The Ayrshire Legatees

Perhaps, however, you will think me scarcely less under the influence of

a similar delusion when I tell you, that I have been somehow or other

drawn also into an association, not indeed so public or potent as that of

the Saints, but equally persevering in the objects for which it has been

formed. The drift of the Saints, as far as I can comprehend the matter,

is to procure the advancement to political power of men distinguished for

the purity of their lives, and the integrity of their conduct; and in

that way, I presume, they expect to effect the accomplishment of that

blessed epoch, the Millennium, when the Saints are to rule the whole

earth. I do not mean to say that this is their decided and determined

object; I only infer, that it is the necessary tendency of their

proceedings; and I say it with all possible respect and sincerity, that,

as a public party, the Saints are not only perhaps the most powerful, but

the party which, at present, best deserves power.

The association, however, with which I have happened to become connected,

is of a very different description. Their object is, to pass through

life with as much pleasure as they can obtain, without doing anything

unbecoming the rank of gentlemen, and the character of men of honour. We

do not assemble such numerous meetings as the Saints, the Whigs, or the

Radicals, nor are our speeches delivered with so much vehemence. We

even, I think, tacitly exclude oratory. In a word, our meetings seldom

exceed the perfect number of the muses; and our object on these occasions

is not so much to deliberate on plans of prospective benefits to mankind,

as to enjoy the present time for ourselves, under the temperate

inspiration of a well-cooked dinner, flavoured with elegant wine, and

just so much of mind as suits the fleeting topics of the day. T---, whom

I formerly mentioned, introduced me to this delightful society. The

members consist of about fifty gentlemen, who dine occasionally at each

other's houses; the company being chiefly selected from the brotherhood,

if that term can be applied to a circle of acquaintance, who, without any

formal institution of rules, have gradually acquired a consistency that

approximates to organisation. But the universe of this vast city

contains a plurality of systems; and the one into which I have been

attracted may be described as that of the idle intellects. In general

society, the members of our party are looked up to as men of taste and

refinement, and are received with a degree of deference that bears some

resemblance to the respect paid to the hereditary endowment of rank.

They consist either of young men who have acquired distinction at

college, or gentlemen of fortune who have a relish for intellectual

pleasures, free from the acerbities of politics, or the dull formalities

which so many of the pious think essential to their religious

pretensions. The wealthy furnish the entertainments, which are always in

a superior style, and the ingredient of birth is not requisite in the

qualifications of a member, although some jealousy is entertained of

professional men, and not a little of merchants. T---, to whom I am also

indebted for this view of that circle of which he is the brightest

ornament, gives a felicitous explanation of the reason. He says,

professional men, who are worth anything at all, are always ambitious,

and endeavour to make their acquaintance subservient to their own

advancement; while merchants are liable to such casualties, that their

friends are constantly exposed to the risk of being obliged to sink them

below their wonted equality, by granting them favours in times of

difficulty, or, what is worse, by refusing to grant them.