other part of this city. At times, nine of thofe wretched prifoners are driven to kennel together in a hovel fit only to ftable a pair of horfes, while many unoccupied apartments are locked up from ufe. Even à fufficiency of the common element of water is refufed to their neceffities, an advantage which the felons in Newgate enjoy. Public or private benefactions are diffipated or difpofed of, at the pleasure of the keepers, regardless of the intention or order of the donors. And the apartments, appointed to these miferable men, are generally damp or fhattered in the flooring, and expofed, by breach or want of windows, to the inclemency of night-air, and all the rigour of the seasons.

But what avail their complaints, if the legiflator have not authorifed, or made it the duty of fome efpecial magiftrates to examine into and redress these crying abules?

But, tell me, continued Mr Fenton, were there any prifoners of confideration among the confined debtors? A few, Sir, of note, and many who had been well to pass in the world. Among these indeed, it was, that every fcene and fpecies of mifery was difplayed. There you might fee, as you have faid, numerous families

of

of wretches, whose thin and tattered garments but ill defended their fhivering bodies from the inclemency of the elements, that blew through fhattered windows, or came pouring from unftanched roofs.

These people fared incomparably worse than thofe of the vulgar herd; for, being afhamed to beg at the gates, they had nothing to fubfift on, fave their fcanty portions of fuch charities as happened to be fent in from time to time, and this scarcely fupplied them with a fufficiency of water, black bread, and offal; while the recollection of their former affluence added fharp and bitter poignancy to the fenfe of their present wants. -But, here comes my pupil; he will be more particular, on fcenes with which his heart was fo meltingly affected.

Harry then entered, with Mrs Clement careffing him on the one fide, and his old dependent Ned hanging about him on the other.

As foon as Clement and his Arabella had embraced, and all were fettled and feated, Well, Harry, faid Mr Fenton, will you fayour us with fome account of your expedition? Have you ever a pretty story for me, my Harry? Several ftories, Sir, faid Harry, that were sweet pretty ftories when I heard them; but, Mr VOL. III. Clement

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Clement had better tell them; they would be fadly bungled if they came through my hands, dada. The company will make allowances, replied Mr Fenton; let us have these stories in your own way, Harry, juft as your memory may happen to ferve you.

On the fecond day, dada, as my tutor and I were walking in the court-yard of the Fleet-prifon, whom fhould I fpy but my old master, Mr Vindex, walking, very fad, to and again by the wall. He was fo pale and fhabby, and fo fallen away, that I did not rightly know him, till I looked at him very earnestly. My heart then began to foften and warm toward the poor man; for it told me, that fomething very forrowful must have hap pened, before he could have been brought to that condition. So I went up to him, with a face, I believe, as melancholy as his own.

How do you do, good Mr Vindex? said I. I fhould be glad to see you, if I did not fee you look fo fad. He then ftared at me for fome time, and, at length, remembering me, he looked concerned, and turned away to hun me; but I took him lovingly by the hand, and faid, you muft not leave me, Mr Vindex; won't you know your old scholar, Harry Fenton? Yes, fays

he,

he, cafting down his mournful eyes, I know you now, mafter; I know I used you bafely, and I know why you are come; but, reproach me, and infult me, as much as you please, all is welcome now, fince I cannot lie lower, till I am laid in the earth.

I do not mean to insult you; this tear will witness for me, that I do not mean to infult you, my dear Mr Vindex; and fo I wiped my eye. Here are twenty guineas, to put warm cloaths upon you in this cold weather. Little and low as I am myfelf, I will try to do fomething better for you; and fo give me one kiss in token that we are friends.

The poor dear man then opened his broad eyes, in a wild ftare upon me, with a look that was made up, half of joy, and half of fhame. He then kneeled down, as I fuppofed, that I might reach to kiss him, and taking me into his arms, You are not born of woman, you are an angel, an angel! he cried; and fo he fell a crying, and cried fo fadly, that I could not for my heart, but keep him company.

I did all I could to pacify and make him cheerful, and getting him up at lait, You muit not part with me Mr Vindex, faid I, we mult dine and fpend the day together. H 2 Here

Here is Mr Clement, my tutor, you and he too must be friends.

I then led him, by the hand, into a large ground-room, that Mr Close, the chief keeper, had appointed for us; and I ordered dinner to be haftened and brought

up.

As foon as we were all feated, I began to laugh and joke, after my foolish way, in order to make poor Mr Vindex merry. When I found that it would not do, Mr Vindex, faid I, be fo kind to let me know what the money may come to for which you are confined? A terrible fum, indeed, my darling, faid he, no lefs than a hundred and fifty-two pounds. I then put my hand in my pocket, and, taking out two bills and a little matter of money that made up the fum, I put it into his hand, faying, My friend fhall never lie in gaol for fuch a trifle as this.

Having looked for fome time at the bills with amazement, he turned to my tutor with a doubtful and fhamed face; Is this young gentleman, Sir, said he, duly authorized to difpofe of fuch vaft matters as these? He is, faid Mr Clement, he is the carver and disposer of his father's fortune at pleafure; and I am confident that his father will think himfelf doubly paid, in the ufe that his noble fon has made of his privilege this day.

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