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ing learned, madam, that you had some demands upon government, I have, though unasked, been your solicitor

there.

Miss Rich. Sir, I'm infinitely obliged to your intentions. But my guardian has employed another gentle. man, who assures him of success.

Sir Wil. Who? the important little man that visits here. Trust me, madam, he's quite contemptible among men in power, and utterly unable to serve you. Mr. Lofty's promises are much better known to people of fashion than his person, I assure you.

Miss Rich. How have we been deceived! can be, here he comes.

Sir Wil. Does he!

As sure as

Remember I'm to continue un

known. My return to England has not yet been made public. With what impudence he enters!

Enter LOFTY.

Lof. Let the chariot-let my chariot drive off; I'll visit to his Grace's in a chair. Miss Richland here be fore me! Punctual as usual to the calls of humanity. I'm very sorry, madam, things of this kind should happen, especially to a man I have shown every where, and carried amongst us as a particular acquaintance.

Miss Rich. I find, sir, you have the art of making the misfortunes of others your own.

Lof. My dear madam, what can a private man like me do? One man can't do every thing; and then, I do so much in this way every day: let me see; something considerable might be done for him by subscription; it could not fail if I carried the list. I'll undertake to set down a brace of dukes, two dozen lords, and half the lower house, at my own peril.

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Sir Wil. And after all, it's more than probable, sir, he might reject the offer of such powerful patronage.

Lof. Then, madam, what can we do? you know I never make promises, In truth, I once or twice tried to do something with him in the way of business; but, as I often told his uncle, Sir William Honeywood, the man was utterly impracticable.

Sir Wil. His uncle! then that gentleman, I suppose, is a particular friend of yours.

Lof. Meaning me, sir?-Yes, madam, as I often said, my dear Sir William, you are sensible I would do any thing, as far as my poor interest goes, to serve your family: but what can be done? there's no procuring firstrate places for ninth-rate abilitics.

Miss Rich. I have heard of Sir William Honeywood; he's abroad in employment: he confided in your judgment, I suppose.

Lof. Why yes, madam, I believe Sir William had some reason to confide in my judgment; one little reason, perhaps.

Miss Rich. Pray, sir, what was it?

Lof. Why, madam-but let it go no further-it was I procured him his place.

Sir Wil. Did you, sir?

Lof. Either you or I, sir.

Miss Rich. This, Mr. Lofty, was very kind indeed. Lof. I did love him, to be sure; he had some amusing qualities; no man was fitter to be a toast-master to a club, or had a better head.

Miss Rich. A better head?

Lof. Ay, at a bottle. To be sure he was as dull as a choice spirit: but hang it, he was grateful, very grateful; and gratitude hides a multitude of faults.

Sir Wil. He might have reason, perhaps. His place is pretty considerable, I'm told.

Lof. A trifle, a mere trifle among us men of business. The truth is, he wanted dignity to fill up a greater.

Sir Wil. Dignity of person, do you mean, sir? I'm told he's much about my size and figure, sir.

Lof. Ay, tall enough for a marching regiment; but then he wanted a something-a consequence of form-—a kind of a-I believe the lady perceives my meaning.

Miss Rich. O, perfectly: you courtiers can do any thing, I see.

Lof. My dear madam, all this is but a mere exchange: we do greater things for one another every day. Why, as thus now: let me suppose you the first lord of the treasury; you have an employment in you that I want; I have a place in me that you want; do me here, do you there: interest of both sides, few words, flat, done and done, and it's over.

Sir Wil. A thought strikes me. [Aside.] Now you mention Sir William Honeywood, madam; and as he seems, sir, an acquaintance of yours; you'll be glad to hear he's arrived from Italy; I had it from a friend who knows him as well as he does me, and you may end on my information.

Lof. The devil he is! If I had known that, we sho~ 1 not have been quite so well acquainted.

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Sir Wil. He is certainly returned: and, as this ge man is a friend of yours, he can be of signal service to us, by introducing me to him; there are some papers relative to your affairs that require despatch, and his insrection.

Miss Rich. This gentleman, Mr. Lofty, is a person employed in my affairs: I know you'll serve us.

Lof. My dear madam, I live but to serve you. Sir William shall even wait upon him, if you think proper to command it.

Sir Wil. That would be quite unnecessary. Lof. Well, we must introduce you then. me-let me see-ay, in two days.

Call upon

Sir Wil. Now, or the opportunity will be lost for ever. Lof. Well, if it must be now, now let it be. But damn it, that's unfortunate; my Lord Grig's cursed Pensacola business comes on this very hour, and I'm engaged to attend-another time.

Sir Wil. A short letter to Sir William will do.

Lof. You shall have it; yet, in my opinion, a letter is a very bad way of going to work; face to face, that's my way.

Sir Wil. The letter, sir, will do quite as well.

Lof. Zounds! sir, do you pretend to direct me? direct me in the business of office? Do you know me, sir? who am I?

Miss Rich. Dear Mr. Lofty, this request is not so much his as mine; if my commands-but you despise my power.

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Delicate creature! your commands could even condebate at midnight; to a power so constitutional, am all obedience and tranquillity. He shall have a etter where is my secretary? Dubardieu! And yet I test I don't like this way of doing business. I think if I spoke first to Sir William.-But you will have it so. [Exit with Miss Richland.

Sir Wil. alone. Ha, ha, ha! This too is one of my nepew's hopeful associates. O vanity, thou constant deceiver, how do all thy efforts to exalt, serve but to sink

us! Thy false colourings, like those employed to heighten beauty, only seem to mend that bloom which they contribute to destroy. I'm not displeased at this interview: exposing this fellow's impudence to the contempt it deserves, may be of use to my design; at least if he can reflect, it will be of use to himself.

Enter JARVIS.

Sir Wil. How now, Jarvis, where's your master, my nephew.

Jar. At his wit's end, I believe: he's scarce gotten out of one scrape, but he's running his head into another Sir Wil. How so?

Jar. The house has but just been cleared of the bailiffs, and now he's again engaging tooth and nail in assisting old Croaker's son to patch up a clandestine match with the young lady that passes in the house for his sister.

Sir Wil. Ever busy to serve others.

Jar, Ay, any body but himself. The young couple, it seems, are just setting out for Scotland; and he sup plies them with money for the journey.

Sir Wil. Money! how is he able to supply others, who has scarce any for himself?

Jar. Why, there it is: he has no money, that's true; but then, as he never said no to any request in his life, he has given them a bill, drawn by a friend of his upon a merchant in the city, which I am to get changed; for you must know I am to go with them to Scotland myself.

Sir Wil. How!

Jar. It seems the young gentleman is obliged to take a different road from his mistress, as he is to call upon an uncle of his that lives out of the way, in order to pre

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