and Hamiltons return to London._ Page 159 CHAP. XVII. _Hamilton resumes his literary Pursuits: engages in Criticism. Indulgence of young and gallant Reviewers to fair Writers. Miss Lacecap, the Milliner, brings a Novel for Hamilton’s Inspection. Her Reason for writing. Story of the Maze of Marbles taken from Pyramid and Thisby. Praises of Sentiment. Remarks on the Word “Error.” Introduction of the Marvellous to English Works of Amusement._ Page 197 CHAP. XVIII. _Hamilton engages in a great Work. John Mortimer obtains an Appointment on the Continent. Hamden arrives in Town, and renews his Addresses to Maria. He conceives that Hamilton is to become the Husband of Miss Primrose. She and her Mother entertain the same Opinion. The Countess of Cockatrice promotes this Report. Her Ladyship’s Reasons. Motives, Objects, and progressive Rise of a Toad-Eater, illustrated in the Case of Mrs. Dicky. She is employed by the Countess of Cockatrice, to prevent the Marriage between Hamilton and Maria. Countess of Cockatrice proposes to give a Masquerade, and instructs the Toad-Eater for the Occasion. Dinner-Party at Mrs. Dicky’s. She sees Masks in the Evening. The Masquerade. The Labours of the Countess and the Toad-Eater rendered abortive._ Page 225 CHAP. XIX. _Interview of Hamilton with Doctor Scribble and Mr. Lawhunt. Scribble praises German Literature; and imputes his own super-eminent Excellence to his Imitation of Germans. Mr. Lawhunt’s Account of his own Avocations. Scheme of Dr. Scribble and him for naturalizing German Plays and Novels. A Specimen of one of these Works translated by Dr. Scribble. Hurlobothrumbo, a Tragedy, with Music, Ghosts, Ghouls, &c. Farther Samples of German Literature. New Mode of making Love. Friendly Condescension of an Earthquake. Specimens of the Morality of German Plays. Apprehensions of Lawhunt from Visitors worse than Ghosts. Hasty Departure. Our Hero meets Strongbrain. William’s Estimate of Dr. Scribble._ Page 265 CHAP. XX. _Interview between Hamilton and Hamden. Hamilton unbosoms himself. Liberal and generous Conduct of Sir Edward. The Baronet undertakes to conciliate the elder Mortimers. Disappointment and Regret of these Gentlemen, but they at length consent. Preparations for the Marriage of Hamilton and Maria. Schemes of the Countess of Cockatrice for preventing the Nuptials. Agents of Defamation. Blackball undertakes a Chain of slanderous Paragraphs against Maria. Defamation. Skilful Progression of Calumny. Discovered by Hamilton. With the Assistance of Sir Edward he pursues and ferrets the Author, whom full Confession respites from the Pillory. Hamilton is united to his Maria._ Page 301 MODERN LITERATURE. CHAPTER X.