being fully informed of the particulars, offered himself as a security
for the lender. This gentleman being a stranger to Peregrine, was
next day made acquainted with his funds; and, without further scruple,
accommodated his friend with one thousand pounds, for which he took
their bond payable in six months, though he protested that the money
should never be demanded, until the infant should be of age, unless some
accident should happen which he could not then foresee. Pickle
believed this declaration sincere, because he could have no interest in
dissembling; but what he chiefly depended upon, for his own security,
was the integrity and confidence of the borrower, who assured him,
that happen what would, he should be able to stand between him and all
danger; the nature of his plan being such as would infallibly treble the
sum in a very few months.

In a little time after this transaction, writs being issued out for
electing a new parliament, our adventurer, by the advice of his patron,
went into the country, in order to canvass for a borough, and lined his
pockets with a competent share of banknotes for the occasion. But in
this project he unfortunately happened to interfere with the interest of
a great family in the opposition, who, for a long series of years,
had made members for that place; and were now so much offended at the
intrusion of our young gentleman, that they threatened to spend ten
thousand pounds in frustrating his design. This menace was no other than
an incitement to Peregrine, who confided so much in his own influence
and address, that he verily believed he should be able to baffle
his grace, even in his own territories. By that victory he hoped to
establish his reputation and interest with the minister, who, through
the recommendation of his noble friend, countenanced his cause, and
would have been very well pleased to see one of his great enemies suffer
such a disgraceful overthrow, which would have, moreover, in a great
measure, shaken his credit with his faction.

Our hero, intoxicated with the ideas of pride and ambition, put all
his talents to the test, in the execution of this project. He spared no
expense in treating the electors; but, finding himself rivalled in this
respect by his competitor, who was powerfully supported, he had recourse
to those qualifications in which he thought himself superior. He made
balls for the ladies, visited the matrons of the corporation, adapted
himself to thei