and threw it upon a table that was near him, | pronouncing the word, there,' with great disdain. took it up, and perceiving, with some surprise, that it was a comedy, told him it did not belong to me; upon which he offered me another, which I also disclaimed. A third was produced and rejected for the same reason. At length he pulled out a whole handful, and spread them before me, saying, There are seven-take which you please or take them all.' I singled out my own, and went away, struck dumb with admiration at what I had seen-not so much on account of his insolence, as of the number of new plays, which from this circumstance I concluded were yearly offered to the stage. You may be sure I did not fail to carry my complaint to my patron, who did not receive it with all the indignation I expected; but taxed me with precipitation, and told me I must lay my account with bearing the humours of the players, if I intended to write for the stage. There is now no other remedy,' said he, but to keep it till the next season for Mr Brayer, and alter it at your leisure in the summer, according to his directions.' I was now reduced to a terrible alternative, either to quit all hopes of my tragedy, from which I had all along promised myself a large share of fortune and reputation, or to encounter eight long months of adversity in preparing for, and expecting its appearance. This last penance, painful as it was, seemed most eligible to my reflection at that time, and therefore I resolved to undergo it. obeyed the summons, and was received with such profusion of compliments and apologies, that my resentment immediately subsided, and I was even in pain for the concern which this honest man showed at the mistake of his servant, who, it seems, had been ordered to deny him to every body but me. He expressed the utmost veneration for his good and noble friend Lord Rattle, whom he should be always proud to serve: promised to peruse the play with all dispatch, and give me a meeting upon it; and, as a testimony of his esteem, made me a present of a general order for the season, by which I should be admitted to any part of the theatre. This was a very agreeable compliment to me, whose greatest pleasure consisted in seeing dramatic performances, and you need not doubt that I often availed myself of my privilege. As I had an opportunity of being behind the scenes when I pleased, I frequently conversed with Mr Brayer about my play, and asked when he intended to put it into rehearsal; but he had always so much business upon his hands, that it remained with him unopened a considerable while; and I became very uneasy about the season, that wasted apace, when I saw in the papers another new play advertised, which had been written, offered, accepted, and rehearsed, in the compass of three months. You may easily guess how much I was confounded at this event. I own to you, that in the first transports of my anger, I suspected Mr Brayer of having acted towards me in the most pitiful, perfidious manner; and was actually glad at his disappointment in the success of his favourite piece, which, by the strength of art, lingered till the third night, and then died in a deplorable manner. But, now that passion has no share in my reflection, I am willing to ascribe his behaviour to his want of memory, or want of judgment, which, you know, are natural defects, that are more worthy of compassion than reproach. Why should I tire you with particulars of no consequence? I wrestled with extreme poverty until the time of my probation was expired, and went to my Lord Rattle in order to remind him of my affair, when I understood, to my great concern, that his lordship was just on the point of going abroad, and, which was still more unfortunate for me, Mr Brayer had gone into the country, so that my generous patron had it not in his power "About this time I happened to be in to introduce me personally, as he intended: company with a gentlewoman, who, having however, he wrote a very strong letter to the heard of my tragedy, told me she was acmanager in my favour, and put him in mind of quainted with the wife of a gentleman, who the promise he had made in behalf of my play. was very well known to a lady, who had "As soon as I was certified of Brayer's great interest with a person who was intireturn, I went to his house with this letter, mate with Earl Sheerwit, and that, if I but was told he was gone out. I called again pleased, she would use her influence in my next day early in the morning, received the behalf. As this nobleman had the character same answer, and was desired to leave my of a Mecenas in the nation, and could stamp name and business; I did so, and returned a value upon any work by his sole countethe day after, when the servant still affirmed nance and approbation, I accepted her offer that his master was gone abroad, though I with eagerness, in full confidence of seeing perceived him, as I retired, observing me my reputation established, and my wishes through a window. Incensed at this disco- fulfilled in a very short time, provided I very, I went to a coffee-house hard by, and should have the good fortune to please his inclosing his lordship's letter in one from lordship's taste. I withdrew the manuscript myself, "demanded a categorical answer. I from the hands of Mr Brayer, and committed sent it to his house by a porter, who returned it to the care of this gentlewoman, who lain a few minutes, and told me Mr Brayer boured so effectually in my interest, that in would be glad to see me at that instant. I less than a month it was conveyed to the of writing to me ten days after he set out for the country. However, I was at last favoured with a letter, importing that he had made some remarks on my tragedy, which he would freely impart at meeting, and advising me to put it, without loss of time, into the hands of that manager who had the best company, as he himself was quite uncertain whether or not he should be engaged that winter. I was a good deal alarmed at this last part of his letter, and advised about it with a friend, who told me, it was a plain indication of Mr Marmozet's desire to get rid of his promise; that his pretended uncertainty about acting next winter was no other than a scandalous evasion; for, to his certain knowledge, he was already engaged, or at least in terms, with Mr Vandal; and that his design was to disappoint me, in favour of a new comedy, which he had purchased of the author, and intended to bring upon the stage for his own advantage. 66 earl, and in a few weeks after, I had the | cile Mr Marmozet's silence, with his promise satisfaction to hear that he had read and approved it very much. Transported with this piece of intelligence, I flattered myself with the hopes of his interesting himself in its favour; but hearing no more of the matter in three whole months, I began (God forgive me) to suspect the veracity of the person who brought me the good tidings; for I thought it impossible that a man of his rank and character, who knew the difficulty of writing a good tragedy, and understood the dignity of the work, should read and applaud an essay of this kind, without feeling an inclination to befriend the author, whom his countenance alone could raise above dependence. But it was not long before I found my friend very much wronged by my opinion. "You must know that the civilities I have received from Lord Rattle, and the desire he manifested to promote the success of my play, encouraged me to write an account of my bad fortune to his lordship, who condescended so far as to desire, by letter, a young In short, my dear sir, this person, who, I squire of a great estate, with whom he was must own, is of a sanguine complexion, hanintimate, to espouse my cause, and, in par- dled the moral character of Mr Marmozet ticular, made me acquainted with one Mr with such severity, that I began to suspect Marmozet, a celebrated player, who had him of some particular prejudice, and put lately appeared on the stage with astonish-myself upon my guard against his insinuaing eclat, and bore such sway in the house tions. I ought to crave pardon for this where he acted, that the manager durst not tedious narration of trivial circumstances, refuse any thing he recommended. The which, however interesting they may be to young gentleman whom Lord Rattle had me, must certainly be very dry and insipid employed for this purpose, being diffident of to the ear of one unconcerned in the affair. his own interest with Mr Marmozet, had re- But I understand the meaning of your looks, course to a nobleman of his acquaintance, and will proceed. Well, sir, Mr Marmozet, who, at his solicitation, was so good as to upon his return to town, treated me with introduce me to him; and the conversation uncommon complaisance, and invited me to turning upon my performance, I was not a his lodgings, where he proposed to commulittle surprised, as well as pleased, to hear nicate his remarks, which I confess were that Earl Sheerwit had spoken very much in more unfavourable than I expected; but I its praise, and even sent Mr Marmozet the answered his objections, and, as I thought, copy, with a message, expressing a desire brought him over to my opinion; for, on the that he would act in it next season. Nor whole, he signified the highest approbation was the favourite actor backward in com- of the performance. In the course of our mending the piece, which he mentioned with dispute, I was not a little surprised to find some expressions of regard that I do not this poor gentleman's memory so treachechoose to repeat; assuring me that he would rous, as to let him forget what he had said appear in it provided he should be engaged to me, before he went out of town, in regard to play at all during the ensuing season. In to Earl Sheerwit's opinion of my play, which the meantime, he desired I would give him he now professed himself ignorant of; and I leave to peruse it in the country, whither he was extremely mortified at hearing from his intended to remove next day, that he might own mouth, that his interest with Mr Vandal have leisure to consider and point out such was so very low, as to be insufficient of itself alterations as might, perhaps, be necessary to bring a new piece upon the stage. I then for its representation; and took my direction, begged his advice; and he counselled me to that he might communicate by letter the apply to Earl Sheerwit for a message in my observations he should make. Trusting to favour to the manager, who would not prethese assurances, and the interest which had sume to refuse any thing recommended by been made in my behalf, I hugged myself in so great a man; and he was so kind as to the expectation of seeing it not only acted, promise to second this message with all his but acted to the greatest advantage; and power. I had immediate recourse to the this I thought could not fail of recompensing worthy gentlewoman my friend, already menme in an ample manner for the anxiety and tioned, who opened the channels of her conaffliction I had undergone: but six weeks veyance with such expedition, that in a few being elapsed, I did not know how to recon- days I had the promise of the message, pro cumstances of his conduct towards me. I was encouraged in this suspicion, by being told, that my Lord Sheerwit had spoke of his character with great contempt, and, in particular, resented his insolence in opposing his own taste to that of his lordship concerning my tragedy. While I hesitated between different opinions of the matter, that friend, who (as I told you before) was a little hotheaded, favoured me with a visit, and having heard a circumstantial account of the whole affair, could not contain his indignation, but affirmed without ceremony, that Marmozet was the sole occasion of my disappointment; that he had acted from first to last with the most perfidious dissimulation, cajoling me with insinuating civilities, while he underhand employed all his art and influence to prejudice the ignorant manager against my performance; that nothing could equal his hypocrisy but his avarice, which engrossed the faculties of his soul so much, that he scrupled not to be guilty of the meanest practices to gratify that sordid appetite; that, in consequence of this disposition, he had prostituted his honour in betraying my inexperience, and in undermining the interest of another author of established reputation, who had also offered a tragedy to the stage, which he thought would interfere with the success of the comedy he had bought, and determined to bring on at all events. vided I could assure myself of Mr Vandal's | being unengaged to any other author; for his lordship did not choose to condescend so far, until he should understand that there was a probability (at least) of succeeding. At the same time that he blessed me with this piece of news, I was startled at another, by the same channel of communication; which was, that Mr Marmozet, before he advised me to this application, had informed the earl that he had read my play, and found it altogether unfit for the stage. Though I could not doubt the certainty of this intelligence, I believed there was some misapprehension in the case; and, without taking any notice of it, told Mr Marmozet the answer I had been favoured with, and he promised to ask Mr Vandal the question proposed. I waited upon him in a day or two, when he gave me to understand that Mr Vandal, having professed himself free of all engagements, he had put my play into his hands, and represented it as a piece strongly recommended by Earl Sheerwit, who (he assured him) would honour him with a message in its favour; and he desired me to call for an answer at Mr Vandal's house in three days. I followed his directions, and found the manager, who, being made acquainted with my business, owned that Mr Marmozet had given him a manuscript play, but denied that he had mentioned Earl Sheerwit's name. When I informed him of the circumstances "I was shocked at the description of such of the affair, he said he had no engagement a monster, which I could not believe existed with any author; that he would read my in the world, bad as it is, and argued against tragedy forthwith, and did not believe he the asseverations of my friend, by demonshould venture to reject it in contradiction strating the bad policy of such behaviour, to his lordship's opinion, for which he had which could not fail of entailing infamy upon the utmost veneration, but put it into re- the author; and the small temptation that a hearsal without loss of time. I was so much man of Mr Marmozet's figure and success intoxicated with this encouragement, that I could have to consult his interest in such overlooked the mysterious conduct of Mr a grovelling manner, which must create Marmozet, and attended the manager at the contempt and abhorrence of him in his time appointed, when, to my infinite confu- patrons, and effectually deprive him of the sion, he pronounced my play improper for countenance and protection he now enjoys the stage, and rejected it accordingly. As in such an eminent degree. He pretended soon as I could recollect myself from the to laugh at my simplicity, and asked if I disorder into which this unexpected refusal knew for which of his virtues he was so had thrown me, I expressed a desire of hear- much caressed by the people of fashion? ing his objections, which were so groundless,It is not,' said he, for the qualities of his indistinct, and unintelligible, that I persuaded myself he had not at all perused the piece, but had been prompted by somebody, whose lessons he had not rightly retained. However, I have been since informed, that the poor man's head, which was not naturally very clear, had been disordered with superstition, and that he laboured under the tyranny of a wife and the terrors of hell-fire at the same time. Precipitated, in this manner, from the highest pinnacle of hope to the abyss of despondence, I was ready to sink under the burden of my affliction, and in the bitterness of my anguish, could not help entertaining some doubts of Mr Marmozet's integrity, when I recollected and compared the cir heart, that this little parasite is invited to the tables of dukes and lords, who hire extraordinary cooks for his entertainment: his avarice they see not, his ingratitude they feel not, his hypocrisy accommodates itself to their humours, and is of consequence pleasing; but he is chiefly courted for his buffoonery, and will be admitted into the choicest parties of quality for his talent of mimicking Punch and his wife Joan, when a poet of the most exquisite genius is not able to attract the least regard.' God forbid, Mr Random, that I should credit assertions that degrade the dignity of our superiors so much, and represent that poor man as the most abject of all beings! No; I looked upon them as the hyperboles of passion; and though that comedy of which he spoke did actually appear, I dare not doubt the innocence of Mr Marmozet, who, I am told, is as much as ever in favour with the earl; a circumstance that surely could not be, unless he had vindicated bis character to the satisfaction of his lordship. Pray forgive this long digression, and give me the hearing a little longer; for, thank heaven! I am now near the goal. "Baffled in all my attempts, I despaired of seeing my play acted; and bethought myself of choosing some employment that might afford a sure, though mean, subsistence; but my landlord, to whom I was by this time considerably indebted, and who had laid his account with having his money paid all in a heap, from the profits of my third night, could not brook his disappointment, therefore made another effort in my behalf, and, by dint of interest, procured a message from a lady of fashion to Mr Brayer, who had always professed a great veneration for her, desiring that he would set up my play forthwith, and assuring him that she and all her friends would support it in the performance. To strengthen my interest, she engaged his best actors in my cause; and, in short, exerted herself so much, that it was again received, and my hopes began to revive. But Mr Brayer, honest man, was so much engrossed by business of vast consequence, though to appearance he had nothing at all to do, that he could not find time to read it until the season was pretty far advanced; and read it he must, for, notwithstanding his having perused it before, his memory did not retain, one circumstance of the matter. At length he favoured it with his attention, and, having proposed certain alterations, sent his duty to the lady who patronised it, and promised, on his honour, to bring it on next winter, provided these alterations should be made, and the copy delivered to him before the end of April. With an aching heart I submitted to these conditions, and performed them accordingly; but fortune owed me another unforeseen mortification: Mr Marmozet, during the summer, became joint patentee with Mr Brayer; so that, when I claimed performance of articles, I was told he could do nothing without the consent of his partner, who was pre-engaged to another author. "My condition was rendered desperate by the death of my good friend and landlord, whose executors obtained a judgment against my effects, which they seized, and turned me out into the streets naked, friendless, and forlorn. There I was arrested at the suit of my tailor, and thrown into this prison, where I have made shift to live these five weeks on the bounty of my fellow-prisoners, who, I hope, are not the worse for the instruction and good offices by which I manifest my gratitude; but, in spite of all their charitable endeavours, my life was scarce tolerable, until your uncommon benevolence enabled me to enjoy it with comfort." CHAPTER LXIV. I am seized with a deep melancholy, and become a sloven-am relieved by my uncle -he prevails upon me to engage with his owners as surgeon of the ship which he commands-he makes me a considerable present-entertains Strap as his steward-I take leave of my friends, and go on board-the ship arrives in the Downs. I SHALL not make any reflections on this story, in the course of which the reader must perceive how egregiously the simplicity and milky disposition of this worthy man had been duped and abused by a set of scoundrels, who were so habituated to falsehood and equivocation, that I verily believe they would have found the utmost difficulty in uttering one syllable of truth, though their lives had depended upon their sincerity. Notwithstanding all I had suffered from the knavery and selfishness of mankind, I was amazed and incensed at the base indifference which suffered such uncommon merit as he possessed to languish in obscurity, and struggle with all the miseries of a loathsome jail; and should have blessed the occasion that secluded me from such a perfidious world, had not the remembrance of the amiable Narcissa preserved my attachment to that society of which she constituted a part. The picture of that lovely creature was the constant companion of my solitude. How often did I contemplate the resemblance of those enchanting features that first captivated my heart! How often did I weep over those endearing scenes which her image recalled! and how often did I curse my perfidious fate for having robbed me of the fair original! In vain did my imagination flatter me with schemes of future happiness; surly reason always interposed, and in a moment overthrew that unsubstantial fabric, by chastising the extravagance of my hope, and representing my unhappy situation in the right point of view. In vain did I fly for refuge to the amusements of the place, and engage in the parties of Jackson, at cards, billiards, nine-pins, and fives; a train of melancholy thoughts took possession of my soul, which even the conversation of Melopoyn could not divert. I ordered Strap to inquire every day at Banter's lodgings, in expectation of hearing again from my charmer; and my disappointment considerably augmented my chagrin. My affectionate valet was infected with my sorrow, and often sat with me whole hours without attachment to me, he squeezed his hand very cordially, and promised to make a man of him; then giving me ten guineas for my present occasion, took a direction for the tailor who arrested me, and went away in order to discharge the debt, telling me at parting, that he would soon fetch up all my lee-way with a wet sail. speaking, uttering sigh for sigh, and shedding | tear for tear. This fellowship increased our distemper; he became incapable of business, and was discarded by his master; while I, seeing my money melt away, without any certainty of deliverance, and in short, all my hopes frustrated, grew negligent of life, lost all appetite, and degenerated into such a sloven, that, during the space of two months, I was utterly confounded at this sudden I was neither washed, shifted, nor shaved; transition, which affected me more than any so that my face, rendered meagre with ab- reverse I had formerly felt; and a crowd of stinence, was obscured with dirt, and over- incoherent ideas rushed so impetuously upon shadowed with hair, and my whole appear- my imagination, that my reason could neither ance squalid and even frightful; when, one separate nor connect them, when Strap, day, Strap brought me notice that there was whose joy had manifested itself in a thousand a man below who wanted to speak with me. fooleries, came into my room with his shaRoused at this intelligence, and in full hopes ving utensils, and, without any previous inof receiving a letter from the dear object of timation, began to lather my beard, whistling my love, I ran down stairs with the utmost with great emotion all the while. I started precipitation, and found, to my infinite sur- from my reverie, and being too well acquainted prise, my generous uncle, Mr Bowling. with Strap to trust myself in his hands while Transported at the sight, I sprung forward he was under such agitation, desired to be to embrace him: upon which he started excused, sent for another barber, and sufferaside with great agility, drew his hanger, ed myself to be trimmed. Having performand put himself upon his guard, crying,-ed the ceremony of ablution, I shifted, and, "Avast, brother, avast! sheer off!-Yo ho! dressing in my gayest apparel, waited for the you turnkey, why don't you keep a better return of my uncle, who was agreeably surlook-out? here's one of your crazy prisoners prised at my sudden transformation. broke from his lashings, I do suppose." I This beneficent kinsman had satisfied my could not help laughing heartily at his mis- creditor, and obtained an order for my distake; but this I soon rectified by my voice, charge, so that I was no longer a prisoner; which he instantly recollected, and shook but as I had some reluctance to part with my me by the hand with great affection, testify-friends and fellows in distress, I prevailed ing his concern at seeing me in such a mis-upon Mr Bowling to favour us with his comerable condition. pany, and invited Mr Melopoyn and Jackson to spend the evening at my apartment, where I regaled them with a supper, good wine, and the news of my release, on which they heartily congratulated me, notwithstanding the loss of my company, which, they were pleased to say, they should severely feel. As for Jackson, his misfortune made so little impression on himself, and he was altogether so loose, indifferent, and indiscreet, that I could scarce pity his situation: but I had conceived a veneration and friendship for the poet, who was in all respects an object much more worthy of compassion and regard. When our guests withdrew, and my uncle had retired, with an intention to visit me next morning, I made up a bundle of some linen, and other necessaries, and, bidding Strap carry them to Mr Melopoyn's lodgings, went thither myself and pressed it upon his acceptance, with five guineas, which with much difficulty he received, assuring me at the same time that he should never have it in his power to make satisfaction. I then asked if I could serve him any other I conducted him to my apartment, where, in presence of Strap, whom I introduced to him as one of my best friends, he gave me to understand that he was just arrived from the coast of Guinea, after having made a pretty successful voyage, in which he had acted as mate, until the ship was attacked by a French privateer; that the captain being killed during the engagement, he had taken the command, and was so fortunate as to sink the enemy; after which exploit he fell in with a merchant ship from Martinico, laden with sugar, indigo, and some silver; and, by virtue of his letter of marque, attacked, took, and brought her safe into Kinsale, in Ireland, where she was condemned as a lawful prize; by which means he had not only got a pretty sum of money, but also acquired the favour of his owners, who had already conferred upon him the command of a large ship, mounted with twenty nine-pounders, ready to sail upon a very advantageous voyage, which he was not at liberty to discover. And he assured me, it was with the greatest difficulty he had found me, in consequence of a direc-way; to which he answered,-"you have tion left for him at his lodgings at Wapping. I was rejoiced beyond measure at this account of his good fortune; and, at his desire, recounted all the adventures that had happened to me since we parted. When he understood the particulars of Strap's already done too much ;" and, unable to contain the emotions of his soul any longer, burst into tears, and wept aloud. Moved at this spectacle, I left him to his repose; and, when my uncle returned in the morning, represented his character in such a favourable |