The Man of the World (1792) | Page 9

a conversation at dinner at your cousin Campbel M'Kenzie's, before a whole table-full of your ain relations, did not you publicly wish a total extinguishment of aw party, and of aw national distinctions whatever, relative to the three kingdoms?--[_With great anger._] And you blockhead-- was that a prudent wish before so many of your ain countrymen?--or was it a filial language to hold before me?
Eger. Sir, with your pardon, I cannot think it unfilial or imprudent. [_With a most patriotic warmth._] I own I do wish--most ardently wish for a total extinction of all party: particularly--that those of English, Irish, and Scotch might never more be brought into contest or competition, unless, like loving brothers, in generous emulation, for one common cause.
Sir Per. How, sir! do you persist? what!--would you banish aw party, and aw distinction between English, Irish, and your ain countrymen?
Eger. [_With great dignity of spirit._] I would, sir.
Sir Per. Then damn you, sir,--you are nai true Scot.--Ay, sir, you may look as angry as you will,--but again I say--you are nai true Scot.
Eger. Your pardon, sir, I think he is the true Scot, and the true citizen, who wishes equal justice to the merit and demerit of every subject of Great Britain; amongst whom I know but of two distinctions.
Sir Per. Weel sir, and what are those? what are those?
Eger. The knave and the honest man.
Sir Per. Pshaw! rideeculous.
Eger. And he, who makes any other--let him be of the North, or of the South--of the East, or of the West--in place, or out of place--is an enemy to the whole, and to the virtues of humanity.
Sir Per. Ay, sir, this is your brother's impudent doctrine--for the which, I have banished him for ever fra my presence, my heart, and my fortune.--Sir, I will have no son of mine, because truly he has been educated in an English seminary, presume, under the mask of candour, to speak against his native land, or against my principles.
Eger. I never did--nor do I intend it.
Sir Per. Sir, I do not believe you--I do not believe you.--But, sir, I know your connections and associates, and I know too, you have a saucy, lurking prejudice against your ain country:--you hate it;--yes, your mother, her family, and your brother, sir, have aw the same, dark, disaffected rankling; and, by that and their politics together, they will be the ruin of you--themselves--and of aw who connect with them.--However, nai mair of that now;--I will talk at large to you about that anon.--In the mean while, sir--notwithstanding your contempt of my advice, and your disobedience till my commands, I will convince you of my paternal attention till your welfare, by my management of this voluptuary--this Lord Lumbercourt,--whose daughter you are to marry. You ken, sir, that the fellow has been my patron above these five and thraty years.,
Eger. True, sir.
Sir Per. Vary weel.--And now, sir, you see, by his prodigality, he is become my dependent; and accordingly I have made my bargain with him:--the devil a baubee he has in the world but what comes thro' these clutches-- for his whole estate, which has three implicit boroughs upon it,--mark--is now in my custody at nurse;--the which estate, on my paying off his debts, and allowing him a life rent of five thousand pounds per annum, is to be made over till me for my life, and at my death is to descend till ye and your issue.--The peerage of Lumbercourt, you ken, will follow of course.-- So, sir, you see there are three impleecit boroughs, the whole patrimony of Lumbercourt, and a peerage at one slap.--Why it is a stroke--a hit--a hit.----Zounds! sir, a mon may live a century and not make sic an a hit again.
Eger. It is a very advantageous bargain indeed, sir:--but what will my lord's family say to it?
Sir Per. Why, mon, he cares not if his family were aw at the devil so his luxury is but gratified:--only let him have his race-horse to feed his vanity--his harridan to drink drams with him, scrat his face, and burn his periwig, when she is in her maudlin hysterics,--and three or four discontented patriotic dependents to abuse the ministry, and settle the affairs of the nation, when they are aw intoxicated; and then, sir,:--the fellow has aw his wishes, and aw his wants--in this world--and the next.
Enter TOMLINS.
Tom. Lady Rodolpha is come, sir.
Sir Per. And my lord?
Tom. Not yet, sir,--he is about a mile behind, the servants say.
Sir Per. Let me know the instant he arrives.
Tom. I shall, sir. [_Exit._
Sir Per. Step you out, Charles, and receive Lady Rodolpha;--and, I desire you will treat her with as much respect and gallantry as possible; for my lord has hinted that you have been very remiss as a lover.--So go, go and receive her.
Eger. I