He shewed
us that grey hairs could add nothing but hypocrisy to him; for he
avowed public prostitution, laughed at all honour, public spirit, and
patriotism; and gave convincing proofs that the most phlegmatic old
miser upon earth could not be sooner tempted with gold to perpetrate
the most horrid iniquities than himself.
Whether this youth be (_quod vix credo_) concerned himself in the
public weal, or whether he have his information from others, I hope he
greatly exceeded the truth in what he delivered on this subject; for
was he to be believed, the conclusion we must draw would be, that the
only concern of our great men, even at this time, was for places and
pensions; that, instead of applying themselves to renovate and restore
our sick and drooping commonweal, they were struggling to get closest
to her heart, and, like leeches, to suck her last drop of vital blood.
I hope, however, better things, and that this lad deserves a good rod
as well for lying as for all his other iniquity; and if his parents do
not take care to have it well laid on, I can assure them they have
much to answer for.
Mr Wilson now found me grow very uneasy, as, indeed, I had been from
the beginning, nor could anything but respect to the company have
prevented me from correcting the boy long before; he therefore
endeavoured to turn the discourse, and asked our spark when he left
London? To which he answered, the Wednesday before.
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