Back Sir Charles Grandison
Chapters (10)
  1. SIR CHARLES GRANDISON
  2. PREFACE.
  3. NAMES OF THE PRINCIPAL PERSONS.
  4. VOLUME I.
  5. VOLUME II.
  6. VOLUME III.
  7. VOLUME IV.
  8. VOLUME V.
  9. VOLUME VI.
  10. VOLUME VII.

Believe me, I will praise my honest man when-ever he gives me cause. For instance; yesterday, I tvas well enough pleased with what he said to my brother. You, Sir Charles, ought not to give yourself up to a private life. Your country has a elaim upon such a character as yours.

Without doubt, said I Shall we, my lord, make my brother an ambassador, or a justice of peace? Lord G. rubbed liis forthead; but seeing nie smile, his countenance brightened up. Don’t you know, Charlotte, said my brother, that nothing but the engagements our noble guests have given me, would have prevented me from acting in the useful cha-racter you have last named?

O that you had, brother! What admirable causes would then have been brought before US. en dernier ressort! How delightfully would your time have been taken up with the appeals of scolding wives, forsaken damsels, and witches presumptive!

Lady G. min^t be herself, whatever be the subject, replied Sir Charles. You and I love her, my lord, for her charming vivacity. But think you, my sister, that a day spent in doing good, be the objects of it ever so low, is not more pleasing to reflect upon, than a day of the most elegant indulgence? Would per-sons of sense and distmction (myself out of the ques — tion) more frequently than they do, undertake the task, it would be lightertoevery one, and would keep the great power vested in this class of magistrates, and which is every year increasing, out of mean and mercenary hands. And, surely, men of consideration in the world owe it to their tenants and neigh — bours, and to those of their tellow-creatures to whoso industry they are obliged for their affluence, to employ in their service, those advantages of rank and education, which make it perhaps easy for them to clear up and adjust, in half an Iiour, matters that would be of endless perplexity and entanglement to the parties concerned.

Mind this, uncle Selby; for I think you are too fond of your own ways, and your own hours, lo do your duty as an active justice, though of the quorum.

But I should have told you, Lucy, how this conversation began. I got the occasion for it out of Dr. Bartlett afterwards. You must know, that I visit him now and then as Harriet used to do, toleam some of my brother’s good deeds, that otherwise would not come to our knowledge; by which 1 understand that notwithstanding he gives his guests so much of his company, and appears so easy and free among us, yet, that every beneficent scheme is going on: not one improvement stands still: he kno s not what it is to be one moment idle.