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the roof; being well provided with a bang-up coat, overalls, camel's hair gloves, a travelling cap, and a lighted cigar in my mouth.

I took my scat immediately behin coachee; who said, on my mounting the roof," That's your sort, your honor; you're a good gentleman to takepit on that ere poor man; he seems as if his work was done, as we say; the game's pretty nigh up with him: poor fellor, I made him drink a glass of rum and milk just now." (Speaking to his or leader) Will you, Ginger? you little devil! I'll take the shine out of you afore I've done with you. See how mettlesome" (addressed to me,)

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THE TOP OF A STAGE. An humorous actor in, I forget what piece, says, "I have seen a great deal of high life and of low life,-high life from the top of a stage coach when I was guard, and low life when I was waiter in a cellar." Without following this wag in these opposite scenes of life, or desending quite as low in search of adventures, we will take a view of life from the coach top; and, since "all the world's a stage," let us journey a little while in this conveyance. And hear, oh! my dear country, how superior art thou to any other place in the world, in thy horses, in thy conveyance, and in thy mode of travelling; for whilst cords and cart horses, wick-"we be! you may travel many a mile. er baskets or moving mountains, jack master, and not sit behind four bette boots and wooden shoes are emblems nags. Go along there, Rover; steady. of the slavery of France, light cattle, old Darby; vy, you're all in high spirit stylish carriages, swift conveyances, no lack of corn, in spite of the cor and buoyant hearts, cry, "vive l'An- bill. Yep, yep, my merry ones." gleterre!" in every line of feature and "But I say, master, (giving me a appointments. knowing look,) you mustn't be barkIn France, you are eyed by a Dou-ing in soft nonsence to my partner's annier, enrolled in the police book, ear, (alluding to a pretty girl by the muni d'un passeport, and put under side of him,) it's a pleasure for a coachthe command of the conducteur and man to have such a bit of blood by his huge dog; whereas in Old England, the side of him; it makes the road so all is liberty and frolic, tight traces, lightsome." (To the girl) " I hope "I and cattle flying over the ground, as you sit easy, Miss, and that 'ere coat thongh they were attached to freedom's of mine keeps you varm. Lots of car! Where is the Englishman, whose coats we've got, and lots of fun, and heart did not bound on seeing the Bri- all at your service. Law bless your tish Stage Coach, with four sporting roguish black eyes." (wagging his like horses, after sojourning long head, and double thonging the wheeler.) abroad? If there live such a man, he " Yep, yep; that's your sort; carry is no patriot, and the country can spare on, Nimrod. We don't go to sleep him. As for myself, I was ready to on the road, my pretty maid."jump, from the exhilaration of spirits "Don't talk such nonsence," said the which the mail coach and the natale girl, pleased at the same time with solum produced on my landing after coachee's attentions "Norsénce;" even a short absence. But to my story. repeated coachee ; ""why you're I threw myself into a light coach for enough to make a bishop, or a judge Bath; but perceiving at the first stage talk nonsence. I know many a duke a sickly soldier returned from India, as would like to talk nonsense to you; who appeared to suffer from the cold, ah! that they would; and you'd do I exchanged places with him, and took honour to any man. Well done,

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say, master," turning to me, the nose like the tool of a minister, nor "a'nt she a sty a one? Meeres! to be turned off at a minute's notice, how I should like to the dr.) | like your Parliamentary whips, & > "Will you, Ginger?" "how I a Job in the state chariot, ner to go should like such a handsome ass for a cap in hand canvassing for votes, or wife! she should always have reins for a place or pension. No, I knows→ home, and I'd keep here a little my work, and am master of it: and, Queen." (The Girl)", at @ quiz- if the passengers are generous to me, zer yon are ?" "Quizzer! whip me, I thanks 'em; if they ban't, they may I wouldn't spoil the fellow's singing | be,' "Come up, old Wind who'd quiz you; you know that you sor," (spoken to the wheeler.) are as nice a concern as any in England.” Tgirl laughed, adding "Oh you coachmen are almost as barl as the soldiers; you are a pared of gay deceivers." "Not a bit replied coachee, "we are as true as the needle to the pole." Whether he meant the coach-poles the North, I know not; doubtless the idea came from the compass of his imagination; but if he was limited as to habit, he was by no means

so as to amatory nonsense.

"Well, if I gets nothing by the reguler passengers, I helps mysel with the lifts; says nothing about yes, no more than our married quality, and so we carry on. As for company, I keep i the best in the land-Didn't yourig Wildairs, the Baronet's son, seve his app rebin on this box, and

me e a brother? and when I drove the 1. on coach, had'nt I Dukes et å Lord, for my daily companions?"

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Yep, yep." -" And proud of driving, and of dressing, and of looking like myself (for my reader must know that coachee was a great swell, as he calls it.) And then the pretty gals as I'vedrove!" (To me)" Sir, I beg your pardon, take care of that 'ere bag as hangs by your side; there's a game cock of mine in it; and I'm to match him next week for ten guineas; But I say, my dear, don't be cruel; you may do worse than take me."

He insinuated, in the course of his coach box courtship, what a happy life that of a coachman was, and told her in fact that it was next to that of a nobleman; for," said he, "what can a Lord or Dule do more, than drive his four in hand all day, and carry on all night, boozing and singing merry songs, hunting songs for instance, and dublin tender, and joking and frolicking, and taking a touch at cards now and then, and never being without a Here he pulled up in prime style, pretty gal, (as he pronounced it) to and called about him like a ruffian lord. sweeten life's journey. Then I keeps "I say, Jem Ostler, come, look sharp, my bull dog and my pair of terriers; do'nt go to sleep." (To me)" Now, and once in a way takes a holiday, for Master, you shall see a pair of leaders, bull baiting and badger baiting; and worth a cool hundred a piece, and the I can lay in bed, or gamble all Sun-wheelers bought out of a ruined Baday, and care for nobody' I have al-ronet's stables. Many a buck have I ways my pocket full of ready cash, and seen done up, and brought to a standthat's more than many a prince can say; still, whilst I carry on just the same.” and I does no work, and that's more" "I say, Mary: I dare say your name's than half the nobility can say; for Mary, you looks so mild." "No," some of 'em do some very dirty work. said the girl on the box, "it's Sally."

"that's prime; that was the name of my first love (a very pretty stale trick in love making this name fancying) and you shall be " Sally of our alley." "But, charmer, I say, what shall I treat you to? Will you have a doctor, or, a glass of mulled wine, or some lamb's wool, or a comforter, or a drop of Jackey?" The girl took the mulled wine as being most gen-teel. "I say, continued he, "sarve my young lady here, old copper nose, and I'll pay for it, and I'll treat you to a yard of tape for yourself."

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Wo, ho, my fiery steeds; that's your sort!- All right, Joe? Off we goes again! Fresh as fire! That's your life, Sally!"

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Thus did he carry on courting Sally, until the end of his day's drive. I could not help laughing at his conceit in comparing his life with that of our dashing, sporting nobility; but when I was informed that he had spent a fortune before he came of age, and then took to what he was fittest for--the coach-box: that he was a married man and a gay deceiver, and that he was what the ostler called up to any thing," I began to consider the likeness was greater than I at first was aware of; for, from high to low life, there is but one step, when their pleasures, their pursuits, and their dissipation so strongly resemble each other; and, in short, I discovered that a man who should take a moralizing frame of mind along with him, might find exercise for it every where; not more as a Hermit in London than as a HERMIT IN THE COUNTRY.

THE NAVY LIEUTENANT.. To the wealthy merchant who views his stately vessel, calinly and undisturb ely ride over the world of waters, • without fear, or uncertainty, as when arriving safely into a friendly port, the reign of peace must be welcome in

deed. To the warrior reposing beneath his laurels, in ease snd affluence, and restored with an ample fortune to the bosom of his family and his paternal acres, the olive branch must bloom in full luxuriance.

Not so with the bold sons of the deep, or with the climate-struck, disbanded military heroes, who, depending on war for honour and existence, anust now suspend the sword in gloomy uselessness, and retire to the shade, to ruminate on past deeds of peril and hardihood, poorly requitted, flitting in remembrance on the wing of time, and chronicled only by a quarterly half pay list, which is to provide for the once gay naval or military man, unfit for, yet reduced to the rank of an humble citizen, and bound perhaps by love and Hymen, to a fair bride, and an increasing brood of children.

These truths never struck me so forcibly as at the conclusion of the last war, when our streets, our parks, and our public places of rendezvous, were so crowded with the metamorphosed defenders of their country, that

could scarcely put my head out of my door, without meeting some of my many acquaintances in the land and sea service, wandering about in altered circumstances and garbs.

Here, the darling of the ball-room, who once shone and fluttered in rich furs and plumage, bearded and whiskered, embroidered, armed and perfumed, accoutred from head to foot as a splendid hussar, and followed to the field of fight by ladies' sighs and patriots' prayers, sauntered solitarily in the half worn tumic, with boots and spurs which no longer crossed the war-horse's flanks, whistling with empty pocket and vacant mind.

There, at the door of a coffee-house, was posted the hold dragoon, whom I had fled from, but a few months before, to preserve my bones entire, so

iuriously was he impelling his curricle along the streets, and training his praneing steeds, the muconquered at the bottle as in the plains of glory. There takes he now his stand, or lounges on the bench with a ten-times-read newspaper, a circunscribed income, and his time heavily hanging on his hands, denuded of all the trappings of his profession, and of all the importance attached to them.

On the same bench in St. James's Park, I beheld there duced tactician, who, but a short time before, would Leture you for hours on the extended coluinn, the movement in echelon and the flank surprised, seated by a son of Neptune, bearing his honored scars and disappointments with the same equanimity; the one discussing the cheapuess of obscure eating-houses, the other musing on the past dream of life a grey great-coat supplying the embroidered uniform of the forHer; an author-like, faded suit of mourning replacing the sword, epaulette, and rakish hat of the latter.

Hundreds of these characters did I meet with in my morning walks; but we must now come from the exterior garb to the interior habit, and pass from the occupation and pastime of retired valour to his home and his al tered life.

"You don't know me, my worthy friend," said Lieutenant Crosstree to me, as he rose with a sigh from a seat in Kensington Gardens. "When I saw you last, it was at an entertainment given on board our ship after our return froin the taking of Genoa; and you did me the favour to dine with me the next day at the Fountain."

I immediately remembered his features, his hospitality, his wounds, his services, and his former situation, and squeezing his hand warinly and cordially betwixt both of mine, I was about to speak, when he prevenred me by adding, "Times, my dear are altered; but our hearts are always, the same: if you'll condescend

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Fie," interrupted I; "the term is inadinissible: I shall be proud and happy to follow you any where." •• If you'll condescend," repeated he, "to come to my humble birth, we'll yet see if there is not one shot in the locker to treat a friend; and if we pass from claret and Madeira to malt liquor and grog, our cup will still foam with a hearty welcome and sparkle with kindness; we will share it with a proud spirit, and a contented heart; looking down on the ambitious man and the miser from our poor cabin."

"I'm married too, my friend," continued he: " one scrape was never Not to mention the din and strife enough for me; but you'll see a good of war, nor the gay mess-room roar, woman in my Elizabeth, aye and a the sparkling glass, the tar's tavern han-poor man's friend. I mean no alluquet, foaming with friendship, and hos- sion to you, but only that I love that pitality, and willingly paid for, with quality in her. Bless her heart! she's dear earned services with prize money, as generous as a Jack Tar just receivthe price of the bravest blood, the ing his pay after a long cruise; yet, barrack scenes of mirth and convivia- she always minds her own weatherlity, the ball, parade, the fete on board helm, and looks to the main chance. ship, manned yards, &c. I shall come She is brave and steady, and has no to a scene in private life, as it occurred pride and nonsense about her. But to myself: and as far as it serves to come," concluded he, taking me by illustrate the truth that peace enrich- the arm, you shall do me the pleaeth not all, though it still has its cha- sure to see iny birth, and to share in racteristic sweets. what half-pay can provide."

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blog, he took off from the gation and brought me perspiring, after an hour's sharp walk, to a retreat In the vicinity of the Kent road."Here," said he, we may bring up. I dare say you are tired; but you shall have some refreshment in the twinkling of a handspike."

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I now beheld a lovely worn dressed in a black silk own, one chubby babe in a craille, at another tottering with an uncertain step, to embo its In the course of our conve affen, father's kuces. The room w re-Crosstree enquired for whom the slats markably reat and clean; the tale and handkerchiefs were making was codith linen making into" For poor Ben, the midshipman of shing in one corner of the apart-your watch," replied she: "I low, meet a w.dow in full weeds, hem- he was a great favourite of you. aan!, ming and marking some handkerchief. poor fellow, he expects to be made I Med Kelly to both ladies. immediately, and to sail with the elonnane of the wife was lit nel fleet." "That's a good gil." aile: Car of the widow was cried my end, getting up and end with dep lines of melan-bracing his wife: " a favour done to my friend, is all the same as if it were done to myself."

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"Poor Ben," continued he, "has been very unlucky. He lost his whole kit ice, once by the blowing up f his ship, and once by being wrecked. Besides, he has been hit for bling & worthless nan, and I know that lor ed

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Jack Howay, as gallant em as eve fought a ship; but, her. we must'nt dwell upo at subject, se we shall be agrond. Sh makes to happy by her o we're all of the same crew! and emme what will we shall prize money with Wildbey, a row in the boat." The widow dy of his; and he tol droppe tear: the Lieutenant's co- Sal Viams out of jail too; for he's lour we and came; he put out his as brave and as generous a heart as hand to the sharer of his roof; and ever stepped between stem and stern. then breaking away with an red I saw that fellow as cool as a cuaumcountenance o'er-shadowed by egret-ber, when he was only fifteen yea ful and fond remembrance, 66 come, old, in the hottest fire I ever was in Bess," said he, "we have got our in my life. bottle of wine and some soft tack; rout it out; and if we come to old Sir John Barleycorn and the can of grog after dinner we can't help it; it's not banyan day, my boy: come Bessy, make my friend welcome, and make Mrs. Hatchway a little cheerful, for 'grieving's a folly' after all."

I now sat down in silent admiration of this interesting little group, and be

"But I say, who bought the line en ?"" Mrs. Hatchway lent him the money out of her half-year's pension, and we are both rigging him out as fast as we can." Bless her eyes," exclaimed Crosstree, with a jewel of the first water standing in his; "it's always the poor that helps the poor; but Ben will pay her honourably, I'll be bound for it; and such a deed is

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