"received from a man of sense, and virtue, are just, "and reasonable motives to conscious pride. Nay, to join the sentiments of gratitude with principles of esteem, and affection, supplies an honest heart "with a new set of pleasures. If I look abroad for "the opinion of the world, how honourable to be "distinguished by you and Lord Chancellor! And amongst our acquaintance, the manner, in which you offered, and confirmed the boon, will place "me in the most advantageous light.-That verse "of Terence hits my case, and I cannot get it out "of my head:

"Non tam ipso dono quam abs his datum esse,

"Hoc vero sensu triumpho.

"I hold myself obliged to lay before you, as my "principal, a journal of my transactions ever since you left the Exchequer upon my shoulders. Im"primis I waited upon the Lords of the Treasury, "where I encountered a full board. When I came "in, Mr. Pelham graciously wished me joy. I took "a short oath, and then boldly (though Mr. L.... "looked at me over the back of his chair) walked "round the table to him, and I delivered your

compliment pretty roundly. He answered, that "he went out early that morning, but Lord Chan"cellor had mentioned me to him, and he was glad, "so worthy a man was appointed.' He went on to "ask me after Mr. Townshend; I mumbled, I bowed, and I took my leave. By the time that got back to my office it was time to lock up the "chest; so all my business was, to turn, and carry off "a most formidable key. These duties thus over, -Inde domum me

I

"Ad porri, et ciceris refero, lachanique catinum. "I took a dinner of milk, to reduce my spirits "into discipline of temper amidst all this glory. "Yesterday I wrote the solemn words, Daniel

Wray, Deput. hon'blis Phil. Yorke, upon many

long

66

66

long parchments, with great sufficiency. I even "asked some few questions, partly for informa❝tion, partly to persuade the Clerks that I was not entirely ignorant; for Charles's Mr. Parker*, and "Tommy Townshend's Mr. Dive, had given me "lights. They are able, and willing to lead me into "all the mysteries, and through them. To-day, "having signed so manfully before, I had only to "observe the course; and all this I affirm to be as pretty amusement as running half the day over "the town to find scarce a human creature at home. "I cannot help telling you, like the Journalist in "the Spectator, that, upon the faith and credit of my office, I bought a pair of garters, have actually "chosen cloth for a coat, and am thinking of a "mahogany table. *

66

"I am, dear Sir,

"Your most affectionate,

"Oct. 10, 1745.

"obliged, and gratefully devoted, D. WRAY."

It was on account of the constitutional oppressions which the asthma inflicted upon him that he took a lodging in Kew Lane for part of the summer. Whether he pitched his tent there at first with a view to Mr. Yorke and my father, I have not ascertained; but at least it so happened, fortunately for him, that Mr. Forke had a house at Richmond, and my father near Kingston. To the latter a horse carried him, and a man-servant accompanied him, when Mr. Yorke would spare him. He had also the advantage, and the delight of Mr. Cambridge's company, who lived in Twickenham, but just on the other side of the ferry, as it was in those days, now Richmond-bridge; a gentleman, whom it was my happiness to know as a neighbour, and friend; whose variety of talents, in verse, and prose, wit, learning,

* John Parker, Esq.
+ John Dive, Esq.

taste,

taste, good-humour, and social nature, under the discipline of moral virtue, were improved in their effect by some peculiarities, which, as well as those of Mr. WRAY, though very unlike them, were the subjects of innocent raillery amongst his admirers; not excepting Mr. WRAY himself.

This delightful man could not, any more than my father, spare his friend's only defect, real, or supposed, which, at this period, seems to have acquired, certainly not a root, as I shall hope to demonstrate, but a powerful habit. It was a fashion to call him penurious; and so far he gave countenance to the ridicule, at which he laughed in his turn, that he indulged no apparent expence of show, luxury, or comfort, beyond that of necessaries, though rich. But, whatever gave birth to these habits, or whatever they meant, they never had the least effect upon his animal spirits, mirth, and wit: nor, though his friends laughed at him, upon their esteem for him, and their delight in him as a companion.

In allusion to this part of his character, my father, whose comic pen was never idle, wrote at Kingston a Dialogue between the Vicar of Kingston, who was a perpetual object of his playful satire, and Mr. WRAY. I am not afraid of recommending this little jeu d'esprit, as little, if at all, inferior to the best manner of Swift. You will not fail to observe the ingenuity of discrimination between the two characters: both of them shrewd in pursuit of their object; one hoping to get, and the other to save; but one alone, Mr. WRAY, turning this very object into the most exquisite ridicule.

A Dialogue between the VICAR and WRAY.

V. Tithe, Sir, and offerings:-W. Tithe!-of me! V. You keep a house and family.

W.

W. A lodging only, I protest,

A little nook, for breath and rest. Here in the loving Lane of Kew, To laugh and chat an hour or two. V. Have not I read, in flowing lays,

To Birch inscrib'd, your Villa's praise * ?
W. Once, I confess, in better times,

Laughing, and gay, with sportive rhymes,
The votive Muse would build a seat,
Though modest, elegantly neat,
Where I could hope to entertain
My gen'rous Patron†, and his train.
Need I that prophecy fulfil,

When for the deed they take the will?
V. Mutton, I guess, or other cheer,

Adorns the board, when they are here.
W. What if my genial hand uncorks

One grateful bottle to the Yorkes;
For them alone this altar smokes,
My door admits not other folks.
Hardinge has wish'd, but wish'd in vain,
To be my guest-the Pratts complain :
To none of them, as I'm a sinner,
Give I a supper or a dinner.

V. How do you feed yourself?-IV. On books,

Nor slave to butchers, nor to cooks:

If information you require,

Step to that Grocer, and inquire:

"Wray?" You are answer'd;---" what a man
"Is he describe him!"-“If I can ;

"A motley

"A motley dishabille he wears;

"A wig that scorns to hide his ears;
"A dapper steed, whose back, and sides
"A leopard's skin conceals, he rides."
When thus enlighten'd, all agree,

They know my equipage, not me.
V. But I suspect you hoard some liquor,
Fit to refresh a thirsty Vicar.

One dram at least ?-W. Not one.
V. Or tea, or chocolate?-W. O Pharisee!
To tithe my petty store is cruel :

Wilt thou not blush to tithe my gruel?
V. No; nor your cheese.-W. Alas! the mice
Have nibbled off the remnant slice:

Each hath his foes; the mice are mine;
The rats, in Hardinge's verse, are thine.
V. Truce to these bantering replies;

I claim, and merit privy tithes.

W. What have you learn'd from Gibson's Codex,
Your oracle, to tithe my poder?
Or do thy lawless wishes rove
From honour's seat, to that of love?

V. Sir, you mistake the meaning quite,
And I am bound to set you right,
This privy is a term that all

The Doctors use for personal:

Tithes from the person then are due,

And those I now demand from you.

W. What! have you learn'd from Taylor's Thesis*,
To cut your debtor into pieces?

* This alludes to Dr. Taylor's Dissertation upon the Athenian Law" De debitore in partes secando."