Regarding Fitz James O'Brien's financial habits. Transcription: ultra description. Withal he [Henry Clapp, Jr.] is a character, talks pretty well, and piques himself on studying people. In the talk I got antagonizing with [Fitz James] O'Brien, who is, I believe, radically, inherently, and inevitably my opposite. And I think both of us feel this. He is a clever man, is O'Brien. A man of more than Irish assurance, of indomitable conceit. Radically a selfish man, whose theory of life commences and ends with self-indulgence. He never denies himself anything, if he have money or credit, and always
Regarding Fitz James O'Brien's financial habits. Transcription: ultra description. Withal he [Henry Clapp, Jr.] is a character, talks pretty well, and piques himself on studying people. In the talk I got antagonizing with [Fitz James] O'Brien, who is, I believe, radically, inherently, and inevitably my opposite. And I think both of us feel this. He is a clever man, is O'Brien. A man of more than Irish assurance, of indomitable conceit. Radically a selfish man, whose theory of life commences and ends with self-indulgence. He never denies himself anything, if he have money or credit, and always leaves a trail of debt behind him. He would highly resent not being considered a honorable man; would, indeed, I have no doubt pay off some of his debts with a flourish if he came into an inheritance of money, but, to me, it ?s as clear as noon-day that his creditors will be swindled. He let [Charles Bailey] Seymour in for it, to the amount of $50 or so, Seymour endorsing a note and ? having to pay it! He got in arrears with [Jesse] Haney, the landlord of the tavern where 'the Bees' met and ? the club, generally, had to pay it. All sorts of dunning letters used to come for him at the 'Times' Office, and creditors also. He owes bills at hotels ? the Lord knows what and where he doesn't owe. He used to get money in advance from [Henry J.] Raymond, from the Harper's &c, and use up his credit by doing so. They think him a clever, facile, unreliable man ? which he is. He is very generally disliked. He can't hold his tongue, and affects an offensive candor in pronouncing on better men than himself. The bothers and confidence of his manner generally carries him through, but his enemies ? and he makes an unnecessary number of them ? take out their revenge by quietly hating him, and acting on it. I know no man who can be more offensive, if he choose. His manner amounts to insult, in such cases. Withal he is Title: Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries: Volume 9, page 43, December 28, 1857
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