acquaintance in the way of business at Nantes; and this person, who came over occasionally to make purchases of English merchandise for his trade, had been commissioned by a brother-in-law of his, who kept an academy, to look out for some young man who would be willing to undertake the situation of English teacher in his establishment; which was chiefly supported by the mercantile class, who having considerable intercourse with this country and America, made it a point that their sons should be taught the language.
"On learning the death of his friend and the overthrow of my father's prospects, this gentleman proposed the situation to him, and advised him to accept it; which, after consulting the few friends he had on the subject, he finally did, and accompanying the stranger abroad, was installed at once in his office.
"Here he remained for two years, with little to complain of, except that his salary was too low to allow him to lay by any thing for future contingencies; but at the end of that period, the master of the establishment died, and poor Valentine, (that was my father's christian name,) was thrown once more destitute, on the pity of the world. He had, however, by this time, so far
