A NOVEL.

"There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure, but security enough to make fellowships accursed; much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This news is old enough yet it is every day's

news."-SHAKSPEARE.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

LONDON.

RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET

1837.

LONDON:

SCHULZE AND CO., 13. POLAND STREET.

THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY.

I did not think

To shew to all the world, my pen and ink
In such a mode; I only thought to make
I knew not what ; nor did I undertake
Therebye to please my neighbour,—no, not I:
I did it my own self to gratify.

Thus I set pen to paper with delight,

And quickly had my thoughts in black and white.
For having now my method by the end,

Still as I pulled it came; and so I penn'd

It down; until it came at last to be,

For length and breadth, the bigness which you see.
JOHN BUNYAN.

This Apology for a Book, which has given comfort and delight to millions, is perhaps presumptuously prefixed to the following pages-not as being intended to mean that the author supposes there is a shadow of resemblance between the immortal That, and the ephemeral This, but as expressing in simple truth, the rise and progress of "Concealment."

CONCEALMENT.

CHAPTER I.

"Twas that delightful season when the broom Full-flowered and visible on every steep

Along the copses runs in veins of gold."

WORDSWORTH.

Ir was early in June, when a day of gentle showers had been succeeded by an evening of bright and glistering beauty, that two friends went forth together to partake of the general gladness of nature, and to contribute their offering of intelligent admiration, to that ins