Chapter 60

           Goodphrasesaresurely,andeverwere,verycommendable.

           —JusticeShallow.

           Afewdaysafterwards—itwasalreadytheendofAugust—therewasanoccasionwhichcausedsomeexcitementinMiddlemarch:thepublic,ifitchose,wastohavetheadvantageofbuying,underthedistinguishedauspicesofMr.BorthropTrumbull,thefurniture,books,andpictureswhichanybodymightseebythehandbillstobethebestineverykind,belongingtoEdwinLarcher,Esq.Thiswasnotoneofthesalesindicatingthedepressionoftrade;onthecontrary,itwasduetoMr.Larcher’sgreatsuccessinthecarryingbusiness,whichwarrantedhispurchaseofamansionnearRiverstonalreadyfurnishedinhighstylebyanillustriousSpaphysician—furnishedindeedwithsuchlargeframefulsofexpensiveflesh-paintinginthedining-room,thatMrs.LarcherwasnervousuntilreassuredbyfindingthesubjectstobeScriptural.HencethefineopportunitytopurchaserswhichwaswellpointedoutinthehandbillsofMr.BorthropTrumbull,whoseacquaintancewiththehistoryofartenabledhimtostatethatthehallfurniture,tobesoldwithoutreserve,comprisedapieceofcarvingbyacontemporaryofGibbons.

           AtMiddlemarchinthosetimesalargesalewasregardedasakindoffestival.Therewasatablespreadwiththebestcoldeatables,asatasuperiorfuneral;andfacilitieswereofferedforthatgenerous-drinkingofcheerfulglasseswhichmightleadtogenerousandcheerfulbiddingforundesirablearticles.