Those turbulent emotions which the scene I had just come from being witness of had rais'd in me, being somewhat quieted by air and walking, I had the curiosity to call in at another great coffee-house, hoping I should find there something to give a turn to the present disposition of my mind.

But I found that the remains of my ill-humour were not to be so soon dissipated as I had imagined. – Here was indeed a vast deal of company, – clerks in public offices, – lawyers, – physicians, – tradesmen, and some few divines, composed the promiscuous assembly; but all were engag'd on the same dirty draggle-tail subject, as one of our news-writers justly terms it, the names of Betty Canning, the Gipsey, and mother Wells, resounded from each quarter of the crouded room, and the cause then depending between these creatures made the whole conversation at every table.

Here I would not be at the trouble of opening my Tablets, easily perceiving that nothing worthy of being recorded in them, or of communicating to the public, was likely to ensue; and also that the smallest part of time I should waste in this company would be paying too dear for any discourses I should hear from them.

Accordingly I left the house after having staid there about seven minutes; but had not reach'd the next street before a confused noise behind obliged me to stand up in the porch of a door 'till the hubbub was pass'd by.

The occasion of this uproar presently appear'd; – it was a poor fellow carried on a bier, with very little signs of life in him, – his face cover'd with blood which issued from his nose and mouth, – his cloaths torn that the naked flesh appear'd in many places; but so deform'd with bruises that it could scarce be known for what it was; – a mix'd rabble of men, women and children follow'd, shouting, hallooing, and crying, – it was good enough for him, – and that they were glad he had got his reward.