THE WORLD AS IT IS.

BY E. L. BULWER.

What a delightful thing the world is! Lady Lennox's ball, last night - how charming it was! every one so kind, and Charlotte looking so pretty the nicest girl I ever saw! But I must dress now. Balfour is to be here at twelve with the horse he wants to sell me. How lucky I am to have such a friend as Balfour! so entertaining so good

-

and such an excellent

heart! Ah! how unlucky! it rains a little; but never mind, it will clear up; and if it don't why one can play at billiards. What a delightful thing the

world is!"

one a philanthropist

So soliloquised Charles Nugent, a man of twentyan optimist. Our young gentleman was an orphan, of good family and large fortune; brave, generous, confiding, and open-hearted. His ability was above the ordinary standard, and he had a warm love, and a pure taste, for letters. He had even bent a knee to Philosophy, but the calm and cold graces with which the goddess receives her servants had soon discontented the young votary with the worship.,,Away!" cried he, one morning, flinging aside the volume of La Rochefoucault, which he had fancied he understood; ,,Away with this selfish and debasing code! - men are not the mean things they are here described - be it mine to think exultingly of my species!" My dear Experience, with how many fine sentiments do you intend

to play the devil? It is not without reason that Goëthe tells us, that though Fate is an excellent, she is also a very expensive, schoolmistress.

,,Ha! my dear Nugent, how are you?" and Captain Balfour enters the room; a fine dark, handsome fellow, with something of pretension in his air and a great deal of frankness. ,,And here is the horse.

Come to the window. Does not he step finely? What action! Do you remark his fore hand? How he carries his tail! Gad, I don't think you shall have him, after all!"

,,Nay, my dear fellow, you may well be sorry to part with him. He is superb! Quite sound - eh ?" ,,Have him examined."

,,Do you think I would not take your word for it? The price?"

,,Fix it yourself. Prince Paul once offered me a hundred and eighty; but to you 66

,,I won't be outdone there's a draft for the one hundred and eighty guineas.“

,,Upon my soul, I'm ashamed; but you are such a rich fellow. John, take the horse to Mr. Nugent's stables. Where will you dine to-day? at the Cocoa tree?"

The young men rode together. Nugent was delighted with his new purchase. They dined at the Cocoa-tree. Balfour ordered some early peaches. Nugent paid the bill. They went to the opera.

,,Do you see that figurante, Florine ?" asked Balfour,,,Pretty ancle eh?"

,,Yes, comme ça but dances awkwardly not

handsome."

99

What! not handsome? Come and talk to her. She's more admired than any girl on the stage.“

They went behind the scenes, and Balfour convinced his friend that he ought to be enchanted with Florine. Before the week was out, the figurante kept her carriage, and in return, Nugent supped with her twice aweek.

Nugent had written a tale for,,The Keepsake“; it was his first literary effort; it was tolerably good, and exceedingly popular. One day he was lounging over his breakfast, and a tall, thin gentleman, in black, was announced by the name of Mr. Gilpin.

Mr. Gilpin made a most respectful bow, and heaved a peculiarly profound sigh. Nugent was instantly seized with a lively interest in the stranger.,,Sir, it is with great regret," faltered forth Mr. Gilpin,,,that I seek you. I — I — I-" A low consumptive cough checked his speech. Nugent offered him a cup of tea. The civility was refused, and the story continued.

66

Mr. Gilpin's narration is soon told, when he himself is not the narrator. An unfortunate literary man once in affluent circumstances

security for a trea

pressure of un

angel wife and four cherub

a book coming out next season

tress at present

horror at being forced to beg for

cibly struck by generous sentiments expressed in the tale

written by Mr. Nugent

mind

a ray of hope broke on his and voilà the causes of Mr. Gilpin's distress

and Mr. Gilpin's visit. Never was there a more interesting personification of the afflicted man of letters

than Gregory Gilpin. He looked pale, patient, and respectable; he coughed frequently, and he was dressed in deep mourning. Nugent's heart swelled he placed a bank - note in Mr. Gilpin's hands he promised more effectual relief, and Mr. Gilpin retired, overpowered with his own gratitude and Mr. Nugent's respectful compassion.

,, How happy I am to be rich!" said the generous young philanthropist, throwing open his chest,

Nugent went to a converzazione at Lady Lennox's. Her Ladyship was a widow, and a charming woman. She was a little of the blue, and a little of the fine lady, and a little of the beauty, and a little of the coquette, and a great deal of the sentimentalist. She had one daughter, without a shilling, she had taken a warm interest in a young man of the remarkable talents and singular amiability of Charles Nugent. He sate next her

they talked of the heartlessness of the world it is a subject on which men of twenty-one and ladies of forty-five are especially eloquent. Lady Lennox complained, Mr. Nugent defended. ,,One does not talk much of innocence," it is said, or something like it is said, somewhere in Madame d'Epinay's Memoirs,,,without being sadly corrupted"; and nothing brings out the goodness of our own hearts more than a charge against the heartlessness of others.

,, An excellent woman!" thought Nugent; ,,what warm feelings! how pretty her daughter is! Oh! a charming family!"

Charlotte Lennox played an affecting air; Nugent leaned over the piano; they talked about music, poetry, going on the water, sentiment, and Richmond Hill.

They made up a party of pleasure.

Nugent did not sleep well that night - he was certainly in love.

When he rose the next morning, the day was bright and fine; Balfour, the best of friends, was to be with him in an hour; Balfour's horse, the best of horses, was to convey him to Richmond; and at Richmond he was to meet Lady Lennox, the most agreeable of mothers and Charlotte, the most enchanting of daughters. The figurante had always been a bore she was now forgotten.,,It certainly is a delightful world!" repeated Nugent, as he tied his neckcloth.

99

after

It was some time - I will not say how longthe date of this happy day; Nugent was alone in his apartment, and walking to and fro his arms folded, and a frown upon his brow. What a rascal! what a mean wretch! and the horse was lame when he sold it - not worth ten pounds! - and I so confiding — damn my folly! That, however, I should not mind; but to have saddled me with his cast - off mistress! to make me the laughing stock of the world! By heavens, he shall repent it! Borrowed money of me, then made a jest of my good-nature! introduced me to his club, in order to pillage me! but, thank God, I can shoot him yet! Ha! Colonel; this is kind!"

Colonel Nelmore, an elderly gentleman, well known in society, with a fine forehead, a shrewd, contemplative eye, and an agreeable address, entered the room. To him Nugent poured forth the long list of his grievances, and concluded by begging him to convey a challenge to the best of friends -Captain Balfour. The Colonel raised his eyebrows.