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him. At the age of eighteen he was deprived by death of his worthy father; and, in the course of a few months, his mother also was committed to the silent tomb. A fair and flourishing business became dependent on his future prudence and diligence. He was not deficient in either, but it must be confessed the love of money, for its own sake merely, lent secret aid to all his exertions. The partition between prudential circumspection and dishonest evasion is acknowledged by all to be extremely thin, and to require an almost microscopic eye in those who would exactly measure its dimensións. There is, however, a glass provided to assist the dull optics of erring mortals; which, on all casuistical points of this nature, it is their duty to apply. Had Mr. Warian made more frequent application to this unerring guide, his friends would have rejoiced, and the enemies of his religion had ceased to triumph. It is true, none could say Mr. Warian had wronged or cheated him, but Mr. Warian and a good bargain were synonymous terms. If he bestowed any considerable sum on a benevolent undertaking, it must ever be confined to that particular denomination to which he belonged. It is quite unnecessary to mention what that denomination was, for though we make no doubt of the liberality of most readers, we are not sure but some less candid, might be found to

"Reproach a people with his single fall,

And cast his filthy garment at them all."

Mr. Warian lived a batchelor to the age of forty, when he met with a lady who was governess in a family he visited; with whose manners, person, and reputation, he was so well pleased, that he made a sacrifice of his avarice at the shrine of his affections; and ventured to marry an accomplished woman without a fortune. The lady acted, in this matter, the exact contrary part: she reversed the sacrifice. But what was wanting in affection on her side, was counterbalanced, in her estimation, by the ease and affluence procured by the connection. It was true, indeed, she held her husband's understanding in contempt, but then she had the satisfaction of knowing that he had a very high opinion of her's; and thus her vanity was gratified at the same time that her judgment was disgusted. Mrs. Warian had read much; Mr. Warian had read nothing. Mrs. W--understood music, drawing, and French. Mr. W-- had no ear, no taste, and hated the French language because spoken by the French.

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Strange then that he should chuse a companion for life, with a taste so uncongenial to his own," observes a reader, who does not consider that tastes and dispositions are too often disguised before marriage. From the first time Mrs. Warian saw Mr. W-- she resolved upon becoming

his wife. She was tired of her dependent situation, and being fast verging towards that period of the female life, to which the epithet, old maid, is applied, she began to despair of finding a more agreeable partner. It required no great penetration to become acquainted with Mr. Warian's character; she studied it carefully, and soon acquired the happy disposition of liking all he liked, approving all he said, and, in short, of making herself perfectly agreeable to his humour. She assured him, with a solemn air, that all the accomplishments she possessed, were of no value in her estimation, but as they had hitherto procured her the means of subsistence, and that she wished most ardently it was in her power to relinquish the practice of them all, and to devote the remainder of her life to religious objects and contemplations. She professed herself to be, not only a dissenter, but one of that particular sect to which Mr. Warian belonged. Wholly unacquainted with the blandishments practised by artful females, it was not surprising that they should succeed with Mr. Warian; and when, after marriage, the mask was thrown aside, it seemed necessary, for the mutual comfort of both parties, that a sort of compromise should take place. Stipulations to the following effect were accordingly agreed upon, and, being closely adhered to, there was less jarring and contention between

them than might have been expected in a union formed on such principles:

First---Mrs. Warian shall chuse her own company, and entertain them in the manner she likes best, provided she receives Mr. Warian's religious friends with complacency, makes herself agreeable to them, and contradicts none of their opinions.

Second---Mrs. Warian shall attend constantly twice on the Sunday at meeting, and occasionally on week-days as Mr. W-- may desire; in return for which Mr. W--- will omit family prayer as often as Mrs. W- shall think advisable.

Third---Mrs. Warian shall spend as much of her time as she pleases at her music, &c. provided she never plays a tune in Mr. W---'s hearing, or speaks French when he is present.

Fourth--Mrs. Warian may conform to any fashion, and put on her cloaths in any manner she thinks proper, provided they are not unreasonably expensive; in which case Mr.W-- shall have liberty to remonstrate. She may also occasionally attend the Theatre, on condition she sits in the cheap part of the house, and takes every precaution to conceal her going from the minister of the meeting.

Though Mr. Warian's conduct, in every compliance he made to the humour of his wife, is not to be justified, yet we think his situation deserving

of pity; and that greater allowances should be made for him, in this respect, tuan for those who are not deceived in such alliances, but who impose upon themselves the sad alternative, of either wounding their consciences by improper compliances, or their domestic peace by determined opposition.

We have mentioned a daughter. She was an only child; the darling of both parents. Mrs. Warían superintended her education, and wished to teach her all she knew; but nature had not bestowed talents or genius. Miss Warian was of an extremely volatile disposition, and to this cause more than innate dulness her fond mother attributed the little improvement she made; but, instead of using means to check this exuberant vivacity, which was not only fatal to the acquisition of knowledge but dangerous to her morals, she was encouraged in her disposition. Her lively sallies were repeated in all companies, and she herself permitted, at the early age of sixteen, to engross the conversation. Such a permission must necessarily produce in a weak mind conceit and confidence. At the age of eighteen Miss Warian was compleat mistress of both; yet so blindly partial were her parents that they mistook her assuming manners for ease and gentility, and a smart repartee, occasionally delivered, for wit and humour.

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