 to my maxims, while they
attempted to make a proselyte of me; but, finding the task impracticable on both
sides, we very wisely dropt each other.
    At length, however, I was blessed with the acquaintance of one nobleman, who
is, perhaps, the first character in England, in point of honour, integrity, wit,
sense and benevolence: when I have thus distinguished him, I need scarce mention
lord --. This great, this good man, possesses every accomplishment requisite to
inspire admiration, love and esteem. With infinitely more merit than almost ever
fell to one man's share, he manifests such diffidence of his own qualifications,
as cannot fail to prepossess every company in his favour. He seems to observe
nothing, yet sees every thing; his manner of telling a story, and making trifles
elegant, is peculiar to himself; and though he has a thousand oddities, they
serve only to make him more agreeable. After what I have said, it may be
supposed that I was enamoured of his person: but this was not the case; love is
altogether capricious and fanciful; yet I admire, honour, and esteem him to the
highest degree; and when I observe, that his character resembled that of my dear
departed friend Mr. B--; or rather, that Mr. B--, had he lived, would have
resembled lord --, I pay the highest compliment I can conceive both to the
living and the dead.
    In this nobleman's friendship and conversation I thought myself happy;
though I was, as usual, exposed to the indefatigable efforts of my lord, who,
one day, while I was favoured with the company of this generous friend, appeared
at my door in his coach, attended by another gentleman, who demanded entrance,
with an air of authority. A very honest footman, who had been long in my
service, ran up stairs in the utmost consternation, and gave me an account of
what had happened below. Upon which, I told him he had nothing to answer for,
and ordered him to keep the door fast shut against all opposition: though I was
so much affected with this unexpected assault, that lord -- said, he was never
more surprized and shocked in his life, than at the horror which appeared in my
countenance, when I saw the coach stop at my door.
    My little hero being refused admittance, went away, threatening to return
speedily with a reinforcement; and during this interval, I provided myself with
a soldier, whom I placed centinel at the door
