Said That Noble Gentleman, (At The Same Time Raising
Him From The Posture He Was In) Or By What Means Than Such As I Have
Already Taken, Can I Oblige You To Think That, In Being My Foundling,
Fortune Dealt Not Too Severely With You?
Ah! sir, mistake me not, I beseech you, replied the young Horatio, or
think me wanting in my gratitude either to heaven or you.
- But, sir, it
is to your generous care in cultivating the talents I received from
nature, that I owe this emulation, this ardor for doing something that
might give me a name, which is the only thing your bounty cannot
bestow. - My genius inclines me to the army. - Of all the accomplishments
you have caused me to be instructed in, geography, fortification, and
fencing, have been my darling studies. - Of what use, sir, will they be
to me in an idle life? permit me then the opportunity of showing the
expense you have been at has not been thrown away. - I know they will say
I am too young to bear a commission, but if I had the means of going a
volunteer, I cannot help thinking but I should soon give proofs the
extreme desire I have to serve my country that way would well attone for
my want of years.
The more he spoke, the more the astonishment of his patron increased: he
admired the greatness of his spirit, but was troubled it led him to a
desire of running into so dangerous a way of life.
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