saw much entertainment and satisfaction in the discourse
of so many learned guests. The occasions of his health and interest,
moreover, coincided in another circumstance; the minister's levee being
kept betimes in the morning, so that he could perform his walk, yield
his attendance, and breakfast at this philosophical board, without
encroaching a great deal upon his other avocations. Measures being thus
preconcerted, the physician conducted our adventurer to the house of
this celebrated sage, to whom he recommended him as a gentleman of
genius and taste, who craved the honour of his acquaintance; but he
had previously smoothed the way to his introduction, by representing
Peregrine as a young fellow of great ambition, spirit, and address, who
could not fail to make a figure in the world; that therefore he would be
a creditable addition to the subordinates of such a patron, and by his
qualifications, intrepidity, and warmth of temper, turn out a consummate
herald of his fame. Upon these considerations, he met with a most
engaging reception from the entertainer, who was a well-bred man, of
some learning, generosity, and taste; but his foible was the desire of
being thought the inimitable pattern of all three.

It was with a view to acquire and support this character, that his
house was open to all those who had any pretensions to literature;
consequently he was surrounded by a strange variety of pretenders; but
none were discouraged, because he knew that even the most insignificant
might, in some shape, conduce to the propagation of his praise. A
babbler, though he cannot run upon the scent, may spring the game, and,
by his yelping, help to fill up the cry. No wonder, then, that a youth
of Pickle's accomplishments was admitted and even invited into the pack.
After having enjoyed a very short private audience in the closet, our
young gentleman was shown into another room, where half a dozen of his
fellow-adherents waited for the Maecenas, who in a few minutes appeared,
with a most gracious aspect, received the compliments of the morning,
and sat down to breakfast, in the midst of them, without any further
ceremony.

The conversation at first turned upon the weather, which was
investigated in a very philosophical manner by one of the company, who
seemed to have consulted all the barometers and thermometers that ever
were invented, before he would venture to affirm that it was a chill
morning. This subject being accurately d