Caelum non animum, &c. Do you think he has
reformed now that he has crossed the sea, and changed the air? I have
my own opinion. Howbeit, Rolando, thou wert a most kind and hospitable
bandit. And I love not to think of thee with a chain at thy shin.
Do you know how all these memories of unfortunate men have come upon
me? When they came to frighten me this morning by speaking of my robbed
pears, my perforated garden wall, I was reading an article in the
Saturday Review about Rupilius. I have sat near that young man at a
public dinner, and beheld him in a gilded uniform. But yesterday he
lived in splendor, had long hair, a flowing beard, a jewel at his neck,
and a smart surtout. So attired, he stood but yesterday in court; and
to-day he sits over a bowl of prison cocoa, with a shaved head, and in a
felon's jerkin.
That beard and head shaved, that gaudy deputy-lieutenant's coat
exchanged for felon uniform, and your daily bottle of champagne for
prison cocoa, my poor Rupilius, what a comfort it must be to have the
business brought to an end! Champagne was the honorable gentleman's
drink in the House of Commons dining-room, as I am informed. What
uncommonly dry champagne that must have been! When we saw him outwardly
happy, how miserable he must have been! when we thought him prosperous,
how dismally poor! When the great Mr.
Pages:
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423