I was much noticed
by those who came to consult, or talk with, Mr Cophagus. "A very fine
looking lad that, Mr Cophagus," an acquaintance would say. "Where did
you get him--who is his father?"

"Father!" Mr Cophagus would reply, when they had gained the back
parlour, but I could overhear him, "father, um--can't tell--love--
concealment--child born--Foundling Hospital--put out--and so on."

This was constantly occurring, and the constant occurrence made me often
reflect upon my condition, which otherwise I might, from the happy and
even tenor of my life, have forgotten. When I retired to my bed I would
revolve in my mind all that I had gained from the governors of the
hospital relative to myself.--The paper found in the basket had been
given to me. I was born in wedlock--at least, so said that paper. The
sum left with me also proved that my parents could not, at my birth,
have been paupers. The very peculiar circumstances attending my case,
only made me more anxious to know my parentage. I was now old enough to
be aware of the value of birth, and I was also just entering the age of
romance, and many were the strange and absurd reveries in which I
indulged. At one time I would cherish the idea that I was of a noble,
if not princely birth, and frame reasons for concealment. At others--
but it is useless to repeat the absurdities and castle buildings which
were generated in my brain from mystery. My airy fabrics would at last
disappear, and leave me in all the misery of doubt and abandoned hope.
Mr Cophagus, when the question was sometimes put to him, would say,
"Good boy--very good boy--don't want a father." But he was wrong, I did
want a father, and every day the want became more pressing, and I found
myself continually repeating the question, "_Who is my father_?"

PART ONE, CHAPTER FOUR.

VERY MUCH PUZZLED WITH A NEW PATIENT, NEVERTHELESS TAKE MY DEGREE AT
FIFTEEN AS AN M.D.; AND WHAT IS STILL MORE ACCEPTABLE, I POCKET THE
FEES.

The departure of Mr Brookes, of course, rendered me more able to follow
up with Timothy my little professional attempts to procure pocket-money;
but independent of these pillages by the aid of pills, and making drafts
upon our master's legitimate profits, by the assistance of draughts from
his shop, accident shortly enabled me to raise the ways and means in a
more rapid manner. But of this directly.

In the mean time I was fast gaining knowledge; every evening I read
sur