Brown was finally obliged to leave the University, and went up to London to seek his fortune. The unpromising and reckless spirit in which he set out, is probably reflected in one of his pieces entitled "A Dialogue between two Oxford scholars."
A. Well, I see thou art resolved to leave us. I will not say, "Go, and be hanged," but go and turn country parson.
B. That's almost as bad, as the world goes now. But thanks to my stars, I know a better trick than that.
A. It may be thou art fallen out with mankind, and intendest to turn quack; or as they call it in the country, doctor.
B. No such matter; the French can kill men fast enough, and for women thou knowest my kindness.
A. But some of them have lived too long; and there are others so miserable, that even compassion will incline thee to help them out of the world. I can assure thee 'tis a profitable calling; for whether thou dost kill or cure, thy fees will be put in thy hand.
B. Yes, when they are found. But, prithee, speak no more of it, for I am resolved against it.
A. What, then, art thou resolv'd for the law? Methinks thou should'st have too much University learning and wit for that profession—
B. And too much honesty. But I'll spare thee the pains of guessing, and tell thee in short what my condition is, and what I design. My portion is all spent—save fifty pounds; and with that I am resolved for London or some other wealthy place, where conventicles abound: and as a man of tender conscience and infinitely dissatisfied with several things in the Church of England, I will endeavour by some means or other to force myself into an acquaintance with some of their leading men, and more especially with some of the most zealous and wonderful women among them; and this point once gained, I doubt not, but before my stock is half spent, I shall receive a call to be pastor or holder-forth in some congregation or other—why dost smile?
A. At my friend's design. And I cannot but admire how it came into thy head. Thy ability to manage such a design I know very well; but how thou wilt dispense with the knavery of it, I am yet to learn.