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TWO NATIONS.
311

read any day as long as you like, but that writing, I could never manage. My friend Morley is a powerful hand at it. His journal circulates a good deal about here; and if as I often tell him he would only sink his high-flying philosophy and stick to old English politics, he might make a property of it. You'll like to know him?"

"Much."

"And what first took you to the press, if I may ask!"

"Why—y father was a gentleman—" said Egremont in a hesitating tone, "and I was a younger son."

"Ah!" said Gerard, "that is as bad as being a woman."

"Thad no patrimony," continued Egremont, "and I was obliged to work ; I had no head I believe for the law; the church was not exactly in my way; and as for the army, how was I to advance without money or connexions! I had had some education, and so I thought I would turn it to account."

"Wisely done! you are one of the working