take a whim in my head, I don't value money; I'll give you as much for that as for all the rest.

Char. Don't tease me, master broker; I tell you, I'll not part with him; and there's an end on't.

Sir O. How like his father the dog is! (Aside.) Well, I have done. (To Charles.) I did not perceive it before, but I never saw such a resemblance. (Aside.) But come, let me give you a draft for the sum; there. (Gives him a bill.)

Char. Why, this is for eight hundred, master Premium, and mine is only five.

Sir O. Then you'll not let Oliver go?

Char. Zounds, no, I tell you once more.

Sir O. Then never mind the difference, we'll balance it another time; but give me your hand on the bargain; you're an honest fellow, Charles-odd, I beg pardon for being so free. Your servant, your servant; come along, Moses. (Going.)

Char. Whew, this is a whimsical old fellow. (Aside.) But hark'ee, master Premium; you'll take care and provide lodgings for these gentlemen?

Sir O. Yes, yes; I'll send for them in a day or two.

Char. Aye, and pray, master Premium, do now send a genteel conveyance for them; for, I assure you, most of them used to ride in their own coaches.

Sir O. Well, well, I will, for all but Oliver.

Char. Aye, all but the little nabob.

Sir O.

You're fixed on that?

Char. Peremptorily, peremptorily.

Sir O. A dear, extravagant rogue! (Aside.) Come, Moses. Good day. (To Charles.) Let me hear, now, who calls him profligate. (Aside.-Exit with Moses.)

Car. Why, this is the oddest genius of the sort I ever saw. Char. Egad, he's the prince of brokers, I think; I wonder where Moses got acquainted with so honest a fellow. But hark, here's Rowley; do, Careless, say I'll join the company in a

moment.

Car. I will; but don't let that old blockhead persuade you to squander any of that money in old, musty debts, or any such nonsense; for tradesmen, Charles, are the most exorbitant fellows

Char. Very true; and paying them, is only encouraging them.

Car. Nothing else.

Char. Aye, aye; never fear. (Exit Careless.) So, this

was an odd old fellow, indeed. Let me see; two-thirds of this is mine by right; five hundred and thirty odd. Truly, I find one's ancestors are more valuable relations than I took them for. Ladies and gentlemen, your most obedient and very grateful humble servant. (Enter Rowley.) Ha, Rowley, you are just come in time to take leave of your old acquaintance. Rowley. Yes, I heard they were going; but I wonder you can have such spirits under so many distresses.

Char. Why, there's the point; my distresses are so many, that I can't afford to part with my spirits; but I shall be rich and splenetic all in good time. However, I suppose you are surprised I am not more sorrowful at parting with so many near relations. To be sure, 'tis very affecting, but, hang 'em, they never move a muscle; so why should I?

Row. There is no making you serious a moment.

Char. Yes, faith, I am so now. Here, my honest Rowley, get me this (gives a bill) changed directly, and carry a hundred pounds of it to old Stanley, immediately.

Row. A hundred pounds! consider, only

Char. Zounds, man, don't talk about it; poor Stanley's wants are pressing, and, if you don't make better haste, we shall have some one call that has a better right to the money.

Row. Ah! there's the point; I shall never cease dunning you with the old proverb

Char. Be just before you are generous, hey? Why, so I would, if I could; but justice is an old, lame, hobbling beldam, and I can't get her to keep pace with generosity for the soul of me.

Row. Yet, Charles, believe me, one hour's reflection—

Char. Aye, aye, it's very true; but hark'ee, Rowley, while I have, I'll give; so silence your economy, and haste to Stanley with the cash. (Exeunl.)

Scene 3.-Chamber in Charles's House.

(Enter Sir Oliver and Moses.)

Mos. Well, sir, as Sir Peter says, you have seen maisther Charles in all his glory; tis great pity he is so extravagant. Sir O. True, but the rogue would not sell my picture. Mos. And loves play and wine so much. Sir O. But he would not sell my picture. Mos. And games so deep.

Sir O. But he would not sell my picture. (Enter Rowley.) O, here's Rowley!

Row.

O, Sir Oliver! I find you have made a purchase. Sir O. Yes, our young rake has parted with his ancestors, like old tapestry.

Row. And here has he commissioned me to re-deliver you part of the money; I mean in your necessitous character, you know, of his poor relation, old Stanley.

Mos. Aye, there's the pity of all; he's so monstrously charitable.

Sir O. Well, well, I'll pay his debts, and his benevolence too; odds my life, I am not sorry he has run out of the course a little. For my part, I hate to see prudence clinging to the green suckers of youth; 'tis like ivy round a sapling, and spoils the growth of the tree.

Row. I rejoice, Sir Oliver. You will find in this gay, thoughtless, but generous young man, a being who, in the midst of fully and dissipation, has, as our immortal bard expresses itA tear for pity,

And a hand open as day
For melting charity.

XXV.-FROM THE BLIND GIRL.-Anonymous.

VICEROY OF PERU-DON VALENTIA, A SPANISH NOBLEMANLUPOSO, HIS CONFIDANT-BONITO, A VIRTUOUS CITIZEN-FREDERICK, A SHIPWRECKED STRANGER-CLARA BONITO, THE BLIND GIRL.

Scene 1.-A Street in the City.

Frederick. 'Tis now the second day since I have wandered without food on this inhospitable shore, and what awaits me in this splendid city, is known only to Omniscience. But I can meet the worst, and come what will-(Cry of distress without.) Hark! though I would not draw my sword to save this wretched life, yet while it lasts, the wretched shall not sue to me in vain. (Exit.-Clashing of swords is heard.)

(Re-enter Frederick, leading Clara.) Fred. Be composed, you are safe. I will protect you with my life.

4

Clara. Who are you?

Fred. A stranger in this city.

Clara. O, I fear-perhaps you belong to that wicked man who has just torn me from my home.

Fred. Convince yourself. Let me remove this bandage from your eyes.

Clara. Ó, I cannot see you! I am blind! torn from my father! abandoned to despair!

Fred. What interesting innocence! (Aside.)

Clara. If you are good, then lead me to my father; he lives in the Plaza d'Almagro.

Fred. Fair creature, I am a stranger. Shipwrecked on your coast, with difficulty have I reached your city. But, let me ask, how came such innocence in so much danger?

Clara. Generous man, I will inform you. To-day, as I was sitting with my harp and singing to the virgin for protection, I heard a loud, alarming whispering, and instantly some stran gers rushed into my room, and forced me off; and 'twas from these you rescued me. But I hear footsteps-'tis my father's tread. Father! father!

Clara. This generous man is

my deliverer.

Bon. He has a father's thanks, a father's grateful tears. You seem a stranger, sir, and in distress.

Fred. I am from England, sir. The healing art has been my arduous study; and to extend my knowledge, I was led to explore these distant regions. Shipwreck has landed me upon your coast.

Bon. Your distress commands our hospitality, had not your valor earned more than we can ever pay. The little I possess, command. Would it were more. (Exeunt.)

Scene 2.-Another part of the City.

Valentia. Lost to me and restored to her father, and by a single stranger. Idiots! cowards!-Welcome, Luposo.

Luposo. By my soul, Don Valentia, your anger is as ridicu lous as your love. Give up the pursuit.

Val. What, be foiled and made a butt for you to shoot your jests at.

Lup. Come, come, what will you say to me, if by merely

lending Bonito a little money, I could contrive to place both father and daughter in your power.

Val. I would worship you. But here he comes! let us avoid him.

Lup. And so confirm his suspicions. No, boldly deny the fact. Make him your friend.

Lup. You know he's poor almost to beggary, and that he holds me in the highest estimation.

Val. What then?

Lup. Only assent to what I shall propose. But hush.

(Enter Bonito.)

Bon. So, viper, ruffian, libertine !

Lup. How dare you thus address a lord of Spain? Consider that a knight has many privileges.

Bon. So has a father, and

Val. To the point, good Signior; with what crime do you charge me?

Bon. With an act which in your language is but being well with a fine girl, and laughing at an old man's agonies; but in the language of human nature, is the crime of devoting inno. cence to perdition, and tearing from a doating father the crutch on which his old age rested. Did you not force my blind child from these withered arms?

Val. No-nor should I thus tamely bear your taunts, but, that even now I have heard of your wrongs, and pity you. I came here your friend. I came here to prove myself-but no matter; come, Luposo.

Bon. Nay, stay. I am as unwilling to inflict, as sufferinjury. Could I but believe you innocent. Lup. Shame, Bonito !

You will blush to learn that Don Valentia and myself, having a thousand crowns now idle, were absolutely coming to place them in your hands, for your own benefit.

Bon. Is it possible!

Lup. And we will do it. Don Valentia, I insist that one condition of his bond to us must be, that he make repayment only when we both demand it. Do you mark?

Val. With all my heart.

Bon. Now you are secured. This generous loan will preserve my old age from misery, and help me to provide for my poor child. Farewell. (Exit.)