t in
spite of all their charitable endeavours, my life was scarce tolerable,
until your uncommon benevolence enabled me to enjoy it with comfort."

CHAPTER LXIV

I am seized with a deep Melancholy, and become a Sloven--am relieved by
my Uncle--he prevails upon me to engage with his Owners, as a Surgeon
of the Ship which he commands--he makes me a considerable
Present--entertain Strap as his steward--I take leave of my Friends, and
go on Board--the Ship arrives in the Downs

I shall not make any reflection on this story, in the course of which
the reader must perceive how egregiously the simplicity and milky
disposition of this worthy man had been duped and abused by a set of
scoundrels, who were so habituated to falsehood and equivocation, that I
verily believed they would have found the utmost difficulty in uttering
one syllable of truth, though their lives had depended upon their
sincerity. Notwithstanding all I had suffered from the knavery
and selfishness of mankind, I was amazed and incensed by the base
indifference which suffered such uncommon merit as he possessed to
languish in obscurity, and struggle with all the miseries of a loathsome
gaol; and should have blessed the occasion that secluded me from such
a perfidious world, had not the remembrance of my amiable Narcissa
preserved my attachment to a society of which she constituted a part.
The picture of that lovely creature was the constant companion of
my solitude. How often did I contemplate the resemblance of those
enchanting features that first captivated my heart! how often did I weep
over those endearing scenes which her image recalled! and how often did
I curse my perfidious fate for having robbed me of the fair original!
In vain did my imagination flatter me with schemes of future happiness:
surly reason always interposed, and in a moment overthrew the
unsubstantial fabric, by chastising the extravagance of my hope, and
representing my unhappy situation in the right point of view. In vain
did I fly for refuge to the amusements of the place, and engage in the
parties of Jackson at cards, billiards, nine-pins, and fives; a train
of melancholy thoughts took possession of my soul, which even the
conversation of Melopoyn could not divert. I ordered Strap to inquire
every day at Banter's lodgings, in expectation of hearing again from my
charmer; and my disappointment considerably, augmented my chagrin. My
affectionate valet was infected with my so