the families residing near his estate. It cannot be supposed that every parent who had marriageable daughters could possibly neglect the opportunity which presented itself in the case of young Baronet on the look out for a wife. Many were the secret sighs and hopes of a pale-faced maiden, as she trusted to fortune for an offer on his part. Many ladies 'tis said offered themselves; and in one or two instances, hysterical fits were employed to rivet the "wandering bee," but the Baronet could not be persuaded to lose his heart a la'ordinaire.' Much indignation was excited at the continued apathy and neglect he bestowed on the charms and accomplishments of the affronted damsels; and after three or four years passed by him in this pursuit,he was voted as devoid of every matrimonial inclination. The reason of Sir Andrew's indifference towards the ladies can nevertheless be satisfactorily explained, for with a cunning attention to secure him

self the enjoyment of domestic bliss, he invariably cast the nativity of every lady he addressed himself to in the course of his excursion. One lady he discovered would turn out a scold-shocking! Another would be guilty of extravagance— this of course would plunge him into ruin. A third lady would, as many have done, tranfer herself to the arms of a gallant, and oblige him with the comfort of maintaing a few children, the pledges of their tender love. In short, Sir Andrew was determined to marry no woman but the one that came pure and unstained through the fiery ordeal of his trial by Astrology.'

Sir Andrew was inconsolable at first; he blamed his stars for their malignant opposition to his happiness; but gathering hope from a fresh calculation, he ascertained from the signs, that fate would not continue long to trouble him in the This turned out the case. when he paid a morning visit to Mr.

same manner.

Stables, a gentleman of small fortune, residing in the vicinity. An introduction followed in consequence to Mrs. Stables, their son, and an only daughter. Pres

.sed to partake of the family dinner, our Baronet staid, and found himself quite smitten with the beauty and vivacity of the young lady, and this so effectually, that on rejoining her company in the drawing room, he was surprised for the first time of his life, into some acts of tender gallantry, not but that his natural awkwardness made him fail in every attempt

By his wish she entertained him with several delightful melodies; whilst he, taking his station close to the piano-forte, essayed his best to turn over the leaves of the music, but all to no purpose! the book of songs would provokingly disapbeneath his fingers, falling upon the pear floor, as if to remind him that he was still a novice in the arts of gallantry. His endeavours to pick up the fallen

book often put him in imminent danger of being laid prostrate on the floor; but under all these disadvantageous circumstances, there was a simplicity both in his manners and speech that amended his other faults, consequently every time he erred Miss Stables as kindly forgave him. The old gentleman and his wife were satisfied too much with the honor of entertaining so wealthy a person; to notice any defects in his manners, and therefore when their guest took leave of them at night, they most earnestly begged he would call again, an attention that Sir Andrew had in contemplation whether he was asked or not.

He journied homewards in a pensive state of mind, for his thoughts were fully employed upon the image of his charming Emily, and which as naturally deprived him of a night's good rest. He dwelt tenderly upon her amiable qualities, and determined without delay, to cast her nativity, and provided it turned

out to his satisfaction, to make her an offer, and thus consolidate his happiness by taking to himself—a wife!

He rose early the next morning, and repaired to the church of the parish in which his charmer was born. A fee administered to the clerk gained him every facility in the prosecution of his design, when, after a long search, he discovered her name-Emily Stables; born 17th July, 178-baptised-" Having gained the necessary iuformation respecting the date of her birth, Sir Andrew proceeded to work "secundum artem" upon the horoscope on which his hopes and fears were staked. The result perfectly answered his wishes, for although no particular honors, or glorious exaltations were promised by the stars yet it was equally clear that she would never commit an action that could in the slightest degree reflect upon her character as a lady. "Sol argues a release from evil," said Sir Andrew, as he pencilled down