LETTER LIII.
WILLIAM to his MOTHER.
Edward is come again this afternoon, and looks very well. He informed us of a disagreeable accident which happened lately, and shows very clearly how imprudent it is to talk idly, and merely for the sake of having something to say, to canvass the faults or even the vices of others. But I will give you the particulars of a conversation we had in consequence of this information.
EDWARD.
You knew Colonel Brown, Charles. Last week Captain Fiery shot him.
CHARLES.
And for what reason?
EDWARD.
Because his son, in a large company, spoke very disrespectfully of the Captain, and said he was a man whose word could not be depended on.
CHARLES.
Suppose it was so, it was not proper to speak of it, especially in a large company; these kind of conversations proceed oftener from folly than from a detestation of vice, or a nice sense of honour, which makes a person feel indignation, when any of his fellow-creatures act meanly.
WILLIAM.
How could the Colonel be answerable for what his son said?
EDWARD.
Fiery is a hot-headed foolish man, and because he could not have satisfaction from a youth, demanded it of the father. He apologized for his son’s imprudence; but Fiery would not listen to reason, he compelled the other to meet him, his profession did not allow him to refuse a challenge; he was killed on the spot, and Fiery sat off directly for France.
CHARLES.
And what will he get by the name of courage, which his rash insensibility may have procured him? He must never return to his native country, his hands have been dyed in the blood of his fellow-creature, he has robbed a family of its support, and in consequence of his violating the laws of humanity, is compelled to wander in a strange country, and only to receive that attention his money will procure.
WILLIAM.
But young Brown, how I pity him!
CHARLES.
Yes, he deserves pity; he is continually upbraiding himself with his folly, and lamenting his rashness, his want of consideration, which has deprived his mother of all her comfort, and himself of a tender friend and affectionate father.
EDWARD.
Yet, many think him not to blame, he only spoke the truth. Captain Fiery’s character is generally known, and he is as generally despised.
CHARLES.
Believe me, brother, we are not always to say what is true, when it tends to the prejudice of another we must be silent; it is more to our credit to soften the faults we must mention, and better still, perhaps, not to mention them at all. Dr. Bartlett has often told me, that those who accustom themselves to tell all they know of others, will imperceptibly deviate from truth, and, forgetting compassion, will become unjust.
WILLIAM.
I agree with you, and think it possible that those who build their virtues on the vices of others, will soon have only comparative virtue.
CHARLES.
It is chiefly to tell some news, or to appear of consequence, that people retail scandalous anecdotes; yet, those who listen to such stories with malignant pleasure, despise and fear the slanderer; though murder should not happen, many disagreeable consequences may follow, and we should never mention the faults of others without a chance of reclaiming them.
The conversation was interrupted, and so I must bid you adieu.
WILLIAM.