silent, brooding over my wrongs, harbouring feelings of resentment against the parties, and viewing the world in general through a medium by no means favourable. I had become in some degree restored from this unwholesome state of mind from having rendered an important service to Captain Turnbull, for we love the world better as we feel that we are more useful in it; but the independence now given to me was the acmé of my hopes and wishes. I felt so happy, so buoyant in mind, that I could even think of the two clerks in Mr. Drummond's employ without feelings of revenge. Let it, however, be remembered, that the world was all before me in anticipation only.

"Boat, sir?"

"No, thanky, my lad. I want old Stapleton -is he here ?"

"No, sir; but this is his boat."

"Humph! can't he take me down.?"

"No, sir; but I can, if you please."

"Well, then, be quick.”

A sedate looking gentleman, about forty-five years of age, stepped into the boat, and in a few seconds I was in the stream, shooting the bridge with the ebbing tide.

"What's the matter with deaf Stapleton ?"

66

Nothing, sir; but he is getting old, and

has made the boat over to me."

66 Are you his son ?"

"No, sir, his 'prentice."

66

Humph! sorry deaf Stapleton's gone."

"I can be as deaf as he, sir, if you wish it."

The gentleman said no more at the time, and I pulled down the river in silence; but in a few minutes he began to move his hands up and down, and his lips, as if he was in conversation. Gradually his action increased, and words were uttered. At last he broke out :-" It is with

this conviction, I may say, important conviction, Mr. Speaker, that I now deliver my sentiments to the Commons House of Parliament, trusting that no honourable member will decide until he has fully weighed the importance of the arguments which I have submitted to his judgment." He then stopped, as if aware that I was present, and looked at me; but, prepared as I was, there was nothing in my countenance which exhibited the least sign of merriment; or, indeed, of having paid any attention to what he had been saying, for I looked carelessly to the right and left at the banks of the river. He again entered into conversation.

"Have you been long on the river ?"

"Born on it, sir."

"How do you like the profession of a water

man ?"

66

Very well, sir; the great point is to have regular customers.”

"And how do you gain them?"

"By holding my tongue; keeping their counsel and my own:"

"Very good answer, my boy. People who have much to do cannot afford to lose even their time on the water. Just now I was preparing and thinking over my speech in the House of Commons."

"So I supposed, sir; and I think the river is a very good place for it, as no one can overhear you except the person whose services you have hired and you need not mind him."

"Very true, my lad; but that's why I liked deaf Sapleton-he could not hear a word."

"But, sir, if you've no objection, I like to hear it very much; and you may be sure that I should never say any thing about it, if you will trust me."

"Do you, my lad? well, then, I'll just try it over again. You shall be the speaker-mind

you hold your tongue, and don't interrupt me."

The gentleman then began: "Mr. Speaker, I should not have ventured to address the house at this late hour, did I not consider that the importance of the question now before it is— so important-no, that won't do did I not consider that the question now before it is of that, I may say paramount importance, as to call forth the best energies of every man who is a well-wisher to his country. With this conviction, Mr. Speaker, humble individual as I am, I feel it my duty, I may say, my bounden duty, to deliver my sentiments upon the subject. The papers which I now hold in my hand, Mr. Speaker, and to which I shall soon have to call the attention of the House, will, I trust, fully establish"

"I say, waterman, be you taking that chap to Bedlam ?" cried a shrill female voice close to