Piney Woods planter. (Liberty, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1838-1840, 1839-06-22

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little cunning which nature had given
me, resembled, upon my first en-
trance into the busy and assiduous
world, one Of those gladiators who
where exposed without armour in the
omphitheatrc at Rome. My father,
however, who had only seen the world
on one side, seemed to triumph in my
superior discernment; though my whole
stock of wisdom consisted in being
able to talk like himself upon subjects
that once were useful, because they
we're then topics of the busy world, but
that now were utterly useless, because
connected with the busy world no lon
ger.
The first opportunity he had of find
ing his expectations disappointed, was
at the very middling figure ! made in
the University: he had nattered him
self that he should soon see me rising
into the foremost rank in literary re-
putation, but was mortified to find me
utterly unnoticed and unknown. His
disappointment might have been patty
ascribed to his having oyer-ratcd my
talents, and partly to my dislike OF
mathematical .reasonings, at a time
when my imagination and memory, yet
unsatls6ed, were more eager after new
objects, than DESTROYS Of reasoning up
on those knew. This did not, how
ever. please my tutors, who observed,
indeed, that | was little dull; but at
the same time allowed, that seemed
to be very good natured, and had no
harm in me.
After had resided at college seven
years, my father died, and left me-his
blessing. Thus showed from shore
without Immature to protect, counning
to guide, or proper stores 10 subsist me
in so dangerous a voyage, was oblig-
ed to embark in the wide world ut
twenty-five. But in order to settle in
life, my friends advised (for they always
advise when they begin to despise us)
they advised me, | say, to go into or
dcrs.
To be obliged to wear long wig,
when ! liked short one, or black
coat, when generally dressed in
brown, ! thought was such a restraint
upon my liberty, that | absolutely re-
jected the proposal. A priest in Eng
land, is not the same mortified creature
with bonze in China; with us, not he
that fasts best, but cats best, is reckon
ed the best liver: yet ! rejected life
of luxury, Incidence, and case, from
no other consideration but that boyish
one of dress: so that my friends were
now perfectly satisfied | was undone;
and yet they thought il a pity for one
who had not the least harm in him,
and was so very good-natured.
Poverty NATURALLY begets depen-
dence, and / was admitted us flatterer
to great man. At first was sur
prised, that the situation Of a flatterer
alta great mans table could be thought
disagreeable; there was no great troub-
lie in listening attentively when his
lordship spoke and, laughing when he
looked round for applause. This even
good manners might have obliged me,
to perform. found, however, too
soon, that his ordship was a greater
Ounce than myself; and from that very
moment my power of aattcry was at
an end. now rather aimed at setting
him right, than at receiving bis absur-
dities with submission. To fiattef those
we do not know, is an easy task, but
to flatter our intimate acquaintances,
all whose foibles are strongly in our
eye, is drudgery insupportable. Eve
ny time ! now opened my lips in praise,
my falschood went to my conscience;
his lordship soon perceived me to be
unfit for service; | was therefore dis
charged; my patron at The same time
being graciously pleased to observe,
that he believed ! was tolerably good
natured, and had not the least harm in
me.
Disappointed in ambition, ] had re-
course to love. A young lady who liv-
ed with her aunt, and was possessed Of
a pretty fortune in her own disposal,
had given me, as fancied, some rea-
sons to expect sdccess. The symptoms
BY which was guided were striking:
she had always laughed with me at
her awkward acquaintance, and at her
aunt among the number; she always
observed that man Of sense would
make better husband than a fool,
and as constantly applied the obser-
walton in my own favour. She con-
tinually talked in my company OF