himself and the rest of his company, was answered that his engagement was _to preach the gospel_. The captain at the intercession of the party, permitted the desired absence for a pastime not very usual among soldiers. Mr. Scribble would have opened an argument to prove that such preachers might do more harm than good, but found no one disposed either to refute his reasonings, or listen to his wisdom. The party being engaged to dine with the Mortimers, Mr. Scribble was asked. The fish consisted of turbot and foals. Here Dicky had, or at least took, an opportunity of holding forth upon ichthyology, which learned term, he in deference to the ladies, explained, and endeavoured to account for the scarcity of cod, haddocks, &c. on the coast of Sussex. He informed the company that he thought very little of Buffon’s Natural History, and that he had thoughts of writing on the subject himself, to detect and expose the other, and to remedy his defects. “It is a pleasing and instructive subject, but has never been hitherto properly treated, that is one of the _desiderata_ in literature, which I am afraid it will be reserved for myself to fill.” “There are so many chasms,” said Hamilton, “which your benevolence proposes to supply, that I am apprehensive you will hardly be able to bear the laborious task.” “Oh! I have a very strong mind. One work much wanting is a history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. You, sir,” appealing to Dr. Wentbridge, “will admit that Gibbon’s religion is not of the best.” “Most readily,” replied the doctor. “In his views and arrangement,” rejoined Dicky “I will demonstrate that he is extremely defective, that he is narrow, uncomprehensive, and confused.” “The eviction of such a proposition, would convey a new truth to my mind,” said the doctor; “but so important a subject requires a written treatise.” “That I intend.” “Have you written any thing historical, sir?” “O, yes, from authentic records and documents that I found in an old chest near Glastonbury-abbey, I composed in seven volumes, quarto, a true, and impartial, history of Jack the Giant-killer, including cotemporary heroes. I have the satisfaction to say before this good company, that more profound views of human nature are no where to be found, but envy, that corrosive passion, blasted the tree at its birth, else it would have been a goodly child, which in its mature vigour, would have reflected honour on its happy and delighted parent. How do you like my figure?” “Very much,” said Hamilton, “it is very fine, and for mixture, Burke himself mixes.” “Perhaps you mean that as a compliment, my good friend,” said Scribble, who during dinner had drank wine with every individual in the company, and afterwards had not been sparing, “but I do not think very highly of him. On any subject that he has undertaken, I will undertake to write better. Name the subject, it is all one to Scribble. I have in agitation a new theory