| Citation |
MG-A(G.760.007
24 Jan 1760:11 (768)
Most people complain of fortune; few of nature: And the
kinder they think the latter has been to them, the more they
murmur at what they call the injustice of the former. . . [2
columns from "The World, No. 120" including, near the bottom
of the first column:]
This calls to my mind a thing that really happened not
many years ago. A young fellow of some rank and fortune,
just let loose from the University, resolved, in order to
make a figure in the world, to assume the shining character
of what he called, a rake. By way of learning the rudiments
of his intended profession, he frequented the theatres,
where he was often drunk, and always noisy. Being one night
at the representation of that most absurd play, the
Libertine Destroyed, he was so charmed with the profligacy
of the hero of the piece, that to the edification of the
audience, he swore many oaths that he would be the Libertine
Destroyed. A discreet friend of his who sat by him, kindly
represented to him, that to be the Libertine was a laudable
design, which he greatly approved of; but that to be the
Libertine destroyed, seemed to him an unnecessary part of
his plan, and rather rash. . .
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