my father. These affairs being discussed, he spared no pains to get intelligence concerning Miss Darnel; and soon learned more of that young lady than he desired to know; for it was become the common talk of the country, that a match was agreed upon between her and young Squire Sycamore, a gentleman of a very great fortune. These tidings were probably confirmed under her own hand, in a letter which she wrote to Sir Launcelot. The contents were never exactly known but to the parties themselves; never

panied with marks of horror and despair, prevailed upon his son to withdraw himself from the kingdom, until such time as the storm should be overblown. Had his heart been unengaged, he would have chose to travel; but at this period, when his whole soul was engrossed, and so violently agitated by his passion for Aurelia, nothing but the fear of seeing the old gentleman run distracted, would have induced him to desist from the pursuit of that young lady, far less quit the kingdom where she resided. "Well, then, gemmen, he repaired to Har-theless, the effects were too visible, for, from wich, where he embarked for Holland, from whence he proceeded to Brussels, where he procured a passport from the French king, by virtue of which he travelled to Marseilles, and there took a tartan for Genoa. The first letter Sir Everhard received from him was dated at Florence. Meanwhile the surgeon's prognostic was not altogether verified. Mr Darnel did not die immediately of his wounds; but he lingered a long time, as it were in the arms of death, and even partly recovered: yet, in all probability, he will never be wholly restored to the enjoyment of his health; and is obliged every summer to attend the hot-well at Bristol. As his wounds began to heal, his hatred to Mr Greaves seemed to revive with augmented violence; and he is now, if possible, more than ever determined against all reconciliation.

"Mr Launcelot, after having endeavoured to amuse his imagination with a succession of curious objects, in a tour of Italy, took up his residence at a town called Pisa, and there fell into a deep melancholy, from which nothing could rouse him but the news of his father's death.

that blessed moment, he spoke not one word to any living creature, for the space of three days; but was seen sometimes to shed a flood of tears, and sometimes to burst out into a fit of laughing. At last he broke silence, and seemed to wake from his disorder. He became more fond than ever of the exercise of riding, and began to amuse himself again with acts of benevolence.

"One instance of his generosity and justice deserves to be recorded in brass or marble: you must know, gemmen, the rector of the parish was lately dead, and Sir Everhard had promised the presentation to another clergyman. In the mean time, Sir Launcelot chancing one Sunday to ride through a lane, perceived a horse saddled and bridled, feeding on the side of a fence; and, casting his eyes around, beheld on the other side of the hedge an object lying extended on the ground, which he took to be the body of a murdered traveller. He forthwith alighted, and leaping into the field, descried a man at full length, wrapped in a great coat, and writhing in agony. Approaching nearer, he found it was a clergyman, in his gown and cassoc. When he inquired into the case, and offered his assistance, the stranger rose up, thanked him for his courtesy, and declared that he was now very well. The knight, who thought there was something mysterious in this incident, expressed a desire to know the cause of his rolling in the grass in that manner; and the clergyman, who knew his person, made no scruple in gratifying his curiosity. You must know, sir,' said he, 'I serve the curacy of your own parish; for which the late incumbent paid me twenty pounds a-year; but this sum being scarce sufficient to maintain my wife and children, who are five in number, I agreed to read prayers in the afternoon at another church, about four miles from hence; and for this additional duty I receive ten pounds more: as I keep a horse, it was formerly an agree

"The old gentleman (God rest his soul) never held up his head after the departure of his darling Launcelot; and the dangerous condition of Darnel kept up his apprehension: this was reinforced by the obstinate silence of the youth, and certain accounts of his disordered mind, which he had received from some of those persons who take pleasure in communicating disagreeable tidings. A complication of all these grievances, co-operating with a severe fit of the gout and gravel, produced a fever, which, in a few days, brought Sir Everhard to his long home, after he had settled his affairs with heaven and earth, and made his peace with God and man. I'll assure you, gemmen, he made a most edifying and christian end: he died regretted by all his neighbours except Anthony, and might be said to be embalmed by the tears of the poor, to whom he was always a boun-able exercise rather than a toil; but of late teous benefactor.

years I have been afflicted with a rupture, “When the son, now Sir Launcelot, came for which I consulted the most eminent opehome, he appeared so meagre, wan, and rators in the kingdom; but I have no cause hollow-eyed, that the servants hardly knew to rejoice in the effects of their advice, their young master. His first care was to though one of them assured me I was comtake possession of his fortune, and settle ac-pletely cured. The malady is now more counts with the steward who had succeeded troublesome than ever, and often comes upon

me so violently while I am on horseback, that | So saying, he retired, leaving Mr Jenkins

I am forced to alight, and lie down upon the ground, until the cause of the disorder can for the time be reduced.'

"Sir Launcelot not only condoled with him upon his misfortune, but desired him to throw up the second cure, and he would pay him ten pounds a-year out of his own pocket. Your generosity confounds me, good sir,' replied the clergyman; and yet I ought not to be surprised at any instance of benevolence in Sir Launcelot Greaves; but I will check the fullness of my heart. I shall only observe, that your good intention towards me can hardly take effect. The gentleman who is to succeed the late incumbent, has given me notice to quit the premises, as he hath provided a friend of his own for the curacy.' What!' cried the knight, does he mean to take your bread from you, without assigning any other reason?' Surely, sir,' replied the ecclesiastic, I know of no other reason. I hope my morals are irreproachable, and that I have done my duty with a conscientious regard; I may venture an appeal to the parishioners, among whom I have lived these seventeen years. After all, it is natural for every man to favour his own friends in preference to strangers. As for me, I propose to try my fortune in the great city, and I doubt not but Providence will provide for me and my little ones.'

incapable of uttering one syllable, so powerfully was he struck with this unexpected turn of fortune. The presentation was immediately made out, and in a few days Mr Jenkins was put in possession of his benefice, to the inexpressible joy of the congregation. "Hitherto every thing went right, and every unprejudiced person commended the knight's conduct; but in a little time his generosity seemed to overleap the bounds of discretion, and even in some cases might be thought tending to a breach of the king's peace. For example, he compelled, vi et armis, a rich farmer's son to marry the daughter of a cottager, whom the young fellow had debauched. Indeed it seems there was a promise of marriage in the case, though it could not be legally ascertained. The wench took on dismally, and her parents had recourse to Sir Launcelot, who, sending for the delinquent, expostulated with him severely on the injury he had done the young woman, and exhorted him to save her life and reputation by performing his promise, in which case he (Sir Launcelot) would give her three hundred pounds to her portion. Whether the farmer thought there was something interested in this uncommon offer, or was a little elevated by the consciousness of his father's wealth, he rejected the proposal with rustic disdain, and said, if so be as how the wench would swear the child to him, he would settle it with the parish; but declared, that no squire in the land should oblige him to buckle with such a cracked pitcher. This resolution, however, he could not maintain; for in less than two hours the rector of the parish had directions to publish the banns, and the ceremony was performed in due course.

"Now, though we know not precisely the nature of the arguments that were used with the farmer, we may conclude they were of the minatory species, for the young fellow could not, for some time, look any person in the face.

"To this declaration Sir Launcelot made no reply; but riding home, set on foot a strict inquiry into the character of this man, whose name was Jenkins. He found that he was a reputed scholar, equally remarkable for his modesty and good life; that he visited the sick, assisted the needy, compromised disputes among his neighbours, and spent his time in such a manner as would have done honour to any christian divine. Thus informed, the knight sent for the gentleman to whom the living had been promised, and accosted him to this effect. Mr Tootle, I have a favour to ask of you. The person who serves the cure of this parish, is a man of good character, beloved by the people, and "The knight acted as the general redresser has a large family. I shall be obliged to you of grievances. If a woman complained to if you will continue him in your curacy.' him of being ill-treated by her husband, he The other told him he was sorry he could first inquired into the foundation of the comnot comply with his request, being that he plaint, and if he found it just, catechised the had already promised the curacy to a friend defendant. If the warning had no effect, of his own. No matter,' replied Sir Laun- and the man proceeded to fresh acts of viocelot, since I have not interest with you,lence, then his judge took the execution of I will endeavour to provide for Mr Jenkins in the law in his own hand, and horse-whipped some other way.' the party. Thus he involved himself in "That same afternoon he walked over to several law-suits, that drained him of pretty the curate's house, and told him that he had large sums of money. He seemed particuspoken in his behalf to Dr Tootle, but the larly incensed at the least appearance of curacy was pre-engaged. The good man oppression, and supported divers poor tenants having made a thousand acknowledgements against the extortion of their landlords. for the trouble his honour had taken; I Nay, he has been known to travel two hunhave not interest sufficient to make you cu-dred miles as a volunteer, to offer his assistrate,' said the knight, but I can give you ance in the cause of a person who, he heard, the living itself, and that you shall have.' was by chicanery and oppression wronged of

a considerable estate. He accordingly took | law; against him, therefore, the first effort her under his protection, relieved her dis- of his despair was directed. He started tresses, and was at a vast expense in bring upon the floor, and seizing a certain utensil, ing the suit to a determination; which being that shall be nameless, launched it at the unfavourable to his client, he resolved to misanthrope with such violence, that, had he bring an appeal into the house of lords, and not cautiously slipped his head aside, it is certainly would have executed his purpose, supposed that actual fire would have been if the gentlewoman had not died in the in-produced from the collision of two such hard

terim.'

and solid substances. All future mischief At this period Ferret interrupted the nar- was prevented by the strength and agility rator, by observing, that the said Greaves of Captain Crowe, who, springing upon the was a common nuisance, and ought to be assailant, pinioned his arms to his sides, prosecuted on the statute of barretry. crying, "O damn ye, if you are for running "No, sir," resumed Mr Clarke, "he can-a-head, I'll soon bring you to your bearings." not be convicted of barretry, unless he is always at variance with some person or other, a mover of suits and quarrels, who disturbs the peace under colour of law. Therefore he is in the indictment styled, communis malefactor, calumniator, et seminator liti

um.

66

The squire, thus restrained, soon recollected himself, and gazing upon every individual in the apartment," Wounds!" said he, "I've had an ugly dream. I thought, for all the world, they were carrying me to Newgate, and that there was Jack Ketch coom to vetch me before my taim."

Ferret, who was the person he had thus

Pr'ythee truce with thy definitions," cried Ferret, “and make an end of thy long-distinguished, eyeing him with a look of the winded story. Thou hast no title to be so tedious, until thou comest to have a coif in the court of common pleas."

Tom smiled contemptuous, and had just opened his mouth to proceed, when the company were disturbed by a hideous repetition of groans, that seemed to issue from the chamber in which the body of the squire was deposited. The landlady snatched the candle, and ran into the room, followed by the doctor and the rest; and this accident naturally suspended the narration. In like manner, we shall conclude the chapter, that the reader may have time to breathe, and digest what he has already heard.

CHAPTER V.

most emphatic malevolence, told him, it was very natural for a knave to dream of Newgate; and that he hoped to see the day when this dream would be found a true prophecy, and the commonwealth purged of all such rogues and vagabonds: but it could not be expected that the vulgar would be honest and conscientious, while the great were distinguished by profligacy and corruption. The squire was disposed to make a practical reply to this insinuation, when Mr Ferret prudently withdrew himself from the scene of altercation. The good woman of the house persuaded his antagonist to take out his nap, assuring him, that the eggs and bacon, with a mug of excellent ale, should be forthcoming in due season. The affair being thus fortunately adjusted, the guests returned to the kitchen, and Mr Clarke resumed his story

In which this recapitulation draws to a to this effect.

close.

WHEN the landlady entered the room from whence the groaning proceeded, she found the squire lying on his back, under the dominion of the night-mare, which rode him so hard, that he not only groaned and snorted, but the sweat ran down his face in streams. The perturbation of his brain, occasioned by this pressure, and the fright he had lately undergone, gave rise to a very terrible dream, in which he fancied himself apprehended for a robbery. The horror of the gallows was strong upon him, when he was suddenly awaked by a violent shock from the doctor; and the company broke in upon his view, still perverted by fear, and bedimmed by slumber. His dream was now realized by a full persuasion that he was surrounded by the constable and his gang. The first object that presented itself to his disordered view was the figure of Ferret, who might very well have passed for the finisher of the

"You'll please to take notice, gemmen, that, besides the instances I have alleged of Sir Launcelot's extravagant benevolence, I could recount a great many others of the same nature, and particularly the laudable vengeance he took of a country lawyer. I'm sorry that any such miscreant should belong to the profession. He was clerk of the assize, gemmen, in a certain town, not a great way distant; and having a blank pardon left by the judges for some criminals whose cases were attended with favourable circumstances, he would not insert the name of one who could not procure a guinea for the fee; and the poor fellow, who had only stole an hourglass out of a shoemaker's window, was actually executed, after a long respite, during which he had been permitted to go abroad, and earn his subsistence by his daily labour.

"Sir Launcelot, being informed of this barbarous act of avarice, and having some ground that bordered on the lawyer's estate, not only rendered him contemptible and in

famous, by exposing him as often as they met | assembled. They gazed at one another in on the grand jury, but also, being vested silent horror, and when Sir Launcelot came with the property of the great tithes, proved forth completely armed, took to their heels such a troublesome neighbour, sometimes by in a body, and fled with the utmost precipimaking waste among his hay and corn, tation. I myself was overturned in the sometimes by instituting suits against him crowd; and this was the case with that very for petty trespasses, that he was fairly individual person who now serves him as a obliged to quit his habitation, and remove squire. He was so frightened, that he could into another part of the kingdom. not rise, but lay roaring in such a manner, that the knight came up, and gave him a thwack with his lance across the shoulders, which roused him with a vengeance. For my own part, I freely own I was not unmoved at seeing such a figure come stalking out of a church in the grey of the morning; for it recalled to my remembrance the idea of the ghost in Hamlet, which I had seen acted in Drury-lane, when I made my first trip to London, and I had not yet got rid of the impression.

"Timothy kept such a bawling, after he had received the blow from Sir Launcelot, that every body on the field thought some of his bones were broken; and his wife, with five bantlings came snivelling to the knight, who ordered her to send the husband directly to his house. Tim accordingly went thither, groaning piteously all the way, creeping along with his body bent like a Greenland canoe. As soon as he entered the court, the outward door was shut; and Sir Launcelot, coming down stairs with a horsewhip in his hand, asked what was the matter with him that he complained so dismally. To this question he replied, That it was as common as duck-weed in his country, for a man to complain when his bones were broken.' 'What should have broken your bones?' said the knight. I cannot guess,' answered the other, unless it was that delicate switch that your honour in your mad pranks handled so dexterously upon my carcass.' Sir Launcelot then told him there was nothing so good for a bruise as a sweat, and he had the remedy in his hand. Timothy, eyeing the horsewhip askance, observed that there was another still more speedy, to wit, a moderate pill of lead, with a sufficient dose of gunpowder. No, rascal,' cried the knight, that must be reserved for your betters.' So saying, he employed the instrument so effectually, that Crabshaw soon forgot his fractured ribs, and capered about with great agility.

and family were removed into a snug farmhouse that happened to be empty, and care taken that they should be comfortably maintained.

"These precautions being taken, the knight, one morning at day-break, mounted Bronzomarte, and Crabshaw, as his squire, ascended the back of a clumsy cart-horse, called Gilbert. This again was looked upon as an instance of insanity in the said Crabshaw; for, of all horses in the stable, Gilbert was the most stubborn and vicious, and had often like to have done mischief to Timothy while he drove the cart and plough. When he was out of humour, he would kick and plunge, as if the devil was in him. He once thrust Crabshaw into the middle of a quickset-hedge, where he was terribly torn: another time he canted him over his head into a quagmire, where he stuck with his heels up, and must have perished, if people had not been passing that way: a third time he seized him in the stable with his teeth by the rim of the belly, and swung him off the ground, to the great danger of his life: and I'll be hanged, if it was not owing to Gilbert, that Crabshaw was now thrown into the river.

Thus mounted and accoutred, the knight and his squire set out on their first excursion. They turned off from the common highway, and travelled all that day without meeting any thing worthy recounting; but, in the morning of the second day, they were favoured with an adventure. The hunt was upon a common through which they travelled, and the hounds were in full cry after a fox, when Crabshaw, prompted by his own mis

When he had been disciplined in this manner to some purpose, the knight told him he might retire, but ordered him to return next morning, when he should have a repe-chievous disposition, and neglecting the order tition of the me...cine, provided he did not find himself capable of walking in an erect posture.

"The gate was no sooner thrown open, than Timothy ran home with all the speed of a greyhound, and corrected his wife, by whose advice he had pretended to be so grievously damaged in his person.

of his master, who called aloud to him to desist, rode up to the hounds, and crossed them at full gallop. The huntsman, who was not far off, running towards the squire, bestowed upon his head such a memento with his pole, as made the landscape dance before his eyes; and in a twinkling he was surrounded by all the foxhunters, who plied their whips about "Nobody dreamed that he would next day his ears with infinite agility. Sir Launcelot present himself at Greavesbury-hall; never- advancing at an easy pace, instead of assisttheless, he was there very early in the morning the disastrous squire, exhorted his advering, and even closeted a whole hour with Sir Launcelot. He came out making wry faces, and several times slapped himself on the forehead, crying, Bodikins! thof he be crazy, I an't, that I an't! When he was asked what was the matter? he said, he believed the devil had got in him, and he should never be his own man again.

"That same day the knight carried him to Ashenton, where he bespoke those accoutrements which he now wears; and while these were making, it was thought the poor fellow would have run distracted. He did nothing but growl, and curse, and swear to himself, run backwards and forwards between his own hut and Greavesbury-hall, and quarrel with the horses in the stable. At length his wife

saries to punish him severely for his insolence, and they were not slow in obeying this injunction. Crabshaw finding himself in this disagreeable situation, and that there was no succour to be expected from his master, on whose prowess he had depended, grew desperate, and, clubbing his whip, laid about him with great fury, wheeling about Gilbert, who was not idle; for he, having received some of the favours intended for his rider, both bit with his teeth, and kicked with his heels; and at last made his way through the ring that encircled him, though not before he had broken the huntsman's leg, lamed one of the best horses on the field, and killed half a score of the hounds.

"Crabshaw, seeing himself clear of the