Chapter 51

Enter Privy Counsellor CLARENBACH.

_P. Coun._ Sophia, I have kept my word.

_Clar._ (reaches him his hand.) We have been told so.

_Soph._ I know it.

_P. Coun._ My accounts are now settled, and my mind is at ease. I can now call a furnished house and four thousand dollars my own honest property. I have thrown off the burden, I have got rid of a connection that imposed upon me.

_Gern._ Dear brother! how is it possible that any connection should warp your generous principles.

_P. Coun._ Man does not warp all at once, but by degrees. Providence lent me a hand. (Lays Sophia's hand on his breast.) You even look kinder than you used to do.

_Fred._ I should never have forgiven you, if you had compelled me to give my hand to Selling.

_P. Coun._ Dear Frederica!

_Clar._ Well, well! that was done while he was intoxicated with foreign wine. The cup of pride produces that,--a good and useful beverage for those that quaff it in moderation. Whoever cannot do that, had better drink home-made wine.

_Soph._ But what do you intend to do with regard to your office, and the charge brought against you concerning the monopoly?

_P. Coun._ I mean to set off for the capital, and candidly lay the whole before the Minister; he is a good man; I will tell him I assumed a burthen too heavy for my shoulders, and entreat him to lay it on some person better suited to bear it.

_Clar._ That is right, Jack! When I was desired to sketch a design for the Prince's palace in our neighbourhood, I also said, "Please your Highness, I am a carpenter; the undertaking is beyond my sphere; send for an architect, and what he plans I will endeavour to execute. My head may conceive the plan for a common dwelling-house well enough, but not for a palace; and so I do not wish to step out of my line." The old Prince has since repeatedly thanked me for it, and said, with a significant nod, "You were right, master, Clarenbach! I wish some of my counsellors would do the same, and, when called on, say, I am not fit to fill that office. But they take the hatchet in hand, and slash away without any art or judgment."--My dear son, throw it down, and let some good political carpenter take it up. God be with you!