es easy for
life by means of his legacy, a task very difficult, and, in the usual
methods of laying out money, altogether impracticable, so that, after
much canvassing, we could come to no resolution that night, but when we
parted, recommended the matter to the serious attention of each other.
As for my own part, I puzzled my imagination to no purpose. When I
thought of turning merchant, the smallness of our stock, and the risk
of seas, enemies, and markets, deterred me from that scheme. If I should
settle as a surgeon in my own country, I would find the business already
overstocked; or, if I pretended to set up in England, must labour under
want of friends and powerful opposition, obstacles insurmountable by the
most shining merit: neither should I succeed in my endeavours to rise in
the state, inasmuch as I could neither flatter nor pimp for courtiers,
nor prostitute my pen in defence of a wicked and contemptible
administration. Before I could form any feasible project, I fell asleep,
and my fancy was blest with the image of the dear Narcissa, who seemed
to smile upon my passion, and offer her hand as a reward for all my
toils.

Early in the morning, I went to the lodgings of my friend, whom I
found exulting over his happy invention! for I no sooner entered his
apartment, than he addressed himself to me in these words, with a smile
of self-applause: "Well, Mr. Random, a lucky thought may come into a
fool's head sometimes. I have hit it--I'll hold you a button my plan
is better than yours, for all your learning. But you shall have the
preference in this as in all other things; therefore proceed, and let
us know the effects of your meditation; and then I will impart my own
simple excogitations." I told him, that not one thought had occurred to
me which deserved the least notice, and signified my impatience to be
acquainted with the fruits of his reflection. "As we have not," said he,
"money sufficient to maintain us during a tedious expectation, it is
my opinion that a bold push must be made; and I see none so likely to
succeed as your appearing in the character of a gentleman (which is your
due), and making your addresses to some lady of fortune, who can render
you independent at once. Nay, don't stare--I affirm that this scheme
is both prudent and honourable; for I would not have you throw yourself
away upon an old toothless wheezing dame, whose breath would stink you
into a consumption in less than three months, neit