His eyes, which before were
scarce open, he fixt on me with a stare which testified surprise, and
his coat was immediately thrown open to display a very handsome
second-hand gold-laced waistcoat. In one hand he had a pair of
saddlebags, and in the other a hanger of mighty size, both of which,
with a graceful G--d d--n you, he placed upon a chair. Then, advancing
towards the landlord, who was standing by me, he said, "By G--d,
landlord, your wine is damnable strong." "I don't know," replied the
landlord; "it is generally reckoned pretty good, for I have it all
from London."--"Pray, who is your wine merchant?" says the man of
importance. "A very great man," says the landlord, "in his way;
perhaps you may know him, sir; his name is Kirby." "Ah, what! honest
Tom? he and I have cracked many a bottle of claret together; he is one
of the most considerable merchants in the city; the dog is hellish
poor, damnable poor, for I don't suppose he is worth a farthing more
than a hundred thousand pound; only a plum, that's all; he is to be
our lord-mayor next year." "I ask pardon, sir, that is not the man,
for our Mr Kirby's name is not Thomas but Richard." "Ay!" says the
gentleman, "that's his brother; they are partners together.
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