Dare we look back upon the darkened vista, and, in imagination retrace the path we have trod?
With how many vain hopes is it shaded! with how many good resolutions, never fulfilled, is it paved! Where are the dreams of ambition in which, twelve years ago, we indulged?
Where are the aspirations that fired us--the passions that consumed us then?
Has our success in life been commensurate with our own desires--with the anticipations formed of us by others?
Or, are we not blighted in heart, as in ambition?
Has not the loved one been estranged by doubt, or snatched from us by the cold hand of death?
Is not the goal, towards which we pressed, further off than ever--the prospect before us cheerless as the blank behind ?--Enough of this.

Let us proceed with our tale.
Twelve years, then, have elapsed since the date of the occurrences detailed in the preceding division of this history.

At that time, we were beneath the sway of Anne: we are now at the commencement of the reign of George the First.

Passing at a glance over the whole of the intervening period; leaving in the words of the poet, -- The growth untried Of that wide gap-- we shall resume our narrative at the beginning of June, 1715.
One Friday afternoon, in this pleasant month, it chanced that Mr.Wood, who had been absent on business during the greater part of the day, returned (perhaps not altogether undesignedly) at an earlier hour than was expected, to his dwelling in Wych Street, Drury Lane; and was about to enter his workshop, when, not hearing any sound of labour issue from within, he began to suspect that an apprentice, of whose habits of industry he entertained some doubt, was neglecting his employment.
Impressed with this idea, he paused for a moment to listen.

But finding all continue silent, he cautiously lifted the latch, and crept into the room, resolved to punish the offender in case his suspicions should prove correct.
The chamber, into which he stole, like all carpenters' workshops, was crowded with the implements and materials of that ancient and honourable art.