Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 edition. Excerpt: ... certainly never have endeavoured to earn it by deceit." "We all find out sooner or later," said Mr. Humphrey's friend, "the truth of that paradoxical old saying, the best lie is the worst.'" "I can bear witness to its truth better than most folks," continued Mr. Humphrey. "Had not my father been deceived, or if he had known but half the truth, he would have left me his income only, and have secured the principal. If one hundred a-year, and no more, had been preserved to my use, by being placed out of my reach, life would have been heaven to ine compared with what it now is. ' I looked upon my father's wan and worn-out countenance, and thought, O, if his fortune would save him, how gladly would I relinquish it!--and perhaps I should--and perhaps too, if put to the trial, I should not. Wild and extravagant wishes have but little value. Amongst even abandoned characters, there are few indeed so abandoned, but their feelings may in this way be excited; but what are. they or their families the better for them when they are even excited to the utmost? "My father lay some time exhausted: at last he said, 4 You remember, Ned, that on that birth-day of yours, I told you I had some thousands of my own. You now see what a mistake that was. I had scarcely two years' interest in the property! There is only one thing I rind that a man can really call his own; a thing too that he cannot get rid of if he would, and that is his soul! Beware of Had I Wist, in all affairs, ' said he, ' but above all, in those where ignorance rather aggravates than alleviates guilt. Well may they ' be speechless' at the last, whose best excuse condemns them.' My father then breathed a gentle sigh, and was no more. "It appears, that at the time when he thought me a..."
