vely concern, and on the right formation of whose character much would
depend, as he had a large estate, and the family interest in the county
would give him a very considerable influence; to this influence it was,
therefore, of great importance to give a right direction. We next
morning took a ride to Aston Hall, and I commenced an acquaintance with
the engaging young baronet, which I doubt not, from what I saw and
heard, will hereafter ripen into friendship.

CHAPTER XIX.

The good rector joined the party at dinner. The conversation afterward
happened to turn on the value of human opinion, and Sir John Belfield
made the hackneyed observation, that the desire of obtaining it should
never be discouraged, it being highly useful as a motive of action.

"Yes," said Dr. Barlow, "it certainly has its uses in a world, the
affairs of which must be chiefly carried on by worldly men; a world
which is itself governed by low motives. But human applause is not a
Christian principle of action; nay, it is so adverse to Christianity
that our Saviour himself assigns it as a powerful cause of men's not
believing, or at least not confessing Him; _because they loved the
praise of men_. The eager desire of fame is a sort of separation line
between Paganism and Christianity. The ancient philosophers have left us
many shining examples of moderation in earthly things, and of the
contempt of riches. So far the light of reason, and a noble self-denial
carried them; and many a Christian may blush at these instances of their
superiority; but of an indifference to fame, of a deadness to human
applause except as founded on loftiness of spirit, disdain of their
judges, and self-sufficient pride, I do not recollect any instance."

"And yet," said Sir John, "I remember Seneca says in one of his
epistles, that no man expresses such a respect and devotion to virtue as
he who forfeits the _repute_ of being a good man, that he may not
forfeit the _conscience_ of being such."

"They might," replied Mr. Stanley, "incidentally express some such
sentiment, in a well turned period, to give antithesis to an expression,
or weight to an apothegm; they might declaim against it in a fit of
disappointment in the burst of indignation excited by a recent loss of
popularity; but I question if they ever once acted upon it. I question
if Marius himself, sitting amid the ruins of Carthage, actually felt it.
Seldom, if ever, does it seem to have been inculcated