made up a purse to pay one of the most expert man-catchers of the city for kidnapping me. I now felt bound in honour to defend myself by putting in practice all those tactics which so naturally occur to us who have seen the world, on such occasions. The fellow was a stanch pointer, but he had an old fox to deal with. He assumed fifty disguises, but I always knew him by a sure instinct, which, after a while, never failed me in detecting the approach of a catchpole, as surely as some people do the presence of an invisible cat in a room. At billiard tables, coffee rooms, and other places which I sometimes ventured to visit, by taking advantage of a back door, it seemed that I could actually tell when he was coming before he came in sight, and was frequently prompted by this inward monitor to break a conversation abruptly, and dart out of the room, to the surprise of my companions, who wondered at my conduct, until it was explained by the appearance of the officer. In this way I baffled the catchpole for a whole year; but fate ordained I should fall into his hands at last. One dark evening, apt for mystery, I received a note from an old flame of mine, complaining of my long absence, reproaching me for supposing that my misfortunes had forfeited her regard, and inviting me to meet her at eight o'clock at the house of a mutual friend. This was approaching me on the weak side of my intrenchments. Creditors, catchpoles, writs, and stone jugs,all vanished away, like mists at the dawn; the spirit of my better days awoke within me; I put on my best array, and without taking the precaution to slip out by the back way, sallied forth gay as a nightingale. The first step I took was in the arms of my faithful follower the catchpole, who, by virtue of authority from my old enemies, John Doe and Richard Roe, bore me to prison. Thus, like another Mark Antony, did I lose the world for love. There are some men, with so little of the true spirit of resignation, that they resist with all their might, and use the most violent efforts to arrest their course, when they find themselves going down hill. But, for my part, I was too much of a philosopher for this. Whenever I found myself going, I let myself go at once, and got to the bottom as quickly as possible. People are continually breaking their bones by jumping out of a run-away carriage, while those who remain quietly within, and take their chance, escape shot free. In a little while I was as happy in jail, for aught I know, as I ever was out of it. My creditors allowed me my clothes, so that I enjoyed the blessing I valued above all others, that of dressing in an embroidered suit. It is true, I had few to admire me, but this I did not much mind; I had a piece of a looking-glass, in which I admired myself; and am pretty certain I made a serious impression on the chambermaid that kept my room in order. My creditors were obliged to make me a weekly allowance, sufficient to furnish crackers and apples, and as I was never an epicure, I was perfectly satisfied, for I could sleep in peace, and bid John Doe and Richard Roe defiance. But a man can never be at peace long in this world. The legislature took it into its nead to disturb the repose of my retirement, by passing a law establishing prison limits, under pretence of humanity to the prisoners. It was intimated to me, that some of my old friends would be my securities, if I chose to quit the prison for the jail liberties. I declined with contempt this invidious offer, and sent them word I was not to be entrapped into the world again. My creditors, finding I had nothing left for them, and that my support in the prison was a dead loss to them, signed a release, and directed the sheriff to send me about my business. I told him I had no business; and would not stir an inch. My creditors had put me there against my will, and there they might keep me. They were obliged to turn me out, which they did in spite of my expostulations on the cruelty of thus setting me again adrift in the wide world. Finding myself thus thrust from my peaceful asylum, I determined they should thrust me no farther, and resolutely confined myself to the limits allowed for debtors I insisted that it was against law and reason to push a man out of prison against his will, after having put him there without his leave; but as I had not money to bring a suit for this violent ejectment, I was obliged to submit to this monstrous infringement on the rights of a citizen. However, I was resolved they should make me the same allowance out of jail that they did in it, and I have ever since punctually received it, either from them, or from some one of my old friends; for I never thought it worth while to inquire whence it came. In addition to this, I regularly receive, as you know, from some unknown hand, twice a year, a present of fifty dollars; which, together with my other allowance, sets me quite above the world. Between ourselves, I suspect the hundred dollars comes from the little Dutch milliner, who married the soap boiler's son, and now rides in her coach. I flatter myself she still retains a partiality for my person; of which, however, my sense of honour prevents me from taking any undue advantage. I am frequently solicited to return to that " illimitable void," the world; but I would not exchange the sanctuary I now enjoy, from the persecutions of creditors, catchpoles, John Doe and Richard Roe, and the delightful conviction that here they cannot molest me, for the liberty of boundless space. If I return to the world, I shall run in debt to the tailor, of a certainty; and then the ghosts of sheriffs and officers would haunt my steps by day, my dreams by night. But here nobody will trust me here no two-legged bloodhound carries his two-legged prey with an instinct that never fails, a perseverance that never tires-here there is nothing to hope, and nothing to fear; and here, as in the grave," the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." Towards her lover's distant home. Love, with safely-warning thread, From the labyrinth has led; Love can make the timid dare, Tate the beasts of wildest ire, Bind the bulls, though breathing fire, To the plough with diamond share. E'en o'er Styx bold love hath ventured, Where its ninefold circles flowed; And with fearless arm the loved one Raised from Pluto's dark abode. Thus, the god, whose strong desire And when day's last beams grew dim, And in safe affection's arm, Then he turns from love's soft bosom, Plunging in the chilly sea. And thus flew the thirtieth day, Mid concealed delights away, Happiness ye ne'er have tasted, Plucked the heavenly fruit, and feared not What though, changing o'er the skies, Hesper and Aurora rise? Lovers see not autumn lower; |