vented his diftinguishing my features before. Yes, Sir,' returned Mr. Jenkinson, I remember you perfectly well; I bought an horfe but forgot to pay for him. Your neighbour Flamborough is the only profecutor I am any way afraid of at the next affizes: for he intends to fwear pofitively against me as a coiner. I am heartily forry, Sir, Í ever deceived you, or indeed any man; for you 'fee,' continued he, fhewing his fhackles, what my tricks have brought me to.'

6

Well, Sir,' replied I, 'your kindness in offering 'me afliftance when you could expect no return, 'fhall be repaid with my endeavours to foften or totally fupprefs Mr. Flamborough's evidence, and I will fend my fon to him for that purpose the first opportunity; nor do I in the least doubt but he will comply with my requeft, and as to my own evidence you need be under no uneasiness about that.'

6

6

Well, Sir,' cried he, all the return I can make fhall be yours. You fhall have more than half my bed-clothes to night, and I'll take care to ftand your friend in the prifon, where I think I have • fome influence.'

6

I thanked him, and could not avoid being furprised at the prefent youthful change in his aspect; for at the time I had feen him before he appeared at leaft fixty. Sir,' answered he, you are little acquainted with the world; I had at that time false lair, and have learnt the art of counterfeiting every age from feventeen to feventy. Ah! Sir, had I but beflowed half the pains in learning a trade that I have in learning to be a fcoundrel, I might have been a rich man at this day. But rogue as am, fill I may be your friend, and that perhaps when you leaft expect it.'

6

6

We were now prevented from further converfation by the arrival of the gaoler's fervants, who came to

call

call over the prisoners names, and lock up for the night. A fellow alfo with a bundle of ftraw for my bed attended, who led me along a dark narrow paffage into a room paved like the common prifon, and in one corner of this I fpread my bed and the clothes given me by my fellow prifoner; which, done, my conductor, who was civil enough, bade me a good night. After my ufual meditations, and having praised my heavenly corrector, I laid myself down and flept with the utmoft tranquillity till morning.

CHAP. XXVI.

A reformation in the gaol. To make laws complete they fhould reward as well as punish.

THE next morning early I was awakened by my

family whom I found in tears at my bed-fide. The gloomy ftrength of every thing about us it feems had daunted them. I gently rebuked their forrow, affuring them I had never flept with greater tranquillity, and next inquired after my eldest daughter who was not among them. They informed me that yesterday's uneafinefs and fatigue had increased her fever, and it was judged proper to leave her behind. My next care was to fend my fon to procure a room or two to lodge the family in as near the prifon as conveniently could be found. He obeyed; but could only find one apartment, which was hired at a fmall expence for his mother and fifters, the gaoler with humanity confenting to let him and his two little brothers lie in the prifon with me. A bed was therefore prepared for them in a corner of the room, which I thought anfwered very conveniently. I was

willing

If ufed ill in our dealings with one man we naturally go elsewhere. Were it not worth your while then just to try how you may like the ufage of another mafter, who gives you fair promifes at • least to come to him. Surely, my friends, of all ftupidity in the world his must be the greatest who after robbing an houfe runs to the thieftakers for protection. And yet how are you more • wife? You are all feeking comfort from one that has already betrayed you, applying to a more malicious being than any thieftaker of them all; for they only decoy and then hang you; but he de< coys and hangs, and what is worst of all, will not 'let you loofe after the hangman has done.'

When I had concluded I received the compliments of my audience, fome of whom came and fhook me by the hand, fwearing that I was a very honeft fellow, and that they defired my further acquaintance. I therefore promised to repeat my lecture next day, and actually conceived fome hopes of making a reformation here; for it had ever been my opinion that no man was paft the hour of amendment, every heart lying open to the fhafts of reproof if the archer could but take a proper aim, When I had thus fatisfied my mind I went back to my apartment, where my wife prepared a frugal meal, while Mr. Jenkinson begged leave to add his dinner to ours and partake of the pleasure, as he was kind enough to exprefs it, of my converfation. He had not yet feen my family, for as they came to my aparment by a door in the narrow paffage already defcribed, by this means they avoided the common prifon. Jenkinfon at the first interview therefore feemed not a little ftruck with the beauty of my youngest daughter, which her penfive air contributed to heighten, and my little ones did not pafs unnoticed.

( Alas,

6

Alas, Doctor,' cried he, these children are too handfome and too good for fuch a place as this!' Why, Mr. Jenkinson,' replied I,‹ thank heaven my children are pretty tolerable in morals, and if they be good it matters little for the rest.'

I fancy, Sir,' returned my fellow prisoner, that it muft give you great comfort to have all this little family about you.'

A comfort, Mr. Jenkinfon,' replied I, yes it is indeed a comfort, and I would not be without them for all the world; for they can make a dungeon feem a palace. There is but one way in this life of wounding my happiness, and that is by injuring them.'

I am afraid then, Sir,' cried he, that I am in fome measure culpable; for I think I fee here' (looking at my fon Moses) one that I have injured, and by whom I wish to be forgiven.'

6

My fon immediately recollected his voice and features, though he had before feen him in disguise, and taking him by the hand with a fmile forgave him. Yet,' continued he, I can't help wondering at what you could fee in my face to think me a proper mark for deception.'

6

My dear Sir,' returned the other, it was not your face, but your white ftockings and the black ribband in your hair that allured me. But no difparagement to your parts, I have deceived wifer men than you in my time; and yet with all my tricks, the blockheads have been too many for me at laft.'

I fuppofe,' cried my fon, that the narrative of fuch a life as yours must be extremely inftructive and amufing.'

Not much of either,' returned Mr. Jenkinson. Thofe relations which defcribe the tricks and vices only of mankind by increafing our fufpicion in life,

' retard

retard our fuccefs. The traveller that diftrufts every 'perfon he meets, and turns back upon the appearance of every man that looks like a robber, feldom arrives in time at his journey's end.

Indeed I think from my own experience, that the 'knowing one is the fillieft fellow under the fun. I " was thought cunning from my very childhood; when but feven years old the ladies would fay that I was a perfect little man; at fourteen I knew the world, cocked my hat, and loved the ladies; at twenty, though I was perfectly honeft, yet every one thought me fo cunning that not one would trust 6 me. Thus I was at laft obliged to turn fharper in my own defence, and have lived ever fince, my head throbbing with fchemes to deceive, and my heart palpitating with fears of detection. I ufed ' often to laugh at your honeft fimple neighbour Flamborough, and one way or another generally 'cheated him once a year. Yet ftill the honeft man went forward without fufpicion, and grew rich ⚫ while I ftill continued trickfy and cunning, and was poor, without the confolation of being honest. However,' continued he, let me know your cafe, ⚫ and what has brought you here; perhaps though I have not fkill to avoid a gaol myfelf, I may extri'cate my friends.'

6

In compliance with his curiofity, I informed him of the whole train of accidents and follies that had plunged me into my present troubles, and my utter inability to get free.

After hearing my ftory and paufing fome minutes, he flapt his forehead as if he had hit upon fomething material, and took his leave, faying he would try what could be done.

CHAP.