This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ...to the amount of from 7 to 8,000 franks. My three cousins seeing the old gentleman treat me in this kind manner did not wish to be thought less generous than he. They all promised to lend me some, and sure enough they brought me the next morning jewels to nearly the same amount. The most avaricious of the three came last, and in the course of a very long chat contrived to turn the conversation upon my benefice. He gave me to understand that if I was so well off as to wish to dispose of it, and would be inclined to resign it in favour of one of his own children, in preference to either of his cousins, a present of a hundred pistoles should accompany his thanks. I made answer, " that his eldest son having the advantage over all the other children in respect to age, certainly appeared to me the most proper to succeed to my benefice; but that having obtained it for nothing, I should resign it on the same terms, not being a man to make such sort of bargains." I perceived plainly that this answer did not by any means displease him. Just at this moment Sayavedra entered the room, having under his arm a small casket containing my gold chain: "Do you still wish," said he, "that I should go where you desired me?" "You ought to have been there and back again ere this," replied I. u Itecollect only, before you apply to a goldsmith, to make inquiry in the neighbourhood as to his respectability. You will then get my chain weighed, and return to tell me its exact weight." Though my cousin had already seen this chain, he requested to look at it again, and admired extremely both the workmanship and the fineness of the gold. Then, turning to Sayavedra, "My friend," said he, "tell my servant, whom you will find below, to accompany you to a goldsmith's who...