hope cannot be paralleled.
I have been obliged to be at the pains of exerting myself very strenuously in my capacity of magistrate, but smugglers, marauders, and other lawless characters, for whom this vile place is become a remarkable asylum, are difficult to deal with. My first idea was, in conjunction with the members for the county, to beg the interference of parliament; but, conceiving that much delicacy was due to your lordship in this business, I beg previously to consult you.

If you will treat for the village, or, should that be incompatible with the conditions of your inheritance, if you will lease it to me, perhaps I may be able to bring about a reformation.
I have no doubt but your lordship will rejoice in forwarding a work so dear to the interest of humanity, and should be happy to receive your immediate answer, as I wish to make some arrangements at Castlewick, agreeable to the result of this application, before I attend my duty at the house, when I shall have the honour to call on your lordship, with a view to a further conference on this subject.
I am, My Lord, Your Lordship's Most obedient Servant, S. W. ROEBUCK.

Lord Hazard, as I formerly mentioned, received his rents regularly from his steward, and therefore did not dream of the enormities carried on at Little Hockley. He now first reflected that these seeds of vice he had himself sown; and as wickedness, like weeds, flourishes best where there are no wholesome plants to interrupt its growth, he easily perceived

and felt the truth of Sir Sidney's relation; and, therefore, determined to acquaint him that he was as well disposed as himself to perfect so desirable an undertaking, and that he should be glad to see him for that purpose.
After examining another letter or two, they came to the following one.

As you have thought proper to take no notice of what passed the other evening, when I had the honour of calling your lordship scoundrel, I suppose you acquiesce in the justice of the term:—I shall therefore, in future, speak of you as of a wretch deserving pity, and though a lord, beneath the notice of a gentleman.
I am, &c. PETER SNAFFLE.

'Oh,' said my lord, 'this is too shocking to pass. I must break the fellow's bones.'


'Rather get a chairman to do it,' said Standfast. Did not you wait at the rascal's house two hours? Where was he all that time? No,