e to the assistance of their master, who was in danger of his
life.

Meanwhile, this gentleman having recollected himself, demanded a parley;
which having with difficulty obtained of our incensed candidate, in
consequence of the most submissive application, he complained grievously
of the young gentleman's intemperance and heat of disposition, and very
calmly represented the danger of his rashness and indiscretion. He told
him, that nothing could be more outrageous or idle, than the resistance
he had made against the laws of his country, because he would find it
impracticable to withstand the whole executive power of the country,
which he could easily raise to apprehend and secure him; that, over and
above the disgrace that would accrue to him from this imprudent conduct,
he would knock his own interest on the head, by disobliging his friends
in the administration, who were, to his knowledge, at present very well
disposed to do him service; that, for his own part, what he had done
was by the express order of his superiors, and not out of any desire of
distressing him; and that, far from being his enemy, notwithstanding
the shocking insult he had sustained, he was ready to withdraw the writ,
provided he would listen to any reasonable terms of accommodation.

Peregrine, who was not more prone to anger than open to conviction,
being appeased by his condescension, moved by his arguments, and chid
by his own reflection for what he had done in the precipitation of his
wrath, began to give ear to his remonstrances; and the bailiffs being
ordered to withdraw, they entered into a conference, the result of which
was our adventurer's immediate departure for London; so that next day
his competitor was unanimously chosen, because nobody appeared to oppose
his election. The discontented Pickle, on his arrival in town, went
directly to the house of his patron, to whom, in the anguish of his
disappointment, he bitterly complained of the treatment he had received,
by which, besides the disgrace of his overthrow, he was no less than two
thousand pounds out of pocket, exclusive of the debt for which he
stood engaged to the receiver. His lordship, who was prepared for this
expostulation, on his knowledge of the young man's impetuous temper,
answered all the articles of his charge with great deliberation, giving
him to understand the motives that induced the minister to quit his
interest in that borough; and soothing him with assurances tha