As I survey it from the Richmond Terrace, which it faces, I like to recall its origin.

That origin does not in the least seem to interfere with the comfort of the old salts in blue puffing away at their short pipes before the gate or strolling across the broad lawn.

Never mind the source of Captain Tom's money.

It is not for them to worry about the "Fox," or the "De Lancey," a brigantine with fourteen guns, which the "financier" took out in 1757, and with which he made some sensational captures, or the "Saucy Sally." Eventually the "De Lancey" was taken by the Dutch and the "Saucy Sally" by the English.

But before these misfortunes befell him Captain Tom had amassed a fat property.