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or other, has been thrown into my hands; but not from any gratification it affords my pride, but simply from the power it gives me of aiding modest merit, of making amends, in some degree, for the injustice of fortune, of redressing the injuries which, while she retains the bandage on her eyes, the good and the brave will ever have reason to complain of suffering through her means.

'But, my dear Osmond,' perceiving the credulous and delighted youth, from the fulness of his heart, ready to burst forth into eulogiums on him, I deserve no plaudit for acting in this manner, since, in doing so, I study my own gratification; and he who, in the actions he performs, has a selfish end in view, merits no eulogium, however meritorious these may be.

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Tastes and opinions differ....some men place their delight in public spectacles, in splendour and ostentation, others in sensual gratifications, and again, some in the intrigues of cabinets and courts; mine consists in trying to promote the happiness of all around me, in endeavouring to prove that Heaven has not bestowed its gifts on an ungrateful object....in seeking out objects impelled and driven backward by the adverse hand of fate, and restoring them to their proper places in society....in supporting drooping and persecuted merit, beneath the proud man's contumely, the law's delay, the insolence of office,' and finally affording it the means of triumphing over its enemies. O my dear young friend,' he continued, fixing his eyes upon the swimming ones of Osmond, I could relate such anecdotes, describe such scenes, as would convince you beyond a doubt, had you one on the subject, which, however, from my knowledge of your disposition, I am convinced you have not, that my pursuits have led me into the right road to happiness.'

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'Assuredly,' returned Osmond, I am indeed well aware of the transport a heart like your's must experience from contributing to the welfare of others. The greatest object in the universe, says a certain philosopher, is a good man struggling with adversity; but I perfectly agree with him who says, there is a still greater....the good man who comes to relieve it.'

'Come, come, 'tis an awkward thing,' said the peer, filling his glass and pushing the decanter to Osmond, for a man to sit quietly listening to his own praises; I don't know how it was we got into this conversation; let us change it....here's a toast for you, May the honest heart never be without a friend to relieve its distress.>

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'Amen,' silently but fervently ejaculated Osmond, as he emptied his glass.

And now, young man,' resumed his Lordship, putting on one of his most familiar smiles, 'permit me to tell you, I shall expect you to use your gun sometimes for me when you go to the rectory, which, if not situated in a country overflowing with milk and honey, is at least in one abounding with game of every description, against which I presume ere this you have been taught to wage war.'

'I confess I have,' replied Osmond.

'I am very partial myself to the sports of the field,' rejoined the peer; but apropos, whether do you prefer making a longer stay in London, or going down next week to take possession of your living?'

'Since your Lordship allows me a choice, I confess I prefer the latter, so great is my anxiety to see my family.'

Lord O'Sinister nodded, and was about replying, when a servant entered with a letter to him; he immediately broke the seal, but had scarcely done so, when his countenance underwent a total change....he bit his lip.... started....rose from his chair....resumed it instantly....in a word, did every thing, calculated to excite a belief of his being under the most violent emotion.

Osmond involuntarily dropped a newspaper, which he had taken up whilst his Lordship was looking over his letter, and almost unconciously rivetted his looks, full of alarm and anxiety, upon him, convinced, from his seeming agitation, that something most unpleasant had occurred. And what a pity is it that so good a man should meet with any thing to trouble him,' he said to himself. After a silence of some minutes, his Lordship raising his eyes from the letter, turned them upon Osmond, ' Ï see,' ,' cried he,' that you are astonished at the emotion I appear in peruse that,' handing the letter to him as he

spoke,' and you will then cease to wonder at it; in the meanwhile to excuse me for withdrawing; whenever disturbed, I always retire to solitude till I recover myself.'

He accordingly withdrew, and Osmond read as follows :....

To the Right Honourable Lord Viscount O'Sinister.

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'MY LORD,

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'It grieves me to be the herald of ill news, but duty often compels us to act contrary to inclination. A few days ago a law process was served on me by the Bishop of ........'s solicitor, staying your appointment of the Reverend Mr. Osmond Munro to the living of his Lordship's laying claim to consequence the patronage of it as his right. I immediately set about investigating the grounds on which he founded this claim. The result of which investigation, I am truly concerned to state, proved to me beyond a doubt the justice of it, and that therefore to attempt any litigation on the subject, would only be to involve your Lordship in unnecessary expence and trouble.

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A dimness came over the sight of Osmond as he perused this letter, and ere he had well concluded it, it dropped from his hand. All the pleasing anticipations, the delightful hopes in which he had been indulging, were

annihilated by it, and for a few minutes he sunk beneath the shock their demolition gave him.

When a little recovered, through the unrestrained indulgence he gave his feelings, he began to accuse himself of weakness, in having suffered himself to be so completely overpowered by his disappointment.

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True,' cried he, it is a most grievous one, for who can deny that it is a grievous thing to be disappointed of the power of rendering a service to those whom we value more than life? but still it is only such as we are all liable to in this chequered state. Shall I then, knowing this to be the case, dare to murmur at experiencing but the common lot of humanity, as if I had a right to expect some peculiar exemption in my favour; shall I attempt to enjoin others to patience and resignation under adversity, as is one of the most sacred duties of my profession to do, while I suffer myself to sink beneath it? No....no, to be satisfied with myself my precepts and practice must ever agree. Henceforward, therefore, in order that I may be enabled to fulfil my duty properly, it shall be my study to acquire such a command over myself, as shall enable me to meet with fortitude and calmness whatever may ensue. How much do I rejoice that Lord O'Sinister did not witness my recent agitation, since I am convinced the sight of it would have considerably encreased his own! Good and benevolent man, how much does he feel for others! by this time I dare say (and as the idea occurred, his heart. which had felt chilled and heavy, began to regain its wonted heat and animation,) he is planning how he may make amends for my present disappointment. Yes, I make no doubt he is," added Osmond, starting from his seat in an ecstacy of revived hope and expectation, and pacing the room with hasty steps....' yes, I feel assured he will not let me launch into the wide ocean of life, without providing me with some certain port to steer to.'

His Lordship at this moment re-entered the room, his cheek flushed, and from this circumstance his countenance wearing a still more insidious expression than

usual.

"Well, my dear Osmond,' cried he, hastily approaching him, and extending his hand, how goes it with you ?....have you yet got over the shock that confounded scrawl,' glancing at the fallen letter, must have given you?'

Osmond bowed expressively.

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'Well, I am happy to find you have,' resumed his Lordship, since it proves to me your's is no common mind; from what I have just felt myself, I can easily conceive what you must have felt: but come, let us resume our seats, for I never stood so much in need of a little of the juice of the grape as I do just now, so much am I cast down and mortified at your being disappointed of a living I had set my heart on seeing you in possession of, not so entirely on account of its intrinsic value, as the comfortable asylum it would have enabled you to afford your family: but let us speak no more of it.... to dwell on what we cannot remedy, is, by heightening our vexation, only to render bad worse; since the bishop has made out so good a title to it, let him e'en keep it quietly, for there is nothing I so abhor as litigation; all I shall further say relative to it is, that I trust, since he has deprived me of the power of bestowing it on a worthy man, he will mitigate the pain his having done so occasions, by conferring it on one himself.

It is needless, I presume, to say (continued his Lordship, after swallowing a bumper of burgundy,) that I should not have suffered what I have done at its being wrested from me, had I any thing of equal value at present in my gift; if not ordained, I could have provided for you in a thousand different advantageous ways, but I never had much interest in the church; still however, I am not quite destitute of the power of serving you.'

At these words the spirits of Osmond, which had begun to droop, became again reanimated.

A particular friend of mine' proceeded, the peer,' residing in Jamaica, and possessor of considerable estates there, has a living of some value at his disposal; for which I lately received a letter from him, requesting me to look out for a person worthy of being appoint

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