 understandings. The first you will readily allow to be concomitant with riches; and, though genius and intelligence are not confined to station, it is no wonder that we find they flourish, most, in the soil best adapted to their improvement. Want of leisure, and want of instruction, prevent many a bright mind from unfolding its powers.
BUT, arguments apart, I beg you will recollect, with how little ceremony I requested your assistance, on a former occasion, when my future welfare entirely depended on it. I did your

friendship justice. I believed you sincere. I even expected you would rejoice in the opportunity of serving me. Nor was I deceived. I did you a favour in permitting you to exert yourself for my advantage; and I intreat, nay, I insist, that you will let me enjoy the same satisfaction in my turn. I shall think you doubt my friendship, if you refuse me the privilege of rebuilding Maitland-hall; and of adding my little estate to your farm in Essex, to which it is contiguous. I should be ashamed to urge, as an argument, that I can spare it, because that would be the least consideration in the affair: but, however, it is so, and, if that will be any inducement to your acceptance, I beg you will not demur on that account.
WHILE I am writing, a letter is arrived from a Mr. Hilkirk, who is the

son of our friend Seldon. He has adopted a strange mode of education for him, which, in my opinion, is rather dangerous. To enhance the value and enjoyment of prosperity, and to give, at the same time, fortitude of mind, and a knowledge of the world, he turned him adrift, some years ago, and the event has answered his expectations; thanks to the natural disposition of the youth, more than to the prudence of the scheme itself.
BUT more of this when we meet. At present I am to acquaint you, the purport of his letter is, that, in consequence of an advertisement, inserted in the papers, he has apprehended your late servant, Stokes, at Taunton-Dean, in Somersetshire, who offered an inland bill of exchange, to discount, to a friend of his. He has

sent him under a guard; and we expect him in on Saturday. As for Hilkirk himself, he says, he has reasons to avoid coming to town; which, I suppose, are the mortifications he has experienced here; but his father writes, by this post, to command his
