must have some one with more sense than himself, Sir. The lad's not ill-tempered, but so soon led astray.'

After consulting with his wife, who said, "You remember, my dear, what our Michael did before; he sent Joe on some business, for the poor boy likes to be of consequence. They turned to Fanny. "What could we employ Joe_about, my dear, just to take him from these Jennings'?" Jem Brown overheard this, and said, "When does Mr. Joseph go home?" "He came with the intention of staying till Monday," said Mrs. Kemp; "longer than that, we could not get leave for. Then Joseph must return to his business. Till then, the difficulty is so to engage him, as that he may not think we govern him." "Pray, is'nt Mr. Joseph a nursery-man?" "Yes, and he is really very clever at his business. His master is quite satisfied with him. If you could consult him about heaths, he understands their propagation, and all the American plants. His master is very much satisfied with his care; and Joe is very fond of being consulted.' His father turned away smiling, and the conversation ended with "poor dear Joe." But Brownrigg had a deep plot in his head, of which more at a future day.

How some days seem exalted above

P

mined to have a wife who can get her living."

Misfortunes had soured the temper of Mr. Jennings, and the poor girls whom he had helped to spoil, now felt the sting of it, and they were equally to be pitied; and Brownrigg, who had come with a full intention to laugh at them, would have given up the project, had not Joe begun.

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Miss Louisa, this gentleman is come to see your garden;" and Miss Louisa, Miss Antoinette, and all the Misses, gathered round to shew it. So they sallied forth, and Brownrigg very knowingly offered his arm to Miss Louisa. "You are going, Sir, I think, to settle in this country.' Yes, Madam; and where can one turn for taste, if not to Sizors? I wish to lay out my garden." Here Joe put in, "I am sure Miss Louisa would shew you, Mr. Brownrigg; wouldn't you, Miss Louisa ?". "Yes, certainly, I should be very happy to oblige.' Nevertheless, she felt uneasy, for she did not understand this visit; and really thought it odd, that a total stranger should come uninvited.

After wandering about for some minutes, without saying a word, they proposed to return into the parlour to tea; and here they found the poor good-natured, suffering

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mother, endeavoured to please all parties, and succeeding with difficulty. "Well, Mr. Joseph, how goes on the flute?" said old Jennings. And he grinned maliciously, as though he longed to laugh at him. The flute, Mr. Joseph; can you play the flute?" said Brownrigg. "A little, Sir," was the modest reply. "I did not bring it with me, Sir," said Joseph, looking very harmless. "I wish I had, if I had thought Mr. Jennings would have liked to hear it."

This modest reply almost subdued old Jennings, who was not naturally an illtempered man. "I remember, my dear," said he to his wife, "when I used to try at it to please you." "It was not the flute, dear," said Mrs. J. "it was the flageolet, if you remember. True, love, so it was;" and this little good-natured dialogue seemed to put them all right again, when in straggled Miss Fanny from a warm walk, and she seemed to look round for the introduction to the new visitor.

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Louisa, looking at Joseph with an air of protection, said, " you forget, Mr. Joseph, to introduce this gentleman."

"What! don't you know who it is, love?" said her father. "Dear me, no, Papa; 'tis never the fashion to know any body 'till they are introduced, you know. I should never

pretend to be acquainted;" and before she could finish her speech, her father burst out, "Pretend, pretend; always some pretension or other. Would you pretend to tell me, that you don't know who that gentleman is. Why is'nt he the rich tobacconist as have left off business, and have come to settle in these parts? Is'nt he that nice girl's uncle, Esther Humphries? Why, how often have you seen. him at church! Come, come, girls, do leave off nonsense, pray. It's all very well for fine folks that have got nothing else to do, but for you who have got your living to get 'tis quite out of the way. Never let me hear any more on't."

Brownrigg had a great deal of tact, a great deal of kind feeling, and he began to pity the poor Jennings's; thought they were silly, harmless girls, and traced a great many of their faults where they were indeed due, to the father and mother. He came upon an errand which he must not forget; namely, to divert the parties present, and to bring Joe back safe to the Brow. So he said, "Sir, we young people, you know," looking arch, "must needs catch the fashion of the times, even though we may not be as wise as our forefathers. "Ha, ha, ha," said old Jennings;

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Very

true, Sir; very true;" and seemed exceedingly to enjoy Mr. Brownrigg's wit.

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You've not long come from London, Sir, I think?" "Not very long." And now Joe began to hope he should get a little private conversation with Miss Louisa; and he was endeavouring to edge his chair a little closer, but Brownrigg turned from the father, and said, "You have never, ladies, asked me one word of the fashions, though I was in the Regent's Park Sunday three weeks, and passed the king as close as I am sitting to you at this moment.' "Did you, indeed, Sir?" said Mrs. J., wondering. "Yes, ma'am: and I thought his Majesty looked remarkably well, and I was very glad of it." And here Joe, who never could let an opportunity slip to tell what he had heard, observed, "that people wer'nt so fond of the king now, and that many people that he knew did'nt approve of his goings on." Pray, Sir,

""

said Jennings, "what can the people that you know have to do with the king? I'd have you take care, Mr. Joseph, how you get acquainted with such people." Brownrigg fidgetted, looked at his watch, and asked the ladies if they had any objection. to a walk?" Not the least," was the reply; and up they started to fetch bonnets, &c. No sooner did they return, than Brown