PRINCE OF WALES. 257 



to be most propitious, but which after- 

 wards proved to be destructive of every- 

 thing that could prolong the prosperity 

 and welfare of our family. 



I have stated in a former part of 

 this work that my father had been for 

 a short time in possession of a large 

 concern in London, from which he had 

 retired in favour of the former pro- 

 prietor, through whose original bank- 

 ruptcy he became its purchaser. This 

 gentleman was an aspiring, ambitious 

 man, not unlike, in looks and person, 

 the then Prince of Wales, whose style 

 of dress, habits, and manner he was 

 fond of imitating; with an intellect well 

 constituted to be at the head of an ex- 

 tensive and popular establishment, had 

 he confined himself to its legitimate 

 pursuits ; but, failing this, he fell into 

 difficulties, and was indebted to his corn- 

 merchant a very considerable sum, at the 



VOL. I. S 



