. Nor did our hero wait a long time for an illustration of this odd
character. Every sentence he spoke was replete with gall; nor did his satire
consist in general reflections, but in a series of remarks, which had been made
through the medium of a most whimsical peculiarity of opinion.
    Among those who were present at this assembly was a young officer, who
having by dint of interest obtained a seat in the lower house, thought it
incumbent upon him to talk of affairs of state; and accordingly regaled the
company with an account of a secret expedition which the French were busied in
preparing; assuring them, that he had it from the mouth of the minister, to whom
it had been transmitted by one of his agents abroad. In descanting upon the
particulars of the armament, he observed, that they had twenty ships of the
line, ready manned and victualled at Brest, which were destined for Toulon,
where they would be joined by as many more; and from thence proceed to the
execution of their scheme, which he imparted as a secret not fit to be divulged.
    This piece of intelligence being communicated to all the company, except Mr.
Crabtree, who suffered by his loss of hearing, that cynic was soon after
accosted by a lady, who, by means of an artificial alphabet, formed by a certain
conjunction and disposition of the fingers, asked if he had heard any
extraordinary news of late? Cadwallader, with his usual complaisance, replied,
that he supposed she took him for a courier or spy, by teizing him eternally
with that question. He then expatiated upon the foolish curiosity of mankind,
which, he said, must either proceed from idleness or want of ideas; and repeated
almost verbatim the officer's information, as a vague ridiculous report,
invented by some ignorant coxcomb, who wanted to give himself airs of
importance, and believed only by those who were utterly unacquainted with the
politics and strength of the French nation.
    In confirmation of what he had advanced, he endeavoured to demonstrate how
impossible it must be for that people to fit out even the third part of such a
navy, so soon after the losses they had sustained during the war; and confirmed
his proof by asserting, that, to his certain knowledge, the harbours of Brest
and Toulon could not at that time produce a squadron of eight ships of the line.
    The member, who was an utter stranger to this misanthrope, hearing his own
asseverations treated with such contempt, glowed with confusion and resentment,
and raising his voice, began to defend his own veracity with great eagerness and
