, are the very last Man upon Earth, to whom I would apply, or from whom I would deign to accept Relief.
But if, on the other Hand, it should please GOD, hereafter, to visit your Hard-heartedness with Affliction and Poverty; and that I, like the Son of the Black-Smith, in the Days of our eighth
Harry,
should stand next the Throne in Dignity and Honours; you will then find me desirous of making you all Sorts of Submissions, you will then find the dutifullest, the fondest, and tenderest of Children, in,
SIR,
Your little known and much injured,
Hammel Clement.
Having thus vented the Gusts and Feelings of my Heart, I began, seriously, to think of the Course I ought to take; and considered
London
as the Sphere in which a Luminary would appear with the greatest Lustre.
I discharged my Servant. Sold my two Geldings. Disposed of my Room, my Furniture, and most of my Books. And, having mustered somewhat upward of three hundred and fifty Pounds, I lodged the ��300 with a
Cambridge
Dealer, from whom I took Bills on his Correspondent in
London;
and set out, on my Expedition, in the first Stage.
I took cheap Lodgings, near
Charing-Cross;
I was, altogether unknowing and unknown in that great City; and, reflecting that a hidden Treasure cannot be duely estimated, I daily frequented
Markham
's Coffee-House, amidst a promiscuous Resort of Swords-men, Literati, Beaus, and Politicians.
Here, happening to distinguish myself, on a few Occasions, where some Articles of ancient History, or Tenet of
Thales,
or Law of
Lycurgus,
chanced to be in Question; I began to be regarded with better Advantage.
An elderly Gentleman, one Day, who sat attentive in a Corner, got up and whispered that he would be glad of my Company to take share of a Pint in the next Room. I gratefully obeyed the Summons, and, when we had drank a Glass a Piece; Mr.
Clement,
says he, you appear to have but few Acquaintance, and may, possibly, want a Friend. My Fortune is small, but, I have some Influence in this Town; and, as I have taken an Inclination to you, I should be glad to serve you. If the Question is not too free, pray, what is your present Dependence, and Prospect for Life?
Having, with a grateful Warmth, acknowledged his Goodness to me, I, ingenuously, confessed that my Circumstances were very slender,
