Note 42 — SEQUEL TO THE MILITARY ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY NEWCOME PART II

I have, in former days, I confess, been rather puzzled to account for a sort of tergiversation in the memory of many young men. I was foolish enough to expect that high-titled Honourables were of similar opinions, in respect to intimacies and friendships, in common with other folks; but, to my astonishment and disgust, I then found, as I have frequently since experienced, that the man who could bend in the country to a sociable intimacy—changing his ground, changed his deportment; that the men with whom I have in the country domesticated—have been admitted to a very familiar intimacy, when I met them in Town seemed to have totally lost sight of me, and returned my salute with a careless insolence, if they condescended to return it at all; this appeared to me ridiculously capricious, unaccountably foolish. At length an old Friend told me it was the way of the world, and that there was a wonderful difference between the Companions in the Country, and the associate in London. Now I do think this is a fair hint to all Johnny Newcomes, a warning to make up their minds, that, however my Lord or Sir Toby may condescend to an Intimacy in the Country (which, perhaps, may arise from a selfish principle in these Honourable Worthies) they must expect the Cut direct in Town.