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A MAN OF THE WORLD.

By
W. Massie.

What human kind desire, and what they shun,
Rage, passions, pleasures, impotence of will,
Shall this satirical collection fill.-DRYDEN'S JUVE

THE PROPERTY

OF THE

℗ NEW-TORK

IN TWO VOLUMESETY LIBRARY

VOL. II.

PHILADELPHIA:

E. L. CAREY & A. HART, CHESNUT STREET.

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THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIST

R

L

PHILADELPHIA:

C. SHERMAN & co. PRINTERS, 19 ST. JAMES STREET.

SYDENHAM,

&c.

CHAPTER I.

THE week to which I had proposed limiting my sojourn at the poet's cottage had now elapsed, and yet I felt inclined to prolong my visit to a second week. When I became Auriol's guest, it was with the view of taking observations upon a singular specimen of human nature, and of trying a mode of life which I had neither experienced, nor even conceived. A few days, I calculated, would enable me to accomplish the first object, and satisfy the second. But the character which had at first only excited my curiosity, as I grew acquainted with it, raised in my breast sentiments of interest and regard, which rendered it impossible for me to part from Auriol with that indifference with which I usually abandoned other objects of moral curiosity, after I had examined them; and the sequestered life of the poet, so far from having wearied, still continued so pleasing, and even delightful, that I felt I could continue it some time longer without disgust.

I knew not, however, whether my eccentric host would feel reconciled to my continued intrusion upon his romantic solitude; and I was doubtful whether he was conscious of any reciprocal feeling of friendship toward me; for though the heart of this gifted and amiable being was formed for the social affections, in their most luxuriant growth, the rude blight of the two which had arrived at maturity had determined him never to cultivate another.

Under these impressions, I reminded Auriol that the period which I had assigned for my stay with him had expired.

Auriol expressed his regret, but declined the opportunity which I had studiously afforded him of pressing me to postpone my departure; and after a silence of some seconds, added,

"I am sorry, Sydenham, that you ever came here."

I very naturally looked rather surprised at this unexpected remark.

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