extreme sympathy between horses and asses, leaves the care of his to some Cockneys, who come down every half hour to look after the tarpaulins, inspect the coverings, see the kneecaps safe, and ask if they want "ay;" and all this, that to some others on board they may appear as sporting characters, well versed in turf affairs, and quite up to stable management. When the life and animation of the crowded river is passed, how vexatious it is to hear for the thousandth time the dissertations on English habits, customs, and constitution, delivered by some ill-informed, underbred fellow or other, to some eager German-a Frenchman happily is too self-sufficient ever to listen-who greedily swallows the farago of absurdity, which, according to the politics of his informant, represents the nation in a plethora of prosperity, or the last stage of inevitable ruin. I scarcely know which I detest the more: the insane toryism of the one, is about as sickening as the rabid radicalism of the other. The absurd misapprehensions foreigners entertain about us, are, in nine cases out of ten, communicated by our own people; and in this way I have always remarked a far greater degree of ignorance about England and the English to prevail among those who have passed some weeks in the country, than among such as had never visited our shores. With the former the Thames Tunnel is our national boast; raw beef and boxing our national predilections; the public sale of our wives a national practice.

"But what's this? our paddles are backed. Any thing wrong, steward?"

No, sir, only another passenger coming

aboard."

"How they pull, and there's a stiff sea running too. A queer figure that is in the stern sheets: what a beard he has!"

I had just time for the observation, when a tall, athletic man, wrapped in a wide blue cloak, sprang on the deck-his eyes were shaded by large green spectacles and the broad brim of a very projecting hat; a black beard a rabbi might have envied, descended from his chin, and hung down upon his bosom; he chucked a crown-piece to the boatman as he leaned over the bulwark, and then turning to the steward,

called out

"Eh, Jem! all right?" "Yes, sir, all right," said the man, touching his hat respectfully.

The tall figure immediately disappeared down the companion-ladder leaving me in the most puzzling state of doubt as to what manner of man he could possibly be. Had the problem been more easy of solution I should scarcely have resolved it when he again emerged-but how changed! The broad beaver had given place to a blue cloth foraging cap with a gold band around it; the beard had disappeared totally, and left no successor save a well-rounded chin; the spectacles also had vanished, and a pair of sharp. intelligent grey eyes, with a most undegree of knowingness in their expression, shone forth; and a thin and most accurate ly-curled moustache graced his upper lip, and gave a character of Vandykism to his features, which were really handsome. In person he was,

common

VOL. I.

some six feet two, gracefully but strongly built; his costume, without any thing approaching conceit, was the perfection of fashionable attireeven to his gloves there was nothing which D'Orsay could have criticised; while his walk was the very type of that mode of progression which is only learned thoroughly by a daily stroll down St. James'-street, and the frequent practice of passing to and from Crockford's at all hours of the day and night.

The expression of his features was something so striking, I cannot help noting it: there was a jauntiness, an ease, no smirking, half-bred, self-satisfied look, such as a London linen-draper might wear on his trip to Margate; but a consummate sense of his own personal attractions and great natural advantages, had given a character to his features which seemed to say-it's quite clear there's no coming up to me: don't try it-nascitur non fit His very voice implied it. The veriest commonplace fell from him with a look, a smile, a gesture, a something or other that made it tell; and men repeated his sayings without knowing that his was liquor that was lost in decanting. The way he scanned the passengers, and it was done in a second, was the practised observance of one who reads character at a glance. Over the Cockneys, and they were numerous, his eyes merely passed without bestowing any portion of attention; while to the lady part of the company his look was one of triumphant satisfaction, such as Louis XIV. might have bestowed when he gazed at the thousands in the garden of Versailles, and exclaimed, “Oui! ce sont mes sujets." Such was the Honourable. Jack Smallbranes, younger son of a peer, excaptain in the Life Guards, winner of the Derby, but now the cleared-out man of fashion flying to the Continent to escape from the Fleet, and cautiously coming aboard in disguise below Gravesend, to escape the bore of a bailiff, and what he called the horror of bills "detested.

We read a great deal about Cincinnatus cultivating his cabbages, and we hear of Washington's retirement when the active period of his career had passed over, and a hundred similar instances are quoted for our admiration, of men, who could throw themselves at once from all

8

the whirlwind excitement of great events, and seek in the humblest and least obtrusive position an occupation and an enjoyment. But I doubt very much if your ex-man of fashion, your cidevant winner of the Derby-the adored of Almack's the enfant cheri of Crockford's and the Clarendon, whose equipage was a model, whose plate was perfection, for whom life seemed too short for all the fascinations wealth spread around him, and each day brought the one embarrassment how to enjoy enough-I repeat it, I doubt much if he, when the hour

of his abdication arrives-and that it will arrive

sooner or later not even himself entertains a doubt-when Holditch protests and Bevan proceeds; when steeds are sold at Tatersall's and pictures at Christie's; when the hounds pass

over to the next new victim, and the favourite for the St. Leger, backed with mighty odds, is now entered under another name; when in lieu of the bright eyes and honied words that make life a fairy tale, his genii are black-whiskered

2*

:

bailiffs and auctioneers' appraisers-if he, when the tide of fortune sets in so strong against him, can not only sustain himself for a while against it, and when too powerful at last, can lie upon the current and float as gaily down, as ever he did joyously up, the stream-then, say I, all your ancient and modern instances are far below him all your warriors and statesmen are but poor pretenders compared to him, they have retired like rich shop-keepers, to live on the interest of their fortune, which is fame; while he, deprived of all the accessories which gave him rank, place, and power, must seek within his own resources for all the future springs of his pleasure, and be satisfied to stand spectator of the game, where he was once the principal player. A most admirable specimen of this philosophy was presented by our new passenger, who, as he lounged against the binnacle, and took a deliberate survey of his fellow-travellers, seemed the very ideal of unbroken ease and undisturbed enjoyment: he knew he was ruined; he knew he had neither house in town or country; neither a steed, nor a yacht, nor a preserve; he was fully aware, that Storr and Mortimer, who would have given him a mountain of silver but yesterday, would not trust him with a mustard-pot to-day; that even "the legs" would laugh if he offered the odds on the Derby; and yet, if you were bound on oath to select the happiest fellow on board, by the testimony of your eyes, the choice would not have taken you five minutes. His attitude was ease itself; his legs slightly crossed, perhaps the better to exhibit a very well-rounded instep, which shone forth in all the splendour of French varnish; his travelling cap jauntily thrown on one side so as to display to better advantage his perfumed locks, that floated in a graceful manner somewhat lengthily on his neck; the shawl around his throat had so much of negligence, as to show that the splendid enamel pin that fastened it, was a thing of little moment to the wearer; all were in keeping with the nonchalante ease and self satisfaction of his look, as with half-drooping lids he surveyed the

deck, caressing with his jewelled fingers the silky line of his moustache, and evidently enjoying in his inmost soul the triumphant scene of conquest his very appearance excited. Indeed a less practised observer than himself could not fail to remark the unequivocal evidences the lady portion of the community bore to his success: the old ones looked boldly at him with that fearless intrepidity that characterises conscious security-their property was insured, and they cared not how near the fire came to them; the very young participated in the sentiment from an opposite reason-theirs was the unconsciousness of danger; but there was a middle term, what Balzac calls "la femme de trente ans, and she either looked over the bulwarks, or at the funnel, or on her book, any where in short but at our friend, who appeared to watch this studied denial on her part, with the same kind of enjoyment the captain of a frigate would contemplate the destruction his broadsides were making on his enemy's rigging-and perhaps the latter never deemed his conquest more assured by the hauling down of the colours, than did the "Honourable Jack," when a let down veil convinced him the lady could bear

no more.

I should like to have watched the proceedings on deck where, although no acquaintance had yet been formed, the indications of such were clearly visible: the alderman's daughters evincing a decided preference for walking on that side where Jack was standing, he studiously performing some small act of courtesy from time to time as they passed, removing a seat, kicking any small fragment of rope, &c.; but the motion of the packet began to advertise me that note-taking was at an end, and the best thing I could do would be to "compose" myself. What's the number, sir?" said the steward, as I staggered down the companion.

66

"I have got no berth," said I mournfully. "A dark horse, not placed," said the Honourable Jack, smiling pleasantly as he looked after me, while I threw myself on a sofa and cursed the sea.

cottages, all in a row, the inhabitants of which by no means bore the best of characters; so that, on the whole, it was pretty generally the opinion of the gentry and commonalty of Deepbrook that this section of the queen's highway did them more good than harm by the attractive influence it exercised; and "High Street, as this said section of the parish was denominated, was considered much in the light of a safety valve, that tended greatly to insure the safety of the parish.

The centrical little church had very close to it a centrical parsonage, but by no means a little one, for the house was among the best in the parish; and so happily shut in on all sides by a perfect ring-fence of forest-trees, the provident legacy of some long-departed rector, that, by the additional help of its fine garden-shrubs, it was in a state to defy all the winds of heaven and all the eyes of earth; and thus, though close to the church on one side, to the goose-common of the village, where there were no less than three very busy shops, on another, and flanked by one neighbour's grounds here, and by those of another there, the dwelling of the Reverend Edward Rimmington was exactly what that of our English country clergymen ought to be tranquil, gentleman-like, and com

fortable.

To the right of the rectory, were the very pretty house and the very pretty grounds of Lady Mary Weyland, the daughter of an earl and the widow of a baronet, but with a considerably smaller revenue than people gave her credit for, which she made the most of by confining its expenditure solely to her own use and benefit.

To the left was the mansion of Mr Dalton, the squire of the parish par excellence, being not only the lord of the manor, but by far the largest landholder in it. If not the most picturesque, his house was by much the largest in the village, which was fortunate for the size of his family, which consisted of no less than ten daughters, with the moderate addition of one son. As near the mansion of the squire as his little park, or paddock, would permit, was another of the good houses of Deepbrook, occupied by a Mr Ferdinand Lewis, solicitor; a sensible, respectable personage, who had realised a snug little fortune of 12,000l. or 15,000/., and was increasing it yearly, though not quite so much of late as heretofore; for he had two daughters, the pretty Mary and the pretty Lucy Lewis, who had recently returned from an excellent school at Clapham, exceedingly well disposed to do credit both to that and to their very indulgent papa, by making, in all ways, what they considered as a thoroughly respectable appearance. This was certainly a very praiseworthy inclination, but likely enough to lead to expense, when vigorously acted upon by very young ladies without a mother, and with a father knowing no more what young ladies ought to spend than his old spaniel.

Next to Lewis Lodge, stood an excellent house with good offices, gardens, and so forth, the property of the solicitor, but the dwelling of Henry Mortimer, Esq., barrister-at-law, and as

|

sistant poor-law commissioner. This gentleman, who had recently been appointed, had fixed his residence at Deepbrook, as one of the most agreeable spots in his district, and where the Union work-house was one of the largest establishments of the kind in the midland districts, comprehending nineteen rather populous parishes, and being, moreover, important as the centre of a rich agricultural neighbourhood, comprehending one or two of the finest estates in the kingdom. The arrival of Mr Mortimer at Deepbrook gave universal satisfaction. He was amiable, gentleman-like, possessing various elegant acquirements, and one of the most even, pleasant tempers in the world. He, too, as well as his legal neighbour, was a widower, and, like him, had two very gay ladies making part of his family, namely, his sister and his daughter. The elder of the two, whose age, as she was still very handsome, it is quite useless to mention, was of course his sister. She was a lady blessed with a very brilliantly fair complexion, a good deal of rather Titian-like red hair, a very fine person, and 10,000. Why she was not yet married, nobody seemed able to guess; though her niece, the bright-eyed Agatha, who was the other female embellishment of Mr Mortimer's household, has been heard to hazard a suggestion on the subject. This young lady is of opinion that her aunt would certainly have been married years ago, had she not been ever, and always, so vehemently bent upon attaining this object, as "absolutely to frighten the people," and drive them away, before they had time to learn any certain facts respecting the nature and extent of her reputed fortune, and "before they had got over her red hair." Mr Mortimer had also a son, a very fine young man, who had just taken a high degree at Oxford, and was now studying the law in the chambers of one of the first conveyancers in London.

Besides these leading families there were one or two more, of less importance; such as a halfpay captain in the navy, of the name of Maxwell, with a wife and daughter. The worthy little curate of Mr Rimmington and his newlymarried little wife; the apothecary and his maiden sister; and an old lady, the widow of a former rector, who lived in a miniature cottage of great beauty, upon an income of 2001.

a-year.

Of these was the class denominated the gentry of Deepbrook composed. The commonalty can hardly hope for the honour of being enumerated by name, though it is possible that, by and bye, we shall know more about them. And for the nobility, it consisted almost entirely of the magnificent castle of the Duke of Rochdale, which certainly gave an air of dignity to the landscape wherever its lofty and commanding turrets became visible; but the family themselves had of late years been very rarely in the neighbourhood, having passed a considerable portion of every year on the Continent. And even when they did come, the only individual honoured by their personal notice was the venerable Mrs Buckhurst, the above-mentioned widow of a former rector.

MOST certainly, my dear: the arrival of this commissioner is a monstrous advantage, not only to Deepbrook, but to the whole country round," said Mr Dalton to his wife, as he stood at the bottom of his breakfast-table, cutting slices innumerable from an enormous ham. "I declare positively, that if they had not sent this Mr Mortimer, or somebody else, holding the same situation, I should most positively have given up my place at the board of guardians. It is the greatest nuisance that a country gentleman can possibly be exposed to, that of being the member of a board with no assistant-commissioner near him."

"I daresay it must, my dear," replied his wife, perseveringly pursuing her occupation of putting sugar into ten breakfast-cups--for her seven eldest daughters and her son were seated round the breakfast-table.

"The girl is a great acquisition, too," said young Dalton, making a sign with one hand to his sister Louisa to give him an egg, and another equally expressive to his sister Georgina to give him a roll. She has a devilish fine pair of eyes!""

"It would be more civil, my dear Frederic, if you were to say that both the young ladies were an acquisition," observed Mrs Dalton, who, after resting herself for a moment by putting the palm of her left hand beneath the elbow of her right arm, was now pouring cream into all the tea-cups.

"Both the young ladies!--both! Well done, Mrs Dalton!" exclaimed her son, laughing violently. "The red-haired beauty ought to be told of your excessive politeness. I suppose you are looking forward to the time when eight or nine of your own daughters shall have reached the same delectable period of virgin maturity, and you are preparing a sort of lex talionis beatitude for them, by doing to others as you would that others should do unto them. Why do you not all, as many as are here, and that, unluckily, is just now only seven,-why do you not all kneel down and kiss the hem of your mamma's garment, for her prospective kindness towards you?"

"I don't think we shall be all old maids, Frederic," said a very pretty nymph of fifteen, looking at him with considerable contempt. "Don't you, Miss Caroline? I'll bet you five to one, that out of the whole budget there won't be more than two married at the very utmost." "Well!" replied the young beauty, in no degree alarmed, and if two are married, I shall be right; for, as I said before, we shall not be

66

all old maids!"

"True, most true, you very wise young lady! But on reflection I repent me for having named the possible proportion with so much liberality. For there are no longer ten of you within the reach of chance. Poor sad, sober, silent Ellen has passed the Rubicon; she is doomed-nay, she

is more than doomed-the sentence is executed, poor wretch, and Ellen is an old maid already!" "What, at twenty-three and a half, Frederic? I do think that is rather too bad," said his mother, beginning assiduously to refresh her enormous tea-pot with a good deal more tea from the tea-chest, and a great deal more water from the tea-urn; "I never did hear of a girl's being called an old maid at twenty-three and a half."

"That, madam, is because you never happened to come in the way of such a dull, dismal, doleful maiden as the eldest Miss Dalton. There is a prodigious difference, I beg to assure you, in the facility with which one young lady becomes an old maid, when compared to another. Some of them go on struggling and striving to the very last gasp; and, horrible as it is to watch their sinking agonies, it is certain that their efforts are by no means absolutely useless, and of none effect. Your red-haired friend, for instance, Mrs Dalton, though she has now, despite all her convulsive efforts to avert the doom, reached the point at which no one but your maternal self could blunder-that horrible bourne from which no girl returns, though she has at length reached this, I have no doubt whatever that at three-and-twenty and a half she had still the appearance of being almost young. then, you may be very sure that she worked hard for it. But, as for our poor, pale, pitiful Miss Ellen, I really believe that she is such a fool that she does not know the difference between being young and old."

But,

How should she, Fred?" demanded Miss Henrietta Dalton, aged sixteen and a quarter; she has never been old yet."

"Speak for yourself, young lady, and give me one of those pigeons," replied her brother. "You are just on the very verge of the acclivity yourself. After seventeen you all, every one of you, some faster, some slower, begin going down hill. But down you do all go after seventeen, depend upon it."

"Did any human being ever hear such nonsense?" said the second Miss Dalton, aged nineteen, for the heir of the family was next in age to his eldest sister; "upon my word, Frederic, you talk quite like a fool."

"And that is true as truth can be, Mary," returned Henrietta, adding in a whisper to her eldest sister who sat beside her, "You don't mind him, Ellen, do you?"

"Not very much, dearest!" replied Ellen, gently kissing the rosy face that was brought close to hers; and as she said it, a smile so sweet lit up her somewhat too delicate cheek, that the beautiful Caroline, who, though she had already thought, perhaps, more of her own face than of any other, was, nevertheless, too much au fait of beauty in general, to be brow-beat on the subject even by her clever brother, exclaimed, "It is a capital good joke to be sure,