asked the chum to dinner with him at a neighbouring tavern; and
learning that he was in difficulties, emptied the contents of his
pocket into his. On returning home he was informed that the
collector had been twice for the money. 'Friendship has called for
the money and had it,' said Fielding; 'let the collector call
again.' "

It is elsewhere told of him, that being in company with the Earl of
Denbigh, his kinsman, and the conversation turning upon their
relationship, the Earl asked him how it was that he spelled his name
"Fielding", and not "Feilding", like the head of the house? "I
cannot tell, my lord," said he, "except it be that my branch of the
family were the first that knew how to spell."

159 In 1749, he was made Justice of the Peace for Westminster and
Middlesex, an office then paid by fees, and very laborious, without
being particularly reputable. It may be seen from his own words, in
the Introduction to the _Voyage_, what kind of work devolved upon
him, and in what a state he was, during these last years; and still
more clearly, how he comported himself through all.

"Whilst I was preparing for my journey, and when I was almost
fatigued to death with several long examinations, relating to five
different murders, all committed within the space of a week, by
different gangs of street-robbers, I received a message from his
grace the Duke of Newcastle, by Mr. Carrington, the King's
messenger, to attend his grace the next morning in Lincoln's Inn
Fields, upon some business of importance: but I excused myself from
complying with the message, as, besides being lame, I was very ill
with the great fatigues I had lately undergone, added to my
distemper.

"His grace, however, sent Mr. Carrington the very next morning, with
another summons; with which, though in the utmost distress, I
immediately complied; but the duke happening, unfortunately for me,
to be then particularly engaged, after I had waited some time, sent
a gentleman to discourse with me on the best plan which could be
invented for these murders and robberies, which were every day
committed in the streets; upon which I promised to transmit my
opinion in writing to his grace, who, as the gentleman informed me,
intended to lay it before the Privy