25/26 Take, say, two out of the professions, lawyer, parson, doctor--which you will; one out of trade; and three or four out of the working classes--tailors, engineers, carpenters, engravers. Let them be men of your own ages, mind, and ask them to your homes; introduce them to your wives and sisters, and get introduced to theirs; give them good dinners, and talk to them about what is really at the bottom of your hearts; and box, and run, and row with them, when you have a chance. Do all this honestly as man to man, and by the time you come to ride old John, you'll be able to do something more than sit on his back, and may feel his mouth with some stronger bridle than a red-tape one. Too much over-civilization, and the deceitfulness of riches. |