 transact in the fair, promised
to be soon back; adding, that he always desired to have as much of Dr.
Primrose's company as possible. The old gentleman, hearing my name mentioned,
seemed to look at me with attention, for some time, and when my friend was gone,
most respectfully demanded if I was any way related to the great Primrose, that
couragious monogamist, who had been the bulwark of the church. Never did my
heart feel sincerer rapture than at that moment. »Sir,« cried I, »the applause
of so good a man, as I am sure you are, adds to that happiness in my breast
which your benevolence has already excited. You behold before you, Sir, that
Doctor Primrose, the monogamist, whom you have been pleased to call great. You
here see that unfortunate Divine, who has so long, and it would ill become me to
say, successfully, fought against the deuterogamy of the age.« »Sir,« cried the
stranger, struck with awe, »I fear I have been too familiar; but you'll forgive
my curiosity, Sir: I beg pardon.« »Sir,« cried I, grasping his hand, »you are so
far from displeasing me by your familiarity, that I must beg you'll accept my
friendship, as you already have my esteem.« - »Then with gratitude I accept the
offer,« cried he, squeezing me by the hand, »thou glorious pillar of unshaken
orthodoxy; and do I behold -« I here interrupted what he was going to say; for
tho', as an author, I could digest no small share of flattery, yet now my
modesty would permit no more. However, no lovers in romance ever cemented a more
instantaneous friendship. We talked upon several subjects: at first I thought he
seemed rather devout than learned, and began to think he despised all human
doctrines as dross. Yet this no way lessened him in my esteem; for I had for
some time begun privately to harbour such an opinion myself. I therefore took
occasion to observe, that the world in general began to be blameably indifferent
as to doctrinal matters, and followed human speculations too much - »Ay, Sir,«
replied he, as if he had reserved all his learning to that moment, »Ay, Sir, the
world is in its dotage, and yet the cosmogony or creation of the world has
puzzled philosophers of all ages. What a medly of opinions have they not
broached upon the creation of the world? Sanconia
