Perhaps I may be in the wrong. But every man has his
way. For this reason, I proposed to all the candidates, that a
lottery or raffle should be set on foot, by which every individual
would have an equal chance for her good graces, and the prize be
left to the decision of fortune. The scheme was mightily relished,
and the terms being such a trifle as half a guinea, the whole
town crowded into my house, in order to subscribe. But there I was
their humble servant. 'Gentlemen, you must have a little patience
till my own particular friends are served.' Among that number,
I do myself the honour to consider Mr. Pickle. Here is a copy of
the proposals; and, if the list should be adorned with his name, I
hope, notwithstanding his merited success among the young ladies,
he will for once be shunned by that little vixen called Miss Fortune!
he, he, he!"
So saying, he bowed with a thousand apish congees, and presented
his paper to Peregrine, who, seeing the number of subscribers
was limited to one hundred, said he thought him too moderate in
his expectations, as he did not doubt that his picture would be a
cheap purchase at five hundred, instead of fifty pounds, at which
the price was fixed.
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