ready to fall on the Floor; but, recollecting myself, I made Shift to find my Way down Stairs; and,. going to a neighbouring Public-Houfe, wrote the following Letter, and left it with the Woman to deliver to her, together with two Guineas; and, paying the Arrears of Rent due, told her I discharged. myfelf of any farther Care about paying for the Lodgings, and then departed, pleased with myself for having exercifed fo much Temper and Prudence:

MADAM,

TH

HE Proofs I have just received of your ill Treatment of me, from firft to last, by the Discourse I have over-heard between you and your Paramour, have determined me to be your Dupe no longer. I don't pretend to upbraid you, but only reflect upon my own Folly and Stupidity, for fuffering myself to be made the Tool and Property of a base, defigning Woman, fo evidently to my Hurt and Detriment. I have difcharged what was due for your Lodging, and have left two Guineas in your Landlady's Hand for your present Use for you may affure yourfelf you will no more hear

from

JOSEPH THOMPSON.

P. S. If your Acquaintance behaves prudently, it fhall not be my Fault, if any Thing of his Conduct tranfpires.

Had

Had any indifferent Perfon been the Accomplice of this Woman, I believe I fhould imme. diately have grown fick and tired of Vice, which wears fo many Tho:ns about it; but Packer was reckoned a Prodigy of Sobriety, and had made Shift to behave fo cautiously, that he was the Favourite of our whole Family, and had been particularly obliging to me: He was a constant Churchgoer, and put on fuch an Appearance of Religion and Sanctity, that he was the laft Perfon I could have fufpected of any criminal Action; but now,. discovering the Blackness of his Behaviour, I concluded, all in a Hurry, that there was no real Goodnefs in the World, and ftrengthened myself with a Maxim of Rochefoucault's that Speculist had ever in his Mouth, That all Mankind are Knaves or Fools, and only differ from one another, as they are: more or less fo. Thus I argued, or feemed to argue,. myself into a Belief, that Hypocrify and Diffimulation, rather than any real Virtue or Piety, was the Source of the orderly Behaviour of thofe that passed for the best People. I rejoiced at my Delivery from the Slavery and Expence I was involved in, and fwore that no particular Object should byafs me again to fo much Folly. Thefe Refolves were more ftrengthened by the Converfation I had, the fame Evening, with Speculist; and I ftill increased them by the Mirth that was infpired by Wine, and the Company of my old Affociates. When

E5

When I returned Home, Mr. Deacon, I found, had left a Letter, which he received inclosed in one to him from my Father, which haftily breaking open, I found to the following Effect:

I

Dear Son,

Can't help telling you, that your defiring an Augmentation of the Sum I allow you for your Expences has very greatly furprised me, and I can't at prefent imagine how you could even difpofe of what you have had already. If I was apt to fufpect your Conduct, I have but too much Reason to do so, as I have, to my great Concern, found you flack and remifs in paying the Compliment of writing to me and your Mother; and Mr. Deacon has, with the utmoft tender Regard, however, to you, hinted fome Things to me which cannot fail giving me confiderable Pain: But as your Mafter, in his laft Account of you, said fo much in your Praife, and I know you fo well fecured from the Attacks of Vice or Folly, which ride predominant in London, by a virtuous and fober Education, and an excellent natural Temper, I will not give Way to any uneafy Surmifes; nay, I have even gratified your Requeft, and have defired my Friend to increafe your Stipend ten Pounds every Year. I hope, my dear Child, you will not give me Occafion to repent my Indulgence: I am fenfible of the many Temptations Youth are liable

I

liable to in that wicked Town: I am even tempted sometimes to blame myself for being the Inftrument of your going there; but, all Things confidered, and reflecting upon the excellent Examples before you, in your worthy Mafter and his amiable Son, I believe I may make myself eafy. Remember one Thing, that immoderate Expences, even in the innocent Cravings of Nature, and the Fashions that Custom has introduced, is a Thing of a very bad Tendency, and will, in Time, engage a corrupt Habit of Mind. I would not have you mean and fordid; your Temper and Conftitution fecures you from that; and, on the other Hand, employ your Money judiciously, and let not your Plenty be a Temptation to a too great Indulgence of Pleafure, or any extravagant Gratifications. Sir Walter, who has built an Houfe in our Neighbourhood, and the young Lady, who is always with your Mother, and seems to have a great Regard for me and my Family, defire their Compliments to you: Your Mother fends her Bleffing, and you have the fame,. moft heartily, with Prayers for your Health and. Welfare,

From your very affectionate Father,

WILLIAM THOMPSON.

E 6

CHAP.

CHA P. XII.

He frequents the Playboufe.-Converfes with Women of the Town.-Reforts to Bawdybouses.-Adventures at a noted Bagnio.Beats the Watch.—Is carried with Prim ta the Watch-house.-They are released.Pays a Debt for Prig.- Commences an Acquaintance with Mrs. Modifh.

HIS Letter of my Father's, at firft, gave me

TH

a great deal of Pain, and opened a Field of Reflexion, which, however, I foon overcame: If it did me any Service, it was only to make me more careful of keeping up Appearances at Home, that my Mafter might not perceive my Alteration. of Character; therefore I never ftaid out late, or lay out all Night, at thofe Times which he fpent in Town, which were now lefs frequent than ever, as his Son was more and more capable to fupply his Place; and, as to him, his Friendship filently winked at every Thing. Freed from the Incumbrance of the perfidious Wretch my Mistress, and Packer, for his own Sake, behaving with great Circumfpection and Modefty, I gave a Loose to the falfe Pleasures I was devoted to, more than ever; every Night carried me with Speculift, Prig, or Prim, to the Theatre, which was now become my reigning Tafte; but as my Soul was muddied, and

foul