fee that love and literature alone-(taking Mifs G.'s band, and kiffing it.)

Enter Giles from the door in the back scene.

Giles. There he be-that's right-come, Sir Andrew, come wi' I, and I wull fhew thee fport that I be told thee often tak'ft delight in.

Mifs G. Giles here! and through my dreffing room-why, Sir, how dare

Giles. Why ye see, when a poor mother and a wife do name a medicine that wull do her good, I come the shortest way-and having leap'd o'er walls at risk of mastiffs and fteel guns, I's not afraid of dreffing rooms: he! he! there be no man traps there!

Sir And. No man traps-speak Sir, what is it you want?

Giles. Thee, and thy poor niece, poor Mrs. Villars want thee; for when he heard thee wer't in England, the rais'd her head from off her couch, and preffing to her lips the parting prefent thee did't make her

Sir. And. What, my picture! does she wear it? Giles. Ay, always; and kiffing it, the faid "His fmiles might ftill confole me"-come, and I'll try to help thee fmile-but if thee don't, though fights o' merriment may cheer us for a time, a cafe o' real grief do make one's heart fo glow with charity for all mankind, that, dang it! one do think o' nought but faving fellow creatures -come, and thee alfo, aunt, I's fure thee can't do better.

Mifs G. What, take Sir Andrew to his enemies! begone, Sir, this is all artifice, hypocrify-and you, who know that he has fcandaliz'd the best of uncles and of friends

Sir And. Ay, answer me, Sir, hav'n't you been told this?

Giles. Ees, by Jobbins and fuch like-but mayhap thee dan't knaw that Jobbins be's a new meaning

Sir And. New meaning! why you rafcal, do you aspire to the dignity of dictionary writer? Mifs Gurnet, you are right; I fee it is all artifice, and I réqueft you to inftruct the fteward

Giles. What! won't thee, when one pitying look (Mifs G. afide tries to stop him by pulling bis coat) Be quiet, twitching won't ftop I, were it at church, at court, I'd fay aloud that Mrs. Villars be belied! that the do love her uncle wi' her heart -and if they be not friends, I were not born in England, but on fome favage fpot, where, unlike Englishmen, they take delight in cruelty and tor

ture.

Sir And. And you'd fay right, if he were worthy of a reconciliation; but during my ftay in India, did the write me a fingle letter? while this confiftent, conftant friend-pfha! I discriminate— I treat actions as I do words; and I fhould be a pretty lexicographer, if I confounded affection with ingratitude-go, Madam, go, and give orders for our nuptials.

Mifs G. I will, Sir Andrew-for I perceive their kind intentions, and I'll reward them amply: oh! now my triumph is fecure. [Exit.

Giles. What! it be all fettl'd-thee'lt give up thy relations, and marry (Sir Andrew nods affent); well, be it fo-I'll back to poor heart-broken Mrs. Villars-without little Henry-without her hufband-without-only take thee care, that's all, mind aunt don't jilt thee as she did alderman.

Sir And. Alderman-who the devil's alderman? Giles. What, don't thee knaw? oh! ho! han't thee heard that he did fend him pledges o' love and conftancy, and confiftency, as you do call it? and now he do find that thee art chofen happy fwain, why he has fent them back again-mum,

one

one be yonder in a basket (pointing to the door of dreffing room).

Sir And. What-in a basket?

Giles. Ay, and fervant tells I, it be little Peter (Sir Andrew rushes towards the door of dreffing room); dang thee, don't hurt it out of jealoufy.

Re-enter Mifs Gurnet.

Mifs G. Jealoufy!-ftop, ftop, Sir Andrew (Sir Andrew by this time has open'd door), 'tis only a little marmofet

Sir And. (entering the room.) Madam, you never fent me little marmosets (re-entering and leading on a child). So-another new meaning; for "pledge of love" read "little Peter."

Giles. What-no-yes-he do know me (the child runs to Giles, who clasps bim in bis arms); oh! blefs ye! blefs ye! (kiffing it violently) I've got thee at last, and fafe, unhurt (feeling his limbs): ftand by, clear the way-'twull fave his mother's life-'cwull-stand by-oh! blefs ye! blefs ye! (kiffing child and exit.)

Sir And. What does he say? but no matter-I fhall learn elsewhere (going).

Mifs G. How dare you fuppofe

Sir And. I fuppofe nothing-I understand nothing; but by this paper (producing it), which was found with the child, 'tis clear that it was kept afleep by ftratagem and art; and though no father, I can fo far boaft the feelings of that honeft countryman, that while I envy him, I pity thofe, who want his kindness and humanity-and fo, Madam, heaven bless you and the alderman.

Mifs G. Mighty well, Sir; perfist in this treatment, and you'll find-remember, Sir, I have your promile of marriage (Sir Andrew Smiles); what, laugh at me-then know, whilft you have

been

been wafting time on your dictionary, I have a first coufin who has been ftudying law, who is now an eminent barrifter-he-he fhall let you know who he is.

Sir And. He-I'll let him know who he is (taking out dictionary): "Barrister-one who lives by agitation, confultation, cross examination, and botheration-who cuts attornies in public, but nods to them in private-who, on day of trial, propofes arbitration-returns brief-but keeps fee."

[Exeunt.

END OF THE FOURTH ACT.

АСТ V.

SCENE.-An Apartment at Dr. Pliable's.

Enter Dr. Pliable and Mrs. Villars.

Mrs. Villars.

YES, Sir-but yesterday, I boafted fuch a fon

and fuch a husband!-now both are loft to me!-and haply with them, I am robb'd of reason, but not of feeling!-no-would to Heaven I were! Doctor. As to your husband, you know, Madam, I told you—

Mrs. Villars. You did-and 'tis most strange that he should now neglect-neglect !-what! fufpicious of my Villars!-then reafon has indeed forfaken me!-for he's but gone to feek our darling child and whilft his heart is breaking like my own--I to cenfure and fufpect him! (weeping.)

Doctor. Very well, Madam-you may believe what you please; but if you want me to intercede with Sir Andrew

Mrs. Villars. I do-for honeft Giles return'd not to the farm-and I impatient and distractedconfider, Sir-could I behold my uncle

Doctor. Behold him!-impoffible !-he is now preparing for his nuptials

Mrs. Villars. I know-but if I wrote-speakif I appeal to him by letter, will it offend-enrage?

Doctor.