e
heard that it was rather the singular fact that a man in such a station
should be remarkable for any claim to notice whatever, which endowed him
with the popularity he enjoyed. At all events, he was remarkable enough
to be generally, I might say universally, known; and it was the caprice
of certain fashionable folk to accord him a recognition as they passed
by. This degree of attention was harmless, at least, and had it stopped
at that point, might never have called for any reprobation; but modish
follies occasionally take an offensive shape, and this man's pretension
offered the opportunity to display such.

"You have all heard of Carlton House, gentlemen,--of the society of wits
who frequent there, and the charms of a circle in which the chief figure
is not more distinguished for his rank than for the gifts which
elevate social intercourse. To the freedom which this exalted personage
permitted those who approached him thus nearly, there seemed to be
scarcely any limit. Admitting them to his friendship, he endowed them
with almost equality; and there was not a liberty nor a license which
could be practised in ordinary polite intercourse that was not allowed
at that hospitable board.

"You might imagine that men who enjoyed such a privilege would have been
guardedly careful against abusing it; you might fancy that even worldly
motives might have rendered them cautious about imperilling the princely
favor! Not so; they would seem to have lost every consciousness of
propriety in the intoxication of this same flattery; and they actually
dared to take a liberty with this Prince which had been more than
hazardous if ventured upon with a gentleman of private station.

"The story goes that, offended by his Royal Highness having pronounced
marked eulogium on the manners and breeding of an individual who was not
of their set either in politics or society, one of the party--I am not
disposed to give his name, if it can be avoided--dared to make a wager
that he would take a fellow off the streets, give him ruffles and
a dress-coat, and pass him off on the Prince as one of the most
accomplished and well-bred men in Europe.

"Gentlemen, you may fancy that in this anecdote which I have taken the
liberty to relate to you, I am endeavoring to compete with the very
marvellous histories which my learned brother on the opposite side
addressed to your notice. I beg most distinctly to disclaim all such
rivalry. My story has none of th