prepossessions were in favour of female seclusion, and he had no idea of rank being an advantage beyond its right to mix in a higher atmosphere of morality and intellect than can possibly be found in the great mass of society. He had the chivalric and heroic perception which belongs to loftier and more idealizing spirits than those to be generally met with, either amongst his own order, or others claiming distinction from nature and education, and all his dreams of love and beauty tended rather to enshrine than display the fair being to whom he could devote a heart, certainly fastidious, but naturally confiding. He determined, on the point in question, however, to see for himself: it was an easy thing to run down to Brighton, and a very proper one to see as much as he could of that society in which he must henceforth "live, move, (and to a certain degree) have his being."
Whilst he is, like the people who are very properly angry at all satirical and lying journals, yet allow them to be always on their tables, i.e., encouraging what they condemn, we must leave the young lord for the—the lady of a certain age, (that most uncertain thing on earth) and attend to the labours and cares,
the manifold schemes*[1]
Of those who it seems
Make charity business their care,
though not given exactly
To a gamester decay'd,
And a prudish old maid
By gaiety brought to despair.
- ↑ *Anstey.
