.

WHEN I entertained myself with these reflections, the news of the duel being communicated by some unknown channel, spread all over the town. I was visited by Freeman, who testified his surprise at finding me; for he was told that, Lord Quiverwit being dead of his wounds, I had absconded in order to avoid the cognizance of the law. I asked if people guessed the occasion of the quarrel: and understanding it was attributed to his lordship's resentment of my reply in the longroom, confirmed that conjecture, glad to find Narcissa unsuspected. My friend, after I had assured him that my antagonist was in no danger, wished me joy of the event, than which, he said, nothing could happen more opportunely to support the idea he had given of my character to his friends, among whom he had been very assiduous in my behalf.

On the strength of this assurance, I went with him to the coffee-house, where I was saluted by a great many of those very persons who had shunned me the preceding day; and I found every body making merry with the story of Melinda's French gallant. While I remained in this place, I received a message from Lord Quiverwit, desiring, if I was not engaged, to see me at his house.

Thither I immediately repaired, and was conducted to an apartment, where I was received by his lordship in bed. When we were left by ourselves, he thanked me, in very polite terms, for having used the advantage fortune had given me over him with such moderation; and asked pardon for any

As I walked homeward, in hope of hearing from my mistress as usual by means of Miss Williams, I was surprised by the waving of a handkerchief from the window of a coach and six that passed by me at full speed; and, upon further observation, I saw a servant on horseback riding after it, who, I knew by his livery, belonged to the squire. Thunderstruck with this discovery, the knowledge of my misfortune rushed all at once upon my reflection. I guessed immediately that the signal was made by the dear hand of Narcissa, who, being hurried away in consequence of Lord Quiverwit's message to her brother, had no other method of relating her distress, and imploring my assistance. Frantic with this conjecture, I ran to my lodgings, snatched my pistols, and ordered Strap to get post-horses, with such incoherence of speech and disorder, that the poor valet, terrified with the suspicion of another duel, instead of providing what I desired, went forthwith to Freeman, who, being informed of my behaviour, came straight to my apartment, and conjured me so pathetically to make him acquainted with the cause of my uneasiness, that I could not refuse telling him my happiness was fled with Narcissa, and that I must retrieve her, or perish. He represented the madness of such an undertaking, and endeavoured to divert me from it with great strength of friendship and reason. But all his arguments would have been ineffectual, had he not put me in mind of the dependence I ought to have on the love of Narcissa, and the attachment of her maid, who could not fail of finding opportunities to

Actuated by this fatal resolution, I engaged in play, and after some turns of fortune, found myself, at the end of three days, worth a thousand pounds; but it was not my intention to stop here, for which cause I kept Strap ignorant of my success, and continued my career, until I was reduced to five guineas, which I would have hazarded also, had I not been ashamed to fall from a bet of two hun-repairing my losses. He counselled me to dred pounds to such a petty sum.

to withstand that temptation of the devil! | imagined, that, if I could contrive means of Consider your immortal soul-there is no subsisting until my uncle should arrive, in repentance in the grave. O Lord! that ever case he was not already at home, he would we should come to this-are we not enjoined enable me to do something effectual in beto resign ourselves to the will of Heaven?— half of my love and fortune. I therefore where is your patience? Durum patientia consulted Banter about a present supply, frango-you are but a young man-there who no sooner understood that I had credit may be many good things in store for you with a tailor, than he advised me to take off Accidit in puncto, quod non speratur in two or three suits of rich clothes, and convert anno-remember your uncle, Mr Bowling; them into cash, by selling them at half price perhaps he is now on his voyage homeward, to a salesman in Monmouth street. I was pleasing himself with the hopes of seeing startled at this proposal, which I thought and relieving you; nay, peradventure he is savoured a little of fraud; but he rendered it already arrived, for the ship was expected palatable, by observing, that in a few months about this time." A ray of hope shot athwart I might be in a condition to do every body my soul at this suggestion; I thanked my justice; and, in the mean time, I was acfriend for his seasonable recollection, and, quitted by the honesty of my intention. I after having promised to take no resolution suffered myself to be persuaded by his salvo, till his return, dismissed him to Wapping for by which my necessity, rather than my judg intelligence. ment, was convinced; and when I found there were no accounts of the ship in which my uncle embarked, actually put the scheme in practice, and raised by it five and twenty guineas, paying him for his advice with the odd five.

In his absence I was visited by Banter, who being informed of my bad luck at play, told me, that fortune would probably be one day weary of persecuting me. "In the mean time," said he, "here is a letter for you, which I received just now inclosed in one from Freeman." I snatched it with eagerness, and knowing the superscription to be of Narcissa's hand-writing, kissed it with transport, and having opened it, read:

"It is with great difficulty that I have stolen from the observation of those spies who are set over me, this opportunity of telling you, that I was suddenly carried away from Bath by my brother, who was informed of our correspondence by Lord Quiverwit, whom, I since understand, you have wounded in a duel on my account. As I am fully convinced of your honour and love, I hope I shall never hear of such desperate proofs of either for the future. I am so strictly watched, that it will be impossible for you to see me, until my brother's suspicions shall abate, or heaven contrive some other unforeseen event in our behalf. In the mean time you may depend on the constancy and affection of your own

"NARCISSA.

CHAPTER LXI.

I am arrested-carried to the Marshalseafind my old acquaintance Beau Jackson in that jail-he informs me of his adventures-Strap arrives, and with difficulty is comforted-Jackson introduces me to a poet-I admire his conversation and capacity-am deeply affected with my misfortune-Strap hires himself as a journeyman barber.

He

BUT this expedient was in a few weeks attended with a consequence I did not foresee; a player having purchased one of the suits which were exposed to sale, appeared in it on the stage one night, while my tailor unfortunately happened to be present. knew it immediately, and inquiring minutely into the affair, discovered my whole contrivance; upon which he came to my lodgings, and telling me that he was very much straitened for want of money, presented his bill, which amounted to £50. Surprised at this unexpected address, I affected to treat him cavalierly, swore some oaths, asked if he doubted my honour, and, telling him I should take care whom I dealt with for the future, bade him come again in three days. He obeyed me punctually, demanded his money, and finding himself amused with bare proThis kind letter afforded me great conso-mises, arrested me that very day in the street. lation: I communicated it to Banter, and at the same time showed him her picture: he approved of her beauty and good sense, and could not help owning, that my neglect of Miss Snapper was excusable, when such a fine creature engrossed my attention.

"P. S. Miss Williams, who is my fellowprisoner, desires to be remembered to you. We are both in good health, and only in pain for you, especially as it will be impracticable for you to convey any message or letter to the place of our confinement; for which reason, pray desist from any attempt, that, by miscarrying, might prolong our captivity.

I began to be reconciled to my fate, and

I was not much shocked at this adventure, which, indeed, put an end to a state of horrible expectation; but I refused to go to a spunging-house, where I heard there was nothing but the most flagrant imposition; and a coach being called, was carried to the Marshalsea, attended by a bailiff and his fol

lower, who were very much disappointed and chagrined at my resolution.

before I was arrested for a debt of her's, amounting to £20, and brought to this place, where I have been fixed by another action since that time. However, you know my disposition; I defy care and anxiety; and being on the half-pay list, make shift to live here tolerably easy." I congratulated him on his philosophy, and remembering that I was in his debt, repaid the money he formerly lent me, which, I believe, was far from being unseasonable. I then inquired about the economy of the place, which he explained to my satisfaction: and after we had agreed to mess together, he was just going to give orders for dinner, when Strap arrived.

The turnkey, guessing from my appearance that I had money in my pocket, received me with the repetition of the Latin word depone, and gave me to understand that I must pay before-hand for the apartment I should choose to dwell in. I desired to see his conveniences, and hired a small paltry bedchamber for a crown a week, which, in any other place, would have let for half the money. Having taken possession of this dismal habitation, I sent for Strap, and my thoughts were busied in collecting matter of consolation to that faithful squire, when somebody knocked at my door, which I no sooner opened, than a young fellow entered, I never in my life saw sorrow so extravain very shabby clothes, and marvellous foul gantly expressed in any countenance as in linen. After a low bow, he called me by my that of my honest friend, which was, indeed, name, and asked if I had forgot him. His particularly adapted by nature for such imvoice assisted me in recollecting his person, pressions. When we were left by ourselves, whom I soon recognized to be my old ac- I communicated to him my disaster, and enquaintance Jackson, of whom mention is deavoured to console him with the same made in the first part of my memoirs. I arguments he had formerly used to me, withal saluted him cordially, expressed my satisfac- representing the fair chance I had of being tion at finding him alive, and condoled him relieved in a short time by Mr Bowling. But on his present situation, which, however, did his grief was unutterable; he seemed to give not seem to affect him much, for he laughed attention without listening, and wrung his very heartily at the occasion of our meeting hands in silence; so that I was in a fair way so unexpectedly in this place. Our mutual of being infected by his behaviour, when compliments being past, I inquired about his Jackson returned, and perceiving the deferamour with the lady of fortune, which seemed ence I paid to Strap, although in a footman's to be so near a happy conclusion when I habit, distributed his crumbs of comfort with had the pleasure of seeing him last; and, such mirth, jollity, and unconcern, that the after an immoderate fit of laughter, he gave features of the distressed squire relaxed by me to understand, that he had been most degrees; he recovered the use of speech, and egregiously bit in that affair. "You must began to be a little more reconciled to this know," said he, "that a few days after our lamentable event. We dined together on adventure with the bawd and her b-ches, I boiled beef and greens, brought from a cook's found means to be married to that same fine shop in the neighbourhood; and although lady you speak of, and passed the night with this meal was served up in a manner little her at her lodgings, so much to her satisfac- corresponding with the sphere of life in tion, that early in the morning, after a good which I had lately lived, I made a virtue of deal of snivelling and sobbing, she owned, necessity, ate with good appetite, and treated that far from being an heiress of great for my friends with a bottle of wine, which had tune, she was no other than a common the desired effect, of increasing the good woman of the town, who had decoyed me humour of my fellow-prisoner, and exhilaratinto matrimony, in order to enjoy the privi-ing the spirits of Strap, who now talked cavalege of a femme couverte; and that unless I lierly of my misfortune. made my escape immediately, I should be After dinner, Jackson left us to our priarrested for a debt of her contracting, byvate affairs; when I desired my friend to bailiffs employed and instructed for that pack up all our things and carry them to some purpose. Startled at this intimation, I rose cheap lodging he should choose for himself in a twinkling, and taking leave of my spouse in the neighbourhood of the Marshalsea, after with several hearty damns, got safe into the he had discharged my lodging, for which verge of the court, where I kept snug until purpose I gave him money. I likewise reI was appointed surgeon's mate of a man of commended to him the keeping my misforwar at Portsmouth; for which place I set tune secret, and saying to my landlord, or out on Sunday, went on board of my ship, any other who should inquire for me, that I in which I sailed to the Straits, where I had was gone into the country for a few weeks; the good fortune to be made surgeon of a at the same time I laid strong injunctions sloop that came home a few months after, upon him to call every second day upon Banand was put out of commission; whereupon ter, in case he should receive any letter for I came to London, imagining myself forgot-me from Narcissa, by the channel of Freeten, and freed from my wife and her credi- man; and by all means to leave a direction tors; but had not been in town a week for himself, at my uncle's lodgings in Wap

ping, by which I might be found when my kinsman should arrive.

my inclination: he promised to bring his tragedy to my room next day, and, in the mean time, entertained me with some detached pieces, which gave me a very advantageous idea of his poetical talent. Among other things, I was particularly pleased with some elegies in imitation of Tibullus; one of which I beg leave to submit to the reader, as a specimen of his complexion and capacity.

I.

Where now are all my flattering dreams of joy? Monimia, give my soul her wonted rest;Since first thy beauty fixed my roving eye, Heart-gnawing cares corrode my pensive breast!

When he departed to execute these orders (which, by the by, were punctually performed that very night), I found myself so little seasoned to my situation, that I dreaded reflection, and sought shelter from it in the company of the beau, who, promising to regale me with a lecture upon taste, conducted me to the common side, where I saw a number of naked miserable wretches assembled together. We had not been here many minutes, when a figure appeared, wrapt in a dirty rug, tied about his loins with two pieces of list, of different colours, knotted together, having a black bushy beard, and his head covered with a huge mass of brown periwig, which seemed to have been ravished from the head of some scarecrow. This apparition stalking in with great solemnity, made a profound bow to the audience, who signified their approbation by a general response of "how d'ye do, doctor?" then turned towards us, and honoured Jack-Where shepherds pipe, and virgins dance around; son with a particular salutation : upon which Nor wander through the woodbine's fragrant my friend, in a formal manner, introduced

He

II.

Let happy lovers fly where pleasures call, With festive songs beguile the fleeting hour; Lead beauty through the mazes of the ball, Or press her wanton in love's roseate bower.

III.

For me, no more I'll range the empurpled mead,

shade,

IV.

I'll seek some lonely church, or dreary hall, Where fancy paints the glimmering taper blue, Where damps hang mouldering on the ivy'd And sheeted ghosts drink up the midnight dew.

wall,

V.

There, leagued with hopeless anguish and despair,

A while in silence o'er my fate repine;

Then, with a long farewell to love and care, To kindred dust my weary limbs consign.

VI.

Wilt thou, Monimia, shed a gracious tear On the cold grave where all my sorrows rest?

Strew vernal flowers, applaud my love sincere, And bid the turf lie easy on my breast?

him to me by the name of Mr Melopoyn. To hear the music of the grove resound. This ceremony being over, he advanced into the middle of the congregation, which crowded around him, and hemming three times, to my utter astonishment pronounced, with great significance of voice and gesture, a very elegant and ingenious discourse upon the difference between genius and taste, illustrating his assertions with apt quotations from the best authors, ancient as well as modern. When he had finished his harangue, which lasted a full hour, he bowed again to the spectators, not one of whom (I was informed) understood so much as a sentence of what he had uttered. They manifested, however, their admiration and esteem, by a voluntary contribution, which, Jackson told me, one week with another, amounted to eighteen pence. This moderate stipend, together with some small presents that he received for making up differences, and deciding causes among the prisoners, just enabled him to breathe and walk about in the grotesque figure I have described. I understood also that he was an excellent poet, and had composed a tragedy, which was allowed by every body who had seen it to be a performance of great merit; that his learning was infinite, his morals unexceptionable, and his modesty invincible. Such a character could not fail of attracting my regard; I longed impatiently to be acquainted with him, and desired Jack-and introduced a train of other melancholy son would engage him to spend the evening in my apartment. My request was granted; he favoured us with his company; and in the course of our conversation, perceiving that I had a strong passion for the belles lettres, acquitted himself so well on that subject, that I expressed a fervent desire of seeing his productions. In this point too he gratified

I was wonderfully affected with this pathetic complaint, which seemed so well calculated for my own disappointment in love, that I could not help attaching the idea of Narcissa to the name of Monimia, and of forming such melancholy presages of my passion, that I could not recover my tranquillity, and was fain to have recourse to the bottle, which prepared me for a profound sleep, that I could not otherwise have enjoyed. Whether these impressions invited

reflections, or my fortitude was all exhausted in the effort I made against despondence during the first day of my imprisonment, I cannot determine; but I awoke in the hor rors, and found my imagination haunted with such dismal apparitions, that I was ready to despair;-and I believe the reader will own I had no great cause to congratu