dered his steward one day to pay a large sum;—he was not, however, in a condition, and returned the bill. This was a severe reflection upon the young spendthrift; but he flew into a violent passion with his cashier, instead of blaming himself. He gave himself no kind of trouble to enquire into the cause; like other dissipated characters he swore some dozen oaths, and shrugging up his shoulders, ordered his cashier in a very laconic style “to provide money!”
This was good tidings for the old usurers and Jews of the city. They furnished Francis with means to continue his mad career, though on very exorbitant terms. In the eye of a creditor, a room well paved with dollars was then better security than bills upon an American house, or even upon the United Provinces. It served as a good palliative for a period; but it shortly got wind that the silver pavement had disappeared, and was replaced with one of stone. Judicial enquiry on the part of the creditors followed, and it was ascertained to be the fact. No one could deny that a floor of variegated marble, like mosaic, was more elegant for a banqueting hall, than one of old worn-out dollars; but the creditors disliking this proof of his improved taste, unanimously demanded their money. This not being paid, a commission of bankruptcy was issued against him; and forthwith an inventory
