raising money, and otherwise to distress and deprive him
of liberty; for which purpose, no art or industry, perjury not excepted,
hath been spared. And, what is still more extraordinary, this perfidious
monster having found money to take up the bond, in consequence of which
he regained his freedom, hath procured a writ against M--, upon that
very obligation; and taken assignments to some other debts of that
gentleman, with the same Christian intention. But hitherto he hath, by
surprising sagacity and unshaken resolution, baffled all their infernal
contrivances, and retorted some of their machinations on their own
heads. At this time, when he is supposed by some, and represented by
others, as under the circumstances of oblivion and despondence, he
proceeds in his design with the utmost calmness and intrepidity,
meditating schemes, and ripening measures, that will one day confound
his enemies, and attract the notice and admiration of mankind."

Peregrine, having thanked the priest for his obliging information,
expressed his surprise at the scandalous inattention of the world to
an affair of such importance; observing, that, by such inhuman neglect,
this unfortunate young gentleman, Mr. A--, was absolutely deprived of
all the benefit of society; the sole end of which is, to protect
the rights, redress the grievances, and promote the happiness
of individuals. As for the character of M--, he said, it was so
romantically singular in all its circumstances, that, though other
motives were wanting, curiosity alone would induce him to seek his
acquaintance. But he did not at all wonder at the ungrateful returns
which had been made to his generosity by H-- and many others, whom he
had served in a manner that few, besides himself, would have done; for
he had been long convinced of the truth conveyed in these lines of a
celebrated Italian author:--

Li beneficii che, per la loro grandezza, non ponno esser guiderdonati,
con la scelerata moneta dell' ingratitudine sono pagati.

"The story which you have related of that young gentleman," said he,
"bears a very strong resemblance to the fate of a Spanish nobleman, as
it was communicated to me by one of his own intimate friends at Paris.
The Countess d'Alvarez died immediately after the birth of a son, and
the husband surviving her but three years, the child was left sole heir
to the honours and estate, under the guardianship of his uncle, who
had a small fortune and a great many chil