The employment obtained for me by the kind interest of Dr Mayhew, which the return of so many summers and winters has found me steadily prosecuting, was in the house of his brother—­a gentleman whose name is amongst the first in a profession adorned by a greater number of high-minded, honourable men, than the world generally is willing to allow.  Glad to avail myself of comparative repose, an active occupation, and a certain livelihood, I did not hesitate to enter his office in the humble capacity of clerk.  I have lived to become the confidential secretary and faithful friend of my respected principal.

As I have progressed noiselessly in the world, and rather as a spectator than an actor on the broad stage of life, it has been no unprofitable task to trace the career of those with whom I formed an intimacy during the bustle and excitement of my boyhood.  Not many months after my introduction into the mysteries of law, tidings reached my ears concerning Mr Clayton.  He had left his chapel suddenly.  His avarice had led him deeper and deeper into guilt; speculation followed speculation, until he found himself entangled in difficulties, from which, by lawful means, he was unable to extricate himself.  He forged the signature of a wealthy member of his congregation, and thus added another knot to the complicated string of his delinquencies.  He was discovered.  There was not a man aware of the circumstances of the case who was not satisfied of his guilt; but a legal quibble saved him, and he was sent into the world again, branded with the solemn reprimand of the judge who tried him for his life, and who bade him seek existence honestly—­compelled to labour, as he would be, in a humbler sphere of life than that in which he had hitherto employed his undoubted talents.  To those acquainted with the working of the unhappy system of dissent, it will not be a matter of surprise that the result was not such as the good judge anticipated.  It so happened that, at the time of Mr Clayton’s acquittal, a dispute arose between the minister of his former congregation and certain influential members of the same.  The latter, headed by a fruiterer, a very turbulent and conceited personage, separated from what they called the church, and set up another church in opposition.  The meeting-house was built, and the only question that remained to agitate the pious minds of the half-dozen founders was—­How to let the pews!  Mr CLAYTON, more popular amongst his set than ever, was invited to accept the duties of a pastor.  He consented, and had the pews been trebled they would not have satisfied one half the applications which, in one month, were showered on the victorious schismatics.  Here, for a few years, Mr Clayton continued; his character improved, his fame more triumphant, his godliness more spiritual and pure than it had been even before he committed the crime of forgery.  His ruling passion, notwithstanding, kept firm hold of his soul, and very soon betrayed