Page:Modern Literature Volume 3 (1804).djvu/54

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his employments. Hamilton knew O'Rourke too well to suppose honour could be any kind of restraint upon his actions. Originally unprincipled and profligate, he was not likely to have learned rectitude and moderation from his vagabond life, either as a strolling player or as a strolling preacher; and, indeed, the little he had heard since he fell in with his associates, entirely concurred with this view of probability. The real truth it seems was, O'Rourke, who detested his wife, had no intention to return to her, unless driven by necessity; and he found his preaching and other gifts becoming tolerably productive. His barn exhibition had, indeed, only brought him seventeen shillings and sixpence; but the tub oratory was four times that sum. The cases of conscience varying from sixpence to a crown per head, averaged nineteen