"For instance, Miss Barbara," said the Tutor, softly taking the lady's hand, if I talk to him of the loveliness of the female character, the beauty of a meek and religious temper, I know where to direct his attention to a model of those virtues." "Oh, sir!"

"Yes, my dear madam, and if I thought I could depend on your concurrence, I would extend my tuition to the female infant now seated at the piano."

"Female infant? You mean my niece? She is indeed only a babe, and scarcely worth the trouble of instructing."

"With such a pattern for imitation, my labours would be very easy," replied Mr Whiffle. "And as I would incite them to the practice of all that is good by pointing to you, my dearest friend, so I would deter them from vice, from vanity, from frivolous occupation, by showing them the actual scenes where such things are in fashion. Oh, Miss Barbara! that you would assist me in teaching these young creatures the stupidity of a fancy ball!”

"But they have no great partiality for one, have they?"

"They may at some future time; and you know, my charming friend, that prevention is better than cure. There is a masquerade at Winchester this very night."

"Is there?"

"How horrible it would be !-what a weight upon our consciences! if by any neglect on our parts, they were left in ignorance of the sinfulness of such a meeting!"

"Explain it to them, dear sir."

"Show it to them, you would say. Yes, my charming, my wise companion in this noble office, we must make them spectators of the inanity, the dulness of the proceeding. Yes!" he continued in an eloquent enthusiasm,

"we will take them and show them the artificial flowers with which the yawning abyss beneath their feet is covered. You, acting as the guiding Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, and I as simple Mentor, the adorer of the blue-eyed maid."

"Well, I don't know-but-my blue dress would just do. And one of the stuff'd owls, from my brother's collection, could be sewed into my sleeve. And you think they would be benefitted by our going?"

"Decidedly-and I felt so sure of your concurrence, that I ordered the chaise that brought me here to wait for us at the Crown."

An additional pressure of the hand, and a glance from the huge eyes of the spectacles, that seemed to glow as if they had been burning-glasses, and had set fire to the tinder of Miss Barbara's heart, completed the success of the Tutor's oration, and Miss Barbara hurried off to accoutre herself. A few words explained Mr Whiffle's system to George Hope, who did not stand to argue on the merits of it, but jumped at the plan with all the impetuosity of his nature, and rushed to his room "to arm him for the fray."

"So now they're both disposed of," said Mr Whiffle, turning to Mary Hope; " and I have but a moment to explain to you my reasons for all this. My father insists on my marrying another-nay, don't start or make a scene, I told you the same this morning he is such a violent man, and besides has such pressing reasons for the match, that, unless I can give a particularly good excuse for not complying, he will go mad, and get into scrapes with a person who has him in his power."

"How? gracious! who can have power over

"When a man is in debt he is more dependent than a slave. If he found me married - settled — then, don't you see, it would be no fault of his that he could not fulfil his engagement; and, in short, it's all settledyour uncle is in bed--your aunt and brother will be taken care of by a friend of mine, who is here in the character of my servant; and we, my dear Mary, with four stout posters, shall soon be down to Birmingham;

and once on the railway, catch us who can."

There is no saying what effect this and similar speeches might have had, if the matter had not been otherwise decided by the entrance of Mr Hubble and his man.

Mr Whiffle seemed somewhat awkward at the sight of his host; but, whether from a consciousness that a gentleman on one knee has a somewhat absurd appearance, we cannot tell. However, he sprang up in a moment.

"I told ye how it were, sir," said Abraham Slocock-" old or young, it's all one to them scholars-I'll never teach no son of mine to read or write."

"The gentleman and his domestic are certainly somewhat Turkish in their notions of matrimony," replied Mr Hubble, calmly. "Have the kindness to explain to me the meaning of this behaviour."

"Certainly, sir," said Mr Whiffle, unabashed; "'tis part of my system, as detailed, you may remember, in my book. Tacitus, you recollect, sir, and Herodotus-but my Famulus will explain-Hesiod also, and Tertullian, all agree in ".

"Well, sir, what of them?"

"Let me send for my Famulus," replied Mr Whiffle; "he will quote to you the passages in a moment. 'Tis too easy a task for me."

"Then it will, perhaps, be equally easy for you to account for the news contained in this letter," said the gentle Ignatius, holding out O'Donahue's epistle, which had caused him so much surprise.

"A forgery-in fact, as Xenophon's Anabasis says, or rather Anacreon's Georgics but my Famu

lus

"Anacreon's Georgics!" exclaimed Mr Hubble" the proof grows stronger against you every word you speak, and I am under the disagreeable necessity of sending for a constable, and taking you into custody as a deceiver."

"How do you like me now?" said Miss Barbara, as she glided into the room, dressed in blue silk, with an immense owl resting on her arm, and a long staff in her hand for a spear. "Will they know, do you think, that I am wisdom personified ?"

"My sister!" exclaimed the horror-struck Ignatius-" There's mad

ness in the whole house-Barbara, are you not ashamed of yourself?" "Ashamed of the righteous deed of showing George and Mary the sinfulness of a masquerade ?-of showing them the artificial flowers on a yawning abbess? as Mr Whiffle says -though who it is that is going in that character, I can't tell-of showing them

"How foolish their aunt can be, you should say," continued Mr Hubble-" pray where is my nephew George ?"

"Here I be, Nunky!" said that individual, who had occupied the time of his absence in dressing himself in tight drawers, and painting his face red and white, in imitation of Mr Grimaldi-having resolved to astonish the assemblage in the character of clown. "What do you want with me?"

Mr Hubble held up his hands in despair, and scarcely knew whether to be glad or sorry, when a violent ringing at the bell announced a visitor at that untimely hour. The door was opened, a noise was heard on the stair, and into the drawingroom stalked a stout gentleman, considerably advanced in wine.

"Sir Wilfred!" exclaimed Mr Hubble, delighted.

"My father!" exclaimed, at the same moment, Mr Whiffle; and the baronet, gazing round him for a long time, at last found words.

"Are ye all wild? Why, what mummery is all this? And you, you rascal, what has brought you from Cambridge here? I told you to go to Muswell Hill."

"Can't indeed, sir," replied our friend Mr Whiffle.

"And why not, sir?—it can't be for want of a conveyance, for I nearly drove against two carriages in the lane."

"Got a prior engagement, sir." "Then, by heavens, sir, you're no son of mine."

"A son of yours, Sir Wilfred?" interrupted Mr Hubble. "I wasn't aware-a juvenile indiscretion, perhaps."

"A full grown one, Mr Hubble," pursued the baronet; "the rascal is Arthur Hammond-you wanted me to get him a tutor."

"And he came here as tutor to my nephew."

"And as suitor," continued Arthur Hammond, "to another member of your family-the fair and"

"Yes, my dear brother," chimed in the goddess of wisdom; "he has indeed been so marked in his attentions, that, for the sake of my own reputation'

"Do hold your tongue about your reputation, sister," answered Mr Hubble. "I think I see my way through this."

"Then I wish you would give me a hand, for every thing is as dark as pitch," said Sir Wilfred.

“ Í fear if I have the giving of any hand, it must be my youthful niece's to this young gentleman."

"And Miss Jupp-or rather Miss Jupp's papa?" enquired Sir Wilfred.

"I shall send you a full acquittance on the wedding-day-I will engage for that-for, as my experiment on my nephew's education has unfortunately failed, I must begin de novo, and shall insist on no time being lost in presenting me with a subject for my experiment; if possible, a boy."

"Why, what is the man talking of? Do you know what he means, Miss Barbara?" enquired Sir Wilfred, bewildered.

"Not in the least," replied Minerva-" I have been most infamously treated, and have just one question to ask. Pray, sir," she said, going up to Arthur Hammond, "do you wear a grey hat?"

"Yes."

"Light waistcoat and green coat?" "Yes."

"Then," said the goddess, turning triumphantly to the imitator of Grimaldi, "I told you 'twas no cowand she is a naughty, cunning, designing minx, and cares no more for fishing than ".

"I can explain all that," interrupted Arthur.

Without the Famulus?" enquired Mr Hubble, with a smile-"Who is he?"

"A capital fellow, and great friend of mine-a double first classman of Oxford, who will be happy to finish the dissertations, in his own person, he began with you in disguise. Being no scholar myself, I referred you always to him-and I hope he answered all your queries satisfactorily."

"Send for him," cried Sir Wilfred, " and let us have a night of it. All's well that ends well; and since every thing is so nicely settled, I would rather have you for my daughter-in-law than twenty Miss Jupps." So saying, he kissed Mary Hope, and shook hands with Arthur very warmly. But what's to become of the commission?" he added.

Arthur shook his head.

"I'll settle that too," said Mr Hubble" if you will get it transferred to my nephew George, he can conclude his studies on the peculiarities of the horse-tribe in her Majesty's dragoons. And so let us all to supper; for to-night, in honour of these happy events, I intend to depart from my usual habits, and exchange my cotton night-cap for one of a more cheering kind. And I may take this opportunity, my young friend, to remind you that Anacreon did not write the Georgics. Those immortal productions are the noblest efforts of the bard of Mantua."

If any one doubts that the supper was delightful, Mr Hubble intensely eloquent, Sir Wilfred inspired, and Arthur enraptured, we have only to say that we were so informed by the highest authority, namely, our own eyes-and have no reason to doubt the truth of the information-though we have at the same time a sort of dim recollection of two Abraham Slococks, with four candles, lighting us up an infinity of stairs, and at last assisting us to climb into two beds.

VOL. XLIV, NO, CCLXXVI.

21

THE frequent allusions in the public press to this most interesting and important subject appear to have excited a certain vague and undefined anxiety in the minds of the reflecting and religious portion of the community. Unfortunately, those allusions being themselves generally vague and unsatisfactory, could lead to no other and more practical result. Facts have not been sufficiently brought forward, suspicions and rumours have been substituted for them, and consequently, many who would be prepared, upon discovering real danger, to join in endeavouring to avert it, refrain from all exertions, believing the time of peril still far distant. It is to such persons we desire now to speak, with the view of calmly and temperately stating the true position and prospects of that great semi-political power, which, in former times, enthralled and debased this country. We do not purpose to enter on religious controversy, though we are deeply sensible both of its necessity and utility, nor to unveil to persons who may be already aware of them, those pernicious errors which our Protestant forefathers were wont to call "the soul-destroying heresies of Rome." Our object at present is of a different kind, though it is not, we are convinced, under existing circumstances, of inferior importance. We desire to prove that Popery, both at home and abroad, is in the possession of immense strength, and has been, and is now, marching forward with giant strides to its old ascendency; and from a proof of these facts, we wish to proceed to an endeavour to arouse all who pretend to zeal for Protestantism, to united and vigorous efforts in the cause which now peculiarly involves the continuance of our civil and religious liberties. To facts, and to facts alone we shall appeal for a confirmation of our statements, and although the information of which we

are in possession is unavoidably less extensive than we could wish, it is still enough to justify alarm and to awaken the public spirit.* If it fail altogether in doing so, we are certain that information, as complete as ever satisfied a jury, would equally fail in reanimating the torpid mind of the people;-for proof will then be afforded, that there is an indifference to the principles of Popery, and therefore a carelessness about the degree of its success. We hope, however, better things; we trust that the lamentable apathy hitherto observable, was the result not of growing laxity, but merely of temporary ignorance; and if so, nothing can be requisite to the restoration of public interest in the Protestant, but a fair and full declaration of the true position of parties in this country.

It is well known that the Roman Catholics of England and Scotland took very little part in the agitation which brought about the act of 1829. After the suppression of the Rebellion in 1715, when so many Roman Catholic families in the north of England were ruined, and when all the others very properly came under the close surveillance of the government, very little indeed was done to disturb the Hanoverian dynasty, save by the deluded but enthusiastic loyalists of the Highlands. But when the bold Rebellion of 1745 was suppressed, as the former had also been, the hopes of the House of Stuart fell altogether, and the Roman Catholics throughout Great Britain became gradually more and more attached to the reigning Sovereigns, and more and more anxious to gain confidence by displaying their loyalty and contentment. Generally, they took very little part in political strife, and were alienated almost equally from both of the great parliamentary parties. When the measure for admitting them to the legislature was

taken up by the Whigs, they for a long time recommended themselves and their claims chiefly by refraining from all violent efforts, and from all participation in those democratic expedients, and that seditious turbulence on which the Irish entirely relied. At the period of the French Revolution, most of the English and Scotch Roman Catholics joined the ranks of the alarmists, and deprecated most strenuously the principles and the practices of their Irish brethren. In many counties, their influence, though great, was never exerted; in some, it was given to the Tory candidates; they took very little interest, however, in the contests; they attended Court very little; they participated sparingly in the sports and expenses of other country gentlemen; and thus while their wealth was increasing, their respectability and local influence were increasing also. Times have now altered. The Roman Catholics now see clearly their interest in the success of the liberals, and therefore, with very few exceptions, they have thrown their weight into that scale, and have joined in the projects of Mr O'Connell for advancement of their political power. How great that weight is in England alone, we wish now, before proceeding farther, to explain; because it has been much underrated, and because, from its having been only lately brought into use, it is not generally at all understood.

In the peerage, the Roman Catholies number the Duke of Norfolk, the Earls of Shrewsbury, Fingall, and Newburgh; Lords Petre, Stourton, Stafford, Vaux, Arundel, Clifford, Dormer, and Lovat; besides, among the Scotch and Irish peers who have votes in the election of representatives in the imperial parliament, the Earls of Traquair and Kenmore; Viscounts Gormanston, Southwell, and Frankfort; Lords Trimlestown, Louth, Dunboyne, and Ffrench. Of these, especially of the peers of Parliament, we need scarcely add that they include some of the most wealthy, ancient, and influential noblemen in the kingdom.

Among the baronets we find the following Roman Catholics, nearly all of whom may be ranked with the richest of the class to which they belong: Sir C. Throckmorton, Sir J. Gerard, Sir T. Stanley, Sir T. Haggerston, Sir E. Blount, Sir H. Hunloke, Sir C. Wolseley, Sir H. Titchborne, Sir Clifford Constable, Sir E. Mostyn, Sir F. Vincent, Sir T. Gage, Sir H. Bedingfield, Sir B. Wrey, Sir J. Lawson, Sir J. Smythe, Sir J. Swinburne, Sir E. Vavasour, &c.; and besides these, there are many baronets of Ireland and Scotland we might mention, who profess the same religion. Again, in the list of the wealthy landed gentry of England many, very many, are Roman Catholics; and (as the following specimens will show to our readers resident in various parts of the country) some of them are among the most powerful proprietors in their respective counties. These names of opulent and ancient families are selected from a much larger catalogue now before us: Salvin, Constable Maxwell, Mitford, Trafford, Giffard, Plowden, Weld, Silvertop, Blunt, Stonor, Doughty, Charlton, Canning, Eyton, Howard of Corby, Howard of Greystoke, Cary, Chichester, Langdale, Blundell, Standish, Dalton, Scarisbrick, Hales, Tempest, Wheble, Mornington, Lacy, Bodenham, Wright, Phillips, Digby, Best, Jones of Llawarth, Waterton, Eccleston, Stapleton, Fitzherbert, Riddell, Clavering, Aston, Talbot, Strickland, Rookwood, Walmsley, Eyre, Middleton, Scudamore, Berkley, Touneley, &c. &c. There would be no difficulty in naming several in this list and that of the baronets above, with landed property to the amount of £40,000 a-year, and a few with even larger incomes. It is therefore clear that the Roman Catholics of England (for to these we at present confine ourselves) have at their disposal all the means necessary to secure for their party great political importance and power. Nor are these means entirely neglected. It is true that in the House of Commons the Roman Catholics num