But surely it is time that we should get our old friend from college, and accompany him to the active scenes which we have been describing. The awful period of examination for degree approached, and perhaps it may be truly observed, that the youthful and ingenuous mind, ambitious of distinction, but with the greatest industry and application, conscious of various deficiencies, never subsequently experiences so much perturbation. The personage immediately in question, had previously distinguished himself in public disputations, and had established a character for superior knowledge. This knowledge he really possessed, and it was the opinion and belief of those who knew his attainments, that he was very much superior in fact to many, who obtained precedence above him. But his health was impaired; his spirits failed him; he shrunk from vigorous competition; and although highly distinguished, and honourably placed, his precise situation was neither equal to his own hopes, nor to the expectation of his friends. His elasticity of mind soon however returned, and he renewed his studious pursuits with increased ardour, and at all events resolved on a retired and literary life. A few months had passed without any temptation to deviate from those paths, which familiarity and habit began to render delightful, when a proposition was made which required very serious deliberation indeed. The object was no less than to exchange a life of literary ease and indolence, for one of certain labour and precarious emolument, independence for subserviency, and subserviency to one individual in particular, from whose severity and waywardness, much mortification and uneasiness had formerly been experienced. By the way of balance on the other side, the employment proposed was literary; a path might be opened eventually to useful, perhaps to splendid connection, and frequent communication was indispensably necessary with one, to whom the greatest scholars of the day bowed their heads, whose learning was alike various and profound, whose intellectual powers of every kind were bounded by no ordinary limits, whose conversation could not fail of being instructive, and whose friendship was by many considered as synonymous with patronage. Pride co-operated with certain other feelings, and the offer was accepted. What follows in this and the succeeding chapter, is a literal transcript from the Sexagenarian’s Common-Place-Book. And what were these other feelings? How often and how unavailingly has the question been discussed, whether individuals addicted to learned pursuits should marry. Petrarch, and many other sage and celebrated personages, have adduced some notable arguments on this subtle question, which one single smile from Laura, one kind glance from youthful beauty, one endearing emotion of avowed affection, would in a moment disperse into the thinnest air. Such was the case in the present instance— If lusty Love should go in quest of Beauty.