"
All this, you will remember, Beloved, is a digression on my own account,
and I return to the old Master whom I left smiling at his own alteration
of Shenstone's celebrated inscription. He now begin reading again:
--I want it to be understood that I consider that a certain number of
persons are at liberty to dislike me peremptorily, without showing cause,
and that they give no offence whatever in so doing.
If I did not cheerfully acquiesce in this sentiment towards myself on the
part of others, I should not feel at liberty to indulge my own aversions.
I try to cultivate a Christian feeling to all my fellow-creatures, but
inasmuch as I must also respect truth and honesty, I confess to myself a
certain number of inalienable dislikes and prejudices, some of which may
possibly be shared by others. Some of these are purely instinctive, for
others I can assign a reason. Our likes and dislikes play so important a
part in the Order of Things that it is well to see on what they are
founded.
There are persons I meet occasionally who are too intelligent by half for
my liking. They know my thoughts beforehand, and tell me what I was
going to say. Of course they are masters of all my knowledge, and a good
deal besides; have read all the books I have read, and in later editions;
have had all the experiences I have been through, and more-too.
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