mal epistle of the other day, announcing his des desperation and destitution!" "Your health, Mr Titmouse! _ help yourself!" said Mr Gammon, in a cheerful and cordial tone; Titmouse pouring out a glass only three-quarters full, raised it to his lips with a slightly tremulous hand, and returned Mr Gammon's salutation. When had Titmouse tasted a glass of wine before? a reflection occurring not only to himself, but also to Gammon, to whom it was a circumstance that might be serviceable. "You see, Mr Titmouse, mine's only a small bachelor's establishment, and I cannot put my old servant out of the way by having my friends to dinner"-[quite forgetting that the day before he had entertained at least six friends, including Mr Frankpledgebut, the idea of going through a dinner with Mr Titmouse!] And now, O inexperienced Tit. mouse! unacquainted with the potent qualities of wine, I warn you to be cautious how you drink many glasses, for you cannot calculate the effect which they will have upon you; and, indeed, methinks that with this man you have a game to play which will not admit of much wine being drank. Be you, therefore, on your guard; for wine is like a strong serpent, who will creep unperceivedly into your empty head, and coil himself up therein, until at length he moves about and all things are as naught to you! "Oh, sir, 'pon my honour, beg you won't name it-all one to me, sir!_ Beautiful wine this, sir." "Pretty fair, I think certainly rather old; but what fruit will you take-currants or cherries?" "Why-a-I've so lately dined," replied Titmouse, alluding to an exccedingly slight repast at a coffeeshop about two o'clock. He would have preferred the cherries, but did not feel quite at his ease how to dispose of the stones nicely-gracefully-so he took a very few red currants upon his plate, and eat them slowly, and with a modest air. "Well, Mr Titmouse," commenced Gammon, with an air of concern," I was really much distressed by your last letter." "Uncommon glad to hear it, sirknew you would, sir-you're so kindhearted; all quite true, sir!" "I had no idea that you were re duced to such straits," said Gammon, in a sympathizing tone, but settling his eye involuntarily on the ring of Titmouse. "Quite dreadful, sir-'pon my soul, dreadful; and such usage at Mr Tagrag's!" "But you mustn't think of going abroad-away from all your friends, Mr Titmouse." 66 Abroad, sir!" interrupted Titmouse, with anxious but subdued eagerness; "never thought of such a thing!" "Oh! I-I thought" "There isn't a word of truth in it, sir; and if you've heard so, it must have been from that audacious fellow that called on you-he's such a liarif you knew him as well as I do, sir!" said Titmouse, with a confident air, quite losing sight of his letter to Messrs Quirk, Gammon, and Snap-" No, sir-shall stay, and stick to friends that stick to me." "Take another glass of wine, Mr Titmouse," interrupted Gammon, cordially, and Titmouse obeyed him; but while he was pouring it out, a sudden recollection of his letter flashing across his mind, satisfied him that he stood detected in a flat lie before Mr Gammon, and he blushed scarlet. "Do you like the sherry?" en. quired Gammon, perfectly aware of what was passing through the mind of his guest, and wishing to divert his thoughts. Titmouse answered in the affirmative; and proceeded to pour forth such a number of apologies for his own behaviour at Saffron Hill, and that of Huckaback on the subsequent occasion, as Gammon found it difficult to stop, over and over again assuring him that all had been forgiven and forgotten. When Titmouse came to the remittance of the five pounds "Don't mention it, my dear sir," interrupted Gammon, very blandly; "it gave me, I assure you, far greater satisfaction to send it, than you to receive it. I hope it has a little relieved you?" "I think so, sir! I was, 'pon my life, on my very last legs." "When things come to the worst, they often mend, Mr Titmouse! I told Mr Quirk (who, to do him justice, came at last into my views) that, however premature, and perhaps imprudent it might be in us to go so far, I could not help relieving your pre sent necessities, even out of my own resources." [Oh, Gammon, Gammon!] "How uncommon kind of you, sir!" exclaimed Titmouse. "Not in the least, my dear sir(pray fill another glass, Mr Titmouse!) You see Mr Quirk is quite a man of business-and our profession too often affords instances of persons whose hearts contract as their purses expand, Mr Titmouse-ha, ha! Indeed, those who make their money as hard as Mr Quirk (who, between ourselves, dare not look a gallows, or the hulks, or a map of Botany Bay, or the tread-mill, or the stocks, or fifty prisons, in the face, for the wrong he has done them) are apt to be slow at parting with it, and very suspicious." "Well, I hope no offence, sir; but really I thought as much, directly I saw that old gent." "Ah-but now he is embarked, heart and soul, in the affair." "No! Is he really, sir?" enquired Titmouse, eagerly. "That is," replied Gammon, quickly, "so long as I am at his elbow, urging him on for he wants some one, who-hem! In fact, my dear sir, ever since I had the good fortune to make the discovery, which happily brought us acquainted with each other, Mr Titmouse," [it was old Quirk who had made the discovery, and Gammon who had from the first thrown cold water on it,] "I have been doing all I could with him, and I trust I may say, have at last licked the thing into shape." "I'll take my oath, sir," said Titmouse, excitedly, "I never was so much struck with any one in all my born days as I was with you, sir, when you first came to my emp-to Mr Tagrag's, sir - Lord, sir, how uncommon sharp you seemed!" Gammon smiled with a deprecating air, and sipped his wine in silence; but there was great sweetness in the expression of his countenance. Poor Titmouse's doubts, hopes, and fears, were rapidly subliming into a reverence for Gam feelings by taking up your cause, without rendering ourselves liable to imprisonment for Heaven knows how long, and a fine that would be ruin itself, if we should be found out!" Titmouse continued silent, his wineglass in his hand arrested in its way to his mouth; which, together with his eyes, were opened to their widest extent, as he stared with a kind of horror upon Mr Gammon. "Are we, then, unreasonable, my dear sir, in entreating you to be cautious-nay, in insisting on your compliance with our wishes, in all that we shall deem prudent and necessary, when not only your own best interests, but our characters, liberties, and fortunes are staked on the issue of this great enterprise? I am sure," continued Gammon, with great emotion, "you will feel for us, Mr Titmouse. I see you do!" Gammon put his hand over his eyes, in order, apparently, to conceal his emotion, and also to observe what effect he had produced upon Titmouse. The conjoint influence of Gammon's wine and eloquence not a little agitated Titmouse, in whose eyes stood tears. "I'll do any thing-any thing, sir," he almost sobbed. "Oh! all we wish is to be allowed to serve you effectually; and to enable us to do that"_ "Tell me to be hid in a coal-hole, and see if I won't do it." "What! a coal-hole? - Would you, then, even stop at Dowlas, Tag-rag, and Co.'s?" "Ye-e-e-e-s, sir-hem! hem! That is, till the tenth of next month, when my time's up." -"Ah!-ay! - oh, I understand! Another glass, Mr Titmouse," said Gammon, pouring himself out some more wine; and observing, while Titmouse followed his example, that there was an unsteadiness in his motions of a very different description from that which he had exhibited at the commencement of the evening at the same time wondering what the deuce they should do with him after the tenth. "You see, I have the utmost con. fidence in you, and had so from the first happy moment when we met; but Mr Quirk is rather sus-In short, to prevent misunderstanding (as he says,) Mr Quirk is anxious that, you should give a written promise." (Titmouse looked eagerly about for writing materials.) "No, not now, but in a day or two's time. I confess, my dear Mr Titmouse, if I might have decided on the matter, I should have been satisfied with your verbal promise; but, I must say, Mr Quirk's grey hairs seem to have made him quite-eh? you understand? Don't you think so, Mr Titmouse?" "To be sure! 'pon my honour, Mr Gammon!" replied Titmouse, not very distinctly understanding, however, what he was so energetically assenting to. "I dare say you wonder why we wish you to stop a few months longer at your present hiding-place-at Dowlas's?" "Can't, after the tenth of next month, sir." "But as soon as we begin to fire off our guns against the enemy-Lord, my dear sir, if they could only find out, you know, where to get at you-you would never live to enjoy your ten thousand a year! They'd either poison or kidnap you get you out of the way, unless you keep out of their way: and if you will but consent to keep snug at Dowlas's for a while, who'd suspect where you was? We could easily arrange with your friend Tagerag that you should"- "My stars! I'd give something to hear you tell Tag-rag-why, I wonder what he'll do!" "Make you very comfortable, and let you have your own way in every thing." "Go to the play, for instance, when. ever I want, and do all that sort of thing?" (Tit "Nay, try! any thing! - And as for money, I've persuaded Mr Quirk to consent to our advancing you a certain sum per week, from the present time, while the cause is going on," mouse's heart began to beat fast,)"in order to place you above absolute inconvenience; and when you consider the awful sums we shall have to disburse-cash out of pocket-(counsel, you know, will not open their lips under a guinea) -for court-fees, and other indispensable matters, I should candidly say that four thousand pounds of hard cash out of pocket, advanced by our firm in your case, would be the very lowest." (Titmouse stared at him with an expression of stupid wonder.) "Yes-four thousand pounds, Mr Titmouse, at the very least the very least." Again he paused, keenly scrutinizing Titmouse's features by the light of the candles, which just then were brought in. "You seem surprised, Mr Titmouse." "Why-why-where's all the money to come from, sir?" exclaimed Titmouse, aghast. "Ah! that is indeed a fearful question," replied Gammon, with a very serious air; "but at my request, our firm has agreed to make the necessary advances; and also (for I could not bear the sight of your distress, Mr Titmouse!) to supply your necessities liberally in the mean time, as I was saying." "Won't you take another glass of wine, Mr Gammon?" suddenly enquired Titmouse, with a confident air. "With all my heart, Mr Titmouse! I'm delighted that you approve of it. I paid enough for it, I can warrant you." "Cuss me if ever I tasted such wine! Uncommon! Come-no heeltaps, Mr Gammon-here goes-let's drink-success to the affair!" "Ah! " With all my heart, my dear sirwith all my heart. Success to the thing-amen!" and Gammon drained his glass; so did Titmouse. Mr Titmouse, you'll soon have wine enough to float a frigate-and indeed what not-with ten thousand a-year?" "And all the accumulations, you know-ha, ha!" "Yes to be sure-accumulations. The sweetest estate that is to be found in all Yorkshire. Gracious, Mr Titmouse!" continued Gammon, with an excited air-" what may you not do ? Go where you like-do what you like get into Parliament-marry some lovely woman!" "Lord, Mr Gammon!-you ain't dreaming? Nor I? But now, in course, you must be paid handsome for your trouble! - Only say how muchName your sum! What you please! You only give me all you've said." "For my part, I wish to rely entirely on your mere word of honour.Between gentlemen, you know-my dear sir." "You only try me, sir." "But you see, Mr Quirk's getting old, and naturally is anxious to provide for those whom he will leave behind him-and so Mr Snap agreed with him-two to one against me, Mr Titmouse-of course they carried the day-two to one." "Only say the figure." "A single year's income, only-ten thousand pounds will hardly " "Ten thousand pounds! By jingo, that is a slice out of the cake." "A mere crumb, my dear sir! -a trifle! Why, we are going to give you that sum at least every year-and indeed it was suggested to our firm, that unless you gave us at least a sum of twenty-five thousand pounds-in fact, we were recommended to look out for some other heir." "It's not to be thought of, sir." "So I said; and as for throwing it up-to be sure we shall have ourselves to borrow large sums to carry on the war-and unless we have your bond for at least ten thousand pounds, we cannot raise a farthing." "Hang'd if you sha'n't do what you like!-Give me your hand, and do what you like, Gammon!" "Thank you, Titmouse! How I like a glass of wine with a friend in this quiet way! -you'll always find me rejoiced to show". "Your hand! By George-Didn't I take a liking to you from the first! - But to speak my mind a bit-as for Mr Quirk-excuse me but he's a cur -cur-cur-curmudgeon-hem!" "Hope you've not been so imprudent, my dear Titmouse," threw in Gammon, rather anxiously, " as to borrow money-eh?" "Devil knows, and devil cares! No stamp, Iknow-bang up to the mark" -here he winked an eye, and put his finger to his nose - " wide awakeHuck-uck_uck-uck! how his name sti-sticks. Your hand, Gammonhere this, this way-tol de rol, tol de rol-ha! ha! ha!-what are you bobbing your head about for? The floor-how funny-at sea-here we go up, up, up-here we go down, downoh dear!"-he clapped his hand to his head. [Pythagoras has finely observed, that a man is not to be considered dead drunk till he lies on the floor, and stretches out his arms and legs to prevent his going lower.] See saw, see saw, up and down, up and down, went every thing about him. Now he felt sinking through the floor, then gently rising to the cieling. Gammon seemed getting into a mist, and waving about the candles in it. Mr Titmouse's head swam; his chair seemed to be resting on the waves of the sea. "I'm afraid the room's rather close, Mr Titmouse," hastily observed Gammon, perceiving, from Titmouse's sudden paleness and silence, but too evident symptoms that his powerful intellect was for a while paralysed. Gammon started to the window and opened it. Paler, however, and paler became Titmouse. Gammon's game was up much sooner than he had calculated on. "Mrs Mumps! Mrs Mumps! order a coach instantly, and tell Tomkins" - that was the inn porter-" to get his son ready to go home with this gentleman-he's not very well." He was obeyed. It was, in truth, all up with Titmouse-at least for a while. As soon as Gammon had thus got rid of his distinguished guest, he ordered the table to be cleared of the glasses, and tea to be ready within half an hour. He then walked out to enjoy the cool evening; on returning, sat pleasantly sipping his tea, now and then dipping into the edifying columns of the Sunday Flash, but oftener ruminating upon his recent conversation with Titmouse, and speculating upon its possible results; and a little after eleven o'clock, that good man, at peace with all the world-calm and sereneretired to repose. He had that night rather a singular dream; it was of a snake encircling a monkey, as if in gentle and playful embrace. Suddenly tightening its folds, a crackling sound was heard; the writhing coils were then slowly unwound-and, with a shudder, der, he beheld the monster licking over the motionless figure, till it was covered with a viscid slime. Then the serpent began to devour its prey; and, when gorged and helpless, behold, it was immediately fallen upon by two other snakes. To his disturbed fancy, there was a dim resemblance between their heads and those of Quirk and Snap-he woke-thank God! it was only a dream. INDEX TO VOL. XLVI. Aberystwith, an excursion over the moun- Affairs of the East, Egypt, Turkey, 100. Alison's History of the French Revolution, Aytoun, William E., his tale of Hermoti. Bellmanship, the, a tr story, Chap. I., Calderon de la Barca, Don Pedro, his Casuistry, 455-exemplified. I. in the case Chartists and universal suffrage, 289- a shade upon the working classes, 300 sessed the power of electing their mi- Colonial neglect and foreign propitiation, Colonial Government and the Jamaica Court-Cabinet-the Country, 417-the reckless career of the Court and the Ca- |