 it was great presumption in Wilson, who was a stroller, to proceed to such
extremities with a gentleman of family and fortune; and threatened to commit him
on the vagrant act. - The young fellow bustled up with great spirit, declaring
he was a gentleman, and would be treated as such; but he refused to explain
himself further. The master of the company being sent for, and examined,
touching the said Wilson, said the young man had engaged with him at Birmingham
about six months ago; but never would take his salary; that he had behaved so
well in his private character, as to acquire the respect and good-will of all
his acquaintance, and that the public owned his merit, as an actor, was
altogether extraordinary. - After all, I fancy, he will turn out to be a
run-away prentice from London. - The manager offered to bail him for any sum,
provided he would give his word and honour that he would keep the peace; but the
young gentleman was on his high ropes, and would by no means lay himself under
any restrictions: on the other hand, Hopefull was equally obstinate; till at
length the mayor declared, that if they both refused to be bound over, he would
immediately commit Wilson as a vagrant to hard labour. I own I was much pleased
with Jery's behaviour on this occasion: he said, that rather than Mr. Wilson
should be treated in such an ignominious manner, he would give his word and
honour to prosecute the affair no further while they remained at Gloucester -
Wilson thanked him for his generous manner of proceeding, and was discharged. On
our return to our lodgings, my nephew explained the whole mystery; and I own I
was exceedingly incensed. - Liddy being questioned on the subject, and very
severely reproached by that wild-cat my sister Tabby, first swooned away, then
dissolving in a flood of tears, confessed all the particulars of the
correspondence, at the same time giving up three letters, which was all she had
received from her admirer. The last, which Jery intercepted, I send you
inclosed, and when you have read it, I dare say you won't wonder at the progress
the writer had made in the heart of a simple girl, utterly unacquainted with the
characters of mankind. Thinking it was high time to remove her from such a
dangerous connexion, I carried her off the very next day to Bristol; but the
poor creature was so frightened and fluttered, by our threats and
expostulations, that she fell sick the fourth day after
