' 'So you have spent the best part of your
life (cried Mr Bramble), your youth, your blood, and your
constitution, amidst the dangers, the difficulties, the horrors
and hardships of a war, for the consideration of three or four
shillings a-day a consideration --' 'Sir (replied the Scot, with
great warmth), you are the man that does me injustice, if you say
or think I have been actuated by any such paltry consideration -- I
am a gentleman; and entered the service as other gentlemen do,
with such hopes and sentiments as honourable ambition inspires --
If I have not been lucky in the lottery of life, so neither do I
think myself unfortunate -- I owe to no man a farthing; I can
always command a clean shirt, a mutton-chop, and a truss of
straw; and when I die, I shall leave effects sufficient to defray
the expence of my burial.'
My uncle assured him, he had no intention to give him the least
offence, by the observations he had made; but, on the contrary,
spoke from a sentiment of friendly regard to his interest -- The
lieutenant thanked him with a stiffness of civility, which
nettled our old gentleman, who perceived that his moderation was
all affected; for, whatsoever his tongue might declare, his whole
appearance denoted dissatisfaction -- In short, without pretending
to judge of his military merit, I think I may affirm, that this
Caledonian is a self-conceited pedant, aukward, rude, and
disputacious -- He has had the benefit of a school-education, seems
to have read a good number of books, his memory is tenacious, and
he pretends to speak several different languages; but he is so
addicted to wrangling, that he will cavil at the clearest truths,
and, in the pride of argumentation, attempt to reconcile
contradictions -- Whether his address and qualifications are really
of that stamp which is agreeable to the taste of our aunt, Mrs
Tabitha, or that indefatigable maiden is determined to shoot at
every sort of game, certain it is she has begun to practice upon
the heart of the lieutenant, who favoured us with his company to
supper.
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