Part 55 (2/2)

But, as the tribe that bestow on theht and versatile character, as they abound in praises that are void of discri, and affect at oneurbanity, and at the next the ave ave me exquisite pain

The more I became acquainted with the toon terms of the ut, did not know aze full in my face, as if to enquire--'Who are you, sir?' but in reality to insult me The looks of these most courteous and polished people seeh-bred, how does it happen that persons of fashi+on do not unite to stare every such impertinent upstart out of their company?'

Of all the insolence that disturbs society, and puts it in a state of internal warfare, the insolence of fashi+on wounds and imbitters the most It instantly provokes the offended person to enquire--'What kind of being is it, that takes upon hith,than myself?'

In numerous instances, he is imbecile in body, more imbecile still in mind, and contemptible in person Nay he is often little better than a driveller

He, whom the _hauteur_ of fashi+on has compelled to reason thus, will soon be led to further andcan reconcile men, so as to induce them to remain peaceable spectators of enjoyments beyond their attainment, except that unaffected benevolence which shall continually actuate the heart to communicate all the happiness it has the power to bestow This only can so teradual and orderly refor to the winds

This wavering between extreme civility and rudeness was conspicuous in the behaviour of the Bray family toward me Her Ladyshi+p, at onepresent, as if no such person had been in existence: or as if he were not half so worthy of attention as her lap-dog; for, as a proof, on the lap-dog it was lavished: yet, at another, I was _absolutely_ theood breeding, and all that that she had ever known

With Sir Barnard I was sometiment his appeals were made, and my opinions were decisive In other fits he would not condescend to notice me If I interfered with a sentence, he would pursue the conversation as if an objection made by me were unworthy of an answer; and perhaps, if I asked him a question, he would affect to be deaf, and make no reply

These are arts which render the condition of a supposed inferior truly hateful: and, as they were severely felt, they were severely remembered, and now and then retaliated in a spirit which I cannot applaud

If the history of such eh all their consequences, and if men were aware how much the principal events of their lives are the result of the petty ebullitions of passion, that branch of ulate the temper of mind, tone of voice, and expression of the countenance, would become a very serious study

This remark is as old as Adam: and yet it relates to a science that is only in its infancy

How fatal the want of such a necessary command of teh at moments I was painfully conscious of the defect, and it was become less obtrusive, it was far from cured It still hovered over and influenced my fate: as will be seen

The old parlia

But the defection of Sir Barnard's member was of late date; and, as the Baronet had histo provoke the honorable member whom he had made too violently, there was a kind of compro the short remainder of the terhted in his prop It was as necessary to hienerally accompanied him, when he visited any kind of political assemblies

It happened that there was an annual dinner of the gentlemen who had been educated at ; of which dinner Sir Barnard was appointed one of the stewards That he ht acquit himself of this arduous task with eclat, I was of course presented with a ticket; and attended as his aid de camp

The company was nu ulate the important business of the day

When I entered the coht my eye was the Earl of Idford

I shrunk back I had a momentary hesitation whether I should insult him or instantly quit the company; and disdain to enter an apartood sense enough to recollect that a quarrel, in such a place, nobody kneould be equally ridiculous and rash: and that to avoid any ht awakenedmyself, I advanced with a firm and cool air

Habit and perversity of system had done that for his lordshi+p to which his fortitude was inadequate He was at least as cool, and as intrepid, as myself; and bowed to me with the utmost ease and civility To return his boas infinitelya toad in my hand: yet to forbear would have been a violation of the first principles of the behaviour of a gentleman I therefore reluctantly and formally complied I hope the reader remembers how earnestly I condemn this want of temper in myself

His lordshi+p took not the least notice of the coldness ofcomplacency, 'hoped I had been well, since he had had the pleasure of seeing me'