case, is proved by old plays and new ones. There is a play
in the oldest-looking of the volumes I possess, called, "How to grow
Rich," which shows the style of manners in this respect forty or fifty
years ago; and I will translate the beginning of it, that you may see a
real picture of English society with your own eyes.

Mr Warford, the nephew of Mr Smalltrade, a banker, is in conversation with
Mr Plainly, the head clerk:--

"_Plainly._--Nay, do not think me curious or impertinent, Mr Warford.
I have lived so long with you and your uncle, that I cannot see you
unhappy without enquiring the cause.

"_Warford._--My uncle is himself the cause. His weakness and
credulity will undo us all.

"_Plainly._--Excuse me, sir; but I'm afraid the young lady now on a
visit at our banking-house, the charming Lady Henrietta, has she not
made a very deep impression?

"_Warford._--To confess the truth she has; and though, from my
inferior situation in life, I can never aspire to the gaining of her
affections, she may still have to thank me for saving her from ruin.

"_Plainly._--From ruin, sir?

"_Warford._--Ay; she is now on the very brink of it. When her father,
Lord Orville, went abroad for his health, he gave her a fortune of
eight thousand pounds, and left her to the care of her uncle, Sir
Thomas Roundhead. At his country seat Mr Smalltrade met with her,
and, being banker to her father, he thought it his duty to invite her
to his house.

"_Plainly._--And she had no sooner entered it than she became
acquainted with Sir Charles and Miss Dazzle? I suspect their infamous
designs.

"_Warford._--Yes, Plainly, when Miss Dazzle has robbed her of her
fortune at the gaming-table, Sir Charles is to attempt to deprive her
of her honour; but if I don't shame and expose them! Oh, think of the
heartfelt satisfaction in saving such a woman as Lady Henrietta! 'Tis
true most of her fortune is already lost, and Sir Thomas is so
offended at her conduct, that, wanting an heir to his estate, he has
adopted his god-daughter Rosa."

In the next page we are shown the mode in which banking was carried on in
country towns by persons who had the daughters of lords visiting them--who
have gone abroad for their health, and left then such uncountable heaps of
sycee silver.

"_Smalltrade._--There is nothing l