Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
"Its Precepts Are Eternal;" Or , The Practice Of A Freemason's Daughter.
which can but confirm my view of the inveterate folly of that engagement into which you have so rashly entered . " " Never ! " was the son ' s instant response . " Never : I abide by it now ancl always . " "But , if its fulfilment be impracticable , how then ? Nowlisten . Years before I had voice in the
, ago , any transactions of the firm , —when it could meet all its engagements at any moment , —when its assets far outbalanced Its liabilities , —Sir Simon Magens controlled its operations . Magens—one of those prodigiously far-sighted men who are never content with moderate profits , and the evil genius of all with whom they are connected—entered into a speculation with
a German house , the results of which were to place our firm first on the roll of British merchants . On paper Sir Simon ' s scheme looked magnificent . His array of figures was most imposing . Credit them , and you would have no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that Bothschild ' s star was on the wane and ours in the ascendant . My father , cool , _ cautious , penetrating , distrusted the judgment of this specious knight , and contested , day by day , his conclusions .
In vain . Sir Simon ' s figures triumphed . One advance of fifteen thousand pounds was followed by another , and another , and another , till , at length , two-thirds of the entire capital of the firm was in the custody of a German financier . Of this sum , not one shilling , either by way of principal or interest , has to this hour been repaid us . It is true we hold securities , of most value in
questionable my judgment , , and it is no less certain , that assurances have been given us that part of our money has gone to meet royal exigencies , and will be forthcoming on the faith of the royal word ; but all this I doubt , and have done from the first . Meanwhile , our operations are crippled , we are existing credit—are ing business
upon , carry on our on the faith of assets which we no longer possess . The failure of any one of our correspondents , an unlooked-for stoppage or disaster in any quarter would prostrate us . The sli ghtest blow would be sufficient . Let pressure come from any point , and the house of Heathfield , Magens , and Craster goes into the Gazette . Nowmadman if will "
, , marry you . Maurice sighed deeply : then , with brightening features , exclaimed , "I will not give up Helen . " " You will not ?" " No : but with life . " " Your obstinacy is very edifying , " said Mr . Heathfield , sarcastically : " would that your judgment was as apparent . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
"Its Precepts Are Eternal;" Or , The Practice Of A Freemason's Daughter.
which can but confirm my view of the inveterate folly of that engagement into which you have so rashly entered . " " Never ! " was the son ' s instant response . " Never : I abide by it now ancl always . " "But , if its fulfilment be impracticable , how then ? Nowlisten . Years before I had voice in the
, ago , any transactions of the firm , —when it could meet all its engagements at any moment , —when its assets far outbalanced Its liabilities , —Sir Simon Magens controlled its operations . Magens—one of those prodigiously far-sighted men who are never content with moderate profits , and the evil genius of all with whom they are connected—entered into a speculation with
a German house , the results of which were to place our firm first on the roll of British merchants . On paper Sir Simon ' s scheme looked magnificent . His array of figures was most imposing . Credit them , and you would have no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that Bothschild ' s star was on the wane and ours in the ascendant . My father , cool , _ cautious , penetrating , distrusted the judgment of this specious knight , and contested , day by day , his conclusions .
In vain . Sir Simon ' s figures triumphed . One advance of fifteen thousand pounds was followed by another , and another , and another , till , at length , two-thirds of the entire capital of the firm was in the custody of a German financier . Of this sum , not one shilling , either by way of principal or interest , has to this hour been repaid us . It is true we hold securities , of most value in
questionable my judgment , , and it is no less certain , that assurances have been given us that part of our money has gone to meet royal exigencies , and will be forthcoming on the faith of the royal word ; but all this I doubt , and have done from the first . Meanwhile , our operations are crippled , we are existing credit—are ing business
upon , carry on our on the faith of assets which we no longer possess . The failure of any one of our correspondents , an unlooked-for stoppage or disaster in any quarter would prostrate us . The sli ghtest blow would be sufficient . Let pressure come from any point , and the house of Heathfield , Magens , and Craster goes into the Gazette . Nowmadman if will "
, , marry you . Maurice sighed deeply : then , with brightening features , exclaimed , "I will not give up Helen . " " You will not ?" " No : but with life . " " Your obstinacy is very edifying , " said Mr . Heathfield , sarcastically : " would that your judgment was as apparent . "