ndividual! It was from a
lawyer, and the contents were as follows:--

Sir--We hasten to advise you of the death of your good friend Mr
Alexander Turnbull. By his will, which has been opened and read, and
of which you are the executor, he has made you his sole heir,
bequeathing you, at the present, the sum of 30,000 pounds, with the
remainder of his fortune at the demise of his wife. With the
exception of 5000 pounds left to Mrs Turnbull for her own disposal,
the legacies do not amount to more than 800 pounds. The jointure
arising from the interest of the money secured to Mrs Turnbull during
her life is 1080 pounds per annum, upon the three per cent, consols,
so that at her demise you will come into 36,000 pounds consols, which
at 76, will be equal to 27,360 pounds sterling. I beg to congratulate
you upon your good fortune, and, with Mr Drummond, have made
application to the Admiralty for your discharge. This application, I
am happy to say, has been immediately attended to, and by the same
mail that conveys this letter is forwarded an order for your discharge
and a passage home. Should you think proper to treat our firm as your
legal advisers, we shall be most happy to enrol you among our clients.

I am, sir, yours very respectfully, JOHN FLETCHER.

I must leave the reader to judge of this unexpected and welcome
communication. At first I was so stunned that I appeared as a statue,
with the letter in my hand, and in this condition I remained until
roused by the first lieutenant, who had come to the office to desire me
to pass the word for "letters for England," and to desire the sail-maker
to make a bag.

"Faithful--why what's the matter? Are you ill, or--?" I could not
reply, but I put the letter into his hand. He read the contents,
expressed his astonishment by occasional exclamations. "I wish you joy,
my lad, and may it be my turn next time. No wonder you looked like a
stuck pig. Had I received such news the captain might have hallooed
till he was hoarse, and the ship might have tumbled overboard before I
should have roused myself. Well, I suppose we shall get no more work
out of you--"

"The captain wants you, Mr Knight," said one of the midshipmen,
touching his hat.

Mr Knight went into the cabin, and in a few minutes returned, holding
the order for my discharge in his hand.

"It's all right, Faithful, here is your discharge, and an order for your
passage ho