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    have improved the skill of the artist , or extended the discoveries of Science . But here every shadow of resemblance completely vanishes , for in the goods of nature and of fortune , no two youths of the sam « species could differ more widely .

    Sir Francis was the enly son and sole representative of an ancient and honourable house— -born to the possession of an ample fortune , and nursed in a magnificent mansion , where his wants and desiret were constantly anticipated , by a numerous train of servile attendants . Henry , never knew his father—his unfortunate mother , herself an orphan , friendless and poor , and his habitation a lowly cottage . From

    his earliest infancy he was neglected and forlorn , a very outcast of society . In their exterior , the contrast , if possible , was still more striking . Sir Francis was distinguished for the gracefulness of his person , the politeness of his address , and a certain assuredness of manner , which seldom fails , especially if accompanied by rank and fortune , of obtaining universal suffrage . Henry , feeble in constitution , from

    early neglect and the want of proper nutriment , timid from discouragement , and oppressed by hard labour , grew up deformed , and at length in consequence of a hurt received in childhood , became a cripple . In respect of learning however , Henry had somewhat the advantage . Sir Francis having early lost his father became the idol of his remaining parent . She was proud , insolent and vain ; valued

    herself on her beauty , her superficial accomplishments , and tinselled ornaments , and admired her son for his rank , his station , and hisim * posing exterior : she worshipped him herself , and required that his tutors should worship him also : unfortunately for him , they obeyed the injunction , and the consequence , it were not difficult to anticipate . To be a learnery implied inferiority ; to gain knowledge , required

    attention and diligence ; Sir Francis therefore did not learn : yet it is confidently affirmed , that after he grew up , he could make out an advertisement in a newspaper , or decypher the pedigree of a race-horse , and it is even said , that on his being appointed high-sheriff of a large and opulent county , he taught himself to write , so as to sign his owa name . Henry on the contrary , as may well be imagined , had no

    regular tutors , but he was sent by his mother to a Sunday school , and being by nature intelligent , and by habit , industripus and obedient , he faithfully treasured up every scanty fragment of the moral and intellectual feast which he found there . He learnt the Lord ' s prayer and the ten commandments—he could repeat , if not fully understand , the church catechism ; got by rote a few psalms , and proverbs of wisdom , and what was at least not less important , he learnt to read them him *

    self in the bible that was given him by the hand of charity . But who is that striking figure drivir ^ g four in hand in a splendid ( fjlphaeton , followed by a train of attendants , the gazing multitude , bow * ing as he passes ? It is Sir Francis going to bet at ahorse race . And wliQ Is that little , insignificant , diminutive object , who but for the kind cant Of a poor charity girl , had beca tUrowu down and trampled to dejatk

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    576 Sir Francis and Henry : Characters from real Life .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1807, page 576, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2386/page/12/