There is an utter
absence of pretence and affectation about him, a graceful and engaging
simplicity and frankness of whole nature, that can hardly fail to win the
heart. All his home relations--toward mother and sisters--are singularly
touching. Feeling all his defects as a clergyman, half laughing, half
apologetic over his devotion to his favourite Coleoptera, and admitting
that which is so far a necessity to him, not of choice, but of actual
external need in his narrow circumstances--admitting, too, the
comparatively inferior and uncongenial society into which he is drawn--the
full revelation of his nobler and higher nature begins. His true and
deep appreciation of Mary Garth, and tender, devoted, and unselfish love
for her, more clearly reveal his innate manliness, self-denial, and
simplicity of character. This revelation is still further unfolded
before us in his entire relations with Fred Vincy. That firm persistent
interview in the billiard-room, is actuated by the one absorbing and self-
abnegating desire that he may still be saved from the moral and spiritual
decay impending over him: and when, in answer to Fred's appeal for his
intercession, we discover the blighting of his own hopes, the shattering
of his love, the tender heart stricken to the core should Fred prove, as
he suspects, his successful rival, we discern in him a nature of the
finest capabilities, and surely tending on and up toward the noblest
ends; and we part from him as from a dear and valued friend, whose
society has cheered and elevated us, whose pure simplicity of nature has
refuted our vain pretensions, and whose memory clings to us as a
fragrance and refreshment.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133