which Benjamin applied properly enough, though it did not savour of profound literature, seemed yet to indicate something superior to a common barber, and so indeed did his whole behaviour. Jones therefore believed the truth of what he had said, as to his original and education, and at length, after much entreaty, he said, "Since you have heard, my friend, so much of my affairs, and seem so desirous to know the truth, if you will have patience to hear it, I will inform you of the whole." "Patience," cries Benjamin, "that I will, if the chapter was never so long, and I am very much obliged to you for the honour you do me."

Jones now began and related the whole history, forgetting only a circumstance or two, namely, every thing which passed on that day in which he had fought with Thwackum, and ended with his resolution to go to sea, till the rebellion in the north had made him change his purpose, and had brought him to the place where he then was.

Little Benjamin, who had been all attention, never once interrupted the narrative; but when it was ended, he could not help observing, that there must be surely something more invented by his enemies, and told Mr. Allworthy against him, or so good a man would never have dismissed one he had loved so tenderly in such a manner. To which Jones answered, "He doubted not but such villanous arts had been made use of to destroy him."

And surely it was scarce possible for any one to have avoided making the same remark with the barber; who had not, indeed, heard from Jones one single circumstance upon which he was con

demned, for his actions were not now placed in those injurious lights in which they had been misrepresented to Allworthy; nor could he mention those many false accusations which had been from time to time preferred against him to Allworthy, for with none of these he was himself acquainted. He had likewise, as we have observed, omitted many material facts in his present relation. Upon the whole, indeed, every thing now appears in such favourable colours to Jones, that malice itself would have found it no easy matter to fix any blame upon him.

Not that Jones desired to conceal or to disguise the truth; nay, he would have been more unwilling to have suffered any censure to fall on Mr. Allworthy for punishing him, than on his own actions for deserving it, but, in reality, so it hap pened, and so it always will happen: for let a man be never so honest, the account of his own conduct will, in spite of himself, be so very fa vourable, that his vices will come purified through his lips, and, like foul liquors well strained, will leave all their foulness behind. For though the facts themselves may appear, yet so different will be the motives, circumstances, and consequences, when a man tells his own story, and when his enemy tells it, that we scarce can recognise the facts to be one and the same.

Though the barber had drank down this story with greedy ears, he was not yet satisfied. There was a circumstance behind, which his curiosity, cold as it was, most eagerly longed for. Jones had mentioned the fact of his amour, and of his being the rival of Blifil, but had cautiously con

cealed the name of the young lady. The barber therefore, after some hesitation, and many hums and ha's, at last begged leave to crave the name of the lady, who appeared to be the principal cause of all this mischief. Jones paused a moment, and then said, "Since I have trusted you with so much, and since, I am afraid, her name is become too public already on this occasion, I will not conceal it from you. Her name is Sophia

Western.".

"Prob Deum atque hominum fidem! Squire Western hath a daughter grown a woman!"-" Ay, and such a woman," cries Jones, "that the world cannot match. No eye ever saw any thing so beautiful; but that is her least excellence. Such sense! such goodness! I could praise her for ever, and yet should omit half her virtues." Mr. Western a daughter grown up!" cries the barber, "I remember the father a boy: well, tempus eḍax

rerum.

"

The wine being now at an end, the barber pressed very eagerly to be his bottle; but Jones absolutely refused, saying, "he had already drank more than he ought; and that he now chose to retire to his room, where he wished he could procure himself a book."-" A book!" cries Benjamin, "what book would you have? Latin or English? I have some curious books in both languages. Such as Erasmi Colloqui, Ovid de Tristibus, Gradus ad Parnassum; and in English I have several of the best books, though some of them are a little torn: but I have a great part of Stowe's Chronicle, the sixth volume of Pope's Homer, the third volume of the Spectator, the second volume of Echard's Roman History, the

Craftsman, Robinson Crusoe, Thomas à Kempis, and two volumes of Tom Brown's works."

"Those last," cries Jones, "are books I never saw, so if you please to lend me one of those volumes." The barber assured him he would be highly entertained, for he looked upon the author to have been one of the greatest wits that ever the nation produced. He then stepped to his house, which was hard by, and immediately returned; after which, the barber having received very strict injunctions of secrecy from Jones, and having sworn inviolably to maintain it, they separated the barber went home, and Jones retired to his chamber.

CHAP. VI.

In which more of the talents of Mr. Benjamin will appear, as well as who this extraordinary person

was.

In the morning Jones grew a little uneasy at the desertion of his surgeon, as he apprehended some inconveniencies, or even danger, might attend the not dressing his wound; he enquired, therefore, of the drawer what other surgeons were to be met with in that neighbourhood. The drawer told him there was one not far off; but he had known him often refuse to be concerned after another had been sent for before him: " but, Sir," says he, if you will take my advice, there is not a man in the kingdom can do your business better than the barber who was with you last night, We look upon him to be one of the ablest men at a cut in all this neighbourhood; for though he

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hath not been here above three, months he hath done several great cures."

"

The drawer was presently dispatched for Little Benjamin, who being acquainted in what capacity he was wanted, prepared himself accordingly, and attended; but with so different an air and aspect from that which he wore when his bason was under his arm, that he could scarce be known to be the same person.

"

án

"So, tonsor,' says Jones, "I find you have more trades than one; how came you not to in form me of this last night?""A surgeon," swered Benjamin, with great gravity, "is a profession, not a trade. The reason why I did not acquaint you last night that I professed this art. was, that I then concluded you was under the hands of another gentleman, and I never love to interfere with my brethren in their business. Ars omnibus communis. But now, Sir, if you please, I will inspect your head, and when I see into your skull, I will give my opinion of your case."

Jones had no great faith in this new professor; however he suffered him to open the bandage, and to look at his wound, which as soon as he had done, Benjamin began to groan and shake his head violently. Upon which Jones, in a peevish manner, bid him not play the fool, but tell him in what condition he found him. "Shall I answer you as a surgeon or a friend?" said Benjamin. "As a friend, and seriously," said Jones.Why then, upon my soul," cries Benjamin, "it will require a great deal of art to keep you from being well after a very few dressings; and if you will suffer me to apply some salve of mine, I will