wisely denied. A knowledge of the distant would only unfit our minds for the present, and so rob us both of our resignation to, and our trust in, the great and benignant Architect of our fate. Amongst the almost daily visiters at Notton House, was Miss Kitty B, an ancient lady, whom in those my juvenile days, I really dreaded to meet: for she made such (beyond all measure) terrible faces, that it was a heavy tax upon good manners, to look at her without laughing. Miss Wright, the niece of Lord Chedworth, told me an amusing circumstance respecting Miss B, which occurred when they were school-girls together. Happening to be placed one Sunday in a pew close to the pulpit, Miss B— 2 who was sitting directly opposite to the clerk, made, as was her wont, such wry faces, that the worthy giver out of psalms, (who was a comely looking personage in his way, though somewhat in the wane of life,) not being aware of her infirmity, mistook them for so many signals intended for himself. Feeling, however, the impropriety of her attacks upon his heart at such a time and in such a place, he said at last, loud enough to be overheard by the other girls, "Don't'e miss, don't'e; this bean't a proper place. By-and-by, miss!" After the service was over, as the young ladies were leaving the churchyard, a hand gently pulled the sleeve of Miss B- 's gown: she turned, and beheld the rosy-cheeked clerk. "Now, miss, do tell I what you did mean by all them there noddies and winkies at I?" The young lady looked all astonishment: and the celebrated Mrs. Radcliffe, who was then at the same school, informed the disappointed swain that Miss B- had an unfortunate habit of making faces. Apropos of Mrs. Radcliffe ! Miss Wright mentioned, that so far from any early dawning of that superior intellect, which afterwards delighted the world, she was, when at school, considered to be more than ordinarily dull. So much so indeed, that girls many years her junior, had very greatly the advantage of her in learning. But I have observed, that precocity of mind has rarely distinguished those, who, in after life, became remarkable for talents of the highest grade.

Within a few miles of Notton was P House, the seat of Mr. C- —, between whom and my family there once subsisted a considerable degree of intimacy. He was a man of amiable temper and most liberal disposition, and with more good sense than usually falls to the possession of a large estate. But one false step in the outset of life led to years of domestic trouble, and ultimately to the ruin of his fine property. He was but just of age when he became enamoured of a young girl in humble life, and whoin (like Thomson's Palemon) he actually first saw gleaning in his own fields. But

unfortunately she was not a Lavinia. She became his mistress, though he really loved her well enough to have made her his wife; but very naturally his mother objected, and sorrow preying upon a nervous temperament, he went completely deranged. Upon his recovery from this melancholy state, his mother, grown wise by experience, not merely consented, but expressed a strong desire to see him united to the humble object of his choice. They were married; and her subsequent conduct was so highly meritorious as to reconcile all his family to the match. Mr. C- -'s steward had treated her and her children with great harshness during the temporary aberration of his master: and it was naturally expected that she would, when she had become a wife, resent the treatment she had experienced by getting him discharged, as her influence over her husband was unlimited. But in this respect her conduct was worthy of imitation. She always acted towards the steward with the greatest kindness; and when a friend expressed surprise at her forbearance to one who had behaved so very ill to her, she replied, "I deserved it, and respect him all the more for it." Mr. and Mrs. Chad a numerous family of sons, but only one born after their union. Of that one the others were envious; and sad dissensions grew up amongst the brothers, to the great grief of their parents, who thus saw, in the misconduct of their children, the fatal consequences of their own early error, and a practical proof of the truth of that golden maxim-" Conduct is fate."

Their son, the young 'squire, was at the same school with my two elder brothers, who often suffered for the scrapes into which he seduced them. He was indeed the "Tony Lumpkin" of hopeful heirs, and, when grown to manhood, loved nothing so well as playing the great man at the little ale-house of the neighbourhood. An anecdote which the son of the village pastor told us of him may amuse the reader. Mr. Turner, being overtaken one day by a violent storm, took shelter at young C -'s favourite place of resort. The 'squire was seated by a roasting fire, with his pipe a-la-mode, and legs stretching all across the hearth in right easy fashion. Opposite to him, but at a most respectful distance, stood a little, shivering chimneysweep, who eyed the fire with a wistful look, for it was a cold winter's morning. 'squire, who had continued puffing without intermission, at length suffered his eyes to follow the vapour, as it rolled towards the sweep. "Well, devil!" said he, addressing the poor boy," how did you leave all in h-li ?" "Pretty much as they be here, zur! the great uns ha' got the hottest place." The 'squire said nothing in reply, but began smoking again with renewed vigour : while Mr. Turner sat silent enjoying the evident

The

discomfiture of the great man at the wit of his inferior only in fortune.- Metropolitan. New Books.

GILBERT GURNEY.

By the Author of Sayings and Doings.

[Our facete friend Gilbert's adventures have been extended to three library volumes, equal in humour and incident to any of the author's previous productions. Every chapter has such vraisemblance, and every page has in it so much of the stuff this world is made of that nothing can be more delightful than Gilbert's gay experiences-nor more pleasantly instructive, pointed as they are with moral inferences. Upon parting with the work, and wishing it

all the success it deserves-which will be a liberal share-we quote another scene from the life:- -]

A Civic Dinner at Greenwich. Upon my return home one evening, I found an invitation written in the most delicate hand, and in minute characters, from my friend Hull, to dine with the Worshipful Company of Tooth-pick Makers, who were to have their annual feast at the Crown and

Sceptre at Greenwich, to which he, being, I suppose, one of the worshipful fraternity, had the privilege of taking a friend: I was puzzled whether to struggle against a desire to mix in society, with the peculiarities of which I could never, without the aid of my civic and mercantile friend, become acquainted, or to give up the conflict, and abandon myself to the solitude which I was sure would be most congenial to my feelings-I thought with Thomson,

"I want to be alone, to find some shade,

Some solitary gloom: there to shake off
These harsh tumultuous cares that vex my life,
This sick ambition on itself recoiling;
And there to listen to the gentle voice,
The sigh of Peace-something-I know not what
That whispers transport to my heart."

Yet after all, why should I brood and nestle over my sorrow-I hesitated—but then, I had been interested and excited at the Old Bailey, why should I not seek solace from the Crown and Sceptre at Greenwich. I debated the "to be or not to be," for half an hour, and at last resolved to see, what I had never seen, a public dinner, and which I little doubted had its attractions, and its oddities. I accordingly wrote an answer to my friend Hull, accepting his kind bidding, and promising, as he desired, to be rigidly punctual to six o'clock.

The day was extremely fine-the windows of the rooms opening to the water, the house smelling of fried fish and mud, and the little boys with naked legs screaming "please to make a scramble," we, having attained this enviable position, in the building which looked like a race-stand, by threading a laby

rinth of the dirtiest alleys and stable yards, that ever pauper or poney inhabited. It was, however, a joyous scene, and Hull, who was good enough to be my Mentor on the occasion, pooh poohed the waiters into allowing us to look at the dinner-room all laid out for the company; more than a hundred were holes cut out here, and props poked in there, expected, partitions had been pulled down, to afford the required accommodation; in short, everything gave token of a goodly day.

Hull, who was at home everywhere, and everywhere popular, appeared, as soon as he arrived, to supersede everybody else.

"My dear friend," said he, "I happen to know these people-the Tooth-pick Makers are one of the most ancient corporations of the city-my dear sir, the Mercers were incorporated in the 17th of Richard the Second ---I have a tract that will prove it-1393 they were embodied--I know the Clerk of the Company at this day—so do you—”

"No I do not," said I.

"Pooh, pooh," said Hull, "don't tell me Jemmy Hobbs--everybody knows Jemmy Hobbs-married Miss Ball of Blackheathsplendid fellow, Jemmy. Well! these Mercers are a fine company, so are the Grocers— St. Anthony is their patron. My dear sir, I am forced to know all these things. Then, there are the Drapers, and the Fishmongers -pooh, pooh-Doctors and Proctors, and Princes of the Blood, are all fishmongers— Walworth was a fishmonger-eh-my dear friend, you should see their paintings-splendid things-Spiridiona Roma-fish in all seasons: then there are the Goldsmiths and the Skinners, and the Merchant Tailors— Linen Armourers-eh-queer fellows, some of them, but I do assure you-” (this was said in a whisper,) "you will see some men here to-day worth seeing."

"I suppose," said I, "the Tooth-pick Makers Company was founded by Curius Dentatus-whence comes the French, curedent."

"Pooh, pooh," said Hull, "no such thing much older than Curius Dentatus-I happen to know-founded in the reign of Edward the Fifth, my dear friend."

About this period the company began to arrive " thicker and faster," and certainly I had never seen any one of them before, which gave, at least, an air of novelty to the scenegenerally speaking, they ran fat, and wore white waistcoats, such as that, to which I had likened the bow window of 77, St. James'sstreet they looked all very hot, and puffed a good deal:- however they kept coming and coming, until the drawing-room, as a sort of thing like a bad conservatory, well placed to the south-west, was called, was so full that I began to be as hot as my companions. Six o'clock arrived, but no dinner-the master of the house-who, from wearing a similar sort

of uniform waistcoat I took to be a Toothpick Maker, came in and spoke to some of the fattest persons of the community, evidently saying that the banquet was ready nevertheless no move was made, because it appeared that Mr. Hicks had not arrived. "You had better," said one of the more important persons in the room; "let men be placed ready to see when Mr. Hicks arrives at the end of the lane by the stables."

"Yes, sir," was the answer, and from that time I heard nothing but Hicks, and Mr. Hicks talked of, until I was driven by extreme curiosity to inquire of my omniscient friend Hull, who Mr. Hicks was.

"Hicks!" exclaimed Hull-" why, my dear friend, you know Mr. Hicks-the great Mr. Hicks-everybody knows Hicks."

"I for one," said I, "do not-" and it turned out that at the moment I was not likely to be enlightened, for, just as Hull was about to give me an account of this important personage, a hubbub and bustle near the door, which speedily pervaded the whole assembly proclaimed his arrival-in a moment the buzz of conversation ceased, a sort of circle was made round Mr. Hicks, and several of the most distinguished members of the community hurried up to take their places near him; Hull dragged me towards this sanctum, this magic ring, and with a look of the greatest importance assured me, that it was right that I should immediately be presented to Mr. Hicks. The presentation accordingly took place, and no sooner was it over, than one of the grandees came up to me, and in a confidential whisper, informed me that my place at dinner, was on the left of Mr. Hicks as being a friend of the master;-I concluded the arrangement was attributable to Hull, who, I found, was to be my neighbour on the left, and although I could have dispensed with the honour of so close an approximation to the hero of the day, I rejoiced mightily that I was placed so near my friend Hull, who would be as useful to me upon such an occasion, as is a catalogue of the pictures at an exhibition anywhere else.

such pleasures may be carried. Of each and every dish, did each and every man partake, from turtle to white-bait, both inclusive; my friend Bucklesbury, whom I had a week before considered a prodigy in the way of feeding, sank into insignificance by comparison with the individuals now before and around me; to the elaborated course of fish, succeeded a host of fowls, cutlets, hashes, stews, and other things of that nature, accompanied by sundry haunches of venison, and succeeded again by ducks innumerable and peas immeasurable. The destruction of all these articles was, however, effected with ease in less than an hour and a half, during which the attentions paid to Mr. Hicks were the most marked and gratifying; if the sun shone in upon the tip of his nose, the waiters were ordered to pull down the blinds before him, if the gentlest breeze wantoned about the back of his neck, the master of the house was called to shut the window behind him; for him the chairman culled the choicest bits; to him the landlord tendered his most particular wines: every eye was fixed on his actions, every ear seemed open to his words; he had, however, as yet spoken little, but had "eaten the more."

All sublunary pleasures must have an end, so had this dinner, and a call of silence, and the thumping of the president's hammer upon the table, announced that some professional gentlemen were about to sing Non nobis Domine-they began-we all standing upI with the sun full in my eyes, setting over London in all its glory: the voices harmonized beautifully, but fine and melodious as they were, I felt that the canon or whatever it is called, very much resembled a fire which smouldering and smouldering in the low notes, kept perpetually bursting out in a fresh place, when one fancied it out: as far as the religious feeling of the thing goes, it was misplaced, and as for its duration, it seemed to me more like three graces than one.

This over, the wine began to pass, and "beards to wag," Hicks grew condescending, and the day began to mend; the King's health was given-song God save the King

The Master then rose and begged to propose a toast-no sooner had he uttered these words, than the whole room rang with applause, the wine-glasses danced hornpipes upon the table to the music of the forks and spoons, and the noise was tremendous-" I see," continued the worthy President, "that you anticipate my intentions; gentlemen, there could be no doubt upon your minds

what the toast would be," (more cheering,) "I will not occupy your time, nor hinder you from the gratification of your feelings upon this topic by dilating upon the merits of the illustrious individual whose health I am about to propose; whether we regard him in public life, guiding by his zeal and energy the community which he fosters and protects by his influence, or view him in private society, the ornament of the circle of which he is the centre, our gratitude and admiration are equally excited. Gentlemen, I will not trespass upon your time, or wound, what I know to be the delicacy of his feelings, by recapitulating the deeds which gild his name, and which have, during the last year, added so much to his honour and reputation, and to the welfare and comfort of his colleagues and associates:-I beg to propose the health of Benjamin Spooner Hicks, Esq.-a name dear to every Englishman--with all the honours." Then came a storm of applause unparalleled, at least in my experience; a band of music which had hitherto been silent, struck up "See the Conquering Hero comes," and nine times nine cheers were given in a style the most overwhelming. During this storm of rapture, I seized the opportunity of once again asking Hull who Hicks was, and what he had done, to deserve and receive all these extraordinary marks of approbation and applause, but all I could extract from my rubicund friend was "pooh, pooh-don't tell me -you know Hicks-my dear friend, everybody knows Hicks-there isn't a man better known in the universe." There was no time amidst the din of glory to assure him once more that I had by no possible accident ever heard his name before, so I resumed my seat as the object of our enthusiasm quitted his, to return thanks-his up-rising was hailed by the company with an almost Persic adoration -silence at length having been obtained, he spake

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Sir, and Gentlemen,-there are certain periods in our existence which entirely defy description-this, as far as 1 am concerned, is one of them-I have been placed in many trying situations, and I think I may say, without fear of contradiction, I have behaved as became a man (loud cheers); I am aware that some of my efforts for the benefit of my fellow-creatures have been crowned with success (hear, hear, hear); and I am thankful to Providence that I am possessed of the means to do good to them as is not so well off as myself (loud cheers). I say, sir, it would be the height of baseness for a man who has been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, not now and then to take it out, and feed them as has not been so fortunate (great cheering). My political feelings and principles I need not touch upon (immense cheering); they are known to all the world (tumultuous applause); I shall steadily main

tain the course I have heretofore followed, and observe the straight line, neither swerving to the right hand nor to the left, as little awed by the frown of power, as flattered by its smiles (hear, hear, hear.)

"Gentlemen, I sincerely thank you for the honour you have done me, and beg to drink all your good healths in return." The shoutings here were renewed, but to an extent far beyond the former exhibition. Mr. Hicks sat down, but still the thunder continued; and scarcely had it subsided, even for a moment, when Mr. Hicks, upon his legs again, caused a relapse which nearly drove

me mad.

Hicks waved his hand, and it was a calm -you might have heard a pin drop-he had to propose the health of the worshipful chairman-the Master of the Tooth-pick Makers' Company.

After expressing in almost the same words that Hicks had just before used, his conviction that this was the "proudest moment of his life," the chairman continued to observe, that if anything could possibly add to the gratification of having his health drunk by such an assembly, it was the fact of its having been proposed by such an individual. He then proceeded to say, that he was quite sure in that society, composed as it was of men of all parties, all professions, and all politics, he need not expatiate upon the merits of the honourable gentleman to whom he had previously alluded-they were known all over the world. He, like Hicks, returned the most heartfelt acknowledgments for the favour he had received at their hands, and sat down amidst very loud acclamations.

Still I was left in ignorance of all the great deeds which "gilt" my friend Hicks's "humble name;" and I found, being so near him, that it was quite impossible to get enlightenment. At length, however, I was destined to hear something of the character of his achievements; for shortly after the worshipful Master had sat down, and just before the healths of the Wardens of the Tooth-picks, or some such functionaries, were about to be toasted, a fall, thin, pale man—a rare specimen in the museum-rose and said, as nearly as I can recollect, what follows:

"Sir, I am sure you will forgive me for the intrusion I now venture upon; but I cannot permit this opportunity to pass, without expressing on my own part, and on the behalf of several of iny worthy neighbours, a sense of our obligation-and indeed the sense of obligation under which, like us, the rest of civilized Europe are laid by the manly, courageous, zealous, and indefatigable exertions of the honourable gentleman on the right of the chair, to whom you have so justly referred (loud cheers). It may, perhaps, be thought superfluous in me to enlarge upon a subject so familiar to your hearts; but I cannot

avoid mentioning a trait which at once displays the greatness of that honourable gentleman's mind, the prowess of his courage, and his immutable determination to do justice to all men "—still louder cheers followed this point.

"I think," continued the pale man, "I need not speak more distinctly upon the subject to which I allude." Here shouts rent the room, and the glasses began to dance again. “But lest there should be any gentleman present, who might by accident be unacquainted with the circumstance to which I refer "—(cries of "no, no! impossible! hear, hear! order, order!")" I say, if-for it may be so-if such a thing should be, I think it best at once to explain that the conduct to which I now specifically refer, but which I may truly say is of a piece with every action of his honoured life, is that which our great benefactor-and friend-if he will allow me so to call him," (Hicks nodded, and said "hear !")—" observed upon the occasion of removing the lamp from the corner of Black Lion-street to the head of Spittle-court. (Immense cheering.) Sir, I do not wish to go into the question of the eleven yards of pavement from the Swan Inn to the Bootmaker's "-roars of laughter burst from part of the company, at the evident severity of this remark upon the conduct of some other eminent individual, murmurs from others, "hear, hear!" from many, and "oh, oh!" from a few! "I strictly confine myself to the lamp; and 1 do say without fear of contradiction, that the benefit conferred on society by that change, and the manly way in which it was effected, without truckling to the higher powers, or compromising the character and dignity of the Company, has shed immortal lustre upon the name and fame of the honourable gentleman to whom I have alluded. (Immense cheers.) I have to apologize for this effusion ”—(“ no, no! bravo!")" but it is involuntary. I have for several months laboured under emotions of no ordinary nature; I have now unburthened my mind, and have done my duty to myself, my honourable friend, and my country."

The ogre sat down amidst the loudest possible applause, and more shouts were sent forth in honour of Hicks.

The healths of the Wardens of the Company were then drunk-they returned thanks: -then came alternately songs and glees, by the professional gentlemen :-then they drank Mrs. Hicks and family :—and then-for be it observed, the fervour of the applause increased as the night grew older-the uproar was tremendous-nine times nine seemed infinitely too small a complement of cheers to compliment the Hicks's, and I had become dead tired of the whole affair, when Mr. Hicks -the great Mr. Hicks, rose to return thanks for that honour. He talked of connubial

felicity, and spoke of the peculiar merits and charms of his daughters, with all the eloquence of a tuft-hunting mother. Having done which, he fell to moralizing upon the lateness of the hour, and the necessity of recollecting that Greenwich was nearly five miles from town; that happy as we were, prudence pointed to a period at which such enchantients should terminate. "Gentlemen," said he, "in conclusion, I have obtained permission to propose one parting bumper. I believe we are all agreed, that the constitution of England is a blessing envied by every country in the world—(loud cheers). We have drunk the king, the queen, the royal family, the army, the navy, the minis ters, and indeed everything that we could be well supposed to drink constitutionally. Gentlemen, the place in which we are now assem bled, suggests to me the best, the most loyal, the most appropriate, and the most constitutional toast possible, as a conclusion-I give it you with feelings of mingled loyalty and piety-I propose to you, The Crown and Sceptre,' and may they never be separated."

This unqualified piece of nonsense delivered seriously by Hicks, (rather overcome,) to about fifty or sixty survivors of the original dinner, nearly killed me with laughing-not so the company-at it they went-cheered like mad-up-standing nine times nine— rattle went the forks-jingle and smash went the glasses-and in the midst of the uproar, Hicks rose, the Master did the same, and of course we followed the example.

Then came all the worry and confusion about carriages-the little alley was crowded with people seeking for conveyances—it had just begun to rain. Hull looked at me and inquired what vehicle I had ?—I had noneI was annihilated-when, judge my delight and surprise, at finding the illustrious Hicks himself at my side, offering Hull and myself places in his coach. I could scarcely believe it-however, so it was, and an advantage was derivable from it, for which I was scarcely prepared.

"Come down with me," said Hicks, "directly-this way-they are preparing a deputation to light me through the alley to the carriage-I want to avoid it-my boy tells me it is all ready-if we can but get round the corner, we shall be off without being observed-they will do these things, but incog. for me,-I hate state and finery-eh, Mr. Hull ?"

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"Pooh, pooh!" said Hull, you need no new honours-to be sure-what a day-ehnever was anything so splendid!”

And so Hicks's boy, or as Hull called him, "b'y," preceding, we made our escape into the patriot's carriage; and neverdid í more rejoice in my life. The quiet of the calin which aeronauts experience who they rise