step. But he was to meet them that even. ing at one of the parties to which he had schemed to be invited on her account. And with every vein thrilling with his morning's happy work, and the anticipation of seeing her who was now his, in the evening, how could any young lover be expected to turn from his happiness to the thought of anything less blessed? The day passed like a dream; everything in it tended towards the moment in which he should see her again. It would be like a new world to see her again. When they met in the morning she was almost terrible to him, a (queen who could send him into everlasting banishment. When he met her now he would see in her his wife, wonderful thought, his own! The place of meeting was in one of the crowds of London society, where all the world is
but Wilton saw nothing except those soft eyes which were looking for him. How their hands met, in what seemed only the ordinary greeting to other people, clasping each other as if they never could part again! They did not say much, and she did not even venture, except by a momentary glance now and then, to meet his eye. There was scarcely even opportunity for a whisper on his part to ask what he was to do, for as he stooped for this purpose to Lady Jane's ear, the duchess, who was looking very serious, but who had not refused to shake hands with him, laid a finger upon his arm.
such serious conversation could be car- ried on. Sometimes the frivolity of the surrounding circumstances kept him si- lent; for who would, if he could help it, associate that wonderful moment of his existence with nothing better than the chatter of the ball-room? And once when every circumstance favored him, his heart failed and he did not dare to put his fortune to the touch. How could he think of the father, while in all the agita- tion of uncertainty as to how his suit would be looked upon by the daughter? During this moment of hesitation the duchess herself once asked him to din- ner, and when he found himself set down in the centre of the table, far from the magnates who glittered at either end, and far from Lady Jane who was the star of the whole entertainment, Winton felt his humility and insignificance as he had never felt them before, and was conscious of such a chill of doubt and alarm as made his heart sink within him. But the duchess was markedly kind, and a glance from Lady Jane's soft eyes, suffused with a sort of liquid light, sent him up again into a heaven of hope. Next morning they met by chance in the park, very early, before the world of fashion was out of doors. She was taking a walk attended by her maid, and explained, with a great deal of unnecessary embarrassment, that she missed her country exercise and had longed for a little fresh air. The conse- quence was that the maid was sent away to do some small commissions, and with a good deal of alarm, but some guilty happiness, Lady Jane found herself alone with her lover. It did not require a very long time or many words to make matters clear between them. Did she not know already all that he had wanted so long to say? One word made them both aware of what they had been communicating to each other for months past. But though this explanation was so soon arrived at, the details took a long time to disentangle - and there was a terrible amount of rep: etition and comparison of feelings and circumstances. It was nearly the hour for luncheon when he accompanied her home, with a heart so full of exultation and delight and pride, that it had still no room for any thought of the duke or fear of what he might say. Even after he had parted from his love, Winton could not As in the days of our first mother Eve, withdraw his mind from its much more woman is still curious; and the things agreeable occupation to think of the duke. that a lady would like to know seem to be Jane had begged that she might tell her increasing in number and complexity. mother first, and that he should wait to Ladies already know very well what “dif- hear from them before taking any further | ferences mean, not only in the family
"Mr. Winton," she said, "I should like to see you to-morrow about twelve. I have something to say to you." She had looked very grave, but at the end brightened into a smile, yet shook her head. "I don't know what to say to you," she added hurriedly; "there will be dreadful difficulties in the way."
To-morrow at twelve! he seemed to tread upon difficulties and crush them under his feet as he went home that evening; but with the morning a little thrill of apprehension came.
From The Saturday Review.
THINGS THAT A LADY WOULD LIKE TO
circle, but on the Stock Exchange. They | ziah." And then we are invited to disare familiar with tangents and contango, cuss the peccadilloes of this lamented and some of them have pushed their re- monarch. De mortuis nil nisi bonum is searches so far as to understand the na- clearly not the motto of the Cambridge ture of the odds -a matter long held by Examiner. The Oxford Examiner is some philosophers to lie beyond the fron- also interested, but in a more chivalrous tiers of the female intelligence. Exam spirit, in the "last illness and death of inations and emancipation have much to Ahaziah." Nothing is asked about his answer for, and most men feel a becom- sins, which probably were not unlike those ing diffidence on entering into conversa- of most monarchs. It is difficult, as Martion with a lady who may be a "higher cus Aurelius says, to lead the truly virtulocal or a "senior" student, and who is ous life in a palace. The Oxford Examcertain to be acquainted with many things iner rather unreasonably asks young lawhich are to them unknown. The vast dies to correct either the grammatical or ness and depth of feminine science have historical defects in the statement, "And been almost painfully brought to our no- when they arose early in the morning, betice by two stray copies of the Oxford hold they were all dead corpses." C'est Examiner and the Cambridge Examiner. là le miracle, as Joab says in a play of These periodicals consist entirely of ques- Voltaire's, and we do not approve of a tions set by Miss Swindells, Miss Zim- spirit of inquiry which suggests sceptimern, and other ladies for the considera- cism to ladies. The Cambridge Examtion of the educated fair. The riddles iner is much more orthodox, unless inwhich the queen of Sheba set King Solo- deed there is a satisfactory reply to the mon were mere trivial exercises of fancy difficulty about the dead corpses rising compared with the puzzling inquiries of early in the morning. But why suggest the Oxford and the Cambridge Examin- difficulties? ers. Solomon, in the old days, did not The Cambridge Examiner expects a 'give it up," but offered correct replies lady to know, or to find out, why Poynto the Sheba examiner, one of the most ing's law was passed in Ireland. This advanced women of her time. But a re- is a hard question. It is much more easy spectably educated man cannot face Miss to "indicate," at least in the manner of Swindells as Solomon faced the queen of Herodotus, "a contrast between Europe Sheba. We do not suppose that most and Africa in as many respects as possimembers of the Royal Society, still less ble." Herodotus indicates a great many of Parliament, could "pass the exam- respects in some chapters of his book on inations set for inquiring ladies. To be- Egypt, and more may be found. The gin at the beginning, with "Religious Africans are black. The Europeans are Knowledge." Here is a piece of reli- white. Africans worship Mumbo Jumbo; gious knowledge which, we trust, is not we do not. Youngest sons, in Zululand, absolutely essential to people who wish are heirs, and extremely eligible. In Euto live good lives. "How was Joram re- rope the reverse is the case. African lated to Ahaziah?" We give it up. The kings succeed on the 'mother's side; the undergraduate warily declined to answer European custom is quite contrary. Zulu a question about Saul, though he was well girls choose their husbands. In Europe acquainted with the truth, because "it it is notorious that the men choose their was a way examiners had of getting into wives. In Africa missionaries sell rum 'Kings.' So he refused to advance in and gunpowder. In Europe they object that direction. Queries about the rela- to the use of both commodities. Africa tion of Joram to Ahaziah, questions go- produces diamonds; Europe wears them. ing deep "into Kings," are mere "dwell As far as this question goes, we feel pretty ers on the threshold," as Lord Lytton certain that we could cope with the Camwould have said to the Cambridge Exam- bridge Examiner. It is a different thing iner. It is comparatively easy to say when we are asked (if "senior") to "give where Jericho was, and "with what events a short account of the coming of the Enconnected," though the events are cer-glish, and describe any institutions which tainly rather numerous, from the days of Rahab to those of a travelling man and thieves sprang up and choked him." But the Cambridge Examiner chiefly hankers after the fullest light on the career of Ahaziah. "Relate the circumstances connected with the death of Aha
they brought with them." Perhaps they brought "Borough English," but we understand that Mr. Elton holds a different opinion. Mr. Grant Allen says they brought tattooing; but we doubt whether Mr. Green agrees with him. A lady might possibly confound tattooing with
"the Mark," but this would, almost cer- | Greek, and Latin and English literature, tainly, be a blunder, though a natural and we are led to suppose that ladies who perhaps excusable one. The Shakspear- attempt examinations know more of their ian questions we leave to the Shakespeare own language in its earlier stages than of Society; only observing, with regret, that dead tongues, and this is as it should be. no paper is set in Mr. Browning's works. Algebra and Euclid are much the same Yet it is admitted by the Browning Soci- everywhere; but the questions in science ety that few students could "floor a pa- enable man to guage his own ignorance, per" out of " Fifine at the Fair," which ap- and to appreciate the learning of modern pears to be the poet's masterpiece, and women. "State, with reference to ex- even more excellent, for purposes of ex- amples, the simplest modes in which cell- aminations, than "Sordello." In a spirit union occurs, explaining in what way the of somewhat personal inquiry, the Oxford union is effected." "That is the sort of Examiner says "Define bore," and asks question which ploughs a fellow," to quote "What kind of county is Hampshire?" a commonplace of the schools. Here, "What kind of county?" is a vague ques- again, is a question which might be treated tion. The society is most respectable, in very various ways. "Describe the and the names of Longman and Ridley most simple animal which you know to are known wherever county cricket is exist. How could you prove that it is played. "How would you describe Dor-not a plant?" The wisdom of our ances- set?" perseveres the Oxford Examiner, tors regards the donkey, the goose, and and asks asks senior pupils "In what the" silly sheep” as the simplest animals way is Cornwall interesting?" It de known to exist; but many ladies have pends a good deal, of course, on what been heard to declare, as the result of the Oxford Examiner considers interest- their own personal experience, that man ing. The scenery is reckoned fine and really holds this interesting position. As Mr. Tennyson has mentioned Tintagel. to knowing when a thing is or is not a The Oxford Examiner also wants to know plant," that depends on native acuteness, whence we get alpaca, vanilla, petroleum, combined with acquaintance with worldly porcelain, tobacco, and train oil. Still stratagems. In the field of science Pro- cleaving to what is personal, the Oxford fessor Huxley used, we believe, to regard Examiner asks, “How do you interpret Bathybius as the simplest animal. But the paper on female vanity?" Probably the Rev. Joseph Cooke, of Boston, ex- not many general readers could answer plained that Bathybius was derived from this question: "Yes,' said he, 'my dear, and the next post brought us an account of the battle of Almanza.' Where does this passage occur, and to what does it allude?" Here is a very mysterious question from the Cambridge Examiner, a question which, we sincerely believe, would puzzle the wisest of mortals, and yet it is addressed to junior students. "What was the French Directory? When did it come into power? Give a short account of Mme. de Staël, and mention any other of her writings." Any other of her writings! Can it be possible that the author of the question regards "the French Directory" as a kind of parallel to the "London Directory "" a book full of names and addresses compiled by the industry of Mme. de Staël? Only thus can sense be made of the query, and even this is perplexed by the question "When did it come into power?" We shall never know how many young ladies will be de- luded by the Cambridge Examiner into the belief that the author of "Corinne" was the Bottin of her period.
By the papers set in Anglo-Saxon,
two Greek words - Bathus, deep, and bios, the sea. He went on to demonstrate that Bathybius himself was "a plant," in the colloquial or slang sense of the word, which so curiously employs "plant" and "kid" as synonymous terms. It is hard to account for the vagaries of slang and of scientific terminology; but, if these re- marks throw any light on the nature of the simplest known animal, we have not written in vain. It is much more difficult, if not impossible, to say what is under- stood by "undifferentiated protoplasm It sounds rather like the prima materies of the alchemists. Students of alchemy (like "plain astrology of three dimen- sions" this branch of learning is neg. lected by the Cambridge Examiner) will remember that the old alchemical books start from prima materies. He who would procure the philosopher's stone is usually told first to get some prima materies, and put that in his crucible before going any further. But the old books never told us where prima materies might be obtained. "Undifferentiated protoplasm" ought to be almost as rare an article; but these
friends well, could ever have been brought to take so dark a view of the relation in question would puzzle us indeed, did we not feel sure that he wrote thus when smarting under the pain of having received short weight in friendship, where he had looked for full measure. Doubtless, he, like other people, had friends, whom to know was a liberal education; who had grown to be part of his very life, and whose loss would have sensibly contracted the circle of his world. Such friends are not granted to any one in large numbers, nor are large numbers needed, for the very essence of a friend's value is that he should be all-sufficient to us. It is not of friends of this kind that Balzac wrote, or we propose to speak, but rather of such as troubled King David, when he said, "My lovers and friends stood afar off." Putting aside, therefore, the few friends and relations the foundations of whose love are set upon the solid rock, is it not a fact that all the rest are apt to vex us - vex us beyond endurance, sometimes
This seems simpler and more practical, "How do we know that chalk was formed at the bottom of the sea?" But do we know it? The Oxford Examiner has a question we trust there is no impropriety in mentioning it which is to be attempted by women only. "Write the life-history of an Equisetum." Have all Equiseta the same life-history? Are none ever blighted things, with a history, which, as M. Daudet says of so many of his fellow-creatures, can only be written by the novelist? Here is a far more practical inquiry. "What would be the effects of feeding a dog (a) entirely on meat; (b) entirely on fatty and starchy food; (c) on a mixture of proteid, fat, and starch? - not, indeed, by standing on the oppoWe know, only too well, the effects of site side, so as to get themselves written feeding a dog too much on meat. But off our list of friends straight away, but by how few of us have tried him with proteid, standing a little farther off than we like on fat, and starch! Probably he would de- critical occasions, or by drifting insensicline to look at the proteid and the starch bly, but too easily, away from us. There and reserve himself for the fat. But are nations, we believe, among whom these inquiries cannot puzzle ladies who such slackness in friendship is unknown. know all about "hæmaglobin," "oxyhæ- Nothing of the kind can be charged, so maglobin," "reduced hæmaglobin," and far as our experience goes, against Scotch"carbonic oxide hæmaglobin." We end men or Corsicans, and, we think we may with another practical inquiry, "What add, Jews and Germans. Their detractare the different kinds of punishment ors are wont to accuse them rather of which generally fail to influence the minds putting friendship before justice. Now, of pupils?" No one can really answer an Englishman is rarely blinded by friendthis who has not tried inflicting a good ship, in fact, he is apt to be provokingly many kinds of punishment. Remember-clear-sighted and impartial when we, pering this, and reflecting on the vastness of modern maidens' lore, we are no longer surprised at the awe and dread with which young men so often regard ladies of learning.
From The Spectator.
FRIENDS AND FRIENDS.
How is it that friendship, which ought to be an infallible consolation in the great calamities of life, only aggravates them? It is Balzac who puts this question, in a letter to Madame de Hanska; and how he, who, from his profound knowledge of human nature, may be presumed to have had exceptional power of choosing his
haps, think that a little headlong enthusi asm would make our fortune. Rightly or wrongly, he feels an invincible modesty when it comes to asking a favor for us he is sure to think that every one obtains his deserts in time-he spares our dig- nity, trusts to the good sense and impar tiality of the electors, and behold, an alien usurps the coveted place. No such considerations clog the zeal of an immi- grant from north Britain. He spots va cant posts long before any one else, and finds brothers, and brothers-in-law, and nephews, and cousins to fill them, even to the third and fourth generation, only de- sisting from his labor of love when life itself fails him. In this respect, the ca- reer of every Scotchman is, in a small way, a reproduction of that of him whom our
And now, my dear companions, I'll bid you all farewell; For I am bound to Heaven, And you are bound
forefathers were wont to call" the Corsi- | street to speak to us. What brought this can ogre and tyrant." The world is com- about? Sometimes, religion. The gay. ing to see pretty plainly the utter selfish- est and most thoughtless of our "set ness and innate vulgarity of the great suddenly became "serious," so serious Napoleon. His gifts of kingdoms and that he could not believe that we had any principalities were honorable neither to religion at all, unless we spoke of it in the giver nor receiver; they brought no precisely the same jargon that he did. luck with them, yet, speaking as lowly We seemed to think his way of speaking ones of the earth, we cannot but feel that irreverent and presumptuous; he bade us there is something very taking in his ideas adieu for life! There was something in of what he would do for his kinsfolk. He his manner of doing it which reminded us writes thus to Count Miot de Melito, of a hymn, a painfully jubilant one, which it is a passage of real history, not a frag- we remember to have heard in childhood. ment from "Alice in Wonderland: "" Involuntarily, we found ourselves repeat- "You understand me, I can no longer ing, - have any of my relations living in obscu- rity; those who do not rise with me shall no longer belong to my family; I am cre- ating a family of kings, or rather vice- roys." Now, which of our English brothers or brothers-in-law who had made his fortune, and taken a noble mansion in Park Lane or Grosvenor Square, would think it absolutely incumbent on him to do something for us which would at once enable us to establish ourselves in Berke- ley Square or Brooke Street, in a house only two or three degrees inferior to his own? Would he not think it much more for our temporal and spiritual advantage to be left in comparative obscurity, in- stead of being dragged up into the full glitter of the sun; and this, perhaps, even when some timely advice or act of our own was the means of his elevation? Do such friends and kinsmen as these make us happier? Do they not rather compel us to think of the words of George, in "King Henry VI.:"-
But when we saw our sunshine made thy spring,
And that thy summer brought us no increase, We set the axe to thy usurping root.
We forbear to state the exact amount of divergence specified, but it is a fact that we saw our friend no more. Another gave you up because your fortune did not keep pace with his own. He moved away from the postal division N. or N.W., in which you still reside, to enjoy the splen- dors of S.W. At first, he invited you to bis house, not, of course, with his most distinguished new friends, but with people in whose society he thought you "might perhaps feel more comfortable." You were no longer his own familiar friend, but had sunk down into the category of per- sons to whom he wished to be kind. You attached no value to the sort of friend- ship he now gave you, and the thing came. to an end. You lost another friend be- cause you found that he always knew you when you were walking with an eminent person, and never by any chance did so when he was. A still more potent sol- vent of friendship was this. You were full member of some highly desirable so- ciety, and it was surprising what a num- ber of dear friends you had among the
calling on you and showing their interest in you.. Naturally, therefore, whenever there was an election for members, you voted for one of the associates of whom you saw so much, and did your best to secure his election. Strange to say, how- ever, his election had some mysterious influence on the duration of his love for you, - he paid you very few visits after
We lop off that branch of the family tree, and try to forget that it ever existed. It is, however, this severance of strongly-associates. They were indefatigable in knit ties, this losing of old friends by divergence of paths, which is one of the greatest griefs the heart can know. It is even keener than when death has been the agent of separation, for we can go on loving and respecting those who have been taken from us; whereas the shame and vexation of a misplaced choice, and the scars left by a broken friendship, are things which sting us to our dying day. And there are so many such stings to en- dure! We began life with so many loving companions, and now the greater part of them would hardly care to cross a muddy
Some friends are lost by your too great magnanimity in sharing them with your own family. Your sister, or cousin, deprives you of your friend. Either you
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