Part 11 (1/2)

With these requisites, there was a continual struggle, between his efforts to preserve his clerical solereeable His for up his face into sular set of small wrinkles, folds, and plies, that inevitably re of an ape; for he was so fearful of derogating fronity that it was i

After waiting about ten entleman, such as I have described, entered, assureeable solemn smiles, and bowed; but instantly recovered his full stature; as if he had been then renadier

I delivered ent master, as one of the caput He read theers, I anxiously watched his countenance; but I could not perceive that they produced any remarkably favourable effect Not but he assulad to hear his Oxford friends were in good health; should be exceedingly happy to do any thing, that lay in his power, to serve a gentleman of their recommendation But the duties of his profession were very laborious: they could not be neglected His calls were incessant: he had not a moment to himself However, if I could point out any way--that is--he should be prodigiously happy--prodigiously indeed to give me any advice in his power

I was by no means satisfied with the pauses, heies However, not knohat better to do, I mentioned that I had letters to the Bishop of ----, and should be glad if he could tellaccess to deliver them

The mention of the bishop was electrical; it produced an ie in the countenance of the reverend Enoch Ellis

The quantity of eious, onderfully increased He was prodigiously glad to find I was so well recoiously happy to hear froious satisfaction in serving a gentleive hiht be under no difficulty, if I would permit him, he would first make the necessary inquiries, and then attend nitary

This relaxation in his manner flattered and pleased me He now perceived me to be somebody; my half-offended vanity was appeased, and I accepted his offer with thanks

To add to these obligations, finding that I was but just conorant, and that I wanted a lodging, he very obligingly told hbourhood, and provide me one by the morrow I endeavoured to ious_ increase of courtesy by a pedantical, but in il will tell the rest

These civilities being all acted and over, I bowed and took ; and he bowing in return, and waiting on me to the door: I much better pleased with my reception after the mention of the bishop than before; and he no less well satisfied

I had now nothing to do for the rest of the day but indulge e and imperious demands on all my senses I walked from street to street, examined object after object, tasted the tarts of the pastry cooks, listened to the barrel organs, bells, tambours de basque, and cyazed at the inviting splendour of shop s innuain! All the delights of novelty and surprise thrilled and tingled through my veins! It was a world of such inexhaustible abundance, wealth, and prosperity as to exceed the wildest of the dreas then were, it see world of wonders, at present, scarcely conscious that such things have any existence

The sole draw-back I felt to these delights was the fear of sharpers, and thieves; which, owing to -habit and the obliging gentlereat that I never thought myself in safety

Under these ies-street, and saw a croud of people gathered round the play-house doors, who on inquiry I found aiting to get in The play bills were pasted in large letters, red and black, against the walls I read them, and their contents told edies, Rowe's Fair Penitent, and that Mrs Siddons was to act

I had never yet seen a play in my life; for so licentious are the manners and behaviour of the youth of Oxford, that the vice chancellor dare not admit players into the city This was an invitation to enjoyment not to be resisted I blessed my lucky stars, that had ledthe people who surrounded the pit door, and pressed forward to better my situation as much as I could without ill manners

Here I waited with the hope of pleasure excitingthe doors approached, about which time the croud was frequently put in motion I observed that the people around me had several times appeared to be watchful of each other, and presently I heard a voice proclaim aloud--'Take care of your pockets!'

My fears suddenly came upon erly looked round as well as I could, hemmed in as I was, and fixed my eyes on!--astonishment!--on my conductor to the palace! The blood mantled in my face 'You have stolen my watch,'

said I He could not immediately escape, andsilence and commiseration, and put a watch into my hand I felt a momentary compassion and he presentlydid but increase the press of the croud, so that it was impossible for me so much as to lift up my arm: I therefore continued, as the safest way, to hold the watch in my hand Soon afterward the door opened, and I hurried it into ed to ht not be thron and trodden under foot

At length, after very uncoles, I made my way to thebreath and gazing around hbours how soon the play would begin? I was told in an hour This new delay occasioned me to put my hand in my pocket and take out my watch, which as I supposed had been returned by the thief But, good heavens! What was reen chagrin case, the one I was now possessed of was set round with diamonds! And, instead of ordinary steel and brass, its appendages were a weighty gold chain and seals!

My astonishreat beyond expression! I opened it to examine the work, and found it was capped I pressed upon the nut and it immediately struck the hour: it was a repeater!

Its value could not but be very great; yet I was far from satisfied with the accident It was no watch of mine; nor must I keep it, if the owner could be found; of which there could be no doubt; and one past all recovery

I could not let it rest I surveyed it again, inspected every part more minutely, and particularly examined the seals My former amazement was now increased ten fold! They were the very same arms, the identical seals, of the watch on the sopha, that had betrayed the lovely creature in the blue riding habit to Hector Mowbray! The watch too was in every particular just such another; had a gold chain and was studded with diamonds! It must be the property of his lordshi+p

In vain did I rack invention to endeavour to account for so strange an incident: my conjectures were all unsatisfactory, all improbable

I looked round to see if I could discover his lordshi+p in the house, but without success: the nureat that the people were concealed behind each other Beside it was long since I had seen his lordshi+p: perhaps his person was changed, as his title had been, by the death of his father He was now the Earl of Idford My sur this uncommon accident keptup of the curtain; when they i and irresistible kind The delight received by the youthful i present at the representation of a play, is not I suspect to be equalled by any other ever yet experienced, or invented The propriety and richness of the dresses, the deception and variety of the scenery, the natural and energetic delivery of the actors, and the reality of every incidental circureat as to excite incessant rapture!