 of the duke's
adherents, undertook to be our introducer - The room was pretty well filled with
people, in a great variety of dress; but there was no more than one gown and
cassock, though I was told his grace had, while he was minister, preferred
almost every individual that now filled the bench of bishops in the house of
lords; but, in all probability, the gratitude of the clergy is like their
charity, which shuns the light - Mr. Barton was immediately accosted by a
person, well stricken in years, tall, and raw-boned, with a hook-nose, and an
arch leer, that indicated, at least, as much cunning as sagacity. Our conductor
saluted him, by the name of captain C--, and afterwards informed us he was a man
of shrewd parts, whom the government occasionally employed in secret services -
But I have had the history of him more at large, from another quarter - He had
been, many years ago, concerned in fraudulent practices, as a merchant, in
France; and being convicted of some of them, was sent to the gallies, from
whence he was delivered by the interest of the late duke of Ormond, to whom he
had recommended himself in letter, as his name-sake and relation - He was in the
sequel, employed by our ministry as a spy; and in the war of 1740, traversed all
Spain, as well as France, in the disguise of a capuchin, at the extreme hazard
of his life, in as much as the court of Madrid had actually got scent of him,
and given orders to apprehend him at St. Sebastian's, from whence he had
fortunately retired but a few hours before the order arrived. This and other
hair-breadth 'scapes he pleaded so effectually as a merit with the English
ministry, that they allowed him a comfortable pension, which he now enjoys in
his old age - He has still access to all the ministers, and is said to be
consulted by them on many subjects, as a man of uncommon understanding and great
experience - He is, in fact, a fellow of some parts, and invincible assurance;
and, in his discourse, he assumes such an air of self-sufficiency, as may very
well impose upon some of the shallow politicians, who now labour at the helm of
administration. But, if he is not belied, this is not the only imposture of
which he is guilty - They say, he is at bottom not only a Roman-catholic, but
really a priest
