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own health drunk by you would not be perfect if we did not drink
the health of my grandfather； who has filled the place of both
parents to me。 I will say no more； until you have joined me in
drinking his health on a day when he has wished me to appear
among you as the future representative of his name and family。”
Perhaps there was no one present except Mr。 Irwine who
thoroughly understood and approved Arthur’s graceful mode of
proposing his grandfather’s health。 The farmers thought the
young squire knew well enough that they hated the old squire； and
Mrs。 Poyser said； “he’d better not ha’ stirred a kettle o’ sour
broth。” The bucolic mind does not readily apprehend the
refinements of good taste。 But the toast could not be rejected and
when it had been drunk； Arthur said； “I thank you； both for my
grandfather and myself； and now there is one more thing I wish to
tell you； that you may share my pleasure about it； as I hope and
believe you will。 I think there can be no man here who has not a
respect； and some of you； I am sure； have a very high regard； for
my friend Adam Bede。 It is well known to every one in this
neighbourhood that there is no man whose word can be more
depended on than his； that whatever he undertakes to do； he does
well； and is as careful for the interests of those who employ him as
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for his own。 I’m proud to say that I was very fond of Adam when I
was a little boy； and I have never lost my old feeling for him—I
think that shows that I know a good fellow when I find him。 It has
long been my wish that he should have the management of the
woods on the estate； which happen to be very valuable； not only
because I think so highly of his character； but because he has the
knowledge and the skill which fit him for the place。 And I am
happy to tell you that it is my grandfather’s wish too； and it is now
settled that Adam shall manage the woods—a change which I am
sure will be very much for the advantage of the estate； and I hope
you will by…and…by join me in drinking his health； and in wishing
him all the prosperity in life that he deserves。 But there is a still
older friend of mine than Adam Bede present； and I need not tell
you that it is Mr。 Irwine。 I’m sure you will agree with me that we
must drink no other person’s health until we have drunk his。 I
know you have all reason to love him； but no one of his
parishioners has so much reason as I。 Come； charge your glasses；
and let us drink to our excellent rector—three times three！”
This toast was drunk with all the enthusiasm that was wanting
to the last； and it certainly was the most picturesque moment in
the scene when Mr。 Irwine got up to speak； and all the faces in the
room were turned towards him。 The superior refinement of his
face was much more striking than that of Arthur’s when seen in
comparison with the people round them。 Arthur’s was a much
commoner British face； and the splendour of his new…fashioned
clothes was more akin to the young farmer’s taste in costume than
Mr。 Irwine’s powder and the well…brushed but well…worn black；
which seemed to be his chosen suit for great occasions； for he had
the mysterious secret of never wearing a new…looking coat。
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“This is not the first time； by a great many；” he said； “that I
have had to thank my parishioners for giving me tokens of their
goodwill； but neighbourly kindness is among those things that are
the more precious the older they get。 Indeed； our pleasant meeting
to…day is a proof that when what is good comes of age and is likely
to live； there is reason for rejoicing； and the relation between us as
clergyman and parishioners came of age two years ago； for it is
three…and…twenty years since I first came among you； and I see
some tall fine…looking young men here； as well as some blooming
young women； that were far from looking as pleasantly at me
when I christened them as I am happy to see them looking now。
But I’m sure you will not wonder when I say that among all those
young men； the one in whom I have the strongest interest is my
friend Mr。 Arthur Donnithorne； for whom you have just expressed
your regard。 I had the pleasure of being his tutor for several years；
and have naturally had opportunities of knowing him intimately
which cannot have occurred to any one else who is present； and I
have some pride as well as pleasure in assuring you that I share
your high hopes concerning him； and your confidence in his
possession of those qualities which will make him an excellent
landlord when the time shall come for him to take that important
position among you。 We feel alike on most matters on which a man
who is getting towards fifty can feel in common with a young man
of one…and…twenty； and he has just been expressing a feeling
which I share very heartily； and I would not willingly omit the
opportunity of saying so。 That feeling is his value and respect for
Adam Bede。 People in a high station are of course more thought of
and talked about and have their virtues more praised； than those
whose lives are passed in humble everyday work； but every
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sensible man knows how necessary that humble everyday work is；
and how important it is to us that it should be done well。 And I
agree with my friend Mr。 Arthur Donnithorne in feeling that when
a man whose duty lies in that sort of work shows a character
which would make him an example in any station； his merit
should be acknowledged。 He is one of those to whom honour is
due； and his friends should delight to honour him。 I know Adam
Bede well—I know what he is as a workman； and what he has
been as a son and brother—and I am saying the simplest truth
when I say that I respect him as much as I respect any man living。
But I am not speaking to you about a stranger； some of you are his
intimate friends； and I believe there is not one here who does not
know enough of him to join heartily in drinking his health。”
As Mr。 Irwine paused； Arthur jumped up and； filling his glass；
said； “A bumper to Adam Bede； and may he live to have sons as
faithful and clever as himself！”
No hearer； not even Bartle Massey； was so delighted with this
toast as Mr。 Poyser。 “Tough work” as his first speech had been； he
would have started up to make another if he had not known the
extreme irregularity of such a course。 As it was； he found an outlet
for his feeling in drinking his ale unusually fast； and setting down
his glass with a swing of his arm and a determined rap。 If
Jonathan Burge and a few others felt less comfortable on the
occasion； they tried their best to look contented； and so the toast
was drunk with a goodwill apparently unanimous。
Adam was rather paler than usual when he got up to thank his
friends。 He was a good deal moved by this public tribute—very
naturally； for he was in the presence of all his little world； and it
was uniting to do him honour。 But he felt no shyness about
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speaking； not being troubled with small vanity or la