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you of a loss which I personally suffered before I left England, and for which I was not a little laughed at amongst my acquaintance—
"I happened to go, after a theatrical representation in London, to a general rendezvous for refreshment in the neighbourhood of the play-house: whilst I was at supper, there came into my box a person in a state of great agitation and distress.—His appearance bespoke the utmost poverty, and I was therefore not a little surprized to see him pull out of his pocket a time-piece, of great beauty, set round with precious stones, which he offered to sell me just at any price I would set upon it, adding, that nothing but finding an immediate purchaser could save himself and an infant family from destruction. I excused myself, by saying, that I hoped he would not think I meant to insult him by any suspicion of his honesty, but that common prudence, as well as justice to others, inspired a reasonable restraint in such a case upon the most charitable feelings.
