The first act of this popular farce is very properly a dinner, which in all public transactions ought to precede every other business.[58] The scene is laid in a country town, at an inn, which in these piping times of peace is kept open for the friends of the Court candidate. All the party, except the divine and the mayor, have ended their repast; but episcopal dignity, or prætorian distinction, gives a right to more indulgence than is allowed to the unhallowed multitude.
The highly polished and accomplished gentleman[59] who aspires to the honour of a seat in the British senate demands our first notice. He has what an Hibernian would call a face of much promise. His dress, air, and grace proclaim that he has travelled. Pope has described him exactly as if he had sat for the picture:
"He saunter'd Europe round,
And gathered every vice on Christian ground,
Saw every court, heard every king declare
His royal sense of operas, or the fair.—
See now half-cured, and perfectly well-bred,
With nothing but a solo in his head,
As much estate, and principle, and wit,
As Jansen, Fleetwood, Cibber, shall think fit;