paring." I was instantly attacked by all present with one voice, or rather with many voices at the same time, to accompany them thither; to which I made no opposition, thinking it would be attended with more trouble than the expedition itself.

As soon as the ladies and equipages were ready, we issued forth in a most magnificent cavalcade; and, after travelling five or six miles through bad roads, we arrived at the Red Lion, just as the ordinary was making it's appearance on the table. The ceremonials of this sumptuous entertainment, which consisted of cold fish, lean chickens, rusty hams, raw venison, stale game, green fruit, and grapeless wines, destroyed at least two hours, with five times that number of heads, ruffles, and suits of clothes, by the unfortunate effusion of butter and gravy. Hence we proceeded a few miles farther to the race ground,. where nothing, I think, extraordinary happened, but that, among much disorder and drunkenness, few limbs, and no necks were broken: and from these Olympic games, which, to the great emolument of pickpockets, lasted till it was dark, we galloped back to the town, through a soaking. shower, to dress for the assembly. But this I found no easy task; nor could I possibly accomplish it before my clothes were quite dried upon my back; my servant staying behind to settle his bets, and having stowed my portmanteau into the boot of some coach, which he could not find, to save himself both the trouble and indignity of carrying it.

Being at last equipped, I entered the ball-room, where the smell of a stable over which it was built, the savour of a neighbouring kitchen, the fumes of tallow candles, rumpunch, and tobacco, dispersed over the whole house, and. the balsamic effluvias from many sweet creatures, who were dancing, with almost equal strength contended for su periority. The company was numerous and well dressed,

and differed not in any respect from that of the most brilliant assembly in London, but in seeming better pleased and more desirous of pleasing; that is, happier in themselves, and civiller to each other. I observed the door was blocked up the whole night by a few fashionable young men, whose faces I remembered to have seen about town, who would neither dance, drink tea, play at cards, nor speak to any one, except now and then in whispers to a young lady, who sat in silence at the upper end of the room, in a hat and negligeé, with her back against the wall, her arms akimbỏ, her legs thrust out, a sneer on her lips, a scowl on her forehead, and an invincible assurance in her eyes. This lady I had also frequently met with, but could not then recollect where; but have since learnt, that she had been toad-eater to a woman of quality, and turned off for too close and presumptuous an imitation of her betters. Their behaviour affronted most of the company, yet obtained the desired effect: for I overheard several of the country ladies say, "It was pity they were so proud; for to be sure they were prodigious well bred people, and had an immense deal of wit :" a mistake they could never have fallen into, had these patterns of politeness condescended to have entered into any conversation. Dancing and cards, with the refreshment of cold chickens and negus about twelve, carried us on till day break, when our coaches being ready, with much solicitation, and more squeezing, I obtained a place in one, in which no more than six had before artificially seated themselves; and about five in the morning, through many and great perils, we arrived safely at home.

It was now the middle of harvest, which had not a little suffered by our diversions; and therefore our coachhorses were immediately degraded to a cart; and having rested during our fatigues, by a just distribution of things, were now obliged to labour, while we were at rest. I

mean not in this number to include myself; for, though I hurried immediately to bed, no rest could I obtain for some time, for the rumbling of carts, and the conversation of their drivers, just under my window. Fatigue at length got the better of all obstacles, and I fell asleep; but I had scarce olosed my eyes, when I was awaked by a much louder noise, which was that of a whole pack of hounds, with their vociferous attendants, setting out to meet my friend, and some choice spirits, whom we had just left bes hind at the assembly, and who chose this manner of refreshment after a night's debauch, rather than the more usual and inglorious one of going to bed. These sounds dying away by their distance, I again composed myself to rest; but was presently again roused by more discordant tongues, uttering all the grossness of Drury Lane, and scurrility of Billingsgate. I now waked indeed with somewhat more satisfaction, at first thinking, by this unpastoral dialogue, that I was once more returned safe to London; but I soon found my mistake, and understood, that these were some innocent and honest neighbours of sir John's, who were come to determine their gentle disputes before his tribunal, and being ordered to wait till his return from hunting, were resolved to make all possible use of this suspension of justice. It being now towards noon, I gave up all thoughts of sleep, and it was well I did; for I was pre'sently alarmed by a confusion of voices, as loud, though 'somewhat sweeter than the former. As they proceeded from the parlour under me, amidst much giggling, laughing, squeaking, and screaming, I could distinguish only the few following incoherent words-horrible—frightful—ridiculous Friesland hen-rouge-Red Lion at Brentford-stays padded-ram's hornsaucy minx-impertinent coxcomb. I started up, dressed me, and went down, where I found the same polite company, who breakfasted there the day before, in the same attitude, discoursing of

their friends, with whom they had so agreeably spent the last night, and to whom they were again hastening with the utmost impatience. I was saluted with how-d'ye from them all at the same instant, and again pressed into the service of the day.

In this manner I went through the persecutions of the whole week, with the sufferings and resolution, but not with the reward of a martyr, as I found no peace at the last: for, at the conclusion of it, sir John obligingly requested me to make my stay with him as long as I possibly could, assuring me, that though the races were now over, I should not want diversions; for that next week he expected lord Rattle, sir Harry Bumper, and a large foxbunting party: and that the week after, being the full moon, they should pay and receive all their neighbouring visits, and spend their evenings very sociably together; by which is signified, in the country dialect, eating, drinking, and playing at cards all night. My lady added, with a smile, and much delight in her eyes, that she believed they should not be alone one hour in the whole week, and that she hoped I should not think the country so dull and melancholy a place as I expected. Upon this information I resolved to leave it immediately, and told them, I was extremely sorry that I was hindered by particular business from any longer enjoying so much polite and agreeable company; but that I had received a letter, which made it necessary for me to be in town. My friend said, he was no less concerned; but that I must not positively go, till after to morrow; for that he then expected the mayor and aldermen of his corporation, some of whom were facetious companions, and sung well. This determined me to set out that very evening; which I did with much satisfaction; and made all possible haste, in search of silence and solitude, to my lodgings, next door to a brazier's, at Charing Cross, WORLD.

THE EPHEMERA.

"CICERO, in the first book of his Tusculan Questions,' finely exposes the vain judgment we are apt to form of the duration of human life compared to eternity. In illustrating this argument, he quotes a passage of natural history, from Aristotle, concerning a species of insects on the banks of the river Hypanis, that never outlive the day wherein they are born.

"To pursue the thought of this elegant writer: let us suppose one of the most robust of these Hypanians (so famed in history) was in a manner coeval with time itself; that he began to exist at the break of day; and that, from the uncommon strength of his constitution, he has been able to show himself active in life through the numberless minutes of ten or twelve hours. Through so long a series of seconds, he must have acquired vast wisdom in his way, from observation and experience. He looks upon his fellow creatures, who died about noun, to be happily delivered from the many inconveniences of old age; and can perhaps recount to his great grandson a surprising tradition of actions, before any records of their nation were extant. The young swarm, who may be advanced one hour in life, approach his person with respect, and listen to his improving discourse. Every thing he says will seem wonderful to this short-lived generation. The compass of a day will be esteemed the whole duration of time; and the first dawn of light will, in their chronology, be styled the great æra of their creation.

"Let us now suppose this venerable insect, this Nestor of Hypanis, should, a little before his death, and about sunset, send for all his descendants, his friends, and his acquaintance; out of the desire he may have to impart his last thoughts to them, and to admonish them with his departing breath. They meet, perhaps, under the spacious