We both contended for an absolute empire over him.

Whatever Ambition suggested, I damped.

Did Ambition urge him to begin a book, I persuaded him it was not worth publication.

Did he get up, full of knowledge, and instigated by my rival, to make a speech (for he was in parliament), I shocked him with the sense of his assurance, I made his voice droop and his accents falter.

At last, with an indignant sigh, my rival left him; he retired into the country, took orders, and renounced a career he had fondly hoped would be serviceable to others; but finding I did not suffice for his happiness, and piqued at his melancholy, I left him before the end of the year, and he has since taken to drinking!" The eyes of the Virtues were all turned to Prudence.