e necessity would quickly return.

At last he quitted the house of his friend, and returned to his lodgings
at the inn, still intending to set out in a few days for London, but
on the 10th of January, 1742-3, having been at supper with two of his
friends, he was at his return to his lodgings arrested for a debt of
about eight pounds, which he owed at a coffee-house, and conducted to
the house of a sheriff's officer. The account which he gives of this
misfortune, in a letter to one of the gentlemen with whom he had supped,
is too remarkable to be omitted.

"It was not a little unfortunate for me, that I spent yesterday's
evening with you; because the hour hindered me from entering on my
new lodging; however, I have now got one, but such an one as I believe
nobody would choose.

"I was arrested at the suit of Mrs. Read, just as I was going upstairs
to bed, at Mr. Bowyer's; but taken in so private a manner, that I
believe nobody at the White Lion is apprised of it; though I let the
officers know the strength, or rather weakness, of my pocket, yet they
treated me with the utmost civility; and even when they conducted me to
confinement, it was in such a manner, that I verily believe I could have
escaped, which I would rather be ruined than have done, notwithstanding
the whole amount of my finances was but threepence halfpenny.

"In the first place, I must insist that you will industriously conceal
this from Mrs. S---s, because I would not have her good nature suffer
that pain which I know she would be apt to feel on this occasion.

"Next, I conjure you, dear sir, by all the ties of friendship, by no
means to have one uneasy thought on my account; but to have the same
pleasantry of countenance, and unruffled serenity of mind, which (God
be praised!) I have in this, and have had in a much severer calamity.
Furthermore, I charge you, if you value my friendship as truly as I do
yours, not to utter, or even harbour, the least resentment against Mrs.
Read. I believe she has ruined me, but I freely forgive her; and
(though I will never more have any intimacy with her) I would, at a due
distance, rather do her an act of good than ill-will. Lastly (pardon
the expression), I absolutely command you not to offer me any pecuniary
assistance nor to attempt getting me any from any one of your friends.
At another time, or on any other occasion, you may, dear friend, be well
assured I would rather write to you in the submissive style of