 ceased struggling against the stream, and endeavoured to reconcile
himself to ruin, by reflecting that his child at least, would inherit his
mother's fortune, which was secured to him by the contract of marriage.
    The detail which he gave me of his affairs, filled me at once with grief and
indignation. I inveighed bitterly against the indiscretion of his wife, and
reproached him with his unmanly acquiescence under the absurd tyranny which she
exerted. I exhorted him to recollect his resolution, and make one effectual
effort to disengage himself from a thraldom, equally shameful and pernicious. I
offered him all the assistance in my power. I undertook to regulate his affairs,
and even to bring about a reformation in his family, if he would only authorize
me to execute the plan I should form for his advantage. I was so affected by the
subject, that I could not help mingling tears with my remonstrances, and Baynard
was so penetrated with these marks of my affection, that he lost all power of
utterance. He pressed me to his breast with great emotion, and wept in silence.
At length he exclaimed, »Friendship is undoubtedly the most precious balm of
life! Your words, dear Bramble, have in a great measure recalled me from an
abyss of despondence, in which I have been long overwhelmed - I will, upon
honour, make you acquainted with a distinct state of my affairs, and, as far as
I am able to go, will follow the course you prescribe. But there are certain
lengths which my nature - The truth is, there are tender connexions, of which a
bachelor has no idea - Shall I own my weakness? I cannot bear the thoughts of
making that woman uneasy -« »And yet, (cried I) she has seen you unhappy for a
series of years - unhappy from her misconduct, without ever shewing the least
inclination to alleviate your distress -« »Nevertheless (said he) I am persuaded
she loves me with the most warm affection; but these are incongruities in the
composition of the human mind which I hold to be inexplicable.«
    I was shocked at his infatuation, and changed the subject, after we had
agreed to maintain a close correspondence for the future - He then gave me to
understand, that he had two neighbours, who, like himself, were driven by their
wives at full speed, in the high road to bankruptcy and ruin. All the three
husbands were of dispositions very different from each other, and, according to
this variation, their consorts were admirably suited to the purpose of keeping
them alt three in subjection
