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PERNICIOUS EFFECTS OF

within his bosom. He applied first for one, and then for another vacant place; but his plans, being formed without due regard to the natural course of things, invariably proved abortive.

At length the post of town-clerk of his native city became vacant. He was not in want of patrons. His father was one of the oldest senators, and many of the other members of the magistracy were related to him by blood: these exerted all their influence to secure the office for him. He was actually elected, and nothing more was requisite but his confirmation by the court. One of the ministers, however, to whose department this district belonged, and who had, of course, paramount influence in the town, proposed his secretary for the office, and the magistrates durst not oppose this nomination.

Thus was T. once more disappointed. So far, therefore, almost all that Nietzky had predicted was most precisely fulfilled; and hence he inferred the danger that threatened his very life. He was, therefore, in continual apprehension of a near and inevitable death.

His understanding had abundance of arguments to oppose to this silly anxiety; but they were only individual and distinct representations, which had to combat obscure feelings and ideas. Every victory gained by the former was at the same time a triumph for the latter; because they became more and more deeply impressed