daughter who kept his house, whose beauty, accomplishments, and excellent qualities, rendered her the most distinguished young woman in the whole country.
A little father off dwelt Mr. Blackburn, an old gentleman of great merit; who by a due mixture of study and conversation, had greatly embellished an admirable understanding.

On the other side of Mr. Ellison's house, and about five miles from it, lived young Mr. Blackburn, son to the gentleman just mentioned; his father having given him an estate with a good house upon it, on his marriage with a young woman of family, but no fortune, whose beauty had captivated the young man; his father being glad to encourage any rational inclination, in hopes the society of a woman he loved might reform him from his vices. But success had not answered his wishes; young Mr. Blackburn soon grew tired of his wife, and returned to his bottle, to hunting, gaming, and women; and behaved with such insolence to his father, when he reproached him for his dissolute course of life, that he banished him his presence, and declared a resolution to disinherit him. This breach had subsisted three years, when Mr. Ellison came into the country; and the father still as much offended, and the son as far from reformation, as ever.
These were Mr. Ellison's nearest neighbours, and first visitors, paying him their

compliments before he had got a room fit to receive them. But, as he aimed at nothing farther than neatness and convenience, it was not long before his house was as well furnished as he desired.
Mr. Ellison had two very particular attractions in his neighbourhood; Mr. Blackburn delighted his understanding; Miss Allin captivated his heart. But it is probable, that even all Miss Allin's attractions might have proved ineffectual, had they not found him in a state of leisure.
Business first, and then duty, had hitherto defended his heart; these shields were now removed, and it lay open to Cupid's arrows; in such a defenceless state it might have fallen a prey to half her perfections, and could not make the least resistance. Nor indeed did he wish it; he yielded himself a willing captive; for, as he had no desire to remain single, he with pleasure encouraged an inclination for a woman he thought so well qualified to make him happy, and whose narrow

circumstances gave him reason to hope for a favourable reception.
An inclination we chuse rather to encourage than repress is very quick in its growth. Mr. Ellison had been