I.--A Yorkshire Schoolmaster_

Mr. Nickleby, a country gentleman of small estate, having endeavoured to
increase his scanty fortune by speculation, found himself ruined; he
took to his bed (apparently resolved to keep that, at all events), and,
after embracing his wife and children, very soon departed this life. So
Mrs. Nickleby went to London to wait upon her brother-in-law, Mr. Ralph
Nickleby, and with her two children, Nicholas, then nineteen, and Kate,
a year or two younger, took lodgings in the Strand.

It was to these apartments that Ralph Nickleby, a hard, unscrupulous,
cunning money-lender, came on receipt of the widow's note.

"Are you willing to work, sir?" said Ralph, frowning at his nephew.

"Of course I am," replied Nicholas haughtily.

"Then see here," said his uncle. "This caught my eyes this morning, and
you may thank your stars for it."

With that Mr. Ralph Nickleby took a newspaper from his pocket and read
the following advertisement.

"_Education_.--At Mr. Wackford Squeers' Academy, Dotheboys Hall, at the
delightful village of Dotheboys, in Yorkshire, youths are boarded,
clothed, booked, furnished with pocket-money, instructed in all
languages living or dead, mathematics, orthography, geometry,
trigonometry, the use of the globes, algebra, single-stick (if
required), writing, arithmetic, fortification, and every other branch of
classic literature. Terms, twenty guineas per annum. No extras, no
vacations, and diet unparalleled. Mr. Squeers is in town, and attends
daily from one till four, at the Saracen's Head, Snow Hill. N.B.--An able
assistant wanted. Annual salary, L5, A Master of Arts would be
preferred."

"There!" said Ralph, folding the paper again. "Let him get that
situation and his fortune's made. If he don't like that, let him get one
for himself."

"I am ready to do anything you wish me," said Nicholas, starting gaily
up. "Let us try our fortune with Mr. Squeers at once; he can but
refuse."

"He won't do that," said Ralph. "He will be glad to have you on my
recommendation. Make yourself of use to him, and you'll rise to be a
partner in the establishment in no time."

Nicholas, having taken down the address of Mr. Wackford Squeers, the
uncle and nephew at once went forth in quest of that accomplished
gentleman.

"Perhaps you recollect me?" said Ralph, looking narrowly at the
schoolmaster, as the Saracen's Head.

"You paid me a small account at each of my half-yearly visits