chant once more, 'I speak as the agent only of Mr. Vivian. This gentleman will scarcely blame me for insisting on the rights of my principal.'

'By no means 'All in good time.

-

by no means,' replied the merchant. We will talk of that, presently. In

for

the mean time, we will look at the balances. After that we will ask what your larder contains; and then the rights you speak of. Eh, Mr. Vernon, is not that the way?'

'Certainly, certainly,' said Vivian. 'Miss Halstein will leave all to you; I am quite sure that she may do so safely.'

Two or three hours were sufficient to overlook the accounts, and to dispose of the refreshments, which were offered with some degree of parade to the visitors, at the expense of the estate. Vivian ate heartily, and without scruple, of the produce of his own property; and everything unpleasant seemed forgotten, except by Miss Halstein, when the party (which had been augmented, as agreed upon, by the arrival of the Syndic, from Stabroek,) prepared to go.

you

'Now,' said Seyton, 'I must once more draw your attention to my demand. I claim this lady, if will, as a slave. She was born on the estate, has never been made free, and belongs of right to my principal, Vivian.'

'Bah! man,' exclaimed the merchant; 'I thought all that was past. Surely, good wine and excellent nantz must have washed all such bad thoughts out of your head. Come, let us go. Sophie, girl, take hold of Mr. Vernon's arm, and—'

'By your leave it must not be so,' said Seyton im

peratively. He rung a bell, and eight or ten black slaves appeared. You are at liberty to go, gentlemen; but the lady remains with me. Have I not the law with me?' added he, addressing the Syndic.

That officer assented, adding, however, that all depended on the will of Vivian. The lady might, indeed, be entitled to her liberty; but until she proved her freedom, she must remain the property of the planter.

'That is sufficient,' said Seyton, 'I am Vivian's representative.'

'Then I am lost,' exclaimed Sophie.

'Pardon me,' replied the Syndic, Mr. Seyton is superseded. Mynheer, here, has the power of appointing a manager over his property. Besides which, Mr. Vivian himself has arrived at Stabroek '

'Ha!' said Seyton, then no time is to be lost. Superseded or not, Mr. Vivian shall not lose his property. Do your duty, fellows,' added he, addressing the slaves. 'Seize upon that woman, in the name of your master, Vivian.'

'Back, I say,' said our hero, pulling out a brace of pistols, and pointing them towards the advancing negroes. 'Back, men, and be wise. And you, Mr. Manager, or whatever you are, take heed how you overstep your duty. Know, Sirrah, that your master does not think your false accounts the worst part of your bad history. Your cruelty to these poor slaves beneath you has come to his ears; and for that he dismisses you from his service. For your impudent and unfounded claim upon this lady, whom your master loves—'

'What!' exclaimed Sophie; but the merchant restrained her surprise.

'Whom your master loves, wooes, and whom if Heaven is propitious (he says this doubtingly and humbly), he will wed. For this atrocious insult there is no punishment great enough. Yet, if any attempt be made upon her, you shall at least be chastised to your heart's content. Be satisfied that I do not jest, and remain quiet.'

We are all armed, Mr. Seyton,' said the merchant; 'you had better let us depart quietly.'

'She shall not go,' replied Seyton, foaming with rage. Once more, seize upon her, men; seize upon her for your master, Vivian. Till he comes, I will be obeyed at least.'

'He is here!' said Vivian, rushing between Sophie and her adversaries 'he is here: he overlooks you and will punish you. Look, slaves, I AM VIVIAN, —

your master! Obey me as you value the liberty which every man on my estate shall have, — if he deserves it.'

'What he says is true. This is, indeed, Mr. Vivian,' said the merchant; and the Syndic corroborated his tale.

All was quiet in an instant. Yet Sophie Halstein still looked overcome.

'What is this?' inquired the merchant: 'you ought to be rejoiced.'

'I am,' she replied. But, Mr. Vivian, you have something to forget. Can you forgive me?'

'I cannot,' answered Vivian, 'unless with the Palm

Groves, (which from this moment is all your own) you take an incumbrance with it.'

And that is?' said Miss Halstein, inquiringly'It is myself, Sophie,' replied Vivian, tenderly. 'Prithee, be generous: and think what a way I have wandered from home. Take pity on me, and give me shelter with you at the Palm Groves.'

We will talk of this hereafter,' said Miss Halstein, gently, and dropping her eyes upon the ground.

'What a strange lover he is,' whispered the Syndic to the merchant.

'That is true enough;' answered the other. 'Yet, I would wager a grosschen that he succeeds. He is a fine, intrepid, persevering young fellow; and such men seldom fail in anything they set their hearts upon.'

The old merchant was a true prophet. For before three months had elapsed, the pretty Sophie became lawful mistress of the heart and household of Vivian. The Reynestein flourished; but the Palm Groves became their home. In the course of time the blacks on their estates emerged from the condition of bondmen; but remained as cultivators, attracted equally by kind treatment, and an equitable share of the profits of their labors.

'After all, the greatest pleasure in the world,' said Vivian one day to his wife, 'is conferring pleasure; and perhaps the greatest pleasure which one can confer, is to give Freedom to one's fellow-man.'

1831.

VICISSITUDES IN A LAWYER'S LIFE.

SOME years ago, a friend of mine was called up to London, as being the representative of a person that had lately died intestate. The deceased had been a barrister of some reputation with his class, but in small practice and, not having during his life been very communicative respecting his affairs, it was thought necessary that my friend (who was his cousin and next to kin) should personally superintend the opening of his desk and papers, and endeavor to ascertain the amount of property to which he had become heir. Being myself somewhat of a man of business, although no lawyer, I accompanied him on these occasions, and assisted him on all others with my friendship and advice. After long and careful investigation, however, we could discover nothing in the shape of money, beyond a sum of £120 stock in the Three per Cents., together with a few sovereigns and some loose silver in his chambers. He had evidently lived, from day to day, on what his profession brought him. There was, indeed, an indifferent law library,` which we disposed of for forty or fifty pounds, and a few precedents, (of conveyances, bills and answers in