_Sir Per_. [_With a proud, angry resentment._] Zounds! sir, do you nat see what others do? gentle and simple,--temporal and spiritual,--lords, members, judges, generals, and bishops,--aw crowding, bustling, and pushing foremost intill the middle of the circle, and there waiting, watching, and striving to catch a look or a smile fra the great mon,-- which they meet--wi' an amicable reesibility of aspect--a modest cadence of body, and a conciliating co-operation of the whole mon,--which expresses an officious promptitude for his service--and indicates, that they luock upon themselves as the suppliant appendages of his power, and the enlisted Swiss of his poleetical fortune;--this, sir, is what you ought to do,--and this, sir, is what I never once omitted for these five and thraty years,--let who would be minister.
_Eger_. Only a slight reflection, sir, not relative to you.
_Sir Per_. Sir, your absenting yourself fra the levee at this juncture is suspeecious; it is looked upon as a kind of disaffection,--and aw your countrymen are highly offended at your conduct,----for, sir, they do not look upon you as a friend or a well-wisher either to Scotland or Scotchmen.
_Eger_. [_With a quick warmth._] Then, sir, they wrong me, I assure you,-- but pray, sir, in what particular can I be charged--either with coldness or offence to my country?
_Sir Per_. Why, sir, ever since your mother's uncle, Sir Stanly Egerton, left you this three thousand pounds a year, and that you have, in compliance with his will, taken up the name of Egerton, they think you are grown proud;--that you have estranged yourself fra the Macsycophants--have associated with your mother's family--with the opposeetion, and with those who do not wish well till Scotland;----besides, sir, the other day, in a conversation at dinner at your cousin Campbel M'Kenzie's, before a whole table-full of your ain relations, did not you publicly wish a total extinguishment of aw party, and of aw national distinctions whatever, relative to the three kingdoms?--[_With great anger._] And you blockhead-- was that a prudent wish before so many of your ain countrymen?--or was it a filial language to hold before me?
_Eger_. Sir, with your pardon, I cannot think it unfilial or imprudent. [_With a most patriotic warmth._] I own I do wish--most ardently wish for a total extinction of all party: particularly--that those of English, Irish, and Scotch might never more be brought into contest or competition, unless, like loving brothers, in generous emulation, for one common cause.