He had obferved that the mafter of the house, where he had met thefe two plunderers, seemed to be perfectly acquainted with them: he returned therefore thither directly, and feigned to have been taken fuddenly ill on the road with a disorder in his bowels; called for fome wine, which he had heated, and rendered still stronger with spice: all the time he was drinking which, he did nothing but pray for his late companions, who, he faid, had not only advised him to take it, but also been fo generous as to give him a piece of gold which he produced to pay for it; and then, feeming to be much relieved, he lamented moft heavily his not knowing where to return thanks to his benefactors, which he faid, the violence of his pain had made him forget to enquire. The master of the house, to whom his guests had not mentioned the man's having money, that he might not expect to fhare it with them, never fufpecting the truth of his ftory, informed him, without fcruple, who they were and where they lived. This was directly what he had schemed for. He crawled away till he was out of fight from the. house, in order to keep up the deceit; when he had made all the hafte he could to town, and, enquiring for his fpoilers, he had the fatisfaction to hear hear they were people in trade, and of good repute for their wealth. The next morning, therefore, as foon as he thought they were stirring, he went to the house of one of them, whom he found in the room where his merchandize was exposed to fale. The merchant inftantly knew him; but, imagining he came on fome other bufinefs, for he did not think it poffible that he could have traced him, or even that he could know him in his altered appearance, afked him, in the ufual way, what he wanted. I want to speak a word wi'ye in private, Sir," he answered, getting between him and the door; and then, on the merchant's affecting furprize, "In gude troth, Sir, he continued, I think it is fomewhat frange that ye fhud na ken Sawney, who fupped with the neeght before lauft, after av the keendnefs ye fhewed to him!" Then, lowering his voice, fo as not to be overheard by the people prefent, he told him, with a determined accent, that if he did not inftantly return him his money, he would apply to a Magiftrate for redress. ye This was a demand which admitted not of dif pute. The money was paid him, with a hand. fome gratuity for having lent it, and his receipt. taken to that effect; after which he went directly to the other, upon whom he made a like demand with equal fuccefs. ESSAY ESSAY ON FRIENDSHIP. HE greatest happiness that we can poffefs in THE this world is in the enjoyment of friendship; but although its utility and pleasures have been celebrated and pointed out by the best ethical writers; and though it is univerfally admitted to promote our happiness and abate our misery, by doubling the former and dividing the latter, yet we feldom fee this virtue practifed. We are often indeed entertained with profeffions of friendship, but do these generally bring forth their fruit in due feafon? The theory in general is pretty well understood, but the practical part lies dormant. This truly noble virtue confists in an inclination and defire between two perfons to promote the welfare and happiness of one another. Efteem is the principal basis on which it ftands; for it is impoffible to raise this virtue and feel its influence, however sensible we may be of a man's worth and merits, without we efteem him. To this qualification may be added three others, virtue, conftancy, and faithfulness. As As to the neceffity of thefe, little need be faid; for virtue is fingled out by moft authors as effential in forming a tender and rational friendship, one of whom I fhall only mention, and that is Cicero. Friendship (fays he) cannot but be with the good, for friendship cannot be without virtue. As to conftancy and faithfulness, they are so neceffary, that it is utterly impoffible for real friendship to fubfift without them; for that is never like the mercury in the tube, rifing and falling according to circumstances, fuch a friendship as this, with efteem for its bafis, with virtue, conftancy, faithfulness, and their concomitants, for its fupporters, ever continues in its pure immaculate state, attuning all the foul to harmony and love, and uniting together what force can never part. It has been afferted by fome, and laid down as a rule, that there fhould be equality in age and refemblance of inclinations, in two perfons, to raise, a friendship towards each other. As to the firft, I think I may venture to fay, that most of us have known instances to the contrary; and as to the other, is it abfolutely requifite? If we advert to history, we fhall find numerous inftances to prove the contrary; the mind is always pleased with novelty, and therefore it is a matter of no wonder to fee it fometimes delighted with thofe good qualities, perfections, perfections, and endowments, which it cannot enumerate among its own. "True friendship grows not with the luft of gain, ▪, There is one thing very prevalent amongst mankind that often deftroys this virtue in the bud, before maturity has crowned its ftate; I mean envy. Wherever the baneful influence of this demon extends, true friendship can never be found; and he that fees his friend happy, and envies him his lot, may depend upon it that this virtue abides not with him; for we should rejoice at the happiness of our friends as much as for our own, and love them as well as we love ourselves. A ftrong proof of the refpectability of friendship, and how much it has been valued in every age, appears both from an |