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ETHEL CHURCHILL.
105

uncle: "but minds of the higher order are not the best suited to ordinary use. I cannot express my meaning better than by using a simile of our opponent, the Irish dean. Swift says,—'take a finely polished razor, and you will waste your labour in getting through a ream of paper, which you need to cut: a coarse bone knife will answer your purpose much better.' Now, your fine-minded man is the razor, and I leave you to make the application."

"Well," replied Courtenaye, "I commend him to your kindness, and beg you to put your judgment out of the question."

"A very common method of acting in this life. But," continued Lord Norbourne, "you can form wishes for a friend—have you none for yourself? I am amazed to see a young man of your appearance and talents—though, after I have been thus depreciating the latter, it is almost an affront to say any thing about those you possess—I am amazed to see you vegetating among your own oaks, as if, like them, growth were your only value."

"I often visit London," replied Norbourne.