tainment. The young people agreed that the performers were
detestable, but that the play was a charming piece, full of wit and
sentiment, and extremely improving. This play was called _The Marriage
of Figaro_, and Master Compton had informed them that it was amazingly
admired by all the people of fashion in London.

But Mr Merton, who had observed that Harry was totally silent, at length
insisted upon knowing his opinion upon the subject, "Why, sir," answered
Harry, "I am very little judge of these matters, for I never saw a play
before in my life, and therefore I cannot tell whether it was acted well
or ill; but as to the play itself, it seemed to me to be full of nothing
but cheating and dissimulation; and the people that come in and out do
nothing but impose upon each other, and lie, and trick, and deceive.
Were you or any gentlemen to have such a parcel of servants, you would
think them fit for nothing in the world; and therefore I could not help
wondering, while the play was acting, that people would throw away so
much of their time upon sights that can do them no good, and send their
children and their relations to learn fraud and insincerity." Mr Merton
smiled at the honest bluntness of Harry; but several of the ladies, who
had just been expressing an extravagant admiration of this piece, seemed
to be not a little mortified; however, as they could not contradict the
charges which Harry had brought against it, they thought it most prudent
to be silent.

In the evening it was proposed that all the little gentry should divert
themselves with cards, and they accordingly sat down to a game which is
called Commerce. But Harry, who was totally ignorant of this
accomplishment, desired to be excused; however, his friend Miss Simmons
offered to teach him the game, which, she assured him, was so easy, that
in three minutes he would be able to play as well as the rest. Harry,
however, still continued to refuse; and at last confessed to Miss
Simmons, that he had expended all his money the day before, and
therefore was unable to furnish the stake which the rest deposited.
"Don't let that disturb you," said she; "I will put down for you with a
great deal of pleasure." "Madam," answered Harry, "I am very much
obliged to you, I am sure; but Mr Barlow has always forbidden me either
to receive or borrow money of anybody, for fear, in the one case, I
should become mercenary, or in the other, dishonest; and therefore,
though there i