210 PATRON 



Without travelling beyond the limits I had prescribed 

 myself when I commenced this narrative, I have recorded 

 this as an occurrence that arose entirely, as I have shoAvn, 

 from the position I then occupied (Avhich forms the title 

 of this book), and was immediately associated with it — 

 for the merits and the errors of my production (for they 

 were many) were almost daily discussed on the box, and 

 I continued to receive j)raise and remuneration from 

 noblemen and gentlemen whose sons had forwarded to 

 them copies from the University. 



But the chief benefit I derived from it — that is, what 

 I most valued — was the introduction it gave me to one 

 whose noble and generous heart was warmed by the blood 

 that had flowe'd in the veins of maijnates of the land ever 

 since the Conquest. He himself was a votary of the 

 Muses, and exercised his pen in composing a few lines in 

 a laughable strain, on so strange a display as Pegasus 

 in harness, or a coach and four, attempting to climb 

 Olympus. Those lines I have lost, unfortunately, though 

 they led to a correspondence that terminated only with 

 the loss of sight of the fine old Field-Marshal/ who, if he 

 did not emulate the deeds of his famous brother-in-arms 

 in the field, did, by his actions, conciliate the goodwill 

 and esteem of all with whom he came in contact, and was 

 soon after one of my principal patrons. 



The success that attended this my first and accidental 

 effort induced me to pursue the calling ; and elated, if 

 not intoxicated, I ventured on another, or sequel to the 

 first, as I thought the subject capable of further 

 elucidation. A copy of this I sent to my friend the 

 ' Field-Marshal Thomas Grosvenor. 



