curses against his
lordship's politeness, and ready to go to loggerheads with myself for
being so egregiously duped. But, that I might have some satisfaction for
the loss I had sustained, I besieged him so closely at his levee, and
persecuted him with my solicitations; not without faint hopes, indeed,
of reaping something more from my industry than the bare pleasure of
making him uneasy; though I could never obtain another private hearing
the whole course of my attendance; neither had I resolution enough
to undeceive Strap, whose looks in a little time were so whetted with
impatience, that whenever I came home, his eyes devoured me, as it were,
with eagerness of attention.

At length, however, finding myself reduced to my last guinea, I was
compelled to disclose my necessity, though I endeavoured to sweeten the
discovery by rehearsing to him the daily assurances I received from my
patron. But these promises were not of efficacy sufficient to support
the spirits of my friend, who no sooner understood the lowness of my
finances, than, uttering a dreadful groan, he exclaimed, "In the name of
God, what shall we do?" In order to comfort him, I said, that many of
my acquaintances, who were in a worse condition than we, supported,
notwithstanding, the character of gentlemen; and advising him to thank
God that as yet we had incurred no debt, proposed he should pawn my
sword of steel, inlaid with gold, and trust to my discretion for the
rest. This expedient was wormwood and gall to poor Strap, who, in spite
of his invincible affection for me, still retained notions of economy
and expense suitable to the narrowness of his education; nevertheless
he complied with my request, and raised seven pieces on the sword in a
twinkling. This supply, inconsiderable as it was, made me as happy for
the present, as if I had kept five hundred pounds in bank; for by
this time I was so well skilled in procrastinating every troublesome
reflection, that the prospect of want seldom affected me very much, let
it be ever so near. And now indeed it was nearer than I imagined. My
landlord, having occasion for money, put me in mind of my being indebted
to him five guineas in lodging; and, telling me he had a sum to make up,
begged I would excuse his importunity, and discharge the debt. Though I
could ill spare so much cash, my pride took the resolution of disbursing
it. This I did in a cavalier manner, after he had written a discharge,
telling him with a