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ROMANCE AND REALITY.
205


Edward Lorraine.—"No, I consider Mr. Warde most happy in his common-places; he flings himself on the current, and there he floats. His popularity shows the force of habit; and we like his copy-book morality on the same principle that Eton boys are said to like mutton—because we are used to it. There is always a certain capital of opinion to which men deem it proper to subscribe—our education from the first cultivates credulity—we are taught to agree, not to examine, and our judgment is formed long before our comprehension. We must either have property of our own, or else credit; and all experience shows the leaning most have towards the latter. Hence it is that so much is taken for granted. Mr. Warde has shown great tact in embodying those generalities in his pages; and we are little disposed to deny his truths, we have heard them so often. Add to this a most elegant style, an appropriation of popular and passing events, and have we not the secret of Mr. Warde's success?"

"I must," returned Mr. Morland, rising, "bid you good-by; we have been quite clever enough for one morning—I shall really not have an idea left. Well, opinions of one's own are very pleasant: I am always inclined to