A LARGE FAMILY 7 



verily believe he went to his grave uninformed on such a 

 very material point. But, gentle reader, that you may 

 not remain in ignorance of so remarkable a coincidence, 

 one absolutely necessary to give importance to this 

 autobiography, I must confess that I was that third 

 person, and must leave it to you to question, pardon, or 

 condemn, the humorous vanity which induced me thus 

 to provoke the curiosity of a simple and inquisitive 

 mind. Yes, on the 22nd of January, in the year 

 179 — , in the ancient and renowned city of Winchester, 

 I first made my appearance on this world's stage, the 

 third of a family that in due time amounted to thirteen. 



Should the reader's curiosity be further aroused to 

 wish to know anything of the parentage or genealogy of 

 the humble individual who has thus obtruded himself 

 on his notice, little can be said to gratify it, for little 

 is known to himself. My father, I always understood, 

 was left a penniless orphan when very young. To 

 whose care he was entrusted in his infancy, or how his 

 youth was passed, I never correctly knew ; but in 

 mature life, by dint of industry and perseverance, 

 aided by fortuitous circumstances, he has amassed 

 considerable wealth, and had obtained a position in 

 one of the southern counties that his son has long 

 contemplated with unavailing regret, where he, for a 

 time, exercised all the functions, and enjoyed all the 

 social benefits, belonging to the life of a country 

 gentleman — hospitably entertaining a large circle of 

 friends, and by his constant and liberal employment of 

 the poor, commanding their good word and esteem. 



Ingratitude, it is said, is inherent in the heart of 



