CONFESSIONS OF A TOAD-EATER. 29? 



enecl the most serious consequences. I was indefatigable in my 

 attentions to him, day and night. I procured him the most able 

 medical advice, ransacked the markets for the choicest dainties, and 

 endeavoured by every action to show that I was utterly regardless of 

 expence, or inconvenience, to add to his comforts. He expressed his 

 gratitude for my anxiety, and his fears that the sacrifices I made on 

 his account would be injurious to me, and thanked heaven for send- 

 ing him so faithful and considerate a friend to comfort him in his last 

 hours. At length he died in my arms, he breathed his last bless- 

 ing me with his latest sigh. 



For some time I was inconsolable overwhelmed with sorrow and 

 regret, and tears of grief fell from my eyes. Indeed, no other sen- 

 timent could, for some time, find its way into my bosom. I only 

 remembered his virtues, his selfishness I forgot. 



However, the affairs of life claimed my attention I was now in an 

 enviable state of affluence I could at length indulge in the benevo- 

 lence of my nature visions of what might be my future course of 

 life began to intrude. I candidly confess that the next day the feeling 

 of regret for my dead friend was somewhat alleviated by the pleasure 

 attendant on the brilliant alterations in my circumstances. I accor- 

 dingly waited on Mr. Fingerpenny, my poor deceased friend's solici- 

 tor, with whom his will was deposited, and made him acquainted 

 with my lamentable bereavement. After condoling with me, and 

 saying how highly the deceased had always spoken of me, he 

 suggested the expediency of putting my seal, with his own, on the 

 papers and effects, until after the funeral, it having been my friend's 

 particular desire that I should do so, and that the arrangements 

 should be left entirely to my management, which he had no doubt 

 the executors would find perfectly satisfactory. I found that the 

 Rev. Mr. Closeturn, and Cornelius Touchfee, Esq., M.D., of St. 

 Bartholomew's Hospital, gentlemen of the highest honour and re- 

 spectability, were appointed executors. I could not but feel this trait 

 of delicacy on the the part of my poor friend. Had he named me 

 executor, envious people might have found something to say, knowing 

 my situation with regard to him in his last moments. 



The next day, the gentlemen, with Mr. M. and myself met. After 

 regretting with me the loss, and passing a high eulogium on their 

 deceased friend, they begged me to undertake the necessary arrange- 

 ments for the funeral, provide the servants with mourning, and see 

 every thing done that was necessary. I was determined to do every 

 thing in the best manner, and told my friend Betty, the housekeeper, 

 as she had been so many years with her poor dear master, to get for 

 her mourning dress the very best bombazine she could find, and Betty 

 having remarked that a bombazine gown would not match well with 

 worsted stockings, I even went so far as to treat her with a handsome 

 pair of silk out of my own pocket. I remember, poor thing, in the 

 midst of sobbing, she asked me whether I intended keeping on the 

 house, and if so, whether I was suited with a housekeeper ? 



At length the day fixed on for the funeral arrived, when some old 

 acquaintances, the two executors, the man of the law, and the medi- 

 cal attendants, who, according to etiquette, generally squeeze them- 



M. M. No. 93. 2 Q 



