the subject of the conversation. Verty was
gazing through the window and dreaming. A smile passed over the grim
features, and a sort of sigh issued from the compressed lips of the
lawyer.

"Three suits, Roundjacket," said Mr. Rushton; "one common, another
rich, another as elegant as O'Brallaghan can make. I really believe
this boy is going to amuse me."

"A most remarkable youth," observed the clerk, "and draws sketches
with astonishing ease."

"Ah?"

"Don't you, young man?"

Verty turned round, and interrogated Mr. Roundjacket with a look. He
had evidently not heard the question.

"There, you are dreaming again, sir," said Mr. Rushton; "this will
never do--come, write away. The idleness of this world is revolting!"
he growled, returning to his sanctum, and closing the door with a
bang.

Roundjacket pointed after him with his ruler.

"An odd fish, young man," he said, shaking his head; "take care not to
make him your model. If you want a proper model to imitate, you need
not go far. Modesty, which is my weakness, prevents my saying more."

And Mr. Roundjacket cleared his throat, and looked dignified.

"It was my purpose, before this interruption," he said, after a pause
of some moments, "to read to you some portions of a work which will,
probably, be spoken of extensively by the world."

And Mr. Roundjacket paused. Verty also was silent.

"All countries," said the poetical gentleman, with a preparatory
flourish of his ruler, "have possessed localities famous in the
history of literature:--as Athens, in Greece; the Island of Scio,
where Homer first saw the light; and Stratford, where Shakspeare
appeared. Now, sir, reasoning from analogy, which is the finest
possible way of reasoning, we must conclude that Virginia has such a
locality, and I leave you to decide the probable situation of it. It
cannot be Williamsburg, the seat of government, for that place is
given up to the vanity of life--to balls and horseraces, meetings of
the House of Burgesses, and other varieties. Williamsburg, sir, cannot
become famous--it is too near the sea. Then there is the thriving
village of Richmond, to which they speak of moving the seat of
government. I suppose, sir, that no one asserts that Richmond is ever
likely to produce any remarkable men. Mark me, sir, that place
will never be famous--it is too far from the sea. Now, what is
the irresistible conclusion we arrive at from a view of these
incontestable facts," observed