'You would look a precious ass if the Duke came in while you were playing the fool.'

'All right, old fellow! just let me show you my last new feat, and then I'll be as stiff as "old Jerusalem" on morning parade !'

Thomas' feat' commenced by his throwing his near leg over the mare's head (as though dismounting, 'jockey fashion,' on the off side); but his next move we were not destined to see, for the mare, frightened at this unmilitary proceeding, started forward and bolted. out of the ranks.

Thomas tried to save himself, but unfortunately the slings of his sword-belt caught in the high wooden cantle of the saddle, and there he was suspended, utterly unable to release himself, whilst the mare tore round the school at full gallop.

Just at that moment the folding-doors leading to the stable-yard were flung wide open, disclosing His Royal Highness and the officers in attendance on him.

Seeing her way to the stable clear, the terrified mare shot through the open doors, scattering the 'staff' right and left.

Fortunately a trooper of the 9th Lancers caught her by the head, and, at considerable risk to himself, brought her up with a jerk that broke Thomas' sword-belt and sent him flying into a manure-heap, where he lay breathless, and quite black in the face from the pressure round his waist. It was a good thing for him that his prostrate condition saved him from a severe repri

mand by exciting the Duke's sympathy rather than his anger.

The inspection is over, and the prizes presented,—the second Fortification and the first French falling to my share.

For the last time I enter my old room, and doff the Sandhurst uniform, never again to wear it as a gentlemancadet.

One more look round at the dear old place, not forgetting a visit to the upper hospital to bid farewell to Hospital-Sergeant Fisher and his buxom wife, who had photographed all our term and the eleven' in capital style; a shake of the hand with all old friends-alas! how many of them have gone to their last resting-place !— then off in a hansom with Joe Bankes to the Farnboro' Station, and my career at the Royal Military College is over! . . .

It is not without feelings of satisfaction that I look back to the jolly days spent at Sandhurst!

I honestly did my best, and passed out with credit; I made many friends, and O'Leary excepted-not a single enemy; and without running into debt or getting into endless trouble, thoroughly enjoyed my two terms as a

cadet.

My success was in a great measure due to Major Wallace, who at the very first pointed out the folly of coming to Sandhurst simply to play the fool,' and waste time, health, and money in dissipation.

I was lucky, too, in my friendships, carefully avoiding intimacy with the 'fast division.'

But no advantages would have profited me, had not my dear mother's early teaching instilled in me principles which forbade my plunging into disreputable pursuits; and the untimely fate of my father's eldest brother (for the story of his life had been told over and over again) was more than sufficient to warn me against habits of reckless extravagance and self- indulgence, which too often end in bankruptcy both of pocket and reputation.