own necessities. The best
actions are, alas! often misconstrued in this world; and we are now
about to record a remarkable instance of that melancholy truth.

One evening MacGrawler, having "moistened his virtue" in the same manner
that the great Cato is said to have done, in the confusion which such a
process sometimes occasions in the best regulated heads, gave Paul what
appeared to him the outline of a certain article which he wished to be
slashingly filled up, but what in reality was the following note from
the editor of a monthly periodical:--

SIR,--Understanding that my friend, Mr.---, proprietor of "The
Asinaeum," allows the very distinguished writer whom you have introduced
to the literary world, and who signs himself "Nobilitas," only five
shillings an article, I beg, through you, to tender him double that sum.
The article required will be of an ordinary length.

I am, sir, etc.,

Now, that very morning, MacGrawler had informed Paul of this offer,
altering only, from the amiable motives we have already explained, the
sum of ten shillings to that of four; and no sooner did Paul read
the communication we have placed before the reader than, instead
of gratitude to MacGrawler for his consideration of Paul's moral
infirmities, he conceived against that gentleman the most bitter
resentment. He did not, however, vent his feelings at once upon the
Scotsman,--indeed, at that moment, as the sage was in a deep sleep
under the table, it would have been to no purpose had he unbridled his
indignation,--but he resolved without loss of time to quit the abode of
the critic. "And, indeed," said he, soliloquizing, "I am heartily tired
of this life, and shall be very glad to seek some other employment.
Fortunately, I have hoarded up five guineas and four shillings; and with
that independence in my possession, since I have forsworn gambling, I
cannot easily starve."

To this soliloquy succeeded a misanthropical revery upon the
faithlessness of friends; and the meditation ended in Paul's making up a
little bundle of such clothes, etc., as Dummie had succeeded in removing
from the Mug, and which Paul had taken from the rag-merchant's abode one
morning when Dummie was abroad.

When this easy task was concluded, Paul wrote a short and upbraiding
note to his illustrious preceptor, and left it unsealed on the table.
He then, upsetting the ink-bottle on MacGrawler's sleeping countenance,
departed from the house, and strolled away