and the world will soon forget that there ever existed such a being as the unfortunate, the guilty, the wretched, but truly penitent

"CLARA BALL."

Although Sir Matthew Middleton, whose temper was choleric, burst into a paroxysm of rage, on first learning that his partners had dissipated by their wild speculations the fortune that he had slowly heaped up during a long course of industry, he subsequently submitted to his reverses with a better grace than could have been expected. They were occasioned by the misconduct of others; they did not impugn his mercantile sagacity; they did not affect his character as a man ; and though there may be some justice in the Latin adage, that the burthen which is well and patiently borne soon becomes light, there is perhaps more truth, where Englishmen are concerned, in the reverse of the proposition. We are all constitutionally grumblers, and sometimes derive a benefit from complaint, since the grievances which might explode in bursts of passion or

sorrow, if confined to our own bosom, soon evaporate through the safety-valve of the mouth. So much and so loudly did the worthy Baronet talk of the scandalous maltreatment he had experienced, that he quickly ceased to feel it. His conduct was in every respect highly honourable. All was cheerfully given up to the creditors; he returned with his family to the house in Laurence-Pountney-lane; and, resolving never again to expose himself to the risk of a partnership, set vigorously to work in recovering some portion of what he had lost. That benevolent dispensation of Providence which so often conceals blessings amid the misfortunes with which we are visited, and justifies the scriptural averment, that "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth," was forcibly exemplified in the Middleton family. Ned Travers, whom the reader may recollect as "the first broker on the Russia walk," not only lent Sir Matthew five thousand pounds to assist him in recommencing business, but renewed his offer to Cecilia, who, having always stood well-affected towards her civic

suitor, though she had suffered her mother to reject his addresses, now gladly accepted them. The delighted father could not lose this opportunity of twitting his wife, exclaiming, as he communicated the grateful tidings, "Ned's no jack-a-dandy-isn't all gold that glisters-can't make a silken purse of a sow's ear: don't ask'ee, Meg, what 'ee think of the cut of his coat, but what 'ee think of his conduct? That's what I call being a real gentleman, hey? what, hick!"

Cecilia, happy in the name of Mrs. Travers, shortly afterwards took up her residence in Broad-street Buildings, where her father, on whose spirits the city air seemed to operate like the laughing or paradise gas, frequently dropped in, to partake of the beef-steak puddings for which Ned's cook still retained her celebrity.

Lady Middleton, a wiser and a happier woman, now that she had abandoned all her fantastical aspirations after fashionable distinction and was restored to her proper element, received marks of attention and friendship from

her old city acquaintance with which she could not fail to be highly gratified, though the recollection of her past follies was not always unattended with humiliating sensations. One of the most pleasing results of her altered circumstances was a perfect reconciliation with Mrs. Howard Maltby, who prevailed upon her husband to complete the sum required by Sir Matthew as a capital for his new business, and who evinced a delicate and generous feeling towards her sister, which the latter, now that she was no longer embittered by attempts at rivalry, appreciated as she ought. For shining in her present station Lady Middleton was eminently qualified, and she found it much more pleasant to take the lead where her claims were willingly admitted, than to dangle at the heels of fashion, at the constant risk of being spurned away with a contemptuous kick.

Gale Middleton, who was ever ready to sacrifice the dearest wishes of his own heart to the comfort and the interests of others, remained in London to be present at the marriage of his sister, as well as to offer the con

solation of his presence and the benefit of his advice to his father and mother; when he set off for Maple Hatch, his long absence from which had in some degree been alleviated by an active correspondence with its fair inmate. Here he was received by Chritty with an expression of cordial and undisguised delight, that recompensed him in some degree for their separation; nor was he less gratified by her ardent admiration of his magnanimous conduct towards his cousin, and the great sacrifices he had made to spare the feelings and preserve the honour of his family. "At the time," said Middleton, "I gave not a thought to the diminution of my fortune, for as the possession of money afforded me no happiness, I would not suffer its privation to occasion me a moment's annoyance; but latterly it has weighed upon my mind more heavily, perhaps, than I ought to have allowed it. During my late residence in London, dear Christiana, I have been feeding myself with the hope that I should return to you freed from most of the objections which had hitherto