CHAPTER VI.

Inconstant man, that loved all he saw,'
And lusted after all that he did love,

He would his looser life be tied to law;

But joy'd weak women's hearts' to tempt and prove,
If from their loyal loves he might them move.-

SPENSER.

A GOOD man's death is never more severely felt, and more truly lamented, than when his successor proves unworthy. As a nation, under a despotic monarch, looks with agonising retrospection to the days of his virtuous predecessor; so the humble inhabitants of the hamlet, goaded by the treatment of a tyrannical superior, sigh at the thoughts of past tranquillity.

The truth of this remark was never more amply verified, than in the present instance; when insolence and barbarity usurp'd the

station of feeling and urbanity.

Scarce were his father's hallow'd remains committed to their kindred earth, before Elijah stood the acknowledged petty tyrant of the neighbourhood; and, as the persevering remonstrances of his late worthy tutor were irksome to him, he gave that gentleman a hint, (by the bye, such a one that he could not but take) that his future services would be dispensed with. There was not a dry eye in the village on his departure; for, independent of their personal respect for him, the poor creatures predicted worse days, now that their landlord was left without control; and still more, when Joe Skellum (the play-mate and confidant of his youth) was appointed steward.

One of the villagers observed, "If the devil were to bait his hook, or line his net, with gold, he would be sure to catch a couple of damn'd bad gudgeons."-As this allusionwas evidently level'd at the baronet and his prime minister, the poor creature was turn'd out of his cottage, at a week's notice, with a wife and three young children!-Another man was deprived of his humble

home, for saying-" If old Nick had one, for fetching the other, it would be no great matter." In short, like the baneful Upas, he spread terror and desolation on all within his influence.

Old Hardyman was one of the early victims of his tyranny: the rebuke he had, formerly, met with from the yeoman, for his brutal attack upon Rachel, still rankled in his mind, and long had he panted for an opportunity of revenge.

Elated at his prospect of, once more, enjoying the blessing of independence, the farmer was whistling through his fields, when he was encounter'd by Mr. Skellum.

"So, farmer, you are full of health and spirits, I see," said the latter.

Pretty well for that matter, Master Skellum."

"And how do you contrive to keep soseeing your circumstances are not the best in the world?"

Hardyman's choler rose, and he could hardly refrain from giving vent to it; but, thinking the wretch beneath his chastisement, he replied: "I'll tell thee, Joe

Skellum-I have an honest heart-I never commit an action that can bring a blush upon my cheek; consequently, I have no drawbacks from the checks of conscience. I would advise you to regulate your own conduct by the same rule, and then you'll be as contented as I am."

"Indeed! return'd Skellum, looking pale from malice" is that the only necessary ingredient to substantiate content? - Or, is it in such coin you discharge your pecuniary obligations? if so, my employer will come badly off; as I don't suppose he would take your heart, together with your body and soul, in liquidation of his demand against you."

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"Let him produce his demand," quoth Hardyman; 66 some two years' rent have the means to satisfy him, I warrant you."

"I know you have-thanks to the improvidence of the late baronet. But, Sir Elijah has more worldly prudence than his superannuated father; a stupid, old fool, to make ducks and drakes of his...."

"Silence!" cried Hardyman, flourishing

his oaken-sapling (as was his constant practice, when incensed,) "not a word against my late worthy landlord, or, damme! if I don't thrash you as I would a sheaf of wheat! You asperse the character of an honest man! and one that is dead and gone, too! - You that have been the incendiary of the whole village-inciting every one to tumult and litigation! I have read the dying speech of many a better fellow, in the Newgate-Calendar!"

"Put on your spectacles, and, if the wind has not affected your eye-sight, read this," said Skellum: "I believe, you'll find it a choke-pear, my old Drawcansir."

Hardyman glanced his eyes over the paper, which was the identical acknowledgment he had given to Sir James Proby, for the three hundred pounds lent him by the latter.

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Well," said the farmer, "I am to infer, from this, that Sir Elijah means to enforce the payment- Isn't it so?"

"He, certainly, means to call upon you for the same," replied Skellum.