Thing elfe that could give them a thorough Infight into the Affair; at which my Father and Mafter were fo concerned, they could hardly utter a Word for a long Time. From thence they waited on Mr. Vulture, and he was fo generous as to own that he believed I had never received a Penny Satisfaction for my Note from Mr. Deacon; but that it was the unguarded Mistake of a Youth, whom he would not have been fo fevere with, if he could have afforded to stay any longer for his Money; but as he did not know, nor I care to tell him, where my Relations lived, he found it neceffary to arrest me, to fecure the Payment of it. Mr. Diaper, who knew him, and who was known to Vulture, blamed him highly for not letting him know the Affair, when he would have bailed me, and not fuffered me to undergo the Difgrace and Pain of Imprisonment; but he excufed himself by faying, that he could not imagine fo much Friendfhip had existed between us as that came to. Then they talked to Mr. Deacon's Brother, but could not bring him at all to Reafon, tho' my Father talked of commencing a Suit in Equity, to recover the Money; and demonftrated, that I could not poffibly be any Thing in his Brother's Debt. Vulture was applied to again after this, to know if he'd come to any Compofition; but he excufed himself, by faying he had been the whole Money out of Pocket fo long, that he had been a great Lofer; however, in in Compliment to Mr. Diaper, he would deduct the Fees and Law Charges, and give me a Difcharge on the Receipt of the 600. Mr. Diaper and your Father, continues this deareft Mother, are now in the Lodge, paying your Fees, and fetting you at Liberty; having paid Vulture the Sum, upon the Note, this Morning betimes; but, my Dear, you are quite altered; I never thought I should see my Joey in fuch a Place! or fuch an Habit! She had just finished these Words, when in rushed my Father and Mr. Diaper: If they expreffed all the Joy imaginable to see me again, the forlorn Condition I appeared in gave them the utmoft Torment; and my Father and he both, tho' very tenderly, chid me for not acquainting them fooner with this Matter, and writing for the proper Support for my Neceffities, whilft I was here. Look ye, my Son, tho' you have acted fo fillily, fo unguardedly, in this Affair of the Note, fays my Father, yet, as I believe you was fwayed by Gratitude to my old Friend, poor Mr. Deacon, to do what you did, and cannot be accused of any Thing but Folly and Inattention, in not taking a proper counter Security of him, I shall make you no Reproaches, and hope your future Conduct will wipe off any Stain your Imprisonment may have occafioned; but now we have got you discharged, and you are at Liberty to go, your Figure is fo rueful, that you can't appear till Dark; but says my Master, I fancy, Sir, a little a little Money will redeem Mr. Thompson's Cloaths i late me; long he had been there? He faid, Near two Years, for a Debt of 401. Good God! faid my Father, is it poffible! Tempora mutantur, & nos mutamur in illis! Ah! my old Chum, replied Sir William, little did I think, fome Years ago, ever to fee this Place; but jacta eft alea. Quæque ipfe miferrima vidi; Et quorum pars magna fui ! After fome other Difcourfe relative to Sir Wil liam's Affairs, my Father invited him to Dinner; and that over, called him on one Side, and made him a Prefent of Ten Guineas, which he received with a grateful Tranfport: Then taking Leave of all my Acquaintance, and clearing all my Scores and Debts in the Place, I once more launched out into the open Air, and immediately, with these three dear and much loved Perfons, fet out for Mr. Diaper's Country-houfe. Mrs. Diaper, at my Arrival, overcame me almoft with Careffes ; but, when he had heard my Story, fhe lifted up her Hands and Eyes; and faid, If her Son was to know it, the believed he would go diftracted! and blamed me greatly for not acting with more Regard to myself, by letting my Friends know my Diftrefs; declaring fhe would have made away with her Plate, if it could not have been done without, rather than have fuffered me to continue in Prifon a Minute. At Supper, talking about the Place we juft came from, I acquainted Mr. Diaper with the Death of poor Speculift, and the Manner of it, which occafioned a great many curious and ufeful Reflections, on all Hands; but what most furprifes me, is to fee Sir William Failer fo deftitute of Friends, fays my Father; tho' indeed, when we come to confider all Things, it is not so strange neither; for he has, to be fure, been a very indif creet and unhappy Man; and the Paffages, I recollect of his Life, are a remarkable Leffon of Prudence to Mankind. I afked him to relate what he knew of that Gentleman, which, being backed by Mr. Diaper, and the two Ladies, he did immediately, to the following Effect : CHA P. XL. The Hiftory of Sir William Failer, Bart. MY Acquaintance with this Gentleman com menced at the University, where he was at that Time a Student, as well as myfelf; Sir William being of Emanuel, and I of St. John's; and has been continued, till within nine or ten Years; when his various Misfortunes and Diftreffes fo altered. him, that he fought other Friends, of a different Stamp from those he before affociated with. You will obferve, in the Anecdotes I am going to give you of this Gentleman's Hiftory, that the greatest Talents, the |