The gentleman next in esteem and authority among us, is another bachelor, who is a member of the _Inner-Temple_; a man of great probity, wit, and understanding; but he has chosen his place of residence rather to obey the direction of an old humoursome father, than in pursuit of his own inclinations. He was placed there to study the laws of the land, and is the most learned of any of the house in those of the stage. _Aristotle_ and _Longinus_ are much better understood by him than _Littleton_ or _Coke_. The father sends up every post questions relating to marriage-articles, leases, and tenures, in the neighbourhood; all which questions he agrees with an attorney to answer and take care of in the lump. He is studying the passions themselves, when he should be inquiring into the debates among men which arise from them. He knows the argument of each of the orations of _Demosthenes_ and _Tully_, but not one case in the reports of our own courts. No one ever took him for a fool, but none, except his intimate friends, know he has a great deal of wit. This turn makes him at once both disinterested and agreeable: As few of his thoughts are drawn from business, they are most of them fit for conversation. His taste of books is a little too just for the age he lives in; he has read all, but approves of very few. His familiarity with the customs, manners, actions, and writings of the ancients, makes him a very delicate observer of what occurs to him in the present world. He is an excellent critick, and the time of the play is his hour of business; exactly at five he passes through _New-Inn_, crosses through _Russel-Court_, and takes a turn at _Will_'s until the play begins; he has his shoes rubbed and his periwig powdered at the barber's as you go into the _Rose_. It is for the good of the audience when he is at a play, for the actors have an ambition to please him.