Page:Life of Daniel Dancer Esq..pdf/16

 portion of that low cunning so common in illiterate persons; for he pretended to pay his addresses to the cook, in an honourable way, with a view of keeping in favour with her; and, when it was evident that she had discovered his intentions to proceed from what is termed cupboard love, he endeavoured to impose on her a second time, by promising to remember her in his will!

To his brother who kept sheep on the same common, and who rivalled Daniel himself in penury, and almost in wealth, he always manifested the utmost aversion; to his niece, however, he once presented a guinea on the birth of a daughter; but even here he made a hard bargain, for the gift was emotional—she was either to name the child Nancy, after his mother, or forfeit the whole sum.

To the honour of Mr Dancer, however, he possessed one virtue, and that, too, not a very common one in this world—gratitude. Accordingly, some time before his death, he made a will, and surrendered his copyhold estates to the disposition he had made; the will and surrender were both in favour of his benefactress, Lady Tempest.

The evening before his death, he dispatched a messenger in whom he could confide, requesting to sec her ladyship, and on being gratified in this particular, he expressed great