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The Attaché; or, Sam Slick in England — Volume 02 by Thomas Chandler Haliburton
page 4 of 185 (02%)
talking wisely or learnedly; but agreeably, for relaxation
and pleasure, are the principal objects of social
assemblies. This can only be illustrated by instancing
some very remarkable persons, who are the pride and
pleasure of every table they honour and delight with
their presence But this may not be. For obvious reasons,
I could not do it if I would; and most assuredly, I would
not do it if I could. No more certain mode could be
devised of destroying conversation, than by showing, that
when the citadel is unguarded, the approach of a friend
is as unsafe as that of an enemy.

Alas! poor Hook! who can read the unkind notice of thee
in a late periodical, and not feel, that on some occasions
you must have admitted to your confidence men who were
as unworthy of that distinction as, they were incapable
of appreciating it, and that they who will disregard the
privileges of a table, will not hesitate to violate even
the sanctity of the tomb. Cant may talk of your "_inter
pocula_" errors with pious horror; and pretension, now
that its indulgence is safe, may affect to disclaim your
acquaintance; but kinder, and better, and truer men than
those who furnished your biographer with his facts will
not fail to recollect your talents with pride, and your
wit and your humour with wonder and delight.

We do not require such flagrant examples as these to
teach us our duty, but they are not without their use in
increasing our caution.

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