A Society Clown - Reminiscences #226912

In the first place, he is hampered by having to be so egotistical. He must talk about him self, which is never a nice thing to do. He cannot very well tell stories in his own favour; and if he tells them against himself, he affects humility: if he talks about his distinguished acquaintances, he becomes a snob; in short, I can only repeat my former observation, that he is bound to make an ass of himself. For a moment or two I did not know what to say, for my conscience smote me. At last I said: I am very pleased to hear your candid, and certainly unbiassed, opinion; for I have just accepted an offer from Mr. Arrowsmith to do a shilling book of my own reminiscences for the Bristol Library Series.