Early in the first volume we are introduced to Wilkes and Doctor Johnson:  this is rather a hazardous experiment of the author, but is executed with success.  Atherton, the hero, is then a city apprentice.  These were the days of Wilkes and Liberty, and Atherton, through his protracted attachment to the cause, is locked out by his master, John Bryant.

* * * * *

As Atherton stood absorbed in thought at the eastern side of Temple Bar, he was wakened from his reverie by two gentlemen coming through the gate and talking somewhat loudly.  One of them was a ponderous, burly figure of rolling and shuffling gait puffing like a grampus, and at his side staggered or skipped along a younger, slenderer person, who hung swingingly and uncertainly on the arm of his elderly companion.  The older of the two was growling out something of a reproof to his unsteady companion, who flourished his arm as with the action of an orator and hiccupped according to the best of his then ability something like apology or vindication.  The effect of this action was to throw him off his balance, to unlock his arm from his more steady supporter and to send himself with a hopping reel off the pavement.  To a dead certainty he would have deposited his unsober self in the kennel had he not been kindly and vigorously intercepted in his fall by the ready assistance of Frank Atherton.  At the ludicrous figure which his staggering friend now made the older gentleman burst into a roar of laughter which might have been heard from Charing Cross to St. Paul’s; but suddenly checking himself he mournfully shook his head saying, “Oh Bozzy, Bozzy, this is too bad.”

Frank, having no other occupation, was ready enough to offer his assistance towards guiding and propping the intoxicated gentleman; for it seemed to be a task rather too hard for the sober one to manage by himself.

“I am sorry to take you out of your way;” said the old gentleman to Atherton.

“You cannot easily do that,” replied Frank, “I have no particular destination at present.  My way lies in one direction as well as in another.”

“Do I understand you rightly?” asked the stranger, “Are you indeed a houseless, homeless wanderer.”

“I cannot justly call myself a homeless wanderer,” said Frank, “but my master has just now closed his doors on me and I have no other home at present than the streets.”

“’Tis bad, ’tis bad,” said the gentleman, “you or your master has much to answer for.  But I’ll take care you shall not want a shelter for the present.  I will not have upon my conscience the guilt of suffering you to roam about the streets all night, if I can prevent it.”

Frank was of a grateful disposition, and was so much struck with the considerate kindness of the old gentleman that he ardently exclaimed, “Sir, I shall be infinitely obliged to you.”

“Nay, nay,” replied the stranger, “you speak profanely.  You cannot be infinitely obliged to any man.”