 conversation such as this, they pursued their journey till they arrived at that metropolis, which has received for centuries past, from the provincial towns, the bold adventurer of every denomination; has stampt his character with experience and example; and, while it has bestowed on some coronets and mitres—on some the lasting fame of genius—to others has dealt beggary, infamy, and untimely death.


AFTER a trial of three weeks passed in London, a year followed, during which, William and Henry never sat down to a dinner, or went into a bed, without hearts glowing with thankfulness to that providence which had bestowed on them such unexpected blessings; for no longer did they presume to expect (what still they presumed they deserved) a secure pittance for themselves in this world of plenty. Their experience, since they came to town, had informed them that, to obtain a permanent livelihood, is the good fortune but of a part of those who are in want of it: and the precarious earning of half a crown, or a shilling, in the neighbourhood where they lodged, by an errand, or some such accidental means, was the sole support which they at present enjoyed.
They had sought for constant, employment of various kinds, and even for servants'

places; but obstacles had always occurred to prevent their success. If they applied for the situation of a clerk to a man of extensive concerns, their qualifications were admitted; but there must be security given for their fidelity: they had friends, who would give them a character, but who would give them nothing else.
If they endeavoured for the place even of a menial servant, they were too clownish and awkward for the presence of the lady of the house;—and once, when William (who had been educated at the free grammar-school of the town in which he was born, and was an excellent scholar) hoping to obtain the good opinion of a young clergyman whom he solicited for the favour of waiting upon him, acquainted him "That he understood Greek and Latin," he was rejected by the divine, "because he could not dress hair."
Weary of repeating their mean accomplishments of "honesty, sobriety, humility," and on the precipice of reprobating such qualities,—which, however

beneficial to the soul, gave no hope of preservation to the body,—they were prevented from this profanation by the fortunate remembrance of one qualification; which Henry, the possessor, in all his distress, had never till then called to his recollection: but which, being once remembered and made known, changed the whole prospect
