Robert Antrobus, "a Gentleman of Bath," was called in the month
of November to pass sundry months in Tretelly, that antique but
still lively little town of Cornwall. He describes himself
as "exceedingly vexed and inconvenienced by Summons on my
Affairs connected with the Parcelling of a piece of Property,
unexpectedly acquired." Mr. Antrobus--who, by-the-bye, may
perhaps be associated in the memories of readers of minor
Eighteenth-Century correspondence with such notables of the day
as William Pitt, Dr. Johnson, Admiral Byng, Mark Akenside,
William Pulteney, the Duke of Cumberland, and many others of
the time--was a shy, silent man of wealth. Also was he one of
considerable learning, out of the way and other, including an
interest in gypsies and gypsy language remarkable for the period.
He lodged at "the only Inn of any suitability" in the place. Thereby
be made an unexpected acquaintance. Before a week had elapsed,
he became much interested in the fact that under the same roof,
but in more bumble quarters than his own, was lying and dying
another stranger in the place. This was a man of some forty years,
known only as "Mr. George." His home is not a clear matter, nor
that he had any relatives except a little girl of six or seven years
old, his child. It is likely that in alluding to him in the "Prefatory
Explication" mentioned, Mr.
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