My uncle says
he is a man of uncommon parts, and unquestioned probity: that his
fortune, which was originally small, has been greatly hurt by a
romantic spirit of generosity, which he has often displayed, even
at the expence of his discretion, in favour of worthless
individuals -- That he had rescued Paunceford from the lowest
distress, when he was bankrupt, both in means and reputation --
That he had espoused his interests with a degree of enthusiasm,
broke with several friends, and even drawn his sword against my
uncle, who had particular reasons for questioning the moral
character of the said Paunceford: that, without Serle's
countenance and assistance, the other never could have embraced
the opportunity, which has raised him to this pinnacle of wealth:
that Paunceford, in the first transports of his success, had
written, from abroad, letters to different correspondents, owning
his obligations to Mr Serle, in the warmest terms of
acknowledgement, and declared he considered himself only as a
factor for the occasions of his best friend: that, without doubt,
he had made declarations of the same nature to his benefactor
himself, though this last was always silent and reserved on the
subject; but for some years, those tropes and figures of rhetoric
had been disused; that, upon his return to England, he had been
lavish in his caresses to Mr Serle, invited him to his house, and
pressed him to make it his own: that he had overwhelmed him with
general professions, and affected to express the warmest regard
for him, in company of their common acquaintance; so that every
body believed his gratitude was liberal as his fortune; and some
went so far as to congratulate Mr Serle on both.
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