Chambers's pocket miscellany Author:Chambers W. and R. ltd Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: TWO OPINIONS, OR WHICH IS BEST? Ix my native town in Lincolnshire, there resided a medical gentleman named Albright, and a worthy divine whom I must take leav... more »e to name Dr Donbtmuch : two beings more opposite in the cast of their minds could not be conceived. My father, bless him ! being an easy sort of a man, allowed me to choose my own future profession, but requested that I would consult these two gentlemen, as he calculated that, in all probability, their difference of character would give me an excellent idea of the world, and some useful hints for my future guidance in it. Unfortunately for my peace of mind, I met Mr Albright just as I was going to the house of Dr Doubtmuch, and related to him my plan, which was to become a teacher of experimental philosophy, that being, in my opinion, less laborious and more profitable than any of the three learned professions, and more gentlemanly than trade. Mr Albright stared as if he considered mo an intellectual prodigy ; and then exclaimed, in an enthusiastic manner: ' Admirable plan ! Pray, my dear Mr Weathercock, is it your whole and sole suggestion ??for really, sir,' he continued, 'it shews a greatness of mind, a profundity of thought, and a brightness of idea, that is truly surprising for so young a man.' This hyperbole, which he used upon all occasions, was a delicious dose to my vanity. I was always lean and upright, like a hop-pole; but this extraordinary jargon made me seem to grow some inches higher. Mr Albright was a smart bustling little man, with reddish hair, light-gray eyes, and a murky, yellowish complexion. He was usually dressed in a dark-green surtout, broad white-corded small-clothes, top-boots, a riding-whip under his arm, and his hat placed rather backwards, so as to make the most of his small head. He af...« less