Leſſon. Howbeit, nevertheleſs, after Prayer was over, and I was departed home, this occaſioned a Battle in the Church-yard, where, amongſt other Miſchief, the Head of a travelling Fidler was very much braken. This Morning the Fidler came to Squire Allworthy for a Warrant, and the Wench was brought before him. The Squire was inclined to have compounded Matters; when, lo! on a ſudden, the Wench appeared (I aſk your Ladyſhip Pardon) to be, as it were at the Eve of bringing forth a Baſtard. The Squire demanded of her who was the Father; but ſhe pertinaciouſly refuſed to make any Reſponſe. So that he was about to make her Mittimus to Bridewel, when I departed.’
‘And is a Wench having a Baſtard all your news, Doctor?’ cries Weſtern. ‘I thought it might have been ſome public Matter, ſomething about the Nation.’
‘I am afraid it is too common, indeed,’ anſwered the Parſon, ‘but I thought the whole Story all together deſerved commemorating. As to National Matters, your Worſhip knows them beſt. My‘Con-
