high,' though they may miss the mark, they will be sure to hit the
upper circles. Oh, Squire, there is nothing like 'aiming high,' in this
world."

"I quite agree with you, Sam," said Mr. Hopewell. "I never heard you
speak so sensibly before. Nothing can be better for young men than
"Aiming high." Though they may not attain to the highest honours,
they may, as you say, reach to a most respectable station. But surely,
Squire, you will never so far forget the respect that is due to so high
an officer as a Secretary of State, or, indeed, so far forget yourself
as to adopt a course, which from its eccentricity, violence, and
impropriety, must leave the impression that your intellects are
disordered. Surely you will never be tempted to make the experiment?"

"I should think not, indeed," I said. "I have no desire to become an
inmate of a lunatic asylum."

"Good," said he; "I am satisfied. I quite agree with Sam, though.
Indeed, I go further. I do not think he has advised you to recommend
your boys to 'aim high enough.'"

"Creation! said Mr. Slick, "how much higher do you want provincial frogs
to go, than to be 'Chancellor' and 'Primate?'

"I'll tell you, Sam; I'd advise them to 'aim higher' than earthly
honours. I would advise them to do their duty, in any station of life in
which it shall please Providence to place them; and instead of striving
after unattainable objects here, to be unceasing in their endeavours to
obtain that which, on certain conditions, is promised to all hereafter.
In their worldly pursuits, as men, it is right for them to '_aim high_;'
but as Christians, it is also their duty to '_aim higher_.'"

CHAPTER XI. A SWOI-REE.

Mr. Slick visited me late last night, dressed as if he had been at a
party, but very cross, and, as usual when in that frame of mind, he
vented his ill-humour on the English.

"Where have you been to-night, Mr. Slick?"

"Jist where the English hosses will be," he replied, "when Old Clay
comes here to this country;--no where. I have been on a stair-case,
that's where I have been; and a pretty place to see company in, ain't
it? I have been jammed to death in an entry, and what's wus than all, I
have given one gall a black eye with my elbow, tore another one's frock
off with my buttons, and near about cut a third one's leg in two with my
hat. Pretty well for one night's work, ain't it? and for me too, that's
so fond of the dear little critturs, I wouldn't hurt a hair of th