give you in my following letter, which will be, I hope, of use to shew
how ill he forms his schemes, who expects happiness without freedom.

_I am, &c._

_The Misery of depending upon the Great._

RAMBLER, NO. 27.

1. As it is natural for every man to think himself of importance, your
knowledge of the world will incline you to forgive me, if I imagine your
curiosity so much excited by the former part of my narration, as to make
you desire that I should proceed without any unnecessary arts of
connection. I shall, therefore, not keep you longer in such suspence, as
perhaps my performance may not compensate.

2. In the gay company with which I was now united, I found those
allurements and delights, which the friendship of young men always
affords; there was that openness which naturally produced confidence,
and that ardour of profession which excited hope.

3. When our hearts were dilated with merriment, promises were poured out
with unlimited profusion, and life and fortune were but a scanty
sacrifice to friendship; but when the hour came, at which any effort was
to be made, I had generally the vexation to find, that my interest
weighed nothing against the slightest amusement, and that every petty
avocation was found a sufficient plea for continuing me in uncertainty
and want.

4. Their kindness was indeed sincere, when they promised they had no
intention to deceive; but the same juvenile warmth which kindled their
benevolence, gave force in the same proportion to every other passion,
and I was forgotten as soon as any new pleasure seized on their
attention.

5. _Vagrio_ told me one evening, that all my perplexities should soon be
at an end, and desired me, from that instant, to throw upon him all care
of my fortune, for a post of considerable value was that day become
vacant, and he knew his interest sufficient to procure it in the
morning. He desired me to call on him early, that he might be dressed
soon enough to wait upon the minister before any other application
should be made.

6. I came as he appointed, with all the flame of gratitude, and was told
by his servant, that having found at his lodgings, when he came home, an
acquaintance who was going to travel, he had been persuaded to accompany
him to Dover, and that they had taken post-horses two hours before day.

7. I was once very near to preferment by the kindness of _Charinus_;
who, at my request, went to beg a place, which he thought me lik