The deficiency was, however, readily supplied by an old
gentleman, who sat on the other side of the reverend Mr. Jones. I had
taken ~118~~ him, in the first instance, for a doctor of laws, physic,
or divinity, by the studied neatness of his dress, the powdered head,
and ancient appendage of a _queue_; with a measured manner of delivery,
joined to an affected solemnity of carriage, and authoritative style.
He knew every body, from the Vice-Chancellor to the scout; ran through
a long tirade against driving and drinking, which he described as the
capital sins of the sons of _Alma Mater_, complimented the old rector
on his choice of a college for his son, and concluded with lamenting the
great extravagance of the young men of the present day, whose affection
for long credit compelled honest tradesmen to make out long bills to
meet the loss of interest they sustain by dunning and delay. "Observe,
sir," said he,
"The youth of England in our happy age!
See, to their view what varied pleasure springs,
Cards, tennis, hilliards, and ten thousand things;
'Tis theirs the coat with neater grace to wear,
Or tie the neckcloth with a royal air:
The rapid race of wild expense to run;
To drive the tandem or the chaise and one;
To float along the Isis, or to fly
In haste to Abingdon,--who knows not why?
To gaze in shops, and saunter hours away
In raising bills, they never think to pay:
Then deep carouse, and raise their glee the more,
While angry duns assault th' unheeding door,
And feed the best old man that ever trod,
The merry poacher who defies his God.
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