But this is not the cause of my present writing.

The bearer, Mr.Timothy Trickle, is a distant relation of yours, being the son of the cousin of your aunt Margery, and is not over and above well as to worldly matters.

He thinks of going to London, to see for some post in the excise or customs if so be that you will recommend him to some great man of your acquaintance, and give him a small matter to keep him till he is provided.

I doubt not, nephew, but you will be glad to serve him, if it was no more but for the respect you bear to me, who am,--Loving nephew, your affectionate uncle, and servant to command, "Tobiah Trunnion." It would be a difficult task for the inimitable Hogarth himself to exhibit the ludicrous expression of the commodore's countenance while he read this letter.

It was not a stare of astonishment, a convulsion of rage, or a ghastly grin of revenge; but an association of all three, that took possession of his features.