the baronet's adviser. Five hundred pounds were to be paid to the local attorney on candidate's return; five hundred to Rottenborough; and two hundred to "a dark man," whose name did not transpire, but who performed the business of the "gentleman from London," or "the man in the moon,' or "the stranger," at Wakefield. The balance defrayed expenses. And the seat was not so dear, after all, considering that Sir Frederick was a notorious profligate, that the town was said to be composed of religious and respectable electors, and that the other candidate was a gentleman in every sense fitted for the position of M.P., while Sir Frederick had only the pecuniary fitness. However, Sir Frederick was returned, and the next week backed the Brighton Bulldog against the Paddington Pummeller at a prize fight; while the other candidate sunk into obscurity, after paying his expenses with a mournful heart.

In a Strand tavern are seated Rottenborough, another "dark man," who was to introduce a candidate, and this present writer-who went to see what he could, partly from curiosity, and partly because he wished to see how the present system of returning members to Parliament works, when men of talent and enterprise, like Felix, pull the

wires.

The eminent "dark man," at the time I entered the parlour of the "Bear with Three Claws," was engaged in the intellectual occupation of smoking a long clay pipe, and imparting the flavour of citric acid, from a very seedy-looking lemon, to a vile corpound of "Cream of the Valley" and hot. water. To what trifling occupations can truly great minds unbend themselves! Before him, on the stained and somewhat dirty table, lay a large note book, ruled in commercial style, while vis-à-vis sat the immortal Rottenborough, who had a nice little borough to dispose of for the small sum of eight hundred pounds, which was to clear all expenses, and return the candidate beyond all question. Boroughs, you see, like oil, flour, or cotton, are not always "firm" in the market, but occasionally "move off slowly, at prices quoted," as the trade circulars say. The borough in question had not so enviable a reputation as my Parliamentary Friend averred. Its last unsuccessful candidate had narrowly escaped an ignominious death by the infliction of dead cats, cabbage stalks, rotten eggs, and other missiles playfully hurled at his head by the practically facetious electors and non-electors of opposite political bias. And the returned candidate had lost his seat-through the bungling and injudicious distribution of "palm oil" on the part of his "dark man"-at the hands of an election committee of the House of Commons. my Parliamentary Friend was obliged to cast aside his dignity, and associate with vulgar fellows, to get a candidate to suit him.

And so

And a very vulgar fellow was the candidate, too. Captain Adolphus Robinson (regiment not named, but believed to be imaginary), as he styled himself, on a very thin and very highly enamelled card-I

wonder if a double volume of the "Army List" would hold the names of half the captains that one meets in London-was a gentleman of flashy appearance, with a decided tendency to break out into staring jewellery on every portion of his attire where it could possibly be exhibited, with a fiercelooking moustache to match his red hair, and an air of fashion modelled on the tailor's books, and nowhere discernible in good society. His age might be forty-for he had, as he blandly informed us, without being asked for the information, "sat up more nights than days, when in the army"and was only twenty-eight. His property consisted principally, he said, of land in the West Indies, and, as a man having some stake in or out of the country, he wished to write M.P. after his name. His manners were turfy, and his tastes Bacchanalian. Mr. Rottenborough was delighted to make his acquaintance, and, as he politely said, was "proud to have the honour of introducing to the Lower House a gentleman who bade fair to be a distinguished senator." Then business proceeded. The sum required, eight hundred pounds, was named, agreed to, and the captain requested by Rottenborough to pay it into a certain bank, as aforetime, but in the joint names of himself and

the

"dark man," and the return of Captain Adolphus Robinson should then be certain. And the eight hundred pounds-which same did rather surprise me-actually was paid into the certain bank by the gallant captain, as agreed on. And thereby hangs a tale.

A short time afterwards the little town of Z. was thrown into a high state of excitement by the arrival at the head hotel, "The Marquis of Carrabas' Arms," of Captain Adolphus Robinson, with the "dark man," before mentioned, and the great Mr. Rottenborough, from London. Bills three feet high had previously announced the captain's intention of contesting the election of that borough with another captain, members of whose family had long represeuted it. Flaming placards set forth in gigantic type the political opinions of the new candidate; who, it seemed, was ready to vote for anything and everything the electors liked, if they would only put him in a position so to do. Charming flexibility of political ethics, thought Mr. Rottenborough, with a dry smile.

And then, over a bottle of highly-brandied port, the trio discussed the electioneering campaign. Next morning the "dark man's" work began in good earnest. It was much the same so far at Z. as at Wakefield; only rather cheaper work. Meanwhile the opposing candidate was not idle. Squibs were freely circulated, and those funny personal allusions, so refreshing at election times, freely indulged in. Captain Vere was by the Robinsonites denounced on dead walls as “a bloated aristocrat ;" and Captain Robinson, by the other side, termed in like manner anything but a gentleman. Moreover, the borough was thought a "close one," which is a mistake; where Rottenborough is engaged.

man

The Vere party went to work a little at bribery, but thought their man's seat so secure, that they wished to spare the needless outlay. Our "dark was busy everywhere with his canvas bag. Never had that gentleman and his worthy coadjutor worked so hard at an election for so little money; but gallantly they stuck to their man, and were almost confident of success, when an unlucky incident turned the tables on Captain Adolphus Robinson, the independent candidate.

That gentleman, under the auspices of a committee of red hot politicians of Z., was one night in the large room of "The Marquis of Carrabas' Arms," addressing the electors-silver tongued Felix acting as prompter-and had got as far as

"Gentlemen-ahem-it is with feelings of the deepest gratitude [loud cheers, and cries of "Go it"] that I stand before you this evening to return you my heartfelt thanks [an encouraging "Good!" from prompter] for the kind promises of support I have everywhere received this eveningahem. All unworthy as I know I am [loud cries of "No!-no!" from several electors who had that morning had some conversation with the "dark man"] to represent so distinguished a borough as Z., I nevertheless feel assured that, in place of a more worthy candidate-aud he has, I know, yet to appear-in returning me to Parlia ment, you will have an honest, independent, hardworking member-one whose principle it will be [prompter hard at work] to represent honest industry and those independent electors who, in defiance of the corrupt influences of a bloated aristocrat, will return me as their member, less, perhaps, for my own merits [prompter again busy] than to show to the world that freedom of election is not to be controlled by the will of one party, and that-ahem-and that-[handkerchief in requisition, and prompter hoarse with whispering] in the words of one of our own poets, "Britons [cheers]-Britons, I say never, never [terrific cheering] will be slaves!" [Cheering for ten minutes, and then repeated with variations.]

The orator had proceeded thus far triumphantly, and had sunk back into his chair in a graceful attitude of exhaustion, when a little mau of decidedly loose appearance was seen advancing to the table, with the evident intention of addressing the candidate, who, hastily apologising to his friends for the interruption, beckoned the intruder to the back of the platform, when something like the following conversation ensued :

Little Man: "I say, captain, you know I am very hard up. And I know a thing or two about you, which it may be worth your while to pay me to keep quiet. What's the figure, then, you'll stand? I don't want to be hard upon an old friend."

Here the captain changed colour, and clenched his fists almost unconsciously.

But," continued the little man, "business is business-tin I want, and tin I'll have-or you'll never sit for Z. so sure as your name's"

"Hush!" said the agonised canditate.

"Well, you know, Jem is outside; you remember the day we did' Charley Chester out of the little thousand at "Chicken Hazard," not a hundred miles from here. You got away—you changed your name-but I and poor Jem were tried for conspiracy, you know, and unless you come down handsomely I'll spoil your game here."

The Captain turned paler. He was considering the matter. He knew his man's utterly unscrapulous character, and his presence of mind entirely forsook him. He was actually standing for Zunder a false name-and he gasped out in a hoarse whisper

"I'll give you a hundred pound down to leave this place; I cannot do more, the rest is bespoke." "Gammon, Mr. Gilliver," was the curt reply. "I cannot do more, I really cannot. Will the hundred do?"

"No," replied the little man with a malevolent smile; "but I'll give you till to-morrow night to pay £250; if not, then your game's up in Z. you know."

The next morning Captain Adolphus Robinson, the independent candidate, bade "a long farewell to all his greatness" and the borough of Z. simultaneously by the first train to London, and after a futile search Rottenborough was obliged to announce that Captain Robinson, not wishing to disturb the peace of the borough, had left the field. And so some £400 were wasted in bribing the electors, which had been provided as stated by Robinson's-(real name Gilliver)—aunt, and Captain Vere was duly returned. The machinations of Mr. Rottenborough and "the dark man" were for once defeated by the little man. And they returned to London and amicably divided the spoil. Capt. Adolphus Robinson, alias John Gilliver, went abroad for the benefit of his health and now transacts business as the proprietor of a Faro table in one of the German Duchies. And this is the story of Z. election. It hurt my parliamentary friend very much. He is growing old, his whiskers once so luxuriant are fast falling into gray, the crow's feet under his eyes proclaim that even Felix Rottenborough ages like other men, and the world soon may mourn his loss. A windfall was once fortunately sunk by him in an annuity, and he lives in furnished lodgings near St. James's. He nevertheless, though a West-end lounger, and a member of two or three good clubs withal, will occasionally condescend to mount three pair of stairs, and rap upon my "oak" with his gold-headed cane, Whereupon being admitted he will spend the evening in conversation, smoking a long pipe very contentedly, and fighting his electioneering battles over again at my fireside. And I am sure that people with high reputations for stern political integrity, whose dirty work is done by deputy, they themselves of course knowing nothing about it, under the present evil system are far worse men than the agent-My Parliamentary Friend.

down His life, and that He had power to take it again. Had He been a deceiver His delusions must have terminated with His death, so that His resurrection must be regarded as His crowning miracle, or rather, as the affixing of the broad seal of Heaven to the truth of His mission as the Messiah. It was, besides, the fulfilment of an ancient prophecy, a proof of His fore-knowledge, and a pledge of the resurrection of His disciples. Hence, in the New Testament, it is so often

mentioned with marked emphasis.

We make this extract only to show the author's style, and we do not select it as a peculiarly favourable specimen. We might remark a surplusage of references through the volume, denoting great care, but carried to an unnecessary extent; because applied often to passages with which all readers must be familiar. In a work of this nature, references to authorities are frequently necessary, and therefore they should be confined to such cases, and employed in them alone; for in spite of oneself, these many notes break the continuity of the sentences, as the eye travels to the foot of the page, by direction of the printer.

All Protestant divines in Roman Catholic countries are apt to have their minds particularly turned to those points of controversy and difference which come often before them. Thus " Maryology" becomes to them a subject of intense interest, and it may be possible, in tracing out its causes, dangers, and errors, that they sometimes speak too carelessly, and write too lightly, of one who is the "blessed among women." There is one human being who, above all others, is to be named reverently, and she has been made an object of worship by the Roman Catholic Church. Yet she never preferred any claim of that nature. This Mary was, of all women, to be remarkable for her humility. The claim made for her by the present Pope and his adherents, under the phrase of "the immaculate conception," she repudiated in that hill city of Judea where she abode for three months (Luke i. 47). She rejoiced in her Saviour, and as if to prevent the perversion which has occurred, she spoke of herself in language of the lowliest nature (48th verse); yet in the same verse she expressed her Scriptural right to the respect of all generations, in the term "blessed" that had been previously used. It was not a name that she had chosen, or would have selected.

Though the sacred writings, we hear little of Mary of Bethlehem, the exile in Egypt, the humble carpenter's wife of Nazareth and Capernaum, the careful mother who laid up all "these things" -wonderful events-in her heart; the mother of sorrows, who disappears at the foot of the cross, and of whom we read no more, save that she continued with the Apostles in prayer and supplication -yet "all generations shall call her blessed." This arrangement may have been employed in view of the error which has arisen. The temptation was strong, especially after the Church had many converts from Heathenism; because "Mary of Bethlehem" was a prophetical woman. Through many mytbologies, perhaps through all, we could trace her type or her shadow. As ages rolled

away from the Noachic period, and corruption produced a sensuous worship, the circumstances in which she is represented became occasionally clear and strong-sometimes hardly traceable, and very weak. The idea was indeed better preserved among the ruder nations than in the more com. plicated philosophy, poetry, and traditions of the enlightened races. Still, there was no difficulty in engrafting the modern ideas of the Virgin and child upon the ancient Paganistic stock. Yet we know that the Church continued free from this error for centuries. This exemption may have arisen partly from the omission of any information respecting Mary after the crucifixion is recorded. As the Apostle John was probably a man of some property, we infer that she lived in his home, wherever that was, until her death. This event occurred most probably before his removal from Jerusalem; but there is no reason for asserting that opinion. We might have expected her grave to have been marked and preserved by the early Christians; but no trace of it occurs. The reason has become apparent in subsequent times.

Dr. Killen is not a likely person to commit the error to which we refer as not uncommon among controversialists, and in reality the natural consequence of disputations; yet even he, we think, assumes too easily that Mary had other sons-and, we may add, daughters. In support of that opinion, he refers to Matthew i. 25, where the words "first-born" son occur; but the qualification means little or nothing in that place. A firstborn son involved among the Jews certain offerings, and they were made in this instance on the smallest scale allowed to the poorest class. The qualification occurs, or may have occurred, to remind us of their necessity; and the offerings are named to indicate the depth of the humiliation. The word adelphos certainly denotes a brother according to the flesh; but its meaning is not confined to the children of the same parent or parents, but may denote kinsfolk by consanguinity or by affinity, and be extended to the most distant relatives. In would be employed to express the truth that, in one sense, all men are brethren; and it might be used to denote persons associated for the same object. We believe it is employed for all these purposes in the New Testament. Its employment in reference to consanguinity in the first instance occurs, without doubt, in Matthew iv. 21, and many other passages; and more likely in the second degree in Mark vi. 3, and its corresponding passages; and in a remote and wide sense, involving an entire nation, by Paul, Romans ix. 3; and again 1 Corinthians ix. 5, where the word is apparently applied to a sister by Christian profession; it is applied evidently to the Apostles Matthew xxviii. 10; to one's neighbour, Matthew vii. 3 and 4; to fellow Christians, Acts xi. 1; to all Christians, Hebrews ii. 11; so it is used by the Apostle James, and in a multitude of passages.

There can be no doubt that it denoted kinsmen of the first degree, and as little that it meant, in