24 MISFORTUNE. 



I need not pursue my parent's un- 

 fortunate career any more than to state, 

 that this ill-assorted partnership lasted but 

 eighteen months, when the person my 

 father put such faith in, cunning in 

 his generation, withdrew, having reaped 

 the benefit of two summers, when the 

 business was most lucrative, to one win- 

 ter, when it was least so; and on the 

 opening of the following spring ; tired, 

 distressed, and broken down in mind 

 almost, my father parted with this exten- 

 sive concern at a great sacrifice, to those 

 who have since built upon his ruin an 

 immense fortune. Such are the vicissi- 

 tudes of life! Had he retained possession 

 but a little longer, Government, that is, 

 the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, 

 would have bought, as they did buy, 

 the premises, and he would have reaped 

 the benefit as well from that, as from 

 the large sums received by the princi- 



