He accordingly
appeared, exceedingly drunk, though it was morning, and repeated the
articles of the charge, as an information he had received from a
man who came from town to hang the bells, and was long ago returned
to London.
"This was an instance of his cunning and address, which did not
forsake him even in his hours of intoxication. Had he fixed the
calumny on any one of the servants, he would have been confronted
and detected in his falsehood. Nevertheless, though he could not
be legally convicted, it plainly appeared that he was the author
of this defamation, which incensed Mr. Bal-- to such a degree,
that he could scarce be withheld from punishing him on the spot,
by manual chastisement. However, he was prevailed upon to abstain
from such immediate vengeance, as a step unworthy of his character;
and the affair was brought to this issue, that his lordship should
either part with me or Mr. H--; for I was fully determined against
living under the same roof with such an incendiary.
"This alternative being proposed, my lord dismissed his steward,
and we returned to town with the doctor and Mrs.
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