Part 48 (1/2)

'I most sincerely rejoice,' said Turl, 'that these doubts have been suggested to you by other people, rather than by me: for I am very desirous you should not continue to think me too prone to censure

And, in addition to them, I would have you take a retrospect of your plan To induce you to despond is a thing which I would most sedulously avoid: but to suffer you to delude yourself with the hopes of sudden wealth (and when I say sudden, I would give you a term of ten years) froe into that practice with the ard to all that rectitude deenuous hypocrite; and entirely to forget the first and best duties of friendshi+p

'Should you ask--”What path then am I to pursue?” I own I am totally at a loss for an answer The choice norant that it is infinitely more easy to point out mistakes, which have been and still continue to be committed daily, than to teach how they may be entirely avoided Of this I am well assured, if you will confide in and exert those powers of ree of happiness of the enjoyment of which, I am sorry to say, but few are capable

'Fro men I meet, who are thrown upon the world, I find that the period which iswhich they are obliged unsupported to seek a grateful and worthy way of e their talents

'My own resource has been that of cheerfully sub to what are called the hardshi+ps of obscure poverty; and of consoling myself, not only with a firm persuasion that by this course in tie the scene, but that, till this ti myself on the subjects which can best afford me present satisfaction That is, in endeavours, however narrow and feeble, to enlarge the boundaries of human happiness; and by means like these to find a sufficiency for ht to advise you to pursue a sih I can truly say I a

'How to answer or appease the i passion I cannot devise Neither can I say that I am convinced it is blameable except in its excess That you should desire to obtain so rare and inestimable a treasure as that of a woman who, not to insist upon her peculiar beauty, is possessed of the high faculties hich she whom you love is affirmed to be endowed, is an ambition which my heart knows not how to condeenial to all ive me inexpressible pleasure

'You will perhaps be surprised to hearthe obstacles are so numerous that I have no perception of the manner in which they are to be overcome, I yet rejoice with you that you have discovered such a woman; that she has assuredly a rooted affection for you; and that you have thus obtained one advantage over all your friends, a strong and unconquerable motive to outstrip them in your efforts

'Shall I add that, desperate as your case seeuine hopes? I do not deematic would call the frenzy of your mind; and half-persuade myself that you will finally be victorious

'Then summon up your fortitude Do not suffer the failure of ill-concerted plans either to lessen your ardour or give it a rash and dangerous direction Be cool in decision, warm in pursuit, and unwearied in perseverance Ti friend, to those who have the discernment to profit by the opportunities he offers

Let your eye be on the alert, and your hand active and firm, as circumstances shall occur, and I shall then say I scarcely knohat it is that you may not hope to achieve!'

Wilainst the an, his eye was cast down, a compassionate h broke from him unperceived by himself As our mutual friend proceeded, his attitude altered, his head was raised, his eye brightened, his features glowed, his soul rapt in the visions which were raised by Turl, and, unconscious of his own existence or that he spoke, his interrupting ejaculations now and then involuntarily burst forth--'That is true!--Well argued!--Do you think so?--Indeed!--I alad of that!--Don't despond, Trevor! Don't despond!--'Tis folly to despond!'

Just as he repeated the last sentence, ''Tis folly to despond,' so full a reht came over him, and there was so divine a mixture of hope and melancholy in his face, which seee enerous emanations of Turl and these torrents of affection from a man who had suffered so deeply, I seized the hand of each, pressed theain, coveredlike hysteric passion

Of all the pleasures of which the soul is capable, those of friendshi+p for man and love for woman are the most exquisite They may be described as--'the comprehensive principle of benevolence, which binds the whole human race to aid and love each other, individualized; and put into its utmost state of activity' Selfishness may deride them; and there may be some so haunted by suspicion, or so hardened in vice as to doubt or deny their existence But he that has felt therandest standard of human nature; and the purest foretaste of the joys that are in store, for the generations that are to come

This is the spirit that is to harardens of paradise, and ages of gold, the possibility of which, as the records of fable shew, could scarcely escape even savage ignorance

What clue shall I give the reader to my heart, that shall lead him into its recesses; and enable him to conceive its entire sensations?

That Turl, froe eye led hi possessed such powers of right decision, that he should not only sympathize with me but partake in my best hopes, and countenance me in my soul's dearest pursuit, that Turl should feel and act thus, was a joy inconceivably great, and unexpected!

He now no longer appeared to h I could not but revere hienerous, anxious, and tender friend My forloomy despair, that made me half suspect e into consistency, probability, and systehly approvedthe letter I had written and was so anxious to convey to Olivia

This farther coincidence of opinion not only induced rateful satisfaction, and self-respect, that was exceedingly consolatory

CHAPTER III

_More traits of the character of Mr Evelyn: A new project of a very flattering nature: Borough interest and a patriotic Baronet_

It may well be supposed that Turl was induced to enquire, and I to explain, the means by which I should have been enabled to pursue the study of the law: for he had heard of my misfortunes, and the dissipation of ht the behaviour and character of Mr Evelyn in review: and the admiration of Turl, with the terentleht He had never entertained any serious doubt, he said, but that such le one was an unexpected and, to say the truth, a very uncommon pleasure