One of these men living in an adjoining town, tells him, "I once owned two farms; I own no farms now—They are swallowed up in 'morality.'" It is not yet ascertained, whether his rate of 40 per cent interest, is regulated by his practice or his profession. It certainly cannot be, as has been supposed, in proportion to the wants of the distressed. I am inclined to think his morality often runs ahead of his practice, in this case.
A good reputation is not common to all men. Our author has practically demonstrated the truth of this position, and conclusively shewn, that the needy have an absolute right to filch a supply from their neighbor; and has exhibited such powerful proofs in support of his claims, that he has actually obtained more than a quantum sufficit, and conferred the surplus on some of his needy friends.
The misfortunes of his neighbor, forms the chief round in his ladder to eminence; it rests on the sanctuary of domestic afflictions, and is supported by the tears of the widow and the orphan. Lo! Avarice claims him for her own—Billingsgate yields her choicest flowers—Envy entwines the glowing wreath—and malice triumphantly crowns him "lord of the ascendant."
[9] The certificates of these men interlard several points of conversation as minute as the souls which gave operation to their memory; and which appear to be designed to answer no other purpose, than to shew the extraordinary strength and accuracy of intellect by which they are characterized. Their fixed attention to such matters may serve as some excuse for the manner in which they executed their offices of U.S. assessors. But I have had occasion to note these gentlemen once before.
[10] The Citizen is perhaps correct when he calls Mr. Palmer a little man, and Judges of his own favorites by the quantity of matter instead of mind;—Like the Italian Farmer in estimating the qualities of a grave animal no less famous for strength and dullness than for the length of his ears.
[11] It seems that an effort was afterwards made to convince their friends, by publishing several hundreds of the famous communication from Young's colleagues, notwithstanding an express stipulation to the contrary.