 owned he was in the right, and the discourse took a more general
turn. Mr. Serle passed the evening with us at our lodgings; and appeared to be
intelligent, and even entertaining; but his disposition was rather of a
melancholy hue. My uncle says he is a man of uncommon parts, and unquestioned
probity: that his fortune, which was originally small, has been greatly hurt by
a romantic spirit of generosity, which he has often displayed, even at the
expence of his discretion, in favour of worthless individuals - That he had
rescued Paunceford from the lowest distress, when he was bankrupt, both in means
and reputation - That he had espoused his interests with a degree of enthusiasm,
broke with several friends, and even drawn his sword against my uncle, who had
particular reasons for questioning the moral character of the said Paunceford:
that, without Serle's countenance and assistance, the other never could have
embraced the opportunity, which has raised him to this pinnacle of wealth: that
Paunceford, in the first transports of his success, had written, from abroad,
letters to different correspondents, owning his obligations to Mr. Serle, in the
warmest terms of acknowledgment, and declaring he considered himself only as a
factor for the occasions of his best friend: that, without doubt, he had made
declarations of the same nature to his benefactor himself, though this last was
always silent and reserved on the subject; but for some years, those tropes and
figures of rhetoric had been disused: that, upon his return to England, he had
been lavish in his caresses to Mr. Serle, invited him to his house, and pressed
him to make it his own: that he had overwhelmed him with general professions,
and affected to express the warmest regard for him, in company of their common
acquaintance; so that every body believed his gratitude was as liberal as his
fortune; and some went so far as to congratulate Mr. Serle on both.
    All this time Paunceford carefully and artfully avoided particular
discussions with his old patron, who had too much spirit to drop the most
distant hint of balancing the account of obligation: that, nevertheless, a man
of his feelings could not but resent this shocking return for all his kindness;
and, therefore, he withdrew himself from the connexion, without coming to the
least explanation, or speaking a syllable on the subject to any living soul; so
that now their correspondence is reduced to a slight salute with the hat, when
they chance to meet in any public place; an accident that rarely happens, for
their walks lie
