- spring of vanity, begotten upon folly. These people
deal in the marvellous; they have seen some things that never existed: they have seen other things which they never really saw, though they did exist, only because they were thought worth seeing. Has anything remarkable been said or done in any place, or in any company? they immediately present and declare themselves eye or ear witnesses of it. They have done feats themselves, unattempted, or at least unperformed by others. They are always the heroes of their own fables, and think that they gain consideration, or at least present attention, by it. Whereas, in truth, all they get is ridicule and contempt, not without a good degree of distrust: for one must naturally conclude that he who will tell any lie from idle vanity will not scruple telling a greater for interest. [Same date.]
The Novice in Society.—I remember that
when, with all the awkwardness and rust of Cambridge
about me, I was first introduced into good
company, I was frightened out of my wits. I was
determined to be what I thought civil; I made fine
low bows, and placed myself below everybody; but
when I was spoken to, or attempted to speak myself,
obstupui, steteruntque comœ et vox faucibus hœsit.
If I saw people whisper, I was sure it was at me;
