YONDER is our Valentine walking in the garden with a book in his hand. I am very much afraid that it is rather through vanity than from a real desire of improving himself, that he always appears to be busy reading.

What makes you think so, my dear?

Do not you remark that he casts a side-look now and then, to see if any body takes notice of him?

And yet his masters give a very flattering ac|count of his diligence, and all agree that he is very far advanced for his age.

That is true. But if my suspicions are right, and if the little that he can know has made him vain, I would rather a hundred times that he knew nothing and were modest.

That he knew nothing?

Yes, my dear. A man without any great extent of knowledge, but upright, modest and indus|trious, is a much more estimable member of society than a learned man whose studies have turned his head and puffed up his heart.

I cannot think that my son is of that descrip|tion.

Heaven forbid! But while we are here in the country I shall have more opportunities of observing Page  22him; and I am resolved to take advantage of the first that shall offer, to clear up my doubts. I see him coming to|wards us. Leave me alone with him a moment.