I did not confider . the impropriety of my being in
fuch compan)^ till I faw a mob gather about me. I
therefore took (helter, as faft as poffible, in the firft
ale-houfe that offered, and being fnewn into the com-
mon room, was accolled by a very well dreft gentle-
man, who demanded whether I was the real chaplain
of the company, or whether it was only to be my
mafquerade ehara&er in the play. Upon informing
him of the truth, and that I did not belong in any
fort to the company, he was condefcending enough to
defire me and the player. to partake' in a bowl of
punch, over which he difcufied modern politics with
great earneftnefs and intereft. I fet him down in my
own mind for nothing lefs than a parliament-man at
leafl; but was almoS confirmed in my conjedlores,
when, upon afking what there was in the houfe for
fupper, ne infilled that the player and I fhould fup
with him at his houfe ; with which requefl, after fome
entreaties, we were prevailed on to comply.^



CHAF.
THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. tf
CHAP. XIX.
