ing an only daughter, a
minor, heiress of three thousand a year under the guardianship of her
uncle Anthony, whose brutal character all the world knows. The breath
was no sooner out of his brother's body, than he resolved, if possible,
to succeed him in parliament as representative for the borough of
Ashenton. Now you must know, that this borough had been for many years a
bone of contention between the families of Greaves and Darnel; and at
length the difference was compromised by the interposition of friends, on
condition that Sir Everhard and Squire Darnel should alternately
represent the place in parliament. They agreed to this compromise for
their mutual convenience; but they were never heartily reconciled. Their
political principles did not tally; and their wives looked upon each
other as rivals in fortune and magnificence. So that there was no
intercourse between them, thof they lived in the same neighbourhood. On
the contrary, in all disputes, they constantly headed the opposite
parties. Sir Everhard understanding that Anthony Darnel had begun to
canvass, and was putting every iron in the fire, in violation and
contempt of the pactum familiae before mentioned, fell into a violent
passion, that brought on a severe fit of the gout; by which he was
disabled from giving personal attention to his own interest. My father,
indeed, employed all his diligence and address, and spared neither money,
time, nor constitution, till at length he drank himself into a
consumption, which was the death of him. But, after all, there is a
great difference between a steward and a principal. Mr. Darnel attended
in propria persona, flattered and caressed the women, feasted the
electors, hired mobs, made processions, and scattered about his money in
such a manner, that our friends durst hardly show their heads in public.

"At this very crisis, our young squire, to whom his father had written an
account of the transaction, arrived unexpectedly at Greavesbury Hall, and
had a long private conference with Sir Everhard. The news of his return
spread like wildfire through all that part of the country. Bonfires were
made, and the bells set a-ringing in several towns and steeples; and next
morning above seven hundred people were assembled at the gate, with
music, flags, and streamers, to welcome their young squire, and accompany
him to the borough of Ashenton. He set out on foot with his retinue, and
entered one end of the town just a