 plan of seeing the south of France, together with the
seaports of Spain, as far as Cadiz, from whence he proposed to take a passage
for London by sea, and with this view, sent forwards his trunks by the diligence
to Lyons, determined to ride post, in order to enjoy a better view of the
country, and for the conveniency of stopping at those places where there was any
thing remarkable to be seen or enquired into. While he was employed in taking
leave of his Parisian friends, who furnished him with abundant recommendation, a
gentleman of his own country, who spoke little or no French, hearing of his
intention, begged the favour of accompanying him in his expedition.
    With this new companion, therefore, he set out for Lyons, where he was
perfectly well received by the intendant and some of the best families of the
place, in consequence of his letters of recommendation; and after a short stay
in that city, proceeded down the Rhone, to Avignon, in what is called the coche
d'eau; then visiting the principal towns of Dauphiné, Languedoc and Provence, he
returned to the delightful city of Marseilles, where he and his fellow traveller
were so much captivated by the serenity of the air, the good nature and
hospitality of the sprightly inhabitants, that they never dreamed of changing
their quarters, during the whole winter, and part of the spring. Here he
acquired the acquaintance of the marquis D'Argens, attorney-general in the
parliament of Aix, and of his eldest son, who now makes so great a figure in the
literary world; and when the affair of father Girard and madamoiselle Cadiere
began to make a noise, he accompanied these two gentlemen to Toulon, where the
marquis was ordered to take precognition of the facts.
    On his return to Marseilles, he found a certain noble lord of great fortune,
under the direction of a Swiss governor, who had accommodated him with two of
his own relations, of the same country, by way of companions, together with five
servants in his train. They being absolute strangers in the place, M--
introduced them to the intendant, and several other good families; and had the
good fortune to be so agreeable to his lordship, that he proposed, and even
pressed him to live with him in England, as a friend and companion; and to take
upon him the superintendance of his affairs, in which case, he would settle upon
him four hundred a year for life.
    This proposal was too advantageous to be slighted by a person of no fortune,
or fixed establishment;
