 for his simplicity and indiscretion, humbled himself so far
as to promise that he would next day annul the condescensions he had made, and
for ever renounce the ungracious object of her disgust. This undertaking was
punctually performed in a letter to the commodore, which she herself dictated in
these words.
 
        Sir,
            Whereas my good-nature being last night imposed upon, I was
        persuaded to countenance and promise I know not what to that vicious
        youth, whose parent I have the misfortune to be; I desire you will take
        notice that I revoke all such countenance and promises, and shall never
        look upon that man as my friend, who will hence-forth in such a cause
        solicit,
Sir, yours, etc.
                                                                     GAM. PICKLE
 

                                  Chapter XXIV

Trunnion is enraged at the Conduct of Pickle. Peregrine resents the Injustice of
his Mother, to whom he explains his Sentiments in a Letter. Is entered at the
University of Oxford, where he signalizes himself as a Youth of an enterprising
Genius
 
Unspeakable were the transports of rage to which Trunnion was incensed by this
absurd renunciation: he tore the letter with his gums, (teeth he had none) spit
with furious grimaces, in token of the contempt he entertained for the author,
whom he not only damned as a lousy, scabby, nasty, scurvy, sculking, lubberly
noodle, but resolved to challenge to single combat with fire and sword; but he
was dissuaded from this violent measure, and appeased by the intervention and
advice of the lieutenant and Mr. Jolter, who represented the message as the
effect of the poor man's infirmity, for which he was rather an object of pity
than of resentment; and turned the stream of his indignation against the wife,
whom he reviled accordingly. Nor did Peregrine himself bear with patience this
injurious declaration, the nature of which he no sooner understood from
Hatchway, than equally shocked and exasperated, he retired to his apartment, and
in the first emotions of his ire, produced the following epistle, which was
immediately conveyed to his mother.
 
        Madam,
            Had nature formed me a bugbear to the sight, and inspired me with a
        soul as vicious as my body was detestable, perhaps I might have enjoyed
        particular marks of your affection and applause; seeing you have
        persecuted me with such unnatural aversion, for no other visible reason
        than that of my differing so widely in shape as well as disposition,
        from that deformed urchin who is the object of your tenderness and care.
        If those be the terms on which alone I can obtain your favour, I pray
        God you may never cease to hate,
Mad am,
Your
