Bob: Igad I have more humour than Foot a thousand times; and I’ll lay a Chaldron of Guineas to a Nutshell that my Pantomime, is a better thing than his Taste. I think I have some Fun in me demme.
Hyd: This Mr. Pasquin is the Noted Sr. Conjecture Possitive; a Gentleman who was never in an Error in his Life,— consequently cou’d never be convinced. Sr. he understands Politics and Butterflies, Whale fishing and Cricket, Fortification and Shittle Cock; Poetry and Wolf Dogs; in short ev’ry thing, in ev’ry Art and Science, from a Pins Head, to the Longitude & Philosopher’s Stone, better than any Man in Europe.
Sr. Con: O Fye, Mr. Hydra, you are too lavish, Mr. Pasquin will think you are imposing upon him.
Hyd: Sir, he has such Segacity and Penetration that he can decypher a Lady’s Affections, or a Statesman’s Heart by a glance of the Eye; and has such profound critical Knowledge that he can pronounce upon a New Play the Moment he has heard the first Speech of it.
Sr. Con: Mr. Hydra is apt to think too well of his Friends Abilities Mr. Pasquin;— it is his Foible; But however, I have some knowledge— I am not in the common herd of Critics. I can give a tollerable Guess at most of the Productions in Art and Nature.
Pas: I believe it Sir; for your Mein, & Countenance, Dress and mannor of speaking, are an Index of Sagacity and Penetration.
Sr. Con: I shall give you my Opinion very freely; I know you intend to bring on some particular Characters from Our End of the Town— Capt. Crimp— Match Count Hunt-Bubble & that Knot— To be sure they are all Sharpers, and deserve to be exposed— but, they are what are called Men of Fashion— You had better let them alone— they are a Nest of Hornets— You may be Stung to death by them— they’ll damn your Piece if they can do nothing else
Enter Miss Bashfull.
Pas: Sir, I thank you for your Caution— I shall Act with Prudence.
Hyd: This, Sir, is Miss Bashfull, who is under the Tuition of Miss Brilliant, A Novice at present, but will in Time make a Shining Figure— For She’s a Genius— but not ripe yet.