e was the innocent and lucky object upon whom the increasing
affection of the Newcomes for their Indian brother was exhibited. When
he was first brought home a sickly child, consigned to his maternal
aunt, the kind old maiden lady at Brighton, Hobson Brothers scarce took
any notice of the little man, but left him to the entire superintendence
of his own family. Then there came a large remittance from his father,
and the child was asked by Uncle Newcome at Christmas. Then his father's
name was mentioned in general orders, and Uncle Hobson asked little
Clive at Midsummer. Then Lord H., a late Governor-General, coming home,
and meeting the brothers at a grand dinner at the Albion, given by the
Court of Directors to his late Excellency, spoke to the bankers about
that most distinguished officer their relative; and Mrs. Hobson drove
over to see his aunt, where the boy was; gave him a sovereign out of her
purse, and advised strongly that he should be sent to Timpany's along
wit her own boy. Then Clive went from one uncle's house to another; and
was liked at both; and much preferred ponies to ride, going out after
rabbits with the keeper, money in his pocket (charge to the debit of
Lieut.-Col. T. Newcome), and clothes from the London tailor, to the
homely quarters and conversation of poor kind old Aunt Honeyman at
Brighton. Clive's uncles were not unkind; they liked each other; their
wives, who hated each other, united in liking Clive when they knew him,
and petting the wayward handsome boy: they were only pursuing the way of
the world, which huzzas all prosperity, and turns away from misfortune
as from some contagious disease. Indeed, how can we see a man's
brilliant qualities if he is what we call in the shade?

The gentlemen, Clive's uncles, who had their affairs to mind during the
day, society and the family to occupy them of evenings and holidays,
treated their young kinsman, the Indian Colonel's son, as other wealthy
British uncles treat other young kinsmen. They received him in his
vacations kindly enough. They tipped him when he went to school; when he
had the hooping-cough, a confidential young clerk went round by way of
Grey Friars Square to ask after him; the sea being recommended to him,
Mrs. Newcome gave him change of air in Sussex, and transferred him to
his maternal aunt at Brighton. Then it was bonjour. As the lodge-gates
closed upon him, Mrs. Newcome's heart shut up too and confined itself
within the firs, laur