HARLEY RADINGTON. CHAPTER I. 'Tis education forms the tender mind; POPE. If good we plant not, vice will fill the place, Ibid. I WRITE this history of myself, to please myself; and, provided that no one is hurt or offended, and, above all, provided that the true interests of religion and morality are in no way injured, I do not care a button whether others are pleased or not. If my reader will go with me hand-in-hand to the end of my journey, well and good; if not, why he can let it alone. VOL. I. B The The first incident in my early boyhood which left a deep impression upon my mind, was as follows: My parents lived in what is called the world-and they could afford to live in the world. Preparations were, once upon a time, making for a grand gala-I was, I believe, about five or six years of age. On the morning of that delightful day which was to bring all the fools of fashion to stare at and envy the splendour purchased by my good father's industry, and to laugh at my mamma's folly, I was at the breakfast-table with my mother, who never suffered me to quit her side, when a stranger was announced. Before my mother had time to speak, a rough-looking man, in the dress of a sailor, followed the servant into the room; the cup which she was lifting emptied its contents into her lap, and a look of terror and consternation distorted her countenance." Andrew!" she exclaimed, in an agitated voice; but immediately recovering herself, she arose with a haughty a haughty air, and angrily inquired of the servant how he came to introduce a person of this description? The man, who had been hastily advancing, looked abashed and confounded for a few minutes; but gazing with some earnestness in her face, he said-" I am under no mistake in one respect; but, on the other side, I find, to my sorrow, I am in a great one. Oh, Betty! Betty! I came not here to ask for any part of the riches that are, through the good mercies of God, yours-His name be blessed! Much has it cost me to find you out; and quicky did my feet carry me to this grand dwelling of yours, when once I got an inkling of ye. But never mind, never mind; I came not here to curry favour, or to beg favours for me or mine. Farewell, farewell!" I was indulged by my mother to the last degree, and, as is generally the case, already began to repay her, by contradicting and plaguing her whenever I had an opportunity. B 2 opportunity. I saw that she disliked this man, and wanted him away; and therefore I seized him by the jacket, and set up a roar that echoed through the room. Tears started into the eyes of the roughlooking man." God bless thee, bairn! (1) thou hast more naturality in thee than thy mother, God forgive her! though the same womb bore us, and the same breast cherished us; ay, God forgive her! God forgive Here he was interrupted, for as he stooped to kiss me, my mother flew between us, shrieking and exclaiming-" Good Heavens! my boy will be poisoned." "Poisoned! quotho; now deel (2) take that for a tale!" The man's rough face looked rougher and blacker-he seemed to lose all command of himself, and spoke in a broader tone; but although the scene left a deep impression upon my mind, I cannot repeat all he said he spoke long and loudly. My mother looked alarmed; she closed the |