"The most remarkable national occurrence in my time," said my father (who nevertheless had seen the Revolution)--"and he knows no more of it than a post on the quay!" "Mr.Francis," suggested Owen, in his timid and conciliatory manner, "cannot have forgotten, that by an _arret_ of the King of France, dated 1st May 1700, it was provided that the _porteur,_ within ten days after due, must make demand"-- "Mr.Francis," said my father, interrupting him, "will, I dare say, recollect for the moment anything you are so kind as hint to him.

But, body o' me! how Dubourg could permit him! Hark ye, Owen, what sort of a youth is Clement Dubourg, his nephew there, in the office, the black-haired lad ?" "One of the cleverest clerks, sir, in the house; a prodigious young man for his time," answered Owen; for the gaiety and civility of the young Frenchman had won his heart.
"Ay, ay, I suppose _he_ knows something of the nature of exchange.
Dubourg was determined I should have one youngster at least about my hand who understood business.

But I see his drift, and he shall find that I do so when he looks at the balance-sheet.

Owen, let Clement's salary be paid up to next quarter-day, and let him ship himself back to Bourdeaux in his father's ship, which is clearing out yonder." "Dismiss Clement Dubourg, sir ?" said Owen, with a faltering voice.
"Yes, sir, dismiss him instantly; it is enough to have a stupid Englishman in the counting-house to make blunders, without keeping a sharp Frenchman there to profit by them." I had lived long enough in the territories of the _Grand Monarque_ to contract a hearty aversion to arbitrary exertion of authority, even if it had not been instilled into me with my earliest breeding; and I could not refrain from interposing, to prevent an innocent and meritorious young man from paying the penalty of having acquired that proficiency which my father had desired for me.
"I beg pardon, sir," when Mr.Osbaldistone had done speaking; "but I think it but just, that if I have been negligent of my studies, I should pay the forfeit myself.

I have no reason to charge Monsieur Dubourg with having neglected to give me opportunities of improvement, however little I may have profited by them; and with respect to Monsieur Clement Dubourg"-- "With respect to him, and to you, I shall take the measures which I see needful," replied my father; "but it is fair in you, Frank, to take your own blame on your own shoulders--very fair, that cannot be denied .-- I cannot acquit old Dubourg," he said, looking to Owen, "for having merely afforded Frank the means of useful knowledge, without either seeing that he took advantage of them or reporting to me if he did not.