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very much resembled your own, refused it on that very account; and Mr. Brown, and Mr. Wilson, and Sir Samuel Soppet, and many other Misters and Sirs, promoted to the same dignity, would never have got on, be assured, if they had thus fixed themselves down at the very threshold of advancement.

Sea. But I see no reason why accepting such an office as this, should hinder one from advancing.

Sir C. I can give you no good reason for it, I confess; but there have been certain places, time out of mind, which have, some how or other, been consider'd as indicative or otherwise of promotion, and which stand up in the great field of honours like finger posts in a wide track'd common, saying "this is the way to such a place:" they who are once certain of those places, move on to the others, for no earthly reason, that we can perceive, but because they have been placed in the first; and this you will readily allow is no time for innovation.

Sea. I believe there is something in what you say.

Sir. C. There is so much in it, that if you can find some less aspiring friend, to whom you can with confidence give up this office, relying on his honour to assist you with the full weight of his interest on all future occasions, I am sure you will never think of accepting it.

''Soph. (laying hold of her father's arm, and speaking eagerly to Sir Crafty)'' Ah, but he will tho'!