The young gentleman was much to be pitied that he was thus placed in imminent danger of being disposed of without his own consent. Being a man of principle and honor, he could not think of retracting even from an implied engagement; and being very partial to that species of homage which he received from Miss Henderson, his assiduous attentions were so very remarkable that all the observing friends of the parties took it for granted that an engagement was already formed or soon would be formed between them: so that although no actual promise had been given, it was considered by the young lady herself and her particular friends that a virtual promise had been given, which to such a man as Markham was as binding as any form of obligation whatever. If any of our readers be surprised that a man of good understanding should be thus duped, and led on step by step into such a dilemma as this our unfortunate friend is here represented to have been, let them consider that the best understanding in the world cannot see or apprehend any object to which its attention has not been directed; let them also consider that Markham was young and of unsuspicious temper, and not much versed in what are called the ways of the world: all indeed that he knew of the world was that it was round, and flattened at the poles, and that it turned round from west to east, so that the sun appeared to move from east to west; and a few other particulars which had come to him in the way of geographical instruction, formed the sum total of his knowledge of the world: let it be again considered that he was not insensible to approbation, but that his appetite for praise was somewhat acute, and that he was not by any means averse from display and exhibition of his own literary acquirements. This disposition of mind is sometimes laughed at; but notwithstanding all its apparent littleness and weakness, it often prompts to great and valuable efforts, whereby the individual mind receives benefit, and whereby benefit also accrues to society. The existence and operation of this feeling is recognised by all nations, not excepting those in the highest state of civilisation. Rome conquered the world by ingeniously flattering its military heroes; and what are statues and ornamented marble monuments, but a lesson to the living rather than a reward to the dead; and powerful indeed must that feeling be which is gratified even by an anticipation of those honors which may be paid to the unconscious dust. If then the thought of cold flattering marble can raise such heroism and inspire to such diligence, surely the flattery of living lips and the commendation of the fair form of youth and beauty may be allowed to have an influence over the mind of a young man, unsuspicious of the selfish and individual object for which those praises are given.