Henry Mackenzie - The Man of Feeling

8/15/2019 Henry Mackenzie - The Man of Feeling

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Title: The Man of Feeling

Author: Henry Mackenzie

Release Date: February, 2004 !"ook #$0%&'

(es, )e are *ore than one year ahea+ of sche+ule'

This le )as rst -oste+ on A-ril .%, 2002'

Most recently u-+ate+: A-ril .%, 2002'

!+ition: .0

/anguage: !nglish

1TART F TH! 3R!5T 67T!8"!R6 !"9, TH! MA8 F F!!/86

Transcribe+ by Da;i+ 3rice, e*ail ccco;entry?ac?uk, fro* the

.%%@ 5assell 5o*-any e+ition?

TH! MA8 F F!!/86


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!DTRB1 8TRD75T8

Henry Mackenzie, the son of an !+inburgh -hysician, )as born in

August, .=4$? After e+ucation in the 7ni;ersity of !+inburgh he

)ent to /on+on in .=@$, at the age of t)enty, for la) stu+ies,

returne+ to !+inburgh, an+ beca*e 5ro)n Attorney in the 1cottish

5ourt of !


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e+ite+ until May, .=%0? ts )riters after)ar+s oine+ in -ro+ucing

The /ounger, )hich laste+ fro* February, .=%$, to anuary, .=%=?

Henry Mackenzie contribute+ fortyGt)o -a-ers to The Mirror an+

ftyGse;en to The /ounger? hen the Royal 1ociety of !+inburgh )as

foun+e+ Henry Mackenzie )as acti;e as one of its rst *e*bers? He

)as also one of the foun+ers of the Highlan+ 1ociety?

Although his EMan of FeelingE )as a serious reIection of the false

senti*ent of the Re;olution, Mackenzie oine+ after)ar+s in )riting

tracts to +issua+e the -eo-le fro* faith in the +octrines of the

Re;olutionists? Mackenzie )rote also a trage+y, EThe 3rince of

Tunis,E )hich )as acte+ )ith success at !+inburgh, an+ a co*e+y,

EThe hite Hy-ocrite,E )hich )as acte+ once only at 5o;ent gar+en?

He +ie+ at the age of eightyGsi


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A7THRB1 8TRD75T8

My +og ha+ *a+e a -oint on a -iece of fallo)Ggroun+, an+ le+ the

curate an+ *e t)o or three hun+re+ yar+s o;er that an+ so*e stubble

a+oining, in a breathless state of e


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looke+ roun+ )ith so*e such gra;e a-o-htheg* in *y *in+ )hen

+isco;ere+, for the rst ti*e, a ;enerable -ile, to )hich the

enclosure belonge+? An air of *elancholy hung about it? There )as

a langui+ stillness in the +ay, an+ a single cro), that -erche+ on

an ol+ tree by the si+e of the gate, see*e+ to +elight in the echo

of its o)n croaking?

leane+ on *y gun an+ looke+ but ha+ not breath enough to ask

the curate a Cuestion? obser;e+ car;ing on the bark of so*e of

the trees: Bt)as in+ee+ the only *ark of hu*an art about the -lace,

e


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the curate for in+ee+ it is no *ore a history than it is a ser*on?

The )ay ca*e by it )as this: so*e ti*e ago, a gra;e, o++ish kin+

of a *an boar+e+ at a far*erBs in this -arish: the country -eo-le

calle+ hi* The 6host an+ he )as kno)n by the slouch in his gait,

an+ the length of his stri+e? )as but little acCuainte+ )ith hi*,

for he ne;er freCuente+ any of the clubs hereabouts? (et for all he

use+ to )alk aGnights, he )as as gentle as a la*b at ti*es for

ha;e seen hi* -laying at teetotu* )ith the chil+ren, on the great

stone at the +oor of our churchyar+?

E1oon after )as *a+e curate, he left the -arish, an+ )ent nobo+y

kno)s )hither an+ in his roo* )as foun+ a bun+le of -a-ers, )hich

)as brought to *e by his lan+lor+? began to rea+ the*, but soon

gre) )eary of the task for, besi+es that the han+ is intolerably

ba+, coul+ ne;er n+ the author in one strain for t)o cha-ters

together an+ +onBt belie;e thereBs a single syllogis* fro*

beginning to en+?E

E shoul+ be gla+ to see this *e+ley,E sai+ ? E(ou shall see it

no),E ans)ere+ the curate, Efor al)ays take it along )ith *e aG

shooting?E EHo) ca*e it so tornNE EBTis e


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ha+ *a+e: foun+ it a bun+le of little e-iso+es, -ut together

)ithout art, an+ of no i*-ortance on the )hole, )ith so*ething of

nature, an+ little else in the*? )as a goo+ +eal aOecte+ )ith

so*e ;ery triIing -assages in it an+ ha+ the na*e of Mar*ontel, or

a Richar+son, been on the titleG-ageGGBtis o++s that shoul+ ha;e

)e-t: "ut

ne is asha*e+ to be -lease+ )ith the )orks of one kno)s not )ho*?

5HA3T!R P Q.@GG8 "A1HF7/8!11?GGA 5HARA5T!R?GGH1 388 8 THAT

17"!5T

There is so*e rust about e;ery *an at the beginning though in so*e

nations Ja*ong the French for instanceK the i+eas of the

inhabitants, fro* cli*ate, or )hat other cause you )ill, are so

;i;acious, so eternally on the )ing, that they *ust, e;en in s*all

societies, ha;e a freCuent collision the rust therefore )ill )ear

oO sooner: but in "ritain it often goes )ith a *an to his gra;e

nay, he +ares not e;en -en a hic acet to s-eak out for hi* after

his +eath?

E/et the* rub it oO by tra;el,E sai+ the baronetBs brother, )ho )as

a striking instance of e


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one -assing sentence to -reser;e his i*age in *y *in+?

He sat in his usual attitu+e, )ith his elbo) reste+ on his knee, an+

his ngers -resse+ on his cheek? His face )as sha+e+ by his han+

yet it )as a face that *ight once ha;e been )ell accounte+ han+so*e

its features )ere *anly an+ striking, a +ignity resi+e+ on his

eyebro)s, )hich )ere the largest re*e*ber to ha;e seen? His

-erson )as tall an+ )ellG*a+e but the in+olence of his nature ha+

no) incline+ it to cor-ulency?

His re*arks )ere fe), an+ *a+e only to his fa*iliar frien+s but

they )ere such as the )orl+ *ight ha;e hear+ )ith ;eneration: an+

his heart, uncorru-te+ by its )ays, )as e;er )ar* in the cause of

;irtue an+ his frien+s?

He is no) forgotten an+ goneL The last ti*e )as at 1ilton Hall,

sa) his chair stan+ in its corner by the reGsi+e there )as an

a++itional cushion on it, an+ it )as occu-ie+ by *y young la+yBs

fa;ourite la- +og? +re) near un-ercei;e+, an+ -inche+ its ears in

the bitterness of *y soul the creature ho)le+, an+ ran to its

*istress? 1he +i+ not sus-ect the author of its *isfortune, but she

be)aile+ it in the *ost -athetic ter*s an+ kissing its li-s, lai+

it gently on her la-, an+ co;ere+ it )ith a ca*bric han+kerchief?

sat in *y ol+ frien+Bs seat hear+ the roar of *irth an+ gaiety

aroun+ *e: -oor "en 1iltonL ga;e thee a tear then: acce-t of

one cor+ial +ro- that falls to thy *e*ory no)?

EThey shoul+ )ear it oO by tra;el?EGGhy, it is true, sai+ , that


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)ill go far but then it )ill often ha--en, that in the ;elocity of

a *o+ern tour, an+ a*i+st the *aterials through )hich it is co**only

*a+e, the friction is so ;iolent, that not only the rust, but the

*etal too, is lost in the -rogress?

E6i;e *e lea;e to correct the e


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re-resentati;e to a--roach: these in+ee+ )ere not *any great -art

of the -ro-erty in his neighbourhoo+ being in the han+s of

*erchants, )ho ha+ got rich by their la)ful calling abroa+, an+ the

sons of ste)ar+s, )ho ha+ got rich by their la)ful calling at ho*e:

-ersons so -erfectly ;erse+ in the cere*onial of thousan+s, tens of

thousan+s, an+ hun+re+s of thousan+s J)hose +egrees of -rece+ency

are -lainly +e*onstrable fro* the rst -age of the 5o*-lete

Acco*-tant, or (oung ManBs "est 3ocket 5o*-anionK that a bo) at

church fro* the* to such a *an as Harley )oul+ ha;e *a+e the -arson

look back into his ser*on for so*e -rece-t of 5hristian hu*ility?

5HA3T!R PGGF R/D/( 8T!R!1T1

There are certain interests )hich the )orl+ su--oses e;ery *an to

ha;e, an+ )hich therefore are -ro-erly enough ter*e+ )orl+ly but

the )orl+ is a-t to *ake an erroneous esti*ate: ignorant of the

+is-ositions )hich constitute our ha--iness or *isery, they bring to

an un+istinguishe+ scale the *eans of the one, as connecte+ )ith

-o)er, )ealth, or gran+eur, an+ of the other )ith their contraries?

3hiloso-hers an+ -oets ha;e often -roteste+ against this +ecision

but their argu*ents ha;e been +es-ise+ as +ecla*atory, or ri+icule+

as ro*antic?

There are ne;er )anting to a young *an so*e gra;e an+ -ru+ent


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frien+s to set hi* right in this -articular, if he nee+ it to )atch

his i+eas as they arise, an+ -oint the* to those obects )hich a

)ise *an shoul+ ne;er forget?

Harley +i+ not )ant for so*e *onitors of this sort? He )as

freCuently tol+ of *en )hose fortunes enable+ the* to co**an+ all

the lu


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He lost his father, the last sur;i;ing of his -arents, as ha;e

alrea+y relate+, )hen he )as a boy? The goo+ *an, fro* a fear of

oOen+ing, as )ell as a regar+ to his son, ha+ na*e+ hi* a ;ariety

of guar+ians one conseCuence of )hich )as, that they sel+o* *et at

all to consi+er the aOairs of their )ar+ an+ )hen they +i+ *eet,

their o-inions )ere so o--osite, that the only -ossible *etho+ of

conciliation )as the *e+iatory -o)er of a +inner an+ a bottle, )hich

co**only interru-te+, not en+e+, the +is-ute an+ after that

interru-tion cease+, left the consulting -arties in a con+ition not

;ery -ro-er for a+usting it? His e+ucation therefore ha+ been but

in+iOerently atten+e+ to an+ after being taken fro* a country

school, at )hich he ha+ been boar+e+, the young gentle*an )as

suOere+ to be his o)n *aster in the subseCuent branches of

literature, )ith so*e assistance fro* the -arson of the -arish in

languages an+ -hiloso-hy, an+ fro* the e


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to an ol+ la+y, a +istant relation, )ho )as kno)n to be -ossesse+ of

a ;ery large su* in the stocks: but in this their ho-es )ere

+isa--ointe+ for the young *an )as so unto)ar+ in his +is-osition,

that, not)ithstan+ing the instructions he +aily recei;e+, his ;isits

rather ten+e+ to alienate than gain the goo+G)ill of his kins)o*an?

He so*eti*es looke+ gra;e )hen the ol+ la+y tol+ the okes of her

youth he often refuse+ to eat )hen she -resse+ hi*, an+ )as sel+o*

or ne;er -ro;i+e+ )ith sugarGcan+y or liCuorice )hen she )as seize+

)ith a t of coughing: nay, he ha+ once the ru+eness to fall

aslee- )hile she )as +escribing the co*-osition an+ ;irtues of her

fa;ourite cholicG)ater? n short, be acco**o+ate+ hi*self so ill to

her hu*our, that she +ie+, an+ +i+ not lea;e hi* a farthing?

The other *etho+ -ointe+ out to hi* )as an en+ea;our to get a lease

of so*e cro)nGlan+s, )hich lay contiguous to his little -aternal

estate? This, it )as i*agine+, *ight be easily -rocure+, as the

cro)n +i+ not +ra) so *uch rent as Harley coul+ aOor+ to gi;e, )ith

;ery consi+erable -rot to hi*self an+ the then lessee ha+

ren+ere+ hi*self so obno


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business, he )oul+ furnish hi* )ith a letter of intro+uction to a

baronet of his acCuaintance, )ho ha+ a great +eal to say )ith the

rst lor+ of the treasury?

hen his frien+s hear+ of this oOer, they -resse+ hi* )ith the

ut*ost earnestness to acce-t of it?

They +i+ not fail to enu*erate the *any a+;antages )hich a certain

+egree of s-irit an+ assurance gi;es a *an )ho )oul+ *ake a gure

in the )orl+: they re-eate+ their instances of goo+ fortune in

others, ascribe+ the* all to a ha--y for)ar+ness of +is-osition an+

*a+e so co-ious a recital of the +isa+;antages )hich atten+ the

o--osite )eakness, that a stranger, )ho ha+ hear+ the*, )oul+ ha;e

been le+ to i*agine, that in the "ritish co+e there )as so*e

+isCualifying statute against any citizen )ho shoul+ be con;icte+

ofGG*o+esty?

Harley, though he ha+ no great relish for the atte*-t, yet coul+ not

resist the torrent of *oti;es that assaulte+ hi* an+ as he nee+e+

but little -re-aration for his ourney, a +ay, not ;ery +istant, )as


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The +ay before that on )hich he set out, he )ent to take lea;e of

Mr? alton?GGe )oul+ conceal nothingGGthere )as another -erson of

the fa*ily to )ho* also the ;isit )as inten+e+, on )hose account,

-erha-s, there )ere so*e ten+erer feelings in the boso* of Harley

than his gratitu+e for the frien+ly notice of that gentle*an Jthough

he )as sel+o* +ecient in that ;irtueK coul+ ins-ire? Mr? alton

ha+ a +aughter an+ such a +aughterL )e )ill atte*-t so*e

+escri-tion of her by an+ by?

HarleyBs notions of the NaNNN, or beautiful, )ere not al)ays to be

+ene+, nor in+ee+ such as the )orl+ )oul+ al)ays assent to, though

)e coul+ +ene the*? A blush, a -hrase of aOability to an

inferior, a tear at a *o;ing tale, )ere to hi*, like the 5estus of

5ytherea, uneCualle+ in conferring beauty? For all these Miss

alton )as re*arkable but as these, like the abo;eG*entione+

5estus, are -erha-s still *ore -o)erful )hen the )earer is -ossesse+

of souse +egree of beauty, co**only so calle+, it ha--ene+, that,

fro* this cause, they ha+ *ore than usual -o)er in the -erson of

that young la+y?

1he )as no) arri;e+ at that -erio+ of life )hich takes, or is

su--ose+ to take, fro* the Ii--ancy of girlhoo+ those

s-rightlinesses )ith )hich so*e goo+Gnature+ ol+ *ai+s oblige the

)orl+ at threeGscore? 1he ha+ been ushere+ into life Jas that )or+

is use+ in the +ialect of 1t? a*esBsK at se;enteen, her father

being then in -arlia*ent, an+ li;ing in /on+on: at se;enteen,

therefore, she ha+ been a uni;ersal toast her health, no) she )as

fourGan+Gt)enty, )as only +rank by those )ho kne) her face at least?


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Her co*-le


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generally gi;e our ;irtue cre+it for all that bene;olence )hich is

instincti;e in our nature?

As her father ha+ so*e years retire+ to the country, Harley ha+

freCuent o--ortunities of seeing her? He looke+ on her for so*e

ti*e *erely )ith that res-ect an+ a+*iration )hich her a--earance

see*e+ to +e*an+, an+ the o-inion of others conferre+ u-on her fro*

this cause, -erha-s, an+ fro* that e


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ha;e gi;en us of the inherent beauty of ;irtue, )e are al)ays

incline+ to think her han+so*est )hen she con+escen+s to s*ile u-on

oursel;es?

t )oul+ be trite to obser;e the easy gra+ation fro* estee* to lo;e:

in the boso* of Harley there scarce nee+e+ a transition for there

)ere certain seasons )hen his i+eas )ere Iushe+ to a +egree *uch

abo;e their co**on co*-le


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He ha+ taken lea;e of his aunt on the e;e of his inten+e+ +e-arture

but the goo+ la+yBs aOection for her ne-he) interru-te+ her slee-,

an+ early as it )as ne


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)onte+ -ros-ect, his el+s, his )oo+s, an+ his hills: they )ere

lost in the +istant clou+sL He -encille+ the* on the clou+s, an+

ba+e the* fare)ell )ith a sighL

He sat +o)n on a large stone to take out a little -ebble fro* his

shoe, )hen he sa), at so*e +istance, a beggar a--roaching hi*? He

ha+ on a loose sort of coat, *en+e+ )ith +iOerentGcoloure+ rags,

a*ongst )hich the blue an+ the russet )ere the -re+o*inant? He ha+

a short knotty stick in his han+, an+ on the to- of it )as stuck a

ra*Bs horn his knees Jthough he )as no -ilgri*K ha+ )orn the stuO

of his breeches he )ore no shoes, an+ his stockings ha+ entirely

lost that -art of the* )hich shoul+ ha;e co;ere+ his feet an+

ankles in his face, ho)e;er, )as the -lu*- a--earance of goo+

hu*our he )alke+ a goo+ roun+ -ace, an+ a crookGlegge+ +og trotte+

at his heels?

Eur +elicacies,E sai+ Harley to hi*self, Eare fantastic they are

not in natureL that beggar )alks o;er the shar-est of these stones

barefoote+, )hilst ha;e lost the *ost +elightful +rea* in the

)orl+, fro* the s*allest of the* ha--ening to get into *y shoe?E

The beggar ha+ by this ti*e co*e u-, an+, -ulling oO a -iece of

hat, aske+ charity of Harley the +og began to beg too: GGit )as

i*-ossible to resist both an+, in truth, the )ant of shoes an+

stockings ha+ *a+e both unnecessary, for Harley ha+ +estine+

si


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un-ro*ising look for the subect of a -re+iction, an+ silence+ the

-ro-het i**e+iately? E )oul+ *uch rather learn,E sai+ Harley,

E)hat it is in your -o)er to tell *e: your tra+e *ust be an

entertaining one sit +o)n on this stone, an+ let *e kno) so*ething

of your -rofession ha;e often thought of turning fortuneGteller

for a )eek or t)o *yself?E

EMaster,E re-lie+ the beggar, E like your frankness *uch 6o+ kno)s

ha+ the hu*our of -lainG+ealing in *e fro* a chil+, but there is

no +oing )ith it in this )orl+ )e *ust li;e as )e can, an+ lying

is, as you call it, *y -rofession, but )as in so*e sort force+ to

the tra+e, for +ealt once in telling truth?

E )as a labourer, sir, an+ gaine+ as *uch as to *ake *e li;e:

ne;er lai+ by in+ee+: for )as reckone+ a -iece of a )ag, an+ your

)ags, take it, are sel+o* rich, Mr? Harley?E

E1o,E sai+ Harley, Eyou see* to kno) *e?E

EAy, there are fe) folks in the country that +onBt kno) so*ething

of: ho) shoul+ tell fortunes elseNE

ETrue but to go on )ith your story: you )ere a labourer, you say,

an+ a )ag your in+ustry, su--ose, you left )ith your ol+ tra+e,

but your hu*our you -reser;e to be of use to you in your ne)?E

Ehat signies sa+ness, sirN a *an gro)s lean onBt: but )as

brought to *y i+leness by +egrees rst coul+ not )ork, an+ it


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)ent against *y sto*ach to )ork e;er after? )as seize+ )ith a

ail fe;er at the ti*e of the assizes being in the county )here

li;e+ for )as al)ays curious to get acCuainte+ )ith the felons,

because they are co**only fello)s of *uch *irth an+ little thought,

Cualities ha+ e;er an estee* for? n the height of this fe;er,

Mr? Harley, the house )here lay took re, an+ burnt to the

groun+ )as carrie+ out in that con+ition, an+ lay all the rest of

*y illness in a barn? got the better of *y +isease, ho)e;er, but

)as so )eak that s-it bloo+ )hene;er atte*-te+ to )ork? ha+

no relation li;ing that kne) of, an+ ne;er ke-t a frien+ abo;e a

)eek, )hen )as able to oke sel+o* re*aine+ abo;e si< *onths in

a -arish, so that *ight ha;e +ie+ before ha+ foun+ a settle*ent

in any: thus )as force+ to beg *y brea+, an+ a sorry tra+e

foun+ it, Mr? Harley? tol+ all *y *isfortunes truly, but they

)ere sel+o* belie;e+ an+ the fe) )ho ga;e *e a half-enny as they

-asse+ +i+ it )ith a shake of the hea+, an+ an inunction not to

trouble the* )ith a long story? n short, foun+ that -eo-le +onBt

care to gi;e al*s )ithout so*e security for their *oney a )oo+en

leg or a )ithere+ ar* is a sort of +raught u-on hea;en for those )ho

choose to ha;e their *oney -lace+ to account there so change+ *y

-lan, an+, instea+ of telling *y o)n *isfortunes, began to -ro-hesy

ha--iness to others? This foun+ by *uch the better )ay: folks

)ill al)ays listen )hen the tale is their o)n, an+ of *any )ho say

they +o not belie;e in fortuneGtelling, ha;e kno)n fe) on )ho* it

ha+ not a ;ery sensible eOect? -ick u- the na*es of their

acCuaintance a*ours an+ little sCuabbles are easily gleane+ a*ong

ser;ants an+ neighbours an+ in+ee+ -eo-le the*sel;es are the best

intelligencers in the )orl+ for our -ur-ose: they +are not -uzzle


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us for their o)n sakes, for e;ery one is an


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5HA3T!R PPGGH! MA9!1 A 1!58D !P3!DT8 T TH! "AR8!TB1? TH!

/A7DA"/! AM"T8 F A (786 MA8 T "! TH76HT 1M!TH86 "( TH!

R/D

e ha;e relate+, in a for*er cha-ter, the little success of his

rst ;isit to the great *an, for )ho* he ha+ the intro+uctory

letter fro* Mr? alton? To -eo-le of eCual sensibility, the

inIuence of those triIes )e *entione+ on his +e-ort*ent )ill not

a--ear sur-rising, but to his frien+s in the country they coul+ not

be state+, nor )oul+ they ha;e allo)e+ the* any -lace in the

account? n so*e of their letters, therefore, )hich he recei;e+

soon after, they e


25/153

-ossesse+ of si< or si< thousan+ -oun+s a year? t is -robable,

ho)e;er, that the -re*ises ha+ been i*-ro-erly for*e+: for it is

certain, that )hen he a--roache+ the great *anBs +oor he felt his

heart agitate+ by an unusual -ulsation?

He ha+ al*ost reache+ it, )hen he obser;e+ a*ong gentle*an co*ing

out, +resse+ in a )hite frock an+ a re+ lace+ )aistcoat, )ith a

s*all s)itch in his han+, )hich he see*e+ to *anage )ith a

-articular goo+ grace? As he -asse+ hi* on the ste-s, the stranger

;ery -olitely *a+e hi* a bo), )hich Harley returne+, though he coul+

not re*e*ber e;er ha;ing seen hi* before? He aske+ Harley, in the

sa*e ci;il *anner, if he )as going to )ait on his frien+ the

baronet? EFor )as ust calling,E sai+ he, Ean+ a* sorry to n+

that he is gone for so*e +ays into the country?E

Harley thanke+ hi* for his infor*ation, an+ )as turning fro* the

+oor, )hen the other obser;e+ that it )oul+ be -ro-er to lea;e his

na*e, an+ ;ery obligingly knocke+ for that -ur-ose?

EHere is a gentle*an, To*, )ho *eant to ha;e )aite+ on your *aster?E

E(our na*e, if you -lease, sirNE

EHarley?E

E(ouBll re*e*ber, To*, Harley?E

The +oor )as shut? E1ince )e are here,E sai+ he, E)e shall not lose


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our )alk if )e a++ a little to it by a turn or t)o in Hy+e 3ark?E

He acco*-anie+ this -ro-osal )ith a secon+ bo), an+ Harley acce-te+

of it by another in return?

The con;ersation, as they )alke+, )as brilliant on the si+e of his

co*-anion? The -layhouse, the o-era, )ith e;ery occurrence in high

life, he see*e+ -erfectly *aster of an+ talke+ of so*e reigning

beauties of Cuality in a *anner the *ost feeling in the )orl+?

Harley a+*ire+ the ha--iness of his ;i;acity, an+, o--osite as it

)as to the reser;e of his o)n nature, began to be *uch -lease+ )ith

its eOects?

Though a* not of o-inion )ith so*e )ise *en, that the e


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engage+, sirNE sai+ the young gentle*an? Et is not i*-ossible but

)e shall *eet )ith so*e original or other it is a sort of hu*our

like hugely?E

Harley *a+e no obection, an+ the stranger sho)e+ hi* the )ay into

the -arlour?

He )as -lace+, by the courtesy of his intro+uctor, in an ar*Gchair

that stoo+ at one si+e of the re? ;er against hi* )as seate+ a

*an of a gra;e consi+ering as-ect, )ith that look of sober -ru+ence

)hich in+icates )hat is co**only calle+ a )ar* *an? He )ore a

-retty large )ig, )hich ha+ once been )hite, but )as no) of a

bro)nish yello) his coat )as one of those *o+estGcoloure+ +rabs

)hich *ock the inuries of +ust an+ +irt t)o ackGboots conceale+,

in -art, the )ellG*en+e+ knees of an ol+ -air of buckskin breeches

)hile the s-otte+ han+kerchief roun+ his neck -reser;e+ at once its

o)ner fro* catching col+ an+ his neckGcloth fro* being +irtie+?

8e


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-ay for their re in so*e sha-e or other, he sa) no reason )hy they

shoul+ not ha;e the use of it )hile they sat?E

The +oor )as no) o-ene+ for the a+*ission of +inner? E +onBt kno)

ho) it is )ith you, gentle*en,E sai+ HarleyBs ne) acCuaintance, Ebut

a* afrai+ shall not be able to get +o)n a *orsel at this horri+

*echanical hour of +ining?E He sat +o)n, ho)e;er, an+ +i+ not sho)

any )ant of a--etite by his eating? He took u-on hi* the car;ing of

the *eat, an+ criticise+ on the goo+ness of the -u++ing?

hen the tableGcloth )as re*o;e+, he -ro-ose+ calling for so*e

-unch, )hich )as rea+ily agree+ to he see*e+ at rst incline+ to

*ake it hi*self, but after)ar+s change+ his *in+, an+ left that

-ro;ince to the )aiter, telling hi* to ha;e it -ure est n+ian, or

he coul+ not taste a +roof it?

hen the -unch )as brought he un+ertook to ll the glasses an+ call

the toasts? EThe 9ing?EGGThe toast naturally -ro+uce+ -olitics? t

is the -ri;ilege of !nglish*en to +rink the kingBs health, an+ to

talk of his con+uct? The *an )ho sat o--osite to Harley Jan+ )ho by

this ti*e, -artly fro* hi*self, an+ -artly fro* his acCuaintance on

his left han+, )as +isco;ere+ to be a grazierK obser;e+, EThat it

)as a sha*e for so *any -ensioners to be allo)e+ to take the brea+

out of the *outh of the -oor?E

EAy, an+ -ro;isions,E sai+ his frien+, E)ere ne;er so +ear in the

*e*ory of *an )ish the king an+ his counsellors )oul+ look to

that?E


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EAs for the *atter of -ro;isions, neighbour rightson,E he re-lie+,

E a* sure the -rices of cattleGGE

A +is-ute )oul+ ha;e -robably ensue+, but it )as -re;ente+ by the

s-ruce toast*aster, )ho ga;e a senti*ent, an+ turning to the t)o

-oliticians, E3ray, gentle*en,E sai+ he, Elet us ha;e +one )ith

these *usty -olitics: )oul+ al)ays lea;e the* to the beerGsuckers

in "utcher Ro)? 5o*e, let us ha;e so*ething of the ne arts? That

)as a +a*nB+ har+ *atch bet)een oe the 8ailor an+ Ti* "ucket? The

kno)ing ones )ere curse+ly taken in thereL lost a cool hun+re+

*yself, faith?E

At *ention of the cool hun+re+, the grazier thre) his eyes aslant,

)ith a *ingle+ look of +oubt an+ sur-rise )hile the *an at his

elbo) looke+ arch, an+ ga;e a short e*-hatical sort of cough?

"oth see*e+ to be silence+, ho)e;er, by this intelligence an+ )hile

the re*ain+er of the -unch laste+ the con;ersation )as )holly

engrosse+ by the gentle*an )ith the ne )aistcoat, )ho tol+ a great

*any Ei**ense co*ical storiesE an+ Econfoun+e+ s*art things,E as he

ter*e+ the*, acte+ an+ s-oken by lor+s, la+ies, an+ young bucks of

Cuality, of his acCuaintance? At last, the grazier, -ulling out a

)atch, of a ;ery unusual size, an+ telling the hour, sai+ that he

ha+ an a--oint*ent?

Es it so lateNE sai+ the young gentle*an Ethen a* afrai+ ha;e

*isse+ an a--oint*ent alrea+y but the truth is, a* curse+ly gi;en


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to *issing of a--oint*ents?E

hen the grazier an+ he )ere gone, Harley turne+ to the re*aining

-ersonage, an+ aske+ hi* if he kne) that young gentle*an? EA

gentle*anLE sai+ he Eay, he is one of your gentle*en at the to- of

an a+a;it? kne) hi*, so*e years ago, in the Cuality of a

foot*an an+ belie;e he ha+ so*e ti*es the honour to be a -i*-?

At last, so*e of the great folks, to )ho* he ha+ been ser;iceable in

both ca-acities, ha+ hi* *a+e a gauger in )hich station he re*ains,

an+ has the assurance to -reten+ an acCuaintance )ith *en of

Cuality? The i*-u+ent +ogL )ith a fe) shillings in his -ocket, he

)ill talk you three ti*es as *uch as *y frien+ Mun+y there, )ho is

)orth nine thousan+ if heBs )orth a farthing? "ut kno) the

rascal, an+ +es-ise hi*, as he +eser;es?E

Harley began to +es-ise hi* too, an+ to concei;e so*e in+ignation at

ha;ing sat )ith -atience to hear such a fello) s-eak nonsense? "ut

he correcte+ hi*self by reIecting that he )as -erha-s as )ell

entertaine+, an+ instructe+ too, by this sa*e *o+est gauger, as he

shoul+ ha;e been by such a *an as he ha+ thought -ro-er to

-ersonate? An+ surely the fault *ay *ore -ro-erly be i*-ute+ to

that rank )here the futility is real than )here it is feigne+: to

that rank )hose o--ortunities for nobler acco*-lish*ents ha;e only

ser;e+ to rear a fabric of folly )hich the untutore+ han+ of

aOectation, e;en a*ong the *eanest of *ankin+, can i*itate )ith

success?


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5HA3T!R PPGGH! S1T1 "!D/AM?GGTH! D1TR!11!1 F A DA76HT!R

r those things calle+ 1ights in /on+on, )hich e;ery stranger is

su--ose+ +esirous to see, "e+la* is one? To that -lace, therefore,

an acCuaintance of HarleyBs, after ha;ing acco*-anie+ hi* to se;eral

other sho)s, -ro-ose+ a ;isit? Harley obecte+ to it, Ebecause,E

sai+ he, E think it an inhu*an -ractice to e


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un*anageable?

He le+ the* ne


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gentle*an )ell kno)n in 5hange Alley? He )as once )orth fty

thousan+ -oun+s, an+ ha+ actually agree+ for the -urchase of an

estate in the est, in or+er to realise his *oney but he Cuarrelle+

)ith the -ro-rietor about the re-airs of the gar+en )all, an+ so

returne+ to to)n, to follo) his ol+ tra+e of stockGobbing a little

longer )hen an unlucky Iuctuation of stock, in )hich he )as

engage+ to an i**ense e


34/153

Et )as, in+ee+,E sai+ the stranger, Ea ;ery *a+ thing in 5harles to

think of a++ing so ;ast a country as Russia to his +o*inions: that

)oul+ ha;e been fatal in+ee+ the balance of the 8orth )oul+ then

ha;e been lost but the 1ultan an+ )oul+ ne;er ha;e allo)e+ it?EGG

E1irLE sai+ Harley, )ith no s*all sur-rise on his countenance?GG

Ehy, yes,E ans)ere+ the other, Ethe 1ultan an+ +o you kno) *eN

a* the 5han of Tartary?E

Harley )as a goo+ +eal struck by this +isco;ery he ha+ -ru+ence

enough, ho)e;er, to conceal his a*aze*ent, an+ bo)ing as lo) to the

*onarch as his +ignity reCuire+, left hi* i**e+iately, an+ oine+

his co*-anions?

He foun+ the* in a Cuarter of the house set a-art for the insane of

the other se


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birth, though by no *eans her *atch in fortune: but lo;e, they say,

is blin+, an+ so she fancie+ hi* as *uch as he +i+ her? Her father,

it see*s, )oul+ not hear of their *arriage, an+ threatene+ to turn

her out of +oors if e;er she sa) hi* again? 7-on this the young

gentle*an took a ;oyage to the est n+ies, in ho-es of bettering

his fortune, an+ obtaining his *istress but he )as scarce lan+e+,

)hen he )as seize+ )ith one of the fe;ers )hich are co**on in those

islan+s, an+ +ie+ in a fe) +ays, la*ente+ by e;ery one that kne)

hi*? This ne)s soon reache+ his *istress, )ho )as at the sa*e ti*e

-resse+ by her father to *arry a rich *iserly fello), )ho )as ol+

enough to be her gran+father? The +eath of her lo;er ha+ no eOect

on her inhu*an -arent: he )as only the *ore earnest for her

*arriage )ith the *an he ha+ -ro;i+e+ for her an+ )hat bet)een her

+es-air at the +eath of the one, an+ her a;ersion to the other, the

-oor young la+y )as re+uce+ to the con+ition you see her in? "ut

6o+ )oul+ not -ros-er such cruelty her fatherBs aOairs soon after

)ent to )reck, an+ he +ie+ al*ost a beggar?E

Though this story )as tol+ in ;ery -lain language, it ha+

-articularly attracte+ HarleyBs notice he ha+ gi;en it the tribute

of so*e tears? The unfortunate young la+y ha+ till no) see*e+

entrance+ in thought, )ith her eyes


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nger? EFare)ellL *ust lea;e you no)?EGG1he )oul+ ha;e

)ith+ra)n her han+ Harley hel+ it to his li-s?GGE +are not stay

longer *y hea+ throbs sa+ly: fare)ellLEGG1he )alke+ )ith a hurrie+

ste- to a little a-art*ent at so*e +istance? Harley stoo+


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fortune, )hich +escen+e+ to hi*, )as thought sucient to set hi*

abo;e it the other )as -ut a--rentice to an e*inent attorney? n

this the e


39/153

e


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your fa;ourite you are Cuite in lo;e )ith 8ancy?EGGETake a)ay that

girl,E sai+ he to her father, )ho* he no) obser;e+ to ha;e entere+

the roo* Eshe has )o*an about her alrea+y?E The chil+ren )ere

accor+ingly +is*isse+?

"et)i


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the ctitious se*blance )hich you ha;e ter*e+ 3oliteness:

-oliteness, )hich consists in a certain cere*onious argon, *ore

ri+iculous to the ear of reason than the ;oice of a -u--et? (ou

ha;e in;ente+ soun+s, )hich you )orshi-, though they tyrannize o;er

your -eace an+ are surroun+e+ )ith e*-ty for*s, )hich take fro* the

honest e*otions of oy, an+ a++ to the -oignancy of *isfortune?E

E1irLE sai+ HarleyGGhis frien+ )inke+ to hi*, to re*in+ hi* of the

caution he ha+ recei;e+? He )as silence+ by the thought? The

-hiloso-her turne+ his eye u-on hi*: he e


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En+ee+, the e+ucation of your youth is e;ery )ay -re-osterous you

)aste at school years in i*-ro;ing talents, )ithout ha;ing e;er

s-ent an hour in +isco;ering the* one -ro*iscuous line of

instruction is follo)e+, )ithout regar+ to genius, ca-acity, or

-robable situation in the co**on)ealth? Fro* this bearGgar+en of

the -e+agogue, a ra), un-rinci-le+ boy is turne+ loose u-on the

)orl+ to tra;el )ithout any i+eas but those of i*-ro;ing his +ress

at 3aris, or starting into taste by gazing on so*e -aintings at

Ro*e? Ask hi* of the *anners of the -eo-le, an+ he )ill tell you

that the skirt is )orn *uch shorter in France, an+ that e;erybo+y

eats *acaroni in taly? hen he returns ho*e, he buys a seat in

-arlia*ent, an+ stu+ies the constitution at ArthurBs?

E8or are your fe*ales traine+ to any *ore useful -ur-ose: they are

taught, by the ;ery re)ar+s )hich their nurses -ro-ose for goo+

beha;iour, by the rst thing like a est )hich they hear fro* e;ery

*ale ;isitor of the fa*ily, that a young )o*an is a creature to be

*arrie+ an+ )hen they are gro)n so*e)hat ol+er, are instructe+ that

it is the -ur-ose of *arriage to ha;e the enoy*ent of -inG*oney,

an+ the e


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concerns of the state an+ -ublic enter-rise shall slee- till he )ho

shoul+ gui+e its o-eration has +eci+e+ his bets at 8e)*arket, or

fullle+ his engage*ent )ith a fa;ourite *istress in the country?

e )ant so*e *an of ackno)le+ge+ e*inence to -oint our counsels )ith

that r*ness )hich the counsels of a great -eo-le reCuire? e ha;e

hun+re+s of *inisters, )ho -ress for)ar+ into oce )ithout ha;ing

e;er learne+ that art )hich is necessary for e;ery business: the

art of thinking an+ *istake the -etulance, )hich coul+ gi;e

ins-iration to s*art sarcas*s on an obno


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generosity an+ feeling? They tell us J-erha-s they tell us in

rhy*eK that the sensations of an honest heart, of a *in+ uni;ersally

bene;olent, *ake u- the Cuiet bliss )hich they enoy but they )ill

not, by this, be e


45/153

u- his shoul+ers till they al*ost touche+ his ears, )ra--e+ hi*self

tight in his great coat, an+ +isa--eare+?

EThis is a strange creature,E sai+ his frien+ to Harley? E cannot

say,E ans)ere+ he, Ethat his re*arks are of the -leasant kin+: it

is curious to obser;e ho) the nature of truth *ay be change+ by the

garb it )ears softene+ to the a+*onition of frien+shi-, or soure+

into the se;erity of re-roof: yet this se;erity *ay be useful to

so*e te*-ers it so*e)hat rese*bles a le: +isagreeable in its

o-eration, but har+ *etals *ay be the brighter for it?E

5HA3T!R PPSGGH1 19// 8 3H(168M(

The co*-any at the baronetBs re*o;e+ to the -layhouse accor+ingly,

an+ Harley took his usual route into the 3ark? He obser;e+, as he

entere+, a freshGlooking el+erly gentle*an in con;ersation )ith a

beggar, )ho, leaning on his crutch, )as recounting the har+shi-s he

ha+ un+ergone, an+ e


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Ee cannot easily +istinguish,E sai+ the stranger Ean+ e;en of the

)orthless, are there not *any )hose i*-ru+ence, or )hose ;ice, *ay

ha;e been one +rea+ful conseCuence of *isfortuneNE

Harley looke+ again in his face, an+ blesse+ hi*self for his skill

in -hysiogno*y?

"y this ti*e they ha+ reache+ the en+ of the )alk, the ol+ gentle*an

leaning on the rails to take breath, an+ in the *eanti*e they )ere

oine+ by a younger *an, )hose gure )as *uch abo;e the a--earance

of his +ress, )hich )as -oor an+ shabby? HarleyBs for*er co*-anion

a++resse+ hi* as an acCuaintance, an+ they turne+ on the )alk

together?

The el+er of the strangers co*-laine+ of the closeness of the

e;ening, an+ aske+ the other if he )oul+ go )ith hi* into a house

har+ by, an+ take one +raught of e


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citizen?E They entere+ the house accor+ingly?

n a table at the corner of the roo* lay a -ack of car+s, loosely

thro)n together? The ol+ gentle*an re-ro;e+ the *an of the house

for encouraging so i+le an a*use*ent? Harley atte*-te+ to +efen+

hi* fro* the necessity of acco**o+ating hi*self to the hu*our of his

guests, an+ taking u- the car+s, began to shuUe the* back)ar+s an+

for)ar+s in his han+? E8ay, +onBt think car+s so un-ar+onable an

a*use*ent as so*e +o,E re-lie+ the other Ean+ no) an+ then, about

this ti*e of the e;ening, )hen *y eyes begin to fail *e for *y book,

+i;ert *yself )ith a ga*e at -iCuet, )ithout n+ing *y *orals a

bit rela


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the better of his bene;olenceL , *yself, ha;e a -air of ol+ brass

slee;e buttons?E Here he )as interru-te+ by being tol+ that the ol+

gentle*an ha+ beat the younger, an+ that it )as his turn to take u-

the conCueror? E(our ga*e has been short,E sai+ Harley? E reG

-iCue+ hi*,E ans)ere+ the ol+ *an, )ith oy s-arkling in his

countenance? Harley )ishe+ to be reG-iCue+ too, but he )as

+isa--ointe+ for he ha+ the sa*e goo+ fortune against his o--onent?

n+ee+, ne;er +i+ fortune, *utable as she is, +elight in *utability

so *uch as at that *o*ent? The ;ictory )as so Cuick, an+ so

constantly alternate, that the stake, in a short ti*e, a*ounte+ to

no less a su* than .2 -oun+s, HarleyBs -ro-ortion of )hich )as

)ithin halfGaGguinea of the *oney he ha+ in his -ocket? He ha+

before -ro-ose+ a +i;ision, but the ol+ gentle*an o--ose+ it )ith

such a -leasant )ar*th in his *anner, that it )as al)ays o;erGrule+?

8o), ho)e;er, he tol+ the* that he ha+ an a--oint*ent )ith so*e

gentle*en, an+ it )as )ithin a fe) *inutes of his hour? The young

stranger ha+ gaine+ one ga*e, an+ )as engage+ in the secon+ )ith the

other they agree+, therefore, that the stake shoul+ be +i;i+e+, if

the ol+ gentle*an )on that: )hich )as *ore than -robable, as his

score )as 0 to &$, an+ he )as el+er han+ but a *o*entous reG-iCue

+eci+e+ it in fa;our of his a+;ersary, )ho see*e+ to enoy his

;ictory *ingle+ )ith regret, for ha;ing )on too *uch, )hile his

frien+, )ith great ebullience of -assion, *any -raises of his o)n

goo+ -lay, an+ *any *ale+ictionBs on the -o)er of chance, took u-

the car+s, an+ thre) the* into the re?


50/153

5HA3T!R PPSGGFR7T1 F TH! D!AD 1!A

The co*-any he )as engage+ to *eet )ere asse*ble+ in Fleet 1treet?

He ha+ )alke+ so*e ti*e along the 1tran+, a*i+st a cro)+ of those

)retches )ho )ait the uncertain )ages of -rostitution, )ith i+eas of

-ity suitable to the scene aroun+ hi* an+ the feelings he -ossesse+,

an+ ha+ got as far as 1o*erset House, )hen one of the* lai+ hol+ of

his ar*, an+, )ith a ;oice tre*ulous an+ faint, aske+ hi* for a -int

of )ine, in a *anner *ore su--licatory than is usual )ith those )ho*

the infa*y of their -rofession has +e-ri;e+ of sha*e? He turne+

roun+ at the +e*an+, an+ looke+ stea+fastly on the -erson )ho *a+e

it?

1he )as abo;e the co**on size, an+ elegantly for*e+ her face )as

thin an+ hollo), an+ sho)e+ the re*ains of tarnishe+ beauty? Her

eyes )ere black, but ha+ little of their lustre left her cheeks ha+

so*e -aint lai+ on )ithout art, an+ -ro+ucti;e of no a+;antage to

her co*-le


51/153

*ean to enCuire as it has e;er been against our nature to search

for *oti;es )here ba+ ones are to be foun+? They entere+, an+ a

)aiter sho)e+ the* a roo*, an+ -lace+ a bottle of claret on the

table?

Harley lle+ the la+yBs glass: )hich she ha+ no sooner taste+,

than +ro--ing it on the Ioor, an+ eagerly catching his ar*, her eye

gre)


52/153

circu*stance but the last )as forgotten an+ he took her han+ )ith

as *uch res-ect as if she ha+ been a +uchess? t )as e;er the

-ri;ilege of *isfortune to be re;ere+ by hi*?GGET)o +aysLE sai+ he

Ean+ ha;e fare+ su*-tuously e;ery +ayLEGGHe )as reaching to the

bell she un+erstoo+ his *eaning, an+ -re;ente+ hi*? E beg, sir,E

sai+ she, Ethat you )oul+ gi;e yourself no *ore trouble about a

)retch )ho +oes not )ish to li;e but, at -resent, coul+ not eat a

bit *y sto*ach e;en rose at the last *outhful of that crust?EGGHe

oOere+ to call a chair, saying that he ho-e+ a little rest )oul+

relie;e her?GGHe ha+ one halfGguinea left? E a* sorry,E he sai+,

Ethat at -resent shoul+ be able to *ake you an oOer of no *ore

than this -altry su*?EGG1he burst into tears: E(our generosity,

sir, is abuse+ to besto) it on *e is to take it fro* the ;irtuous?

ha;e no title but *isery to -lea+: *isery of *y o)n -rocuring?E

E8o *ore of that,E ans)ere+ Harley Ethere is ;irtue in these tears

let the fruit of the* be ;irtue?EGGHe rung, an+ or+ere+ a chair?GG

EThough a* the ;ilest of beings,E sai+ she, E ha;e not forgotten

e;ery ;irtue gratitu+e, ho-e, shall still ha;e left, +i+ but

kno) )ho is *y benefactor?EGGEMy na*e is Harley?EGGE5oul+ e;er

ha;e an o--ortunityNEGGE(ou shall, an+ a glorious one tooL your

future con+uctGGbut +o not *ean to re-roach youGGif, sayGGit

)ill be the noblest re)ar+GG )ill +o *yself the -leasure of seeing

you again?EGGHere the )aiter entere+, an+ tol+ the* the chair )as at

the +oor the la+y infor*e+ Harley of her lo+gings, an+ he -ro*ise+

to )ait on her at ten ne


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)as asha*e+ to *ake an e


54/153

green frock, )ith a buOGcoloure+ )aistcoat? 7-on HarleyBs

recollecting that they +i+, EThen,E sai+ he, Eyou *ay be thankful

you ha;e co*e oO so )ell they are t)o as note+ shar-ers, in their

)ay, as any in to)n, an+ but tBother night took *e in for a *uch

larger su*? ha+ so*e thoughts of a--lying to a ustice, but one

+oes not like to be seen in those *atters?E

Harley ans)ere+, EThat he coul+ not but fancy the gentle*an )as

*istaken, as he ne;er sa) a face -ro*ise *ore honesty than that of

the ol+ *an he ha+ *et )ith?EGGEHis faceLE sai+ a gra;eGlooking *an,

)hen sat o--osite to hi*, sCuirting the uice of his tobacco

obliCuely into the grate? There )as so*ething ;ery e*-hatical in

the action, for it )as follo)e+ by a burst of laughter roun+ the

table? E6entle*en,E sai+ Harley, Eyou are +is-ose+ to be *erry it

*ay be as you i*agine, for confess *yself ignorant of the to)n

but there is one thing )hich *akes *e hear the loss of *y *oney )ith

te*-er: the young fello) )ho )on it *ust ha;e been *iserably -oor

obser;e+ hi* borro) *oney for the stake fro* his frien+: he ha+

+istress an+ hunger in his countenance: be his character )hat it

*ay, his necessities at least -lea+ for hi*?E At this there )as a

lou+er laugh than before? E6entle*en,E sai+ the la)yer, one of

)hose con;ersations )ith Harley )e ha;e alrea+y recor+e+, EhereBs a

-retty fello) for youL to ha;e hear+ hi* talk so*e nights ago, as

+i+, you *ight ha;e s)orn he )as a saint yet no) he ga*es )ith

shar-ers, an+ loses his *oney, an+ is bubble+ by a ne tale of the

Dea+ 1ea, an+ -a)ns his )atch here are sanctie+ +oings )ith a

)itnessLE


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E(oung gentle*an,E sai+ his frien+ on the other si+e of the table,

Elet *e a+;ise you to be a little *ore cautious for the future an+

as for facesGGyou *ay look into the* to kno) )hether a *anBs nose be

a long or a short one?E

5HA3T!R PPSGGH! 9!!31 H1 A338TM!8T

The last nightBs raillery of his co*-anions )as recalle+ to his

re*e*brance )hen he a)oke, an+ the col+er ho*ilies of -ru+ence began

to suggest so*e things )hich )ere no)ise fa;ourable for a

-erfor*ance of his -ro*ise to the unfortunate fe*ale he ha+ *et )ith

before? He rose, uncertain of his -ur-ose but the tor-or of such

consi+erations )as sel+o* -re;alent o;er the )ar*th of his nature?

He )alke+ so*e turns back)ar+s an+ for)ar+s in his roo* he recalle+

the langui+ for* of the fainting )retch to his *in+ he )e-t at the

recollection of her tears? EThough a* the ;ilest of beings,

ha;e not forgotten e;ery ;irtue gratitu+e, ho-e, shall still

ha;e left?EGGHe took a larger stri+eGGE3o)ers of *ercy that surroun+

*eLE crie+ he, E+o ye not s*ile u-on +ee+s like theseN to calculate

the chances of +ece-tion is too te+ious a business for the life of

*anLEGGThe clock struck ten?GGhen he )as got +o)nGstairs, he foun+

that he ha+ forgot the note of her lo+gings he gna)e+ his li-s at

the +elay: he )as fairly on the -a;e*ent, )hen he recollecte+

ha;ing left his -urse he +i+ but ust -re;ent hi*self fro*


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articulating an i*-recation? He rushe+ a secon+ ti*e u- into his

cha*ber? Ehat a )retch a*LE sai+ he Eere this ti*e, -erha-sGGE

BT)as a -erha-s not to be borneGGt)o ;ibrations of a -en+ulu* )oul+

ha;e ser;e+ hi* to lock his bureau but they coul+ not be s-are+?

hen he reache+ the house, an+ inCuire+ for Miss Atkins Jfor that

)as the la+yBs na*eK, he )as sho)n u- three -air of stairs, into a

s*all roo* lighte+ by one narro) lattice, an+ -atche+ roun+ )ith

shre+s of +iOerentGcoloure+ -a-er? n the +arkest corner stoo+

so*ething like a be+, before )hich a tattere+ co;erlet hung by )ay

of curtain? He ha+ not )aite+ long )hen she a--eare+? Her face ha+

the glister of ne)G)ashe+ tears on it? E a* asha*e+, sir,E sai+

she, Ethat you shoul+ ha;e taken this fresh -iece of trouble about

one so little )orthy of it but, to the hu*ane, kno) there is a

-leasure in goo+ness for its o)n sake: if you ha;e -atience for the

recital of *y story, it *ay -alliate, though it cannot e


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been bre+ fro* her infancy in the strictest -rinci-les of religion,

an+ took the *orality of her con+uct fro* the *oti;es )hich an

a+herence to those -rinci-les suggeste+? My father, )ho ha+ been in

the ar*y fro* his youth, a


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li;ing, -articularly reco**en+e+? My father rente+ a s*all house,

)ith a -iece of groun+ sucient to kee- a horse for hi*, an+ a co)

for the benet of his fa*ily? An ol+ *an ser;ant *anage+ his

groun+ )hile a *ai+, )ho ha+ for*erly been *y *otherBs, an+ ha+

since been *ine, un+ertook the care of our little +airy: they )ere

assiste+ in each of their -ro;inces by *y father an+ *e: an+ )e

-asse+ our ti*e in a state of tranCuillity, )hich he ha+ al)ays

talke+ of )ith +elight, an+ *y train of rea+ing ha+ taught *e to

a+*ire?

EThough ha+ ne;er seen the -olite circles of the *etro-olis, the

co*-any *y father ha+ intro+uce+ *e into ha+ gi;en *e a +egree of

goo+ bree+ing, )hich soon +isco;ere+ a su-eriority o;er the young

la+ies of our ;illage? )as Cuote+ as an e


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senti*ents on the article of religion )ere as liberal as *y o)n:

)hen any of these ha--ene+ to be the to-ic of our +iscourse, , )ho

before ha+ been silent, fro* a fear of being single in o--osition,

no) kin+le+ at the re he raise+, an+ +efen+e+ our *utual o-inions

)ith all the eloCuence )as *istress of? He )oul+ be res-ectfully

attenti;e all the )hile an+ )hen ha+ en+e+, )oul+ raise his eyes

fro* the groun+, look at *e )ith a gaze of a+*iration, an+ e


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hi* ins-ire+ )ith, an+ i*-ute+ to his sensibility that silence )hich

)as the eOect of art an+ +esign? At length, ho)e;er, he took an

o--ortunity of +eclaring his lo;e: he no) e


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father, but Cuiete+ *y fears by the -ro*ise of en+ea;ouring to )in

his assent?

EMy father ha+ been so*e +ays absent on a ;isit to a +ying relation,

fro* )ho* he ha+ consi+erable e


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things )hich, though they ha+ once been fatal, +urst not no)

+istrust? At last, taking *y han+ an+ kissing it, Bt is thus,B

sai+ he, Bthat lo;e )ill last, )hile free+o* is -reser;e+ thus let

us e;er be blesse+, )ithout the galling thought that )e are tie+ to

a con+ition )here )e *ay cease to be so?B

E ans)ere+, BThat the )orl+ thought other)ise: that it ha+ certain

i+eas of goo+ fa*e, )hich it )as i*-ossible not to )ish to

*aintain?B

EBThe )orl+,B sai+ he, Bis a tyrant, they are sla;es )ho obey it

let us be ha--y )ithout the -ale of the )orl+? ToG*orro) shall

lea;e this Cuarter of it, for one )here the talkers of the )orl+

shall be foile+, an+ lose us? 5oul+ not *y !*ily acco*-any *eN *y

frien+, *y co*-anion, the *istress of *y soulL 8ay, +o not look so,

!*ilyL (our father *ay grie;e for a )hile, but your father shall be

taken care of this bankGbill inten+ as the co*fort for his

+aughter?B

E coul+ contain *yself no longer: Bretch,B e


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then, an+ let -leasure be your obect no)?B

EAt these )or+s he clas-e+ *e in his ar*s, an+ -resse+ his li-s

ru+ely to *y boso*? starte+ fro* *y seat? B3er+ious ;illainLB

sai+ , B)ho +arBst insult the )eakness thou hast un+one )ere that

father here, thy co)ar+ soul )oul+ shrink fro* the ;engeance of his

honourL 5urse+ be that )retch )ho has +e-ri;e+ hi* of itL oh +oubly

curse+, )ho has +ragge+ on his hoary hea+ the infa*y )hich shoul+

ha;e crushe+ her o)nLB snatche+ a knife )hich lay besi+e *e, an+

)oul+ ha;e -lunge+ it in *y breast, but the *onster -re;ente+ *y

-ur-ose, an+ s*iling )ith a grin of barbarous insult G

EBMa+a*,B sai+ he, B confess you are rather too *uch in heroics for

*e a* sorry )e shoul+ +iOer about triIes but as see* so*eho)

to ha;e oOen+e+ you, )oul+ )illingly re*e+y it by taking *y

lea;e? (ou ha;e been -ut to so*e foolish e


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They continue+ to sho) *e *any ci;ilities, an+ e;en the aunt began

to be less +isagreeable in *y sight? To the )retche+, to the

forlorn, as )as, s*all oces of kin+ness are en+earing?

EMeanti*e *y *oney )as far s-ent, nor +i+ atte*-t to conceal *y

)ants fro* their kno)le+ge? ha+ freCuent thoughts of returning to

*y father but the +rea+ of a life of scorn is insur*ountable?

a;oi+e+, therefore, going abroa+ )hen ha+ a chance of being seen

by any for*er acCuaintance, nor in+ee+ +i+ *y health for a great

)hile -er*it it an+ suOere+ the ol+ )o*an, at her o)n suggestion,

to call *e niece at ho*e, )here )e no) an+ then sa) J)hen they coul+

-re;ail on *e to lea;e *y roo*K one or t)o other el+erly )o*en, an+

so*eti*es a gra;e businessGlike *an, )ho sho)e+ great co*-assion for

*y in+is-osition, an+ *a+e *e ;ery obligingly an oOer of a roo* at

his countryGhouse for the reco;ery of *y health? This oOer +i+

not chose to acce-t, but tol+ *y lan+la+y, Bthat shoul+ be gla+ to

be e*-loye+ in any )ay of business )hich *y skill in nee+le)ork

coul+ reco**en+ *e to, confessing, at the sa*e ti*e, that )as

afrai+ shoul+ scarce be able to -ay her )hat alrea+y o)e+ for

boar+ an+ lo+ging, an+ that for her other goo+ oces, ha+

nothing but thanks to gi;e her?B

EBMy +ear chil+,B sai+ she, B+o not talk of -aying since lost *y

o)n s)eet girlB Jhere she )e-tK, Byour ;ery -icture she )as, Miss

!*ily, ha;e nobo+y, e


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-air of ruUes )e ha;e ust nishe+ for that gentle*an you sa)

here at tea a +istant relation of *ine, an+ a )orthy *an he is?

BT)as -ity you refuse+ the oOer of an a-art*ent at his country

house *y niece, you kno), )as to ha;e acco*-anie+ you, an+ you

*ight ha;e fancie+ yourself at ho*e a *ost s)eet -lace it is, an+

but a short *ile beyon+ Ha*-stea+? ho kno)s, Miss !*ily, )hat

eOect such a ;isit *ight ha;e ha+L f ha+ half your beauty

shoul+ not )aste it -ining after eBer a )orthless fello) of the*

all?B

E felt *y heart s)ell at her )or+s )oul+ ha;e been angry if

coul+, but )as in that stu-i+ state )hich is not easily a)akene+

to anger: )hen )oul+ ha;e chi+ her the re-roof stuck in *y

throat coul+ only )ee-L

EHer )ant of res-ect increase+, as ha+ not s-irit to assert it?

My )ork )as no) rather i*-ose+ than oOere+, an+ beca*e a +ru+ge

for the brea+ eat: but *y +e-en+ence an+ ser;ility gre) in

-ro-ortion, an+ )as no) in a situation )hich coul+ not *ake any

e


67/153

1he treate+ *y -assion at rst so*e)hat *il+ly, but )hen

continue+ to e


68/153


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to )rongs like *ineLE

He +re) his s)or+?

E1ir,E sai+ Harley, Elet *e tell youEGGthe bloo+ ran Cuicker to his

cheek, his -ulse beat one, no *ore, an+ regaine+ the te*-era*ent of

hu*anityGGEyou are +ecei;e+, sir,E sai+ he, Eyou are *uch +ecei;e+

but forgi;e sus-icions )hich your *isfortunes ha;e ustie+:

)oul+ not )rong you, u-on *y soul )oul+ not, for the +earest

gratication of a thousan+ )orl+s *y heart blee+s for youLE

His +aughter )as no) -rostrate at his feet?

E1trike,E sai+ she, Estrike here a )retch, )hose *isery cannot en+

but )ith that +eath she +eser;es?E

Her hair ha+ fallen on her shoul+ersL her look ha+ the horri+

cal*ness of outGbreathe+ +es-airL Her father )oul+ ha;e s-oken his

li- Cui;ere+, his cheek gre) -ale, his eyes lost the lightning of

their furyL there )as a re-roach in the*, but )ith a *ingling of

-ity? He turne+ the* u- to hea;en, then on his +aughter? He lai+

his left han+ on his heart, the s)or+ +ro--e+ fro* his right, he

burst into tears?

5HA3T!R PPPGGTH! D1TR!11!1 F A FATH!R


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Harley kneele+ also at the si+e of the unfortunate +aughter?

EAllo) *e, sir,E sai+ he, Eto entreat your -ar+on for one )hose

oOences ha;e been alrea+y so signally -unishe+? kno), feel,

that those tears, )rung fro* the heart of a father, are *ore

+rea+ful to her than all the -unish*ents your s)or+ coul+ ha;e

inIicte+: acce-t the contrition of a chil+ )ho* hea;en has

restore+ to you?E

Es she not lost,E ans)ere+ he, Eirreco;erably lostN Da*nationL a

co**on -rostitute to the *eanest ruanLE

E5al*ly, *y +ear sir,E sai+ Harley, E+i+ you kno) by )hat

co*-licate+ *isfortunes she ha+ fallen to that *iserable state in

)hich you no) behol+ her, shoul+ ha;e no nee+ of )or+s to e


71/153

Harley un+ertook her cause: he relate+ the treacheries to )hich she

ha+ fallen a sacrice, an+ again solicite+ the forgi;eness of her

father? He looke+ on her for so*e ti*e in silence the -ri+e of a

sol+ierBs honour checke+ for a )hile the yearnings of his heart but

nature at last -re;aile+, he fell on her neck an+ *ingle+ his tears

)ith hers?

Harley, )ho +isco;ere+ fro* the +ress of the stranger that he )as

ust arri;e+ fro* a ourney, begge+ that they )oul+ both re*o;e to

his lo+gings, till he coul+ -rocure others for the*? Atkins looke+

at hi* )ith so*e *arks of sur-rise? His +aughter no) rst

reco;ere+ the -o)er of s-eech?

Eretch as a*,E sai+ she, Eyet there is so*e gratitu+e +ue to the

-reser;er of your chil+? 1ee hi* no) before you? To hi* o)e *y

life, or at least the co*fort of i*-loring your forgi;eness before

+ie?E

E3ar+on *e, young gentle*an,E sai+ Atkins, E fear *y -assion

)ronge+ you?E

E8e;er, ne;er, sir,E sai+ Harley Eif it ha+, your reconciliation to

your +aughter )ere an atone*ent a thousan+ fol+?E He then re-eate+

his reCuest that he *ight be allo)e+ to con+uct the* to his

lo+gings, to )hich Mr? Atkins at last consente+? He took his

+aughterBs ar*?

E5o*e, *y !*ily,E sai+ he, E)e can ne;er, ne;er reco;er that


72/153

ha--iness )e ha;e lostL but ti*e *ay teach us to re*e*ber our

*isfortunes )ith -atience?E

hen they arri;e+ at the house )here Harley lo+ge+, he )as infor*e+

that the rst Ioor )as then ;acant, an+ that the gentle*an an+ his

+aughter *ight be acco**o+ate+ there? hile he )as u-on his

enCuiry, Miss Atkins infor*e+ her father *ore -articularly )hat she

o)e+ to his bene;olence? hen he turne+ into the roo* )here they

)ere Atkins ran an+ e*brace+ hi*GGbegge+ hi* again to forgi;e the

oOence he ha+ gi;en hi*, an+ *a+e the )ar*est -rotestations of

gratitu+e for his fa;ours? e )oul+ atte*-t to +escribe the oy

)hich Harley felt on this occasion, +i+ it not occur to us that one

half of the )orl+ coul+ not un+erstan+ it though )e +i+, an+ the

other half )ill, by this ti*e, ha;e un+erstoo+ it )ithout any

+escri-tion at all?

Miss Atkins no) retire+ to her cha*ber, to take so*e rest fro* the

;iolence of the e*otions she ha+ suOere+? hen she )as gone, her

father, a++ressing hi*self to Harley, sai+, E(ou ha;e a right, sir,

to be infor*e+ of the -resent situation of one )ho o)es so *uch to

your co*-assion for his *isfortunes? My +aughter n+ has

infor*e+ you )hat that )as at the fatal uncture )hen they began?

Her +istresses you ha;e hear+, you ha;e -itie+ as they +eser;e+

)ith *ine, -erha-s, cannot so easily *ake you acCuainte+? (ou

ha;e a feeling heart, Mr? Harley bless it that it has sa;e+ *y

chil+ but you ne;er )ere a father, a father torn by that *ost

+rea+ful of cala*ities, the +ishonour of a chil+ he +oate+ onL (ou

ha;e been alrea+y infor*e+ of so*e of the circu*stances of her


73/153

elo-e*ent: )as then fro* ho*e, calle+ by the +eath of a relation,

)ho, though he )oul+ ne;er a+;ance *e a shilling on the ut*ost

e


74/153

EB/ettersLB sai+ ?

EB(es, sir, so she tol+ *e, an+ )ent oO in all haste that ;ery

night?B

E stoo+ aghast as she s-oke, but )as able so far to recollect

*yself, as to -ut on the aOectation of cal*ness, an+ telling her

there )as certainly so*e *istake in the aOair, +esire+ her to lea;e

*e?

Ehen she )as gone, thre) *yself into a chair, in that state of

uncertainty )hich is, of all others, the *ost +rea+ful? The gay

;isions )ith )hich ha+ +elighte+ *yself, ;anishe+ in an instant?

)as torture+ )ith tracing back the sa*e circle of +oubt an+

+isa--oint*ent? My hea+ gre) +izzy as thought? calle+ the

ser;ant again, an+ aske+ her a hun+re+ Cuestions, to no -ur-ose

there )as not roo* e;en for conecture?

E1o*ething at last arose in *y *in+, )hich )e call Ho-e, )ithout

kno)ing )hat it is? )ishe+ *yself +elu+e+ by it but it coul+ not

-re;ail o;er *y returning fears? rose an+ )alke+ through the

roo*? My !*ilyBs s-innet stoo+ at the en+ of it, o-en, )ith a book

of *usic fol+e+ +o)n at so*e of *y fa;ourite lessons? touche+ the

keys there )as a ;ibration in the soun+ that froze *y bloo+

looke+ aroun+, an+ *ethought the fa*ily -ictures on the )alls gaze+

on *e )ith co*-assion in their faces? sat +o)n again )ith an

atte*-t at *ore co*-osure starte+ at e;ery creaking of the +oor,

an+ *y ears rung )ith i*aginary noisesL


75/153

E ha+ not re*aine+ long in this situation, )hen the arri;al of a

frien+, )ho ha+ acci+entally hear+ of *y return, -ut an en+ to *y

+oubts, by the recital of *y +aughterBs +ishonour? He tol+ *e he

ha+ his infor*ation fro* a young gentle*an, to )ho* inbrooke ha+

boaste+ of ha;ing se+uce+ her?

E starte+ fro* *y seat, )ith broken curses on *y li-s, an+ )ithout

kno)ing )hither shoul+ -ursue the*, or+ere+ *y ser;ant to loa+ *y

-istols an+ sa++le *y horses? My frien+, ho)e;er, )ith great

+iculty, -ersua+e+ *e to co*-ose *yself for that night, -ro*ising

to acco*-any *e on the *orro), to 1ir 6eorge inbrookeBs in Cuest of

his son?

EThe *orro) ca*e, after a night s-ent in a state little +istant fro*

*a+ness? e )ent as early as +ecency )oul+ allo) to 1ir 6eorgeBs?

He recei;e+ *e )ith -oliteness, an+ in+ee+ co*-assion, -roteste+ his

abhorrence of his sonBs con+uct, an+ tol+ *e that he ha+ set out

so*e +ays before for /on+on, on )hich -lace he ha+ -rocure+ a +raft

for a large su*, on -retence of nishing his tra;els, but that he

ha+ not hear+ fro* hi* since his +e-arture?

E +i+ not )ait for any *ore, either of infor*ation or co*fort, but,

against the unite+ re*onstrances of 1ir 6eorge an+ *y frien+, set

out instantly for /on+on, )ith a frantic uncertainty of -ur-ose but

there, all *anner of search )as in ;ain? coul+ trace neither of

the* any farther than the inn )here they rst -ut u- on their

arri;al an+ after so*e +ays fruitless inCuiry, returne+ ho*e


76/153


77/153

)as no) lost in his tears? He sat )ith his face half turne+ fro*

Harley, as if he )oul+ ha;e hi+ the sorro) )hich he felt? Harley

)as in the sa*e attitu+e hi*self he +urst not *eet his eye )ith a

tear, but gathering his stiIe+ breath, E/et *e entreat you, sir,E

sai+ he, Eto ho-e better things? The )orl+ is e;er tyrannical it

)ar-s our sorro)s to e+ge the* )ith keener aUiction? /et us not

be sla;es to the na*es it a


78/153

honour coul+ not stoo- to solicit the -refer*ent he +eser;e+

-erha-s, )ith a fa*ily, taught the -rinci-les of +elicacy, )ithout

the *eans of su--orting it a )ife an+ chil+renGGgracious hea;enL

)ho* *y )ishes )oul+ ha;e +e-ri;e+ of brea+GGE

He )as interru-te+ in his re;erie by so*e one ta--ing hi* on the

shoul+er, an+, on turning roun+, he +isco;ere+ it to be the ;ery *an

)ho ha+ e


79/153

*e, that it )as engage+ for one )hose long ser;icesGGE E1er;icesLE

interru-te+ the other Eyou shall hear? 1er;icesL (es, his sister

arri;e+ in to)n a fe) +ays ago, an+ is no) se*-stress to the

baronet? A -lague on all rogues, says honest 1a* rightson?

shall but ust +rink +a*nation to the* toGnight, in a cro)nBs )orth

of AshleyBs, an+ lea;e /on+on toG*orro) by sunGrise?E E shall

lea;e it too,E sai+ Harley an+ so he accor+ingly +i+?

n -assing through 3icca+illy, he ha+ obser;e+, on the )in+o) of an

inn, a notication of the +e-arture of a stageGcoach for a -lace in

his roa+ ho*e)ar+s in the )ay back to his lo+gings, he took a seat

in it for his return?

5HA3T!R PPPGGH! /!AS!1 /8D8GG5HARA5T!R1 8 A 1TA6!G5A5H

The co*-any in the stageGcoach consiste+ of a grocer an+ his )ife,

)ho )ere going to -ay a ;isit to so*e of their country frien+s a

young ocer, )ho took this )ay of *arching to Cuarters a *i++leG

age+ gentle)o*an, )ho ha+ been hire+ as housekee-er to so*e fa*ily

in the country an+ an el+erly, )ellGlooking *an, )ith a re*arkable

ol+Gfashione+ -eri)ig?

Harley, u-on entering, +isco;ere+ but one ;acant seat, ne


80/153

scru-le to occu-y, ho)e;er a)are that ri+ing back)ar+s al)ays

+isagree+ )ith hi*?

Though his inclination to -hysiogno*y ha+ *et )ith so*e rubs in the

*etro-olis, he ha+ not yet lost his attach*ent to that science? He

set hi*self, therefore, to e


81/153

face as his o)n short neck )oul+ allo), an+ his )ife, )ho )as a

little, roun+Gface+ )o*an, )ith a great +eal of colour in her

cheeks, +re) u- at the co*-li*ent that )as -ai+ her, looking rst

at the ocer, an+ then at the housekee-er?

This inci+ent )as -ro+ucti;e of so*e +iscourse for before, though

there )as so*eti*es a cough or a he* fro* the grocer, an+ the

ocer no) an+ then hu**B+ a fe) notes of a song, there ha+ not a

single )or+ -asse+ the li-s of any of the co*-any?

Mrs? 6rocer obser;e+, ho) illGcon;enient it )as for -eo-le, )ho

coul+ not be +ro;e back)ar+s, to tra;el in a stage? This brought on

a +issertation on stageGcoaches in general, an+ the -leasure of

kee-ing a chay of oneBs o)n )hich le+ to another, on the great

riches of Mr? De-uty "earskin, )ho, accor+ing to her, ha+ once been

of that in+ustrious or+er of youths )ho s)ee- the crossings of the

streets for the con;eniency of -assengers, but, by ;arious fortunate

acci+ents, ha+ no) acCuire+ an i**ense fortune, an+ ke-t his coach

an+ a +ozen li;ery ser;ants? All this aOor+e+ a*-le fun+ for

con;ersation, if con;ersation it *ight be calle+, that )as carrie+

on solely by the beforeG*entione+ la+y, nobo+y oOering to interru-t

her, e


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conscience, an+ signie+ his assent by a noise not unlike the

grunting of that ani*al )hich in sha-e an+ fatness he so*e)hat

rese*ble+?

The housekee-er, an+ the ol+ gentle*an )ho sat ne


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of their other fello)Gtra;ellers, it see*s, )ere at no great

+istance, for, ne


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-ro+uctions to the )orl+? "ut this, in *y o-inion, is the *ore

assu*ing *anner of the t)o for of all the garbs e;er sa) 3ri+e

-ut on, that of her hu*ility is to *e the *ost +isgusting?E

Et is natural enough for a -oet to be ;ain,E sai+ the stranger?

EThe little )orl+s )hich he raises, the ins-iration )hich he clai*s,

*ay easily be -ro+ucti;e of selfGi*-ortance though that ins-iration

is fabulous, it brings on egotis*, )hich is al)ays the -arent of

;anity?E

Et *ay be su--ose+,E ans)ere+ Harley, Ethat ins-iration of ol+ )as

an article of religious faith in *o+ern ti*es it *ay be translate+

a -ro-ensity to co*-ose an+ belie;e it is not al)ays *ost rea+ily

foun+ )here the -oets ha;e


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E ha;e al)ays thought so,E re-lie+ Harley Ebut this is an argu*ent

)ith the -ru+ent against it: they urge the +anger of untness for

the )orl+?E

E allo) it,E returne+ the other Ebut belie;e it is not al)ays

rightfully i*-ute+ to the bent for -oetry: that is only one eOect

of the co**on cause?GGack, says his father, is in+ee+ no scholar

nor coul+ all the +rubbings fro* his *aster e;er bring hi* one ste-

for)ar+ in his acci+ence or synta


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e*otion by the re-etition of +ebauch an+ their +esire of -leasure

is )ar-e+ to the +esire of )ealth, as the *eans of -rocuring it?

The i**ense riches acCuire+ by in+i;i+uals ha;e erecte+ a stan+ar+

of a*bition, +estructi;e of -ri;ate *orals, an+ of -ublic ;irtue?

The )eaknesses of ;ice are left us but the *ost allo)able of our

failings )e are taught to +es-ise? /o;e, the -assion *ost natural

to the sensibility of youth, has lost the -lainti;e +ignity he once

-ossesse+, for the un*eaning si*-er of a +angling co


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either at an inn, or at the rst cottage in )hich he sa) a face he

like+: nay, )hen he )as not -eculiarly attracte+ by the reasonable

creation, he )oul+ so*eti*es consort )ith a s-ecies of inferior

rank, an+ lay hi*self +o)n to slee- by the si+e of a rock, or on the

banks of a ri;ulet? He +i+ fe) things )ithout a *oti;e, but his

*oti;es )ere rather eccentric: an+ the useful an+ e


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groun+s? The banks on each si+e )ere co;ere+ )ith fantastic shrubG

)oo+, an+ at a little +istance, on the to- of one of the*, stoo+ a

ngerG-ost, to *ark the +irections of t)o roa+s )hich +i;erge+ fro*

the -oint )here it )as -lace+? A rock, )ith so*e +angling )il+

Io)ers, utte+ out abo;e )here the sol+ier lay on )hich gre) the

stu*- of a large tree, )hite )ith age, an+ a single t)iste+ branch

sha+e+ his face as he sle-t? His face ha+ the *arks of *anly

co*eliness i*-aire+ by ti*e his forehea+ )as not altogether bal+,

but its hairs *ight ha;e been nu*bere+ )hile a fe) )hite locks

behin+ crosse+ the bro)n of his neck )ith a contrast the *ost

;enerable to a *in+ like HarleyBs? EThou art ol+,E sai+ he to

hi*self Ebut age has not brought thee rest for its inr*ities

fear those sil;er hairs ha;e not foun+ shelter fro* thy country,

though that neck has been bronze+ in its ser;ice?E The stranger

)ake+? He looke+ at Harley )ith the a--earance of so*e confusion:

it )as a -ain the latter kne) too )ell to think of causing in

another he turne+ an+ )ent on? The ol+ *an reGa+uste+ his

kna-sack, an+ follo)e+ in one of the tracks on the o--osite si+e of

the roa+?

hen Harley hear+ the trea+ of his feet behin+ hi*, he coul+ not

hel- stealing back a glance at his fello)Gtra;eller? He see*e+ to

ben+ un+er the )eight of his kna-sack he halte+ on his )alk, an+

one of his ar*s )as su--orte+ by a sling, an+ lay *otionless across

his breast? He ha+ that stea+y look of sorro), )hich in+icates that

its o)ner has gaze+ u-on his griefs till he has forgotten to la*ent

the* yet not )ithout those streaks of co*-lacency )hich a goo+ *in+

)ill so*eti*es thro) into the countenance, through all the incu*bent


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loa+ of its +e-ression?

He ha+ no) a+;ance+ nearer to Harley, an+, )ith an uncertain sort of

;oice, begge+ to kno) )hat it )as oBclock E fear,E sai+ he, Eslee-

has beguile+ *e of *y ti*e, an+ shall har+ly ha;e light enough

left to carry *e to the en+ of *y ourney?E

EFatherLE sai+ Harley J)ho by this ti*e foun+ the ro*antic

enthusias* rising )ithin hi*K Eho) far +o you *ean to goNE

E"ut a little )ay, sir,E returne+ the other Ean+ in+ee+ it is but a

little )ay can *anage no): Btis ust four *iles fro* the height

to the ;illage, thither a* going?E

E a* going there too,E sai+ Harley E)e *ay *ake the roa+ shorter

to each other? (ou see* to ha;e ser;e+ your country, sir, to ha;e

ser;e+ it har+ly too Btis a character ha;e the highest estee*

for?GG )oul+ not be i*-ertinently inCuisiti;e but there is that in

your a--earance )hich e


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EFar fro* it,E ans)ere+ Harley, E shoul+ trea+ the lighter it

)oul+ be the *ost honourable ba+ge e;er )ore?E

E1ir,E sai+ the stranger, )ho ha+ looke+ earnestly in HarleyBs face

+uring the last -art of his +iscourse, Eis act your na*e HarleyNE

Et is,E re-lie+ he E a* asha*e+ to say ha;e forgotten yours?E

E(ou *ay )ell ha;e forgotten *y face,E sai+ the strangerGGEBtis a

long ti*e since you sa) it but -ossibly you *ay re*e*ber so*ething

of ol+ !+)ar+s?E

E!+)ar+sLE crie+ Harley, EohL hea;ensLE an+ s-rung to e*brace hi*

Elet *e clas- those knees on )hich ha;e sat so often: !+)ar+sLGG

shall ne;er forget that reGsi+e, roun+ )hich ha;e been so ha--yL

"ut )here, )here ha;e you beenN )here is ackN )here is your

+aughterN Ho) has it fare+ )ith the*, )hen fortune, fear, has

been so unkin+ to youNE

EBTis a long tale,E re-lie+ !+)ar+s Ebut )ill try to tell it you

as )e )alk?

Ehen you )ere at school in the neighbourhoo+, you re*e*ber *e at

1outhGhill: that far* ha+ been -ossesse+ by *y father, gran+father,

an+ greatGgran+father, )hich last )as a younger brother of that ;ery

*anBs ancestor, )ho is no) lor+ of the *anor? thought *anage+

it, as they ha+ +one, )ith -ru+ence -ai+ *y rent regularly as it

beca*e +ue, an+ ha+ al)ays as *uch behin+ as ga;e brea+ to *e an+ *y


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chil+ren? "ut *y last lease )as out soon after you left that -art

of the country an+ the sCuire, )ho ha+ lately got a /on+onGattorney

for his ste)ar+, )oul+ not rene) it, because, he sai+, he +i+ not

chuse to ha;e any far* un+er &00 -oun+s a year ;alue on his estate

but oOere+ to gi;e *e the -reference on the sa*e ter*s )ith

another, if chose to take the one he ha+ *arke+ out, of )hich *ine

)as a -art?

Ehat coul+ +o, Mr? HarleyN feare+ the un+ertaking )as too

great for *e yet to lea;e, at *y age, the house ha+ li;e+ in fro*

*y cra+leL coul+ not, Mr? Harley, coul+ not there )as not a

tree about it that +i+ not look on as *y father, *y brother, or *y

chil+: so e;en ran the risk, an+ took the sCuireBs oOer of the

)hole? "ut ha+ soon reason to re-ent of *y bargain the ste)ar+ ha+

taken care that *y for*er far* shoul+ be the best lan+ of the

+i;ision: )as oblige+ to hire *ore ser;ants, an+ coul+ not ha;e

*y eye o;er the* all so*e unfa;ourable seasons follo)e+ one

another, an+ foun+ *y aOairs entangling on *y han+s? To a++ to

*y +istress, a consi+erable cornGfactor turne+ bankru-t )ith a su*

of *ine in his -ossession: faile+ -aying *y rent so -unctually as

)as )ont to +o, an+ the sa*e ste)ar+ ha+ *y stock taken in

e


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Trusty, *y shag houseG+og shall ne;er forget it )hile li;e the

-oor creature )as blin+ )ith age, an+ coul+ scarce cra)l after us to

the +oor he )ent ho)e;er as far as the gooseberryGbush that you *ay

re*e*ber stoo+ on the left si+e of the yar+ he )as )ont to bask in

the sun there )hen he ha+ reache+ that s-ot, he sto--e+ )e )ent

on: calle+ to hi* he )agge+ his tail, but +i+ not stir:

calle+ again he lay +o)n: )histle+, an+ crie+ Trusty he ga;e a

short ho)l, an+ +ie+L coul+ ha;e lain +o)n an+ +ie+ too but 6o+

ga;e *e strength to li;e for *y chil+ren?E

The ol+ *an no) -ause+ a *o*ent to take breath? He eye+ HarleyBs

face it )as bathe+ )ith tears: the story )as gro)n fa*iliar to

hi*self he +ro--e+ one tear, an+ no *ore?

EThough )as -oor,E continue+ he, E )as not altogether )ithout

cre+it? A gentle*an in the neighbourhoo+, )ho ha+ a s*all far*

unoccu-ie+ at the ti*e, oOere+ to let *e ha;e it, on gi;ing

security for the rent )hich *a+e shift to -rocure? t )as a

-iece of groun+ )hich reCuire+ *anage*ent to *ake anything of but

it )as nearly )ithin the co*-ass of *y sonBs labour an+ *y o)n? e

e


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accor+, follo)e+ the* into the usticeBs? My son lai+ +o)n his gun,

an+ )ent after his +og to bring hi* back: the ga*eGkee-er, )ho ha+

*arke+ the bir+s, ca*e u-, an+ seeing the -ointer, shot hi* ust as

*y son a--roache+? The creature fell *y son ran u- to hi*: he

+ie+ )ith a co*-laining sort of cry at his *asterBs feet? ack

coul+ bear it no longer but, Iying at the ga*eGkee-er, )renche+

his gun out of his han+, an+ )ith the butt en+ of it, felle+ hi* to

the groun+?

EHe ha+ scarce got ho*e, )hen a constable ca*e )ith a )arrant, an+

+ragge+ hi* to -rison there he lay, for the ustices )oul+ not take

bail, till he )as trie+ at the CuarterGsessions for the assault an+

battery? His ne )as har+ u-on us to -ay: )e contri;e+ ho)e;er to

li;e the )orse for it, an+ *ake u- the loss by our frugality: but

the ustice )as not content )ith that -unish*ent, an+ soon after ha+

an o--ortunity of -unishing us in+ee+?

EAn ocer )ith -ressGor+ers ca*e +o)n to our county, an+ ha;ing

*et )ith the ustices, agree+ that they shoul+ -itch on a certain

nu*ber, )ho coul+ *ost easily be s-are+ fro* the county, of )ho* he

)oul+ take care to clear it: *y sonBs na*e )as in the usticesB

list?

EBT)as on a 5hrist*as e;e, an+ the birthG+ay too of *y sonBs little

boy? The night )as -iercing col+, an+ it ble) a stor*, )ith sho)ers

of hail an+ sno)? e ha+ *a+e u- a cheering re in an inner roo*

sat before it in *y )ickerGchair blessing -ro;i+ence, that ha+

still left a shelter for *e an+ *y chil+ren? My sonBs t)o little


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ones )ere hol+ing their ga*bols aroun+ us *y heart )ar*e+ at the

sight: brought a bottle of *y best ale, an+ all our *isfortunes

)ere forgotten?

Et ha+ long been our custo* to -lay a ga*e at blin+ *anBs buO on

that night, an+ it )as not o*itte+ no) so to it )e fell, , an+ *y

son, an+ his )ife, the +aughter of a neighbouring far*er, )ho

ha--ene+ to be )ith us at the ti*e, the t)o chil+ren, an+ an ol+

*ai+ ser;ant, )ho ha+ li;e+ )ith *e fro* a chil+? The lot fell on

*y son to be blin+fol+e+: )e ha+ continue+ so*e ti*e in our ga*e,

)hen he gro-e+ his )ay into an outer roo* in -ursuit of so*e of us,

)ho, he i*agine+, ha+ taken shelter there )e ke-t snug in our

-laces, an+ enoye+ his *istake? He ha+ not been long there, )hen

he )as su++enly seize+ fro* behin+ B shall ha;e you no),B sai+ he,

an+ turne+ about? B1hall you so, *asterNB ans)ere+ the ruan, )ho

ha+ lai+ hol+ of hi* B)e shall *ake you -lay at another sort of

ga*e by an+ by?BEGGAt these )or+s Harley starte+ )ith a con;ulsi;e

sort of *otion, an+ gras-ing !+)ar+sBs s)or+, +re) it half out of

the scabbar+, )ith a look of the *ost frantic )il+ness? !+)ar+s

gently re-lace+ it in its sheath, an+ )ent on )ith his relation?

En hearing these )or+s in a strange ;oice, )e all rushe+ out to

+isco;er the cause the roo* by this ti*e )as al*ost full of the

gang? My +aughterGinGla) fainte+ at the sight the *ai+ an+ ran

to assist her, )hile *y -oor son re*aine+ *otionless, gazing by

turns on his chil+ren an+ their *other? e soon reco;ere+ her to

life, an+ begge+ her to retire an+ )ait the issue of the aOair but

she Ie) to her husban+, an+ clung roun+ hi* in an agony of terror


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an+ grief?

En the gang )as one of a s*oother as-ect, )ho*, by his +ress, )e

+isco;ere+ to be a sereant of foot: he ca*e u- to *e, an+ tol+ *e,

that *y son ha+ his choice of the sea or lan+ ser;ice, )his-ering at

the sa*e ti*e that, if he chose the lan+, he *ight get oO, on

-rocuring hi* another *an, an+ -aying a certain su* for his free+o*?

The *oney )e coul+ ust *uster u- in the house, by the assistance of

the *ai+, )ho -ro+uce+, in a green bag, all the little sa;ings of

her ser;ice but the *an )e coul+ not e


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i+le at ho*e a* young an+ able to en+ure *uch, an+ 6o+ )ill take

care of you an+ *y fa*ily?B

EBack,B sai+ , B )ill -ut an en+ to this *atter, you ha;e ne;er

hitherto +isobeye+ *e )ill not be contra+icte+ in this stay at

ho*e, charge you, an+, for *y sake, be kin+ to *y chil+ren?B

Eur -arting, Mr? Harley, cannot +escribe to you it )as the rst

ti*e )e e;er ha+ -arte+: the ;ery -ressGgang coul+ scarce kee- fro*

tears but the sereant, )ho ha+ see*e+ the softest before, )as no)

the least *o;e+ of the* all? He con+ucte+ *e to a -arty of ne)G

raise+ recruits, )ho lay at a ;illage in the neighbourhoo+ an+ )e

soon after oine+ the regi*ent? ha+ not been long )ith it )hen )e

)ere or+ere+ to the !ast n+ies, )here )as soon *a+e a sereant,

an+ *ight ha;e -icke+ u- so*e *oney, if *y heart ha+ been as har+ as

so*e others )ere but *y nature )as ne;er of that kin+, that coul+

think of getting rich at the e


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soul, an+ one *orning, )hen the rest of the guar+ )ere out of the

)ay, foun+ *eans to let hi* esca-e? )as trie+ by a courtG

*artial for negligence of *y -ost, an+ or+ere+, in co*-assion of *y

age, an+ ha;ing got this )oun+ in *y ar* an+ that in *y leg in the

ser;ice, only to suOer three hun+re+ lashes an+ be turne+ out of

the regi*ent but *y sentence )as *itigate+ as to the lashes, an+

ha+ only t)o hun+re+? hen ha+ suOere+ these )as turne+ out of

the ca*-, an+ ha+ bet)i


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!nglan+? BTis but about a )eek since lan+e+, an+ a* going to

en+ *y +ays in the ar*s of *y son? This su* *ay be of use to hi*

an+ his chil+ren, Btis all the ;alue -ut u-on it? thank Hea;en

ne;er )as co;etous of )ealth ne;er ha+ *uch, but )as al)ays so

ha--y as to be content )ith *y little?E

hen !+)ar+s ha+ en+e+ his relation, Harley stoo+ a )hile looking at

hi* in silence at last he -resse+ hi* in his ar*s, an+ )hen he ha+

gi;en ;ent to the fulness of his heart by a sho)er of tears,

E!+)ar+s,E sai+ he, Elet *e hol+ thee to *y boso*, let *e i*-rint

the ;irtue of thy suOerings on *y soul? 5o*e, *y honoure+ ;eteran

let *e en+ea;our to soften the last +ays of a life, )orn out in the

ser;ice of hu*anity call *e also thy son, an+ let *e cherish thee

as a father?EB

!+)ar+s, fro* )ho* the recollection of his o)n suOering ha+ scarce+

force+ a tear, no) blubbere+ like a boy he coul+ not s-eak his

gratitu+e, but by so*e short e


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*oul+ering )alls of a ruine+ house that stoo+ on the roa+ si+e?

Eh, hea;ensLE he crie+, E)hat +o see: silent, unroofe+, an+

+esolateL Are all thy gay tenants goneN +o hear their hu* no *ore

!+)ar+s, look there, look thereN the scene of *y infant oys, *y

earliest frien+shi-s, lai+ )aste an+ ruinousL That )as the ;ery

school )here )as boar+e+ )hen you )ere at 1outhGhill Btis but a

t)el;eG*onth since sa) it stan+ing, an+ its benches lle+ )ith

cherubs: that o--osite si+e of the roa+ )as the green on )hich they

s-orte+ see it no) -loughe+ u-L )oul+ ha;e gi;en fty ti*es its

;alue to ha;e sa;e+ it fro* the sacrilege of that -lough?E

EDear sir,E re-lie+ !+)ar+s, E-erha-s they ha;e left it fro* choice,

an+ *ay ha;e got another s-ot as goo+?E

EThey cannot,E sai+ Harley, Ethey cannot shall ne;er see the

s)ar+ co;ere+ )ith its +aisies, nor -resse+ by the +ance of the +ear

innocents: shall ne;er see that stu*- +ecke+ )ith the garlan+s

)hich their little han+s ha+ gathere+? These t)o long stones, )hich

no)

Documents

Henry Mackenzie - The Man of Feeling