I overheard the word
'honour' repeated several times with great emphasis, Mr. Cringer
introduced me to this gentleman, as to a person whose advice and
assistance I might depend upon; and having given me his direction,
followed me to the door, where he told me I need not give myself the
trouble to call at his house any more, for Mr. Staytape would do my
business. At that instant my fellow-dependent, coming out after me,
overheard the discourse of Mr. Cringer, and, making up to me in the
street, accosted me very civilly: this address I looked upon as no small
honour, considering the figure he made, for he was dressed in a blue
frock with a button, a green silk waistcoat, trimmed with gold, black
velvet breeches, white silk stockings, silver buckles, a gold-laced hat,
a spencer-wig, and a silver-hilted hanger, with a fine clouded can in
his hand. "I perceive," says he, "you are but lately come from Scotland;
pray what may your business with Mr. Cringer be? I suppose it is no
secret and I may possibly give you some advice that will be serviceable,
for I have been surgeon's second mate on board of a seventy-gun ship,
and consequently know a good deal of the world."

I made no scruple to disclose my situation, which, when he had learned,
he shook his head, and told me he had been pretty much, in the same
circumstances about a year ago: that he had relied on Cringer's
promises, until his money (which was considerable) as well as his
credit, was quite exhausted; and when he wrote to his relations for a
fresh supply, instead of money he received nothing but reproaches, and
the epithets of idle, debauched fellow. That after he had waited at the
Navy Office many months for a warrant to no purpose, he was fain to pawn
some of his clothes, which raised a small sum wherewith he bribed the
secretary, who soon procured a warrant for him, notwithstanding he had
affirmed the same day, that there was not one vacancy. That he had gone
on board, where he remained nine months, at the end of which the ship
was put out of commission, and he said the company were to be paid off
in Broad Street the very next day. That relations being reconciled to
him, had charged him to pay his devoirs regularly to Mr. Cringer, who
had informed them by letter that his interest alone had procured the
warrant; in obedience to which command he came to his levee every
morning; as I saw, though he looked upon him to be a very pitiful
scoundrel. In conclusion, he ask