Paul Peabody; Or, the Apprentice of the World (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865. Excerpt: ... know all the little weak reasons why Mrs. Smith did not speak to Mrs. Brown; he knew nothing of the domestic broils, the silly jealousies, the intestine wars, which cut up the town into two camps, High and Low, Church and State, Whig and Tory, Big-endian and Little-endian, or by whatever colours, blue, orange, green, or red, they were designated. Brought up without the influence of a state of things so wilfully ridiculous, the stranger, perhaps, hoped to enjoy the delights of society, to taste the pleasures of social intercourse, to be on friendly terms with every body, and be happy. But woe be unto him, if to-day dining at Mrs. Brown's, he went the next night to Mrs. Smith's to tea; he was cut by both. And then, at an annual public ball, what heart-burnings, if any of the rival faction had more jewels, or a "sweeter silk," or a brighter colour, or more admirers, --it was worse than death; the ball thus degenerating into an arena for combat, where looks of cool disdain, of profound contempt, of derision, were secretly interchanged by the leadens of the various bands. In all public assemblies the philosopher may find food for his cynicism or his reflection; but it is in a local meeting in a state offend that his observing spirit may always hope for some results of value to the history of the human heart. And in an old-fashioned house, with a large garden, a big brass plate on the door, situated at the end of the town, on the high road to London, in this same town of P, lived Ada, the little flower-girl, now the petted joy, the spirit of gladness that ruled supreme in the old grocer's house. She had entered her new home under the brightest auspices--Mrs. Merrydew having received her with affectionate solicitude, the more that all her husband's misery, as to ...