Then Barnabas sat down
and wrote a letter to his father, as here follows:--
* * * * *
My Dear Father and Natty Bell,--I have read somewhere in my books
that 'adventures are to the adventurous,' and, indeed, I have
already found this to be true. Now, since I am adventuring the great
world, I adventure lesser things also.
Thus I have met and talked with an entertaining pedler, from whom I
have learned that the worst place in the world is Giles's Rents down
by the River; from him, likewise, I purchased a book as to the
merits of which I begin to entertain doubts.
Then I have already thrashed a friend of the Prince Regent, and
somewhat spoiled a very fine gentleman, and, I fear, am like to be
necessitated to spoil another before the day is much older; from
each of whom I learn that a Prince's friend may be an arrant knave.
Furthermore, I have become acquainted with the son of an Earl, and
finding him a man also, have formed a friendship with him, which I
trust may endure.
Thus far, you see, much has happened to me; adventures have
befallen me in rapid succession.
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