laurel, exit in a little cock'd hat, darn'd ftockings, and coat out at elbows." Doctor That's very true-and I wonder you think of fo precarious, or rather, fo certain a profeffion. Sir And. I can afford it-and better think of any thing than fhe who has fo crofs'd and difappointed me: zounds! not only to marry this profligate, Mr. Villars, but, according to Mifs Gurnet's letters, to infinuate that my adopted infant was the offspring of treachery and seduction; when all Calcutta knows he was the orphan of a poor pilot, and that I was as proud of protecting him, as if he had been fon to my lord high admiral, and I had indeed been his father, Doctor. No doubt-and though of course he is much alter'd, indeed fcarcely the fame perfon you recollect him, you'll find the boy has imbib'd many of my characteristics, particularly thofe of manliness and fpirit. Sir And. That's as I wifh-for I defign him for his father's profession. Doctor. What, the navy? I'm glad on't-for an English failor, if I know the meaning of the word Sir And. And if you don't, I'll tell it you: (taking cut dictionary) " English failor-one who fights for his country-honours his king-hates the purfer-will ride in a post chaile and four-won's cut off his tail-fticks to his friend-and doats on grog, tobacco, pretty women, and a Spanish war;" but come, I must be moving-1 muft vifit Mifs Gurnet-write to young Analyse at Oxford Doctor. Young Analyfe! why he is now in this place on a party of pleasure. Sir And. Party of pleafure! that's against him, for if I find he neglects his fludies, and proves diffipated c 4 diffipated and difhonourable, he fhan't touch a fhilling. Door. Then 'tis all over with him; look, here's his note for ninety-two pounds, overdue fix months. Sir And. Enough-let him take his fate, and the prefent I defign'd for him fhall be beftow'd elfewhere, for benevolence is little better than oftentation, unless it relieve the deferving-fo adieu doctor, to-morrow for friendship and your little pupil, this evening for love and Mifs Gurnet-but stop, ftop, nabob as I am, I want ready money, though I suppose the banker here will discount. Doctor. Oh! certainly but you know what a banker is Sir And. I do-I have it here-(taking out dictionary) "Banker-one who is fo careful of his customer's money, that he feldom pays at fightnever opens till after break faft-always fhuts up long before tea-time-and generally takes three days to fay grace, before any body can get a din[Exit. Doctor. Ha! ha! he's ours-his whole fortune is mine and Mifs Gurnet's, for by this time Giles has remov'd Villars from the farm-and for young Analyfe, my attorney will remove him- ner.' Enter Giles baftily. Giles. Oh! Doctor! has'nt feen any thing of Henry of Mr. Viilars' darling fon? Doctor. Not I, Sir-never faw, or wifh to fee him but pray, Sir, have you confulted your intereft, by turning Villars from the farm? Giles. I's have confulted my intereft-for all that be flourishing around would wither at fo foul a deed; and dang it! ben't it enough to have loft the lovelieft infant Doctor. Doctor. Loft an infant! when-where? Doctor. What! Villars loft one? Giles. Ay, that deadly ftorm-it's nurse did faint with fright, and when she did revive Doctor. It was taken away; that is, the child had wandered-that is’Sdeath, Sir, what bufinefs is it of yours? Giles. It be every man's bufinefs to do an action of humanity and at any rate, I may as well pafs time in restoring a poor infant to his home, as in turning his unhappy parents out of it. Doctor. Villars' child! oh, that infernal gipfey. -Tell me, you met Sir Andrew-did he afk-? Giles. No--he pafs'd I without notice-but when he drives to your fine houfe, wi' all his flate of fervants and of carriages-if I but ftop at Mr. Villars' farm, wi' only little Henry by myfide, an English yeoman fhall hold up his head, as high as any nabob in the world. Door. Ruin! diftraction! Doctor. Nothing-I'll return immediately-you don't know how your story has interested and diftreffed me.-Now, where's Frank-fomebody must be found-fomebody fix'd on-oh! I fhall go wild-diftracted. [Exit. Giles. By Gom! either thee be'ft fo alreadyor thee do'ft knaw more than I's aware of-but what can he knaw?-mayhap that he have perish'd in the foreft-it cannot be at leaft before I will believe it, I'll walk through England-Europe! -and here I begins up Hollybush Lane! [Exit. SCENE SCENE-A Street-or Public Walk in the Town. Enter Mifs Gurnet. Mifs G. So-fenfe, virtue and personal accomplishments are fure to meet their juft rewardfor to-morrow makes me Lady Analyfe!-and if fuch a thing ever did or could happen, I fhould fear the poor alderman would fret himself into a confumption-but if he does he must blame lavish nature, not me-for, had I form'd myfelf, I'd have been merciful, and fpar'd mankind!-(Enter James)-What, James! again from Oxfordfhire? James. Yes, ma'am-Lady Davenant leads me the life of a poft horse-firft, here's a letter for you-then here's another for Mr. Villars. Mifs G. (taking letter) For me!-oh! from the alderman!-now for racks, torture, bleeding heart, and dead man! (reaas) "Madam! By this evening's long coach, I fhall fend back all your letters, and your prefent of little Peter the Marmolet—and wishing you may copy my example, and feed on better food than love, I remain in hate-Timothy Turtle.-P. S. I'll thank you for Mrs. Glatfe!"-Here's infolence !—but I'll return my rival directly-come, Sir-come and receive his paltry James. Certainly, madam-but I hope you won't detain me-this letter to Mr. Villars is of the utmost confequence-my lady underftands he is the person who elop'd with Mils Sophia-and fhe is to offended Mifs G. No. doubt-and I won't detain you an inftant-come--but if you meet Sir Andrew, don't fay a word of the aiderman, or the marmofet 9 -at least not till after we are married-then any body may say any thing-for I'm a nabob's wifethe mistress of a noble manfion-can dine and fup an hundred in a room-and fcandal, which has influence at the tea-table, is harmless when fuperior dishes call [Exeunt. Enter Sir Andrew and Young Analyse. Sir Andrew. Don't tell me, Sir-none fhall share my favours, but those who deferve themand so good evening:-and you and Mrs. Villars -who knew I was devoted to my family-you to thwart my inclinations! and rob me of the pleasure of faying" Jack-Maria! here's twenty thousand apiece, my darlings!"-oh! that's an injury never to be pardon'd. Jack. Sir-you are deceiv'd-and if I prove that I came to this town purpofely to pay Doctor Pliable Sir Andrew. I wish you could-but you can't -thanks to diffipation and extravagance, you hav'n't a guinea of your own-and what's worse, you won't have one of mine-oh! if 'tis only for thus difappointing me. I hope the doctor will dun, fue, and lay tight hold of you-and fo, Siryour fervant Jack. You needn't be afraid of the doctor, Sir -he feems to be a dun in the true fenfe of the word. Sir Andrew. And pray Sir-what is the true fenfe of the word? Jack. Why Sir-Doctor Johnfon fays Sir Andrew. That for Johnlon (napping his fingers)-hear what I fay-(taking out dictionary) "Dun-one who labours to fupport credit, alfift commerce, and prevent law-who feldom pays vifits in the city-moftly in the fquares-where he |