The horse is something, I take it, after this fashion: not the prettiest head in the world, but beautifully put on, something to pull at without fatigue, a good hold in fact; neck lean, shoulders admirably placed, deep in the girth, but not very thick through the heart; capital arms and good wearing legs and feet, with a scar or two; ragged hips, with long drooping quarters, and hind legs well under him; fired in the hocks, though what for you cannot very well make out; and a quick wiry goer, with good knee action, and when mounted worth certainly donble what you calculated him at. Caveat emptor is what a late master of hounds called his dog Latin; it should here be your horse Latin, and not be forgotten; never let it be a dead language to you.

And with

that in your mind, and a warranty in your pocket, I think a young gentleman in the pig skin at 11st. 10lb. might have got as much for his money as for £70 elsewhere. However, for security, and as a rule, go to the highest dealers your pocket will permit; their character is worth more to them than your money.

Alec was a civil fellow, and as he bows you out of Sanctity Lane yard he "hopes you will allow him to find you something as 'ad suit, which he has no doubt he can do in a short time, at a moderate figure." If those middle-class fellows' figures were not so moderate sometimes, I think they might occasionally do more amongst the Greens.

And now, my dear fellow, before I conclude I shall put you on your guard against a set of men, of whom luckily there can be but few, if any, in Oxbridge--I mean a low dealer, such as are occasionally met with in our small market towns, and sometimes in large ones; an unmitigated ruffian, hardly a step above a common character. He shows you round his yard with a bad cigar in his mouth, and his hands in his pockets; his servants are dirty, and one always has a black eye. He has not a horse in the stable that he bought for a sound one, but he will give you a warranty for the whole lot. Those that are not lame, or about to become so, or blind, or whistlers, are carnivorous, and are dressed over with two broomsticks and an iron muzzle. What he can't sell he sends to his partner, and his partner returns him the compliment from twenty miles distant. He swears and curses in the most offensive manner; and as each successive screw is brought out, he "wishes he may drop" if he can't go longer and faster, and jump higher and farther, any hanimal as hever wur foaled; and if you don't bang the field on him, why! his eyes if he don't give him to you for nuffin. You need not go there, so we won't have his horses out. I could tell you some curious anecdotes of my experience, and perhaps I may. Adieu, my dear boy. Ever your affectionate uncle,

than

SCRIBBLE.

ERNEST ATHERLEY;

OR, SCENES AT HOME AND A BROAD.

BY LORD WILLIAM LENNOX.

CHAP. IV.

"I once more view the room, with spectators surrounded,
Where, as Zanga, I trod on Alonzo o'erthrown;
While to swell my young pride, such applauses resounded,
I fancied that Mossop himself was outshone:

Or, as Lear, I pour'd forth the deep imprecation,

By my daughters, of kingdom and reason deprived;
Till fired by loud plaudits, and self-adulation,

I regarded myself as a Garrick revived."

66

BYRON.

My Love for the Drama-Choice of a Profession-Receive my Commission. During the short dramatic summer season, independent of the performance already alluded to in the last chapter, I had prevailed upon my tutor to accompany me to the theatre upon two occasions, and had witnessed the representation of King Lear" and the "Revenge." It is true that the "stock" tragedian of the company did not come up to thebrilliant star" that had so dazzled and bewitched me; still the minor light was far from feeble, and delighted me to no small degree. Can it be wondered, then, that the impression made upon my pliant mind increased rather than diminished? The histrionic art shortly became a passion; I could think and talk of nothing else-every leisure moment was devoted to Shakspeare-and I learnt the principal speeches of Shylock, Lear, and Zanga by heart, and spouted them to Mrs Miller, old Harry Arthur, James Morris, the groom, and whoever else was patient enough to listen to me. The Jew was my favourite part. I had converted an old brown table-cover into the Hebrew gaberdine; I had made myself a beard from the stuffing of one of Farmer Dale's old cartsaddles; and, with a wooden knife and a pair of scales, furnished by the carpenter, I strutted about on every holiday, looking much more like a Monmouth-street old-clothesman than the Venetian money-lender. Upon one occasion, when I had blackened my visage for the Moor, and had made a turban and tunic of some striped blue-and-white calico, I was taken for a May-day sweep, and was called upon by seme clods to execute the shovel-and-broom dance. To render the performance attractive, I easily persuaded one of my cricketing companions, young Frank Grey, to read the other parts to me, or to give me the cue," for I now began to understand all the Thespian slang ;" and the long hall at Atherley Manor, with a couple of screens as side-scenes, or a rural natural theatre of Scotch firs in the shrubbery, with, as Quince says, "the green plot for stage, and the hawthorn brake for our tiring

66

house," often witnessed our dramatic efforts, to the delight and astonishment of Frank Sewell the huntsman's son, the butler, housekeeper, dairy-maids, gardener, foot-boy, groom, stable-lads, or any other spectators that we could press into our service.

Time circled on, and I had received many letters from my parents, as also a visit from the kind-hearted Mr. Ramsay, the purport of which was to ascertain my feelings with respect to my future life and profession. The army and navy were both open to me; and the worthy old stockbroker, who was commissioned by my father to get at my real sentiments, entered into a full and amiable detail as to the merits of the respective services, and which detail he had gleaned from the opinions of two valued friends, who had served with distinction under Abercromby and Nelson, and who now were enjoying their well-earned half-pay within a mile of the "Willows."

"Honour, courage, zeal, and implicit obedience to orders," said my Mentor, "are the indispensable requisites for a soldier or sailor; and civilian as I am, it has often occurred to me that they are equally imperative upon the citizen-honour, never to tell a falsehood or commit an ungentlemanlike act; courage to meet the assault of those enemies from which no one is free; zeal to do 'heart,' not eye,' service to our employers; and implicit obedience to the laws of the land."

In this strain would the old man proceed. At one moment, he could not refrain from alluding, with tears in his eyes, to the premature death of his darling son, and to the prospects he had entertained for him; then, without a murmur, would he meekly bow to the dispensation of an all-wise and inscrutable Providence. At another time, he would refer to his only daughter, and his hopes that he might see her happily settled in life before he was called to his last account. Little did the speaker know how deeply interested I felt in the latter subject; for from my boyhood I had looked upon Ellen Ramsay as the most perfect of her sex. As this is no love-story, I will not dwell upon the romantic passion I had formed for her; suffice it to say, she was my "morning star of memory"-the object of my first attachment.

Anxious to talk over my future prospects with the companion of my youth, I proposed to pass a few days at the "Willows," during which time I promised to decide the important question. This suggestion was readily agreed to; and as my tutor wished to go up to London on private business for a week, it was arranged that I should devote that time to my old friends near Coventry. Upon the following day this plan was put into execution; and at an early hour a chaise and pair was at the door to convey Mr. Ramsay and myself to his residence. Before I left the Manor House, I ran over to the kennel to wish Frank Sewell good-bye, and to urge him to see every attention paid to my pony, King Pepin, during my absence.

That will I," said the kind-hearted youth, who was the greatest "chum" I had-the participator of all my pleasures, the companion of all my frolics, and the sympathising friend to whom I could unburthen my troubles, great and small. "I'm sorry father's out," continued Frank-"he's gone over to see old Sam Wyatt, the earth-stopper; he's had a sad attack of illness, and is confined to his bed." "Is there anything I can send him?" I responded. Oh yes," I proceeded, "I will get Mrs Miller to make up a hamper of wine, arrow

root, and sago, and, if Farmer Dale will add a fowl or two, it will make the old man comfortable until next Wednesday, when I will get Mr. Ramsay to drive me over to see him at his cottage.'

Frank Sewell promised to send a helper over with the fare, and took leave of me, but not before saying

"Father has written to the Earl about a horse for you, Master Atherley; for he will never rest satisfied until he gets you properly mounted.'

I now hastened to execute my commission; and as Wyatt-who had been born and bred upon the estate-was an especial favourite with all classes, a most liberal contribution was made for him in the shape of flesh, fowl, wine, rice, and other nutritious condiments and buvables. The chaise was now at the door-a ricketty, rattling affair, with as much straw in it as would form a good stubble for a covey of partridges. No incident occurred upon the road; and shortly after twelve o'clock, we drove up to the "Willows," where we were most kindly welcomed by Mrs. Ramsay and the blushing Ellen. The hours that I passed under the hospitable roof of my friends was one of the happiest period of my life. Emancipated from the control of my tutor, about to enter into the world as my own master, in constant intercourse with my charmer, can it be wondered that the moments glided rapidly away? and when the day arrived that I was to return to Atherley Manor, I felt as if I had not been absent a tenth part of the time. Upon the evening previous to my intended departure, the subject of my future profession was again brought forward; and although my young adviser, Ellen, had strongly urged me to adopt a peaceful employment, I could not help imagining, with all the enthusiasm of youth, that the artless girl would be proud to see my name enrolled among the defenders of the country. I therefore having heard the advantages and disadvantages of a military over a naval life most freely discussed by two veteran friends of my host, both equally distinguished in their respective services-decided upon entering the army.

"As you have now, without any undue bias," said Mr. Ramsay, "made your selection, it will be gratifying for you to know that your father will entirely approve of the step. I have a letter from Lord Atherley, which only reached me this morning, saying that his old friend, General Havelock, has a vacancy in his regiment, and that he will strongly recommend you to the Commander-in-Chief for an appointment in it.'

"And what regiment is it?" anxiously inquired Ellen.

"The -th, one of the finest corps in the service; at least, so I am informed by Colonel Warburton," responded the father; "but here he is, to answer for himself.

The veteran who now entered the room, and whose loose right sleeve marked that he had been severely wounded in the service, was a brave soldier who had fought under Abercromby. Superannuated in consequence of illness brought on in pestilential climates, and by the loss of his arm, he now enjoyed a miserable pittance from the country he had so nobly served; and although broken down by bodily infirmities, his mind still retained its power and vigour. After a friendly congratula tion upon the choice I had made, the hearty colonel addressed me as

follows

"You are very fortunate, indeed, to get your name down for so fine a regiment as my friend Havelock's. One battalion is on active service

in Canada, and the other is at home. No corps in his Majesty's service, God bless him !"-Warburton was loyal to the back-bone-“ has seen more service than the gallant --th, as their colours, which you are shortly destined to carry, will convince you."

"Canada?" said Ellen, faintly.

Yes, my bonnie lass," responded the colonel; "wherever danger is, there will you find the 'invincibles,' as their brave commander used to call them."

A hectic flush mantled the cheek of the young girl, as she proceeded

"But you say one battalion is in England?"

"Oh, yes, my dear-I rather think at Portsmouth. The recruit will have to join there."

Then turning to me, he added, grasping my hand

"But you won't be your father's son if yon do not volunteer for active service as soon as you are sufficiently drilled to know the duties of an officer."

Ellen's colour returned when she heard of my destination; and, happily for her, the advice tendered me by the old soldier did not reach her ears.

"I forgot to add," said Mr. Ramsay, "that Mr. Taylor is left in London by a cause in Chancery, affecting his brother's property; and, as your father wishes you to commence as soon as possible your military duties, he suggests that you should remain here until his return home next month, placing yourself under the tuition of Sergeant Whittaker, of the Warwickshire Militia, now recruiting in Coventry."

"Whittaker is a fine fellow," said the colonel. "He served in Portugal and Spain, at Vimeira, Corunna, Busaco, Fuentes D'Onore, Ciudad Rodrigo, and was awfully wounded at Badajoz. He is a brave soldier, and an admirable drill."

This conversation was interrupted by the announcement of supper ; for in the days I write of, people kept earlier hours than they do at present, and did not postpone their dinner till near bed-time.

Deeply interesting as the gallant exploits of the th might have been to one inflamed with warlike ardour, I am ashamed to own that the feeling uppermost in my mind was to ascertain the colour of the facings and the lace of the regiment I was about to enter. My blooming Ellen seemed, from some secret degree of sympathy, to enter into my ideas; for, upon taking my arm to lead her to the supper-room, she playfully said—

"I hope theth have a pretty uniform, and not those odious orange facings that the 35th have."

"You must ask Colonel Warburton," I replied; "and the purse you have promised me shall be of the regimental colours."

No sooner had we taken our seats at table, than Ellen Ramsay made the necessary inquiry.

"Buff facings, my child," responded the veteran, "and gold laceone of the neatest uniforms in the service. The buff always looks clean, and a little coloured pipe-clay renovates it if at all soiled."

"Then Ernest must have a watch-ribbon of that colour," said Mrs.