three thousand pounds, which, together with what her father gave, was properly settled on the younger scions of the house of Sillery.
Had Mr. S. studied Malthus more, and multiplication less, it would have greatly added to the dignity and comfort of his household. As it was, he had to give up his hunters, and look after his preserves. His wife took to nursing and cotton velvet—and every fiftieth cousin was propitiated with pheasants and partridges, to keep up a hope at least of future interest with the three black graces, "law, physic, and divinity;" nay, even a merchant, who lived in Leatherlug Lane, was duly conciliated at Michaelmas by a goose, and at Christmas by a turkey; the more patrician presents being addressed due west.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men;" and the tide on which Francis Boyne Sillery's fortune floated was of esprit de vanille. A cousin, Colonel Boyne, of whom it is enough to say, the first ten years of his life passed beside his mother's point apron; the second at a private tutor's, with seven daughters, all of whom entertained hopes of the youthful pupil; the third series in a stay-at-home regiment, whose cornets and captains were of too delicate material to
