rity; I answer, fo much the worfe: the tranfition is too rapid. That misfortune which is taken away all at once creates a levity that is ominous; but, if it is removed by degrees, the head and heart may poffibly bear it decently. It is confeffed, fome of these perfons have been ruined by their ill stars, others by their ill, or at least their imprudent conduct. I might even admit that not one of them is vicious; but I must infist also, that every one is an human being, and, confequently, addicted to old habits, and not brought without dif ficulty to the adoption of new; nay, I myself fir, do not, nor cannot, feel myself at home in this fame fteward's lodge that you have built up for me. It is, to be fure, larger, finer, gayer, grander;

N 2

grander; but it has not, as I may fay, the ease of the old flipper about it. It wants a thousand little things that, in fact, may be of no figure, but in the estimation of fancy, who is the goddess of us all, more or lefs, they are of immeasurable magnitude. Perhaps, fir, you will laugh, when I tell you that, in my new lodge I mifs the three wooden pegs-on which I was, for fo many years, accustomed to hang my hat, my great coat, and my cane-string. It is true there are a dozen fine fhowy brafs hooks, of which one might make the fame use; but, if I tell you that, in my notion, they do not fit my purpose fo well, or rather that they do not fit my fancy, you muft blame human nature and not me, who am only a poor imper

fect

fect atom from the duft of the earth. Be affured, fir, nothing in the world,

but my loving your Honour's quiet better than my own, could make me. fpend the twilight of my day, when all fhould go on ftill and foftly, amongst a fet of idle creatures collected into one little circle, where it is as impoffible they fhould fubfift in tranquillity as it is for yon fteeple to ftand without a foundation. I beg your pardon, dear and honoured fir, I beg your pardon, but you will find it as I fay. I know the fpecies→→→→ I know the species.

Oh no, my good fellow, replyed I, much softened by his conversation, that may be the cafe with focieties in general, but Shenstone-Green is fo picked, fo guarded on the one hand. with

N 3

by

gratitude, and on the other by convenience, that, depend on it, you will find yourself agreeably mistaken.

I wish it heartily, answered the fteward, for to keep your generous temper in the fame golden dream, I could almoft wifh, for once, the order of nature inverted. But, I fir, am an old fellow that have looked quietly into the heart of man for many years; and I fear you have built up a village full of arguments against the poffibility of your happiness. Men carry their natures and wonted difpofitions wherefoever they go. But my duty calls me away, as I fee by yonder clock at the fide of the church, and therefore I humbly take my leave of your Honour,

СНАР,

CHAP. XXIII.

CONTAINING THREE GREAT SURPRIZES; ONE FOR THE READER, AND TWO FOR CERTAIN CHARACTERS.

THE

HERE is a particular kind of converfation which feizes upon all the faculties of the hearer, and leaves him in an anxious ftate betwixt doubt and conviction. Such was the emotion at this time wrought in my mind by the fentiments of the steward whom I never confidered before as any thing beyond a fhrewd farcaftic being; but in this laft difcourse, which, by the bye, he delivered in a tone unusually perfuafive, there appeared to be a fagacity and knowledge of men, manners, and na