few more Tradesmen, who deal in furnishing out the human
Body. Notwithstanding the Lowness of my Purse, I found Credit with them more
easily than I expected, and was soon equipped to my Wish. This I own then
agreeably surprized me; but I have since learn'd, that it is a Maxim among many
Tradesmen at the polite End of the Town to deal as largely as they can, reckon
as high as they can, and arrest as soon as they can.
    The next Qualifications, namely Dancing, Fencing, Riding the great Horse,
and Musick, came into my head; but as they required Expence and Time, I
comforted myself, with regard to Dancing, that I had learned a little in my
Youth, and could walk a Minuet genteelly enough; as to Fencing, I thought my
Good-Humour would preserve me from the Danger of a Quarrel; as to the Horse, I
hoped it would not be thought of; and for Musick, I imagined I could easily
acquire the Reputation of it; for I had heard some of my School-fellows pretend
to Knowledge in Operas, without being able to sing or play on the Fiddle.
    Knowledge of the Town seemed another Ingredient; this I thought I should
arrive at by frequenting publick Places. Accordingly I paid constant Attendance
to them all; by which means I was soon Master of the fashionable Phrases,
learn'd to cry up the fashionable Diversions, and knew the Names and Faces of
the most fashionable Men and Women.
    Nothing now seemed to remain but an Intrigue, which I was resolved to have
immediately; I mean the Reputation of it; and indeed I was so successful, that
in a very short time I had half a dozen with the finest Women in Town.
    At these Words, Adams fetched a deep Groan, and then blessing himself, cry'd
out, Good Lord! What wicked Times these are?
    Not so wicked as you imagine, continued the Gentleman; for I assure you,
they were all Vestal Virgins for any thing which I knew to the contrary. The
Reputation of Intriguing with them was all I sought, and was what I arriv'd at:
and perhaps I only flattered myself even in that; for very probably the Persons
to whom I shewed their Billets, knew as well as I, that they were Counterfeits,
and that I had writtem them to myself.
    »WRITE Letters to yourself!« said Adams staring!
    O Sir, answered the Gentleman, It is the very Error of the Times. Half our
modern Plays have one of these Characters in them