Page:Lady Anne Granard 2.pdf/206

204 preference) was given to another; the hopes of life were blotted out of life; nevertheless, health and competence remained, claiming gratitude to the great giver of good, and impressing their own value on him who had seen the first fade away in the persons of the only beings on earth united to himself, and who had felt the want of the last when he was a stranger in the land to which he fled, with all the false refinements, the natural prejudices and the habitual indulgences, which are inseparable from the class to which he belonged, whatever be the country from whence they are driven. Never may the "good old English gentleman, all of the olden time," be thus sent wandering in search of a place wherein to lay his head, or a corner in which to eat the crust moistened with his tears; for, although we firmly believe he would be as honourable and as virtuous as any similarly situated man, which by turns France and Italy, Poland and Spain, have thus sent out to sue for the protection and charity of Great Britain, we greatly fear that he would be found wanting in that happy suppleness of character which can conform to circumstance, and render the gifts of nature and education of avail in the day of sorrow and misfortune. Louis Phillippe is now a great king, and being truly a good one, merits our praises and good wishes; but unquestionably he was as great a man when he condescended to teach a few boys, in a far distant