And here I am naturally led to reflect on the means
of elevating a low subject. Historical parallels
are remarkably efficient in this way. The chief
objection to them is, that the diligent narrator may
lack space, or (what is often the same thing) may not
be able to think of them with any degree of particularity,
though he may have a philosophical confidence that
if known they would be illustrative. It seems
an easier and shorter way to dignity, to observe that—
since there never was a true story which could not
be told in parables, where you might put a monkey
for a margrave, and vice versa— whatever
has been or is to be narrated by me about low people,
may be ennobled by being considered a parable; so that
if any bad habits and ugly consequences are brought
into view, the reader may have the relief of regarding
them as not more than figuratively ungenteel, and
may feel himself virtually in company with persons
of some style. Thus while I tell the truth about
loobies, my reader’s imagination need not be
entirely excluded from an occupation with lords; and
the petty sums which any bankrupt of high standing
would be sorry to retire upon, may be lifted to the
level of high commercial transactions by the inexpensive
addition of proportional ciphers.
As to any provincial history in which the agents are
all of high moral rank, that must be of a date long
posterior to the first Reform Bill, and Peter Featherstone,
you perceive, was dead and buried some months before
Lord Grey came into office.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
“’Tis strange
to see the humors of these men,
These great aspiring
spirits, that should be wise:
. .
. . . . . .
For being the nature
of great spirits to love
To be where they may
be most eminent;
They, rating of themselves
so farre above
Us in conceit, with
whom they do frequent,
Imagine how we wonder
and esteeme
All that they do or
say; which makes them strive
To make our admiration
more extreme,
Which they suppose they
cannot, ’less they give
Notice of their extreme
and highest thoughts.
—DANIEL:
Tragedy of Philotas.
Mr. Vincy went home from the reading of the will with
his point of view considerably changed in relation
to many subjects. He was an open-minded man,
but given to indirect modes of expressing himself:
when he was disappointed in a market for his silk braids,
he swore at the groom; when his brother-in-law Bulstrode
had vexed him, he made cutting remarks on Methodism;
and it was now apparent that he regarded Fred’s
idleness with a sudden increase of severity, by his
throwing an embroidered cap out of the smoking-room
on to the hall-floor.
“Well, sir,” he observed, when that young
gentleman was moving off to bed, “I hope you’ve
made up your mind now to go up next term and pass
your examination. I’ve taken my resolution,
so I advise you to lose no time in taking yours.”
