those critics who call themselves the town; and in that
capacity chastised several players, who had been rendered insolent
and refractory by unmerited success. As for the new productions of the
stage, though generally unspirited and insipid, they always enjoyed the
benefit of his influence and protection; because he never disliked the
performance so much as he sympathized with the poor author, who stood
behind the scenes in the most dreadful suspense, trembling, as it were,
on the very brink of damnation. Yet, though he extended his generosity
and compassion to the humble and needy, he never let slip one
opportunity of mortifying villainy and arrogance. Had the executive
power of the legislature been vested in him, he would have doubtless
devised strange species of punishment for all offenders against humanity
and decorum; but, restricted as he was, he employed his invention in
subjecting them to the ridicule and contempt of their fellow-subjects.

It was with this view he set on foot the scheme of conjuration, which
was still happily carried on, and made use of the intelligence of his
friend Cadwallader; though he sometimes converted this advantage to the
purposes of gallantry, being, as the reader may have perceived, of a
very amorous complexion. He not only acted the reformer, or rather the
castigator, in the fashionable world, but also exercised his
talents among the inferior class of people, who chanced to incur his
displeasure. One mischievous plan that entered our hero's imagination
was suggested by two advertisements published in the same paper, by
persons who wanted to borrow certain sums of money, for which they
promised to give undeniable security. Peregrine, from the style and
manner of both, concluded they were written by attorneys, a species of
people for whom he entertained his uncle's aversion. In order to amuse
himself and some of his friends with their disappointment, he wrote
a letter signed A. B. to each advertiser, according to the address
specified in the newspaper, importing, that if he would come with his
writings to a certain coffee-house near the Temple, precisely at six in
the evening, he would find a person sitting in the right-hand box next
to the window, who would be glad to treat with him about the subject of
his advertisement; and, should his security be liked, would accommodate
him with the sum which he wanted to raise. Before the hour of this
double appointment, Pickle, with his friend