resolved it should remain until the period for the legitimate
satisfaction of her curiosity should arrive.

The father also resolved to do his part by the child in securing
him a good education; and, with the view that it should commence
with the first dawnings of reason, Dominie Sampson was easily
induced to renounce his public profession of parish schoolmaster,
make his constant residence at the Place, and, in consideration of
a sum not quite equal to the wages of a footman even at that time,
to undertake to communicate to the future Laird of Ellangowan all
the erudition which he had, and all the graces and accomplishments
which--he had not indeed, but which he had never discovered that
he wanted. In this arrangement the Laird found also his private
advantage, securing the constant benefit of a patient auditor, to
whom he told his stories when they were alone, and at whose
expense he could break a sly jest when he had company.

About four years after this time a great commotion took place in
the county where Ellangowan is situated.

Those who watched the signs of the times had long been of opinion
that a change of ministry was about to take place; and at length,
after a due proportion of hopes, fears, and delays, rumours from
good authority and bad authority, and no authority at all; after
some clubs had drank Up with this statesman and others Down with
him; after riding, and running, and posting, and addressing, and
counter-addressing, and proffers of lives and fortunes, the blow
was at length struck, the administration of the day was dissolved,
and parliament, as a natural consequence, was dissolved also.