far change your lodgings, but you will come, and be at home here sometimes?

Sir Fran. Ay, ay! pr'ythee come and take a bit of mutton with us, naw and tan, when thou'st nowght to do.

C. Bas. Well, Sir Francis, you shall find I'll make but very little ceremony.

Sir Fran. Why ay naw, that's hearty! Moth. Will your ladyship please to refresh yourself with a dish of tea after your fatigue? think I have pretty good.

L. Wrong. If you please, Mrs Motherly; but I believe we had best have it above stairs. Moth. Very well, madam: it shall be ready immediately. [Exit Mrs MOTHERLY. you walk up, sir?

L. Wrong. Won't Sir Fran. Moody!

C. Bas. Sha'n't we stay for Sir Francis, madam?

L. Wrong. Lard! don't mind him! he will come if he likes it.

Sir Fran Ay, ay! ne'er heed me -I ha' things to look after.

[Exeunt Lady WRONG. and Count BAS. Enter JOHN MOODY.

J. Mood. Did your worship want muh? Sir Fran. Ay, is the coach cleared, and all our things in?

J. Mood. Aw but a few band-box s, and the nook that's left o' th' goose poy-But, a plague on him, the monkey has gin us the slip, I thinkI suppose he's goon to see his relations; for here looks to be a power of 'um in this tawn-but heavy Ralph is skawer'd after him.

Sir Fran. Why, let him go to the devil! no matter and the hawnds had had him a month agoe-but I wish the coach and horses were got safe to th' inn! This is a sharp tawn, we mun look about us here, John, therefore I would have you go alung with Roger, and see that nobody runs away with them before they get to the stable.

J. Mood. Alas-a-day, sir! I believe our awld cattle woant yeasily be run away with to-nightbut howsomdever, we's take the best care we can of um, poor sawls.

Sir Fran. Well, well! make haste then[MOODY goes out, and returns. J. Mood. Ods flesh! here's Master Monly come to wait upo' your worship!

Sir Fran. Where is he?

J. Mood. Just coming in at threshould.
Sir Fran. Then goa about your business.
[Exit MOODY.

Enter MANLY.

Sir Fran. How soa, sir?

Cousin Monly! Sir, I am your very humble ser

vant.

Man. I heard you were come, Sir Francisand

Sir Fran. Odsheart! this was so kindly done of you naw.

Man. I wish you may think it so, cousin! for I confess, I should have been better pleased to have seen you in any other place.

:

Man. Nay, if you have that secret

Sir Fran. Don't you be fearful, cousinyou'll find that I know something.

Man. If it be any thing for your good, I should be glad to know it too.

Sir Fran. In short then, I have a friend in a corner, that has let me a little into what's what, Westminster-that's one thing.

at

Man. Very well! but what good is that to do

you?

Sir Fran. Why not me, as much as it does other folks?

Man. Other people, I doubt, have the advantage of different qualifications.

Sir Fran. Why ay! there's it naw! you'll say that I have lived all my days i'the countrywhat then-I'm o' the quorum-I have been at sessions, and I have made speeches there! ay, and at vestry too-and mayhap they may find here that I have brought my tongue up to town with me! D'ye take me naw?

Man. If I take your case right, cousin, I am afraid the first occasion you will have for your eloquence here, will be, to shew that you have any right to make use of it at all.

Sir Fran. How d'ye mean?

Man. That Sir John Worthland has lodged a petition against you.

Sir Fran. Petition! why ay! there let it lie we'll find a way to deal with that, I warrant you! -Why, you forget, cousin, Sir John's o'the wrung side, mon!

Man. I doubt, Sir Francis, that will do you but little service; for, in cases very notorious (which I take yours to be) there is such a thing as a short day, and dispatching them immediately.

Sir Fran. With all my heart! the sooner I send him home again the better.

Man. And this is the scheme you have laid down to repair your fortune?

Sir Fran. In one word, cousin, I think it my duty! the Wrongheads have been a considerable family, ever since England was England; and since the world knows I have talents wherewithal, they sha'n't say it's my fault, if I don't make as good a figure as any that ever were at the head on't.

Man. Nay! this project, as you have laid it, will come up to any thing your ancestors have done these five hundred years.

Man. Not unlikely.

Sir Fran. Therefore, I have some thoughts of getting her to be maid of honour.

Man. [Aside.] Oh! he has taken my breath away! but I must hear him out-Pray, Sir Francis, do you think her education has yet qualified her for a court?

Sir Fran. Why, the girl is a little too mettlesome, it's true; but she has tongue enough: She woan't be dasht! Then she shall learn to daunce forthwith, and that will soon teach her how to stond still, you know.

Man. Very well; but when she is thus accomplished, you must still wait for a vacancy.

Sir Fran. Why I hope one has a good chance for that every day, cousin! For, if I take it right,. that's a post that folks are not more willing to get into, than they are to get out of-It's like an orange-tree, upon that accawnt-it will bear blossoms, and fruit that's ready to drop, at the same time.

Man. Well, sir, you best know how to make good your pretensions. But pray where is my lady and my young cousins? I should be glad to see them too.

Sir Fran. She is but just taking a dish of tea with the count and my landlady—I'll call her dawn.

Man. No, no, if she's engaged, I shall call again.

Sir Fran. Ods heart! but you mun see her naw, cousin; what! the best friend I have in the world!Here! sweetheart! [To a Servant without.] pr'ythee desire my lady and the gentleman to come down a bit; tell her here's cousin Manly come to wait upon her.

Man. Pray, sir, who may the gentleman be? Sir Fran. You mun know him, to be sure; why it's Count Basset.

Mun. Oh! is it he?-Your family will be infinitely happy in his acquaintance.

Sir Fran. Troth, I think so too: He's the civilest man that ever I knew in my life--Why! here he would go out of his own lodgings, at an hour's warning, purely to oblige my family. Wasn't that kind naw?

Man. Extremely civil-the family is in admirable hands already!

Sir Fran. Then my lady likes him hugely-all

the time of York races she would never be with. out him.

Man. That was happy indeed! and a prudent man, you know, should always take care that his wife may have innocent company.

Sir Fran. Why ay! that's it! and I think there could not be such another!

Man. Why truly, for her purpose, I think not. Sir Fran. Only naw and tan he-he stonds a leetle too much upon ceremony; that's his fault. Mun. O never fear! he'll mend that every day-Mercy on us! what a head he has ! Sir Fran. So! here they come !

Enter Lady WRONGHEAD, Count BASSET, and

Mrs MOTHERLY.

L. Wrong. Cousin Manly, this is infinitely obliging! I am extremely glad to see you.

Man. Your most obedient servant, madam ; I am glad to see your ladyship look so well after your journey.

L. Wrong. Why really, coming to London is apt to put a little more life in one's looks.

Man. Yet the way of living here is very apt to deaden the complexion--and, give me leave to tell you, as a friend, madam, you are come to the worst place in the world for a good woman to grow better in.

L. Wrong. Lord, cousin, how should people ever make any figure in life, that are always moped up in the country?

C. Bas. Your ladyship certainly takes the thing in a quite right light, madam: Mr Manly, your humble servant-a hem.

Man. Familiar puppy! [Aside.] Sir, your most obedient-I must be civil to the rascal, to cover my suspicion of him. [Aside.

C. Bus. Was you at White's this morning, sir? Man. Yes, sir, I just call'd in.

C. Bus. Pray-what-was there any thing done

there?

Man. Much as usual, sir; the same daily carcases, and the same crows about them. C. Bas. The demoivre-baronet had a bloody tumble yesterday.

Man. I hope, sir, you had your share of him. C. Bas. No, faith! I came in when it was all over--I think I just made a couple of bets with him, took up a cool hundred, and so went to the King's Arms.

L. Wrong. What a genteel, easy manner he has! [Aside. Man. A very hopeful acquaintance I have made [Aside.

here. Enter Squire RICHARD, with a wet brown paper on his face.

Sir Fran. How naw, Dick? what's the matter with thy forehead, lad?

Sq. Rich. I ha' gotten a knock upon't. L. Wrong. And how did you come by it, you heedless creature?

Sq. Rich. Why, I was but running after sister, and t'other young woman, into a little room just naw; and so with that, they flapt the door full

L. Wrong. They served you right enough! Will you never have done with your horse-play? Sir Fran. Pooh! never heed it, lad! it will be well by to-morrow-the boy has a strong head!

Man. Yes, truly, his skull seems to be of a comfortable thickness. [Aside. Sir Fran. Come, Dick, here's cousin Manly -sir, this is your god-son.

L. Wrong: Oh! here's my daughter too:

Enter Miss JENNY.

Sq: Rich. Honoured gudfether! I crave leave to ask your blessing.

Man. Thou hast it, child-and, if it will do thee any good, may it be to make thee, at least, as wise a man as thy father:

L. Wrong. Miss Jenny! don't you see your cousin, child?

Man. And as for thee, my pretty dear-[Salutes her.] may'st thou be, at least, as good a woman as thy mother.

Jen. I wish I may ever be so handsome, sir. Man. Hah! Miss Pert! Now that's a thought that seems to have been hatcht in the girl on this side Highgate. [Aside.

L. Wrong. I believe, sir, I shall not have much less every day, while I stay in this town, of one sort or other.

Man. Why truly, ladies seldom want employment here, madam.

sir.

Jen. And mamma did not come to it to be idle,

Man. Nor you neither, I dare say, my young mistress.

Jen. I hope not, sir.

Man. Ha! Miss Mettle !--Where are yon going, sir?

Sir Fran. Only to see you to the door, sir. Man. Oh! Sir Francis, I love to come and go, without ceremony.

Sir Fran. Nay, sir, I must do as you will have me-Your humble servant. [Exit MANLY. Jen. This cousin Manly, papa, seems to be but of an odd sort of a crusty humour-I don't like him half so well as the count.

Sir Fran. Pooh! that's another thing, child. Cousin is a little proud indeed; but, however, you must always be civil to him, for he has a deal of money, and nobody knows who he may give

it to.

Man. O, the best place in the world for itevery woman she meets will teach her something of it-There's the good gentlewoman of the house looks like a knowing person; even she perhaps will be so good as to shew her a little London behaviour.

Moth. Alas, sir, miss won't stand long in need of my instruction.

ourselves slaves to his impertinent humours, eight or ten years perhaps, in hopes to be his heirs, and then he will be just old enough to marry his maid.

Moth. Nay, for that matter, madam, the town he is going to be married already. Sir Fran. Who? Cousin Manly?"

says

L. Wrong. To whom, pray?

Moth. Why, is it possible your ladyship should know nothing of it-to my Lord Townly's sis

[Aside.

Moth. If she does, sir, they shall always be at her service.

L. Wrong. Very obliging indeed, Mrs Motherly.

Sir Fran. Very kind and civil, truly-I think we are got into a mighty good hawse here.

Man. O yes, and very friendly company. C. Bas. Humh! 'Egad I don't like his looks -he seems a little smoky-I believe I had as good brush off—If I stay, I don't know but he may ask me some odd questions.

Man. Well, sir, I believe you and I do but hinder the family

C. Bas. It's very true, sir-I was just thinking of going-He don't care to leave me, I see: But it's no matter, we have time enough. [Aside.] And so, ladies, without ceremony, your humble servant. [Exit Count BASSET, and drops a letter. |

L. Wrong. Lady Grace?

Moth. Dear madam, it has been in the news

papers!

L. Wrong. I don't like that neither.

Sir Fran. Naw, I do; for then it's likely it mayn't be true.

L. Wrong. [Aside.] If it is not too far gone, at least it may be worth one's while to throw a rub in his way.

Sq. Rich. Pray, feyther, haw lung will it be to supper?

Sir Fran. Odso! that's true! step to the cook, lad, and ask what she can get us.

Moth. If you please, sir, I'll order one of my maids to shew her where she may have any thing you have a mind to.

Sir Fran. Thank you kindly, Mrs Motherly. Sq. Rich. Ods-flesh! what, is not it i' the hawse yet?—I shall be famished-but howld! I'll go

and ask Doll, an there's none o'the goose poy left.

Sir Fran. Do so; and, do'st hear, Dick- -sce if there's e'er a bottle o'th' strong beer that came i'th' coach with us-if there be, clap a toast in it, and bring it up.

Sq. Rich. With a little nutmeg and sugar, shawn't I, feyther?

Sir Fran. Ay! ay! as thee and I always drink it for breakfast-Go thy ways--and I'll fill a pipe i'th' mean while. [Takes one from a pocketcase, and fills it. [Exit Sq. RICH. L. Wrong. This boy is always thinking of his belly!

Sir Fran. Why, my dear, you may allow him to be a little hungry after his journey.

L. Wrong. Nay, e'en breed him your own way he has been cramming in or out of the coach all this day I am sure-I wish my poor girl could cat a quarter as much.

Jen. O, as for that, I could eat a great deal more, mamma, but then, mayhap, I should grow coarse, like him, and spoil my shape.

L. Wrong. Ay, so thou would'st, my dear. Enter Squire RICHARD with a full tankard. Sq. Rich. Here, feyther, I ha' brought it-it's well I went as I did; for our Doll had just baked a toast, and was going to drink it herself. Sir Fran. Why then, here's to thee, Dick! [Drinks.

Sq. Rich. Thank you, feyther.

L. Wrong. Lord, Sir Francis! I wonder you can encourage the boy to swill so much of that lubberly liquor-it's enough to make him quite stupid.

Sq. Rich. Why it never hurts me, mother; and I sleep like a hawnd after it. [Drinks.

Sir Fran. I am sure I ha' drunk it these thirty years, and, by your leave, madam, I don't know that I want wit: Ha! ha!

Jen. But you might have had a great deal more, papa, if would have been governed by my inother.

you

Sir Fran. Daughter! he that is governed by

his wife has no wit at all.

Jen. Then I hope I shall marry a fool, sir: for I love to govern dearly.

Sir Fran. You are too pert, child; it don't do well in a young woman.

L. Wrong. Pray, Sir Francis, don't snub her; she has a fine growing spirit, and if you check her so, you will make her as dull as her brother here.

Sq. Rich. After a long draught.] Indeed, mother, I think my sister is too forward.

Jen. You! you think I'm too forward! sure, brother Mud, your head's too heavy to think of any thing but your belly.

L. Wrong. Well said, miss; he's none of your master, though he is your elder brother.

Sq. Rich. No, nor she shawn't be my mistress, while she's younger sister!

Sir Fran. Well said, Dick! shew 'em that stawt liquor makes a stawt heart, lad!

Sq. Rich. So I will! and I'll drink ageen, for all her! [Drinks.

Enter JOHN MOODY.

Sir Fran. So, John! how are the horses? J. Mood. Troth, sir, I ha' noa good opinion o this tawn; it's made up o' mischief, I think! Sir Fran. What's the matter naw?

J. Mood. Why I'll tell your worship-before we were gotton to th' street end with the coach here, a great luggerheaded cart, with wheels as thick as a brick wall, laid hawld on't, and has poo'd it aw to bits: Crack went the perch! Down goes the coach! and whang! says the glasses, all to shivers! Marcy upon us! and this be London, would we were aw weell in the country ageen!

Jen. What have you to do to wish us all in the country again, Mr Lubber? I hope we shall not go into the country again these seven years, mamma; let twenty coaches be pull'd to pieces.

Sir Fran. Hold your tongue, Jenny!-Was Roger in no fault in all this?

J. Mood. Noa, sir, nor I, noather-Are not you asheam'd, says Roger to the carter, to do such an unkind thing by strangers? Noa, says he, you bumkin. Sir, he did the thing on very purpose! and sa the folks said that stood byVery well, says Roger, yow shall see what our meyster will say to ye! Your meyster? says he; your meyster may kiss my-and so he clapt his hand just there, and like your worship. Flesh! I thought they had better breeding in this tawn.

Sir Fran. I'll teach this rascal some, I'll warrant him! Odsbud! if I take him in hand, I'll play the devil with him.

Sq. Rich. Ay do, feyther; have him before the parliament.

Sir Fran. Odsbud! and so I will--I will make him know who I am! Where does he live?

J. Mood. I believe, in London, sir.
Sir Fran. What's the rascal's name?
J. Mood. I think I heard somebody call him
Dick.

Sq. Rich. What, my name?
Sir Fran. Where did he go?
J. Mood. Sir, he went home.
Sir Fran. Where's that?

J. Mood. By my troth, sir, I doan't know! I heard him say he would cross the same street again to-morrow; and if we had a mind to stand in his way, he wou'd pool us over and over again.

Sir Fran. Will he so? Odszooks! get me a constable.

L. Wrong. Pooh! get you a good supper. Come, Sir Francis, don't put yourself in a heat for what cann't be helpt. Accidents will happen to people that travel abroad to see the worldFor my part, I think it's a mercy it was not overturn'd before we were all out on't.

Sir Fran. Why ay, that's true again, my dear. L. Wrong. Therefore see to-morrow if we can buy one at second-hand, for present use: so bespeak a new one, and then all's easy.

J. Mood. Why troth, sir, I doan't think this could have held you above a day longer. Sir Fran. D'ye think so, John?

J. Mood. Why you ha' had it ever since your worship were high sheriff.

Sir Fran. Why then go and see what Doll has got us for supper-and come and get off my boots. [Exit Sir FRAN.

L. Wrong. In the mean time, miss, do you

SCENE I.-The Lord TowNLY's House.

Enter Lord ToWNLY, a Servant altending. Ld Town. Who's there?

Serv. My Lord.

Enter Lady GRace.

L. Grace. What, is the house up already? My lady is not drest yet!

Ld Town. No matter-it's three o'clock-she may break my rest, but she shall not alter my

hours.

L. Gruce. Nay, you need not fear that now, for she dines abroad.

Ld Town. That, I suppose, is only an excuse for her not being ready yet.

proof of his honesty; nay, of his good opinion of you: For he would never have open'd himself so freely, but in confidence that your good sense could not be disobliged at it.

L. Grace. My good opinion of him, brother, has hitherto been guided by yours: But I have received a letter this morning that shews him a very different man from what I thought him. Ld Town. A letter from whom?

to company.

Ld Town. Where, pray?

L. Grace. At my Lady Revel's; and you know they never dine till supper-time.

Ld Town. No truly- -she is one of those orderly ladies, who never let the sun shine upon any of their vices !-But pr'ythee, sister, what

humour is she in to-day?

L. Grace. O! in tip-top spirits, I can assure you--she won a good deal last night.

Ld Town. I know no difference between her winning or losing, while she continues her course of life.

L. Grace. However, she is better in good humour than bad.

Ld Town. Much alike: When she is in good humour, other people only are the better for it: When in a very ill humour, then, indeed, I seldom fail to have my share of her.

L. Grace. Well, we won't talk of that now -Does any body dine here? Ld Town. Manly promised me- -By the way, madam, what do you think of his last convers tion?

L. Grace. -I am a little at a stand about it.
Ld Town. How so?

L. Grace. Why--I don't know how he can ever have any thoughts of me, that could lay down such severe rules upon wives in my hearing.

L. Grace. That I don't know, but there it is. [Gives a letter. [Reads.

Ld. Town. Pray let's see. The inclosed, madam, fell accidentally into my hands; if it no way concerns you, you will only have the trouble of reading this, from your sincere friend and humble servant, Unknown," &c. L. Grace. And this was the inclosed.

[Giving another.

Ld Town. [Reads.] To Charles Manly, Esq. "Your manner of living with me of late, convinces me, that I now grow as painful to you as to myself: but, however, though you can love me -no longer, I hope you will not let me live worse than I did before I left an honest income, for the vain hopes of being ever yours.

MYRTILLA DUPE." "P. S. 'Tis above four months since I received a shilling from you."

L. Grace. What think you now?
Ld Town. I am considering-

L. Grace. You see it's directed to him.

Ld Town. That's true! but the postscript seems to be a reproach, that I think he is not capable of deserving.

L. Grace. But who could have concern enough to send it to me?

Ld Town. I have observed that these sort of letters from unknown friends generally come from secret enemies.

it?

L. Grace. What would you have me do in

Ld Town. What I think you ought to dofairly shew it him, and say I advised you to it.