RUST.

Worse, worse! a prey, a martyr to ignorance: a housemaid, that I hired last week, miftook it for a broken green chamber-pot, and fent it away in the duft-cart.

But I have this day acquired a treasure that will in fome measure make me amends.

Sir THOMAS.

Indeed! what can that be?

PUFF.

That must be something curious, indeed.

RUST.

It has coft me infinite trouble to get it.

DACTYL.

Great rarities are not had without pains.

RUST.

It is three months ago fince I got the first scent of it, and I have been ever fince on the hunt; but all to no purpose.

Sir THOMAS.

I am quite upon thorns till I fee it.

RUST.

And yesterday, when I had given it over, when all my hopes were grown defperate, it fell into my hands, by the most unexpected and wonderful accident.

Sir THOMAS.

Quod optanti divum promittere nemo
Auderet, volvenda dies en attulit ultro.

Mr. Bever, you remark my quotation?

BEVER.

Most happy. Oh, Sir, nothing you fay can be loft.

RUST.

I have brought it here in my pocket; I am no churl; I love to pleasure my friends.

The edges are foil'd by the link; but many of the letters are exceedingly legible.

Sir ROGER.

A little room, if you p-leafe.
RUST.

Here it is; the precious remains of the very North-Britain that was burnt at the RoyalExchange.

Sir THOMAS.

I think fo. But, Gentlemen, I hope I need not give you a caution: hush-filence-no words on this matter.

For as the paper has not suffered the law, I don't know whether they may not feize it again.

Sir THOMAS.

Sir THOMAS.

With us you are fafe Mr. Ruft. Well, young gentleman, you fee we cultivate all branches of fcience.

BEVER.

Amazing, indeed! But when we confider you, Sir Thomas, as the directing, the ruling planet, our wonder fubfides in an inftant. Science first saw the day with Socrates in the Attic portico; her early years were spent with Tully in the Tufculan fhade; but her ripe, maturer hours, the enjoys with Sir Thomas Lofty, near Cavendish-Square.

Sir THOMAS.

The most claffical compliment I ever received. Gentlemen, a philofophical repast attends your acceptance within. Sir Roger, you'll lead the way. [Exeunt all but Sir Thomas and Bever.] Mr. Bever, may I beg your ear for a moment? Mr. Bever, the friendship I have for your father, secured you at firft a gracious reception from me; but what I then paid to an old obligation, is now, Sir, due to your own particular merit.

BEVER.

I am happy, Sir Thomas, if—

Sir THOMAS.

Your patience. There is in you, Mr. Bever, a fire of imagination, a quickness of apprehenfion, a folidity of judgment, join'd to a depth of dif cretion, that I never yet met with in any subject at your time of life.

BEVER.

I hope I shall never forfeit

Sir THOMAS.

I am fure you never will; 'and to give you a convincing proof that I think fo, I am now going to truft you with the most important fecret of my whole life.

That you give me your folemn promise to comply with one request I shall make you.

BEVER.

There is nothing Sir Thomas Lofty can afk, that I fhall not chearfully grant.

Sir THOMAS.

Nay, in fact, it will be ferving yourself.

BEVER.
I want no fuch inducement.

Sir THOMAS.

.Enough. But we can't be too private. [Shuts the door.] Sit you down. Your Christian name, I think, is

Richard.

BEVER.

Sir THOMAS.

True; the fame as your father's. Come, let us be familiar. It is, I think, dear Dick, acknowledged, that the English have reached the highest pitch of perfection in every department of writing but one-the dramatic.

BEVER.

Why the French critics are a little fevere.

Sir THOMAS.

And with reafon. Now, to rescue our credit, and at the fame time give my country a model, [Shews a manufcript] fee here.

BEVER.

A play?

Sir THOMAS.

Nay, then there can be no doubt of it's merit.

Sir THOMAS.

Ithink not. You will be charm'd with the fubject.

BEVER.

What is it, Sir Thomas?

Sir THOMAS.

I shall furprize you. The ftory of Robinson Crufoe. Are not you Are not you ftruck?

Moft prodigiously.

BEVER.

Sir THOMAS.

Yes; I knew the very title would hit you. You will find the whole fable is finely conducted, and the character of Friday, qualis ab incepto, nobly fupported throughout.

BEVER.

A pretty difficult task.

Sir THOMAS.

True; that was not a bow for a boy. The piece has long been in rehearsal at Drury-lane playhoufe, this night is to make its appearance.

To-night?

This night.

BEVER.

Sir THOMAS.

BEVER.

I will attend, and engage all my friends to fupport it.

Sir THOMAS.

That is not my purpose; the piece will want no fuch affiftance.