"don't mince matters, let's hear the worst. If we are in one of the planets, Buggins can be pilot through the milky way. If it's cold, we'll strip Orion of his belts, and❞—

66

Widget!" ejaculated Rosa, "if you go on so, the lady will really have cause for her ha! ha! ha! (would we could put such a little merry silvery laugh in type) somewhat unpleasant symptoms as to your sanity."

By this time Widget had gone through the Zodiac, and was just opportunely come by a circuitous route to Venus, when he fell at one swoop to abusing the nurse girl, who had been the cause of all his troubles. "Oh, malignant little minx!" he cried, "with a deceitful little baby in your arms, never will I place faith in nurse girls again; never will I have any reliance in any of your sex, except"-but Rosa had cast down her eyes, and he contented himself with the mild climax-" in one who has never deceived me!"

"Aye!" said Buggins, who had been eagerly waiting all this time to put in his word, since astronomy was one of his favourite studies, "aye, you may well look at Cassiopœa in her chair, but take care of Sagittarius, who is assuredly bending his bow behind you. As for Draco, the Dragoness, there”—

"I won't—no, I wont bear it!" screamed the landlady, whose face was getting by this time of a crimson hue, "bending my bow indeed! catch me making my bow or my curtsey either to the likes of you-mad as march hares every one-and a dragoness too-well to be sure!"

The task of pacification was left to poor Rosa, who was some time eliciting the fact that, after all, the mistake was only a matter of some few miles, and another train leaving at 12.18, afforded them an opportunity of leaving Hailsham for the coast. Our charming heroine, in short, conducted herself with such good sense as to convince the landlady there was no cause for serious apprehension, and after breakfast being finished amidst à volley of wonder and inquiry from the gentlemen, it was decided they should occupy the little time that remained by walking round the village, to gain a general idea of the country in the neighbourhood.

This was a real enjoyment to our friends, and to those who have been long in "populous city pent," to those who have known but houses and squares, eternal brick and mortar mazes for many a long month, how fresh and novel, how soothing and beautiful the far country-the still, pure, unadulterated country, "what a sunny shadowless tranquillity," as a dear lover of rural scenes writes, "what a calm, yet glad repose lies on its fair hills and over its solemn woods. How its flowery sun-lit dales, and its deep secluded

sheltered valleys reflect the peace of heaven." All this silent influence fell, with the soft breeze, the warm light, and

Narrowing sky

A summer depth of deepening blue

So clear, the hills and far-off trees

Seem impotent to bound the distant view—

a genial influence upon our travellers, whose hearts were unfrozen and unwarped by the influences of utilitarianism and worldliness then-who could gaze with unrepressed delight around them at the glorious "alphabet of the eternal," and wonder at the grace and beauty of the living visible garment of the Creator.

But, while we episodize, our friends have been busy-not alone with the exuberant images of fancy, the film of the rising thought, but the real spoken words and contagious merriment. Rosa, with all the delight of an emancipated school girl, has been wandering far and wide, twining for herself a garland of dog-roses, gathered expressly by Widget at the awful sacrifice of his fingers. Buggins has collected a very nosegay of honeysuckles, violets, and other wild flowers, declaring that such a capital opportunity for botanizing seldom occurs-but unfortunately, poor Robert's knowledge of that wordy science does not extend farther than what little information he had gained some months before, from having purchased a couple of volumes on said interesting subject, and having cut nearly all the leaves! Of course reading them in town was quite out of the question. It would have been too tantalizing.

Botany, however, was soon quite given up, and upon Rosa reproaching her brother with his versatility, he appealed to Widget for assistance, who, being placed between the horns of a dilemma in consequence, adopted a truly Whibbletonian method of getting free, which we will describe, that it may serve as a warning to young lady readers in general, and a suggestion to any Widget that may peruse this veracious history in particular.

WHIBBY'S RECEIPT.

Collect as many primroses, violets, daisies, and buttercups as you have patience to gather, borrow a number (by French leave) from your friend. Mystify the young lady by a sudden and dexterous flower attack, scattering the pretty little petals, leaves, and flowers over her bonnet and dress, suffering them to fall upon her pretty little face and neck, and before she has recovered from her confusion, take the most pleasing and available way of ridding her from the shower by a gentle salute!

Well, we really dare not continue now; Widget is famed for getting himself and every one else into difficulties and scrapes; but this last is so unexpected that it finishes—our chapter at least!

(To be continued in our next.)

"I HAD A VISION WHEN THE NIGHT WAS LATE."

TENNYSON.

By some strange power that I could not understand and cannot now describe, I was placed in a seat of authority, to pronounce judgment upon the mortals brought before me. By my side sat a young man, who, without comment, had to record the decrees I awarded. Without spoken comment, but at every verdict, he looked with such an earnest gaze into my face, that a confused doubt arose in my mind as to its justice; and I was obliged to call to my remembrance the power of my office before I could command him to enter it in the roll. There was an expression of bright intelligence in his countenance, that made me feel not the superior being of the two, although, for the moment, far above him. As each case was determined, and each doom pronounced, he moved his pen with an air of command, and the attendants brought forward a new one, with the accusers and witnesses therein.

speak as to

as to what

And it was

There were many curious circumstances common to nearly all the cases. The accusers, who were often men who had before been thought the dearest friends of the accused, were bitter in their denouncements. Witness after witness came to acts and circumstances; but every one appealed to me motives could have actuated the performer of such acts. part of the wonderful influence upon me, that I instantly passed an opinion thereon, which, while it seemed always fatally condemnatory, had all the power of an irreversable doom. I was the "Judge of Motives!" and my decisions were received with almost universal satisfaction in the Court in which I sat, and where were congregated men of all ranks and stations in society.

The different prisoners heard, with varying manifestations of emotion, the judgments I pronounced. Some, with meek look and lowly gesture, silently left the Court; some turned their eyes wet with tears towards heaven, and with humble words (construed into hypocrisy by the Court) appealed from my judgment to that of God; others again, with furious action and defiant word, bade me descend from the seat of judgment, which I desecrated by tyranny and injustice. But still unmoved I sat, as feeling that my knowledge of their motives must be right, and they were removed.

At last a man was brought and placed before me, at whose presence a thrill of feeling passed through me, as though some ancient and mystical affection had at one time united us. He was

I had a Vision when the Night was late. 187

charged with having neglected, in their poverty, his relatives who had in their youth supported him; with having by carelessness and idleness squandered his estate and voluntarily injured his creditors, by taking advantage of the protection of the law to their detriment. Moreover it was asserted that he had for a long time retained and trifled with the affections of a trusting heart, only to betray and desert it.

I heard witnesses who spoke to every circumstance which could have come under the cognizance of outward observation, and I formed my opinion that none but depraved motives could have led to such actions. He was condemned; but at the same time the secretary passed his pen, as it were carelessly, over my eyes and those of the accused. An instant communication was opened between his inmost thoughts and my comprehension, and for a brief moment I seemed to feel, what none beside the individual and his God ever really feel, a true sight into all the circumstances, inward and outward, of the case; the temptations and resistances; the struggles and triumphs; the depressions and humilities; and also the strength and weakness of the natural power which had to combat with them all.

I learnt that those whom he was said to have neglected, he had secretly supported; and that the money had been so disposed of which he had been thought to have wasted, that though, for a time, he had sheltered himself under legal protection, it was but that he might have an opportunity, which his endeavours had even now well nigh accomplished, of honourably regaining his former position by a full discharge of all his debts. And as for the last charge, that of heartless desertion, I found that he had first discovered the falsehood of the loved object (the memory of whom, as he first knew, or thought that he knew her, he still cherished), and, without branding her with shame and disgrace, as he might have done, had quietly severed the connection.

I was about to declare the decision reversed, when again the pen was waved before my eyes, the whole scene began to fade from me, and I recognised in the accused whom I had condemned, a spiritual shadow of my own life, actions, and trials. I felt the vanity of human judgments, and determined for the future to leave Him to judge of men's motives, who alone can know and understand them.

HAPPINESS is spread o'er the earth, as the manna was in the desert, all can get a portion of it if they be diligent,—the affluent, the indigent, the weak, and the powerful, are nearly in the same position. The strugling tradesman never suffer from ennui, and the anxious parent requires no stimulent to give a zest to her existence.

TOM SUFFRAGE'S VOTE.

BY SHAGGYQUILL.

CHAPTER IV.

SHOWING how little Ada had a bosom friend, and made use of her. What plot, what starting-hole-what device now?—SHAKESPEARE. This is going to be a short chapter, but it will be with little Ada, and that, I hope, will make up for its brevity; for from what little acquaintance I have with my readers, I am inclined to think that a short chapter with her will be more acceptable to them than a long one with Tom and Mr. Sniggers, or a smoky one with the patriots of the "Cat and Trumpet.'

Old Mr. Brancrust was called out early on the following morning, and so Ada was left to breakfast alone; and Ada had just finished that occupation, and was standing in a dreamy manner looking into the garden, and from the flower-beds every now and then up to the clouds through the old bow window; seeing, doubtless, in the pale spring flowers and the light spring leaves, but so many Tom Suffrages; and as the light clouds parted and met again, picturing again,-living again, other meetings and other partings in the little room smelling of lavender. A rap at the door-and the heart of Ada went up and down faster than the knocker. The outer door was opened-Ada heard a light step in the passage which did duty for a hall—and her heart was quiet; she did not care about light footsteps, for Tom's footsteps were not light. A tap at the parlour door was followed by the opening of the door itself, and with a playful bound there darted in a Tuscan bonnet, with bows of scarlet ribbon that were perfectly appalling to look at twice, festoons of long raven ringlets, a rather pretty face, and a female figure rather more dressy, rather less elegant, and rather less loveable than the form of little Ada herself.

Now when ladies are embracing and mingling their kisses, is the best time for a gentleman to lean against the mantel-piece and look at them. So while these ladies are mingling their ribbons and kisses, and

Their ringlets black and gold,

we will stand apart and examine Miss Amelia Dovecote.

Miss Amelia Dovecote was the daughter of a surgeon, in a vil lage a mile or so from Lower Fleecington, Mr. Coodle Dovecote,