John Deane of Nottingham | Page 7

which has called
us together this day. I have, then, the pleasure to announce that my
kinsman, Mr Jasper Deane, is about to enter into the profession of
which I have, for so many years, been an unworthy member, and I trust
that by devoting his mind to science, and his energies to the care of
those who are placed under him, he may be the means of largely
benefiting his fellow-creatures, which all will agree is the great object a
physician should have in view. I have infinite satisfaction, therefore, in
proposing the health of the future MD, my young kinsman aforesaid,
Mr Jasper Deane."
At the conclusion of Dr Nathaniel's short speech the guests rose to their
feet, and all turned towards the young Mr Jasper, wishing him in
succession health, happiness, and success in his proposed profession.
He received the compliments paid to him with due modesty. His voice
slightly trembling from nervousness, he returned thanks in a very neat
and proper speech, which it is not necessary here to repeat.
Mr Deane then rose, and filling his glass, did the same in his own name,
and in that of his dame, for the honour paid to their son, and then drank
to the health of all the guests present, beginning with the ladies, and
taking Mr Harwood first among the gentlemen, expressing at the same
time his gratitude to Dr Nathaniel for having undertaken to introduce

his son into the noble profession to which he himself was so great an
ornament.
Alethea watched the countenance of Mr Jasper as he was addressing his
guests, and she probably remarked that it lighted up with far more
expression and animation than a stranger who saw him under ordinary
circumstances would have supposed it capable of exhibiting.
"Well, Mr Jack, and what profession do you intend following?" asked
Mr Harwood across the table.
"That depends upon circumstances, sir," said Jack. "I have no fancy for
sitting indoors all day, and driving a pen, nor any other pursuit that
would keep me out of the fresh air. To say the truth, if I had a free
choice, I would follow some calling which would let me see the world
at large, and our own country in particular. Last year, during the
vacation, I took a trip with Will Brinsmead, Mr Strelley's head drover,
as far as Stourbridge, to the fair, and I never enjoyed any thing more in
my life. I thought then, and I think now, that for a young man who likes
being on horseback, and enjoys the free air of heaven, galloping across
country, there is not a pleasanter sort of life. And it is not unprofitable
either, if a man knows any thing about beasts, and where are the best
pastures on which to put flesh on their bones. If my father and mother,
therefore, have no objection, I have made up my mind to turn drover."
Most of the company expressed their surprise at this announcement, by
their looks if not by their remarks. Mr Deane was evidently somewhat
annoyed at the announcement his younger son had made. Alethea
especially looked at him across the table with surprise, while the colour
mounted into his sister Polly's cheeks, for though she had heard him
express the same resolution, she little dreamed that he was in earnest in
the matter, thinking that it was only a way of talking in which lads of
his age were apt to indulge.
"I should think, my lad, that you are fit for a higher walk in life than the
one you have mentioned," said Mr Harwood across the table. "With a
trusty sword by your side, and a hundred men at your orders, you
would be more in your place, I suspect. There is plenty of work for

gentlemen in these days, if not in Old England, at all events out of it.
There are many wrongs to be righted, and many good causes to be
sustained. There are many I could tell you of who would willingly
accept the offer of your sword."
Mrs Deane looked highly pleased at the compliment Mr Harwood was
paying her son, and thanked him with one of her beaming smiles,
although Cousin Nat screwed up his lips in a peculiar manner and gave
a significant look at Jack.
"Thank you, sir," said Jack, "but I have no fancy for offering my sword
to any one out of the country, however high he may bid for it, or in
using it, indeed, except in my own defence, or in that of my country. I
do not see what is amiss in the life of a drover, such as I hope to be one
of these days. It is no easy task, I should say, to drive