'sition, which hath been read with great applause all 'over the kingdom.'

'I am glad you are pleased to confirm that,' cries Booth; for I protest it was an entire secret to me till this day. I was so perfectly ignorant, that I thought 'the speeches published in the Magazines were really 'made by the members themselves.'

'Some of them, and I believe I may, without vanity, say the best,' cries the author, are all the productions เ of my own pen; but, I believe, I shall leave it off soon, 'unless a sheet of speech will fetch more than it does 'at present. In truth, the romance-writing is the only 'branch of our business now that is worth following. 'Goods of that sort have had so much success lately in 'the market, that a bookseller scarce cares what he bids 'for them. And it is certainly the easiest work in the 'world; you may write it almost as fast as you can set pen to paper; and if you interlard it with a little scandal, a little abuse on some living characters of note, you cannot fail of success.'

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Upon my word, Sir,' cries Booth, 'you have greatly 'instructed me, I could not have imagined there had been so much regularity in the trade of writing as you are pleased to mention; by what I can perceive, เ the pen and ink is likely to become the staple com'modity of the kingdom.'

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'Alas! Sir,' answered the author, 'it is overstocked. The market is overstocked. There is no encourage'ment to merit, no patrons. I have been these five years soliciting a subscription for my new translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses, with notes explanatory, 'historical, and critical; and I have scarce collected 'five hundred names yet."

The mention of this translation a little surprised Booth; not only as the author had just declared his

intentions to forsake the tuneful Muses; but for some other reasons, which he had collected from his conversation with our author, he little expected to hear of a proposal to translate any of the Latin poets. He proceeded, therefore, to catechise him a little farther; and by his answers was fully satisfied, that he had the very same acquaintance with Ovid, that he had appeared to have with Lucan.

The author then pulled out a bundle of papers, containing proposals for his subscription, and receipts; and addressing himself to Booth, said, 'Though the place in 'which we meet, Sir, is an improper place to solicit 'favours of this kind; yet, perhaps, it may be in your power to serve me, if you will charge your pockets 'with some of these.' Booth was just offering at an excuse, when the bailiff introduced colonel James and the serjeant.

The unexpected visit of a beloved friend to a man in affliction, especially in Mr. Booth's situation, is a comfort which can scarce be equalled; not barely from the hopes of relief or redress, by his assistance; but as it is an evidence of sincere friendship, which scarce admits of any doubt or suspicion. Such an instance doth indeed make a man amends for all ordinary troubles and distresses; and we ought to think ourselves gainers, by having had such an opportunity of discovering, that we are possessed of one of the most valuable of all human possessions.

Booth was so transported at the sight of the colonel that he dropped the proposals which the author had put into his hands, and burst forth into the highest professions of gratitude to his friend; who behaved very properly on his side, and said every thing which became the mouth of a friend on the occasion.

It is true, indeed, he seemed not moved equally, either

with Booth or the serjeant; both whose eyes watered at the scene. In truth, the colonel, though a very generous man, had not the least grain of tenderness in his disposition. His mind was formed of those firm materials, of which nature formerly hammered out the Stoic, and upon which the sorrows of no man living could make an impression. A man of this temper, who doth not much value danger, will fight for the person he calls his friend; and the man that hath but little value for his money will give it him; but such friendship is never to be absolutely depended on; for whenever the favourite passion interposes with it, it is sure to subside and vanish into air. Whereas the man whose tender disposition really feels the miseries of another, will endeavour to relieve them for his own sake; and in such a mind, friendship will often get the superiority over every other passion.

But from whatever motive it sprung, the colonel's behaviour to Booth seemed truly amiable; and so it appeared to the author, who took the first occasion to applaud it in a very florid oration; which the reader, when he recollects that he was a speech-maker by profession, will not be surprised at; nor, perhaps, will be much more surprised, that he soon after took an occasion of clapping a proposal into the colonel's hands; holding at the same time a receipt very visible in his own.

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The colonel received both, and gave the author a guinea in exchange, which was double the sum mentioned in the receipt; for which the author made a low bow, and very politely took his leave, saying, 'I suppose, gentlemen, you may have some private busiเ ness together; I heartily wish a speedy end to your เ confinement; and I congratulate you on the possessing so great, so noble, and so generous a friend.'

CHAPTER VI.

Which inclines rather to Satire than Panegyric.

THE Colonel had the curiosity to ask Booth the name of the gentleman, who, in the vulgar language, had struck, or taken him in for a guinea, with so much ease and dexterity. Booth answered, he did not know his name; all that he knew of him was, that he was the most impudent and illiterate fellow he had ever seen; and that, by his own account, he was the author of most of the wonderful productions of the age. Perhaps,' said he, it may look uncharitable in me to blame you for your 'generosity; but I am convinced the fellow hath not 'the least merit or capacity; and you have subscribed to the most horrid trash that ever was published.'

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'I care not a farthing what he publishes,' cries the colonel. 'Heaven forbid, I should be obliged to read 'half the nonsense I have subscribed to.'

'But don't you think,' said Booth, that by such in'discriminate encouragement of authors, you do a real 'mischief to the society? by propagating the subscrip'tions of such fellows, people are tired out, and withhold 'their contributions to men of real merit; and, at the 6 same time, you are contributing to fill the world, not only with nonsense, but with all the scurrility, indecency, and profaneness with which the age abounds; and with which all bad writers supply the defect of 'genius.'

Pugh!' cries the colonel, I never consider these matters. Good or bad, it is all one to me; but there's an acquaintance of mine, and a man of great wit too, 'that thinks the worst the best, as they are the surest 'to make him laugh.'

'I ask pardon, Sir,' says the serjeant; 'but I wish your 'honour would consider your own affairs a little; for 'it grows late in the evening.'

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The serjeant says true,' answered the colonel. What 'is it you intend to do?'

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Faith, colonel, I know not what I shall do. My 'affairs seem so irreparable, that I have been driving them as much as possibly I could from my mind. If I was to suffer alone, I think I could bear them with some philosophy; but when I consider who are to be 'the sharers in my fortune-the dearest of children, and the best, the worthiest, and the noblest of women'Pardon me, my dear friend; these sensations are above me, they convert me into a woman; they drive me to 'despair, to madness.'

The colonel advised him to command himself; and told him, this was not the way to retrieve his fortune. 'As to me, my dear Booth,' said he, 'you know you may command me as far as is really within my power.'

Booth answered eagerly, that he was so far from expecting any more favours from the colonel, that he had resolved not to let him know anything of his misfortune. No, my dear friend,' cries he, 'I am too much obliged to you already;' and then burst into many fervent expressions of gratitude; till the colonel himself stopped him, and begged him to give an account of the debt or debts for which he was detained in that horrid place.

Booth answered, he could not be very exact; but he feared it was upwards of four hundred pounds.

It is but three hundred pounds, indeed, Sir,' cries the serjeant; if you can raise three hundred pounds, you are a free man this moment.'

Booth, who did not apprehend the generous meaning of the serjeant, as well as, I believe, the reader will, answered, he was mistaken; that he had computed his