Sketches of Modern Character. By Mrs. Gore. No I.-The Lady 49, 161, 382, 470 War with China. By Thomas Hood, Esq. Christopher Snub; who was "Born to be Hanged." By Douglas Jerrold, Ideas and Reflections on the Properties of Music. By H. R.H. the English Hearths and English Hearts. A Memorial for Christmas. By PAGE 538 Literature of the Month (for SEPTEMBER): The British Turf, from the 271 to 279 (for NOVEMBER): The Siege of Florence. By 413 to 424 557 to 560 THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. FATHERS AND SONS.* BY THE EDITOR. CHAP. VIII. THE reader probably imagines from the manner in which the last chapter concludes, that he is to be forthwith, and immediately transported to the Ship, or the Crown and Sceptre, or some other such popular hostelry at Greenwich. But no-different is to be his fate, and somewhat deferred the fête of others; for as it seems, it will be necessary, before we lodge our party in one of the strong-smelling, brightshining greenhouses-conservatories nobody could call them-which overhang the mud of those regions, to say a word or two of our friends the Amershams, and perhaps of other persons connected with our history. One of the peculiarities of woman appears to be a passion for match-making. Wholly disinterested as women almost universally are, touching worldly matters, one never sees a woman wholly uninterested in a flirtation, or what may be more properly called, a tendre, which happens to be-or that she thinks is-in progress under her own roof. Mrs. Amersham, who was full of all the best feelings of human nature, and really attached to Jane, could not endure the occurrence of any thing which might or could interfere with what she had resolved in her own mind was an existing mutual affection between her and Miles Blackmore. No-she had determined that Miles Blackmore was desperately in love with Jane Bruff, and that Jane Bruff perfectly and entirely reciprocated his tender feelings. It should first be understood as it most probably is—that an affection for one, or even two members of a family, does not necessarily imply a general liking of all the others. Mrs. Amersham was, as we know, the devoted friend of Jane; but Mrs. Amersham's sentiments as regarded the gallant and disagreeable colonel, were of a character so diametrically opposite to those which she entertained towards his daughter, that she felt it right-not only because she thought she was acting in conformity with Jane's own views and wishes, but because, prejudiced as she was against Bruff, she was sure that no man of his * Continued from No. ccxxxv., page 301. Sept.-VOL. LX. No. CCXXXVII. B selection could possibly be a suitable match for his charming daughter -to do all she could to cherish and improve, and warm into active life the affection which she was resolved to believe, and perhaps did believe existed between her two friends. It has frequently been remarked, that the surest way of bringing about an attachment of this sort, is the constantly talking of it; not upon the black-pudding principle of the Reverend Sterne, but because the constant association of two names, leads on the part of their owners to an association of ideas, whence eventually arise feelings, and a question of either or both of the parties as to why it should not be so, or why it should; which latter, as tending rather to increase the difficulty, seems better calculated to amplify the anxiety and encourage the disquisition. We know at least we think we know, that Jane Bruff is not in love with Miles Blackmore, indeed she has said as much; but then there are people in the world who are sufficiently base and low-minded to give that as a strong and cogent reason for believing that she is—they, be they whom they may, know nothing of Jane. Duplicit yand deception are strangers to her heart. When her father first touched upon the point, he might have been assured of a plain, candid answer, without invoking the aid of Mrs. Smylar or her Curaçoa. That being ascertained, the next question to be asked is, what was the state of Mr. Blackmore's feelings towards Jane? We have seen clearly enough that he was much and deeply interested in all she said and did that he followed her at the Amershams' like her shadow. That while she listened with pleasure to his agreeable conversation, he devoted himself to her; and although there seemed no earthly reason why, if he felt the preference which that devotion indicated, he should not own it, still something appeared constantly hanging over him-to damp his ardour-to check his enthusiasm; and the fine bright sunny hours which he occasionally enjoyed in her society, were uniformily chilled and clouded at some period of the day or evening; he then became distrait, and seemed to fly from the happiness he had been courting, and became absorbed in thought, and even in grief. These were signs and symptoms exceedingly well calculated to illustrate Mrs. Amersham's theory, but which still were quite inexplicable; because she felt assured that if he had done that, which she was in daily expectation of his doing,-propose to Jane, he would be accepted by her, and not, as she thought (looking worldlily at the affair), be refused by the colonel. What could he expect for his daughter more than a gentleman of good fortune, good character, and of quite as good a family as her own? Dear Emma was almost angry to find these two negatives holding off from the one affirmative. She thought it would be such a nice match, (for she was not either foppish or fantastical enough to call it a bon parti,) and they were such a charming couple-and so on-as women will talk who believe, and very properly, that ladies and gentlemen are only sent into the world to "come together." Another great point made by Mrs. Amersham was the wretched dulness of poor Miles Blackmore after Jane's departure. He spoke seldom-absented himself much-pursued his fishing with unremitting ardour, taking no one with him-leaving the drawing-room early for |