into the gaming clubs at which his fellow members amuse themselves with deep play. He may be presumed to be, in this, more an adept than most of them. Without any air of avarice or art then, let him, by coolness, steadiness, and keen vigilance, win as much of their money as he can. Let him take it with seeming indifference; and scatter it about with profusion. Let him never be a rigorous creditor to those who owe him playdebts upon honour. Let him never so affront the losing party as to refuse continuing to play because they have no more money left in their pockets. Let him make as if he attended the clubs, and entered into play, merely because he likes the society of his gaming friends, and has himself an unlucky passion for play. Acting thus, he cannot fail to gain an ascendency over the minds of his gaming parliamentary friends, which shall serve him not more in play than in politics.

Should he, on the other hand, meet with gamesters more knowing than himself, and be quickly pigeoned of all he possesses; even

from this misluck he may derive new advantage toward his political success. The soldier who has lost his purse, is ever the most forward to mount a breach. There are great examples to evince, that the loss of a fortune at the gaming-table contributes to render a man desperately bold and pre-eminently clever in political oratory. If a losing gamester carry up his crest, make light of his misfortune, and bear himself as if he had lost, in a manner, nothing in comparison of what he is still confident to gain in a way much more honourable; he will command an admiration in his distress which shall compel most other minds to stoop in homage to his. Those who have triumphed over him in gaming, will be glad to follow him in politics; and he will have raised a company of political Condottieri at the expense of his whole fortune.

Besides, I have supposed him a leader among his companions at school and at the university. It is to be presumed, that he must now, again, meet with some of these

in parliament. They who were proud to follow him in frolics of boyish mischief, and in the first excesses of juvenile dissipation, may not have yet been able to shake their former reverence for his genius, nor their fondness for his society. All of these, then, whom new and indispensible interests do not engage against him, must become his followers. If there be yet others of his old school-fellows now on the political field, lads who were too serious, gentle, and bookish, to join him in his early pranks and mischiefs, these will, now, however, see that he is much more a man of business and of the world, than they themselves, with all the pains they have taken to become learned and good; they will unavoidably bow to his superior genius; and they will, almost insensibly, find themselves engaged to follow him in the general train of his politics, and in his parliamentary movements.

There is something, also, to be gained by the distinguished pursuit of all the gallantrics of the age. My rising orator and statesman

ought to shew himself, if possible, the liveliest and best sustained character at a masquerade. He should get himself into request, as one whose presence is necessary to give spirit and fashion to every grand route. He is a skilful dancer; and he must take care to have the ladies ready to pull caps, to have him for a partner at every grand ball. He must visit Newmarket; and he may, once or twice, enter a horse to run, there or on some other race-ground, just to shew that he is not quite ignorant of the sport, nor, more than English gentlemen in general, averse from it. But, I cannot advise him to devote himself passionately to horse-racing, any more than to bull-baiting, cock-fighting, boxing, or walking matches.

CHAPTER VII.

CAREER IN OPPOSITION TILL THE STRONGHOLDS OF ADMINISTRATION ARE TAKEN BY STORM.

I MAY now suppose the rising Statesman to be very high in the ranks of opposition, and to have accustomed the house of legislature in which he has a seat, to listen with respect to his voice on all occasions on which he chooses to address them. What, then? Is he to abide for ever in opposition? Or, is he to desert to administration, as soon as he