irritable to rule my fellow-citizens, notwithstanding I
wish to serve them."

_P. Coun._ Sophia!

_Soph._ Numbers are anxious to aspire to places, for which they are
neither qualified by nature nor education, and, when they have once
tasted the sweets of office, how difficult to resign!--I know it.

_P. Coun._ You shake my resolution.

_Soph._ But if I have not convinced you, then I will not proceed.

_P. Coun._ Yes, you convince me; but--

_Soph._ But you do not see what road to pursue after you shall have
resigned your bewitching offer? O my friend! whatever may be the choice
of your future pursuits, whatever may be the burthen, my heart, my
hands, will bear a part in it; I will joyfully, nay with rapture,
assist you in rearing the fabric of your happiness, of your tranquil
and real grandeur. Here or elsewhere, merchant, tutor, lawyer, or
farmer, whatever you pitch upon, that may afford maintenance and peace
of mind, choose that for you and me. I do not wish to have any other
share in your determination but the silent satisfaction of having, by
inward peace of mind, preserved the life of a good man, whom exterior
shew was rapidly conducting to a state of splendid misery.

_P. Coun._ You have gained your point!--I shall resign my gown. Peace,
toil, in future, provided I can call thee my guardian angel!

_Soph._ (embraces him.) I hope you will find me such.

_P. Coun._ Father, father!--Sophia, thou hast restored me to
myself!--but what is to be thy reward?

SCENE X.

Enter MASTER CLARENBACH.

_Clar._ What is the matter, my son?

_P. Coun._ Can you conceive it, father? I shall not be a Privy
Counsellor much longer.

_Clar._ How so?

_P. Coun._ I will lay down my gown, and, with heart and soul, work as I
did, before I was raised to that office.

_Clar._ In earnest? can I rely on it?

_P. Coun._ Sophia has resigned her fortune on my account, and I shall
resign it on hers;--I do not wish for any high office! I am going to
re-enter the tranquil class of the industrious citizens. She consents
to be my wife. It is her wish, and I see peace and happiness spring
from out of it.

_Soph._ Does it meet with your approbation, father?

_Clar._ Ay! You ought to read it in my countenance; I would fain open
the window, and call out, Jack is no more a Privy Counsellor,--_vivat_!
And then there is a pretty, amiable, discreet young lady, that is not
possess