divil as you would meet in a month of Sundays. He went regularly to mass, copied music, and drank tea. Now did you ever hear of a man coming to a respectable end that did that?'

"Egerton smiled. And yet, Pat, none of these crimes are statutable offences.'

"No matter: let me get on my own way. Well, Martin was nicely tickled, and drawled off five hours a-day at Mr. Brodigan's. His fancy, from the lot, was number two. They called her Amelia Sophia-well enough to look at, and the only drawback) was that she was rather bothered.'

"Bothered!' exclaimed the attentive listener. What the devil do ye mean?'

"Are you,' said the Captain, 'such an ommadawn as not to know that bothered means deaf?"

"I plead guilty to the soft impeachment. Go on, Pat.'

"Well, all the town had it that Martin was regularly hooked; and feaks! Major Macnamara and myself determined to ascertain whether the unhappy man had resolved upon self-destruction; and accordingly, after mess, we brought him to my room.'

"Here Captain Talbot paused to refresh himself, deposited his tumbler on the table, and thus continued:

"The Major made up the fire from the turf-basket, the kettle was simmering on the hob; I produced the groceries and a jar of poteeine, and down we sate.

"Macnamara, as senior officer, opened the ball, and I was, of course, ready to back him. "Phil," says he, after he had routed the sugar from the bottom of his tumbler with the spoon, 'What's this I hear about ye? Is the report true, ye unfortunate man, that you have made your mind up to go to the devil?" Phil started, and stared as if there was a ghost in the room."

"""Pon my soul!' exclaimed Egerton, as he laughed heartily, 'I don't wonder at it, Pat. The Major certainly came to the point at

once.'

to ?"

"Well, Phil muttered something about "What did he allude "Allude to! I allude to the common report over Cloonakilty, that you are day and night at Brodigan's, talking it very soft, and tuning ould pianos. Oh, faith! Talbot can tell you that long ago I prophesied what your tea-drinkin' propensities would bring you to. With which of the pack are you to make yourself a common example at the altar?" "I-I-I have no intention of changing my situation in life at present," the devil with difficulty stammered

"Then what right have you to humbug the girl?" "I'll explain all to her to-morrow, ask for a month's leave, and"-" Cut your stick, and prove you're not the regular ass the world have given you credit for. That's right, Martin; and now make your tumbler, go to bed early, and come to the scratch to-morrow like a man." On the next day,' pursued the Captain, between puffs which became more dense and frequent with the increasing action of his story, 'there was what they call a pic-nic--a sort of out-o'-door trap used by sheadventurers to seize on a disjointed sentence uttered by some simpleton when three-quarters-slewed, refer him to mamma, and regularly ruin him before he has time to bless himself. A wooded island was properly chosen for the scene; and while gipsy preparations were being

made for dinner, the party rambled here and there to pick nuts from the hazels, and occasionally diversify that rustic amusement by making a little love. Among the first of the couples who diverged from the main body were Captain Martin and Amelia Sophia. Phil, by us, was not considered a lady-killer, for a plainer-looking man never ornamented a battalion company; nor was he an orator, who wins a woman through the ear, and not the eye. To tell a story of a cock-and-bull would consume the best portion of half-an-hour. His tongue was too extensive for his mouth; and as he was excitable, if anything flurried his nervous temperament, he could only mumble out unconnected sentences, as our Scotch doctor happily expressed it, as if intra fauces there were a couple of hot chesnuts. Captain Martin began the promised explanation, and Captain Martin was even more than commonly unintelligible. Amelia Sophia had sate the night before in the draught of a doorway after dancing, and she was deafer than her wont. All she could catch from an address delivered in most chaotic confusion, and three-parts lost in air, were "deep respect, ""warm affection," then four or five "buts;" the whole tirade ending in "strong devotion," and "straightened circumstances." That the Captain had proposed was all she could collect, and that the Captain should be accepted was what my old schoolmaster called a sequitur; and while she was looking uncommonly modest at her boot-lace, who the devil should figure in but Mr. Brodigan! "Dearest Papa, Captain Martin has-I own him master of my heart. Will you—” "Consent, and with all my heart," says Mr. Brodigan. "I give you the second pledge of my connubial felicity." And faith!' added the raconteur, he would have given him the first one more willingly; for poor Thomasina was regularly shelved. Well'-observe that with that useful monosyllable an Irishman generally connects a rambling narrative Mac and myself were waiting in the Major's room to hear the wind-up of the pic-nic, and an hour after tattoo in came the unfortunate tea-drinker. "Is it over?" asked Macnamara. "It's over," says he, with a heavy sigh. "Was she any-wise outrageous-broke the delph or enacted the hysterical?" "Quiet as a lamb," replied Phil Martin, and he stuttered awfully. "Bless Heaven when you go to bed-that is, if ever you say your prayers. Haven't I got ye two months' leave? and that's what I call sticking to ye in trouble like a brother. You may cut on Tuesday." "I can't," says Phil. "You can't! and why?" says the Major. "Because I'm to be married that morning." I thought the Major would have fainted. Poor man! he was himself in trouble at the time. He had shot a second-cousin, two months before, as the most expeditious way to end a bill in Chancery; and the pudding-headed fools on the coroner's inquest, instead of "justifiable homicide," had brought in a verdict of "manslaughter. Well, he had the trouble of being present at the next assizes, and, as a matter of course, was honourably acquitted; for all, as everybody proved, was conducted most peaceably when Toby O'Connor was shot. But poor Mac's nervous system being impaired at the time, this last shock was too much for him. "Married!" says he, looking at him. "Oh! you un-" "It was all a mistake," said Phil Martin, interrupting him. "Ye know when I'm agitated, I cannot conve niently find words. I know I'm a ruined man, and God pity me!

and can't help it." I need not drag out the story further than to say that Philip Martin was led to execution on the day appointed, sent in his papers the next week, and is now living in some back-o'-Godspeed place in Wales, with seven children, an affectionate wife, and a captain's half-pay. Isn't that an instructive narrative?"

"The sad interruptions entailed upon passion's earliest romance have been proverbial; and a more sudden dissolution of young love's dream' than Egerton's and poor Rosa's could hardly be imagined. He was prepared for a trial: that he knew must be inevitable, conscious that before worldly considerations the love he never felt till now must bend. She, sweet girl! utterly unsophisticated, fancied that a plighted hand and a devoted heart always approached the altar together; and Egerton possessed hers-hers, in all its early integrity-hers, in unbounded adoration. He never told his love; but the ten thousand nameless nothings-the eye, the pressure of the hand-require no interpretation from the tongue. The broken hints of a something he would communicate on the morrow were totally misunderstood; and when Egerton was deferring the sad disclosure, with a lover's procrastination, that all intimacy must end, Rosa in her dreams only saw a suitor at her feet, to whose ardent pleadings she responded with the pure sincerity of a first and all-engrossing passion.

« The forage-cap, the cane, the gloves were all upon the table ; and, as he had previously resolved, the parting interview was hurrying fast to the saddest crisis in the course of love. Suddenly, a horse-tramp was heard in the street; and a traveller, and evidently a stranger to the village, was seen riding leisurely down the market-place, staring right and left, as if uncertain whither his destination might tend. Egerton recognized the new comer in a moment, and hastily exclaimed: :

"What the deuce is in the wind? As I live, here comes Holman !' The stranger rode direct to the door, which had been pointed out by a loiterer to whom he had addressed a question, dismounted, gave his horse to the bait-man, and, in another minute, was welcomed by his brethren of the sword.

"Anything fresh at head-quarters?' said the commander. "Nothing. All dull as ditch-water.'

“ ، Your errand, Holman ? inquired his brother lieutenant, in a tone that betrayed suspicion and displeasure.

« ، To relieve you, was the reply.

"Egerton, with a flushed face and angry eye, turned to his superior. I see the whole business at a glance. I am obliged for this civility to Captain Talbot. Methinks it would have been more candid, and also a manlier conduct on his part, had he apprízed his companion that he was weary of his society."

"The Captain quietly laid his meerschaum on the table; and, in the cool and methodized language which indicates that dangerous temperament which makes a stout man formidable, he calmly responded:

"Mr. Egerton is at liberty to form his own opinion of Captain Talbot's conduct; and, to assist him to come to correct conclusions on the subject, he begs to relieve himself instanter from the charge of being uncandid, by admitting at once that he advised his recall, and wrote confidentially to his Colonel. When men of honour (and be it known that men of honour are generally men of principle) do an act which they

may feel themselves called upon to do, they do it without beat of drum or a formal proclamation at the next market-place. Captain Talbot claims candour to its fullest extent, and repudiates the other imputation. Any doubt on that point a practical experiment will put at rest; and Mr. Egerton can satisfy himself without delay, there being a bowlinggreen in the next garden, and tools in that flat mahogany case, which I see Dan Hanran has deposited beneath the sideboard.'

"This was a speech of unwonted length; and the replenished meerschaum was immediately put in requisition. The Captain sank back in his arm-chair, the beau-ideal of repose. Holman looked a picture of astonishment; and Egerton rushed wildly from the room.

"An hour passed; and, while his comrades were conversing on the incidental circumstances which had produced the unexpected summons to head-quarters, Egerton's horse, saddled and bridled, was led by his servant to the door; and in a few minutes afterwards the owner appeared in person.

66

That he had been closetted with his mistress, the Captain's lacquey had announced; and that the interview had been most painful, a pallid cheek and quivering lip testified too faithfully. Approaching Captain Talbot, who, not exactly certain whether the intents of the advance were wicked or charitable, had elongated his puffs and exhibited in his chair an additional stateliness of repose, Egerton presented his hand in silence to the commander. In an instant the cold impassive manner vanished; and, grasping the offered hand in his, the Captain warmly wrung it.

"Are you leaving us so soon, Frank?'

66 6

Yes, Pat; and would to God I had left you sooner! for then much misery might have been spared to two. Your remedy was a rough one, but it was well intended; and probably, in the end, will prove more salutary than milder treatment. God bless you! At last the words are spoken; the dream is over. Poor Rosa! Talbot, be kind to her! Farewell!' He pressed, with a fevered grasp, the hands of his two companions; and in five minutes the sweet village in which he had indulged so fondly in the first dream of love was left behind him, and for ever.

"True to his comrade's last injunction, Talbot courted every opportunity that presented itself to see and speak consolation to the old man's daughter; but every attempt proved unsuccessful. Hidden in her chamber through the day, she never left it but to steal at twilight to the garden, and there muse and weep unseen. Dan Hanran, the Captain's countryman and chief attendant, had caught a passing glance of the disconsolate. 'He was no believer in ghosts, for he had slept with his head on a dead horse on the field of Albuera; and, although defunct gentlemen were packed together closer than three in a bed, the devil a quieter night or more pasable company he could desire. If he were a believer in spectres, upon his conscience Miss Rosa would have scared him. He had seen many a marble statute in his time, and feaks! she was as white as the best of them; and the devil a sparkle was in an eye that, but a week before, you could light your dhudheeine at.'

"One of those unforeseen events incident to military life occurred; a sudden route arrived, and in twelve hours the -th were in full march to Cork, for embarkation. Before the detachment left Willesden to unite itself to the main body on the route, Captain Talbot sought,

but did not succeed in obtaining, a parting interview with the deserted fair one. A hurried note, whose writing betrayed the nervous feelings of the hand that penned it, in gentle language declined a meeting; and in an hour afterwards the long street of Willesden rang to the bugle that announced the eternal farewell of its late military occupants.

"Three years passed, and a fair girl's face that formerly had joyously expressed the sunshine of the breast,' was never seen to smile; and he, whose playful badinage had enlivened the sweet hours i' the night' which conclude a mess-table's hilarity, had changed to the dulness of a moody man. Three months followed, and one morning, after the arrival of the packet from England and a delivery of its letters, Egerton was seen, with excited rapidity, hurrying across the esplanade to the Colonel's quarters; and in an hour afterwards entered the mess-room to announce to his companions that by the returning steamer he was bound for the land of freedom. Fortune, as far as an unexpected succession to large property went, had been munificent in her favours; and obstacles, hitherto insurmountable in love's path, were now as suddenly removed.

"Alas! the smile of the fickle goddess was but illusory, and hopes of happiness were raised only to be crushed for ever. Egerton reached his destination, hurried to the home of beauty quick as wind and steam could waft him. Willesden once more appeared; for its well-remembered steeple shewed itself three miles off. Delicious fancy! ere the third evening sped, in the holy pile it domineered, he would prove his constancy, and

"Clasp his Rosa to his breast!'

Dream on a sterner bridegroom has already obtained the loved one; and, fading fast, the chaplet of white roses which the village girls hung over an early grave, will soon be withered."

Shemus Rhua (Red James) at the moment topped the knowe behind us, and pointed with his hand. Black York (the best setter that ever a sinful man possessed) was couchant on the hill-side. Steadily his associates backed him; and one of the finest packs of grouse I ever sprang, could they have understood it, had been probably listening to the Colonel's story.

MY LAST DAY ON THE EXE.

BY GELERT.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,

It would have done your heart good to have been present on thellt of May, when the Culmstock hounds met on the Exe river. Never was holiday better kept on the banks of its "silvery tide;" not a cloud could be seen in the heavens to cast a shadow of gloom on the happiness of the day; all was bright and beautiful, like the fair stream that dances and sparkles through its fresh and flower-clad valley. Far and wide was it known that Mr. Collier, designated by his friends " the