We pass over these years of Sir Charles's life, in which nothing particularly worth notice occurred; at the end of this period he entered himself at the University, not with a view to qualify himself for any profession, but to finish that education begun under Mr. D---. He took leave of that gentleman with emotions of the highest esteem and affection; the tutor, delighted with his youthful charge, parted from him with regret, but fondly indulged the hope of seeing him return an honour to his education, and qualified to shine in that elevated station in which he was called to move. The emotions of Roger Trusty were not less then those of Mr. D---, nor his desires more ardent for the future honour of his beloved and respected superior; but his fears for the principles and morals of the youth were much more acute. And when Sir Charles condescended to shake him by the hand, the day bebefore his departure, he retained it for a few moments, and with the tear of anxiety glistening in his eye, thus addressed him, "Sir, that place of learning you are going to---Oh! I have heard it is a sad place for young gentlemen; temptations of every sort; no fear of God before the eyes of most of them. Alas! if with all your learning, your riches, and your highbirth, you should not be a Christian, what advantage will they be to you? O! that you were

come back again safe and good from this dangerous place."

Sir Charles smiled, shook his honest friend still more heartily by the hand, and assured him, that return when he would, he might depend upon his returning with a heart well disposed towards him, and his family.

CHAP. III.

The Character of Mr. D---. An Account of Sir Charles's Studies at the University.-His Return, and the Advice of Friends respecting his future Employments in Life.

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S Mr. D-- will make a principal figure in this history, it may be proper to give a few more particulars respecting his character and sentiments. We have already said he was a scholar and a gentleman. This last term is not easily defined. Some wise and judicious persons have pronounced the epithet to be due only to the Christian. This, strictly speaking, may be true, though certainly it is a point of controversy on which much may be said on both sides. It is certain that the term, gentleman, is most commonly used with much greater latitude, and in this sense we apply it to Mr. D---. The politeness of his manners, the ease of his deportment, and the generosity and liberality of sentiment he always expressed in conversation, made him the idol of every society he frequented, whilst his general learning insured him admira

tion and respect. He was likewise esteemed the man of honour and virtue; but these terms also must be understood in a limited sense, as applied to the character in question, since, strictly speaking, the man of honour could not act the part of an unfaithful husband, nor the man of virtue be the betrayer of virgin innocence. Mr. D--- had been guilty of both these actions, yet continued to hold that high place in the opinion of his acquaintance, which is unquestionably due only to the man incapable of them. But surely it may be said, however Mr. D-'s male friends might overlook these defects in his character, his female ones would be less indulgent. It is utterly incompatible with female delicacy and propriety to countenance with the smile of complacency such an one, to show evident marks of satisfaction in his company, and thus give a tacit acknowledgment that they disapprove not of his actions. Thus indeed would those argue, who are judges of what is proper and right in the female character. But "the frequency of crimes have washed them white;" or rather the abuse of terms has lessened the sense of their enormity. It is a truth much to be lamented, that the seducer is termed only the man of gallantry, and instead of being avoided as a pest in society, if he chance to possess agreeable qua

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lities, and above all, if he be of high rank, he is even caressed by that sex whose indispensable duty it is to discountenance him.

Although Mr. D---'s wife had, in the opinion of all his relations, fallen a victim to his unfaithful and unkind behaviour, he could talk much of the dignity of virtue, and the extent of moral obligation, and had been successful in persuading many who were unacquainted with the particulars of the affair, that his conduct had not been inconsistent with his sentiments. He could not, however, be always successful in his attempts to impose upon himself. The still small voice of conscience would sometimes in the hour of solitude or dejection, bring past occurrences to his recollection, and all his philosophy was insufficient to silence the unwelcome monitor. We have already said, that he embraced no particular system of religious opinions, indeed he was inclined to hold in contempt those who had, for he thought it incompatible with sound reason to believe any creed which its powers were incapable of explaining: thus harbouring the unreasonable opinion, that finite understandings were justified in rejecting a revelation infinite wisdom saw proper to communicate, though not to explain in all particulars. This was the ostensible reason given by Mr. D--- for his disbelief of doctrines he had never candidly exa