young Man I mean, hath very extraordinary
Merit. He was at the Siege of Gibraltar, in which he behav'd with distinguish'd
Bravery; and was dangerously wounded at two several Times in the Service of his
Country. I will add, that he is at present in great Necessity, and hath a Wife
and several Children, for whom he hath no other Means of providing; and if it
will recommend him further to your Lordship's Favour, his Wife, I believe, is
one of the best and worthiest of all her Sex.«
    »As to that, my dear Doctor,« cries the Nobleman, »I shall make no Doubt.
Indeed any Service I shall do the Gentleman will be upon your Account. As to
Necessity, it is the Plea of so many, that it is impossible to serve them all. -
And with Regard to the Personal Merit of these inferior Officers, I believe, I
need not tell you that it is very little regarded. But if you recommend him, let
the Person be what he will, I am convinced it will be done: for I know it is in
your Power at present to ask for a greater Matter than this.«
    »I depend entirely upon your Lordship,« answer'd the Doctor.
    »Indeed, my worthy Friend,« replied the Lord, »I will not take a Merit to
myself, which will so little belong to me. You are to depend on yourself. It
falls out very luckily too at this Time when you have it in your Power so
greatly to oblige us.«
    »What, my Lord, is in my Power?« cries the Doctor.
    »You certainly know,« answer'd his Lordship, »how hard Colonel Trompington
is run at your Town, in the Election of a Mayor; they tell me it will be a very
near Thing, unless you join us. But we know it is in your Power to do the
Business, and turn the Scale. I heard your Name mention'd the other Day on that
Account; and I know you may have any Thing in Reason, if you will give us your
Interest.«
    »Sure, my Lord,« cries the Doctor, »you are not in Earnest in asking my
Interest for the Colonel.«
    »Indeed I am,« answer'd the Peer. »Why should you doubt it?«
    »For many Reasons,« answer'd the Doctor. »First, I am an old Friend and
Acquaintance of Mr. Fairfield, as your Lordship