The lottery drawn, not one demand was made; Fulham gain'd profit and increase of trade. "See now," said he-for Conscience yet arose"How foolish 'tis such measures to oppose :

"Have I not blameless thus my state advanced ?""Still," mutter'd Conscience, "still it might have chanced."

Might!" said our Hero, "who is so exact

"As to inquire what might have been a fact?"

Now Fulham's shop contain'd a curious view
Of costly trifles elegant and new:

The papers told where kind mammas might buy
The gayest toys to charm an infant's eye;

Where generous beaux might gentle damsels please,
And travellers call who cross the land or seas,
And find the curious art, the neat device

Of precious value and of trifling price.

Here Conscience rested, she was pleased to find No less an active than an honest mind;

But when he named his price, and when he swore,
His Conscience check'd him, that he asked no more,
When half he sought had been a large increase
On fair demand, she could not rest in peace:
(Beside th' affront to call th' adviser in,

Who would prevent, to justify the sin?)

She therefore told him, that "he vainly tried "To soothe her anger, conscious that he lied; "If thus he grasp'd at such usurious gains, "He must deserve, and should expect her pains."

The charge was strong; he would in part confess Offence there was-But, who offended less? "What! is a mere assertion call'd a lie?

"And if it be, are men compell❜d to buy? ""Twas strange that Conscience on such points should dwell,

"While he was acting (he would call it) well; "He bought as others buy, he sold as others sell: "There was no fraud, and he demanded cause

Why he was troubled, when he kept the laws?"

"My laws?" said Conscience: " What," said he, 66 are thine?

"Oral or written, human or divine?

"Show me the chapter, let me see the text; "By laws uncertain subjects are perplex'd:

"Let me my finger on the statute lay, "And I shall feel it duty to obey.”

"Reflect," said Conscience, "'twas your own desire "That I should warn you-does the compact tire?

"Repent you this? then bid me not advise,
“And rather hear your passions as they rise;
"So you may counsel and remonstrance shun,
"But then remember it is war begun;

"And you may judge from some attacks, my friend, "What serious conflicts will on war attend."

"Nay, but," at length the thoughtful man replied, " I say not that; I wish you for my guide; "Wish for your checks and your reproofs-but then "Be like a Conscience of my fellow-men;

"Worthy I mean, and men of good report,

"And not the wretches who with conscience sport: "There's Bice, my friend, who passes off his grease "Of pigs for bears', in pots a crown apiece; "His Conscience never checks him when he swears "The fat he sells is honest fat of bears; "And so it is, for he contrives to give

"A drachm to each-'tis thus that tradesmen live: "Now why should you and I be over-nice; "What man is held in more repute than Bice?"

Here ended the dispute; but yet 'twas plain
The parties both expected strife again :
Their friendship cool'd, he look'd about and saw
Numbers who seem'd unshackled by his awe;

While like a school-boy he was threaten'd still,

Now for the deed, now only for the will;

Here Conscience answer'd, " To thy neighbour's guide

Thy neighbour leave, and in thine own confide."

Such were each day the charges and replies,
When a new object caught the Trader's eyes;
A Vestry-Patriot, could he gain the name,
Would famous make him, and would pay the fame:
He knew full well the sums bequeath'd in charge
For schools, for alms-men, for the poor, were large;
Report had told, and he could feel it true,
That most unfairly dealt the trusted few ;
No partners would they in their office take,
Nor clear accounts at annual meetings make ;
Aloud our Hero in the vestry spoke

Of hidden deeds, and vow'd to draw the cloak;
It was the poor man's cause, and he for one
Was quite determined to see justice done:
His foes affected laughter, then disdain,

They too were loud and threat'ning, but in vain ;
The pauper's friend, their foe, arose and spoke again:
Fiercely he cried, "Your garbled statements show
“That you determine we shall nothing know;
"But we shall bring your hidden crimes to light,
"Give you to shame, and to the poor their right.”

Virtue like this might some approval askBut Conscience sternly said, "You wear a mask!" "At least," said Fulham, “if I have a view "To serve myself, I serve the public too."

Fulham, though check'd, retain'd his former zeal, And this the cautious rogues began to feel: "Thus will he ever bark," in peevish tone, An Elder cried-" the cur must have a bone:" They then began to hint, and to begin Was all they needed--it was felt within; In terms less veil'd an offer then was made, Though distant still, it fail'd not to persuade : More plainly then was every point proposed, Approved, accepted, and the bargain closed. "Th' exulting Paupers hail'd their Friend's success, "And bade adieu to murmurs and distress."

Alas! their Friend had now superior light, And, view'd by that, he found that all was right; "There were no errors, the disbursements small; "This was the truth, and truth was due to all."

And rested Conscience? No! she would not rest, Yet was content with making a protest:

G

VOL. II.