I
always foresaw, with great stuff in him, very remarkable abilities. See
what he has done,--struck out a perfect line of his own in life; just
the sort of thing genius alone can do. He went off from this one'
morning by way of a day's excursion, never returned,--never wrote. All
my efforts to trace him were in vain. I advertised, and offered rewards,
did everything, without success; and now, after all this long interval,
comes a letter by this morning's post to tell me that he is well, happy,
and prosperous. He is settled, it appears, in a German capital with a
hard name, a charming spot, with every accessory of enjoyment in it:
men of the highest culture, and women of most graceful and attractive
manner; as he himself writes, 'the elegance of a Parisian _salon_ added
to the wisdom of the professor's cabinet.' Here is Algy living with all
that is highest in rank and most distinguished in station; the favored
guest of the Prince, the bosom friend of the English minister; his
advice sought for, his counsel asked in every difficulty; trusted in the
most important state offices, and taken into the most secret counsels
of the duchy. Though the requirements of his station make heavy demands
upon his means, very little help from me will enable him to maintain
a position which a few years more will have consolidated into a rank
recognized throughout Europe." Would the flintiest of fathers, would the
most primitive rock-hearted of parents, resist an appeal like this? It
is no hand to rescue from the waves is sought, but a little finger to
help to affluence. "Of course you 'll do it, Potts, and do it liberally;
the boy is a credit to you. He will place your name where you never
dreamed to see it. What do you mean to settle on him? Above all things,
no stinginess; don't disgust him."

I hear these and such-like on every hand; even the most close-fisted and
miserly of our acquaintances will be generous of their friend's money;
and I think I hear the sage remarks with which they season advice with
touching allusions to that well-known ship that was lost for want of a
small outlay in tar. "Come down handsomely, Potts," says a resolute man,
who has sworn never to pay a sixpence of his son's debts. "What better
use can we make of our hoardings than to render our young people happy?"
I don't like the man who says this, but I like his sentiments; and I
am much pleased when he goes on to remark that "there is no such good
investment as w