A CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY, &c.

SO many things of conſequence offer at this time, that I find I ſhall ſwell my Deſign to a much greater length than I imagined: Inſtead of Writing once a Week, I ſhall never be able to retain ſo many memorable Particulars, or get thro' my Promiſe, without adjuſting the Subſtance every Poſt.

You would ſplit your Sides at the late Set of Servants, and their Favourers, in this Town, were you to ſee how they behave themſelves in their preſent Circumſtances? [4] What a mixture they diſcover in their Coun⯑tenances of the Sullen and the Impertinent; or indeed of the Spaniel and the Lion. They wou'd fain lay a timely claim to the good Graces and Favour of Mr. WRIGHT, but their Pretenſions are awkardly made out, and built on ſuch ſenceleſs Foundations, that 'tis queer enough to hear them explain 'em.

Harry Aucumy, who is at leizure now to carry on all the Intrigues that lay upon his Hands, has had a very great Levee of Condo⯑lants ſince his late Misfortune; for ſay they, Harry appeared a Man of Spirit, and was al⯑ways firm to his Purpoſe. Harry was reſolute and conſtant in the Meaſures he purſued, and wou'd have puſhed Things with another man⯑ner of Spirit than that unaccountable Fellow Slyboots ſhew'd, who had been aſleep for three Years, and always kept his Friends as well as his Enemies in doubt what he deſigned. Harry was the Life of the Cauſe, the Joy of the Par⯑ty, and the Toaſt of the CLUB. From Har⯑ry we expected ſomething very great and ſur⯑prizing; he had a Spirit and Impudence really fitted for it. Our hopes in him daily increaſ⯑ed; we ſaw him, on Robin's Downfal, which was owing to his dextrous Conduct, placed in a Sphere, whereby his excellent Talents wou'd have come to ſhine in their full Lu⯑ſtre; nay, he had manag'd it ſo admirably, that he ſent the Trickſter Robin off the Stage [5] with the utmoſt Diſgrace, which for Reaſons well known to us, would have proved of Ser⯑vice to future Purpoſes.

But I muſt not ſtay to finiſh the Encomiuns theſe Viſitants of Harry's beſtow'd on him, without letting you know, that they were ſuch Friends of young Shute's, as began to place the greateſt Confidence in him, from the ſeveral ſteps which they plainly ſaw he had taken in his Favour. The reſt were ſuch as Harry had really let into the Secret; and among whom there ran a mutu⯑al and entire Chain of Confidence, in which they wou'd all rather have Hang'd together, than to have broke their Faith with one another.

Muſt it not therefore be the moſt ſenſible Mortification to Men elated with ſuch Hopes, and inſpired by a Genius ſo very promiſing as Harry's to promote their Views, to ſee him at two Steps fall headlong from ſuch an Emi⯑nence of Power and Authority, and lye the bleeding Sacrifice of a Ruined-Party at the Feet of his Enemies, deſpis'd, threaten'd and level'd to their Reſentments by the Act of the new LANDLORD, who ſingled him out, like a Deer for the Chace, to be the common Sport of all the honeſt Servants and Tenants; nay, even to his Antagoniſt Robin? What can ſhew a Man more deſpis'd than the Meſ⯑ſage [6] delivered him by the TRUSTEES for his Diſmiſſion.

You may be ſure his Friends bleed inwardly for him; but they have, indeed, the moſt admirable way of out-facing Things that e⯑ver was known. They had before this given out, that he ſtood on no bad terms with Mr. WRIGHT, and chiefly, that on the firſt In⯑diſpoſition of the Widdow, it was he who pro⯑moted the Delivery of BOB's Conjuring-VVand into the Hands of the Chamberlain; which He could not chuſe but acknowledge as a piece of good Service: But this is ſome⯑what like BOB's INVIOLABLE ATTACH.

This they maintain'd with an Aſſurance peculiar to them, till the time of Harry's diſ⯑grace, when a freſh Aſtoniſhment appeared in them; and for two or three Days there was a general run of Guilty confuſed Faces a⯑mong [7] the Party, Harry himſelf ſtood this ſhock with a great deal of outward Confi⯑dence before his Friends, becauſe he was un⯑willing to diſcourage them, but alas we know that nothing but a clear and unſpotted Con⯑ſcience can really ſupport a Man's Spirits un⯑der ſuch ſudden and capital Afflictions. This required that they ſhould give their Senti⯑ments a new turn, and now Harry was conſo⯑led by his Friends as a Man purely ſuffering for his Principles, and one who deſerved all the Confidence they had placed in him.

One wou'd think this Indication ſhould have taught them a little Modeſty, but they go on at the old rate: They will not ſtand convinced that they have a leſs ſhare of the Favour of Mr. WRIGHT than others, tho' it is with the utmoſt Impudence and Vanity they dare, even make Pretences to it. They are the moſt impatient People at the loſs of Power imaginable, and certainly make the worſt uſe of it when they have it of any living, for they are all Heat and Choler: whence it is obſervable, thro' their precipitate and Poſt⯑haſte Fury, that they have never been long before they finiſhed their Courſe.

They have the merrieſt Way of Inter⯑preting Things that can be: They pretend they are very impatient for the arrival of the New LANDLORD, being uneaſie at [8] the Management of the TRUSTEES, who have gone a great way toward putting the Affairs of the INN in a better Poſture, and to draw a better Trade to the whole Town. They cannot, or rather will not be⯑lieve, that the Choice of the TRUSTEES has any thing of the true Meaning of Mr. WRIGHT in it; but that it was done up⯑on their own Solicitations and Intelligence; and that they doubt not, but they ſhall ſoon convince him when they come to talk with him.

Wou'd it not anger one that theſe Fel⯑lows ſhould have the Impudence to form theſe prepoſterous Suggeſtions? (for I will forgive the Folly of it) Do they think he has forgot, or ever will, their turning two or three of his Servants out of the Houſe in a rude Sort of Manner, though they paid ho⯑neſtly for what they called for, only becauſe they gave their Maſter Notice of their In⯑trigues? Was any thing more groſly Impu⯑dent than Harry's Conduct in this Matter? Or his inſpiring the CLUB to do all they could to hinder Young Mr. VVright from coming among them? They are miſtaken if they think him a Perſon ſo ſhort-ſighted as to be deceived in diſtinguiſhing his Friends from his Foes: And if thoſe who have al⯑ways appeared in his Intereſt, and on all Oc⯑caſions juſtified their Love to him, are not to [9] be intitled to his Favour; nay, if his own Sence of this, in chuſing ſuch for TRUS⯑TEES, is not ſufficient to prove it, I leave them to be corrected by their own Folly.

Every Reed ſerves a drowning Man to catch at; you wou'd ſmile, did you but know the mighty Splutter they make, that their Conſort, Tom Scatterwit, has ſhook Hands with Mr. WRIGHT. Now you muſt know there is no more in it than this. Tom was Agent for the Widow at NICK FROG's, eſpecially on the Compoſition: Tom, like the reſt of his Fraternity, was a very active furious Fellow, and when Reaſon wou'd not do, he uſed to cock his Hat, and tread upon NICK's Toes. NICK made damn'd ſour Faces, but was not able to cope with the young Bully. Nick, in his Time had been a very ſturdy Fellow, but he was then curſedly pinched with Corns, and could hardly ſtir out of his Elbow-Chair: 'Tis true, he kicked and winced a little, but Tom always turned him by main Strength, and in the End work'd him into Temper to con⯑ſent quietly to the Agreement. Tom, on the Widow's Death, lay under dreadful Appre⯑henſions; he was conſcious that a very good Underſtanding wou'd enſue between Mr. WRIGHT and NICK; and that if NICK ſhould remember the Smart of his Toes, it wou'd prove but a little queer for him. [10] Tom therefore came to NICK, and ſhewed a geat deal of unuſual Condeſcenſion. In⯑ſtead of the Bully Cock, he now came Cap in Hand, and entered into an Expoſtulation ſomewhat ſervile. He deſir'd NICK to for⯑get old Grudges, and to make the beſt of Matters to Mr. WRIGHT. NICK looked a little ſour on him, as remembering the curſed Gripes he had given him; howe⯑ver, like a Man of Honour, he told him he forgave him, and ſhould be glad to hear of his Converſion. Another thing likewiſe laid Tom's Friends under ſome Apprehenſions for him; he was dipped in Harry's Project of entering into a League with Old Savage and his Grandſon, tending to the Prejudice of Mr. WRIGHT's Intereſt; and had un⯑luckily written for further Orders therein juſt at the Time of the Widow's Death; which Pacquet falling of courſe into the Hands of the TRUSTEES, they ſealed it up, and ſent it to Mr. WRIGHT.

Poor Tom looked plaguy queer upon it at firſt; but it ſeems he has had a long Conference with Mr. WRIGHT on his arrival at NICK FROG's; which his Friends interpret ſtrangely to his Advantage; not that they think Tom will prove very Stanch, but that they love a Fellow of a predominant Spirit. Moſt People laugh hear⯑tily at this, and ſay, that Tom, who is an ex⯑cellent [11] Fellow at Congee and Grimace, took all Opportunities to wriggle himſelf into Mr. WRIGHT's Acquaintance, and ſcrew'd in at the lower End of the Table to Dinner.

Nick Spitfire, was to have played the ſame Game at 'Squire SOUTH's, but the 'Squire being a Man of Spirit forbid Nick the Houſe, and reſolved to receive no Meſſage from the Widow by ſuch Hands; which put Nick up⯑on the Splutter for loſing ſo favourable an Opportunity of exerting himſelf.

Bob Bungey is ſelling his Equipage again, ſenſibly afflicted at the Miſcarriage of his Bu⯑ſineſs to Phil. Baboon. Bob breeds excel⯑lent Bullocks, and has got Money by it; but was never looked on to be a Fellow of any tollerable Sence.

Matt Spindleſhanks, the Tavern-Boy, is in a ſtrange Quandary whether he ſhall return Home, or ſtay at Old Savage's. 'Tis noted for excellent Air in a Conſumption, and 'tis very probable that Matt, who is a little in⯑firm, will chuſe it for his Health's Sake. Life is ſweet, and 'tis very probable that the late Damps that have happened in this Country may be apt to ſuffocate poor Matt, ſo that his Phyſicians have adviſed him, that the other Air is more ſafe for him.

[12] Peregriue Scamper, who makes ſuch a migh⯑ty Noiſe of his CONDUCT, is lately return'd from his laſt Errand. He pleads a great deal of Merit, and is angry he was not nam'd one of the TRUSTEES. To ſay Truth, the Man had had never much Harm in him, but being always thought a little Troubleſome at Home, was uſually ſent out of the Way for Quietneſs Sake. Moſt Peo⯑ple would believe he had done ſome Service, if he talk'd Jeſs of it, and had ſhewn leſs Compliance to ſome Points which render him a little diſagreeable.

Jacob Raſh, the New Agent, is the leſs concerned at being ſhut out of the Manage⯑ment of all Affairs at the INN, becauſe it furniſhes him with an Opportunity to indulge himſelf in a voluptuous Life. He was a zealous Promoter of Harry's New Scheme, and a great Cloſeter of the BUFF-COATS upon that Occaſion. Jacob has loſt his for⯑mer Reputation, and has the Misfortune of being looked on as a Tool, when perhaps too much Indolence and good Nature only has been his Fault.

Old Biaſs the Malſter, has a greater Incli⯑nation than a Spirit to do Miſchief: Cove⯑touſneſs, which is in others a Crime, has in him proved a Virtue. He wou'd have gone [13] greater lengths in Young Shute's Favour, but for the exceſſive dread of loſing his Pelf: Beſides, he ſaw no reaſon why he ſhould Em⯑bark on a Level with Fellows of deſperate Fortunes. Biaſs dropt them in ſeveral Im⯑portant Points, and cry'd, Safe's the Word: He was willing to come in for ſomething a⯑mong them, but wou'd not run the Hazard of loſing one of his G—s for ne'er a Cauſe in Chriſtendom; ſo that People ſay, Though he is no very honeſt Man, yet he has proved an excel⯑lent BOWLER.

I know no one lies more expoſed than Sim the Scrivener: Sim's Principles prevailed over his Gratitude, to ſhew his good Inclinations to Young Shute. 'Tis whiſpered, that he has already receiv'd his Quietus; and no doubt but a Poſt or two more will confirm it. Will Bromingham, notwithſtanding his great Pretences, looks with a very formidable dull Air. He wou'd fain be thought to merit his Place, but I hear Mr. WRIGHT is of ano⯑ther Opinion.

BOB and Harry Aucumy are as far from being Friends as ever: Bob has loſt his Re⯑putation with both Parties, but Harry ſtands fair with one ſide at leaſt. In ſhort, Harry appears moſt Guilty, but Bob has the more deſpicable Phiz.

[14] Will Wildfire would be a ſolitary Fellow too if he was capable of thinking; but that is what he never did in his Life: He is a great Comforter to Harry under his Afflicti⯑on, and talks mightily of his Intereſt in a certain Family he is allied to by Marriage, that are like to come into Favour; but a Bottle I believe is the more ſolid conſolation of the two.

Arthur Skipkennel has packed up his Move⯑ables and is ready for the Scamper. Con—is turned out of the Weſt Farm by the TRUSTEES. A Fellow that has done a damn'd deal of Miſchief to the Country there. More of this in my next.

Tom Dimple has recovered his former Repu⯑tation. Tom you muſt know, was pitched on to carry Inſtructions to Jacob Ruſh, in relati⯑on to ſtifling the Evidence, mentioned in my laſt. Tom, thought he had been ſent to in⯑fluence the CAUSE; but by a curſed Ar⯑tifice found, that Bob and Harry had ſealed his Packet up. Tom was choſe Steward at the next CLUB, and has ſhewn himſelf a very honeſt Friend of Mr. WRIGHT's.

Honeſt Charles Barrier is made Clerk of the Brewhouſe in Harry's Room, which is highly Satisfactory to all honeſt Men here; [15] and no doubt is an Inſtance of Mr. WRIGHT's Eſteem to Nick Frog, and to take off the Odi⯑um of his Conduct in concert with Charles, when the CLUB at the INN, in the VVidow's Time fell foul on him in opprobious Words; and had like to have ſent Charles to the Stocks for the Bargain he made with Nick in relation to ſome Copſes and Incloſures on Eſq South's Eſtate, which were to be put in⯑to NICK's Occupation; wherein Charles, as they alledged, ſuffer'd him to infringe on a TURNIP FIELD or two of the VVi⯑dow's

Never was Man ſo joyfully careſſed and en⯑tertained as Mr. WRIGHT was at NICK's Houſe; both he, and all his Tenants were ready to devour him for Joy. And indeed, to ſay Truth, NICK had a great deal of Rea⯑ſon for his Exaltation, for he had been uſed but a little ſcurvily in the latter part of the VVidow's Days. Many of the New Servants hated him in their Hearts; and 'twas feared, that to bring about ſome other Deſign, they wou'd not have ſtuck to perſuade the VVidow into a Law Suit againſt poor NICK. But theſe Fears are all cured now, and NICK begins to ſpeak and act with his uſual Spirit again.