an impression upon him, provided he was terest himself in my case as a common connot altogether destitute of conscience and cern, and concur with all your power tohumanity.

wards the punishment of those who dare commit such outrages against the liberty of

your country.” CHAPTER XXIV.

The doctor seemed to be a little discon

certed; but, after some recollection, resumed The knot that puzzles human wisdom, the his air of sufficiency and importance, and

hand of Fortune sometimes will untie assured our adventurer he would do him all familiar as her garter.

the service in his power; but, in the mean

time, advised him to take the potion he had When the doctor made his next appearance prescribed. in Sir Launcelot's apartment, the knight The knight's eyes lightning with indignaaddressed him in these words.—“Sir, the tion,—“I am now convinced,” cried he, practice of medicine is one of the most “ that you are an accomplice in the villainy honourable professions exercised among the which has been practised upon me; that you sons of men; a profession which hath been are a sordid wretch, without principle or revered at all periods, and in all nations, feeling, a disgrace to the faculty, and a reand even held sacred in the most polished proach to human nature-yes, sirrah, you ages of antiquity. The scope of it is to pre- are the most perfidious of all assassins-you serve the being, and confirm the health of are the hireling minister of the worst of all our fellow-creatures; of consequence, to sus- villains; who, from motives even baser than tain the blessings of society, and crown life malice, envy and revenge, rob the innocent with fruition. The character of a physician, of all the comforts of life, brand them with therefore, not only supposes natural sagacity, the imputation of madness, the most cruel and acquired erudition, but it also implies species of slander, and wantonly protract every delicacy of sentiment, every tender their misery, by leaving them in the most ness of nature, and every virtue of humanity. shocking confinement, a prey to reflections That these qualities are centered in you, infinitely more bitter than death—but I will doctor, I would willingly believe ; but it will be calm-do me justice at your peril. I debe sufficient for my purpose, that you are mand the protection of the legislature-if I possessed of common integrity. To whose am refused-remember a day of reckoning concern I am indebted for your visit you best will come-you and the rest of the miscreants know; but if you understand the art of me who have combined against me, must, in dicine, you must be sensible by this time, order to cloak your treachery, have recourse that, with respect to me, your prescriptions to murder ; an expedient which I believe you are altogether unnecessary—come, sir, you very capable of embracing, for a man of my cannot-you don't believe that my intellects rank and character cannot be much longer are disordered. Yet, granting me to be re-concealed. Tremble, caitiff, at the thoughts ally under the influence of that deplorable of my release-in the mean time, begone, lest malady, no person has a right to treat me as my just resentment impel me to dash your a lunatic, or to sue out a commission, but brains out upon that marble-awaymy nearest kindred. That you may not The honest doctor was not so firmly perplead ignorance of my name and family, you suaded of his patient's lunacy as to reject shall understand that I am Sir Launcelot his advice, which he made what haste he Greaves, of the county of York, baronet; could to follow, when an unexpected acciand that my nearest relation is Sir Reginald dent intervened. Meadows, of Cheshire, the eldest son of my That this may be properly introduced, we mother's sister-that gentleman, I am sure, must return to the knight's brace of trusty had no concern in seducing me by false pre- friends, Captain Crowe and Lawyer Clarke, tences under the clouds of night into the whom we left in sorrowful deliberation upon fields, where I was surprised, overpowered, the fate of their patron. Clarke's genius and kidnapped by armed ruffians. Had he being rather more fruitful in resources than really believed me insane, he would have that of the seaman, he suggested an adverproceeded according to the dictates of hon- tisement, which was accordingly inserted in our, humanity, and the laws of his country. the daily papers, importing, that—"Whereas Situated as I am, I have a right, by making a gentleman of considerable rank and fortune application to the lord chancellor, to be tried had suddenly disappeared, on such a night, by a jury of honest men. But of that right from his house near Golden-square, in conI cannot avail myself, while I remain at the sequence of a letter delivered to him by a mercy of a brutal miscreant, in whose house porter; and there is great reason to believe I am inclosed, unless you contribute your some violence hath been offered to his life ; assistance. Your assistance, therefore, I de. any person capable of giving such informamand, as you are a gentleman, a christian, tion as may tend to clear up this dark transand a fellow-subject, who, though every other action, shall

, by applying to Mr. Thomas motive should be overlooked, ought to in- | Clarke, attorney, at his lodgings in Upper Brook-street, receive proper security for the of seizing him by the collar, as he endeareward of one hundred guineas, to be paid voured to retreat; while the tender-hearted to him upon his making the discovery re- Tom Clarke, running up to the knight, with quired.”

his eyes brimful of joy and affection, forgot The porter who delivered the letter, ap- all the forms of distant respect, and, throwpeared accordingly, but could give no other ing bis arms around his neck, blubbered in information, except that it was put into his his bosom. hand with a shilling, by a man muffled up in Our hero did not receive this proof of his a great coat, who stopped him for the pur- attachment unmoved. He strained him in pose, in his passing through Queen-street. his embrace, honoured him with the title of It was necessary that the advertisement his deliverer, and asked him by what mira. should produce an effect upon another per- cle he had discovered the place of his conson, who was no other than the hackney- finement. The lawyer began to unfold the coachiman who drove our hero to the place various steps he had taken with equal miof his imprisonment. This fellow had been nuteness and self-complacency, when Crowe, enjoined secrecy, and indeed bribed to hold dragging the doctor still by the collar, shook his tongue, by a considerable gratification, his old friend by the hand, protesting he was which, it was supposed, would have been never so overjoyed since he got clear of a effectual, as the man was a master coachman Sallee rover on the coast of Barbary; and in good circumstances, and well known to that two glasses ago he would have started the keeper of the mad-house, by whom he all the money he had in the world in the hold had been employed on former occasions of of any man who would have shown Sir the same nature. Perhaps his fidelity to his Launcelot safe at his moorings. The knight, employer, reinforced by the hope of many having made a proper return to this sincere future jobs of that kind, might have been manifestation of good will, desired him to proof against the offer of fifty pounds; but dismiss that worthless fellow, meaning the double that sum was a temptation he could doctor, who, finding himself released, withnot resist. He no sooner read the intimation drew with some precipitation. in the Daily Advertiser, over his morning's Then our adventurer, attended by his pot at an 'alehouse, than he entered into friends, walked with a deliberate pace to the consultation with his own thoughts; and outward gate, which he found open, and having no reason to doubt that this was the getting into one of the coaches, was entervery fare he had conveyed, he resolved to tained by the way to his own house, with a earn the reward, and abstain from all such detail of every measure which had been puradventures in time coming. He had the sued for his release. precaution, however, to take an attorney In his own parlour he found Mrs Dolly along with him to Mr Clarke, who entered Cowslip, who had been waiting with great into a conditional bond, and with the assist- fear and impatience for the issue of Mr ance of his uncle, deposited the money, to Clarke's adventure. She now fell upon her be forthcoming when the conditions should knees, and bathed the knight's hands with be fulfilled. These previous measures being tears of joy : while the face of this young taken, the coachman declared what he knew, woman, recalling the idea of her mistress, and discovered the house in which Sir Laun-roused his heart to strong emotions, and sticelot had been immured. He moreover ac-mulated his mind to the immediate achievecompanied our two adherents to a judge's ment he had already planned. As for Mr chamber, where he made oath to the truth Crabshaw, he was not the last to signify his of his information; and a warrant was im- satisfaction at his master's return. After mediately granted, to search the house of having kissed the hem of his garment, he Bernard Shackle, and set at liberty Sir Laun- retired to the stable, where he communicated celot Greaves, if there found.

these tidings to his friend Gilbert, whom he Fortified with this authority, they engaged saddled and bridled; the same office he pera constable, with a formidable posse, and formed for Bronzomarte; then putting on embarking them in coaches, repaired, with his squire-like attire and accoutrements, he all possible expedition, to the house of Mr mounted one, and led the other to the Shackle, who did not think pro to dispute knight's door, before which he paraded, uttheir claim, and admitted them, though not tering, from time to time, repeated shouts, without betraying evident symptoms of con- to the no small entertainment of the popusternation. One of the servants directing lace, until he received orders to house his them, by his master's order, to Sir Launce- coinpanions. Thus commanded, he led them lot's apartment, they hurried up stairs in a back to their stalls, resumed his livery, and body, occasioning such a noise, as did not rejoined his fellow-servants, who were refail to alarm the physician, who had just solved to celebrate the day with banquets opened the door to retire, when he perceived and rejoicings. their irruption. Captain Crowe, conjecturing Their master's heart was not sufficiently. he was guilty, from the confusion that ap- at ease to share in their festivity. He held peared in his countenance, made no scruple la consultation with his friends in the parlour,

a

whom he acquainted with the reasons he, the two relations. It was she, who, in the had to believe Miss Darnel was confined in course of conversation, perceiving that Authe same house which had been his prison; relia was perfectly composed, declared the a circumstance which filled them with equal happy tidings of her approaching deliverance. pleasure and astonishment. Dolly, in par. When the other eagerly insisted upon knowticular, weeping plentifully, conjured him to ing to whose humanity and address she was deliver her dear lady without delay. Nothing indebted for this happy turn of fortune, her now remained but to concert the plan for cousin declared the obligation was due to a her deliverance. As Aurelia had informed young gentleman of Yorkshire, called Sir Dolly of her connexion with Mrs Kawdle, at Launcelot Greaves. At mention of that whose house she proposed to lodge, before name, her face was overspread with a crimshe was overtaken on the road by her uncle, son glow, and her eyes beamed redoubled this particular was now imparted to the coun- splendour.—"Cousin,” said she, with a sigh, cil, and struck a light which seemed to point "I know not what to say—that gentlemanout the direct way to Miss Darnel's enlarge- Sir Launcelot Greaves was surely bornment.

Lord bless me! I tell you cousin, he has Our hero, accompanied by Mrs Cowslip been my guardian angel." and Tom Clarke, set out immediately for the Mrs Kawdle, who had maintained a correshouse of Dr Kawdle, who happened to be pondence with her by letters, was no stranabroad, but his wife received them with great ger to the former part of the connection courtesy. She was a well-bred, sensible, subsisting between those two lovers, and had genteel woman, and strongly attached to always favoured the pretensions of our hero, Aurelia, by the ties of affection, as well as of without being acquainted with his person. consanguinity. She no sooner learned the She now observed, with a smile, that as Ausituation of her cousin, than she expressed relia esteemed the knight her guardian angel, the most impatient concern for her being set and he adored her as a demi-deity, nature at liberty, and assured Sir Launcelot, she seemed to have intended them for each other; would concur in any scheme he should pro- for such sublime ideas exalted them both pose for that purpose. There was no room above the sphere of ordinary mortals. She for hesitation or choice; he attended her then ventured to intimate that he was in the immediately to the judge, who, upon proper house, impatient to pay his respects in perapplication, issued another search-warrant son. At this declaration the colour vanished for Aurelia Darnel. The constable and his from her cheeks, which, however, soon un. posse were again retained, and Sir Launcelot derwent a total suffusion. Her heart panted, Greaves once more crossed the threshold of her bosom heaved, and her gentle frame was Mr Bernard Shackle. Nor was the search- agitated by transports rather violent than warrant the only implement of justice with unpleasing. She soon, however, recollected which he had furnished himself for his visit. herself, and her native serenity returned ; In going thither, they agreed upon the me. when, rising from her seat, she declared thod in which they should introduce them. she would see him in the next apartment, selves gradually to Miss Darnel, that her where he stood in the most tumultuous sustender nature might not be too much shocked pense, waiting for permission to approach by their sudden appearance.

her person. Here she broke in upon him, When they arrived at the house, therefore, arrayed in an elegant white undress, the and produced their credentials, in conse- emblem of her purity, beaming forth the quence of which a female attendant was di- emanations of amazing beauty, warmed and rected to show the lady's apartment; Mrs improved with a glow of gratitude and affecDolly first entered the chamber of the ac- tion. His heart was too big for utterance; complished Aurelia, who, lifting up her eyes, he ran towards her with rapture, and throwscreamed aloud, and flew into the arms of ing himself at her feet, imprinted a most her faithful Cowslip. Some minutes elapsed respectful kiss on her lily hand. “This, before Dolly could make shift to exclaim, - divine Aurelia,” cried he, " is a foretaste of "am coom to live and daai with my beloved that ineffable bliss which you was born to leady!" “ Dear Dolly!” cried her mistress, bestow !-Do I then live to see you smile “I cannot express the pleasure I have in again ? to see you restored to liberty, your seeing you again-good Heaven! what soli, mind at ease, and your health unimpaired ?" tary hours of keen affliction have I passed "You have lived,” said she, “ to see my since we parted !—but, tell me, how did you obligations to Sir Launcelot Greaves accudiscover the place of my retreat ?-has my mulated in such a manner, that a whole life uncle relented ?-do I owe your coming to spent in acknowledgement, will scarce suffice his indulgence ?"

to demonstrate a due sense of his goodness." Dolly answered in the negative; and, by “You greatly overrate my services, which degrees gave her to understand, that her have been rather the duties of common hu. cousin, Mrs Kawdle was in the next room: manity, than the efforts of a generous passthat lady immediately appeared, and a very ion, too noble to be thus evinced;—but let tender scene of recognition passed between not my unseasonable transports detain you a moment longer on this detested scene--give him to the slender chance of being one day me leave to hand you into the coach, and comforted by the dram-bottle ; but resolved, commit you to to the care of this good lady, if possible, to set on foot an accurate inquiry attended by this honest young gentleman, into the economy and transactions of this priwho is my particular friend.” So saying, vate inquisition, that ample justice might be he presented Mr Thomas Clarke, who had done in favour of every injured individual the honour to salute the fair hand of the ever confined within its walls. amiable Aurelia.

In the afternoon he did not fail to visit his The ladies being safely coached under the Aurelia ; and all the protestations of their escort of the lawyer, Sir Launcelot assured mutual passion were once more interchanged. them he should wait on them in the evening He now produced the letter which had caused at the house of Dr Kawdle, whither they im- such fatal disquiet in his bosom ; and Miss mediately directed their course. Our hero, Darnel no sooner eyed the paper, than she who remained with the constable and his recollected it was a formal dismission, which gang, inquired for Mr Bernard Shackle, upon she had intended and directed for Mr Sycawhose person he intended to serve a writ of more. This the uncle had intercepted, and conspiracy, over and above a prosecution for cunningly inclosed in another cover, address. robbery, in consequence of his having disen- ed to Sir Launcelot Greaves, who was now cumbered the knight of his money and other astonished beyond measure to see the myseffects, on the first night of his confinement. tery so easily unfolded. The joy that now Mr Shackle had discretion enough to avoid diffused itself in the hearts of our lovers is this encounter, and even to anticipate the more easily conceived than described; but, indictment for felony, by directing one of his in order to give a stability to this mutual servants to restore the cash and papers, satisfaction, it was necessary that Aurelia which our adventurer accordingly received should be secured from the tyranny of her before he quitted the house.

uncle, whose power of guardianship would In the prosecution of his search after not otherwise expire for some months. Shackle, he chanced to enter the chamber Dr Kawdle and his lady having entered of the bard, whom he found in dishabille, into their deliberations on this subject, it writing at a table, with a bandage over one was agreed that Miss Darnel should have reeye, and his head covered with a night-cap course to the protection of the lord chancelof baize. The knight, having made an apo- lor; but such application was rendered unlogy for this intrusion, desired to know if he necessary by the unexpected arrival of John could be of any service to Mr Distich, as he Clump, with the following letter to Mrs was now at liberty to use the little influence Kawdle from the steward of Anthony Dar. he had for the relief of his fellow-sufferers. nel, dated at Aurelia's house in the country: The poet having eyed him for some time “ Madam, askance, “ I told you,” said he, "your stay “It has pleased God to afflict Mr Darnel in this place would be of short duration. I with a severe stroke of the dead palsy. He have sustained a small disaster on my left was taken ill yesterday, and now lies in. eye, from the hands of a rascally cordwainer, sensible, seemingly at the point of death. who pretends to believe himself the king of Among the papers in his pocket I found the Prussia, and I am now in the very act of inclosed, by which it appeared that my galling his inajesty with keen iambics. If honoured young lady, Miss Darnel, is conyou can help me to a roll of tobacco and a fined in a private madhouse. I am afraid bottle of geneva, so ;—if you are not so in. Mr Darnel's fate is a just judgment of God clined, your humble servant, I shall share in upon him for his cruelty to that excellent the joy of your deliverance."

person. I need not exhort you, madam, to The knight declined gratifying him in take, immediately upon the receipt of this, these particulars, which he apprehended such measures as will be necessary for the might be prejudicial to his health, but offered enlargement of my poor young lady. In the his assistance in redressing his grievances, mean time, I shall do the needful for the provided he laboured under any cruel treat- preservation of her property in this place, ment or inconvenience. “I comprehend the and send you an account of any further alter. full extent of your generosity,” replied the ation that may happen ; being very respectsatirist ; “ you are willing to assist me in fully, madam, your most obedient humble every thing, except the only circumstance in servant,

RALPH MATтоскѕ.” which assistance is required-God b'w'ye- Clump had posted up to London with this if you see Ben Bullock, tell him I wish he intimation on the wings of love, and being would not dedicate any more of his works to covered with clay from the heels to the eyes me. Damn the fellow, he has changed his upwards, he appeared in such an unfavournote, and begins to snivel. For my part, I able light at Dr Kawdle's door, that the stick to my former maxim, defy all the world, footman refused him admittance. Never. and will die hard, even if death should be theless, he pushed him aside, and fought his preceded by damnation."

way up stairs into the dining-room, where The knight, finding him incorrigible, left the company was not a little astonished at

But those gen.

such an apparition. The fellow himself was Dawdle, who, by this contrivance, had re. no less amazed at seeing Aurelia and his conciled himself to his patron, after having own sweetheart Mrs Dolly Cowslip. He deserted him in the day of battle. Our hero forthwith fell upon his knees, and in silence was so incensed at this discovery of Syca. held out the letter, which was taken by the more's treachery and ingratitude, that he doctor, and presented to his wife, according went in quest of him immediately, to take to the direction. She did not fail to com- vengeance on his person, accompanied by municate the contents, which were far from Captain Crowe, who wanted to balance acbeing unwelcome to the individuals who counts with Mr Dawdle. composed this little society. Mr Clump tlemen had wisely avoided the impending was honoured with the approbation of his storm, by retiring to the continent, on preyoung lady, who commended him for his tence of travelling for improvement. zeal and expedition : bestowed upon him a Sir Launcelot was not now so much of a handsome gratuity in the mean time, and de knight-errant as to leave Aurelia to the care sired to see him again when he should be of Providence, and pursue the traitors to the properly refreshed after the fatigue he had farthest extremities of the earth. He pracundergone.

tised a much more easy, certain, and effecMr Thomas Clarke being consulted on this tual method of revenge, by instituting a prooccasion, gave it as his opinion, that Miss cess against them, which, after writs of Darnel should, without delay, choose an- capias, alias, et pluries, had been repeated, other guardian for the few months that re- subjected them both to outlawry. Mr Sycamained of her minority. The opinion was more and his friend being thus deprived of confirmed by the advice of some eminent the benefit of the law, by their own neglect, lawyers, to whom immediate recourse was would likewise have forfeited their goods had; and Dr Kawdle being the person pitch- and chattels to the king, had they not made ed upon for that office, the necessary forms such submissions as appeased the wrath of were executed with all possible dispatch. Sir Launcelot and Captain Crowe; then they

The first use the doctor made of his guar- ventured to return, and by dint of interest dianship, was to sign a power, constituting obtained a reversal of the outlawry. But Mr Ralph Mattocks his attorney pro tem- this grace they did not enjoy till long after our pore, for managing the estate of Miss Aure- adventurer was happily established in life. lia Darnel; and this was forwarded to the While the knight waited impatiently for steward by the hands of Clump, who set out the expiration of Aurelia's minority, and in with it for the seat of Darnel-hill, though the mean time consoled himself with the not without a heavy heart, occasioned by imperfect happiness arising from her conversome intimation he had received concerning sation, and those indulgences which the most the connection between his dear Dolly and unblemished virtue could bestow, Captain Mr Clarke the lawyer.

Crowe projected another plan of vengeance against the conjuror, whose lying oracles had

cost him such a world of vexation. The CHAPTER THE LAST.

truth is, the captain began to be tired of

idleness, and undertook this adventure to Which, it is hoped, will be, on more ac- keep his hand in use. He imparted his decounts than one, agreeable to the reader. sign to Crabshaw, who had likewise suffered

in spirit from the predictions of the said Sir LAUNCELOT, having vindicated the li offender, and was extremely well disposed berty, confirmed the safety, and secured the to assist in punishing the false prophet. He heart of his charming Aurelia, now found now took it for granted that he should not leisure to unravel the conspiracy which had be hanged for stealing a horse; and thought been executed against his person; and with it very hard to pay so inuch money for a. that view commenced a law-suit against the deceitful prophecy, which, in all likelihood, owner of the house where he and his mis. would never be fulfilled. tress had been separately confined. Mr Actuated by these motives, they set out Shackle was, notwithstanding all the sub- together for the house of consultation ; but missions and atonement which he offered to they found it shut up and abandoned ; and, make, either in private or in public, indicted upon inquiry in the neighbourhood, learned on the statute of kidnapping, tried, convict that the conjuror had moved his quarters that ed, punished by a severe fine, and standing very day on which the captain had recourse in the pillory. A judicial writ ad inquiren- to his art. This was actually the case : he dum being executed, the prisons of bis in- knew the fate of Sir Launcelot would soon quisition were laid open, and several inno- come to light, and he did not choose to wait cent captives enlarged.

the consequence. He had other motives for In the course of Shackle's trial, it appear- decamping : he had run a score at the public ed that the knight's confinement was a house, which he had no mind to discharge, scheme executed by his rival Mr Sycamore, and wanted to disengage himself from his according to the device of his counsellor female associate, who knew too much of his