Ten Thousand a-Year. Volume 2.

s it were, to brace his nerves. 'Tis at such a time, and on such an occasion, that the temper and q

andate; and, after a convulsive shudder, a faint shriek, a brief struggle, disappear from the surface, paralyzed, never to be seen again! In such a point of view, let me hope that the situation of Aubrey, on

ncerning his art may be applied to life, that not only its greatness, but its enjoyment, consists in action-action-ACTION. The feelings, for instance, may become so morbidly sensitive, as to give an appearance of weakness to the whole character; and this is likely to be specially the case of one born with those of superior liveliness and delicacy, if he be destined to move only in the realms of silent and profound abstraction and contemplation-in those refined regions which may be termed a sort of paradise; where every conceivable source of enjoyment is cultivated for the fortunate and fastidious occupants, to the very uttermost, and all those innumerable things which fret, worry, and harass the temper, the head, and the heart of the dwellers in the rude regions of ordinary life-most anxiously weeded out; instead of entering into the throng of life, and taking part in its constant cares and conflicts-

usceptibility, to relax, or to waver?-No doubt, this firmness consists partly in overcoming feelings-but it may consist partly, too, in not having them." The case I am contemplating is perhaps the difficult, though by no means, I am persuaded, uncommon one-of a person possessing these delicate sensibilities, these lively feelings; yet with a native strength of character beneath, which, when the occasion for its display has arisen-when it is placed in a scene of constant and compulsory action, will fully evince and vindicate itself. It is the

s, and compelling him to exertion. Listen, ye languid and often gifted victims of indolence and ennui, to

er, too. Pater ipse colendi, haud facilem esse viam voluit. He that wrestles with us, strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill; our antagonist is our helper. This amicabl

, oh, how patient and tolerant becomes he of the weakness and errors of others, when thus constantly reminded of, and made to feel his own! Oh, how pitiful! how very pitiful is he!-How his heart yearns and overflows with love, and mer

ss anguish po

want reti

empts them from the necessity of actively intermingling with the concerns of life, and feeling the consciousness of individual responsibility,-of having a personal necessity for anxious care and exertion. They are assure

y derived from his mother, and partly accounted for by the species of life which he had led. From his early youth he had been addicted to close and severe study, which had given permanence and strength to his naturally contemplative turn. He had not, moreover, with too many possessed of his means and station, entered, just at the dawn and bloom of manhood, upon that course of dissipation which is a sure and speedy means of destroying "the freshness of thought and of feeling," which "never again can be theirs," and inducing a lowered tone of feeling, and a callousness which some seem to consider necessary to enable them to pass through life easily and agreeably. He, on the contrary, had stepped out of the gloom and solitude of the cloister into the pure and peaceful region of domestic life, with all its hallowed and unutterable tendernesses, whe

ng him to descend from the happy solitude of his high mountain, into the dismal hubbub and conflict in the pl

by inaction, and told him to be up and doing; and that, not with the fitfulness of mere impulse, but the constant strength of a well regulated mind, conscious of its critical position; and also of a calm inflexible determination to vanquis

remely

it gives and

es. How can he be impatient, or despairing, who believes not only the existence of God, and His moral government of the world, but that He has mercifully vouchsafed to reveal and declare expressly that the infliction of suffering and sorrow is directly from Himself, and designed solely for the advantage of His creatures? If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? We have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of

irts they were entering! With what feelings of oppression-of vague indefinite apprehension-did they now approach it: their spirits heavy, their hearts bleeding with their recent severance from Yatton! Now, distress, desertion, dismay, seemed associated with the formidable name of "London." They had now no place of their own awaiting, thoroughly prepared for them, their welcome arrival-but must drive to some quiet and inexpensive family hotel for temporary shelter. As their eyes caught familiar point after point in their route through the suburbs-now passed at a moderate pace, with a modes

s Aubrey, passionately, burying her face in her

pse of old familiar scenes, which had momentarily overcome the fortitude of Miss Aubrey. They drove to a quiet family hotel in a retired street running parallel with Piccadilly; they were all wearied, both in mind and body, and after a very s

upon the real business of life; so we must discard se

the wall was covered with ivy. Was not this a delightful place for the children to play about in? The back parlor, a somewhat small one certainly, looked into this garden, and was at once appropriated to be a library for Mr. Aubrey. Within a week's time, all their luggage, furniture, &c., had arrived in town from Yatton; and they had quite sufficient to furnish their little residence out of the wreck of the equipments of the old Hall-adapted as it was, under the tasteful superintendence of Mrs. and Miss Aubrey, with equal regard to elegance, simplicity, and economy. How busy were they all for a fortnight! Many and many an irrepressible sigh, and rebellious tear, would the sight of these old familiar objects, in their new situation, occasion them! Some half dozen family pictures hung upon the wall. Over the mantel-piece was suspended a piece of beautiful embroidery-by poor old Mrs. Aubrey, many years before-of the arms of the family. In the dining-room was the old high-backed chair in which she had sat for twenty years and more. In the drawing-room was Miss Aubrey's favorite ebony inlaid cabinet, and Mrs. Aubrey's piano; and, in sh

owever, the little bustle and occupation of arranging their house was over, and Mrs. Aubrey and Kate were left a good deal to themselves-Mr. Aubrey being either absent from home, or in his library, engaged in matters of the last importance to them all-then they

rs they dropt, bu

s they would sit down to the piano; at other times they would read-on all occasions, however, frequently falling into conversation on the all-engrossing topic of their expulsion from Yatton. Now and then, they could scarcely refrain from a melancholy smile, when they remarked

ieve to write on a small slate-"I am a little sheep?" They both looked at the child with

th him, which he did with no little emotion, put two guineas into his hand as a present, and wished him health and happiness. The poor fellow's deep distress at parting with the family sensibly affected them all, and reminded them vividly of one of the latest and bitterest scenes at Yatton. On his departure, their little establishment consisted but of three female servants, a cook, a housemaid, and a nursery-maid. It took them some little time to familiarize themselves with the attendance of a female servant at dinner! That was one little matter-and another was Charles' now and then complaining of being tired, and inquiring why his mamma did not drive in the carriage as she used to do, and how he should like to go with her!-which brought home to them, in a lively manner, their altered circumstances-their fallen fortunes. Many, many were the anxious calculations they made together, of the probable amount

long ago contemplated, he had now fixed upon. It would have been perpetually calling their attention to the contrast between former days and scenes, and the present; opening their wounds afresh; and moreover, subjecting them to kind and generous importunities a

nd even for distinction? He surveyed all the professions with much deliberation. The army and navy were of course out of the question. There was the Church: but no-his soul recoiled from the degradation and guilt of entering that holy calling from mercenary motives, merely as a means of acquiring a livelihood; and he would rather have perished, than prefer the prayer uttered by the doomed descendants of one whose lamentable case is left on record-who came and crouched for a piece of silver, and a morsel of bread, saying, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priest's offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.[15] A personage of very high distinction in the Church-of eminent piety and learning-who was aware of the misfortunes of Aubrey, and well acquainted with his pure and exemplary character-his learning and acquirements-his fitness for the ministerial office-wrote to him, offering him every facility for taking orders, and assuring him that he need not wait long before he should be placed in a situation of public usefulness. Though he assured Mr. Aubrey that he believed himself consulting the best interests, both of Mr. Aubrey and of the Church-the scruples of Mr. Aubrey were not to be overcome; and he wrote to the kind and venerable prelate, a letter declining his offers, and assigning reasons which filled him with profound respect for Mr. Aubrey. Then literature, for which-for real substantial literature-he possessed superior qualifications, was proverbially precarious. As for teaching-he felt quite unfit for it; he had not the least inclination for it; 'twas a cheerless scene of exertion; in which, as it were, he felt his energies perishing in the using. The Bar was the profession to which his tastes and inclinations, and, he hoped, his qualifications, pointed him. One of the first things he did, on reaching London, was to apply for information to one consummately qualified to guide him in the matter. He wrote to the Attorney-General, soliciting an interview at his chambers upon the subject of entering the profession; and received an immediate answer, appointing ten o'clock on Saturday, on which day the Attorney-General expected to be partially free from public engagements. Precisely at that hour, Mr. Aubrey entered the chambers of that distinguished person, whose arrival he had anticipated. Poor Aubrey felt a little nervous and depressed as the fussy clerk showed him into the room-as he fancied, and only fa

d!-How are you?" said he, with a cheerful air, gras

eas, et tanta negotia solus"-commenced poo

pidity of the movement; but nothing could be kinder than the manner of his companion, however distinct and decisive his intimation that time was very precious. He approved entirely of Mr. Aubrey's coming to the bar, and strongly recommended him not to lose one day in entering upon the serious practica

t a very different matter. What is wanted is a clear head; a good memory; strong common sense; fixity of purpose; an aptitude for analysis and arrangement: before these combined, the difficulties of law fly like the morning mist before the sun.-Tact with the court, and a jury, is acquired by practice, to a considerable extent, in the absence even of natural endowments. And as for you, Aubrey-upon my honor, I've often listened with great satisfaction to you in the House; few ever made clearer statements of facts, or reasoned more closely and cogently than you did; with practice, you would have become-and you soon will become-a formidable debater. In your new profession you will find facts become quite different things from what they have ever hitherto appeared; flexible, elastic, accommodating-you may do anything with them-twist, and turn, and combine; ha! ha! Aubrey!" [Here the Attorney-General laughed in the plenitude of his own conscious power.] "In a word, Aubrey, if you determine to get on at the bar, you will: and if you can but get a bit of a start at the beginning; now, for instance, there's Runningtons' house-one of the very first in London-why if they would push you-your fortune's made. But you must make up your mind to wait a little: you can't get into a great business by a hop, step, and a jump, believe me. Certainly I have no cause to be dissatisfied; I've done pretty well; but I can tell you that eight years passed over me before I earned enough a-year to pay my laundress! With me, accident supplied the place of connection: but only suppose how I must have worked in the mean time to be able to do business when it came to me! I know it's said that I was always an idle man; but people were a good deal mistaken about that matter, I can promise them! What idiots, indeed, to suppose such a thing! Why, my very first start lifted me into a business of a thousand a-year; and, in the name of common sense, how could I have got through it, if I hadn't worked beforehand? Bah!-Now, if Runningtons'-one of the first firms in the profession-will stand by you, I'll guarantee your making ￡300 your first year! and if they won't, why, don't despair, you'll have to wait a little longer; but it will come at last, depend on it, if you c

ment's pause ensued; which was interrupted by the Attorney-General saying in a very earnest and feeling manner, "I hope to H

ey, sighing, "nor hear

o! I think I'd tickle him a little," said the Attorney-General, with a bitter smile. "They say he's a confidential adviser to a sort of Thieves' Association! But there's Gammon: I've had several things to do with him. He is a superior man, that Gammon, a very superior man. A keen dog! I recollect him being principal witne

had no o

ave to deal with in any negotiations on the subject I named. You must mind what you're abou

ly shuddered, as he an

t pay for it through the nose, I warrant him:-By the way, what an inconceivably ridiculous little ass that Titmouse is-I saw him in court at York. If he'd only go on the stage, and act natura

eneral, "and I've got ten minutes more at your service-suppose I go

sed, that Mr. Sergeant Squelch and Mr. Putty would be there in a moment or two's time. As they crossed the court-"How do you do, Mr. Putty?" said the Attorney-General, with lofty civil

onvenient, you will have the goodness to wait for a few minutes"-replied the

events were averred to have taken place;) fifthly, when the defendant should have cut his wise teeth, (which it was averred he had;) and lastly, on "being requested" by the lady-which it was averred she had done, and in the most precise and positive manner, that she had been ready and willing, and then [what will the ladies say?] "tendered and offered herself to marry the said defendant," who had then wholly neglected and refused to do any such thing. One notable peculiarity of the case was, that all these promises had been made, and all these events appeared to have come to pass in one particular place-and that rather an odd one, viz. in "the parish of Saint Mary Le Bow, in the ward of Cheap, in the city of London."[16] If you had been better acquainted with Mr. Weasel's associations and mode of doing business, you would have discovered that, in his imagination, almost all the occurrences of life took place at this same spot! But to return-thus was that astute little pleader engaged when they entered. He was a bachelor, upwards of forty; was of spare make, of low stature, had a thin, sharp, sallow face, and short stiff black hair; there was an appearance about the eyes as if they were half-blinded with being incessantly directed to white paper; he had a furrowed forehead, a small pursed-up mouth-one hardly knew why, but really there was something about his look that instantly suggested to you the image of the creature whose name he bore. He was a ravenous lawyer, darting at the point and pith of every case he was concerned in, and sticking to it-just as would his bloodthirsty namesake at the neck of a rabbit. In law he lived, moved, and had his being. In his dreams he was everlastingly spinning out pleadings which he never could understand, and hunting for cases which he could not discover. In the daytime, however, he was more successful. In fact, everything he saw, heard, or read of-wherever he was, whatever he was doing, suggested to him questions of law, that might arise out of it. At his sister's wedding (whither he had not gone without reluctance) he got into a wrangle with the bridegroom, on a question started by himself, (Weasel,) whether an infant was liable for goods supplied to his wife, before marriage. At his grandmother's funeral he got into an intricate discussion with a puzzled proctor about bona notabilia, with reference to a pair of horn spect

t it?" quoth the Attorney-General, with a l

't feel particula

you may get many thousand pounds' worth out of him in the twelvemonth. Now, I must bid you good-morning-I've really not another moment to spare. God bless you, my dear Aubrey; and," he added with great kindness, and a very pointed manner, "whenever you may think it worth your while to talk over your affairs with me, come without notice or ceremony-wherever I may be, I shall be delighted to see you!" Then they parted

s' distance, Mrs. Aubrey and Miss Aubrey slowly walking homeward, on their return from the Park. Mrs. Aubrey held Charles by the hand, who was dancing and frisking wildly about, and Miss Aubrey's beautiful little Cato she was leading along b

ved to read law-from ten o'clock till four or five, was to be spent at Mr. Weasel's chambers-and the evenings were to be devoted to the society of his children, his wife, and sister, and also to certain occasional literary efforts, from which he hoped to derive some little increase to his means. This was severe work; but it was probably the most fortunate and salutary thing in the world for Aubrey, that his energies should be thus occupied, and his mind kept from the corroding effects of constant reflection upon his misfortunes, and dismal apprehensions concerning the future. After he had spent a few days in Mr. Weasel's chambers, a good deal of his prejudice against that gentleman began to wear off. Mr. Aubrey found him all that the Attorney-General had described him as being-a very acute and able lawyer, with a constant current of important, varied, and instructive business running through his chambers, and every disposition to render his utmost assistance to Mr. Aubrey, whom he quickly found out to be a man of very superior intellect, and most seriously bent upon acquiring a knowledge of the profession. Mr. Weasel was not blessed with the power of formally communicating elementary knowledge; Mr. Aubrey had, as it were, to extort from him what he wanted, with something like a painful effort. The real advantages of his position, were, the innumerable practical hints and suggestions as to the mode of dealing with miscellaneous business, which he derived from a watchful attention to whatever passed in chambers-to the mode, in which Weasel hunted up and applied his law, and reduced the facts involved in litigation into legal shape and language, in the process of pleading. The penetrating eye of Mr. Aubrey, thus closely fixed on everything that came under his notice, quickly began to discover and appreciate the good sense, the practical utility of most of the positive rules

s, and darkness

lence of the early morning, while he was thus straining his faculties to their utmost, on behalf of the sweet innocent beings-his wife-his children-his sister-sleeping above, he would sometimes lean back in his chair, with a very deep sigh, and sink into a revery-oh, how sad and painful!-deepening occasionally into agony; but he would suddenly arouse himself, and resume his studies with a powerful effort at abstraction-with additional intensity of application.-How, indeed, could he be otherwise than momentarily paralyzed, when he surveyed his truly alarming, his tremendous pecuniary liabilities? Bills of costs-Heaven only knew to what amount-due to Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap; to his own attorneys, Messrs. Runnington; and to Mr. Parkinson: and then-sicke

of the heart, when he thought of what might have transpired in his absence. In fact, they all of them felt like those whom the ominous silence and repose of surrounding nature-a portentous calm and gloom overhead-fill with trembling apprehension of the coming storm. Their fears are quickened by the occasional falling of large spreading drops of rain t

hich he had commenced over-night, designed for a recently-established Review-having, some fortnight before, sent off his first effort, about which, however, he had as yet heard

ith a good-natured laugh; and then, turnin

y like it very

er it," said A

ng her beautiful laughing face so near his own, with a kind of air of d

ut they all slightly changed color. He had called so early, he said, to insure seeing Mr. Aubrey before he went to

, however," said he, as Mr. Ru

lainly forced cheerfulness-reflected on the sufferings which they had passed through, and those which were but too evidently in store for them-and for the first bitter instalment of which he had come to prepare Mr. Aubrey-could he b

please," said Mr. Aubrey,

ith a concerned air. "You are not accustomed to such matters-God forbid you sho

ded to Mr. Aubrey, and on which the latter read-"￡3,946, 14s. 6d." He gazed at it for some moments in silence, and became very pale. Mr. Runnington could hardly b

t," said the latter at leng

," replied Mr. Runnington, s

yours-and Mr.

icient for the day i

le amount of your bill?" inquired Mr. Aubrey, wi

come, Mr. Aubrey. We have not the slightest intention of troubling ourselves, or you, wit

ething like a notion," pr

ll is sent in, it will be less by some six hundred and fifty pounds, by th

countenance was of pride struggling with astonishment, and gratitude, and admiration. He profoundly appreciated the con

me a solemn pledge, to endeavor so to manage the matter as that you should never know it. Wha

e I experienced feelings like those by which I am now agitated!" He rose, and stood oppos

that leave me

ou will really force me to speak of such an unpleasant topic-th

held no longer the melancholy mildness to which he had been accustomed, but a sternness and power were apparent in his features, which Mr. Runnington had not imagined them capable of exhibiting. They told of a strong soul thoroughly roused, and excited, and in agony. At that moment a knocking was heard at the door, as of very little fingers. "Come in!" exclaimed Mr. Aubrey, with unusual quickness and sternness. He was ob

while with the other he gently placed the child upon his lap, and

u know, dear papa!" said h

I am not forgotten: I feel as though an angel, momentarily brightening the night of sorrow, had come and whispered in my ear-'COURAGE!'" His features began to resume their natural serenity of expression. "Take it in to your mamma," said he, kissing little Charles, and despatching him with the letter. Shortly afterwards, as soon as he had recovered the command of his manner sufficiently to avoid occasioning uneasiness to Mrs. and Miss Aubrey, he proposed to Mr. Runnington that they should walk towards the Temple; and bidding adieu to those whom he left behind him, without giving them an opportunity to ask him as to the nature of Mr. Runnington's errand, but leaving them in high spirits at the letter which he had sent in to them, he quitted the house arm-in-arm with Mr. Runnington. I am persuaded that if that gentleman had had no one to consult, he would, serious as was the amount of his claim, have relieved Mr. Aubrey altogether from liability to him; but he had four partners; their own pecuniary outlay had been considerable;

relieve me from liability to Mr. Titmouse, for as much of wha

ion. At what may appear to us the exact moment for doing so with effect, depend upon our most cautious interference. We know, Mr. Aubrey, the kind of people we have to deal with. Mr. Titmouse

invited me, moreover, to converse with him wheneve

exercised-in short, his qualifications are consummate; and I should not h

ave saved in order to furnish our present residence. Besides this, the outside of all that I am possessed of-and I have no expectations, nor has my wife nor my poor sister, from any quarter-is a sum of about ￡3,000 in the funds, and ￡423 at my banker's

mouse. Serious as are, at present, your other liabilities-to that one, of the mesne profits, they are but as a bucket of water to the Thames. As we are talking, Mr. Aubrey, in this candid and unrestrained manner, I will tell you my chief source of apprehension

ppression-let them do their worst: I am resigned. Providence will discover a shelter for my poor wife and children, and my dear, devoted, high-spirited sister; and

pressed strong hopes that it would not come to such an issue. He consoled Mr. Aubrey with assurances that, as for their own demand, it might stand over for years; and that so, he was sure, would it be with the far lesser demand of Mr. Parkinson; and that if, by a great effort, sufficient could be raised to discharge promptly the bill of Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap, some

wingly deprive him of it-he must be bereft of all the ordinary feelings of humanity, to place me, whom he has already stripped of all, upon the rack-the rack of extortion! Oh! put me in his place, and him in mine-do you think I would not have been satisfied with what I had gained? Would I have alarmed and tortured him by calling for an account of what he had spent with a firm, a reasonable persuasion that it was his

ubrey in respectful and sympathizing silence; and shaking him warmly by the hand, with much cord