accident, overturned the whole composition, and it was too late
to begin another.



CHAPTER 7

A town wit described. The dullest fellows may learn to be comical
for a night or two


When the morning arrived on which we were to entertain our young
landlord, it may be easily supposed what provisions were
exhausted to make an appearance. It may also be conjectured that
my wife and daughters expanded their gayest plumage upon this
occasion. Mr Thornhill came with a couple of friends, his
chaplain, and feeder. The servants, who were numerous, he
politely ordered to the next ale-house: but my wife, in the
triumph of her heart, insisted on entertaining them all; for
which, by the bye, our family was pinched for three weeks after.
As Mr Burchell had hinted to us the day before, that he was
making some proposals of marriage, to Miss Wilmot, my son
George's former mistress, this a good deal damped the heartiness
of his reception: but accident, in some measure, relieved our
embarrasment; for one of the company happening to mention her
name, Mr Thornhill observed with an oath, that he never knew any
thing more absurd than calling such a fright a beauty: 'For
strike me ugly,' continued he, 'if I should not find as much
pleasure in choosing my mistress by the information of a lamp
under the clock at St Dunstan's.' At this he laughed, and so did