the noise occasioned by the bells, awoke two favourite lap-dogs, and a jacko, Caroline's monkey; which, not knowing their companions in the dark, ran after them, round the house and into the drawing-room; overturned a large and grand set of china and the glasses, which were standing upon a table, (we having had a route, and through the negligence of Betty, the kitchen maid, had not been put into their proper places) which were one dozen, dashed into a thousand pieces. Caroline's Pianaforte's desk, was unfortunately left open; which, the cats, dogs, and jacko, the monkey, leaping and running over, had broke all the keys, and so completely disordered it, that it could not be repaired; and two hundred guineas were lost there! But the worst of all was, that the canine devils had overturned and broke some of my choicest Busts and Statues, of Raphael, Shakspeare, Dryden, Cleopatra, Alexander, Nelson, Watts, and many more; and through my carelessness, in forgetting to shut the drawer, in which my dulcimer is affixed, the strings were completely broken, and spoiled! After they had been round and round the house and servants' hall, they ran up stairs, all in full cry, the cats in front, the lap-dogs next, and jacko, the monkey, bringing up the rear. These unharmonious shrieks and mews, in union with the tinkling bells, would no doubt, well nigh petrify the poor servants, as they came over them in their route, and ran among them, on the stairs top; they then made a circuit over all the rooms, the doors of which happening to be open, running upon and over the beds, overturning all things that impeded their progress; looking glasses, which were upon Caroline's toilet, chamber-pots, &c. In going their rounds, they passed over Ned's bed, his door being open, ran over his face, jacko, also saluting him with a jocose, cheerful bite, and very nigh bit off his ear, giving him at the same time an affectionate adieu, by a smart stroke with his tail, over his face. I could scarcely refrain from laughing, when I saw them; Dick, who blustered and swore so mightily, the preceding night, was found fast wedged in amongst the rails, his head hanging downwards, and nearly dead with fright and sudden terror; for in his struggle to get through, had so fast entangled himself, that he could neither move backwards nor forwards; so we were forced to take out one of the bars, and after much art and care he was restored to his senses. They all swore that they were either Imps or Ghosts for, one of them had got such a bite in the cheek as will not be healed in a hurry. Caroline gave a wonderful account, she was awaked (as Edward James had been up till one or two A. M. in order to put his project in execution) when the first alarm was given, and when they came into her room, in the dark, she was almost dead with fear; the cats came over her first, lap-dogs next, then jacko, her favourite monkey, who never imagined that it was his loving mistress; he was determined to salute the unknown, and in his salutation took away one of her curls, and her combs, she believed in her heart, that it was his Infernal Highness, or at least, some Subordinates, incarnate. The servants gave it out, that they would leave the Castle, if they made their appearance again; they thought that ; * some man had been murdered upon the garret, as they were certain they heard groans, much like unto human; and much more idle staff which their superstitious fears had imagined and conjured up. But I'll tell you how they got out of the Castle as when we arose in the morning, there was no vestige of any live creature; but the riddle was soon solved; for on one going up stairs into a room, the window was found half open, which had not, it is probable, been closed the preceding night; and from seeing some of Jacko's hair remaining on the shutter, it was concluded that they had got into the garden. And in the garden we found our disturbers, (as there was no egress by reason of the high wall) monkey, cats, kittens, lap-dogs, walnut-shells, bells, and all! for they had been fixed on with so much nicety, by nimble Ned, that all our strength could scarcely get them off. The cats got their liberty, to do as they pleased; the lap dogs, to lie on their soft velvet cushions; and jacko, to his chair (for he had got loose) to be caressed by his indulgent mistress. You see what disturbance, nimble, haremscarem Ned makes. He once had nearly frighted to death, a select party we had dining, by making a calf's head bellow, when upon the table. I'll tell you how it was done; the stratagem consists in what follows: "Take a live frog and put it at the farther end of the calf's head, under the tongue, which you will let fall over it, taking care not to put the frog there, until the calf's head is going to be served up. The heat of the tongue will make the frog croak, which sound proceeding from the hollow part M 3 of the head, will imitate the bellowing of a calf, as if it were alive." I might tell you more of his tricks, by scores, since we left the Academy, but time and paper will not allow. - To return. After Edward, or Ned, had sent this letter (P. 123) with his servant, we were not long in hearing of the rumour, as Jem. was universally blamed. Ned has a little of honour about him, as well as Humour; and though greatly desirous of having his Humour, yet has no bad heart after all; and though he is a little wild and rakish now, I hope he will, at last, hear the effectual call.* But to proceed when he heard that the lad, the poor lad, was blamed for what he had done, he sent the Curate's kind informer, a note, signifying that Jemmy was innocent of the charge, and taking it upon himself, though he did not sign his name--indeed it was not likely-for, or that Jemmy should be the author of such a thing; as he not alone feared, but reverenced the venerable Minister; and durst as soon have eaten fire and drunk melted lead, as have been so presumptuous, especially to the Lord's anointed! Folly to the extreme. According to Ned's own words, he wrote this second Anonymous Epistle, in English, Latin, and perhaps French also; but I may dare to say, it would be a hotch-potch; but it was deemed to be the work of, Jem, and thinking it no better worth, threw it into the flames; and I believe, that to this time, Jem. is still thought to be the Author. So much for female wit, depth of knowledge, and profound penetration! Rom. viii. 28-30. CHAPTER XIV. AUTHOR'S WISH. "Place me, thou great Supreme, in that blest state, Yet nought superfluous to pamper pride." I suppose, from what I have heard, that Jem. by being always amongst the Methodists, was a real bred one, in reference to opinion and point of doctrine; who, though so young, could talk agreeably and much to the purpose, upon the subject and not dissimilar to his friend Mentor-in learned qnotations: "For modes of faith, let graceless zealots fight, However, the main point is to stick to one; and support the cause, and arguments, so far as a legal possibility may admit: for man is an animal, who will have his Humour in freedom of conscience ""Tis education forms the mind; Just as the twig is bent, the tree 's inclined." Mem! I had almost forgot; Jem. had another friend! but not of the masculine gender; her name was Mrs. Goodwill, who was a customer of Jem's father; and though she moved in the middle circle of life, yet was of a free and friendly disposition, and generally in a Good Humour! To her Jem. is indebted much, by her telling, friendly telling him of his faults; instead of doing as many do, flattering and hiding them, |