Page:Views in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Northamptonshire.djvu/72

 to have descended from the Maddockes of Wales, who formerly held the sovereignty of that principality; but the same combination of events which deprived them of a crown, reduced him below the rank of mediocrity; for this man, who could boast of a regal ancestry, was actually reduced to traverse the extent of country from Wales to London on foot in search of employment, at the age of thirteen, friendless and alone; and having heard that Cheapside was the most likely place to obtain what he wanted, on his arrival in town he repaired thither. After waiting some time, he observed a merchant soil his shoe in crossing the street. Full of ardour for any circumstance that might give rise to employment, he availed himself of this, and immediately ran and cleaned the shoe. The merchant, struck with the boy's humiliating, attention, inquired into his situation, and hearing his history, took him into his service: when some time had elapsed he employed him in his counting-house; and he afterwards became a partner in the firm, and acquired a considerable fortune.

Mr. Lofft is known in the literary world by various publications of a professional kind as a barrister; and several poetical pieces and essays of a political nature.