which he turned to account the affairs of half a dozen others; a word here, and a word there, given in due season, in his perambuElations, would, he found, often transform petty feuds and trifling jealousies into serious disputes, and thus lay the foundation of a profitable suit; while friendly offers of assistance and accommodation to his more peaceable neighbours, in regard to their purchases, contracts, bargains, &c. served his purpose equally well in another way. It is true this latter concern in their interests ended, like the more hostile proceedings of the law, in long bills, with the items "Letters read, attendance given, interviews with A. and counterinterviews with B.; detained a long time. Journey to C., and expenses the whole day, &c. &c." But though the catastrophe removed the veil and left the astonished clients, in both instances, without ground to dispute the accuracy of such a diary, and probably, with no substantial benefit derived to them beyond their dearbought experience, still they were invariably glad to pay, to escape the last and great misfortune of all,—an action for the bill;—and thus lived and became rich, Abraham Aldget and his partner.

Actively, however, and with a zeal and gravity becoming the duty he was upon, Mr. Aldget bestrode his pony on the present occasion, and he quitted Montgomery-hall with an assurance that he would not return and leave the offenders who had so boldly disturbed the repose of its inhabitants undiscovered. The first house in the village which caught his attention was the barber's shop, being also the coffee-house of the place. Mr. John Combie, its occupier and master, was well calculated for the double post which he held of tonsor and host. He was at once civil and loquacious, a deep politician, and a fellow of infinite jest and humour; equally at home in settling the affairs of the nation or of his neighbours over a glass of punch, as in amusing a customer when operating on his chin; and such his popularity for talent and conviviality, that he was invariably called to the chair at every village festival, where he shone the Swift of his circle.

To this person, Abraham Aldget determined to address his first inquiries, persuaded that if aught were known of the last night's proceeding, he was the man to be acquainted with it, and the very man of all others to disclose what he knew. He made up, therefore, to the shop door, and, leaning over his pony's neck, called in a cracked voice, which he tried to modulate into a tone of condescending familiarity to its inmate, "Is Mr. John at home? I say any one in the shop?" when John Combie in propria persona, with

well-powdered wig (fit emblem of his art), and smirking face, popped out of the back parlour, the caffe apartment of the house. "Oh Mr. Aldget, Sir, is it you? won't you please, Sir, to unlight? here, Ralph, take the gentleman's horse :-a cup of coffee, Mr. Aldget? pray, Sir, do."

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No, thank ye, no, thank ye, my good friend Combie, I am in haste. I am sorry to say there was a sad affair at the Hall last night" and he related the disturbance. "You must have some bad folks amongst you-cannot you look about you and give a guess at the delinquents? To inform against evil doers, is a praiseworthy action, and is always rewarded. I myself, you know, am not backward at drawing my purse-strings when a discovery of the kind is to be made."

"Ah!" said John Combie, with a knowing look, "that takes one penny out and brings two pennies in, Mr. Aldget."

"Well, well," rejoined the lawyer, "but do you know of no bad characters in these bounds? I shall keep the secret of your having any hand in informing, rest assured of that, Mr. Combie."

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Indeed, Mr. Aldget, you may well do so, for I have nothing to inform about. I am truly sorry the good General has been disturbed, and would gladly name the offenders if I knew 'em, but I really do not, 'pon honour, Mr. Aldget. 'Tis a sad story truly, and seems to be of a piece with the broken bridge, and the felled trees, and the other depravities committed lately, but I could not precisely say as how I could fix the deed on any one; but there is a family of the Giles's lives down near Love-lane, that they say are a very worthless set; but Squire Carlton has taken a great fancy to Jem, and always has him along with him in his fishing and sporting excursions whenever he 's at the hall; and is going to make him his gamekeeper, people says; but I could never positively fix nothing evil upon 'em, not I; and for the matter of suspicion, there be the gipsies, who are always coming about these parts. The General is too kind, Mr. Aldget, to these vagabonds, and may hap it's some of them." Ay, very likely, very likely, as you say, Mr. Combie; but what is the story of the broken bridge you spoke of just now ?" The latter having made himself master of that affair, remarked, with symptoms of astonishment, "that it was strange the General had not commanded him to take active measures about it; but if the General goes to sleep, it is my business to be awake, Mr. Combie; I shall look to the matter without loss of time-is there no other news, Mr. John ?"

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"Let me see why, yes-they say Squire Carlton wants to obtain Andrew's cottage for his gamekeeper, and pretends he has a right to the ground; he has been at him about it ever since he comed down this time."

"Is Mr. Carlton arrived at the Manor-house, then ?" said Mr. Aldget, apparently astonished, "and I not acquainted with it— impossible!".

"Yes, but he is, though; he came there these five days ago. Well, but as I was saying, the Squire, to show his generosity, has offered the old man twice the value of his lease; but Andrew will not hear of removing; and though he used to be a great favourite heretofore, this affair has alterated things completely, and Mr. Carlton don't call any more when he passes the cottage as he used to do, nor gives no presents to Ambrose, who is going to be married to Rose, you know; and they say as how that Andrew swears he'll go to law and spend his last penny rather than yield up his right to the tenement. It requires only half an eye to see the why and wherefore of all this, though, Mr. Aldget:-foolish he! (between ourselves)" said John Combie, with one of his archest looks.

"A spirited resolve, I should rather say," rejoined Mr. Aldget: "Andrew Delvin is right-quite right; I'll give him my advice upon that subject, though Mr. Carlton, the Honourable Mr. Carlton, ought to have his way, too, if possible. Good morning to you, Mr. John. No more news stirring at present, I think you say? Well, I must not waste time, but haste to business. Good day-good day, Mr. Combie." And away trotted Mr. Aldget, his brains filled with laudable resolves not to neglect any opportunity of making a job from the cobler's stall to the princely palace: though his original errand, it must be confessed, was somewhat forgotten in the prospect just opened to him of fresh occupation in the affair of the broken bridge, and in Andrew Delvin's quarrel with Mr. Carlton; and then, by the idea which occurred of keeping up interests by waiting personally on the latter gentleman, whose agency, and his father's before him, had been a lucrative concern to Sampson Skinner and himself. In this resolution, he was strengthened as he reflected on Mr. Carlton's very unexpected return to the Manorhouse; occasioned perhaps by some sudden event, which it was his duty, for his client's sake, to take cognizance of, as his phrase ran; but it was too early yet for the visit, and he turned to Delvin's cottage, therefore, in his way, where alighting, and passing the pony's bridle over the paling, he entered the little garden.

Assuming an air of protecting kindness, he accosted Andrew, who was busy at his work, with a "How goes it, master? it is some months since I have had the pleasure of seeing you. Why, how your little plantation is grown! and your garden! Bless me! how thriving every thing looks! And there's the pretty moon-eyed Rose, the pride of the village, just as beautiful as ever! Well! my good Andrew, I give you joy of this little paradise; possessing these, you need envy no man."

"Nor do I, Mr. Abraham; I can assure you of that, Sir. I have lived here these forty years, and here, please God! I will die. But though I envy no man, there's some do envy me!"

"Oh! many, Andrew.

you."

Many, I should suppose, must envy

"Very true, Sir! very true; but that is not as I meant it, do ye see. I didn't mean that some may say, 'I wish I were as well off as old Andrew Delvin," for that is an honest, natural wish; and I wish they were, with all my heart! But there's a great Squire not an hundred miles off, that wants to ferret a poor man out of his house: the more shame for 'un-but I'll see him hang'd upon one of his own trees first."

"How's this, Andrew! you seem warm,-explain, explain, I beg. State your case; but don't be in a passion, Mr. Delvindon't be in a passion: I have known more causes lost by loss of temper, than by any other way in the world."

"I be rather a hot one, that's sure; but it's enough to put a man in a passion, to see the rich and great, who have a power more money than they know what to make use on, wanting to deprive a poor man of his lawful rights, and turn him out of his own house, in his old days, to seek a new place to die in. Why, there be shame on the very face of such proceedings!"

"But instead of getting into a passion, I wish you would explain matters coolly, Mr. Delvin; and then I shall see what to make of them."

"Why, Mr. Abraham, there's Squire Carlton has the impudence to say he has the power, and will use it if I don't agree to his terms, as he calls them, to turn me out of this bit of ground, that I have worked in these forty years and upwards! He has the power to do this, truly? dang me! if I believe one word of it. Do you think he has ? You know the law, Mr. Aldget," continued Andrew, wiping his forehead.

"You have a lease, haven't you?" inquired the lawyer.

"Yes, Sir, to be sure, from his own father! he can't deny that, His father lived among us as a father; but this here Squire, whom we never saw till last year, used to come here when he was at the Hall every day, cajoling my daughter, and telling her how he would give her a great portion, and make me a rich man too; and wanted me at that time to exchange my farm of Delvin Side, for one of his new houses out upon the moor yonder. I thought it all mighty civil then, though I did not know the reason on't; but now I knows for why it is, and I despise him for his cunning: 'tis that he may settle Jem Giles, the biggest villain in the country, in my place. But I told him a bit of my mind; and I think he'll not come here again in a hurry!"

Why, Andrew, you have a good tough spirit of your own, and seem to feel (and let me tell you you are right, my friend), that in this country the peasant is as secure in his cottage as the king on his throne, and so it should be ; but, remember, if ever you stand in need of any assistance in this affair, or any other, I am at hand and will counsel you for the best-but don't give up your rights, man, whatever you do."

"No, I won't; I'll go to the workhouse afore that!" said the old man, striking his spade into the ground.

" And Rose, hark ye," continued Mr. Aldget, "are you not going to be married ?"

"Yes, if you please, Sir," said Rose, curtseying.

“Well, take care, child, and have a bit of a deed drawn up, to secure you your own. Your father, you know, has got something, and that will be yours, won'tit, Andrew ?”

"Ay, God bless her! to be sure. She is the joy of her old parents' eyes, Mr. Aldget; and I wish it were more, for her sake."

"Well, whatever it may be, it is always better to look to these things in time. Apply to us, and we will do that job for you: it costs but a trifle."

"I am sure we are all much obliged to you, Sir," said the old man, bowing.

Abraham remounted Surefoot, and turned the pony's head as though he were going to the Hall; but once out of sight of the cottage, he set off at a smart canter towards the Manor-house. "Let your master know Mr. Aldget is come," said he to the servant. And the next moment he was ushered into the room where Mr. Carlton was still at breakfast.

"I am glad to see you, Mr. Aldget; I was going to send for

you,