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dent that great numbers of the rabble will thus ⚫ be introduced into the political fyftem, and they, ⚫ ever moving in the vortex of the great, will follow ⚫ where greatness fhall direct. In fuch a ftate, therefore, all that the middle order has left, is to pre⚫ ferve the prerogative and privileges of the one principal governor with the most facred circumfpection. For he divides the power of the rich, and calls off the great from falling with tenfold weight on the middle order placed beneath them. The middle order may be compared to a town, of which the opulent are forming the fiege, and of which the governor from ⚫ without is haftening the relief. While the befiegers ⚫ are in dread of an enemy over them, it is but natural to offer the townfmen the moft fpecious terms; to flatter them with founds, and amuse them with privileges; but if they once defeat the governor from behind, the walls of the town will be but a small defence to its inhabitants. What they may then expect, may be seen by turning our eyes to Holland, Genoa, or Venice, where the laws govern • the poor, and the rich govern the law. I am then for, and would die for, monarchy, facred monarchy; for if there be any thing facred amongst men, it must be the anointed SOVEREIGN of his people, and every diminution of his power in war, or in peace, is an infringement upon the real liberties of the fubject. The founds of liberty, patriotifm, and Britons, have already done much; it is to be hoped that the true fons of freedom will prevent their ever doing more. I have known many of those pretended champions for liberty in my time, yet do I not re'member one that was not in his heart and in his family a tyrant.'

T

My warmth I found had lengthened this harangue beyond the rules of good breeding; but the impatience of my entertainer, who often ftrove to interrupt it, could be reftrained no longer. What,' cried he, then I have been all this while entertaining a Jefuit in parfon's clothes: but by all the coal mines of

Cornwall,

• Cornwall, out he fhall pack, if my name be Wilkinson.' I now found I had gone too far, and afked pardon for the warmth with which I had spoken. Pardon,' returned he in a fury; I think fuch-principles demand ten thousand pardons. What, give up liberty, property, and, as the Gazetteer fays, lie down to be faddled with wooden fhoes! Sir, I infift upon your marching out of this houfe immediately, to prevent worfe confequences. Sir, I infift upon it.' I was going to repeat my remonftrances; but juft then we heard a footman's rap at the door, and the two ladies cried out, As fure " as death, there is our mafter and mistress come home." It seems my entertainer was all this while only the butler, who, in his master's absence, had a mind to cut a figure, and be for a while the gentleman himself; and, to say the truth, he talked politics as well as most country gentlemen do. But nothing could now exceed my confufion upon feeing the gentleman and his lady enter; nor was their furprise, at finding fuch company and good cheer, lefs than ours. • Gentlemen,' cried the real mafter of the house, to me and my companion, my wife and I are your most humble fervants; but I proteft this is fo unexpected a favour, that we almoft fink under the obligation.” However unexpected our company might be to them, theirs, I am fure, was ftill more fo to us, and I was ftruck dumb with the apprehenfions of my own abfurdity, when, whom should I next fee enter the room but my dear Mifs Arabella Wilmot, who was formerly defigned to be married to my fon George, but whofe match was broken off, as already related. As foon as the faw me, fhe flew to my arms with the utmost joy. My dear Sir,' cried the, to what

happy accident is it that we owe fo unexpected a vifit? I am fure my uncle and aunt will be in raptures when they find they have got the good Dr. Primrose for their guest.' Upon hearing my name, the old gentleman and lady very politely stept up, and welcomed me with moft cordial hofpitality. Nor

could

could they forbear fmiling, upon being informed of the nature of my prefent vifit; but the unfortunate butler, whom they at first feemed difpofed to turn away, was, at my interceffion, forgiven.

Mr. Arnold and his lady, to whom the house belonged, now infifted upon having the pleasure of my ftay for fome days; and as their niece, my charming pupil, whose mind, in fome measure, had been formed under my own inftructions, joined in their entreaties, I complied. That night I was fhewn to a magnificent chamber, and the next morning early, Mifs Wilmot defired to walk with me in the garden, which was decorated in the modern manner. After fome time fpent in pointing out the beauties of the place, she inquired, with feeming unconcern, when laft I had heard from my fon George. Alas! Madam,' cried I, ' he has now been near three years absent, without ever 'writing to his friends or me. Where he is I know not; perhaps I fhall never fee him or happiness < more. No, my dear madam, we fhall never more fee fuch pleafing hours as were once spent by our fire-fide at Wakefield. My little family are now difperfing very faft, and poverty has brought not only want, but infamy, upon us.' The good-natured girl let fall a tear at this account; but as I faw her poffeffed of too much fenfibility, I forbore a more minute detail of our fufferings. It was, however, fome confolation to me to find that time had made no alteration in her affections, and that she had rejected feveral matches that had been made her fince our leaving her part of the country. She led me round all the extenfive improvements of the place, pointing to the feveral walks and arbours, and at the fame time catching from every object a hint for fome new queftion relative to my fon. In this manner we spent the forenoon, till the bell fummoned us to dinner, where we found the manager of the ftrolling company that I mentioned before, who was come to difpofe of tickets for the Fair Penitent, which was to be acted that evening, the part of Horatio by a young gentleman

who

who had never appeared on any stage. He feemed to be very warm in the praise of the new performer, and averred that he never faw any who bid so fair for excellence. Acting, he observed, was not learned in a day; But this gentleman,' continued he, feems born to tread the ftage. His voice, his figure, and attitudes, are all admirable. We caught him up accidentally in our journey down.' This account in fome measure excited our curiofity, and, at the entreaty of the ladies, I was prevailed upon to accompany them to the playhouse, which was no other than a barn. As the company with which I went was incontestably the chief of the place, we were received with the greateft refpect, and placed in the front feat of the theatre; where we fat for fome time with no fmall impatience to fee Horatio make his appearance. The new performer advanced at last; and let parents think of my fenfations by their own, when I found it was my unfortunate fon. He was going to begin, when, turning his eyes upon the audience, he perceived Mifs Wilmot and me, and ftood at once speechlefs and immovable. The actors behind the scene, who afcribed this paufe to his natural timidity, attempted to encourage him; but inftead of going on, he burst into a flood of tears, and retired off the stage. I don't know what were my feelings on this occafion; for they fucceeded with too much rapidity for defcription: but I was foon awakened from this difagreeable reverie by Mifs Wilmot, who, pale and with a trembling voice, defired me to conduct her back to her uncle's. When got home, Mr. Arnold, who was as yet a stranger to our extraordinary behaviour, being informed that the new performer was my fon, fent his coach, and an invitation, for him; and as he perfisted in his refusal to appear again upon the ftage, the players put another in his place, and we foon had him with us. Mr. Arnold gave him the kindeft reception, and I received him with my ufual transport; for I could never counterfeit falfe refentment. Mifs Wilmot's reception was mixed with feeming neglect, and yet I

could

could perceive she acted a studied part. The tumult in her mind feemed not yet abated; the faid twenty giddy things that looked like joy, and then laughed loud at her own want of meaning. At intervals fhe would take a fly peep at the glass, as if happy in the consciousness of unrefifted beauty, and often would afk questions, without giving any manner of attention to the answers.

CHAP. XX.

The hiftory of a philosophic vagabond, pursuing novelty, but lofing content.

AFTER we had fupped, Mrs. Arnold politely

6

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fon's baggage, which he at firft seemed to decline; but upon her preffing the requeft, he was obliged to inform her, that a tick and a wallet were all the moveable things upon this earth which he could boast of. Why aye, my fon,' cried I, 'you left me but poor, • and poor I find you are come back; and yet I make no doubt you have feen a great deal of the world.' Yes, Sir,' replied my fon, but travelling after ⚫ fortune is not the way to fecure her; and, indeed, of late, I have defifted from the purfuit.'fancy, Sir,' cried Mrs. Arnold, that the account ⚫ of your adventures would be amufing; the first part of them I have often heard from my niece; but could the company prevail for the reft, it would be an additional obligation.' Madam,' replied my fon, I promife you the pleafure you have in hearing, will not be half fo great as my vanity in repeating them, and yet in the whole narrative I can fcarce promife you one adventure, as my account is rather of what I faw than what I did. The first misfor-. tune of my life, which you all know, was great; but though it diftreft, it could not fink me. No perfon ever had a better knack at hoping than I. The lefs kind I found Fortune at one time, the

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