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CHAPTER I.

A wit's a feather, and a chief's a rod;

An honest man 's the noblest work of God!

POPE.

HAROLD, the friend of Cramer, to whom the reader has been already introduced, had, at the period to which our history relates, attained the rank of commander, and, while on half-pay, resided chiefly at his father's country seat,—as remarkable an edifice as money and masonry, in the hands of a unique architect, who never deigned to copy either ancients or moderns, could make it.

The people, who still loved to be fat and full, continued true to the old member, and shouted as usual, in their best con amore style,

"Ale

and all things!" The last joke against the father of our hero, was indeed of a sorry description; but, as it relates to his domestic felicity, it must needs be inserted. He was frequently overheard muttering, "I wish she were in Heaven! I wish she were in Heaven!” when one day Harold opened a volume of Shakspeare, and came to the following passage, which was emphatically marked with six Latin crosses, together with his father's usual watchword, "Ha!"

"I have a wife, whom I protest I love;

I wish she were in heaven."

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His spouse was, in fact, as big and boisterous as ever; her daughter, a general favourite,that is to say, a general nothing; and her son, nobody knew what.

Mr. Herbert was the nearest neighbour of this highly respectable family, and had the honour of being designated by Madame a civil

kind of parson of the parish; for she loved to use any appellation that seemed to lower those whom she considered her inferiors, "and of no sort of consequence."

The gentleman so described was, indeed, clergyman of the parish, and one of those sincere and pious Christians, who are alike ornaments to society and the Church. He was a polished as well as a social man:-not the vain approbation-seeking creature of the world, sometimes designated by those titles-but one possessing a true refinement of heart, and an enlightened understanding, to benefit his fellowcreatures. The vicar, besides being learned, was a gentleman, and a practical Christian; for his talents, while they commanded the esteem of men, were devoted to the service of God, in the practice of that ministry, the awful responsibility of which he had conscientiously undertaken.

In his converse with his parishioners, he was kind and attentive; never forgetting, however,

that he was their pastor, and that it was not only necessary that "he should separate his habits and feelings from a sensual and wicked, but from a vain and idle, a turbulent and promiscuous world."

He was one who watched over his passions, and endeavoured to conform his life to that law in which he professed to instruct others; and while his sincere and devout conduct procured him the respect and friendship of his flock, the admirable harmony of his precepts and practice won their sure though silent way through the understanding, to the hearts of more than those who professed to be his followers.

His family exemplified the blessings to be derived from such a presiding character; and although some years had elapsed since the loss of his amiable wife, yet she had left him two virtuous and pious daughters to lighten the burthens and cheer him on in the duties of life.

The conduct of these two amiable beings, the youngest of whom had attained the age of twenty, was such as to repay all their parent's care and anxiety; for, added to the endearing title of children, he found, in their well-regulated and cultivated minds, companions, friends, and counsellors.

Mr. Herbert, though his income was not large, and principally derived from the living of which he was incumbent, yet, by his judicious arrangements, found means both to promote useful establishments and better the condition of the poor: for the father and daughters, besides being naturally of humane dispositions, agreed still farther in the firmer bond of duty, in laying up treasures by dispensing blessings, and, with a due regard to a proper economy for the ends of justice and morality, their patrimony was generously distributed to those who most required it.

There was a meekness and tranquillity in. the manners, and a decided usefulness in the

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