languid smile; but it was that sort of smile which proclaims the peace of the heart is gone. I soon found she was suffering under the only serious calamity that can assail young females placed in a state of respectability, ease, and affluence. A match that I had thought concluded between her and a neighbouring gentleman, had been broken off by the authority of my father; and the poor girl, in yielding the obedience due from a daugh ter, had made a sacrifice of her peace of mind.

"As the young gentleman's character was unexceptionable, and he was more over my particular friend, I ventured to remonstrate with my father on the harshness of this proceeding.

"He swore a dozen oaths-said that a man of twice as good an estate had offered for Jessy, and that he would have at least one person in his family obedient to his wishes.

"I saw this alluded to my steady determination

termination against the mode of study he wished me to pursue. If, sir,' I said, in a faltering voice, you could point out to me the utility of studying a dry and disagreeable branch of the law, that'

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My father interrupted me with his usual vociferation-Utility, Tom! Why, is there not thy uncle James, who has lost half his estate, by not knowing how to defend it against the tricks of an attorney? And it is only last month I was cast in a suit about tithes, with that grousing, farming parson Sams, of Hay Hill, when, if I had known as much of law as thou mayest, Tom, I should have been able to right myself. Why, Tom, thou art not fit to take care of thy own property-thou art not fit for a justice of peace, or for any thing in the versal world, without knowing somewhat of law.'

"I found that the ideas of a good lawyer, as he thought proper to style it, and a country gentleman, were so irrevocably united in my father's brain, that it would

be

be utterly impossible to separate them. Where he had picked up these notions was another matter. Though possessed of a naturally-strong understanding, it had been counteracted by a very confined education; and, in consequence, all his opinions were the result of impressions taken up by chance. He was intended for a sensible man, but circumstances had made him only a humourist.

"I had a severe struggle with myself; at length fraternal affection prevailed. I had always loved Jessy in an uncommon degree; to see her looking like a ghost was more than I had fortitude to stand. I saw my father was determined on having one victim to his will, and resolved that victim should be me.-' Well, sir,' I exclaimed, 'I yield to your arguments. You say you are determined one of your children shall comply with your humour -let it be me. Consent to ratify my sister's engagement with Mr. Eyrecourt, and I promise you, however dry and disagree

able

able it is to me, instantly to commence the study of the law.'

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My father gave me a hug, which made me really doubt whether the noble animal that gives its name to our ancient residence might not rank among our remote progenitors. Jessy married Mr. Eyrecourt, and recovered her complexion and smiles; and behold Mr. Tom Birkit, a rather singular example, a student of law, from brotherly affection."

There was something in the history of Julia's own feelings that led her to sympathize with singular readiness in the fate of a man who owned such to be his motives of conduct. She gave him a look of such flattering approbation, as completely did away the disagreeable impression of the one he had received at the Hall. He remembered it, however, still, and continued, in a more sprightly tone-" But there is yet a question which I am sure the elegant and highly-cultivated Miss Somerville wishes, to ask an objection that

she

she longs to start- How comes it, Mr. Tom Birkit, that you who, during your short practice as a critic, must have acquired some little knowledge of life and literature-how comes it, I say, that you should voluntarily consent to lower yourself to that egregious trifling, which made me doubt whether or not you were possessed of common sense?'

"I can only answer, that evil communication corrupts good manners. When first I announced my intention of remaining in the neighbourhood of Rothbury, I found my society very much courted by the fair; but, ye gods! what companionship did I find among them for my mind! If I spoke to them on topics of literature, science, or general information, they did not understand me; I confined myself to light reading; but they were equal strangers to any thing like delicate tact, or the elegant refinement of female taste. Mention to them a novel of the first water, in French or English, Corinne, ou L'Italie, par