UNCLE IN ENGLAND. Ill 



friend General Rostopchin, who, with the cou- 

 rage and fidelity of real friendship, risked every 

 thing to warn him of his danger. 



ft * Fly my, friend/ he exclaimed, 'your de- 

 spatches have been read the council is now 

 sitting, and it is resolved that you shall be seized 

 and sent to Siberia. Every moment's delay in- 

 creases your danger. I have prepared every 

 thing for your escape ; the British fleet is off 

 Cronstadt, and now only can you get on board/ 



" The friendship of this generous Russian had 

 even triumphed over the fidelity which he owed 

 his own sovereign. But Sir Charles, though full 

 of gratitude, refused to take his advice. 



* c ' I am here,' said he, * as the repre- 

 sentative of the British King; and never can 

 I so forget his Majesty's dignity, as to fly 

 from danger. They may send me to Siberia, at 

 their peril ; but I never will voluntarily quit my 

 post. I will immediately appear at the council, 

 and assume my place as the ambassador of 

 England.' 



16 With the utmost expedition he arose, and 

 prepared to appear at the Russian council ; but 

 with a presence of mind, like Lord Nelson's, 

 when he waited to seal his letter with wax, that 

 it might not appear written with precipitation, 

 Sir Charles dressed himself with the utmost pre- 

 cision, in full court dress, to shew that he felt 

 perfectly at ease. When he entered the council 



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