332 UENEY KIRKE WUITE's REMAINS. 



burthen to those whom his father had taught him to 

 consider only as allied by blood, and not by affection, 

 he looked about him for a situation, which could ensure 

 to him, by his own exertions, an honourable competence. 

 It was not long before such a situation olFered, and 

 Charles precipitately articled himself to an attorney, 

 without giving himself time to consult his own inclina- 

 tions, or the disposition of his master. The transition 

 from Sophocles and Euripides, Theocritus and Ovid, to 

 Finche and Wood, Coke and Wynne, was striking and 

 ilifficult ; but Cliarles applied himself with his wonted 

 urdour to his new study, as considering it not only his 

 interest but his duty so to do. It was not long, how- 

 ever, before he discovered that he disliked the law, that 

 he disliked his situation, and that he despised his master. 

 The fact was, my friend had many mortifications to en- 

 dure which his haughty soul could ill brook. The at- 

 torney to Avhora he was articled was one of those narrow- 

 minded beings v/ho consider wealth as alone entitled to 

 respect. He had discovered that his clerk was very 

 poor and very destitute of friends, and thence he very 

 naturally concluded, that he might insult him with im- 

 punity. It appears, however, that he w^as mistaken in 

 his calculations. I one night remarked that my friend 

 was unusually thoughtful. I ventured to ask him whe- 

 ther he had met with anything particular to ruffle his 

 spirits. He looked at me for some moments signifi- 

 cantly, then, as if roused to fury by the recollection — 

 '• I have," said he, vehemently, " I have, I have ! He 

 has insulted me grossly, and I will bear it no longer." 

 He now walked up and down the room with visible emo- 

 tion. Presently he sat down. He seemed more com- 

 posed. " My friend," said he, " I have endured much 

 from this man. I conceived it my duty to forbear, but 

 I have forborne until forbearance is blameabie, and, by 

 the Almighty, I will never again endure what I have 

 endured this day ! But not only this man ; every one 

 thinks he may treat me with contumely, because I am 

 poor and friendless. But I am a man, and will no 

 longer tamely submit to be the sport of fools and the 



