length seconded him. Upon this Booth answered, Well, my dear, since you desire me, I will com'ply, but on one condition, that you go at the same time to the oratorio.' Amelia thought this request reasonable enough, and gave her consent; of which Mrs. Ellison presently received the news, and with great satisfaction.

It may, perhaps, be asked, Why Booth could go to the tavern, and not to the oratorio with his wife?—In truth, then, the tavern was within hallowed ground, that is to say, in the verge of the court; for, of five officers that were to meet there, three, besides Booth, were confined to that air, which hath been always found extremely wholesome to a broken military constitution.

And here, if the good reader will pardon the pun, he will scarce be offended at the observation; since, how is it possible that, without running in debt, any persons should maintain the dress and appearance of a gentleman, whose income is not half so good as that of a porter? It is true, that this allowance, small as it is, is a great expense to the public; but if several more unnecessary charges were spared, the public might, perhaps, bear a little increase of this, without much feeling it. They would not, I am sure, have equal reason to complain at contributing to the maintenance of a set of brave fellows, who, at the hazard of their health, their limbs, and their lives, have maintained the safety and honour of their country; as when they find themselves taxed to the support of a set of drones, who have not the least merit or claim to their favour; and who, without contributing in any manner to the good of the hive, live luxuriously on the labours of the industrious bee.

CHAP. IX.

In which Amelia, with her Friend, goes to the Oratorio.

NOTHING happened between the Monday and the Wednesday worthy a place in this history. Upon the evening of the latter, the two ladies went to the oratorio, and were there time enough to get a first row in the gallery. Indeed, there was only one person in the house when they came; for Amelia's inclinations, when she gave a loose to them, were pretty eager for this diversion, she being a great lover of music, and particularly of Mr. Handel's compositions. Mrs. Ellison was, I suppose, a great lover likewise of music, for she was the more impatient of the two; which was rather the more extraordinary, as these entertainments were not such novelties to her as they were to poor Amelia.

Though our ladies arrived full two hours before they saw the back of Mr. Handel; yet this time of expectation did not hang extremely heavy on their hands; for, besides their own chat, they had the company of the gentleman whom they found at their first arrival in the gallery, and who, though plainly, or rather roughly dressed, very luckily for the women, happened to be not only well bred, but a person of very lively conversation. The gentleman, on his part, seemed highly charmed with Amelia, and in fact was so; for, though he restrained himself entirely within the rules of good breeding, yet was he in the highest degree officious to catch at every opportunity of shewing his respect, and doing her little services, He procured her a book and wax candle, and held the candle for her himself during the whole entertainment.

At the end of the oratorio, he declared he would not leave the ladies till he had seen them safe into their chairs or coach; and at the same time very earnestly entreated that he might have the honour of waiting on them. Upon which Mrs. Ellison, who was a very good-humoured woman, answered, Ay sure, Sir, if you please; you have been very 'obliging to us; and a dish of tea shall be at your service at any time;' and then told him where she lived.

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The ladies were no sooner seated in their hackney-coach, than Mrs. Ellison burst into a loud, laughter, and cried, 'I'll be hanged, Madam, if you have not made a conquest to-night; and, what is very pleasant, I believe the poor gentleman takes you for a single lady.'Nay,' answered Amelia very gravely, 'I protest I began to think at last he was rather too particular, though 'he did not venture at a word that I could be of'fended at; but if you fancy any such thing, I ' am sorry you invited him to drink tea.' 'Why so?' replied Mrs. Ellison, 'Are you angry with a man for liking you? if you are, you will be angry with almost every man that sees you. If 'I was a man myself I declare I should be in the 'number of your admirers. Poor gentleman, I pity him heartily; he little knows that you have not a heart to dispose of. For my own part, I 'should not be surprised at seeing a serious propo'sal of marriage; for I am convinced he is a man of fortune, not only by the politeness of his address, but by the fineness of his linen, and that ' valuable diamond ring on his finger. But you 'will see more of him when he comes to tea.' 'In'deed I shall not,' answered Amelia, though I 'believe you only rally me; I hope you have a 'better opinion of me, than to think I would go willingly into the company of a man who had an improper liking for me.' Mrs. Ellison, who

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was one of the gayest women in the world, repeated the words, improper liking, with a laugh; and cried, My dear Mrs. Booth, believe me, you are too handsome and too good-humoured for a prude. How can you affect being offended at 'what I am convinced is the greatest pleasure of ' womankind, and chiefly, I believe, of us virtuous women? for, I assure you, notwithstanding my gaicty, I am as virtuous as any prude in Europe.' Far be it from me, Madam," said Amelia, 'suspect the contrary of abundance of women, who indulge themselves in much greater freedoms than I should take, or have any pleasure in taking; for I solemnly protest, if I know my ' own heart, the liking of all men, but of one, is a matter quite indifferent to me, or rather would 'be highly disagreeable.'

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This discourse brought them home, where Amelia, finding her children asleep, and her husband not returned, invited her companion to partake of her homely fare, and down they sat to supper together. The clock struck twelve; and no news being arrived of Booth, Mrs. Ellison began to express some astonishment at his stay, whence she launched into a general reflection on husbands, and soon past to some particular invectives on her own. Ah, my dear Madam,' says she, I know the present state of your mind, by what I have myself often felt formerly. I am no stranger to the melancholy tone of a midnight clock. It was my misfortune to drag on a heavy chain above 'fifteen years with a sottish yoke-fellow. But how 'can I wonder at my fate; since I see even your 'superior charms cannot confine a husband from 'the bewitching pleasures of a bottle.' 'Indeed, Madam,' says Amelia, I have no reason to 'complain, Mr. Booth is one of the soberest of men; but now and then to spend a late hour ' with his friend, is, I think, highly excusable,'

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'O, no doubt!' cries Mrs. Ellison, if he can excuse himself; but if I was a man- Here Booth came in and interrupted the discourse. Amelia's eyes flashed with joy the moment he appeared; and he discovered no less pleasure in seeing her. His spirits were indeed a little elevated with wine, so as to heighten his good-humour, without in the least disordering his understanding, and made him such delightful company, that though it was past one in the morning, neither his wife nor Mrs. Ellison thought of their beds during a whole hour.

Early the next morning the sergeant came to Mr. Booth's lodgings, and with a melancholy countenance acquainted him, that he had been the night before at an alehouse, where he heard one Mr. Murphy, an attorney, declare, that he would get a warrant backed against one Captain Booth at the next board of green-cloth. I hope, Sir,' said he, your honour will pardon me; but by 'what he said, I was afraid he meant your honour; and therefore I thought it my duty to tell you; for I knew the same thing happen to a gentleman here the other day.'

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Booth gave Mr. Atkinson many thanks for his information. I doubt not,' said he, but I am 'the person meant; for it would be foolish in me 'to deny that I am liable to apprehensions of that 'sort.' I hope, Sir,' said the sergeant, your ho'nour will soon have reason to fear no man living; 'but in the mean time, if any accident should happen, my bail is at your service as far as it 'will go; and I am a housekeeper, and can swear myself worth one hundred pounds.' Which hearty and friendly declaration received all those acknowledgements from Booth, which it really deserved.

The poor gentleman was greatly alarmed at this news; but he was altogether as much surprised at Murphy's being the attorney employed against