profitable instrument; for there is no old woman beyond the reach of this art. Nay, it would rather appear that the older one gets in a knowledge of knavery, the more one likes to be duped by it; witness the language of my Lord Dragon, whose experience of life was great and various, and who protested there was no woman more easy to procure in marriage than a widow whose husband had maltreated her. Of old women 'tis certainly true, there is not one of them but could copiously discourse on the hollowness of flattery: yet is there not one of them but could be more readily taken by a compliment than the little miss whom her experience is designed to instruct. I resolved, however, to forbear awhile from drawing on the armoury of my cunning, for it is wiser to hold the shaft than to dart it at random; and to speak to the first impulse of the imagination is sometimes to discover more than is good for your scheme.

After some further conversation, I rose to take my leave, secretly satisfied that the field I was now to enter upon would not prove barren. Miss Aston pleased me vastly; I could readily perceive that she was blessed with an uncommon sweetness of temper, which some would ascribe to her reso

Miss Aston's uncommon thoughtfulness. 59

lution to endure the great calamity of her blindness with fortitude; but which I would rather impute to her being ignorant of that knowledge of life of which the eye better makes the mind a master than the ear.

It was agreed that on that day-week I should commence my duties; but as I was about to make my congee, Miss Aston called me to her, and whispered, "that as I, no doubt, would be put to some expense in my preparations, 'twas right she should help me to meet the charges, since they would be occasioned by her need of my company." Saying which she slipped ten guineas, rolled in paper, into my hand, pressing my fingers upon the parcel with a pleasing, cordial grasp. Thus tendered, I could not refuse the gift, for which I thanked her with a low trembling voice, which, I flattered myself, was properly attuned to the note of gratitude. Afterwards I reflected that she must have premeditated this gift, since it was rolled in paper, and lay ready in her pocket; which I could not deny manifested uncommon thoughtfulness.

I repeated to Mr. Boothby all the particulars of this interview, together with the conversation I

have not set down. But I was cautious to keep my counsel as to the ten guineas; for I judged that should he get to know of them, he would not have scrupled to demand them. 'Twas possible he would have claimed them as part payment of the disbursements he had been at in rearing me; or if this argument had not occurred, he would have plaintively referred me to his poverty; or have forcibly ravished the money from me; or have entreated it as a loan that he might multiply it by a stake at the gaming-house. But indeed I wanted it more badly than he, though he should have come to me dinnerless to demand it; for was I not entering among people of figure, where it was possible I might encounter some pretty young fellow of merit, to whom my parts and face should recommend me? And for the triumphs I meditated, I needed all the external support of dress, which, God help me! I knew would be but poorly supplied by Miss Aston's gift.

Of my installation; with a conversation, in which will be found some hints concerning the tastes of our age.

'WAS clear Dr. Aston was not only a man of

TWA

understanding and knowledge, but that he was favoured with an extensive fortune; since each examination of his house served but to discover many new objects of greater or less uncommon value, which spoke as well to his parts and taste as to the length of his purse. 'Twas to be lamented Miss Aston had not her eyesight, by the deprivation of which she lost much solid entertainment from her father's collections. Wherever room could be found without pressing too close on the conveniency of space, there might be seen some statue, column, group or busto, saved from the wreck, or ingeniously imitated from the memorials, of an ancient city, and purchased at a great cost to the possessor.

I had a moderate sized but richly furnished bedroom allotted me, where might be seen some of the less valuable but always remarkable specimens of Dr. Aston's collections. Thus, on the mantelpiece stood two elegant pieces representing Bacchus clad with an entire skin, and Saturn with a child. To the wall over the chimney a costly mirrour was affixed, in which the richness of the glass gave a pearl-like and rosy tint to the reflections; so that vanity would never weary of the charming portrait that the mirrour presented. There were likewise some large paintings; one a Friar and Nun, near as large as life, so that my fancy when warm, would sometimes make the friar's face to live, and impart to his small and stained eyes, in which no lustre of the light from heaven might be found, a sinister malevolent look, as though the figure, to appease the devilish longings its countenance confest, must perforce step from its dark perspective. But more comfortable was the portrait of a gallant of the last reign; painted, methought, with a cunning hand; for the large tie-wig was done as though it might be shifted to the head of the spectator, while the dry and parched lips, and the red eyes, bred a desire of thirst in a