it became every day more difficult to
keep them under any subordination; and, if the gentlemen were so ill-advised as
to neglect the public good, and encourage them in their insolence, there was no
foreseeing where it would end.
    Mr. Tyrrel was not of a stamp to be influenced by these remonstrances. Their
general spirit was sufficiently conformable to the sentiments he himself
entertained; but he was of too vehement a temper to maintain the character of a
consistent politician; and, however wrong his conduct might be, he would by no
means admit of its being set right by the suggestions of others. The more his
patronage of Hawkins was criticised, the more inflexibly he adhered to it; and
he was at no loss in clubs and other assemblies to overbear and silence, if not
to confute his censurers. Beside which, Hawkins had certain accomplishments
which qualified him to be a favourite with Mr. Tyrrel. The bluntness of his
manner and the ruggedness of his temper gave him some resemblance to his
landlord; and, as these qualities were likely to be more frequently exercised on
such persons as had incurred Mr. Tyrrel's displeasure than upon Mr. Tyrrel
himself, they were not observed without some degree of complacency. In a word,
he every day received new marks of distinction from his patron, and after some
time was appointed coadjutor to Mr. Barnes under the denomination of bailiff. It
was about the same period that he obtained a lease of the farm of which he was
tenant.
    Mr. Tyrrel was determined, as occasion offered, to promote every part of the
family of this favoured dependent. Hawkins had a son, a lad of seventeen, of an
agreeable person, a ruddy complexion, and of quick and lively parts. This lad
was in an uncommon degree the favourite of his father, who seemed to have
nothing so much at heart as the future welfare of his son. Mr. Tyrrel had
noticed him two or three times with approbation; and the boy, being fond of the
sports of the field, had occasionally followed the hounds, and displayed various
instances both of agility and sagacity in presence of the squire. One day in
particular he exhibited himself with uncommon advantage; and Mr. Tyrrel without
farther delay proposed to his father to take him into his family, and make him
whipper-in to his hounds, till he could provide him with some more lucrative
appointment in his service.
    This proposal was received by Hawkins with various marks of mortification.
He excused himself with hesitation for not accepting the offered favour; said
the lad was in many ways useful to