The merchant bustled up in such a hurry that he forgot his gout ; instantly opened the door , and who should be seen waiting but the captain and factor , with a cabinet of jewels , and a bill of lading , for which the merchant lifted up his eyes and thanked heaven for sending him such a prosperous voyage . Then they told him the adventures of the cat , and showed him the cabinet of jewels which they had brought for Mr. Whittington . Upon which he cried out with great earnestness , but not in the most poetical manner : `` Go , send him in , and tell him of his fame , And call him Mr. Whittington by name . '' It is not our business to animadvert upon these lines ; we are not critics , but historians . It is sufficient for us that they are the words of Mr. Fitzwarren ; and though it is beside our purpose , and perhaps not in our power to prove him a good poet , we shall soon convince the reader that he was a good man , which was a much better character ; for when some who were present told him that this treasure was too much for such a poor boy as Whittington , he said : `` God forbid that I should deprive him of a penny ; it is his own , and he shall have it to a farthing . '' He then ordered Mr. Whittington in , who was at this time cleaning the kitchen and would have excused himself from going into the counting-house , saying the room was swept and his shoes were dirty and full of hob-nails . The merchant , however , made him come in , and ordered a chair to be set for him . Upon which , thinking they intended to make sport of him , as had been too often the case in the kitchen , he besought his master not to mock a poor simple fellow , who intended them no harm , but let him go about his business . The merchant , taking him by the hand , said : `` Indeed , Mr. Whittington , I am in earnest with you , and sent for you to congratulate you on your great success . Your cat has procured you more money than I am worth in the world , and may you long enjoy it and be happy ! '' At length , being shown the treasure , and convinced by them that all of it belonged to him , he fell upon his knees and thanked the Almighty for his providential care of such a poor and miserable creature . He then laid all the treasure at his master 's feet , who refused to take any part of it , but told him he heartily rejoiced at his prosperity , and hoped the wealth he had acquired would be a comfort to him , and would make him happy . He then applied to his mistress , and to his good friend Miss Alice , who refused to take any part of the money , but told him she heartily rejoiced at his good success , and wished him all imaginable felicity . He then gratified the captain , factor , and the ship 's crew for the care they had taken of his cargo . He likewise distributed presents to all the servants in the house , not forgetting even his old enemy the cook , though she little deserved it . After this Mr. Fitzwarren advised Mr. Whittington to send for the necessary people and dress himself like a gentleman , and made him the offer of his house to live in till he could provide himself with a better . Now it came to pass when Mr. Whittington 's face was washed , his hair curled , and he dressed in a rich suit of clothes , that he turned out a genteel young fellow ; and , as wealth contributes much to give a man confidence , he in a little time dropped that sheepish behavior which was principally occasioned by a depression of spirits , and soon grew a sprightly and good companion , insomuch that Miss Alice , who had formerly pitied him , now fell in love with him . When her father perceived they had this good liking for each other he proposed a match between them , to which both parties cheerfully consented , and the Lord Mayor , Court of Aldermen , Sheriffs , the Company of Stationers , the Royal Academy of Arts , and a number of eminent merchants attended the ceremony , and were elegantly treated at an entertainment made for that purpose . History further relates that they lived very happy , had several children , and died at a good old age . Mr. Whittington served as Sheriff of London and was three times Lord Mayor .
In the last year of his mayoralty he entertained King Henry V and his Queen , after his conquest of France , upon which occasion the King , in consideration of Whittington 's merit , said : `` Never had prince such a subject '' ; which being told to XXXXX at the table , he replied : `` Never had subject such a king . ''
Alice Arts Fitzwarren London Mayor Stationers Whittington hob-nails insomuch lading