“The Earl of ⸺, not presuming on having any claim to ask any favour of the Lords Commissioners, nor trespassing so far, hopes their Lordships will not think he takes too great a liberty in this address: but having been requested to give an attestation to the character and merit of a very worthy clergyman, who is a suitor to their Lordships for the vacant living of ⸺, Lord ⸺ cannot help bearing his testimony to the deserts of ⸺, whose virtues, great learning, and abilities, make him worthy of preferment, which are inducements with Lord ⸺ to join his mite to these far more interesting recommendations, which he hopes will plead his pardon with their Lordships for troubling them by this intrusion.” This was a true courtier’s letter, and as such it was considered by the Lords Commissioners, who returned a civil answer, and bestowed the preferment elsewhere. Yet let us be permitted here to make an observation on the short-sightedness of man, and the limited penetration of the greatest human sagacity. Our disappointments are always in proportion to our hopes; and as the expectation from such an interposition was very great, so was the mortification and regret which accompanied the refusal. Yet had the petitioner, in the above instance, obtained what he so ardently hoped and so eagerly expected, it would eventually have proved a severe injury and real misfortune. It would necessarily have removed him from the theatre on which he was progressively advancing to reputation, and where his exertions subsequently obtained far greater and more desireable advantages. Comis convivis nunquam inclamare clientes, Ad famulos nunquam tristia verba loqui; Ut placidos mores, tranquillos sic cole manes, Et cape ab ... munus—Amice Vale. CHAPTER XLIV. About this period, the fever of the French Revolution was beginning to manifest its effects, in some of those horrible paroxysms of frenzy, which produced crimes that will for ever throw a stain upon the pages of French history. The alarm was contagious, and, in every part of Europe, infected the serious, reflecting, and, more particularly, the aged part of the community. In this country it was verily believed, that the apprehension of seeing the French atrocities perpetrated among us, accelerated the death of many individuals. The amiable and excellent Mr. C⸺, endured such extreme and constant anxiety on this head, that it greatly disturbed his tranquillity, threw a gloom over his ordinary occupations and pursuits, undermined his health, and hastened his dissolution. Neither did Lord ⸺ escape the panic.—How great and serious was the perturbation of his mind, will sufficiently appear from the following letters, which, in other respects also, appear to be worth preserving. Sept. 24, 1792.