The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-05-29
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Ill hllsflNsluHs libn4Hl ~ NY phoVl
Walton on character, | have ever found,
thai wenlib does moi make the gentle
man. There is an innate principle in
the gentle born, which nothing can take
away, and which is discovorohlo, no
matter under what garb il may be seen
on the other hand, have met men, who
by industry, or Glance, became posses
SID OF large fortunes, assuming a situa-
ton in lllo, aud speaking in tone, that
nature eyideIitly never intended they
should---and IN spite Of all their display,
the most superficial might see their low
breeding in evory action,
To return from this depression Liza
wing no pressing businessto hurry my
departure, concluded to romain few
days at the Crown and do all in my
power To administered the unhappy hans
| paid him some attention, aud by my
order he was removed 10 more COM
Portable room, and had every thing that
the physician whom.I called in, direct
ed. How grateful he was Visiting him
one morning, and finding him better
than usual, requested a sketch OF bis
! life lie told me his short history, and
nearly in the following words.
My name is John Spendall am
the only son of the late Squire Spendall,
of this County My mother died, when
| was an infant, and my father did not
long survive her He left me valua-
bic estate, and large amount in stocks,
which was placed In the hands of trus-
tees, till became ofate. soon lear
ned thai had no master to control nay
actions or suporintend my cducatiom |
did in every thing as | pleased was
allowed too much money, and began 10
think il was IA valueless thing, and only
meant to be thrown away AT fifteen |
went 10 London, vast field was before
me and | sought eVerypleasure which
boy nj that aye eouldWlsh. ! was cour-
ted by my associates, and called the best
aud cleyerest fellow in the kingdom, |
believed all they said, and ms they en-
tefiained so exalted an opinion Of my
talents,I would not allow them pay for
any part Of the pleasures in which we
engaged together. They begged me to
loan them money | thought thom no.
bic and honorable fellows, and that it
would be an insult 10 refuse. BY this
course, found IN one month, the sum
allowed me by my trustees lorthe years
disbursements vas all expended. !
wrote for more, and was refused. What
was man Of my spirit 10 do without
money ] was introduced % a kind a.
hberal banker, (as he was cal,ed) who
could not bear 10 see young men with
ont money, and from time to time bor-
rowed largo sums, at the moderate inte-
rest of fifty per cent per annum, payable
at majority. When majority arrived /
was not legally bound 10 paythose dobtsi
il was foolish bargain | made, but ]
felt myself in honour bound TO satisfy
them, and discharged all to the uttcrmost
iarihing. Having got possession Of my
capital thought there could be- no end
To il. INDUCED now in moro cxpcn-
sigo habits Of dissipation; need not
paftieulafize and expose my own fol-
lies suffice il 10 gay, there was not a
species of what the idle call pleasure,
invented by dissolute man, in which |
did not engage. AT borsc-racos, at
cock fights, al dice, al cards, and name
less games, lost, day after day, large
sums but as bore all with patience,
and still continued TO be the dupo ofshar-
pcrs, | was called true bred gentle
man, man Of spirit, and a good player.
These titles pleased my foolish fancy +;
they we're the wll-o' -the-wisp that ut
me ON To destruction. / wa, for time,
comparatively temperate man, but gra-
dually and gradually, | became a'--ho
paused, as 1.-THE word would have Chok-
cd him, in a moment after, he wildly
cried, yes, became n drunkard ihat
was the climax +, that was the cap-stone
of my degradation. Why need dwell
upon this theme was ruined my
stocks gone, my estate sold, and with
only fifty pounds in ny pocket, | rctuI-
ned to this house a few months ago
was accustomed 10 expensive habits,
that pittanco did not last me long: and
when eene, this nnfeelmg, this nngrate-
> ful ChaulLwcll, Sir, at the thought my
. heart almost bursts with Indignation.
. Once he was poor scullon in my faith
er's family, TO whom, and to myself is
t he INDEBTED for all he possesses in the
Q world, and yet, when my money was eX-
= pended, sick as | am, he stuffed me into
a loathsome garrett, without even drop
t Of water to quench my burning thirst.
Why should | dwell on the ingratitndo
{ Of the world why need say, that
, when poverty overlook me, of my
countless friends, not one was left no,
. not even to bow or speak to me as l
. passed them in the street; or if per-
i chance they did speak, in place of THEN
former aattering epithets, with the smile
e .,ntop,rt at,ny, tlfaf, 1.,a, 4in,y Crio1