The following stanzas have no other heading than the pathetic words: “On this day I complete my forty-sixth year.” A friend who was with him at the time, made the following entry in his Dunn and Duncan’s diary: “This morning Mr. Briefless came from his bedroom into the apartment where Mr. Dunup and some other friends were sitting, and said, with a smile, ‘You were remarking the other day that I never draw any pleadings now. This is my birthday, and I have just finished something which I think is better than I usually write.’ He then produced these noble and affecting verses;—
’Tis time that I should be removed,
And the position I can prove.
For since by me there’s nothing moved,
I’d better move.
My gown is in the yellow leaf,
The curls from out my wig are gone,
The bands, the stock, the dummy brief,
Are mine alone.
The debts that on my bosom prey,