s it refers to this period of Dr
Burton's life, it may be given. It seems fully to bear out the writer's
conception of the unsympathising character of the intercourse between
Mrs Burton and her family. No stronger incentive to exertion could have
been offered to a man of Dr Burton's character, than the desire to
falsify the implied prediction of such a missive. With a view to its
effect in this way it had probably been given him by his mother. It is
an entire letter, and the whole is here printed.

"GRANDHOLM, _June 6th_.

"DEAR ELIZA,--I have this day received a letter from my father,
part of which I think it necessary to transcribe to you, as the
best mode of giving you his meaning.

"'The account of John Burton's being in such an idle unemployed way
displeases me much. I wish you, Mary, would speak to his mother on
the subject; tell her I would have acquainted her with my
displeasure before now, only, on account of her misfortune in her
family [this must refer to the death of her son David], I deferred
what I ought to have done. Why was he taken away from his
attendance at Mr Winchester's office? Doctor Dauney said he could
not be better than with him, as there was plenty of business, such
as was going. Tell her that as I have neither funds nor inclination
to support idle gentlemen, or rather vagabonds, I have given
directions to Mr Alcock not to pay up her next half-year's annuity,
till he hears from me on the subject, and until she gives you
satisfactory accounts concerning her son's return to Mr
Winchester's office or otherwise. Tell her not to write to me, but
to act as is her duty.'"

The sister here continues, "I hope Mary [Dr Burton's only sister,
the youngest child of his mother] continues well, and that you will
not fail to give me an answer to this, as you see it will be
absolutely necessary to give attention to the subject. Barbara
continues very unwell.--I remain yours sincerely, M. PATON."

Whether the threat conveyed in this letter was executed, the writer has
now no means of knowing. The expression of it alone was cruel
enough--the threat to starve a poor mother into forcing a son to
continue a business utterly repugnant to him. Mrs Burton, however, did
not protect herself by the sacrifice of her son. She believed in her
son's powers, and acted on her belief in spite of all oppos