No More Learning

Two years previous to this unfortu-
nate event, Mrs. Montgomery received
the melancholy intelligence of her be-
loved mother's death, by a letter from
a housekeeper who had resided in the
samily five-and-twenty years; and at the
same time she learned that her sather
was going to leave Scotland, though
none of the servants knew where he in-
tended to reside.
As soon at Mrs. Montgomery had dis-
posed of her esfects at Charlestown, her-
self, two children, and a female servant,
embarked
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? 120 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
embarked in the first ship that was bound
for Scotland, where stie arrived without
the occurrence of any particular circum-
stance during the voyage. All her en-
deavours to trace her sather's residence,
or find out his abode, were fruitless;
her mind, naturally inclined to the pen-
Jive cast, became habitually melancholy;
and the very cool reception she met with
from those persons who had once been
proud of her acquaintance, at length
induced her to fix her abode in the rp-
mantic situation I have before described.
Mrs. Montgomery was too tenderly
attached to her children to support the
idea of a separation; yet she was con-
vinced that they required more instruction
than she was capable of asfording them,
(as Malcolm had just entered his eighth,
and Duncan his seventh year) and she,
therefore, engaged a young man, who
had
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS, 121
had been usher in a capital school, as
preceptor to them, and had the gratifica-
tion of perceiving that both their minds
and manners were improved by his tui-
tion. . ' ' . '
As Mr. Maclean's father and mother
resided within twelve miles of the tower,
he always passed Saturday and Sunday
in their society, and returned to his pu-
pils on the Monday morning; and du-
ring his absence Malcolm and his bro-
ther used to amuse themselves by fishing
in the Clyde, and . in visiting the. little
hovels of the Scotch peasantry within
the vicinity of their mother's dwelling,
to distribute to each some proof of. her
liberality and some mark of her bene-
volence. . '.
Although nothing could be more op-
posite than the disposition of the boys,
yet there never were two brothers who
. - M lived
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? 122 tHE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
lived in greater harmony, or more readily
sacrificed their own inclinations for the
fake of promoting each other's happiness.
Malcolm was grave, studious, and fond
of solitude ; whilst Duncan was volatile,
inattentive, and delighted in variety;
yet as both possessed an uncommon share
of good nature, they had more satissac-
tion in promoting each other's pleasures
than in the gratification of their own.
Duncan would frequently lament the re^
tired life his mother had made choice of,
and anticipate the happiness he should
enjoy when old enough to be sent to the
university of Glasgow, of which his tu-
tor informed him he was intended to be-
come a member--whilst Malcolm would.
declare he had no greater idea os happir
ness than what he derived from the soci-
ety of two persons so tenderly beloved,
in relieving the distresses of his. fellow-
<<. -. I - crea-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. I2J
creatures, and in admiring the stupen-
dous works of Nature, which were so
wonderfully displayed around their dwel-
ling.
It was Mrs. Montgomery's constant
practice to enumerate the qualities of
her lamented husband in the presence os
the children, and to inspire them with a
wish of emulating his virtues ; but their
grandfather's name was never mentioned,
neither had they an idea of his exalted
rank. They were early taught to de-
spise that greatness which could only
boast of hereditary distinction, and to
consider superiority os birth as only enti-
tled to respect when it was attended with
superior merit. '* The benefit of society,"
. she would often say, <>> demanded the
introduction of subordination ; but the
human mind, feeling the influence of
its own independence, spurned the bond-
H 2 age
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? 124. THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
age of oppressive greatness--. it may easily
be led to bend to power, ttiy beloved
boys," said that . intelligent woman;
** but it rebels at the bare idea of corn-
pun flion. If you would be loved and
respected by your dependants, let your
conduct prove to them that you deserve
it; and instead of forcing them to the per-
formance of their duty, convince them
that you'are sensible of the services they do
you, and in return endeavour to promote
their happiness: by that mode of beha-
viour you will find their zeal strengthen,
their asfection increase, and their respect
amount nearly to veneration. "
. These precepts of kindness and bene-
volence were made doubly impressive by
the force of example ; and nothing but
a naturally corrupted mind could have
rendered the two Montgomerys unami-
able. Every thing they saw, every
thing
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 12$
thing they heard, was ultimately cal-
culated to promote the love of vir-
tue ; and though their mother thought
it necessary to convince them that
there was such a thing as vice in the
world, yet they would listen to her ac-
counts of its practice, with an incredu-
lity of countenance that seemed abso-
lutely to indicate a doubt of its exist-
ence.
As his pupils advanced in years, Mr.
Maclean saw the necessity of introdu-
cing them into that world of which they
must shortly become members, ami-
pointed out to Mrs. Montgomery the,
hazard they would run in being placed
at College before they had acquired some
knowledge of mankind. " There is as
much difference between books and men,
my dear Madam," he would say, " as
there is between the inhabitants of one. .
M. 3 >> COUI>7
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? 126 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. .
country, and those of another ; and it
is absolutely necessary that your sons
should become acquainted with both. "
Convinced of the propriety of these
sentiments, Mrs. Montgomery was re-
solved to be guided by them, and taking
a small house near the cathedral in Glas-
gow, removed thither on the day Mal-
colm entered his fourteenth year. >
Although the boys had accompanied
their tutor to Glasgow in two or three
visits which he had paid his brother,
(who was one of the canons of that an-
cient cathedral) yet their time was so
short, that they were unable to gratify
their curiosity by a survey os a place
that appeared to abound with wonders ;
every thing, therefore, was new ; every
thing was astonishing ; and the variety
of questions which were put to their
mother and tutor, proved at once the
simpli-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 12J
simplicity of their minds, and that thirst
for information which Nature has. im-
planted for. the wisest purpose.
Although it was contrary to Mr.
Maclean's interest that his pupils should
be sent to school, yet he strenuously ad-
vised Mrs. Montgomery to that mode of
conduct ; and at length it was agreed
that they should pass their mornings with
Mr. Macnamara, who kept an eminent
academy, and the afternoons should be
devoted to receiving the private instruc-
tion of Mr. Maclean, whom Mrs. Mont-
gomery persuaded to remain as part of
her samily.
Upon entering the school, where not
less than ninety boys were assembled,
Malcolm at sirst felt rather embarrassed ;
but the natural freedom of Duncan's
manners made him perfectly easy upon
the occasion. They were soon called up
1 to
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? 12? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
lo be examined by Mr. Macnamara, that
he might judge in what class they ought
to be placed, and the perfect ease with
which they answered his interrogations,
and their very great forwardness both in
the Greek and Latin languages, pro-
cured them not only an eminent situa-
tion, but immediate attention from many
boys much bigger than themselves. The
sacility with which they performed their
exercises, and the ease with which they
learned their tasks, frequently induced
the other boys to apply to their assistance,
and the Montgomerys became universal
savorites.
The first thing that called forth Mal-
colm's astonishment, and roused his in-
dignation, was the seeing a boy go to
his schoolfellow's desk, and scrTbble an
exercise all over, which he had just com-
pleted, whilst he went to the other end
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. X29
of the school to deliver a message Mr. ,
Macnamara had sent to one of the ushers.
<<<< Why have you done that? " said
Malcolm to the boy, whose name was
Campbell; " for surely it is a very ill-
natured trick. "--" He deserves ten times
worse," replied the boy; " for he's
. what we call a Larum, and is hated by
the whole school;"
" A Larum! " said Malcolm, " I
don't understand the meaning of the
word ; but if he has done you an -injury,
why don't you resent it openly ? surely
that would be more manly. "
" More manly, perhaps;" replied
the boy, " but less prudent; for he would
certainly tell the ushers of me, and is
too great a coward to fight his own bat-
tles--and Larum's a nick-name for tell*
tale, and he's the greatest in the school'. "
The truth of this "account was in-
stantly
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? I30 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
stantly authenticated by the boy's re-
turning to the deflc, perceiving the mis-
chief that had been done during his ab-
sence, and taking the paper up to his sa-
vourite champion the usher, who blus-
tered violently about the school, and de-
clared he would punish every boy in it,
rather than not discover the author os so
malicious a contrivance.
As soon as school was ended, the boys
always retired to the play-ground, and
the Montgomerys generally accompanied
them ; and one morning, after they had
been about ten days members of the so-
ciety, they were invited by Campbell,
to join him in a scheme of robbing the
hot-house of their next door neighbour,
who, though >>t was only the latter end
of spring, they were informed had plenty
of rife fruit*
- ff Rob. his hot-house! " exclaimed
Mai-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. IJI
Malcolm, scarcely crediting what he
heard. --" What I Steal the fruit! "
said Duncan, in equal amazement:
" why, do you know you run the hazard
of being hanged; and besides, that it is
breaking the eighth commandment "
" Breaking the eighth fiddlestick,"
replied Campbell; " I tell ye what;
when you have known old Sanderson as
long as I have, you'll not think of the
eighth or the ninth commandment either ;
fer he's always telling our master some
tale about the boys, and has had five or
fix severely flogged; it is not that we
want trie fruit, only we know the old
dog prides himself upon it, and has
saved it all for a grand feast which he
is going to give the heads of the College
to-morrow--so come, and be enliftedt
and make one of our party. " ;
'Twas in vain for Malcolm or Duu-
. . . . . can
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? 132 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
can to remonstrate ; for the plan was
arranged in spite of all the arguments that
either their fears or their principles sug-
gested, and they went home to dinner,
(hocked at such an instance of early de-
pravity. Malcolm was peculiarly grave,
and Duncan seemed to ' have lost''his
wonted spirits. Pained at observing
this sudden change, Mrs. Montgomery
tenderly inquired into *he cause, but
Could not obtain any satissactory reply ?
at length being earnestly pressed by their
indulgent mother they revealed it, de-
claring they could never be happy at
school if the boys were in the habit of
acting with so little principle.
Mrs. Montgomery applauded their
sentiments, but gave them to understand,
that the wanton pranks of an unthinking
boy deserved not the severe epithet of
want as principle; and at the same time
. told
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 133
told them, that retaliation ought to be a
Jchosl boys motto, for that they made it
a rule never to suffer an injury without
returning it with four-fold interest.
V But pray, Mamma," said Duncan,
" is not that very wicked ? "--" I should
for their sakes, my love," replied Mrs.
Montgomery, hope it is not very
/wicked, thougTl it certainly must be al-
lowed to be very wron? ; but a school
boy's vices generally proceed from want
of reflection, and are therefore much
more excusable than a premeditated
crime. ".
The boys had arranged their plan
with so much method, and executed it
with so much skill, that the whole hot-
house was stripped of its contents, and
two of the finest apricots were next day
presented to the Montgomerys, who
strenuously refused the offer, alleging,
. i n tliat
.
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? 134 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
that as they were not sharers in the dan-
ger, they had no reason to be partakers
of its reward--though in sact} their real
reason was, that they considered them
as Jiolen goods, and were resolved not to
share them.
Just as school was ended, and the
boys had entered the play-ground, Mr.
Macnamara's servant passed, " Well!
what's the best news with you, Tho-
mas f" said one of them. --" I know of
none that's goodreplied the fellow. --
" Do you know of any that's Bad? "
saiiithe same boy. --" Yes, bad enough,
Sir; for poor Ben, Doctor Sanderson's
gardener has been taken up on suspicion
of having robbed his master's hot-house,
and sold the fruit. "
Campbell, who had just joined them
as this intelligence was communicated j
turned as pale as death, and catching
Mai-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. I35
Malcolm by the arm, led him away to
another part of the play-ground, and
asked his advice how he ought to act.
Thomas's intelligence soon spread, and
before Malcolm could give his opinion,
the three other boys who had been con-
cerned in the theft joined Campbell ia
equal trepidation.
One was sor sending by a porter a suf-
ficient sum of money to pay for the
fruit, with a letter to the old doctor,
assuring him of his servant's innocence.
Another was for soliciting a friend to go
to the justice who had committed^ the
gardener, and get him on their side ;
and a third Was of opinion that his sa-
ther would take the man to live with
him as soon as he was out of confine-
ment, 'and that they might easily make
up money enough between them for the
purpose of supporting him comfortably
N 2 whilst.
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? 136 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
whilst he was in prison--but all these
plans Malcolm disapproved, and advised
them to wait upon the old man, acknow-
ledge the crime, and intreat the poor
gardener might immediately be liberated.
This was at first opposed, and all de-
clared they would as soon face a tyger.
At length it was agreed that Mr. Mac-
iiamara mould be made acquainted with
the whole affair, and Malcolm was
intreated to undertake the office. Every
thing that could be said in mitigation of
the crime he thought of saying, and Mr.
Macnamara heard him with much more
calmness than had been expected. He
ordered the boys into close confinement,
and then waited immediately upon his
crabbed neighbour, who insisted that all
the boys that had been concerned in the
theft should immediately be expelled. --
. That demand Mr. Macnamara informed
i . him
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 137.
him could not be complied with, but he
promised they Ihould all be severely pu-
mped. --Upon sinding he could not have
the satisfaction he demanded^ the old man
began abusing the schoolmaster, declaring
he was an incendiary, and had actually
been at the bottom of the plan.
This unmerited impertinence pro-
voked Mr. Macnamara so completely,
that he protested he would not punish a
single boy in the school, and, returning
homej gave them immediate liberty,
but desired them all to assemble in the
school. He there entered into a long
dissertation, sirst upon the crime, and
next upon the meannejs of robbing gar-
dens and orchards ; and after expatiating
near half an hour upon the subject, he
promised to forgive the recent outrage
that had been committed, on condition
that every boy in the school would make
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? 138 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
a solemn promise never to be guilty of
such a thing again.
" I promise! --I promise! --I pro-
mise ! " -- was vociferated from every
part of the room, and three cheers were
given to the liberal-minded Superior as
he rose to quit it.
Time rolled rapidly away, and each
day Mrs. Afontgomery had the happiness
of observing that her sons acquired fresh
knowledge. They had been at the
school upwards of a twelvemonth, when
their mother determined to pass the
summer vacation in her savourite tower,
as she had left some furniture in it, and
an old woman, whom hfer benevolence
supported, to take care of it.
The boys. were delighted to retrace
the haunts of their early days, and even
Mr. Maclean was pleased at the new
arrangement. He still adopted b,is for-
mer
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? THE AMIABLE. BROTHERS.
I
mer plan of spending Sunday with his
parents; and as Saturday was fixed fdr
Mrs. Montgomery's departure from
Glasgow, it was determined that he
should follow on the Monday morning.
When Mrs. Montgomery first return-
ed from America, her liberal mind en-
dured several severe mortisications from
tlu; cool indisference with which she was
received by the very people who courted '
her acquaintance when she appeared as
the heiress of a nobleman of distinction ;
but when that nobleman had publicly
declared his intention of leaving every
sixpence of his fortune to a distant rela-
tion who was to inherit his title, his
daughter was then considered as a weak,
insatuated young woman, who had justly
exasperated her sather by an alliance
every way degrading to a girl of high
rank ; and the reception they gave her
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? 14. 6 THE AMIAB1E BROTHERS.
at once proved their disapprobation of
her conduct, and their wish of dropping
all sarther acquaintance. This illiberal
mode of behaviour was Mrs. Montgo-
mery's first inducement to make choice
of a solitude where she would neither
be subject to the coldness 6f the inte-
rested, or the impertinence of the arro-
gant ; and though she had never vifict. d
any of the families during the twelve
months she had resided at Glasgow, yet
she returned to her savourite spot with
sensations of joy, pleasure, and tran-
quillity.
Lord Macdonald, who after the death
of his amiable wife found the-samily
mansion gloomy, dreary, and uncom-
fortable, resolved to endeavour amusing
his mind by variety of scenes, and
change of place ; but, still preserving an
inveterate hatred against his daughter,
resolved
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 141
resolved to keep his intention secret from
every creature except his banker, who,
true to the trust reposed in him, pro-
tested Ignorance of his Lordship's mo-
tions whenever he was applied to by his
anxious and still affectionate daughter.
This banker, upon Lord Macdonald's
return, informed him of the inquiries
which had been made, and also of Mrs.
Montgomery's present abode, and said
every thing in his power to promote a
reconciliation, though without effect.
As there was a great quantity of tim-
ber upon his Lordship's estate which he
wished to dispose of, it was necessary
for him personally to give directions; and
to prevent the possibility of his daugh-
ter's knowing he was in that part of the
world; he resolved to travel unattended
in a hired carriage, and quit Scotland as
soon as he had given the necessary or-
ders.
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? 142 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
ders. This resolution he put in prao
tice a few days before Mrs. Montgo-
mery removed to her savourite tower;
and as. the two boys had rambled a great
distance from it, and were climbing a
barren rock for the purpose of behold-
ing distant objects, they plainly disco-
vered, by the help of a telescope, (which
they always carried in their pocket) a
postchaisc lying broken in the high road,
from which they were about a mile dis-
tant.
Curiosity, or perhaps a better motive,
induced them immediately to descend,
and make the best of their way to the
spot where the accident had happened ;
but no person was remaining near it to
give them the information they were so
anxious to obtain. A quantity of blood
was lying in the road, and by that they
traced the unfortunate person who had
- . . , met
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 143
met with the accident, to a miserable.
hovel about two hundred yards distant.
As soon as they entered this wretched
hut, which was merely composed of
stones and dirt, they beheld a venerable
looking man, about sixty, supported in
the arms of a forlorn female, whilst
the blood was sast issuing from a wound
he had received in the temple.
" Ye be comed in gued time, my
bonny lods," cried the woman ; " for
my hart sceken at the scete of blude,
and Sandy be gune to feetch the doctor. "
So saying, she laid the apparently dying
man upon the~tarth floor, and walked
into the air to recover her sickness.
Malcolm took the handkerchief out of
his pocket and bound it tight round the
stranger's head, whilst Duncan snatched
up a wooden bowl, and drew some wa-
ter from a neighbouring . well, with
. i . . : x which
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? *44 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
which they plentifully sprinkled the poor
man's sace, who in a few moments
Opened his eyes, and in a tone of saint-
ness and astonishment, exclaimed,---
" Where am I! " What has been the
matter ? and why am I reduced to this
forlorn situation ? "--The two boys soon
explained every thing, and expressed a
desire that he could be removed to their
mamma's abode. ? . t . . i '. '
" Removed J " said the stranger! , Oh,
that I shall never be ! I ftelME feel,"
he continued, *<< that this will be my
death stroke ; but I deserve it, . . "Oh,
my child I could you know the situation
of your wretched father, you would
think him punished for all his severity ! "
" Child!