that he was engaged at Lady Coventry's, and could not come.

Upon receiving the message, the Duke of Northumberland was much disconcerted, and made many apologies to the Duke of Modena. Upon which His Serene Highness, immediately beckoning to one of his suite,-Go and tell Farinelli to come here immediately,' said he.

"In a short time Farinelli made his appearance; and upon his entrance, all the company, except the Duke of Modena, rose from their seats, and a chair was handed him.

"What! my Lord Duke,' said His Serene Highness, do you suffer a public Singer to sit in your presence? Go, Farinelli,' continued he, ' and stand in yonder corner, and sing one of your best songs, and in your best manner.'

"Accordingly Farinelli obeyed; and acquitted himself in his very best style. When he had done, the Duke made a motion to him to retire. Upon which Farinelli bowed most respectfully to the company, and withdrew.”

"And glad enough to make his escape, I should suppose;" observed Mr. Classic. "I wonder if His very Serene Highness would allow Christian burial to such an offender upon returning to his native land to rest his bones? A little tyrannical, methinks. That would not exactly suit the independent spirit of a British subject.

"Perhaps not ;-but, if British subjects of no repute will presume upon their good fortune and

the indulgence they meet with from persons of rank, they must expect some time or other to be chastised for their assurance. The growth of insolence, and consequence, and pride, among the purse-proud gentry of the present age, is really appalling. And between you and I,—I think it is full time that it should be checked a little."

"And I think it is full time for the breakfast things to be sent away; so I'll ring if you please," returned Mr. Classic, "for I shall not get through the papers till midnight, at this rate. The great Alfred, you may recollect, Cousin, allowed himself but half an hour for his meals. Now, as you seem to have such an aversion from encroachments on the good order of society, I wonder you are not a little more economical of your time. I'm afraid, too, you lavish it away in more instances than one."

"I'm afraid so too, my worthy Cousin. But never mind;---one man's loss is another's gain. So my extravagance may serve to amuse those who want to kill the enemy; and if they should reflect a little on my follies, they may turn them, perhaps, to their own advantage."

"Which paper will you take while I look over the debates? They are very interesting just now; but I suppose you don't care much about them?"

"Not a pin ;-give me the Post, if you please; I shall see something of the fashions and the fashionables there. The scurrility of the Times is

past endurance; and the freedom of the British Press is so tainted with licentiousness, that——————”

"Oh! that's liberty, Cousin! British liberty; the pride and boast of the nation!"

"A mere illusion, Mr. Classic, and a most mischievous evil. I wouldn't spend a sixpence for the purchase of a seditious pamphlet, or a disloyal poem, though replete with wit and humour, were I as rich as Croesus. E'en from Peter Pindar himself should my mite be withheld."

"Hold your tongue, Simpleton, do;-what should you know about such things? The freedom of the British press, as well as the British subject, has been the admiration of all the world for ages!"

"Yes so have our laws and government, Mr. Wiseacre; and they might justly be so, were they properly executed and regulated. But stop a little;-in all probability we shall soon see things on their old footing. When men of ability and national spirit are placed at the head of affairs, we may reasonably look forward to a general reformation; as well in men and manners, as in the State. The Right Honorable Secretary for the Home Department, for example, is labouring with all his strength, for the good of the community at large. The Duke of Wellington is indefatigable in his exertions; and, according to Mr. Editor's account he acts tho' he leaves others to talk." "Well, I wish you wouldn't talk quite so much, my dear Cousin ; but leave me to go on with this

incomparable speech of Brougham's, that took him more than six hours in the delivery!—there's a man for you!”

"Yes, he's certainly a man of wonderful abilities;-but I think, notwithstanding, we are rather indebted to Mr. Peel for this speech; though Mr. Brougham merits the thanks of the public, most assuredly, for so powerfully aiding and assisting towards the completion of a work of such national importance."

"Well, think as you please, my dear Cousin. I can only say that female politicians have mighty queer notions sometimes. So do let me recommend you to amuse yourself a little with the fashions and the fashionables in the Morning Post."

"Very well, give it me then-but 'twas impossible to read while the man was clattering about the cups and saucers, and poking the fire out. He hasn't left a spark, I declare!"

"Never mind, fair Cousin, you'll find plenty among the fashionables!"

"Is that intended for something new, Mr. Classic? It partakes of the wit displayed on the tongue and brains of a calf's head, at all events.'

NUMBER XXXIII.

ON BULLS, AND THE MISAPPLICATION OF WORDS.

Ridicule has greater pow'r
To reform the world than sour.

I may storm and rage in vain;
It but stupifies your brain.

But with raillery to nettle,

Sets your thoughts upon their mettle;
Gives imagination scope;

Never lets your mind elope.

"LONDON Fashions, from Ackerman's Repository, much the same as last month. Bonnets a l'ombrage, trimmed with couleurs de l'Aarc en ciel. As to the general remarks on dress, they are too ridiculous. So interwoven with technical terms and abstruse phrases, that they are totally incomprehensible to every one but a professor of the modish arts; so I may as well pass them over,"-murmured Philomatha.