dversions upon the minister, who, on his side, employed the most
wretched scribblers to defend his conduct. It was in consequence of
two political pamphlets, written in opposition to each other, by "lord
Hervey and Mr. P., and some recrimination they produced in the house of
commons, that his lordship challenged the other to single combat, and
had well nigh lost his life in the duel, which was fought in Hyde Park.]

[Footnote 260: Note 2. L, p. 260. Captain Jenkins was master of a
Scottish merchant-ship. He was boarded by the captain of a Spanish
guardacosta, who treated him in the most barbarous manner. The
Spaniards, after having rummaged his vessel for what they called
contraband commodities, without finding anything to justify their
search, insulted him with the most opprobrious invectives. They tore
off one of his ears, bidding him carry it to his king, and tell him they
would serve him in the same manner should an opportunity offer: they
tortured him with the most shocking cruelty, and threatened him with
immediate death. This man was examined at the bar of the house of
commons, and being asked by a member, what he thought when he found
himself in the hands of such barbarians? "I recommended my soul to God,"
said he, "and my cause to my country." The behaviour of this brave
seaman, the sight of his ear, which was produced, with his account of
the indignities which had been offered to the nation and sovereign of
Great Britain, filled the whole house with indignation. Jenkins was
afterwards employed in the service of the East India company; he
approved himself worthy of his good fortune, in a long engagement with
the pirate Angria, during which he behaved with extraordinary courage
and conduct; and saved his own ship, with three others that were under
his convoy.]

[Footnote 262: Note 2 M, p. 262. Among the laws enacted in the course
of this session was an act against gaming, which had become universal
through all ranks of people, and likely to prove destructive to all
morals, industry, and sentiment. Another bill passed, for granting a
reward to Joanna Stevens, on her discovering, for the benefit of the
public, a nostrum for the cure of persons afflicted with the stone--a
medicine which has by no means answered the expectations of the
legislature.

In the house of lords, complaint was made by lord Delaware of a satire,
entitled Manners, written by Mr. Whitehead, in which some characters of
distinction were s