 idle conversation for the future;
then, turning to the corporal, I thanked him for his care, and gave him a crown
to drink with his men, assuring him that the rencontre was over long before he
came up, and every thing compromised, as he might have observed by our
behaviour; as a farther proof of which, he would find upon examination, that one
of my pistols had been discharged; - but this civil person, without giving
himself or me any further trouble, received the bounty with a thousand bows and
acknowledgments, and returning the pistols, released me immediately.
    He was not gone an hundred yards, when my friend Oregan came up, in order to
rescue me, with two Tatterdemalions whom he had engaged for that purpose, about
the purlieus of St. Giles's: One of them was armed with a musket that wanted a
lock, and another with a rusty broad-sword; but their dress surpassed all
description. - When he understood I was already free, he made an apology for his
abrupt departure, and introduced me to his two companions: First, to counsellor
Fitz-clabber, who, he told me, was then employed in compiling a history of the
kings of Munster, from Irish manuscripts; and then to his friend Mr. Gaghagan,
who was a profound philosopher and politician, and had projected many excellent
schemes for the good of his country. - But it seems these literati had been very
ill rewarded for their ingenious labours; for between them both, there was but
one shirt and half a pair of breeches. - I thanked them very kindly for their
readiness to assist me, and having offered my service in my turn, wished them a
good-morrow, desiring Oregan to accompany me to my lodgings, where he was fitted
with decent cloaths from my wardrobe, so much to his satisfaction, that he swore
eternal gratitude and friendship to me, and at my request, recounted all the
adventures of his life.
    In the afternoon, I waited on Melinda, who received me with great kindness
and familiarity, and laughed excessively at my adventure with the Irishman, to
whose wishes she was no stranger, having more than a dozen letters in her
possession, which he had wrote to her on the subject of love, and which, for my
entertainment, she submitted to my perusal. - Having made ourselves merry at the
expence of this poor admirer, I seized the opportunity of her mother's going out
of the room, and introduced my own passion, which I recommended to her with all
the ardour and eloquence I
