there?" says
Mr. Fitzwarren. "A friend," answered the other. "What friend can come at
this unseasonable time?" "A real friend is never unseasonable," answered
the other. "I come to bring you good news of your ship _Unicorn_." The
merchant bustled up in such an hurry that he forgot his gout; instantly
opened the door, and who should be seen waiting but the captain and
factor, with a cabinet of jewels, and a bill of lading, for which the
merchant lifted up his eyes and thanked heaven for sending him such a
prosperous voyage. Then they told him the adventures of the cat, and
shewed him the cabinet of jewels which they had brought for Mr.
Whittington. Upon which he cried out with great earnestness, but not in
the most poetical manner,--

"Go, send him in, and tell him of his fame,
And call him Mr. Whittington by name."

It is not our business to animadvert upon these lines; we are not
critics, but historians. It is sufficient for us that they are the words
of Mr. Fitzwarren; and though it is beside our purpose, and perhaps not
in our power to prove him a good poet, we shall soon convince the reader
that he was a good man, which was a much better character; for when
some, who were present, told him that this treasure was too much for
such a poor boy as Whittington, he said, "God forbid that I should
deprive him or a penny; it is his own, and he shall have it to a
farthing." He then ordered Mr. Whittington in, who was at this time
cleaning the kitchen, and would have excused himself from going into the
compting-house, saying, the room was rubbed, and his shoes were dirty
and full of hob-nails. The merchant, however, made him come in, and
ordered a chair to be set for him. Upon which, thinking they intended to
make sport of him, as had been too often the case in the kitchen, he
besought his master not to mock a poor simple fellow, who intended them
no harm, but let him go about his business. The merchant, taking him by
the hand, said, "Indeed, Mr. Whittington, I am in earnest with you, and
sent for you to congratulate you on your great success. Your cat has
procured you more money than I am worth in the world, and may you long
enjoy it and be happy."

At length, being shown the treasure, and convinced by them that all of
it belonged to him, he fell upon his knees and thanked the Almighty for
his providential care of such a poor and miserable creature. He then
laid all the treasure at his master's feet, who refused