I would call it
intuitive skill, a sort of instinct, by which he is enabled to
attain his ends in defiance of a capacity naturally narrow, a
judgment that topples with vanity, and an address at once mean and
repulsive. To call him a great man, in any possible approximation
of the word, would be ridiculous; that he is a good one, will be
denied by those who envy his success, or hate his politics; but
nothing, save the blindness of fanaticism, can call in question his
possession of a rare and singular species of ability, let it be
exerted in what cause it may. But my paper is full, and I have only
room to subscribe myself, faithfully, yours, A. PRINGLE.
"It appears to us," said Mr. Snodgrass, as he folded up the letter
to return it to his pocket, "that the Londoners, with all their
advantages of information, are neither purer nor better than their
fellow-subjects in the country." "As to their betterness," replied
Miss Mally, "I have a notion that they are far waur; and I hope you
do not think that earthly knowledge of any sort has a tendency to
make mankind, or womankind either, any better; for was not Solomon,
who had more of it than any other man, a type and testification,
that knowledge without grace is but vanity?" The young clergyman
was somewhat startled at this application of a remark on which he
laid no particular stress, and was thankful in his heart that Mrs.
Pages:
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165