"She smiled-I thought rather maliciously, and inquired if I thought it prudent in a young lady who had just left boarding-school, to trust herself for seven miles in a chaise with a young gentleman, though he was a 'tutorer' in her father's family.

"The clever way in which she mimicked the hostess's tutorer,' amused me, and I smilingly assured her that as it was by her father's express desire that the enviable opportunity of escorting her home had been given me, there could be no impropriety in my doing so.

"She gave me a look of very peculiar meaning, that led me to fancy that my infernal green cutaway and buff waistcoat, which I resolved to discard from that hour, gave me rather too knowing an appearance for the protector of one so young and fair. She merely said, that she had no doubt her father had an idea'-and she imitated his manner admirably-that she was still a little child, or he would not have left her to the protection of such a gay young gentleman as myself.

"During our journey home, which seemed to me shorter by at least six miles than it really was, our discourse, for I cannot call it conversation, was upon the well-worn subject, the weather—until all on a sudden she threw herself back in the carriage and burst out into a fit of uncontrolled laughter, which made me feel very unhappy in my mind, for I began to think she was laughing at me. When she had nearly recovered, I ventured to hope she was amused.'

"I am exceedingly,' she replied. I was laughing at the idea of my prim governess, who always spoke of young men as if they were devouring monsters, seeing you and me shut up together in a hackchaise, on a deserted road, in a dark night. I think I see her horror at this moment,' and again she indulged in a hearty laugh.

"The ice being thus broken, our conversation became animated, and I found her exceedingly well-informed on most of the subjects on which we touched, but with talents for satire and mimicry which, if indulged in without restraint, would render her most cordially detestedby her own sex at any rate.

"Had she seen any thing of the world, beyond the regions of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, she would have been probably more reserved in her manner towards a perfect stranger like myself; but she was completely a child of nature, and love of fun and glee was the only passion that as yet reigned in her heart. Her flow of spirits roused me, and I amused her very much by an account of my reception on my first visit to the rectory. She proposed having a little fun with her ' dear funny father,' to which I of course consented. The plan was laid, and when the chaise drew up to the parsonage gate, and Naaman came out to greet his 'little girl,' she collected her clothes around her, and shortening her height by half kneeling à la Matthews, confirmed him in the idea that she was still the little child he thought her, and turning round to me, he requested me to lift the little dear in as the path was very sloppy. To this she was too cunning to assent, but tripped before us, still stooping in a way that threw me into convulsions. On entering the parlour she drew herself up to her full height, and drawing back her veil, threw herself into her father's arms. Naaman was too much surprised to return her affectionate embrace, and holding her out at

arms length, with one hand, and putting on his spectacles with the other, after surveying her for five minutes, exclaimed, 'I've an ideayou're grown a woman! Mr. Smyth, I've an idea-it was very improper.

66

Lucy assured him I was a very steady young man, and had behaved with the greatest propriety,' which made me feel very oddly again-though I was afterwards convinced her words were not meant to convey any covert meaning.

"Tabitha, I thought, was not quite pleased at the grown-up beauty of her step-daughter, but behaved very civilly and attentively to herthe more so, perhaps, because she came unattended by a lady's-maid. Her kind inquiries about the journey and the fatigue of travelling, were cut short by Naaman, who had an idea' that a little supper would be more agreeable to his child than all Tab's kind interrogatories. Supper was accordingly served, and I retired to my cottage to dream of Lucy Nightshade.

"For a week or two, I confess, I rather disliked what I saw of Lucy's character; I certainly feared her-she was so very satirical. She made a great many-to her, no doubt-amusing remarks on my substituting a sober suit of sables, for my green cutaway, and white etceteras, and by her method of reading her brother's English exercises, with which I had taken great pains, made them appear the greatest nonsense that could be conceived.

"Her father, instead of checking her, encouraged her remarks, as he 'had an idea' that it showed her talents, and amused me. I began to feel really uncomfortable, and avoided the rectory under one excuse or another as much as I could; but this plan was soon frustrated, for she induced Naaman to come to the cottage two or three times a-day, to see that we were all comfortable, and to get flowers for her bouquets.

"In a month's time she appeared completely changed, and treated me with a degree of reserve for which I could not account. Instead of avoiding her, I paid her every attention in my power; my gun and fishing-rod were thrown aside, and my leisure hours passed in walking with or reading to her. Need I say to what this led? I fell in love of course-how could I avoid it? I never owned my love, yet I felt that she knew the state of my feelings, and almost dared to think, returned them.

"One evening as I was sitting with her and her father, who was smoking his pipe, whilst I was reading aloud a play of Shakspeare, Naaman, sending forth a cloud which nearly smothered us, exclaimed, I've an idea!' I lowered my book to listen to the idea,' and Naaman, after looking first at Lucy and then at me, said,

"I see it all-you love one another.'

"Poor Lucy blushed, of course, and saying, 'What a very odd man!' rushed out of the room.

"An explanation ensued, and I confessed that I was strongly attached to Lucy, but had not informed her of my attachment, as I felt that my circumstances were not in so flourishing a condition as to justify me in asking her hand.

"I've an idea-you're a very honourable young man. I've planned it all I've an idea-that I make myself rather ridiculous in the pulpit. I'll resign it to you."

"This was perfectly true; as, of late, his absence of mind had increased so much, that he made many mistakes during the service, and sometimes forgot so entirely what he was about, that the clerk was obliged to remind him that he was in church, and point out to him where to go on.

"I've an idea!' he continued; the boys shall be sent to Etonyou shall be ordained on this curacy-the stipend and Lucy's fortune, which she inherits from her mother, will be enough for all your wants. Tab and I will resign the rectory to you, and retire to the cottage-you shall be married and be very happy."

"I reminded him that it was necessary to have Lucy's consent to this arrangement, and he replied,

"I've an idea!-I never thought of that-but I'll go and sound her.'

"He left me in a very unpleasant state of suspense, and returned in a few minutes, leading in Lucy, and exclaiming,

"I've an idea!—she consents-take her-she's yours!' And while I was enacting the usuals upon such occasions with Lucy, he amused himself by making sundry pirouettes and figures, that would have done credit to an opera-dancer, and which would probably have been prolonged had not Tabitha entered, and seizing him by his coat-tail pinned him, or rather pinioned him to his chair.

"As our road to matrimony was macadamised, and free from ruts and obstructions, I will not dwell upon the events of our courtship, but will merely say that every arrangement was completed; and conclude my adventures by detailing the circumstance that blighted my fair prospects for ever, and left me the miserable nervous creature that I am.

"About a week before my ordination, and after I had passed the usual examination before the bishop's chaplain, I proposed to my betrothed to visit some hills in the neighbourhood, which were much resorted to by picnic parties on account of the picturesqueness of the scenery in the vicinity and the extent of the views from their summits.

"It was a fine day in the month of May, indeed the sky was cloudless and the sun's rays more scorching than they generally are at that early season of the year. I walked by the side of Lucy, who was riding on a pony that I had purchased for her, the ascent of the hills I found exceedingly fatiguing, and was really wearied when I reached the top.

"I had sent James on before us with a basket of refreshments with which he was to await our arrival in a small circular stone building, which the lord of the manor had kindly erected for the use of the numerous parties that visited the hills.

"After resting a while, and refreshing ourselves, we left the pony in charge of James, and proceeded to the different points whence the finest prospects could be obtained. So entirely were we occupied in gazing and expressing our sentiments upon the loveliness of nature around us, that we did not notice the extraordinary change that had taken place in the appearance of the sky, until reminded of it by James, who brought the pony, and begged of Lucy to mount and ride back to the round-house as quickly as possible, as he dreaded the approach of a storm. She mounted, and we ran by her side, but before we could

reach our place of shelter, a few large drops of rain, and the rumbling of distant thunder, proved that my servant's prognostics were right.

"The heavens seemed to be covered with a dark gray curtain, except in two spots, which appeared nearly black, and from each of these, which seemed hurrying on to meet as enemies in dread encounter-frequent flashes of what is termed summer lightning, gleamed. As soon as I had placed Lucy within the building, I could not resist the desire I felt to view the extraordinary look of these two hostile clouds. I placed myself, in spite of the warnings of James and Lucy, under the projecting eaves of the roof, which was formed of some metallic substance. On, on came the dark masses, looking darker as they neared each other. At last they met, and one of the most awful flashes of lightning I had ever witnessed, ensued, followed by a clap of thunder, such as one seldom hears in this climate. A second and a third followed in rapid succession, and ere I could reach the door of the building, a fourth flash felled me to the ground, where I lay stunned, and recovered only to see James standing over the lifeless bodies of Lucy and the horse. The house was roofless-the lightning had melted the metal, and rent the walls asunder.

What ensued for some weeks I know not. James must explain all to you. When I was restored-partially at least-to health, I resolved to leave my kind friend, the rector, and the scene of my frustrated happiness. He was much hurt at my leaving him in his bereavement, but I could not stay-I should have gone mad if I had done so. Fortunately I saw an advertisement in the paper of a title to be obtained at Trevenny, in Cornwall, which I resolved to accept. I went down with James, and after an interview with Messrs. Nibson and Inkspot, accepted their terms-niggardly as they were-and settled down as curate in a part of the island, where nothing could remind me of my lost happiness.

"And now, Bursar, farewell! should this ever meet your eye, preserve a friendly remembrance of your old friend, Sam Smyth."

"I am rather glad that is over," said the Dean, yawning outrageously, "we college fellows ought not to have our sympathies over-excited. Peter, we will try your mixture, which the undergraduates call by an indecent name—make us a jug of egg flip."

"Excuse me," said the Bursar, but as term is not over for the next month, I shall not venture upon that. Peter, bring me a glass of cold without, as usual."

However, eventually I made egg flip for four, for which Mrs. P. commended me.

(To be continued.)

AN ODDITY OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

BY MRS. GORE.

VALUABLE hints concerning the morals and manners of an historical epoch, are often to be derived from the sectional history of persons, little distinguished from the mass by virtue, understanding, or social position. The flippant dandyism of the regency for instance, would be better understood by posterity, from a perusal of the memoirs of Beau Brummell than from half a hundred more important biographies; and the corruption and coarseness engendered in the higher classes of female society, toward the close of the last century, by the prevalence of gaming, could not be better illustrated than by a correct picture of the coterie of Albina, Countess of Buckinghamshire; or a sketch of Lady Betty Luttrell, who closed a disgraceful life, sweeping the streets of Norwich, as the penalty for an act of swindling.

As regards the manners of the present day, we could point out a dozen individuals, both living and recently defunct, a sketch of whose lives and appearance would do more to illustrate the reigns of our two last sovereigns, than all that has been sung by the laureat, or said by the Cabinet Cyclopædias and Penny Magazines-those chartered chronicles of useful knowledge. But it is probable that posterity will judge us from the discreet pages of partial biographers; and pronounce upon the nineteenth century, in the prim attitude in which it places itself when avowedly sitting for its picture.

Nothing is more amusing than to find an occasional rent in the tapestry of history, through which its reverse may be examined. The stately times of Louis XIV., for instance, and the formal epoch of Louis XIII.;-how delightful to find them divested of their tinsel and buckram, in the pages of some contemporary, and ex-professional writer. How diverting, for instance, and how characteristic is the career of the eccentric Madame Pilau !

"But who," we hear our readers exclaim, "who on earth was Madame Pilau? We never even heard the name! It is certainly not of literary-it is certainly not of political interest. It must be some foolish nom de guerre !"

Yet, time was, and only a trifle of two hundred years ago, that not to know Madame Pilau was to argue yourself unknown. The first remark hazarded in Paris, on the occurrence of any extraordinary event, from the queen and her court down to the quizzical old Hugonot ladies, residing between the Faubourg St. Antoine, and Charenton, was, "What will Madame Pilau say of it?"

During the ascendancy of Cardinal Richelieu, Madame Pilau was the privileged Mrs. Grundy of the French capital. She was allowed to say any thing that came into her head, because nothing seemed to come into it but what was worth saying. She was the pacificator of family feuds -the banterer of all established abuses, the bringer to reason of all