Part 52 (1/2)

When we had dined, Bel my prospects and affairs

'I expect,' said he, 'you will be less communicative and open hearted, now, than you formerly were You have discovered, what I never attempted to conceal, that my present dependence is on the exercise of talents which your gravity despises: especially since they have laid you under contribution This misfortune however, had you possessed them, despicable as they are, you would have escaped'

'Yes: just as the ht, escaped a head-ache thisI will own to you I cannot take the pleasure in your company, or think of you with that friendshi+p, which I forh I find your conversation no less ani liquors, it leaves an unwholesome heat behind

'However, I have no objection to inforiven me a momentary respite from persecution How soon she ain is reatly suspect her of cruelty and caprice She seeiven islators of this happy land'

'What do you mean?'

'That I shall be a member of the new parliahter At first, I was at a loss to conjecture why; and especially why it should be so long, and so unaffected: but I soon learned it was a burst of triuratulate you, Mr Trevor,' said he, with a ravity, 'on your noble and , as well as those I have formerly heard you read, now co precept thus exen, is the contempt in which you hold hypocrisy!--How severe will the laws be that you will enact, against petty depredators!--I foresee you will hang, not only those that handle a card, or a dice-box, but, those that make them--Then what honours, what rewards, what triureat captains; chosen, ees no less usto will you send hile robbery: and hat sublime oratory will you exalt the prowess of the man who has plundered, starved, and exter judge, how do I honor thee!”

I remained speechless, a few h I knew not precisely at what I attempted to answer; but was so confused that I talked absolute nonsense

After so into parliament was to counteract all these abuses I then recovered ed this plea very enity, and virtue, of the honourable house I was about to enter, dith such force on the iet no reply from him: except sarcas fits of laughter as the iested themselves to his mind

And here, lest the reader himself should be misled like Belmont, I must remark that no mistake is more coining that, because man has not attained absolute and perfect virtue, the very existence of virtue is doubtful

Hence it happens that he, who in any manner participates in the vices of a nation, or a body of uilt

Hence likewise, because men without exception are more or less tainted with error, all pretensions to superior hed at, as false and ridiculous

This is the doctrine at least which the people who ating Belainst self-reproach, but in cherishi+ng such trains of thought

That the vices which are thethe most despicable are virtues, if colaring to be denied That the cant hich these lossed over, and painted as just, expedient, ay and heroic actions, that this diabolical cant should be and is adopted by hest powers, is a fact that astonishes and confounds It impels us continually to ask--Are they cowards? Are they hypocrites? Or is the world inhabited by none but lunatics? And that led, and bewildered, by the destructive incongruity of those who assuhest wisdohest stations in society, is a proof how incumbent it is on such as are convinced of these melancholy truths to declare them openly, undauntedly, and with a perseverance that no threats or terrors can shake

When we had taken as much wine as Belent, he asked if I played Piquet?

I answered in the affirmative

'You no doubt then play it well'

'I do not think it a game of much difficulty'

'It is my opinion I ah you do not think it is Will you try?'

'What, with a e?'

'Have you not eyes? Are you, a metaphysician, a wit, and a senator, so easily deceived?'

'A man may lose his temper; and with it his caution'

'So you think yourself able to instruct the world, but not to keep your mind calm and circumspect for half an hour?'