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of seeking the common happiness, sow dissentions purposely to weaken the common force, in order to become the common tyrants.

I was once, when on a shooting party, introduced into the house of a Mrs. Jones, who received me with the most kind and amiable hospitality. She engaged me to dine, and ordered a pair of her son's boots to be given me to change. The boots indicated an owner of no diminutive stature, and I asked if I should have the pleasure of seeing the gentleman they belonged to? I was told, that he was absent for the moment, and that he was a captain in the ancient Britons. See, my friend, to what new dangers I was exposed: what if this lusty ancient Briton had come home, and caught me in his boots!

Meanwhile this persecution had extended so far, that some sailors, coming over to navigate the ship, in place of others who had deserted her, were stopped on their way; and this merely because they were coming to take away the rebel of whom so much had been published. And a gentleman came once out of breath from Caernarvon to assure himself, that I was at Pullhelly: for some travellers had been actually stopped upon suspicion that I was one of them, making my way through the country.

That, however, which put me most at my ease in this crisis, was the protection I received from Lieutenant-Colonel Edwards, of the Caernarvon militia, who was then at his country-seat, called Nanhorn, upon leave of absence. He, upon the appearance in his country of so arch a rebel, had written at the

same time with me, to the duke of Portland, to know what he should do, for he was the principal magistrate resident in the country. He received, for answer, to observe, but not to molest me: he, thereupon, invited me frequently to his house, where I was received by him and his sister, Miss Edwards, an accomplished young lady, politely and hospitably, and spent many days at their house; and this intercourse was uninterrupted until their departure for Portsmouth a few days before my sailing: when, being confined by sickness, they both did me the honor of a farewell visit, and the Colonel charged himself with a letter to my sister at Portsmouth. I mention this circumstance particularly, as compared with what follows; it illustrates the diabolical spirit of my persecution for, at the time I was buried in the dungeons of the inquisition, from whence probably it was hoped I never should emerge, redress or protection was refused me, because of my improper conduct in Wales. And such was the only account, it is evident, which ever would have been given of me, had my existence ended there.

At length, on the 12th of February, rising from a sick bed, I embarked for Oporto, where I arrived after a passage of three weeks.

LETTER XI.

Taken prisoner-Released-Liberality-Mr. Nash

Abbé Morand.

AT Oporto, as might be supposed from what had gone before, my reception was prepared for me. After being kept several days on board the ship, a party of men, armed with swords, came to take me before the Corrigidor. I insisted on calling on my way upon the English consul, Mr. Whitehead. This gentleman, as was his duty, examined my passports, and certified them to be genuine. And, as it is well known, that not only on account of the treaties that subsist between the two countries, but of the fear in which this nation stands of England, no British subject ever can be arrested without the privity of the authorities who are there for his protection that is, without a warrant from the Judge Conservador. So the interference of Mr. Whitehead for

this time protected me. It is true, I was often told afterwards, by the Portuguese, that this gentleman had injured, instead of serving me. I rather think,

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however, that had others, whose duty it was still more to protect me, done their part as fairly, I should not have suffered what I did. I was, upon quitting Mr. Whitehead, taken to the Corrigidor's, where, after being detained some time in the vestibule of his palace, I was dismissed.-The next difficulty was to find a lodging; for in this country the conveniences of social life are so little known, that in general to have a lodging you must buy or hire a house and furnish it. There was indeed one hotel for the accommodation of strangers, called the Factory-House. But it was given me to understand, that it would not be proper for me to go there, on account of my principles. In short, all the little dirty arts of the lowest malice had been put in practice, to strew my way with thorns. In this exigence, Mr. Miler, the gentleman to whom the ship that brought me was consigned, made me an invitation to live with him, which I accepted.

Amongst the persons of great respectability, to whom I had brought letters, was Mr. Thomas Nash, an English merchant. Nothing could exceed the delicacy, and, at the same time, the cordiality with which he came forward with offers of friendship and good counsel. It was by his advice that I determined to remain in port, rather than go to Lisbon, or elsewhere. He proposed going early in the spring to his country-house, at St. Juan de Foz, and invited me to consider myself as one of his family. I thereupon wrote to my wife, to come with her children, and enjoy the tranquillity so dearly purchased. Mr.

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Nash charged himself with finding us a habitation near his own. The invitation was seducing, and rendered more so, by the goodness of his very amiable lady. Indeed I have seen few happier pictures of domestic life than their fire-side. The social bonds become, it would seem, more sacred in a foreign soil: and the ties of kindred and of tenderness draw more close as the objects of dissipation are more few. This respectable man found his pleasures in his honorable industry, and plenty in a prosperous commerce living in as much elegance as gives grace to hospitality, and as much luxury as is compatible with virtue and prolonging these blessings through a future generation, in the contemplation of a lovely offspring.

My course of life was, in the mean time, as innocent as could well be. My chief pleasure was sailing upon the river in a little boat; and my companion, an unfortunate French abbé, like me banished from his country; and like me, desirous of fatiguing his body for the repose of his mind, and losing his cares amidst the amusing and captivating scenery that adorned the banks of this fine river. This gentleman had received a good education, and was not at a loss for abundant topics of conversation, without touching the contentious ones of politics and religion. The abbé was besides acquainted with the management of the boat, young, and robust, and as such essential for the service and upon the whole, though we had come there by such different roads, it was wonderful how well we agreed and understood each other: for he neither sought to make a proselite of me, nor I of

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