have of bloodshed and civil war; by our love to our fathers, families, brethren, and children; by the respect that we ought to pay to established and venerable institutions; by the gratitude we owe to our ancestors, who, at the risk of their lives, but with the sense of the major and better part of the community, have transmitted to us a glorious constitution, the admiration of foreigners, the source of national safety and prosperity, the essence of our commerce, the wonder of ages-let us not engage in so rash and wicked an enterprise! Every good man will tremble for the consequences which innovation may produce."

"The hearers seemed astonished at my boldness: but it was in vain that I argued with such passionate admirers of democracy.. I left these misguided patriots, and, in a few days, heard that, through the evidence given by one of their party, they were surprised at one of their meetings by the runners from Bow-street, had their papers

seized, and having been found guilty of holding a treasonable correspondence with the disaffected in Ireland and England, and those aliens who were to set fire to the houses in which they were lodging, were sentenced to public execution. While I pitied their conduct, I applauded my own firmness, and felt an unspeakable and inestimable satisfaction in not having joined a faction of seditious, dissolute, and bloodthirsty patriots.

"It was now that I was taught lessons which adversity ever enforces upon the mind of the sufferer. I envied the lighter. man and carman their offices, have thought coachmen happy, and looked at the porter, who was sinking under his weight, with wistful eyes. I would indeed have engaged myself to manual labour, but was in too weak a state, having been a long time without nourishing food.

"Often have I, disturbed in my imagi nation, unable to sleep, left my garret at

night, and my fond Elinor's arms, who, suffering innocent! little suspected my intention, and strolled through the silent and solitary street and, as I have passed the different houses, have exclaimed, Here are marks of opulence, but will the inhabitants of these houses, to-morrow, employ me, to procure sustenance sufficient for my family to exist one day? By the light of the lamps, I have read bills announcing plays, operas, and galas, at public places; and yet these, I have said, will be thronged with fashion's train, who are regardless of economy, and are nice in their choice of superfluitics. And now, would it gain belief, a wretch, a citizen of a wealthy metropolis, in this enlightened age, amongst all this gaiety, is literally starving and wandering in distress about the streets, whilst aliens have received money from mistaken and deluded charity. Yet-and I have been awakened from my soliloquy by a shivering wanton, who has asked me for

a trifle to buy her a glass of liquor, protesting that she has had nothing all day. Not being in a temper of mind to reflect that these wretched females are more miserable than myself, I have clasped my hands in agony, blindly presumed to expostulate with an eternal and gracious power; then placing them on my forehead, have said, Merciful, omnipotent Being, let me not lose the little portion of reason. that I still have left!'

CHAPTER XII.

IN WHICH MR. LESTER

CONTINUES THE

HISTORY OF HIS LIFE.

I WILL go on with my adventures, of which none but those who experience the like can form an adequate idea.

"As I was going out, on the landingplace I was met by my fellow-lodger, who presented me with an order for the play. "Nonsense," I exclaimed;

my situation."

66

you know

True," said he, "but grief may be diverted at public places; its sting may be rendered less pungent."

"He forced on me an order for admis

sion at Drury-lane Theatre.

"At the hour of performance I went; the representation was the inimitable comedy of The School for Scandal.