Sentence:  This gentleman was bred a <WSD>feather merchant</WSD>, and plumes himself upon his eloquence; but, on the present occasion, “the down of his feelings” (as Mr. Bran; don elegantly expresses it) was considerably ruffled by the hooting of his auditors. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Someone who does not do worthwhile work; someone who is more appearance than substance.