Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear
The better reason, to perplex and dash
Maturest counsels; for his thoughts were low;
To vice industrious: but to nobler deeds
Tim'rous and slothful: yet he pleased the ear.

How little soever matters in general may be to our liking, we are apt,
when hope is strong enough to permit it, to endeavour to make the best we
can of the lot we have drawn; and I could not but observe often, how much
Mr. Lovelace excelled all his four friends in every thing they seemed
desirous to excel in. But as to wit and vivacity, he had no equal there.
All the others gave up to him, when his lips began to open. The haughty
Mowbray would call upon the prating Tourville for silence, when Lovelace
was going to speak. And when he had spoken, the words, Charming fellow!
with a free word of admiration or envy, fell from every mouth.

He has indeed so many advantages in his person and manner, that what
would be inexcusable in another, would, if one watched not over one's
self, and did not endeavour to distinguish what is the essence of right
and wrong, look becoming in him.

Mr. Belford, to my no small vexation and confusion, with the forwardness
of a favoured and intrusted friend, singled me out, on Mr. Lovelace's
being sent for down, to make me congratulatory compliments on my supposed
nuptials; which he did with a caution, not to insist too long on the
rigorous vow I had imposed upon a man so universally admired--

'See him among twenty men,' said he, 'all of distinction, and nobody is
regarded but Mr. Lovelace.'

It must, indeed, be confessed, that there is, in his whole deportment, a
natural dignity, which renders all insolent or imperative demeanour as
unnecessary as inexcusable. Then that deceiving sweetness which appears
in his smiles, in his accent, in his whole aspect, and address, when he
thinks it worth his while to oblige, or endeavour to attract, how does
this show that he was born innocent, as I may say; that he was not
naturally the cruel, the boisterous, the impetuous creature, which the
wicked company he may have fallen into have made him! For he has,
besides, as open, and, I think, an honest countenance. Don't you think
so, my dear? On all these specious appearances, have I founded my hopes
of seeing him a reformed man.

But it is amazing to me, I own, that with so much of the gentleman, such
a general knowledge of books and men, such a skill in