My poor father,--well, he's gone, and I am glad of it now!" The speaker's voice faltered.

"I got the better, I say, and I came to town, where I had a relation a bookseller.

Through his interest, I wrote a book of Travels in Ethiopia for an earl's son, who wanted to become a lion; and a Treatise on the Greek Particle, dedicated to the prime minister, for a dean, who wanted to become a bishop,--Greek being, next to interest, the best road to the mitre.

These two achievements were liberally paid; so I took a lodging in a first floor, and resolved to make a bold stroke for a wife.

What do you think I did ?--nay, never guess; it would be hopeless.