"The Emperor," as Mr. Augustus was called, from his stately manner and
dignified deportment, aided by as much self-esteem as could well be
contained in a human body, _depended_, without any "compunctuous visitings
of conscience," on the venison, claret, and champagne of his friends, and
thought all the time he did them honour:--and thus he passed his life.

"Dashing Dick" was the opposite of the Emperor; sung a good song--told a
good story--and gloried in making ladies blush. He _depended_ on his
cousin, Colonel Bloomfield, procuring him a commission in his regiment,
and cheated tailors, hosiers, glovers, coach-makers, and even lawyers,
with impunity. Happily for the world at large, Dashing Dick broke his neck
in a steeple chase, on a stolen horse, which he would have been hanged for
purloining, had he lived a day longer.

Ferdinand was the bonne-bouche of the family: they used to call him "the
Parson!" Excellent Ferdinand!--he _depended_ on his exertions; and, if
ever the name of Headerton rises in the scale of moral or intellectual
superiority, it will be owing to the steady and virtuous efforts of Mister
Ferdinand Headerton, merchant, in the good city of B----.

_Sketches of Irish Character, by Mrs. S.C. Hall_.

* * * * *


PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE UNDER DIFFICULTIES.


We quote the following from the portion of the _Library of Entertaining