rity that the borrowers should replace, at a stated time, in the funds, as much stock, at whatever price it might be purchased, as was now disposed of to supply their need, and for the use of which a premium was given so infamously usurious that it was never named. By this transaction the credit of the banking-house was saved; and, while many of lesser note were shattered to irremediable ruin by the pressure of the times, the house of Darlington and Co. stood firm, or rose, if possible, more proudly eminent than it was before the general shock.

Mr Darlington was a man of worth and honour. He was descended from the younger branch of a noble family, and was in every respect worthy of his nobility. He had a son a partner in the bank, whose sanguine temper had been the cause of their embarrassment, and he had a young and lovely daughter. Time, in his ceaseless flight, soon stole away the months between the day of borrowing and the day of payment. The younger Darlington, whose indiscretion had so nearly proved fatal to the house, with a zeal honourable to his memory, determined to repair as much as possible the injury he had occasioned, by visiting, in person, the plantations he had purchased in the West Indies, and inspecting, with his own eyes, the accounts of his agents, which his hopes prompted him to believe exaggerated, if not false. These shadowy hopes, however, vanished before the fatal truth. He found his affairs even worse than they had been represented; still greater losses threatened him-his ardent spirit could not submit to the blow of stern adversity-remorse was followed by despair-he sickened and died the plantation. This calamity in a moment dissolved for ever all the fond hopes of the unfortunate father. The bonds to Mr Dickens thus were forfeited; the mortgaged lands, the mansion of his forefathers, and, in fact, the key to all the property which Darlington possessed, was thus in the custody of Dickens, for on his mercy the credit of the bank now poised. The Bristol banker was soon apprised of the state of Darlington's affairs. He felt no surprise in fact, excepting the death of young Darlington, he had looked to just such a termination of the transaction. Without loss of time he repaired to London, taking with him his son Sawyer Dickens. Knowing by experience the importance of a good education, Dickens had determined to bestow upon this his only child as much learning as he had capacity to receive. For this purpose he had provided him, at home,

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with the best tutors in all the branches of education, fearing that at a school he might imbibe habits of expense, and idle notions of generosity, a danger from which he well knew he was secure at home.

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Thus, at the age of eighteen, Sawyer Dickens was as well stored with acquirements as most boys of the same age cated even at the best public schools. His disposition was marked by nothing remarkably vicious, nor did it display itself in any acts of generosity or kindness. If any trait of his mind was at that early period more conspicuous than another, it was that sort of feeling which has frequently been denominated purse-pride, and which, perhaps, cannot be more significantly expressed. From his father and his mother he received lessons upon the importance of wealth; and indeed, from all that he saw and heard around him under their roof, he could not fail to imbibe a conviction of the omnipotence of riches. Such was the youth whom Mr Dickens conveyed with him to town. Their chaise stopped at Mr Darlington's house, in Cavendish Square, just as the unfortunate man was endeavouring to console his daughter for the death of her brother, and the probable consequences of his debt to Mr Dickens. He heard the carriage draw up, and saw from the window his unwelcome visitors. 'Good God!' exclaimed the agonized father, drawing his trembling girl to his bosom, he is here: the wolf is already here, my child; he is come to devour your father! Ere he had recovered from the shock, the servant announced Mr Dickens. Politeness and delicacy were caviare to the Bristol banker : he followed the servant, and in a moment he and his son were in the room. Amelia clung round her father, and looked with terror on the intruders. Darlington held his hand to his forehead, and was dumb. Dickens, without ceremony, walked up to him, and taking the other hand, shook it in a friendly manner; while Sawyer, riveted to the spot where he entered, was struck with awe at the sight of distress and beauty. Repulsing this freedom, Mr Darlington, with an effort concealing his tenderer feelings, said, with dignity, You are here, Mr Dickens, rather unexpectedly.' Mr Darlington, I am not a man of words,' replied Dickens ; I know your situation, and I am come here on purpose to save the credit of your house.' 6 Sir,' said Mr Darlington, with an emphasis full of meaning, and an expressive glance of the eye. You doubt,' said Dickens. Yes, Sir,' said Darlington, both your will and your power. Could the

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credit of a banker be sustained in London while his family domains are in the hands of his creditors?' Certainly not," replied the other; but these are not subjects for children ;' looking on Amelia. My daughter's distress, Sir, is for a loss that can never be retrieved: my poor boy's zeal has cost him dear.' He was compelled to cover his face with his handkerchief for a moment, then continued:- Mr Dickens, you are a father, and I have my feelings as well as others, as my actions shall prove; but, in this world, Sir, we all know feelings must submit to circumstances.' 'Sir,' said Mr Darlington, with mingled sorrow and contempt. 'I would be plainer with you,' replied Dickens; but —— and again he cast his eyes on Amelia.

Retire, my love, a few minutes,' said Mr Darlington, handing his daughter to the door. Go into another room, Sawyer,' said Mr Dickens to his son; and the two fathers were alone. 'Mr Darlington,' said Dickens, smoothing his chin with his right hand, while he placed the other in his breeches pocket- Mr Darlington, as I said before, I am not a man of words: I know precisely your situation, Mr Darlington, and every twist and turn of your affairs, Mr Darlington. I grieve for the loss of your son, who was certainly a very promising young man, but for this unlucky business. But to the point, Mr Darlington, you have still a daughter left, Mr Darlington, and a very fine young creature to be sure she is. Now, Mr Darlington, two hundred thousand pounds is not to be picked up in the streets; and if it not be forthcoming, why, you know, I may foreclose in a few days, and the thing would soon get wind; and then, I leave you to judge, Mr Darlington, what would be the consequence: bad news flies apace, and a run on the bank would be the upshot, as you must be aware, Mr Darlington. Now I have been calculating and reckoning these points, and what's the end on't? Why, this, to be sure that if it was not necessary to raise this sum of two hundred thousand pounds directly, why, in time, things might come round: next year's crop in the West Indies might not be so bad as the last, and the year after that may be better still: so that, if appearances could keep as they are,-why people need be no wiser than they are, you know, Mr Darlington; and they will bring their money to your counter the same as if it was as safe as ever, Mr Darlington.' The various emotions which this harangue created in the breast of Mr Darlington are indescribable. Frequently was he upon the point

of stopping it short; but desirous of hearing the conclusion, he suffered him to proceed thus far, when the insinuation contained in the last sentence, put him off his guard, and he exclaimed-'Oh, Harry! Oh, my son! now, now I feel the wounds you have inflicted: I am compelled to listen to an insinuation against my honour and my honesty. Your

wealth, Sir, and my misfortunes, have given you the power of ruining me, but not of insulting me with impunity. Insult you, Mr Darlington! Why, your misfortunes have turned your brain. Insulted you!—I came a hundred and twenty miles to hush up matters, and put things straight-and this is called insulting! This may be fine logic, for aught I know, Mr Darlington; but I'm sure it's not according to my notions of business.' • What is it but insult, Sir, to suppose that the house of Darlington would receive the money of its customers, when I know that its bankruptcy may take place at any hour you please? No, Sir-no: if such is your intended clemency, I refuse it. Foreclose, instantly, Sir: take possession of Darlington-Hall as soon as you please: advertise it for sale by auction, if you will. It may occasion me to shut up my doors in Lombard-street; but it shall not make me a villain !'

Mr Dickens stared with astonishment at the warmth of Mr Darlington; for, in truth, he never meant to convey that meaning by his speech, which the quick sense of honour in Darlington attached to it. 'One word, one word, Mr Darlington, and I have done,' said Dickens. You have run your head against a post, as the saying is; that's no fault of mine; I had no meaning to offend you. To come to the point, for I have always found plain dealing the best road, my meaning was this-You are under bond to pay me two hundred thousand pounds next month, or the estates in Cumberland are mine. Now, I know you can't pay me without shutting your doors in Lombard-street, as you say; and if it comes to be known that I have foreclosed the mortgage, because you can't redeem it, why, it comes to the same thing; for your credit is gone, and then where's your bank? Now, Mr Darlington, don't be offended again, Mr Darlington; though I am what I am, through hard working and closesaving, and though your family, as I have heard, be come of lords and earls,-yet, Mr Darlington, my two hundred thousands are as good as a Duke's; and all I say is, Why there it is, and more to that if it is wanted; there's the use of the Bristol bank besides. And for what? you will say.

Why for a fair share of the profits; a fair honest share, Mr Darlington; Edward Dickens is not the man to want more than his own.' Mr Darlington was staggered. 'If, Sir,' said he, I have misconstrued your meaning, I beg your pardon. Now, if I understand you rightly, you are willing to let the money advanced remain in the bank, upon being admitted to a proportional share of the profits; that is, you propose yourself as a partner.' 'Not quite so: I am in years, Mr Darlington; my son is coming on apace-eighteen years old last March the fourth. He is a sharp lad, has the best of learning, the very best, Mr Darlington, that money could buy. You have a daughter Sir, forgive the interruption,' said Mr Darlington, 'you do not mean, perhaps, to wound me; but a proposal so abrupt, to place the son of another in the situation which the death of my own has so recently made vacant, is not of a nature to be attended to immediately. I thank you, however, for the confidence your proposal evinces. Nay, I will not absolutely refuse it; but I see so many obstacles to it, that in requesting a little time for consideration, I would by no means have you withhold such proceedings as your judgment directs, from any notion of my consent which such a request might imply. You shall hear from me, Sir, as soon as possible; but for the present you must excuse me.' These sentences were uttered, with the interruption of sobs; and then ringing the bell for a servant, he left the room without waiting an instant for Mr Dickens's reply. The anguish of the worthy man was extreme, and the appearance of his daughter, who sought to alleviate his sorrow, increased his distress.

In the meantime Dickens and his son quitted the house; the former with no slight degree of astonishment at the conduct of Mr Darlington. The thing, however, must take that course,' said he to his son; I am sure it must, Sawyer. -There's no loop hole. Pride's in the way: he thinks we are not grand enough in family connections:-But we are in possession of that that will buy titles, boy.-He is a goodmeaning man that Darlington, but a little weak in the noddle crying and pouting about what can't be helped; all idle nonsense. Well, let him alone a bit ;-must come to, Sawyer. We have him in a bag; of two evils he'll choose the least, I warrant. Won't relish bankruptcy. See if any of his grand cousins will raise two hundred thousand-not amongst them all together. Let him try the city-many a one willing to catch at such an opening; but where's their