arents, and an ornament to
the family.

Should I affirm that this favourite whom she commended so much, was in
every respect the reverse of what she described; that he was a boy of
mean capacity, and, though remarkably distorted in his body, much more
crooked in his disposition; and that she had persuaded her husband to
espouse her opinion, though it was contrary to common sense, as well as
to his own perception;--I am afraid the reader will think I represent a
monster that never existed in nature, and be apt to condemn the economy
of my invention: nevertheless, there is nothing more true than every
circumstance of what I have advanced; and I wish the picture, singular
as it is, may not be thought to resemble more than one original.

CHAPTER XX.

Peregrine is summoned to attend his Uncle--Is more and more hated by his
own Mother--Appeals to his Father, whose Condescension is defeated by
the Dominion of his Wife.

But, waiving these reflections, let us return to Peregrine, who received
a summons to attend his uncle, and in a few days arrived with Mr. Jolter
and Pipes at the garrison, which he filled with joy and satisfaction.
The alteration, which, during his absence, had happened in his person,
was very favourable to his appearance, which, from that of a comely boy,
was converted into that of a most engaging youth. He was already taller
than a middle-sized man, his shape ascertained, his sinews well knit,
his mien greatly improved, and his whole figure as elegant and graceful
as if it had been cast in the same mould with the Apollo of Belvedere.

Such an outside could not fail of prepossessing people in his favour.
The commodore, notwithstanding the advantageous reports he had heard,
found his expectation exceeded in the person of Peregrine, and signified
his approbation in the most sanguine terms. Mrs. Trunnion was struck
with his genteel address, and received him with uncommon marks of
complacency and affection: he was caressed by all the people in the
neighbourhood, who, while they admired his accomplishments, could
not help pitying his infatuated mother, for being deprived of that
unutterable delight which any other parent would have enjoyed in the
contemplation of such an amiable son.

Divers efforts were made by some well-disposed people to conquer, if
possible, this monstrous prejudice; but their endeavours, instead of
curing, served only to inflame the distemper, and she never could be
prevailed