,,But I suppose, Sir," cried Mr. Burchell,,,that you are apprised of my circumstances, and of my incapacity to support her as she deserves?"

,,If your present objection," replied I,,,be meant as an evasion of my offer, I desist; but I know no man so worthy to deserve her as you; and, if I could give her thousands, and thousands sought her from me, yet my honest, brave Burchell should be my dearest choice."

To all this silence alone seemed to give a mortifying refusal; and, without the least reply to my offer, he demanded if we could not be furnished with refreshments from the next inn; to which being answered in the affirmative, he ordered them to send in the best dinner that could be provided upon such short notice. He bespoke also a dozen of their best wine, and some cordials for me: adding, with a smile, that he would stretch a little for once; and, though in a prison, asserted he was never better disposed to be merry. The waiter soon made his appearance with preparations for dinner; a table was lent us by the gaoler, who seemed remarkably assiduous; the wine was disposed in order, and two very well dressed dishes were brought in.

My daughter had not yet heard of her poor brother's melancholy situation, and we all seemed unwilling to damp her cheerfulness by the relation. But it was in vain that I attempted to appear cheerful: the circumstances of my unfortunate son broke through all efforts to dissemble; so that I was at last obliged to damp our mirth by relating his misfortunes, and wishing he might be permitted to share with us in this little interval of satisfaction. After my guests were recovered from their consternation my account had produced, I requested also that Mr. Jenkinson, a fellow prisoner, might be admitted; and the gaoler

granted my request with an air of unusual submission. The clanking of my son's irons was no sooner heard along the passage, than his sister ran impatiently to meet him; while Mr. Burchell, in the mean time, asked me if my son's name was George; to which replying in the affirmative, he still continued silent, As soon as my boy came into the room, I could per. ceive he regarded Mr. Burchell with a look of astonishment and reverence. Come on," cried I,,,my son; though we are fallen very low, yet Providence has been pleased to grant us some small relaxation from pain. Thy sister is restored to us, and there is her deliverer: to that brave man it is that I am indebted for yet having a daughter; give him, my boy, the hand of friendship; he deserves our warmest gratis tude,

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My son seemed all this while regardless of what I said, and still continued fixed at a respectful distance. My dear brother, cried his sister,,,why don't you thank my good deliverer? the brave should ever love each other. ""

He still continued his silence and astonishment; till our guest at last perceived himself to be known, and, assuming all his native dignity, desired my son to come forward. Never before had I seen any thing so truly majestic as the air he assumed upon this occasion. The greatest object in the universe, says a certain philosopher, is a good man struggling with adversity; yet there is still a greater, which is the good man that comes to relieve it. After he had regarded my son for some time with a superior air,,,I again find," said he,,, unthinking boy, that the same crime" But here he was interrupted by one of the gaoler's servants, who came to inform us that a person of distinction, who had driven into town with a chariot and several attendants, sent his respects to the

gentleman that was with us, and begged to know when he should think proper to be waited upon.,,Bid the fellow wait," cried our guest,,,till I shall have leisure to receive him ;" and then turning to my son, ,,I again find, Sir," proceeded he,,,that you are guilty of the same offence for which you once had my reproof, and for which the law is now preparing its justest punishments. You imagine, perhaps, that contempt for your own life gives you a right to take that of another: but where, Sir, is the difference between a duellist who hazards a life of no value, and the mur derer who acts with greater security? Is it any diminution of the gamester's fraud, when he alledges that he has staked a counter?"

,,Alas, Sir," cried I,,,whoever you are, pity the poor misguided creature; for what he has done was in obedience to a deluded mother, who, in the bitterness of her resentment, required him upon her blessing to avenge her quarrel. Here, Sir, is the letter, which will serve to convince you of her imprudence, and diminish his guilt."

He took the letter, and hastily read it over.,,This says he,,,though not a perfect excuse, is such a palliation of his fault, as induces me to forgive him. And now, Sir," continued he, kindly taking my son by the hand,,,I see you are surprised at hinding me here; but I have often visited prisons upon occa sions less interesting. I am now come to see justice done a worthy man, for whom I have the most sincere esteem. I have long been a disguised spectator of thy father's benevolence. I have at his little dwelling enjoyed respect uncontaminated by flattery, and have received that happiness that courts could not give, from the amusing simplicity round his hire side. My nephew has been apprized of my intentious of coming here, and, I find, is arrived; it would be

wronging him and you to condemn him without examination; if there be injury there shall be redress; and this I may say without boasting, that none have ever taxed the injustice of Sir William Thornhill."

We now found the personage whom we had long entertained as an harmless, amusing companion, was no other than the celebrated Sir William Thornhill, to whose virtues and singularities scarce any were strangers. The poor Mr. Burchell was in reality a man of large fortune and great interest, to whom senates listened with applause, and whom party heard with conviction; who was the friend of his country, but loyal to his king. My poor wife recollecting her. former familiarity, seemed to shrink with apprehension; but Sophia, who a few moments before thought him her own, now perceiving the immense distance to which he was removed by fortune, was unable to conceal her tears.

,,Ah, Sir,“ cried my wife, with a piteous aspect, ,,how is it possible that I can ever have your forgive. ness; the slights you received from me the last time I had the honour of seeing you at our house, and the jokes which I audaciously threw out; these, Sir, I fear, can never be forgiven. 66

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,,My dear, good lady," returned he with a smile, you had your joke, I had my answer; I'll leave it to all the company if mine were not as good as your's. To say the truth, I know nobody whom I am disposed to be angry with at present but the fellow who so frighted my little girl here. I had not even time to examine the rascal's person, so as to describe him in an advertisement. Can you tell me, Sophia, my dear, whether you should know him again?"

,,Indeed, Sir," replied she,,,I can't be positive; yet now I recollect, he had a large mark over one of his eye-brows.",,I ask pardon, Madam," interrupted

Jenkinson, who was by;,,but be so good as to inform me if the fellow wore his own red hair ?,,Yes, I think so," cried Sophia.,,And did your honour," continued he, turning to Sir William,,,observe the length of his legs?",,I can't be sure of their length," cried the baronet,,, but I am convinced of their swiftness; for he out-ran me, which is what I thought few men in the kingdom could have done."

Please your honour," cried Jenkinson,,,I know the man; it is certainly the same; the best runner in England; he has beaten Pinwire of Newcastle : Timothy Baxter is his name, I know him perfectly, and the very place of his retreat this moment. If your honour will bid Mr. Gaoler let two of his men go with me, Ill engage to produce him to you in an hour at farthest. Upon this the gaoler was called, who instantly appearing, Sir William demanded if he knew him.,,Yes, please your honour," replied the gaoler, ,,I know Sir William Thornhill well, and every body that knows any thing of him will desire to know more of him.",,Well, then," said the baronet,,,my request is, that you will permit this man and two of your servants to go upon a message by my authority; and as I am in the commission of the peace, I undertake to secure you.",, Your promise is sufficient," replied the other, and you may at a minute's warning send them over England, whenever your honour thinks fit. "

In pursuance of the gaoler's compliance, Jenkinson was dispatched in search of Timothy Baxter, while we were amused with the assiduity of our youngest boy Bill, who had just come in and climbed up to Sir William's neck in order to kiss him. His mother was immediately going to chastise his familiarity, but the worthy man prevented her, and taking the child, all ragged as he was, upon his knee.,,What Bill, you