say-Odd's life! when I heard how the lawyers and doctors had took to their own hair, I thought how 'twould go next: Odd rabbit it! when the fashion had got foot on the Bar, I guess'd 'twould mount to the Box!-but 'tis all out of character, believe me, Mr. Fag: and look'ee, I'll never gi' up mine-the lawyers and doctors do as they will.

may

Fag. Well, Thomas, we'll not quarrel about that.

Coach. Why, bless you, the gentlemen of they professions ben't all of a mind-for in our village now, thoff Jack Gauge the exciseman has ta'en to his carrots, there's little Dick the farrier swears he'll never forsake his bob, tho' all the college should appear with their own heads!

Fag. Indeed! well said, Dick! but holdmark! mark! Thomas.

Coach. Zooks! 'tis the captain-Is that the lady with him?

Fag. No! no! that is Madam Lucy—my master's mistress's maid. They lodge at that house-but I must after him to tell him the

news.

Coach. Odd! he's giving her money!—well, Mr. Fag

Fag. Good bye, Thomas. I have an appoint

ment in Gyde's Porch this evening at eight; meet me there, and we'll make a little party.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE II.

A Dressing-room in Mrs. MALAPROP's Lodgings.

LYDIA sitting on a sofa, with a book in her hand. Lucy, as just returned from a message.

Lucy. Indeed, ma'am, I traversed half the town in search of it: I don't believe there's a circulating library in Bath I ha'n't been at.

of Constancy?'

Lucy. No, indeed, ma'am.

Lydia. Nor The Fatal Connexion?'
Lucy. No, indeed, ma'am.

Lydia. Nor The Mistakes of the Heart?"

Lucy. Ma'am, as ill luck would have it, Mr. Bull said Miss Sukey Saunter had just fetched. it away.

Lydia. Heigh-ho! Did you inquire for "The Delicate Distress ?'

Lucy.

6

Or, The Memoirs of Lady

Woodford? Yes, indeed, ma'am. I asked every

where for it; and I might have brought it from Mr. Frederick's, but Lady Slattern Lounger, who had just sent it home, had so soiled and dog's-ear'd it, it wa'n't fit for a Christian to read.

Lydia. Heigh-ho!-Yes, I always know when Lady Slattern has been before me. She has a most observing thumb; and, I believe, cherishes her nails for the convenience of making marginal notes. Well, child, what have you brought me?

Lucy. Oh! here, ma'am.

[Taking books from under her cloak, and from her pockets.]

This is The Gordian Knot,'-and this Pere

grine Pickle.' Here are The Tears of Sensibility,' and 'Humphrey Clinker.' This is The Memoirs of a Lady of Quality, written by herself,' and here the second volume of The Sentimental Journey.'

Lydia. Heigh-ho!—What are those books by the glass?

Lucy. The great one is only "The Whole Duty of Man,' where I press a few blonds, maʼam. Lydia. Very well-give me the sal volatile. Lucy. Is it in a blue cover, ma'am? Lydia. My smelling-bottle, you simpleton! Lucy. O, the drops!-here, ma'am.

Lydia. Hold!-here's some one coming

quick, see who it is

Surely I heard my cousin Julia's voice!

[Exit LUCY.

[Re-enter Lucy.

Lucy. Lud! ma'am, here is Miss Melville. Lydia. Is it possible!—

Enter JULIA.

Lydia. My dearest Julia, how delighted am I ! (Embrace.) How unexpected was this happiness! Julia. True, Lydia-and our pleasure is the greater; but what has been the matter?—you were denied to me at first!

Lydia. Ah, Julia, I have a thousand things to tell you!--but first inform me what has conjured you to Bath ?-Is Sir Anthony here?

Julia. He is we are arrived within this hour -and I suppose he will be here to wait on Mrs. Malaprop as soon as he is dress'd.

Lydia. Then before we are interrupted, let me impart to you some of my distress!—I know your gentle nature will sympathize with me, though your prudence may condemn me!—My letters have informed you of my whole connexion with Beverley;-but I have lost him, Julia!—my aunt has discovered our intercourse by a note she intercepted, and has confined me ever since!-Yet, would you believe it? she has

fallen absolutely in love with a tall Irish baronet she met one night since we have been here at Lady Macshuffle's rout.

Julia. You jest, Lydia!

Lydia. No, upon my word. She really carries on a kind of correspondence with him, under a feigned name though, till she chooses to be known to him;-but it is a Delia or a Celia, I assure you.

Julia. Then, surely, she is now more indulgent to her niece.

Lydia. Quite the contrary. Since she has discovered her own frailty, she is become more suspicious of mine. Then I must inform you of another plague !—That odious Acres is to be in Bath to-day; so that I protest I shall be teased out of all spirits!

Julia. Come, come, Lydia, hope for the best -Sir Anthony shall use his interest with Mrs. Malaprop.

Lydia. But you have not heard the worst. Unfortunately I had quarrelled with my poor Beverley, just before my aunt made the discovery, and I have not seen him since, to make

it up.

Julia. What was his offence?

Lydia. Nothing at all!-But, I don't know how it was, as often as we had been together,