Confession

father's library. He himself was a student, beginning about the same time with myself; though with the superior privilege of devoting himself exclusively to this study. But if he ha

ngly, if possible-so many pages every night, making my notes, queries, doubts, &c., EN PASSANT. In order to do this, I prescribed to myself a rule, to pass directly from the toils of the day and the store to my chamber, suffering no stoppage by the way, and studiously denying myself the dangerous fascinations of that society which was everywhere at command, in the persons of young men about my own age and condition. The intensity of my character, and the suspiciousness which it induced, helped me in this determination. Perhaps, there is no greater

ppily to be regarded as vices. I used tobacco in no shape, and no ardent spirits. I needed no stimulants, and, by the way, true industry never does. It is only indolence that needs drink; and indolence does need it; and the sooner drunkenness kills indolence by the use of drink, the better for society. The only objection to liquors as an agent for ridding the

rvants. I kept on good terms with my employers, for the very natural reason that they saw me attend to my business and theirs, with a hearty cheerfulness that went to work promptly in whatever was to be done, and executed its tasks with steady fortitude, neatness, and rapidity. But, even with them, I had my sulks-my humors-my stubborn fits of sullenness, that seemed anxious to provoke opposition, and awaken wrath. These, however, they considerately forgave

, for a time, stifled its contradictions, and suppressed its habitual tendencies. But it was with some jealousy, and an erectness of manner which was surely ungracious, though, perhaps, not offensive, that I endured and replied to his inquiries into my personal condition, my resources, and the nature of that dependence which I bore to the family of my uncle. When he learned-which he did not from me-in what manner I had pursued my studies-after what toils of the day, and at what late hours of the night-when he found from a close private examination, which he had given me, before my admis

ery frequently when I was at his house-for I visited the family, and sometimes, though unfrequently, dined with them on a sabbath-he jeered me on my progress-the "wonderful progress," as he was pleased to term it-which he felt sure I was making with my Coke and Blackstone, while baling blankets, or bundling up plains and kerseys. This I bore patiently, sus

How is Sir William Blackstone, Sir Edwa

hands which declared my formal int

t possible? So you really

d that, too, wit

? To have a profession, Edward, is o

had first. One step is gained. That much is sure

that the bricklayer wou

ect of life, perhaps, then, that woul

lents, the talents a

neer, our dialogue as may be supp

nse, readily comprehended a portion of my secret history from what was known to him. He easily conceived that my uncle was somewhat of a niggard from the manner in which I had employed myself during my preparation for the bar. He thought, however, that my uncle, though unwilling to e

uainted, though not intimately. They knew each other as persons of standing in the same community, and this made t

w-a young gentleman, who has been recently

ok of wonder was nec

time. He is an intimate of my eldest son, and from what has met my eyes, s

he is a clever youth enoug

The very manner in which he has pursued his studies while engaged in the harassing

his object. It conveyed a tacit reproof, which the niggardly conscience of Mr. Clifford

hat Edward Clifford is an orphan-that he has nothing, and it was therefore necessary that he should

ablishment, he would have made me a bricklayer's hodman. But this, it seems, Edgerton had found out for himself. His reply, however, was calculated to soo

man to do for himself. Were I worth millions, sir, I should still prefer that my son should

ith increased complacency. "A boy learns to value his mo

ndependence-temperance, justice-all of which arise, and almost only, from obedience to this law. But it is clear that one can not do everything by himself, and this young man, though he has gone on in a manner that might s

re. My own family need everything that I can give. He has himself only to blame. He

uld know. It was the singular independence of his mind that led me to the conviction, that he would sooner die than ask assistance from an

s. "You are very considerate, Mr. Edgerton; but the same sensibi

erton, mildly-"I think

and let him know that my house is open to him as it was from, the time he was four years old; and he shall have a seat at my table

. Clifford, that if you could contribute to the success of your brot

hastily. "Anything that I could do-anything in

f stereotype insincere people. Mr. Clifford did not perceive the dry and somewhat scornful innuendo, which lay at the bottom of Mr. Edgerton's seemingly innocent assumption; and