• Cafe is that of a dead Man-The Contufion on his Head has perforated the internal Membrane of the Occiput, and divellicated that radical small • minute invisible Nerve, which coheres to the Pe• ricranium; and this was attended with a Fever at firft fymptomatic, then pneumatic, and he is · at length grown deliruus, or delirious, as the Vulgar exprefs it.'

He was proceeding in this learned manner, when a mighty Noife interrupted him. Some young Fellows in the Neighbourhood had taken one of the Thieves, and were bringing him into the Inn. Betty ran up Stairs with this News to Jofeph; who begged they might fearch for a little Piece of broken Gold, which had a Ribband tied to it, and which he could fwear to amongst all the Hoards of the richest Men in the Universe.

Notwithstanding the Fellow's perfisting in his Innocence, the Mob were very bufy in fearching him, and presently among other things pulled out the Piece of Gold juft mentioned; which Betty no fooner faw than fhe laid violent Hands on it, and conveyed it up to Jofeph, who received it with Raptures of Joy, and hugging it in his Bofom declared, he could now die contented.

Within a few Minutes afterwards, came in fome other Fellows, with a Bundle which they had found in a Ditch, and which was indeed the Clothes which had been stripped off from Joseph, and the other things they had taken from him.

The Gentleman no fooner faw the Coat, than he declared he knew the Livery; and, if it had been taken from the poor Creature above Stairs, defired he might fee him: for that he was very

well

well acquainted with the Family to whom that Livery belonged.

He was accordingly conducted up by Betty: But what, Reader, was the Surprize on both fides, when he faw Jofeph was the Perfon in Bed; and when Jofeph difcovered the Face of his good Friend Mr. Abraham Adams!

It would be impertinent to infert a Difcourfe which chiefly turned on the relation of Matters already well known to the Reader: for as foon as the Curate had fatisfied Jofeph concerning the perfect Health of his Fanny, he was on his fide very inquifitive into all the Particulars which had produced this unfortunate Accident.

To return therefore to the Kitchin, where a great Variety of Company were now affembled from all the Rooms of the Houfe, as well as the Neighbourhood: fo much Delight do Men take in contemplating the Countenance of a Thief:

Mr. Tow-woufe began to rub his Hands with pleasure, at seeing fo large an Affembly; who would, he hoped, fhortly adjourn into feveral Apartments, in order to difcourfe over the Robbery, and drink a Health to all honeft Men. But Mrs. Tow-woufe, whofe Misfortune it was commonly to see Things a little perversely, began to rail at those who brought the Fellow into her Houfe; telling her Husband, they were very likely to thrive, who kept a House of Entertain⚫ment for Beggars and Thieves.'

The Mob had now finished their Search; and could find nothing about the Captive likely to prove any Evidence: for as to the Clothes, tho' the Mob were very well fatisfied with that Proof; yet, as the Surgeon obferved, they could not convict him, because they were not found in his

Cuftody;

Cuftody; to which Barnabas agreed, and added, that these were Bona Waviata, and belonged to the Lord of the Manor.

How, fays the Surgeon, do you say these Goods belong to the Lord of the Manor?' I do,' cried Barnabas. Then I deny it,' fays the Surgeon. What can the Lord of the Manor have to do in the Cafe? Will any one attempt to perfuade me that what a Man finds is not his own? I have heard, (fays an old Fellow in the Corner) Juftice Wife one fay, that if every Man had his Right, whatever is ⚫ found belongs to the King of London.' That · may be true, fays Barnabas, in fome sense: for the Law makes a difference between Things ftolen, and things found: for a thing may be • ftolen that never is found; and a thing may be found that never was ftolen. Now Goods that are both ftolen and found are Waviata; and they belong to the Lord of the Manor.' the Lord of the Manor is the Receiver of stolen. • Goods,' (fays the Doctor); at which there was a univerfal Laugh, being first begun by himself.

So

While the Prifoner, by perfifting in his Innocence, had almoft (as there was no Evidence against him) brought over Barnabas, the Surgeon, Tow-woufe, and feveral others to his Side; Betty informed them, that they had over-looked a little Piece of Gold, which fhe had carried up to the Man in bed; and which he offered to fwear to amongst a Million, aye, amongst ten Thousand. › This immediately turned the Scale against the Prifoner; and every one now. concluded him guilty. It was refolved therefore, to keep him fecured that Night, and early in the Morning to carry him before a Justice.

CHAP.

CHAP. XV.

Shewing how Mrs. Tow-woufe was a little mollified; and bow officious Mr. Barnabas and the Surgeon were to profecute the Thief: With a Differtation accounting for their Zeal, and that of many other Perfons not mentioned in this Hiftory.

BETTY told her Mistress, the believed the Man

in Bed was a greater Man than they took him for: for, befides the extreme Whiteness of his Skin, and the Softnefs of his Hands, fhe obferved a very great Familiarity between the Gentleman and him; and added, fhe was certain they were intimate Acquaintance, if not Relations.

This fomewhat abated the Severity of Mrs. Tow-woufe's Countenance. She faid, God forbid fhe fhould not discharge the Duty of a • Chriftian, fince the poor Gentleman was brought to her House. She had a natural Antipathy to Vagabonds: but could pity the Mis• fortunes of a Chriftian as foon as another.' Tow-woufe faid, If the Traveller be a Gentleman, tho' he hath no Money about him now, we shall most likely be paid hereafter; fo you may begin to fcore whenever you will.' Mrs. Tow-woufe answered, Hold your fimple Tongue, and don't intruct me in my Business. I am fure I am forry for the Gentleman's Misfortune with all my Heart; and I hope the Villain who hath used him fo barbarously, will be.

hanged

God

hanged. Betty, go, fee what he wants. • forbid he should want any thing in my House.' Barnabas and the Surgeon went up to Jofeph, to fatisfy themselves concerning the Piece of Gold. Jofeph was with Difficulty prevailed upon to fhew it them; but would by no Entreaties be brought to deliver it out of his own Poffeffion. He however attefted this to be the fame which had been taken from him; and Betty was ready to swear to the finding it on the Thief.

The only Difficulty that remained, was how to produce this Gold before the Juftice: for as to carrying Jofeph himself, it seemed impoffible; nor was there any great likelihood of obtaining it from him: for he had faftened it with a Ribband to his Arm, and folemnly vowed, that nothing but irresistible Force fhould ever separate them; in which Resolution, Mr. Adams, clenching a Fist rather lefs than the Knuckle of an Ox, declared he would fupport him.

A Difpute arofe on this Occafion concerning Evidence, not very neceflary to be related here; after which the Surgeon drefs'd Mr. Jofeph's Head; ftill perfifting in the imminent Danger in which his Patient lay; but concluding with a very important Look, that he began to have • fome Hopes; that he fhould fend him a Sanative foporiferous Draught, and would fee him in the Morning.' After which Barnabas and he departed, and left Mr. Jofeph and Mr. Adams together.

Adams informed Jofeph of the occafion of this Journey which he was making to London, namely to publifh three Volumes of Sermons; being encouraged, he faid, by an Advertisement lately fet forth by a Society of Bookfellers, who pro

pofed