th Neaera, and the General can't pursue them, though
he has got the postchaise at the door, because Tim O'Toole has hidden
his wooden leg! By Jove, it's capital!--All the funny part--I don't like
the sentimental stuff, and suicide, and that; and as for poetry, I hate
poetry."

"Pen's is not first chop," says Warrington. "I am obliged to take the
young man down from time to time, Colonel Newcome. Otherwise he would
grow so conceited there would be no bearing him."

"I say," says Clive.

"What were you about to remark?" asks Mr. Warrington, with an air of
great interest.

"I say, Pendennis," continued the artless youth, "I thought you were a
great swell. When we used to read about the grand parties in the Pall
Mall Gazette, the fellows used to say you were at every one of them,
and you see, I thought you must have chambers in the Albany, and lots of
horses to ride, and a valet and a groom, and a cab at the very least."

"Sir," says the Colonel, "I hope it is not your practice to measure and
estimate gentlemen by such paltry standards as those. A man of letters
follows the noblest calling which any man can pursue. I would rather
be the author of a work of genius, than be Governor-General of India. I
admire genius. I salute it wherever I meet it. I like my own profession
better than any in the world, but then it is because I am suited to
it. I couldn't write four lines in verse, no, not to save me from being
shot. A man cannot have all the advantages of life. Who would not be
poor if he could be sure of possessing genius, and winning fame and
immortality, sir? Think of Dr. Johnson, what a genius he had, and where
did he live? In apartments that, I daresay, were no better than these,
which, I am sure, gentlemen, are most cheerful and pleasant," says the
Colonel, thinking he had offended us. "One of the great pleasures and
delights which I had proposed to myself on coming home was to be allowed
to have the honour of meeting with men of learning and genius, with
wits, poets, and historians, if I may be so fortunate; and of benefiting
by their conversation. I left England too young to have that privilege.
In my father's house money was thought of, I fear, rather than
intellect; neither he nor I had the opportunities which I wish you
to have; and I am surprised you should think of reflecting upon Mr.
Pendennis's poverty, or of feeling any sentiment but respect and
admiration when you enter the apartments of the poet and the