This is a portion of what the writer calls “a series of the most singular and mysterious events,” commenced January 29,1791.  It is perhaps a romance of real life, although there is something in it beyond probability—­but nothing impossible.  Our student is at first almost cut by an acquaintance for neglecting to notice him in the park, when in fact he was not in the park:  the hall butler of the Temple proves by the parchment that he dined there four days of term, when he was sick, and some distance from town:  next he is cut by a second acquaintance for not recognising him at a masquerade:  then a similar affair occurs with a beautiful girl in ----- square; at the Theatre; and on the Serpentine.  He is next recognised by an old friend at a gaming-table, who mentions the sale of an estate there for his last stake, which property our student really had sold, though under different circumstances; and then rejected by his chere amie for a slight which he never offered.  The last event or link of this mysterious chain is familiarly narrated as follows:—­

In returning one morning from Westminster, as I was passing through one of those small courts between Essex-street and Norfolk-street, (for of late I had sought the most retired ways,) I observed that two persons, of rather mean appearance, seemed to be dogging my footsteps.  Uneasy at this circumstance, I hastened directly on to my chambers.  I had, however, scarcely seated myself, when my servant informed me that two men wished to speak to me.  On being admitted, they told me that they were officers of the police, and that they had a warrant to arrest me on a charge of felony.  Surprise at the moment prevented my speaking; but as soon as I recovered myself I offered to accompany them to the magistrate.  He was sitting, and the witnesses being in attendance, my examination took place immediately.  A young man, of gentleman-like address, swore, that on the preceding evening he had been induced by one of his friends to visit one of the gambling-houses in the Haymarket—­that he there saw me both playing and betting very rashly—­that I appeared to be losing—­that at length I quitted the room, and that soon afterwards his friend and himself followed.  Now came the accusation.  He swore, that just as he was leaving the door he felt some person drawing his purse from his pocket—­that he immediately pursued the man, and at the corner of Jermyn-street seized me. That at first I submitted, and he dragged me to one of the lamps, and there most distinctly saw my countenance, when at that moment, by some piece of adroitness, which he could not explain, I slipped from his grasp, and instantly disappeared.  His friend corroborated the story.  The magistrate, after cautioning me, and expressing his regret at seeing a person of my appearance before him, asked me whether I wished to say any thing in my defence, I answered that I was the victim of some secret and devilish conspiracy, and that I would prove