The doctor, who by long residence at college chiefly regarded academic dignities and promotion, did not doubt that the genius and erudition of his nephew might rise to the highest appointments in the university, if not in the church. He himself had by his college connections procured a living, formed his school, and lately obtained a more valuable benefice. He knew that a contented and unambitious temper only prevented him from rising still higher, and saw that Hamilton was of a much more aspiring disposition. The colonel, much as he venerated the elder, respected and esteemed the younger Wentbridge, yet valued political more than ecclesiastical advancement, and desired his son to rise in the state rather than the church.--They all, however, agreed that he should speedily be sent to an university; and as Cambridge was best known and most highly prized by Dr. Wentbridge, that was the seminary chosen for young Hamilton, and preparations were made for his being entered of Trinity college. Before William’s departure for the university, he unexpectedly became acquainted with relations whom he had never as yet seen. The laird of Etterick had, as we have recorded, returned to the north, possessing all the charms of his Grizzle’s person, and the half of her twelve thousand pounds, the old lady having retained the other during life, a period which the honest laird could not help thinking very long. Etterick had not all the satisfaction in this connection that he had hoped;--not that he felt or had any reason to feel jealousy. The amiable Grizzle had indeed had the good fortune never to excite any inordinate desire: during her virginty the views of her suitors had been bounded by her pockets; and since her entering the marriage-state, all men that saw her regarded her as having disposed of the only temptation which had been ever in her power; and the laird when in his cups, sometimes wishing to celebrate the wonderful purity of his wife, would declare that she was not only singularly virtuous, but that he would venture to say no man ever desired her to be otherwise. So wrong-headed women are sometimes found, that the lady did not relish this compliment, and no subject was more grateful to her than assertions that attempts had been made upon her virtue. The laird and she, after the honey-moon was over, were not extremely rapturous in their expressions of affection. Sometimes, indeed, they fell into little sparring matches which temper the sweets of connubial ecstacies. In these family-pieces Mrs. Sourkrout would now and then take a part. The chief subject of dispute was the rank and consequence of the respective families, whether the daughter of a mayor or the laird of Etterick brought the greatest honour. This point was frequently contested with warmth, and introduced a great variety of narratives, of arguments, replies, and rejoinders. The laird would mention the many centuries during which the family of Etterick had lasted. They