her once or twice enter the Established Church, hear its beautiful
ritual, and listen to a sound preacher. Let her be persuaded to do that,
which cannot be asking her to do wrong, and then let her think and act
for herself, and my word for it, when she draws the comparison between
what she has then heard and the nonsense occasionally uttered in the
Quakers' conventicle, by those who fancy themselves inspired, she will
herself feel that, although the tenets of her persuasion may be more in
accordance with true Christianity than those of other sects, the outward
forms and observances are imperfect. I trust to her own good sense."

"You make me very happy by saying so." "Well, that is my opinion of her,
and if she proves me to be correct, hang me if I don't think I shall
adopt her."

"What do you think of Mrs Cophagus, sir?"

"I think she is no more a Quaker in her heart than I am. She is a
lively, merry, kind-hearted creature, and would have no objection to
appear in feathers and diamonds to-morrow."

"Well, sir, I can tell you that Mr Cophagus still sighs after his blue
cotton-net pantaloons and Hessian boots."

"More fool he! but, however, I am glad of it, for it gives me an idea
which I shall work upon by-and-bye; at present we have this eventful
meeting between you and your father to occupy us."

We arrived in town in time for dinner, which Mr Masterton had ordered at
his chambers. As the old gentleman was rather tired with his two days'
travelling, I wished him good-night at an early hour.

"Recollect, Japhet, we are to be at the Adelphi hotel to-morrow at one
o'clock--come in time."

I called upon Mr Masterton at the time appointed on the ensuing day, and
we drove to the hotel in which my father had located himself. On our
arrival, we were ushered into a room on the ground floor, where we found
Mr Cophagus and two of the governors of the Foundling Hospital.

"Really, Mr Masterton," said one of the latter gentlemen, "one would
think that we were about to have an audience with a sovereign prince,
and, instead of conferring favours, were about to receive them. My time
is precious; I ought to have been in the city this half hour, and here
is this old nabob keeping us waiting as if we were petitioners."

Mr Masterton laughed and said, "Let us all go up stairs, and not wait to
be sent for."

He called one of the waiters, and desired him to announce them to
General De Benyon. They then followed the waiter, le