in his life which we are about recordings most deeply influencing his future destiny.
An aged officer, with whom he had been on terms of great intimacy in Portugal, earnestly requested of him, that on his arrival in England he would make inquiries relative to a very particular friend; this was the Reverend Julius Basil who was not only a relation by marriage, but had been the early and most beloved associate of General Boville. De Brooke had promised to do all in his power towards procuring him the desired information respecting one, of whose existence and circumstances in life he had been long ignorant. Nor did he forget his promise.
The parsonage of Whitby, where he had been directed, in the county of York, he was informed, was still the abode of the Rev. J. Basil. He lost no time in repairing thither; and, having sent to acquaint Mr. Basil of the commissions with which he was charged, he received a polite invitation to attend him at his house. He accordingly went, and the result was the following letters from De Brooke to his friend General Boville in Portugal.
Letter I.
"I called upon your friend, the Reverend J. Basil, and was told by the servant who opened the door,
