, I believe, very well knows. The
little Interest, therefore, that I have, you may be assured, will go in his
Favour. Indeed I do not concern myself deeply in these Affairs: for I do not
think it becomes my Cloth so to do. But as far as I think it decent to interest
myself, it will certainly be on the Side of Mr. Fairfield. Indeed I should do
so, if I was acquainted with both the Gentlemen, only by Reputation: the one
being a neighbouring Gentleman, of a very large Estate, a very sober and
sensible Man, of known Probity and Attachment to the true Interest of his
Country. The other is a mere Stranger, a Boy, a Soldier of Fortune, and as far
as I can discern from the little Conversation I have had with him, of a very
shallow Capacity, and no Education.«
    »No Education! my dear Friend,« cries the Nobleman. »Why he hath been
educated in half the Courts of Europe.«
    »Perhaps so, my Lord,« answer'd the Doctor; »but I shall always be so great
a Pedant as to call a Man of no Learning, a Man of no Education. - And from my
own Knowledge, I can aver, that I am persuaded there is scarce a Foot Soldier in
the Army who is more illiterate than the Colonel.«
    »Why as to Latin and Greek, you know,« replied the Lord, »they are not much
requir'd in the Army.«
    »It may be so,« said the Doctor. »Then let such Persons keep to their own
Profession. It is a very low civil Capacity indeed for which an illiterate Man
can be qualified. And to speak a plain Truth, if your Lordship is a Friend to
the Colonel, you would do well to advise him to decline an Attempt, in which I
am certain he hath no Probability of Success.«
    »Well, Sir,« said the Lord, »if you are resolv'd against us, I must deal as
freely with you, and tell you plainly I cannot serve you in your Affair. Nay it
will be the best Thing I can do, to hold my Tongue: for if I should mention his
Name with your Recommendation after what you have said, he would perhaps never
get provided for as long as he lives.«
    »Is his own Merit then, my Lord, no Recommendation?« cries the Doctor.
    »My dear, dear Sir,« cries the other - »What is