coaches in a November fog; jest like hallooing through wet blankets."

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"Demosthenes—you never heard of him-but that's no matter: Demosthenes," said Capstick, "used to speak to the sea." Well; he'd the best on it in one way,' said Jem; "the fishes couldn't contradict him. But surely, now - upon your word, sir-you don't really mean to make a speech in Parliment!" Capstick's eye glistened." You do? Lord help you! when, sir— when?"

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Why, Jem, I can't answer for myself. perhaps, to-morrow. If I'm provoked, Jem."

Perhaps, to-night

"Provoked, sir! Who's to provoke you, if you 're determined to sit with your mouth shut?" said Jem.

"The truth is, Jem, I had resolved to sit a whole session, and not say a syllable. But I shall be aggravated to speak, I know I shall. The fact is, I did think I should be abashed-knocked clean down-by the tremendous wisdom before, behind me, on all sides of me. Now-it isn't so, Jem," and Capstick looked big. "I did think my great difficulty would be to speak; whereas, hearing what I do hear, the difficulty for me is to hold my tongue. In this way-I feel it-I shall be made an orator of against my will. By the way, Jem, talking of oratory, just sit down in that arbour, and fancy yourself the House of Commons."

"Couldn't do it, sir." Capstick imperatively waved his arm. "Well, then, there, sir," said Jem; and he seated himself bolt upright in a honeysuckle bower, and took off his hat, and smoothed down his few speckled hairs; and put on a face of gravity. "That won't do at all," cried Capstick. "I just want to try a little speech, and that 's not a bit like the House of Commons. No; roll yourself about; and now whistle a little bit; and now put on your hat; and now throw your legs upon the seat; and, above all, seem to be doing anything but listening to me. If you seem to attend to what I say, you 'll put me out at once. all parliamentary, Jem."

Not at

Shall I shuffle my legs, and drum my fingers upon the table? Will that do?" cried Jem.

"Pretty well that will be something," answered Capstick. "Or I tell you what, sir,-if, while you was making your oration, I was to play upon this Jew's-harp"-and Jem produced that harmonious iron from his waistcoat pocket-" would that be Parliamentary and noisy enough?"

"We'll try the Jew's-harp," replied Capstick, "for I have heard much worse noises since I sat for Liquorish. Wait a minute❞—for Jem began to preludise-" and let me explain. The motion I am going to make, Jem, is to shorten the time in the pillory." Jem shook his head hopelessly. "According to the law, as at present operating, the time of the pillory is one hour. Now, I don't want to be called a revolutionist, Jem; I don't want to array all the respectability and all the property of the land against me— "Don't, sir, don't; if you love your precious peace of mind, don't think of it," cried Jem.

"Therefore, I do not at present intend to move the total abolition of the pillory," said Capstick.

"You'd be stoned in the streets, if you did. People will bear a good deal, sir; but they won't have their rights interfered with in that manner. Do take care of yourself, pray do. I shouldn't like to see you in the Tower," said Jem, with genuine tenderness. "Let the pillory alone, sir; touch that, and folks will swear you're going to lay your hands upon the golden crown next; for it's wonderful what they do mix up with the crown sometimes, to be sure."

"Fear not, Jem. I shall respect the wholesome prejudices of my countrymen; and therefore shall only move that the time in the pillory shall henceforth be reduced from one hour to half. That's gentle, I think?"

Jem stroked his chin-shook his head. "I know what they'll call it, sir: interfering with the liberty of the subject. No, they'll say,- -our forefathers, and their fathers afore 'em, all stood an hour, and why shouldn't we?"

-

"I'm prepared for a little opposition, Jem; but, just fancy yourself the House, while I speak my speech. Make as much noise, and be as inattentive as possible, and then I shall get on. Jem obediently buzzed-buzzed with the Jew's harp, shambled with his feet, rocked himself backwards and forwards; and, to the extent of his genius, endeavoured to multiply himself into a very full House.

Capstick took off his hat-held forth his right arm as before, with the supplementary addition of a piece of paper in his hand, "Sir " and again with his other arm supported his left coat-tail. -said Capstick, looking as full as he could at Jem, who rocked and shifted every minute "Sir, it was an observation of a Roman emperor'

"Which one?" asked Jem.

"That's immaterial," answered Capstick.

"A question that will certainly not be asked in debate. I take a Roman emperor as something strong to begin with—' of a Roman emperor that Qui facit per alium'

"Hallo!" cried Jem, holding the Jew's-harp wide away from his mouth; "what's that-Latin?"

"Latin," answered Capstick.

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Well-my stars! "said Jem-"I never knowed that you knowed Latin."

"Nor did I, Jem," replied Capstick smilingly. "But I don't know how it is: when a man once gets into Parliament, Latin seems to come upon him as a matter of course. Now go on with your Jew's-harp, and make as much noise as you like, but don't speak to me. 'Tisn't parliamentary. Now then," and Capstick resumed the senator "it was an observation of a Roman emperor

"If you please, sir, I've laid some bread and cheese and ale in the parlour," said Becky, breaking in upon the debate. "It's a hot day, sir, and I thought you might be tired."

"Humph! Well,-I don't know. What, Jem,"-asked Capstick, smacking his lips-" what do you propose?"

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Why," answered Jem, rising, "I propose that the House do now adjourn."

Capstick returned the paper to his pocket, and taking up his hat, said "I second the motion." After a very short pause, he added—“ And it is adjourned accordingly." Whereupon, he and Jem turned to follow Becky, who had run on before them, down another path. In less than a minute, however, a shriek rang through the garden.

"Why, that's the gal! she's hurt, surely," cried Jem.

"Pool, nonsense," said Capstick, quickening his pace, "it's nothing; taken a frog for a crocodile-or something of the sort. Women love to squall; it shows their weakness. It can't be anything-"

"Oh, sir-sir-sir-" cried Becky, flying up the garden, and rushing to Capstick," they 've stole her-carried her off-my dear, dear missus !

"Carried off! Mrs. Snipeton-the lady "-exclaimed Capstick. "Stole her away by force-oh, my poor master-oh, my dear missus-the young man will tell you all-master's heart will

break-my sweet lady!" And Becky with flowing tears, wrung her hands, and was as one possessed.

Why? Eh-what is all this ?" said Capstick to St. Giles, who looked pale and stupified. "Fellow, what 's this?"

The

"I'll tell you all about it, sir," said St. Giles, hastily. lady's horse was swifter than mine-I could no how keep up with her. And when we turned out of Highgate we "-here St. Giles turned deathly pale, and his feet sliding from under him, he fell to the earth.

"He's dead-he 's dead," cried Becky, falling upon her knees at his side, and lifting up his head, when her hands were instantly covered with blood, drawn by the cudgel of Blast. On this she renewed her screams; renewed her exclamations of despair. "He was dead-murdered."

At this minute Old Snipeton ran, reeling up the path. Dorothy Vale, more by her chalk-like face, than with her tongue, had revealed the mischief to her master. "Missus was gone-carried off-the man was up the garden." His life-nothing but his life - should satisfy the cheated husband. Snipeton rushed to the group; and when he saw St. Giles prostrate, insensible; the old man, grinding his teeth, howled his curses, and, in very impotence, worked his hands like a demon balked of his revenge.

NIGHT FAIR IN ALEXANDRIA.

BY A RESIDENT.

VERY few persons mix with the inhabitants of Egypt sufficiently to obtain a true insight into their character and condition. Travellers never allow themselves time. They do not remain more than a few days in one place, are content to pick up a scattered observation or two, and, for the most part, carry away the prejudices of those among their own countrymen with whom they come in contact. Residents seldom have time. Their affairs occupy them almost incessantly; and such is the enervating effect of the climate that when a moment of leisure does occur they are neither in a state of body or mind to acquire information. The emigrants of each European nation are content to remain within a little circle

which they create in imitation of that which they have abandoned; the same amusements on a small scale attract them; the French lounge about, dance, &c.; the Italians go to the theatre; the English play cards, and get up races.

As I am neither a dancing, a theatre-going, a card-playing, nor a sporting character, I am drawn by necessity to amuse myself by observing the manners of those around me; and I find ample occupation in so doing. Setting aside, for the present, the Levantines and the European colony, the Arab population of the country may be seen even at Alexandria, from points of view seldom taken up. Not long ago I went to the night fair of Abon-el-Abbas, which I do not think has been described by any European writer. There was, perhaps, nothing extremely remarkable in the physiognomy of the scene; but as an illustration of Eastern manners, a brief account of what I saw may not be uninteresting.

Without entering into any investigation of the life and character of the Father of Abbas, in whose honour the fair is held, I shall simply say, that in the month of September, 1846, I sallied forth about nine o'clock at night, in company with a young Levantine, named Iskender. It had been agreed that we should call for a friend or two to accompany us; but as the appointed time had passed we proceeded alone towards the place of our destination. I soon found that my companion did not at all like the idea of trusting himself at night amongst a crowd of fanatical Arabs, who in spite of our semi-Stambouli costume, would easily recognise us to be Franks. His confidence in the strength of the Pacha's government was not so great as mine; and when we had advanced half-way he employed a great deal of eloquence in endeavouring to persuade me to return for a reinforcement. He argued with some show of reason, that it was not from the people in general that we had anything to fear, but, that if some bigoted descendant of the prophet, or some half-wild hajji, were inclined to make a disturbance, it was certain that he would be joined by others, and that we should have no protection from the crowd. However, as we had proceeded so far I would not retreat; but soon found that my friend was pursuing a circuitous course, and rather avoiding than seeking the road leading to the fair. I remonstrated, but he professed his ignorance of the way: and, as I was not better instructed, I had to ask a soldier to put us right. This he did very civilly; and presently the noise of cymbals, and a confused murmur, and then a blaze of light, announced the proximity of the