In this place I continued standing for three-quarters-of-an-hour, during which time I saw a great many young fellows whom I formerly knew in Scotland pass and repass, with an air of familiarity, in their way to and from the audience-chamber; while I was fain to stand shivering in the cold, and turn my back to them that they might not perceive the lowness of my condition.

At length, Mr.Cringer came out to see a young gentleman to the door, who was no other than Squire Gawky, dressed in a very gay suit of clothes; at parting Mr.Cringer shook him by the hand and told him he hoped to have the pleasure of his company at dinner.

Then turning about towards me, asked what were my commands?
When he understood I was the person who had brought the letter from Mr.Crab, he affected to recollect my name, which, however, he pretended he could not do till he had consulted the letter again; to save him the trouble, I told him my name was Random.

Upon which he went on, "Ay, ay, Random, Random, Random--I think I remember the name:" and very well he might, for this very individual, Mr.Cringer, had many a time rode before my grandfather's cloak-bag, in quality of a footman.

"Well," says he, "you propose to go on board a man-of-war as surgeon's mate." I replied by a low bow.