After the fervice was concluded, they proceeded in grand proceffion to one of the halls, which belongs to the companies in this city, of which there are several, and which are very large and fuperb; where a noble and plentiful entertainment was provided, and where a great number of clergy and laity affembled to promote and encourage this charitable defign; in much harmony united together, and freely and generously contributing to the beneficent work. I cannot fail to mention, that amongst the gentlemen, there was one, who, as I am informed, is both a Few and a broker; *who gave an hundred pounds, which it feems he has done for fome years paft, and probably will continue to do, as he is wealthy and generous.

Upon the whole, my dear friend, I think above eleven hundred pounds were raised.Eleven hundred pounds in one hall, and by one fociety! and to encrease your wonder, fomething of this kind is always going forwards! At leaft for these few weeks which I have been in England, I have never feen one of their news-papers or journals, without fome advertisement or intelligence of fome of thefe meetings. I read not long fince of a London Hofpital for fick and lame, where they gathered twelve or fourteen hundred pounds-Two or three occafional charities I have remarked:-One even to cloath their enemies, the French

* Sampson Gideon,

French prisoners, have collected in a short space of time, feveral thousand pounds !-Will not this give you a great and venerable idea of the English nation? Of which was I in few words to draw the prefent character, I would fay, It is a warlike and wealthy nation: full of glory, and full of riches; fenfible of its own happinefs, and bleft with the most harmonious union. Abounding in the best benevolence; generous, humane, charitable; happy in a monarch, the delight of his people; happy in a prince, the heir of his grandfather's throne and virtues, and univerfally esteemed for his amiable qualities. Happy in all things, which a free and great people can defire. And if prosperity doth not relax them; if they persevere in valour and virtue; perfevere to deserve and to draw down the protection of heaven, by fuch deeds, as at prefent diftinguifh them: Their enemies can entertain but feeble hopes. For if God be on their fide, how shall they not do great acts?

Expect to hear from me foon again, and do me the honour to believe me

Yours, &c.

VOL. I.

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NUM

NUMBER XVIII.

Well-feafon'd irony will oft prevail,

When fiern rebukes, and strongest reasonings fail.

A

DUNCOMBE'S HOR.

SI was fitting the other morning in my study at Candour-Hall, my fervant informed me that a young man defired to speak with me. As I am by no means difficult of access, I ordered the young man to be introduced. The door opened, and in stalked a tall figure, very erect, which advanced without bending the body, or moving the broad-brim'd hat, which fhaded the lank hair and folemn vifage. And coming close up to me, he drew a pocket-book from his pocket, with much care and accuracy; and taking thence a letter, "Friend, quoth he, is thy name Candid ?" It is, Sir, replied I. "Then to thee is my meffage, he went on: Ebenezer Plaincloth of the city of London, merchant, wifheth thee health, and willed me to deliver into thine hand this paper, which containeth his mind to thee: Fare thee well." Upon which he gave me a letter, and turning his back walked flowly away without more ceremony. I defired him to ftay, to fit down, and take

fome

fome refreshment. "Thou art kind, friend, faid he; I thank thee for thy civil offers. But I have delivered unto thee all that Ebenezer gave me in commiffion to deliver; and I have no farther business with thee. Why should I waste thy time in difcourfe that may be unprofitable; and werefore fhould I eat of thy bread or drink of thy wine; whereas it cofteth thee much, and thou wilt not take my money for it? I will not do it thou intreatest me in vain. Once more I bid thee farewell." So faying, he departed; and I failed not to read immediately my friend Ebenezer's letter, which, according to his defire, gentle reader, here followeth for thy edification.

Friend Candid,

Health and peace to thee and thine.-Thy father was my worthy and beloved acquaintance, with whom I lived long in great amity and concord. Yea, and I must tell thee that thy family and thofe of our perfuafion have always cultivated a kind love one for the other. William Penn of famous and bleffed memory, had fo great a value for thy house, that he would not fet fail for the land of America, without two of thy great uncles, who were his conftant counsellors and bofom friends: yea who planned with him the excellent form of government now prevailing in that flourishing colony, which taketh its name from him, and is called Penfylvania ;

G 2

vania; and where thy relations live in a more honourable estate than in any other part of the globe, called the earth.-Thou wilt not wonder then, that it rejoiced my heart to fee thy lucubrations in the favourite paper of our city; that is to fay the Public Ledger; for my spirit moveth me to believe that thou wilt use thy endeavours to reform the abufes which abound in these latter days, and to introduce that primitive state of christian happiness whereof we read in the ancient annals.

- But friend Candid, I am grieved; yea verily I am inwardly grieved, and my heart is moved within me. Once have I fignified my forrow by thy means, to thy printer; but alas, how much do I fear that he is a man of Belial, and regardeth not the morals of his readers, fo long as he can fecure their money! Elfe why fhould he permit that reproach of our times, that unfanctified man, once again to defile the Ledger with his polluted pen after my reproof! For behold a fecond letter from Triftram Shandy! and a letter wherein he reflecteth upon my religious and prudent counfel! oh Triftram Shandy, pour out thine ink from thy bottle; split up thy pens, and confume them in the fire; return thy paper to thy ftationer again, and fhut up thyfelf in a gloomy room, or in a lonely cave; shut up thyfelf, and admit none unto thee, for verily thou haft loft thy fenfes; verily thou art not in thy right