THE LIFE &c. OF GILBERT LANGLEY.

THE following Pages contain the Ad⯑ventures of Gilbert Langley, Gold⯑ſmith, written by his own Pen. It is conceived, that a liker Picture cannot well be drawn than that which he has given us of himſelf, it is publiſhed chiefly for the Uſe of ſuch as may reſemble him in ſome Reſpects. Many would fly from Vice if they ſaw her Face all at once, and in Day Light; here ſhe is, never was was ſhe better known to any than to this Man, and he has ſent her abroad in her own Cloaths. His Stile is the Stile of a Man of Pleaſure, and was not altered, becauſe it may be of Uſe to know what ſort of Stile that is.

Some People may perhaps fancy the reading ſuch a Life dangerous, for their Sakes this Advertiſe⯑ment is prefixed. If they ſee young People make ill Uſe of it, let them ſet them right, let them bid [4] theſe inconſiderate Folks make the Growth and Progreſs of Vice, from abuſing Education to cheat⯑ing a Father, to defrauding the World, from de⯑frauding the World to downright Robbery, and ſo to the Gallows; an open broad Road, and his un⯑happy Journey makes the Stages for others, that they ſtop or ride back in Time, according to the old approved Maxim.

We commonly hear the young Spendthriſts of our Times, diſcourſe exactly in Mr. Langley's Lan⯑guage, and reaſon, or rather pervert Reaſon as he does. In ſuch a Caſe, point out a ſimilar Paſſage in this fine Hiſtory of modern Gallantry, and put him in Mind of the Concluſion; tell him, which is a certain Truth, that Greenwich Rambles lead to Maidſtone Goal, that Intrigues with Proſtitutes in the Pleaſure rather of a Goat, than of a Man, and that the Digreſſions from the Paths of Virtue, is walking for the Air in Tyburn Road, where you run more Hazards than one of Choaking. But to proceed to his own Account.

Gilbert Langley, eldeſt Son of Holdenby Langley, an eminent Goldſmith in London, and Nephew to Sir Thomas Langley, Bart. was born Nov. 19, 1710; at three Years of Age he was ſent down to his Grandmother's Seat at Pelderſley in Derbyſhire, un⯑der whoſe Care he continued till he was ſeven Years of Age, when his Mother growing impa⯑tient at his long Continuance in the Country, came down from London to ſetch him Home. No ſooner [5] had he received the Viſits common on ſuch Occa⯑ſions, and recovered from the Fatigue of his Journey, but he was put to School to Mr. Adams in Red-lion-ſtreet, from whoſe prudent Inſtructions he in his tenders Years made ſo great an Improve⯑ment, that few or none in the ſame School were thought his Equals, and his Father unwilling to curb the promiſing Genuis of his Child, by the Advice and Conſent of his Maſter, removed him from thence to the Charter-Houſe, and thereby gave him a further Opportunity of exerting his na⯑tural Parts. Here in a ſhort Time he began to read Virgil, Ovid, Horace, and Demoſthenes, and had as great Knowledge of thoſe Authors as his tender Years would admit. But ſuch is the Miſ⯑fortune of ſome of our Engliſh Schools, that the Maſters, either to pleaſe the Parents, or indulge the Child, hurry their Pupils, from Claſs to Claſs without conſulting whether they are ſufficiently grounded in the firſt Rudiments of Learning, Hence it is, that ſo many Youths who have ran through all the Claſſic Authors, after a Year or two's Abſence from School, are almoſt as far to ſeek, as if their Parents had not expended any Thing on their Education.

Gilbert's Father being ſully perſuaded of this al⯑moſt univerſal Error and Corruption in our Engliſh Schools, reſolved to ſend him over to the Bene⯑dictine Monks at Doway in Flanders, there to have him brought up in his own Religion; but not⯑withſtanding the great Diſparity between a Foreign and Engliſh Education, was ſo fully proved by ſe⯑veral of Mr. Langley's Friends, yet his Wife could not by Arguments, be induced to a Compliance in [6] parting with her Child, preferring rather the Pre⯑ſence of her Son in Ignorance, before his Abſence, in a Place where he was ſure to have the faireſt Op⯑portunity of acquiring ſolid and uſeful Learning. Thus her Fondneſs triumph'd over her Reaſon, and ſhe could not bear the Thoughts of a Separa⯑tion from her Darling, who to pleaſe her, though to his own Prejudice, was continued at Home, till Providence, was pleaſed to take her away, and by that removed the ſole Obſtacle to the intended Pro⯑greſs of our young Student; for no ſooner was his too-fond Mamma dead, and decently interred, but the Father, earneſtly bent on his Son's Ad⯑vancement, made diligent Search for a proper Per⯑ſon, to whom he might commit the Truſt of his Son, until he ſhould arrive at Doway, the Place deſigned for his future Education. Upon Enqui⯑ry, he found out Mr. Sturton, the Prior of the Benedictine Monks, who being come to London a⯑bout ſome particular Buſineſs, was now returning to his Convent; with this Gentleman he agreed on an annual Sum for my Board, Learning, and all other neceſſary Expences, and it was agreed my Departure was to be as ſoon as poſſible. The Day been fixed, we met at the Croſs-Keys, in Grace⯑church-Street, where my indulgent Father, with reiterated Entreaties, ſollicited Mr. Sturton, to a peculiar Care of his young Pupil, and after he had tenderly embraced me, with flowing Eyes, com⯑mitted me to the Management of my new Tutor. For my Part, I readily conſeſs, that being fond of Novelty, and having a roving Diſpoſition, I was rather pleaſed than concerned at our Parting, and with Joy reſigned myſelf to a new ſtrange [7] Guardian. In ſhort, we lay at the Inn that Eight, and in the Morning took Coach for Dover, from whence (the Packet being ready to Sail) we em⯑barked for Calais, and in a fw Hours, with a freſh and favourable Gale, we reached the wiſhed-for Haven. My Tutor being intimately acquainted with Mr. Francia, (commonly known in England by the Name of Francia the Jew) we lodged in his Houſe, and were civilly and agreeably entertained by him for the Space of three Days.

Now all Things appear'd to me very uncom⯑mon, and being unable to underſtand the Native Language, Manners, or Cuſtoms, I thought my⯑ſelf in a New World, aſking ſeveral impertinent Queſtions of my Guardian, who well pleaſed with my Curioſity, and juvenile Obſervations, gave me ſuch Anſwers as my tender Age was capable to underſtand. Now after Thanks to Mr. Francia for his kind Entertainment, we proceeded on our Journey, and the next Day arrived at St. Omers, where we ſpent the whole Day viewing the Curio⯑ſities of that Town, which I ſhall not preſume to deſcribe, being then but in the 12th Year of my Age; yet I cannot forbear taking Notice of the Cathedral of St. Bartin's, an ancient and ſtately Structure, adorned with ſeveral curious Pieces of Painting, and embelliſhed with numerous Orna⯑ments; but what ſtruck me moſt with Wonder and Surprize, were the Skins of a Toad and a Crocodile, each of an enormous Size, that were fixed to one of the Columns of the Church; but ſince there are ſo many various Reports, and [...]o⯑mantick Fables deviſed by the Populace concern⯑ing the prodigious Dimenſions of thoſe Animals, [8] and the Manner of their being diſcovered, I ſhall omit troubling my Reader any farther on that Head, ſince where I cannot give a full, true, and ſatisfactory Account, my Reſolution is to be ſilent.

Adjoining to this noble Cathedral, is a magni⯑ficent and ſplendid Convent, reſembling more the Palace of a grand Monarch, than the Receptacle of Perſons, who under the ſpacious Pretence of Religion retire thither; although in Reality, they much more fully iudulge their irregular Paſſions and inordinate Deſires, than thoſe who ſtruggling in the tempeſtuous Ocean of the World, boldly ex⯑poſe themſelves to all Dangers, and to the utmoſt of their Abilities, ſerve and glorify their great Creator▪ In this Convent are upwards of 150 Je⯑ſuits, and near 100 Students, who all pay the an⯑nual Salary of 25l. Sterling, except twelve of them, who are upon the Pope's Foundation. My Guardian and I paid a Viſit to the Prior, who en⯑tertained us in a ſumptuous and elegant Manner, none being ſo profuſe in their Entertainments as the Romiſh Clergy one among another. The next Morning we ſet out for Doway, where we arrived in the Evening, to the great Satisfaction and Com⯑fort of the Benedictines, who with all poſſible De⯑monſtrations of Joy, received their Superior, and (as I was afterwards informed) highly applauded him for the due Execution of his Commiſſion, and commended his Diligence and unwearied Endea⯑vours, in encreaſing the Number of the Faithful. At the Expiration of three Days, which are uſu⯑ally allowed to young Sparks, to initiate themſelves in the Forms and Precepts of the College, I was [9] examined by three Reverend Fathers, and upon a ſtrict Examination, was found capable of nothing higher than Alvarus's Grammar, and Caeſar's Com⯑mentaries, a plain Proof of the Vanity of ſome of our Engliſh Schools. But ſince my Readers may be curious, and willing to be informed of the Man⯑ners and Cuſtoms of our Collegiate Life, I ſhall for their Satisfaction give a true Account thereof. The annual Salary is 25l. Sterling for an elder Brother, and 20 ditto for a younger; at our firſt Entrance we are diveſted of our ſecular Garb, and cloathed with a Caſſock and a Gown, reſembling in Form thoſe of the Foundation of the Charter-Houſe, which Dreſs, according to the ancient Rules of the Houſe, is allowed to each Student new every Year. The Scholars are divided accord⯑ing to their different Abilities and Capacities into ſeveral Claſſes, each apart, to prevent Noiſe and Interruption, and over each Claſs preſides a pro⯑per Maſter, whoſe Buſineſs is to inſtruct his Pupils in the Knowledge of ſuch Authors as he thinks moſt proper and ſuitable to their Genius and Un⯑derſtanding. We were obliged to continue twelve Months in the ſame Study, that we may be entire⯑ly perfect therein, and during that Time, have Monthly Examinations, in which the moſt perfect is for his Encouragement to receive a Praemium from the Hands of the Prior, at the three ſeveral grand Examinations, that are held before the whole Houſe; at Eaſter, Michaelmas, and Chriſtmas. All (except thoſe who are in the Accidence) are com⯑pell'd at all Times, and on all Occaſions to ſpeak the Latin Tongue. We have a large Dormitory, where each Student has a Bed a-part, a Cale-facto⯑ry, [10] and at each End thereof, a large fire Place, though but ſmall Allowance of Wood, having but one Faggot, and two Billets to each Fire, and that only in the Evening, which cauſes ſome of our young Sparks, ſometimes privately, and ſometimes by open Force, to break into the Wood-houſe, that ſtands in our Area or Yard. Our Refectory or Dining-Room, is large and commodious, and ſerved with due Oeconomy, where each Scholar has the firſt Choice of the Portions of Meat, ac⯑cording to his Superiority in Learning. Our Diet is Bread and Butter every Morning, at Noon half a Pound of boil'd Meat, with a Porringer of Broth, and at Night, the ſame Allowance of Roaſt, with a Sallad, except on Faſts; but at Meals, we have as much Bread and Beer as we deſire, although at all other Times, we are debarr'd even from a cruſt of Bread, or a Draught of Beer, which makes us Frequently convey out the ſame under our Caſſocks, and ſometimes like ravenous Wolves, make bold Incurſions into the Kitchen, and there plunder and carry away all that we can meet with; but of this more hereafter. Over the Students, which are never leſs than fifty or threeſcore, a Prefect is ap⯑pointed by the Prior, who ought to be a Perſon of great Sagacity and Diſcretion, for to his Care the Direction of all the Scholars (when out of their re⯑ſpective Schools) is committed; he hears all De⯑bates, ſettles all Controverſies, and appeaſes all Quarrels that ariſe amongſt his Pupils; his Buſi⯑neſs is to call them at five in the Morning, as well in Winter as Summer, he rings the Bell to Prayers, at their Meals ſays Grace, and orders one of the Scholars in his Turn to mount the Pulpit, and [11] read the Martyrology, during the Time of Repaſt, whilſt he himſelf ſtands at the upper End of the Refectory to keep Silence, and prevent any Con⯑fuſion or Irregularities, that might otherwiſe hap⯑pen among ſuch Boys. Hours of Study are from Five till half an Hour after Seven, the other half Hour being allowed for waſhing and breakfaſt Time; at Eight we go to School, at Eleven to Prayers, at Noon to Dinner, at One to Study, at Two to School, at half an Hour after Four to Play, at Five to Study, at Six to Supper, and afterwards to play if in the Summer Time, or in the Winter to our reſpective Seats in the Calefac⯑tory. None dares preſume to go into the Town without the Prefect's Leave; we have a capacious Area or Yard, wherein is a Terras Walk, and a Place very proper for the Exerciſe of Hand-Ball, in which we ſtrove to ſurpaſs each other.

At Chriſtmas the Scholars are allowed to chuſe a King to promote Paſtime, and all the great Of⯑ficers of his Court; which occaſions a great deal of Diverſion. On Twelfth Night, the King ſends his Ambaſſadors to invite the Prior, and ſome of the Grandees of the Houſe, to an elegant and coſtly Supper, to which none except the great Officers of State, are admitted; all the reſt being then in waiting, and receive, as his Majeſty's Bounty, what comes from his Royal Table. For my Readers Satisfaction, I ſhall mention an odd Accident that happened to me, whilſt I had the Honour of ſerving in Quality of an Ambaſſa⯑dor.

On the Eve of the Epiphany, I received an Order to take three of the Lords of the Bed-chamber, and [12] go about two Miles out of Town to a Publick-houſe, and there to purchaſe four Gallons of Brandy for the abovementioned Entertainment. As I could ſpeak the French Language, I ſoon executed the Commiſſion, at a far more reaſonable Rate than I could poſſibly have done in the Town, there being a large Duty on the Import of any Spirituous Liquors into the Garriſon, and that farm'd by a Comis, or Officer, that hath his Myrmidons conſtantly attending at the Entrance of the Town Gate, who ſearch all comers in; but it be⯑ing uſual to let the Students of different Colleges paſs and repaſs, without Hindrance or Examination, we thought ourſelves ſecure from any Danger that might ariſe on that Head; ſo after our Bottles were filled, we ſat down in the Houſe, and drank a Glaſs or two to refreſh ourſelves; but, as ill Fortune would have it, a Soldier coming into the ſame Houſe, privately took Notice of our Bottles that ſtood on the Table, and went to the Searcher's Office, and gave Informa⯑tion that four Students of the Benedictine Monks, were going to convey Brandy into the Garriſon. We were entirely ignorant of the private Information that he had given, and therefore in a merry Mind, paid the Reckoning, and returned homeward with the Li⯑quor under our Caſſocks, when, to our great Surprize, as we were going in at the Gate, we were ſtopped, the Brandy found upon us, and we ſecured in the ad⯑joining Office, till they had called a File of Muſque⯑teers to conduct us to the head Comis's Houſe for fur⯑ther Examination. I had then a Piſtole in my Pocket, and knowing the mighty Force of Gold, of⯑fered it to the Searchers for our Enlargement; but they were inflexible, and therefore any one may judge, what Horror and Confuſion we were in, at the ap⯑proaching [13] Danger. In ſhort, as we marched along with the Guard of Soldiers, the Inhabitants won⯑dered what Crime ſuch Youths could be guilty of, that had thus expoſed them to publick Scandal and Shame. Some pitied our Misfortune, and others condemned our Folly, but by a lucky Accident, we met with two Iriſh Franciſcan Fryers, who enquiring of the Serjeant the Cauſe of this unuſal Treatment, reprimanded him ſe⯑verely for his Folly, in carrying us to the Officer of the Cuſtoms, and at the ſame Time adviſed him to conduct us to our own College, and inform the Prior of what had happened, it being properly his Buſineſs to anſwer for the Miſdemeanors and Trepaſſes of all Students under his immediate Care and Direction. This ſage Advice of the Fathers, prevailed on the rigid Officer, who conveyed us ſafe to our own Convent and aſterwards made his Report to the abovemention'd Officer, who next Morning ſent to demand four hun⯑dred Florins of the Prior, the uſual Forfeiture, or Fine impoſed for the infringement of his Dues and Privileges. Our Prior was ſtartled at this exorbi⯑tant Demand, and abſolutely refuſed to give the leaſt Satisfaction, which ſo exaſperated the Comis, that he reſolved to proſecute us with the utmoſt Rigour. Hereupon the Prior conſulting the Sages of the Law, was adviſed to quiet the impending Storm, and bring this unlucky Accident to an amicable Compoſi⯑tion, which was accordingly effected on the Payment of one hundred Florins, and a further Promiſe that none of his Pupils ſhould ever be guilty of the like Offence.

The March following, another Misfortune hap⯑pened to me that had likely to have proved fatal, [14] and of greater Conſequence than the former, which was as follows:

John Huſſey, William Etherington, George Pigot, John Racket, William Brown, and my⯑ſelf, formed a Conſpiracy againſt the Peace of the Common-wealth, and by a mutual and ſolemn Engage⯑ment, were fully determined to make an Irruption in⯑to the Kitchen, and there plunder all that we could meet with. The Night before the Execution of our Plot, we, by the Help of Gimblets, had ſecretly bored two Holes in the Kitchen Door, that leads to the Re⯑fectory, and fixed two Pieces of Packthread, blacked on purpoſe to prevent their being obſerved, to the Bolts that faſtened the Door on the Inſide; this Scheme, though artfully managed, was perceived by one of the Scullions, who immediately gave Notice thereof, to the reſt of the Servants, who judging our Intent, armed themſelves with Bludgeons, and reſolv'd to diſpute the Entrance into their ſooty Kingdom a⯑gainſt all Invaders. They likewiſe furniſhed them⯑ſelves with a dark Lanthorn, either to deſcry the Number of the Aſſailants, and loudy complain againſt ſuch publick Acts of Rapine and Hoſtility. No leſs diligent were we to execute our Intent, and having pro⯑vided ourſelves with luſty Cudgels, and a Chiſſel to open the Refectory Door, between the Hours of twelve and One, we began to attack the Garriſon; firſt with little or no Noiſe, forced open the Door, and gained an eaſy Entrance into the Kitchen Paſſage by the Help of thoſe Cords we had faſtened to the Bolts of the ſaid Door that guarded the Entrance. We now thought ourſelves ſecure, and found in the ſaid inlett into our intended Port, two large Barrels of Raiſins, with the Heads of them open; this unexpected Prize [15] overjoyed us, and we immediately fell to plunder, and filled a large ſack that we had brought with us, to carry away our Booty; but to our great Aſtoniſh⯑ment, we were ſuddenly ſaluted with repeated Blows on our Heads, Backs, and Shoulders, from different Quarters laid heavily on us, by the numerous company of Servants, that were fully bent to retrieve their loſt Reputation, and make us Priſoners of War. We ſtraitway quitted our Prize, and fell Pell-mell on the Enemy, with true Engliſh courage, and Bravery, and returned their blows ſo briſkly, that they began to give Ground, which ſo redoubled our Ardour, that we drove them out of their Fortifications, into the open Garden, belonging to the Religious; where find⯑ing themſelves unable to withſtand our Fury, they immediately ſet up a great cry, calling out, Laroon, Laroon, which is in Engliſh, Thieves, Thieves, and the Shoemaker, who was one of the Gang, ſtretching forth his dark Lanthorn, looked ſtedfaſtly on us; whereupon Huſſey knocked it out of his Hand, tho [...] too late, for he already knew us, and their Out-cry by this Time having alarmed the Houſe, we were obliged to make a precipitate Retreat, and endeavour to regain our Quarters before the Perfect's Arrival, which was happily effected, and we all in our reſpec⯑tive Beds, pretending to be faſt aſleep; but this Arti⯑fice would not paſs on him, for we not having Time to Undreſs, our Caſſocks were not as uſual ſpread over our Bed-cloaths, and he thereby eaſily diſcovered us.

The next Morning we were ſummoned before the Grand Prior, where the poor battered and bruiſed ſervants made a moſt pitious complaint of their bar⯑barous Treatment, vowing that they would all leave [16] the Houſe, except they had ample Satisfaction for the Injury done them. The Prior taking this Affair into his conſideration, rightly judged, that if he counte⯑nanced ſnch open Acts of Theft and Hoſtility, that none would ever ſerve in the Convent, and that it vaſtly derogated from his character, whoſe Office was to maintain Peace and good Tranquility throughout his Juriſdiction, and therefore he pronounced this harſh, tho' juſt ſentence, that we ſhould for this unparallel'd crime, be expelled the college, as an Example to deter others from the like notorious Offence. We were now like criminals under Sentence of Death, none caring to converſe with us, leaſt they ſhould be ſuſpected to be infected with our wicked and perverſe Diſpoſitions. However, as Mercy is ſometimes extended to the moſt abandoned Wretches, we all (except Brown) by great Itnereſt, and the characters our Maſters gave of our being Youths of a promiſing Genius, were reprieved, and once more on promiſe of our future good behavi⯑our, again admitted into Favour. Notwithſtanding this unexpected clemency, we could not ſuppreſs our Reſentment, at the Expulſion of our old confederate Brown, but vowed to revenge the Injury and Injuſtice that we thought was done to our former companion, in the moſt ſecret Manner that poſſibly we could; and therefore we had frequent Debates and conſultations how to bring about our intended Project. At laſt, the following Method was unanimouſly reſolved on. In our Area ſtands the Wood-houſe, to which the Scullion (the Informer of our firſt Attack) uſually came every Day with a Wheelbarrow to fetch Wood, be⯑tween the Hours of four and five in the Afternoon, for the Uſe of the Kitchen. We therefore provided ourſelves with a cloak belonging to one of the minor [17] Students to prevent Suſpicion, ready againſt his Entrance, to ſurprize him in the following Man⯑ner.

There was a Ladder ſtanding in the Yard, by the Help of which, we privately got in at the Window, and hid ourſelves behind the Faggots, and there with Impatience waited his coming, hav⯑ing, in the mean Time, well provided ourſelves with ſmart Switches, to laſh the bare Bumb of our inveterate Enemy. No ſooner had he opened the Door, and began to load his Barrow, but the Cloak was thrown over his Head, and faſtened with a Cord round his Neck, ſo that being blinded, he was uncapable to diſcover who was the Foe, or make any Defence to prevent his intended Puniſh⯑ment. In ſhort, we firſt ſhut the Door, to prevent his Cries being heard, then knocked him down, let down his Breeches, and paid his bare Buttocks in Turns, 'till we were all weary▪ Nor were his hide⯑ous Cries, or loud Invocations of his Tutelar Saints, able to abate our Rage, or defend him from the ſevere Puniſhment, that we were in Ho⯑nour bound to inflict on this Delinquent, as a Re⯑taliation, and Satisfaction for the Diſgrace of our former Companion. No ſooner was this bloody Flagellation, or Scourging ended, but the Bell rang to Study, and we left the poor unhappy Wretch alone to bemoan his dire Misfortune, and vainly vonjecture who were the Perſons who had thus irreverently prophaned their Characters, and went in a decent Manner to the Muſaeum, where we took our reſpective Seats, as innocently in Appear⯑ance, as if nothing had happened, though well pleaſed in our Conceits at the good Succeſs of [18] what we had ſo long and ſo earneſtly wiſhed for. The Scullion had no ſooner freed himſelf from his Hood-wink, and recovered his loſt Sight, but he ran crying out, le Diable, le Diable, with the utmoſt Speed into the Kitchen, and there after having re⯑covered his Breath, recounted the diſmal Story to his Fellow-Servants, who were all amazed, and ſorely affrighted leſt the ſame Devils ſhould unex⯑pectedly ſurprize and puniſh them for the ſaid Of⯑fence. However, when the pannic Fear and Ter⯑ror they were in, was ſomething abated, they in a whole Poſſe, with the injured Party at their Head, went to the Prior, and loudly exclaimed againſt the Inſult and barbarous Treatment of their Coun⯑tryman, by thoſe Bougre de Chiens, or Engliſh Dogs, as they were pleaſed to call us, his Students. The Prior calmly heard their juſt Accuſation, and faith⯑fully promiſed them, in Verbo Sacerdotis, to redreſs their Grievances, and inflict condign Puniſhment on thoſe who ſhould be ſound guilty of this vil⯑lainous and unpardonable Act of Cruelty. Accord⯑ingly he came into the Muſaeum, and caſt a piercing and obſervant Look over all the Scholars, hoping thereby to diſcern by their Countenances, who were the guilty Perſons; but as the moſt ſagacious and cunning, are ſometimes deceived, ſo was he. All his Artifices proved ineffectual, and therefore, he with Reaſon good, as we were formerly prov'd guilty of a Miſdemeanor, poſitively charged us with the Fact, and called us one by one, into a private Room, for further Examination; but we, who were alway true to each other, abſolutely de⯑nied that we either directly or indirectly, were privy to, or knew any Thing of what we were [19] thus charged with: And I, for my Part, to clear myſelf and Co-partners in the Crime, ſwore by the Holy Croſs of Chriſt, that then ſtood on a Table, in the Room, that we were no ways acceſſary, or concerned in the Commiſſion of this horrid Vil⯑lainy, and in Confirmation thereof on bended Knees, kiſſed and embraced the ſame. This ſo⯑lemn Proteſtation had its deſired Effect, and the Prior being thoroughly ſatisfied with this frank and unprecedented Manner of acquitting ourſelves, af⯑terwards treated us with more than uſual Marks of his Civility and Eſteem. Nor was it ever known during my Stay in the College, who were the Au⯑thors of the abovementioned Riot,

Affairs being thus happily accommodated, all Things ſeemed to bear the chearful Air of Joy, Peace and Tranquility, and I plyed my Studies ſo very diligently, that for the two following Years, I had the Honour to receive the annual Praemiums, given for the Encouragement of the induſtrious Student. Now the Eyes of the whole Synod was fix'd on me, of whom they had great Hopes, if they could by any Means or Arguments induce me, to relinquiſh all Thoughts of a gay and ſe⯑cular Life, and embrace a religious Monaſtical State, and to accompliſh this their Deſign, they treated me in a Manner different from that uſed towards the reſt of my Contemporaries, and by their artful and engaging Behaviour eaſily per⯑ſuaded me to promiſe that, with my Father's Conſent and Approbation, I would accept of the Habit, and add one more to the Number of the Faithful. But mark how Providence, by an unexpected and unforeſeen Accident, ſubverted and fruſtrated wha [...] [20] they with ſo much Art had endeavoured to obtain. As by the Benevolence, and kind Indulgence of my Father, I was conſtantly ſupplied with Money, I frequently went into the Town, partly for my Recreation, and partly to improve myſelf in the French Language, which I was very deſirous to become Maſter of, and therefore one Thurſday in the Afternoon, which is always a Holyday with us, I aſked Leave of the Prefect for me and my Companion, Roger Meynel, to go out and walk on the Ramparts. The Prefect being vexed at ſome Diſappointment or other, was in a ſullen moroſe Humour, and thereſore denied our Re⯑queſt. Exaſperated at this unexpected Denial, we determined Nolens Volens to accompliſh our Intent, and thus reſolved, we boldly went out at the Convent-Gate, into the Town, and from thence to a Tavern, where we gave a looſe to Pleaſure and revelled at large, till we were weary and intoxicated with Liquor, and then to ſober ourſelves we ſtagger'd about an Hour on the Ramparts; not unobſerved by many, and from thence we reel'd Home, but had the Wit to ſteal privately to Bed: When the Bell rang to Supper, we being miſſing, were enquired for; however, Anſwer was made by ſome of our Friends, that we were taken ill and gone to Bed. This Excuſe paſs'd for two or three Days, till a Gentleman who knew us, came to viſit the Prior, and informed him in what a ſcandalous, fooliſh Condition we had been obſerved on the publick Ramparts, which ſo highly incens'd our Governor, that after ſeveral Reprimands, he ordered us both to be ſmartly ſlogg'd. I was then in Poetry, and therefore was [21] ſo highly exaſperated at this Inſult, that I reſolved to lay aſide all thoughts of any further Progreſs in my Learning, and therefore betook myſelf to a ſullen and continued Silence, which I ſtrictly ob⯑ſerved for near a Month, and no Perſuaſions were able to alter my perverſe Diſpoſition, till Father Howard took me to taſk, and by his winning Af⯑fability, prevail'd on my ſullen Temper. This Gentleman indulged me with the free Uſe of his Chamber, where I ſpent my leiſure Hours with the umtoſt Pleaſure in the Peruſal of his Books, and was highly delighted with his ingenious Re⯑marks and Obſervations, on ſuch Authors as beſt ſuited my Genius, and heightened the natural Con⯑ceptions of my growing Capacity. Thus having relinquiſhed all Deſires of coming to England, I cloſely followed my Studies, and having ran through all the Claſſicks, I proceeded to Philo⯑ſophy, paſs'd through my Dialect of Logick, and was juſt entring upon a Courſe of Metaphyſicks, when an Order came for my immediate return Home.

This unexpected News greatly ſurprized the whole Houſe, and the Prior with my Conſent wrote to my Father, in the moſt moving Terms, urg'd the future Advantage I ſhould reap by a full Concluſion of what I had ſo happily began; but all his Endeavours were in vain, for the old Gen⯑tleman remained inflexible, and once more ſent a poſitive Order for my Removal, and alſo for five Guineas for my Return Home. Thus having bid adieu, and taken my laſt Farewell of the Re⯑ligious, and all my Fellow-Students, with Tears in my Eyes, I took Coach to St. Omers. We had [22] not drove above a Mile or two out of Town, but my gloomy Melancholy was diſpers'd and diſſipat⯑ed, by the Sprightlineſs and Alacrity of my Fellow-Travellers, conſiſting of two French Officers and three Ladies. The Thoughts of a College Life, were now turned into Gaiety and Pleaſure, and I was emulous to outſhine the Officers in Point of Complaiſance to my fair female Companions. At Night we arrived at St. Omers, where we had an elegant Supper, and ſpent the Evening with the utmoſt Mirth and Delight. The Ladies being excuſed from any Part in the Reckoning, accord⯑ing to the Cuſtom of France. From thence I took Poſt to Calais, and lodged at the Sign of the Ville des Londres (or the City of London) where I met with ſeveral Engliſh Gentlemen and Ladies that were waiting a Paſſage to England. Next Day hav⯑ing a Letter of Recommendation to my old Friend Mr. Francia, I went and din'd with him, who ge⯑nerouſly offered me the free Uſe of his Houſe dur⯑ing my ſtay at Calais; but pleaſed with the Va⯑riety of diverting Company at my Inn, I modeſtly declined his courteous Offer, becauſe thereby I had a greater Freedom of indulging my juvenile Follies and Extravagancies. The Wind continuing N. W. for near three Weeks, no Veſſel could ſtir out of the Harbour, wherefore my Money being almoſt exhauſted by this unexpected Delay, I was obliged to make Proof of Mr. Francia's Friend⯑ſhip, who procured me a Paſſage on board the Mary Sloop, Capt. Hawkins, who quartered at the ſame Inn with me and the reſt of the Company, who were all his Paſſengers. At laſt the Wind chopping about to the Southward, we all embark'd, [23] caſt of from the Key, and had a pleaſant Paſſage to Graveſend, where we went aſhore, and ſupped at the Faulcon Tavern and drank plentifully; but here I confeſs I ſat on Thorns, for having expend⯑ed all my Money, I was at a great Loſs how to diſcharge my Share of the Reckoning. At laſt I aſſumed an Air of Boldneſs, and putting my Hand in my Pocket, aſked the Gentleman that ſat next to me, if he would favour me with Change of a Piſtole, telling him that I had no Engliſh Coin; the Gentleman replied, Sir, a Crown is at your Ser⯑vice. I humbly thank'd him and readily accepted the pleaſing Proffer, which was ſufficient to diſ⯑charge my Dividend of the Reckoning; highly delighted at my good Luck, and the generous Treatment of a Stranger.

At laſt we arrived at Tower-ſtairs, and having returned many Thanks to the abovementioned Gentleman, and gave him Directions where my Father liv'd, I took my leave of the reſt of the Company, went aſhore, and call'd a Coach, and order'd him to drive to Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. My Father was ſtanding at his Door, but ſcarcely knew me, habited like a Frenchman, and dreſſed Ala⯑mode de Paris, till at laſt recovering himſelf from his Surprize, he took me into the Parlour and there tenderly embraced me. Numbers of the Neighbours came to compliment me on my ſafe return Home. Sometime after I had refreſhed my⯑ſelf, the good old Gentleman aſked me, what Courſe of Life I was willing to embrace, for my future Support and Maintenance. I propoſed the Study of the Law, or Phyſic, both which the re⯑jected, [24] and I at laſt by his earneſt Sollicitations, was bound Apprentice to him.

Mr. Thomas Gilpin, (my Fellow Apprentice) having then about one Year and a half to ſerve, my Father made uſe of this Opportunity, of giving me a further Education, and more ſuitable for the Tranſaction of Public Buſineſs than the former, and therefore he ſent me to Mr. Yeate's Academy, in Chancery-Lane, there to be perfect in Arithme⯑tic. He likewiſe provided me a French Maſter, who daily came to inſtruct me in the Theory of that uſeful Language, of which before I had no⯑thing but the practick Part. In the Evening, I went to a German Limner, in Craven-Buildings, there to learn that noble and ingenious Science of Drawing, ſo vaſtly beneficial in all the Stages of human Life. Thus for a conſiderable Time, my Thoughts were wholly intent on the Purſuit of the abovementioned Accompliſhments; till by Degrees falling into Company with ſome other gay Sparks▪ I grew weary of my habitual Exerciſes, and ſoo [...] found that my weekly Allowances was not ſuffi⯑cient to furniſh out thoſe frequent Excurſions. and Irregularities, that my unlimitted Deſires urged on [...] and excited by lewd Company, often ſubjecte [...] me to, and therefore I privately began to pilfer [...] (though at firſt with an Intent to repay) from th [...] ſeveral Quantities of old Silver, that were brough [...] into the Shop, and was grown ſo expert and cun [...]ning in this my villainous Practices, that neithe [...] my Father, nor Mr. Gilpin, ever ſuſpected me t [...] be any Ways concerned in ſuch baſe wicke [...] Practices.

[25] One Summer's Evening being ſent with a Bag of Plate to a Gentleman's Houſe in Groſven [...]r [...] ſquare, as I croſſed Covent Garden, I cha [...]ced to meet with a beautiful Lady, well dreſſed and gay, who by her airy Appearance, ſeemed to be a W [...]o⯑man of the Town; this Nymph, ſo ſtruck me at the firſt Sight, that I reſolved at all Events to fol⯑low her Home, which as it happened was not far off that Part of the Town, being the uſual Reſi⯑dence for thoſe of her Stamp. In ſhort, ſeeing her go into a Houſe, I thought myſelf ſecure, and went to a neighbouring Publican's, where calling for a Quartern of Brandy, by the Deſcription of my fair Charmer, I ſoon found that that was the uſual Place of her Reſidence and Abode. How⯑ever, having then a Charge of Plate, and being in a Diſhable, I durſt not preſume to gratify my ar⯑dent Deſires with my fair Phillis for the preſent, but reſolved at all Events to viſit her, the Sunday following, and therefore I diſcharged my Truſt and went Home. Her lovely Form, filled my Soul, and therefore all my earneſt Care and Study was, how to raiſe Money ſufficient to indulge and gratify my eager Wiſhes in the Poſſeſſion of thoſe Charms, with which I was ſo paſſionately enamour'd. Now Fortune, by the following unexpected Ac⯑cident, gave me an Opportunity to furniſh myſelf with a Sufficiency to execute my amorous Exploit. My Father according to Cuſtom, being gone to ſmoak a Pipe after Dinner, I was left alone in the Shop, and knowing that he would not return in leſs than an Hour, I thought this a proper Time to execute my intended Project; then going to his Deſk, to my great Joy and Surprize found the [26] Key in it, and willingly embracing this favourable Opportunity, opened the Deſk, and took ſeven Guineas out of the three ſeveral Bags, leaſt that Sum, if taken out of one, ſhould be miſſed, and I ſuſpected of the Fraud. No ſooner had I put the Money in my Pocket, but I called up the Maid to look after the Shop, whilſt I went back⯑wards and hid the Money, leaſt perchance I ſhould be diſcovered, and the Caſh found upon me. But the old Gentleman who never kept any regular Account thereof, never miſſed it, and I the Sunday following, having dreſſed myſelf to the beſt Ad⯑vantage, put three Guineas of my ſtolen Treaſure into my Pocket, and about three in the Afternoon went to viſit my lovely Goddeſs. Her Apartment was up one-Pair-of-Stairs, well furniſhed, her At⯑tendant an old ſuperannuated Curtezan, worn out in the Wars of Venus, who in a ſnuffling Tone, aſked me what I would pleaſe to have? I briſkly reply'd, your Lady. Sir, ſays ſhe, pleaſe to walk in, and ſhe will be here immediately. I obeyed the old Hag's Command, and ſeated myſelf in the Dining Room, where the old Bawd fatigued me with the fulſome and impertinent Diſcourſe, con⯑cerning her former antiquated Amours, and de⯑ſired me to treat her with a Glaſs of Wine; I rea⯑dily conſented, and flung down two Shillings for a Bottle; preſently after, in came my Phillis, I a⯑roſe, and paying my Reſpects, civilly ſaluted her. She returned the Compliment, and ſeating herſelf by me, with a pleaſing Air of Gaiety, and careleſs Negligence, orders her Servant to put on the Tea Kettle. Her Diſcourſe was melting and amorous, which ſo raiſed my youthful Vigour, that unable [27] any longer to oppoſe the mighty Force of Love, with eager Haſte, I conducted her to the Bed⯑chamber; but not willing ſo ſoon to quit the Com⯑pany of my Darling, I propoſed a Supper at the Fountain Tavern, in Katherine-ſtreet, and ſhe readily yielded to my Requeſt. But it being Summer-Time, and a fine Day, I handed her to the above⯑mentioned Place of Rendezvous, but was (to my Sorrow afterward) obſerved and taken Notice of by my Father, who watched my Motions, and ſaw me go into the ſaid Tavern. Nevertheleſs, for ſome ſecret Cauſe unknown to me, he avoided my Sight; and I wholly intent on my amorous Dalli⯑ances of Love, never ſo much as ſaw him, nor had the leaſt Suſpicion of his being privy to my ſecret Amour. In ſhort, we had an elegant Supper, Arrack Punch, Jellies, and other Provocations to Luſt, and about Three in the Morning I diſcharg'd the Reckoning, ſatisfied my mercenary Nymph for her Attendance, and well pleaſed with this my firſt Entrance into this new Scene of Life, went Home, little thinking how dearly I ſhould pay for ſo trivial and tranſitory a Pleaſure.

The next Day my Father called me to him, and with an angry and frowning Countenance, aſked me where I had been Yeſterday in the Afternoon, and what induced me to keep ſuch unreaſonable Hours? I replied that I had been at Church, and afterwards in Company with two or three of my Companions. Mr. Gilpert, ſays he, I know your Tricks, and therefore think myſelf in Duty bound to chaſtiſe, and reſtrain your libidinous Exceſſes, by a timely and ſevere Puniſhment; ſo taking me down into the Cellar, he made me ſtrip, and there [28] ſcourg'd me very heartily with a Horſewhip, and afterwards ordered that I ſhould not be admitted again to his Table, until by my future and good Behaviour, I had amply atoned for my former paſt Offence. But this harſh Treatment had not the deſired Effect; for being baniſhed from my Fa⯑ther's, I dined with the Maid, and my Deſires daily waxed more fierce and ardent; wherefore to appeaſe the Rage and Torrent of Luſt, I made a vigorous Attack on the Servant, who neither armed with the Shield of Modeſty or Virtue, made a faint Reſiſtance, and ſoon rendered herſelf a Victim. Nor was I wanting in Generoſity to my new and pretty. I cannot omit to tell you, that one Day having bought a Pair of Gold laced Shoes for my Chloe, (my Father being out) I called her up into the Parlour, and ſhut the Shop Door. Ma⯑dam, ſaid I, ſaluting her; pleaſe to accept of this Trifle, and with it the Heart of your Admirer. This, I preſume, is a Proof of your being ſole Miſtreſs of my Eſteem and Affections, which I ſhall always maintain fixed and unalterable. Chloe well pleaſed with the Preſent, fondly careſſed me, which ſo fann'd the amorous Flame, that notwith⯑ſtanding my Father's expected immediate Return, or any one's coming about Buſineſs, I haſten'd to enjoy her. But as the Devil would have it my Father knock'd at the Door, at which Confuſion and Shame o'erſpread my Countenance. However, Chloe had the good Fortune to get off unperceived by him, who ſeeing the lac'd Shoes ſtanding on the Table, ſaid, Pray whoſe are theſe? methink [...] they are very gay. I replied, Sir, a Lady of whom I bought ſome Silver Lace, deſir'd ſhe [29] might leave them here till her return. This An⯑ſwer as I plainly perceived was not ſatisfactory to the old Gentleman, who ever after kept a ſtricter Eye both on my Conduct in Point of Honeſty, and Behaviour towards the Maid; wherefore I grew more cautious and artful in tricking him of Caſh, and more vigilant and circumſpect in the Purſuit of my Amours, till having by Hypocriſy, and a well diſſembled good Behaviour, reinſtated my ſelf in the Love and Eſteem of my Father.

I was again admitted to his Table, and all for⯑mer Flights of Youth buried in Oblivion, till one Sunday Night coming Home drunk, and finding no body there, but the Maid, I out of a Frolick, toyed with her on the Kitchen Floor, but by ill Fortune was again ſurpriz'd by my Father, who contrary to Cuſtom opening the Shutters of the Kitchen Window, ſaw me engaging in the amo⯑rous Combat.

The Wench and I were both ignorant of this unexpected Diſcovery, and he for that Night took no Notice thereof; but the next Morning he called up the Maid, whom he immediately diſcharged, and ſeverely reprimanded me, vowing by all that was good and ſacred, that if I ever was guilty of the like Impudence, he would totally diſcard, and turn me like a Vagabond out of Doors; and fur⯑thermore to prevent ſuch Diſorders in his Houſe, he hired a grave, ſedate Matron, and who (as he thought) was paſt the Follies and Dalliances of Love; but as there can be no Reaſon aſſigned for that bewitching Paſſion, [...]o neither the wrinkled Furrows of her aged Face, nor the Vigilancy of my Father, were able to reſtrain my furious and [30] ardent Deſires of enjoying that living Sepulchre; but as Youth and Age are as oppoſite as Fire and Water, ſo the cold and feeble Embraces of this antiquated Dame, ſerv'd only to allay and quench my luſtful Ardour, which reillumin'd by the va⯑rious and pleaſing Objects of the Town, therefore in the Bloom of vigorous Youth I purſed the wil⯑ling Fair ones, who tho' like the Apples of Go⯑morrah, they appear beauteous and alluring without, yet are their Inſides both rotten and peſtilen⯑tial.

I ſoon grew tainted by their poiſonous Infection, for the Cure of which, I ſecretly apply'd myſelf to an able Surgeon, who religiouſly kept my Secret, and faithfully diſcharged his Truſt with Honour and Integrity.

One Evening being in Liquor, as I croſſed Drury Lane, I was ſaluted by a Female, who in a ſoft and engaging Voice ſaid, Come my Dear, won't you give me a Pint of Wine, and as Bacchus is the conſtant Companion of Love, I replied, Yes, my Angel; ſo in I carried her to the Feathers Ta⯑vern, up Stairs we went, and I called for a Bottle of Wine, when as ſoon as we had drank a Glaſs or two a-piece, I grew paſſionately fond of my new Prize, which ſhe obſerving, and ſeeing me diſguiſed in Liquor, reſolved to make her Market, and therefore inſiſted upon Half a Crown before Hand; I condeſcended, and fooliſhly gave it her, but was then no nearer the Point I aim'd at than before: Well ſaid ſhe, give me the other two Shil⯑lings and Sixpence, and you ſhall be feaſted, which I had no ſooner parted with, and was preparing for the wanton Engagement, but upon a Stamp that [31] ſhe gave with her Foot, in ruſh'd four more bold Viragoes, who ſeizing me, held my Hands, and rifled my Pockets, ſwearing that if I offered to make a Noiſe, or cry out, that they would charge me with a Conſtable, for attempting to abuſe them. At the Word Conſtable, I was ſorely affrighted, fearing I ſhould be expoſed, and my Father be⯑come acquainted therewith; wherefore I ſeem⯑ingly condeſcended to what I could by no Means prevent.

When they had robbed me of every Thing valu⯑ble except my Cloaths, they ſwore they would ſtrip me, if I did not call for a Bottle of Arrack, wherefore to prevent the impending Ruin, that would have proved my total Overthrow, I readily ſubmitted to their Impoſition, and ringing the Bell odrered the Drawer to bring in my Forfeit, (for that was the Term they ordered me to make uſe of;) no ſooner was the Bottle out, but the ſhe devils diſappeared, and left me alone to bemoan my unfortunate diſappointment.

In ſhort, I went to the Bar, and loudly com⯑plained of the ill Treament I had met with, but it availed nothing, for the Landlady inſiſted on her Reckoning, and ſaid, Sir, I know nothing of the Women, they came in with you, had you applied to me for a Lady I ſhould have provided you one, and been accountable for her Civility and good Behaviour; at length finding it in vain to diſpute, I left my Waiſtcoat to ſatisfy her Demands, and went Home much ſobered by the Fright and Sur⯑prize that I had been in.

Sometime after this, ſtanding alone at the Shop Door, an old Woman came and gav [...] me a Letter ſealed with [32] a Thimble, (a Mark peculiar to fallen Women) I opened it, and found by the Scrawl, that it came from the Maid whom my Father had formerly diſcharged on my Account; the Contents were, that ſhe was big with Child, and expected in a Fortnight or three Weeks to be brought to Bed; and therefore if I was willing to ſcreen myſelf from Shame and Diſgrace, I muſt take Care, purſuant to the Directions in the Letter, either to come and ſee her, or elſe ſend a con⯑ſtant ſupply during her lying-in; but that if I failed to comply with her requeſt, that ſhe ſhould through neceſſity be forced to expoſe me. I was not a little ſtartled at this ſudden, and, as I thought, unreaſon⯑able demand; however, I gave the Bearer half a crown for her uſe, and ſixpence for her own trouble in bringing the unwelcome letter, with a promiſe ſhortly to viſit my Molly, and eaſe her under her misfortunes; but as the old ſaying is, Out of ſight out of Mind, I forgot my promiſe, but ſhe ſtrictly obſerved hers, for in leſs than three Weeks ſhe ſwore the baſtard to me▪ and I was taken into cuſtody for the ſame. Hereupon I immediately wrote to my father, who came and paſſed his word to ſee the affair compounded, which he in three days time, upon the payment of 15 l. with the utmoſt ſecrecy effected.

This was a ſtanding memorial of my folly, and therefore to blot out the remembrance of it, I ſeemed vaſtly uneaſy and ſhagrined, inſomuch, that my father took notice thereof, and kindly compaſſionating my anxious troubles, and diſquietude of mind, gener ouſly forgave the offence, and promiſed never to reflect on theſe my former f [...]ights of youth. Having thus freed myſelf from this ſcandalous reflection, I purſued my former pleaſures, and being [...] in high eſteem and [33] credit with my father, I artfully altering the figures and current of the caſh book, amaſſed together a con⯑ſiderable ſum, which I hid in the cellar, making uſe thereof on extraordinary occaſions. My reigning fa⯑vourit [...]s were Molly St. Gerrge, Phebe Player, and Sally King, with whom I indulged myſelf in all libidinous exceſſes, as often as time or opportunity would permit.

Being now almoſt grown to man's eſtate, and my father was taken very ill, and obliged to keep his bed, and therefore the whole charge of the buſineſs lay upon my hands, and to do myſelf juſtice, (during the time of his ſickneſs) I faithfully diſcharged the great truſt repoſed in me; honour, gratitude, and filial duty, gaining the aſcendant over the baſe allurements of a depraved nature. Now the good gentleman dying, left me a large fortune, and a ſhop well ſtocked with a⯑bundance of plate, jewels, and other valuable effects, as alſo a ſet of worthy gentlemen for my cuſtomers, who (to their [...]onour and credit be it ſpoken) diſ⯑charged their debts due to the deceaſed, and continued their favours to me his unworthy ſon. My father no⯑minated three Executors, viz. Francis Cunning, Eſq Mr. Richard Lacon, and Mr. Thomas Gilpin, who all unanimouſly agreed, that I, altho' under age, ſhould carry on the buſineſs, and Mr. [...] as an Overſeer and obſerver of my behaviour in this new ſcene of life, boarded with me in the houſe.

Now the goddeſs of fortune ſeemed to ſhower down her favours on me, and my trade daily encreaſing, I found it abſolutely neceſſary to hire a journeyman, and a boy to run on errands. I now totally relinquiſhed all thoughts of extravagancy, abhorred and deteſted my former vicious courſe of life, and therefore for my [34] inſtruction and amuſement, I furniſhed myſelf with a ſelect library of books, and was ſo conſtant and dili⯑gent in my buſineſs, that it was the received and ge⯑neral opinion of the town, that young Langley would in a few years gain a plentiful eſtate; and had I been ſo happy as to have maintained the prudent and diſ⯑creet Oeconomy that I obſerved at my firſt launching out into the world, I had certainly verified thoſe can⯑did conceptions that the town in general had conceiv'd of me; for in the firſt year that I followed buſineſs, upon the ballance of accounts, I found myſelf 700 l. gainer by my trade, and that more likely to encreaſe than diminiſh, if I trod thoſe paths in which I had ſo wiſely began. But alaſs! what is ſo prevalent on youth as bad example, diſguiſed under the falſe pre⯑text of paternal care, and inviolable friendſhip.

M. [...] (whom I mentioned before) was the only acting executor, wherefore to pleaſe him was all my earneſt care and ſtudy; now this gentleman hav⯑ing imprudently entruſted me with my brother's for⯑tunes, which were 1000 l. on the payment of 5 l. per cent, I naturally grew fond of his company, and made him a preſent of a gold watch and chain, thinking thereby, more firmly to rivet myſelf in his affections, and wholly engage him to my intereſt; and by my art⯑ful and engaging behaviour, I won ſo inſenſibly upo [...] him, that (laying aſide the reſpect and awe du [...] to a guardian) he not only repoſed an entire confidenc [...] in me, and never examined into the ſtate of my affairs [...] but choſe, nay even inſiſted on my being his companion [...] and partner in his frequent debauches, which by the [...] continual repetitions ſo vitiated my former principle [...] that the young goldſmith was ſoon metamorphoſed in to the pro [...]uſe prodigal and ſpend thrift.

[35] Thus having none to awe and reſtrain my unbound⯑leſs and unlimited deſires, I ſoon became a profeſt rake, and whoremaſter; I cannot forget one night, being in company with [...] and having drank very plenti⯑fully, I propoſed to conduct him to the apartments of one of my favourite ladies; he ſeemed highly pleaſed with the proffer, and took coach and drove to madam's lodgings, who being a well bred woman, entertained us in a courteous and obliging manner: The old gentle⯑man was ſoon captivated with her charms, and burn'd for enjoyment, which I obſerving, called her aſide, and ſaid, Madam, the gentleman is my uncle, and therefore I deſire you would oblige him, and me alſo, in the requeſt I am now going to make you; ſhe, with a ſmile conſented; whereupon, I ordered her, whilſt the fumbler was in the vain purſuit of delight, to pick his pocket of ſome notes that I knew he had about him. She faithfully performed her promiſe, and afterwards gave them into my Hands.

Shortly after this, ſhe and he (after ſeveral at⯑tempts to do, what in reality he could not effect) re⯑turned into the dining-room, little thinking of the merry trick that had been put upon him. To be brief, we ſtaid till about three in the morning, then calling a coach, went home.

The next day, recollecting himſelf where he had been, and miſſing his bills, called for me, and acquaint⯑ed me with his loſs, and that he ſuſpected that, that damn'd painted whore had ſtolen them from him. I ſeemed to be in a paſſion, and ſware, that I believed ſhe would ſcorn ſo baſe an action, but that for his ſatisfaction, I would go and enquire into the matter, and at the ſame time let him know, that if ſhe had them, ſhe would inſiſt on a handſome preſent on the [36] delivery of the ſame; damn her, ſays he, give her two guineas, and place them to my account. Thus the old gentleman paid the forfeit due to his folly, and Mrs. Morris and I revelled the enſuing night at his coſt and charge. This impoſition gave the old fool ſuch a diſtaſte and abhorrence to the female proſtitutes, that after I had returned him his notes, he ſolemly vowed and declared never to converſe with any of them for the future.

Sometime after, (as the Biter is Bit at laſt) a Gentleman well dreſſed, ſtopt at my Door in a Coach, and coming into the Shop, complimented me on my Father's Deceaſe, and expreſſed the great Value and Eſteem he had for him, and that upon his Account he was willing to continue his Favours, for the Encouragement of me his Son. I humbly thank'd him for his Civility, and told him, I ſhould ſtrenuouſly endeavour to maintain the good Repute, and fair Character of my deceaſ⯑ed Father, by a ſtrict Adherence to his Principles of inviolable Honour, and Integrity. He, full fraught with Deceit, ſeem'd highly pleaſed with my Reply; and therefore, as a ſeeming Promiſe of his Friendſhip, beſpoke 150l. worth of Plate, and after he had given me the Impreſſion of his Coat of Arms, from a Seal that hung to his Gold Watch, ſaid, He ſhould be glad to take a Glaſs of Wine with me. I was proud of the Honour, and we went to a neighbouring Tavern, where drink⯑ing plentifully, he took the Opportunity, whilſt I was elevated with Liquor, to propoſe a Lady to me in Marriage, who (altho' deform'd) he ſaid, had 50,000l. Fortune; and further more he added▪ that ſhe was under his Tuition, and Direction of [37] his Spouſe; and that if I pleaſed to come down to his Country Seat, he would engage to gain her Conſent, and bring her to a very ſpeedy Compli⯑ance.

This artful Bait had its deſir'd Effect, for I now not only look'd on him as a good Cuſtomer, but as a worthy Friend, and therefore I invited him to Dinner with me the next Day, and he in return engaged me to ſup with him the next Evening at his Lodgings in Taviſtock-Street where an elegant Entertainment was provided. The Chambers were richly furniſh'd, and illuminated with Wax Candles▪ in ſilver Candleſticks, and Sconces, in the ſame Metal; two Footmen in lac'd Liveries waited at Supper, and every Thing augmented the Opinion I had already received of his being a Gentleman of a large and plentiful Eſtate. A⯑bout Twelve I took my Leave of him, and the next Day gave Orders for getting ready his Plate as ſoon as poſſible, which being done, he in about a Week's Time came to me; I ſhew'd him the Plate, with which he was extreamly pleaſed, and highly commended the curious Workmanſhip thereof; and ſaid, Sir, Come let's take a Bottle before we part, for to Morrow Morning I muſt go to my Country Seat. I with Pleaſure yielded to his Requeſt, and whilſt we were in the Tavern, he pull'd out his Pocket-Book, and gave me a Note on a Vintner in Bartholomew-Cloſe, for 150 l. payable in three Weeks; ſaying, Sir, This I preſume is the ſame to you as ready Caſh; but pleaſe for your own Satisfaction, to ſend immedi⯑ately and enquire into the Character of the Man▪ I readily obey'd his Order, and finding by the [38] Account I receiv'd from my Servant, that the Vintner was a Perſon of a fair Character; upon his Endorſement of the Note, I accepted it in full Payment for my Goods, and ſent the Plate pack'd up to the Gun Tavern at Billingſgate, purſuant to his Order; neither did I forget to take a Direction where he liv'd in the Country, but promiſed, as ſoon as poſſible to viſit my intended▪ wealthy Bride.

In ſhort, we parted, and I went Home quite blown up with the aſpiring Thoughts of raiſing my Fortune at once and making a ſplendid and gay Appearance in the World; but as I lay one Night in my Bed, ruminating on the imaginary Poſſeſſion of the Nymph, who (like the Goddeſs of Riches) was to load me with her Favours a ſudden Thought eclipſed my Joys, perhaps (ſays I to myſelf) I am deceived, and this great Fortune like Fary-land, as ſoon as ſeen diſappears, wherefore I reſolv'd to ſend to my Neighbour [...] (a cunning and artful Man, whoſe Veracity and Integrity I had often experienced) the next Day down to the Gentleman's Seat, with Orders to make a private Enquiry in the Neighbourhood, of the Truth and Reality of what my ſeeming Friend had given me ſo fair an Expectance of. Accordingly I gave him two Guineas, and loaded with Inſtructions, he de⯑parted.

I was now rack'd with alternate Hope and Fear till his Return, which was in three Days Time, when he ingeniouſly told me, that after the utmoſt Search and ſtricteſt Scrutiny it was poſſible for Man to make, he could not find out, or even hear of any ſuch Gentleman or Lady that ever lived or [39] reſided in that Country. This was ſhocking News to me, and I reaſonably conjectured, that ſince I was deceiv'd in my Miſtreſs, there was alſo ſome Fallacy in the Note he had given me in Payment for my Goods; but ſince I had accepted the ſame, I knew no other Remedy but to wait with Patience, till Time ſhould bring to Light the Fraud, and diſcover the whole Villainy. As I judged, ſo it happened, for on ſending my Servant with the Note, after three Days Grace to demand the Mo⯑ney, the Vintner was gone, and his Houſe ſhut up. Highly incens'd at this baſe and ſcandalous Trick I vowed revenge on the pretended Gentle⯑man, and reſolved if poſſible, at all Events, to lay him by the Heels, and make an Example of him, to deter others from the like Falſhood and Trea⯑chery.

About a Fortnight afterwards, a Gentlewoman came to my Shop, and deſired to ſpeak with me in private; I led her into the Parlour, where ſhe immediately burſt out into Tears, and for ſome Time, could not utter a Word, till being recover'd from her Diſorder, ſhe ſaid, Sir, I am ruin'd and undone for ever, that Villain [...] has impoſed on my Huſband's Credulity, and under a Pretence of raiſing him 450 l. by the Diſcount of his Notes, to keep his Payments good with the Wine-Merchant, has obtain'd three Notes of Hand of him for 150 l. each, which he has paid away, and applied the Money to his own Uſe.

This (I confeſs) at firſt ſtartled me, but upon a further enquiry, I found that her huſband was the ſame perſon on whom I had the abovementioned note, endors'd to me by the ſaid Anthony G [...], the [40] ſham gentleman, and my pretended friend; ſo com⯑miſerating her deplorable circumſtances, I not only pro⯑miſed not to trouble her huſband, but alſo to uſe my intereſt and endeavour with the other gentlemen (my fellow ſufferers in the fraud) to engage them to a com⯑pliance, in granting Mr. M [...], her huſband, a letter of licence for three years. Highly ſatisfied with this ganerous proffer, and a farther aſſurance of my reſenting the injury and injuſtice done both to myſelf and her by Mr. G [...],ſhe humbly thank'd me and departed, leaving directions with me where to find her husband.

Next Day, according to my promiſe, I went to the Gentlemen, who being of tender and human Diſpoſitions, were eaſily brought to an Accom⯑modation, wherefore ſending for M [...], and an Attorney, we agreed on Terms to the Satisfac⯑tion of all Parties. But one Day walking along Fleet Street, near St. Dunſtan's, a ſtrange Gentleman came up to me, and aſked me, whether my Name was not Langley, I replied, Yes. Sir, ſays he, have you not a Demand on one Anthony G [...]? Yes, Sir, quoth I, well then ſaid he, we'll ſtep in⯑to the Bull Head, and there I'll inform you further of the Matter. So in we went, where he told me, that he had G [...] Dead-ſet, and that if I would give him one Guinea, he would engage to have him in cloſe Quarters in leſs than an Hour, Overjoyed at this News, I freely granted him his Demand, and told him that I would wait there till his return; but had I been as good as my Word, I ſhould have ſtaid there till now, for I never ſaw him afterwards. This ſecond Bite exaſperated me more than the former, and I reſolved if ever I [41] caught G [...], to make him pay for all. Where⯑fore I employed a briſk and expert Attorney to hunt him out, and promiſed to be accountable for all Charges in the Execution thereof. At laſt, I took the Villain, and clapt him into the Marſhal-Priſon, where he obliged me to ſue him to an Ex⯑ecution, and there he remained during the whole Time that I continued in Trade.

Some Time after this, I became acquainted with a Vintner, near Gray's Inn Gate, in Holborn, with whom I contracted ſuch an Intimacy that very Evening I paid a Viſit, and he was fooliſhly fond of Horſe Racing, Cock Fighting, Hunting, and the like expenſive and coſtly Paſtimes, and Diver⯑ſions, and being a conſtant Attendant at Newmarket Seaſons, kept a good Gelding for that Purpoſe. Being daily at his Houſe, he often ſollicited me to accompany him thither, and greatly enlarged on the Grandeur of the Aſſembly, and the Variety of Recreations and Amuſements that preſented them⯑ſelves, for the Delight of the curious Spectators. At laſt, I yielded to his Requeſt, and furniſhed myſelf with a good Saddle Horſe, and other Jockey-like Accou [...]rements, ſuitable to the Hu⯑mour of ſuch vain and giddy Fools, who neglect⯑ing their proper Employments, endeavour to ſhine in a Sphere of Life, that renders them the Scorn and Contempt of Men of Fortune.

Newmarket is ſeated in a Bottom, and hath no⯑thing to recommend it, but the extravagant Im⯑poſition of the Inn-keepers, occaſioned by the nu⯑merous Concourſe of hair-brained Fellows, that ſwarm like Ants in a Mole Hill, whilſt the raſcally [42] Grooms, under Pretence of letting them into th [...] Secret, pick their Pockets, and run away with thei [...] Money.

In the High Street is a Coffee Houſe, a commo [...] Receptacle for N [...] and Sharpers, Thieve [...] and common Tradeſmen, who paſs the Evening [...] Hazard, where the Noblemen looſes his Eſtat [...] the Tradeſmen his Caſh and Credit, whilſt th [...] others laugh at their Stupidity, and enrich them⯑ſelves by their Downfall. Early in the Morning the Heath ſwarms with Horſes and Dogs, as th [...] Land of Egypt did formerly with Locuſts, when every one purſues the Bent of his Inclinations, ge⯑nerally compriſed under the three following Claſſe [...] ſome Hunt, ſome Courſe, and the reſt ſtand ga [...] ⯑ing at the Race Horſes, taking their Mornin [...] Sweats, who are ſo ſwaddled up, that were the [...] not a diſtinct Part of the Creation, any reaſonab [...] Man would take them for ſo many Egyptian Mu [...] ⯑mies raiſed from the Dead, to ſcamper upon th [...] graſſy Turff, for the Benefit of the Mornin [...] Air.

About Twelve each Troop haſtens to its Ba [...] ⯑racks, like Oxen to Smithfield, on a Market Day where the mercenary Grooms are looking out ſha [...] for new Faces, to wheedle themſelves into a go [...] Dinner, and ſtriving to out do each other in lying pretending to give you as true a Genealogy of t [...] Race of Horſes, as an Antiquarian of Wales cou [...] of Owen Tudor's Family. About Three in t [...] Afternoon, the Horſes are led upon the Cour [...] where the whole Company aſſembles at the Devi [...] Ditch, and there till Four, they are as noiſy a [...] buſy as ſo many Stock Jobbers, or Jew Brokers [...] [43] Exchange Alley, a little before the Drawing of a State Lottery. A little after Four, at the ſolemn Beat of a Drum, the Horſes ſtart, and the whole Hoſt, like a Company of wild Arabs, in a confuſed and promiſcuous Rout, ſcour after them without Rhime or Reaſon, and at the Turn of the Lands, ſet up as hideous an Out-cry, as a Parcel of naked Wenches diſcovered bathing in a River; ſome damning the Riders, and others the Horſes, for loſing the Heat, whilſt the Winners laugh in their Sleeves, and pay as much Reverence and Ho⯑mage to the Victor, led into the Town, as the In⯑dians do at preſent to any of their moſt celebrated Pagods. Here it was that I firſt caught the ruin⯑ous Itch of Gaming, which was ever after ſo pre⯑valent, that I could not ſee a Box and Dice, but I was as fond of the Gewgaw as a Child is of a Rattle, and at firſt (as the old Saying is, the Devil is kind to a young Gameſter) I won upwards of 700 l. and had the Wit and Diſcretion to carry it off; but this was but a glimmering of life, that vainly buoys up the departing Patient, before the fatal approach of Death; for in leſs than ſix Months, I doubled the Loſs of my former Gain, and by my too fre⯑quent Extravagancies, now found my Circum⯑ſtances in a melancholy Poſture, and my Subſtance vaſtly impaired; however, I play'd my Cards ſo artfully, that none of my Creditors ever ſuſpected me in the leaſt guilty of ſo much Imprudence and Folly.

One Day being at my Friend the Vintner's Houſe, he called me aſide, and deſired me to take his Niece to my Service; I readily condeſcended, and giving my old Servant a Month's Warning, [44] prepared for the Reception of the new one, whom, on her Uncle's Account, I always uſed with the utmoſt Civility and good Manners. In ſhort, af⯑ter ſhe had been with me a Month, I diſcovered ſomething ſo innocent and modeſt in her Behaviour, that ſo inſenſibly ſtole upon me, that in deſpite of my vicious and inordinate Deſires, her Virtue ſo awed and reſtrained my villainous Intentions, that for ſome Time, I durſt not approach her but with the utmoſt Reſpect and Modeſty, till one fatal Night to her, coming Home a little elate with Liquor, I called for a Bottle of Wine, and deſired her Company to partake of it; ſhe with a Bluſh modeſtly excuſed herſelf, which rather heightened than diminiſhed my Paſſion; and therefore I in⯑ſiſted on her Compliance with my friendly Re⯑queſt; ſhe conſented, and I took this favourable Opportunity to acquaint her with my ſincere Love, and Eſteem; then turning the Diſcourſe to an amo⯑rous Scene, gave her to underſtand, by a double Entendre, the Meaning of my foul Deſign. Whe⯑ther her amorous Star had then the Aſcendant, I ſoon read her approaching Deſtiny, who was then upon the Point of being ruined by me, without any Regard to my former Eſteem for her, or the Friendſhip I had long profeſſed to her Uncle; ſuch Is the Worth of a Man given up to Luſt, and of ſuch Value his Friendſhip.

My own Houſe, which before ſeemed to me a [...] Priſon, was now changed into a perfect Elyſium▪ and I neither knew, nor wiſhed for any greate [...] Bliſs, than the Pleaſure of my never to be forgot⯑ten Clarinda's Society, for ſhe diſdained all merce⯑nary [45] Ends, and was far more deſerving of being the legal Partner of a Marriage Bed, than Miſtreſs of a lawleſs Love, that ſometime or other would prove her Ruin.

In ſhort, had I been ſo happy and prudent, as to have made her my Wife, I am well aſſured, that the Union of the ſacred Knot, would have ex⯑empted me from various Inconveniences, that de⯑ſtable Poverty and horrid Want in the Sequal ex⯑poſed me to. During the Heat of my Amour, I had ſeveral advantageous Offers of Marriage pro⯑poſed to me, which I declined for the following Reaſon, viz. That the Parents or Friends of ſuch young Ladies that were actually in a Capacity to beſtow on them large Fortunes, inſiſted on proper Settlements for their Daughters, and alſo an exact Scrutiny into my Affairs, which although by my artful and deceitful Conduct, appeared to be in a flouriſhing Condition, yet if nicely examined into, there was nothing to be found, but the Ruins, and poor Remains of a ſhattered Fortune; for by this Time I had obtained a conſiderable Credit from ſe⯑veral Merchants in Jewels, and by the punctual Payment of my Bills, my Notes paſſed as current as thoſe of the Bank, and I confequently was re⯑puted a great and eminent Trader, particularly in that moſt advantageous and profitable Part of Bu⯑ſineſs; but alaſs! to my Sorrow, I only fulfilled the old Engliſh Proverb, Robbing Peter to pay Paul; for under the ſpecious Pretence of diſpoſing of the abovementioned Goods to Perſons of Qua⯑lity, I ſecretly pawned them to thoſe, who out of a ſordid Lucre of Gain, and an avaracious Deſire of [46] more than legal Intereſt, ſupplied me with what Caſh I required, and by their Indiſcretion and Fol⯑ly, in relyiag on my Integrity, ſuffered them to be greatly impoſed upon by me, who frequently bor⯑rowed larger Sums on thoſe Goods, than what I had contracted to pay for them.

By this Means I had always a large Quantity of Money at my Command, and thinking this Arti⯑fice would always paſs undiſcovered, I liv'd more like an Heir apparent to a great Eſtate, than a wary and induſtrious Tradeſman. Aſſemblies, Opera's, Maſquerades, Plays, and Country Jour⯑nies, were now my only Delight, and my ſole favourite Companions, ſuch young Gentle⯑men, who were either in the full Poſſeſſion of large Eſtates, or in a fair Expectation of the ſame.

I can't omit, that two of theſe young Sparks and I, having made an Agreement to paſs a Fort⯑night or three Weeks at Greenwich, for the Benefit of the Air in the Summer Seaſon, we quartered at the Greyhound Inn there; when one Evening over a merry Bottle, a Propoſal was made to pa⯑trole through the Town in queſt of Ladies of Pleaſure, which was readily agreed too by all Par⯑ties; but finding none there either handſome enough or fitting for our Purpoſes, I immediately pro⯑poſed to return to London, and bring down three of the beſt of that Stamp, that I could find were willing to indulge themſelves with the Diverſions of a Country Life. My Companions highly ap⯑plauded my Deſign, and I took a pair of Oars, which preſently waſted me to Temple-Stairs, where [47] as ſoon as I landed, I went in Purſuit of my Game, and being well known to the Porter at the Roſe in Covent-Garden, to him I apply'd for the Execu⯑tion of my Deſign.

The Porter went directly out, whilſt I called for a Pint of Wine, to wait for his Return, who in a⯑bout half an Hour's Time brought three wanton Laſſes well dreſſed, and not diſagreeable; I aroſe, and ſaluting them, ſaid, Ladies, pleaſe to ſeat your⯑ſelves; my Buſineſs is to acquaint you, that your Company is deſired for a Fortnight or three Weeks at Greenwich, where you may be aſſured to be treated in the moſt courteous and polite Manner; for the Perſons that you will have to do with, are Gentlemen of Honour, and therefore if you approve of my Propoſal, pleaſe to provide your⯑ſelves with ſuch Linnen and Apparel as you ſhall think proper for your Uſe, during your Reſi⯑dence in the Country, I'll remain here an Hour longer; ſo Ladies, if ye are willing, go and pre⯑pare yourſelves for the Journey. They unani⯑mouſly agreed, and dropping a Curtiſie at their go⯑ing out of the Room, returned with their Bag⯑gage within the Time appointed. I called a Coach and drove to the Temple Stairs, where I took a Pair of Oars, and landed at Greenwich, but not without the repeated Inſults of opprobious Language, com⯑monly uſed by the Vulgar on the Thames; how⯑ever, my Female Companions verified the Latin Adage, Nemo me impune laceſſit, and returned their Scurrility with as ſmart and ſatyrical repartees, as if they had ſerved a ſeven Years Apprenticeſhip to any of the moſt celebrated Fiſhwomen at Bil⯑lingſgate.

[48] I looked upon myſelf now as an Eaſtern Mo⯑narch, bearing as abſolute Sway in my floating Seraglio, as the Grand Seignior ever did in his ſumptuous Edifice at Conſtantinople. In ſhort I conducted the Ladies to the Greyhound Inn, where my Companions were with Impatience, waiting for my Return. Upon our Entrance into the Room, they civilly complimented the Women, and we being all ſeated, I ſaid, Gentlemen, I pre⯑ſume I have anſwered your Expectations, and honourably diſcharged my Truſt, pleaſe therefore to take the firſt Choice, and the Nymph that hath not the Honour to pleaſe either of you, ſhall be the Co-Partner of my Bed, and be taken under immediate Care and Protection. This generous Offer augmented their Delight, and each Pyramis choſe his favourite Thiſbe. Now nothing was to be ſeen but perfect Harmony, and an uninterrupt⯑ed Scene of Joys, the Gods of Love and Wine, by alternate Poſſeſſion, reſided in our Hearts, nor were the Sylvan Deities exempt from participating the mutual and tranſporting Pleaſures that we ful⯑ly poſſeſſed, in the ſhady Retirement of the ad⯑jacent Park; but thoſe ſoft and endearing Careſſes of our amorous Goddeſſes, by reiterated Repi⯑titions, grew dull and infipid, and we cloy'd and wearied with the continual Performance of daily Sacrifice to the Cyprian Dame, reſolved to put a merry Trick upon the Ladies, and leave them in the Lurch.

One Day after we had dined, we deſired them to go and walk in the Park, and we would follow im⯑mediately and order the Tea-kettle, and other Ne⯑ceſſaries, to be brought up with us thither.

[49] They ſeemed well pleaſed with our Requeſt, and readily obeyed, whereupon we called our Landlord, and paid him his Bill, and then croſſed the Water to the Iſle of Dogs, where we ſpent the Remainder of the Day in Mirth and Jollity, highly diverted that we had bilked the Proſtitutes of their expected Fare. They walked in the Park a long Time, and ſeeing no Appearance of us, or the Servant of the Houſe, re⯑turned to the Inn, and on Enquiry, finding that we were gone, (as the Landlord told them by our Order) to London, they quarrelled with each other for their Folly, in complying with our Requeſt, before they had had Satisfaction for their Ware; but finding it in vain to trifle away their Time in railing and ſcolding to no Purpoſe, they hired a Pair of Oars for London and as ill Fortune would have it, our Boats both met [...]ver-againſt Cuckolds Point; they immediately ſet up a Cry, that both alarmed and ſurprized us, the Female Virago's were for boarding, but we ſheered off as faſt as we could, and encouraging our Watermen to make Way, we in ſpite of our Adverſaries, kept a⯑bout ſour Boats Length a-head of them, but were forced to bear the Laſh of their Tongues, till we got within three or four Yards of the Landing Place of the Temple, and then we jumped aſhore, making the beſt of our Way to one of the Gentlemen's Chambers, to prevent the Scandal and Diſturbance that would have enſued, had they come up with us.

Sometime after this, a married Gentleman of my Acquaintance, deſired me to accompany him and his Spouſe to Greenwich, to which I readily aſſented, be⯑ing glad of the Opportunity to make knownn my Affec⯑tions to Miſs Jenny, their Chambermaid, we ſtopt at the Gun Tavern at Billingſgate, and put three [50] Bottles of Wine into the Boat, to animate our Spirits, and excite Mirth and Gaiety in our Paſſage to the in⯑tended Port. The Gentleman aſked me, if I could re⯑commend him to an Inn? Yes, Sir, I replyed, and the beſt in Town, where I have been very civilly en⯑tertained, the Landlord knows me perfectly well, and I'll engage that you and your Lady ſhall be accommo⯑dated to the utmoſt of your Deſires; and as for Miſs Jenny, ſays I, in a jocoſe Manner, I'll recommend her to a briſk young Fellow, that's worth Money, though he ſerves as a Drawer in the Houſe; Jenny bluſhed, the Lady laughed, and my Friend drank a brave Bumper to the good Succeſs of this new A⯑mour.

In an Hour's Time we landed, and I led the Way to my Inn the Greyhound, where the Maſter expreſſed a great Satisfaction in ſeeing me, and returned me Thanks for the Favour I did him, in recommending his Houſe. Here we ordered a Supper, and I took an Opportunity, whilſt Jenny was in the Kitchen, to let her know how paſſionately I loved her, and by a ſted⯑faſt Obſervance of her Eyes, found that my Propoſals were not diſagreeable; wherefore I holdly urged her to yield to my Embraces, could it be managed with Se⯑crecy; whereupon I faithfully promiſed to contrive the Matter with ſo much Privacy ond Cunning, that none in the Houſe ſhould have the leaſt Occaſion to dream or ſuſpect any Thing of our Amour. With this ſolemn Aſſurance of Secrecy, confirmed with a Volley of Oaths and Imprecations, Jenny conſented, and the only Difficulty remaining was, to engage the Chambermaid to be faithful to her Truſt; wherefore I immediately took her aſide, and ſliding half a Gui⯑ [...] into her Hand, imparted my Deſign to her, who [51] promiſed to perform her Part to my Satisfaction. At Supper we were exceeding merry▪ amd I was highly pleaſed at the Conceit of my new Favourite, when we ogled each other as the Figures in an old Suit of Hangings.

The Hour of Repoſe drawing [...]igh, my Friend called to the Chambermaid to ſhew him a Room with two Beds in it, one for himſelf and Spouſe, and the other for Miſs Jenny, who (the Lady be⯑ing big with Child) was de [...]ired might lie in the ſame Chamber with them; but it was all in vain, for the artful Huſſey, well vers'd in Intrigues, with an hypocritical Cant and Smile, declared, that would the Gentleman give her fifty Pounds, ſhe could not oblige him with that Favour, for all the Rooms (except thoſe reſerved for our Lodgings) were taken up and engaged. The Gentleman be⯑ing an eaſy credulous Perſon, believed what ſhe ſaid was true, ſo ordering her and Jenny to light them to bed, took his Leave of me for that Night. As ſoon as they were gone up Stairs, I called for a Bottle of Wine, and ſat ſmoaking my Pipe with Impatience, waiting the Return of my Miſtreſs, who as ſoon as ſhe had undreſſed her Lady, and put her to bed, came and ſat down by me, and pre⯑ſently after in came my true and faithful Confident, whom I deſired to ſit down and bear us Company. When the Bottle was out, I deſired her to ſhew us to our Room, and bring a Cool-Tankard with her up Stairs. The Chamber we lay in was up two Pair of Stairs backwards, and commodiouſly con⯑trived for the like Intrigues, for there was two Doors to it, and a private Pair of Stairs, unknown to any but us, and the People of the Inn; ſo [52] that ſuppoſing the Gentleman had had any Suſpi⯑cion, and ſhould have attempted (if he had known my Apartment) to ſurprize us, it was morally impoſſible that he ſhould ſucceed in his Deſign, for as I locked the Door fronting the great Stair-caſe, before we went to bed, ſo I could eaſily have con⯑cealed my Doxy, by turning her out at the pri⯑vate Stairs; but, poor Gentleman, he, I ſuppoſe, had ſomething elſe to think on, for although Jenny and I lay together during our whole Stay there, nei⯑ther he or his Spouſe ever imagined any thing of the Matter. In about ten Days we returned to London, where I viſiſted him as uſual, and by pri⯑vate Billets appointed my Charmer at the Blue Poſts without Temple Bar; ſhe was truly obſervant to my Aſſignations, managed her growing Burthen ſo art⯑fully, that although ſhe lay with the other Maid, yet neither ſhe, nor her Lady, for a very conſi⯑derable Time, obſerved that ſhe was with Child, till at laſt unable to conceal▪ her public Shame any longer, ſhe quitted her Service, and took private Lodgings, from whence ſhe daily plagued me with fulſome Letters ſtuffed with Nonſence and Love, with which (being pretty well cloyed) the Remembrance of her former Embraces was grown not only grating but loathſome. However, rather than to ſuffer her to lay the Child to me, I ap⯑pointed her a Meeting, where to acquit myſelf with Honour, I gave her a Purſe of Guineas, and there took my final Leave of her, neither have I ever heard of her ſince, nor would the Gentleman or his Lady have been acquainted with this our A⯑mour, had I not now publiſhed it to the World. But notwithſtanding theſe Exceſſes, Clarinda, by [53] Merit claimed the greateſt Share of my Affecti⯑ons; and being acquainted with all my Follies and Extravagancies, ſhe often with an engaging and perſuaſive Air, repreſented the diſmal State of Want and griping Penury, which ſhe clearly fore⯑ſaw muſt be the future Iſſue of my profuſe and licentious Manner of Life; and as often with re⯑peated Aſſurances of real Love and ſincere Friend⯑ſhip, warmly preſſed me to deſiſt, and leave my vicious Courſes; but all her Tears and amicable Admonitions prov'd abortive, and unable to curb and reſtrain me in the full Career of my lawleſs Paſſions, that blindly hurried me on to my utter Ruin. However, to do her Juſtice, although ſhe knew the Parties of whom I had borrow'd conſider⯑able Sums of Money, and doubtleſs might by a Diſcovery of my Affairs, been amply rewarded by them; yet ſo extenſive was the Generoſity of her Soul, that ſhe diſdain'd ſo vile and ſordid a Practice, and deteſted and abhorred ſuch mean and mercenary Views.

Sometime after this, I went to Windſor, with my particular and worthy Friend Capt. L [...], his Spouſe, and a young Lady a Relation of his. We were very merry in our Journey, and during our Reſidence there, we enjoyed all the Diverſion of a rural Life, for having a▪ Coach and four at Com⯑mand, we took the Benefit of the Morning Air in the Park, and her Grace the Dutcheſs of Marl⯑borough, being then in London, we frequently vi⯑ſited her Lodge, celebrated for its curious and in⯑imitable Pieces of Painting; and in the Afternoon drove to the antient College of Eton, fam'd for Learning, and ſo eminent in the Numbers of bright [54] and ingenious Gentlemen, who are deſervedly deem'd the Pride and Glory of their Country; Nor was the Caſtle unobſerv'd, that noble and magnificent Structure, ſo much honoured with the Preſence of our ancient Monarchs, and greatly or⯑namented and embelliſh'd by various and bizarre Figures, form'd in different Shapes, from Num⯑berleſs Arms, by the ingenious and artful Contri⯑vers. Here is alſo a beauteous Terras, command⯑ing a delightful Proſpect of all the adjacent Coun⯑try, and from whence the curious Spectators are gratified with a View of the ſtately Cathedral of St. Paul's in London. Love and Gallantry were now the fole Topicks of our Converſation, and the young Lady being ſingle, I made honourable Propoſals of Love to her, with which neither ſhe, nor the Captain or his Lady, were in the leaſt diſ⯑pleaſed. In a Fortnight's Time we returned to Town, and ſtopped at the St. Alban's-Tavern in St. Alban's-Street, where we ordered a Supper and the Footman to bring the Arms that we carry'd into the Country for our Safeguard and Defence into our Room. After Supper, we drank plentifully, and Wine growing more potent than Reaſon, the Captain (for variety Sake) would kiſs my fair Com⯑panion, whereby I thinking my Property infring'd oppoſed his Intent, upon which Words aroſe, and the Piſtols lying on a Marble Slab in the Room, we each of us haſtily ſnatch'd up one of them, and preſenting, attempted to give Fire; but were pro⯑videntially diſappointed in our Deſign, by the Di⯑ligence and Care of the Footman, who had un⯑loaded them, well knowing the capricious Temper of his Maſter, when diſguis'd in Liquor. The [55] Ladies were ſorely affrighted at this ſurprizing Rencountre, and ſkream'd out, at which the Landlord and his Drawers came in upon us, and ſeeing us (for we had thrown down our Arms) hard at it with our Fiſts, parted us, and calling two Coaches ſent us home to our reſpective Habita⯑tions. Next Morning when I awak'd, I was igno⯑rant of what had happened, and about Eleven the Captain came to ſee me, then we went to take our Mornings Draught, when, upon ſaying what News, Sir? News, quoth he, my Wife tells me that you and I were going to murther one another laſt Night, on Miſs B [...]'s Account, but I declare upon Honour, that I knew nothing of it, and ſince it was a mad Frolick, I'll engage the young Lady to be at my Houſe this Evening, and ſhall expect your Company there likewiſe. I punctually obey'd his Orders, and we ſpent the Evening very agreeably, all Strife and Contention gave Place to Mirth and Gaiety: We aſk'd the Ladies Pardon for putting them in a Fright, which they readily granted, and Miſs B [...], with a pleaſing and jo⯑coſe Air, added, that ſhe had conceiv'd a much better Opinion of herſelf than ſhe ever had before, ſince two ſuch Gentlemen, at the hazard of their Lives, had contended for her Favours; whereupon bowing we returned the Compliment, and it now growing late, I waited on Miſs Home. All Night I was no more Maſter of my own Perſon, but paſs'd the tedious Night rack'd with alternate Hope and Fear. The next Evening, I ſent for the Cap⯑tain to the Queen's-Head Tavern in Holhorn, and there (to eaſe my Torment) diſclos'd my ardent Paſſion; he Gentleman-like, in an open and free [56] Manner told me that her Fortune was but ſmall, and that too, in the Hands of thoſe who he feared would not, without Difficulty, ſurrender it. How⯑ever, ſaid he, if you are upon honourable Terms, I'll uſe my intereſt to bring Miſs to a Compliance. Sir, ſays I, I ſhould think myſelf undeſerving of that Frieudſhip you always profeſſed for me, ſhould I even preſume to entertain the leaſt Glympſe of a diſhonourable Thought for a young Lady any ways releated to your worthy Family. Hereupon the Captain well pleaſed with my generous Reply, told me where her Uncle lived, and in a friendly Manner adviſed me to apply to him, who being a Gentleman of Fortune, if he approved of my Propoſal, would inevitably compel her Guardians to pay her Fortune upon the Marriage Day. Pur⯑ſuant to my Friend's good Counſel, I went to he [...] Uncle and to him opened the whole Affair, who ſeemed very willing for the Match, and promiſed his Friendly Aſſiſtance, for the Recovery of her Fortune.

Nothing now remained, but the uſual Ceremony of a [...]ew Days Courtſhip, and therefore I, with free Conſent and Permiſſion of her Friends, viſited her daily; but as the old Saying is, many Things happen between the Cup and the Lip, for this young Lady had a younger Siſter, who for the firſt two or three Days that I went to the Houſe treated me with an Air of Indifferency, even littl [...] Inferior to that of Ill-manners. However, I too [...] no Notice of it, but continuing my Courtſhip a uſual, I ſoon ſaw the Scene was changed, for ſh [...] it ſeems at my firſt coming, being ignorant of m [...] Intent, reſolved to reſent the Affront, which ſh [...] [57] thought was offered her, in preferring her Siſter's Company to hers, when we went the above men⯑tioned Journey. Being apprized hereof, I com⯑municated it the Captain, and deſired him to uſe his Endeavours to repair the Breach, and appeaſe the young Lady's ſeeming Indignation. He at firſt ſeemed to ſlight the Affair, as merely trivial and frivolous, till ſeeing me very urgent and impor⯑tunate, he then promiſed his friendly Aſſiſtance to accommodate the ſeeming Difference, and there⯑fore gave the two Siſters and me an Invitation to ſup at his Houſe. After Supper, he very genteely, and with ſo much Prudence, excuſed both himſelf and me, in the Choice of our Companion to Wind⯑ſor, that they were both highly pleaſed, and were extreme good Company, particularly Miſs Fanny, who was naturally of a more gay and airy Temper than her eldeſt Siſter, and although ſhe had not the fineſt of Faces, yet ſo graceful was her Air, ſo eaſy and engaging her Behaviour, and ſo ſoft and alluring her Voice, not ſtrained by Art, but by the meer Effect of the laviſh Bounty of Nature, that ſhe captivated the Hearts of all who had the Pleaſure of her Company; upon the Captain's Re⯑queſt, ſhe favoured us with a Tune on the Spinnet, and to perfect the Muſick, joined ſo melodious a Voice, that tranſported with Raviſhment and De⯑light, I thought myſelf in Paradiſe. 'Twas then, that I began to repent my Choice. Miſs B [...]'s Charms, once ſo prevalent, now appeared as mere Phantoms and Illuſions, and Fanny reigned ſole Miſtreſs of my Affections.

However, as I thought it was not Prudence in me to diſcloſe this ſudden Change, I behaved my⯑ſelf [58] as one indifferent to her, and inſenſible of thoſe amicable Qualifications, that ſhe was perfect Mi⯑ſtreſs of. In ſhort, having paid our Compliments to our generous Hoſt and Hoſteſs, I waited on the Ladies home.

The next Day I began ſeriouſly to conſider, wha [...] would be the Conſequence of breaking my Affai [...] with the Elder, and making my Addreſſes to the Younger; when upon mature Deliberation, it ap⯑peared to me ſo vile and ſcandalous an Action, af⯑ter ſuch mutual and ſolemn Aſſurances of Fidelity that fearing (as with juſt Reaſon I might) that ſhould not ſucceed in my Deſign upon Fanny, fully reſolved of the two Evils, to chuſe the leaſt and therefore with great Difficulty and Violence to myſelf, I broke off the Intimacy, and after, wa [...] entirely regardleſs of that Love that at firſt I ha [...] ſo warmly purſued.

Next Door to me, lived one Mr. Elias Brown Peruke Maker, who had by his Marriage and Suc⯑ceſs in Trade, acquired a very handſome Fortune This Man had one only Daughter ahout ſixtee [...] Years of Age, a likely young Girl enough, an [...] well educated. Upon ſome trivial Difference tha [...] aroſe in my Father's Time, between him and M [...] Brown, our Families were at Variancè with eac [...] other; but upon my Father's Deceaſe, all Con⯑tention and Animoſity ceas'd ſo that from bein [...] in a manner Strangers to one another, we in ſhort Time commenc'd an Intimacy and Friend⯑ſhip: By this means, I was admitted as a Membe [...] of the weekly Club, held at the Golden-Lyon T [...] ⯑vern in Fleet-ſtreet, on Thurſday. Moreover, o [...] Cuſtom was every Saturday to dine at the Caſtle [...] [59] Kingſton upon Thames, where we uſually drank hard, and play'd high; and Mr. Brown finding that notwithſtanding my Youth, I was Maſter of that valuable Art of Secrecy, placed an intire Con⯑fidence in me, and made me privy to all his In⯑trigues and lawleſs Pleaſures. This Intimacy of the Father's gave Birth to the Daughter's Love, that afterwards proved both her Ruin and mine. She took all Opportunities of being in my Com⯑pany, and frequently ſtaid ſo late at my Houſe, without the Leave of her Father and Mother, that in a little Time it became the publick Talk of the Neighbours, and almoſt the whole Town; and as Fame is generally attended with Falſhood, ſome there were that ſcrupled not to report, that I was more familiar with her than was conſiſtent with the Modeſty of her Sex; but this Accuſation (I take God to Witneſs) was utterly falſe, for upon my hearing that her Character and Reputation was ſo ſo groſly injured, and that thoſe malicious Aſper⯑ſions aroſe from the innocent Paſtimes with which we amuſed ourſelves together, I acquainted my Neighbour Brown with what I heard was current⯑ly reported, concerning his Daughter and me, and furthermore deſired him, as he tendered the Wel⯑fare of his Child, to keep her away from my Houſe; he heartily thanked me for my good Counſel, and accordingly removed her to her Cou⯑ſin H [...]'s at Mile End, where ſhe continued near three Months, but not without ſending me a Letter or two, to let me know ſhe ſhould be very glad to ſee me at the Place appointed in the ſame.

[60] But I who had no Thoughts of making her my Wife, out of Friendſhip to her Father, ſcorned to take Advantage of her Youth, nor ever anſwered her Billet-doux, or went according to her Requeſt to the Place of Aſſignation. In the mean Time, my intimate and boſom Friend F [...] F [...] pro⯑poſed to take a Houſe on Epping-foreſt, the Rent of which he ſaid was twenty-five Pounds per An⯑num, whereupon I promiſed to become his Tenant for one Room, and moreover to ſend down ſome Houſhold Goods to furniſh it withal. F [...] laugh⯑ing, ſaid, but are you willing to have Leaſes drawn in your Name. for you know how my Af⯑fairs ſtand? Yes, Sir, quoth I, withal my Heart, provided that you'll engage for the Payment of the Rent. By all Means, quoth he. Thus we con⯑cluded upon the Hire of our Country Seat, and over a merry Bottle chriſtened it Langley Hall. About a Week after, I ſent down the Goods ac⯑cording to my Promiſe, and likewiſe for my Part in the Houſe-warming, a large Ham, and two Gallons of Brandy. Soon after, my Friend F [...] and I, with ſome other merry Blades, went down to our Country Seat, where we ſtaid three or four Days. On our Retur [...], an Accident happened to me, that had like to have proved very fatal, but I verified the old Saying, Nought is often in Danger, but never hurt; for being three Parts mellow, and mounted on a Golding of great Spirit and Cou⯑rage, by my frequent tickling him with the Spur, he in Spite of all I could do, ran away with me till I came to Hackney River, where to puniſh my Courſer for his Obſtinacy, and cool his Courage, I clapped Spurs to him, and plunged him into the [61] River, down he fell, broke his Knees, and in the Fall pitched me clear over his Ears, where for ſome Time I could not recover myſelf; but by good Fortune, at length I regained my Legs, and kept puffing and blowing like a Porpice, till my Companions came up, and ſeeing me in that pity⯑ful Condition, diſpatched old Charon to take me up, and waft me to the other Side of the Ferry, whence like a drowned Rat I went dripping along, ſtripped myſelf, and got half a Pint of Brandy made hot, and went to bed, where I lay till my Shirt and Clothes were dried by the Fire. In the Evening I roſe, and returned to London, and ad⯑journed to the old Place of Rendezvous, the Trum⯑pet Tavern, in Sheer Lane, where we paſſed the Evening very merrily, but I reſolved for the fu⯑ture never to be guilty of the like Frolick a⯑gain.

Sometime after this, Mr. Brown thinking that Abſence had ſufficiently abated the Warmth of his Daughter's Affections, ſent for her home, and I out of good Manners went to compliment Miſs on her Return; but alas, her Abſence had only ſerved to ſmother the amorous Flame, which by frequent Interviews ſoon burnt with fiercer Rage. In fine, one Morning the old Gentlewoman ſent for me to Breakfaſt, and then propoſed very advan⯑tageous Terms of Marriage with her Daughter, and urged me to a Compliance with very great Warmth and Zeal. Furthermore to corroborate her Argument, down came▪ Miſs Nancy, with her Hair diſhevel'd, her Eyes flowing with Tears, and her Dreſs careleſs and negligent. See, ſays the Mother, i [...] [...] canting Tone, in what a Pickle poor [62] Nancy is, how can you be ſo cruel and hard-hearted, as not to return her Love? Come, come, Neighbour Langley, I'll engage you'll have no Occaſion to repent of your Bargain, Mr. Browne and I ſhall never have any more Children, and when we die, you'll come in for ALL. At the Word ALL, which had a far greater Impreſſion on me than what ſhe had ſaid before, I pricked up my Ears, and ſeemed to hearken to her with Pleaſure, and Nancy, who was before cruelly in the Dumps, now began to revive, and put on the Air of Joy. In ſhort, I told Mrs. Brown, that ſince it was an Affair of ſuch great Conſequence, I muſt deſire a Month's Time to conſider of it, and that then I would give her my final Anſwer. Upon this ſhe was well ſatisfied, and I took my Leave of them for the preſent.

Now I began ſeriouſly to conſider the State of my Affairs, and finding by the private Accounts that I kept in my Pocket Book, that the Payment of thoſe ſeveral large Sums borrowed on Jewels of a conſiderable leſs Value, than what I had fraudu⯑lently pledged them for, was within three Months of its Expiration: I thought my Circumſtances in a very melancholly Poſture, and my Caſe almoſt deſperate, for if I ſhould not redeem thoſe Pledges purſuant to Contract, my Credit and Reputation would be entirely loſt; and on the contrary, i [...] Honour and Honeſty ſhould have the Aſcendan [...] over Fraud and Villainy, then I ſhould be [...] great Sufferer thereby; wherefore I reſolved, tha [...] ſince I had begun to play the villainous Part, that [...] would at all Events complete it. Thus determined there nothing now remained, but the Manner o [...] [63] effectually executing what I ſo fully intended, and was ſo ſtedfaſtly reſolved upon. Marriage, I con⯑ſidered with myſelf, would not only furniſh me with a pretty Sum of ready Caſh, but would like⯑wiſe corroborate my Credit, and ſtrengthen my In⯑tereſt. For as the greateſt Villainies are carried on, and ſupported by the ſpecious Pretect of Sanctity and Diſſimulation, ſo I thought it was but a reaſon⯑able Suppoſition, that the Town now generally ac⯑quainted with my frequent Debauches, would upon my Entrance into the Connubial State, judge me thereby reclaimed, and become a ſedate and ſober Man. For this Reaſon, ſometime before and af⯑ter my Marriage, I gave due Attendance at the Romiſh Chapel in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, and in a⯑bout three Weeks Time I invited Mrs. Brown and her Daughter to Supper, I told her, that upon a mature Deliberation of her Propoſals, I was willing to acquieſce and condeſcend thereunto, on the fol⯑lowing Terms, viz, That Mr. Brown ſhould be at the Expence of the Wedding-Clothes, and pay the ſtipulated Sum on the Morning of the Wedding⯑Day, She readily agreed, and promiſed her Hus⯑band's punctual Compliance with my Demands. Furthermore, as a Surety to bind the Bargain, I gave the old Gentlewoman a Ring ſet with Roſe Diamonds in Form of a Coronet, Nanncy was now all Life and Gaiety, and by her Parents Approba⯑tion, as well as mine, acted the Part of a Miſtreſs in my Houſe, with the ſame Freedom and Autho⯑rity before, as ſhe did after the Ceremony was per⯑formed. But alas, poor Girl, ſhe little thought how ſhort her Reign would prove, and how the Sunſhine of her Glory would ſpeedily be darkened [64] and eclipſed by black impending Clouds that threatened ſure, though not immediate Deſtruction and endleſs Woe. But notwithſtanding this En⯑gagement and ſolemn Contract with Nancy, I con⯑tinued my lawleſs Embraces with Clarinda, whom I made my Counſellor and Confidant in the moſt ſecret Tranſactions of my Life, and therefore al⯑though to ſatisfy my intended Spouſe, and pleaſe her Parents, I turned her away ſoon after Marriage, yet I frequently kept Company with her after⯑wards, and made her ſeveral conſiderable Preſents. Mrs. Brown immediately purchaſed all Things ſuitable for the Wedding, and alſo was ſo very in⯑dulgent, as to bring the ſeveral Patterns of Silks and Laces deſigned for Nancy's Parapharnalia, to me for my Approbation thereof. This Courteſy, and the Richneſs of the Dreſs, ſo pleaſed me, that I made her a Preſent of a Gold Watch and Chain, and likewiſe a brilliant Diamond round-about Ring, that ſhe might appear in the Faſhion of other mar⯑ried Ladies; and now the Licence being taken out, and all Things ready for the Conſummation of our Nuptials, Mr. Brown deſired me to ſix the ſolemn Day, which he ſaid he ſhould chuſe on that of his Birth Day. But I declined ſo ſpeedy an Execution, on Account of a Tour I had promiſed to take with ſome Friends, to a Gentleman's Seat in Eſſex, and deſired the Marriage might be de⯑ſerred for three Weeks longer, which Favour was eaſily granted. And now all Things being agreed on, I bethought myſelf of a Clergyman of my Ac⯑quaintance, a Gentleman void of a Living, and reduced to a low State, greatly inferior to that of his Profeſſion. Nevertheleſs he was a boon Com⯑panion, [65] told a merry Tale, and ſung a Song with a good Grace, and by his Induſtry made a Shift to get a red Face in the Service of the Church; for having given my Word to this Gentleman, that he ſhould be my ſacred Magician, whenſoever I altered my Condition of Life, I thought myſelf in Honour bound to perform my Promiſe therein. I therefore ſent for him to the Bull Head in Lin⯑coln's-Inn-Fields, where over a merry Bottle, I acquainted the Doctor with my Intent, and en⯑joyned him to be ready on the Day appointed for the Performance thereof. Having thus prepared the Miniſter, I went down in the Country, and after a ſincere and hearty Welcome, returned to London on the Evening before our appointed Nuptials, when after having drank a Bottle or two with the Inn-keeper, where my Horſe ſtood at Livery, I went to Mr. Browne's, who had pre⯑pared a handſome Supper for my Reception, where none were preſent but Captain H [...]'s Lady and our Family. After Supper Mr. Browne aſked me, if I was provided with a Clergyman? Yes, Sir, ſaid I, and he will be punctual to his Appoint⯑ment at Gray's-Inn Chapel at Eight in the Morn⯑ing; well then, replied he, all's right, for I have ordered a Coach and Four to be here at Seven, and after the Ceremony we'll drive to Tim Harris's at Egham. Agreed Sir, ſaid I, ſo taking my Leave went home, where, according to Cuſtom, I lay with Clarinda all Night. At Six in the Morning I aroſe, and went to my Neighbour Browne's, where they were all very buſy in preparing the new Bride; he called me aſide, and aſked me whether [66] I would have the Caſh before or after Marriage. Before, Sir, ſaid I, by all Means; whereupon he immediately complied with the Contract, by Notes drawn on Sir Francis Child, and likewiſe gave me the Writings of a Houſe belonging to his Daugh⯑ter, in Charles Court in the Strand, and afterwards taking a Bottle of Rum out of his Corner Cup⯑board, we drank all Health to each other. Now the Bride being ready, we drove to the Chapel, where my good Friend the Doctor was waiting, and performed his Duty as a Gentleman worthy of his Profeſſion. From Chapel we drove to Egham, where an elegant Dinner was provided at Mr. Browne's Expence, and to uſe the Words of the ingenious Mr. Phillips, 'Naught but Mirth and [...]Joy around the Table flow'd.' At Four we re⯑turned to Town, and I, regardleſs of my Spouſe, mounted the Coach-box, and drove to the Queen's Head Tavern in Holborn, where Clarinda, by my Direction, had ordered a ſumptuous and elegant Entertainment to be provided, at which Mr. L [...]n, Mr. H [...]d, jun. and his Spouſe, the Hoſt and Hoſteſs, were all preſent. About Eleven we adjourned to my Father Browne's, where whilſt the Men drank a Bowl of Punch, the Women out of their pious Care, diſhed out the Bride in Bed, fit for the Reception of her Huſband.

I muſt obſerve that we were married on a Thurſ⯑day, and therefore I thought, if I could prevail on my Wife (who was one of the Church of Eng⯑land) to accompany me to Maſs on the Sunday fol⯑lowing, I ſhould thereby gain the Applauſe and Eſteem of all thoſe blinded Zealots. This I con⯑feſs I did not attempt out of a religious Motive, [67] but from a Thought of private Gain, hoping by this well feigned Hypocriſy, to inſinuate myſelf further into the good Graces and Eſteem of the moſt eminent and wealthy Followers of that Faith and Profeſſion. My Spouſe to oblige me, yielded to my Requeſt, and her Condeſcention thereunto had its deſired Effect; for a Merchant in Baſinghall-ſtreet ſent for me next Day, and commending the meritorious Act of making a Convert, favoured me with Nine hundred and Seventy-five Pounds worth of Silver on my Note, payable in a Month's Time. This was a great Encouragement to me, and ſerved further to facilitate my Deſign in run⯑ning away as much in Debt as poſſibly I could. Wherefore I reſolved to ſtrike while the Iron was hot, and make as much of my Credit as Time and Occaſion would permit. For the effectual Per⯑formance of which, I took up large Quantities of Jewels of ſeveral Merchants, under Pretence of diſpoſing of them to ſeveral Ladies, whom I had the Honour to ſerve, and in three or four Days, artfully returned them again, telling the Owners, that the Ladies were not as yet come to a full Re⯑ſolution for the Purchaſe of them. I likewiſe took up a Repeating Watch of one Mr. Vernon in Fleet-ſtreet, the outſide Caſe whereof was ſet with large Brilliants of the firſt Water, in Form of a Mari⯑ner's Compaſs; betwixt the Hours and Minutes were interſperſed ſome Brilliant Sparks, with Ru⯑bies, Topazes, and various precious Stones of dif⯑ferent Colours, reſembling the Iris. The Rims of the Caſe were alſo ornamented with coſtly Jewels, imitating the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac, and on the Top of the Spring, that cauſes the Movement to [68] ſtrike, was ſet a large Brilliant of the firſt Water, The Chain was three continued Rows of Diamonds, and on the Top of the Hook was a very large oval Brilliant. In ſhort, it was the richeſt and moſt cu⯑rious Performance of that Nature, that had been ſeen in Europe at that Time.

This Watch I pretended was deſigned for the Queen of Spain, and having the Honour to ſhew it to ſeveral Noblemen and Ladies of the higheſt Rank, I could have diſpoſed of it to them; how⯑ever, I thought it would turn more to my Advan⯑tage to refuſe the Sale thereof, for this Reaſon, viz. if I ſold it in England, the Owner would have ex⯑pected the Payment thereof in a ſhort Time, and on the contrary, it was not reaſonable to think that he would refuſe to wait for the Return of foreign Bills, if it was ſuppoſed to be ſent to her Catho⯑lick Majeſty. And now the Time drawing on for the Execution of my full Purport, I made it my Buſineſs to frequent Slaughter's Coffee Houſe in St. Martin's Lane, where I ſoon got acquainted with a Set of Foreigners, of whom I enquired into the Laws and Cuſtoms of thoſe Countries relating to broken Tradeſmen, that fled thither for Refuge and Safety, and being aſſured by them that Holland was the ſafeſt Azylum to ſkreen Villanies of that Nature, I reſolved to ſteer my Courſe thither, and therefore went to Bland's on Tower Hill, to en⯑quire for a Veſſel that would be ready to ſail in a⯑bout a Fortnight's Time. Upon Enquiry, I met with one T [...]s J [...]s Commander of the C [...]s Sloop, a Gentleman obſervant of his Word, if the Wind and Weather permitted; with this Captain I agreed for the Paſſage of two Perſons, to have the [69] Conveniency of his State Room and great Cabbin, and gave him a Guinea Earneſt. The next Thing I did was to get a Bill of Exchange for five hun⯑dred Pounds, in the Name of Robert Clinton, Eſq payable to nim or Order, which being eaſily ob⯑tained, I then applied myſelf to the above-menti⯑oned Merchants for their Jewels, pretending that the Ladies were now come to a final Reſolution, and would purchaſe them; and now the Prices be⯑ing agreed on, I gave them my promiſſary Note, three Months after Date for the ſame. All Things being thus carried on with the utmoſt Secrecy, I appointed Clarinda, whom I ſtill kept Company, to be at the Prince William's Head at Charing. Croſs. She was punctual to my Aſſignation, and there af⯑ter mutual Aſſurances of conſtant Love and invi⯑olable Friendſhip, I acquainted her with my ſecret Deſign, and inſiſted on her accompanying me in my Voyage thither, and that upon her Condeſcen⯑ſion thereunto, ſhe ſhould be an equal Co-partner and Sharer of my large Fortune, which in all hu⯑man Probability, was ſufficient for our Mainte⯑nance, in a polite and genteel Way, during the Term of our Lives. But ſhe, like a generous Girl, declined my baſe Propoſals, and in her De⯑fence, urged my being already married to a very deſerving young Lady, whom in Honour I could not leave, and that if ſhe conſented to my Proffer, ſhe ſhould thereby deſervedly incur the Scandal of the moſt vile and abandoned Adultreſs. In fine, all the Arguments I could uſe were fruitleſs. So having engaged her religiouſly to keep my im⯑portant Secret, I took my Farewel of her; and then reſolved, that ſince I could not obtain her conſent, [70] that I would take my Wife over with me, which confeſs I did not ſo much out of pure Love, a out of a View of Intereſt, hoping, that if I ſhould be fruſtrated in my Deſign, that her Father, out [...] Love and Regard to her, would look with a fa [...]vourable Eye on me, and impute my Miſfor⯑tunes, or rather ill Management, to the Folly [...] Youth.

Wherefore, as ſoon as I came home, I propoſed [...] my wife a country journey on the ſunday following and ordered her to get ready, and pack up all he clothes, my intent being to ſtay there for three week or a month. In the mean time I hired a chaiſe an four for two days, to be ready at the time appointed and to prevent my being ſeen, or taken notice of i [...] paſſing through the city, I ordered the chaiſe to wa [...] for me on St. Margaret's-hill, Southwark. I the [...] ſealed up my jewels, bank notes, and the above-men [...]tioned watch, with bills of exchange, amounting i [...] all to the Value of nineteen thouſand or twenty thou [...]ſand pounds, in a little trunk, and meeting the cap [...]tain at Bland's, purſuant to his Appointment, on Fri [...]day at four in the afternoon, I gave the trunk in [...] his cuſtody, with a particular charge to lock it up i [...] his bureau, and took a receipt for the ſame; bein [...] well aſſured by him that he would ſail from Graveſen on the monday following. In the evening I went [...] my father Brown's, and acquainted him with my pr [...]tended journey into the country, with which he ſeeme [...] well pleaſed, it being the long vacation time. In [...] morning I gave my journeyman charge of the ſhop, an [...] left all my plate ſtanding therein, leaſt the remove thereof ſhould cauſe a ſuſpicion amongſt my creditor [71] and intercept my intended flight. I likewiſe ordered him to pay all ſuch trivial ſums as were owing to my workmen.

And now my ſpouſe and I having taken leave of our parents, called a coach, and drove to the above-mentioned place, where the chaiſe and four were wait⯑ing according to my order. Then diſcharging the coach, we went into the King's Arms, and break⯑faſted. From thence we went to Graveſend, and put up at the Faulcon, where I paid two guineas and an half for the diſcharge of the chaiſe according to agree⯑ment.

On Sunday we dined with the captain, and other gentlemen and ladies that were going paſſengers with us. On monday morning the captain, according to his promiſe heaved up his anchor with the wind S. W. All the paſſengers with my ſpouſe went on board, but I ſtaid aſhore till the captain went off, which was nigh an hour after, and now the ſhip being adrift, lay to for his coming on board. In the mean time as I was drinking with my landlord in his back yard fronting the water, I eſpied a one eye game cock, which I pur⯑chaſed for half a crown, for a venture in Holland. Now the captain having completed all his buſineſs a⯑ſhore, hurried me and my new purchaſe on board, we then braced about, filled our held ſails, and ſpread all the canvaſs we could to the welcome gale, that freſh⯑ing on us, wafted our ſhip the next day to the Bombkays at Rotterdam, where we went aſhore, and by the commander's recommendation lodged at the ſign of the Koning Van England, (or King of England's Head) kept by one John Gadbury, on the Vine Haven.

The next day captain J [...] came to dinner with us, and acquited his charge honourably. Thus all [72] things ſeemed to favour my undertaking, and I being of a vain and aſpiring temper, reſolved to paſs for the younger ſon of my lord F [...], and to the end that I might make an appearance ſuitable to the dignity that I had falſely aſſumed, I ordered a Taylor to make me a rich ſuit of clothes; and as it happened, one Mr. Loven, a decayed gentleman,, quartered at the ſame inn with me, who ſpeaking the Dutch and French lan⯑guages to perfection, with him I contracted to be my gentleman and interpreter, and to do him juſtice, he faithfully executed the truſt I repoſed in him. This gentleman I ordered to hire three French footmen, and cloth them with the utmoſt expedition, with my li⯑very, which was blue cloth turned up with red, ſcar⯑let waiſtcoats and breeches trimmed with ſilver, and broad gold lac'd hats. As to the coach, Mr. Laven informed me, that it was cuſtomary in Holland for all perſons of quality, except foreign miniſters, to hir [...] their equipages, as they had occaſion for them, there being many grand and ſtately ones kept for that pur⯑poſe.

Having thus ſettled my equipage and ſervants af⯑ter the niceſt and richeſt fancy, I reſolved to devote myſelf to pleaſure for ſome time; although in the in⯑terim I privately enquired for a gentleman of worth and integrity, to whom I might with ſafety commi [...] the truſt of my effects, that if peradventure, my cre⯑ditors ſhould come over in queſt of me, that they no [...] finding any thing valuable in my poſſeſſion, might no [...] think it worth their while to give themſelves any further trouble about me, but reſt contented with thoſe effects I had left in England.

Now I muſt obſerve, that upon my return to my quarters, I frequently found the above-mentioned [81] Captain in Company with my Spouſe; how⯑ever, I took no Notice thereof, but on the contrary always entertained him with the utmoſt Courteſy and good Manners; but one Night, as we were in Bed, I aſked her the Meaning of the Captain's fre⯑quent Viſits, and whether he endeavoured to ſhew a more than lawful Love and Reſpect for her. Hereupon ſhe frankly told me, that ſhe believed it was the Captain's Deſign to betray her Virtue, for that he often expreſſed how paſſionately he loved her; that therefore ſhe had uſed all poſſible Means to avoid his Company, but found it a very difficult Matter, which gave her cauſe to ſuſpect, that he had bribed the Landlady to acquieſce in the Purſuit of his Amours, wherefore ſhe earneſtly requeſted me to provide freſh Lodgings, where ſhe might be more retired, and ſhun the vile Imperti⯑nence of the ſaid Commander: Well pleaſed with this open and generous Confeſſion, I highly com⯑mended her Honour and Integrity, but deſired that ſhe would not offer the leaſt Affront to the Cap⯑tain. I artfuly ſaid, until I could be further in⯑formed of the Puniſhments inflicted on Perſons in Adultery, by the ſevere Laws of the United Provinces, Upon conſulting with my Gentleman, who was well verſed in Statutes of that Republick, I found that the Penalty on ſuch henious Crimes, was immediate Forfeiture of all the Delinquent's Effects, and cloſe Impriſonment during Life, as a Satisfaction or Atonement to the injured Party, for the Diſhonour.

One Day, hearing that there was to be a Cock-fight, I ordered one of my Servants to prepare [82] mine, who had been for ſome Time in keeping, to enter the Liſts, and by my Spouſe's earneſt En⯑treaty, I took her (though contrary to the uſual Cuſtom of the Ladies) with me, to ſee the Pa⯑ſtime. In ſhort I backed my Cock againſt the Oppoſers, and he, by good Fortune, at one chance Blow killed his Antagoniſt, by whoſe unexpected Death I was a Gainer of about ten Pounds. Highly pleaſed with my Succeſs I returned home, and it being Summer Time we ſeated ourſelves under a ſhady Tree, that fronted the Inn Door, and called for a Bottle of Claret, but had not been there long, before the Captain came and joined us, and being informed of my good Fortune, wiſhed me Joy. I returned the Compliment, and Nancy with an Air of Gaiety, deſired that I would favour her with the Winnings for the Purchaſe of ſome Dutch Toys; I replied, With all my Heart, my Dear, for this and all that I have is at your Service, and thereupon immediately flung the Money into her Lap. Soon after this, I ſaw her Countenance change, and ask'd her what was the Matter? but ſhe made me no Anſwer, whereupon Madam, ſaid I, what are you dumb? This raſh and haſty Expreſſion ſo nettled her, that ſhe threw the Money into the Street, which I knowing the Value of better than ſhe, ran [...] and picked it up, ſwearing, that ſince ſhe had abuſed my Generoſity, I would give her ſufficien [...] Reaſon to repent it; but my Paſſion was over, and by Mr. J [...]'s Mediation, I promiſed to forgive and forget that ſilly Flight of Youth.

Hereupon the Captain propoſed a Tour to th [...] Hague, which was with Pleaſure agreed to, and w [...] next Morning ſet out for that agreeable Rendez [...]vous [83] of Nobility, where we dined in a ſumptuous and elegant Manner, at the Sign of the Engliſh Parliament, a celebrated Houſe for polite Entertain⯑ment. From whence we returned to Rotterdam, where I entertained the Captain and ſome of the other Gentlemen with a grand Entertainment; when the Company was gone, I uſed all poſſible Arguments to perſwade Nancy to yield a ſeeming compliance to the Captain's lawleſs Deſires, and to appoint him purſuant to my Direction, a Place proper for the Execution of his villainous Deſign. Furthermore, I urged the great Advantage accru⯑ing from thence, and the diligent care and caution I would take to ſurprize him, blaſted in the fruit⯑leſs Expectations of ſatiating his luxuriant and adul⯑terous Paſſion. But notwithſtanding all my Argu⯑ments, Nancy remained inflexible, and could not be induced to acquieſce to this treacherous Propo⯑ſal, and in her Defence urged, that no Lucre or ſordid Gain (though ever ſo great) could expiate or atone for that Diſhonour and Loſs of Character, that ſhe muſt inevitably ſuſtain, by condeſcending to ſo infamous an Act; wherefore I thought pro⯑per to drop an Argument ſo diſpleaſing and un⯑grateful to her, and to proceed to an Affair far more weighty and important, viz. the Security of my Perſon and Effects.

For the effectual Performance of which, being recommended to Mr. H [...], a Man of Worth and experienced Fidelity, that kept a large Ware⯑houſe on the Bombkays, to him I committed the Charge of my Caſh and Jewels; and now finding by his Diſcourſe, that he was well verſed in the Laws of that Republick, and more particular in [84] thoſe relating to broken Tradeſmen that took Sanctuary in thoſe Parts, him I judged to be the propereſt Perſon to conſult and communicate with about my own Affairs. Nevertheleſs I was not ſo raſh as to let him into the Secret of my Circum⯑ſtances at the firſt Interview, but taking a Note of him for the Re-delivery of my Caſh and Effects on demand, I parted with him for the preſent, and as ſoon as I came home, enquired more ſtrictly of my Landlord, into his Character and Repute. Mr. Gadbury, my Hoſt, ſcrupled not to expatiate largely on his undoubted Veracity, and unbiaſſed Fidelity to his Truſt, and at the ſame Time nomi⯑nated ſeveral Gentlemen, whoſe Affairs were then in a melancholly and dangerous Poſture, that by his Prudence and Sagacity, had been re-inſtated in their priſtine Glory.

Theſe Words uttered with ſo much Warmth and Ardour, eaſily induced me to a Belief, that Mr. H [...] was in Reality deſerving of ſo great a Cha⯑racter, and therefore I engaged him to dine with me the next Day at the Hague, and without Re⯑ſerve I unboſomed myſelf to him in a frank and friendly Manner. Hereupon he promiſed to be ſteadfaſt, and true to my Intereſt, and adviſed me immediately to procure a Protection from the States General, which he aſſured me, would totally exempt me from the Juriſdiction of any other Fo⯑reign Laws; and as a farther Proof of his Since⯑rity, he promiſed by the Aſſiſtance of a Lawyer, (his particular Friend) to obtain what he ſo hear⯑tily wiſhed, as well for my Security as his own Sa⯑tisfaction, that I were now in Poſſeſſion of. More⯑over added he, it muſt be done with the utmoſt [85] Expedition, leaſt peradventure, your Creditors be⯑ing apprized of your Intent, ſhould by their un⯑wearied Diligence, and extenſive Intereſt, under⯑mine your Undertakings; wherefore you muſt not regard the Expence, for Favours of that Na⯑ture are not to be obtained but by a well timed Liberalty, and ſome Preſents ſuitable to the Per⯑ſons concerned in the Management of ſo great and important an Affair; your Protection (which I doubt not you will obtain) ſtands for ſix Months, both for your Perſon and Effects, and at the Expi⯑ration of the limitted Time, it is eaſily renewed for a trival Coſt.

Charmed with his Diſcourſe, that inſpired me with new Life and Vigour, and baniſhed the gloo⯑my Thoughts of Fear, or approaching Danger, I preſſed him to a ſpeedy Execution of his Promiſe, and gave him a full Commiſſion to diſburſe what⯑ever he thought proper on that Occaſion; and aſ⯑ſured him, I'd ſatisfy him and his Friend for their Trouble, and ever after gratefully acknowledged the Favour. In the Evening we returned to Rot⯑terdam where we ſupp'd together, and Mr. H [...] with repeated Aſſurances of his Sincerity, and ut⯑moſt Endeavours to aſſiſt me in all my Deſigns de⯑parted.

Four Days after this Mr. H [...], and his Friend the Lawyer came to my Lodgings, from whence we went to Michael Edward's, at the Sun on the Bombkays, and there the Lawyer with an Air of Gaiety ſaid, Sir, I wiſh you Joy, of what replied I? Of your ſo much deſired Protection, Sir, which I here preſent you with. By this ex⯑traordinary Diſpatch, you may ſee how unwearied [86] our Endeavours have been to ſerve you; the States are not now ſitting, but this I have by great Intereſt obtained of their Secretary for the Space of twelve Days, at the Expiration whereof their High Mightineſſes will aſſemble, and grant you a fur⯑ther Protection for ſix Months longer. I humbly thanked him for this ſo ſingular a Mark of his Eſteem and Friendſhip, and ordered Mr. H [...] to pay the Gentleman one hundred Guineas for his Trouble.

I now rambled up and down without Fear or Apprehenſion of any Moleſtation that could ariſe from any Quarter, and Mr. H [...] and I contrac⯑ted a Partnerſhip in Merchandize on the following Terms and Conditions, viz. that I ſhould lend the ſaid H [...] 5000 l. 'at common Intereſt, and thereupon add 5000 l. more to make up a joint Stock of 10,000 l. from which large Sum, with good Succeſs, we promiſed ourſelves to raiſe a fair Fortune. Wherefore that we might imme⯑diately proceed to Buſineſs, we went to Amſter⯑dam to purchaſe a Ship, and there upon Enquiry we found, that the Prince William Snow, Captain B [...] was lying there for Sale, upon which we ſent for the Commander, went on Board with him▪ examin'd into the Veſſel, and purchaſed her fo [...] 450 l. Sterling, which Money I paid on my own Account, being deſirous to become the ſole Pro⯑prietor thereof. In the Interim I received Advice that four of my principal Creditors were came ove [...] in Queſt of me, and that they by great intereſt had engaged the Earl of Cheſterfield then Am⯑baſſador at the Hague) to prevent my promiſed Protection, and upon the Expiration of that which [87] I had, to obtain a Grant from their High Mighti⯑neſſes to ſeize my Perſon and Effects. This News I confeſs, ſtruct me with Horror and Confuſion, and judging that if I returned to Rotterdam, I ſhould inevitably fall into their Hands, I reſolved to lie perdue at the Houſe of Mr. A [...] at the Hague, and there wait the Iſſue of their Proceedings, and in the mean Time, to diſpatch Mr. [...] to try if poſſible, to ſubvert my Enemies Deſigns, by large Sums of perſuaſive Gold. I now laid aſide my Equipage, and the grand Title of my Lord, paſſed for a private Gentleman, by the Name of Robert Clifton, and continued at the above-men⯑tion'd Houſe nigh upon a Week, without ever going out of my Chamber. When one Morning my Landlord, who was privy to the Affair, came into my Room, and trembling, gave me a Letter from Mr. H [...], which inform'd me, that the Creditors having Intelligence where I lay, were on the Road to ſurround the Houſe, and take me Priſoner; that he uſed all poſſible Means to renew my Protection, but that all his Efforts therein was vain and fruitleſs; that there had been publiſh'd a Reward of 400 l. for ſecuring my Perſon, and likewiſe 400 l. more for the Diſcovery of my Ef⯑fects; that my Taylor had given a Deſcription of the Cloaths that he had made, and moreover that my Picture was ſet up at the Change, and the moſt publick Places of Amſterdam and Rotterdam; that the beſt Advice he was capable to give me at pre⯑ſent was, to exchange my Apparel, diſguiſe myſelf, and make into the adjacent Wood, and there wait for his coming, which ſhould be punctually at four in the Afternoon. [86] [...] [87] [...]

[88] Scarce had I read the Letter, before I was alarm'd with a confuſed Noiſe in the Street; whereupon my Landlord looking out of the Window, cry'd Zounds▪ Sir, you are taken, my Houſe is now ſur⯑rounded. Be calm, Sir, ſaid I, and ſend up one of your Dutch Servants to me, I'll change Habits with him; alſo let me have a lighted Candle and a Cork immediately. The Landlord obey'd my Orders, I ſtript, put on Mynheer's Habit, black'd my Eye-brows, and paſſed out at the back Door, unobſerved by any; from thence I went into the Weod, where I lay hid until the Time appointed, when Mr. H [...] came, highly overjoyed to find me eſcaped from the Fury of my Adverſaries. Come, Sir, ſaid he, you muſt now perſonate the Dutchman, and we will go to Vienna, a protected Place, of ten miles in Circumference, where I will obtain for you the Governor's Protection, and there you may live ſecure and free from all Moleſtations and Arreſts. This Scheme was no ſooner propoſed than with Pleaſure agreed to, ſo from the Wood we went into the next Town, and there hired a Phaeton or Chaiſe for Vienna. In the Evening we arrived there, and the next Morning waited on the Governor, of whom for 50 Guineas I received the Favour of a Protection, with a ſtrict Charge and Caution not to exceed the Bounds of his Minute Territories.

The next Day Mr. H [...] took his Leave of me with repeated Aſſurances of Frienſhip, and a ſolemn Promiſe not to diſcover my Effects. Here I enjoy'd all Pleaſures, that a Place inhabited by unfortunate Perſons cou'd afford, this being but a living Goal in Epitome. However, hav⯑ing [81] a ſufficiency of Caſh, the Honour and Re⯑ſpect I met with there, in ſome Meaſure alleviated the Hardſhip of my Confinement. Here I be⯑came acquainted with two Iriſh young Fellows, of daring and bold Diſpoſitions, who had here taken Refuge and Sanctuary for Murder, no Crime be⯑ing reckon'd ſufficiently black or infamous, to ex⯑clude the vile Offenders from the Graces and Pro⯑tection of his Tartarean Excellency. Theſe two Ruſ [...]ians for want of better Society, I daily admit⯑ted to my Table, and on all Occaſions bore their Expences, and they, as the only Satisfaction that they could make, faithfully promiſed at the Ha⯑zard of their Lives, to ſecure me from all Inſults and Dangers.

Hither came Mr. H [...], purſuant to his Pro⯑miſe, Weekly, and ſupplied me with what Caſh I demanded, and aſſured me, that my Creditors be⯑gan to be out of all Hopes, and that if I patiently ſubmitted to my Confinement for a ſhort Time, that they would ſoon be wearied out, with the large and extravagant Charges they were at, in their vain Search and fruitleſs Purſuit. Whereup⯑on I charged him to make my Wife as eaſy as he poſſibly could, and let her know, that as ſoon as the Storm was over, I would pay her a Viſit▪ but at the ſame Time, cautioned him not to let her into the Secret of my Abode, leaſt peradventure, thro' the Folly and indiſcretion of Youth, ſhe ſhould inadvertently blab it out. Nancy, I muſt obſerve to you, had near upon four hundred Pounds by her, beſides her Jewels, Gold Watch, and Snuff Box, ſo that I knew ſhe could not be in [82] any Want, and therefore made myſelf eaſy on that Head.

During my Stay here, I was taken violently ill, which prevented my intended Journey to his Pruſ⯑ſian Majeſty's Dominions, whither I had deſigned to go, and by preſenting my ſo-much▪ [...]amed and celebrated Watch to his then favourite Lady, flat⯑tered myſelf with the Hopes of obtaining a Com⯑miſſion in that great Monarch's Service. Dr. W [...] was my Phyſician, who lived contiguous to the Houſe where I lodged, and three Times a Day viſited me, lying in a dangerous Condition in my Bed, not able to move either Hand or Foot, but racked with tormenting Pains both Night and Day. My faithful Iriſhmen conſtantly attended me, and for my Security brought Fire Arms into my Room, leaſt the Governor being influenced by a larger Sum, or ſollicited by their High Mighti⯑neſſes, ſhould cancel or ſupercede my Protection, and thereby expoſe me to the free Arreſt and Fu⯑ry of my Adverſaries.

One Night as I lay in my Bed, two of my Cre⯑ditors came and ſurprized me in my Room, and inſiſted on my going with them immediately▪ pro⯑ducing the Governor's Order to compel me to ac⯑quieſce to their Demands; but I excuſed myſelf on Account of my Illneſs for that Night, and pro⯑miſed to be ready in the Morning, to comply with their Requeſt. Nevertheleſs this Anſwer, was not Satisfactory, for they inſiſted on lying in the ſame Room with me, as a Guard to my Perſon. Here upon my Comrades armed themſelves with a Brac [...] of Piſtols each, and preſenting, ſwore, that if the Gentlemen did not immediately depart, that they [83] would ſeverely puniſh their Raſhneſs and Inſolence, for they inſiſted on that Room being their Pro⯑perty; and that I was only there on Sufference. Hereupon the Creditors withdrew, but placed a Guard round the Houſe, ſwearing that they would hurry me away with them very early in the Mor⯑ning.

Now the Fright I was in diſpelled all my Pain, and I, who before could not move myſelf in my Bed, now put on my Cloaths, and walked haſtily up and down the Room, ruminating what Courſe to take to extricate myſelf from this Emergency. At laſt I ſent for the Doctor, who had already heard of the Affair, and with him I agreed, that if he would leave open his back Door, between the Hours of Twelve and One, I would make my Eſcape, and take Shelter in his Houſe.

To this Purpoſe he readily conſented, and pro⯑miſed to be punctual in the Execution of his Truſt. Whereupon my Companions and I called for Liquor plentifully, and I ſeemed to be no ways concerned at the Danger I was in,

Now the Time of my intended Flight drawing nigh; we called for a large Bowl of Arrack Punch, which whilſt the Landlady, (the ſole Perſon then ſtirring in the Houſe) was making, I by the Fa⯑vour and Obſcurity of the Night, eſcaped out at the back Door, and ſlipped unſeen into the Doc⯑tor's Houſe, where I lay concealed for nine or ten Days, leaving my Purſuers to curſe their unhappy Stars, and commence a freſh Hunt after their flown Game,

At length, growing weary of this intolerable con⯑finement, I reſolved to venture abroad in diſguiſe, and [84] therefore borrowed a ſuit of woman's apparel of the Doctor's ſpouſe, in return for which I gave her a di⯑amond girdle Buckle. The dreſs I had was French, and therefore I was now obliged to play the part of Madam de Paris, and for two or three days behav'd very modeſtly among the ladies, being inſtructed in my female diſcipline by the Doctor's ſpouſe. At laſt I ſet out for Amſterdam, having a gentleman of the Doc⯑tor's recommendation to perſonate my Husband; as ſoon as I arrived there, I wrote to Mr. H [...], de⯑ſiring him to remit me 200 Guineas, but he never complied with my demand.

Three days afterwards I received a letter from an uuknown hand, aſſuring me that my Partner H [...] had proved falſe, and betray'd his Truſt to me; for that he had actually agreed to deliver up all my ef⯑fects, on promiſe of the above-mentioned reward; that therefore the only expedient I had left to prevent his villainous deſign was, a voluntary ſurrender of myſelf. Whereupon, as the old ſaying is, Needs muſt when the devil drives, I determined to make the beſt of my way to Rotterdam, where I heard that my creditors were aſſembled at Mr. E [...], at the Sun on the Vine-Haven, and by a voluntary ſubmiſ⯑ſion to their mercy and clemency, to appeaſe their juſt indignation, and thereby obtain that Reward that my partner had by ſo infamous and treacherous a plot, en⯑deavoured to gain.

The deſign happily had its deſired Effect, for upon my free ſurrender, the creditors not only uſed me in a generous and gentleman-like manner, but ſent for Mr. H [...], and abſolutely demanded all thoſe effects that▪ I had lodged in his hands, threat'ning upon re⯑fuſal thereof, to ſeize them by authority. In ſhort▪ [85] he was obliged to comply, and produced all that eve [...] I had committed to his truſt, and at the ſame time brought in a charge againſt me for caſh drawn out of his hands, as likewiſe his bill for attendance and ſer⯑vices done for me, whilſt under my Misfortunes. The gentlemen, as well as I, were greatly amazed at his exorbitant demands, which were upwards of 700 l. but nevertheleſs, to avoid further trouble and ex⯑pences, they were adviſed to acquieſce to his exactions; the laws of the united provinces being ſtrictly ſevere in compelling all perſons to ſatisfy the parties by them employed, to the utmoſt of their demands, tho' never ſo immoderate. And now as a gratuity, the credi⯑tors gave me the ſum of 200 l. enjoining me to be ready to ſail with them for England on the firſt op⯑portunity.

Matters being thus accommodated, I went to my old landlord's at the King's Head, but to my ſurprize, ſound that my wife was gone from thence, at the in⯑ſtigation of the above-mentioned H [...], who had baſely perſuaded her to make a tour to Antwerp, in Flanders, where he ſaid I was ſettled. Upon a further enquiry about her effects, the landlord told me, that ſhe had honourably diſcharged the houſe, and took her trunk along with her. However, I made myſelf as eaſy as poſſible, under my unfortunate circumſtances, but vowed to revenge myſelf on H [...], for the injury and injuſtice he had done me; and there⯑fore, I privately bought a pair of pocket piſtols, load⯑ed them, and then went to his houſe to drink a glaſs with him, under pretence of accommodating our dif⯑ferences, tho' my full and real intent was to have ſhot him, as an example to deter others from violating the ſacred ties of friendſhip, by the horrid and ſcanda⯑lous [86] breach of truſt. But he (unable to bear the reproaches of the populace) was gone, and ſo preſerv'd his own life, as well as mine, which would have been inevitably forfeited to the juſt laws of the Republic, ſeverely rigid againſt homicide.

Soon after this, my creditors and I returned for England. On our arrival at London, we went to Mr. Barnes's, a goldſmith on Ludgate-hill, and one of my principal creditors, who was generonſly pleaſed to treat me better than I deſerved; at this gentle⯑man's houſe I lay all night, and the next morning was carried to the Crown and Rolls Tavern in Chancery Lane, where the Commiſſioners of the Bankruptcy were aſſembled; here to my ſurprize, I met with my wife and mother-in-law, both dreſſed in mourning, for the death of their relation capt. Holden; when after a civil ſalute, the old gentlewoman ſaid, Ah! Mr. Langley, this Dreſs well becomes our preſent Cir⯑cumſtances, for we are all ruin'd by your Folly. Mr. Brown raves like a Madam, and will by no Means be pacified, and Nancy's Dutch Landlord has ran away with all her Caſh, Cloaths, and Jew⯑els, whilſt ſhe was in Queſt of you. Our further diſcourſe was interrupted by an order from the commiſ⯑ſioners for me to attend them immediately; where af⯑ter a long and ſtrict examination paſſed, to the con⯑tent of all parties, I was diſcharged, upon promiſe of giving due attendance to the attorney for the com⯑miſſion, and one of the aſſignees for my encouragement thereunto, gave me five guineas in hand. After this, I took an apartment for myſelf and wife, in Devercux Court, near Temple Bar, and daily wa [...]ted on the aſſignees and their attorney, for the execution of the then dependant buſineſs, viz. to ſettle my affairs, and [87] cell in my debts, which were large, there being up⯑wards of eighteen hundred pounds in the book, and my plate and houſhold furniture was ſold for upwards of twelve hundred pounds more. But amongſt all my misfortunes, none ſo much grieved me as to ſee my cu⯑rious library of books, that with pains I purchaſed for two hundred and fifty pounds, diſpoſed of for the trivial ſum of thirty pounds. And now my wife being taken very ill, was removed to her mother's, to be attended with all neceſſary care for a ſick perſon; whereupon finding 5 s. per week too much for my fallen circumſtances, to pay for a room barely to ſleep in, I diſcharged the ſame, and took another at 1 s. 6 d. per week in Hemlock Court.

During the indiſpoſition of my ſpouſe, I was not permitted to ſee her, being ſtrictly forbid the houſe by her father. Wherefore having now ſettled the book debts, and given an account of the reſpective abodes of the different creditors, I reſolved to ſeek my fortune abroad, hoping that upon my return, I ſhould find my affairs happily concluded, and myſelf thereby maſter of a great ſum ariſing from the Statute. Mrs. Brown uſed her utmoſt endeavours to diſſuade me from my pur⯑poſe; but I remained inflexible, and deaf to all her earneſt entreaties, and therefore muſtering up the ſum of thirty Guineas, I went to the Barbadoes Coffee⯑houſe, where I agreed with captain Joſeph Richard⯑ſon, commander of the Frere Galley, bound for the a⯑bove-mentioned iſland, for my paſſage thither. Upon the captain's telling me that he ſhould be ready to ſail in a fortnight, I prepared myſelf purſuant to his di⯑rections; and having packed up my cloaths and linnen, I took a final leave of my firiends, and went down to Blackwall, where the Ship then lay, having given a [88] letter of attorney to my good friend Mr. G [...], to act for me in my abſence.

Whilſt the Veſſel ſtaid at Blackwall, I quartere [...] at the White-Horſe, and being now metamorphoſe [...] into a kind of Sea Officer, with my laced Hat [...] and ſpeckled Shirt, I paſſed upon ſome for th [...] Mate of a Ship. I cannot forget, that being ac [...]cidentally in Company with a Barber, the credu [...]lous Fool forced me to accept of a handſome Ty [...] Wig, on my Note, payable on my Return, an [...] I conf [...]ſs, I believe, that I could then have ha [...] all the Wigs in his Shop on the ſame Condi⯑tion.

I now went by the Name of James Englefield and having purchaſed 20 Gallons of Alderma [...] Parſons's Beer, four Dozen of Wine, 100 Le [...] ⯑mons, and a Loaf of Sugar, I went on Board, an [...] fell down to Graveſ [...]nd. The next Day, the Cap⯑tain and the reſt of the Paſſengers arriv'd there from whence we ſailed with a fair Wind at N. W [...] into the Downs, where the Winds hanging to th [...] Weſtward, we continued for ten Days. Here w [...] ſtock'd ourſelves with Brandy at a very reaſonabl [...] rate. From the Downs we ſteered our Courſe t [...] our intended Port; our Company conſiſting [...] two Ladies, eight Gentlemen, and myſelf: Wh [...] one Day (to my ſorrow I ſpeak it) ſome of th [...] Paſſengers began to play at Hazard, whereupon, [...] who always had a ſtrong and ungovernable Incli⯑nation, to Gaming, made one amongſt them; w [...] play'd high, and Fortune frowning on me, I ſoo [...] became a broken Merchant. Upon this Diſaſte [...] I thought myſelf the moſt unhappy Man in th [...] World, being bound to a ſtrang Place, and en [...]i [...]e [...] [89] deſtitute of either Money or Friends; however, I amuſed myſelf with ſettling the Accounts of one Mr. Morgan, a yearly Trader to thoſe Parts, and knowing no other Antidote to my preſent Afflicti⯑ons but Patience, I determined to bear up againſt the Torrent of Adverſity, with a chearful Alcrity, and pleaſing Hopes of ſome unectxpeed Turn of Fortune.

On Chriſtmas Day we went aſhore, and the Ship's Doctor invited me to Dinner with him at a Friend's Houſe, for every one by my Apparel, judged me to be a young Gentleman of Fortune. In the Evening I went to Mrs. Carmichael's, the beſt Tavern in Charles Town, where I quartered for a conſiderable Time; my good Friend Mr. Mor⯑gan having given me a fair Character to my Land⯑lady, and alſo preſented me with two Moidores, for the Service I had done him, in ſettling his Accounts; but this ready Caſh was ſoon expend⯑ed, and I conſiderably indebted to my kind Ho⯑ſteſs, which threw me in ſo a great Dilemma how to manage my Affairs, that I could neither reſt Night nor Day; full well I knew that I could not get off from the Iſland without giving public No⯑tice thereof for one and twenty Days. Neverthe⯑leſs, as I had artfully lodged my Cheſt and Appa⯑rel at a little Tavern adjoining to the Water-ſide, I waited in Hopes of ſome favourable Opportunity of bilking my Landlady. Accordingly, ſome Time afterwards his Majeſty's Ship the Goſport, ar⯑rived in the Bay, and by good Fortune, ſome of the young Officers came to Dinner at my Quar⯑ters, where in the Afternoon, over a merry Bottle, one of the Gentlemen aſked me, if I was not a [90] Commander, of ſome Veſſel, for ſo he judged me to be my Apparel, which was Scarlet trimm'd with Silver. Sir, ſaid I, my Appearance, I confeſs, may ſpeak me to be ſuch as you pleaſe to imagine, but to tell you the real Truth, I am the moſt un⯑fortunate young Fellow alive, for here I am in⯑volv'd in Debt, which I am unable to diſcharge, neither know I how to eſcape from this accurſed Iſland. Sir, replied he briſkly, If that be all your Grievance, I'll put you in a Way to redreſs it im⯑mediately; our Captain is an honourable and good-natured Gentleman, and therefore, if you apply to him for your Paſſage, to Jamaica, I doubt not but that he will eaſily grant your Requeſt; he comes aſhore every Morning about Nine, and your beſt Way is, to addreſs yourſelf to him on his Land⯑ing, before he is engaged in other Company; in the mean Time, be cautious how you let any one into the Secret, and you need not fear Succeſs therein. In fine, I heartily thanked him for his wholeſome and highly agreeable Advice, and the next Morning met the Commander, to whom I freely without Reſerve, made known the State of my Affairs, and he as generouſly was pleaſed to promiſe me my Paſſage on Board the Ship, and at the ſame Time, as a Signal, ordered me, when I ſaw his Maintop ſail Sheets hauld home, to come on Board, and he would receive me into his Care and Protection.

Highly pleaſed with this unexpected Courteſy from a Stranger, I was not failing in an humble and grateful Acknowledgement of ſo ſingular a Favour, and elate with Joy, returned to my Quar⯑ters. Now my ſole Buſineſs was to keep a ſharp [91] look-out for my ſo much deſired Signal; which on the fourth Day I eſpied, to my great Joy and Comfort; whereupon, I directly took a Canoe, put my Cheſt therein, and went on Board. Captain Richardſon ſeeing me go on board the Man of War, imagined how Affairs went, and ſent his Mate to me, with three Guineas, for the Whig which I had had of my aforeſaid Friend the Barber at Blackwall. From Barbadoes we ſailed to Ja⯑maica, and during the Paſſage, I had the Honour to Meſs with the Lieutenats, who ſeemed well pleaſed at the merry Recital of my various Adven⯑tures. I leave my Readers to judge of the Confu⯑ſion that my Landlady was in, at the News of my ſudden Departure, and now proceed to the Relation of what happened to me in the above-mentioned Iſland of Jamaica.

I lodged at Mr. Wade's at Port Royal, and by my coming there in the Man of War, paſſed cur⯑rently for one of the Midſhipmen. Here in a ſhort Time I expended my ſmall Stock, but was happily prevented from running in Debt, by an unexpected Accident. For one Night being at Supper with ſome Gentlemen of the Iſland, one of the Company gave me a kind Invitation to come over to his Plan⯑tation, near Salt-pan-Hill, there to ſpend three Weeks or a Month with him in a retired Life. I readily embraced the Opportunity, as hoping there⯑by to gain the Favour of being recommended to ſome Employment on the Iſland. The next Day we went to his Country Seat, far more reſembling the infernal Regions, than the pleaſing Abode of a Mortal here on Earth.

[92] His numerous Attendants, both Male and Fe⯑male, were all Black, and their young, like Swine, lay groveling in the Duſt. Here the parched and yawning Earth brought to my Remembrance, how Dame Tullis raiſed up her barren Head, invoking Jove to cruſh the giddy Phaeton in his wild and mad Carreer, and by his deſerved fall, to ſave her vaſt Dominions from an univerſal Conflagration. As this Gentleman had no European but myſelf to Converſe, I ſoon became familiar with him, who being acquainted with my Circumſtances, promis'd to ſerve me to the utmoſt of his Capacity, Al⯑though I here enjoyed all that the Iſland afforded, yet a retired Life was not agreeable to my own Diſpoſition; and therefore, I reſolved to uſe ſome Stratagem to get a little Caſh of him, and then go on board the Fleet commanded by Admiral Stew⯑ard. To effect this, I propoſed to live with this Gentleman as his Servant or Overſeer, which Fa⯑vour after many Solicitations, and earneſt Entrea⯑ties was granted, and my deſigned Employment was to overlook the Negroes in the Fiſhery. Now as ſoon as Mr. Lynch (for that was the Gentleman's Name) and I, had agreed on Terms for my Wages, I freely told him, that my Cheſt and Cloaths lay [...] as a Security for twenty Dollars at Port Royal, and I moſt humbly entreated him to advance me Mo⯑ney for the Redemption of the ſame; to which h [...] readily conſented, and ordered his Negroes t [...] Man the Canoe, and then row me over to Port [...] Royal, and there wait till I had compleated [...] Buſineſs.

No ſooner was I landed there, but I took one [...] the Slaves with me to a Tavern, and there gav [...] [93] him a Letter to carry to his Maſter, the Contents whereof were, 'That I returned him many Thanks for his kind Entertainment, and generous Aſſiſt⯑ance; but that Fortune had unexpectedly provid⯑ed ſomething for me far ſuperior to the Station of a Servant; that I hoped he would excuſe my Breach of Promiſe, and that as to the Caſh, that he had lent me, I would repay him as ſoon as poſſible.' Having thus diſmiſſed the Negroe, I forthwith addreſſed myſelf to the aforeſaid Admi⯑ral, who generouſly compaſſionating my Youth, and Misfortunes, was pleaſed to order me on board the ſame Ship that brought me thither, and the Commander thereof, favoured me with the Liberty of walking the Quarter Deck. In three or four Days, the Fleet ſailed round for Port Antonio, ſi⯑tuate on the Northermoſt Part of the Iſland, where we continued near four Months, all Hands being daily employed Aſhore, in building a Dock for his Majeſty's Service. From whence we returned to Port Royal, and after a ſhort ſtay there, our Ship was ordered home to Plymouth, and there, ſoon after paid off. Whilſt I was on board, I had con⯑tracted an Intimacy with the Surgeon's Mate, and we two now became inſeparable Companions, we both lodging at the Three Guns at the Dock. A⯑midſt the various Company that reſorted thither, was an old Gentleman, Clerk of the Dock Yard, a Man of an affable and engaging Temper, with whom, as he daily frequented the Houſe, we ſoon became acquainted. This Gentleman had a very agreeable young Lady for his Daughter, with whom, as ſhe accidentally came to call her Father Home, my Comrade, the Doctor, was ſo ſmitten [94] at the firſt Sight, that he could not reſt, till he ha [...] engaged her and her Father, to favour us with thei [...] Company, to Supper on the following Evening Mr. B [...], (for that was the Gentleman's Name readily conſented, and we paſſed the Hours i [...] Mirth and Gaiety; the young Lady to heighter our Pleaſures, diverting us with ſeveral Songs Between Twelve and One we waited on our Com⯑pany Home, and afterwards returned to our Quar⯑ters, where the Doctor was now more inflamed, his Thoughts and Diſcourſe running continually on the Perfections of his new Miſtreſs. But, for my Part, I concealed my ardent Paſſion, and reſolved to wait a more favourable Opportunity, of diſ⯑cloſing my Love and Eſteem, in an honourable Manner, if ſo it may be called in me, who had al⯑ready tied the Conjugal Knot. In the mean Time, the Doctor and I (being both fluſh with Money) re⯑velled at large, till by our repeated Extravagan⯑cies, we had almoſt drained our Pockets, and in return to our Folly, got the French Diſeaſe.

However, one Day as we were playing at Bil⯑liards, I looking out of the Window, accidentally ſaw my Charmer ſtanding at the Door of a Corner Shop; whereupon, giving the Game for loſt, Doc⯑tor, ſaid I, there's Molly, come, let's go and drink a Diſh of Tea with her; by no Means, replied he, for the People of the Houſe are Strangers, and conſequently would deem it Impudence in us to force any Acquaintance with them. No matter for that quoth [...], if you won't go, I will; ſo down Stairs I ran to the Shop, and (as in a Surprize) ſaid, Bleſs me, Madam! what good Fortune has brought you hither, [...]'ve oftentimes promiſed my⯑ſelf [95] the Happineſs of drinking Tea with you, but never till now had the Opportunity; ſo ſlipping into the Shop, I told the Miſtreſs thereof, that I hoped ſhe would excuſe my Freedom, in deſiring the favour of her to make a Pot of Tea, and at the ſame Time flung down Half a Crown as a Satis⯑faction for her Trouble.

She ſeemed very well pleaſed to have the Op⯑portunity of obliging her Couſin, as ſhe called her, and me, and therefore deſired us to walk into the Parlour, whilſt ſhe prepared the Tea Equipage. Here I freely diſcloſed my Mind to my lovely God⯑deſs, and met with a more favourable Reception than I expected: ſoon after, in came the old Gen⯑tleman, who merrily ſaid, So, ſo, Mr. Englefield, [...] ſee that Molly and you are got together. Yes, Sir, ſaid I, and ſince I have had the Pleaſure of drinking Tea with Miſs, I deſire the Favour that we may now go and drink a Glaſs together, for I've ſomething to impart to you of great Conſe⯑quence. Agreed to, Sir, replyed he, and you and I will go firſt, and Molly, if ſhe pleaſes, may fol⯑low after us. In ſhort, I told the old Gentleman how paſſionately I loved his Daughter, and that I ſhould be proud to make her my Wife: Whilſt we were thus diſcourſing, Molly came to us, where⯑upon I ſhewed all poſſible Marks of ſincere Love and Eſteem for her in the Preſence of her Father, who invited me to breakfaſt with him next Mor⯑ning. All this Time, my good Friend, the Doc⯑tor, was on Thorns, and longed to know the Reſult of our long Conferences, which I told him was on various Subjects, but never mentioned that I had made the leaſt Proſſer of Love to Molly, no [...] [96] th [...]t I was to go there in the Morning to Breakfaſt Wherefore I aroſe early, and under a Pretence o [...] taking a Walk, went privately to Mr. Brown's, wh [...] received me with the utmoſt Civility, and left hi [...] Daughter and me alone in the Parlour; here it was that I repeated my Addreſſes, and paſſionately expreſſed my inviolable and conſtant Love, vowing always to maintain the ſame fixed and unalterable. [...] length▪ the Nymph conſented, provided that her Father would be content to ratify it; where⯑upon▪ warmly ſaluting her, I went into the Gar⯑den to the old Gentleman, and deſiring him to conſummate our Happineſs by his conſent; to which he generouſly replied, ſince my Daughter [...] willing, I am content. Whereupon we went in to breakfaſt, and all my deſires being [...] thus hap⯑pily accompliſhed, I took my Leave for the pre⯑ſent.

As ſoon as I came to my Lodgings, I began ſeriouſly to reflect on my paſt Folly in engaging myſelf in ſo ſolemn and important an Affair, with⯑out any Probability of effecting what I had ſeem⯑ingly carried on with ſo much Succeſs; the ſole Reaſon whereof was owing to my Imprudence; for although I made a gay Appearance, yet I had but ten Shillings leſt in Money, and moreover was ſeverely pepper'd by the Favours of a Miſs I had met with at Plymouth. Wherefore on mature De⯑liberation, of the Conſequences that muſt inevita⯑bly ariſe from the Conſumption of my intended Nuptials, I determined to viſit her once more, to let her know, that, that I had received an Ordor from my Friends to repair to London forthwith, on ſome urgent Affair; but that upon the Con⯑cluſion [97] thereof, I would return, and honourably perform my promiſe. Molly ſeemed well enough pleaſed herewith, but inſiſted on knowing how to write to me, whereupon I told her to direct to the Gun Tavern at Billingſgate. Now there be⯑ing a Sloop ready to ſail that Day for London, my Friend the Doctor and I, embark'd therein, and landed at Tower Stairs.

The firſt thing I then did, was to ſend for Mr. G [...]e, to whom I related my Adventures, and of him enquired into the State of the Bankruptcy: Hereupon he told me, that Mr. L [...]n, and the Aſſignees, were involved in Law, and that no Dividend had as yet been made, but ſays he, I have two Guineas for you, that was leſt by your worthy Friend Mr. Gilpin, which I ſhould have ſent to you on board the Ship that you went out in, had I not heard that ſhe was ſailed before I could poſſibly remit them to you. Mr. Brown has ſent your Wife to board in the North of Eng⯑land, but as to the particular Place I can't inform you. I would therefore now adviſe you to lodge privately on Southwark Side, where if you ſend me a Direction, I will ſometimes call and ſee you. Hereupon I took my leave of him, and went in ſearch of an Apartment, which by good Fortune I ſoon met with, agreeable to my Taſte, it being in a Publick Houſe, where I had the Room Gra⯑tis. Near unto my Manſion lived a Mantua⯑maker and her Daughter who I beſieged ſo cloſely, that in a little Time her Virtue began to ſtagger, and her Concupiſcence to be a Tiptoe. In ſhort, the ſole Prevention of her Ruin was my being ſo pickled with the abovementioned Diſtemper. Not⯑withſtanding [98] this, I viſited the Aſſignees and the Attorney two or three times a Week, from who [...] I had a conſtant Supply of Money, though n [...] ſufficient to ſupport my Extravagancies. Where⯑fore being now pretty deep in my Landlord's Deb [...] I reſolved to make another Trip to Sea, but wa [...] happily prevented, by being one Day arreſted as [...] was walking in Cheapſide, at the Suit of a Perſo [...] who had been Attendant on my Wife in her Pro⯑greſs to Flanders. For this Debt I was clappe [...] into the Poultry Compter, and now thinking my [...]ſelf ſecure for ſome Time, I applied to my Frien [...] G [...]e, who generouſly ordered a Surgeon to at⯑tend me for my Cure. In this unhappy Place [...] ſoon became acquainted with ſome of the moſt notorious Villains and noted Proſtitutes of th [...] Town, from whoſe bewitching Converſation [...] ſucked in the deadly Poiſon of unbluſhing Vice, and loſt what Impreſſions of Virtue and Honour I had yet remaining.

Here I continued near eleven Months, living on the Spoils of the unfortunate, whom I uſed to cheat and cozen at Cards and Dice, &c. 'till being wearied of this long and tedious Confinement, I entered into a Conſpiracy with two others, to take the Opportunity when the Turnkey brought in the unhappy Women of the Town at Night, to force our Paſſage out; but this baſe Deſign was fruſtrated by one of the Confederates turning Informer, whereupon I was confined for four Days in the ſtrong Hold, and afterwards moved by a Duce to Newgate, where (it being the Summer Time) through the noiſome and filthy Stench of the Place, I fell dangerouſly ill, whereupon my Friends com⯑paſſionating [99] my Misfortunes, and to prevent the ſcandalous Reflection of my Death in ſo deteſtable a Place, procured my Enlargement, and generouſly paid for my Board and Lodging for three Months, hoping that in that Time I ſhould get into ſome honeſt Employment.

Now being pretty well recovered of my indiſpo⯑ſition, by propitious Fortune, I crept into the good Graces of Mr. L [...]'s Attorney, who em⯑ployed me for a conſiderable Time.

One Day I chanced to meet John Gadbury, (my former Landlord in Holland) who had ran away with my Wife's Effects whom I dogged to his Lodgings, and acquainting my Attorney for the Commiſſion therewith, had him ſecured in the Fleet, from whence after ſeven Months Impriſon⯑ment, he made his Eſcape to the great detriment of the Warden, who was obliged thereby to ſa⯑tisfy our Demands. Upon the abovementioned Attorney's going to ſettle in the Country, I con⯑tracted with one K [...]k, a Buckle-maker in Water-Lane, Fleet-ſtreet, to learn the Art of carv⯑ing Buckles. Our Agreement was, that I ſhould ſerve him twelve Months, and for his Trouble in inſtructing me in that Branch of Buſineſs, give him a Promiſſory Note for twenty five Pounds, payable ſix Months after the Expiration of my Servitude. For ſome time I lived very happy with this Man, 'till by an unexpected Accident he be⯑came jealous of me and his Wife; the ſole Reaſon whereof was as follows. A Relation of Mr. K [...]'s, who ſupplied the Widow A [...]n, at the Star Muſick Houſe near the Dock-head South⯑wark, with Wine, uſed annually to give an Enter⯑tertainment [100] there, to which he always invited m [...] Maſter and Miſtreſs. Now it happened that m [...] Maſter was ill at the Time appointed for t [...] Merry-making, wherefore he deſired me to a [...] company his Spouſe thither, to which I readi [...] agreed, and the Hours paſſing ſwiftly away [...] Mirth and Dancing we ſtaid there till four o'Cloc [...] in the Morning. This innocent, though imprude [...] Action, gave Birth to his Fears and Jealouſies, a [...] cauſed him to imagine that I had violated t [...] Rights of his Marriage Bed. However, he too no Notice thereof for the preſent, but reſolved [...] watch for an Opportunity to confirm what he a [...] ready ſuſpected.

This Mr. K [...]k had a Neice, a very pret [...] young Girl, for whom I proſeſſed a great Reſpec [...] and uſed always to wait on her home, when ſ [...] came to viſit her Uncle. Now it fell out, that o [...] Morning as I was in the Kitchen, and my Maſter [...] Stairs, that this young Woman came and aſked h [...] Aunt to take a Walk to [...]ington; my Miſtreſs co [...]ſented, and I out of a Frolick offered my Service accompany them to Mr L [...]'s there, at The La [...] of Nod, which being readily accepted, I pretend [...] to my Moſter, that I was obliged to attend the A [...] ſignees in the Afternoon, and therefore deſired [...] Leave to make half a Holliday; he freely comply with my Requeſt, and I, according to my Agreemen [...] met my Company at the Place appointed, but h [...] not been there long, before Mr. K [...]k came [...] puffing and blowing like a Porpice, and almoſt as pa [...] as Aſhes; his firſt Salutation was a blow on h [...] Wife's Head with a large Stick, which he wou [...] have repeated had I not prevented him. The W [...] [101] men affrighted, ran out of the Room, and he and I ſat down together, where I uſed all poſſible Arguments to eradicate theſe groundleſs Whimſies that poſſeſſed his Brain; but all to no Purpoſe, for he remained inflexible, and vowed Revenge on her. Wherefore finding it in vain to reconcile the Difference, and that I ſhould run in danger of my Life, if I continued any longer in his Service, I propoſed a Separation, to prevent any farther Miſchief, which he readily agreed to. Now being deſtitute of all Buſineſs, I lived on the Reverſions of a Proſtitute of the Town, 'till growing weary of that ſcandalous Courſe of Life, I reſolved to go to Sea, and therefore applied to my Friend G [...]e, who was ſo kind as to obtain for me a Letter of Recommendation to Captain Tollard, Commander of the Pearl Man of W [...], that was go⯑ing on her Station to Barbadoes. Now I might have been happy, and recovered my loſt Reputation and Credit, had I been ſo wiſe as to have gone on board purſuant to Order; but ſo prevalent was my lewd Habit of Life, that I could not quit the ruinous Company of my Harlot, with whom I ſtaid in Dalliances of lawleſs Love, till the Ship was ſailed.

By this Imprudent Action I entirely diſobliged all my Friends, and was therefore obliged to keep on in the ſame abandoned and deſpicable State of Life, till one Day, as I croſſed Lincoln's-Inn-Square, I was arreſted by Mr. Dod the Officer at the Suit of K [...]k, my former Maſter. Mr. Dod know⯑ing me when I was in Proſperity conducted me to his Houſe, where he told me I might remain as long as I could find Money. I was now in the utmoſt Deſpair, and had there ended my Days miſerably by [102] hanging myſelf, had not the Rope unfortunately broke.

Now Mr. Dod's wife being ill, had lodgings in the country, and his buſineſs often calling him out, I was left in the houſe with only two women ſervants, which made me reſolve to take the firſt favourable op⯑portunity of making my eſcape, neither was it long before I effected it; for one day as Dod, and his fol⯑lower were gone to Kentiſh Town, I ſent the old woman out for a quart of gin, and ply'd her ſo cloſe with that intoxicating liquor, that ſhe ſoon fell faſt aſleep. As to the young one, I elevated her ſpi⯑rits with ſack and walnuts, till by amorous toys, and merry waggiſh tales, I prevailed on her to grant me the favour of ſtanding at the ſtreet door for the benefit of the air. In the interim came by a barrow of peaches, whereupon, come, my dear, ſaid I, will you eat a peach? ſhe replying, yes, ſir, I gave her ſixpence to purchaſe ſome of them, but did not ſtay to partake of the remainder, for I immediately ran down to Temple-ſtairs, and croſſed the water, where I lay perdue at the houſe of one L [...], an acquaint⯑ance of mine, who employed me to make handles for bruſhes, and afterwards recommended me to Mr. Weed, a colourman, who had built a Shed in a field remote from all houſes, where he boiled his bul⯑lock's blood, an ingredient uſed amongſt them in the compoſition of blue. This retired life, attended with a noiſome ſtench did not long agree with me, and therefore I reſolved to ſell myſelf for a four year's ſer⯑vant. Accordingly I contracted with one Burge, who ſent me on board the Spaniſh Town Factor captain Gray, bound to Jamaica. In my paſſage I ſettled the captain's books, who ſold me for a ſchool-maſter [103] to Colonel Sands at Port-Royal, who having a Plan⯑tation at Saltpan-Hill, removed me and his children thither, for the better conveniency of their education. Here I continued near three months, frequently di⯑verting myſelf in the company of one Quimino, a facetious and truſty negroe ſlave, belonging to my maſter, till growing weary of the mean and poor diet I met with there I reſolved at all events to run away; and accordingly about four in the morning, I went privately to Paſſage Fort, but had not got into the boat that was to carry me to Kingſton, before I was purſued, overtaken, and conducted back. Not⯑withſtanding this, I ſtill remained obſtinate, and inſiſted on going to the colonel's at Port-Royal, which being agreed to, I loudly exclaimed againſt the ill Treat⯑ment I had met with, and plainly told him, that I would ſerve him no longer; which ſo exaſperated the colonel, that he threatened to have me whipt by his negroes. Enraged at this menace, I ſwore that nothing leſs than his life ſhould expatiate the groſs affront; whereupon he finding me ſo reſolute, remanded me to my former captain, with whom (he having bu⯑ried one of his hands) I returned to England, and in the Downs was preſſed by his majeſty's ſhip the Portland, from whence I went to Ilvercomb, Bri⯑ſtol, and Bath, and rambled up and down the country with my comrade, who was one of our corporals o [...] board, till having expended all our caſh, we made the beſt of our way to London, taking the opportu⯑nity of paſſing for ſea-faring men caſt away in the Lamb, captain Morgan, bound for Ireland, with the tranſport ſoldiers; by which falſe pretence we obtained great relief on the road. When we came to London, we lodged in St. Giles's, at one of thoſe [104] mean and ſcandalous houſes, that harbour ſtrangers for two pence a night. But this life not being agree⯑able to either of us, I perſuaded my companion to en⯑ter for a ſoldier in the foot guards, and for my part I ſold myſelf once more to go to Penſilvania, and con⯑tinued on board near a week in the river; but there finding indifferent uſage, and ſearing to meet with worſe at ſea, I ſtole aſhore in company with a weaver▪ who was likewiſe going on the ſame fooliſh errand▪ From thence we travelled to Canterbury, where pre⯑tending ourſelves to be Frenchmen, we were r [...]lieved by the Proteſtants of that town, and then continued on our journey to Dover, where by good fortune we met with captain Jennings, who gave us our paſſage to Calais. At my landing there, I was ſolicited by by ſeveral Iriſh officers to enliſt into the French ſer⯑vice, but would by no means agree to their propoſals. My companion now parted from me in ſearch of bu⯑ſineſs, but I entered myſelf on board a ſnow, loaded with corn, and bound for Liſbon. At Calais, we ſtaid ſeven weeks, in which time the captain and all the crew were ſo involved in debt, that we were obliged to put to ſea in the middle of the night. When we arrived at Liſbon, the Com⯑mander was turned out of his employ, and we all paid off.

Now the Engliſh Fleet lying there, I had ſome thoughts of entering on Board thereof, but was prevented by Meſſr. Ibraham and Joſeph Gueſt, who kept a large [...]avern at B [...]ll Bay, who agreed with me ſor ten Pounds per Annuum to ſerve them in the Capacity of a Drawer. Here I muſt con⯑feſs that I lived upon the beſt that the City af⯑forded and each of my Maſters keeping a ſepa⯑rate [105] Lady of Pleaſure, I likewiſe grew wanton, and maintain'd a Miſs for myſelf; but as this Courſe of Life could not be ſuppoſed to have any long Duration, my Maſter ſoon fail'd, and I there⯑by was obliged to ſeek out for a freſh Service. Hereupon I ſhipp'd myſelf with Captain Brook, Commander of the Sarah Galley, bound to Sancta-Cruz, in Barbary, and from thence to Cadiz and ſo home to England; but the Captain and I not long agreeing together, I ran away from her at Cadiz, from thence, (after I had involved myſelf in Debt) I made the beſt of my Way to Malaga by by Land, all through the Province of Andaluzia. In my Journey, I was greatly ſurprized at the Po⯑verty, and extreme Miſery of the Inhabitants, chiefly owing to their Bigottry, they ſcarcely hav⯑ing Bread to eat whilſt the pretended Religious are pampered up in the moſt exuberant Luxury.

When I arrived at Malaga, I lodged at one O'⯑Brian's almoſt a Month upon Credit, but finding at laſt cold Reception, I reſolved to apply myfelf to the Clergy, who I knew full well were the only Perſons for me to work on, and having obſerved that it was cuſtomary for ſome of them to frequent the Sea-ſide daily; I ſeated myſelf there on a Stone, and in a melancholy Poſture waited for their com⯑ing; nor was it long before two of the Dominican Order came, and ſeated themſelves by me, asking in the Spaniſh Tongue, what Countryman I was? I replied in Latin, an Engliſhman; whereupon ac⯑cording to their fooliſh Notion, deoming me no Chriſtian, and therefore incapable of Salvation, they out of their ſeeming Piety, invited me to their Convent, there to be inſtructed in their Faith. [106] In ſhort, I verify'd the old Proverb, Neceſſity has no Law; for being then almoſt ſtarved, I was glad to embrace any thing that offered for my imme⯑diate Relief, and pretending to be entirely igno⯑rant of the Romiſh Principals, I paſs'd on them for a great Proficient therein. Here I liv'd a retir'd and indolent Life near four Months, during which Time they often preſs'd me to the Acceptance of the Habit, which I always declin'd, as having an Averſion to their ſuperſtitious Follies, though by them artfully contrived to impoſe on the giddy Vulgar. Theſe Fathers recommended me to the Service of a Spaniſh Nobleman, in Quality of Page to his Lady, with whom I liv'd eleven Months, till being unfortunately diſcover'd in an Amour with his Niece, whom I had debauched, and was forced to ſkreen myſelf from the Rage of the injured Don, by leaping out at the Window, and making the beſt of my Way to the Houſe of an Iriſh Tay⯑lor of my Acquaintance, where I lay concealed for a conſiderable Time, till at length meeting with a Sloop bound to Gibralter, and from thence to Ireland, I entered on Board thereof, our Paſſage was unparallell'd, and hardly credible, for we were thirty-five Days before we got into the Bay at Gibralter, which from Malaga, is but eighteen Leagues diſtant. Wherefore thinking that ſuch an uncommon and unuſual Diſappointment, portend⯑ed ſomething fatal attendant on our Sloop. I there quitted her, and offered myſelf as a Soldier in the Garriſon, but was rejected, by the Followers of Mars, on Account of my Stature, whereupon having nothing to ſubſiſt on, I was forc'd to per⯑form the diſagreeable and ſlaviſh Part of a Labour⯑er [107] to the Bricklayers, which I thought was the greateſt Hardſhip that I ever yet met with, and therefore I reſolved to quit this intollerable fatiguing Service, and ſeek out for ſome other more facile.

Accordingly I applied my ſelf to the Tennis-Court, and ſerved therein as a Waiter; but that likewiſe did not anſwer my Expectation, for my Miſtreſs, on Account of the wet Seaſon, not hav⯑ing ſo much Company as uſual, put me to fetch Water from the Fountain, and clean the Hogſties, which ſervile Employs not conſiſting with my No⯑tions of Life, I quitted her Service, and com⯑menced Uſher to a School-maſter, who not living within the Bounds of his Scholaſtical Revenues, was in a little Time compelled to quit the Gar⯑riſon.

I now thought I had a fair Expectance of ſuc⯑ceeding him in that Occupation, but my Hopes therein prov'd abortive, through the Malice of ſome envious Perſons, who repreſented me to the then Governor (General Sabine) as a Perſon ſent thither as a Spy, though in Diſguiſe; whereupon his Ex⯑cellency ordered me to be confin'd in the Moor's Caſtle, and in a noiſome and filthy Cell, where I continued for the Space of ſeventeen Days; at the Expiration of which I was releaſed and turned out of the Garriſon. Whereupon I ſhipp'd myſelf as Cook on Board a Tartan, commanded by one An⯑thony Jenkins, bound for Walidea, on the Barbary Shore. We went out in our Ballaſt, with four Mooriſh Merchants on Board, that were to freight our Veſſel with Corn, and then return to Gibralter, for the Sale thereof.

[108] But the Maſter, either through his Ignorance, or adverſe Winds, could not gain his deſired Port; but kept buſking the Sea, till our Proviſions were almoſt expended, and we reduced to the Allow⯑ance of three Pound of Barbary Ruſk per Week, and half a Pint of Water a Day. Theſe Hard⯑ſhips, with the ill Treatment of the Maſter, made me reſolve to leave him as ſoon as poſſible, and ſoon after it luckily happen'd that I had an Oppor⯑tunity of effecting what I ſo much deſired, for in a - hard Gale of Wind we ſprung our Maſt, and tore our Sails to ſhatters, but at length the Storm abating, we the next Day made the Canary-Iſlands, when putting her before the Wind, under an old ſpare maintop Sail, that we had on Board, we an⯑chor'd about eight at Night at the Colerada's be⯑longing to the Iſland of Lancerota; our Captain being afraid to go into the uſual Port of that Place, left his Hands, who had been all barbarouſly treat⯑ed by him, ſhould run aſhore and leave him. Now reſolved to looſe no Time in freeing myſelf from this Slavery, and therefore about Twelve o' Clock at Night, my two Confederates and I, after we had taken three Pieces of Linnen, and what elſe we could find, from the Moors, embarked in the Boat, and went aſhore, making the beſt of our Way from the Sea Side, though we knew not whither it led to. About the Dawn of Day we met with a Spaniard, mounted on a Bourico, or Jack-Aſs, who civilly bidding us Good-Morrow, aſked for an old Pipe, whereupon, I having the Language at Command, returned the Compliment, and favour'd him with one half full of Tobacco; whereat he expreſſed a great Satisfaction, and at [109] the ſame Time gave me to underſtand, that he was Mayor of that Town, which we then ſaw on the Hill. I confeſs that by his mean Garb, and wretched Appearance, I had formed a deſpicable Idea of the reſt of the Inhabitants, which was fur⯑ther augmented at the Sight of their poor ſtrag⯑gling Huts, and miſerable manner of Life; their common Diet being Greens and Oatmeal, mixed with cold Water, which they call Goſio; neither do any of the Inhabitants, except the Grandees and Clergy (altho' the Iſland affords plenty of Corn) ever bake any Bread for their own Uſe.

In the Evening by the help of our Guide, whom we hired for two Reals of Plate, about a Shilling Value, we reach'd the Port, where ſtood ten or twelve ruined Houſes, with only one which ap⯑pear'd in tollerable good Repair, which upon En⯑quiry, we found was the Manſion Seat of Seignor Don Bernado Trojano Cocillio de los Eſperones, the Perſon who aſſumed to himſelf the Title of the Britiſh Conſul; to this Gentleman we complained of the ill Treatment that we had received from our Commander, repreſenting him as no Chriſtian, but as an Encourager to Mahometiſm, and to prove our Aſſertion, we declared, that he had four Moors on Board.

In ſhort, we made him appear ſo black in the Spaniard's Eyes, that he thought him a mere De⯑vil, often ſigning himſelf with the Croſs [...]at the mention of his Name. Whereupon he commiſe⯑rated our Hardſhips, and entertained us very handſomely for three Days: To this Gentleman we ſold our Linnen Cloth for 40 Dollars, but not thinking it ſecure to make any longer Stay here, [110] leaſt the Captain (who without Diſpute would come in Search of us) ſhou'd on his Appearance confute our Aſſertions, and thereby making us appear greater Villains, than what we had repreſented him, and obtain an Order to have us bound Neck and Heels, and carried on Board, where we could expect no Mercy from him, or the injured Moors, we there⯑fore went privately in the Night to the Place called la Valla, the Reſidence of the Governor, where ſtood two Convents, one of Dominican, and the other of Franciſcan Fryars, where we took Sanc⯑tuary, my two Comrades in the latter, and I in the former Monaſtery.

The Priors of the reſpective Orders, treated us very handſomly, and promiſed to ſecure us from all Danger, if we kept in the Confines of their pri⯑viledged Territories. We had not been long here, before the Captain came up to the Governor's, and upon Complaint, that he could not put to Sea without his Hands, obtained of him an Order to apprehend us, if found without the Limits of the Convents, it not being in his Power to take us out of the Pale of the Church. Hereupon the Captain endeavoured by Flattery, to perſuade us to return on Board, but all in vain, for we not only reſolved to continue in our Station, but alſo to do him all the Prejudice we cou'd; and therefore I drew up a Complaint to the Governor, and prevailed on the Prior to preſent it to his Excellency, ſetting forth our barbarous Uſage; and that the ſaid Com⯑mander had Moors on Board, who under Pretence of Traffick, came to take a View of the Iſland, in order to return with Force, and ſurpriſe the Inhabitants. This ſo incenſed the Governor, that [111] he ordered a Company of Soldiers on Board, to ſearch the Veſſel, and to oblige the Captain to pay 334 Dollars as a Fine for not anchoring in the open Port; and furthermore, to put to Sea in ten Days Time. All which he unable to reſiſt their ſuperior Power, was obliged to comply with.

As ſoon as he was ſailed, we ranged through the Iſland at our Liberty, and were civilly enter⯑tained by the Natives, in the beſt manner they could afford. My Companions went on Board a Genoeſe Veſſel, but I waited for the Arrival of the Father Provincial, well knowing that if I had the Fortune to get into his good Graces, that it would turn conſiderably to my Advantage; wherefore on his Arrival there, I play'd my Cards with ſo much Art and Cunning, that I ſoon obtained the Favour of waiting on his Perſon, who I muſt ac⯑knowledge treated me with the utmoſt Humanity. With him I went to Santa Cruz, another of the Canary Iſlands, where I continued in the ſame Poſt; but altho' I never wanted for the beſt of Victuals, nor Cloaths, nevertheleſs ſeeing no Proſpect of getting Money in his Service, (the Clergy of that Profeſſion being generally much addicted to the inordinate Love thereof) I left him, and from thence proceeded to the Port of Oratava, where for ſome Time I was maintain'd by the Engliſh Merchants; but as Courteſies of that Nation are not of any long Duration, I was ſoon obliged to Ship myſelf on Board the Charming Molly Captain Patrick Mackhugh, bound to Genoa, where we un⯑loaded onr Orchilea, (a Weed uſed by the Dyers) and after about a Month's Continuance there, we [112] loaded with Bale Goods for Cadiz. And I now waiting on the Captain, I had an Opportunity of ſeeing the Directions of the ſeveral Letters that he brought for the numerous Merchants of that City, and amongſt them I found one directed to Meſſrs. Ryan and Mannock; whereupon knowing Mr. Mannock to have been my old School-fellow, and familiar Companion when in Trade, I reſolv'd to wait on him, and therefore aſked the Captain Li⯑berty to go aſhore, where I ſecreted myſelf all Night in a Genoeſe Houſe, and the next Morning waited on my worthy Friend, who aſked me What Service could he do me? To which generous Offer I reply'd, Sir, pleaſe to obtain my Diſcharge from the Commander. Whereupon he immediately gave me a Note to the Captain for that Purpoſe; yet he abſolutely refuſed to diſcharge me, and the next Day ſailed for St. Lucan, to load with Fruit for London, leaving me behind. Mr. Mannock (as my Wages were but trivial) adviſed me not to trou⯑ble myſelf about them, but ordered me to take a Lodging, and come to Dinner with him every Day, untill he could procure my Paſſage to Eng⯑land, in a Gentleman-like manner; he enabled me beſides to quit my Seaman's Garb, and gave me a genteel Suit of his own, with Shirts, Hat, Wig, &c. and 20 Piſtoles in my Pocket.

Now I began to taſte the Pleaſures of Life once more and buried all my former Hardſhips in Obli⯑vion; yet ſtill I obſerved a regular and ſedate Conduct for fear of diſobliging my generous Pa⯑tron; till one Night in the Carnaval Time I unfor⯑tunately picked up a Spaniſh Lady, with whom I went Home, and ſpent the Evening in lewd Plea⯑ſures, [113] ſures, and as I was returning Home thro' a dark Paſſage, my Hat and Wig were ſnatch'd from off my Head, and at the ſame Time a Book that I had borrowed of my Friend was pick'd out of my Pocket. The Place was ſo dark and obſcure, that I could not diſcover the Villain, who fled as faſt as he could, and ſoon ſkreen'd himſelf from my fruitleſs Purſuit.

It is oftentimes very Dangerous for Strangers at Cadiz, and many other Places in Spain, to fre⯑quent Houſes kept by Courtezans, becauſe there are frequently, if not always, Fellows who reſort thither and make their Prey of poor Sailors, and others, who are ſo unfortunate as to go thither. They watch every Perſon very narrowly and are ſure to make ſomething of them; for if they have not an Opportunity of robbing you in the Houſe, you are ſure to be met, and plundered as you return home to your Quarters; and many Times Engliſh Sailors have been ſtabb'd in dark Places in that City a cruel Inſtance of which happened during the Time I tarried there.

A young Fellow, an Iriſhman, Clerk to the Captain of the Cales Factor, (for Cales is more frequently uſed by Mariners than Cadiz) being returning from a bad Houſe, where he had idly ſpent two Days and Nights with lewd Women, and ſquandered away a great deal of Caſh, he was attacked in the Dusk of the Evening by ſome Aſſaſſins, who barbarouſly murdered him, after they had taken all his Money, and even ſtript all the Cloaths from off his Back; and I never could hear that theſe Ruſſians were ever detected, tho' the Britiſh Conſul and the Commander of the Veſ⯑ſel [114] to which the Youth belonged, publiſh'd a Re⯑ward for apprehending them; and the Governor of Cadiz did all he could to bring them to Juſtice and Puniſhment; but all the Searches that were made by the Officers of the City were ineffectual, and the Rogues were never found out, as I ever heard of.

This unhappy Affair however, put moſt of the Britiſh and Iriſh Seamen on their Guard, who rather choſe to tarry on board their reſpective Ships, than hazard their Lives on Shore among ſuch abandoned Wretches as the Courtezans, and the Villains who reſort amongſt them, who act much in the ſame Manner as Bullies do to the common Proſtitutes who ply in London Streets, but with a good deal more Caution, for fear of being clapp'd up in Priſon, from which they are ſeldom or ever diſcharged, without being fined, and corporally puniſhed. But, to return to my own Story.

Stung with Remorſe, not ſo much I confeſs for the Offence, as for the Loſs I had ſuſtained; I went Home greatly perplex'd, how to prevent this ſad Diſaſter from reaching my Friend's Ear, which full well I knew I cou'd not effect but by procuring the Book the ſole Obſtacle to the Concealment of my paſt Folly; but Mr. Mannock had unfortunately heard of the Affair by the Book being expoſed to Sale; wherefore at Dinner he aſked me for the ſame, ſaying, That he highly eſteemed it, as being a preſent from his Brother to him. I bluſh'd, and after Dinner called him aſide, freely acknowledged my Fault, and humbly begg'd Pardon for the Offence, which he generouſly for⯑gave; [115] but cautioned me to beware of the like Folly for the future. I now reſolved, (ſince my Friend was acquainted with the Amour) to make the Harlot (whom I ſuſpected to be an Accom⯑plice in the Robbery) to render me an ample Sa⯑tisfaction for the Injury received, and therefore I made my Complaints to the Alcade Major, or Mayor of the Town, who order'd two Officers to go with me to the Houſe, and to demand the Goods I had loſt; and if the Proſtitute refuſed to deliver them, to ſeize her Effects, and carry her to Priſon. In ſhort the Huſſy to prevent the im⯑pending Storm returned the Things, and as an At⯑tonement for her Crime, gave the Officer and me a Dollar a-piece, and a handſome Treat.

At Cadiz, I had an Opportunity of keeping Company with ſome Spaniſh Sea Officers, and other Gentlemen of Faſhion, who finding me a Man of tolerable Capacity, took ſome Pains to inſtruct me in the Spaniſh Language. Many Au⯑thors have mentioned the Multiplicity of Titles uſed by the King of Spain, but without having perfect Knowledge of them, and therefore I will here give them my Readers.

He is ſtiled King of Caſtile and Leon, of Ara⯑gon, of the two Sicilies, of Jeruſalem, of Portu⯑gal, of Navarre, of Grenada, of Toledo, of Va⯑lencia, of Galicia, of Majorca, of Sevil, of Sar⯑dinia, of Cardovia, of Corſica, of Murcia, of Jean, of the Algarves, of Algezira, of Gibraltar, of the Canary Iſlands, of the Eaſt and Weſt-Indies, Iſlands and Continent of the Ocean, Arch-Duke of Au⯑ſtria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant and Milan, [116] Earl of Flanders Tirol and Barcelona, Lord of Biſca and Molina, &c. &c. &c.

I have been in the City of Barcelona, which is a very antient one, and was built by Barea, a Car⯑thagenian, 200 Years before Chriſt, has a ſafe Harbour on the Mediterranean, is large, well for⯑tify'd, and ſecured by a Caſtle without it, called Mount Jovi. It was well built before the French Siege in 1688, which ruined many ſtately Struc⯑tures, and the Inhabitants were rich. Into this Place the Spaniards put all their Foot, under the Command of the Prince of Heſſe Darmſtadt. The French opened their Trenches, and carry'd them on with extraordinary Vigour, though much re⯑tarded by bad Weather, and the continual Fire of the Beſieg'd. At the ſame Time the French Fleet riding before the Harbour threw in abundance of Bombs. The Garriſon made ſeveral great Sallies, in which many Men were killed on both Sides, but yet they were always repulſed, and had not their intended Effect. Yet the Beſiegers had no great Reaſon to rejoice in their Succeſs, for being too few to encloſe the City, it was daily ſupplied from the Spaniſh Army that lay hard by. Vendoſme (the French General) underſtanding that it was concerted to attack him by way of a general Sally, and from both the Vice Roy's ſmall Camps, re⯑ſolved to prevent them, and therefore leaving a ſufficient Force to ſecure his Works, he marched himſelf with one Part of his Army, ſending the the Sieur d'Uſſon, with the other in the Dead of the Night, and ſurprizing both the Spaniſh Camps, put all to the Rout, killing many, and dronwing many more, who endeavoured to get over the Ri⯑ver [117] Lobregat, taking all their Baggage, among which was the Vice Roy's, in it a Box with 22000 Piſtoles, and 700 Horſes and Mules. This Suc⯑ceſs encouraged the Beſiegers, who ſprung two Mines under two Baſtions, and lodg'd themſelves on them, though with the Loſs of many Men, and having blown up other Mines, and made a conſiderable Breach, at laſt the Garriſon capitu⯑lated to march out the 15th of Auguſt in an ho⯑nourable Manner, and be conducted to Tarragona. It was reported that this City coſt the French 12000 Men, which indeed ſeems incredible, but very many died of Sickneſs. The Bombs thrown in by the Fleet had deſtroy'd above half the Town, but when I was there, it appeared like a flouriſh⯑ing City.

The trade at Cadiz is far more extenſive than that of any other port belonging to the Spaniſh mo⯑narch either in Europe, or elſewhere; the galleons and flotilla load and unload here, when go to, or re⯑turn from the Weſt-Indies.

The Spaniſh Monarchy, from whatever I have heard or read of it, is beyond Diſpute the longeſt in Extent; and, if we conſider the infinite and great Wealth of the Weſt-Indies, perhaps the very richeſt in the World.

The Emperor of China, generally eſteemed the greateſt Monarch for compaſs of Dominions, poſ⯑ſeſſes not above as much Land as all Europe to⯑gether makes; but the King of Spain has more than that in America alone, beſides all his great Dominions in Europe, and ſome, though not very large, in Aſia and Africa, yet they are ſuch as are of a conſiderable Value.

[118] It is well known that this Monarch has Lands in all the four Parts of the World, and therefore the Spaniards ſay the Sun never Sets upon his Dominions. They are too large to be deſcrib'd by me who here only give the Reader a view of them in the Names of the ſeveral Countries with the Arch-biſhopricks, Biſhopricks, and Univerſities, in them together with the Number of Towns as near as Authors have been able to compute, and ſome Hints of Revenues which are as follows.

In Spain twelve Kingdoms, or large Provinces, which are Caſtile, Leon, Aragon, Navarre, Ca⯑talonia, Galicia, Valencia, Murcia, Biſcay, Gra⯑nada, Andaluzia, and Eſtremadura, wherein there are ſixteen Thouſand ſeven Hundred Towns, ele⯑ven Arch-biſhopricks, and forty-ſeven Biſhopricks, and fourteen Univerſities, the Revenues of the Crown out of only theſe Provinces here mentioned, amount to above thirty-ſix Millions of Ducats yearly. The Income of the abovemention'd Arch⯑biſhopricks is near nineteen Million of ducats.

The prebendaries, pariſhes, and other eccleſiaſtical benifices, are worth as much more.

There are nine thouſand monaſteries, and in them near eighty thouſand religious perſons.

The eſtates of the dukes that are grandees of Spain are worth near two millions of ducats per annnm, and ſome ſay a good deal more.

Thoſe of the Marquiſſes that are grandees, about one million and a half of ducats.

Thoſe of the Earls grandees, upwards of four hundred thouſand ducats.

All theſe revenues are within the kingdom, without including the vaſt income hoth King and Nobles yearly [119] have from the Weſt Indies, and other parts of the world.

I have heard the Spaniſh clergy declare, that their moſt catholick, and auguſt monarch is the richeſt and moſt powerful prince in the univerſe; but we all know this is falſe; however, it was not my buſineſs to contradict the prieſts, for I always concurr'd with what they ſaid, becauſe I was greatly carreſs'd, and led a lazy life, and lived very well amongſt them dur⯑ing my ſtay.

In Africa, on the Coaſt of Mazelquivir, the King of Spain has Oran, Penon, Melillae and Ceuta. The Canary Iſlands being ſeven in Num⯑ber, called Lancarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Ca⯑naria, Tenrife, Gomera, Falma, and Hierro.

In Aſia he has the Philipine Iſlands, which with others between them and New Spain, are poſſeſſed by the Spaniards are above two Hundred, but the chiefeſt of them all is Lucon, which though not broad is above two Hundred Leagues in length, on it is built a good City called Manila, upon a noble River, at the Mouth of which is a ſtrong Fortreſs, and on the other Side the River an indif⯑ferent Town. All theſe Iſlands produce Gold, Cinnamon and other rich Commodities.

In America, he is Maſter of ſo many Iſlands on the North Sea, that the Number was never yet known. Thoſe call'd Kecayes, are many and large, thoſe of St. John de Puerto Rico, about eighty Leagues in Length, and twenty in Breadth, Cuba three Hundred Leagues in Length, and twenty in Breadth, Hiſpaniola above five Hundred Leagues in Compaſs.

The Continent of America, is divided into two [120] Peninſulas, link'd together by a ſmall Neck of Land, but eighteen Leagues over.

The Northern Peninſula is called New Spain, and the Southern Peru.

The Southern Peninſula, which is all encom⯑paſſed with the Sea, except where the Iſthmus joins it it to the Continent, and here are many very rich Provinces.

In theſe Weſtern Countries there are ſix Arch⯑biſhopricks and thirty-one Biſhopricks; but as I intend to have done with this Subject, I ſhall pro⯑ceed to my own Hiſtory, until I land myſelf once more in my native Country.

My good Friend, Mr. Mannock, having ſent for me, told me, he had agreed for my Paſſage Home, and that I muſt go on board in the Even⯑ing, for the Ship would ſail the next Morning for England: Whereupon I humbly thank'd him for all Favours, and took my laſt Farewell of him, highly overjoy'd at the Thoughts of my returning one more to my native Country. But as I paſſed through the City Gates with a full Intent to go on Board, I unhappily met a Courtezan, a quandom Acquaintace, with whom I ſtay'd all Night, but the next Morning when I came down to the Mould, I found to my equal Sorrow and Surprize, the Ship was ſail'd; whereupon I was ſo enrag'd at this fatal Diſappointment occaſioned entirely by my own Folly, that I almoſt reſolved to put a Period to my wretched Life, and now being no longer able to ſtay at Cadiz, for fear of being ſeen by my in⯑jured Friend, I took Boat and went over to Fort St. Mary, and from thence to St. Lucar, where I had heard, that one Mr. Brown, a wealty Merchant [121] reſided whoſe Siſter had been married to my Un⯑cle Sir Roger Langley. Here I had the Honour to dine with this Gentleman, who made me a a Preſent of two Doubloons, and adviſed me to return Home. Whereupon, lodging at the Houſe of one Mr. Smith, who kept an Ordinary for the Maſters of Veſſels, I fortunately became ac⯑quainted with Captain Whitaker, bound for Cowes and Hamburgh, with this Gentleman I came Home, landed at Limington, and from thence made the beſt of my Way to London, where finding that my Creditors had received 10 s. in the Pound in my long Abſence, I was in Hopes of receiving the ſum ſtipulated by Parliament for Bankrupts, and thereby reinſtating myſelf in ſome ſettled Bu⯑ſineſs with my Wife. Mr. Brown her Father being dead in my Abſence, and all the Differences now now ſeemingly thereby to be appeaſed, whereupon I waited on my Mother-in-law, and to her made Propoſals of ſending for my Wife to Town, which ſhe agreed to, but through her avaritious Temper, refuſed to aſſiſt me with Money to enable me to advance myſelf once more in Trade, and recover my Right from the Statute, and to obtain my Certifi⯑cate from the Creditors. Whereupon finding my good Deſigns rend'red impracticable, I gave a Looſe to falſe Pleaſure, leading a looſe and extra⯑vagant Liſe, until I had almoſt exhauſted all my ſlender Gains, as likewiſe a ſmall Legacy that was leſt me by my Couſin Brent. Wherefore I now reſolv'd once more to range abroad in Search of new Adventures, and accidentally coming ac⯑quainted with one Mr. Hill, a young Spark of as deſperate a Fortune as my own, with him I pro⯑poſed [122] to make a Tour to Paris; in order where⯑unto we travelled by Land to Dover, but on our Arrival there, we were unhappily diſappointed in our intended Progreſs, by an Embargo laid on the Shipping in that Port.

Where on our Return Home, Money being low, we ſtopp'd John Springate of Feverſham, within Sight of the Turnpike at Harble Down, but upon rifling his Pockets, and finding no more than three Farthings therein, not thinking ſo inconſiderable a ſum worthy our Acceptance, we return'd him the ſame, and civilly diſmiſſed him.