EMPEROR NICHOLAS 143 



illustrious visitors attracted great attention, but chiefly 

 the form and features of the elder, who afterwards became 

 the Emperor Xicholas. 



My friend, who stood near them, in catching my eye, 

 looked unutterable astonishment, and came round and 

 asked me what means I had used to irain admittance — 

 suspecting bribery, as I supposed. When I had told him 

 the very easy Avay by which I had obtained my object, he 

 could scarcely believe me, but gave me credit for tact and 

 self-possession. 



To resume the thread of mv narrative : there was 

 nothing now wanting to the consummation of all my 

 wishes but a suitable establishment, and this circum- 

 stances seemed to fiivour — circumstances that appeared 

 to me at the time to be most propitious, but which 

 afterwards proved to be destructive of evervthino- 

 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 proprietor, 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 extensive and 

 jDopular establishment, had he confined himself to its 

 legitimate pursuits ; but, failing this, he fell into diffi- 

 culties, and was indebted to his corn-merchant a very 

 considerable sum, at the same time he was in a very 



