with the latter part of it. Thirty pounds and twenty-five guineas a year, made fifty-fix pounds five fhillings English money; all which was, in a manner, going a begging, and might eafily be fecured in the family. She for a moment ftudied my looks for approbation; and, to own a truth, I was of opinion, that two fuch places would fit our two daughters exactly. Befides, if the Squire had any real affection for my eldest daughter, this would be the way to make her every way qualified for her fortune. My wife, therefore, was resolved that we should not be deprived of fuch advantages for want of affurance; and undertook to harangue for the family. "I "hope," cried fhe, "your Ladyships will par"don my prefent prefumption. It is true, we "have no right to pretend to fuch favours; but yet, it is natural for me to wish putting my "children forward in the world: and, I will be "bold to fay, my two girls have had a pretty

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good education, and capacity, at least the coun"try can't fhow better. They can read, write, "and caft accounts; they understand their "needle, breadftitch, crofs and change, and all "manner of plain work; they can pink, point, "and frill; and know fomething of mufick; "they can do up fmall clothes; work upon cat"gut; my eldest can cut paper; and my young"est has a very pretty manner of telling fortunes upon the cards."

When she had delivered this pretty piece of cloquence, the two ladies looked at each other a

few

few minutes in filence, with an air of doubt and importance. At laft, Mifs Carolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs condefcended to obferve, That the young ladies, from the opinion fhe could form of them, from fo flight an acquaintance, seemed very fit for fuch employments: "But a thing of "of this kind, Madam," cried fhe, addreffing my fpouse, "requires a thorough examination into "characters, and a more perfect knowledge of "each other. Not, Madam," continued fhe, "that I in the leaft fufpect the young ladies vir"tue, prudence, and difcretion; but there is a "form in these things, Madam, there is a form."

My wife approved her fufpicions very much, obferving, that she was very apt to be fufpicious herself; but referred her to all the neighbours for a character: but this our Peeress declined as unneceffary, alleging, that her coufin Thornhill's recommendation would be fufficient; and upon this we rested our petition.

CHA P. XII.

Fortune feems refolved to humble the family of Wakefield. Mortifications are often more painful than réal calamities.

WHEN

HEN we were returned home, the night was dedicated to schemes of future conqueft. Deborah exerted much fagacity in conjecturing

jecturing which of the two girls was likely to have the best place, and most opportunities of feeing good company. The only obftacle to our preferment, was in obtaining the Squire's recommendation; but he had already fhown us too many inftances of his friendship, to doubt of it now. Even in bed, my wife kept up the ufual theme: "Well, faith, my dear Charles, between "ourselves, I think we have made an excellent "day's work of it."" Pretty well," cried I, not knowing what to fay." What! only ́ pretty well!" returned fhe, "I think it is very well. Suppose the girls fhould come to make acquaintances of taste in town! and this I am "affured of, that London is the only place in the "world for all manner of husbands. Befides,

my dear, ftranger things happen every day: "and, as ladies of quality are so taken with

my

daughters, what will not men of quality be! "Entre nous, I proteft like my Lady Blarney "vaftly; fo very obliging. However, Mifs Ca"rolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs has my "warm heart. But yet, when they came to "talk of places in town, you saw at once how I "nailed them. Tell me, my dear, don't you "think I did for my children there?"-" Ay," returned I, not knowing well what to think of the matter; "Heaven grant they may be both the "better for it this day three months!" This was one of thofe obfervations I ufually made, to impress my wife with an opinion of my fagacity; for, if the girls fucceeded, then it was a pious VOL. I.

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wish

wish fulfilled; but if any thing unfortunate enfued, then it might be looked upon as a prophecy. All this converfation, however, was only preparatory to another fcheme; and, indeed, I dreaded as much. This was nothing lefs, than that, as we were now to hold up our heads a little higher in the world, it would be proper to fell the colt, which was grown old, at a neighbouring fair, and buy us an horfe that would carry fingle or double upon an occafion, and make a pretty appearance at church, or upon a vifit. This, at first, I opposed floutly; but it was as ftoutly defended. However, as I weakened, my antagonist gained ftrength, till at last it was refolved to part with him.

As the fair happened on the following day, I had intentions of going myself; but my wife perfuaded me, that I had got a cold; and nothing could prevail upon her to permit me from home. "No, my dear," said she, "our fon Mofes is a "difcreet boy, and can buy and fell to very good "advantage; you know all our great bargains "are of his purchafing. He always ftands out, "and higgles, and actually tires them, till he gets "a bargain."

As I had fome opinion of my son's prudence, I was willing enough to entrust him with this commiffion; and the next morning, I perceived his fifters mighty busy in fitting out Mofes for the fair; trimming his hair, brushing his buckles, and cocking his hat with pins. The bufinefs of the toilet being over, we had at last the fatisfac

tion of feeing him mounted upon the colt, with a deal-box before him, to bring home groceries in. He had on a coat made of that cloth they call Thunder-and-lightning; which, though grown too fhort, was much too good to be thrown away. His waistcoat was of gofling green'; and his fifters had tied his hair with a broad black riband. We all followed him several paces from the door, bawling after him, Good luck, good luck, till we could fee him no longer.

He was fcarce gone, when Mr. Thornhill's butler came to congratulate us upon our good fortune, faying, That he overheard his young mafter mention our names with great commenda.tions.

Good fortune feemed refolved not to come alone. Another footman from the fame family followed with a card for my daughters, importing, that the two ladies had received fuch pleafing accounts from Mr. Thornhill, of us all, that, after a few previous inquiries more, they hoped to be perfectly fatisfied. "Ay," cried my wife, "I now fee it is no easy matter to get into the "families of the great; but when one once gets "in, then, as Mofes fays, they may go fleep." To this piece of humour, for fhe intended it for wit, my daughters affented with a loud laugh of pleasure. In fhort, fuch was her fatisfaction at this meffage, that fhe actually put her hand to her pocket, and gave the meffenger sevenpence halfpenny.

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