 one
chamber allotted for two lodgers; but this was not considered as any great
hardship on the prisoners, because, in that case, there was always a sufficient
number of males, who willingly admitted the females to a share of their
apartments and beds: not but the time had been, when this expedient would not
answer the occasion, because, after a couple had been quartered in every room,
there was a considerable residue still unprovided with lodging; so that for the
time being, the last comers were obliged to take up their habitation in Mount
Scoundrel, an apartment most miserably furnished, in which they lay
promiscuously amidst filth and vermin, until they could be better accommodated
in due course of rotation.
    Peregrine hearing the description of this place, began to be very impatient
about his night's lodging; and the parson perceiving his anxiety, conducted him,
without loss of time, to the warden, who forthwith put him in possession of a
paultry chamber, for which he agreed to pay half a crown a week. This point
being settled, his director gave him an account of the different methods of
eating, either singly, in a mess, or at an ordinary; and advised him to chuse
the last, as the most reputable, offering to introduce him next day to the best
company in the Fleet, who always dined together in public.
    Pickle having thanked this gentleman for his civilities, and promised to be
governed by his advice, invited him to pass the evening at his apartment; and in
the mean time, shut himself up with Crabtree, in order to deliberate upon the
wreck of his affairs. Of all his ample fortune, nothing now remained but his
wardrobe, which was not very sumptuous, about thirty guineas in cash, and the
garison, which the Misanthrope counselled him to convert into ready money, for
his present subsistence. This advice, however, he absolutely rejected, not only
on account of his having already bestowed it upon Hatchway, during the term of
his natural life, but also with a view of retaining some memorial of the
commodore's generosity. He proposed, therefore, to finish in this retreat the
translation which he had undertaken, and earn his future subsistence by labour
of the same kind. He desired Cadwallader to take charge of his moveables, and
send to him such linen and cloaths as he should have occasion for in his
confinement. But, among all his difficulties, nothing embarassed him so much as
his faithful Pipes, whom he could no longer entertain in his service. He knew
Tom had made shift to pick up a competency in
