Ir must be confessed, that the subject of the first of the succeeding Tales is sufficiently hackneyed, and has already been several times beautifully treated. More especially by Mr. Griffin in his admirable tale of "The Collegians;" by Lord Mulgrave, and by the elegant author of the "Tales of a Chaperon."

It has been thought however that something was yet left to be done upon this subject; and that writers in general have fallen into the error of attributing the uneasiness which they describe, rather to a certain ignorance of external forms, and unaptness in merely conventional details, which any girl of sense and spirit would over

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come in a few months, than to that radical opposition in habits, sentiments, tastes, and feelings, which renders domestic happiness so rarely attainable, in cases of this kind.

Were it of any importance to the reader to be made acquainted with the circumstance, he would beg to add, that late as this story has appeared, it was planned and completed before the appearance of either of the stories last alluded to.

A COUNTRY VICARAGE.

VOL. I.

B

"I know.

The sum of all . .

Consists in the well choosing of a wife;
And this well to discharge, it doth require
Equality of years, of birth, of fortune;
For beauty, being poor, and not cried up
By birth or wealth, can truly mix with neither;
And wealth, where there's much difference in years,
And fair descent, must make the yoke uneasy."

MASSINGER " New Way to Pay Old Debts.”