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St Sebastian's； from whence he had fortunately retired but a few
hours before the order arrived。 This and other hair…breadth
'scapes he pleaded so effectually as a merit with the English
ministry； that they allowed him a comfortable pension； which he
now enjoys in his old age He has still access to all the
ministers； and is said to be consulted by them on many subjects；
as a man of uncommon understanding and great experience He is；
in fact； a fellow of some parts； and invincible assurance； and；
in his discourse； he assumes such an air of self…sufficiency； as
may very well impose upon some of the shallow politicians； who
now labour at the helm of administration。 But； if he is not
belied； this is not the only imposture of which he is guilty
They say； he is at bottom not only a Roman…catholic； but really a
priest； and while he pretends to disclose to our state…pilots all
the springs that move the cabinet of Versailles； he is actually
picking up intelligence for the service of the French minister。 Be
that as it may； captain C entered into conversation with us in
the most familiar manner； and treated the duke's character
without any ceremony 'This wiseacre （said he） is still a…bed；
and； I think； the best thing he can do； is to sleep on till
Christmas； for； when he gets up； he does nothing but expose his
own folly。 Since Grenville was turned out； there has been no
minister in this nation worth the meal that whitened his peri…wig
They are so ignorant； they scarce know a crab from a
cauliflower； and then they are such dunces； that there's no
making them comprehend the plainest proposition In the beginning
of the war； this poor half…witted creature told me； in a great
fright； that thirty thousand French had marched from Acadie to
Cape Breton 〃Where did they find transports？ （said I）〃
〃Transports （cried he） I tell you they marched by land〃 〃By land
to the island of Cape Breton？〃 〃What！ is Cape Breton an island？〃
〃Certainly。〃 〃Ha！ are you sure of that？〃 When I pointed it out in
the map； he examined it earnestly with his spectacles； then；
taking me in his arms； 〃My dear C！ （cried he） you always bring
us good news Egad！ I'll go directly； and tell the king that Cape
Breton is an island。〃'
He seemed disposed to entertain us with more anecdotes of this
nature； at the expense of his grace； when he was interrupted by
the arrival of the Algerine ambassador； a venerable Turk； with a
long white beard； attended by his dragoman； or interpreter； and
another officer of his household； who had got no stockings to his
legs Captain C immediately spoke with an air of authority to a
servant in waiting； bidding him go and tell the duke to rise； as
there was a great deal of company come； and； among others； the
ambassador from Algiers。 Then； turning to us； 'This poor Turk
（said he） notwithstanding his grey beard； is a green…horn He has
been several years resident in London； and still is ignorant of
our
political revolutions。 This visit is intended for the prime
minister of England； but you'll see how this wise duke will
receive it as a mark of attachment to his own person' Certain it
is； the duke seemed eager to acknowledge the compliment A door
opened； he suddenly bolted out； with a shaving…cloth under his
chin； his face frothed up to the eyes with soap lather； and
running up to the ambassador； grinned hideous in his face 'My
dear Mahomet！ （said he） God love your long beard； I hope the dey
will make you a horsetail at the next promotion； ha； ha； ha！ Have
but a moment's patience； and I'll send to you in a twinkling；'
So saying； he retired into his den； leaving the Turk in some
confusion。 After a short pause； however； he said something to his
interpreter； the meaning of which I had great curiosity to know；
as he turned up his eyes while he spoke； expressing astonishment；
mixed with devotion。 We were gratified by means of the
communicative captain C； who conversed with the dragoman； as an
old acquaintance。 Ibrahim； the ambassador； who had mistaken his
grace for the minister's fool； was no sooner undeceived by the
interpreter； than he exclaimed to this effect 'Holy prophet！ I
don't wonder that this nation prospers； seeing it is governed by
the counsel of ideots； a series of men； whom all good mussulmen
revere as the organs of immediate inspiration！' Ibrahim was
favoured with a particular audience of short duration； after
which the duke conducted him to the door； and then returned to
diffuse his gracious looks among the crowd of his worshippers。
As Mr Barton advanced to present me to his grace； it was my
fortune to attract his notice； before I was announced He
forthwith met me more than half way； and； seizing me by the hand；
'My dear Sir Francis！ （cried he） this is so kind I vow to God！ I
am so obliged Such attention to a poor broken minister。 Well
Pray when does your excellency set sail？ For God's sake have a
care of your health； and cat stewed prunes in the passage。 Next to
your own precious health； pray； my dear excellency； take care of
the Five Nations Our good friends the Five Nations。 The
Toryrories； the Maccolmacks； the Out…o'the…ways； the Crickets；
and the Kickshaws Let 'em have plenty of blankets； and
stinkubus； and wampum； and your excellency won't fail to scour
the kettle； and boil the chain； and bury the tree； and plant the
hatchet Ha； ha； ha！' When he had uttered this rhapsody； with his
usual precipitation； Mr Barton gave him to understand； that I was
neither Sir Francis； nor St Francis； but simply Mr Melford；
nephew to Mr Bramble； who； stepping forward； made his bow at the
same time。 'Odso！ no more it is Sir Francis （said this wise
statesman） Mr Melford； I'm glad to see you I sent you an
engineer to fortify your dock Mr Bramble your servant； Mr
Bramble How d'ye； good Mr Bramble？ Your nephew is a pretty young
fellow Faith and troth； a very pretty fellow！ His father is my
old friend How does he hold it？ Still troubled with that damned
disorder； ha？' 'No； my lord （replied my uncle）； all his troubles
are over He has been dead these fifteen years。' 'Dead！ how Yes
faith！ now I remember： he is dead sure enough Well； and how
does the young gentleman stand for Haverford West？ or a what
d'ye。 My dear Mr Milfordhaven； I'll do you all the service in my
power I hope I have some credit left' My uncle then gave him to
understand； that I was still a minor； and that we had no
intention to trouble him at present； for any favour whatsoever
'I came hither with my nephew （added he） to pay our respects to
your grace； and I may venture to say； that his views and mine are
at least as disinterested as those of any individual in this
assembly。' 'My dear Mr Brambleberry！ you do me infinite honour I
shall always rejoice to see you and your hopeful nephew； Mr
Milfordhaven My credit； such as it is； you may command I wish
we had more friends of your kidney。'
Then； turning to captain C； 'Ha； C！ （said he） what news； C？
How does the world wag？ ha！' 'The world wags much after the old
fashion； my lord （answered the captain）： the politicians of
London and Westminster have begun again to wag their tongues
against your grace； and y