for a constancy, ever harping about the last subject discussed, as
if it had not been decided, until a new difference of opinion arose,
and necessitated him to change the burden and o'ercome of his
wearysome speeches.

It may seem remarkable that we should have taken such a plague into
the council, and be thought that we were well served for our folly;
but we were unacquaint with the character of the man--for although a
native of the town, he was in truth a stranger, having, at an early
age, espoused his fortune, and gone to Philadelphia in America; and
no doubt his argol-bargolous disposition was an inheritance
accumulated with his other conquest of wealth from the mannerless
Yankees. Coming home and settling among us, with a power of money,
(some said eleven thousand pounds,) a short time before Mr Hirple
departed this life, we all thought, on that event happening, it
would be a very proper compliment to take Mr Hickery into the
council, and accordingly we were so misfortunate as to do so; but I
trow we soon had reason to repent our indiscretion, and none more
than myself, who had first proposed him.

Mr Hickery having been chosen to supply the void caused by the death
of Mr Hirple, in the very first sederunt of the council after his
election, he kithed in his true colours.

Among other things that I had contemplated for the ornament and
edification of the burgh, was the placing up of lamps to light the
streets, such as may be seen in all well regulated cities and towns
of any degree. Having spoken of this patriotic project to several
of my colleagues, who all highly approved of the same, I had no
jealousy or suspicion that a design so clearly and luminously useful