Litchfield enquirer., 1832-07-26
LORD BOBBINETT.
BIZ the author of" Village Tales"

LORD BOBBINETT.
By the dutkOr Of" Village Tales"
"Treoson docs never prosper-wha,'s the reason?
"Why, If it prOspers, none dare call II treason"
Notwithstanding the principle inherent
in every human breast, by the aid Of which
all men arc enabled to discover the beauties
of virtue and the deformity of vice, and to
draw with sure and steady hand the pro-
per line between them, evil sometimes for
ii6cs itself behind fortress so formidable,
and presents an exterior SO imposing, that
men lose their natural aud proper detest-
alton of vice, in servile adulation of It's
splendor. Thus is explained away the
problem we SO often see staring US in the
face, of oppression, viciousness and dis
honesty, and not only escaping the just IN.
tligna,ion Of society, but actually screened
from censure, actually loaded with honor
aud applause. Wealth and power are the
mugicians Which thus turn astray the best
and most valuable feelings and sensibiities
of the human heart.
The endless multiplicity Of gradations
and distinctions which find their way int"
society, seldom il ever leave the city or
villare without its " one great man." lie
He who bore that appellation in Alesbury
| many years ago, was sur-named or nick
named the Nabob; which title, in process
of time. was changed into the more digni-
fed. less harsh, though not less arstocrat-
ic one of Lord Bobbinett. The proper
name of this individual was Henry HUSH
man. who from the humble occupation OF
pedding itincrant, passed through the
gradations ola located shop-keepcr, q con-
! Stable. a dealer in furs and whskcy, and
merchant. until he settled down large and
" ealthy landlord. se
| Hnshn,x,;'s transit from tho counter to
the farm house, was aarked by c'rcum-
stance singularly calculated to stamp upon
his character its proper impress. lie had
bought, in the troublesome times Of the
revolution, large tract Of finely improved
land, tho estate Of an orphan family, and
given his bond for the paymen; Of all but a
small sum of earnest money. The paper
currency deprecated, and he bought at a
discount ofninety-fve per cent. a sufficient
sum to discharge his bond, by which his
confding creditors were ruined, and hini-
| self enriched. But he told a sounding sto-
nv Of his own immense losses, by similar
treatment from others; moved out to the
place bought two barrels ofryc whiskey |;
spread an abundant table and then throw
ing open his doors, invited all to como in.
eat, drink, and be merry. The stratagem
succeeded. He was rich. The law was
on his side, and his cunning pretenee OF
generosity avertcd the storm Unpopular in
dignation that he saw gathering around
him. ... ..-..... s ls.2
Three beautiful tracts Of land separated
his possessions from the river; they were
owned by honest and industrious settlers
who had each put up liltlo cottage, clear
ed few acres, and were struggling to free
their small estates by dint Of hard and nm
ceasing industry. Hushman had not been
their neighbor eighteen months before he
got their Obligations into his possession,
prosecuted on them, and bought the whole
himself ut a price utterly runous to the de-
PENDANTS. But be had now become too
powerful to fear. He looked down the
murmurs Of the few who vsnfured to ex-
press their adherence Of his conduct and
wen. forward fearlessly.
His maxim was, " make money, honest-
liz If YOU can, if not make it," and swoycd
by such a principle, every moral obliga-
ton was disrcgarded. He erected still
houses, and became the plundereT OF many
a poor and dependent family. by selling arr
dent spirits. He employed his spare cap
i,al in usury, and practised system OF s''e
most hard hearted and relentless tyranny
over those whom he had in his poweEs---
He was now me,amorphosed into nsan oi
consequence, though the nlebian lsngered
about him, and betrayed sbe meAnness d
his origin. and the badness q his hears
He assumed the bearing Of xdicsator IN
claimed and received the. homage Of hi
humber but Gar more d. <snrving neiehborI
The rain is made !. fall on the just an
on the unjust, and ax Lord Bobbinett, a