those who were utterly unacquainted with the politics
and strength of the French nation.

In confirmation of what he had advanced, he endeavoured to demonstrate
how impossible it must be for that people to fit out even the third part
of such a navy, so soon after the losses they had sustained during
the war; and confirmed his proof by asserting, that to his certain
knowledge, the harbours of Brest and Toulon could not at that time
produce a squadron of eight ships of the line. The member, who was
an utter stranger to this misanthrope, hearing his own asseverations
treated with such contempt, glowed with confusion and resentment,
and, raising his voice, began to defend his own veracity, with great
eagerness and trepidation, mingling with his arguments many blustering
invectives, against the insolence and ill manners of his supposed
contradictor, who sat with the most mortifying composure of countenance,
till the officer's patience was quite exhausted, and then, to the
manifest increase of his vexation, he was informed, that his antagonist
was so deaf, that in all probability, the last trumpet would make no
impression upon him, without a previous renovation of his organs.

CHAPTER LXXII.

He cultivates an Acquaintance with the Misanthrope, who favours him with
a short Sketch of his own History.

Peregrine was extremely well pleased with this occasional rebuke, which
occurred so seasonably, that he could scarce believe it accidental. He
looked upon Cadwallader as the greatest curiosity he had ever known,
and cultivated the old man's acquaintance with such insinuating address,
that in less than a fortnight he obtained his confidence. As they one
day walked into the fields together, the man-hater disclosed himself in
these words:--"Though the term of our communication has been but short,
you must have perceived, that I treat you with uncommon marks of regard;
which, I assure you, is not owing to your personal accomplishments, nor
the pains you take to oblige me; for the first I overlook, and the
last I see through. But there is something in your disposition which
indicates a rooted contempt for the world, and I understand you have
made some successful efforts in exposing one part of it to the ridicule
of the other. It is upon this assurance that I offer you my advice and
assistance, in prosecuting other schemes of the same nature; and to
convince you that such an alliance is not to be rejected, I will now
give