This, to a mind like Willis’s, was a wrong never to be forgotten. Born of a good family, though in straitened circumstances, well educated, and of naturally fine feelings, he had in his youth become dissipated, and the ardor of his temperament had for awhile forced him to great lengths in vice; but soon seeing the folly of his course, he determined entirely to reform his life and become a steady, industrious man; but when he informed his relations and friends of his resolution, and asked their countenance and assistance to reinstate him in his former position, he was met with sneers of incredulity, and unkindly told that as he had “sown to the wind, he might now reap the whirlwind.” Knowing himself to be possessed of talents, energy, and perseverance, his pride and self-love were keenly stung, and feeling perfectly disgusted with the want of charity, thus displayed by those who professed to be the “salt of the earth,” and believing them to be as wicked as himself, only gifted with more hypocrisy, and chagrined with all the world, he gave himself up entirely to the guidance of his passions.
But even now, associated as he was with the most desperate and abandoned, he could not always suppress a desire to return to that society he was born to adorn.
| [3] | La Maraposa—The Butterfly. |
| [4] | Buen vega a los infiernos—a good voyage to the lower regions. |
| [5] | On board of armed vessels the trumpet is always carried by the officer in command of the deck. |
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CHAPTER III.
Gon. Beseech you, sir, be merry: You have cause
(So have we all) of joy; for our escape