The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 13, No. 372, May 30, 1829 — John Shaqi
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 13, No. 372, May 30, 1829Various
History
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 13, No. 372, May 30, 1829
Various
Popular literature -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
----He was but a poor undergraduate; not, indeed, one of lowest grade,
but still too much lacking pecuniary supplies to render him an
"eligible match." Julia, too, though pretty, was portionless; and the
world, which always kindly interests itself in such affairs, said,
they had no business whatever to become attached to each other; but
then, such attachments and the world, never did, and never will agree;
and _I_, from fatal experience, assert that what people impertinently
call "falling in love," is a thing that _cannot_ be helped; _I_, at
least, never could help it. The regard of Millington and Julia was of
a very peculiar nature; it was a morsel of platonism, which is rather
too curious to pass unrecorded; for as far as I have been able, upon
the most minute investigation to ascertain, they never spoke to each
other during the period of their tender acquaintance. No; they were
not dumb, but lacking a mutual friend to give them an introduction;
their regard for decorum and etiquette was too great to permit them to
speak otherwise than with their eyes. Millington had kept three terms,
when I arrived at ---- College, a shy and gawky freshman; we had been
previously acquainted, and he, pitying perhaps my youth and
inexperience, patronized his playmate, and I became his chum. For some
time I was at a loss to account for sundry fluctuations in Henry's
disposition and manners. He shunned society and would neither accept
invitations to wine and supper parties in other men's rooms, nor give
such in his own; nevertheless his person seemed to have become an
object of the tenderest regard; never was he so contented as when
rambling through the streets and walks, without his gown, in a new and
well cut suit; whilst in order eternally to display his figure to the
best advantage, he was content to endure as heavy an infliction of
fines and impositions, as the heads of his college could lay upon his
shoulders. He was ruined for a reading-man. About this period he also
had a perfect mania for flowers; observing which, and fancying I might
gratify my friend by such a mark of attention, I one day went to his
rooms with a large bouquet in either hand. He was not at home; but
having carelessly enough forgotten to lock his door, I commenced, _con
amore_, (anticipating the agreeable surprise which I should afford
him) to fill his vases with fresh, bright, and delicious summer
flowers, in lieu of the very mummies of their race by which they were
occupied. My work was in progress when Millington returned, but, oh!
good heavens! the rage, the profane, diabolical, incomprehensible rage
into which he burst! I shall never forget. Away went my beautiful, my
fragrant flowers, into the court, and seizing upon the remnant of the
mummies, as yet untouched by my sacrilegious fingers, he tossed them
into a drawer, double locked it, and ordered me out of the room.
Dreading a kick, I was off at his word; but had not proceeded half way
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account