duced him to go into the bag at all, neither Moortein Beg (little Martin) or myself could ever ascertain.'

"Well, Panrike, in those days gone by were snipes and woodcocks so abundant as the old people will have them?"

"I'll tell y'er honor nothing but the truth. Mr. J. was a heavy drinker. God knows, a man had then great encouragement, for the best of brandy and Geneva would be sent up from the bout cove yonder, four and five ankers in a batch. Well, the master never was a shooter in his youth, and in his old age he was crippled with liquor and the gout; and when company came to the house unexpectedly in frost and snow, the mistress would send down for me, and tell me I must get game for the strangers."

66

Why, Panrike, I never heard you were a shot before." The old man smiled.

"I never fired but one gun in my life, and it was fastened to a gatepost. A keeper of ould Lord Peter's, when he was drunk, charged his piece three times over, and jammed the ramrod in the barrel. No one would be fool enough to fire it, you know; so we tied it fast, and pulled the trigger with a fishing line. Feaks! it was well we did so. The stock was broke in pieces, the barrel blown into smithereens, and the devil a bit of the lock we could ever find, good or bad."

"But how, Panrike, did you manage to obtain the birds for the old lady?"

"From the wood well-head, and the spring that runs from it by the side of the green lane. I snared them over night, and the devil a gun now-and y'er honor's a good warrant to use one-would bring in as many fine woodcocks and fat snipes after walking a long day as I would pick up at peep-o'-day; and all I depended on was half a hundred pegs, and a handful of horse-hair.”

66

Very simple, Panrike; and did you always find the supplies for the mistress?"

"If the frost stood," replied the old man, "I never failed her, Every spot and spring that cock or snipe could stick his bill in, I knew to the very inch; and feaks! if I was cliver with the horse-hair, I was not amiss with the wire. I knew every hare-path over the hill, and every short cut through the wood; and when the gentlefolk praised the soup at table, or, as the old butler used to tell me, declared for plumpest wood-cocks and fattest snipes Old Head could bate the country, they little knew that for both they were indebted to a herd-boy."

"I think, Panrike, we can squeeze another drop or two from the flask."

The old man presented his drinking-cup. The canteen responded to the call. Panrike turned down his dram, number two, and with the erect carriage and firm step of middle age, that man on whose head the sorrows of ninety winters were blanching, set out to mount the hill, count his charge carefully, and settle the flock for the night.

SPORTING INCIDENTS

AT HOME AND ABROAD.

(From the MS. Life of the Hon. Percy Hamilton.)

COMMUNICATED TO AND EDITED BY LORD WILLIAM LENNOX.

CHAPTER X.

A Spree with the Charleys-A Night in the Watch-house-Our Relcase from Durance Vile-Exeter 'Change as it was and as it is-The Invisible Girl-Romeo Coates-Correspondence from Marlow, Oxford, and Cambridge-Boating on the Thames-Pigeon-shooting at the Red House-"The Biter bit"-Reflections on Gaming-"Facilis descensus Averni."

Our last chapter terminated with the preparation for a grand supper in Mr. Josias Sims's three-pair front, which was duly served from a neighbouring tavern. After imbibing a more than quantum suff. of champagne and Regent's punch, and smoking some mild Havannahs ("Bacchi and Bacce plenus," as Sanders remarked), we sallied forth to have a spree with the Charleys; and after breaking sundry lamps, wrenching off some dozen knockers, flooring numerous guardians of the night, ringing endless bells, taking down all the barbers' poles, golden balls, sugar-loafs, and Highland figures that came in our way, we proceeded to deposit them before the residence of a learned law authority, who had made himself offensive to our host. Our next movement was to fasten all the knockers in a neighbouring street together; and by this ingenious device, no sooner had one door been opened than it produced a double rap on its neighbour, which was carried on by the same operation throughout the entire street. While enjoying this practical joke, we were all, with the exception of the prime mover, Sanders, captured by a posse of watchmen, and conveyed to a neighbouring station, where we were safely caged for the night. When morning broke we had ample time to think over our folly: never were the lines of the poet more fully realized than upon the present occasion :

"Vides ut pallidus omnis Cœnâ desurgat dubia? quin corpus onostum Hesternis vitiis animum quoque prægravat unà

Atque affigit humo divinæ particulam auræ !"

for a more pallid, debauched set of victims were never seen. At an early hour the Dogberry of the watch called for our names and places of residence, which, following the example of ancient and modern fashionable lamp-breakers, we gave as Smith, Brown, and Jones. Mr. Skinner, who had a professional engagement at daylight, previous to his attending the Court of Requests on behalf of a client, was most

importunate to be set at liberty; for unlike the Roman lawyers under the Commonwealth, who before cock-crowing gave advice gratis, our attorney looked for a bill of costs, in the shape of letters, consultations, advice, attendance, messengers, &c. While considering what steps we should take to emancipate the lawyer from his confinement, the inimitable Billy Sanders and his friend Alderson, whiskered and mustachioed, made their appearances; and the former, in a pompous tone of broken English, desired to speak with the prinpal officer at the station. The cards they presented bore the following high-sounding inscriptions: "Le Baron Hokesenheimel, Conseiller de L'Ambassade de S. M. L'Empereur D'Autriche;" and "Count Sowerkroutenbergen."

The soi-disant Baron then began to explain that one of the prisoners, Count Skinnere, was attached to the embassy; and that by the laws of the country he was free from arrest.

"Skinner! No one of the name of Skinner among the charges," said a superannuated "Charley."

"Smith Skinner," responded Sanders, who had looked over the list of the captured.

"I'll be security for Count Skinnere."

"I beg your Excellency's pardon," said the modern Dogberry. "We were not aware of the rank or station of the accused. Your Excellency's authority is quite sufficient; and the other gentlemen, perhaps they would like to speak to the watchmen on duty last night."

Upon this hint we spake,"

as Alderson remarked; and following that Shaksperian authority, who whispered,

"Win him with gifts, if he respect not words;

Dumb guineas often in their silent kind

More than fair words do move a Charley's mind;"

we slipped a handsome douceur into the hands of the venerable guardians of the night, who, after declaring that they scorned all attempts at compromising their duty, and held bribery in detestation, quietly slipped the coin into their pockets, and proceeded to consult with their chief. This latter personage then duly informed their Excellencies and ourselves that as some doubt had been entertained with respect to the share we had taken in the last night's proceedings, and that as the spirit of the British law was that the accused should ever have the benefit of any uncertainty, we should be dismissed from durance vile, upon the payment of the usual fees.

"It might have happened, your Excellency," remarked this dignitary, "that the gentlemen, attracted by curosity, were merely lookers-on; and that the real delinquents escaped."

"Why you speak like an ancient and most quiet watchinan. The watch ought to offend no man; and it is an offence to stay a man against his will,'" spouted Count Sowerkroutenbergen, in his vernacular tongue.

The foolish officer looked all aghast at his Excellency's pure pronunciation.

"There's for thy pains.' 'Adieu! be vigilant.' 'When next

you comprehend two auspicious persons,' 'take their examination before his worship' at Bow-street, or we may liken you to the foolish officer of Messina, and write you down an ass.'

"Oudacious scamps!" retorted the modern Dogberry, as we gained the street, and once more enjoyed the fresh air and the Englishman's boast-our freedom.

As our apparel was rather in a seedy state, and the wearers of it in little better condition, we retired to Sims's chambers, where we speedily refreshed the outward and inward man with plentiful ablutions of "cold without" and "hot (coffee) within." Finding that our leaves of absence extended until the following day, Frank Alderson and his chum, Billy Sanders, proposed to lionize us over the sights of the metropolis, to give us a chop at "Dolly's," and to finish our evening at the play. Exeter 'Change was the first spot we visited, where we saw the "wild, undometable, ontameable animals" fed. Who, that has witnessed the melancholy change that has within a few years taken place on the property of the noble Marquis, will not exclaim with the Peruvian hero, "We want no change; but least of all such change as you would give us." Who, that remembers the bustle, activity, and spirit of the former Arcade, enlivened with the sounds of a so-called military band; who, that witnessed the gaudy appearance of the beef-eaters, in their gorgeous red and gold liveries, without, and listened to the roars, cries, groans, screeches, yells, and screams of the lions, tigers, panthers, monkeys, and birds within; who, that gazed upon the well-stocked counters, the bats, balls, kites, hoops of the toy-shop, the Bath-buns, blanc-manges, jellies, tartlets, spongecakes of the pastry-cooks, and the ranges of useful and ornamental articles, will not fail to contrast the past with the present deserted, untenanted, dreary building, with a beadle, decked out in the livery of the noble landowner, a few scantily-furnished shops, and some straggling "gents," who now occupy the spot desecrated by the name of Exeter 'Change? The invisible girl was (to use an Hibernicism) our next sight; and a more wonderful piece of mechanism was never invented. This automata replied to every question put to her in the clearest and most distinct manner, and far eclipsed any of the mysterious ladies or gentlemen of modern days. Frank Alderson divided the attention of the spectators by his apt quotations from the bard of

Avon :

"Well, bring our lady hither to our sight,"

he exclaimed to the person who superintended the exhibtion; and when the fair unseen one responded, in a plaintive tone, that she was happier

Alderson rejoined,

"Apart from busy tumult's cares,"

""Tis wonderful!

This was well done, my bird:

Thy shape invisible retain thou still."

After this exhibition we visited the British Museum and Tower, and wound up our day's amusement with a stroll in the Park. Here Billy Sanders showed us all the lions of the day: Brummell, and his "fat friend" the Prince Regent; the celebrated Mrs. Mary Ann Clarke; Sir Francis Burdett, lately released from the Tower; James and

Horace Smith, joint authors of the "Rejected Addresses;" Lumley Skeffington; G. Colman; Monk Lewis; and others of minor note in the fashionable, literary, and dramatic world. Byron drove by in his open carriage, with Douglas Kinnaird, and gave us the most gracious recognition, which raised us not a little in the estimation of our friends.

Among the carriages that graced Hyde Park at this period was the new curricle of Romeo Coates. Its colour was a rich maroon, approaching to what is now the royal colour; its form was quite new, and somewhat eccentric. The crest was a fine specimen of the gallinaceous tribe, surmounted with the motto, "While I live I'll crow." The Amateur of Fashion (as he was termed par excellence) was but a moderate performer, exciting the risible faculties of his audience where their sympathies ought to have been moved. The dying scene in Romeo and Juliet was universally encored; and in the Fair Penitent, where the stage-struck hero enacted the part of the gallant gay Lothario, many points and scenes were called for again, amidst the shouts and jeers of the public. Mr. Coates was a lamentable proof of the truth of the saying, how little we know ourselves; with an independent fortune, a good education, and the manners of a gentleman, he might have been a brilliant ornament of society; nay, further, he might have followed his acting mania, and shone as a star in private theatricals; but to appear upon the public boards was an act of folly that, after the novelty had worn off, became a positive annoyance to the playgoing world.

The

As I had received a twelve-month's leave from the commander-inchief before joining my regiment, the question had been discussed by my parents as to where I could best pass that period. military college at Marlow (since removed to Sandhurst), the Oxford and Cambridge universities, a private tutor, had all been suggested; and my views were sounded upon the subject. Anxious to weigh the matter fairly over in my mind, I asked for and obtained a fortnight for consideration, devoting that period to making inquiries from old Westminsters as to the merits and demerits of the respective places. My Marlow correspondent at once dissuaded me from becoming a cadet: his letter ran as follows.

DEAR PERCY,-If you are devoted to drill, can masticate the toughest mutton, and do not object to passing half your time in the black-hole, which is a second Calcutta one, come to the Royal Military College; from whence, thanks to my good stars, I take my departure next week, to join the depôt of the -th at Deal, preparatory to embarking for foreign service. The West Indies would be an agreeable change to this vile place.

My Cambridge "chum" addressed me in these words:

DEAR PERCY,-You ask our life. I give you a diary of my yesterday's doings, which are rarely, if ever, varied: "Arose at half-past nine, with a stunning head-ache: at half-past ten sported my white cords and tops and mounting one of Barron's hacks, galloped a few miles along the

Since writing the above, poor Romeo Coates has gone to "the tomb of the Montagues and Capulets." In private life he was much esteemed, and in his latter years made up for the eccentricity of his earlier ones, by a life of usefulness and benevolence.