Farmer Booth indeed. What a happiness have you painted to my imagination! you put me in mind of a newspaper, where my lady such-a-one is delivered of a son, to the great joy of some illustrious family.'

"Why, then, I do assure you, Miss Matthews,' cries Booth, 'I scarce know a circumstance that distinguished one day from another. The whole was one continued series of love, health, and tranquillity. Our lives resembled a calm sea.'

'The dullest of all ideas,' cries the lady. 'I know,' said he, it must appear dull in description; for who can describe the pleasures which the morning air gives to one in perfect health; the flow of spirits which springs up from exercise; the delights which parents feel from the prattle and innocent follies of their children; the joy with which the tender smile of a wife inspires a husband; or lastly, the cheerful, solid comfort which a fond couple enjoy in each other's conversation. All these pleasures, and every other of which our situation was capable, we tasted in the highest degree. Our happiness was, perhaps, too great; for fortune seemed to grow envious of it, and interposed one of the most cruel accidents that could have befallen us, by robbing us of our dear friend the doctor.'

I am sorry for it,' said Miss Matthews. 'He was indeed a valuable man, and I never heard of his death before.'

Long may it be before any one hears of it,' cries Booth. He is, indeed, dead to us; but will, I hope, enjoy many happy years of life. You know, madam, the obligations he had to his patron the earl; indeed, it was impossible to be once in his company without hearing of them; I am sure you will neither wonder that he was chosen to attend the young lord in his travels as his tutor, nor that the good man, however disagreeable it might be, (as in fact it was,) to his inclination, should comply with the earnest request of his friend and patron.

age; in renting which I had also as bad a bargain as the doctor had before given me a good one. The consequence of which was, that whereas, at the end of the first year, I was worth upwards of fourscore pounds; at the end of the second, I was near half that sum worse, (as the phrase is,) than nothing.

A second folly I was guilty of, in uniting families with the curate of the parish, who had just married, as my wife and I thought, a very good sort of a woman. We had not, however, lived one month together, before I plainly perceived this good sort of a woman had taken a great prejudice against my Amelia; for which, if I had not known something of the human passions, and that high place which envy holds among them, I should not have been able to account; for so far was my angel from having given her any cause of dislike, that she had treated her not only with civility, but kindness.

'Besides superiority in beauty, which I believe, all the world would have allowed to Amelia, there was another cause of this envy, which I am almost ashamed to mention, as it may well be called my greatest folly. You are to know, then, madam, that from a boy I had been always fond of driving a coach, in which I valued myself on having some skill. This, perhaps, was an innocent, but I allow it to have been a childish vanity. As I had an opportunity, therefore, of buying an old coach and harness very cheap, (indeed they cost me but twelve pounds,) and as I considered that the same horses which drew my waggons, would likewise draw my coach, I resolved on indulging myself in the purchase.

The consequence of setting up this poor old coach is inconceivable. Before this, as my wife and myself had very little distinguished ourselves from the other farmers and their wives, either in our dress or our way of living, they treated us as their equals; but now they began to consider us By this means I was bereft not only of as elevating ourselves into a state of supethe best companion in the world, but of the riority, and immediately began to envy, best counsellor; a loss of which I have hate, and declare war against us. The since felt the bitter consequence; for no neighbouring little squires, too, were uneasy greater advantage, I am convinced, can to see a poor renter become their equal in arrive to a young man who hath any degree a matter in which they placed so much digof understanding, than an intimate con- nity; and not doubting but it arose in me verse with one of riper years, who is not only able to advise, but who knows the manner of advising. By this means alone, youth can enjoy the benefit of the experience of age, and that at a time of life when such experience will be of more service to a man, than when he hath lived long enough to acquire it of himself.

From want of my sage counsellor, I now fell into many errors. The first of these was in enlarging my business, by adding a farm of one hundred a-year to the parson

from the same ostentation, they began to hate me likewise, and to turn my equipage into ridicule; asserting that my horses, which were as well matched as any in the kingdom, were of different colours and sizes; with much more of that kind of wit, the only basis of which is lying.

"But what will appear more surprising to you, madam, was, that the curate's wife, who being lame, had more use of the coach than my Amelia, (indeed, she seldom went to church in any other manner,) was one of

my bitterest enemies on the occasion. If debt near three hundred pounds, more than she had ever any dispute with Amelia, which the value of all my effects. My landlord all the sweetness of my poor girl could not seized my stock for rent; and to avoid imsometimes avoid, she was sure to introduce mediate confinement in prison, I was forced with a malicious sneer, "Though my hus- to leave the country, with all that I hold band doth not keep a coach, madam." Nay, dear in the world, my wife, and my poor she took this opportunity to upbraid my little family. wife with the loss of her fortune, alleging, 'In this condition, I arrived in town five That some folks might have had as good or six days ago. I had just taken a lodging pretensions to a coach as other folks, and a in the verge of the court, and had writ my better to, as they brought a better fortune dear Amelia word where she might find me, to their husbands, but that all people had when she had settled her affairs in the best not the art of making brick without straw. manner she could. That very evening, as You will wonder, perhaps, madam, how I was returning home from the coffee-house, I can remember such stuff, which, indeed, a fray happening in the street, I endeavourwas a long time only a matter of amuse-ed to assist the injured party, when I was ment both to Amelia and myself; but we seized by the watch, and after being conat last experienced the mischievous nature of envy, and that it tends rather to produce tragical than comical events. My neighbours now began to conspire against me. They nicknamed me in derision, the squire farmer. Whatever I bought, I was sure to buy dearer, and when I sold, I was obliged to sell cheaper than any other. In fact, they were all united; and while they every day committed trespasses on my lands with impunity, if any of my cattle escaped into their fields, I was either forced to enter into a law-suit, or to make amends four-fold for the damage sustained.

The consequences of all this could be no other than that ruin which ensued. Without tiring you with particulars, before the end of four years, I became involved in

fined all night in the round-house, was conveyed in the morning before a justice of peace, who committed me hither; where I should probably have starved, had I not, from your hands, found a most unaccountable preservation.-And here give me leave to assure you, my dear Miss Matthews, that whatever advantage I have reaped from your misfortune, I sincerely lament it; nor would I have purchased any relief to myself at the price of seeing you in this dreadful place.'

He spake these words with great tenderness; for he was a man of consummate good nature, and had formerly had much affection for this young lady; indeed, more than the generality of people are capable of entertaining for any person whatsoever.

CHAPTER I.

BOOK IV.

Containing very mysterious matter.

MISS MATTHEWS did not in the least fall short of Mr. Booth in expressions of tenderness. Her eyes, the most eloquent orators on such occasions, exerted their utmost force; and at the conclusion of his speech, she cast a look as languishingly sweet as ever Cleopatra gave to Antony. In real fact, this Mr. Booth had been her first love, and had made such impressions on her young heart, which the learned in this branch of philosophy affirm, and perhaps truly, are never to be eradicated.

When Booth had finished his story, a silence ensued of some minutes; an interval which the painter would describe much better than the writer. Some readers, may, however, be able to make pretty pertinent conjectures, by what I have said above, especially when they are told that Miss Mat

thews broke the silence with a sigh, and cried, 'Why is Mr. Booth unwilling to allow me the happiness of thinking my misfortunes have been of so little advantage to him? sure the happy Amelia would not be so selfish to envy me that pleasure. No; not if she was as much the fondest as she is the happiest of women.'-' Good Heavens! madam,' said he, do you call my poor Amelia the happiest of women?'-Indeed I do,' answered she, briskly. O, Mr. Booth! there is a speck of white in her fortune, which when it falls to the lot of a sensible woman, makes her full amends for all the crosses which can attend her-Perhaps she may not be sensible of it; but if it had been my blessed fate.-O, Mr. Booth! could I have thought when we were first acquainted, that the most agreeable man in the world had been capable of making the kind, the tender, the affectionate husband--the happy Amelia, in those days, was unknown; Hea

B b

sleep; which hath the greater charms for you, the punch or the pillow?' 'I hope, madam,' answered Booth, 'you have a better opinion of me, than to doubt my preferring Miss Matthews' conversation to either.' 'I assure you,' replied she, it is no compliment to you, to say, I prefer yours to sleep at this time.'

The governor, then, having received his fee, departed; and, turning the key, left the gentleman and the lady to themselves. In imitation of him, we will lock up, likewise, a scene, which we do not think proper to expose to the eyes of the public. If any over curious readers should be disappointed on this occasion, we will recommend such readers to the apologies with which certain gay ladies have lately been pleased to oblige the world, where they will possibly find every thing recorded that passed at this interval.

ven had not then given her a prospect of the | my own part, I had never less inclination to happiness it intended her-but yet it did intend her; for sure there is a fatality in the affairs of love; and the more I reflect on my own life, the more I am convinced of it. O Heavens! how a thousand little circumstances crowd into my mind. When you first marched into our town, you had then the colours in your hand; as you passed under the window where I stood, my glove, by accident, dropped into the street; you stooped, took up my glove, and putting it upon the spike belonging to your colours, lifted it up to the window. Upon this a young lady, who stood by, said, "So, miss, the young officer hath accepted your challenge." I blushed then, and I blush now, when I confess to you, I thought you the prettiest young fellow I had ever seen; and, upon my soul, I believe you was then the prettiest young fellow in the world.'-Booth here made a low bow, and cried, 'O, dear madam, how ignorant was I of my own happiness! Would you really have thought so?' answered she; however, there is some politeness, if there be no sincerity in what you say.' Here the governor of the enchanted castle interrupted them, and entering the room without any ceremony, acquainted the lady and gentleman that it was locking-up time; and addressing Booth by the name of captain, asked him if he would not please to have a bed; adding, that he might have one in the next room to the lady, but that it would come dear; for that he never let a bed in that room under a guinea, nor could he afford it cheaper to his father. No answer was made to this proposal; but Miss Matthews, who had already learnt some of the ways of the house, said, she believed Mr. Booth would like to drink a glass of something; upon which the governor immediately trumpeted forth the praises of his rack-punch, and without waiting for any farther commands, presently produced a large bowl of that liquor.

But though we decline painting the scene, it is not our intention to conceal from the world the frailty of Mr. Booth, or of his fair partner, who certainly passed that evening in a manner inconsistent with the strict rules of virtue and chastity.

To say the truth, we are much more concerned for the behaviour of the gentleman than of the lady; not only for his sake, but for the sake of the best woman in the world, whom we should be sorry to consider as yoked to a man of no worth nor honour.

We desire, therefore, the good-natured and candid reader will be pleased to weigh attentively the several unlucky circumstances which concurred so critically, that fortune seemed to have used her utmost endeavours to ensnare poor Booth's constancy. Let the reader set before his eyes a fine young woman, in a manner, a first love, conferring obligations, and using every art to soften, to allure, to win, and to enflame; let him consider the time and place; let him remember that Mr. Booth was a young fellow, The governor, having recommended the in the highest vigour of life; and, lastly, goodness of his punch by a hearty draught, let him add one single circumstance that began to revive the other matter, saying, the parties were alone together; and then, that he was just going to bed, and must first if he will not acquit the defendant, he must lock up. But suppose,' said Miss Mat- be convicted; for I have nothing more to thews, with a smile, the captain and I say in his defence. should have a mind to sit up all night.'-| With all my heart,' said the governor; 'but I expect a consideration for those matters. For my part, I don't inquire into what doth not concern me; but single and double are two things. If I lock up double, I expect half a guinea; and I'm sure the captain cannot think that's out of the way; it is but the price of a bagnio.'

Miss Matthews' face became the colour of scarlet at those words-however, she mustered up her spirits, and, turning to Booth, said, 'What say you, captain? for

CHAPTER III.

The latter part of which, we expect, will please the reader better than the former.

A WHOLE Week did our lady and gentleman live in this criminal conversation, in which the happiness of the former was much more perfect than that of the latter; for, though the charms of Miss Matthews, and her excessive endearments, sometimes lulled every thought in the sweet lethargy of plea

you think I would accept this hundred never touches any thing, that is, not to speak pounds from a man I dislike, unless it was of; but then the constable will expect someto be serviceable to the man I love? I insist thing, and the watchmen must have someon your taking it as your own, and using thing, and the lawyers on both sides, they whatever you want of it.' must have their fees for finishing. Well,' Booth protested in the solemnest manner, said she, 'I leave all to you. If it costs me that he would not touch a shilling of it, say- twenty pounds I will have him discharged ing, he had already received too many obli- this afternoon.-But you must give his disgations at her hands, and more than ever charge into my hands, without letting the he should be able, he feared, to repay. captain know any thing of the matter." 'How unkind,' answered she, 'is every word The governor promised to obey her comyou say. Why will you mention obliga-mands in every particular; nay, he was so tions? Love never confers any. It doth every very industrious, that though dinner was thing for its own sake. I am not therefore just then coming upon the table, at her obliged to the man whose passion makes earnest request he set out immediately on him generous; for I feel how inconsiderable the purpose, and went, as he said, in pursuit the whole world would appear to me, if of the lawyer. could throw it after my heart.'

I

Much more of this kind passed, she still pressing the bank note upon him, and he as absolutely refusing, till Booth left the lady to dress herself, and went to walk in the area of the prison.

All the other company assembled at the table as usual, where poor Booth was the only person out of spirits. This was imputed by all present to a wrong cause; nay, Miss Matthews herself either could not or would not suspect that there was any thing Miss Matthews now applied to the gover- deeper than the despair of being speedily nor, to know by what means she might pro-discharged, that lay heavy on his mind. cure the captain his liberty. The governor However the mirth of the rest, and a answered, As he cannot get bail, it will be pretty liberal quantity of punch, which he a difficult matter; and money, to be sure, swallowed after dinner, (for Miss Matthews there must be; for people, no doubt, expect had ordered a very large bowl at her own to touch on these occasions. When pri- expense, to entertain the good company at soners have not wherewithal as the law re-her farewell,) so far exhilarated his spirits, quires to entitle themselves to justice, why, they must be beholden to other people to give them their liberty; and people will not, to be sure, suffer others to be beholden to them for nothing, whereof there is good reason; The gentleman and lady had spent about for how should we all live if it was not for two hours in tea and conversation, when these things? Well, well,' said she, and the governor returned, and privately delihow much will it cost? How much!' an-vered to the lady the discharge for her swered he,-- How much!-why, let me see.'-Here he hesitated some time, and then answered, 'That for five guineas he would undertake to procure the captain his discharge.' That being the sum which he computed to remain in the lady's pocket; for as to the gentleman's, he had long been acquainted with the emptiness of it.

Miss Matthews, to whom money was as dirt, (indeed she may be thought not to have known the value of it,) delivered him the bank bill, and bid him get it changed; for if the whole,' says she,will procure him his liberty, he shall have it this evening.'

that, when the young lady and he retired to their tea, he had all the marks of gayety in his countenance, and his eyes sparkled with good humour.

friend, and the sum of eighty-two pounds five shillings; the rest having been, he said, disbursed in the business, of which he was ready at any time to render an exact account.

Miss Matthews being again alone with Mr. Booth, she put the discharge into his hands, desiring him to ask her no questions; and adding, I think, sir, we have neither of us now any thing more to do at this place.' She then summoned the governor, and ordered a bill of that day's expense, for long scores were not usual there; and at the same time ordered a hackney-coach, without having yet determined whither she should go, but fully determined she was, wherever she went, to take Mr. Booth with her.

"The whole, madam,' answered the governor, as soon as he had recovered his breath; for it almost forsook him at the sight of the black word hundred. 'No, no-there might be people indeed--but I am not one The governor was now approaching with of those. A hundred! no, nor nothing like a long roll of paper, when a faint voice was it.-As for myself, as I said, I will be con- heard to cry out hastily, 'Where is he?'— tent with five guineas, and I am sure that's and presently a female spectre, all pale and little enough. What other people will ex-breathless, rushed into the room, and fell pect, I cannot exactly say.-To be sure his into Mr. Booth's arms, where she immediworship's clerk will expect to touch pretty ately fainted away. handsomely; as for his worship himself, he

Booth made a shift to support his lovely