"Honour and shame from no condition rise;
Act well your part, there all the honour lies."
The reader will, no doubt, anticipate that the name of Bernard
Blackmantle is an assumed quaint cognomen, and perhaps be not less
suspicious of the author's right and title to the honorary distinction
annexed:
~14~~
let him beware how he indulges in such chimeras, before he has fully
entered into the spirit of the volume before him, lest, on perusal,
conviction should compel him to retract the ungracious thought. To be
plain, he is not desirous of any higher honorary distinction than the
good opinion of his readers. And now, sons and daughters of Fashion!
ye cameleon race of giddy elves, who flutter on the margin of the
whirlpool, or float upon the surface of the silvery stream, and, hurried
forwards by the impetus of the current, leave yourselves but little time
for reflection, one glance will convince you that you are addressed by
an old acquaintance, and, heretofore, constant attendant upon all the
gay varieties of life; of this be assured, that, although retired from
the fascinating scene, where gay Delight her portal open throws to
Folly's throng, he is no surly misanthrope, or gloomy seceder, whose
jaundiced mind, or clouded imagination, is a prey to disappointment,
envy, or to care.
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