Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-03-24
ADVENTURES OF A BASHPUL ENG
IISH MAN.
AS RELATED BY HIMsELF.

AS RELATED
labor under a species of distress which 1
fear will at length drive me utterly from that
society in which am most ambitious to ap-
pear; but will give you the history of my Or
igin and present situation, by which you will
be enabled to judge of my difficulties.
Ny father was a farmer of no great proper
ty, and with no other learning but what he ac-
quired at charity school; but, my mother
being dead, and an only child, he determined
to give me that advantage which he fancied
would have made me happy, viz 4 learned ed
ucation. l was sent to a country grammar
school, and from thence to the university. with
view of qualifying me for holy orders. Here,
having but 4 small allowance from my father,
and being naturally of a timid and bashful dis
position, had no opportunity of rubbing off
that native awkwardness which is the fatal
cause of all my unhappiness, and which now
begin to fear can never be amended.
You must know that 1 am tall and thin in
my person, with fair complexion and light,
faxen hair, but of such extreme susceptibility
OF shame, that on the smallest subject of con-
fusion my blood all rushes into my cheeks,
consciousness of this unhappy failing made
me avoid society, and l became enamored of a
college life, particularly when I reflected that
the uncouth manners of my fathers family
were little calculated to improve my outward
conduct; therefore had resolved on living at
the university and taking pupils, when two
unexpected events greatly altered the posture
of my affairs, viz my fathers death, and the
arrival Of an uncle from the Indies.
This uncle had very rarely heard my faith
er mention, and it was generally believed that
he was long since dead, When he arrived in
England only week too late to close his bro
theirs eyes. l am ashamed to confess what
believe has often been experienced by those
whose education has been better than their pa
rents, that my poor. fathers ignorant and vul-
gar language has often made me blush to think
Was his son, and at his death l was not in
consolable for the loss of one whom was not
1nfrequently ashamed to own.
Ny uncle was but little affected, for he had
been separated from his brother more than 80
years, and in that time he had acquired for
tune, which he used to brag would makea na-
bob happy. In short, he had brought over
with him the enormous sum of thirty thousand
ncver-ending happiness.
While he was planning schemes of greatness
and delight, whether the change of climate
might affect him, or what other cause know
not, but he was snatched from all his dreams
of joy by short illness, of which he died
leaving me heir to all his property. And now
behold me at the age of twenty-five, well
stocked with Latin, Greek, and mathematics,
possessed of an ample fortune, but so awk-
ward and unversed in every gentleman-like
accomplishment, that l am pointed. at by all
who see me, as the sswealthy, learned Clown
l have lately purchased an estate in the
country, which abounds in what is called a
fashionable neighborhood and when you re-
fleet on my parentage and uncouth manner
you will darely think how much my company
is courted by the surrounding families-espe-
cially those who have marriageable daughters.
From these gentlemen 1 have received fami-
liar calls and the most pressing invitations !;
and though l wished to accept their profered
friendship, have repeatedly excused myself
under the pretence of not being quite settled !;
for the truth is, that when 1 have rode or walk
cd, with full intention to return their several
visits, my heart has failed me as 1 approached
their gates, and / have frequently returned
homeward resolving to try again tomorrow.
However, at length determined to conquer
my timidity, and three days ago l accepted of
an invitation to dine this day with one whose
open, easy manner left me no room to doubt a
cordial welcome. Sir Thomas Friendly, who
lives about two miles distant, is baronet, with
about two thousand pounds year, estate join
ing to what have purchased. He has two
sons and five daughters. all grown up, and liv-
ing with their mother and a maiden sister of
Sir Thomas, at Friendly Hall, dependent on
their father.
Conscious of my unpublished gait, have for
some time past taken private lessons of pro-
fessor, who teaches ssgrown gentlemen to
Dance" and though at first found wondrous
difficulty in the art he taught, my knowledge
OF mathematics was of prodigious use in
teaching me the equilibrium of my body, and
the due adjustment of the centre of gravity to
the five positions.
Having now acquired the art of walking
without tottering, and learned to make a bow.
boldly ventured to obey the baronet,s invita-
tion to family dinner, not doubling but my
new requirements would enable me to see the