CHAP. VI. VARIOUS Situations offered me in London.-Interview with Sir David Carnegie.-Engage to accompany his friend, Mr. Mackenzie, on the tour of Europe.-Preparation for our journey. -Reflections on my history. -Proceed from London to Paris.-Interview with my Sister-in-law. Travel to Dijon.- Mr. Mackenzie's mistrust, with my peremptory proceeding, and full acquittal. On to Marseilles.-Break down carriage.—Indifferent accommodation.—Journey forward, and dine with the Count de Buffon-Conversation with the Count.-Gardens, menagerie, &c. "At what hour to-morrow MEASURE FOR MEASURE. WHEN I arrived in London, I first shewed myself to the tutor, who, as soon as he understood my business, and how matters stood, told me that he had a place ready for me without further trouble, if I chose to take it, but, that it was in livery. This circumstance I did not like, and, thanking him for his kindness, I said I would prefer looking about me for a short time. As a further inducement, Mr B. told me that the situation was in the family of a lady where he himself dined every day that he : had taken occasion to mention me in the lady's company so often, and had given so favourable a report of me, that, although the situation was that of a butler, with the duties of which I could not be expected to be well acquainted, yet that he knew she herself would be willing to take the trouble of teaching me in all in which I should be found deficient. But as there was still the livery, I persevered in my resolutions to take time and look about me. The next personage to whom I attended was the surgeon's friend, who, on reading the letter which I presented him, surprised me also by stating, that he actually even now knew of a place which he should strongly recommend to my acceptance. On his telling me the particulars, however, I felt in no hurry to engage, but told him that with his leave, I should probably call on him again. In fact, from the first, I had the highest expectations from the interest which I hoped to possess with the brother of Captain Carnegie, and to him I finally presented myself. It was in the morning when I made my first call at the house of Sir David. On reading his brother's letter, he desired me to call again precisely at two o'clock in the afternoon. When I did so, and while I was waiting to be called up stairs, a rap was heard at the door, and a man-servant who was near me, and who seemingly knew something of my business, said to me in a whisper, "What if the gentleman now coming in, should hereafter be your master?" I directly saw the reason why Sir David had bidden me to call at two o'clock, and my expectation rose to the tip-toe attitude. The moment after the gentleman had gone up stairs, I was called up also, and from their pleasant manner, I felt persuaded that I was to succeed. Sir David informed me that his friends name was Mr. Mackenzie, and that he he was about to set out to make the grand tour of Europe that he was in want of a qualified servant to accompany him, and that from what his Brother had written concerning me, as well as from the excellent character which I had brought from my late master they had no doubt but that I should suit him very well; and he further added, that if I thought well of it, I might mention my terms to Mr. Mackenzie. I felt so pleased with the sudden prospect which this information opened to my imagination, that I had scarcely power to make a proper reply for, had I sought the whole world over, it was the precise situation, which, before all others, I should have chosen. Recollecting, at the same time, that my offer of services was probably as timely and acceptable to Mr. Mackenzie as his place was suitable to me, I took heart and asked very liberal terms indeed; which, without the least hesitation, were immediately accepted. My new master directly authorised me to go and order for my own use a new saddle, jackboots, topcoat, jacket, buck-skin breeches, &c. &c., as we were to set out for France on the following Monday. I have often thought, on reviewing my past life, how sudden and singular some of the turns have been in my affairs. In the present instance, it was only ten days since I left the service of Ensign Campbell, at Norwich, and in this brief space I had come to London, (personally a perfect stranger to every one, except Mr. B -,) had sought, and found, to all appearance, and as in fact it proved, an excellent situation, and was actually on my way to the continent ! We went direct from London to Paris. At the latter place we were intending to remain but two or three days. My readers will recollect, that I formerly felt a little pique at my Parisian Brother, on account of his having expressed a slight opinion of me in a letter which he wrote to my mother. This I could never forget and as we were now on the road to Paris, I inwardly determined that I would take an opportunity of shewing him that he had formed a wrong opinion of me. Accordingly, on our arrival, I sought my Brother's residence without delay. To my disappointment I found he was not at home. My Sister-in-law was at the time in the establishment of the Duchess of Choiseul, where I had several opportunities of visiting her. She took occasion, indeed, on my account, to invite several of our old and mutual friends to dine and spend the evening in her apartments. I was glad of this arrangement, and now, thought I, is the time for me to shew off; in fact, to make an impression, which should convince even my Brother, though himself absent, that I was not the stupid dolt which he appeared to have taken me for. Accordingly, at the dinner table, I strove, and not without some success, to conduct myself with. I spoke with freedom, the utmost nonchalance. assisted my right and left hand neighbours with perfect ease and becoming affability-joked and laughed quite humourously-rallied a couple of old friends present that they had not yet got married, threatening the gentleman, if he did not mind very well, that I should myself supersede him, &c. &c. All this tended to work the impression desired. My sister was perfectly charmed with me, and before the company separated, and when I had just done or said something which pleased her uncommonly well, she complimented me before them all, saying that" she never knew any one so changed,that I was become quite a man." Sister," said I, looking at her with perfect composure, “I am no more a man now than I was the first time you saw me, except perhaps, that I have acquired a little more knowledge of the world; I did not at first act as I could have done, because I was afraid you would think me forward, and that I fancied that it was 'all gold that glittered;' I was wishful to establish myself better before I let my highly valued Sisterin-law know my capabilities,-now I have done a little, and hope to do more; and here," taking out a purse of gold from my pocket, "here is a portion of the first-fruits of my own industry.” Our next removal was to Dijon, the chief town of Burgundy. Here we remained for the space of three months: which time Mr. Mackenzie employed in perfecting himself in the French language. While here I had opportunities of observing Mr. Mackenzie's conduct and temper, and had no reason |