human
Aberton, said Vincent, in answer to my question, if he knew that aimable attache--
gpt
Yes! a sort of man who, speaking of the English embassy, says we--who sticks his best cards on his chimney-piece, and writes himself billets-doux from duchesses. A duodecimo of 'precious conceits,' bound in calf-skin--I know the man well; does he not dress decently, Pelham?
human
His clothes are well made, said I;
gpt
human
Ah! said Vincent,
gpt
I should think he went to the best tailor, and said, 'give me a collar like Lord So and So's,'; one who would not dare to have a new waistcoat till it had been authoritatively patronized, and who took his fashions, like his follies, from the best proficients. Such fellows are always too ashamed of themselves not to be proud of their clothes--like the Chinese mariners, they burn incense before the needle!
human
And Mr. Howard de Howard, said I, laughing,
gpt
What! the thin secretary?
human
He is the mathematical definition of a straight line--length without breadth. His inseparable friend, Mr. Aberton, was running up the Rue St. Honore yesterday in order to catch him.
gpt
Running! cried I,
human
True, continued Vincent;
gpt
No, said I.
human
I can't say that I thought such an event likely. Who is the intended?
gpt
A Miss--, a girl with some fortune. 'I can bring her none,' said he to the father, 'but I can make her Mrs. Howard de Howard.'
human
Alas, poor girl! said I,
gpt
I fear that her happiness will hang upon a slender thread. But suppose we change the conversation: first, because the subject is so meagre, that we might easily wear it out, and secondly, because such jests may come home. I am not very corpulent myself.
human
Bah! said Vincent,
gpt
Pray, Vincent, said I, after a short pause,
human
Thornton, Thornton, said Vincent, musingly;
gpt
I should think, very likely, I replied;
human
Is he about five-and-thirty? asked Vincent,
gpt
Precisely, said I;
human
Ah, said Vincent,
gpt
I know him well: he is a clever, shrewd fellow, but a most unmitigated rascal. He is the son of a steward in Lancashire, and received an attorney's education; but being a humorous, noisy fellow, he became a great favourite with his father's employer, who was a sort of Mecaenas to cudgel players, boxers, and horse jockies. At his house, Thornton met many persons of rank, but of a taste similar to their host's: and they, mistaking his vulgar coarseness for honesty, and his quaint proverbs for wit, admitted him into their society. It was with one of them that I have seen him. I believe of late, that his character has been of a very indifferent odour: and whatever has brought him among the English at Paris--those white-washed abominations--those 'innocent blacknesses,' as Charles Lamb calls chimney sweepers, it does not argue well for his professional occupations. I should think, however, that he manages to live here; for wherever there are English fools, there are fine pickings for an English rogue.
human
Ay, said I,
gpt
Yes, because rogues are like spiders, and eat each other, when there is nothing else to catch; and Tom Thornton is safe, as long as the ordinary law of nature lasts, that the greater knave preys on the lesser, for there cannot possibly be a greater knave than he is. If you have made his acquaintance, my dear Pelham, I advise you most soberly to look to yourself, for if he doth not steal, beg, or borrow of you, Mr. Howard de Howard will grow fat, and even Mr. Aberton cease to be a fool. And now, most noble Pelham, farewell. Il est plus aise d'etre sage pour les autres que de l'etre pour soi-meme.