 sound intellects. At length, however, he ventured
to make Pickle acquainted with the particulars he had learn'd, imparting them
with such caution and circumlocution, as he thought necessary to prevent the
young gentleman from transgressing all bounds of temper and moderation: but, for
once, he was agreeably deceived in his prognostic. Incensed as our hero was at
the conduct of the minister, he could not help laughing at the ridiculous
aspersion, which, he told his friends, he would soon refute in a manner that
should not be very agreeable to his calumniator; observing that it was a common
practice with this state pilot, thus to slander those people to whom he lay
under obligations which he had no mind to discharge. »True it is, (said
Peregrine) he has succeeded more than once in contrivances of this kind, having
actually reduced divers people of weak heads to such extremity of despair, as
hath issued in downright distraction, whereby he was rid of their importunities,
and his judgment confirmed at the same time: but I have now (thank heaven)
attained to such a pitch of philosophical resolution, as will support me against
all his machinations; and I will forthwith exhibit the monster to the public, in
his true lineaments of craft, perfidy and ingratitude.«
    This indeed was the plan with which Mr. Pickle had amused himself during the
researches of Crabtree; and by this time it so effectually flattered his
imagination, that he believed he should be able to bring his adversary (in spite
of all his power) to his own terms of submission, by distinguishing himself in
the list of those who, at that period, wrote against the administration. Nor was
this scheme so extravagant as it may seem to be, had not he overlooked one
material circumstance, which Cadwallader himself did not recollect, when he
approved of this project.
    While he thus meditated vengeance, the fame of his disorder, in due course
of circulation, reached the ears of that lady of quality, whose memoirs have
appeared in the third volume of these adventures. The correspondence with which
she had honoured our hero had been long broke off, for the reason already
advanced, namely, his dread of being exposed to her infatuating charms. He had
been candid enough to make her acquainted with this cause of exiling himself
from her presence; and she admitted the prudence of his self-restraint, although
she could have been very well satisfied with the continuance of his intimacy and
conversation, which were not at all beneath the desire of any lady in the
kingdom. Notwithstanding this interruption, she still retained a friendship
