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Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

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BECOMING AMERICA<br />

REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE<br />

DIMPLE<br />

My name is Dimple, Sir. I have the honour <strong>to</strong> be a lodger in the same house with<br />

you, and, hearing you were in the Mall, came hither <strong>to</strong> take the liberty <strong>of</strong> joining<br />

you.<br />

You are very obliging, Sir.<br />

MANLY<br />

DIMPLE<br />

As I understand you are a stranger here, Sir, I have taken the liberty <strong>to</strong> introduce<br />

myself <strong>to</strong> your acquaintance, as possibly I may have it in my power <strong>to</strong> point out<br />

some things in this city worthy your notice.<br />

MANLY<br />

<strong>An</strong> attention <strong>to</strong> strangers is worthy a liberal mind, and must ever be gratefully<br />

received. But <strong>to</strong> a soldier, who has no xed abode, such attentions are particularly<br />

pleasing.<br />

DIMPLE<br />

Sir, there is no character so respectable as that <strong>of</strong> a soldier. <strong>An</strong>d, indeed, when we<br />

reect how much we owe <strong>to</strong> those brave men who have suered so much in the<br />

service <strong>of</strong> their country, and secured <strong>to</strong> us those inestimable blessings that we now<br />

enjoy, our liberty and independence, they demand every attention which gratitude<br />

can pay. For my own part, I never meet an ocer, but I embrace him as my friend,<br />

nor a private in distress, but I insensibly extend my charity <strong>to</strong> him.—I have hit the<br />

Bumkin o very <strong>to</strong>lerably.<br />

[Aside.]<br />

MANLY<br />

Give me your hand, Sir! I do not proer this hand <strong>to</strong> everybody; but you steal in<strong>to</strong><br />

my heart. I hope I am as insensible <strong>to</strong> attery as most men; but I declare (it may be<br />

my weak side) that I never hear the name <strong>of</strong> soldier mentioned with respect, but I<br />

experience a thrill <strong>of</strong> pleasure which I never feel on any other occasion.<br />

DIMPLE<br />

Will you give me leave, my dear Colonel, <strong>to</strong> confer an obligation on myself, by<br />

shewing you some civilities during your stay here, and giving a similar opportunity<br />

<strong>to</strong> some <strong>of</strong> my friends?<br />

MANLY<br />

Sir, I thank you; but I believe my stay in this city will be very short.<br />

Page | 620

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