with several respectable and opulent families in that quarter. He was the youngest of several brothers and sisters; and, being gifted by nature with talents far superior to the generality of mankind, became naturally an object of delight and admiration to his indulgent parents. But little did they, when applauding and encouraging those sallies of wit and brilliant remarks, which shone forth even in his earliest days, foresee the misery which their son might some day be subjected to, from this propensity of ridiculing the faults of others, and disclosing their errors. Many, indeed, would have suspected the consequences which might ensue from that freedom of speech: but his parents were so wrapt up in the admiration of his sprightliness, that he was suffered to indulge in this pernicious gratification, without the most distant restrictions, and to exercise his satirical qualifications, without fear of punishment or displeasure from his parents.

The origin of his future misfortunes and errors may be traced even to the nursery. At the most tender age, it was his amusement to irritate his sisters against each other, and disturb the sports of his brothers by scattering amongst them the seeds of enmity. Ann was enraged against Elizabeth, because, according to Edward, Elizabeth had reported her intention of demolishing Ann's babyhouse; and Elizabeth forgot the love which she owed to Ann as a sister, having heard, from the same authority, that Ann made complaints of her to the nurse. In like manner, Henry was angry with Richard, and Richard looked upon Henry in no very favourable light, each having heard the other's strictures upon himself, together with sundry embellishments and additions, from the lips of Edward. But the author of these quarrels and heartburnings escaped the punishment he deserved; and, when he had. disturbed the little group with various intestine divisions, was highly gratified with the effects of his art, and congratulated himself upon his malevolent ingenuity.

It is needless to follow him through his schoolboy exploits, as they much resembled those of his childhood, though perhaps more conducive to mischief in their end. Suffice it to say, that, after passing some years in that situation, embroiling his companions in several disputes, and sometimes receiving a sound drubbing for his pains, he entered upon the stage of life, attended by the best wishes and expectations of his parents, though not without the apprehensions of some of his friends.

Being undetermined as to what course of life he should pursue, he concurred with the wishes of his father, by directing his attention to the Bar, and pursuing those attainments, which might qualify him to embrace a profession whence his friends were induced to hope that he would be happy and successful. Sanguine indeed was that hope, from those acute talents which he naturally

enjoyed-from that unbounded versatility of genius which shone forth in all his sentiments, and enlivened all his observationsay

He accordingly stationed himself at the Temple, and applied himself diligently to the Law. All his prospects seemed favourable; and his former errors lay dormant beneath the appli cation and perseverance with which he followed that study. He allowed no trifling amusements to interfere with his labours; and carefully avoided all idle and dissipated society, so repugnant to that course of life which appeared to him most eligible. But at length he became acquainted with a young man, who was his neighbour at the Temple; but who, whatever might be his good qualities, was entirely deficient in the application and abilities which characterized Edward Overton. Their acquaintance, which at first consisted in mere respectful civility, was gradually, and unfortunately for Edward, extended to an intimacy. I say, unfortunately; for had no temptations been thrown in his way, no inducements to change his present tranquil and secluded life for one of pleasure and relaxation, those errors, which so strongly prevailed in his earliest days, would have vanished, and given way in every respect to the reason which governs the mind when it has arrived at full maturity.

We shall not much be inclined to wonder, on hearing, that through the persuasions of young Caernside, his new acquaintance, he in some measure began to waver in his original good resolutions; and that finally he consented to enroll himself inca Club of young men, of which Caernside was the principal director and supporter. They were mostly of his own age and profession, and had instituted this Society, as some relief to the monotony of their studies. We do not wish to accuse them of any wilful misconduct or want of principle; but, in strict morality, they might deserve some censure, from the freedom with which they attacked the characters of their absent friends, and from the satire in which they occasionally indulged with equal severity, though not with equal veracity, against the deserving and the undeserving.

Edward Overton was, as might be expected, a valuable acquisition to their body. His originality, his satire, his pungent wit, and the real quaintness of his remarks, highly delighted his auditors, and contributed greatly to the joviality of their meetings. He knew, and, alas! knew too well, the influence his talents had obtained over them; and was led on by the fatal desires of applause, and the solicitations of his companions, nor should we omit, his own self-admiration,-to those habits which afterwards so deeply involved him in misery.

His studies were now entirely neglected, that his days might be passed in sauntering about and picking up any casual reports

which might meet his ear, whatever might be his authority, that he might relate them to the Club at night; and, by sundry of his own improvements, render them a subject for the diversion of his companions. Then was, indeed, his hour of gratification :-then his reign of glory and triumph. But how dearly did he purchase that fame! How often, even at the risk of his honour and character, did he intrude himself into the company of those with whom he could claim no acquaintance; and gain possession of secrets and observations, in a manner from which Honour would recoil in disdain. Nay, so totally did he forget all virtuous and upright sentiments, that he was more than once detected in listening to the private conference of persons, and committing it to paper; an indelible stigma upon him through life, had not the injured parties most kindly forgiven him, on account of his father's respectability, and his own youth; and concealed their discovery from the world.

Now was the time that his parents began to lament their foolish indulgence. Many were their admonitions, and frequent his renewals of penitence. But this fatal habit had so completely overpowered him, that all his exertions were in vain; nor could they rescue him from that strange infatuation, to which must be attributed all his future shame and ruin.

His first exploit of mischief was to embroil two of his own companions in a duel, who, whatever were their actual differences, might lay the consummation of their quarrel principally to his charge. Their mutual dislike proceeded from a love affair, in which the affections of both rested upon the same object. But Edward heightened that dislike, by relating to each, in the other's absence, some insult which was offered, or intended to be offered to him, by his rival. The consequences need not be related. A duel was agreed upon in the heat of their passion. Fortunately, however, the blood of neither was shed; and, upon the interposition of the seconds, after their first onset, the affair was amicably adjusted. But the author of it, on a close examination of all the circumstances, was detected, and expelled from their society; of which he could no longer be deemed a worthy and honourable member.net

Why did he not, at this warning, desist? Why should not the dishonour, which he incurred from this evil propensity, entirely check its farther progress? Alas! he only departed from the acene of his disgrace, and his enraged associates, to stir up dissensions in his own family!-his affectionate family-which, notwithstanding his pernicious qualities, received him in its bosom. During six short months, which he passed beneath his father's roof, he caused differences between all his relations; disturbed even the love vand harmony of his worthy parents; and weaned

the affections of his eldest sister from her Lover;-all by his false repesentations, and the subtlety of his plots. Let us for a moment view the scene of domestic misery, which his idle and deceitful tongue created. A feud, which embittered the ties of consanguinity;—a coldness of manner, so diametrically opposite to the warmth of affection formerly manifested in a most delightful manner towards each other by his parents; the separation of two worthy and innocent hearts, which caused the death of his intended brother, and clouded the happiest days of his sister's life with the blackest despair :-all, all these miseries owed their birth to the disgraceful folly and cruel indiscretion of Edward Overton!

His unhappy father, although nearly sinking beneath the accumulation of distress heaped upon him by an unworthy son, had still the resolution, after having settled upon that son a handsome income, to dismiss him from the home whose joys and endearments he had eternally blasted. Yet, while he despaired of working any reformation upon his heart, he nevertheless, with some of the most tender and affecting admonitions which parental love could utter, bade him farewell for ever.

Edward Overton, whatever might be his failings, and great indeed they were, was by no means destitute of feeling. He saw clearly, and felt acutely, the miseries which he had wrought upon the very persons who deserved his most earnest attention, and most affectionate sincerity. Often did he repent; and fervently did he desire to cast himself upon the pity and forgiveness of those whom he had so deeply afflicted. But could he return to that roof, could he enter those doors, could he look upon those countenances, once so happy, with any other feeling than that of horror, melancholy, and self-reproach? His wishes were in vain ; nor could he endure the thought of turning his footsteps to that home, whence he had banished Happiness, Tranquillity, and Love.

For the space of a year he gave himself up to solitude and remorse; entirely relinquishing society. But the impressions of woe gradually faded away, and he again appeared in the world. None of his old friends, indeed, would form any connexion with him; but they kindly spared those strictures upon his character, which he had so frequently and so illiberally distributed against others. Hence his dangerous qualities were little known; and, from his superior talents, elegant education, and gentlemanly appearance, he was much admired and esteemed in all the circles of his new acquaintance.

He chanced to meet, at an evening party, a young lady of great beauty and accomplishments; and, being somewhat captivated with her appearance at his first introduction to her, requested the favour of her hand in a dance, which constituted the principal

evening's amusement. This favour was not denied him. He imperceptibly admitted sentiments, which, once entertained, quickly lead to an attachment; and his feelings soon convinced him of it: when, at the close of the dance, after handing her to the carriage which was to convey her home, he left the assembly with emotions which his breast had never before known.

Having obtained her permission on the preceding night to visit her father, and inquire respecting her safe arrival, he proceeded in the morning to her abode. Mr. Williams was so much delighted with his conversation and engaging manners, that he requested him to renew his visits frequently. We need not doubt that the offer was accepted-that he soon became an inmate of the family-and that, finally, having discovered his affection to the daughter and the father, he was successful in all his hopes, and received a promise of the hand of Emma Williams in marriage.

It may not be improper here to give a short account of the family to which he was about to connect himself. Mr. Williams was a man of large property, which depended chiefly upon an extensive mercantile firm in Liverpool. His wife had been dead for many years; and Emma was the sole hope, delight, and consolation of his declining life.

Every arrangement was proceeding in a most favourable way for the completion of their nuptials, when Edward Overton chanced one morning to enter a coffee-house, where he passed much of his leisure time in reading the news, and sundry other trivial employments, by which the idle beguile a tedious hour. He was loitering in solitude, and scarcely knowing in what manner he might dissipate ennui, when he fancied that he heard the voices of persons holding a serious conference in the next room. His culpable curiosity was immediately excited; and thinking that he now had found something to divert his attention, he applied his ear to the thin wainscoting, which separated him from the unknown speakers. The subject which one was explaining to the other seemed to contain a secret of the greatest importance and mystery. The words which he could collect appeared to be relative to a large mercantile concern, which was pronounced in great danger, and which, should any of the creditors discover its peril, would be inevitably ruined by their demands upon it. The person, however, who was giving this information, expressed a hope which Mr. Fitzgerald (as he styled the principal director), had induced him to cherish, that if their embarrassments could be concealed for a few months, they might regain their former prosperity. He concluded by desiring his auditor to preserve the secret with the greatest caution; and declared his satisfaction in having been able to entrust it to him with such security.