to begin.)—There are moments in a man's life, Colonel Hardy, when the advice of a friend is of the greatest value; particularly one, who has also been his father's friend.
Col. My heart very warmly claims both those relations to you, Harwood; and I shall be happy to advise you, as well as I am able.
Har. (After another pause.) I am about to commence a laborious profession.—The mind is naturally anxious.—(Pauses.)
Col. But you are too capable of exercising well that profession, to suffer much uneasiness.
Har. Many a man, with talents superiour to mine, has sunk beneath the burden.
Col. And many a man, with talents vastly inferiour to yours, has borne it up with credit.
Har. Ah! What avails the head with an estranged heart!
Col. You are disgusted, then, with your profession, and have, perhaps, conceived more favourably of mine? I am sorry for it: I hoped to see you make a figure at the bar; and your mother has long set her heart upon it.
Har. (With energy.) O, no! she must not! she shall not be disappointed!—Pardon me, my expressions have gone somewhat wide of my meaning.—I meant to have consulted you in regard to other difficulties.—
Col. And pardon me likewise, for interrupting you; but it appears to me, that an unlearned