was altogether extraordinary. -- After all, I fancy, he will turn
out to be a run-away prentice from London. -- The manager offered
to bail him for any sum, provided he would give his word and
honour that he would keep the peace; but the young gentleman was
on his high ropes, and would by no means lay himself under any
restrictions: on the other hand, Hopeful was equally
obstinate; till at length the mayor declared, that if they both
refused to be bound over, he would immediately commit Wilson as a
vagrant to hard labour. I own I was much pleased with Jery's
behaviour on this occasion: he said, that rather than Mr Wilson
should be treated in such an ignominious manner, he would give
his word and honour to prosecute the affair no further while they
remained at Gloucester -- Wilson thanked him for his generous
manner of proceeding, and was discharged. On our return to our
lodgings, my nephew explained the whole mystery; and I own I was
exceedingly incensed -- Liddy being questioned on the subject,
and very severely reproached by that wildcat my sister Tabby,
first swooned away, then dissolving in a flood of tears,
confessed all the particulars of the correspondence, at the same
time giving up three letters, which was all she had received from
her admirer. The last, which Jery intercepted, I send you
inclosed, and when you have read it, I dare say you won't wonder
at the progress the writer had made in the heart of a simple
girl, utterly unacquainted with the characters of mankind.
Thinking it was high time to remove her from such a dangerous
connexion, I carried her off the very next day to Bristol; but
the poor creature was so frightened and fluttered, by our threats
and expostulations, that she fell sick the fourth day after our
arrival at Clifton, and continued so ill for a whole week, that
her life was despaired of. It was not till yesterday that Dr