_1st._ That all _Younger Brothers_ should be careful to run out their Circumstances as Fast, and as Ill as they can. And when they have put their Affairs in this posture of Advantage, they may conclude themselves in the high Road to Wealth, and Success. For as _Fashion_ Blasphemously applies it, _Providence takes care of Men of Merit._[403] _2ly._ That when a Man is press'd, his business is not to be govern'd by Scruples, or formalize upon Conscience and Honesty. The quickest Expedients are the best; For in such cases the Occasion justifies the Means, and a Knight of the _Post_, is as good as one of the _Garter_. In the _3d._ Place it may not be improper to look a little into the _Plot_. Here the _Poet_ ought to play the Politician if ever. This part should have some stroaks, of Conduct, and strains of Invention more then ordinary. There should be something that is admirable, and unexpected to surprize the Audience. And all this Finess must work by gentle degrees, by a due preparation of _Incidents_, and by Instruments which are probable.[404] 'Tis Mr. _Rapins_ remark, that without probability _every Thing is lame and Faulty_. Where there is no pretence to _Miracle_ and _Machine_, matters must not exceed the force of Beleif. To produce effects without proportion; and likelyhood in the Cause, is Farce, and Magick, and looks more like Conjuring than Conduct. Let us examine the _Relapser_ by these Rules. To discover his _Plot_, we must lay open somewhat more of the _Fable_. 'Lord _Foplington_ a Town Beau, had agreed to Marry the Daughter of Sir. _Tun-belly Clumsey_ a Country Gentleman, who lived Fifty miles from _London_. Notwithstanding this small distance, the Lord had never seen his Mistress, nor the Knight his Son in Law. Both parties out of their great Wisdom, leave the treating the Match to _Coupler_. When all the preliminaries of Settlement were adjusted, and Lord _Foplington_ expected by Sir _Tun-belly_ in a few days, _Coupler_ betrays his Trust to _Young Fashion_. He advises him to go down before his Brother: To Counterfeit his Person, and pretend that the strength of his Inclinations brought him thither before his time, and without his Retinue. And to make him pass upon Sir _Tun-belly_, _Coupler_ gives him his _Letter_, which was to be Lord _Foplingtons_ Credential. _Young Fashion_ thus provided, posts down to Sir _Tun-belly_, is received for Lord _Foplington_, and by the help of a little Folly and Knavery in the Family, Marries the young Lady without her Fathers Knowledge, and a week before the Appointment.