by letter to Mr. Surface and Charles for assistance from the former of whom he has received nothing but fair promises; while Charles, in the midst of his own distresses, is at present endeavouring to raise a sum of money, part of which 1 know he intends for the use of Mr. Stanley.

Rowl. Now, Sir, we propose, that Sir Oliver shall visit them both, in the character of Mr. Stanley; as I have inform ed them he has obtained leave of his creditors to wait on his friends in person and in the younger, believe me, you'll find one, who, in the midst of dissipation and extravagance, has still, as our immortal bard *) expresses it, A tear for pity, and a hand open as day for melting charity,,

Sir Pet. What signifies his open hand and purse, if he has nothing to give. But where is this person you were speaking of?

Rowl. Below, Sir, waiting your commands You must know, Sir Oliver, this is a friendly Jew; one, who, to do him justice, has done every thing in his power to assist Charles Who waits **)? [Enter a Servant] Desire Mr. Moses to walk up. [Exit Servant.]

Sir Pet. But how are you sure he'll speak truth?

Rowl. Why, Sir, I have persuaded him, there's no prospect of his being paid several sums of money he has advanced for Charles, but through the bounty of Sir Oliver, who he knows is in town; therefore you may depend on his being faithful to the interest Oh! here comes the honest Israelite. Enter Moses.

Sir Oliver, this is Mr. Moses. Mr. Moses, this is Sir Oliver.

Sir Oliv. I understand you have lately had great dealings with my nephew Charles.

Mos. Yes, Sir Oliver I have done all I could for him but he was ruined before he came to me for assistance. Sir Oliv. That was unlucky truly, for you had no oppor tunity of shewing your talent.

*) Shakspeare. **) In der Voraussetzung gesagt, dass einer der Bedienten im Vorzimmer sich befindet, um die Befehl der Herrschaft zu erwarten. Gewöhnlicher ruft man: who's there? wenn man einen Bedienten ruft und nicht klingeln will.

Mos. None at all; I had not the pleasure of knowing his distresses, 'till he was some thousands, worse than nothing. Sir Oliv. Unfortunate indeed! But I suppose you have done all in your power for him.

Mos. Yes, he knows that This very evening I was to have brought him a gentleman from the city, who does not know him, and will advance him some monies.

ed

Sir Pet. What! a person that Charles has never borrowmoney of before, lend him any in his present circum

stances.

Mos. Yes

# ་།།

Sir Oliv. What is the gentleman's name?,

Mos. Mr. Premium, of Crutched Friars *), formerly a broker.

Sir Pet. Does he know Mr. Premium?

Mos. Not at all.

Sir Pet. A thought strikes me Suppose, Sir Oliver, you was to visit him in that character; 'twill be much better than the romantic one of an old relation; you will then have an opportunity of seeing Charles in all his glory.

Sir Oliv. Egad, I like that idea better than the other, and then I may visit Joseph afterwards as old Stanley.

Rowl. Gentlemen, this is taking Charles rather unawares; but, Moses, you understand Sir Oliver, and, I dare say, will be faithful.

Mos. You may depend upon me. the time I was to have gone,

This is very near

Sir Oliv. I'll accompany you as soon as you please, Moses- But hold I had forgot one thing

gue shall I be able to pass for a Jew?

་

how the pla

Mos. There is no need the principal **) is a Christian. Sir Oliv. Is he? I am very sorry for it But then again, am I not too smartly ***) dressed to look like a money-lender? Sir Pet. Not at all it would not be out of character you went in your own chariot; would it, Moses?

ᎥᏝ

Mos. Not in the least.

Sir Oliv. Well, but how must I talk? There's certainly some cant of usury or mode of treating that I ought to know.

*) Crutched Friars, Name eines Viertels in der Altstadt von London. **) The principal, der welcher das Geld verleiht. ***) Too smartly, zu geputzt, zu nett gekleidet.

Sir Pet. As I take it, Sir Oliver, the great point is to be exorbitant in your demand. -Eh Moses?

Mos. Yes, dat *) is a very great point.

Sir Oliv. I'll answer for't. I'll not be wanting in that, eight or ten per cent, on the loan at least.

"Mos. Oh! if you ask him no more as dat you'll be dis-' covered immediately."

Sir Oliv. Hey, what the plague how much then?

Mos. That depends upon the circumstances — if he ap pears not very anxious for the supply, you should require only forty or fifty per cent. But if you find him in great distress, and he wants money Very bad you must ask double.

mean -

Sir Pet. Upon my word, Sir Oliver — Mr. Premium, 1
it's a very pretty trade you're learning.
Sir Oliv. Truly I think so, and not unprofitable.
Mos. Then
know you
have the money not yourself,

you

but are forced to borrow it of a friend.

Sir Oliv. Oh! I borrow it for him of a friend do I? Mos! Yes, and your friend's an unconscionable deg but you can't help date must

"

Sir Oliv. "Oh! my friend's an unconscionable dog — is he? Mos. And then he himself has not the monies by him, but is forced to sell stock at a great loss.

"Sir Oliv. He's forced to 'sell stock at a great loss, - well, really, that's very kind of him.

7 Sir Pet. But hark'ye, Moses, if Sir Oliver was to rail a little at the annuity bill **), don't you think it would have a good effect.

Mos. Very much. ́

Rowl. And lament that a young man' must now come to years of discretion, before he has it in his power to ruin himself.

Mos. Ay; a great pity.

Sir Pet. Yes, and abuse the public for allowing merit to a bill, whose only object was to preserve youth and inexpe rience from the rapacious gripe of usury, and to give the young

*) Dat, absichtlich so geschrieben, statt that, um die unrichtige Aussprache des Juden nachzuahmen. ***) Annuity bill, Anspielung auf die Verordnungen, welche auf Veranlassung des nachmaligen Lord Loughborough in Ansehung des Schuldenwesens, vorzüglich der Minorennen, gegeben wurden.

heir an opportunity of enjoying his fortune, without being ruined coming into possession.

Sir Pet. You'll scarce have time to learn your trade, for Charles lives but hard by.

Sir Oliv. Oh! never fear my tutor appears so able, that tho' Charles lived in the next street, it must be my own fault if I am not a complete rogue before I have turned the corner. [Exeunt Sir Oliver and Moses. ]

1

Sir Pet. So Rowley, you should have been partial, and given Charles notice of our plot.

Rowl. No indeed, Sir Peter.

Sir Pet. Well, I see Maria coming, I want to have some talk with her. [Exit Rowley.]

Fes Enter Maria.

So Maria. What, is Mr. Surface come home with you?
Mar. No, Sir, he was engaged.

Sir Pet. Maria, I wish you were more sensible to his excellent qualities, does not every time you are in his company convince you of the merit of that amiable young man?

Mar. You know, Sir Peter, I have often told you, that of all the men who have paid me a particular attention, there is not one I would not sooner prefer, than Mr. Surface.

Sir Pet. Ay, ay, this blindness to his merit proceeds from your attachment to that profligate brother of his.

Al Mar. This is unkind; you know, at your request, I have forborn to see or correspond with him, as I have long been convinced he is unworthy my regard; but while my reason condemns his vices, my heart suggests some pity for his misfortunes.

Sir Pet. Ah! you had best resolve to think on him no more, but give your heart and hand to a worthier object. Mar. Never to his brother.

Sir Pet. Have a care, Maria, I have not yet. made you know what the authority of a guardian is, don't force me to exert it.

Mar. I know, that for a short time I am to obey you as my father, but must cease to think compel me to be miserable.

Sir Pet, Sure never man was been married above three weeks,

you so, when you would [Exit in tears. ] plagued as I am; I had not before her father, a hale,

hearty man, died on purpose, I believe, to plague me with the care of his daughter: but here comes my helpmate, she seems in mighty good humour; I wish, I could teaze her into loving me a little.

Eater Lady Teazle.

L. Teaz. What's the matter, Sir Peter? What have you done to Maria? It is not fair to quarrel and I not by.

w Sir Pet. Ah! Lady Teazle, it is in your power to put me into a good humour at any time.

1

L. Teaz. Is it? I am glad of it for I want you to be in a monstrous good humour now; come do be good bumoured, and let me have two hundred pounds.

Sir Pet. What the plague! can't I be in a good humour without paying for it. But look always thus, and you shall want for nothing. [Pulls out a pocket-book] *) There, there's two hundred pounds for you, [going to kiss] now seal me a bond for the repayment.

L. Teaz. No, my note of hand will do as well.

[Giving her hand. ]

Sir Pet. Well, well, I must be satisfied with that — you shan't much longer reproach me for not having made you a proper settlement I intend shortly to surprize you.

-

L. Teaz. Do you? You can't think, Sir Peter, how good humour becomes you; now you look just as you did before. I married you.

Sir Pet. Do I indeed?

L. Teaz. Don't you remember when you used to walk with me under the elms, and tell me stories of what a gallant you were in your youth, and asked me if I could like an old fellow, who could deny me nothing?

Sir Pet. Ay, and you were so attentive and obliging to

me then.

L. Teaz. Ay, to be sure I was, and used to take your part against all my acquaintance; and when my cousin Sophy used to laugh at me, for thinking of marrying a man old enough to be my father, and call you an ugly, stiff, formal old batchelor, I contradicted her, and said I did not think you so ugly by any means, and that I dar'd say, you would make a good sort of a husband.

*) Er giebt ihr nämlich eine Banknote von dem verlangten Werthe.