t to matriculate at Oxford,
where, reader, I propose to commence my Eccentric Tour.

[Illustration: Page018]

[Illustration: Page019]

A SHANDEAN SCENE,

BETWEEN LADY MARY OLDSTYLE AND HORATIO HEARTLY.

"I know him well," said Horatio, with a half-suppressed sigh, as he
finished the introductory chapter to the first volume of the English
Spy, or Colloquial Sketches of Men and Manners. "He is no misanthrope,"
said my aunt, taking off her spectacles to wipe away the pearly drop
which meek-eyed pity gave to the recollection of scenes long passed.
Horatio paused--the book dropped instinctively upon his knee, as
his raised eye involuntarily caught the benign aspect of virtue and
intelligence, softened by the crystal gems of feeling. "I wish I knew
where he lived," said my aunt. "I'll find him out," said Horatio;-"Do,"
said my aunt, "and tell him an old friend of his father's, on whom
fortune has deigned to smile in the winter of her days, would feign
extend to him as much of worldly happiness as can be derived from the
enjoyment of worldly treasure."
~18~~
By that sort of magical attraction which imperceptibly links together
the souls of kindred spirits, Horatio's chair had made an angular
movement, of at least six degrees, in a direction nearer to his
venerable relation: no lover ever pressed with more fervency of
affection the yielding hand of his soul's deity, than did the grateful
nephew, at this moment, clasp within his eager grasp the aged palm of
bounteous charity. "I wish he may accept your kind offer," said Horatio.
"And why should he not?" said my aunt, with a half inclination of
extricating her hand, and a penetrating glance of doubt, directed full
in the face of the speaker: "I know not," said Horatio, (hesitating, as
if fearful of giving offence), "but,"-"But what?" said my aunt;-"But I
fear his natural love of independence, and eccentricity of mind, will
admit of no constraint, which his high sense of honor will anticipate
must be partially the case whenever he submits himself to accept the
favors of even such generous hearts as yours." "He would feel no
such thing," said my aunt. "He could not resist the impression," said
Horatio; "your liberality would, I know, be calculated to dispossess
him of the painful sensation; but if the inherent pride of the man could
be subdued, or calmed into acquiescence, by breathing the enchanting
air of friendship, the weight of gratitude, the secret monitor of
fi