As all natural geniuses are supposed to have something very remarkable in their appearance, we will just take a sketch of the miser’s son, as he alternately leans on the table or stalks about the room during his earnest conversation with his cousin.  He has decidedly sentimental hair; long, black, shining, and with a tendency to curl; he has what might be termed poetical eyes, bright, piercing, and very restless; the sharp, aquiline nose of his father, slightly modified; and a mouth and brow which curl and knit in a manner that may be poetic, but might be disagreeable, under less soothing influences.  That he is very handsome no one could dispute, and it is equally certain that he has an air much above the position in which he was born; but the expression of his face inspires distrust rather than confidence, and conveys the impression that there is more of passion than feeling beneath the fiery eyes and compressed mouth.

A great contrast to this family genius is presented in the person of his cousin Rowland, now addressing him earnestly and seriously upon the grave subjects naturally uppermost at such a time.  He, too, is sufficiently good-looking, with an open, though grave, cast of countenance, fine, soft, hazel eyes, and a tall, manly figure.  By ‘sufficiently good-looking,’ I mean that he is neither very handsome nor ugly, and when his lady friends debate upon his outer man they generally wind up by saying, ‘Well, if he isn’t handsome, he is very genteel.’

We are not going to repeat here the well-known fable of the ’Hare and the Tortoise,’ but something of the character of those animals may be found in the cousins.  At their first dame’s school, as well as at the more advanced grammar school of their little town.  Howel was always able to beat Rowland in swiftness, whilst Rowland effectually distanced Howel in the long run.  It was Rowland who carried off the prizes, when study and prolonged endeavour were necessary to obtain them, whilst Howel eclipsed all his contemporaries, if a theme were to be written, or a poem learnt.

Such differences are so frequent, and have been so often discussed that it is scarcely necessary to pursue the contrast further; but the result at the present stands thus.  Howel, the elder of the two, has dipped a little into everything; has gained a reputation for genius; has been articled to an attorney—­but is in no apparent danger of becoming one—­has written various articles for the county papers, and has had the pleasure of seeing them printed; has acquired a smattering of several languages, and various styles of music; and has proved himself an admired beau amongst the ladies, and a favourite boon companion amongst the gentlemen.  He has been idolised and spoilt by his mother, and stinted and pinched by his father, and having no very great respect or admiration for the talents or conduct of either parent, has not tried much to please them, save when it suited him.

The result of all this, if not already apparent, will doubtless be seen hereafter, for, at four or five and twenty, conduct and principles begin to establish themselves.