The Attache; or, Sam Slick in England, vol 2

ᆮThe Attache; or, Sam Slick in England, vol 2

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Title: The Attache; or, Sam Slick in England (V2)
Author: Thomas Chandler Haliburton
Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7822] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on May 19, 2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ATTACHE (V2) ***

This etext was produced by Gardner Buchanan.

THE ATTACHE; OR, SAM SLICK IN ENGLAND.
BY THOMAS CHANDLER HALIBURTON.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.

CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.
THE NOSE OF A SPY
CHAPTER II.
THE PATRON; OR, THE COW'S TAIL
CHAPTER III.
ASCOT RACES
CHAPTER IV.
THE GANDER PULLING
CHAPTER V.
THE BLACK STOLE
CHAPTER VI.
THE PRINCE DE JOINVILLE'S HORSE
CHAPTER VII.
LIFE IN THE COUNTRY
CHAPTER VIII.
BUNKUM
CHAPTER IX.
THROWING THE LAVENDER
CHAPTER X.
AIMING HIGH
CHAPTER XI.
A SWOI-REE
CHAPTER XII.
TATTERSALL'S
CHAPTER XIII.
LOOKING BACK
CHAPTER XIV.
CROSSING THE BORDER
CHAPTER XV.
THE IRISH PREFACE

THE ATTACHE; OR SAM SLICK IN ENGLAND.

CHAPTER I.
THE NOSE OF A SPY
"Squire." said Mr. Hopewell, "you know Sam well enough, I hope, to make all due allowances for the exuberance of his fancy. The sketch he has just given you of London society, like the novels of the present day, though founded on fact, is very unlike the reality. There may be assemblages of persons in this great city, and no doubt there are, quite as insipid and absurd as the one he has just pourtrayed; but you must not suppose it is at all a fair specimen of the society of this place. My own experience is quite the reverse. I think it the most refined, the most agreeable, and the most instructive in the world. Whatever your favourite study or pursuit may be, here you are sure to find well-informed and enthusiastic associates. If you have merit, it is appreciated; and for an aristocratic country, that merit places you on a level with your superiors in rank in a manner that is quite incomprehensible to a republican. Money is the great leveller of distinctions with us; here, it is talent. Fashion spreads many tables here, but talent is always found seated at the best, if it thinks proper to comply with certain usages, without which, even genius ceases to be attractive.
"On some future occasion, I will enter more at large on this subject; but now it is too late; I have already exceeded my usual hour for retiring. Excuse me. Sam. said he. 'I know you will not be offended with me, but Squire there are some subjects on which Sam may amuse, but cannot instruct you, and one is, fashionable life in London. You must judge for yourself, Sir. Good night, my children."
Mr. Slick rose, and opened the door for him, and as he passed, bowed and held out his hand. "Remember me, your honour, no man opens the door in this country without being paid for it. Remember me, Sir."
"True, Sam," said the Minister, "and it is unlucky that it does not extend to opening the mouth, if it did, you would soon make your fortune, for you can't keep yours shut. Good night."
The society to which I have subsequently had the good fortune to be admitted, fully justifies the eulogium of Mr. Hopewell. Though many persons can write well, few can talk well; but the number of those who excel in conversation is much greater in certain circles in London, than in any other place. By talking well, I do not mean talking wisely or learnedly; but agreeably, for relaxation and pleasure, are the principal objects of social assemblies. This can only be illustrated by instancing some very remarkable persons, who are the pride and pleasure of every table they honour and delight with their presence But this may not be. For obvious reasons, I could not do it if I would; and most assuredly, I would not do it if I could. No more certain mode could be devised of destroying conversation, than by showing, that when the citadel