said was famous security, on a
landed estate. Mr. Asgrave was of social habits,--he had a capital house
and excellent wines. As he was not very particular in his company, nor
ambitious of visiting the great, he often suffered me to make one of
his table, and was pleased to hold long arguments with me about the
ancients. I soon found out that my master was a great moral philosopher;
and being myself in weak health, sated with the ordinary pursuits of the
world, in which my experience had forestalled my years, and naturally of
a contemplative temperament, I turned my attention to the moral studies
which so fascinated my employer. I read through nine shelves full of
metaphysicians, and knew exactly the points in which those illustrious
thinkers quarrelled with each other, to the great advance of the
science. My master and I used to hold many a long discussion about the
nature of good and evil; as, by help of his benevolent forehead and a
clear dogged voice, he always seemed to our audience to be the wiser and
better man of the two, he was very well pleased with our disputes. This
gentleman had an only daughter,--an awful shrew, with a face like a
hatchet but philosophers overcome personal defects; and thinking only
of the good her wealth might enable me to do to my fellow-creatures, I
secretly made love to her. You will say that was playing my master but
a scurvy trick for his kindness. Not at all; my master himself had
convinced me that there was no such virtue as gratitude. It was an error
of vulgar moralists. I yielded to his arguments, and at length privately
espoused his daughter. The day after this took place, he summoned me to
his study. 'So, Augustus,' said he, very mildly, 'you have married my
daughter: nay, never look confused; I saw a long time ago that you were
resolved to do so, and I was very glad of it.'

"I attempted to falter out something like thanks. 'Never interrupt me!'
said he. 'I had two reasons for being glad,--first, because my daughter
was the plague of my life, and I wanted some one to take her off my
hands; secondly, because I required your assistance on a particular
point, and I could not venture to ask it of any one but my son-in-law.
In fine, I wish to take you into partnership!'

"'Partnership!' cried I, falling on my knees. 'Noble, generous man!'

"'Stay a bit,' continued my father-in-law. 'What funds do you think
requisite for carrying on a bank? You look puzzled! Not a shilling! You
wi