 the ship
arrives at the Downs
 
I shall not make any reflections on this story, in the course of which the
reader must perceive how egregiously the simplicity and milky disposition of
this worthy man, had been duped and abused by a set of scoundrels, who were so
habituated to falshood and equivocation, that I verily believe, they could not
utter one syllable of truth, though their lives depended upon their sincerity. -
Notwithstanding all I had suffered from the knavery and selfishness of mankind,
I was amazed, and incensed at that base indifference which suffered such
uncommon merit as he possessed, to languish in obscurity, and struggle with all
the miseries of a loathsome jail; - and should have blessed the occasion that
secluded me from such a perfidious world, had not the remembrance of the amiable
Narcissa, preserved my attachment to that society of which she constituted a
part. - The picture of that lovely creature was the constant companion of my
solitude: How often did I contemplate the resemblance of those enchanting
features that first captivated my heart! How often did I weep over those
endearing scenes which her image recalled! and how often did I curse my
perfidious fate for having robbed me of the fair original! In vain did my
imagination flatter me with schemes of future happiness; surly reason always
interposed, and in a moment overthrew the unsubstantial fabrick, by chastising
the extravagance of my hope, and representing my unhappy situation in the right
point of view: In vain did I fly for refuge to the amusements of the place, and
engage in the parties of Jackson, at cards, billiards, nine-pins, and fives; a
train of melancholy thoughts took possession of my soul, which even the
conversation of Melopoyn could not divert. - I ordered Strap to inquire every
day at Banter's lodgings, in expectation of hearing again from my charmer; and
my disappointment considerably augmented my chagrin. - My affectionate valet was
infected with my sorrow, and often sat with me whole hours without speaking,
uttering sigh for sigh, and shedding tear for tear. - This fellowship increased
our distemper; he became incapable of business, and was discarded by his master;
while I seeing my money melt away, without any certainty of deliverance, and in
short, all my hopes frustrated; grew negligent of life, lost all appetite, and
degenerated into such a sloven, that during the space of two months, I was
neither washed, shifted nor shaved; so that my face rendered meagre with
abstinence, was obscured with dirt, and overshadowed with hair, and my whole
appearance squalid and even frightful; when,
