member of that community which had provided fuch a comfortable afyJum for the unfortunate. His ejaculation was interrupted by a tu multuous noise in the street; and Mr. Norton declaring he was fent for to the lodge, configned our hero to the cure of one Mr. Felton, a prifoner of a very decent appearance, who paid his compliments with a good grace, and invited the compary to repose themselves in his apartment, which was large, commodious, and well furnished. When Sir Launcelot asked the cause of that uproar, he told him that it was the prelude to a boxing match between two of the prifoners, to be decided in the ground, or garden of the place. Capt. Crowe expreffing an eager entriolity to fee the battle, Mr. Fel. ton affured him there would be no fport, as the combatants were both reckoned dunghills: "But, in half 3 hour (faid he) there will be a batfe of fome confequence between two of the demagogues of the place, Dr. Crabelaw and Mr. Tapley, the first a physician, and the other a brewer. You must know, Gentlemen, that this microcosm or republic in miniature, is like the great world, fplit into factions. Crabcław is the leader of one party; andthe other is headed by Tapley both are men of warm and impetuous tempers; and their intrigues have embroiled the whole place, infomuch that it was dangerous to walk the street, on account of the continual fkirmishes of their partizans. At length, fome of the more sedate inhabitants having met and deliberated upon fome remedy for thefe growing diforders, propofed that the difpute should be at once decided by fingle combat be tween the two chiefs, who readily agreed to the propofal. The match was accordingly made for five guineas, and this very day and hour appointed for the trial, on which confiderable fums of money are depending. As for Mr. Norton, it is not proper that he should be prefent, or feem to countenance fuch violent proceedings, which, however, it is neceffary to connive at, as convenient vents for the evaporation of thofe humours, which being confined, might accumulate and break out with greater fury, in conspiracy and rebellion." The knight owned he could not conceive by what means fuch a number of licentious people, amounting, with their dependants, to above five hundred, were reftrained within the bounds of any tolerable difcipline, or prevented from making their escape; which they might at any time accomplish, either by stealth or open violence, as it could not be fuppofed that one or two turnkeys, continually employed in opening and shutting the door, could refit the efforts of a whole multitude. "Your wonder, good Sir, (faid Mr. Felton) will vanish, when you confider it is hardly poffible that the multitude should co-operate in the execution of fuch a fcheme; and that the Keeper perfectly well understands the maxim divide et impera. Many prifoners are reftrained by the dictates of grati- · tude towards the deputy-marshal, whofe friendship and good offices they have experienced: fome, no doubt, are actuated by motives of difcretion. One party is an effectual check upon the other; and I am firmly perfuaded that there are not ten prisoners within the place that that would make their efcape, if the doors were laid open. This is a step which no man would take, unlefs his fortune was altogether defperate; because it would oblige him to leave his country for life, and expose him to the most imminent rifque of being retaken and treated with the utmost severity. The majority of the prifoners live in the moft lively hope of being releafed by the affiftance of their friends, the compaffion of their creditors, or the favour of the legislature. Some who are cut off from all these propofals, are become naturalized to the place, knowing they cannot fubfift in any other fituation. I, myself, am one of these. After having refigned all my effects for the benefit of my creditors, I have been detained these nine years in prifon, because one person refuses to sign my certificate. I have long outlived all my friends from whom I could expect the least countenance or favour: I am grown old in confinement; and lay my account with ending my days in jail, as the mercy of the legislature in favour of infolvent debtors, is 'never extended to uncertified bankrupts taken in execution. By dint of industry, and the most rigid oeconomy, I make fhift to live independant in this re. treat. To this fcene my faculty of fubfifting, as well as my body, is peculiarly confined. Had I an opportunity to escape, where fhould I go? All my views of fortune have been long blafted. I have no friends nor connexions in the world. I muft, therefore, ftarve in fome fequeftred corner, or be recaptivated and confined for ever to close prifon, deprived of the indulgences which I now enjoy." was Here the converfation broke off by and the: uproar, which was the fignal to battle between the doctor and his antagonift. The company immediately adjourned to the field, where the combatants were already undreffed and the stakes depofited. The doctor feemed of the middle age and niddle ftature, active and alert, with an atrabiliarious afpect, and a mixture of rage and difdain expreffed in his countenance. The brewer was large, raw-boned, and round as a but of beer, but very fat, unwieldy, fhortwinded and phegmatic. Our adventurer was not a little furprised when he beheld in the character of seconds, a male and a female, ftripped naked from the waift upwards, the latter ranging on the fide of the physician: but the commencement of the battle prevented his demanding of his guide an explanation of this phenomenon. The doctor, retiring fome paces backwards, threw himself into the attitude of a battering ram, and rushed upon his antagonist with great impetuofity, forefeeing that should he have the good fortune to over-turn him in the first affault, it would not be an easy tafk to raise him up again and put him in a capacity of offence. But the momentum of Crabclaws's head, and the concomitant efforts of his knuckles, had no effect upon the ribs of Tapley, who stood firm as the Acroceraunian promontory: and ftepping forward with his projected fift, fomething fmaller and fofter than a fledge-hammer, ftruck the phyfician to the ground. In a trice, however, by the affiftance of his female fecond, he was on his legs again, and grappling with his antagonift, endeavoured to tip him a fall; fall; but, instead of accomplishing you may die in your fobriety, and his purpose, he received a cross-but- be damned." tock, and the brewer throwing him. By this time the doctor had felf upon him as he fell, had well- given out, and allowed the brewer nigh fmothered him on the spot. to be the better man ; The amazon flew to his affiftance, he would not honour the feftival yet and Tapley fhewing no inclination with his prefence, but retired to to get up, the fmote him on the his chamber, exceedingly mortified temple 'till he roared. The male at his defeat. Our hero was reconfecond haftening to the relief of his ducted to Mr. Felton's apartment, principal, made application to the where he fat fome time without eyes of the female, which were im- opening his mouth, fo aftonished mediately furrounded with black he was at what he had feen and circles; and the returned the falute heard. "I perceive, Sir, (faid the with a blow which brought a double prifoner) you are furprised at the ftream of blood from his noftrils, manner in which I accofted that greeting him at the fame time with unhappy woman; and perhaps you the opprobrious appellation of a lou- will be more furprised when you fy fon of a b-h. A combat more fu- hear, that within these eighteen rious than the firft would now have months, he was actually a perfon enfued, had not Felton interpofed of fashion, and her opponent (who with an air of authority, and infift- by the bye) is her husband, univered on the man's leaving the field; fally respected as a man of honour, an injunction which he forthwith and a brave officer." obeyed, faying, "Well, damme, deed, (cried our hero) overwhelmed Felton, you're my friend and com- with amazement and concern as mander: I'll obey your order-but well as ftimulated by an eager cuthe b-h will be foul of me before riofity to know the fatal caufes we fleep-." Then Felton, advanc- which have produced fuch a deing to his opponent, Madam, plorable reverse of character and (faid he) I'm very forry to fee a fortune. But, I will rein my curilady of your rank and qualifica-ofity till the afternoon, if you will tions expose yourself in this manner.-For God's fake, behave with a little more decorum; if not for the fake of your own family, at least for the credit of your fex in general." "Hark ye, Felton, (faid the) decorum is founded upon a delicacy of fentiment and deportment, which cannot confift with the difgraces of a jail, and the miferies of indigence. But I fee the difpute is now terminated, and the money is to be drank if you'll dine with us you shall be be welcome; if not, "I am, in favour me with your company at a tavern in the neighbourhood, where I have bespoke dinner; a favour which I hope Mr. Norton will have no objection to your granting, as he himself is to be of the party.” The prifoner thanked him for his kind invitation, and they adjourned immediately to the place, taking up the deputy-marfhal in their paffage through the lodge or entrance of the prifon. [ To be continued.} |