Page:Lady Anne Granard 1.pdf/243

238 tell admirably. Miladi la mère scarcely to be deemed un peu passée being affected by the languor of sorrow, not years (no one allows the effects of time now, which is perfectly proper.) Yes, the whole affair will make a capital paragraph, and, when united with natural commendations of the young sailor, must be positively astounding. I like him not, but younger brothers will be born (more the pity), and they are rarely in a hurry to die. Had this young man been drowned, he would have deserved celebrity indeed; in fact, had the elder sunk, it would have done as well, since he would have succeeded immediately, and received property and praise, at the same time. How seldom do young people see their own interest, especially sailors. I never knew a prudent man amongst them. No blame could arise to him from his brother's drowning, but an immense profit, which he literally cast away with his own hands. However, his folly may tell in a paragraph—beyond that, he is a person I could not encourage."