IN this laſt Century there has been no Vice more gene⯑rally rooted in the Minds of Men than a Diſcordency in Families, and which flows from the very Springs, from which we ſhould naturally expect to find the moſt agreeable Harmony; but Intereſt whoſe Power is invincible, too frequently creates us Enemies where we are moſt nearly and Conſanguinity, which ought moſt eſpecially to endear to each other, is now become a ſtanding Maxim to forget thoſe tender Principles which Nature claims, and the World muſt neceſſarily approve.

This unfortunate Depravity of Senſe, laid want of frater⯑nal Affection, was the unhappy Cauſe of many Sufferings and ſevereſt Hardſhips, which a very worthy Youth for many Years endured; and from whom I had a particular Account of a long Series of Miſery occaſioned by his elder Brother, and ſince I have his Permiſſion, will give a ſuccinct Account both of him and his Family.

This young Gentleman was the ſecond and laſt Son of Mr. Anthony Elſtone, born of a very reputable Family in Glouceſter⯑ſhire, and whoſe Father was a wealthy Grazier, worth a con⯑ſiderable [4] Deal of Money, but having a very large Family to whom he paid an equal regard: He portion'd out his Sons and Daughters alike, often declaring that one Child was as dear to him as another: and that what he was worth was the happy Effects of his own Induſtry, ſo he was determined to diſpoſe it in ſuch a Manner, that no Envy ſhould ariſe a⯑mong his Children from his Partiality, having ten of them, he left to each when died One Thouſand Pounds a piece; and as a farther Proof of his paternal Affection, (his Wife dying when the Youngeſt of his Offspring was but two Years of Age) he reſolved never to make a ſecond Choice, in reſpect to the Memory of a very worthy Woman, and a fond Regard to the infant Blood ſhe left behind her; he look'd on every Child as a particular Bleſſing ſent from Heaven, and as ſuch reſolved never to put it in the Power of a Mother-in-Law to contra⯑dict his pious Purpoſes in acting like a tender Father, or enu⯑merating his Iſſue: And conſequently, obliging himſelf to di⯑veſt thoſe he had Part of their natural Rights, to provide for a foreign Stock.

Many Years before he died he had the Happinneſs of ſeeing even the Youngeſt of his Children diſpoſed of in different Callings, and ſet up for themſelves; amongſt which Mr. An⯑thony Elſlone, his Youngeſt, was well eſtabliſhed in Merchandize in the City of London; and behaving extreamly well in his Clerkſhip; he married a Niece of his Maſter's, who was a Dependant on her Uncle, who gave her to Mr. Elſtone, with a Fortune of Two Thouſand Pounds; and would have done more but that he had a Family of his own to provide for, by this young Gentlewoman he had ſeveral little ones, all of whom died in their Infancy, except the laſt three, viz. An⯑thony the Eldeſt, George the ſecond Son, and Jane their laſt and only Daughter, who were Twins.

Anthony and George were as oppoſite in their Diſpoſitions as Fire and Water, the elder being the firſt that lived up to a Twelvemonth, the fond Parents by an over acted Indulgence, [5] ruined his Principles which in Infancy might have been Cul⯑tivated to have rendered him, the reverſe of which be proved, by that Time he was ſix Years of Age he was abſolute Ma⯑ſter of the Family, and was paſſed off as Life and Spirit in one ſo Young, very ſoon made him hateful and contemptible to all about him, except his Father and Mother; in about four Years after his Birth their ſecond Son and only Daughter made their Appearance in the World, to the unſpeakable tranſport of their Parents, and the Admiration of all who be⯑held them, being without Exception, two of the fineſt Children that even were born at one Birth. Young as Anthony was he conceived an Averſion for his little Brother and Siſter, and grew jealous at the Sight of them: this rancourous Diſpoſi⯑tion grew up with him, and ſtrengthened with his Years, the other two whoſe tender Diſpoſitions and Affability of Soul, inclined them to love each other, alſo excited them to ſue for Anthony' Affection, but all in vain, he openly declared his Averſion thro' every Action of his Life, and ſeveral Times, even at Play attempting to maim or deſtroy them. This wicked Diſpoſition was once the Occaſion of his Father's ſtrip⯑ping him ſtark-naked and diſciplin'd him with a Horſewhip till he had almoſt left him for dead; it happen'd Mr. Elſione luckily went into the Room when he was within an Inch of ruſhing a ſharp Penknife into his Brother's Throat, which na⯑turally enraged the Father and urged him to excuſe the fore⯑mentioned Juſtice on him.

Notwithſanding Mr. Elſtone's Reaſon convienced him of the Juſtice of the Puniſhment he had inflicted, yet when his Anger ſubſided. Fondneſs then prevailed and reduced the pi⯑teous Father to an immoderate Flood of Anguiſh and repene⯑ant Tears for having proceeded with ſuch Vigiour to his dar⯑ling worthleſs Son. Maſter George tenderly pleaded for his Brother, and would have prevented the dreadful Stripes he un⯑derwent, but even that wrought no Effect upon the Mind of this young Barbarian; for he remembered the Smart of the [6] Whip to a long and cruel Detriment to his Brother's Intereſt and Reputation.

Mr. Elſtone had been often heard to declare his Intention of providing for his Family by the worthy Example of his Father, this catch'd the Ears of his Son Anthony who from twelve Years of Age to Maturity, induſtriouſly employed his Thoughts to Engroſs the Whole of what his Father ſhould die poſſeſſed of. To which End he made it his conſtant Buſineſs to influence his Father againſt his Brother George, whoſe con⯑tinual Obedience and Regard made it a very difficult Task. For Example: Even in Infancy he was unexceptionably en⯑dearing to his Parents through a continued Courſe of Good-Nature, at the ſame Time giving promiſing Hopes of an ex⯑traordinary Undertaking, when ripen'd into Years; in his School Days he made his Studies his peculiar Care, and by that Time he arrived to the Age of Sixteen, was Maſter of ſeveral Languages; and as he was deſigned to follow his Fa⯑ther's Buſineſs cloſely, applied himſelf to the perfect Know⯑ledge of Merchants Accompts, of which he is juſtly eſteem⯑ed to be at this Time the compleateſt Maſter in Great-Bri⯑tain.

His Brother Anthony was as entirely regardleſs of every Advantage of this Nature, Miſ making chief and Pleaſure his only Study; and having from the Hour of his Birth gain'd ſuch an Aſcendency over the Hearts of both his Parents, they found it an impacticable Scheme ever to get the better of that Power their miſtaken Fondneſs had inveſted him with▪ Mr. Elſtone was too plainly convinced of the rancourous Diſpoſiti⯑on of Anthony to [...] inoffenſive Brother, therefore tenderly ad⯑moniſh'd his Son George to be contented with being put Ap⯑prentice to ſome other Merchant to prevent any Feuds or Ani⯑moſities between 'em, tho' he originally deſigned to have bound him to himſelf. The good Youth received his Father's Advice with that dutiful Reſpect that became him, tho' ſorry to be obliged to leave his Father, and greatly affected with [7] the unnatural and cruel Motive of their Separation. In a ſhort Time Mr. George was put Clerk to one Mr. Hume, an eminent Hamburgh Merchant, and ſeldom viſited home above twice or thrice a Year, tho' Mr Elſtone often went to ſee him; this Removal any reaſonable Perſon would have thought might have made his Brother perfectly eaſy, but ſo far from it, the conſtant Praiſes he heard of his Brother's good Behaviour and Aſſiduity in his Busineſs greatly corroded his Mind, as he knew that this univerſal good Character muſt entirely fruſtrate all his wicked Intents of depriving him of his Birth right, and that any Falſhoods he could alledge againſt him muſt conſe⯑quently prove ineffectual; but in order to give Birth to his cruel Purpoſes, he ſuddenly put on a Mask of Friendſhip and feign'd a hearty Repentance for his unnatural Behaviour to his Brother, earneſtly requeſting his Father to become his Advo⯑cate to poor George, and endeavour at his Reconciliation with him. Mr. Elſtone and his Wife were pleaſingly amazed at this wonderful and happy Charge in their Son's temper, and without delay ſent for the other home to cloſe this unlucky Breach, and ſix a wiſh'd for Friendſhip between the Brothers. Mr. Elſtene urged his Son Anthony to write, but the artful vil⯑lain pretended he ſhould be at a Loſs to Expreſs himſelf in a Manner ſuitable to his Offence, and begged his Father for that Reaſon to do it for him, to which he joyfully agreed as follows:

Mr. George's good Senſe and Sweetneſs of Temper was eaſi⯑ly moved to obey his Father's pleaſing Summons, and went directly with the Servant who brought the Letter to him. On his approaching to embrace his deceitful Brother, he ſhewed the real Signs of Love, real Pity and Forgiveneſs, while the the other artfully ſtrain'd from his Eyes the Crocodile's pre⯑tending Sorrow, which influenced the generous Youth to pay a ſincere and grateful Retribution flowing from the Reſult of an honeſt Heart, and Joy un [...]eign'd.

When his Brother attempted to make Confeſſion of his Error, he would not permit him to proceed in, but with the politeſt Tenderneſs deſired him to regard but as a Dream what had paſſed, and make at once to all the Tranſport of belonging, and being beloved by a truly affectionate Friend and Brother.

Mr. and Mrs. Elſtone with their agreeable Daughter bore an equal Part in this pleaſing Diſtreſs, for ſuch they thought it to be in regard to Mr. Anthony, who affected every Symp⯑tom without feeling the ſmalleſt Degree of it; however, it paſſed current upon the worthy Part of the Family, who were eſolved on this ſeeming Happineſs to celebate it with a Feſtival; and as the Diſcord between theſe Brothers was uni⯑verſally known among their Friends and Acquaintance: Many of them were invited to a publick Rejoicing, each congratu⯑lating the whole Family on ſo laudable and reaſonable a Re⯑conciliation.

'Tis neceſſary to inform the Reader that Mr. George and Miſs Jenny, who came together into the World, went Hand in Hand in every Point of Brother and Siſterly Affection, and on [9] ſuch Terms as ought to ſtand for an Example to all ſuch Re⯑lations, though ſingly born: But alas! thoſe Principles are loſt in this preſent Age, and is almoſt deemed a Crime in ſome Fa⯑milies to he related to them.

The tender Regard this young Gentleman and his Siſter from Infancy preſerved for each other, tho' entirely innocent and infallible, was the firſt Motive thro' the Villainy of An⯑thony to their long and unprecedented Sufferings.

The Day appointed for their public Rejoicing being come, among their numerous Friends were Mr. George's Maſter, and his only Son, who had for very near a Twelvemonth paid his Addreſſes to Miſs Jenny, by Conſent of both Parties, who thought proper to defer their Marriage till her Admirer had ſerved his Clerkſhip, which he did to his Father, by which Time he would arrive to the Age of Two and Twenty, and the young Lady to about Nineteen. As they were happy in the Knowledge of being deſigned for each other, entirely cor⯑reſpondent to their Wiſhes, they paſſed their Time with a⯑greeable Chearfulneſs, and a pleaſing Reflection of being one Day till Death to be rendered inſeparab [...]e; they were ſo near their deſtin'd Happineſs, that it wanted but three Months to confirm it, which was Part of the Diſcourſe at their Feaſt, and gave Birth to a very barbarous Plot, both on them and poor Mr. George, which Mr. Anthony put in force.

Mr. Elſtone being reſolved to expreſs the Fullneſs of his Joy on this Occaſion, concluded his Entertainment with a Ball, and becauſe Miſs Jenny would not ſeem particular, choſe her Bro⯑ther George for a Partner inſtead of young Mr Hume, her in⯑tended Husband. 'Tis true he entreated her to dance with him, but ſhe modeſtly declined it for the formentioned Reaſon, as Peo⯑ple are apt to take Notice of every Look and Action of a young Couple ſo near Marriage.

[10] Accordingly Mr. George and his Siſter both of whom danced moſt exceſſively genteel, open'd the Ball with a Minuet and Louvre, and continued Partners for the Night, the whole Company were in a Flow of Spi its and good Humour, ex⯑cept the villainous Hypocrite, on whoſe Account theſe good⯑natured People were all aſſembled; next Day this Monſter of Inhumanity and Falſhood, goes to pay a Viſit at Mr. Hume's under a Pretence of ſtrengthening that Affection he had the Night before wav'd for his injured Brother, he ſtaid ſome Time expatiating on George's kind forgiving Nature, and condemn⯑ing his own miſtaken Folly in being blind to ſo much Merit, and obſtinately depriving himſelf for ſo many Years of his fraternal Love and Friendſhip. During his ſtay at Mr. Hume's, Mr. George Elſlone was obliged to go out for an Hour upon Buſineſs of very great Conſequence, but made his Brother promiſe to ſtay and paſs the Evening with them; to which he readily agreed: While Mr. George was gone, young Mr. Hume's Fondneſs naturally turn'd his Diſcourſe upon dear Miſs Jenny, expreſſing the tendereſt Regard for her, and the Hap⯑pineſs he promiſed to himſelf when he ſhould become her Huſ⯑band. Ah! ſaid Anthony, with a kind of a Sneer in his Coun⯑tenance, 'tis all a Lottery, ſome Blanks, ſome Prizes, Women are dangerous Things to encounter: And the very beſt of them according to the old Phraſe, Won't upon Trial have much Good⯑neſs to ſpare: adding, that for his Part, if he owed any Man a Spleen he'd adviſe him to marry, but if he were his Friend he'd ſonner offer him a Knife or a Piſtol than propoſe a Match for him; and ſo you'd ſay too if you knew as much of the Sex, ſaid be, as I do; perhaps, ſaid Mr. Hume, you have met with ſome Diſappointment, but that ſhould not urge you to an open War with the reſt of Womenkind, but be it as it may, I'm fully perſuaded that your Siſter is intirely exempt from any of the Follies or Imperfections, which are I own too incidental to Females; and till I find her wrong 'tis my Duty and my Intereſt to believe her in the Right. Why, ſays An⯑thony, did I ſay ſhe was not? No, ſays the other, but you were ſpeaking in reference to Women in general, And tho' [11] I am naturally inclined to be partial to them all, I cannot help on every Occaſion, to expreſs the tendereſt Sentiments of my Soul, for her whom Honour and Love equally have fix'd in my Heart a moſt implicit Regard for; Well well, replied Anthony, theſe are all very fine [...]lights, and I know you think this Opi⯑nion will laſt as long as you live, yet I'll hold youfifty Gui⯑neas that I alter it in leſs than a Quarter of an Hour. And ſays Mr. Huine, I'll hold you a Hundred to Fifty you don't; done ſays the other; done again, ſays Mr. Hume, neither you or the World combin'd together will ever be able to alter my preſent Thoughts, in regard to your Siſter: You'll ſtand to the Wager, ſays Anthony; I will, ſays young Hume, and now exert your ut⯑moſt Skill to win it; but I pronounce you the Loſer before you begin, upon which this wicked Wretch takes out of his Pocket a forged Letter directed to Miſs Jenny Elſtone, which he pretended ſhe had careleſsly left in her Eſcrutore which ſtood open; upon her being haſtily call'd down to her Mamma, that he accidentally coming in, and ſeeing it to be a Man's Hand to which he was a Stranger, he had a Curioſity to diſ⯑cover the Contents, which he read to young Hume as fol⯑lows:

[12] Now, Sir, ſaid he, what think you? Why really Mr. Elſtone that this Letter is a villainous Contrivance to blaſt both your Brother and Siſter's Reputation, rather than that they are the leaſt concern'd in it, there is no ſingle Action of either of their Lives that proclaims them capable of ſo monſtrous a Crime, and ſo far from being acceſſary to Miſs Jenny's De⯑ſtruction, I'm certain Mr. George would loſe his Life to pre⯑ſerve or vindicate her Honour, and as that baſe Scroll ſo infa⯑mouſly Calls it in Queſtion, I think myſelf bound by all the Ties of Love and Friendſhip to find out the wicked Author of it, and uſe him at his Villainy deſerves; nor will I reſt 'till I have put my Reſolution in force, and as you are her Brother I think you ought to join in ſo honourable a Deſign, even at the Hazard of your Life.

Why, that is my Intent, ſays Anthony, who was left dead with the Fears of being detected in this Villainy: What I ſaid of the Sex juſt now was only to ſee how far you was inclined to think well of them, abſtracted from my Siſter, in whom I know your Soul is wrapt; and my Reaſon for ſhowing you the Letter, was as my Brother's Character ſuffers in the Con⯑tents, and we having but within a few Hours healed up an un⯑happy Breach which had been from Infancy ſubſiſting: I thought proper to take the advice of a Friend in the clearing up this Point, leſt by undertaking it myſelf I might be deem'd fond of retracting the ſolemn Profeſſions of our new-born Friendſhip and pleaſed to think my Brother guilty of a Crime which I'm certain his honeſt Nature would moſt abhor. There⯑fore Mr. Hume, as I have open'd myſelf ſo freely to you, let me prevail on you not to take the leaſt Notice of it till we meet again; I'll find an Opportunity to replace the Letter in Jenny's Eſcrutere and if I don't doubt, but ſhe'll take Notice, then we may publickly endeavour to find out by whom, and what Means it was there placed, it muſt be by ſome of the Servants who may be reaſonably judged as an Accomplice with the invidious Wretch, whom I ſuppoſe has a wicked De⯑ſign upon her Perſon, and hopes to bring the Matter to bear [13] by blaſting her Reputation, with a forged Proceſs of an Amour with her. I know out eldeſt Clerk once made an Overture of Marriage, but Jenny being engaged to you, he was ſoon repulſed; perhaps his Diſoppointment (for I know he was ex⯑tremely in Love with her) may have urged him to this wick⯑ed Deſign, at leaſt will endeavour to find it out; agreed, ſaid Mr. Hume, and or a Day or two I give you my Word and Honour, to be quite ſilent in the Affair, nor drop the leaſt Hint of it, even to my Friend George. Theſe laſt Words gave Anthony new Spirits, as they afforded him more Leiſure to per⯑petrate his Cruelty, and with leſs Hazard of being found out.

Mr. George returning home, the three young Gentlemen con⯑cluded the Evening together. Anthony ſtill continuing to repeat the tendereſt Senſe of Obligations to his Brother, and expreſſing the higheſt Satisfaction at their being reconciled; it growing late Mr. Anthony took Leave, and went away full fraught with all the Miſchief Hell itſelf could inſpire with, to perpetrate the wicked Means to deſtroy the Happineſs and Peace of two Fa⯑milies.

Next Morning he went out very early to pay a Viſit to one Mrs. Grimes, an elderly Woman of decayed Circumſtances, and Low Cunning, whoſe Son was Mr. Anthony's Emanuenfis, who writing ſeveral Sorts of exceeding good Hands, he found him put for his Purpoſe, being poſſeſſed of a Heart like his Mother's capable of any Evil, by which he could get a Shil⯑ling: This Mrs. Grimes kept a little Houſe near Goodman's-Fields, in which ſhe entertain'd ſeveral Diſorderly Women of the loweſt Claſs, among wh [...]ch Number Mr. Anthony had a favourite Lady which ſerved his turn as well as the fineſt or moſt elegant Creature Nature could produce, having no other Senſe of Love ſuperior to that of a Brute, deeming the only Happineſs ariſing from that generous Paſſion, conſiſted in the immediate Gratification which Animals [...] are capable of conceiving.

[14] Mr. Anthony opened his whole Deſign to the old Woman which was to uſe the moſt effectual Means he could to get his poor Brother and Siſter totally diſinherited, which if Mrs Grimes by being Aſſiſtant, could bring to bear, he promiſed her a reward of five Hundred Pounds, and as earneſt of his Intention gave her twenty Guineas to encourage her and her Son to put in practiſe every Method that could forward his barbarous Undertaking, the Money was a ſure Bait for both, and ſhe promiſed moſt faithfully to tranſact whatever he ſhould employ her in. Accordingly he told her all that had paſſed the Night before between him and Mr. Hume, in regard to the forged Letter, and made her tho⯑roughly acquainted with the Plan, on which ſhe was to proceed, which when ſhe had heard entirely out; the old Jade burſt into a Fit of Laughing at a Conceit which came into her wicked Head more immediately to confirm what he had inſinuated to young Mr. Hume, pray tell me, ſaid ſhe, what Hour and at what Place this young Gentleman is to be found? Oh! replied Anthony, you may always be ſure to ſee him going to, or returning from the Exchange at the uſual Hours, but you don't know him, but I do, Sir, ſays the Son and his Father too pe [...]fectly well; that's enough, ſays the Mother, you ſhall go and point him out to me, and I warrant I do your Buſineſs, at that Time they parted, appointing to meet in the Evening to know the Succeſs of their Negociation, about the Hour of Twelve o'Clock away goes Madam and her Son and waited Mr. Hume's coming to the 'Change, at his return from thence, ſhe follows him in a very poor Garb ſuited to her Purpoſe, and implored his Charity, which he refuſing, ſhe ſtill perſiſting in her Importunity, till be growing tired, haſtily bid her begone, upan which with an Air of Reſentment, ſhe told him he need not be ſo ſhort, for 'twas in her Power to do him more Ser⯑vice by a ſecret Knowledge ſhe had, than his trifling Alms could poſſibly be of to her.

And as a Proof ſhe bid him not beſpeak his Wedding Cloaths, for ſhe was well aſſured if he did they would be out of faſhion for many Years before he'd want them. This Declaration ſtart⯑led the young Gentleman, and claimed his Attention, as he knew [15] his Marriage was near at Hand, he thought ſhe muſt either know his Perſon, or have a ſupernatural Underſtanding, upon which he asked if ſhe had any Knowledge of him, ſhe anſwered no, nor could ſhe charge her Memory with ever having ſeen him before, but no Matter for that, at firſt Sight of you I was rendered ca⯑pable by the Linaments of your Face of teaching you to avoid a fatal Snare you'll ſuddenly fall into, if you don't liſten to what I can tell you, ſaid the old Beldam: Mr. Hume's Curioſity began to be raiſed, ſo he ordered ber to go to a particular Public Houſe, giving her Six-pence, and wait till he came, not caring to be ſeen in the Streets, with ſuch an Object of Miſery, as ſhe at that time appeared to be.

He was not long after, when to the great Surprize of the Man of the Houſe, he called for a Pint of Wine and a private Room ordering this old Trapes to follow him up Stairs, upon which ſhe directly told him in a kind of ambiguous Phraſe all that was contained in the Letter Mr. Anthony had read to him the Night before; and tho' he gave no Credit to it at that Time, he then began to be ſtaggered in his Opinion, and in ſhort, grew very un⯑eaſy, after ſhe had thoroughly work [...]d up his Imagination to an abſolute Credulity of every Thing ſhe uttered; ſhe told him though ſhe was a Stranger to his Names, ſhe would be bound to tell him the firſt Letters of each; and that if ſhe thought it worth while to ſtudy about it, in a very few Hours by her Art, though he were himſelf to lock her up, upon Condition ſhe had her Books with her, ſhe'd tell him his Names entire. Well, ſays he, to convince me of a Likelihood of it, tell me directly the firſt Letters of my Chriſtian and Sirname, J. ſaid ſhe, is the firſt of the Chriſtian, and H the firſt of your Sirname. Mr. Hume was perfectly aſtoniſhed, and began to conſider whether it was or was not poſſible for her to be Miſtreſs of ſo much Art, or whe⯑ther ſhe might not have had ſome private Intelligence of whom he was, and did this to get Money from him, but that he might be ſure to trap her if he could, he bid her if her Art extended ſo far to tell him any one Circumſtance that would happen to him before he ſlept, that I will, Sir, and to convince you that [16] I don't tell your Fortune for the Lucre of Gain, as many Im⯑poſtors do without knowing any Thing of the Matter: You ſhan't give me a Farthing more than the Six pence I had of you in the Street; but I'll tell you one Thing that ſhall happen before you go to Bed, and I will meet you here Tomorrow, and if I tell you Truth will leave it to-your own Houour to reward me as You think fit; to which he agreed, and appointed to meet her next Day at the ſame Time and Place. And now let's hear what is to happen in particular to Night: Pray, Sir, ſay ſhe, let me ſee your Hand, which after ſhe palm'd and peer'd over for about five Minutes, ſhe looked very ſtedfaſtly at him and told him there was a young Gentleman that he frequently converſed with, and that to her thinking lived in the ſame Houſe, and for whom be had hitherto a very great Friendſhip, but ſomething would hap⯑pen that very Night to break it off; not that they would come to any high Word, but a Foundation would be laid for a Coldneſs that would grow into a mutual Contempt of each other very ſpeedily; and that it would not be long before they came to Repa⯑ration. Look ye, Sir, ſaid ſhe, I am the ſeventh Daughter of the ſeventh Son, (a common Cant the real Profeſſors of Fortune Telling make uſe on.) And I have ſtudied very deeply to acquire the Knowledge I have in Fate, and [...]ugh I am poor, I know more than many who carry that He [...]ds very high, but Misfor⯑tunes which were not in my Power to avert have reduced me to ask Charity, but now, Sir, I'll take my Leave and wait you according to Appointment▪ Away the pretended Artiſt went to an Alehouſe where her Son was to ſtay for her, laughing in herſelf to think how dextrouſly ſhe had impoſed [...]n the young Gen⯑tleman's Credulity, and pl [...]ing herſelf with the hopes of a handſome Reward from him: Next Day poor Mr. Hume went home to Dinner very diſconſolate, but was aſhamed to tell the Cauſe of his Uneaſineſs for fear of being laughed at; but when be inwardly [...]ed like [...]nt. ‘"She had told him ſuch Tale [...] it bore great Circumſtance of Truth"’ He was half diſtracted, and waited with Impatience to ſee his Friend Anthony again that he might from him receive his Care to un⯑lade his Breaſt from the Load of Grief it then ſuſtained, but as [17] he had given his Honour to be ſilent till they met again; he con⯑cealed the Cauſe, though twas too obvious, from his Countenance that his Mind was diſturbed, as well it might, when labouring with the conflictious Paſſions of Love, Deſpair, and Rage.

Mr. Anthony whoſe wicked Heart never reſted till he had accompliſhed his barbarous Deſign prompted him to fly with eager Haſte to his inferral Inſtruments, where he found the old Caeature ſtripping out of her ragged Attire, and ſo pleas'd at the Thoughts of her Adventure, ſhe had ſcarce Power to recite it for laughing: However, when he heard it he greatly approv'd the Scheme, and ordered her to make a ſwinging Bowl of Punch to drink to the Succeſs of her next Expedition to the Royal Ex⯑change.

According to her Inſtructions Anthony poſted away to young Hume to forward the Intent of making the Breach between him and Mr. George that ſhe might gain the greater Credit, and be thereby more amply enabled to carry on the Plot and bring it ſpeedily to Perfection, among the reſt of her Contrivances ſhe adviſed Mr. Anthony to engage his Siſter to a Country Dancing, which was to be at a noted private Houſe of Diſ⯑tinction for the Ladies of Pleaſure of the firſt Order, and con⯑trive a means for young Hume to know of her being there, which would naturally confirm his growing Jealouſy, and cor⯑roborate all that could be invented to raiſe it, a triſting Hint was ſufficient: And the Evening for the Ball was to be the old Lady's Undertaking, (at one Lucas's) where every Thing was prepared in a very elegant Manner, and the Ladies being all let into the Secret, they and their Sparks were admoniſh'd too with the utmoſt Decorum and good Breeding, but of that we ſhall treat hereafter. Mr. Anthony's preſent Buſineſs was to go and work upon poor Mr Hume, whom he found ſitting alone in the Compting Houſe reading in a very melancholy Poſture: Why, how now, ſays Anthony, why ſo penſive! Arn't you well? Indifferent, replied Mr. Hume, I am a little chagrin'd in reſpect to the Letter you read to me laſt Night, I have con⯑ſidered [18] on it very deeply ſince, and confeſs notwithſtanding my ſeeming lncredulity to you, that I am greatly alarmed; but to act upon bare Suppoſition, ſtrongly puzzles me as I am fond of your Siſter, and too tenacious of her Honour, without ſome poſitive Proof of her Miſconduct to accuſe or condemn her, but pray tell me Mr. Elſtone, have you gain'd any far⯑ther Knowledge concerning the Affair? Partly, ſays the other, but whether it may ſerve as Loop or Hinge to hang a doubt on, I cannot abſolutely ſay: Poor impatient Mr. Hume haſtily demanded what it was, expreſſing in his Countenance all the Agony of Horror and Diſtraction.—Nay, nay ſays Anthony, put yourſelf out of Temper ſo unreaſonably till you hear what it is▪ perhaps I may be miſtaken in my Conjecture, and you may be working yourſelf into a Diſorder; there is no Grounds for, but in ſhort, I happened to over hear an Appointment be⯑tween her and one of her particular intimates, to go to a Ball, and the Place appointed (unleſs my Ears deceived me) is one of the moſt infamous Houſes in Town. Do you know one Lucas a famous Retailer of Beauty in or about White Chapel? Know her, anſwered young Hume ▪ Aye, too well, ſhe's one of the moſt notorious Bawds in Chriſtendom, ſure Miſs Jenny is not engaged to go thither, if ſo, I ſhall no longer doubt the Truth of [...] Letter; but however, that is eaſily found out, and you and I will go there and confront her in her wick⯑edneſs; with all my Heart, ſaid Anthony, but firſt let me find out whether 'tis ſo or no, and if it is ſo I'll give you my Word to go with you, for I am certain there can be no good Intent in a Meeting of that kind at ſuch a Place: that I'm well aſſured on ſaid young Hume, for I have experienced it, for to tell you the Truth, before I fell in Love with your Siſter I had a ridiculous Affair of Gallantry there, which coſt me a monſtrous Sum of Money, and had it not been for my Attach⯑men [...] to Miſs Jenny might have continued ſtill, but the ſtrict Regard I paid to h [...]r brought me into a Reſolution rever more [...] aſſociate with the terrible Crew that reſide in that Houſe, [...]ittle dreaming ever to hear ſo angelic a Creature as Jenny ap⯑pears, ſhould ſcandalouſly reſolve to herd with ſuch a Set of [19] Devils, but ſure 'tis impoſſible, added he, yet be it as it may, I'm reſolved to know the Truth: He then began to Queſtion whether George was of the Party, to which the other anſwer'd, he was not certain, nor was it very material to Anthony to bring him into that Scrape as he had two or three different Pleas for George's Ruin without making him a Party in their Affair, to be ſhort, they concluded to come at the Bottom of Miſs Jenny's Deſigns, and Anthony ſhook Hands with Hume, promiſing him to aſſiſt him in the Diſcovery, with many Pro⯑feſſions of the moſt ſolemn Friendſhip. Mr. George coming into the Room they changed their Diſcourſe, and Anthony ſeemed highly delighted that the Scene was chang'd between them; and George on his Part anſwered his Falſehood with the tendereſt Marks of real Love.

As Mr. Hume was not in a very extraordinary Humour for Campany, Anthony took Leave and went to conſult with his evil Counſellers what was farther to be do e to effect his cruel Purpoſes; upon which the old Woman bid h [...]m if he could find out who was his Siſter's moſt particular Intimate amongſt the Females? Oh! I can tell you that directly, there's one Miſs Edwards in Thames-Street, who is Jenny's greateſt Fa⯑vourite among all her Acquaintance; upon the leaſt Summons Jenny will come into any Scheme of Pleaſure, ſo we'll ſerd her a Note, and I believe I have ſome of Miſs Edwards's Writing in my Pocket which your Son ſhall counterfeit, and carry it directly to our Houſe, he's not known, and may paſs upon our Family for one of Mr. Edwards's Servants.

Accordingly he gives a Copy of Verſes of Miſs Edwards's Writing to young Grimes. who directly wrote the following Epiſtle to Miſs Elſtone in a beautiful Italian Hand as follows:

Young Grimes was diſpatched with this Letter to Miſs El⯑ſtone, who ſent back her Service to Miſs Edwards, and that ſhe would be ready to wait on her if ſhe'd call at the Hour appointed, the Thurſday following: and begg'd her Pardon for not writing for her, Mamma had Company, and ſhe was ob⯑liged to make Tea directly.

Away comes Grimes with his Meſſage which pleaſed Mr. Anthony highly, but when he ſaid that there was Company the old Woman forgetting the Anſwer, thro' fear cries out to her Son Suppoſe the very Gentleman ſhould be there? Why then, ſays Anthony directly, My Siſter would not have ſent ſuch an Anſwer, beſides you Simpleton, ſaid he, I knew 'twas im⯑poſſible, for Miſs Edwards is at her Father's Country Houſe at Enfield, and don't come to Town this Fortnight; this was the Reaſon why I pitch'd upon her to make the Appointment, that's well enough, ſays the old Woman, then we are ſafe, but what's to be done when Miſs is to call upon your Siſter: Why, ſays Anthony, Dick here ſhall carry a Note to excuſe her com⯑ing, and intreat Jenny to take Coach directly and meet her at the Lady's Houſe where they are to paſs the Evening, in the mean time do you be punctual to the Hour in which you are to [21] meet young Hume, ſo at preſent farewell; I won't go up to poll this Evening, becauſe I have no Time to loſe, therefore don't own I have been here. Away he march'd home, and was immediately accoſted by his Siſter, who told him of her Invitation from Miſs Edwards, and tho' ſhe expected to be re⯑fuſed ſhe was reſolved to try if the Brute would have Com⯑plaiſance enough to ſquire her to the Bali, which he peremp⯑torily refuſed as ſhe expected; upon which his Mother chide him, telling him ſhe wonder'd he would not endeavour to po⯑liſh himſelf a little and throw off that Roughneſs of Beha⯑viour which he never had the leaſt Example of, either from his Father or Brother, he anſwered that Dancing was no En⯑tertainment to him, and that George would be glad of the Opportunity, ſo refered her to him.

All that Evening young Hume and George Elſtone were at home alone, but Mr. Hume ſeemed very cold and diſtant in his Diſcourſe which greatly ſurprized poor Mr. George, who of⯑ten kindly enquired into the Reaſon of his ſhort Manner of ſpeak⯑ing to him deſiring to know wherein he had offended him, to which the other ſullenly replied, Time would ſhow he could not but own he was offended in the higheſt Degree, and did not doubt but Mr George was ſenſible enough of the Occaſion; in this Manner they converſed for ſome Hours till they parted with a downright Querrel, as well Mr. George might to meet with ſuch unexpected ill Treatment from his Friend without a Cauſe, or knowing what was the Motive of ſo ſudden and un⯑kind a Change in the Temper of one who till that Time had ever treated bim with the utmoſt Marks of friendly Tenderneſs; 'tis not to be ſuppoſed that either theſe Perſons enjoyed much Reſt that Night. Next morning when they met Mr Hume be retained the ſullen Mood he went to bed with: Mr. George being con⯑ſcious of not having deſerved this unaccountable Alieration in his Friend, took as little Notice of him, but each went to their Bu⯑ſineſs without exchanging a Syllable; at Change Time Mr. Hume went out, and from thence to his Appointment with his expected Fortune-Tellor, who was punctual to a Minute, he found her at [22] the Door of the Alehouſe in the ſame tattered Trim ſhe appeared in the Day before, but as he thought the Landlord might wonder to ſee him twice together in ſuch Company, he beckon'd her to him before he got to the Houſe, and directed to another in the next Street, when they were got together, well, Sir, ſays ſhe, have I told you Truth [...] or no? Indeed, ſays he, You have, and though I'm not pleaſed at it yet I'm bound in Honour to re⯑ward You, and directly gave her a Crown▪ which he ſuppoſed would be a valuable preſent for one in her ſeeming wretched Circumſtance, but Madam expected Gold, not conſidering that many a Fortune-Teller would have thought him an excellent Chap. Now, ſays he, if you can tell me any Thing farther that is ma⯑terial, I'll double that Sum to-morrow: Ah, Sir, ſaid ſhe, I can tell you any Thing you want to know, but I wiſh you'd double the Sum now, for I want to buy a few Cloaths to my Back, for you ſee I'm very bare, and to convince you that I'm skilled in my Art, I have only this to ſay to You, Whatever you do liſten to one particular Man (who is your Friend) on which ſhe deſcri⯑bed Anthony's Perſon to a Hair, and gave him the firſt Letters of his Names to his very great Aſtoniſhment, and afterwards deſcribing George, ſhe bid him carefully avoid ſuch a one, aſ⯑ſuring him that under the Mask of Friendſhip, he was a bitter Enemy. She alſo bid him beware of a fair Young Woman, and farther added that where he loved moſt he had the leaſt Occa⯑ſion. Now, Sir, I have ſaid as much to You as I think will be ſerviceable to You, and will take my Leave; upon which he gave her another Crown, and they parted. Mr. Hume firſt en⯑joining her to meet him again in two or three Days, but ſhe took Care not to keep her Word for fear through any Accident ſhe might be found out.

The Day being come when the Ball was to be, Miſs El⯑ſtone was very elegantly dreſſed waiting at home for Miſs Ed⯑wards, but inhead of the young Lady, young Grimes brings a ſecond Letter to requeſt Miſs Jenny would take Coach, and come directly with their Man to wait on her there, and begg'd her Excuſe for not waiting on her herſelf, for the young Lady [23] whoſe Birth Day it was had ſent their Coach for her, which had three more in it, but that ſhe was there ready to intro⯑duce her; this paſſed Current with poor Miſs, and away ſhe went with Dick behind the Coach to attend her: when ſhe came to the appointed Place ſhe was received by the pretended young Lady with the higheſt Elegance and reſpectful Breeding. Miſs Elſtone was under a good dea of Confuſion when ſhe found her Friend not there; but the Lady who received her begged her not to be uneaſy, for Miſs Edwards had been there and left her Compliments to her, that ſhe was only gone to per⯑ſuade another young Lady to come, whom nobody but Miſs Edwards could prevail on to oblige them with their Company. Tea was immediately ordered, after which a Glaſs of Wine round, but ſtill no Miſs Edwards appeared, and Miſs Elſtone being among a Set of Strangers ſhe began to grow very un⯑eaſy, at laſt up came half a Dozen Beaus who were imme⯑diately addreſſing Miſs Elſtone who was an undoubted Beauty, which was conſiderably heightened by an unaffected Modeſty.

At laſt the Muſick came, and with much Difficulty Miſs Elſtone was prevailed on to lead down one Dance, which when ended ſhe poſitively inſined upon going home; but as every Body there preſent had their Cues from Mr. Anthony, (who paid the Expence of the whole Night's Entertainment) ſhe was not ſuffered to ſtir: ſhe was not only exceſſively un⯑eaſy but began to ſuſpect by her Friend not appearing there was ſome deſign laid againſt her, yet Miſs Edwards's Hand be⯑ing ſo well counterfeited, ſhe thought Herſelf wrong to ſup⯑poſe that ſo worthy a Young Lady would keep bad Company, and began to be a little more compoſed, but the Evening be⯑ing pretty far ſpent, ſhe again inſiſted upon going Home, but the Company one and all inſiſted upon her ſtaying Supper to which ſhe ſat down, but never eat a Morſel; and upon at⯑tempting to ſlip out after the Cloth was taken away while they were pretending to ſettle a Dance, ſhe found the Dining-Room Door double lock'd, upon which ſhe ſhriek'd out, cry⯑ing, Oh! Heavens, I'm undone; ſhe then began to reflect on [24] herſelf for not asking Mr. Hume and her Brother George to be of the Party, and found too late there was ſome wicked Fraud in the Affair: the old Lady of the Houſe ſeeing her burſt into Tears, ask'd her the Reaſon, aſſuring her ſhe was among Friends, and that ſhe was ſurprized ſhe ſhould diſcover ſuch dreadful Signs of Uneaſineſs; if Madam, anſwer'd Miſs Jenny, I'm among Friends, what is the Reaſon notwithſtand⯑ing my frequent Solicitation to go home, I've not only been detained againſt my Will, but muſt have this Door lock'd up⯑on me. Why Child, ſays the old Lady, you won't think of going home till Morning, there's a Bed for you, 'tis my Daughter's Birth Day, and we are reſolved to make a Night on't; at theſe Words Miſs Jenny fell into a Soon, and one fit was ſucceeded ſo faſt by the other that they were obliged to undreſs and put her to Bed; where when ſhe came a little to herſelf, and found how ſhe was diſpoſed, ſhe fell into ſtrong Convulſions which laſted for a conſiderable Time, the old Jade who kept the Houſe began to repent having any Con⯑cern in the Affair, and privately ſent Word to Mr. Anthony the Danger his Siſter was in, and that they might be rumed upon his Account. He directly ſent Word not to own to any living Mortal that ſhe was there, and that he would be with them early in the Morning and get her removed.

About Ten the next Day he went, and ill as ſhe was be⯑ing light-headed in a violent Fever) ſhe was conveyed to Mo⯑ther Grimes's Houſe, and put to Bed there in a Garret: this ſecured Mrs. Lucas, and was the dreadful Means of poor Miſs Jenny's being never after permitted to ſee her diſtracted Parents, as they did not know the Place where ſhe was (as they thought to meet Miſs Edwards, 'twas impoſſible for her to ſend, but when it grew near Twelve o'Clock her Father took Coach to Mr Edwards's Houſe, but the Family were in Bed, but he perſiſting in knocking at the Door, a Servant looking out of Window he asked for his Daughter, and Miſs Edwards, they told him their young Lady was down at End-field, and was not expected Home for a Fortnight; and that [25] Miſs Elſtone had not been at their Houſe for ſeveral Days paſt. Mr. Elſtone returned home full of diſtracted Thoughts about his Child, and through exceſſive Tenderneſs to his Wife, who was juſt before gone to bed, he concealed his Grief that Night, but in the Morning it burſt it's Paſſage through his Heart, and Mrs. Elſtone was ſoon made the melancholy Partner of his Sorrow: Mr. Anthony was called on to aſſiſt in endeavour⯑ing to find her out, and with a pretended Grief ſet out on that Occaſion, but in fact was carefully employed in removing his hapleſs Siſter to that ſhocking Seat of Infamy before⯑mentioned; the whole Family were diſperſed to different Parts of the Town, but to no Purpoſe. Mr. George was ſent for who was doubly aſſiduous in the purſuit of her, and that ſhe might be more likely to be found, he advertiſed her, and by his Father's Order offered a Thouſand Pounds reward to any Perſon who ſhould produce her Living or dead; young Mr. Hume was quite convinced that ſhe was falſe, and credited every Thing her Brother Anthony had inſinuated againſt her, but when the whole miſchief was perfected by her wicked Brother and his Accomplices, it had a different Effect on her Lover than either he or Anthony imagined, for Deſpair and Grief reduced him to a raging madneſs which immediately ſeized him, and he was obliged forthwith to be confined in a private noted Mad houſe at Chelſea, after two or three Days ineffectual Search. Her viliainous Brother with a mixture of pretended Grief and Anger, produces the forged Letter he had ſhewn to poor young Hume, and gave it his Father to read, which when he had done, he vow'd ſevereſt Vengeance on his Son George, and as her Abſence corroborated with the Con⯑tents no Arguments could convince him to the Contrary of what was inſerted in the Letter. Mr. Elſtone flew with the utmoſt Rage to Mr Hume's and ſhewed him the Letter, which when poor George came to be acquainted with, his Diſtreſs was not to be painted or conceived; his Father and Maſter were equally enraged, the one for the poſitive Loſs of his Daughter, and the other for the dreadful Apprehenſion of the Loſs of his Son.

[26] Mr. George uſed all the Arguments he was maſter of to con⯑vince him how highly they all were injured by that Letter, but to no Purpoſe; Mr. Hume gave up his Indentures, and the Father forbid him from that Inſtant ever to ſee him more, nor did he leave the Place till he ſaw his Son abſolutely turned out of Doors The poor melancholy Youth went to a Friends Houſe, where he was very frequent in his Viſits, and was greatly eſteemed, as he truly deſerved; when he told the Story of his being deſerted both by his Father and Maſter for a Fault he was not Guilty of, nor ever could though reduced to the loweſt Ebb of Fortune, his Friend greatly pitied his Di⯑ſtreſs and promiſed him all the Aſſiſtance in his Power towards his Relief; firſt he adviſed him to inſiſt on his maſter's turn⯑ing him over to another, or permit him to ſerve out his Time with him, but that Mr. George declined till he had firſt endea⯑voured to clear up his Reputation with his Father, which both he and his Friend took infinite Pains to do, but to no Pur⯑poſe, ſo far from it that Mr. Jenniſon (who was the Perſon who eſpouſed Mr. George's Cauſe) offering to be at any Ex⯑pence towards finding out the Author of the Letter which had cauſed the Separation of the Father and Son, he was deſired never more to darken the Doors for any Perſon that would plead in George's Behalf would only be regarded in an equal Light. Mr. Jenniſon finding his Advocation out of tune, reſol⯑ved never to trouble the old Gentleman again, but in every other Point to ſerve the unhappy Youth to the extent of his Power.

Mrs. Elſtone deſpairing of ever ſeeing her Daughter more, ſickened and Languiſhed out a few Weeks till Death terminated the moſt ſincere and real Sorrow that maternal Fondneſs ever felt.

Mr. Anthony took particular Care to behave with all the Duty and Affection to his Father that Hypocriſy was capable of acting, and as an Addition to his Deceit upon the Father's Declaration of cutting off the Brother with a Shilling, and [27] making him his ſole Heir, he begged him to forego ſo ſevere a Reſolution as it muſt neceſſarily make him very unhappy to know he was poſſeſſed of an Affluence, while they, perhaps, were wandering thro' the World in ſearch of Bread.

This ſeeming Tenderneſs made the fond believing Father ſtill more a Friend to his worthleſs, wicked Son, and in ſhort, he ſettled the whole of what he was worth upon him and his Heirs for ever, which when he came to poſſeſs, would have made him Maſter of about Twenty Thouſand Pounds: As Mr. Elſtone was very induſtrious and ſucceſsful in his Buſineſs, he acquired in fewer Years than any Merchant had ever been known to do be⯑fore him.

Young Mr. Hume's madneſs daily encreaſed, and continued for the Space of fifteen months, at the End of which Time he expired raving to the never-ceaſing Sorrow of his diſcenſo⯑late Father. This young Gentleman's ſad Cataſtrophe was the lucky means of preventing the Diſcovery of Anthony's Villainy; for had he retained his Senſes but an Hour after he heard of Miſs Jenny's Departure from her Father's Houſe, he would undoubtedly have cleared up every Point as Cir⯑cumſtances, would have ſo ſtrongly concurred to have proved the Innocence of the abuſed Party and the unparallel'd Wick⯑edneſs of him who was the baſe Contriver of this ſhocking Scene of Ruin.

Poor Miſs Jenny continued ſo very ill for near three Weeks, that her Life was hourly deſpaired of, which News pleaſed Anthony extreamly well, but Mrs Grimes, who always con⯑ſulted her own Intereſt, was reſolved (ſeeing her a beautiful Creature) to ſpare neither Coſt or Pains to reſtore her, and as her Brother refuſed to advance a ſingle Shilling upon that Score, the old woman took Miſs's Cloaths and Jewels, in which ſhe was brought to her Houſe and ſold them to the beſt Advan⯑tages, which amounted to a conſiderable Value, out of which ſhe laid out about five Pounds to Cloath the poor unfort⯑nate [28] Girl in a plain manner, as ſoon as ſhe was able to ſit up, and when ſhe was tolerably recovered, reſolved to make her market of her, and that ſhe might be ſecure of her Prey, ſhe kept her locked up, never ſuffering any mortal to go nigh her but herſelf and Son, ſti [...]l providing every Thing neceſſary for her, and to poor Miſs's Imagination behaving with the motherly Tenderneſs of a diſintereſted old Woman.

This poor Girl on the Recovery of her Senſes demanded by what means ſhe was brought thither, upon which the old Woman mumps up a Tale of ſeeing her in the Hands of wick⯑ed People, and though a Stranger, ſhe reſcued her from them; and poor as ſhe was had her brought Home to her Houſe to prevent ill Uſage, ſhe muſt unavoidably have met with where ſhe was, for do you know, Madam, ſaid ſhe, the Houſe you was brought from was no leſs than a common Brothel; and if the wicked Jade who keeps it had not been frighted out of her Senſes, ſeeing you to be a Perſon of Condition, you had not eſcaped ſo luckily, but ſhe knew I was too well acquainted with her Tricks, and have it in my Power to hang her if I had a mind, therefore was glad to let You go at any Rate; I'm ſure my poor old Heart bled to ſee your Danger, and glad I am to find you are likely to do well again, then for⯑cing a diſſembled Tear or two ſhe deſired miſs to acquaint her with her Name and Family, all which the infamous Wretch knew before, but the poor unhappy Victim directly told her who ſhe was, and intreated her to take a Letter from her to her Father's Houſe, and go herſelf with it as ſhe was beſt able to give an Account of the melancholy Cauſe of her Abſence; in ſhort, Letter after Letter was wrote for ſeveral Days, but all committed to the Flames by Mrs. Grimes, who pretended that her Father would ſend no Anſwer: And in fine, that ſhe was forbid ever to bring any more, for he poſitively reſolved never to ſee or hear of her again. She told her her mother was dead on the Account, the Loſs of whom, as ſhe was looked on to be the Occaſion of her Death, greatly added to her Father's Anger, which by all ſhe could [29] learn was irrevocably fixed againſt her. The poor Thing al⯑ſo wrote ſeveral Letters to her Brother George, which met the ſame Fate of thoſe intended for her Father. Such a mul⯑tiplicity of Sorrows might reaſonably be thought ſufficient to break an adamantine Heart, but it pleaſed Heaven to preſerve this unhappy maid, and furniſh her with Strength to bear the ſevereſt Griefs her Fate could poſſibly inflict; when the old Woman brought her new plain Cloaths to put on, ſhe pre⯑tended they were her Daughter's which ſhe lent her to ſave her own, for which this poor Innocent was very thankful and thought herſelf highly obliged, but on her being able to walk about and intreating to walk down Stairs, ſhe was ter⯑ribly ſtartled at Mrs Grimes refuſing to let her out of the Room, and ſtill inſiſting to lock her in, alledging that it was dangerous for her to go out leſt ſhe ſhould be way laid and in⯑trap'd by thoſe wicked People ſhe had redeemed her from, beſides, ſaid ſhe, you want for nothing, and my Son and I will be with you as frequently as poſſible, and till you have gathered Strength you are much better in your own Apart⯑ment, than by catching cold, run the Hazard of a Relapſe. Poor miſs Jenny was in the Lion's Paws and obliged to Com⯑ply, but began to have a Secret dread at Richard's Approach, who had for his three or four laſt Viſits pretended to be mighty fond of her, and as ſhe was too often in his Power ſhe feared the C [...]nſequences of it, which one Evening had liked to have proved very fatal had it not been for a ſudden Accident which prevented it. Mrs Grimes was gone out for the whole Day and left a ſtrict Charge with her Son Dick to take all imaginable Care of poor Jenny, which he promiſed very ſaithfully to do, paying her ſeveral Viſits and behaved very decently; at laſt he propoſed if ſhe pleaſed to play a Game at Cards with her to paſs away a few melancholy Hours, which ſhe with great Reluctancy at laſt conſented to, it grow⯑ing pretty late in the Evening. According to his Order the maid brought up a roaſted Fowl for Supper, and a Bowl of Punch; Dick ſtill behaving with the utmoſt Complaiſance, hIS mother not being come Home, he entreated the Favour to [...] [30] with her after Supper, which he did till all the Family were gone to Bed except the maid who ſat up for her miſtreſs, when he was quite aſſured that all was ſafe, maſter Richard began to be very Amorous, and thereby troubleſome to the poor Soul who ſat trembling by him with terrible Apprehenſions of his uſing the horrid Power he had to do her the greateſt In⯑jury in the World: at laſt he began to take ſuch Freedoms as too plainly convinced her of his cruel Deſign, on which ſhe ſhrieked out, and he being only poſſeſſed of a brutal Paſſion ſtruck her, menacing ſevereſt Vengeance on her if ſhe dared to ſpeak above her Breath, telling her plainly he would not ſtir-out of the Room till he had gained his Ends; the poor Soul ſtruggled with him till ſhe had no longer Strength to re⯑ſiſt him, and throwing her on the Bed, and intended Sacrifice to his Brutality, before he could accompliſh his wicked Purpoſe a dreadful Outery of Fire was heard in the Street; and though a terrible Circumſtance proved the happy means of Miſs Jenny's Deliverance; the very next Door was a very great Oil-ſhop, which was unhappily ſet on fire through the Care⯑leſſneſs of a Servant who was very ſleepy going to Bed, leav⯑ing the Candle in an old matted Chair, and in leſs than two Hours moſt of the Houſes were conſumed on that Side of the Street: Dick was alarmed at the Outery and ran down di⯑rectly, and poor Jenny after him as well as ſhe could, tho' more terrified at the Thoughts of the Danger ſhe was in re⯑ſolved within herſelf to take that Opportunity of eſcaping from her Priſon, late as it was, was determined to ſit all Night in the Street rather than run the Chance of being ruin⯑ed by that infamous Fellow, in her weak Condition. The Reader may ſuppoſe with the Addition of her Fright ſhe muſt be terribly reduced—Richard in his Confuſion never miſſed or thought of her till next Morning, and could not very well tell whether ſhe came out of the Room when he did, or pe⯑riſhed in the Flames; for his Mother's Houſe was reduced to Aſhes before ſhe came home, when to her great ſurprize ſhe found ſhe had not a Place to ſhelter herſelf nor bed to lie on, as the Neighbourhood in every Street about are naturally a⯑ſarmed [31] at ſuch dreadful Diſaſters. Poor Jenny was luckily met by a good-natured Man who was going to the Fire, and perceiving by her Looks ſhe was juſt come from it, he adviſed her to go in and ſet down in the Watch-Houſe, but ſhe told him ſhe had no Money, and ſhe ſuppoſed they would not let her ſet there for nothing, upon which he conducted her, and giving the Watchmen a Shilling with poſitive Or⯑ders to take Care of her that Night.

In the morning ſhe wandered to Mr. Hume's in hopes of ſeeing her Brother George, bat how great was her Amaze⯑ment when ſhe heard of his being turned away in the man⯑ner he was, and when ſhe was informed ofher Lover's Death ſhe was like a diſtracted Creature; farther ſhe was told her Father had cut both her and Mr. George off with a Shilling, and made Anthony his ſole Heir, and that all was owing to her running away, and George being thought acceſſary to it: This Information ſhe received from an old Servant of mr. Hume's, who was left in Care of his Houſe till it was lett, his maſter ſince his Son's Death having leſt off Buſineſs and retired into the Country.

Miſs Jenny aſſured the good man of her and her Brother's Innocence, alledging that ſhe found they had been both be⯑trayed but by whom ſhe could not tell; ſhe then requeſted him to go to her Father with a Letter, but he aſſured her it would be a ſruitleſs Attempt, for he was ſo enraged he would not ſuffer her's or mr. George's Name to be mentioned in his hearing: what to do in this exquiſite Diſtreſs ſhe could not tell, however, one Gleam of Comfort appeared through all this Cloud of Sorrow, for ſhe got Information where to find mr. George at mr. Jenniſon's; the good-natured man ſent for a Coach to conduct her thither, and believing her to be quite Innocent and poſitively an injured Perſon, ſlipped a Guinea into her Hand, and wiſhing her better Fortune, begged her not to be ſeen there again, as it might endanger his loſing his Place if it ſhould be known. When ſhe arrived at mr. [32] Jenniſon's, the Joy of ſeeing her Brother greatly alleviated her miſery, as the unexpected Interview did his; they wept and kindly condoled each other's Fate, but from what Cauſe it ſprung they neither of them could imagine: The Cauſe ſaid mr. Jenniſon is plain enough, your Brother Anthony is at the Bottom on it as ſure as Light, and he has gain'd his point, and take my word for it one Day or other when it may be too late, his Villainy may be diſcovered. However, you may depend on this Friend George, while I am maſter of a Shilling neither you or miſs Jenny ſhall want, though ſaid he, ſighing, Heaven only knows how long that may be, for Things are not with me now as formerly, as indeed it ſoon after proved, for the poor Gentleman was in about ſix weeks Time obliged to ſtep aſide, and all he was worth in the world was not ſufficient to anſwer the large Demands upon him, which was chiefly occaſioned through conſiderable Loſſes in Trade.

This unlucky ſtroke of Fortune drove poor George and his Siſter into the wide World, but they never ſeparated, ſhifting for three Years as well as they could for daily Bread: Miſs Jenny earned what ſhe could by her Needle, at beſt poor Subſiſtance. And her Brother, whoſe Credit was broke amongſt the merchants, under⯑took to teach thoſe Accompts, and kept a little School, but with much Difficulty between them both could raiſe even a homely live⯑lihood.

Mrs. Grimes upon her misfortune went to mr. Anthony El⯑ſtone to claim his Promiſe of the Five Hundred Pound, which be would have declined as not being in immediate Poſſeſſion of the Fortune, but ſhe inſiſted on a Bond, which he gave her out of Fear of a Diſcovery: As to his Siſter ſhe was concluded to have periſhed by the Fire, as they had never heard any Thing of her ſince.

As Providence has in itſelf ſeveral wonderful and ſurpriſing Turns, I muſt now give a very remarkable Inſtance of its Care of poor George and his Siſter Jane.

GEORGE's Reputation having been ſo cruelly blaſted in the City, He choſe to reſide at a different End of the Town, for which Reaſon he took a couple of Rooms in one of the little Streets near Red Lion Square, and in an Even⯑ing in the Summer Time would frequently take a walk with his Siſter up as far as Pancras; and at the End of one of Red-Lion Fields, he had for many weeks obſerved a venerable clean old man, who did not ask Charity, but bowed with a ſubmiſſive ſupplicating Look that claimed a Human Regard from every Paſſer by, among the reſt poor George and Jenny as often as they could would throw in their mites, and with ſo tender and compaſſionate an Air, it ſeemed rather an Ob⯑ligation to themſelves than to the Perſon on whom they be⯑ſtowed their kind Benevolence; the poor old man had taken particular Notice of this couple whom he took for man and wife, but obſerved ſomething in their Aſpect and Deportment that declared them what they really were, two well bred di⯑ſtreſſed People, and reſolved within himſelf the next Time he ſaw them to be better acquainted with them. Soon after they took their Evening walk, and the old man ſpying them at a Diſtance, made towards them and met them half way the Field: my good maſter, ſaid he, I beg pardon for ſtopping you, but I have been often obliged to your friendly Charity, and am now come to thank you for it in a particular manner, and if you will condeſcend to give a poor man your Com⯑pany for few moments, I'll conduct you to a Houſe where we [34] can more freely converſe than in this Place, don't be offend⯑ed Sir, nor you my good miſtreſs, for what I have to ſay is worth Your Attenuca, and if you ſhould not approve of a Propoſal I have to make You. I can but ask your Pardon and trouble you no farther, they anſwered him in a very good natured and obliging Manner, and conſented to walk back to Powis Wells, where they called for a private Room, and the old man to their great Surprize, ordered a Cloath to be laid, and the Table was ſpread in 'an inſtant' with a cold Fowl and a Place of Ham, and a Bottle of Wine; he threw aſide his Crutches, and begged of 'em not to be ſurprized if he took the Liberty to alter his Countenance which he did by taking of a long grey Beard and his worſted Cap, and placing in its [...] a very neat bob wig he had in his Pocket: This Tranformation diſcovered him to be a very handſome man, very little more than forty Years of Age, and when he pulled off his waſh-leather Gloves to ſit at Table, made another Diſcovery of the fineſt and whiteſt Hand they had ever beheld; he helped Mr. George and his Siſter in a very polite manner, and before he eat, drank a Glaſs of wine to a laſting F [...]endſhip between them, which they very readily pledged; [...] we have regaled, ſaid he, if you are not in haſte, I'll tell you the Reaſon why I have asked this Fa⯑vour of You, and hope it will prove as agreeable to you as I have ſome Reaſon to believe it will be to me, they ſoon finiſhed their Collation, and when the Things were taken away he ordered the Landlord not to let any body come to them till they rang, which in a very reſpectful manner, he ſaid, they ſhould not, on which he began asking mr. George firſt of all whether they were man and wife? And upon hear⯑ing they were only Brother and Siſter, they perceived an un⯑uſual Joy ſparkle in his Eyes, and begged the Favour of miſs Jenny to favour him with the Privilege of ſaluting her, which ſhe did, and now, madam, ſaid he. give me Leave to inform you that though I live by Charity, I am better able to beſtow it than three Parts of thoſe from whom I receive [35] it, but I hope as I deſign to do good with what I have got I ſhan't be blamed for the means by which I have acquired an immenſe Fortune; and the firſt Step towards it I humbly offer that, and an honeſt Heart to make you honourably hap⯑py for the remaining Part of Life.

I own, madam, ſaid he, this is a ſudden Attack upon your modeſty, but as it flows from the Reſult of a tender Paſ⯑ſion I have for ſome weeks paſt ſuſtained for you, I hope you will excuſe this quick manner of requeſting the only. Bleſſing I wiſh to enjoy on Eath: miſs Jenny bluſhed and was at a Loſs for words to expreſs her Thanks, and avoid the Appearance of being either forward in complying or impertinently rejecting if what he ſaid was true, muſt be a very advantageous offer, but to prevent her Confuſion her Brother anſwered for her intreating the Gentleman which he perceived he was not to inſalt on a poſitive Anſwer till they were a little better acquainted; for, Sir, ſaid he, we are two unfortunate Twins who have ſuſtained very great injuries, which have made us the outcaſt of our Families, and cut us of from a very good inheritance, which I believe would have amounted to near Seven Thouſand Pounds a Piece. Now, Sir, our misfortunes have taught us rather to increaſe that Store of Friendſhip we imbibed from infancy, therefore thro' every Change of Life I am reſolved to be a faithful Guar⯑dian to my Siſter's Honour, and protect her even at Life's Expence from any Danger ſhe may be liable to, not that I ſuſpect any ill from You Sir, and hope You will not be offend⯑ed at my cautious Care for ſo dear and near a Relation. No, Sir, replied the other, I rather applaud than condemn You for it; but as Earneſt of my Truth, I beg, Sir, You will do me the favour to accept of this Trifle for Your pre⯑ſent Uſe (putting into his Hand a Silk Purſe with fifty Guineas in it.) To-morrow I deſire to ſee You and this fair Lady at my Houſe by Dinner; pleaſe to enquire for mr. Corniſh at the Two Red Lamps in Dean-Street, Soho, where you'll find every Thing I hope agreeable to You and your [36] Siſter's Expectations. I won't detain you longer but beg you to conſider well on what I have of⯑fered, and know me hereafter as a Friend, and I hope a Brother; they took leave, and the Gentle⯑man reſumed his venerable Appearance, and diſ⯑charging the reckoning he went to his Stand till Evening, and went home well pleaſed at his Af⯑ternoon's Adventure. Mr. George had a great deal of Reaſon to conceive a high Opinion of his new Acquaintance, and adviſed his Siſter to reſolve upon the Match, which ſhe promis'd to do in caſe every thing anſwer'd to what he had told them.

Next Day he went to Dean-ſtreet, and upon the Coach ſtopping at the Door, was open'd by a foot⯑man in a lac'd Livery before the Coachman could get off his Box; and Mr Corniſh dreſs'd like a Man of Faſhion ready to hand the Lady in, whom he conducted into a very handſome Dining-Room ſplendidly Furniſhed, and at one End a noble Sideboard of Plate fit for a Nobleman: Now, Madam, ſaid he, permit me to bid you welcome to your Houſe for that, and all that it contains is Your's if you pleaſe to except of it; ſhe bow'd and bluſh'd, and Mr. Corniſh continu'd paying his Addreſſes in the politeſt Manner poſ⯑ſible, Dinner was ſerved, at which there was fif⯑teen Diſhes, five at a Courſe with the beſt the Seaſon of the Year afforded, when that Ceremony was over Mr. Corniſh brought Mr Elſtone a Pocket [37] Book, out of which he counted out Bank Notes to the amount of upwards of forty Thouſand Pounds, which he and his Father before him had amaſs'd by begging; yet this is not all that I am worth, for I have ſeveral Houſes, and have often received charity from my tenants in their coaches, who at the ſame Time did not know they were relieving their Landlord. I have but one Servant belonging to me that knows any thing of my Courſe of Life, and he's an old Fellow that lived with my Father before my Remembrance: he al⯑ways attends me to our Houſe of Rendezvous, and is principal Secretary of our begging State, in ſhort, they paſs'd the Afternoon with a Reci⯑tal of both their Fortunes; and Mr. Corniſh heard of the Cruelty of George and Jenny's Fate he ſhed a kind, commiſerating Tear for both, but moſt eſpecially for Miſs Jenny, whom he loved, and was pleaſed to find ſhe had an equal ſhare of ſenſe and beauty: After they had told their ſeparate Tales, Mr. Corniſh requeſted 'em to paſs the E⯑vening, and as Mr. Elſtone was perfectly con⯑vinc'd of his being in all Points capable of mak⯑ing his Siſter happy On Mr. Corniſh's moving his ſuit again, 'twas concluded in a few Days to fix their Widding, which was at Queen's-Square Cha⯑pel, near Ormond-ſtreet; and as Mr. Corniſh was King of the Begging Crew, there was a grand Feſtival held the next Day at their Houſe of Ren⯑dezvous, where he reſigned his Throne to ano⯑ther, [38] allowing a Yearly Penſion to ſupport the Dignity of their Society, which was kept in more exact Order and ſtrict Decorum than ſome Conſti⯑tutions which might fare much better if they were governed by their Example.

The Wedding was kept at home with great Splen⯑dor, where was preſent a young Lady of ten Thou⯑ſand Pound Fortune, who changed Hearts at firſt Sight with Mr. Elſtone, but he not having it in his Power to addreſs the young Lady for want of an equi⯑valent Stipend, he heartily ſigh'd for her, till his Brother-in-Law perceiving him grow melancholy, en⯑quiring into the Cauſe, ſoon made up the Match to the unſpeakable Satisfaction of both Parties.

As Providence had been careful in rewarding theſe injured Innocents, ſo was it no leſs concern⯑ed in puniſhing the Guilty, as will appear by the powerful End of Mr. Anthony, who was in a Viſit to Mr. Hume, attack'd on the Road by a party of Highwaymen, whom he endeavoured to reſt, but they reſolvidg on their Booty, ſhot at him, which not proving effectual, they drew their Hangers and ſtabbed him in different Parts of his Body, and left him weltering in his Blood upon the Road, where he ſoon expired. The Highwaymen made off, and the Deceaſed was ſoon own'd by ſome Paſ⯑ſengers coming along the Road, the News was directly carried to town to his Father, who griev'd much for him, till in a few Days upon ſearching in his Cloſet, he found ſeveral Papers under his [39] own Hand, which fully diſcovered the Villainy he had been Guilty of to his injured Brother and Siſter. Mr. Elſtone greatly condemn'd his haſty Credulity to the Ruin of as he fear'd of his unhappy Son and Daughter, nor did he know whether they were living or dead; his old Friend Mr. Hume upon hearing the News of Anthony's Death came to town to pay him a Viſit of Condolence, but when he ſaw the Memorials of his Villainy to his Brother and Siſter, he rather congratulated him on the happy Ridance of ſo infamous a burden and diſgrace to his Family: but now, ſaid Mr. Hume, Your buſineſs is to make a ſtrict Enquiry after your abuſed Children, and by a tender Re⯑conciliation endeavour to make them the beſt a⯑mends you can for all their Sufferings: the only ready Means is to advertiſe in caſe they are living that if they will return to You they will find all that can be wiſh'd for to make them happy; and as I hope to be a Witneſs of ſo pleaſing an Inter⯑view, I'll ſtay in town the whole Week to join my bleſſing with Your's, to poor Jenny, who was once my intended Son-in-Law, the Rememb [...]ce of which drew Tears from the good old Gentle⯑man's Eyes in reſpect to the tender Love he bore his Son, and farther, ſaid he, I have a Pardon to ask of poor George, for ſo raſhly forcing upon him his Indentures, and thereby ruining his Credit a⯑mong the Merchants. An Advertiſement was ſent over Night, which Mr. George reading at break⯑faſt [40] next Morning, he went with his Siſter di⯑rectly (over-joy'd to throw themſelves once again a their Father's Feet:) Mr. Hume bore an equal ſhare of Tenderneſs at the ſight of theſe worthy Perſons, and declared an honourable Intention of making them both his Heirs, which entitled 'em to Five and Twenty Thouſand Pounds each; thro the Hurry and ſurpriſing Joy of meeting, neither of the old Gentlemen had time to obſerve the ſplendid Appearance they made, but at laſt Mr. Hume looking thro' the Dining-Room Saſh ſaw a very handſome gilt Coach at the Door, and ask⯑ing whoſe it was? Mine, ſaid Mrs. Corniſh, Sir on which ſhe related the Story of her Fortune from the Time of her being decoyed from her Father to her Marriage, as did Mr. George the ſame: And next Day great Preparations were made for the Recep⯑tion of their Spouſes, who to make amends for paſt Affections, mutaully agreed to retire all to⯑gether at an ancient Seat Mr. Corniſh had pur⯑chaſed a few Years before, where they paſs the Remains of Life in an uninterrupted State of fo [...] [...]egard, and general Tranquility.