Stephenson the Second; in some measure both martyrs to their zeal their lives uncrowned by an old age of leisure. Mourn, Albion, mourn the dynasty gone. Rejoice mankind, rejoice that the kingdom remains-to you a magnificent possession and a glorious inheritance.

incidents happened which I am now about with veracity to relate.

Ten years have indeed worked a wondrous change in the little, quiet, easy-going, snug hotbed of scandal. The Clergyman and the Lawyer, and the neighbouring 'Squire, have it no longer all their own way. Church-rates are no longer looked upon as things of course; strange men rise like Ciceroes in the Vestry, and launch invectives at the bald-head of the placid old parson-which have no effect on his unruffled front, but drive the clerk (a nervous old beershopkeeper) into incipient fits.

Let us honour the father in the son, and devote from this time and for ever the proceeds of all railways, on the anniversary of his death, to the maintaining of an asylum for the orphans of those cut short of their term of life by the hazardous nature of their employment. Let each traveller on that day give his mite, and every working man who ever enjoys a day's A Literary and Mechanics' Institute flourishes excursion in the year, contribute; and if the in a back street, presenting continually a round disembodied spirit be permitted to re-visit the of cheap and harmless entertainment to its menscenes of its success; if it be allowed to glory bers-from highly-amusing lectures on hydrogen in its well-doing as to mourn over its sins, gas by real Professors in long hair and spectacles, when the spirits of the Stephensons hover over to dreary comic monologues by pale young men Chat Moss, let the voices of happy orphans in with turn-down collars, who perform twenty its vicinity, singing hymns to their Redeemer, characters all alike, and sing melancholy medley greet their souls, and testify to these unselfish songs, described in the bills, by courtesy, as ones that an ungrateful world can at times for-"comic." get its greed and succour the helpless. Not for the first time will England voluntarily tax herself for the help of the fatherless and the widow in their affliction. She did it for those whose supporters shed their blood and gave up their lives a sacrifice in the Crimea; she will do again, and yet again-God willing.

JACOB FÖRST.

MUST BE MARRIED.

BY HENRY J. BYRON.

The appearance of a Paper almost paralyzed Shuttleboro. Nevertheless there now is a Paper there, and the proprietor lives by it. It is cer tainly true that he is at once its Proprietor, Editor, Publisher, Reporter, and Printer. He takes off his coat to his work; his wife is his "Sub;" he knows no foolish pride, and is in a small way flourishing. The Bank is also a great fact. The new shops in High-street, all plate-glass and mahogany et ceteras, are great facts; but greatest fact of all is that plain but noble little building on the high road to London, that building with which my story is connected-the Shuttleboro Infirmary.

HUTTLEBORO, Ten years ago, last June, the entire popu a thriving little lation of the place rose early and donned town-at the the gayest clothes and brightest smiles; for time of my story, the sky was clear and blue, the bells were lay about five- ringing forth a peal which was merry, though and-forty miles rather unmusical; and the hearts of even the from London-oldest inhabitants were palpitating with a pleaI would rather sure long unfelt, for a good and generous act not say in what was to be done that day. Party feeling might direction. Now, run high on politics, on church-rates, on the as towns are not election of the beadle; but on the subject of supposed to the Infirmary, unanimity was the order of the move from their day. Not a soul in the place but wished it well. sites, although Not an old woman in the town above the posithey may ad- tion of a pauper but spared a mite from her vance morally, little store; not a boy in the parish but dropped my observing his coppers with delight into the plate, and felt that at the time a thrill of pleasure when he reflected on the fact of my story the of his having helped the noble work of charity. little town in For boys do reflect occasionally. There was no question lay a- mistake about the earnestness displayed. There bout five-and-forty miles from the metropolis was the ground marked out. There was the may seem provocative of two questions-the first architect all smiles and shirt-collar. There was one being, "Is the town destroyed ?"-the second the Tory influence chatting in the most friendly one, "Then what do you mean ?" Simply this: manner imaginable with the Radical party. Ten years back Shuttleboro was five-and-forty There were the boys from the workhouse school, miles from town; but as the population increased, polished up with yellow soap and rough towels which it did wonderfully, Shuttleboro began until they resembled Brobdignagian rubies set gradually to swell, and red-brick buildings broke in corduroy. There was the 'Squire's daughter, out round it like a rash, more particularly on who was to perform the ceremony of laying the the London-road, so that in the present year of foundation-stone; and above all, in the eyes of grace Shuttleboro is a half-mile, or even three- the juveniles-there was the stone! The stone quarters, nearer town than it was when the carried conviction to the hearts of the most

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not quench, and even disgrace and dishonour can seldom utterly destroy. You have not seen Fred for fourteen long years; but you have an occasional letter from him, telling you how well he is getting on-how he has married a kind and amiable wife, and has hopes of getting his eldest boy into the Blue-coat School; and if you were Fred yourself, you could scarcely feel happier. What is it that makes your eye moisten when you hear, from a friend returned from India, that poor Tom has lost an arm and has been grievously disfigured in battle? You had a slight quarrel with Tom before he left England, and you parted with him in anger; but the floodgates of an old, old friendship, are opened now, and you can scarcely check a rising sob as

sceptical. Sneering people from the next town stood in breathless awe before it, and gasped out "Well!" to the infinite delight of the triumphant bystanders; large-headed young farmers from the neighbourhood came and opened enormous mouths at it, to the discomfort of a tremulous old bricklayer's man, who was set to watch over it and to put it into its right position when the 'Squire's daughter had given it a dab of mortar and a few pats-a feat termed by courtesy "Laying the Foundation-stone." Builders came and looked at it critically, but were unable to find a flaw. In fact, the whole affair looked most promising; and Shuttleboro was proud, very proud of its enlightenment, its generosity, its philanthropy, and—its stone. A short and earnest prayer from the Vicar; a few hurried direc-you remember, through a dark vista of struggle tions from the Architect; a push to the stone from a couple of workmen ; a delicate dab or two from a silver trowel; a deafening shout repeated again and again from everybody-and the building was pronounced commenced. The Shuttleboro Infirmary's foundation-stone was laid, and not a soul was there but wished the goodly work God-flush of strange half-painful joy you feel at the speed.

and heartache, how Tom grasped your hand one day when you were drooping your head in sad doubt as to your future, and said, with that cheery voice of his, "Mark my words, old boy, you will some day be a great man!" You are not a great man; far from it; but I tell you that the

recollection of that common-place remark is consolation for a thousand slights, and will do you more good than twenty summer-trips. Old Six months passed; and so did Charles Colville. Will, too, that great hobbledehoy of a fellow in He passed the College of Surgeons' examination, badly-cut clothes and with large coarse hands, and was admitted a member of that honourable but with a heart of gold, a courage as brave as body, greatly to his own satisfaction, but still more a lion's, a frame like Hercules, and who was to that of his cousin Fanny, who had known him moved to tears at a tale of sorrow as easily as a from a child, and who loved him like-a cousin. little child. You have not seen poor Old Will Charles Colville was a noble-hearted, generous, for many a year. But you hear bad accounts of impulsive, dilatory dog. He would rush through him; that he was plucked at one examination, fire and water to serve a friend, but would lost heart and health; that he drinks a good scarcely cross the road to serve himself. He deal, and is careless as to the company he keeps. would take up an unintentional slight in an in- One day you are horror-stricken at seeing in the stant: he would not take a joke or the point of city a bloated man of shabby, unclean aspect, a funny story in an hour. His great stumbling- who bears some resemblance to Old Will-your block was, that he never could see anything. eyes meet; he turns deadly pale, and staggers— When one of the College Examiners bantered him is is but for a moment, however; an instant upon the elaborate correctness of one of his more, and he has slouched away hurriedly and is replies to an anatomical question, Charley lost amongst the confusing traffic of Cheapside. wouldn't see it, but floundered into a complete What is it that gives you a sick and sorrowful maelstrom of explanation, to the infinite dismay feeling at the heart? What is it that makes you of the kind Examiner, who concluded the ordeal neglect your dinner, and reply shortly and by very abruptly closing the conference, and tremulously to your wife? What is it that alpassing him on to the next. Charley made up most induces you to kick young Crushley when his mind he had been incorrect somewhere, and he comes into the room with a supercilious air "couldn't see" that he had literally loaded the and the offer of a box at the Opera? What is it Examiner with an embarras des richesses, and he that makes you start alarmed in the night, and went into the next subject with a great deal sigh mournfully when awake, at the recollection more elaboration, and with something like the of that poor, broken, degraded figure? It is same result. However, he was so thoroughly that still small voice of true friendship which "up" in everything, that he passed very honour- tells you to remember Old Will as he was in days ably, and started to his uncle's at Shuttleboro gone by-to forget that dreadful spectre of towith a light heart, a light purse, a portman-day-if you can.

teau containing his medical library, and the Pardon this long digression, reader; it shall best wishes of a numerous circle of good and true friends. It was rather hard parting with those friends, too. The childish affection we feel for our school-fellows bears no resemblance to the friendship we experience a few years later on, when we meet with young fellows in our own position in the same walk of life, with the same tastes, the same pursuits, the same profession in view. It is then that firm and unselfish friendship is formed-that friendship which time, distance, coldness, or calumny can

be the last. Cousin Fanny met Charley at the station, and almost cried with delight-with evident delight. Charley couldn't see it. But he could see that four years had made a wondrous difference in his little cousin, and that she was now a very pretty, lady-like, and agreeable sort of cousin to have. That conclusion being arrived at in his dilatory way, he pulled up his shirt coilar and glanced out of the corner of his eyes with conscious pride at his impressive whiskers. I say impressive, because anything about a

invectives; and having by these, by no means unusual acts, brought on a somewhat lengthy fit of coughing, he turned the conversation into milder channels, and, as a necessary consequence, dropped off rapidly to sleep.

medical man which makes him look old is, to a certain degree, impressive. A smooth-faced practitioner's case is almost hopeless, whereas a prematurely bald head is a certain competency. It must be understood here, that Charley had not been brought up at his uncle's expense, had It would have been evident to any third party no kind of claim upon him, and had only come that Fanny and Charles were in love with each down to visit him before starting in his profes-other, metaphorically speaking, "up to the sion at any place where there appeared an open- eyes," or perhaps, in the gentleman's case, it ing for a doctor. He had an income upon which would be more correct to say, "over" the eyes, he existed merely; and as he had not that petty which would at once account for his "not seeing pride which spurns a small emolument, but had it." Uncle Forbes saw it though, and by no that nobler pride which would rather work hard means approved. He had a great future in his for trifling pay than live on others' bounty, he eye for Fanny, who was a very charming young was in a condition to accept anything remotely lady indeed; and he had noticed that at the last promising which might offer itself in London or county ball she attracted much attention-almost elsewhere. as much as the Honourable Misses Mount-Smash, who were very dashing and sarcastic, rather too much so in fact for matrimony, and who were ! in consequence getting on" very alarmingly, much to the delight of their provincial and less brilliant acquaintance. He had remarked how the married men flocked round the MountSmashes, and how the bachelors struggled for little Fanny as a partner, and young Lord Limbo, who was supposed to be a poet, had audibly exclaimed that she was as refreshing as a babbling brooklet, by Jove!"

“Well, Charles,” said Uncle Forbes, over his port after dinner, on the second day of his nephew's visit: "Well, Charles, suppose you try for the office of surgeon to the new Infirmary; it will be opened in a month ?"

Charley, as usual," couldn't see it." "Can't see it, boy! Of course you can't from here; but go to the end of the shrubbery and you'll see it. There, it's next to the tall redbrick house with the new-fangled chimney-pots," replied Uncle Forbes, who was irritatingly matter-of-fact.

Here Fanny tried to explain, and was snubbed in consequence. Charley threw a kind glance at her, and she would have taken any quantity of snubbing on the same terms gladly.

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When he reflected upon all this he felt greatly inclined to send off young Colville about his business; but he had already commenced beating up votes in his cause, and he was too honourable and obstinate a man to relinquish anything he had once undertaken; so he bothered people out of their lives about his nephew, and hung on to wavering friends with an annoying pertinacity | which as often had a wrong effect as the right one. In the mean time the opposing candidate was by no means behind-hand; and when it is stated that he was a little, thin, sharp, nevertiring country doctor, with a big wife and seven children to support in a town which was pro

"I hope, Charles," continued Uncle Forbes, who was filling and emptying his glass rather rapidly, and who was becoming a trifle pompous and the least bit in the world touchy, as is generally the case with old country gentlemen who drink port wine after dinner as a rule: "I hope, Charles, you are aware of my position in this county; that I might be a magistrate if I wished; and that a word from me, especially in the matter of this appointment, is not alto-verbial for its salubrity, the reader will admit gether without its value. Hem!"

Charles was about to repeat that he didn't see it, but a warning glance from Fanny converted the phrase into "he didn't doubt it."

"Doubt it, sir!" exclaimed the old gentleman, petulantly; I hope, Mr. Charles, you have not come all the way from London to doubt anything I choose to say. I repeat, the appointment will be given to Mr. Chigley as a matter of course, unless some other competitor, with something like a claim or interest to back him, should appear. Now, sir, I have no hesitation in saying I consider Mr. Chigley a humbug-an impostor; I called him very nearly as much to his face at the last meeting of the Board of Guardians, and I'll not withdraw my words. Mr. Chigley, sir, had the unparalleled effrontery to say that I should never get rid of my gout until I gave up port wine. Now, sir-Charles, I ask you, as a medical man, is Mr. Chigley a fit man to elect? I say, No! no!! no!!!" and Uncle Forbes struck his own notes of exclamation on the diningtable.

Charley agreed thoroughly with his uncle: Mr. Chigley was not a practitioner to place faith in. Backed up by this medical authority, Uncle Forbes indulged in another glass and some more

that he was a rival to be remarkably afraid of. But Mr. Chigley was not a favourite, even with the old ladies. He was pompous and pig-headed; and a pompous, pig-headed little man is peenliarly objectionable. Charles Colville, on the other hand, was unpretending, gentleman-like, and by no means obstinate, and would have stood a much better chance could his uncle have induced him to go and call upon the wealthy cheesemongers and butchers who had votes, and solicit their patronage and support. But Charley, as usual, “couldn't see" it. He declared they could learn nothing of his skill or acquirements from a ten minutes' interview; and as to going round like a begging-letter impostor, he couldn't do it, wouldn't do it-and didn't do it. No; he stayed at home and occupied his time with talking to and reading or singing with his cousin. The contest in the mean while went on, the opposition to Chigley being conducted entirely by Uncle Forbes-Charley displaying an amount of apathy which was little to be wondered at, for he had a companion whose society was infinitely more agreeable than that of the nar row-minded inhabitants of Shuttleboro, whe occupied their working hours in the never-ending struggle for superiority to their neighbours, and

"It's all over, Charles," he cried, as he entered the drawing-room and flung himself into an easy-chair. "It's all over, you can't be married by Thursday; and Chigley's wife and children have done the trick. There, don't cry, Fanny; get me my slippers and a pipe, or I shall have a fit of something or other. Chigley, too!"

their idle moments in recrimination, back-biting, man was insurmountable; and, although the and scandal. All he did was to ask some of his election was not to take place until two days old teachers for testimonials as to his ability and afterwards, the affair was considered settled; general character; and these were so peculiarly and if Uncle Forbes had met Chigley on his way flattering, while bearing the unmistakable stamp home that night, it is not at all improbable that of truth, that Uncle Forbes really felt proud of in a very few days time the printer of the his nephew, and declared, with one of his post- Shuttleboro Gazette would have found himself prandial blows on the dining-table, that Chigley "setting up" a tit-bit for the scandal-lovers of might consider himself "crushed, sir; crushed." the town, in which the exciting phrases "A cerThe eventful day at length arrived. Shuttle-tain disciple of Esculapius," and "Action for boro was not excited; it was keeping all its assault and battery," would have been in disenthusiasm for the opening-day of the Infirmary, agreeable proximity. But, luckily, Uncle Forbes when there was to be a ball in the large room of did not meet Chigley. the principal inn, a tea for the old folks, and a feast of buns for the children; but, nevertheless, there was considerable interest felt by Uncle Forbes's friends, for he never ceased worrying and reminding them of their promises, When the votes were counted, to the astonishment of the committee, the numbers were pronounced equal! It was an extraordinary thing; but it In a few moments Uncle Forbes was in a cloud could not be helped, and all that could be done of smoke; but his pipe failed to soothe him in the was to proceed to discuss the merits of the can- least, and he became so fretful and savage, that didates. That Chigley was in disfavour with the Fanny was afraid of him, and left the room. Committee generally, was very evident from the That she went up-stairs and revelled in what is not over-flattering remarks that were lavishly familiarly termed "a good cry," is, I think, expressed concerning him. He had offended one pretty certain. Uncle Forbes, unfettered by his by stopping his smoking; another by neglecting daughter's presence, immediately commenced an to raise his hat to his wife; another, by being elaborate description of the whole affair, and politer to his wife than there was any necessity never paused until he had laid the entire evenfor; a fourth could not get over the fact of his ing's proceedings before his unfortunate nephew. sending an assistant to lance his child's gums; "Uncle Forbes," said Charley, in a slow, quiet and Uncle Forbes backed up every unfavourable voice, but with a tremor he could hardly supopinion expressed by his colleagues with a vigo-press: "Uncle Forbes, you have it in your power rous "Hear! hear! hear!" But a sense of to crush Chigley; but, still better, to secure me a stern old British justice was manifest in the competency and a loving wife with one word— midst of their animadversions, and there was one little word-if you choose. Shall I go on ?" one fact that appeared inevitably conclusive for Uncle Forbes stared, breathed quickly, but Chigley-he was a married man. There was no said nothing. getting over that. It was in vain that Uncle Forbes demanded "what weight Chigley's seven red-headed brats had in comparison with the overwhelmingly laudatory testimonials exhibited by Mr. Charles Colville, testimonials from the highest men in that noble and magnificent profession of which Mr. Chigley was a contemptible representative. It was true Mr. Chigley was a man of family (laughter); but Mr. Colville was also a gentleman-young, it was true, but with the ardour of youth sobered and toned down by "Crush Chigley!" screamed Uncle Forbes, the study of the results of the learning and ex-jumping up from his seat like a stricken red-deer, perience of modern geniuses-geniuses, gentleinen, of our own day-geniuses who had been shedding a lustre for the last half-dozen years upon medical learning, and of whose experiences and results Mr. Chigley, in his little musty surgery, or going his daily rounds, or taking his glass-hem!-when work was over for the day, could know nothing. Mr. Chigley had his hands full, as well as his quiver, and would come to that Infirmary fettered with the cold conventionalities of an old-fashioned formula; Mr. Colville, on the contrary, full of youthful enthusiasm for his profession, fresh from the groves of Galen, would be able to devote the whole of his time, untrammelled as he was by private practice, to that noble and magnificent institution, the Shuttleboro Infirmary." It was in vain, I repeat, that Uncle Forbes said all this and more. The fact of Mr. Chigley being a married

"Uncle Forbes," continued poor Charley, struggling with something in his throat which seemed to choke him, "I love your daughter Fanny, and will never marry anybody else; your daughter Fanny loves me, and will never marry anybody else. Give your consent to our marriage; it can be done in two days; and you will then secure me the appointment, have a fond and dutiful son and daughter ever by your side, and

and ringing the bell wildly. "Don't talk to me; I'm a little excited. Don't talk to me, but come along! The gig, at once! D'ye hear somebody?" he cried, tearing about the room, putting his hat on and taking it off again the whole time: "We shall catch the ten o'clock express to London; and if there's a proctor, or such a place as Doctors' Commons in the world, you shall be married and settled before the appointment's given to Chigley!"

Visions of Lord Limbo were dissipated in a moment; the Misses Mount-Smash might have him and welcome. An offer from a Duke would not have turned Uncle Forbes from his purpose; besides, what more could he desire? He had got after all, a clever, handsome, gentleman-like son-in-law, and the contemptible Chigley was beaten out of the neid by a sharp, decisive, but perfectly legitimate Coup d'état.