CHAPTEK X. 



To Samuel Barker. 



Selborne, May 6, 1790. 



Dear Sir, — We had heard that Mr. Haggitt* had been 

 very ill ; but were not aware, till your letter came, that his 

 disorder was of so dangerous and alarming a nature. On 

 his own account, and for the sake of his numerous family, 

 we hope it will please God to restore him to his former 

 health, and preserve his life for many years. 



The Major Jar dine that you mention was well known 

 to my Bro. John, an active, lively, intelligent Scotchman, 

 that had been a private in the artillery; but having 

 had some education was ready to enter into any pursuit 

 where knowledge was to be acquired. He showed a great 

 facility in modern languages, had a taste for music, and 

 a smattering in astronomy, &c., was good-natured, clever, 

 ready to assist, communicative, and pleasant ; but exceedingly 

 poor, having married a Spanish girl without a farthing, who 

 brought him a housefuU of children, and all her hungry 

 relations to live on him, when he was only lieutenant. 

 He was supposed to be the son of a Knight of Malta, whom 

 he called his uncle. What can be the meaning of the 

 following advertisement, which I have seen in the papers? 

 "The life of the Hon. Thomas Chambier Cecil, late knight 

 of the shire for Rutland, father of the present member for 



* Samuel Barker's father-in-law. 

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