“My dear friend,” said he, “I have often seen that, in spite of all your love of pleasure, you have your mind continually turned towards higher and graver objects; and I have thought the better of your talents, and of your future success, for the little parade you make of the one, and the little care you appear to pay to the other: for “‘‘tis a common proof, That lowliness is young Ambition’s ladder.’ “I have also observed that you have, of late, been much to Lord Dawton’s; I have even heard that you have been twice closeted with him. It is well known that that person entertains hopes of leading the Opposition to the grata arva of the Treasury benches; and notwithstanding the years in which the Whigs have been out of office, there are some persons who pretend to foresee the chance of a coalition between them and Mr. Gaskell, to whose principles it is also added that they have been gradually assimilating.” Here Vincent paused a moment, and looked full at me. I met his eye with a glance as searching as his own. His look changed, and he continued. “Now, listen to me, Pelham: such a coalition never can take place. You smile; I repeat it. It is my object to form a third party; perhaps while the two great sects ‘anticipate the cabinet designs of fate,’ there may suddenly come by a third, ‘to whom the whole shall be referred.’ Say that you think it not impossible that you may join us, and I will tell you more.” I paused for three minutes before I answered Vincent. I then said--“I thank you very sincerely for your proposal: tell me the names of two of your designed party, and I will answer you.” “Lord Lincoln and Lord Lesborough.” “What!” said I--“the Whig, who says in the Upper House, that whatever may be the distresses of the people, they shall not be gratified at the cost of one of the despotic privileges of the aristocracy. Go to!--I will have none of him. As to Lesborough, he is a fool and a boaster--who is always puffing his own vanity with the windiest pair of oratorical bellows that ever were made by air and brass, for the purpose of sound and smoke, ‘signifying nothing.’ Go to!--I will have none of him either.” “You are right in your judgment of my confreres,” answered Vincent; “but we must make use of bad tools for good purposes.” “No--no!” said I; “the commonest carpenter will tell you the reverse.” Vincent eyed me suspiciously. “Look you!” said he: “I know well that no man loves better than you place, power, and reputation. Do you grant this?” “I do!” was my reply. “Join with us; I will place you in the House of Commons immediately: if we succeed, you shall have the first and the best post I can give you. Now--‘under which king, Bezonian, speak or die!’”