To the Earl of Belmont.
WITH all my affection for Lord
T — , I am hourly shocked by
that most unworthy of all faults, his haughtiness
to inferior fortune, however distinguished
by virtue, talents, or even the more
shining advantage of birth. Dress, equipage,
and the over-bearing assurance which
wealth inspires, strike him so forcibly, that
there is no room in his soul for that esteem
which is a debt to modest merit.
We had yesterday to dine Mr. Herbert,
one of the most amiable men I ever saw;
his person was genteel, his countenance at
once expressive of genius and worth, which
were rendered more touching to me, by
that pensive look and irresolute air, which
are the constant attendants on an adverse
fortune. Lord T — returned his bow
almost without looking at him; and continued
talking familiarly to a wretch with
whom no gentleman would converse, were
he not master of six thousand a year: the
whole company, instructed in his situation
by the supercilious air of the master of the
house, treated him with the same neglect,
which I endeavoured to console him for by
every little civility in my power, and by
confining my attention intirely to him;
when we parted, he asked me to his house
with a look full of sensibility; an invitation
I shall take the first opportunity of accepting.
When the company were gone, I asked
Lord T — the character of this stranger.
Why, really, says he, I believe he is in
himself the most estimable man in my
neighbourhood: of a good family too;
but one must measure one's reception of
people by the countenance the world shews
them; and he is too poor to be greatly caressed
there. Besides, I am not fond of being
acquainted with unhappy people; they
are very apt to ask favours.
Is it possible, said I, my Lord, interrupting
him hastily, you can avow sentiments
like these? Why are you raised by Providence
above others? Why entrusted with
that wealth and consequence which might
make you a guardian angel to the unhappy?
Where is my chaise? I will return to Belmont,
where affliction ever finds a ready
audience; where adversity is sure of being
heard, though pomp and equipage wait.
Lord T — smiled at my earnestness,
and praised the generosity of my sentiments,
which he assured me were his at
my age: he owned, he had been to blame;
but In the world, said he, Harry, we are
carried away by the torrent, and act wrong
every moment mechanically meerly by
seeing others do the same. However, I
stand corrected, and you shall have no future
reason to complain of me.
He spoke this with an air of good humour
which reconciled us, and has promised to accompany
me in my visit to Mr. Herbert,
which I have insisted shall be the first we
pay, and that he shall beg his pardon for the
behaviour of yesterday.
Is it not strange, my Lord, that men
whose hearts are not bad can avoid those
whose characters do honor to their species,
only because fortune denies them those outward
distinctions which wealth can give to
the lowest and most despicable of mankind?
Surely, of all human vices, Pride is the
most detestable!
I am, &c.
H. Mandeville.
