The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-10-11

explain the OTISiu OF inns deOt, and inform
the reader how the poor youth became in
debted TO the heirs of the Earl of RichdaIe,
for forty pounds.
In the Earl Of Richdale, the father of
Lady Emily, scientific requirements ofth
first order, enhanced the Iustre of titles and
wealth. In few words, he was one of the
distinguished men ofhis day, the most, and
| the most deservedly, honoured.
An important work published by Mar
lane. and some remarkable memoirs read
by him TO the Mechanics Institute, had at
tracted towards this youth the attention of
the distinguished old maneand an acquain.
lance, sought by the earl, had arisen be-
tween them.
In a short time, an actual benefit con-
ferred, brought, ifpossible, increased claims
upon the gratitude of VI 'Farlane. An Of
fec became vacant in the custom house,
and the Earl of Richdale procured it for
his ProiCge. I he income was small. but
the appointment honorable and it YIELD
cd enough, with the produce of some litera-
~ compositions, to put M'Farlane in po-
sltion 10 provide for his aged mother Il quiet
subsistence, and to continue in peace the
profound labours to which he had dedicated
his future life.
Arrived nj the accomplishment of his
wishes, NJ Farlane had nov scarcely any
thing TO desire, when an unfortunate cir
cumstance arose TO trouble the calm of his
life, and surrender him prev 20 the deep
est anxiety. Security, imprudently given,
for an unworthy friend, who deceived him,
placed hun in the most harrassIng position,
and threatened even his personal liberty.
At this painful memcnt letter was hro't
10 him. He recognized the hand writing
of the Earl Of Richdale as he broke the seal;
bur who shall express the feelings with
which he found, within the envelopes checl,
for forty pounds, accompanied by the fol-
lowing lircs -
a common friend has informed me Of
the difficulty in which your too confiding
generosity has involved YOU, Your repose
must not be broken, nor the labours which
are of equal Importance TO your own re-
nown, and to the interests OF science. in
tcrrupted, for IL miserable sun like this
Accept the enclosed II is the amount
which You require. am too happy to
have the opportunity Of serving you. Con
slider il but as loan; you shall repay it
when YOU are able. Take it if you wish
that | should pardon your not having conf
ded your difficulty to me-"
Who shall tell that which passed in the
soul of NJ Farlane, as he read this note p
Filled with the warmcst gratitude, but re-
solved upon refusing the obligation, he has
tened to the mansion Of the carl He than
ked hiin with tears, while he urged him to
receive back the generous subsidy, hut the
earl Dressed him with such earnest friend
ship, and contrived so well to overcome the
delicate scruples of the young man. that
M'Farlane yielded at length to his entreat-
les, STIMULATING only that he should sign a
receipt for the sum, and an engagement to
repay it in a year.
"With all my heart" said the noble old
man with Il smile.
The year passed. m'FariaEc had reck-
ono;. for the discharge of his obligation, up
on the sale of treatise on geometry; but
circumstances appeared unlavorable to the
publisher who was TO purchase it. On the
day when his engagement fell due. M'Far-
lane presented himself timidIy, with his a.
pologies. before the Earl of Rchdalc.
"What !" said the old man, thinking
still of that trifiol MIR. M'Fariane, if you
speak OF it again TO me, i; must be quarrc!
between US
Three more years passed during which
M'Farlane, more favoured of fame than Of
fortune, gained daily more and more the es-
TEEN of the learned, and above all, of the
Earl of Richdalc, who ceased not to honour
him with his confidence and friendship
But tine poor young man could not pay the
money. and dared not again speak Of the
debt to his benciactor.
At the end Of these three years, the carl
died suddenly, leaving an immense fortune
TO his son and his two daughters the eldest
of whom had recently married the banker,
Fitz Harding, and the Youngest, the Gener-
al Huntingdon. Unhappily, amongst the
thousands That he left to his heirs was found
the obligation for forty pounds sterling sign
/ cd by the poor mathematician.
( We left Mr.. Hopkins making his inven-
7 tory in the little chamber of NJ Farlanc.-
( The unfortunate student, standing in the
recess of his window, looked on with folded
/ arms an unnatural calm. Il sort of convul-
sivc resignation had stolen over him; and
on his impassive face, TO sign betrayed the
tempest of his thoughts, yet bitter were ms
reflections. "Ah !" exclaimed he mental
lv, s.you who feel tempted TO accept of sue
cour from a generous hand, beware, lest
your benefactor have sons, or daughters, OF
snns.in-law, 10 inherit his fortune,an comes
after his death to draw you into a reckon.
ing for the benefit. If you have a name
that YOU thought to honour amongst men,
bv the labors of usefulness, they will re-
cord that name in process! They will
have it called over by sheriff's officer =
They will make it the property of scribe
who will speculate upon the number Of IT:
letters They viii put up your property in
the market-place They will print in the
the journals, and on your gate, the descriP,
ton of your miserable movables they will
sell them in the public square and IN the
evening 20 TO ball, where they will lnslI.
into n >, fTI for tho benefit of the Door -