knight-errant, but as a plain Euglish gentleman, jealous of his honour, and resolute in his purpose." To this address Mr Sycamore made no reply, but with a sullen aspect ordered the carriage to proceed; and it moved accordingly to the right, our hero's road to London lying in the other direction. that Mr Darnel had lodged his niece in the new buildings by May Fair; that, on the second night after their arrival, a very warm expostulation had passed between Aurelia and her uncle, who next morning dismissed Dolly, without permitting her to take leave of her mistress, and that same day moved to another part of the town, as she afterwards learned of the landlady, though she could not inform her whither they were gone: that, when she was turned away, John Clump, one of the footmen, who pretended to have a kindness for her, had faithfully promised to call upon her, and let her know what passed in the family; but as he did not keep his word, and she was an utter stranger in London, without friends or settlement, she had resolved to return to her mother, and travelled so far on foot since yesterday morning. Sir Launcelot had already exchanged his armour for a riding-coat, hat, and boots; and Crowe, parting with his skull-cap and leathern jerkin, regained, in some respects, the appearance of a human creature. Thus metamorphosed, they pursued their way in an easy pace; Mr Clarke endeavoured to amuse them with a learned dissertation on the law, tending to demonstrate that Mr Sycamore was, by his behaviour on that day, liable to three different actions, besides a commission of lunacy; and that Dawdle might be prosecuted for having practised Our knight, who had expected the most subtle craft to the annoyance of his uncle, dismal tidings from her lamentable preamover and above an action for assault and ble, was pleased to find his presaging fears battery; because, for why? The said Crowe disappointed; though he was far from being having run away, as might be easily proved, satisfied with the dismission of Dolly, from before any blows were given, the said Daw-whose attachment to his interest, joined to dle, by pursuing him even out of the high her influence over Mr Clump, he had hoped road, putting him in fear, and committing to reap such intelligence as would guide him battery on his body, became, to all intents to the haven of his desires. After a minute's and purposes, the aggressor; and an indict-reflection, he saw it would be expedient to ment would lie in banco regis. carry back Mrs Cowslip, and lodge her at the place where Mr Clump had promised to visit her with intelligence; for, in all probability, it was not from want of inclination that he had not kept his promise. The captain's pride was so shocked at these observations, that he exclaimed with equal rage and impatience," You lie, you dog, in bilkum regis-you lie, I say, you lubber, I did not run away; nor was I in Dolly did not express any aversion to the fear, d'ye see. It was my son of a b-h of scheme of returning to London, where she a horse that would not obey the helm, d'ye hoped once more to rejoin her dear lady, to see, whereby I cou'dn't use my metal, d'ye whom by this time she was attached by the see. As for the matter of fear, you and fear strongest ties of affection; and her inclinamay kiss my-So don't go and heave your tion in this respect was assisted by the constink-pots at my character, d'ye see, or--sideration of having the company of the agad I'll trim thee fore and aft with a-I wool." Tom protested he meant nothing but a little speculation, and Crowe was appeased. In the evening they reached the town of Bugden without any further adventure, and passed the night in great tranquillity. young lawyer, who, it plainly appeared, had made strange havoc in her heart, though it must be owned, for the honour of this blooming damsel, that her thoughts had never once deviated from the paths of innocence and virtue. The more Sir Launcelot surveyed this agreeable maiden, the more he felt himNext morning, even after the horses were self disposed to take care of her fortune; ordered to be saddled, Mr Clarke, without and from this day he began to ruminate on a ceremony, entered the apartment of Sir scheme which was afterwards consummated Launcelot, leading in a female, who proved in her favour. In the mean time he laid into be the identical Mrs Dolly Cowslip. This junctions on Mr Clarke to conduct his adyoung woman, advancing to the knight, dresses to Mrs Cowslip according to the cried, "O Sir Launcelot! my dear leady, rules of honour and decorum, as he valued my dear leady!"-but was hindered from pro- his countenance and friendship. His next ceeding by a flood of tears, which the tender-step was to procure a saddle-horse for Dolly, hearted lawyer mingled with a plentiful shower of sympathy. Our adventurer starting at this exclamation," O Heavens!" cried he, "where is my Aurelia? speak, where did you leave that jewel of my soul? answer me in a moment-I am all terror and impatience?" Dolly having recollected herself, told him who preferred this to any other sort of carriage, and thereby gratified the wish of her admirer, who longed to see her on horseback in her green joseph. The armour, including the accoutrements of the novice and the squire, were left in the care of the innkeeper, and Timothy Crabshaw was so metamorphosed by a plain livery-frock, that even Gilbert with difficulty | gardens of Rotherhithe. Sir Launcelot was recognised his person. As for the novice not insensible to the beauties of this landCrowe, his head had almost resumed its na- scape, but, his pursuit lying another way, he tural dimensions, but then his whole face contented himself with a less enchanting was so covered with a livid suffusion, his situation, and Crowe accompanied him out nose appeared so flat, and his lips so tume- of pure friendship. fied, that he might very well have passed for a Caffre or Ethiopian. Every circumstance being now adjusted, they departed from Bugden in a regular cavalcade, dined at Hatfield, and in the evening arrived at the Bull-andGate inn in Holborn, where thev established their quarters for the night. CHAPTER XX. In which our hero descends into the mansions of the damned. At night, Mr Clarke arrived at our hero's house with tidings that were by no means agreeable. He told him, that Clump had left a letter for Dolly, informing her, that his master, Squire Darnel, was to set out early in the morning for Yorkshire; but he could give no account of her lady, who had the day before been conveyed, he knew not whither, in a hackney-coach, attended by her uncle and an ill-looking fellow, who had much the appearance of a bailiff or turnkey, so that he feared she was in trouble. even Sir Launcelot was deeply affected by this intimation. His apprehension was roused by a suspicion that a man of Darnel's violent temper and unprincipled heart might have practised upon the life of his lovely niece; but, upon recollection, he could not suppose that he had recourse to such infamous expedients, knowing, as he did, that an THE first step which Sir Launcelot took in the morning that succeeded his arrival in London, was to settle Mrs Dolly Cowslip in lodgings at the house where John Clump had promised to visit her; as he did not doubt that, though the visit was delayed, it would some time or other be perform-account of her would be demanded at his ed, and in that case he might obtain some hands, and that it would be easily proved he intelligence of Aurelia. Mr Thomas Clarke had conveyed her from the lodgings in which was permitted to take up his habitation in she resided. the same house, on his earnestly desiring he His first fears now gave way to another might be intrusted with the office of convey-suggestion, that Anthony, in order to intimiing information and instruction between date her into a compliance with his propoDolly and our adventurer. The knight him-sals, had trumped up a spurious claim against self resolved to live retired, until he should receive some tidings relating to Miss Darnel that would influence his conduct; but he proposed to frequent places of public resort incognitio, that he might have some chance of meeting by accident with the mistress of his heart. Taking it for granted, that the oddities of Crowe would help to amuse him in his hours of solitude and disappointment, he invited that original to be his guest at a small house, which he determined to hire ready furnished, in the neighbourhood of Golden-square. The captain thanked him for his courtesy, and frankly embraced his offer, though he did not much approve of the knight's choice in point of situation. He said he would recommend him to a special good upper deck hard by St Catherine's in Wapping, where he would be delighted with the prospect of the street forwards, well frequented by passengers, carts, drays, and other carriages; and having backwards an agreeable view of Alderman Parson's great brewhouse, with two hundred hogs feeding almost under the window. As a further inducement, he mentioned the vicinity of the Tower guns, which would regale his hearing on days of salutation; nor did he forget the sweet sound of mooring and unmooring ships in the river, and the pleasing objects on the other side of the Thames, displayed in the oozy docks and cabbage her, and, by virtue of a writ, confined her in some prison or spunging-house. Possessed with this idea, he desired Mr Clarke to search the sheriff's office in the morning, that he might know whether any such writ had been granted; and he himself resolved to make a tour of the great prisons belonging to the metropolis, to inquire, if perchance she might not be confined under a borrowed name. Finally, he determined, if possible, to apprise her of his place of abode, by a paragraph in all the daily papers, signifying, that Sir Launcelot Greaves had arrived at his house near Golden-square. All these resolutions were punctually executed. No such writ had been taken out in the sheriff's office; and therefore, our hero set out on his jail expedition, accompanied by Mr Clarke, who had contracted some acquaintance with the commanding officers in these garrisons, in the course of his clerkship and practice as an attorney. The first day they spent in prosecuting their inquiry through the Gate-house, Fleet, and Marshalsea; the next day they allotted to the King's Bench, where they understood there was a great variety of prisoners. There they proposed to make a minute scrutiny, by the help of Mr Norten, the deputy-marshal, who was Mr Clarke's intimate friend, and had nothing at all of the jailor, either in his appearance or in his disposition, which was remarkably humane and benevolent towards all his fellow- | Mr Felton, a prisoner of a very decent ap creatures. The knight having bespoke dinner at a tavern in the borough, was, together with Captain Crowe, conducted to the prison of the King's Bench, which is situated in St George's fields, about a mile from the end of Westminster bridge, and appears like a neat little regular town, consisting of one street, surrounded by a very high wall, including an open piece of ground, which may be termed a garden, where the prisoners take the air, and amuse themselves with a variety of diversions. Except the entrance, where the turnkeys keep watch and ward, there is nothing in the place that looks like a jail, or bears the least colour of restraint. The street is crowded with passengers. Tradesmen of all kinds here exercise their different professions. Hawkers of all sorts are admitted to call and vend their wares as in any open street of London. Here are butchers' stands, chandlers' shops, a surgery, a taphouse well frequented, and a public kitchen, in which provisions are dressed for all the prisoners gratis, at the expense of the publican. Here the voice of misery never complains; and, indeed, little else is to be heard but the sounds of mirth and jollity. At the further end of the street, on the right hand, is a little paved court leading to a separate building, consisting of twelve large apartments, called state rooms, well furnished and fitted up for the reception of the better sort of crown prisoners; and on the other side of the street, facing a separate division of ground called the common side, is a range of rooms occupied by prisoners of the lowest order, who share the profits of a begging box, and are maintained by this practice, and some established funds of charity. We ought also to observe, that the jail is provided with a neat chapel, in which a clergyman, in consideration of a certain salary, performs divine service every Sunday. Our adventurer, having searched the books, and perused the description of all the female prisoners who had been for some weeks admitted into the jail, obtained not the least intelligence of his concealed charmer, but resolved to alleviate his disappointment by the gratification of his curiosity. Under the auspices of Mr Norton, he made a tour of the prison, and, in particular, visited the kitchen, where he saw a number of spits loaded with a variety of provision, consisting of butchers' meat, poultry, and game: he could not help expressing his astonishment with uplifted hands, and congratulating himself in secret, upon his being a member of that community which had provided such a comfortable asylum for the unfortunate. His ejaculation was interrupted by a tumultuous noise in the street; and Mr Norton declaring he was sent for to the lodge, consigned our hero to the care of one pearance, who paid his compliments with a good grace, and invited the company to repose themselves in his apartment, which was large, commodious, and well furnished. When Sir Launcelot asked the cause of that uproar, he told him that it was the prelude to a boxing-match between two of the prisoners, to be decided in the ground or garden of the place. Captain Crowe, expressing an eager curiosity to see the battle, Mr Felton assured him there would be no sport, as the combatants were both reckoned dunghills :-" but in half an hour," said he, "there will be a battle of some consequence between two of the demagogues of the place, Dr Crabclaw and Mr Tapely, the first a physician, and the other a brewer. You must know, gentlemen, that this microcosm, or republic in miniature, is, like the great world, split into factions. Crabclaw is the leader of one party, and the other is headed by Tapely; both are men of warm and impetuous tempers, and their intrigues have embroiled the whole place, insomuch that it is dangerous to walk the street on account of the continual skirmishes of their partizans. At length some of the more sedate inhabitants having met and deliberated upon some remedy for these growing disorders, proposed that the dispute should be at once decided by single combat between the two chiefs, who readily agreed to the proposal. The match was accordingly made for five guineas, and this very day and hour appointed for the trial, on which considerable sums of money are depending. As for Mr Norton, it is not proper that he should be present, or seem to countenance such violent proceedings, which, however, it is necessary to connive at, as convenient vents for the evaporation of those humours, which, being confined, might accumulate and break out with greater fury in conspiracy and rebellion." The knight owned he could not conceive by what means such a number of licentious people, amounting, with their dependents, to above five hundred, were restrained within the bounds of any tolerable discipline, or prevented from making their escape, which they might at any time accomplish, either by stealth or open violence, as it could not be supposed that one or two turnkeys, continually employed in opening and shutting the door, could resist the efforts of a whole multitude. "Your wonder, good sir," said Mr Felton, "will vanish, when you consider it is hardly possible that the multitude should cooperate in the execution of such a scheme; and that the keeper perfectly well understands the maxim divide et impera. Many prisoners are restrained by the dictates of gratitude towards the deputy-marshal, whose friendship and good-offices they have expe rienced; some no doubt are actuated by motives of discretion. One party is an effectual check upon the other; and I am firmly persuaded that there are not ten prisoners within the place that would make their escape, if the doors were laid open. This is a step which no man would take, unless his fortune was altogether desperate; because it would oblige him to leave his country for life, and expose him to the most imminent risk of being re-taken, and treated with the utmost severity. The majority of the prisoners live in the most lively hope of being released by the assistance of their friends, the compassion of their creditors, or the favour of the legislature. Some who are cut off from all these proposals, are become naturalized to the place, knowing they cannot subsist in any other situation. I myself am one of these. After having resigned all my effects for the benefit of my creditors, I have been detained these nine years in prison, because one person refuses to sign my certificate. I have long outlived all my friends from whom I could expect the least countenance or favour; I am grown old in confinement, and lay my account with ending my days in jail, as the mercy of the legislature in favour of insolvent debtors is never extended to uncertified bankrupts taken in execution. By dint of industry and the most rigid economy, I make shift to live independent in this retreat. To this scene my faculty of subsisting, as well as my body, is peculiarly confined. Had I an opportunity to escape, where should I go? All my views of fortune have been long blasted. I have no friends nor connections in the world. I must, therefore, starve in some sequestered corner, or be recaptivated and confined forever to close prison, deprived of the indulgences which I now enjoy." Here the conversation was broken off by another uproar, which was the signal to battle between the doctor and his antagonist. The company immediately adjourned to the field, where the combatants were already undressed, and the stakes deposited. The doctor seemed of the middle age and middle stature, active and alert, with an atrabilarious aspect, and a mixture of rage and disdain expressed in his countenance. The brewer was large, raw-boned, and round as a butt of beer, but very fat, unwieldy, short-winded and phlegmatic. Our adventurer was not a little surprised when he beheld, in the character of seconds, a male and a female stripped naked from the waist upwards, the latter ranging on the side of the physician; but the commencement of the battle prevented his demanding of his guide an explanation of this phenomenon. The doctor retiring some paces backwards, threw himself into the attitude of a battering ram, and rushed upon his antagonist with great impetuosity, foreseeing, that, should he have the good-fortune to overturn him in the first assault, it would not be an easy task to raise him up again, and put him in a capacity of offence. But the momentum of Crabclaw's head, and the concomitant efforts of his knuckles, had no effect upon the ribs of Tapely, who stood firm as the Acroceraunian promontory; and stepping forward with his projected fist, something smaller and softer than a sledgehammer, struck the physician to the ground. In a trice, however, by the assistance of his female second, he was on his legs again, and grappling with his antagonist, endeavoured to trip him a fall: but instead of accomplishing his purpose, he received a cross-buttock, and the brewer throwing himself upon him as he fell, had well-nigh smothered him on the spot. The amazon flew to his assistance, and Tapely showing no inclination to get up, she smote him on the temple till he roared. The male second hastening to the relief of his principal, made application to the eyes of the female, which were immediately surrounded with black circles; and she returned the salute with a blow, which brought a double stream of blood from his nostrils, greeting him at the same time with the opprobrious appellation of a lousy son of a bh. A combat more furious than the first would now have ensued, had not Felton interposed with an air of authority, and insisted on the man's leaving the field, an injunction which he forthwith obeyed, saying," Well, damme, Felton, you're my friend and commander; I'll obey your order-but the b-h will be foul of me before we sleep." Then Felton advancing to his opponent," Madam," said he, "I'm very sorry to see a lady of your rank and qualifications expose yourself in this manner-for God's sake, behave with a little more decorum, if not for the sake of your own family, at least for the credit of your sex in general." "Hark ye, Felton," said she, "decorum is founded upon a delicacy of sentiment and deportment, which cannot consist with the disgraces of a jail, and the miseries of indigence. But I sec the dispute is now terminated, and the money is to be drank; if you'll dine with us, you shall be welcome; if not, you may die in your sobriety, and be damned." Our By this time the doctor had given out, and allowed the brewer to be the better man; yet he would not honour the festival with his presence, but retired to his chamber, exceedingly mortified at his defeat. hero was reconducted to Mr Felton's apartment, where he sat some time without opening his mouth, so astonished he was at what he had seen and heard. "I perceive, sir," said the prisoner, "you are surprised at the manner in which I accosted that unhappy woman; and perhaps you will be more surprised when you hear that within these eighteen months she was | ports of her grief and mortification; but these actually a person of fashion, and her oppo- subsiding, she had recourse to personal soli. nent, who by-the-bye is her husband, uni- citation. She went with her only child in versally respected as a man of honour and her arms, a lovely boy, to her father's door, a brave officer." "I am indeed," cried our and being denied admittance, kneeled down hero, overwhelmed with amazement and in the street, imploring his compassion in concern, as well as stimulated by an eager the most pathetic strain; but this hardcuriosity to know the fatal causes which have hearted citizen, instead of recognizing his produced such a deplorable reverse of charac- child, and taking the poor mourner to his ter and fortune. But I will rein my curiosity bosom, insulted her from the window with till the afternoon, if you will favour me with the most bitter reproach, saying, among other your company at a tavern in the neighbour-shocking expressions,-Strumpet, take yourhood, where I have bespoke dinner, a favour which I hope Mr Norton will have no objection to your granting, as he himself is to be of the party."' The prisoner thanked him for his kind invitation, and they adjourned immediately to the place, taking up the deputy-marshal in their passage through the lodge or entrance of the prison. CHAPTER XXI. self away with your brat, otherwise I shall send for the beadle, and have you to Bridewell.' "The unfortunate lady was cut to the heart by this usage, and fainted in the street, from whence she was conveyed to a public house by the charity of some passengers. She afterwards attempted to soften the barbarity of her father by repeated letters, and by interesting some of his friends to intercede with him in her behalf; but all her endeavours proving ineffectual, she accompanied her husband to the prison of the King's Containing further anecdotes relating to Bench, where she must have felt, in the the children of wretchedness. severest manner, the fatal reverse of circumstances to which she was exposed. "The captain being disabled from going to sea, was superseded, and he saw all his hopes blasted in the midst of an active war, DINNER being cheerfully discussed, and our adventurer expressing an eager desire to know the history of the male and female who had acted as squires or seconds to the cham-at a time when he had the fairest prospects pions of the King's Bench, Felton gratified his curiosity to this effect: "All that I know of Captain Clewline, previous to his commitment, is, that he was commander of a sloop of war, and bore the reputation of a gallant officer; that he married the daughter of a rich merchant in the city of London, against the inclination, and without the knowledge, of her father, who renounced her for this act of disobedience: that the captain consoled himself for the rigour of the parent, with the possession of the lady, who was not only remarkably beautiful in person, but highly accomplished in her mind, and amiable in her disposition. Such, a few months ago, were those two persons whom you saw acting in such a vulgar capacity. When they first entered the prison, they were undoubtedly the handsomest couple mine eyes ever beheld, and their appearance won universal respect even from the most brutal inhabitants of the jail. of fame and fortune. He saw himself reduced to extreme poverty, cooped up with the tender partner of his heart in a wretched hovel, amidst the refuse of mankind, and on the brink of wanting the common necessaries of life. The mind of man is ever ingenious in finding resources. He comforted his lady with vain hopes of having friends who would effect his deliverance, and repeated assurances of this kind so long, that he at length began to think they were not altogether void of foundation. "Mrs Clewline, from a principle of duty, recollected all her fortitude, that she might not only bear her fate with patience, but even contribute to alleviate the woes of her husband, whom her affection had ruined. She affected to believe the suggestions of his pretended hope; she interchanged with him assurances of better fortune; her appearance exhibited a calm, while her heart was torn with anguish. She assisted him in "The captain, having unwarily involved writing letters to former friends, the last himself as a security for a man to whom he consolation of the wretched prisoner; she had lain under obligations, became liable for delivered these letters with her own hand, a considerable sum; and his own father-in- and underwent a thousand mortifying relaw being the sole creditor of the bankrupt, pulses, the most shocking circumstances of took this opportunity of wreaking vengeance which she concealed from her husband. She upon him for having espoused his daughter. performed all the menial offices in her own He watched an opportunity until the captain little family, which was maintained by pawnhad actually stepped into a post-chaise with ing her apparel; and both the husband and his lady for Portsmouth, where his ship lay, wife, in some measure, sweetened their cares, and caused him to be arrested in the most by prattling and toying with their charming public and shameful manner. Mrs Clewline little boy, on whom they doated with an enhad liked to have sunk under the first trans-thusiasm of fondness. Yet even this plea |