are writing materials on yonder table, and a dictionary too, which pray make use of: for if the spelling is bad, my lady will not look at your letter.”

Mr. Goodwin, without vouchsafing a reply, seated himself at the writing-table, and composedly set about a letter.

And now a footman announced "Mr. Sharp," and a well-dressed young man, very pale and haggard, entered. Mrs. Ward simpered, and bowed graciously, while the robe de chambre élégante held out a hand to welcome him." My dear Sharp! how came you up so soon ?”

"So late you mean, Jones. My lord spent his night at the signora's, and I mine at our club. I had such a d-lish run of good luck, I would not flinch while a pigeon remained to pluck a feather from; and now I don't think it worth while to go to bed, as we expect an execution in our house presently."

"The d-l!" replied Mr. Jones, yawning: "then it will be all up with you at last."

No, my dear fellow! we shan't fare the worse for it. The noodles of creditors will find nothing of consequence to seize; for

we mortgaged every thing valuable in our possession long ago; and, thanks to the peerage! our person is safe; so we don't mind this bagatelle."

"But you will leave your situation, now matters are become so desperate ?" said Jones.

"No, d-n me if I do!-I know when I am well. I have lived with my lord nearly three years; and though I have not fingered a shilling of my salary, yet it has been the most lucrative place I was ever in. A ruined man, you know, can have no interest in economy; he will neither investigate stewards' accounts or domestic arrangements; he has nothing to lose; prodigality is therefore the order of the day; and a master will not presume to call a servant to account for any thing relative to money transactions, when conscious he has not the means to pay his stipend. But surely, Jones, you know the sweets of all this; for, if fame says true, sir Charles is cursedly out at the elbows too."

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Yes, a little; but never so (unfortunately for us) bad as to admit of our taking the reins; and now, you know, we are going to marry well."

"Ay," cried Mrs. Ward, smirking, "we are going to patch sir Charles's elbows with our gold, and to furnish a new wardrobe fit for an emperor."

"Sir Charles is a fortunate man, Mrs. Ward, but we cannot follow his golden rule, for my lord is so d-lishly unlucky as to be already married, and cannot get rid of his wife any way, she has such cursed good health, and is such a d-d quizzical pattern of every female virtue."

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Ah, more's the pity!" said Mrs. Ward. And now Mr. Sharp precipitately arose at the chiming of a timepiece in the room, exclaiming "Zounds! 'tis half past twelve, and if I do not hasten home, I shall miss the fun at our house!" and with a most careless, fashionable congé, made his exit.

At length Mr. Goodwin having completed his letter, delivered it to Mrs. Ward, and with "a good-morning, madam!” and a civil bow, quitted the room.

Mr. Goodwin's letter was addressed to the Right Hon. Countess Delamore, and we have thus faithfully copied it, for the perusal of our readers.

"The honourable Augustus Frederick De Clifford (father of the young lady in whose behalf I now have the honour of addressing your ladyship) entered the army at a very early period of life, and distinguished himself as a rising hero upon many occasions, in car numerous engagements during the latter part of our unfortunate contest with America, and war with France and Spain. In his career of glory, however, he received a severe wound, which obliged him to return to England, when he hastened to the arms of his father, the earl of Castlehaven, fully expecting every exertion from his lordship for that promotion in his profession which his juvenile ambition and heroic ardour eagerly panted for.

"Lord Castlehaven, madam, was, as you may probably know, descended from one of the most ancient and illustrious houses in Great Britain; but very moderate was his portion of riches; and though his vanity was highly gratified by the unfading laurels the young soldier had acquired, instead of following the dictates of paternal affection, and rewarding such conspicuous merit, he

ungenerously resolved to let the hero depend upon that merit alone for promotion, that his whole stock of wealth might devolve to his other and favourite child, lord Almerino.

"Mr. De Clifford, deeply wounded by his father's cruel and illiberal conduct towards him, with grief and indignation painfully mingled, quitted the paternal roof, never, as fate decreed, to reenter it. And very shortly after, lord Castlehaven paid his debt to nature, leaving the whole of his property to lord Almerino; for as lord Castlehaven had married clandestinely whilst in his minority, no settlement had been made upon his wife, or younger children. Lady Castlehaven dying long before her lord, Mr. De Clifford was the only sufferer from this circumstance.

"The unnatural conduct of the late lord Castlehaven, and the unfraternal hatred and unkindness of the new one to his amiable brother, were universally reprobated. Our gracious sovereign heard of all, and Mr. De Clifford's rapid promotion was the consequence. At the age of twenty-three he had obtained the rank of lieutenant-colonel: and his majesty's kindness most probably