Love. Some time.-I am now convinc'd of what you have often been hinting to me, that I am confoundedly cheated by my servants.

Free. Oh, are you satisfied at last, Mr Lovel? I always told you, that there is not a worse set of servants in the parish of St James's, than in your kitchen.

Lov. 'Tis with some difficulty I believe it now, Mr Freeman; though I must own, my expences often make me stare.- Philip, I am sure is an honest fellow; and I will swear for my blacks.-If there is a rogue among my folks, it is that surly dog Tom.

Free. You are mistaken in every one. hypocritical rascal; Tom has a good deal

Philip is an of surly ho

nefty

nesty about him; and for your blacks, they are as bad as your whites.

Lov. Prithee, Freeman, how came you to be so well acquainted with my people? None of the wenches are hai dsome enough to move the affections of a middleaged gentleman as you are-ha, ha, ha!

Free. You are a young man, Mr Lovel, and take a pride in a number of idle unnecessary servants, who are the plague and reproach of this kingdom.

Lov. Charles, you are an old-fashion'd fellow. Servants a plague and reproach! ha, ha, ha! I would have forty more, if my house would hold them. Why, man in Jamaica, before I was ten years old, I had a hundred blacks kissing my feet every day.

Free. You gentry of the Western Isles are high-mettled ones, and love pomp and parade.-I have seen it delight your soul, when the people in the street have stared at your equipage; especially if they whispered loud enough to be heard, "That is squire Lovel, the great WestIndian" ha, ha, ha!

Lov. I should be very sorry if we were as splenetic as you northern islanders, who are devoured with melancholy and fog-ha, ha, ha? No, Sir, we are children of the sun, and are born to diffuse the bounteous favour which our noble parent is pleased to bestow on us.

Free. I wish you, had more of your noble parents regularity, and less of his fire. As it is, you consume so fast, that not one in twenty of you live to be fifty years old,

Lov. But in that fifty we live two hundred, my dear; mark that But to business-I am resolved upon my frolic will know whether my servants are rogues or not. If they are, Fil bastinado the rascals; if not, I think I cught to pay for my impertinence.-tell me, is not your Robert acquainted with my people? Perhaps he may give a little light into the thing.

Pray

Free. To tell you the truth, Mr Lovel, your servants are so abandoned, that I have forbid him your house. -However, if you have a mind to ask him any question, He shall be forthcoming.

Lox. Let us have him.

Free. You shall: but it is an hundred to one if you

get

get any thing out of him; for though he is a very honest fellow, yet he is so much of a servant that he'll never tell any thing to the disadvantage of another. Who waitts? (Enter Servant.) Send Robert to me. (Exit Servant.) And what was it determin'd you upon this project at last.

Lov. This letter. It is an anonymous one, and so ought not to be regarded; but it has something honest in it, and put me upon satisfying my curiosityRead it. [Gives the letter. Free. I should know something of this hand-Reads. "To Peregrine Lovel, Esq;

"Please your honour,

"I take the liberty to acquaint your honour, that you are sadly cheated by your servants.

-Your honour

"will find it as I say I am not willing to be known; "whereof, If I am, it may bring one into trouble.

"So no more, from your honours

66

Servant to command."

-Odd and honest! Well-and now what are the steps you intend to take? [Returns the letter.

Lov. I shall immediately apply to my friend the manager for a disguise.-Under the form of a gawky country boy, I will be an eye-witness of my servants behaviour.You must assist me, Mr Freeman.

Free. As how, Mr Lovel?

Lov. My plan is this-I gave it out that I was going to my borough in Devonshire; and yesterday set out with my servant in great form, and lay at Basingstoke.Free. Well?

Lov. I ordered the fellow to make the best of his way down into the country, and told him that I would follow him; instead of that, I turn'd back, and am just come to town: Ecce signum! [Points to his boots.

Free. It is now one o'clock.

Lov. This very afternoon I shall pay my people a visit. Free. How will you get in?

Lov. When I am properly habited, you shall get me introduced to Philip as one of your tenauts sons, who wants to be made a good servant of.

Free. They will certainly discover you.

Lou. Never fear; I'll be so countryfy'd, that you shall

not

not know me.. As they are thoroughly persuaded I am many miles off, they will be more easily imposed on. Ten to one but they begin to celebrate my departure with a drinking bout, if they are what you describe them

Free. Shall you be able to play your part?

Lov. I am surprised, Mr Freeman, that you who have known me from my infancy, should not remember my abilities in that way. But you old fellows have, short

' memories.

'Free. What should I remember?

'Lov.' How I play'd Daniel in the Conscions Lovers at school, and afterwards airiv'd at the distinguish'd character of the mighty Mr Scrub

[Mimicing.

Free. Ha, ha, ha! that is very well-Enough-Here is Robert.

Enter ROBERT.

Rob. Your honour ordered me to wait on you.

Free. Come here.-You know, Robert, I have a good opinion of your integrity.

Rob. I have always endeavoured that your honour should.

Free. Pray have not you some acquaintance among Mr Lovel's people.

Rob. A little, please your honour.

Free. How do they behave ?-We have nobody but friends you may speak it out.

Lov. Ay, Robert, speak out.

Rob. I hope your honours will not insist on my saying any thing in an affair of this kind.

Lov. Oh, but we do insist, if you know any thingRob. Sir, I am but a servant myself; and it would not become me to speak ill of a brother-servant.

Free. Psha! this is false honesty-speak out.

Rob. Don't oblige me, good Sir-Consider, Sir, a servant's bread depends upon his carackter.

Lov. But if a servant uses me ill

Rob. Alas, cir! what is one man's poison is another

man's meat.

Free. You see how they trim for one another,

Rob.

Rob. Service Sir, is no inheritance.-A servant that is not approv'd in one place, "may give satisfaction in another. Every body most live, your honour.

Lov. I like your heartiness as well as your caution; but, in my case, it is necessary that I should know the

truth.

Rob. The truth, Sir, is not to be spoken at all times; it may bring one into trouble, whereof if→→

Free. (Musing.)

"Whereof if"-Play, Mr Lovel, let me see that letter again.-(Lovel gives the letter.)— Ay-it must be so--- Robert

Rob. Sir

Free Do you know any thing of this letter?

Rob. Letter, your honour?

Free. Yes, letter.

Rob. I have seen the hand before.

Lov. He blushes!

Free. I ask you, if you were concerned in writing this letter? You never told me a lie yet, and I expect the truth from you'now.

Rob. Pray your honour don't ask me.

Free. Did you write it ?-Answer me..
Rob, I cannot deny it.

Lov. What induc'd you to it?

[Bowing

Rob. I will tell truth.I have seen such waste and extravagance, and riot and drunkenness, in your kitchen Sir, that, as my master's friend, I could not help discovering it to you.

Lov. Go on.

Rob. I am sorry to say it to your honour; but your honour is not only imposed on, but laughed at by all your servants especially by Philip, who is a very bad man. Lov. Philip? An ungrateful dog!-Weh ?

Rob. I could not presume to speak to your honour; and therefore I resolv'd, though but a poor scribe, to write your honour a letter.

Lov. Robert, I am greatly indebted to you.-Here[Offers money. Rob. On any other account than this, I should be proud to receive your honours bounty; but now I beg to be excus'd. [Refuses the money.

Lov. Thou hast a noble heart, Robert, and I'll not

forget