The Peripatetic; Or, Sketches of the Heart, of Nature and Society in a Series of Politico-Sentimental Journals, in Verse and Prose, of the Eccentric Excursions of Sylvanus Theophrastus [Pseud.] (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1793. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE FRIEND--A CHARACTER. Ambulator is one of those eccentric characters, whose attentions are always proportioned in a directly-converse ratio from those of the generality of mankind. He would brush by a titled friend to take unconnected merit by the hand; and would give the first salutation to indigent Sensibility, though purse-proud Opulence were thronging every corner of the room. As I shall have other opportunities of doing justice to his character, I shall not here enlarge either upon the powers of his intellect, or the general liberality of his sentiments and conduct; but shall observe, that as his circumstances placed him, in the esti4 mation mation of the world, above me, he pressed forward to lay claim to my friendship with an alacrity that shewed he would have been hurt, bad he not been first to express those sentiments which he hoped were mutually felt. He knew how embarrassing a thing it is to the -feelings of the susceptible mind to be foremost in challenging the friendship of those whom the world denominates superiors; and so much pride is there mingled with his generosity, that he would not himself be the first to court society with Greatness, though she threw herself in his way, and would fell her favours for the price of so much adulation. In short--though he is no enthusiast-- (He abhors the sanguinary crew, and holds in equal detestation the monster, who considers liberty as imperfect till hecatombs of his fellow creatures are sacrificed to his wild fanaticism, and the hoary Renegado, who cannot die in peace upon his bed, unless his theatrical frenzy frenzy may first be appeased by the extinction of public spirit, and the total annihilation of the Rights and Liberties of Mankind )--yet is Ambulator a steady and determined advocate for the genuine ...