was astonished at the change of his dress which was varied in
half-an-hour from what I have already described to a very grotesque
fashion. His head was covered with an old smoke tie-wig that did not
boast one crooked hair, and a slouched hat over it, which would have
very well become a chimney-sweeper, or a dustman; his neck was adorned
with a black crape, the ends of which he had twisted, and fixed in the
button-hole of a shabby greatcoat that wrapped up his whole body; his
white silk stockings were converted into black worsted hose: and his
countenance was rendered venerable by wrinkles, and a beard of his
own painting. When I expressed my surprise at this metamorphosis, he
laughed, and told me it was done by the advice and assistance of a
friend, who lived over the way, and would certainly produce something
very much to his advantage; for it gave him the appearance of age, which
never fails of attracting respect. I applauded his sagacity, and waited
with impatience for the effects of it. At length he was called in; but
whether the oddness of his appearance excited a curiosity more than
small in the board, or his behaviour was not suitable to his figure, I
know not, he was discovered to be an imposter, and put into the hands of
the beadle in order to be sent to Bridewell. So that instead of seeing
him come out with a cheerful countenance, and a surgeon's qualification
in his hand, I perceived him led through the outer hall as a prisoner;
and was very much alarmed, and anxious to know the occasion; when he
called with a lamentable voice, and a piteous aspect to me, and some
others who know him, "For God's sake, gentlemen bear witness that I am
the same individual John Jackson who served as surgeon's second mate on
board the Elizabeth, or else I shall go to Bridewell!"

It would have been impossible for the most austere hermit that ever
lived to have refrained from laughing at his appearance and address: we
therefore indulged ourselves a good while at his expense, and afterwards
pleaded his cause so effectually with the beadle who was gratified with
half-a-crown, that the prisoner was dismissed, and in a few moments
renewed his former gaiety--swearing, since the board had refused his
money, he would spend every shilling before he went to bed, in treating
his friends; at the same time inviting us all to favour him with our
company. It was now ten o'clock at night, and, as I had a great way to
walk through streets that wer