them by as rubbish, capable only of affecting the upper gallery; a place in which few of our readers ever sit.

However, though we do not suspect raising any great terror on this occasion, we have reason to fear some other apprehensions may here arise in our reader, into which we would not willingly betray him; I mean, that we are going to take a voyage into fairy-land, and to introduce a set of beings into our history, which scarce any one was ever childish enough to believe, though many have been foolish enough to spend their time in writing and reading their adventures.

To prevent, therefore, any such suspicions, so prejudicial to the credit of a historian, who professes to draw his materials from nature only, we shall now proceed to acquaint the reader who these people were, whose sudden appearance had struck such terrors into Partridge, had more than half frightened the post-boy, and had a little surprised even Mr. Jones himself.

The people then assembled in this barn were no other than a company of Egyptians, or, as they are vulgarly called, Gypsies; and they were now cele. brating the wedding of one of their society.

It is impossible to conceive a happier set of people than appeared to be here met together. The utmost mirth, indeed, showed itself in every countenance; nor was their ball totally void of all order and decorum. Perhaps it had more than a country assembly is sometimes conducted with: for these people are subject to a formal government and laws of their own, and all pay obedience to one great magistrate, whom they call their king.

Greater plenty, likewise, was nowhere to be seen, than what flourished in this barn. Here was, indeed, no nicety nor elegance, nor did the keen appetite of the guests require any. Here was good store of bacon, fowls, and mutton, to which every

one present provided better sauce himself, than the best and dearest French cook can prepare.

Æneas is not described-under more consternation

in the temple of Juno,

Dum stupet obtutuque hæret defixus in uno,

than was our hero at what he saw in this barn. While he was looking every where round him with astonishment, a venerable person approached him with many friendly salutations, rather of too hearty a kind to be called courtly. This was no other than the king of the Gypsies himself. He was very little distinguished in dress from his subjects, nor had he any regalia of majesty to support his dignity; and yet there seemed (as Mr. Jones said) to be somewhat in his air which denoted authority, and inspired the beholders with an idea of awe aud respect; though all this was perhaps imaginary in Jones; and the truth may be, that such ideas are incident to power, and almost inseparable

from it.

There was somewhat in the open countenance and courteous behaviour of Jones, which, being accompanied with much comeliness of person, greatly recommended him at first sight to every beholder. These were, perhaps, a little heightened in the present instance, by the profound respect which he paid to the king of the Gypsies, the moment he was acquainted with his dignity, and which was the sweeter to his Gypseian majesty, as he was not used to receive such homage from any but his own subjects.

The king ordered a table to be spread with the choicest of their provisions, for his accommodation; and, having placed himself at his right-hand, his majesty began to discourse with our hero in the following manner:

Me doubt not, sir, but you have often seen some of my people, who are what you call de parties de

tache; for dey go about every where: but me fancy you imagine not we be so considerable body as we be; and may be you will be surprise more, when you hear de Gypsy be as orderly and well govern people as any upon face of de earth.

Me have honour, as me sey, to be deir king, and no monarch can do boast of more dutiful subject, ne no more affectionate. How far me deserve deir good-will, me no say; but dis me can say, dat me never design any ting but to do dem good. Me sall no do boast of dat neither: for what can me do oderwise dan consider of de good of dose poor people, who go about all day to give me always de best of what dey get? Dey love and honour me darefore, because me do love and take care of dem; dat is all, me know no oder reason.

About a tousand or two tousand year ago, me cannot tell to a year or two, as can neider read. nor write, dere was a great what you call,--a volu. tion among de Gypsy; for dere was de lord Gypsy in dose days; and dese lord did quarrel vid one. anoder about de place; but de king of de Gypsy did demolish dem all, and made all his subject equal vid each oder; and since dat time dey have agree very well: for dey no tink of being king, and may be it be better for dem as dey be; for me assure you it be ver troublesome ting to be king, and always to do justice: me have often wish to be de private Gypsy, when me have been forced to punish my dear friend and relation; for dough we never put to death, our punishments be ven severe. Dey make de Gypsy ashamed of demselves, and dat be ver terrible punishment; me have scarce ever known de Gypsy so punish do harm any more.'

The king then proceeded to express some wonder that there was no such punishment as shame in other governments. Upon which Jones assured him to the contrary; for that there were many crimes for which shame was inflicted by the English laws; and that it was indeed one consequence

of all punishment. Dat be ver strange,' said the king: for me know and hears good deal of your people, dough me no live among dem; and me have often hear dat sham is de consequence and de cause too of many of your rewards. of your rewards. Are your rewards and punishments den de same ting?"

While his majesty was thus discoursing with Jones, a sudden uproar arose in the barn, and, as it seems, upon this occasion: the courtesy of these people had by degrees removed all the apprehensious of Partridge, and he was prevailed upon not only to stuff himself with their food, but to taste some of their liquors, which by degrees entirely expelled all fear from his composition, and in its stead introduced much more agreeable sensations.

A young female Gypsy, more remarkable for her wit than her beauty, had decoyed the honest fellow aside, pretending to tell his fortune. Now, when they were alone together in a remote part of the barn, whether it proceeded from the strong liquor, which is never so apt to inflame inordinate desire as after moderate fatigue; or whether the fair Gypsy herself threw aside the delicacy and decency of her sex, and tempted the youth Partridge with express solicitations; but they were discovered in a very improper manner by the husband of the Gypsy, who, from jealousy, it seems, had kept a watchful eye over his wife, and had dogged her to the place, where he found her in the arms of her gallant.

To the great confusion of Jones, Partridge was now hurried before the king; who heard the accusation, and likewise the culprit's defence, which was indeed very trifling: for the poor fellow was confounded by the plain evidence which appeared against him, and had very little to say for himself. His majesty, then turning towards Jones, said, 'Sir, -you have hear what dey say; what punishment do you tink your man deserve?

Jones answered, He was sorry for what had hap..

pened, and that Partridge should make the husband all the amends in his power:' he said, he had very little money about him at that time; and, putting his hand into his pocket, offered the fellow a guinea. To which he immediately answered, He hoped his honour would not think of giving him less than five.'

This sum, after some altercation, was reduced to two; and Jones, having stipulated for the full forgiveness of both Partridge and the wife, was going to pay the money; when his majesty restraining his hand, turned to the witness, and asked him, At what time he had discovered the criminals?" To which he answered, That he had been desired by the husband to watch the motions of his wife from her first speaking to the stranger, and that he had never lost sight of her afterwards till the crime had been committed.' The king then asked, 'If the husband was with him all that time in his luckingplace To which he answered in the affirmative. His Egyptian majesty then addressed himself to the husband as follows: Me be sorry to see any Gypsy dat have no more honour dan to sell de honour of his wife for money. If you had de love for your wife, you would have prevented dis matter, and not endeavour to make her de whore dat you might discover her. Me do order, dat you have no money given you, for you deserve punishment, not reward: me do order, derefore, dat you be de infamous Gypsy, and do wear a pair of horns upon your forehead for one month; and dat your wife be called de whore, and pointed at all dat time; for you be de infamous Gypsy, but she be no less de infamous

whore.'

The Gypsies immediately proceeded to execute the sentence, and left Jones and Partridge alone with his majesty.

.Jones greatly applauded the justness of the sentence; upon which the king, turning to him, said, Me believe you be surprise: for me suppose you