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effectually； as to become his companion and counsellor； and； at
last； obtained of him a promise of the presentation； when the
living should fall。 Prankley； on his uncle's death； quitted
Oxford； and made his first appearance in the fashionable world at
London； from whence he came lately to Bath； where he has been
exhibiting himself among the bucks and gamesters of the place。
Eastgate followed him hither； but he should not have quitted him
for a moment； at his first emerging into life。 He ought to have
known he was a fantastic； foolish； fickle fellow； who would
forget his college…attachments the moment they ceased appealing
to his senses。 Tom met with a cold reception from his old friend；
and was； moreover； informed； that he had promised the living to
another man； who had a vote in the county； where he proposed to
offer himself a candidate at the next general election。 He now
remembered nothing of Eastgate； but the freedoms he had used to
take with him； while Tom had quietly stood his butt； with an eye
to the benefice； and those freedoms he began to repeat in common…place
sarcasms on his person and his cloth； which he uttered in
the public coffeehouse； for the entertainment of the company。 But
he was egregiously mistaken in giving his own wit credit for that
tameness of Eastgate； which had been entirely owing to prudential
considerations。 These being now removed； he retorted his repartee
with interest； and found no great difficulty in turning the laugh
upon the aggressor； who； losing his temper； called him names； and
asked； If he knew whom he talked to？ After much altercation；
Prankley； shaking his cane； bid him hold his tongue； otherwise he
could dust his cassock for him。 'I have no pretensions to such a
valet （said Tom） but if you should do me that office； and
overheat yourself； I have here a good oaken towel at your
service。'
Prankley was equally incensed and confounded at this reply。 After
a moment's pause； he took him aside towards die window； and；
pointing to the clump of firs； on Clerken…down； asked in a
whisper； if he had spirit enough to meet him there； with a case
of pistols； at six o'clock tomorrow morning。 Eastgate answered in
the affirmative； and； with a steady countenance； assured him； he
would not fail to give him the rendezvous at the hour he
mentioned。 So saying； he retired； and the challenger stayed some
time in manifest agitation。 In the morning； Eastgate； who knew
his man； and had taken his resolution； went to Prankley's
lodgings； and roused him by five o'clock。
The squire； in all probability； cursed his punctuality in his
heart； but he affected to talk big； and having prepared his
artillery overnight； they crossed the water at the end of the
South Parade。 In their progress up the hill； Prankley often eyed
the parson； in hopes of perceiving some reluctance in his
countenance； but as no such marks appeared； he attempted to
intimidate him by word of mouth。 'If these flints do their office
（said he） I'll do thy business in a few minutes。' 'I desire you
will do your best （replied the other）； for my part； I come not
here to trifle。 Our lives are in the hands of God； and one of us
already totters on the brink of eternity' This remark seemed to
make some impression upon the squire； who changed countenance；
and with a faultering accent observed； 'That it ill became a
clergyman to be concerned in quarrels and bloodshed' 'Your
insolence to me （said Eastgate） I should have bore with patience；
had not you cast the most infamous reflections upon my order； the
honour of which I think myself in duty bound to maintain； even at
the expence of my heart's blood； and surely it can be no crime to
put out of the world a profligate wretch； without any sense of
principle； morality； or religion' 'Thou may'st take away my life
（cried Prankley； in great perturbation） but don't go to murder my
character。 What！ has't got no conscience？' 'My conscience is
perfectly quiet （replied the other）； and now； Sir； we are upon
the spot Take your ground as near as you please； prime your
pistol； and the Lord； of his infinite mercy； have compassion upon
your miserable soul！'
This ejaculation he pronounced in a loud solemn tone； with his
hat off； and his eyes lifted up； then drawing a large horse…pistol；
he presented； and put himself in a posture of action。
Prankley took his distance； and endeavoured to prime； but his
hand shook with such violence； that he found this operation
impracticable His antagonist； seeing how it was with him；
offered his assistance； and advanced for that purpose； when the
poor squire； exceedingly alarmed at what he had heard and seen；
desired the action might be deferred till next day； as he had not
settled his affairs。 'I ha'n't made my will （said he）； my sisters
are not provided for； and I just now recollect an old promise；
which my conscience tells me I ought to perform I'll first
convince thee； that I'm not a wretch without principle； and then
thou shalt have an opportunity to take my life； which thou
seem'st to thirst after so eagerly。'
Eastgate understood the hint； and told him； that one day should
break no squares： adding； 'God forbid that I should be the means
of hindering you from acting the part of an honest man； and a
dutiful brother' By virtue of this cessation； they returned
peaceably together。 Prankley forthwith made out the presentation
of the living； and delivered it to Eastgate； telling him at the
same time； he had now settled his affairs； and was ready to
attend him to the Fir…grove； but Tom declared he could not think
of lifting his hand against the life of so great a benefactor He
did more： when they next met at the coffeehouse； he asked pardon
of Mr Prankley； if in his passion he had said any thing to give
him offence； and the squire was so gracious as to forgive him
with a cordial shake of the hand； declaring； that he did not like
to be at variance with an old college companion Next day；
however； he left Bath abruptly； and then Eastgate told me all
these particulars； not a little pleased with the effects of his
own sagacity； by which he has secured a living worth 160l。 per
annum。
Of my uncle； I have nothing at present to say； but that we set
out tomorrow for London en famille。 He and the ladies； with the
maid and Chowder in a coach； I and the man…servant a…horseback。
The particulars of our journey you shall have in my next；
provided no accident happens to prevent；
Yours ever；
J。 MELFORD
BATH May 17。
To Dr LEWIS。
DEAR DICK；
I shall to…morrow set out for London； where I have bespoke
lodgings； at Mrs Norton's in Golden…square。 Although I am no
admirer of Bath； I shall leave it with regret； because I must
part with some old friends； whom； in all probability； I shall
never see again。 In the course of coffeehouse conversation； I had
often heard very extraordinary encomiums passed on the
performances of Mr T； a gentleman residing in this place； who
paints landscapes for his amusement。 As I have no great
confidence in the taste and judgment of coffeehouse connoisseurs；
and never received much pleasure from this branch of the art；
those general praises made no impression