Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Effect Of Sudden Preferment In Loosening Ancient Connexions.
made , the } ' will be to the disadvantage of yourself . I do not conceive in what circumstances you pretend to be my superior , except in' the base article of wealth . You may be a greater man , but you have not so much ease , so much . leisure , so much youth , so much health , so much strength , so many real friends , and so much content I am pretty sure , too , that a certain lady whom we have both addressed , prefers in her ; own breast my little farm to your fine house and your
laced liveries ; but I respect your happiness so much , that I would resign her to you , if you would butadopta more amiable and rational way of thinking . " I shall never make any farther overtures towards a reconciliation ; but shall always be ready to embrace you whenever you feel yourself disposed to sink this aukward distance between us . You will
be most likely to find me , on such an occasion , in the poplar-groves behind your house , or on the terrace just out of the village , at the hours of nine and ten in the evening , particularly if it be moon-li ght . Be assured you will never hear of me at any public places , for crowds are my abomination . I am sensible that the pride and deceit of these corrupt resorts , first produced the melancholy separation that has taken place between us . I knew what was to be my fate
from the moment that old Lady Margaret Mildmay whispered in your ear the words , " seducing arts , " and " delicate situations . " Ever since these ominous phrases , you have kept me at the most mortifying distance ; but finding it rather difficult to shake me off at once , you pinched , buckramed , and pomatumed me up to such a degree , that I could not hold out any longer . I have often tried to meet you since our total separationbutas . I have not been used to
, , the smell of perfumes , I could never come within your atmosphere , except once , indeed , when , in flying from two unmanneredly catchpoles , you ran full against me in turning a corner , and did me the favour of jostling me into the kennel . . ' . * ' One thing , however , sir , I must insist upon , which is , that you will forbear any contemptuous insinuations respecting my friend
Dick Shortland ' s family , since you cannot boast so good a one ; and as to myself , sir , you cannot be ignorant that your great-grandfather was a chimney-sweeper , as well as my own ; and that if it were not for that noble invention for which the world is indebted to a person who was great uncle to both of us , of liquid shining blacking for shoes , you could never have expected to maintain so much consequence in life , as even your neglected friend ancl humble servant , HUMPHRY QUONDAM . "
I cannot forbear following up this letter with an exhortation to my readers to reflect , that the humane and social duties press equally on all situations of life ; and that , if prosperity deprive us of our unbought friendships , it must ever after remain in hopeless arrears to us , whatever degree of plenty it may shower into our bosoms : it has robbed us of the day-light , which no borrowed glare of lamps aud crystals can . supply .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Effect Of Sudden Preferment In Loosening Ancient Connexions.
made , the } ' will be to the disadvantage of yourself . I do not conceive in what circumstances you pretend to be my superior , except in' the base article of wealth . You may be a greater man , but you have not so much ease , so much . leisure , so much youth , so much health , so much strength , so many real friends , and so much content I am pretty sure , too , that a certain lady whom we have both addressed , prefers in her ; own breast my little farm to your fine house and your
laced liveries ; but I respect your happiness so much , that I would resign her to you , if you would butadopta more amiable and rational way of thinking . " I shall never make any farther overtures towards a reconciliation ; but shall always be ready to embrace you whenever you feel yourself disposed to sink this aukward distance between us . You will
be most likely to find me , on such an occasion , in the poplar-groves behind your house , or on the terrace just out of the village , at the hours of nine and ten in the evening , particularly if it be moon-li ght . Be assured you will never hear of me at any public places , for crowds are my abomination . I am sensible that the pride and deceit of these corrupt resorts , first produced the melancholy separation that has taken place between us . I knew what was to be my fate
from the moment that old Lady Margaret Mildmay whispered in your ear the words , " seducing arts , " and " delicate situations . " Ever since these ominous phrases , you have kept me at the most mortifying distance ; but finding it rather difficult to shake me off at once , you pinched , buckramed , and pomatumed me up to such a degree , that I could not hold out any longer . I have often tried to meet you since our total separationbutas . I have not been used to
, , the smell of perfumes , I could never come within your atmosphere , except once , indeed , when , in flying from two unmanneredly catchpoles , you ran full against me in turning a corner , and did me the favour of jostling me into the kennel . . ' . * ' One thing , however , sir , I must insist upon , which is , that you will forbear any contemptuous insinuations respecting my friend
Dick Shortland ' s family , since you cannot boast so good a one ; and as to myself , sir , you cannot be ignorant that your great-grandfather was a chimney-sweeper , as well as my own ; and that if it were not for that noble invention for which the world is indebted to a person who was great uncle to both of us , of liquid shining blacking for shoes , you could never have expected to maintain so much consequence in life , as even your neglected friend ancl humble servant , HUMPHRY QUONDAM . "
I cannot forbear following up this letter with an exhortation to my readers to reflect , that the humane and social duties press equally on all situations of life ; and that , if prosperity deprive us of our unbought friendships , it must ever after remain in hopeless arrears to us , whatever degree of plenty it may shower into our bosoms : it has robbed us of the day-light , which no borrowed glare of lamps aud crystals can . supply .