moon.---The ancient Mythology, indeed, is wholly unknown to him he is little read in poetry; and if I use any thing like a figurative language, he understands me as much as I should an Egyptian hieroglyphick. (Aloud) Well, Sir, what have you to say to my scheme?

- Old. H. I cannot think of it.-For as he is unquestionably my lawful heir

Lucy. Lawful heir! jiminy, jiminy, how you provoke me! Shalla trifle like this be set in opposition to the force of love? Omnia vincit amor, as the poet says; and which in English means—that is, as Mr. William, (he was bred at Oxford) informs me" Love subdues pretty girls," and this, indeed, he kindiy taught me long ago,

Hur. And you, Mrs. Lucy, are sensible of his kindness? you have profited by his lessons, no doubt

Lucy. Something of a smattering, Sir. But I could tell both him and you, that this same Cupid conquers pretty gentlemen, too-Ecce signum (aside, and pointing to Old H.) as my Adonis would say.

Old H. A very gallant, a fine-spirited fellow, this Mr. William.

Lucy. O, incomparably so. I do really think he is the gallantest-that is, next to yourself, sir-yes, sir, next to you, I do really think that he is the gallantest man in the kingdom. But I will give you an instance-you must know then that I am to be numbered among the elegant few, who

"In trim gardens take their pleasure,"

as Milton so exquisitely has it; and that I have formed on the brink of our canal at Positive-place, one of the charmingest parterres in the world. Now, I was lately amusing myself by transplanting, into this parterre, that beautiful little flower called Venus's looking-glass. Well, Sir, at the very moment of doing this, Mr. William came up, and seeing what I was about, he declared, and in a tone and manner theatrically delightful; he declared, I say, with a truly histrionic air, that the name which had been given to the flowret was no way fitting, and that it could only belong to the stream, the translucid stream over which I was bending, and which reflected the image of my enchanting self. There, Sir-what d'ye say to that, Sir? If the "Academy of Compliments," (and the volume

is to be found, I believe, in my library) if the academy of compliments exhibits any thing equal to it, I will forfeit my life.

Old H. Very prettily-very handsomely said, indeed. Lucy. Yes, Sir,-and I wish you had an opportunity of showing off with Melissa, in a like kind of way. It would go near to clench your business, I believe: for she is extravagantly fond of praise. I had a plan indeed, to bring her to the very spot I have been telling you of.→ She to be employed in precisely the same manner that I was, while you were to be accidentally passing at the time. You might even have repeated the very words of my inamorato-the conceit would not have disgraced you in the least.-A second-hand compliment, it is true; but that was of little consequence, as it would only have been known to ourselves. This, I say, was my intention -no bad contrivance and I should certainly have given it effect. But as my mistress had been complaining of your want of kindness towards her, and as she had of late appeared very much dejected therefrom, I was fearful of proceeding in the matter, Sir;-lest at sight of the water, she might in despair have been led to drown her self, Sir.

Old H. Bless me, bless me, that would have been a melancholy event, indeed.

Lucy. Very, Sir: and as it was so likely to happen, you will, I am sure, commend my prudence for not bringing her in the way of temptation, Sir.

Old H. Ah, Lucy,-you are a true friend

Lucy. So you will say bye and bye, Sir, when you know all my projects. He seems highly delighted, and if fortune favors me, I may be rewarded with another shilling.—Well, Sir, I once more ask you, will my services be accepted, as I have proposed, or not?

Old H. I must answer you as before: for since I do not see the necessity

Lucy. Mighty well, Sir. Then as I have already told you, you must think no more of the Lady.

Old H. No!-But does not nature direct me in the care of my son?

Lucy. Nature! fiddle-de-dee-a poor sneaking creature whom nobody knows: and then for beauty--bah !→→

In fine, Sir, Nature is only to be admired when" trickt and flounc't" by her handmaid art,-witness the Hottentot Venus before she has strung on her beads, or the toast of the day before she has put on her rouge. But you must list my instructions, Sir, or I have positively done,ha tibi erunt artes, that is, (as you know who tells me) "these are love's pranks, and these you must play." Yes, Sir, it is to art and art alone that we should trust: it is by that we succeed in the world—

"Seamen by sailing arts their vessels move,

"Art guides the chariot: art instructs to love." So says Mr. Ovid, Sir; and whatever may be thought of him in regard to other matters, in our affairs he must be admitted as a competent judge.

Old H. Certainly, certainly. But why disinherit Jack? Why does your mistress insist on that?

Lucy. What a question! Why, that you may make the more ample provision for her children to be sure.

Old H. That I may make the more ample provision for-for-her-hey? (stammering.)

Lucy. That is, for your other children. You understand me?

Old H. Other children-Why zounds, I have no child but Jack.

Lucy. Aye; but those you are to have, I mean. You must have others, you know.

Old H. Eh? must. True, true, the children I am to have very true.

Lucy. Yes, Sir, they will certainly come-you may depend on that.

Old H. You think so?

Lucy. O, quite sure of it, Sir; and must be provided for.

Harc. Right, Lucy, right-they must be provided for. (Aside.) So now to put his fatherly affection to the test. (to Old H.) And as to Jack, he is rich enough, I war

rant.

Old H. No doubt, no doubt. But though Mrs. Lucy thinks so lightly of the matter, wont it appear plaguy unnatural?

Harc. Not at all, Sir-not at all. Self is the first consideration with every man.

Old H. Very true. But then I have so great a regard for him so very particular au affection that-

Hare. No question. Sir. I never doubted it. Yet my regard for him is infinitely superior to yours, believe

me.

Old H. Hey, what? your regard for him infinitely superior to mine-How the devil can that be?

Har. Pardon me, Sir, but I am more attached to him than to any man on earth. I think him-he isOld H. Say no more, say no more, I have always had a favorable account of him, it is true. Yes, yes, Jack's well enough to be sure.

Harc. Well enough! Sir, I know more of him than you do Well enough! In my opinion he is not to be equalled. I love, reverence, and esteem him in so high a degree that-

Old H. Hold, hold, you grow extravagant. If Jack were present, he would blush to hear you.

Hur. Blush! you surely forget, Sir, that he was born in Tipperary.

CH. That's true, faith.

Har. Yes, yes, I am tolerably well acquainted with your son's history-a pretty close friend-he never had a thought concealed from me.

Old H. Not a thought concealed from you? The devil! I didn't think you were so intimate as that, I must confess.

Har. Intimate! O, dear Sir, Jack and I have but one heart, one soul.

Old H. One heart, one soul. Gad, you'll endeavour to persuade me bye and bye, I suppose, that you have but one body.

no.

Har. No, no, Sir, I must not go so far as that, no,

Lucy. (to Old H.) Well, Sir, what is your determination? Melissa will grow impatient.

Old H. Why, really, Mrs. Lucy, your Lady is so very extravagant in her demands, that I cannot immediately come to a determination. But I will return to Sir Peter, and consult him on the matter. Captain Moreton, your [Erit Old Harcourt.

servant.

Har. Well, Lucy, shall we succeed?

Lucy. No doubt of it, Sir. The pretended extravagance of Melissa will prove an excellent choke-pear. But if you have a mind to banter the old gentleman a little, you have the finest opportunity on the world. He has lately purchased a captaincy in the what-dye-callum militia (a redcoat, you know, for the Ladies!) and this very evening purposes visiting his mistress in a military dress.

Har. A soldier! Ha! ha! ha!

Lucy. Yes, Sir, and a terrible figure he makes, I assure you. The enemy, at sight of him, would take to his heels, I am very sure.

Har. Well said, Lucy. Egad, I'll follow the captain to Sir Peter's, and under the pretence of not knowing him-you guess the rest?

Lucy. Yes, yes-away, away.

SCENE II.

[Exeunt severally.

Enter ARABELLA, followed by LOVEMORE. Ara. Again this impertinent intrusion. Leave me, Sir! Is this your boasted friendship? this the man in whom Belville places an entire confidence?

Lovem. If, Madam, the cruel destiny of my friend denies him that happiness which he has so long sought after, does it consequently follow that I should be alike unhappy?

Ara. This, from any other than Mr. Lovemore, were pardonable; and permit me to assure you, Sir, that had I even entertained for you the greatest partiality, this treachery towards a man so eminently your friend, would have driven you from my thought for ever.

Lovem. Believe me, Miss Moreland, when I declare to that I have concealed the growing passion as long you as it was in my power; and as I foresaw the utter impossibility of your union with Mr. Belville, ventured to declare my sentiments.-If I have offended, demand an expiation, and if you do not find me the most repentant criminal

Ara. The only expiation I require, Mr. Lovemore, is, that you would forgo your solicitations. The virtues of Mr. Belville raise him, in my opinion, so far above all