the most desperate cases, we may imagine the great improvement produced in
a young man of Lord Mowbray's abilities, and with his ambition both to
please and to shine. In youth, and by youth, improvement in appearance and
manner is easily mistaken for improvement in mind and principle. All that I
had disliked in the schoolboy--the tyrannical disposition--the cruel
temper--the insolent tone--had disappeared, and in their place I saw the
deportment which distinguished a gentleman. Whatever remained of party
spirit, so different from the wrangling, overbearing, mischievous party
spirit of the boy, was in the man and the officer so happily blended with
love of the service, and with _l'esprit de corps_, that it seemed to add a
fresh grace, animation, and frankness to his manner. The evil spirit of
persecution was dislodged from his soul, or laid asleep within him, and in
its place appeared the conciliating spirit of politeness. He showed a
desire to cultivate my friendship, which still more prepossessed me in his
favour.

Mowbray happened to call upon me soon after the conversation I had with my
mother about the Spanish Jew. I had not been dissuaded from my purpose by
her representations; but I had determined to pay my visit without saying
any thing more about the matter, and to form my own judgment of the man. A
new difficulty, however, occurred: my letter of introduction had
disappeared. I searched my pockets, my portfolios, my letter-case, every
conceivable place, but it was not to be found. Mowbray obligingly assisted
me in this search; but after emptying half a dozen times over portfolios,
pockets, and desks, I was ashamed to give him more trouble, and I gave up
the letter as lost. When Mowbray heard that this letter, about which I was
so anxious, was an introduction to a Jewish gentleman, he could not forbear
rallying me a little, but in a very agreeable tone, upon the constancy of
my Israelitish taste, and the perfect continuance of my identity.