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George Smoothly is not a favourable one, nor am I thoroughly convinced of the sincerity of his professions; but he desired me to regard the main subject of our conversation as confidential; and such being the case, I cannot be more explicit."

"Quite right; you are a good lad, and know how to act honourably. Faith must be kept even with a rogue, -mind, I don't apply that epithet to any one in particular-but to trust a rogue after you have once detected him, is an act of egregious folly. But let me understand. Is your engagement with Sir George Smoothly, of whatever nature it may have been, at an end? Are your hands free?" "Very nearly so. In fact, I have only to revise my paper."

Be done with it, then, as quickly as you can, but don't commit yourself further. Now, as I have constituted myself Grand Inquisitor for the nonce, I must go on with your examination. Thus much I know already, that you follow no regular profession. Now, tell me frankly, do you aspire to entering the public service?

"Frankly, such is my wish. You must know, Mr Osborne, that I have few friends, hardly any means, and no resources but such slight share of talent as God has given me. Consequently, I desire, if possible, to procure some permanent appointment."

"It is very strange," said Mr Osborne, musingly, "that nine out of ten of the clever young men who come to London entertain precisely the same ideas. They all want to be provided for out of the public purse. They ask for permanent appointments, forgetting, or not aware, that the public service is of all others the worst remunerated, the most harassing, and the least likely to lead to distinction. Is there not a Scotch proverb, Mr Sinclair, to the effect that kings' bones are better than other folks' meat? I suspect you have been reared in that opinion."

"No, indeed, sir!" I replied. "My wish has always been for independence, but that is surely not inconsistent with public employment."

"I made no such assertion," replied Mr Osborne. "I only marvel

at your humility, or rather lack of ambition. Look you here now. I could give you many instances of men, your own countrymen, who came to London quite friendless, without prospects, and with scarce a shilling in their pockets. They had no such education as you have received; but they had good principles, industry, and that indomitable resolution which can conquer even fortune. I doubt not that some of these men might not perhaps at first, but certainly after a reasonable period of probation-have been received into the public service in some grade suitable to their station. You Scotchmen stick by one another with a tenacity most creditable to your nationality; and it is not a difficult thing, through the good offices of some member of Parliament, to procure an appointment as a tide-waiter, a letter-carrier, or a subordinate station in the Excise. The men I refer to never thought of such employment. They fought their way as shopmen, as journeymen, as artisans, throwing their whole soul and energy into their business, saving money when they could get it, practising thrift, making themselves indispensable to their employers; until, one by one, they rose in the social scale, became honoured members of the great commercial world; and such you will find at this day among the wealthiest citizens of London. Have you ever thought of this, my young friend?"

"Alas!" said I, not, however, without an impression that Mr Osborne was making out a strong case against me, "your point is a commercial career, for which I am altogether unfitted."

"Pardon me!" replied Mr Osborne; "I have merely given you an illustration. You will admit that such men acted more wisely in trusting to their own energy and perseverance, than if they had solicited and obtained some small public appointment. Your case differs from theirs, but simply in degree. If you were a barrister, though only in name, patronage might help you to a comfortable berth. Lawyers have a wide nest, but they keep it exclusively to themselves, and allow of no

interlopers. If you were in orders, and could be of use to your party, promotion might follow. But what is it that you can expect? Do you wish to go into the Treasury as a junior clerk? Why, I'll insure you a larger salary, with more rapid promotion, if you choose to become a reader in the printing-office! Or is it your ambition to become a minister's private secretary? My dear lad! look at the times in which we live. Ministries are bowled down like ninepins, and when the principal is upset, where is the subordinate? And then, mark you; between you and

the object of your desire lie hundreds of the young aristocracy who are fit for nothing else, and who swarm in the troubled waters of patronage as thick as ground-sharks in the surf at Madras. Dixi; I have spoken. Take another glass of claret, for the enjoyment of which I fear our conversation has spoiled you. Never mind. Think over what I have said. To-morrow we shall go to church for morning service; but, as I am no Puritan, I shall be ready to hear your views thereafter. Ă white-wash? No? Well then, let us join the ladies."

CHAPTER XXV.-ARTHUR FAUNCE.

When I awoke next morning, the sun shining cheerfully through the gay chintz curtains of my bed, Mr Osborne's language gave me ample subject for reflection. Was it indeed true that I was in danger of sacrificing my time and subjecting myself to the bitter pangs of disappointment by grasping at a shadow? Was it folly in me, left without a profession, to desire employment in the public service? Were the chances of success so small, and the advantages to be gained so trifling, as this shrewd observer had represented them to be? These were questions to which I had not as yet applied myself, but they were clearly of the utmost importance. I was vexed and amazed at my stupidity and want of foresight in blundering onward without any clear aim or distinct object before me. I could not disguise from myself that I stood in the unenviable position of a vague place-hunter, somewhat analogous to that of the sons of Eli; for was I not, notwithstanding all my boasts of independence, crouching for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread? And then the gain-would my ambition be satisfied with the situation of a clerk in a public office? Would that elevate my social position, or entitle me to aspire to the hand of Mary Beaton? Clearly I was on the wrong road; or rather, like the traveller overtaken by a fog on the muirland, I had altogether lost my way.

Then for the first time I began to perceive the grave error I had committed in not selecting a professionan error which cannot be too much exposed, or too unequivocally condemned. All professions have their own peculiar rewards and prizes which are attainable through patience and perseverance, but for the mere adventurer, whatever may be his ability, there is nothing of the kind. He may succeed by some lucky accident, but the chances are woefully against him. His lack of a profession, acknowledged and recognised by all, is naturally attributed to deficiency either in application or talent. He has no regular certificate to produce; no exact position in society to which he can lay an unquestioned claim.

Bitterly did I regret my folly in having abandoned the law without going through the ceremony of assuming the barrister's gown. Had I taken that step, which at one time was perfectly within my power, what a prospect might now have been open to me! Lawyers who could make even a decent appearance before committees, were in high request. The demand was for a certain time much greater than the supply. Seniors who were known to be men of experience and ability, had so many briefs showered in upon them, that it was absolutely impossible to count upon their attend

ance.

A steady junior, who would pledge himself to attend only one

committee each day, was instantly bought up. Elderly gentlemen, who for many a long year had laid aside the horse-hair wig, now assumed it with far brighter prospects than they had conceived in the days of their ardent boyhood; and the dullest blockhead who could utter two connected sentences, or conduct an examination from a brief, was sure to have a pocketful of guineas.

From all participation in this golden shower I was utterly excluded. Not a drop of it could come my way. I began to see that in adopting an erratic course, I was so far from securing independence, that I had absolutely sacrificed it; and now, when too late, I found myself little better than a veritable Bohemian. Well!--I had no one but my self to blame for it, and I must even make the best of circumstances. So, laying aside in the mean time all thoughts of patronage, I resolved to give a serious ear to Mr Osborne's proposal.

So, then," said that gentleman, when we sallied forth in the afternoon, "you are willing for the present to drop that nice little scheme about entering the public service? Understand me-I don't mean to say that you should reject a desirable offer if such were made; but I think it vastly absurd that you should lose your time by dancing attendance on this or the other political character, and doing jobs for them without even the certainty of being thanked. It is no doubt to be regretted that you are of no profession-still, all men cannot be professional. There are a great many things which lie out of the province of lawyers, doctors, and divines; and these must be done by other people. You have educated yourself up to a high literary point. Well, then, literature is your proper line. If you were one of those ridiculous young fellows, who think that literature consists in stringing rhymes together, I would as soon advise you to enlist in a marching regiment as to follow any such profitless occupation; but you have too much sense for that.

We want writers for the press-men who can direct, and in some measure control, the public mind; and, trust me,

the field is as wide as the functions are important. Let who will sneer at the press, it is a rising and a growing power. Men speak_reverently enough of the tracts of Bacon, Milton, Marvell, Swift, and Addison, while they affect to despise the anonymous contributions of the day; yet what were these tracts but the precursors of the leading articles that appear in our daily papers? I tell you that we want the best men, and must have them at any price. To influence public opinion, as we do and shall influence it, is no ignoble calling."

"Most cordially do I concur, Mr Osborne, in every word you have uttered regarding the dignity of the press," I replied. "I only wish that such sentiments were more generally entertained.”

"There I differ from you," said Mr Osborne, "at least if you imply that writers for the press ought to receive an unusual share of individual consideration. Drop the anonymous, and the best of you would be useless. Who could care for the opinions, if announced as such, of John Smith or Paul Jones? No doubt they are good men and true, but they are serviceable because they are part of the regiment. We don't allow them to ride forth and tilt on their own account. Fame I do not promise you, but good employment and the means of making yourself useful: and, after all, what more could you expect from a professional career? But lest you should be appalled by the prospect of becoming what fine gentlemen, who are not without some knowledge of the interior economy of spunginghouses, call a worn-out literary hack, I shall let you into a secret. Journalism is not the worst kind of introduction to ministerial favour. Your friend Montresor is a notable instance of that; and, for my own part, I am obliged to keep a watchful eye on the motions of the rocs of the Treasury. One of the most promising young writers I ever had was caught up last year and dropped into a consulship near the Equator. I would not have parted with him for a wilderness of consuls!"

"Well, Mr Osborne, I shall be ready, so far as I have the power, to carry out your views."

"That's right! I thought we should come to an understanding. What I propose is this: I don't want you to go into the political department we are already provided with a robustious specimen of le beau Sabreur-but there is a new element developing itself which requires immediate attention; I mean the growth of the railway system. For good or for evil, that will have an enormous influence on the interests of the country, and its progress must be narrowly watched in every phase. I wish you to devote yourself to that subject-but stop! perhaps you have been dabbling?" "I assure you, sir," I replied, "these hands are clean from the contact of any kind of scrip."

"So much the better," said Mr Osborne. "Let them remain so. The subject is a difficult one, and will require much time and study; but that, of course, you will not grudge. Observe; what I want to have, both with regard to the merits of competing lines, and the soundness of the movement generally, is the plain unvarnished truth. If I consulted interest alone, I should say to you, Write up the railways, for the advertisements have brought us a prodigious harvest; but in a matter of this magnitude there must be no paltering. It behoves us to tell the public what is sound and what is rotten-to caution them against bubbles, of which there are many afloat-and to see that Government officials are not remiss in their duty. You shall have what reasonable assistance you may require, and these are the terms I propose."

So saying, he handed me a slip of paper, containing a most liberal offer so liberal, indeed, that it was far beyond my expectation.

"I only dread, Mr Osborne," said I, "that my inexperience may disappoint your expectations. However, I shall do my best."

"No man can do more," said Mr Osborne. "But you are, I am given to understand, as yet almost a stranger to London; and this kind of work requires knowledge of individuals, as well as general sound judgment. Now in order to supply that, I have devised a scheme which,

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perhaps, you may consider a queer one, but I can think of none better. I happen, among other plagues, to be afflicted with a nephew, a wild scamp, but honourable, I believe, in the right meaning of the word. This hopeful young gentleman, by name Arthur Faunce, having a patrimony of his own, which obviates the necessity of his applying himself to any kind of business, has become a regular man about town, and knows everybody of any mark or notoriety. I wish I could say with truth that the little villain confined his acquaintance to persons of respectability, but such is not the case. is as familiar with the city as with the west end-knows all about Jews, sharks, sharpers, money-lenders, and betting-men-has each fresh scandal at his fingers'-end-and has visited every haunt in the metropolis. This I admit is but a bad account to give of a young fellow, and one not likely to predispose you to make his acquaintance; still Attie has good points about him, and I am not without hope that in time he may sober down. He is, of all others, the very best man to give you information regarding doubtful characters, of whom you will see many, and I have asked him here to-day to meet you."

We heard a burst of laughter from the drawing-room as we entered the hall.

"That's Attie Faunce!" said Mr Osborne. "He has been telling some of his droll stories to the ladies, and the rogue can be irresistibly comical."

Mr Faunce was a very boyishlooking individual, with a slight but compact figure, curly hair,_quick eyes, and a smiling mouth. He was neatly but somewhat too foppishly dressed, being much addicted to sartorial adornment; his boots were as perfect in shape as if they had just been taken from the last, and his gloves would have satisfied a Parisian. He would have appeared somewhat effeminate, but for a saucy confident air which to him was habitual, and which gave additional piquancy to his talk. High-bred he certainly was not; but his manners were those of a gentleman, though without a

particle of diffidence or reserve. His spirits were exuberant, his sense of the ludicrous keen, and his mimetic talents extraordinary. Such was Mr Attie Faunce.

For my own part, I looked at first upon this strange ally with some little apprehension; for he clearly could be mischievous if he pleased, and I had seen enough of the world to know that nothing gives greater delight to young gentlemen of this stamp than leading their companions into scrapes. However, Attie, over whom his uncle had much influence, behaved himself tolerably well, and the dinner passed over as well as could have been expected.

When, however, over our wine, Mr Osborne explained his views to Master Faunce, that hopeful youth burst into an uncontrollable scream of merriment.

"Bravo-bravo! mon oncle!" he cried. "So you have found a use for me at last; and I am to have the honour, in consequence of my intimate acquaintance with all that is disrespectable, of piloting Mr Sinclair through the shoals and narrows of London vagabondism! Really you over-estimate my poor abilities. Don't you think a detective officer would answer your purpose better?" "Come, Attie; don't be a fool! When you can make yourself useful, which seldom happens, I expect you will do it."

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"But, sir, have you really considered this matter seriously? I am very glad, I am sure, to make Mr Sinclair's acquaintance' said Mr Faunce, looking, however, as if his gladness was infinitesimally smallbut I hardly think that an arrangement such as you propose can be very agreeable to him. I know, sir, you consider me to be rather a loose fish; and although in that respect as in some others you may have exaggerated my merits, I cannot fancy that a gentleman of staid habits and sedentary occupations would like to be seen associating with a youth who, I confess, is much better known at Tattersall's than at the Athenæum." "The worse for you, Attie! the worse for you," said Mr Osborne. "I wish to Heaven, boy, you kept better company."

"Forgive me, Mr Osborne," said I, "if I beg that nothing further may be said on the subject. I will thrust myself on the acquaintance of no man living. Mr Faunce has a perfect right to object; and I am only sorry that this proposition, for which I am not answerable, was ever made.”

"Now, Mr Sinclair," said Faunce, rising from his seat and coming round to my side of the table, with a sweetness of manner which I certainly did not expect, "you must do the honour to take my hand. It is I who am not worthy of your intimacy, for I know something about you already. Bingham, whom you have met at the house of your friend Mr Carlton, has spoken of you more than once; and, to say the truth, I felt a little puzzled, when I saw you here to-day for the first time-my uncle never tells me whom I am to meet-whether you were the same Mr Sinclair whose adventure in Switzerland was much spoken of in town last autumn."

"What adventure do you allude to, Attie?" said Mr Osborne.

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Nothing of any consequence," I interposed. "A thing not worth speaking of."

"That," said Faunce, "is not the opinion of Lord Windermere, who, I am credibly informed, thinks it very strange indeed that you have given him no sign of your existence. Of course I know nothing of Lord Windermere; but I have heard as much from those who have the honour of his acquaintance."

"Lord Windermere!" cried Mr Osborne," one of the best and truest noblemen of England! And have you, Mr Sinclair, with such an introduction, been pottering with a Smoothly? But of that, more at a convenient season. Upon my soul, it is some recompense to old fellows like myself, whose years have slipped from them, to observe that lads invariably lose or throw away their best opportunities. What a grand thing it must have been to have lived before the Flood! A man could then afford to bestow eighty or an hundred years upon preliminary education. About the middle of his second century he might begin to think of marrying; and, if human

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