Hamilton, one afternoon, having been in the neighbourhood of Pancras, where Miss Collings now resided, and returning through Gray’s Inn Lane, observing a literary acquaintance in the Burton ale-house, entered that mansion, where, after they had been about a quarter of an hour, a gentleman came in, and accosting our hero’s acquaintance, joined the conversation. Hamilton was astonished at the brilliancy and strength of this gentleman’s observations, the extent and depth of his metaphysical, moral, and political science. He soon found that this was William Strongbrain, a gentleman very highly prized in the republic of letters, and in Hamilton’s estimation, deserving still higher praise than that which he had received. Hamilton had read, with very great admiration, his execution of an historical plan, projected by another, but left imperfect by his death. He had perused with peculiar delight a mixture of profound philosophy, enlightened policy, and poignant satire, exhibited in a book of a very whimsical title, and comprehending an intellectual and moral portrait of a very illustrious orator, and that he was at this time engaged in conducting a review, commenced by a celebrated vindicator of the lovely and unfortunate Mary. In the course of the evening Hamilton received from this gentleman such an accession, not only of details and facts, but of principles and views, as convinced him he would be a very valuable instructor, while the strength and splendour of his wit and humour rendered him a most delightful companion. The charms of Strongbrain’s colloquial powers fascinated our hero to a very late hour, and he determined to spare no pains in cultivating so very valuable and pleasant an acquaintance: but for some weeks family parties interrupted the progress of their new acquaintance. The old vicar and his son took an excursion to London, whence their friends promised to return with him to Yorkshire. The day was appointed for their departure, when a letter arriving from Etterick, strongly soliciting William to come as soon as possible to Scotland, as his assistance was very much wanted, both by the father and daughter. The mother had, it seems, been dead upwards of a year, and for many months the father and Mrs. O’Rourke had lived together in tranquillity. But of late, disturbance had taken place, which they thought our hero’s presence would most effectually remove. Imparting the particulars to his friends, he convinced them all, that it was necessary, or at least expedient, for him to comply with the request. Accordingly he set off for the north in the Highflyer, which left town from Fetter-lane, in his neighbourhood. They set off between one and two in the afternoon, having only three inside passengers. Nothing remarkable occurred till they arrived at Hertford, where our hero ordered some coffee, while the horses were changing; and having entered a public room, he observed, standing