and surprise, pulled off poor Barney's wig, and rubbing her hand over his bare skull"ay, it is as I imagined," she said; "here are the bumps of stupidity and arrogance indeed of a size to account for all. But, in spite of them, I will be obeyed, or Mr. Barney O'Rooke must expect, for the future, to have his services dispensed with here."

Barney, through life, had made it a point to make his own interest his first consideration; this threat therefore was not without its due effect; in short, upon Miss Agnes Flora Judith's promising to reward him most liberally, for doing what she required, and to take upon herself the responsibility of it, he consented to oblige her, and the spoliation of poor Grace's head was finally settled.

On the cap being brought home, the potion prepared by Barney was administered, and advantage taken of the deep sleep into which she was thrown by it, to divest her head of its beautiful tresses. She did not, immediately on rising the

next morning, perceive what had happened, her head remaining confused by the effects of the dose she had taken; but when, on pulling off her nightcap before the glass, she discovered it, who can describe her rage and horror! she shrieked aloud, and, overcome with passion, fell senseless on the floor.

The whole house was alarmed; all hastened to her chamber, where, at the sight which was exhibited to her view, Miss Agnes Flora Judith began to think she had gone a little too far. She had meant to have been by on Grace's awaking, to prepare her, in some degree, for the shock that awaited her; but being little accustomed to rise early, was not up time enough for the purpose.

When tranquillity was a little restored, and the young lady given up to the care of Nell Tierney, her rage returning whenever her aunt approached her, the astonished lieutenant desired to know the meaning of all that had happened—what poor Grace had done, to be treated in the

barbarous manner as, it seemed to him, she had been.

"Ah! so you think,” replied his sister, judging, like other short-sighted mortals, from appearances; but when I explain, perhaps you'll be of a contrary opinion;" and she proceeded to gratify his curiosity, first reminding him, however, that though he had reserved to himself a right of control over Eugene, he had entirely resigned Grace to her management.

The lieutenant listened to her with unutterable amazement.-" Well," he cried, "of all the whims, or fancies, Agnes, that ever entered your noddle, this exceeds them all! Bumps! why didn't I see the poor girl's head as bare as Salisbury Plain? and if there was a bump or a lump on it, I'll consent to be shot for a coward! wonder her poor little heart should be vexed, to be docked in such a manner. To be sure, if she was of an age, like yourself, to mount a false covering-but-"

No

"Brother, brother," exclaimed Miss Agnes Flora Judith, with a rising flush,

"I must say you speak in a most extraordinary manner! how often have I told you that personal allusions are extremely offensive!"

"Well, well," with a sly wink, “there's no harm done," cried the lieutenant; "for you know there's nobody by; so let it pass this time: but, by the Lord, Agnes, you put me in mind of the vane upon the mainmast top, that is sure of being twirled about by every blast! here, not long ago, you wanted to make me believe that nothing would save the girl from destruction but turning swaddler; and now you say that her salvation depends upon having a brass helmet clapped on her head!"

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Yes, and contend for it," replied his sister, " as you would yourself, could you be made to understand the system I have been endeavouring to explain to you; but in vain, I perceive, some minds being unfortunately so opaque, that nothing can enlighten them. Do not attempt, however, to abuse the system because you

cannot comprehend it, as most ignorant people in general do what they cannot understand. You are yourself to blame for whatever is amiss in your children's craniums, and therefore it is an incumbent duty in you to support any thing that has a chance of rectifying what is wrong in their construction. Yes, you may stare! but had you, when you thought of marrying, given yourself time to discover what qualities you were deficient in, and whether the lady you were about to wed possessed those you lacked, by marrying accordingly there would have been an improvement, and what is obstinacy in you, would, in that case, have been but proper firmness in your children. Ay, you may give one of your polite whistles, but this is not, as I see you are on the point of exclaiming, one of my own ridiculous suggestions, but the suggestion of some of the first philosophers of the day. They argue naturally, if animals, for instance-if the breed of sheep, and horses, and dogs, is improved by cross breeds, why may not that of man? but in vain