to the skies by reviewers, in the interest or pay of the respective booksellers, as models of wit and genius; or denounced by the tools of rival publishers, as insufferably stupid, are generally consigned over to the trunk-makers, or pastry-cooks, by them, for the first time, to be converted to some useful purpose.

The self-importance of many of these modern patchwork manufacturers of reminiscences is admirably, and, as it were by anticipation, satirized by Swift, in his Memoirs of a Parish Clerk, who commences his history in the following terms:-In the name of the Lord, amen; I, P. P., by the grace of God, clerk of this parish, writeth this history."

Although it is understood that Swift intended these memoirs as a satire upon a certain dull and prosing contemporary, it would be well if our modern reminiscences were half as amusing as the narrative of this prototype of our modern Caleb Quotem; this paragon of parish clerks; this melodious singer of psalms, and pealer of bells; this man of clear and sweet voice, and of becoming gravity, of whom it was pleasantly said, as an important coincidence, that "one and the same day did give to the parish two rare gifts, its great bell and its clerk."

After this preamble it will scarcely be necessary to state that it is not our intention to add to the number of autobiographical nuisances, against which we have entered our protest. It will, however, be incumbent on us to say a few words respecting our friend Ferdinand, if it be only to account for his mysterious intercourse with the extraordinary being who will act so prominent a part in the scenes about to be described.

Although of foreign extraction, the family of Ferdinand has become naturalized, if not virtually anglicised, by a residence of half a century in this country; and he may, therefore, call himself an Englishman with as much pro

priety as the generality of the natives, of whom, alluding to their anomalous origin, De Foe says,

"A true-born Englishman 's a contradiction,

In speech an irony, in fact a fiction."

About a century and a half ago, his ancestors, of whom the reader will know more anon, ranked amongst the most respectable and wealthy families in Spain. Owing, however, to some court intrigue, they were dispersed, their estates confiscated, and themselves compelled to fly from the land of their birth. Ferdinand's grandfather was so fortunate as to select England for his adopted home; and by the exereise of those talents which he had sedulously cultivated through choice, in the sunshine of his prosperity, he suc ceeded in maintaining himself and his amiable and accomplished wife in comfort, if not in affluence, and, what was of more importance, he was enabled to give a liberal education to his son, who, aware by experience of the value of such a blessing, devoted himself entirely to the instruction of Ferdinand, and to the formation of his character and principles.

We shall now, without further preamble or circumlocution, proceed, at once, in medias res, by introducing the reader to Ferdinand, in his library, in his ordinary costume. of night-gown and slippers.

CHAP. II.

Ferdinand, who had fallen asleep over the works of a celebrated Political Economist, is awakened by a singular incident.

One evening, after having pored for some hours over an elaborate essay on political economy, with the vain hope of

arriving at the author's meaning, Ferdinand became so thoroughly jaded that his eyes refused any longer to perform their office, his head sunk back on his chair, and his wearied mind took refuge in

Sleep, that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care."

The work, which had produced this soporific effect upon our student, was a celebrated dissertation upon Absenteeism, a newly-coined word, synonymous with non-residency of the nobility, gentry, and landed proprietors, in their native country.

The author, who, notwithstanding the excessive absurdity of this treatise, is a very able writer and an acute reasoner, has had the incredible hardihood to maintain, that the generally received opinion, that Ireland's evils are, in a great degree, to be ascribed to this cause, is utterly groundless. He has most dogmatically asserted, that it is precisely the same thing as regards the interests of the mother country, whether its great landed proprietors spend their incomes at home, or at Paris, or Brussels.

This astounding paradox the author has advanced in so peremptory a style and with such a confident air of triumph, that many of his readers, unable to follow him through the labyrinth of his reasoning,

"Sinking from thought to thought, a vast profound!"

have, in despair, surrendered up their understandings to the most absurd dogma that ever was palmed upon rational beings.

Had not his nap been suddenly interrupted, it is difficult to say how long Ferdinand might have slumbered; as any candid man, who has toiled through the work which had thus sealed up his senses, will admit that such severe

mental drudgery required no ordinary bodily repose. His sleep was, however, abruptly disturbed by a loud and confused clamour without, and, upon raising the window to ascertain the cause of the interruption, a most singular spectacle presented itself. A group of rude and noisy boys were hooting and mocking a dwarf of most grotesque and scarcely human appearance and stature. He was about two feet and a half high, and supported his singular form on a pair of crutches. His dress, over which flowed a little cloak, was most fantastical; on his head he wore a sort of turban, or hat, of red crape, surmounted with feathers of the cock and peacock, and his legs and feet resembled those of a goat, rather than of a human being. His countenance, unlike any thing earthly, almost set description at defiance; the features, contemplated separately, were outrê and demoniacal, but there was in the tout ensemble something which irresistibly riveted the attention of Ferdinand, who gazed on it with a mixed sensation of curiosity and awe. His first impression was succeeded by compassion for this diminutive and persecuted cripple, and indignation towards the unfeeling urchins who were making a sport of his infirmities. He succeeded, with some difficulty, in chasing them away, and, with the affability natural to him, invited the stranger to enter his house, to prevent further insults or persecution, adding, that he presumed, from his appearance, he was a foreigner, and that the treatment he had just experienced must have produced a very unfavourable opinion of the manners of an English rabble?

"I am not (said the singular stranger) ignorant of the character of your countrymen, which, in many respects, I admire; but my experience certainly warrants me in condemning your rabble as the most uncivilized and unfeeling of any in Europe. I accept your friendly invitation, (he added,) not because I am either fatigued or annoyed by what

has just happened, but because I am pleased with your affability, and the interest you have shown in my behalf when you supposed I was helpless and in imminent peril." As he spoke thus, he hobbled into the house with Ferdinand, and was ushered into his library, where we shall leave them until the next chapter.

CHAP. III..

The mysterious Stranger makes himself known, and tenders his services to Ferdinand.

Ferdinand graciously invited his little guest to be seated, and take some refreshment after his fatigue; but what was his surprise to hear the latter, on declining the invitation, observe that it was not his custom to take either food or Observing the involuntary shudder which this intimation occasioned, he added, with a kind of smile, "My young friend, (for such I hope you will henceforth permit me to call you,) I will explain myself more explicitly after I have gazed a little longer at the portrait of my old and valued friend which hangs over your mantel- piece."

"Your friend! (exclaimed Ferdinand, with increased astonishment,) how is it possible! My ancestor, the original of that portrait,-died-"

"About one hundred and fifty years since, (rejoined Asmodeus, for the mysterious stranger was, indeed, that celebrated personage,) but it is, nevertheless, true, that I was intimately acquainted with, and warmly attached to, Don Cléofas Leandro Perez Zambullo, the son of Seigneur Don Pedro de Escolano,"

"Is it possible (said Ferdinand) that you can be Seigneur Asmodeus, the renowned Diable Boiteux, whom my