The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-11-01

TO snow that ho never made mistake IN
laying down a moral law in such strict
ly conventional language that it could
not possibly be disputed by right think
ing people.
taking despairing fly out of his finger
glass with prong of his dessert fork,
"and we can afford to agree, about the
unfailing excellence of all those sublun-
ary arrangements which I am glad to
see were made for convenience; but if
this hy-smarting with lemon juice,
stupefied with rose water, wet, bedrag-
gled, disconsolate, sick and half smoth-
ered-could speak, it is just possible
that the fly might not express precisely
the same opinion of Providence as that
which we have uttered with entire sim
cerity. The fly is not SO we'll off as we
are. If even a moderate income could
be got out of it, many of the finest gen
tlemen In England would devote them
selves entirely to the fy's service and
gloriacation. But nothing is to be got
out of the fly, and, therefore, only
saved its life to illustrate nv argument
in a neat manner. Already the wretched
creature, too weak to use its legs or
wings, has staggered into trouble again,
of hothouse grape"
"The sufferings of the lower part of
creation have always seemed inexplic-
ablo to me-" said Sir Philip Went
worth; "still, as we know nothing of
the motives which influence Infinite
wisdom, we are bound to believe that
they are in all cases benefcent."
"Are we2" said Mr.. Moptmain, cool
ly. I" should hardly have gone 80 far
as that. When we know nothing, per-
haps it is as we'll to presume nothing.
Providence seems to be notably indif-
fer"nt to the happiness of all created
things that is to say, with the excep-
tie'n of ourselves. We are happy. We
have good health, plenty of money,
many friends, and few cares. do not
know any one else whose circumstances
are so satisfactory. Observe, however.
that our advantages may be all summed
up n cne. We are rich. If any
thing goes wrong with us, we have the
mo judicious medical advice of the
age. We are not neglected and quacked
by turns as the poor are. We have
many friends and few cares, only be-
cause We have enough money to enable
us to do kind acts which cost us no sac
ritioes. We give much and want moth
jn2. We have few cares because money
permits us to do very nearly what we
please, and surrounds us with love and
with honor"
6 L hope you do not mean to teach
mo that money is the chief good2" said
81: Philip, prosiIy CT should be
sorry, my old friend, to take up such
Doctrine"
The LAWYER was silent
Nevertheless, continued Sir Philip,
who loved his library, and had some.
thing OF the country gentleman's fond
ness for casuistry, "money may per
haps be the outward and visible sign of
the Divine favor. At all events it re-
presents realized labor, and ali work is
blessed"
I" would rather not 60 too closely
into that subject" returned Mr.. Mont
main. my father made most of his
money, you inherited yours, and Lady
Wentworth, if remember rightly, v. g
sole heiress of the last Earl OF AMMAN
dale through her mother, who also mar
ried property. I do not know that
either OF their ladyships, or that you or
:! ever realized any labor. My work is
done by my clerks, yours by farmers
nnd yoemen."
cat all events" said Sir Philip,
"we have what we want. Let us be
content with it,"
"By all means. Let us be content"
echoed Mr.. Montmain.
And own that whatever is -
"Why, no" interrupted the lawyer {;
" did not say that. I merely indorsed
your opinion, that this is the best of all
possible worlds for people like ourselves.
The number of my clerks and your acres
increases yearly. My clerks make out
large bills, your hay and corn sell at
high pr.ces. This proves that law is ex-
pensive and agricultural produce dear.
So much the better for us, SO much the
worse for our customers"
will never acknowledged that money
is the chief good" said Sir Philip,
resolutely.
" No one with such we'll managed
estate as yours need ever acknowledge
anything or anybody" observed the
lawyer, with conviction. conc OF my
clients, who has not moro than half of
your fortune, repudiates his own chill
dren and l have never been able to
persuade him that twice two are four
unless his interests lean that way.
notice, moreover, that the world invari-
ably supports him in his worst selfish
NESS and unbelief. The present age has
no conscience, either public or private.
All its triumphs are the spoil of trick and
deception. Money is its god-a very
old god by the way. The creed of the
golden calf was simply money worship.
do not say that money always confers
happiness, but do say that there is no
happiness without IT, I am fiftv veara
old. have never had 80 steadfa,t a
friend as my purse. I need scarcely
add that keep accounts only with the
Bank of England. A private banking
firm would take away my sleep and ap-