The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume IV.Cibber, Theophilus
General
The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume IV.
Cibber, Theophilus
Poets, English -- Biography -- Early works to 1800; Poets, Irish -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
'This piece of extravagant gallantry being over, the duke persuaded
the young lord to go about a mile off, to Poissy, where an English
gentleman 'of their acquaintance lived: His lordship consenting, the
duke took with him a pair of trumpets, and a kettle-drum, to give
the music a more martial air: But to this the Opera music made an
objection at first, because as they should be wanted that night
in their posts, they should forfeit half a louis d' or each, for
non-appearance. Half a louis d' or! says his grace, follow the duke
of Wharton, and all your forfeitures shall be paid. They did so, and
entered Poissy in such a musical manner, that they alarmed the whole
town, and their friend did not know whether he had best keep his
house, or fly for it; but the affair was soon explained, and the
musical troop was entertained by the gentleman their friend, in a very
handsome manner. This frolic being now finished, there was one thing
more absolutely necessary, viz. to discharge the reckoning, upon which
occasion the duke in a very laconic manner addressed himself to the
young lord.' My lord, says he, 'I have not one livre in my pocket,
wherefore I must desire you to pay these fellows, and I'll do as
much for you whenever I am able. Upon this his lordship with great
chearfulness, paid all demands, amounting to 25 louis d' ors.'
It may seem a strange observation, but it is certainly true, that the
brute creation differs not more from the rational in many respects,
than a man from himself: That by suffering passions to usurp the
dominion of the soul, human nature is stript of its dignity, debased
to the beasts that perish, and still rendered more ignominious by the
complications of guilt. We have already seen the duke of Wharton set
up as the idol of an admiring people; an august senate listened to
the enchantments of his eloquence; a powerful ministry dreading his
resolutions; he was courted, flattered, feared; and obeyed. View him
now, and the scene is shifted. Observe him descending to the most
abject trifling, stooping to the meanest expedients, and the orator
and statesman transformed to the vagabond and the wanderer.
No incident in this nobleman's life has been represented more to his
disadvantage, and is in itself more interesting than the following.
The account which is here inserted was sent to a friend by the duke's
express order.
A Scots peer with whom both the duke, and the duchess lived in great
intimacy in Italy, happening to come to Paris, when the duke was
there, they renewed their acquaintance and friendship, and for some
time continued with mutual freedom, till the duke had reason to
believe from what he heard from others, that the peer had boasted
favours from the duchess of Wharton.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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