UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 107 



it; but I found a sort of pleasure that seemed 

 extraordinary at the time ; and in the course of 

 a few months I had, with the natural energy of 

 my character, quite devoted myself to my new 

 occupations. My mother was gratified to see me 

 interested in the place that was to become mine ; 

 and full powers were given me to thin the ancient 

 woods, to make whatever changes I pleased, and 

 to lay out money to a considerable amount in 

 improving the estate, which had been much neg- 

 lected. By degrees, the increase of knowledge, 

 and the encouragement of a little success, made 

 these employments become less irksome; and I 

 began to feel a real interest for the tenants and 

 labourers. I found that I could easily promote 

 their comfort ; I felt that I was of consequence, 

 and I began to enjoy all the pleasures of assisting 

 the industrious. 



" I had been attached to a young lady whom I 

 had known in London only. I knew that, though 

 fashionable, she was well principled, clever, and 

 literary, and I imagined that I was equally well 

 acquainted with all her tastes. We married : I 

 expected her to be perfect ; and when I brought 

 her early in the summer to Strath-morton, I an- 

 ticipated the delight of having a companion to 

 sympathize with, and to assist me in the plans to 

 which I had devoted myself. Judge then of my 

 disappointment at finding, that she had no taste 



