in which also they observe a kind of Proportion, that a Gentleman is to
be allow'd like a Gentleman, and a Mechanick is to be content with a
smaller Allowance. The Lady comply'd very willingly with the Custom, and
her Prisoner being reputed a Person of Quality, it was an excellent
Disguise to show her Liberality. But afterwards being weary of the
Charge, and finding by the Information of several _Englishmen_ that
pass'd thro' _Antwerp_, that her Prisoner was not the Person he
pretended to be, but a meer Sharper and Knight of the Post, she
slacken'd in her Charity, and gradually brought him down to a common
Allowance, and at last discharg'd him. His Life after that was a meer
Romance; He first went into _Gaunt_, here he took up a large Apartment
of four or five Rooms well furnish'd, which he sold after a Fortnight,
taking an advantage of the Landlady's Abscence. With the strength of
this Plunder, he made a Figure for two or three Months at _Brussels_,
where he fought a Duel with _H.S._ an _English_ Gentleman. This Accident
drove him from _Brussels_, but finding he was not secure in the _Spanish
Flanders_, he crossed the Lines, spent the remainder of his Substance at
_Lisle_, and he directed his Course to _Dunkirk_, from whence 'tis said
he design'd to take Shipping for _England_. But here he finish'd his
Misfortunes as I was inform'd upon the Spot, by a Merchant who resided
in that Town, and saw his Exit. This _English_ Merchant walking upon the
Key according to Custom, observ'd a young Gentleman walking in a
Melancholy Posture, and thinking he knew him, though the poor Dress he
was in would not suffer him to make a positive Judgment; however, he
stept up towards him, and upon a nearer View, was convinc'd he was the
Person he took him for. This Merchant had been acquainted with him at
_Antwerp_, when he bore the Character of an _English_ Nobleman and lived
with great Splendor. The Gentleman more dash'd, as I suppose, to jump
upon one who had heard of his Tricks, than for the meanness of his
Circumstances, told the Merchant he was an unfortunate Man, and Things