out of him in Virginia; where much ill-health,
ill-treatment, hard labour, and hard food, speedily put an end to them.
He forgot there even how to drink; rum or wine made this poor declining
gentleman so ill that he could indulge in them no longer; and so his
three vices were cured.

Had he been ambitious, there is little doubt but that Mr. Brock, on his
return from transportation, might have risen in the world; but he was
old and a philosopher: he did not care about rising. Living was cheaper
in those days, and interest for money higher: when he had amassed about
six hundred pounds, he purchased an annuity of seventy-two pounds, and
gave out--why should he not?--that he had the capital as well as the
interest. After leaving the Hayes family in the country, he found them
again in London: he took up his abode with them, and was attached to the
mother and the son. Do you suppose that rascals have not affections
like other people? hearts, madam--ay, hearts--and family ties which they
cherish? As the Doctor lived on with this charming family he began to
regret that he had sunk all his money in annuities, and could not, as he
repeatedly vowed he would, leave his savings to his adopted children.

He felt an indescribable pleasure ("suave mari magno," etc.) in watching
the storms and tempests of the Hayes menage. He used to encourage Mrs.
Catherine into anger when, haply, that lady's fits of calm would last
too long; he used to warm up the disputes between wife and husband,
mother and son, and enjoy them beyond expression: they served him for
daily amusement; and he used to laugh until the tears ran down his
venerable cheeks at the accounts which young Tom continually brought
him of his pranks abroad, among watchmen and constables, at taverns or
elsewhere.

When, therefore, as the party were discussing their bacon and cabbage,
before which the Reverend Doctor with much gravity said grace, Master
Tom entered. Doctor Wood, who had before been rather gloomy, immediately
brightened up, and made a place for Billings between himself and Mrs.
Catherine.

"How do, old cock?" said that young gentleman familiarly. "How goes it,
mother?" And so saying, he seized eagerly upon the jug of beer which Mr.
Hayes had drawn, and from which the latter was about to help himself,
and poured down his throat exactly one quart.

"Ah!" said Mr. Billings, drawing breath after a draught which he had
learned accurately to gauge from the habit of dri