Come, Mivers, do you happen to know among your London friends some man who, though a scholar and a man of the world, is still a Christian ?" "A Christian as by law established ?" "Well--yes." "And who will receive Kenelm as a pupil ?" "Of course I am not putting, such questions to you out of idle curiosity." "I know exactly the man.

He was originally intended for orders, and is a very learned theologian.

He relinquished the thought of the clerical profession on succeeding to a small landed estate by the sudden death of an elder brother.

He then came to London and bought experience: that is, he was naturally generous; he became easily taken in; got into difficulties; the estate was transferred to trustees for the benefit of creditors, and on the payment of L400 a year to himself.

By this time he was married and had two children.