pardon me for repeating the anecdote), was trotting along, with a new suit under his arm, he met Doctor Homicide and myself, following as comely a corpse as ever was shrouded to the grave. Now, mind the point. Twist tapp'd the doctor on the shoulder, (a sore place, by the bye, to touch a man) and, pointing to the coffin, wittily observed: So, brother Homicide, YOU'RE taking your WORK home, too!' Ha! ha! ha! monstrous droll. You'll pardon me." "But, how long have you been an undertaker?"

"Ten years ago, sir, I open'd a shop, tastefully decorated with plumes, hatchments, and other fashionable paraphernalia of mortality. My hearses are commodious, and my mourning coaches light and airy as barouches none of your black lumber— while my horses are all half-bred. Some comfort in being taken to their long homes, and enough to reconcile any thinking grave man to the ceremony. But I won't bragSpectemur agendo,' that is the text.

"Suffice it to say, I thrive, and deservedly. People die much as usual, (to be sure,

that cursed vaccine inoculation has robb'd me of a few customers) but they drop off pretty fairly; by paying the debt of nature, they enable me to pay my debts; and I can truly say, Triumpho morte, tam vita!" And so, sir, you have the history of your humble servant, Paul Plume."

"I thank you, sir," said Bin, "but I had rather you would not give me so much. Latin- I don't understand a word of it, and you seem to have a rare sample bottled in your head.”

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Sample bottled! head! very well, indeed, Mr. Butler. Yes; I like the dead languages-they are in my own wayyou'll pardon me. But, to return to the bottle-I will give you a popular sentiment, Success to trade!' Very good Madeira, indeed. By the bye, talking of trade reminds me that I am here on a fool's errand; but your young lord can't live long, and, in the way of business, allow me to have the honor of being master of the ceremonies to the grim monarch."

"I'll thank you not to dwell upon a subject that is disagreeable to me," return'd

Bin; "I hate to hear of the death of my

employers."

Every man to his mood-I like to hear of it: Fidelis ad urnam' is my motto. You'll pardon me-meant no offenceturn the conversation with the same ease I would a corpse. Delightful weather — cannot be better."

"Worse, you mean."

"You'll pardon me, I meant as I said. What heavenly weather for suicide! Ninetenths, who commit it, prove they cannot bear the contempt of the world - Malo mori, quam fædari!' I have seen many of my friends to the grave, and hope I shall see many more-happy to do any thing for you, or any of your family, on reasonable terms, and with the greatest expedition."

"Sir, I am your very humble servant; but, I hope, I shall have no occasion for you these many years. I thank you, though, with all my heart," said Bin.

"You'll pardon me, but you shall be pack'd in no common piece of timber.

shovel you up so neatly, that

I'll

you shall

fancy yourself a magnum-bonum in saw

dust; and then you may say - Post tot naufragia portum!' I humbly take my leave, trusting, whenever your stock of life is out, I shall be call'd in; and, take my word (though it will be all lost upon you) your heirs and executors will praise my handywork, and bless the day I clapp'd you under ground."

CHAPTER IV.

I know no criminal who more richly deserves chastisement, than he who degrades manhood, by offering insult to the amia~, ble sex nature form'd him to protect.

COLMAN, THE YOUNGER.

HUMPHRY arrived at Bristol before his master; so that, when the latter rode into the yard of the Bush-Inn, he was hail'd with three loud huzzas by the other, as he held the stirrup, for him to alight.

"I be mortatious glad to see thee, sir,” he cried, so soon as the waiter had withdrawn; "we had the devil to pay, and nobody to take reckoning, after thee left us." Travers ask'd his meaning.

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Why, sir, just after I got hoame again, comes two men, wi' a loud rap at door

What do thee want?' says I. 'Mr. Tra