recalling the slight and natural circumstances at school and the
university, which had changed my early prejudice; and I laboured to show
that no natural antipathy could have existed, since it had been completely
conquered by humanity and reason; so that now I had formed what might
rather appear a natural sympathy with the race of Israel. I laboured these
points in vain. When I urged the literary advantages I had reaped from my
friendship with Mr. Israel Lyons, she besought me not to talk of friendship
with persons of that sort. I had now awakened another train of
associations, all unfavourable to my views. My mother _wondered_--for both
she and my father were great _wonderers_, as are all, whether high or low,
who have lived only with one set of people--my mother wondered that,
instead of seeking acquaintance in the city with old Jews and persons of
whom nobody had ever heard, I could not find companions of my own age and
rank in life: for instance, my schoolfellow and friend, Lord Mowbray, who
was now in town, just returned from abroad, a fine young officer, "much
admired here by the ladies, I can assure you, Harrington," added my mother.
This, as I had opportunity of seeing, was perfectly true; four, nearly five
years had made a great apparent change in Mowbray for the better; his
manners were formed; his air that of a man of fashion--a military man of
fashion. He had served a campaign abroad, had been at the siege of
Gibraltar, had much to say, and could say it well. We all know what
astonishing metamorphoses are sometimes wrought even on the most hopeless
subjects, by seeing something of the world, by serving a campaign or two.
How many a light, empty shell of a young man comes home full, if not of
sense, at least of something bearing the semblance of sense! How many a
heavy lout, a dull son of earth, returns enlivened into a conversable
being, who can tell at least of what it has seen, heard, and felt, if not
understood; and who for years, perhaps for ever afterwards, by the help of
telling of other countries, may pass in his own for a man of solid
judgment! Such being the advantages to be derived by these means, even in