At church she points to one tall seat, and "There
"We sat," she cries, "when my papa was mayor."
Not quite correct in what she now relates,
She alters persons, and she forges dates ;
And, finding memory's weaker help decay'd,
She boldly calls invention to her aid.

Touch'd by the pity he had felt before, For her Sir Denys oped the Alms-house door : "With all her faults," he said, "the woman knew "How to distinguish had a manner too;

"And, as they say she is allied to some

"In decent station - let the creature come.”

Here she and Blaney meet, and take their view Of all the pleasures they would still pursue: Hour after hour they sit, and nothing hide Of vices past; their follies are their pride; What to the sober and the cool are crimes,

They boast exulting in those happy times;
The darkest deeds no indignation raise,

The purest virtue never wins their praise;
But still they on their ancient joys dilate,
Still with regret departed glories state,

And mourn their grievous fall, and curse their rigorous fate. (1)

(1) ["Clelia is another worthless character that is drawn with infinite spirit, and a thorough knowledge of human nature. She began life as a sprightly, talking, flirting girl, who passed for a wit and a beauty in the half-bred circle of the Borough, and who, in laying herself out to entrap a youth of distinction, unfortunately fell a victim to his superior art, and forfeited her place in society. She then became the smart mistress of a dashing attorney - then tried to teach a school-lived as the favourite of an innkeeper-let lodgings-wrote novels-set up a toy-shop-and, finally, was admitted into the Alms-house. There is nothing very interesting, perhaps, in such a story; but the details of it show the wonderful

accuracy of the author's observation of character, and give it, and many of his other pieces, a value of the same kind that some pictures are thought to derive from the truth and minuteness of the anatomy which they display. There is something original, too, and well conceived, in the tenacity with which he represents this frivolous person as adhering to her paltry characteristics under every change of circumstances.” — -JEFFREY.

THE BOROUGH.

LETTER XVI.

INHABITANTS OF THE ALMS-HOUSE.

BENBOW.

Ebrietas tibi fida comes, tibi Luxus, et atris

Circa te semper volitans Infamia pennis. — SILVIUS ITALICU

VOL. III.

Benbow, an improper companion for the Badgemen of the

Alms-house

his Father

He resembles Bardolph-Left in Trade by Contracts useless Friendships-His Friends drink with him, and employ others Called worthy and honest! Why Effect of Wine on the Mind of ManBenbow's common Subject- The Praise of departed Friends and Patrons-'Squire Asgill, at the Grange: his Manners, Servants, Friends - True to his Church: ought therefore to be spared-His Son's different Conduct - Vexation of the Father's Spirit if admitted to see the Alteration- Captain Dowling, a boon Companion, ready to drink at all Times, and with any Company: famous in his Club-room- His easy Departure Dolly Murray, a Maiden advanced in Years: abides by Ratafia and Cards - Her free Manners Her Skill in the Game- Her Preparation and DeathBenbow, how interrupted: his Submission.