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!