ery terrible dream, in which he fancied
himself apprehended for a robbery. The horror of the gallows was strong
upon him, when he was suddenly awaked by a violent shock from the doctor;
and the company broke in upon his view, still perverted by fear, and
bedimmed by slumber. His dream was now realised by a full persuasion
that he was surrounded by the constable and his gang. The first object
that presented itself to his disordered view was the figure of Ferret,
who might very well have passed for the finisher of the law; against him,
therefore, the first effort of his despair was directed. He started upon
the floor, and seizing a certain utensil, that shall be nameless,
launched it at the misanthrope with such violence, that had he not
cautiously slipt his head aside, it is supposed that actual fire would
have been produced from the collision of two such hard and solid
substances. All future mischief was prevented by the strength and
agility of Captain Crowe, who, springing upon the assailant, pinioned his
arms to his sides, crying, "O, d--n ye, if you are for running a-head,
I'll soon bring you to your bearings."

The squire, thus restrained, soon recollected himself, and gazing upon
every individual in the apartment, "Wounds!" said he, "I've had an ugly
dream. I thought, for all the world, they were carrying me to Newgate,
and that there was Jack Ketch coom to vetch me before my taim."

Ferret, who was the person he had thus distinguished, eyeing him with a
look of the most emphatic malevolence, told him it was very natural for a
knave to dream of Newgate; and that he hoped to see the day when his
dream would be found a true prophecy, and the commonwealth purged of all
such rogues and vagabonds. But it could not be expected that the vulgar
would be honest and conscientious, while the great were distinguished by
profligacy and corruption. The squire was disposed to make a practical
reply to this insinuation, when Mr. Ferret prudently withdrew himself
from the scene of altercation. The good woman of the house persuaded his
antagonist to take out his nap, assuring him that the eggs and bacon,
with a mug of excellent ale, should be forthcoming in due season. The
affair being thus fortunately adjusted, the guests returned to the
kitchen, and Mr. Clarke resumed his story to this effect:--

"You'll please to take notice, gemmen, that, besides the instances I have
alleged of Sir Launcelot's extravagant benevolence,