took to provide for Abel, and determined to give him such an education as might develop his peculiar turn of mind, which seemed to be hardly understood by Mr. and Mrs. Snobbins who were "a-feard as Abel was too bookish to do much good in the world."

CHAPTER IX.

WE lose sight now of Jack and Abel for many years, and can give only a brief reference to the career of their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Snobbins pursued their usual course, that course being one of almost unbroken prosperity. She continued unchanged, her modest simplicity of demeanour ever the same. His truthful principles and sterling integrity of character remained unblemished, but in minor characteristics he was perhaps not improved by the favors

of fortune. Though the "stronger vessel," he exhibited some weakness of character which his stronger-minded though less assuming wife had never betrayed. Of these the most marked, (and perhaps the most common) was an aping after gentility; not that laudable ambition of raising himself with his fortunes which will stimulate the exertions of every high-minded man, but a vulgar ostentation to outshine others—or to ape the doings of others decidedly his superiors of rank. We are speaking more of the tendency of his character than of any actual outburst: he never violated the proprieties of his station, and perhaps during his wife's lifetime hardly felt the inclination to display, so entirely was he accustomed to be led by her stronger mind. But the weakness, the tendency was there, and had as we shall learn a most powerful effect on his after career.

The only trip of more than a day's duration on which Mr. and Mrs. Snobbins ventured during the whole of their married

life, occurred when Jack was nearly through his apprenticeship, which he had served with unbroken industry, integrity, and zeal. So efficient in every respect was he become, that even the careful Madge thought they might indulge in a week's holiday, which could not but do her husband a world of good, and which, sooth to say, the breaking health of the good wife and close housekeeper pointed to as peremptorily necessary for her.

"As the old cock crows the young cock learns,' Abel," said she; "Jack's just walking in your own footsteps, as hereafter he'll stand in your own shoes. He'll make as good a tradesman as yourself."

It never struck the unassuming, meek woman that the high-minded principle, the sterling sense, stirring spirit, and excellent good temper which her son Jack inherited from her, imbibed from her instructions, or learnt from her example, were higher characteristics than the plodding industry

which chiefly had marked her husband's

career.

At that time Margate was the Thule of fashionable ambition in Cockaigne; the citizens now scout it and even its somewhat more dignified, and certainly much more attractive, sister and successor, Ramsgate. For some time they have tolerated only Brighton, and that no longer sunned by the smiles of royalty, is beginning to be thought rather vulgar. Walmer, Dover, and the Isle of Wight, may enjoy a transient gleam of favour, but it is doubtful whether our own shores will long suffice for the health and recreation of our accomplished islanders, however personally and practically unacquainted with their beauties they may be. No there is no place now but the Continent for the genteel Cit.

It was not so, however, when Mr. and Mrs. Snobbins took their passage in a Hoy -then the only mode of travelling alike