UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 153 



a child ! " No, sir," said I, " Mr. P. is my choice, 

 and I will not risk my happiness by submitting 

 to any delay. " 



My father persisted, though there was a pain- 

 ful struggle in his affectionate mind ; and my 

 mother tried the effect of persuasion with me, 

 but my passionate temper would brook no re- 

 straint. At length one of my brothers became 

 alarmed and thought it right to intercede ; he 

 mildly opened their eyes to the conviction that 

 my determined character was their own work, 

 and that it was now too late to retrace their 

 steps. He pointed out to them the dislike I had 

 excited in the neighbourhood by my contemp- 

 tuous and satirical conduct to everybody; and 

 the ill effect that the reaction of that feeling 

 might have in still further hardening my disposi- 

 tion ; and he endeavoured to convince them that 

 a husband's influence was the only chance left of 

 withdrawing me from the follies they lamented. 

 He then urged the family, the education, and the 

 manners of Mr. P., who had every thing but 

 wealth to recommend him ; and earnestly im- 

 plored my father to relent. 



He succeeded. Mr. P. was accepted, and 

 settlements were now to be discussed ; but 

 scorning all inquiry into the income of one 

 whom I loved only for his merit, I indignantly 

 exclaimed : 



Can gold calm passion, or make reason shine ? 

 Can we dig peace or wisdom from the mine ? 



