planned for several days previous to their meeting, which gives time for Formality to prepare for her appearance among them. At her entrance, Sociability withdraws, and leaves the room to her train of antiquated virgins; or as the Scholiast hath it, Old Maids. Papas too grumble at the additional expence of a Dancing Master to teach the young ancle how to tu:n to the greatest advantage; but this is not all" for the musicians call out French names for the figures, you know Pa," says Polly, the eldest-" and we can't understand e'm, you know, Pa," says Julia, the second-" and that's so very awkward, you know, Pa," says Amelia, the third-—“ and looks so very vulgar, you know, Pa," squeaks Floretta, the youngest" that you see, Pa, we really must learn French," say all four together, in a high treble. This blow, as dreadful as unexpected, almost staggers the good cit, but fashion must be attended to, and therefore they shall go for one quarter.

66

The pleasantest Christmas I ever spent, was about twelve years since, when honest men were content to be honest men and aimed at nothing beyond their own sphere. On the 25th December 1812, I dined at the house of one Mr. Jenkins, a man as good on Change as in his own house. His wife presided at the table in all the pride of a matron with her plum pudding before her, and family around her; regarding both with equal pleasure, as each was the fruit of her la bour, and objects of her pride and pleasure. To praise the pudding was my part-to eat, that of the girls-and we both did our duty to admiration. After dinner we adjourned to the back-parlour, where we met the Hopkins's, Wilkins's, and several other of their kinsfolk; as soon as the tea was discussed, several games were proposed, and Blind Man's Buff received most votes. I was forced into the service, being a goodnatured old bachelor, although I should have preferred sitting with my friend and his wife, on one side of the fire-place, and enjoying the scene before me. When tired of laughing at this game, others were proposed, and " Hunt the Slipper" was selected, and played with the greatest spirit-of this I can only say "Let those laugh that win." Between the acts we were refreshed with cake and wine, and at the drop of the curtain, that we might end with spirit, Snap-dragon entered, like the devil in Freischutz, in all the horrors of flame and fire. The evening is now considered at an end, not so in fact,-the best fun still remained, at the door there

hung a branch of misletoe, and every girl must " pay the turnpike." The young ladies blushed and hesitated; the "elderly young ladies" simpered and pressed forward. The one consented, the presented. Coach for the west end-soon at home-and dreamed I should never 66 see the like again ;" and so it is-the sun of England's Christmas is set for ever.

* * *

C. K.

IMITATION OF HORACE, B. I. ODE 15.

"Pastor cùm traheret," &c.

WHEN through the streets Colossus bore,
In lumb'ring carts, the broken store,
"Twas thus the Genius of the Town,
Lulling the winds, bespoke the clown:
"Ill-omen'd man, the stones you break
Will riot soon, and discord, make!
Petitions sign'd by many a hand
Will seek to reinstate the land.
See! from their stalls the cattle slink,
And e'en at night the hammers clink.
Smooth, as the language o'er thy tongue,
The well-hung carriage glides along,
The strong and active 'scape unhurt,
The lame are levell'd with the dirt.
In vain, though by the London fair
Supported, you will persevere,

And talking loudly of expense,

Take the deluded meeting's sense.

What, though you shun the scourging quill
Of the Bull, Times, and Chronicle,

"For maids in modesty say 'No!' to that Which they would have the profferer construe'

Aye!"

+ "The elder maidens asked, with smirk and grin,
Wherefore the ravishing did not begin?"

SHAKSPEARE.

LORD BYRON.

NOT far from the Thames, now the scene of our stage,

Where Rowland Hill's chapel appears,

A young lady resides of romantical age,

And eke of romantic ideas.

Oh! lovely retirement! how oft art thou quoted
With such a sweet languishing air!

And oh clergymen rural! can ye see her devoted,
And not ease the heart of the fair!

*Paving Contractors.

And ye men militaire! ye'd be just the right thing,
With one leg and an arm off the hooks--
And a fine handsome man with his arm in a sling,
Dear! how interesting he looks.

Or thus she sighs next-" Oh! how happy her lot
Where no London vapours can shock her sight,
In a green shelving vale and a sweet little cot,
With a church and a churchyard opposite.

With a fond loving youth and a good stock of love,
And a good stock of nought to maintain 'em ;
What matters! deliciously starving on love!
For riches! 'twere impious to name 'em.

Oh! fortune! how cruel to plant in a breast,

Such thoughts so divinely selected!

Such exquisite notions!-such can't be express'd

And yet leave them all unperfected!

DRACO.

LETTER

From Jesswant Sing, Rajah of Joudpore, to Aurenzebe, the fanatical and persecuting Successor of the wise and benevolent Akber.

"YOUR royal ancestor Akber, whose throne is now in heaven, conducted the affairs of this empire in equity and firm security for the space of fifty-two years, preserving every tribe of men in ease and happiness; whether they were followers of Jesus or of Moses, of David or of Mahomed; were they Brahmins, were they of the sect of Dharians, which denies the eternity of matter, or of that which ascribes the existence of the world to chance. They all equally enjoyed his countenance and favour, insomuch that his people in gratitude for the indiscriminate protection which he afforded them, distinguished him by the appellation of Guardian of Mankind.' If your majesty places any faith in those books by distinction called Divine, you will there be instructed that God is the God of all man

kind, not the God of Mahomedans alone. The Pagan and the Musselman are equally in his presence. Distinction of colours are of his ordination. It is he who gives existence. In your temple to His name, the voice is raised in prayer; in a house of images, where the bell is shaken, still He is the object of adoration. To vilify the religions and customs of other men is to set at nought the pleasure of the Almighty. When we deface a picture we naturally incur the resentment of the painter; and justly has the poet said, ' presume not to arraign or scrutinize the various works of the Power Divine.'" W. F. C.

REMINISCENCES OF WESTMINSTER.

Hail, memory, hail! thy universal reign
Guards the least link of being's glorious chain.

Et puer in memori pectore rursus ero.

ROGERS.

MUSA ETONENSES.

THERE are many people who take the greatest pleasure in reflecting on the days of their childhood, and I own it is frequently to myself a source of real delight; nor is there any one, I imagine, who does not look back with satisfaction on those years, when the stripling, emerging from the leading strings of the nurse, begins to think and act for himself, leaves the "home department," and goes on "actual service." The world appears like a stage on which comedies are daily acted, nor do we once dream that tragedies are frequently performed. Every thing is new to us; we mix with a vast number about our own age, in itself a little world, look forward to happiness as certainly attainable; and, when engaged in the usual sports, do not envy the greatest potentate on earth. However much we may have disliked school, yet at a distant period of our lives, we dwell with enthusiasm on the many pleasant days we have passed there, and a spell seems thrown around us, that drowns in oblivion any petty misery we may have endured.

Westminster, in particular, has one great advantage over every other place, whether of public or private education,-time, though