Sim. I will not fail. But have you no farther directions?

Mrs. Mech. Time enough. I fhall be in the way; for it is me that muft introduce you above. [Exit Simon.]-So, things feem now in a pretty good train; a few hours, it is to be hoped, will make me eafy for life. To fay truth, I begin to be tired of my trade. To be fure the profits are great; but then, fo are the risks that I run: befides, my private practice begins to be fmoaked. Ladies are fuppofed to come here with different defigns than merely to look at my goods fome of my best customers too, are got out of my channel, and manage their matters at home by their maids. Thofe afylums, they gave a dreadful blow to my bufinefs. Time has been, when a gentleman wanted a friend, I could fupply him with choice in an hour; but the market is fpoiled, and a body might as foon produce a hare or a partridge as a pretty [Enter Dolly.]So Niece, are all things prepared; have you got the papers from Harpy?

Dolly. Here they are, ma'am.

Mrs. Mech. Let me fee-Oh the marriage articles for Fungus to fign: Have you got the contract about you?

Dolly. You know, aunt, I left it with you.

Mrs: Mech. 1 rue, I had forgot: but where Here it is; this, Dolly,

is the bond that I

you must fign and feal before witness.

Dolly. To what end, aunt?

Mrs. Mech. Only, child, a trifling acknowledgment for all the trouble I have taken; a little hint to your husband, that he may reimburse your poor aunt, for your cloaths, board, lodging and breeding.

B 2

Dolly.

Dolly. I hope my aunt does not fufpect that I can ever be wanting

Mrs. Mech. No, my dear, not in the least : but it is beft, Dolly, in order to prevent all retrofpection, that we fettle accounts before you change lyour condition.

Dolly. But, ma'am, may not I fee the contents? Mrs. Mech. The contents, love, of what use will that be to you? Sign and feal, that's enough. Dolly. But, aunt, I choose to see what I fign. Mrs. Mech. To fee, what then you fufpect me? Dolly. No, ma'am; but a little caution'

Mrs. Mech. Caution! Here's an impudent bag.gage! how dare you difpute my commands; have not I made you, raised you from nothing, and won't a word from my mouth reduce you again? Dolly. Madam, I

Mrs. Mech. Answer me, huffy, was not you a beggar's brat at my door: did not I, out of compaffion, take you into my house, call you my niece, and give you fuitable breeding?

Dolly. True, madam.

Mrs. Mech. And what return did you make me? You was fcarce got into your teens, you forward flut, but you brought me a child almost as big as yourfelf; and a delightful father you chofe for it! Doctor Catgut, the meagre mufician; that fick monkey-face maker of crotchets; that eternal trotter after all the little draggle-tailed girls of the town. Oh, you low flut, had it been by a gentleman, it would not have vexed me ; but a fiddler! Dolly. For heaven's fake.

Mrs. Mech. After that you eloped, commenced ftroller, and in a couple of years, returned to town in your original trim, with fcarce a rag to your back.

Dolly.

Dolly. Pray, ma'am

Mrs. Mech. Did not I, notwithstanding, receive you again? have not I tortured my brains for your good? found you a husband as rich as a Jew, juft brought all my matters to bear, and now you refufe to fign a paltry paper?

Dolly. Pray, madam, give it me, I will fign, execute, do all that you bid me.

Mrs. Mech. You will; yes, fo you had best. And what's become of the child, have you done as I ordered?

Dolly. The doctor was not at home; but the nurfe left the child in the kitchen.

Mrs. Mech. You heard nothing from him?
Dolly. Not a word.

Mrs. Mech. Then he is meditating fome mifchief, I warrant. However, let our good stars fecure us to-day, and a fig for what may happen to-morrow. It is a little unlucky tho', that Mr. Fungus has chofen the doctor for his master of mufic? but as yet he has not been here, and, if poffible, we must prevent him.

Enter JENNY, haftily.

Jen. Mr. Fungus, the tallow chandler, ma'am, is croffing the way, fhall I fay you are at home? Mrs. Mech. His brother has fervants enough, let fome of them anfwer. Hide, Dolly.-[Exeunt Dolly and Jenny.]—[One knock at the door.] Ay, that's the true tap of the trader; this old brother of ours tho' is fmoaky and fhrewd, and tho' an odd, a fenfible fellow; we must guard against him if he gets but an inkling, but the flightest fufpicion, our project is marr'd.-[A noife without.] What the deuce is the matter! As I live, a fquabble between him and La Fleur, the French

footman we hired this morning. mirth, I'll liften a little.

This may make [Retires.

Enter Mr. ISAAC FUNGUS, driving in LA FLEUR. I. Fun. What, is there no body in the house that can give me an anfwer; where's my brother, you rafcal?

La Fleur. Je n'entend pas.

1. Fun. Pas, what the devil is that; anfwer yes or no, is my brother at home? don't fhrug up your fhoulders at me, you--Oh, here comes a rational being.

Enter Mrs. MECHLIN.

Madam Mechlin, how fares it? this here lanthornjaw'd rafcal won't give me an anfwer, and indeed would scarce let me into the house.

La Fleur. C'eft gros Bourgeois a fait une tapage de diable,

Mrs. Mech. Fy donc, c'eft le frere de monfieur.
La Fleur. Le frere! Mon Dieu!

I. Fun. What is all this? what the devil linguo is the fellow a-talking?

Mrs. Mech. This is a footman from France that your brother has taken.

I. Fun. From France! and is that the best of his breeding? I thought we had taught them better manners abroad, than to come here and infult us at home. People make fuch a rout about fmuggling their frenchified goods, their men do us more mifchief. If we could but hinder the importing of them

Mrs. Mech. Ay, you are a true Briton, I fee that, Mr. Ifaac.

I. Fun. I warrant me: is brother Zachary, at home?

Mrs.

Mrs. Mech. Above ftairs, fir.

I. Fun. Any company with him?

Mrs. Mech. Not any to hinder your visit. La Fleur, ouvrez la porte.

I. Fun. Get along you-Mrs. Mechlin, your fervant. I can't think what the devil makes your quality fo fond of the monfieurs; for my part I don't feeMarch and be hanged to you-you footy-faced

[Exeunt I. Fungus and La Fleur. Mrs Mech. Come Dolly, you now may appear.

Enter JENNY.

Jen. Mr. Paduafoy, ma'am, the Spitalfields weaver; he has been waiting this hour, and says he has fome people at home

Mrs. Mech. Let him enter; in a couple of minutes I'll follow you, Dolly.

Enter PADU ASOY.

[Exit Fenny.

Mrs. Mech. Mr. Paduafoy, you may load yourfelf home with those filks, they won't do for my market.

Pad. Why, what's the matter, madam?

Mrs. Mech. Matter! you are a pretty fellow indeed; you a tradesman! but it's lucky I know you, things might have been worfe; let us fettle accounts, Mr. Paduafoy; you'll fee no more of my money.

Pad. I fhall be forry for that, Mrs. Mechlin. Mrs. Mech. Sorry! anfwer me one question; am not I the best customer that ever you had? Pad. I confefs it.

Mrs. Mech. Have not I mortgaged my precious foul, by fwearing to my quality-cuftomers that

B 4

the