ed myself all of a sudden, and slipping a crown
into his hand, begged as a favour that he would inquire, and let me know
whether or not the earl was up. The grim janitor relented at the touch
of my money, which he took with all the indifference of a taxgatherer,
and showed me into a parlour, where, he said, I might amuse myself till
such time as his lord should be awake. I had not sat ten minutes in this
place, when a footman entered, and, without speaking, started at me; I
interpreted this piece of his behaviour into, "Pray, sir, what is your
business?" and asked the same question I had put to the porter, when
I accosted him first. The lacquey made the same reply, and disappeared
before I could get any further intelligence. In a little time he
returned, on pretence of poking the fire, and looked at me again with
great earnestness; upon which I began to perceive his meaning, and,
tipping him with half-a-crown, desired he would be so good as to fall
upon some method of letting the earl know that I was in the house. He
made a low bow, said, "Yes, sir," and vanished. This bounty was not
thrown away, for in an instant he came back, and conducted me to a
chamber, where I was received with great kindness and familiarity by his
lordship, whom I found just risen, in his morning-gown, and slippers.
After breakfast, he entered into a particular conversation with me about
my travels, the remarks I had made abroad, and examined me to the full
extent of my understanding. My answers seemed to please him very much,
he frequently squeezed my hand, and, looking at me with a singular
complacency in his countenance, bade me depend upon his good offices
with the ministry in my behalf. "Young men of your qualifications," said
he, "ought to be cherished by every administration. For my own part, I
see so little merit in the world, that I have laid it down as a maxim,
to encourage the least appearance of genius and virtue to the utmost of
my power: you have a great deal of both; and will not fail of making a
figure one day, if I am not mistaken; but you must lay your account with
mounting by gradual steps to the summit of your fortune. Rome was not
built in a day. As you understand the languages perfectly well, how
would you like to cross the sea as secretary to an embassy?" I assured
his lordship, with great eagerness, that nothing could be more agreeable
to my inclination: upon which he bade me make myself easy, my business
was done, for he ha