Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Effect Of Sudden Preferment In Loosening Ancient Connexions.
his companionable qualities . You will be surprised to hear , that , by a fortunate connexion , he is become Dean of . The first time I saw him after his preferment , I stretched out my hand to him , to wish him joy , in quality of an old friend and associate , but could only grasp the tip of his longest finger ; he made me , however , a very polite bow , and told me his dinner was always on table at half after five , if
I ever came his wajr . He left me in such utter surprise , that I was fixed on the spot for some moments . If occurred to me , however , upon a little reflexion , that this must have been a mere joke , which would serve us to laugh over at some snug meeting at the Deaneiy . His subsequent conduct has undeceived me ; and 1 plainly see that I am never to be acknowledged on the ancient footing . I own I
should feel a very violent indignation towards this poltroon , and should be provoked to some signal revenge , if such behaviour did not in a great measure carry its punishment with it ; but I observe that , since his elevation , there are fewer smiles on his countenance , and there seems , to be a constraint in his looks and demeanour , which betrays an inward perplexity , the constant companion of pride .
There is always , methinks , a sort of treason in ' these abuses of friendship , that leaves a conscious stain upon the mind , a secret sense of unworthiness , that sinks us amidst our triumphs , and falsifies ourgreatness . . I happened to meet hini the other day in a large company , where it was my fortune to be seated next to him . I thought this a favourable
opportunity for pressing some anecdotes home to his recollection , that mi g ht stir up some ancient regards , if any were left at the bottom of his mind . I talked to him of the old tree , under ivhose shade we had passed so man } ' hours in reading a stoiy of Chaucer , a play of Shakspeare , or the humours of the Knight of La Mancha . I reminded him of our names cut out together on the examining-chair in the schools . I told himthat his likeness was still hanging over
, my mantle-piece , which brought to my mind a thousand soothing remembrances of my youth ; and that I often- pleased myself with contemplating the unconsciousness that appeared in my friend ' s countenance , of an 3 ' views towards that elevation which he has since experienced . I assured him , that our little laundress , though not in the pride of her lookswas still freshfloridand good-naturedand
, , , , often talked of Tom Varnish ' s genteel leg , and sociable temper . AU this , however , appeared to give him rather offence than pleasure , -At the mention , indeed , of Miss Jemy , his eyes seemed to sparkle a little , and his fingers involuntarily moved towards his band , which had formerly passed through the renovating hands of the pretty laundress . I returned home , chagrined at the littleness of human
pride , and the sorry make of our minds , which can be content thus to barter the real enjoj'ments of life for its pageantr } 'and impositions . Seeing a loose bit of paper and a pen on my table , the thought occurred to me of putting down certain obligations conferred upon our worthy Dean in the daj's of our intimacy , which serve to point cut the meaflnes . s from which he has emerged . As 1 think myself P 3
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Effect Of Sudden Preferment In Loosening Ancient Connexions.
his companionable qualities . You will be surprised to hear , that , by a fortunate connexion , he is become Dean of . The first time I saw him after his preferment , I stretched out my hand to him , to wish him joy , in quality of an old friend and associate , but could only grasp the tip of his longest finger ; he made me , however , a very polite bow , and told me his dinner was always on table at half after five , if
I ever came his wajr . He left me in such utter surprise , that I was fixed on the spot for some moments . If occurred to me , however , upon a little reflexion , that this must have been a mere joke , which would serve us to laugh over at some snug meeting at the Deaneiy . His subsequent conduct has undeceived me ; and 1 plainly see that I am never to be acknowledged on the ancient footing . I own I
should feel a very violent indignation towards this poltroon , and should be provoked to some signal revenge , if such behaviour did not in a great measure carry its punishment with it ; but I observe that , since his elevation , there are fewer smiles on his countenance , and there seems , to be a constraint in his looks and demeanour , which betrays an inward perplexity , the constant companion of pride .
There is always , methinks , a sort of treason in ' these abuses of friendship , that leaves a conscious stain upon the mind , a secret sense of unworthiness , that sinks us amidst our triumphs , and falsifies ourgreatness . . I happened to meet hini the other day in a large company , where it was my fortune to be seated next to him . I thought this a favourable
opportunity for pressing some anecdotes home to his recollection , that mi g ht stir up some ancient regards , if any were left at the bottom of his mind . I talked to him of the old tree , under ivhose shade we had passed so man } ' hours in reading a stoiy of Chaucer , a play of Shakspeare , or the humours of the Knight of La Mancha . I reminded him of our names cut out together on the examining-chair in the schools . I told himthat his likeness was still hanging over
, my mantle-piece , which brought to my mind a thousand soothing remembrances of my youth ; and that I often- pleased myself with contemplating the unconsciousness that appeared in my friend ' s countenance , of an 3 ' views towards that elevation which he has since experienced . I assured him , that our little laundress , though not in the pride of her lookswas still freshfloridand good-naturedand
, , , , often talked of Tom Varnish ' s genteel leg , and sociable temper . AU this , however , appeared to give him rather offence than pleasure , -At the mention , indeed , of Miss Jemy , his eyes seemed to sparkle a little , and his fingers involuntarily moved towards his band , which had formerly passed through the renovating hands of the pretty laundress . I returned home , chagrined at the littleness of human
pride , and the sorry make of our minds , which can be content thus to barter the real enjoj'ments of life for its pageantr } 'and impositions . Seeing a loose bit of paper and a pen on my table , the thought occurred to me of putting down certain obligations conferred upon our worthy Dean in the daj's of our intimacy , which serve to point cut the meaflnes . s from which he has emerged . As 1 think myself P 3