Forgotten Stories.

several brothers and sisters ; and , being oifted by nature with talents far superior to the generality of mankind , became naturally an object of delight and admiration to his indulgent parents . But little did they , when applauding and encouraging those

sallies of wit and brilliant remarks , which shone forth even in his earliest days , foresee the misery which their son might some day be subjected to , from his propensity of ridiculing the faults of others , and disclosing their errors . Manyindeedwould

, , have suspected the consequences which mig ht ensue from that freedom of speech ; but his parents were so wrapt up in the admiration of his sprightliness , that he was suffered to indulge in this pernicious gratificationwithout the most distant

re-, strictions , and to exercise his satirical qualifications , without fear of punishment or displeasure from his parents . The origin of his future misfortunes and errors may be traced even to the nursery . At the most tender ageit was his

amuse-, ment to irritate his sisters against each other , and disturb the sports of his brothers , by scattering amongst them the seeds of enmity . Ann was enraged against

Elizabeth , because , according to Edward , Elizabeth had reported her intention , of demolishing Ann ' s babyhouse ; and Elizabeth forgot the love which she owed to Ann as a sister , having heard , from the same authority , that Ann made complaints of her to the nurse . In like manner

, Henry was angry with Richard , and Richard looked upon Henry in no very favourable light , each having heard the other ' s strictures upon himself together with sundry embellishments and additions , from the lips of Edward . But the author of

these quarrels and heart-burnings escaped the punishment he deserved : and , when he had disturbed the little group with various intestine divisions , was highly gratified with the effects of his heart , and congratulated himself upon his malevolent

ingenuity . It is needless to follow him through his schoolboy exploits , as they much resembled those of his childhood , though perhaps more conducive to mischief in their end . Suffice it to say , that , after passing some years in that situation , embroiling his companions iu several disputes , aud sometimes receiving a sound drubbing for his

pains , he entered upon tho stage of life , attended by the best wishes and expectations of his parents , though not without the apprehensions of some of his friends . Being undetermined as to what course of lite he should pursue , he concurred with

the wishes of his father , by directing his attention to the bar , and pursuing those attainments , which might qualify him to embrace a profession whence his friends were induced to hope that he would be happy and successful . Sanguine indeed

was that hope , from those acute talents which he naturally enjoyed—from that unbounded versatility of genius which shone forth in all his sentiments , and enlivened

all his observations . He accordingly stationed himself at the Temple , and applied himself diligently to law . All his prospects seemed favourable ; and his former errors lay dormant beneath the application and perseverance with which he followed that study . He allowed

no trifling amusements to interfere with his labours ; aud carefully avoided all idle and dissipated society , so repugnant to that course of life which appeared to him most elig ible . But at length he became acquainted with a young man , who was

his neighbour at the Temple ; but who , whatever mig ht be his good qualities , was entirely deficient in the application and abilities which characterized Edward Overton . Their acquaintance , which at first consisted in mere respectful civility , was gradually and unfortunately for

Edward , extended to an intimacy . I say unfortunately ; for had no temptations been thrown in his way , no inducements to change his present tranquil aud secluded life for one of pleasure and relaxation , those errors , which so strongly prevailed

in his earliest days , would have vanished , and given way in every respect to the reason which governs the mind when it has arrived at full maturity . We shall not be much inclined to wonder , on hearing , that through the

persuasions of young Caernside , his new acquaintance , he in some measure began to waver iu his original good resolutions ; and that finally he consented to enroll himself in a club of young men , of which Caernside was the principal director and supporter . They were mostly of his own age and profession , and had instituted this M 2