Enter Mr. TEMPLETON and Damper, L.

-[Mrs. Templeton leads Mr. T. towards R.] The prospect from these windows will be a coup d'œil of science, spirit, taste

Asp. And, at present, 'tis as flat as the fens, and antiquated as a clipt yew-tree. There are certain objects, Sir, which should be kept at a proper distance. I'll-[Approaching familiarly.]

Mr. T. [Gently repelling him, and bowing.] I have made that a particular study.

Asp. My views, Mr. Templeton, are—————

Dam. [Apart to him.]-Sufficiently obvious.

Asp. Damn that quiz!--I owe him money. Mr. Damper, I know the world.

Dum. [Aside.] And I'll take care the world shall know you.

Asp. Your debt shall be discharged-you have my word, which is as good as my bond.

Dam. Exactly.

Mrs. T. Treason! [Pointing to Templeton.] I accuse this man of speaking treason against the monarchy of fashion, of which I am a most loyal subject.

Dam. I hope, madam, that, in the true spirit of your country, your allegiance only holds while fashion assumes a limited prerogative; for 'tis the essence of our moral constitution that the mind should not bend to its sway!-but for the discussion of fashion's legitimate decrees, I know no lady more entitled to a seat on the woolsack than Mrs. Templeton. [Bowing. Asp. Pretty well put, 'faith. Ma'am, I give you joy of your appointment. Won't your red book furnish a place for me?

Dum. Why, in the olden time, there was a court favourite, of a motley garb.

Asp. The court fool!-thank you, Sir.

Mrs. T. Ha ha!-I give you joy of yours.

Asp. But the truth is, that the business of that department increased so rapidly, that, like other great offices, they were obliged to put it into commission, and now every court dangler is entitled to a seat at the board; ha! ha! ha!-He don't laugh-he don't understand a good thing.

Dam. Try me. [A cracking of whips, L. Mrs. T. You don't laugh-Ha! ha! ha!

Sir Guy Stanch. [Without, L.] Get out of my way, you rascal!-I've been insulted.

31r. T. Sir Guy Stanch quarrelling with my servant.

Enter SIR GUY STANCH, L.

Sir G. Jerry, keep the hounds back-for the confounded perfumes in these rooms might spoil the dogs' noses.

been insulted, I say.

I've

Mr. T. The man that has unjustly offended you, Sir Guy, shall instantly turn out from my

Sir G. [Slapping him on the shoulder.] Then turn out directly, for you are the man.

Mr. T. 1!

Sir G. Yes. A tenant of yours, by your order it seems, tried to prevent my galloping over his corn and turnips. Dam. What, stop a baronet full cry! unheard-of outrage!

Sir G. He stop me!-No-no-I rode over the rascal. Mr. T. If satisfaction is to be made, I think, Sir Guy, my poor tenant has some small claim to it from you.

Sir G. Sir, my family never gave satisfaction to any body-they rode where they liked, and did what mischief they liked; and while your profit-and-loss forefathers were weighing an ounce of nutmegs, the Sir Guy Stanch's roasted their oxen whole, and brewed twenty bushel to the hogshead. [Sees and crosses to Mrs. Templeton.] Soho! Sarvant, Ma'am !—should not have given tongue so loud, had I known you were present-"Tis not reckoned mannerly to take away the talk from the ladies.

Mrs. T. Yet, Sir Guy, I'll wave my privilege, if you will have the goodness to explain how this happened.

Sir G. With the greatest pleasure, Ma'am !-You see, we were all at fault

Mrs. T. Oh, if you own the fault

Sir G. Zounds, no, Ma'am-no!--You're a fine creature, but 'tis your misfortune to know but little of foxhunting.

Mrs. T. In pity to that misfortune, instruct me.

Sir G. The pack had overrun the scent

Mrs. T. Aye, now I see how it is.

[With earnestness.

Sir G. Huntsmau, says I, try back-make a cast.

Asp. (R.) To be sure.

Sir G. How beautifully they spread !—[With enthusiasm.

Asp. Yes[Encouraging him. Sir G. Mind that old hound-how he feathers-how he flings for the furze-brake—it holds the fox-they view him --there's a chorus-where are your pains and megrims now, my boys?

Asp. Aye, where indeed!

Sir G. How they carry the scent-how they strain— crack goes the hedge! Damn the turnips-nothing but the cover can save him—he gains it-rush they all go in-not a skirter among them-how terribly they press-they are on him-they have him—who whoop-huntsman, my old boy!-[In his enthusiasm he forgets every thing but the chase, and slaps Mrs. Templeton on the shoulder, who faintly screams.] Eh! what-where-what a blunder! To the very ground, Madam, I humbly ask pardon; I was— Asp. In a wood.

Sir G. Yes, Ma'am, in a wood.

Mrs. T. Excuse my foolish exclamation, Sir Guy; but, really, I never was in at the death before.

Tem. To attempt to control such enthusiasm would only imply greater insanity.-[Crosses to Sir G.]-Sir Guy, your amusements shall receive no further hindrance from

me.

Sir G. Give me your hand; you're a good-natured fellow, and I dare say you have quite forgot what I said about the nutmegs, so we need not mention it, you know.—I declare, Madam, I thought I was among a parcel of dogs, worrying a fox-instead of which I am among

[Pointing to the books. Asp. A parcel of authors worrying one another. Sir G. You seem, sir, to understand that sort of hackle. Dam. A literary whipper-in, sir.

Mrs. T. I ought to apologize for seeing company in Mr. Templeton's book-room-but the other apartments are in a sad disorder. We find people so very dilatory-don't we, my dear? [Templeton and Damper exchange looks. Sir G. The room's an excellent room, for it not only contains garnish for the head-but solid pudding-[Striking the iron chest with his whip.] I'll warrant you, this strong box contains something better than the nutmegs I was so unmannerly as to mention :-eh, Templeton ! Mrs. T. Nutmegs, indeed!-[Aside.] Now for a little tiny white fib, to give the brute an idea of our consequence. -Certainly, Sir Guy, a piece of furniture containing fifty

thousand pounds is no contemptible ornament to any room.

Dam.
Asp.
Sir G.

}

[Templeton starts.

[To Templeton.] Fifty thousand pounds!

Tem. [Embarrassed, with a forced smile.] I will not contradict a lady.

Asp. [Aside.] Devilish hard if I have not a dip into that spice-box.

Dam. This has relieved my heart from an oppression almost unsupportable. [With great alacrity.] Templeton, your hand. Aspic, I'll try to tolerate you. Madam, the magic of your tongue has outwitched the enchantment of your eye. Sir Guy, I think it very likely I may break my neck fox-hunting with you.

Sir G. Sir, I shall be happy to shew you sport.
Dam. For the present, adieu ! I'll soon return.
Mrs. T. But when?

Dam. [Bowing.] Oh, to-morrow.—

[Exit, L.

[Templeton and wife talk together, Templeton irritated. Sir G. Egad, a bright thought, and then I shall have the whole country to hunt over.-Templeton, you have a son, I have a daughter what say you to a match?

:

Tem. [With embarrassment.] Your proposal, Sir Guy, does honour to my son and me.-What have I done! assented to a falsehood! What could occasion Damper's extraordinary conduct? Perhaps he has not yet left the house. I'll own-what-a lie!-where shall I hide my shame!

[Exit, L.

Sir G. So, Ma'am, I sent my girl Nell to Mrs. Polish's tip-top school, to learn how to behave when company comes, and do the chattering part properly, and make the punch, and so forth.

Enter ROBERT, L.

Rob. Your servant has brought this letter, Sir.

Sir G. [Breaking the seal.] From Mrs. Polish, I declare. "Expect your daughter's arrival."-I must be off full gallop. "Receive her with pride, Sir Guy, for you will find her aufait

Asp. We say aufa.

Sir G. Yes; I know "aufa of astronomy, botany, chemistry, history, geography, geology, philology, and chronology"-'tis odd among so many ologies not to find theology. I have drawn on you for-[Whistles] £530.

Mrs. T. Very moderate, indeed.

Sir G. Moderate! Why zounds, Ma'am, my dogs don't stand me in the money!

Mrs. T. Oh, fie, Sir Guy! you really must modernize, and benefit by the rapid advances daily made in sentiment, spirit, refinement

Sir G. Roguery!

Mrs. T. Ha ha!-Yes; there, modern refinement is peculiarly conspicuous. Formerly, you were plundered in dismal forests illumined by the lightning's glare-you now suffer in perfumed drawing-rooms, beneath the mild irradiation of Chinese lamps. Instead of daggers and poison, you are now presented with ice-creams and wafer biscuits ; the crimson field of slaughter is converted into a square yard of superfine green cloth; and the appalling cry of your life, your treasure, is mellifluously modernized intoCan you one-or pam, be civil. Ha! ha! [Exit, R.

Asp. Bravo! ha! ha!

Sir G. Sir, I shall be happy to see you at Tantivy-Hall, for I am afraid Nell and I will want an interpreter-and as you seem au--au [Peeps slily at the letter.] aufaut of these matters.

Asp. [Aside.] No difficult conquest.-Sir Guy, I'll wait on you with pleasure.

Sir G. That's hearty! "Tis Liberty-Hall-We dine at three; and if you an't there to a moment you'll lose your dinner- and you have only to drink one bumper to foxhunting, and another to the girl of your heart, and then you do as you like. I'll leave for you my famous horse Somerset. Jerry, let the hounds loose.

Asp. Is the road intricate?

Sir G. Oh! Somerset wont trouble you with the road -he'll across the country, as straight as a rifle. [Horns sound without, L.] There's heavenly music!-Voix !

[Exit, L. Asp. There he goes :-if his feed is as excellent as his cattle, and his daughter as high-bred, no bad speculation.

Enter VINCENT Templeton, R.

Vin. What a situation 's mine!-Cursed impetuosity! How can I, in my father's present circumstances, name to him an honourable connection with Rosine! How can I name to her a dishonourable one! Dare I name it to myself? Beloved Rosine, how have I involved thee!-Never shill uncontrouled passion again sway me. Feeling may be allowed to execute, but first let reason legislate.