country to
soften domestic tyranny; but he brought me books, for which I had a
passion, and they conspired with his conversation, to make me form an
ideal picture of life. I shall pass over the tyranny of my father, much
as I suffered from it; but it is necessary to notice, that it undermined
my mother's health; and that her temper, continually irritated by
domestic bickering, became intolerably peevish.

"My eldest brother was articled to a neighbouring attorney, the
shrewdest, and, I may add, the most unprincipled man in that part of the
country. As my brother generally came home every Saturday, to astonish
my mother by exhibiting his attainments, he gradually assumed a right of
directing the whole family, not excepting my father. He seemed to take a
peculiar pleasure in tormenting and humbling me; and if I ever ventured
to complain of this treatment to either my father or mother, I was
rudely rebuffed for presuming to judge of the conduct of my eldest
brother.

"About this period a merchant's family came to settle in our
neighbourhood. A mansion-house in the village, lately purchased, had
been preparing the whole spring, and the sight of the costly furniture,
sent from London, had excited my mother's envy, and roused my father's
pride. My sensations were very different, and all of a pleasurable kind.
I longed to see new characters, to break the tedious monotony of my
life; and to find a friend, such as fancy had pourtrayed. I cannot then
describe the emotion I felt, the Sunday they made their appearance at
church. My eyes were rivetted on the pillar round which I expected
first to catch a glimpse of them, and darted forth to meet a servant who
hastily preceded a group of ladies, whose white robes and waving plumes,
seemed to stream along the gloomy aisle, diffusing the light, by which I
contemplated their figures.

"We visited them in form; and I quickly selected the eldest daughter
for my friend. The second son, George, paid me particular attention, and
finding his attainments and manners superior to those of the young men
of the village, I began to imagine him superior to the rest of mankind.
Had my home been more comfortable, or my previous acquaintance more
numerous, I should not probably have been so eager to open my heart to
new affections.

"Mr. Venables, the merchant, had acquired a large fortune by unremitting
attention to business; but his health declining rapidly, he was obliged
to retire, before his