She declared above board that Ayrtoun never did much more than raise passions which he could not sufficiently gratify, and that, however the world might condemn or censure her upon the matter being disclosed, he only was to blame, for that if he had been what he ought to be, she would have remained virtuous.

If this declaration was vexatious, it was at the same time, as before observed, honest. Ayrtoun from demonstration could not deny the charge; and, therefore, making allowances for all things, he agreed to let the matter not only remain a secret, but to indulge his wife in a continuance of her amour, upon two conditions — first, that she would allow him to be a constant witness to her pleasures; and, second, that in succession to her more favourite lover she would as constantly consent to his less vigorous caresses. And the fact is, that to this day the scene, unknown to any but the three performers, is carried on without intermission.

Deborah fortunately took her flight to Kingdom-come, and the young woman in the "straw," who from jealousy wrote the anonymous letter, has gone into Scotland, of which country she was a native, and where for her own sake she will be silent upon a subject which she could only have known from an intimacy that involved her own shame, namely, from William, him who at that time boasted from vanity what he now from interest conceals.

THE HOBGOBLIN

A young man lately in our town,

He went to bed one night,

He had no sooner laid him down,

But was troubled with a sprite;

So vigorously the spirit stood,

Let him do what he can,

Sure then, he said,

It must be laid,