Henry was not yet seventeen, but he would be older before he finally quitted the school; and most of the S-- B-- weddings took place between mere boys and girls a few years their seniors. A custom too prevailed in this village, and its vicinity, very favourable to suitors--we mean among the elevated rank of which we are now speaking. All received sweethearts, as they are called, were permitted to sit the whole of the night by the embers of the kitchen fire, without witness or candle, beside the damsel to whom they wished to plead their cause. This indulgence was granted, whether scholar lad or labourer, on the plea of the swain, in either case, having no leisure for love-making by day. It was a custom, however, which David Park never permitted in his house, though he had himself been so favoured when courting Betsy's mother. It is reported in the village, that great confusion exists in the parish register, respecting the christenings and weddings of many families, including the butchers. We think, however, that it must be by a mistake of the old clerk, when a christening appears actually upon record before the wedding, the circumstance being quite out of the course of nature. Betsy's father, to do him justice, though he joined in wishing to see his daughter married to a gentleman, and though he was sturdily determined, if such a thing should ever happen, to have her publicly acknowledged; yet would he have disapproved of all the methods pursued by his wife for forwarding such views, had he been aware of them; nor did he permit the slightest familiarity in his presence, from the time that Betsy began to assume at all the appearance of a woman. Indeed he often took her seriously to task; and one memorable day, in particular, as he sat before his house fire, he drew his pipe, which he had been smoking for some time in moody silence, from his mouth, and addressed his daughter thus:-- "If thoo has a mind tle be a gintleman's woife, or an honest man's outher, kep thee sell' to thee sell', and behave theesell' decently." Turning half round, with both hands resting on his knees, he seemed to measure her height and form with his eyes, and then said, "Thoo's gitting up, Bess! dinna let the lads owr nigh thee!" She blushed and smiled. "Coome," he continued, "thoo may kiss thee fayther tho'!" After a rough caress, he recommenced, still looking at her, "Thoo's a fine lass thoo! It wad be a pity ti--a, that thoo shouldst coome tle ney bitter end, than tle mac devartion for scholar lads!--And sham to thee fayther!" he subjoined, after a pause, and in an altered tone.