Mifs RICHLAND.

The precaution was very unnecessary, Sir. I fuppose your wants were only fuch as my agent had power to fatisfy.

Sir WILLIAM,

Partly, madam. But, I was alfo willing you fhould be fully apprized of the character of the gentleman you intended to ferve.

Mifs RICHLAND.

It must come, fir, with a very ill grace from you. To cenfure it, after what you have done, would look like malice; and, to fpeak favourably of a character you have oppreffed, would be impeaching your own.

And fure, his tenderness, his humanity, his univerfal friendship, may atone for many faults. Sir WILLIAM.

That friendship, madam, which is exerted in too wide a sphere, becomes totally ufelefs. Our bounty, like a drop of water, difappears when diffused too widely. They, who pretend moft to this univerfal benevolence, are either deceivers, or dupes. Men who defire to cover their private ill-nature, by a pretended regard for all; or, men who, reasoning themselves into false feelings, are more earnest in purfuit of fplendid, than of useful virtues.

Mifs RICHLAND.

I am furprised, Sir, to hear one, who has probably been a gainer by the folly of others, fo fevere in his cenfure of it.

Sir WILLIAM.

Whatever I may have gained by folly, madam, you fee I am willing to prevent your lofing by it.

Mifs RICHLAND.

You cares for me, Sir, are unneceffary. I always fufpect those services which are denied where they are wanted, and offered, perhaps, in hopes of a refufal. No, Sir, my directions have been given, and I infift upon their being complied with.

Sir WILLIAM.

Thou amiable woman! I can no longer contain the expreffions of my gratitude: my pleasure. You fee before you one, who has been equally careful of his intereft; one, who has for fome time been a concealed spectator of his follies, and only punished, in hopes to reclaim them-his uncle!

Mifs RICHLAND.

Sir William Honeywood! You amaze me. How fhall I conceal my confufion? I fear, Sir, you'll think I have been too forward in my fervices. I confefs I

Sir WILLIAM.

Don't make any apologics, madam. I only find myself unable to repay the obligation. And yet, I have been trying my intereft of late to ferve you. Having learnt, madam, that you had fome demands upon government, I have, though unafked, been your folicitor there.

VOL. II.

F

Mifs

Mifs RICHLAND.

Sir, I'm infinitely obliged to your intentions. But my guardian has employed another gentleman who affures him of fuccefs.

Sir WILLIAM.

Who, the important little man that vifits here ? Trust me, madam, he's quite contemptible among men in power, and utterly unable to serve

you. Mr. Lofty's promifes are much better known to people of fashion, than his perfon, I affure you.

Mifs RICHLAND.

How have we been deceived! As fure as can be, here he comes.

Does he!

Sir WILLIAM.

Remember I'm to continue unknown. My return to England has not as yet been made public. With what impudence he enters!

Enter LOFTY.

LOFTY.

Let the chariot-let my chariot drive off; I'll vifit to his grace's in a chair. Mifs Richland here before me! Punctual, as ufual, to the calls of humanity. I'm very forry, madam, things of this kind fhould happen, especially to a man I have fhewn every where, and carried amongst us as a particular acquaintance.

Mifs RICHLAND.

I find, Sir, you have the art of making the misfortunes of others your own.

LOFTY.

LOFTY.

My dear madam, what can a private man like me do? One man can't do every thing; and then, I do fo much in this way every day: let me fee; fomething confiderable might be done for him by fubfcription; it could not fail if I carried the lift. I'll undertake to fet down a brace of dukes, two dozen lords, and half the lower house, at my own peril.

Sir WILLIAM.

And, after all, it's more than probable, Sir, he might reject the offer of fuch powerful patronage.

LOFTY.

Then, madam, what can we do? You know I never make promises. In truth, I once or twice tried to do something with him in the way of bufinefs; but, as I often told his uncle, Sir William Honeywood, the man was utterly impracticable.

Sir WILLIAM.

His uncle! Then that gentleman, I suppose, is a particular friend of yours.

LOFTY.

Meaning me, Sir Yes, madam, as I often faid, my dear Sir William, you are fenfible I would do any thing, as far as my poor interest goes, to serve your family but what can be done? there's no procuring first-rate places for ninth-rate abilities.

Mifs RICHLAND.

I have heard of Sir William Honeywood; he's abroad in employment: he confided in your judgment, I fuppofe.

LOFTY.

Why, yes, madam, I believe Sir William had some reason to confide in my Judgment; one little reason, perhaps.

Mifs RICHLAND.

Pray, Sir, What was it?

LOFTY.

Why, madam-but let it go no further—it was I procured him his place.

Sir WILLIAM.

Did you, Sir?

LOFTY.

Either you or I, Sir,

Mifs RICHLAND.

This, Mr. Lofty, was very kind indeed.

LOFTY.

I did love him, to be fure; he had fome amufing qualities; no man was fitter to be toaft-mafter to a club, or had a better head.

Mifs RICHLAND.

A better head?

LOFTY.

Ay, at a bottle. To be fure, he was as dull as a choice fpirit: but hang it, he was grateful, very grateful; and gratitude hides a multitude of faults.