The things we do!

"A thousand a year," he thought, "more, added to the interest
accruing from my two lakhs, will enable us to live very comfortably at
home. I can give Clive ten thousand pounds when he marries, and five
hundred a year out of my allowances. If he gets a wife with some money,
they may have every enjoyment of life; and as for his pictures, he can
paint just as few or as many of those as he pleases." Newcome did not
seem seriously to believe that his son would live by painting pictures,
but considered Clive as a young prince who chose to amuse himself with
painting. The Muse of Painting is a lady whose social station is not
altogether recognised with us as yet. The polite world permits a
gentleman to amuse himself with her; but to take her for better or for
worse! forsake all other chances and cleave unto her! to assume her name!
Many a respectable person would be as much shocked at the notion, as if
his son had married an opera-dancer.
Newcome left a hundred a year in England, of which the principal sum was
to be transferred to his boy as soon as he came of age.


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