We must, however, add that his more favourite and cherished studies were scarcely of that nature which a prudent preceptor would have greatly commended.

They lay chiefly among novels, plays, and poetry,--which last he affected to that degree that he became somewhat of a poet himself.

Nevertheless these literary avocations, profitless as they seemed, gave a certain refinement to his tastes which they were not likely otherwise to have acquired at the Mug; and while they aroused his ambition to see something of the gay life they depicted, they imparted to his temper a tone of enterprise and of thoughtless generosity which perhaps contributed greatly to counteract those evil influences towards petty vice to which the examples around him must have exposed his tender youth.

But, alas! a great disappointment to Paul's hope of assistance and companionship in his literary labours befell him.

Mr.Augustus Tomlinson, one bright morning, disappeared, leaving word with his numerous friends that he was going to accept a lucrative situation in the North of England.