184 FOURTEENTIL EVENLNG.

G. Small beer does no harm, however.

ZL. No—and we will indulge in a good draught ef it
when we get home; that is, should we be thirsty.

Hf, I like water better.

7. Then drink it, by allmeans. He thatis satisfied
with water, has one want the less, and may defy thirst,
in this country, at least.

FOURTEENTH EVENING.

 

THE BOY WITHOUT A GENIUS.

Mr. WisEmay, the schoolmaster, at the end of the
summer vacation, received a new scholar with the
following letter :—

“ Srr,—This will be delivered to you by my son
Samuel, whom I beg leave to commit to your care,
hoping that, by your well-known skill and attention,
you will be able to make something of him, which, I
am sorry to say, none of his masters hare hitherto
done. He is now eleven, and yet can do nothing but
read his mother tongue, and that but indifferently.
We sent him at seven to a grammar-school in our
neighbourhood; but his master soon found that his
genius was not turned to the learning of languages.
He was then put to writing, but he set about it so
awkwardly, that he made nothing of it. He was tried
at accounts, but it appeared that he had no genius for
them either. He could do nothing in geography, for
want of memory. In short, if he has any genius at
all, it does not yet show itself. But I trust to your
experience in cases of this nature, to discover what he
is fit for, and to instruct him accordingly. I beg to be
favoured shortly with your opinion about him, and
remain, “ Sir

‘“ Your most obedient servant,
‘“ TluMPHREY ACRES.”