easy, but when I was thrusting up the lids of some of my school-fellows' boxes,-not to steal any thing, upon my honour, Sir,-only to see what was in them; have had pens stuck in my eyes for peeping through key-holes after knowledge; could never see a cold pie with the legs dangling out at top, but my fingers were for lifting up the crust,-just to try if it were pigeon or partridge,-for no other reason in the world. Surely I think my passion for nuts was owing to the pleasure of cracking the shell to get at something concealed, more than to any delight I took in eating the kernel. In short, Sir, this appetite has grown with my growth.

Mr. H. You will certainly be hanged some day for peeping into some bureau or other, just to see what is in it.

Landlord. That is my fear, Sir. The thumps and kicks I have had for peering into parcels, and turning of letters inside out,-just for curiosity. The blankets I have been made to dance in for searching parish-registers for old ladies' ages, just for curiosity! Once I was dragged through a horse-pond, only for peeping into a closet that had glass doors to it, while my Lady Bluegarters was undressing,—just for curiosity!

Mr. H. A very harmless piece of curiosity, truly; and now, Mr. Pry, first have the goodness to leave that box with me, and then do me the favour to carry your curiosity so far, as to enquire if my servants are within.

Landlord. I shall, Sir. Here, David, Jonathan,—I think I hear them coming,

bold to leave you, Sir.

shall make

[Exit.

Mr. H. Another tolerable specimen of the com

forts of going anonymous!

Enter two Footmen.

1st Footman. You speak first.

2d Footman. No, you had better speak. 1st Footman. You promised to begin.

Mr. H. They have something to say to me. The rascals want their wages raised, I suppose; there is always a favour to be asked when they come smiling. Well, poor rogues, service is but a hard bargain at the best. I think I must not be close with them. Well, David-well, Jonathan.

1st Footman. We have served your honour faithfully——

2d Footman. Hope your honour won't take offence

Mr. H. The old story, I suppose—wages?

1st Footman. That's not it, your honour. 2d Footman. You speak.

1st Footman. But if your honour would just be pleased to

2d Footman. Only be pleased to

Mr. H. Be quick with what you have to say, for I am in haste.

1st Footman. Just to

2d Footman. Let us know who it is

1st Footman. Who it is we have the honour to serve.

Mr. H. Why me, me, me; you serve me.

2d Footman. Yes, Sir; but we do not know who you are.

Mr. H. Childish curiosity! do not you serve a rich master, a gay master, an indulgent master? 1st Footman. Ah, Sir! the figure you make is to us, your poor servants, the principal mortification.

2d Footman. When we get over a pot at the public-house, or in a gentleman's kitchen, or elsewhere, as poor servants must have their pleasures-when the question goes round, who is

your master? and who do you serve? and one says, I serve Lord So-and-so, and another, I am Squire Such-a-one's footman

1st Footman. We have nothing to say for it, but that we serve Mr. H.

2d Footman. Or Squire H.

Mr. H. Really you are a couple of pretty modest, reasonable personages; but I hope you will take it as no offence, gentlemen, if, upon a dispassionate review of all that you have said, I think fit not to tell you any more of my name, than I have chosen for especial purposes to communicate to the rest of the world.

1st Footman. Why then, Sir, you may suit yourself.

2d Footman. We tell you plainly, we cannot stay. 1st Footman. We don't chuse to serve Mr. H.

2d Footman. Nor any Mr. or Squire in the alphabet

1st Footman. That lives in Chris-cross Row.

Mr. H. Go, for a couple of ungrateful, inquisitive, senseless rascals! Go hang, starve, or drown!-Rogues, to speak thus irreverently of the alphabet-I shall live to see you glad to serve old Q-to curl the wig of great S-adjust

the dot of little i-stand behind the chair of X, Y, Z-wear the livery of Et-cætera-and ride behind the sulky of And-by-itself-and!

[Exit in a rage.

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

ACT II.

SCENE. A handsome Apartment well lighted, Tea, Cards, &c.-A large party of Ladies and Gentlemen, among them MELESINDA.

1st Lady. I wonder when the charming man will be here.

2d Lady. He is a delightful creature! . Such a polish

3d Lady. Such an air in all that he does or says

4th Lady. Yet gifted with a strong understanding