human
I have heard it said, Mr. Titmouse, presently commenced the earl,
gpt
Ye-e-e-s--sir--my Lord --replied Titmouse, hastily considering whether or not he should altogether _sink the shop_; but he dared hardly venture upon so very decisive a lie--
human
I was, please your Lordship, in one of the greatest establishments in the mercery line in London--at the west end, my Lord; most confidential, my Lord; management of everything; but, somehow, my Lord, I never _took to it_--always felt a cut above it--your Lordship understands?
gpt
Perfectly, sir; I can quite appreciate your feelings. But, sir, the mercantile interests of this great country are not to be overlooked!--Those who are concerned in them, are frequently respectable persons.
human
Begging pardon, my Lord--no, they a'n't--if your Lordship only knew them as well as I do, my Lord. Most uncommon low people. Do anything to turn a penny, my Lord; and often sell damaged goods for best.
gpt
It is very possible, sir, that there may exist irregularities, _eccentricities_, ha! ha! of that description; but upon the whole, sir, I am disposed to think that there are many very decent persons engaged in trade. I have had the happiness, sir, to assist in passing measures that were calculated, by removing restrictions and protective duties, to secure to this country the benefits of free and universal competition. We have been proceeding, sir, for many years, on altogether a wrong principle--that of protecting native industry and enterprise; but, not to follow out this matter farther, I must remind you, sir, that your acquaintance with the principles and leading details of mercantile transactions--undoubtedly one of the mainsprings of the national greatness--may hereafter be of use to you, sir.
human
Yes, my Lord, 'pon my soul--when I'm furnishing my houses in town and country, I mean to go to market myself--please your Lordship, I know a trick or two of the trade, and can't be taken in, my Lord. For instance, my Lord, there's Tag-rag--a-hem! hem!
gpt
I did not mean _that_ exactly, said his Lordship, unable to resist a smile.
human
Pray, fill your glass, Mr. Titmouse. He did so.
gpt
You are of course aware that you have the absolute patronage of the borough of Yatton, Mr. Titmouse?--It occurs to me, that as our political opinions agree, and unless I am presumptuous, sir, in so thinking--I may be regarded, in a political point of view, as the head of the family--you understand me, I hope, Mr. Titmouse?
human
Exactly, my Lord--'pon my soul, it's all correct, my Lord.
gpt
Well--then, sir, the family interests, Mr. Titmouse, must be looked after
human
Oh! in course, my Lord, only too happy--certainly, my Lord, we shall, I hope, make a very _interesting_ family, if your Lordship so pleases--I _can_ have no objection, my Lord!
gpt
It was a vile, a disgraceful trick, by which Ministers popped in their own man for our borough, Mr. Titmouse.