took at last a paltry degree. Almost at the same time, the London

house was disastrously wound up; Mr Herrick must begin the

world again as a clerk in a strange office, and Robert relinquish

his ambitions and accept with gratitude a career that he detested

and despised. He had no head for figures, no interest in affairs,

detested the constraint of hours, and despised the aims and the

success of merchants. To grow rich was none of his ambitions;

rather to do well. A worse or a more bold young man would

have refused the destiny; perhaps tried his future with his pen;

perhaps enlisted. Robert, more prudent, possibly more timid,

consented to embrace that way of life in which he could most

readily assist his family. But he did so with a mind divided;

fled the neighbourhood of former comrades; and chose, out of

several positions placed at his disposal, a clerkship in New

York.

His career thenceforth was one of unbroken shame. He did

not drink, he was exactly honest, he was never rude to his

employers, yet was everywhere discharged. Bringing no interest

to his duties, he brought no attention; his day was a tissue of

things neglected and things done amiss; and from place to place

and from town to town, he carried the character of one

thoroughly incompetent. No man can bear the word applied to

him without some flush of colour, as indeed there is none other

that so emphatically slams in a man's face the door of self-

respect. And to Herrick, who was conscious of talents and

acquirements, who looked down upon those humble duties in

which he was found wanting, the pain was the more exquisite.

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