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Pap. Vous avez raison.

Young Wild. Well, my Mentor, and how am I to manage? Direct my road: where must I begin? But the debate is, I suppose, of consequence?

Pap. Vraiment.

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Young Wild. How long have you left Paris, Dr. Julap, you would suppose him to be a phy'Papillon?

Pap. Twelve, dirteen year.

Young Wild. I can't compliment you upon

your progress in English.

Pap. The accent is difficult.

Young Wild. But here you are at home.
Pap. C'est vrai.

Young Wild. No stranger to fashionable places?

Pap. Au fait !

sician.

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Pap. A martial figure, too, it is odds but you will encounter; from whose scars, title, dress, and address, you would suppose to have had a share in every action since the peace of the Py

Young Wild. Acquainted with the fashionable renees; runner to a gaming table, and bully to figures of both sexes?

Pap. Sans doute.

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Young Wild. Well, sir, but notwithstanding your pleasantry, I must have this matter explained.

Pap. So you shall, my good sir; but don't be in such a hurry. You cannot suppose I would give you the key, unless I meant you should open the door.

Young Wild. Why, then, pr'ythee, unlock it. Pap. Immediately. But, by way of entering upon my post as preceptor, suffer me first to give you a hint. You must not expect, sir, to find here, as at Oxford, men appearing in their real characters: every body there, sir, knows that Dr. Mussy is a fellow of Magdalen, and Tom Trifle a student of Christ-church; but this town is one great comedy, in which, not only the principles, but frequently the persons, are feigned.

a bawdy-house. Battles, to be sure, he has been in-with the watch; and frequently a prisoner, too-in the round-house.

Young Wild. Amazing!

Pap. In short, sir, you will meet with lawyers, who practises smuggling, and merchants who trade upon Hounslow-heath; reverend atheists, right honourable sharpers, and Frenchmen from the county of York.

Young Wild. In the last list, I presume, you

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Young Wild. Explain.

Pap. In an instant: upon quitting the school, and first coming to town, I got recommended to the compiler of the Monthly Review.

Young Wild. What, an author, too?

Pap. Oh, a voluminous one! The whole region of the belles lettres fell under my inspection; physic, divinity, and the mathematics, my mistress managed herself. There, sir, like another Aristarch, I dealt out fame and damnation at pleasure. In obedience to the caprice and commands of my master, I have condemned books I never read; and applauded the fidelity

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of a translation, without understanding one syl- | shrug of contempt, Ah, Maitre Jean, vous n'alable of the original. vez pas la politique; you have no finesse : to thrive here, you must study the folly of your own country. How, monsieur?" Taisez vous: keep a your tongue. Autrefois I teach you speak French, now I teach-a you to forget Eng

Young Wild. Ah! why, I thought the acuteness of discernment, and depth of knowledge, were necessary to accomplish a critic.

you proper dress, den go present yourself to de same hotels, de very same house; you will find all de dors dat was shut in your face as footman Anglois, will fly open demselves to a French va let de chambre.'

Pap. Yes, sir; but not a monthly one. Our method was very concise. We copy the title-lish. Go vid me to my lodgment; I vil give page of a new book; we never go any further. if we are ordered to praise it, we have at hand about ten words, which, scattered through as many periods, effectually does the business; as, laudable design, happy arrangement, spirited language, nervous sentiment, elevation of thought, conclusive argument. If we are to decry, then Pap. Gad, sir, I thought it was but an honest we have, unconnected, flat, false, illiberal, stric-artifice, so I determined to follow my friend's ture, reprehensible, unnatural: And thus, sir, pepper the author, and soon rid our hands of his work.

Young Wild. A short receipt!

Pap. And yet, sir, you have all the materials that are necessary. These are the arms with which we engage authors of every kind. To us, all subjects are equal; plays or sermons, poetry or politics, music or midwifery, it is the same thing.

Young Wild. How came you to resign this easy employment?

Pap. It would not answer. Notwithstanding what we say, people will judge for themselves; our work hung upon hand, and all I could get from the publisher was four shillings a-week and my small-beer. Poor pittance!

Young Wild. Poor, indeed!
Pap. Oh, half-starved me.

Young Wild. What was your next change? Pap. I was mightily puzzled to choose. Some would have me turn player, and others methodist preacher; but as I had no money to build me a tabernacle, I did not think it could answer; and as to player- -whatever might happen to me, I was determined not to bring a disgrace upon my family; and so I resolved to turn foot

man.

Young Wild. Wisely resolved.

Pap. Yes, sir, but not so easily executed.
Young Wild. No!

Young Wild. Well, Papillion?

advice.

Young Wild. Did it succeed?

Pap. Better than expectation. My tawny face, long queue, and broken English, was a passepartout. Besides, when I am out of place, this disguise procures me many resources. Young Wild. As how?

Pap. Why, at a pinch, sir, I am either a teacher of tongues, a friseur, a dentist, or a dancingmaster: these, sir, are hereditary professions to Frenchmen. But now, sir, to the point: As you were pleased to be so candid with me, I was determined to have no reserve with you.You have studied books, I have studied men; you want advice, and I have some at your service.

Young Wild. Well, I'll be your customer. Pap. But guard my secret. If I should be so unfortunate as to lose your place, don't shut me out from every other.

Young Wild. You may rely upon me.

Pap. In a few years I shall be in a condition to retire from business; but whether I shall settle at my family seat, or pass over to the continent, is as yet undetermined. Perhaps, in gratitude to the country, I may purchase a marqui sate near Paris, and spend the money I have got by their means generously amongst them.

Young Wild. A grateful intention! But let us sally. Where do we open?

Pap. Let us sec--one o'clock-it is a fine day. The Mall will be crowded.

Young Wild. Allons:

Pap. But don't stare, sir; survey every thing with an air of habit and indifference. Young Wild. Never fear.

Pap. Oh no, sir! Many a weary step have I taken after a place. Here I was too old, there I was too young; here the last livery was too big, there it was too little; here I was aukward, there I was knowing: Madam disliked me at this house, her ladyship's woman at the next: so that I was as much puzzled to find out a place, as the great Cynic philosopher to discover aterial to you. man. In short, I was quite in a state of despair, when chance threw an old friend in my way that quite retrieved my affairs.

Young Wild. Pray, who might he be? Pap. A little bit of a Swiss genius, who had been French usher with me at the same school in the country. I opened my melancholy story to him over three penny-worth of beef-a-lamode, in a cellar in St. Ann's. My little foreign friend pursed up his Lanthorn jaws, and with a

Pap. But I would, sir, crave a moment's audience, upon a subject that inay prove very nta

Young Wild. Proceed.

Pap. You will pardon my presumption; but
you have, my good master, one little foible, that
I could wish you to correct.
Young Wild. What is it?

Pap. And yet it is a pity, too, you do it so very well.

Young Wild. Pr'ythee be plain."

Pap. You have, sir, a lively imagination, with a most happy turn for invention.

Young Wild. Well,

Pap. But now and then, in your narratives, you are hurried, by a flow of spirits, to border upon the improbable-a little given to the marvellous.

Young Wild. I understand you: what, I am somewhat subject to lying?

Pap. O, pardon me, sir; I don't say that; no, no! only a little apt to embellish; that's all. To be sure it is a fine gift, that there is no disputing: but men in general are so stupid, so rigorously attached to matter of factAnd yet this talent of yours is the very soul and spirit of poetry; and why it should not be the same in prose, I can't, for my life, determine.

Young Wild. You would advise me, then, not to be quite so poetical in my prose?

Pap. Why, sir, if you would descend a little to the grovelling comprehensions of the million, I think it would be as well.

Young Wild. I'll think of it.

Pap. Besides, sir, in this town, people are more smoky and suspicious. Oxford, you know, is the seat of the Muses; and a man is naturally permitted more ornament and garniture to his conversation, than they will allow in this lati

tude.

Young Wild. I believe you are right. But we shall be late. D'ye hear me, Papillion; if at any time you find me too poetical, give me a hint; your advice shan't be thrown away.

[Erit. Pap. I wish it mayn't; but the disease is too rooted to be quickly removed. Lord, how I have sweat for him! yet he is as unembarrassed, easy, and fluent, all the time, as if he really believed what he said. Well, to be sure, he is a great master; it is a thousand pities his genius could not be converted to some public service. I think the government should employ him to answer the Brussels Gazette. I'll be hanged if he is not too many for Monsieur Maubert, at his own weapons.

SCENE II.-The Park.

Enter MISS GRANTHAM, MISS GODFREY, and Servant.

Miss Gran. John, let the chariot go round to Spring-gardens; for your mistress and I shall call at Lady Bab's, Miss Arabella Allnight's, the Countess of Crumple's, and the tall man's, this morning. My dear Miss Godfrey, what trouble I have had to get you out! Why, child, you are as tedious as a long morning. Do you know, now, that of all places of public rendezvous, I honour the Park? forty thousand million of times preferable to the play-bouse! Don't you think so, my dear?

Miss God. They are both well in their way. Miss Gran. Way! why, the purpose of both is the same; to meet company, i'n't it? What,

d'ye think I go there for the plays, or come here for the trees? ha, ha! well, that is well enough. But, O Gemini! I beg a million of pardons! You are a prude, and have no relish for the little innocent liberties with which a fine woman may indulge herself in public.

Miss God. Liberties in public!

Miss Gran. Yes, child; such as encoring a song at an opera, interrupting a play in a critical scene of distress, hallooing to a pretty fellow cross the Mall, as loud as if you were calling a coach. Why, do you know now, my dear, that, by a lucky stroke in dress, and a few high airs of my own making, I have had the good fortune to be gazed at and followed by as great a crowd, on a Sunday, as if I was the Tripoli ambassador?

Miss God. The good fortune, madam! Surely the wish of every decent woman is to be unnoticed in public.

Miss Gran. Decent! oh, my dear, queer crcature, what a phrase have you found out for a woman of fashion! Decency is, child, a mere bourgeois, pleheian quality, and fit only for those who pay court to the world, and not for us, to whom the world pays court. Upon my word, you must enlarge your ideas: You are a fine girl, and we must not have you lost; I'll undertake you myself. But, as I was saying-Pray, my dear, what was I saying?

Miss God. I profess I don't recollect.

Miss Gran. Hey!-Oh, ah! the Park! One great reason for my loving the Park is, that one has so many opportunities of creating counections.

Miss God. Madam!

Miss Gran, Nay, don't look grave. Why, do you know that all my male friendships are formed in this place?

Miss God. It is an odd spot: But you must pardon me, if I doubt the possibility.

Miss Gran. Oh, I will convince you in a moment; for here seeins to be coming a good smart figure that I don't recollect. I will throw out a lure.

Miss God. Nay, for Heaven's sake!

Miss Gran. I am determined, child: that is-
Miss God. You will excuse my withdrawing.
Miss Gran. Oh, please yourself, my dear.
[Exit Miss GODFrey.

Enter YOUNG WILDING, with PAPILLION. Young Wild. Your ladyship's handkerchief, madam."

Miss Gran. I am, sir, concerned at the trouble

Young Wild. A most happy incident for me madam! as chance has given me a honour, in one lucky minute, that the most diligent attention has not been able to procure for me in the whole tedious round of a revolving year.

Miss Gran. Is this meant to me, sir! Young Wild. To whom else, madam? Surely, you must have marked my respectful assianity, my uninterrupted attendance; to plays, operas,

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Young Wild. In short, madam, ever since I quitted America, which I take now to be about a year, I have as faithfully guarded the live-long night your ladyship's portal, as a centinel the powder magazine in a fortified town.

Pap. Quitted America! well pulled. Miss Gran. You have served in America, then?

Young Wild. Full four years, madam: and during that whole time, not a single action of consequence, but I had an opportunity to signalize myself; and I think I may, without vanity affirm, I did not miss the occasion. You have heard of Quebec, I presume?

Pap. What the deuce is he driving at now? Young Wild. The project to surprise that place was thought an happy expedient, and the first mounting the breach, a gallant exploit. There, indeed, the whole army did me justice.

Miss Gran. I have heard the honour of that conquest attributed to another name.

Young Wild. The mere taking the town, madam. But that's a trifle: Sieges now-a-days are reduced to certainties; it is amazing how minutely exact we, who know the business, are at calculation. For instance now, we will suppose the commander in chief, addressing himself to me, was to say, 'Colonel, I want to reduce that fortress; what will be the expence?- C Why, please your highness, the reduction of that for tress will cost you one thousand and two lives, sixty-nine legs, ditto arms, fourscore fractures, with about twenty dozen of flesh wounds.'

Miss Gran. And you should be near the mark?

Young Wild. To an odd joint, madam. But, madam, it is not to the French alone that my feats are confined: Cherokees, Catabaws, with all the Awes and Eees of the continent, have felt the force of my arms.

Pap. This is too much, sir!

Young Wild. Hands off!-Nor am I less adroit at a treaty, madam, than terrible in battle. To me we owe the friendship of the Five Nations; and I had the first honour of smoking the pipe of peace with the Little Carpenter.

Miss Gran. And so young!

Young Wild. This gentleman, though a Frenchman, and an enemy, I had the fortune to deliver from the Mohawks, whose prisoner he had been for nine years. He gives a most entertaining account of their laws and customs: he shall present you with the wampum belt and a scalping knife. Will you permit him, madam, just to give you a taste of the military dance, with a short specimen of their war-whoop?

Pap. For Heaven's sake!

Miss Gran. The place is too public.

Young Wild. In short, madam, after having gathered as many laurels abroad as would garnish a Gothic cathedral at Christmas, I returned to reap the harvest of the well-fought field. Here it was my good fortune to encounter you; then was the victor vanquished; what the enemy could never accomplish, your eyes in an instant atchieved; prouder to serve here than command in chief elsewhere; and more glorious in wearing your chains, than in triumphing over the vanquished world!

Miss Gran. I have got here a most heroical lover: But I see Sir James Elliot coming, and must dismiss him.-[Aside.]-Well, sir, I accept the tendre of your passion, and may find a time to renew our acquaintance; at present it is necessary we should separate.

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Young Wild. Slave to your will, I live but to obey you.' But may I be indulged with the knowledge of your residence?

Miss Gran. Sir?

Yonng Wild. Your place of abode.

Miss Gran. Oh, sir, you can't want to be acquainted with that; you have a whole year stood centinel at my ladyship's portal!

Young Wild. Madam, I-I-I

Miss Gran. Oh, sir, your servant. Ha, ha, ha! What, you are caught? ha, ha, ha! Well, he has a most intrepid assurance. Adieu, my Mars.Ha, ha, ha! [Exit MISS GRAN.

Pap. That last was an unlucky question, sir. Young Wild. A little mal-a-propos, I must confess.

Pap. A man should have a good memory who deals much in this poetical prose.

Young Wild. Poh! I'll soon re-establish my credit. But I must know who this girl is. Hark ye, Papillion, could not you contrive to pump out of her footman-I see there he stands-the name of his mistress? Pap. I will try.

[Exit. [WILDING retires to the back of the stage.

Enter SIR JAMES ELLIOT, and Servant.

Sir James. Music and an entertainment?
Scr. Yes, sir.

Sir James. Last night, upon the water?
Ser. Upon the water, last night.
Sir James. Who gave it?
Ser. That, sir, I can't say.

To them WILDING.

Young Wild. Sir James Elliot, your most devoted.

Sir James. Ah, my dear Wilding? you are welcome to town.

Young Wild. You will pardon my impatience; I interrupted you; you seemed upon an interesting subject?

Sir James. Oh, an affair of gallantry.
Young Wild. Of what kind?

Sir James. A young lady regaled last night by gave a pause, and an opportunity for an elegant her lover on the Thames.

Young Wild. As how?

Sir James. A band of music in boats.
Young Wild. Were they good performers?
Sir James. The best. Then conducted to
Marblehall, where she found a magnificent col-
lation.

Young Wild. Well ordered?

Sir James. With elegance. After supper a ball; and, to conclude the night, a firework. Young Wild. Was the last well designed ? Sir James. Superb.

it?

Young Wild. And happily executed?

Sir James. Not a single faux pas.

dessert in Dresden China, by Robinson. Here the repast closed with a few favourite airs from Eliza, Tenducci, and the Mattei.

Pap. Mercy on us!

Young Wild. Opposite Lambeth, I had prepared a naval engagement, in which Boscawen's victory over the French was repeated: the action was conducted by one of the commanders on that expedition, and not a single incident omitted.

Sir James. Surely you exaggerate a little ! Pap. Yes, yes, this battle will sink him. Young Wild. True to the letter, upon my honour! I shan't trouble you with a repetition of

Young Wild. And you don't know who gave our collation, ball, feu d'artifice, with the thou

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Young Wild. It is true, not caring to encounter my father, I have rarely ventured out but at nights.

Pap. I can hold no longer! Dear sir-
Young Wild. Peace, puppy!
Pap. A curb to your poetical vein!
Young Wild. I shall curb your impertinence
-But since the story is got abroad, I will, my
dear friend, treat you with all the particulars.
Sir James. I shall hear it with pleasure—
This is a lucky adventure: but he must not know
he is my rival.

[Aside. Young Wild. Why, sir, between six and seven my goddess einbarked at Somerset-stairs, in one of the company's barges, gilt and bung with damask, expressly for the occasion.

Pap. Mercy on us!

Young Wild. At the cabin-door she was accosted by a beautiful boy, who, in the garb of a Cupid, paid her some compliments in verse of my own composing. The conceits were pretty; allusions to Venus and the sea-the lady and the Thames-no great matter; but, however, well timed, and, what was better, well taken. Sir James. Doubtless.

Pap. At what a rate he runs!

Young Wild. As soon as we had gained the centre of the river, two boats, full of trumpets, French-horns, and other martial music, struck up their sprightly strains from the Surry side, which were echoed by a suitable number of lutes, flutes, and hantboys, from the opposite shore. In this state, the oars keeping time, we majestically sailed along, till the arches of the New Bridge

sand little incidental amusements that chance or design produced: it is enough to know, that all that could flatter the senses, fire the imagination, or gratify the expectation, was there produced in a lavish abundance.

Sir James. The sacrifice was, I presume, grateful to your deity?

Young Wild. Upon that subject you must pardon my silence.

Pap. Modest creature!

Sir James. I wish you joy of your successFor the present you will excuse me.

Young Wild. Nay, but stay, and hear the conclusion.

Sir James. For that I shall seize another occa

sion.

Pap, Nobly performed, sir Exit SIR JAMES.

Young Wild. Yes; I think happily hit off.
Pap. May I take the liberty to offer one ques-

tion.

Young Wild. Freely.

Pap. Pray, sir, are you often visited with these waking dreams?"

Young Wild. Dreams! what dust mean by dreams!

Pap. Those ornamental reveries, those frolics of fancy, which, in the judgment of the vulgar, would be deemed absolute flams.

Young Wild. Why, Papillion, you have but a poor, narrow, circumscribed genius!

Pap. I must own, sir, I have not sublimity sufficient to relish the full fire of your Pindaric muse.

Young Wild. No; a plebeian soul! But I will animate thy clay: mark my example, follow my steps, and, in time, thou may'st rival thy master.

Pap. Never, never, sir; I have not the talents to fight battles without blows, and give feasts that don't cost me a farthing-Besides, sir, to what purpose are all these embellishments?→ Why tell the lady you had been in London a year?

Young Wild. The better to plead the length, and consequently the strength, of my passion. Pap. But why, sir, a soldier?

Young Wild. How little thou knowest of the sex! What, I suppose, thou would'st have me

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