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who attended the light began some to laugh, woman, her hair was dishevelled in the others to sing, and others to holla, at struggle, and her nose had bled; so that which the woman testified some fear, (for they could not perceive whether she was she had concealed her suspicions of the handsome or ugly, but they said her fright parson himself;) but Adams said, Be of plainly discovered her guilt. And searching good cheer, damsel, and repose thy trust her pockets, as they did those of Adams, for in the same Providence which hath hither- money, which the fellow said he had lost, to protected thee, and never will forsake they found in her pocket a purse with some the innocent.' These people, who now gold in it, which abundantly convinced approached, were no other, reader, than a them, especially as the fellow offered to set of young fellows, who came to these swear to it. Mr. Adams was found to bushes in pursuit of a diversion which they have no more than one halfpenny about call bird-batting. This, if thou art ignorant him. This the clerk said was a great preof it, (as perhaps if thou hast never travelled sumption that he was an old offender, by beyond Kensington, Islington, Hackney, or cunningly giving all the booty to the wothe Borough, thou mayest be,) I will inform man.' To which all the rest readily asthee, is performed by holding a large clap-sented. net before a lantern, and at the same time This accident promising them better sport beating the bushes; for the birds, when they than what they had proposed, they quitted are disturbed from their places of rest, or their intention of catching birds, and unaniroost, immediately make to the light, and so mously resolved to proceed to the justice are enticed within the net. Adams immedi- with the offenders. Being informed what ately told them what had happened, and de- a desperate fellow Adams was, they tied his sired thein to hold the lantern to the face of hands behind him; and having hid their the man on the ground, for he feared he had nets among the bushes, and the lantern smote him fatally. But indeed his fears being carried before them, they placed the were frivolous; for the fellow, though he had two prisoners in their front, and then began been stunned by the last blow he received, their march: Adams not only submitting had long since recovered his senses, and patiently to his own fate, but comforting and finding himself quit of Adams, had listened encouraging his companion under her sufattentively to the discourse between him ferings. and the young woman; for whose departure he had patiently waited, that he might likewise withdraw himself, having no longer hopes of succeeding in his desires, which were moreover almost as well cooled by Mr. Adams, as they could have been by the young woman herself, had he obtained his utmost wish. This fellow, who had a readiness at improving any accident, thought he might now play a better part than that of a dead man; and accordingly, the moment the candle was held to his face he leapt up, and laying hold on Adams, cried out, 'No, villain, I am not dead, though you and your wicked whore might well think me so, after the barbarous cruelties you have exercised on me. Gentlemen,' said he, you are luckily come to the assistance of a poor traveller, who would otherwise have been robbed and murdered by this vile man and woman, who led me hither out of my way from the high-road, and both falling on me have used me as you see.' Adams was going to answer, when one of the young fellows cried, D-n them, let's carry them both before the justice.' The poor woman began to tremble, and Adams lifted up his voice, but in vain. Three or four of them laid hands on him; and one holding the lantern to his face, they all agreed he had the most villanous countenance they ever behold; and an attorney's clerk, who was of the company, declared, he was sure he had remembered him at the bar. As to the

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Whilst they were on their way, the clerk informed the rest that this adventure would prove a very beneficial one; for that they would be all entitled to their proportions of 80l. for apprehending the robbers. This occasioned a contention concerning the parts which they had severally borne in taking them: one insisting he ought to have the greatest share, for he had first laid his hands on Adams; another claiming a superior part for having first held the lantern to the man's face on the ground, by which, he said, the whole was discovered.' The clerk claimed four-fifths of the reward, for having proposed to search the prisoners; and likewise the carrying them before the justice; he said, 'indeed, in strict justice, he ought to have the whole.' These claims, however, they at last consented to refer to a future decision, but seemed all to agree that the clerk was entitled to a moiety. They then debated what money should be allotted to the young fellow who had been employed only in holding the nets. He very modestly said, 'That he did not apprehend any large proportion would fall to his share, but hoped they would allow him something; he desired them to consider, that they had assigned their nets to his care, which prevented him from being as forward as any in laying hold of the robbers,' (for so those innocent people were called ;) that if he had not occupied the nets, some other must;' concluding however, that he should be con

tented with the smallest share imaginable, sured any one but Adams, who never saw and should think that rather their bounty farther into people than they desired to let than his merit.' But they were all unani- him, of the truth of a passion she endeavourmous in excluding him from any part what- ed to conceal. Indeed, the fact was, that ever, the clerk particularly swearing, 'If this poor girl having heard of Joseph's misthey gave him a shilling, they might do fortune, by some of the servants belonging what they pleased with the rest; for he to the coach, which we have formerly menwould not concern himself with the affair.' tioned to have stopt at the inn while the This contention was so hot, and so totally poor youth was confined to his bed, that inengaged the attention of all the parties, that stant abandoned the cow she was milking, a dexterous nimble thief, had he been in Mr. and taking with her a little bundle of clothes Adams's situation, would have taken care under her arm, and all the money she was to have given the justice no trouble that worth in her own purse, without consulting evening. Indeed it required not the art of any one, immediately set forward in pursuit a Shepherd to escape, especially as the of one, whom, notwithstanding her shyness darkness of the night would have so much to the parson, she loved with inexpressible befriended him; but Adams trusted rather violence, though with the purest and most to his innocence than his heels, and without delicate passion. This shyness, therefore, thinking of flight, which was easy, or resist- as we trust it will recommend her character ance, (which was impossible, as there were to all our female readers, and not greatly six lusty young fellows, besides the villain surprise such of our males as are well achimself, present,) he walked with perfect re- quainted with the younger part of the other signation the way they thought proper to sex, we shall not give ourselves any trouble conduct him. to vindicate.

CHAPTER XI

What happened to them while before the justice. A chapter very full of learning."

THEIR fellow-travellers were so engaged in the hot dispute, concerning the division of the reward for apprehending these innocent people, that they attended very little to their discourse. They were now arrived at the justice's house, and had sent one of his servants in to acquaint his worship, that they had taken two robbers, and brought them before him. The justice, who was just returned from a fox-chase, and had not yet finished his dinner, ordered them to carry the prisoners into the stable, whither they were attended by all the servants in the house, and all the people in the neighbourhood, who flocked together to see them, with as much curiosity as if there was something uncommon to be seen, or that a rogue did not look like other people.

Adams frequently vented himself in ejaculation during their journey. At last poor Joseph Andrews occurring to his mind, he could not refrain sighing forth his name, which being heard by his companion in affiction, she cried with some vehemence, < Sure I should know that voice; you cannot certainly, sir, be Mr. Abraham Adams?' - Indeed, damsel,' says he, that is my name; there is something also in your voice, which persuades me I have heard it before." -La sir,' says she, don't you remember poor Fanny?How, Fanny! answered Adams: indeed, I very well remember you; what can have brought you hither?' I have told you, sir,' replied she, 'I was travelling towards London; but I thought you mentioned Joseph Andrews; pray what is become of him?I left him, child, this afternoon,' said Adams, in the stage-coach, in his way towards our parish, whither he is going to see you.'-To see me! La, sir,' answered Fanny, 'sure you jeer me; what should he be going to see me for?-Can you ask that?' replied Adams. 'I hope, The justice now being in the height of Fanny, you are not inconstant; I assure his mirth and his cups, bethought himself of you he deserves much better of you.'-- La! the prisoners; and telling his company, he Mr. Adams,' said she, 'what is Mr. Joseph believed they should have good sport in to me? I am sure I never had any thing to their examination, he ordered them into his say to him, but as one fellow-servant might presence. They had no sooner entered the to another.'-'I am sorry to hear this,' said room, than he began to revile them, saying, Adams; a virtuous passion for a young That robberies on the highway were now man, is what no woman need be ashamed grown so frequent, that people could not of. You either do not tell me truth, or you sleep safely in their beds, and assured them are false to a very worthy man.' Adams they both should be made examples of at then told her what had happened at the inn, the ensuing assizes.' After he had gone on to which she listened very attentively; and some time in this manner, he was reminded a sigh often escaped from her, notwithstand-by his clerk, That it would be proper to ing her utmost endeavours to the contrary; take the depositions of the witnesses against nor could she prevent herself from asking a them.' Which he bid him do, and he would thousand questions, which would have as- light his pipe in the mean time. Whilst the

'And

I'll go your halves,' cries the other. 'Done,' answered Adams; but upon applying to his pocket he was forced to retract, and own he had no money about him; which set them all a laughing, and confirmed the triumph of his adversary, which was not moderate; any more than the approbation he met with from the whole company, who told Adams, he must go a little longer to school, before he attempted to attack that gentleman in Latin.

clerk was employed in writing down the 'I'll hold thee a guinea of that,' said the wit, deposition of the fellow who had pretended throwing the money on the table. to be robbed, the justice employed himself in cracking jests on poor Fanny, in which he was seconded by all the company at table. One asked, 'Whether she was to be indicted for a highwayman? Another whispered in her ear, 'If she had not provided herself a great belly, he was at her service.' A third said, "He warranted she was a relation of Turpin.' To which one of the company, a great wit, shaking his head, and then his sides, answered, 'He believed she was nearer related to Turpis;' at which there was an universal laugh. They were proceeding thus with the poor girl, when Somebody, smoking the cassock peeping forth from under the great-coat of Adams, cried out, What have we here, a parson?' -How, sirrah,' says the justice, 'do you go robbing in the dress of a clergyman? let me tell you, your habit will not entitle you to the benefit of the clergy.'- Yes,' said the witty fellow, he will have one benefit of clergy; he will be exalted above the heads of the people;' at which there was a second laugh. And now the witty spark, seeing his jokes take, began to rise in spirits; and turning to Adams, challenged him to cap verses, and provoking him by giving the first blow, he repeated,

Molle meum levibus cord 'est vilebile telis.'

Upon which Adams, with a look full of ineffable contempt, told him, 'He deserved Scourging for his pronunciation.' The witty fellow answered, 'What do you deserve, doctor, for not being able to answer the first time? Why, I'll give one, you blockhead, with an S.

The clerk having finished the depositions, as well of the fellow himself, as of those who apprehended the prisoners, delivered them to the justice, who having sworn the several witnesses, without reading a syllable, ordered his clerk to make the mittimus.

6

Adams then said, 'He hoped he should not be condemned unheard.'-'No, no,' cries the justice, you will be asked what you have to say for yourself, when you come on your trial: we are not trying you now; I shall only commit you to jail: if you can prove your innocence at 'size, you will be found ignoramus, and so no harm done.'-' Is it no punishment, sir, for an innocent man to lie several months in jail?' cries Adams: 'I beg you would at least hear me before you sign the mittimus.''What signifies all you can say?' says the justice: is it not here in black and white against you? I must tell you, you are a very impertinent fellow, to take up so much of my time. So make haste with his mittimus.'

a

The clerk now acquainted the justice, that mong other suspicious things, as a penknife, &c. found in Adams's pocket, they Si licet, ut fulvum spectatur in ignibus haurum. had discovered a book written, as he apprehended, in ciphers; for no one could read a "What, can'st not with an M neither? word in it. Ay,' says the justice, 'the felthou art a pretty fellow for a parson. Why low may be more than a common robber, did'st not steal some of the parson's Latin he may be in a plot against the governas well as his gown? Another at the table ment-produce the book. Upon which then answered, 'If he had, you would have the poor manuscript of Eschylus, which been too hard for him; I remember you Adams had transcribed with his own hand, at the college, a very devil at this sport; I was brought forth; and the justice, lookhave seen you catch a fresh man; for no-ing at it, shook his head, and, turning to body that knew you would engage with the prisoner, asked the meaning of those you. I have forgot those things now,' ciphers. Ciphers!' answered Adams; it is a manuscript of Eschylus.'- Who? who?' said the justice. Adams repeated, Eschylus.'That is an outlandish name,' cried the clerk. A fictitious name, rather, I believe,' said the justice. One of the company I could have done it once.'-Ah! evil be- declared it looked very much like Greek. tide you, and so you can now,' said the Greek?' said the justice; why, 'tis all other; nobody in this country will under-writing.-No,' says the other, 'I don't potake you.' Adams could hold no longer; 'Friend,' said he, 'I have a boy not above eight years old, who would instruct thee

cried the wit. 'I believe I could have done

pretty well formerly. Let's see, what did I end with-an M again-ay

'Mars, Bacchus, Apollo, virorum.'

that the last verse runs thus:

Ut sunt Divorum, Mars, Bacchus, Apollo, virorum.'

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sitively say it is so; for it is a very long time since I have seen any Greek.' There's one,' says he, turning to the parson of the parish, who was present, will tell us immediately.' The parson, taking up the book,

and putting on his spectacles and gravity and rascals against the witness, whom he together, muttered some words to himself, ordered to stand forth, but in vain; the said and then pronounced aloud-'Ay, indeed, witness, long since finding what turn matit is a Greek manuscript; a very fine piece ters were like to take, had privily withdrawn, of antiquity. I make no doubt but it was without attending the issue. The justice stolen from the same clergyman from whom now flew into a violent passion, and was the rogue took the cassock.'- What did hardly prevailed with not to commit the the rascal mean by his Eschylus?' says the innocent fellows, who had been imposed on justice. Pooh!' answered the doctor, with as well as himself. He swore, They had a contemptuous grin, do you think that best find out the fellow who was guilty of fellow knows any thing of this book? Es- perjury, and bring him before him within chylus! ho, ho! I see now what it is a two days, or he would bind them all over manuscript of one of the fathers. I know a to their good behaviour.' They all pronobleman, who would give a great deal of mised to use their best endeavours to that money for such a piece of antiquity. Ay, purpose, and were dismissed. Then the ay, question and answer. The beginning is justice insisted that Mr. Adams should sit the catechism in Greek. Ay, ay, Polloki toi: down and take a glass with him; and the What's your name?'-Ay, what's your parson of the parish delivered him back the name?' says the justice to Adams; who manuscript, without saying a word; nor answered, It is Eschylus, and I will main- would Adams, who plainly discerned his tain it.'-O! it is,' says the justice; make ignorance, expose it. As for Fanny, she Mr. Eschylus his mittimus. I will teach was, at her own request, recommended to you to banter me with a false name.' the care of a maid-servant of the house, who helped her to new dress and clean herself.

One of the company, having looked steadfastly at Adams, asked him, If he did not know Lady Booby? Upon which, Adams, The company in the parlour had not presently calling him to mind, answered, in been long seated, before they were alarmed a rapture, O, squire! are you there? I be- with a horrible uproar from without, where lieve you will inform his worship I am in- the persons who had apprehended Adams nocent. I can, indeed, say,' replied the and Fanny had been regaling, according to squire, that I am very much surprised to the custom of the house, with the justice's see you in this situation;' and then, ad- strong beer. These were all fallen together dressing himself to the justice, he said, 'Sir, by the ears, and were cuffing each other I assure you Mr. Adams is a clergyman, as without any mercy. The justice himself salhe appears, and a gentleman of a very good lied out, and with the dignity of his presence character. I wish you would inquire a little soon put an end to the fray. On his return farther into this affair; for I am convinced into the parlour, he reported, 'That the ocof his innocence.'-' Nay,' says the justice, casion of the quarrel, was no other than a if he is a gentleman, and you are sure he dispute, to whom, if Adams had been conis innocent, I don't desire to commit him, victed, the greater share of the reward for not I: I will commit the woman by herself, apprehending him had belonged.' All the and take your bail for the gentleman: look company laughed at this, except Adams, into the book, clerk, and see how it is to who, taking his pipe from his mouth, fetched take bail-come-and make the mittimus a deep groan, and said, 'He was concerned for the woman as fast as you can.'-Sir,' to see so litigious a temper in men. That cries Adams, I assure you she is as inno- he remembered a story something like it in cent as myself.'-'Perhaps,' said the squire, one of the parishes where his cure lay:there may be some mistake: pray let us There was,' continued he, 'a competition hear Mr. Adams's relation.'-'With all my between three young fellows for the place of heart,' answered the justice; and give the the clerk, which I disposed of, to the best gentleman a glass, to wet his whistle, before of my abilities, according to merit; that is, he begins. I know how to behave myself I gave it to him who had the happiest knack to a gentleman, as well as another. Nobody at setting a psalm. The clerk was no sooner can say I have committed a gentleman since established in his place, than a contention I have been in the commission.' Adams began between the two disappointed candithen began the narrative, in which, though dates concerning their excellence; each he was very prolix, he was uninterrupted, contending, on whom, had they two been unless by several hums and hahs of the jus- the only competitors, my election would tice, and his desire to repeat those parts have fallen. This dispute frequently diswhich seemed to him most material. When turbed the congregation, and introduced a he had finished, the justice, who, on what discord into the psalmody, till I was forced the squire had said, believed every syllable to silence them both. But, alas! the litiof his story, on his bare affirmation, not-gious spirit could not be stifled; and being withstanding the depositions on oath to the no longer able to vent itself in singing, it contrary, began to let loose several rogues now broke forth in fighting. It produced

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many battles, (for they were very near a match,) and I believe would have ended fatally, had not the death of the clerk given me an opportunity to promote one of them to his place; which presently put an end to the dispute, and entirely reconciled the contending parties.' Adams then proceeded to make some philosophical observations on the folly of growing warm in disputes in which neither party is interested. He then applied himself vigorously to smoking; and a long silence ensued, which was at length broke by the justice, who began to sing forth his own praises, and to value himself exceedingly on his nice discernment in the cause which had lately been before him. He was quickly interrupted by Mr. Adams, between whom and his worship a dispute now arose, whether he ought not, in strictness of law, to have committed him, the said Adams; in which the latter maintained he ought to have been committed, and the justice as vehemently held he ought not. This had most probably produced a quarrel, (for both were very violent and positive in their opinions,) had not Fanny accidentally heard that a young fellow was going from the justice's house to the very inn where the stage-coach in which Joseph was, put up. Upon this news, she immediately sent for the parson out of the parlour. Adams, when he found her resolute to go, (though she would not own the reason, but pretended she could not bear to see the faces of those who had suspected her of such a crime,) was as fully determined to go with her; he accordingly took leave of the justice and company; and so ended a dispute in which the law seemed shamefully to intend to set a magistrate and a divine together by the ears.

to skip over the next paragraph; which, to render our history perfect, we are obliged to set down, humbly hoping that we may escape the fate of Pygmalion; for if it should happen to us, or to thee, to be struck with this picture, we should be perhaps, in as helpless a condition as Narcissus, and might say to ourselves quod pelis est nusquam. Or, if the finest features in it should set lady -'s image before our eyes, we should be still in as bad a situation, and might say to our desires, Cœlum ipsum petimus stultitia.

Fanny was now in the nineteenth year of her age; she was tall and delicately shaped; but not one of those slender young women, who seem rather intended to hang up in the hall of an anatomist than for any other purpose. On the contrary, she was so plump, that she seemed bursting through her tight stays, especially in the part which confined her swelling breasts. Nor did her hips want the assistance of a hoop to extend them. The exact shape of her arms denoted the form of those limbs which she concealed; and though they were a little reddened by her labour, yet if her sleeve slipt above her elbow, or her handkerchief discovered any part of her neck, a whiteness appeared which the finest Italian paint would be unable to reach. Her hair was of a chesnut brown, and nature had been extremely lavish to her of it, which she had cut, and on Sundays used to curl down her neck in the modern fashion. Her forehead was high, her eyebrows arched, and rather full than otherwise. Her eyes black and sparkling; her nose just inclining to the Roman; her lips red and moist, and her under lip, according to the opinion of the ladies, too pouting. Her teeth were white, but not exactly even. The small-pox had left one only mark on her chin, which was so large, it might have been mistaken for a dimple, had not her left cheek produced one so near a neighbour to it, that the former served only for a foil to A very delightful adventure, as well to the persons the latter. Her complexion was fair, a little concerned as to the good-natured reader. injured by the sun, but overspread with ADAMS, Fanny, and the guide, set out such a bloom, that the finest ladies would together about one in the morning, the moon have exchanged all their white for it: add being then just risen. They had not gone to these, a countenance in which, though above a mile, before a most violent storm of she was extremely bashful, a sensibility rain obliged them to take shelter in an inn, appeared almost incredible; and a sweetor rather ale-house; where Adams imme-ness, whenever she smiled, beyond either diately procured himself a good fire, a toast imitation or description. To conclude all, and ale, and a pipe, and began to smoke she had a natural gentility, superior to the with great content, utterly forgetting every acquisition of art, and which surprised all thing that had happened. who beheld her.

CHAPTER XII.

Fanny sat likewise down by the fire; but was much more impatient at the storm. She presently engaged the eyes of the host, his wife, the maid of the house, and the young fellow who was their guide; they all conceived they had never seen any thing half so handsome; and, indeed, reader, if thou art of an amorous hue, I advise thee

This lovely creature was sitting by the fire with Adams, when her attention was suddenly engaged by a voice from an inner room, which sung the following song:

THE SONG.

SAY, Chloe, where must the swain stray
Who is by thy beauties undone ?

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