and intellect beamed in every lineament of his truly speaking countenance, which literally sparkled with joy and affection, as he bounded along the terrace with his adored sister and playmate, whose delicate little figure formed a truly lovely picture in contrast with his own more tall and manly one. The pale face of the boy was marked, and, at times, thoughtful; the still paler face of the girl was as delicate in every feature, and as expressive from every smile, as was her person elegant and graceful, even at that early age. And when her little heart, full of affection, first caused her to run along the terrace with her brother, and then to rush into the arms of her father, the sweet smile of childish happiness and innocence lit up a countenance shaded with clustering locks of the fairest colour, was such as would have made it difficult for the hardest heart to have refused her caresses, or looked on her without interest. Indeed, few who watched these children could condemn their somewhat aged father from the knowledge that his heart doted on them with idolatry, and he loved them accordingly-and yet, to do him justice, they were not, as the world terms, spoilt. The boy, previous to going to Eton, had been carefully educated, both morally, mentally, and most judiciously, by an amiable christian clergyman, who, if he had not instilled into his young mind principles or opinions precisely similar to those possessed by his father, had, nevertheless, formed the groundwork for the reception of others, which many, as our story advances, will admit were likely to be more acceptable to those with whom his future career in life was marked out. Neither had the early years of his lovely little sister, Augusta, been neglected; since the death of her mother, or, at least, as soon as she had quitted the care of her nurse, she had been placed under the charge of the sister of a gallant but impoverished naval officer, to whom, and deservedly, as she advanced in years, she looked up to and loved with scarcely less warmth than a child would love her mother —and not without reason, for there lived not a more amiable, and high-minded, and sincerehearted woman than was Miss Handly; and if the young girl considered her as a second mother, truly, she loved the little Augusta with all the warmth and affection as had she been her own child. True, she was one of those improperly valued class called governesses; yet, to the praise of human nature, be it said, the higher class of society, at least, have, at length, found out that the majority, better educated and even better bred than are thousands who presume to the presence of their Sovereign, are worthy of the highest trust and confidence, and truly do they often merit both love and esteem. Such were the children of Frederick Passmore in the year 18-such the education and conduct pursued towards them, alike tending to their future usefulness to mankind, and happiness to themselves, as well as to their safe guidance of the great charge which was bestowed on them by Providence, combining beauty, and health, and wealth, in all their several ways allotted to us-as are sickness, poverty and misfortune, not solely for our individual joys, pleasures, or sorrows, but as we shall sooner or later learn, for some good purpose to our fellow men as well as to ourselves. Frederick, the name of the boy, was heir by entail to the splendid estate I have already briefly described, while his sister, if not equally rich, was still a wealthy heiress in her own right the property of her mother, which was considerable, having been settled on her younger children. CHAPTER III. Our farmers round, well-pleased with constant gain, CRABBE. I MUST now say a few words in regard to Michael Coddington, the friend of George Radstock the elder, and also a day labourer on the farm of Mr. Winter, whom I shall, hereafter, introduce to my readers; as was his friend SO was he a simple, honest-hearted, uneducated, and hard labouring farm servant-of |