" So saying, he seated himself, and had the satisfaction
to see the laugh returned upon the aggressor, who remained confounded
and abashed, and in a few minutes left the room, muttering, as he
retired, "The old fellow grows scurrilous, stap my breath!"
While Peregrine wondered in silence at this extraordinary scene, the
lady of the house perceiving his surprise, gave him to understand,
that the ancient visitant was utterly bereft of the sense of hearing;
that his name was Cadwallader Crabtree, his disposition altogether
misanthropical; and that he was admitted into company on account
of entertainment he afforded by his sarcastic observations, and
the pleasant mistakes to which he was subject from his infirmity.
Nor did our hero wait a long time for an illustration of this odd
character. Every sentence he spoke was replete with gall; nor did
his satire consist in general reflections, but a series of remarks,
which had been made through the medium of a most whimsical peculiarity
of opinion.
Among those who were present at this assembly was a young officer,
who having, by dint of interest, obtained a seat in the lower
house, thought it incumbent upon him to talk of affairs of state;
and accordingly regaled the company with an account of a secret
expedition which the French were busied in preparing; assuring
them that he had it from the mouth of the minister, to whom it had
been transmitted by one of his agents abroad.
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