This was a rich
harvest for Fitzpatrick and Hare; but the public gets
accustomed to everything, and has an easy habit of faith. The
new Baron cared nothing for ridicule, for he was working for
posterity. He was compensated for every annoyance by the
remembrance that the St James's Street waiter was ennobled,
and by his determination that his children should rank still
higher in the proud peerage of his country. So he obtained
the royal permission to resume the surname and arms of his
ancestors, as well as their title.
There was an ill-natured story set afloat, that Sir John owed
this promotion to having lent money to the minister; but this
was a calumny. Mr Pitt never borrowed money of his friends.
Once indeed, to save his library, he took a thousand pounds
from an individual on whom he had conferred high rank and
immense promotion: and this individual, who had the minister's
bond when Mr Pitt died, insisted on his right, and actually
extracted the 1,000 l. from the insolvent estate of his
magnificent patron. But Mr Pitt always preferred an usurer to
a friend; and to the last day of his life borrowed money at
fifty per cent.
The Nabob departed this life before the Minister, but he lived
long enough to realize his most aspiring dream.
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