dren. This inhuman relation,
coveting the wealth of his infant ward, formed a design against the
life of the helpless orphan, and trusted the execution of it to his
valet-de-chambre, who was tempted to undertake the murder by the promise
of a considerable reward. He accordingly stabbed the boy with a knife
in three different places, on the right side of his neck; but, as he was
not used to such barbarous attempts, his hand failed in the performance;
and he was seized with such remorse, that, perceiving the wounds were
not mortal, he carried the hapless victim to the house of a surgeon,
by whose care they were healed; and, in the meantime, that he might not
forfeit his recompense, found means to persuade his employer, that
his orders were performed. A bundle being made up for the purpose, was
publicly interred as the body of the child, who was said to have been
suddenly carried off by a convulsion; and the uncle, without opposition,
succeeded to his honours and estate. The boy being cured of his hurts,
was, about the age of six, delivered, with a small sum of money, to a
merchant just embarking for Turkey; who was given to understand, that he
was the bastard of a man of quality and that for family reasons, it was
necessary to conceal his birth.

"While the unfortunate orphan remained in this deplorable state of
bondage, all the children of the usurper died one after another; and he
himself being taken dangerously ill, attributed all his afflictions to
the just judgment of God, and communicated his anxiety on that subject
to the valet-de-chambre, who had been employed in the murder of his
nephew. That domestic, in order to quiet his master's conscience, and
calm the perturbation of his spirits, confessed what he had done, and
gave him hopes of still finding the boy by dint of industry and expense.
The unhappy child being the only hope of the family of Alvarez, the
uncle immediately ordered a minute inquiry to be set on foot; in
consequence of which he was informed, that the orphan had been sold to a
Turk, who had afterwards transferred him to an English merchant, by whom
he was conveyed to London.

"An express was immediately despatched to this capital, where he
understood that the unhappy exile had, in consideration of his faithful
services, been bound apprentice to a French barber-surgeon; and, after
he had sufficiently qualified himself in that profession, been received
into the family of the Count de Gallas, at that