that, as you have proceeded, there is to me no apparent prospect of

"O you are mistaken. Am I not looking forward to an advance in the office. You know how I stand in favour with some of the superiors-and, without favour, it cannot be long before I get a rise."

"Is it possible, Charles, that with your independent mind, you can submit to live on contingencies! Is not such a life the parent of improvidence, extravagance and idleness? Have we not seen many miserable expectants presume on uncertain hopes, till the necessity of their circumstances has extinguished natural affection, and induced them secretly to rejoice in the removal of a relative or friend, when they would otherwise have deeply mourned the event! O, Charles, whatever you become, be not the dupe of doubtful expectation! Would you ever have been in your present situation, but for these wretched hopes?"

"Certainly not. I abhor it-and once I get out of it, I'll take care for the future. But these "wretched hopes" as you call

them, are now all my hopes. If I give them up, my situation is hopeless."

"O no. It is only hopeless, if you continue to build on these chimerical expectations. Never despair of what prudence and integrity can do for you. Speculate not on the wheel of fortune, but look to yourself. Resolve, to live within your present income; and, that you may be sure of doing this, purchase nothing but as you have the money to pay for it,-and all will be well."

"Ha! but this I cannot do. I cannot, you know, be mean and dishonorable."

"My dear friend, pray do not deceive yourself by a gross perversion of terms. Who is mean and dishonorable-the man who wears a patched coat, keeps a plain table, and denies himself the luxuries of life, that he may live within his means and preserve his independence? or, the man who, by outrunning his income, sells his liberty, revels on the property of others, and subjects himself to creditors? How often have we admired the poor knight, who, to avoid the snares of bribery and

dependence, was found making a second dinner from a cold shoulder of mutton, above the most affluent courtier, who had sold himself to others for a splendid pension! For my part, I esteem the humble peasant, who struggles to live within his 14s. a week; while I cannot but despise the wanton profligate, who cannot limit himself to his £20,000 a year.

"But, indeed, mean or not mean, my income is too small for my situation," said Lefevre.

"I would not make that assertion, if my income were only half what your's is, Charles. Depend upon it, if we have not firmness enough to resolve to live within our present income, we are never likely to do it. But we should not content ourselves with general assertions in matters of economy. Let us calculate. Prove to me, in pounds, shillings, and pence, that you cannot live within your income, and then I will be satisfied.”

Lefevre took up his pen to make the estimation. Douglas was pleased to bring him to this, but observed that he was doing

it in round numbers of ten, twenty, and

thirty pounds.

Stay, stay, my dear Charles," said he, smiling; " too fast a great deal. Cal culation without exactness, is worse than nothing. The agreement was, that you should prove in pounds, shillings, and pence. Let us, at least, keep to two thirds of it, and make out the account in pounds and shillings.”

He took the pen; and, passing from article to article, they agreed on the sepa rate sums for each head. The evidence was against Lefevre. After a full allowance to the different items, it appeared that he might have, at the end of each year, a spare sum in his hand, of from ten to fifteen pounds.

Lefevre had some pleasure in coming to this practical estimate, as it encouraged hope, that he might yet disengage himself from the net in which he was entangled; but he was much more pained in witnessing such proofs of his folly and impru dence, in the presence of one whose

opinion, after all, was of more real value to him than that of any other person.

It

Douglas felt this, and speedily called off his attention. “ There, my dear friend," said he, "I thought I should convince you that your situation is not hopeless; that you really may live within your income. I take it for granted that you will. only wants resolution and perseverance. As you now stand, I think it may be well to obtain the fifty pounds from Deacon. I should then, if in your case, resolve→ to borrow no more money--to live on the scale we have made-and to apply at least ten pounds a year to reduce the sums you have borrowed.-You hesitate!"

"I only hesitate about applying to Deacon. I don't like to be indebted to him after his note."

"But you are indebted to him already; and, as you must borrow once more, I think you had better use him. However, leave it to me. If you will allow me, I will get the money, and send it forward, and engage myself to him for the whole."