any one in this house. But you may tell the doctor from me, madam, that he is an impudent coxcomb, a puppy, and deserves to have his bones broke.

Old Lady Lamb. Fy, Charlotte, fy! He speaks but for your good, and this is the grateful return you make.

Charl. Grateful return, madam!-how can you be so partial to that hypocrite?-The doctor is one of those who start at a feather.-Poor good man; yet he has his vices of the graver sort―――

Old Lady Lamb. Come, come; I wish you would follow his precepts, whose practice is conformable to what he teaches.- -Virtuous man !-Above all sensual regards, he considers the world merely as a collection of dirt and pebble-stones.-How has he weaned me from temporal connections! My heart is now set upon nothing sublunary; and, I thank Heaven, I am so insensible to every thing in this vain world, that I could see you, my son, my daughters, my brothers, my grandchildren, all expire before me; and mind it no more than the going out of so many snuffs of candle.

Charl. Upon my word, madam, it is a very humane disposition you have been able to arrive at, and your family is much obliged to the doctor for his instructions.

Old Lady Lamb. Well, child, I have nothing more to say to you at present; Heaven mend you, that's all. Lady Lamb. But pray, madam, stay and dine with us.

D

Old Lady Lamb. No, daughter; I have said it, and you know I never tell a lie; but here's my son, if you'll give me leave, I'll stay and speak to him.

Lady Lamb. Your ladyship's time's your own. Charl. Ay, and here's that abominable doctor.This fellow puts me beyond my patience.

[Exeunt Lady Lambert and Charlotte.

Enter Sir JOHN LAMBERT and Dottor CANTWELL.

Sir J. Lamb. Oh, madam, madam! I'm glad you're here to join me in solicitations to the doctor.-Here is my mother, friend, my mother; a pious woman; you will hear her; more worthy to advise you than

I am.

Dr. Cant. Alas! the dear good lady, I will kiss her hand-but what advice can she give me? The riches of this world, sir, have no charms for me; I am not dazzled with their false glare; and was I, I repeat it, to accept of the trust you want to repose in me, Heaven knows, it would only be lest the means should not fall into wicked hands, who would not lay it out as I should do, for the glory of Heaven, and the good of my neighbour.

-But you

Old Lady Lamb. What is the matter, son? Dr. Cant. Nothing, madam, nothing.were witness how the worthy colonel treated me this morning-Not that I speak it on my own account→→ for to be reviled is my portion.

Sir J. Lamb. O the villain! the villain !

Dr. Cant. Indeed, I did not think he had so hard

a nature.

Old Lady Lamb. Ah! your charitable heart knows not the rancour that is in his.-His wicked sister too has been here this moment abusing this good man.

Dr. Cant. O sir, 'tis plain, 'tis plain; your whole family are in a combination against me-your son and daughter hate me; they think I stand between them and your favour; and indeed it is not fit I should do so; for, fallen as they are, they are still your children, and I an alien, an intruder, who ought in conscience to retire and heal those unhappy breaches.

Old Lady Lamb. See, if the good man does not wipe his eyes!

Dr. Cant. Oh, Heavens! the thought of their ingratitude wounds me to the quick-but I'll remove this eye-sore-here, Charles!

Enter SEYWARD.

Sir J. Lamb. For goodness sake

Dr. Cant. Bring me that writing I gave you to lay up this morning.

Sir J. Lamb. Make haste, good Charles; it shall be signed this moment. [Exit Seyward.

Dr. Cant. Not for the world, Sir John-every minute tends to corroborate my last intentions-I must not, will not take it, with the curses of your children.

Sir J. Lamb. But, consider, doctor-shall my wicked son then be heir to my lands, before repentance has entitled him to favour-No, let him de

pend upon you, whom he has wronged; perhaps, in time he may reflect on his father's justice, and be reconciled to your rewarded virtues.-If Heaven should at last reclaim him, in you, I know, he still would find a fond forgiving father.

Dr. Cant. The imagination of so blest an hour softens me to a tenderness I cannot support!

Old Lady Lamb. Oh! the dear good man.

Sir J. Lamb. With regard to my daughter, doctor, you know she is not wronged by it: because, if she proves not obstinate, she may still be happy.

Old Lady Lamb. Yes, but the perverse wretch slights the blessing you propose for her.

Dr. Cant. We must allow, madam, female modesty a time, which often takes the likeness of distaste: the commands of your good son might too suddenly surprise her-Maids must be gently dealt with-and, might I humbly advise

Sir J. Lamb. Any thing you will; you shall govern me and her.

Dr. Cant. Then, sir, abate of your authority, and let the matter rest awhile.

Sir J. Lamb. Suppose we were to get my wife to speak to her; women will often hear from their own sex what, sometimes, even from the man they like, will startle them.

Dr. Cant. Then, with your permission, sir, I will take an opportunity of talking to my lady.

Sir J. Lamb. She's now in her dressing-room; I'll go and prepare her for it.

[Exit.

Dr. Cant. You are too good to me, sir-too bountiful.

Enter SEYWARD.

Seyw. Sir, Mr. Maw-worm is without, and would be glad to be permitted to speak with you.

Old Lady Lamb. Oh, pray, doctor, admit him; I have not seen Mr. Maw-worm this great while; he's a pious man, tho' in an humble estate; desire the worthy creature to walk in.

Enter MAW-WORM.

-How do you do, Mr. Maw-worm ?

Maw. Thank your ladyship's axing-I'm but deadly poorish, indeed; the world and I cann't agree-I have got the books, doctor-and Mrs. Grunt bid me give her service to you, and thanks you for the eighteen-pence.

Dr. Cant. Hush, friend Maw-worm! not a word more; you know I hate to have my little charities blaz'd about: a poor widow, madam, to whom I sent my mite.

Old Lady Lamb. Give her this.

[Offers a purse to Maw-worm. Dr. Cant. I'll take care it shall be given up to her. [Puts it up.

Old Lady Lamb. But what is the matter with you, Mr. Maw-worm?

Maw. I don't know what's the matter with me