238 SEVENTEENTH EVENING.

{o give me a recommendation, and his mtorest is » +f
cient to carry it.

A, Mr. Goodwin !—you surprise me.

P, I was much surprised, too, sir. He sent for me
of his own accord (for I should never have thought of
asking him a favour), and told me he was sorry a man
should be injured in his profession on account of party,
and, as I could not live comfortably where I was, he
would try to settle me in a better place. So he men-
tioned the vacancy of Stoke, and offered me letters to
the trustees. Iwas never so affected in my life, sir ;
I could hardly speak to return him thanks. He kept
me to dinner, and treated me with the greatest respect.
Indeed, I believe there is not a kinder man breathing,
than Mr. Goodwin.

A, You have the best reason in the world to say so,
Mr. Penman. What—did he converse fimiliarly with
vou?

P. Quite so, sir. We talked a great deal about
party affairs in this neighbourhood, and he lamented
much that differences of this kind should keep worthy
men at a distance from each other. I took the liberty,
sir, of mentioning your name. He said he had not the
honour of being acquainted with you, but he had a
sincere esteem for your character, and should be glad
of any occasion to cultivate a friendship with you.
For my part, I confess to my shame, I did not think
there could have been such a man on that side.

A, Well—good morning!
£, Your most obedient, sir. | fle goes.
Ad, (After some silence.) Come, my friend, let nz

B. Whither P
A. Can you doubt it?—to Mr. Goodwin’s, to be
sure! After all I have heard, can I exist a moment,
without acknowledging the injustice I have done him,
and soliciting his friendship ?

B. 1 shall be happy, Iam sure, to accompany you
on that errand. But who is to introduce us?

o
So