Bristol." So, by this letter, I am now in London -and I am here, furrounded by a whole town, all drefling for my concert.

Dory. I know; but if I write that you're detained, from over ftudy and fatigue

Y. Doric. Do: write this inftant; for, back'd by him, Olivia may be mine! And then commence your book of travels-you'll knock up old Munchaufen.

[Exit Dorville into Inn.

Oh! ever credulous and complying uncle! let me but coax you to a trifling fettlement, only a paltry twenty thousand to begin with-Oh! (kiffing the letter.)

Enter Old Doric and Tradelove.

Young Doric's back is towards them.

Tradelove. That's the great man-and, at the concert that he gives to-night-this famed Von ́Rapidotz, so puff'd for months in all the London papers.

O. Doric. What! that great Ruffian fidler! he in England! Go, and if no building job, get him to afk me to his concert.

Tradelove. Mum!-(going up to Young Doric.) Sir, my friend here is an architect.

Y. Doric. (not turning round). Pooh! Pooh! I havn't time. (turning up towards the Hotel.)

O. Doric. Stop-let me try. Sir, my name is Doric, of the Minories.

Y. Doric. What! (much agitated, but not turning.) O. Doric. Doric and Nephew, that's the firm― and if you want a Blenheim, Wooburn, or a Caftle Howard, Jack is quite capable, quite. (with difficulty moves Young Doric round, who is trying to get away, and they meet face to face.) Death and fury! quite the contrary.

T. Doric.

Y. Doric. What, nunky! my dear fir!-(going to embrace him.)

O. Doric. Keep off, and answer me. Is this your ftyle of ftudying architecture? And will these -balls and concerts, and Von Rapidotz, get you one cuftomer, or friend, you profligate?

r. Doric. To be fure; for don't great parties lead to great connections?

0. Doric. No: for when, at your requeft, I gave my gala in the Minories, thofe I left out all quizzed me, as " Beau Bricklayer;" and for my guefts-fome laugh'd at, none knew me, and many fwore I was a damn'd bad waiter.

Y. Doric. And where's the wonder? When, inftead of chalking the floor, you painted it; and fo late in the afternoon, that the wet oil tript up all the dancers; and when fongs commenced, didn't you claim your privilege, as mafter of the houfe, and roar "Lullaby," and the "Beautiful Maid," 'till you were left clapping and encoring yourself?

O. Doric. And if I did, wafn't I, for a whole week after, almost poifon'd and starv'd; for my old housekeeper wou'dn't allow me a bit of fresh meat, 'till I had fairly eat up every scrap and fragment. But we're no longer partners-no, a lawyer shall this inftant draw up articles of diffolution, and I'll not only never quit you till you fign them, but fo expofe you in the town

Y. Doric. Expofe me, fir! Expofe a gentleman! 0. Doric. Ay, there it is-though born to trade, your father bred you as a gentleman; and, to my mind, we are all gentlemen and ladies now; for whilft each maid out-grecians and outattitudes her miftrefs, my milkman's daughter, Mifs Gloriana Georgiana Chalky, daily rubs out her father's fcores, by learning fcores from Monfieur Kickpailini-and fo, expect me with the articles.

Y. Doric.

r. Doric. Stay, fir-one word. You used to love me as a fon; and if I fhould gain trade by thefe affemblies

O. Doric. Why then-pooh! 'tis impoffible!

Y. Doric. Nay, join the concert-hear but this famous Ruffian play; and if he don't tickle them like trout

O. Doric. What! he'll—(smiling.)

Re-enter Dorville from the Hotel, with the Letter,

Dorv. Here-here's another batch of lieshere's another tickler for old Toby.

O. Doric. Hem! (putting on his hat.) Quite the contrary.

[Exit. Dorv. Why, zounds! what brought him here? T. Doric. And, zounds! what brought you here, just at the moment?-but I'll be after him, and-No, dam'me, I am wanted at the concert— fo, follow him, and make amends-Speak of my villa, and my stock of wines-prove that the town quite likes to be deceived-fay I am in love-fayDorv. Fear not-I know the prize that you

contend for.

Y. Doric. Aye: I fay 'tis not rank, or riches, or renown; but more than all combin'd; for 'tis fair woman, and connubial blifs;

And if it ends in but a valued wife-
Say I'm at home, and architect for life.

[Exeunt.

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

АСТ

ACT IV.

SCENE I.-An Anti-Chamber leading to Concert-
Room.

Enter YOUNG DORIC, meeting the MAJOR.

Major.

WHERE'S this Von Rapidotz, so long extoll'd in every public print? Why, he has fo cut

up Sir Edward's concert, that there's more fidlers than company.

And I'm overflowing; but Mifs

Y. Doric. Olivia, Major

Major. Oh! the dear girl; my fifter's grown fo fond of her fociety, that she can't bear her from her fight, and therefore brings her in a chaise herfelf; and, now, if you would know, befide, the person that Olivia's fond of, come here-I'll whifper in your ear.

Y. Doric. 'Slife! whom, Sir?

Major. Doric-Jack Doric-I told her you fhould know the fecret; and I am glad, with all my heart; for you've fo true a tafte for rural fports, that poets well may paint the bleffings of a country life, if all, like you, thus made the welkin ring with fong, with dancing, and with revelry.

Y. Doric. Sir, you amaze-transport

Major. I know, and therefore I will tell you more.-Prove you are no adventurous fortunehunting-your pardon; but as we're total ftrangers, and as Olivia has fuffered by man's perfidy fo long, pray (taking his hand) pray excufe me, but were you guardian of fo fweet a flower, you would do much to fhelter it from danger.

Y. Doric. And, as her lover, I could kifs the

hand that raised, that nourished, and would thus defend it. Be fatisfied-I will not think of an alliance, till you're convinced that I deferve it.

Major. Enough-and now, once more advance we to the rural warriors. Mind tho', my fifter muft confent; for 'tis my pride to follow her ad'vice, in fpite of Rollo Furiofo. (going, returns) I hope I truft you'll be Olivia's husband,-you were her friend when I forgot that name, and if your motives be not worthy.

Y. Doric. Look, fir, is this the countenance

Major.No; you've thofe open fafcinating files, that would enliven e'en recruiting officers; ay, or make lawyers chuckle in vacation-And fo, I charge you, let me quickly give the two beft parties an old man can witnefs-a wedding and a chriftening dinner, boy.

[Exit.

Y. Doric. Ay; or a young man's either-for they're fubftantial food-Oh! rapturous thought! Olivia may be mine! But how! unlefs my uncle will relent, I'm the adventurous fortune-hunting

Enter DORVIlle.

Well, George, what luck? Did you o'ertake-?

Dorv. I did: I found him at the lawyer's, and he's fo anxious to diffolve the partnership, that they are actually preparing the articles.

Y. Doric. What! there's no hope?

concert.

Dorv. None-but the chance of this night's He can do nothing till to-morrow. Y. Doric. Right-and if Olivia would arrive— 0. Doric. (without) I will-I will come up, I 'tell you.

T. Doric. So, there ends the battle, at a knockdown blow-Try, try again-I'll stand apart. (Retires up ftage.

Enter Old Doric, with paper in his hand.