s Mr. Darnel's mob had come in at the
other. Both arrived about the same time at the market-place; but Mr.
Darnel, mounting first into the balcony of the town-house, made a long
speech to the people in favour of his own pretensions, not without some
invidious reflections glanced at Sir Everhard, his competitor.

"We did not much mind the acclamations of his party, which we knew had
been hired for the purpose; but we were in some pain for Mr. Greaves, who
had not been used to speak in public. He took his turn, however, in the
balcony, and, uncovering his head, bowed all round with the most engaging
courtesy. He was dressed in a green frock, trimmed with gold, and his
own dark hair flowed about his ears in natural curls, while his face was
overspread with a blush, that improved the glow of youth to a deeper
crimson; and I daresay set many a female heart a palpitating. When he
made his first appearance, there was just such a humming and clapping of
hands as you may have heard when the celebrated Garrick comes upon the
stage in King Lear, or King Richard, or any other top character. But how
agreeably were we disappointed, when our young gentleman made such an
oration as would not have disgraced a Pitt, an Egmont, or a Murray! while
he spoke, all was hushed in admiration and attention; you could have
almost heard a feather drop to the ground. It would have charmed you to
hear with what modesty he recounted the services which his father and
grandfather had done to the corporation; with what eloquence he
expatiated upon the shameful infraction of the treaty subsisting between
the two families; and with what keen and spirited strokes of satire he
retorted the sarcasms of Darnel.

"He no sooner concluded his harangue, than there was such a burst of
applause, as seemed to rend the very sky. Our music immediately struck
up; our people advanced with their ensigns, and, as every man had a good
cudgel, broken heads would have ensued, had not Mr. Darnel and his party
thought proper to retreat with uncommon despatch. He never offered to
make another public entrance, as he saw the torrent ran so violently
against him; but sat down with his loss, and withdrew his opposition,
though at bottom extremely mortified and incensed. Sir Everhard was
unanimously elected, and appeared to be the happiest man upon earth; for,
besides the pleasure arising from his victory over this competitor, he
was now fully satisfied that his son, instead