just taking some ounces of blood from his arm ; which, Mr. Darlington, who was a surgeon, very speedily did, much to the relief of his patient, who fell fast asleep.

On searching his pockets, all that could be found was fifty-two pounds all in gold, a gold tooth-pick, and the address of Samson Merridew, at the Crown, Wellington, Hampshire. The gold was carefully put away with the toothpick, and a letter written to Samson, and posted forthwith.

Tim Fligg had spent the night in the streets; to bed he would not budge, and he became literally the "Green Man and Still," for he remained near the sign post all night, quite certain that the

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govenor would turn up." He never gave him up until the morning, when he thought he had returned without him by another road; and he jumped upon the top of the coach, promising the driver a shilling if he would drive as fast as he could.

"Wot's the news, knowing one?" said Tim.

"Why, the knowing one's is done," answered the

coachman, accustomed to Tim's curiosity and impudence.

"You don't say so! What's up now?

'Why, a Mister Valdi, for forging of five pound notes."

“ What a lark,” said Tim.

"But, young gem❜lem, let me tell you as knows a dodge or two, that when a feller creetur's in distress, lark is'nt the word we uses!"

"Coachman, here's half-a-crown for you," said an elderly gentleman in top boots. "I honor you, coachman, and I hope you will always teach impertinent boys such an excellent lesson."

He was at no

Tim felt the force of this remark. time a fool, though foolish at times; but he proved both by his words. "I beg pardon, Sir, but I was too fast." He, however, never said another word during the journey; and felt that small as he was as a boy, he was peculiarly small in the estimation of the gentleman in top boots.

Oh! that there were more Tim's in the world, who could boyfully feel their comparitive and real insignificance as individuals, but utility as a growing body. But now-a-days every boy above thirteen delights in a Paletot, a dandy cane, and a Battersea cabbage,

which he terms a "cheroot." There are no boys now-a-days. At thirteen, the father is called "governor," and brothers and sisters, of nine or ten, are termed "the young people." The good old days of caps, plaited frills, and jackets have faded away. Every boy or rather young gentleman, must either be a collegian, or pursuing his studies during term. If a youngster were asked the name of his schoolmaster, in these railway speed days, he would look upon the querist as if he were Rip Van Winkle, only just awake to the fact, that schoolmasters were defunct, and that all instruction came from lecturers. Young gentlemen think that all knowledge can be attained by an express train of thought, and all they have to do is to "habituate their intellect" to any point of excellence or excelling. But great fear hovers over one fact—that these forced plants-these manikins, when they really become men, will be found minikins in mind.

However, Tim Fligg learned a whole life's experience by that rebuke.

I say, Mrs. Denton, I am very uneasy about the responsibility I have undertaken."

"Nonsense, Mr. Darlington; you once brought home a dead infant and recovered it. One living man is worth twenty dead infants."

"True, true! but still I think I ought to do something."

"Well then-call in Mr. Sheen, he is a careful and a gentlemanly man; call him in-he saved my life."

"Well, that's something!

What shall I say?"

"Nothing more simple, Sir.

Give me paper.—

Pray write, and

CHAPTER IX.

WANTED A COURIER. "-The Brittannia.

THE wind, which had been moaning the livelong night, bidding the waves arise to welcome the coming day, increased in fury as the morning broke, and high angry looking clouds gathered together in sullen and threatening conclave; whilst the sea mew flew landward, and it soon became a question whether the boat would venture to cross the channel, a question soon set at rest by the arrival of a Queen's messenger with important despatches for the ambassador at Paris.

In a short period of time the signal was given of the vessel's sailing; and of the few passengers who would brave the tempest, Gerald Perton was amongst the number; for having often sailed with his father in