;

mal epistle of the other day, announ. duced to such straits," said Gammon, cing his desperation and destitution !" in a sympathizing tone, but settling

• Your health, Mr Titmouse !_help his eye involuntarily on the ring of yourself!” said Mr Gammon, in a Titmouse. cheerful and cordial tone ; Titmouse “Quite dreadful, sir—'pon my soul, pouring out a glass only three-quar- dreadful; and such usage at Mr Tagters full, raised it to his lips with a rag's!” slightly tremulous hand, and returned “ But you mustn't think of going Mr Gammon's salutation. When had abroad-away from all your friends, Titmouse tasted a glass of wine be. Mr Titmouse." fore?-a reflection occurring not only “ Abroad, sir!” interrupted Titto himself, but also to Gammon, to mouse, with anxious but subdued eagwhom it was a circumstance that might erness; never thought of such a be serviceable.

thing!” " You see, Mr Titmouse, mine’s only « Oh! I I thought” a small bachelor's establishment, and “ There isn't a word of truth in it, I cannot put my old servant out of sir ; and if you've heard so, it must the way by having my friends to din- have been from that audacious fellow ner"-[quite forgetting that the day that called on you—he's such a liarbefore he had entertained at least six if you knew him as well as I do, sir !" friends, including Mr Frankpledge- said Titmouse, with a confident air, but, the idea of going through a din- quite losing sight of his letter to Messrs ner with Mr Titmouse ! ]

Quirk, Gammon, and Snap—“ No, And now, o inexperienced Tit. sir-shall stay, and stick to friends mouse! unacquainted with the potent that stick to me." qualities of wine, I warn you to be “ Take another glass of wine, Mr cautious how you drink many glasses, Titmouse," interrupted Gammon, corfor you cannot calculate the effect dially, and Titmouse obeyed him ; but which they will have upon you ; and, while he was pouring it out, a sudden indeed, methinks that with this man recollection of his letter flashing across you have a game to play which will his mind, satisfied him that he stood not admit of much wine being drank. detected in a flat lie before Mr Gam. Be you, therefore, on your guard; for mon, and he blushed scarlet. wine is like a strong serpent, who “ Do you like the sherry?” en. will creep unperceivedly into your quired Gammon, perfectly aware of empty head, and coil himself up what was passing through the mind therein, until at length he moves of his guest, and wishing to divert his about-and all things are as naught thoughts. Titmouse answered in the to you!

affirmative; and proceeded to pour • Oh, sir, 'pon my honour, beg you forth such a number of apologies for won't name it-all one to me, sir ! — his own behaviour at Saffron Hill, Beautiful wine this, sir."

and that of Huckaback on the subse. “ Pretty fair, I think-certainly ra- quent occasion, as Gammon found it ther old ;-but what fruit will you difficult to stop, over and over again take-currants or cherries ? "

assuring him that all had been for“ Why—a—I've so lately dined,” given and forgotten. When Titmouse replied Titmouse, alluding to an ex- came to the remittance of the five ceedingly slight repast at a coffee- poundsshop about two o'clock. He would " Don't mention it, my dear sir," have preferred the cherries, but did not interrupted Gammon, very blandly; feel quite at his ease how to dispose of “ it gave me, I assure you, far greater the stones nicely-gracefully—so he satisfaction to send it, than you to took a very few red currants upon his receive it. I hope it has a little replate, and eat them slowly, and with lieved you ?" a modest air.

6. I think so, sir! I was, 'pon my « Well, Mr Titmouse," commenced life, on my very last legs.' Gammon, with an air of concern,” I " When things come to the worst, was really much distressed by your they often mend, Mr Titmouse! I last letter.”

told Mr Quirk (who, to do him jus“ Uncommon glad to hear it, sir tice, came at last into my views) that, knew you would, sir--you're so kind- however premature, and perhaps imhearted ;-all quite true, sir !” prudent it might be in us to go 30 far, “ I had no idea that you were re

I could not help relieving your pre

I see you

sent necessities, even out of my own feelings by taking up your cause, resources."

without rendering ourselves liable to [Oh, Gammon, Gammon!]

imprisonment for Heaven knows how 55 How uncommon kind of you, long, and a fine that would be ruin sir!"exclaimed Titmouse.

itself, if we should be found out !" “ Not in the least, my dear sir- Titmouse continued silent, his wine(pray fill another glass, Mr Titmouse!) glass in his hand arrested in its way You see Mr Quirk is quite a man of to his mouth; which, together with business—and our profession too often his eyes, were opened to their widest affords instances of persons whose extent, as he stared with a kind of hearts contract as their purses expand, horror upon Mr Gammon. “Are we, Mr Titmouse-ha, ha! Indeed, those then, unreasonable, my dear sir, in who make their money as hard as Mr entreating you to be cautious-nay, in Quirk (who, between ourselves, dare insisting on your compliance with our not look a gallows, or the hulks, or a wishes, in all that we shall deem prumap of Botany Bay, or the tread-mill, dent and necessary, when not only or the stocks, or fifty prisons, in the your own best interests, but our chaface, for the wrong he has done them) racters, liberties, and fortunes are are apt to be slow at parting with it, staked on the issue of this great enterand very suspicious.'

prise ? I am sure,” continued Gam“ Well, I hope no offence, sir ; but mon, with great emotion, “

you

will really I thought as much, directly I

directly I feel for us, Mr Titmouse. saw that old gent."

do!” Gammon put his hand over 66 Ah--but now he is embarked, his eyes, in order, apparently, to conheart and soul, in the affair.”

ceal his emotion, and also to observe “ No! Is he really, sir?” enquired what effect he had produced upon Titmouse, eagerly.

Titmouse. The conjoint influence of “ That is,” replied Gammon, quick Gammon's wine and eloquence not a ly, “ so long as I am at his elbow, little agitated Titmouse, in whose eyes urging him on-for he wants some stood tears. one, who_hem! In fact, my dear * I'll do any thingmany thing, sir," sir, ever since I had the good fortune he almost sobbed. to make the discovery, which happily - Oh! all we wish is to be allowed brought us acquainted with each other, to serve you effectually; and to enable Mr Titmouse,” [it was old Quirk who us to do that”. had made the discovery, and Gam- • Tell me to be hid in a coal-hole, mon who had from the first thrown and see if I won't do it." cold water on it,] " I have been « What! à coal-hole ? - Would you, doing all I could with him, and I trust then, even stop at Dowlas, Tag.rag, I may say, have at last licked the and Co.'s?” thing into shape."

“Ye-e-e-e-s, sir-hem! hem! That - I'll take my oath, sir," said Tit is, till the tenth of next month, when mousé, excitedly, “ I never was so my time's up." much struck with any one in all my

oh, I understand ! born days as I was with you, sir, when Another ss, Mr Titmouse," said you first came to my emp-to Mr Tag- Gammon, pouring himself out some rag's, sir - Lord, sir, how uncom- more wine; and observing, while Titmon sharp you seemed !” Gammon mouse followed his example, that there smiled with a deprecating air, and sip- was an unsteadiness in his motions of ped his wine in silence; but there was a very different description from that great sweetness in the expression of which he had exhibited at the comhis countenance. Poor Titmouse's mencement of the evening—at the doubts, hopes, and fears, were rapidly same time wondering what the deuce subliming into a reverence for Gam- they should do with him after the mon !

tenth. I certainly quite agree with Mr " You see, I have the utmost con. Quirk, that the difficulties in our way fidence in you, and bad so from the are of the most serious description. first happy moment when we met; To speak, for an instant only, of the but Mr Quirk is rather sus risk we ourselves incur personally, short, to prevent misunderstanding would you believe it, my dear Mr (as he says,) Mr Quirk is anxious that, Titmouse?-in such a disgraceful state you should give a written promise." are our laws, that we can't gratify our (Titmouse looked eagerly about for

*« Ah !-ay!

*

*

*

- In

writing materials.) “No, not now, paused, keenly scrutinizing Titmouse's

“ but in a day or two's time. I confess, features by the light of the candles, my dear Mr Titmouse, if I might which just then were brought in. have decided on the matter, I should “ You seem surprised, Mr Titmouse." have been satisfied with your verbal “ Why-why-where's all the mopromise; but, I must say, Mr Quirk's ney to come from, sir?” exclaimed grey hairs seem to have made him Titmouse, aghast. quite-eh? you understand ? Don't “ Ah! that is indeed a fearful quesyou think so, Mr Titmouse ?"

tion,” replied Gammon, with a very “ To be sure! 'pon my honour, serious air; “ but at my request, our Mr Gammon!" replied Titmouse, not firm has agreed to make the necessary very distinctly understanding, how- advances ; and also (for I could not ever, what he was so energetically bear the sight of your distress, Mr assenting to.

Titmouse!) to supply your necessities “ I dare say you wonder why we liberally in the mean time, as I was wish you to stop a few months longer saying.” at your present hiding placeat Dow- “ Won't you take another glass of las's ?"

wine, Mr Gammon?” suddenly en“ Can't, after the tenth of next quired Titmouse, with a confident air. month, sir."

“ With all my heart, Mr Titmouse! “ But as soon as we begin to fire off I'm delighted that you approve of it. our guns against the enemy-Lord, my I paid enough for it, I can warrant dear sir, if they could only find out, you you.” know, where to get at you—you would 66 Cuss me if ever I tasted such never live to enjoy your ten thousand wine! Uncommon! Come—no heel. a year! They'd either poison or kid- taps, Mr Gammon_here goes—let's nap you-get you out of the way, drink-success to the affair !" unless you keep out of their

way: and “ With all my heart, my dear sirif you will but consent to keep snug with all my heart. Success to the at Dowlas's for a while, who'd suspect thing-amen !” and Gammon drained where you was? We could easily his glass ; so did Titmouse. arrange with your friend Tag.rag Mr Titmouse, you'll soon have wine that you should”

enough to float a frigate-and indeed " My stars! I'd give something to what not—with ten thousand a-year?” hear you tell Tag-rag—why, I wonder 66 And all the accumulations, you what he'll do!”

know-ha, ha!” “ Make you very comfortable, and 56 Yes—to be sure-accumulations. let you have your own way in every The sweetest estate that is to be found thiny."

in all Yorkshire. Gracious, Mr TitGo to the play, for instance, when. mouse!” continued Gammon, with an ever I want, and do all that sort of excited air-" what may you not do ? thing?'

Go where you like-do what you like Nay, try! any thing !- And as for -get into Parliament-marry some money, I've persuaded Mr Quirk to lovely woman!" consent to our advancing you a certain “ Lord, Mr Gammon !-you ain't sum per week, from the present time, dreaming? Nor I? But now,in course, while the cause is going on,"-(Tit- you must be paid handsome for your mouse's heart began to beat fast,)- trouble ! - Only say how much“ in order to place you above absolute Name your sum! What you please! inconvenience; and when you coule You only give me all you've said.” sider the awful sums we shall have to “ For my part, I wish to rely endisburse-cash out of pocket-(coun- tirely on your mere word of honour.– sel, you know, will not open their Between gentlemen, you know—my Jips under a guinea)-for court-fees, dear sir." and other indispensable matters, I 6 You only try me, sir.".. should candidly say that four thousand “ But you see, Mr Quirk's getting pounds of hard cash out of pocket, old, and naturally is anxious to pro

, advanced by our firm in your case,

vide for those whom he will leave bewould be the very lowest.” (Titmouse hind him—and so Mr Snap agreed stared at him with an expression of with him-two to one against me, Mr stupid wonder.) “Yes-four thousand Titmouse-of course they carried the pounds, Mr Titmouse, at the very day--two to one." least the very least.'

Again he Only say the figure."

)

a

“ A single year's income, only-ten floor, then gently rising to the cieling. thousand pounds will hardly

Gammon seemed getting into a mist, “ Ten thousand pounds! By jingo, and waving about the candles in it. that is a slice out of the cake.

Mr Titmouse's head swam ; his chair “ A mere crumb, my dear sir!-a seemed to be resting on the waves of trifle! Why, we are going to give you the sea. that sum at least every year-and in- “ I'm afraid the room's rather close, deed it was suggested to our firm, Mr Titmouse,” hastily observed Gamthat unless you gave us at least a sum mon, perceiving, from Titmouse's sudof twenty-five thousand pounds—in den paleness and silence, but too evifact, we were recommended to look dent symptoms that his powerful inout for some other heir."

tellect was for a while paralysed. " It's not to be thought of, sir.” Gammon started to the window and

“ So I said; and as for throwing it opened it. Paler, however, and paler up-to be sure we shall have ourselves became Titmouse.

Gammon's game to borrow large sums to carry on the was up much sooner than he had calwar-and unless we have your bond culated on. for at least ten thousand pounds, we “ Mrs Mumps ! Mrs Mumps ! order cannot raise a farthing."

a coach instantly, and tell Tomkins” “ Hang’d if you sha'n't do what you _that was the inn porter-"to get his like!–Give me your hand, and do son ready to go home with this gentlewhat you like, Gammon ! ”

man-he's not very well.” He was “ Thank you, Titmouse! How I obeyed. It was, in truth, all up with like a glass of wine with a friend in Titmouse--at least for a while. this quiet way!-you'll always find me As soon as Gammon had thus got rejoiced to show

rid of his distinguished guest, he oror Your hand! By George_Didn't dered the table to be cleared of the I take a liking to you from the first ! glasses, and tea to be ready within half But to speak my mind a bit-as for an hour. He then walked out to enjoy Mr Quirk

e_but he's a cur the cool evening; on returning, sat -cur—cur-curmudgeon-hem!” pleasantly sipping his tea, now and then

“ Hope you've not been so impru- dipping into the edifying columns of dent, my dear Titmouse," threw in the Sunday Flash, but oftener rumiGammon, rather anxiously, “ as to nating upon his recent conversation borrow money-eh?”

with Titmouse, and speculating upon “ Devil knows, and devil cares! No its possible results ; and a little after stamp, I knowbang up to the mark” eleven o'clock, that good man, at peace _here he winked an eye, and put his with all the world-calm and serenefinger to his nose- s wide awake- retired to repose. He had that night Huck-uck-uck-uck! how his name rather a singular dream; it was of a sti_sticks. Your hand, Gammon- snake encircling a monkey, as if in here—this, this way-tol de rol, tol gentle and playful embrace. Suddenly de rol-ha! ha! ha!-what are you tightening its folds, a crackling sound bobbing your head about for? The was heard ;-the writhing coils were floor_how funny—at sea-here we go then slowly unwound—and, with a up, up, up—here we go down, down- shudder, he beheld the monster licking oh dearl”-he clapped his hand to over the motionless figure, till it was his head.

covered with a viscid slime. Then [Pythagoras has finely observed, the serpent began to devour its prey ; that a man is not to be considered dead and, when gorged and helpless, bem drunk till he lies on the floor, and hold, it was immediately fallen upon stretches out his arms and legs to pre- by two other snakes. To his disturbed vent his going lower.]

fancy, there was a dim resemblance See saw, see saw, up and down, up between their heads and those of and down, went every thing about Quirk and Snap-he woke-thank him. Now he felt sinking through the God! it was only a dream.

-excuse me

а

INDEX TO VOL. XLVI.

a

Aberyst with, an excursion over the moun- sessed the power of electing their mi-
tains to, 66.

nisters. Though patronage was at one
Affairs of the East, Egypt, Turkey, 100. time abolished, the people never obtain-
Agriculture, on, in a letter from Eusebius ed the right, which was vested in the

to his friend on taking to farming, 733 kirk-session.
his friend's reply, 710.

Colonial neglect and foreign propitiation,
Alison's History of the French Revolution, 752.
Vol. VII. reviewed, 272,

Colonial Government and the Jamaica
Antediluvians ; or the world destroyed, a

Question, 73 -- the unhappy contest
poem, by James M.Henry, M.D., re- between the Mother Country and the Co-
viewed, 119.

lonial Legislature, has attracted a large
Aytoun, William E., his tale of Hermoti, portion of public attention, ib.-colonial
mus, in verse, 592,

jealousy and discon ent is the rock on

which all great maritime powers have
Bellmanship, the, a fr story, Chap. I., split, ib. -- history abounds with proofs of

38]—Chap. II., 383-Chap. III., 386 this leading truth, ib. numerous as are
- Chap. IV., 389.

the evils, social, physical, and political, in
Bower of peace, the, by Delta, 116.

this country, they may all be converted
British Institution, 472.

into a source of strength by a due attention
Burns, 256.