
trepidation, mingling with his arguments many blustering invectives against the
insolence and ill manners of his supposed contradictor, who sat with the most
mortifying composure of countenance, till the officer's patience was quite
exhausted; and then, to the manifest increase of his vexation, he was informed,
that his antagonist was so deaf, that, in all probability, the last trumpet
would make no impression upon him, without a previous renovation of his organs.
 

                                 Chapter LXXVII

He cultivates an Acquaintance with the Misanthrope, who favours him with a short
Sketch of his own History
 
Peregrine was extremely well pleased at this occasional rebuke, which occurred
so seasonably, that he could scarce believe it accidental. He looked upon
Cadwallader as the greatest curiosity he had ever known, and cultivated the old
man's acquaintance with such insinuating address, that in less than a fortnight
he obtained his confidence; and as they one day walked into the fields together,
the Manhater disclos'd himself, in these words: »Tho' the term of our
communication has been but short, you must have perceived, that I treat you with
uncommon marks of regard; which, I assure you, is not owing to your personal
accomplishments, nor the pains you take to oblige me; for the first I overlook,
and the last I see through: but there is something in your disposition which
indicates a rooted contempt for the world, and I understand you have made some
successful efforts, in exposing one part of it to the ridicule of the other. It
is upon this assurance, that I offer you my advice and assistance, in
prosecuting other schemes of the same nature; and to convince you that such an
alliance is not to be rejected, I will now give you a short sketch of my
history, which will be published after my death, in forty-seven volumes of my
own compiling.
    I was born about forty miles from this place, of parents who having a very
old family-name to support, bestowed their whole fortune on my elder brother; so
that I inherited of my father little else than a large share of choler, to which
I am indebted for a great many adventures that did not always end to my
satisfaction. At the age of eighteen I was sent up to town, with a
recommendation to a certain peer, who found means to amuse me with the promise
of a commission, for seven whole years; and 'tis odds but I should have made my
fortune by my perseverance, had not I been arrested, and thrown into the
Marshalsea by my landlord, on whose credit I had
