 of his gymnastic exercises, at which he was very expert, he
contracted intimacies with several youths who were greatly his superiors in
point of age, and who, pleased with his aspiring genius and address, introduced
him into parties of gallantry, which strongly captivated his inclination. He was
by nature particularly adapted for succeeding in adventures of this kind; over
and above a most engaging person that improved with his years, he possessed a
dignified assurance, an agreeable ferocity which inhanced the conquest of the
fair who had the good fortune to enslave him, unlimited generosity, and a fund
of humour which never failed to please. Nor was he deficient in the more solid
accomplishments of youth; he had profited in his studies beyond expectation, and
besides that sensibility of discernment which is the foundation of taste, and in
consequence of which he distinguished and enjoyed the beauties of the Classics,
he had already given several specimens of a very promising poetic talent.
    With this complexion and these qualifications, no wonder that our hero
attracted the notice and affection of the young Delias in town, whose hearts had
just begun to flutter for they knew not what. Inquiries were made concerning his
condition; and no sooner were his expectations known, than he was invited and
caressed by all the parents, while their daughters vyed with each other in
treating him with particular complacency. He inspired love and emulation
wherever he appeared; envy and jealous rage followed of course; so that he
became a very desirable, though a very dangerous acquaintance. His moderation
was not equal to his success; his vanity took the lead of his passions,
dissipating his attention, which might otherwise have fixed him to one object;
and he was possessed with the rage of increasing the number of his conquests.
With this view he frequented public walks, concerts and assemblies, became
remarkably rich and fashionable in his cloaths, gave entertainments to the
ladies, and was in the utmost hazard of turning out a most egregious coxcomb.
    While his character thus wavered between the ridicule of some, and the
regard of others, an accident happened, which, by contracting his view to one
object, detached him from those vain pursuits that would in time have plunged
him into an abyss of folly and contempt. Being one evening at the ball which is
always given to the ladies at the time of the races, the person who acted as
master of the ceremonies, knowing how fond Mr. Pickle was of every opportunity
to display himself, came up and told him, that there was a fine young creature
at the other end of the room, who seemed to have a great inclination
