
 
But this expedient was in a few weeks attended with a consequence I did not
foresee: a player having purchased one of the suits which were exposed to sale,
appeared in it on the stage one night, while my taylor unfortunately happened to
be present. - He knew it immediately, and enquiring minutely into the affair,
discovered my whole contrivance: upon which he came to my lodgings, and telling
me that he was very much straitened for want of money, presented his bill, which
amounted to 50 l. - Surprized at this unexpected address, I affected to treat
him cavalierly, swore some oaths, asked if he doubted my honour, and, telling
him I should take care who I dealt with for the future, bid him come again in
three days. - He obeyed me punctually, demanded his money, and finding himself
amused with bare promises, arrested me that very day in the street. - I was not
much shocked at this adventure, which, indeed, rescued me from a horrible
suspence in which I had lived since his first visit. I refused to go to a
spunging-house, where I had heard there was nothing but the most flagrant
imposition; and a coach being called, I was carried to the Marshalsea, attended
by a bailiff and his follower, who were very much disappointed and chagrined at
my resolution.
    The turnkey guessing, from my appearance, that I had got money in my pocket,
received me with the repetition of the Latin word depone, and gave me to
understand, that I must pay before-hand for the apartment I should chuse to
dwell in. - I desired to see his conveniences, and hired a small, paultry
bed-chamber, for a crown a week, which, in any other place, would not have let
at eighteen-pence. - Having taken possession of this dismal habitation, I sent
for Strap, and my thoughts were busied in collecting matter of consolation to
that faithful squire, when somebody knocked at my door, which I no sooner
opened, than a young fellow entered, in very shabby cloaths and marvellous foul
linnen. After a low bow, he called me by my name, and asked if I had forgot him.
His voice assisted me in recollecting this person, whom I soon recognized to be
my old acquaintance beau Jackson, of whom mention is made in the first part of
my memoirs. - I saluted him, expressed my satisfaction at finding him alive, and
condoled with him on his present situation; which, however, did not seem to
affect him much, for he laughed very
