his infancy in the workhouse. Certainly there was stately woman with a glowing face. tall as a grenaa sweet and touching and especially Irish plaintive- dier, and almost as muscular, was equal to the ocness now and then in his voire and manner when casion. In truth, she was equal to most occasions. he addressed his master's daughter.

She stirred the bar-fire till the ketile sang again, - There's sixpence for you, Davy," said Miss she replenished glasses, she poonded sugar, sbe Block, in a softened tone, as she drew the coin from squeezed lemons. Her panch had sekiom been so her long purse. “Don't you ever tell any one what hot or so strong, or so thoroughly admirable alto you saw through the crack of the door, there's a gether, as on that disagreeable and useasonable good boy. You won't see me again for some little autumn night. time, though you look through the cracks of doors A man entered hurriedly, and stood for a moment never so; nor I sha'n't see Mr. Starkie. We're go- irresolute in the passage of - The Traveller's Joy. ing to Margate, father and I are, to-morrow, by the “ Why, mercy on me, Mr. Starkie, bow white hoy. I hope the change will cure poor father's you look!" exclaimed Mrs. Barford. - He's white asthma, and make him well again. Mind and be at most times, you know," she said afterwards to have properly while we're away. Don't get quar- Betsy, her assistant handmaid in the bar, -- but I relling with Jr. Starkie. Do you hear, Davy? never saw him look so white as he looked then." No good will come of your quarrelling with Mr. The new-comer was tall and well-proportioned. Starkie, but only harm."

He was said generally to be “a fine figure of a "I won't quarrel with him if he won't quarrel man." His features were very regular, handsome, with me," said Davy.

and clean cut, and from his complexion being so ** And if you'd only be a little more tidy and colorless there was a look as of an ivory carving wash your face, Davy –

about his head. As he lifted his broad-brimmed hat * Well, what then, Mies Nancy?” the boy de- | (the hat was then in a transitional state; having manded, eagerly.

abandoned its old three-cornered form, it was on its " Why, you'd look ever so much nicer and way to the chimney-pot pattern of our own times, cleaner. What did you think I was going to but its crown was as yet low and undeveloped), his say?" And she tripped away from him with a hair was seen to be carefully combed and crested on laugh.

his forehead, after the fashion then prevalent. His David remained speechless and motionless for dress was of a sober kind, yet it was worn with a some time. Then he kissed the sixpence, tossed it certain air of pretence. His coat was of snaffin the air, as though he were having a little solitary colored cloth, double-breasted, bigb in the collar, gambling with it. Finally, after much trouble, he and adorned with close rows of bright pewter butbored a hole in it with a brad-awl, and tied it round tons. His waistcoat was of a broad striped taffeta. his neck, under his shirt, with a bit of'string. His ribbed cotton stockings were spotless and white

On the next day Miss Block and her father, ac- as his cambric neckcloth. His shoes were brilliantly companied by their female servant, drove in a cart polished. It seemed as though he were proud, as he to Greenwich, and there embarked in the hoy for had some reason to be, of his shapely legs and small Margate. Mr. Block was said by his friends to be feet. A broad green silk watch-ribbon, with a by no means the man he had been, but to be look cluster of seals and keys attached, depended from ing very ailing and feeble indeed. All hoped his his fob. Altogether he looked somewhat superior to trip to the sea might restore him to health.

his real position, which was simply that of junior

partner in the firm of Block & Co., Ship-breakers. II.

“Did you not hear the report of fire-arms ?” he ADJOINING Mr. Block's wharf stood the well-inquired anxiously of the landlady of “ The Trav. known, old-established, river-side tavern, “ The eller's Joy." His voice trembled somewhat as he Traveller's Joy," kept by one Mrs. Barford, a spoke. widow woman, much respected in the neighbor- “When? Just now? Two minutes ago? Well, hood. It was a well-conducted house; its tap- I did hear something. But I was so busy, I'd room much frequented by Thames watermen, sail- hardly time to give it a thought. Yes, I remember ors, and colliers, and its parlor the resort of such now, I heard a gun go off. I thought it must have sensible, sociable tradesmen of the district as liked been fired from some police-boat on the river, in a genial glass, a friendly talk, and a peaceful pipe chase of smugglers. But then the parlor-Vell before they went to bed. “The Traveller's Joy” rang – bore a good name. Its liquors were excellent, and " It was fired at me," said Mr. Starkie, gravely. its patrons were, for the most part, peaceful, orderly “You never mean it, Mr. Starkie! that you people. It was oftentimes said thereabouts that don't." Mrs. Barford managed her hostelry as well as any “It was fired at me as I sat alone in Mr. Block's man could, - better, if anything. There had hard-parlor facing the river. The bullet passed close over ly ever been anything like disturbance or discom my head and lodged in the wall behind me. It was fort known in the house.

well aimed. An inch or two lower, and I had been Some days had passed since Mr. Block's depart- a dead man.” ure for Margate. It was an autumn night, cold Whom did he suspect? He did not know whom for the time of year. A thick, unwholesome mist to suspect. He could not think that the shot had hung about the river and its banks. Mrs. Barford been intended for him. He had no enemies that was very busy in her bar, for her customers made he knew of. He was inclined to think that the shot frequent demands upon her for warm and cordial must have been intended for Mr. Block. glasses with which to counteract the unpleasantness “ But why for Mr. Block?” asked the landlady. of the weather. In the tap-room it was unani- “ Surely Mr. Block had no enemies either. No one mously agreed that it was “an uncommon nasty could dream of attempting the life of good old Mr. night, to be sure.” The parlor was of opinion Block." " that we should have Christmas upon us now be- That was so, certainly. Mr. Starkie confessed fore we knew where we were.” Mrs. Barford, a himself wholly at a loss to understand the matter,

Saturday

But Mr. Block was in the habit, it was well known, 1 “We know what pitch-and-toss leads to, my fine of sitting at night in the parlor facing the river. If fellows,” said a bystander, severely. But, upon the any one had fancied himself aggrieved by the firm whole, Davy's judges were somewhat shaken. He - it could be but fancy, yet who could account for was, they held, either altogether innocent, or else a fancy? - he would surely seek to avenge himself hardened criminal; the latter for choice. Suddenupon the senior member of the firm rather than the ly Mrs. Barford placed a lighted candle on the junior, who had until quite recently been simply ground. Mr. Block's elerk and servant. It was by the “ If he's been out in Block's wharf this night," merest chance that he, Mr. Starkie, had been in the she said, " his shoes will be covered with wet clay." parlor at all. He had been taking care of the But, submitted to this test, Davy came out trihouse and managing the business in the absence of umphant. His shoes were as clean as were Mr. Mr. Block at Margate. He was quite alone in the Starkie's. Indeed his appearance generally was house at the time.

distinguished by an order and a neatness altogether Quite alone?” repeated Mrs. Barford. “Where new to him. There was even some evidence to the then was the lad Davy Jones ? "

effect that his hands and face had been washed re“ Was he not at The Traveller's Joy'?” Mr. Star-cently in soap and water, and that his hair had rekie asked in some surprise. He had sent the boy ceived the unaccustomed benefits of brushing and out some twenty minutes before, to get two dozen combing. oysters and some ale, for his (Mr. Starkie's) supper. “ It does n't prove very much," said Mrs. BarHe admitted that he had some words with the boy, ford, thoughtfully, as she took up her candle ; " for - who was a very idle and ill-behaved boy. Mr. he has had time to change his shoes.” Starkie had frequently had occasion to reprimand “It would be difficult," Davy remarked, quietly, him for his carelessness and inattention and neglect - seeing that I've only got one pair of them.” of duty; and Mr. Block was constantly complaining “I'll see to the bottom of this, if I die for it. of him.

I can't have such a scandal as this going on in the " A young limb, if ever there was one, it 's well neighborhood of “The Traveller's Joy." Who's known,” Mrs. Barford commented.

man enough to go round with me and search the Yet still Mr. Starkie could n't believe that the wharf?” demanded Mrs. Barford, resolutely. boy had any hand in the attempt upon his life. It | This inquiry had rather the effect of thinning the was curious, however, Mr. Starkie was compelled to group that had collected about the bar. Many admit. The boy had been a long time gone upon a went quietly back to their seats in the tap-room and very simple errand. He could have done all that parlor. They were men of peace. It was not he was required to do in less than five minutes. their vocation to go in quest of murderers and such Mr. Starkie had fully expected to find Davy Jones like. Least of all on such a night as that. Beat Mrs. Barford's house.

sides, who knew but that the man who fired the shot A little group had by this time assembled in the bad other shots in store for those seeking his passage of The Traveller's Joy." There had been arrest ? a suspension in the supply of drinks, and the thirsty Still, two or three proclaimed themselves men had emerged from both the parlor and the tap- enough for Mrs. Barford's purpose. Thereupon the room, to make personal inquiry why their necessi- landlady lighted a stable lantern which she gave to ties were not heeded. But they forgot the object Mr. Starkie to carry, took down a blunderbuss from with which they had approached the bar, as they over the mantel-shelf in the bar, put on the oldfound themselves auditors of the interesting con fashioned head-gear known as “a calash," prudently verse between Mr. Starkie and the landlady. Pres- removed the massive silver watch which swung from ently they were agreeing that things looked very her girdle, (worn very high up — short waists were black indeed as against Davy Jones; and Mrs. the vogue,) and proceeded upon the proposed reBarford's solemn denunciation, — " Depend upon it connoissance of Mr. Block's premises. that young limb 's at the bottom of the mischief,” “Hold up the lantern, Mr. Starkie,” said Mrs. - met with general support. It was the universal Barford. “Be very careful where you tread, all of opinion that the boy had not been called “ Davy you. The shot was fired level with the window. Jones " for nothing.

| The man who fired it must have stood on this part Just then the door opened. The boy himself of the wharf. The shot could n't have come from entered, carrying a dish of oysters. He walked to the river. It would n't in that case have struck the the bar as coolly and unconcerned as might be, and parlor wall where it did. We shall find footprints ordered a jug of strong ale for Mr. Starkie.

in the clay, depend upon it, - close under the He was questioned as to what he had been do- window." ing? where he had been ? why he had loitered ? They found none, however. The night was very He answered with prompt impudence, “ that that dark, all was quiet, save only the distant sound of was his business; and that he had seen no reason to the Thames licking its mud banks. A man could hurry over Mr. Starkie's errands, who was no mas- hardly, have escaped from the premises by means of ter of his.” Being pressed and threatened, he was the river, for it was quite low water, and if he had a little disconcerted. Finally he admitted “ that if attempted to leap from the raised platform of the they must know, he had been playing . pitch-and-wharf, he must have broken his neck by the fall, or toss,' with Tom the pot-boy, - of whom they might have been smothered in the dense, deep mud below. make inquiry on the subject, if they listed." Tom On either side were wooden palisades of frail make, the pot-boy was discovered, and confirmed the which must have given way had any one climbed story. He said “they had been playing pitch- them endeavoring to seek refuge in the adjoining and-toss' for a matter of ten minutes, - or, it might premises. They had been lightly constructed be, a quarter of an hour. And if they had been especially with that object. Yet the palisades replaying pitch-and-toss,” both boys demanded, with mained whole; there had apparently been no escape one consent," where was the harm, and what need over them. all that to-do about it?"

| It was very strange.

Was the man still hidden in the wharf? Search | well-known zeal for the discovery of crime. As ret was made among the grizzly skeletons of decayed Mr. Starkie had not issued his handbills; and it was ships. Here was a fragment of the hull of the understood that he had refrained from putting himClive, East Indiaman. The mutilated figure-head self in communication with the police on the subject. pointing significantly with its broken right arm to This forbearance, supposing it to arise from clemency the parlor where Mr. Starkie had been sitting when towards the boy Davy Jones, was regarded by Mrs. the bullet struck the wall at his back. Here were Barford and her friends as beyond anything weak capstans, windlasses, cranes, chain cables, anchors, and mistaken and preposterous. mastheads, and a thousand other items strewed. The return of Mr. Block was awaited and witabout in rusty, rotting heaps: the stock in trade of nessed with much interest. He appeared to be in Messrs. Block & Co., Ship-breakers. Yet never a a worse state of health than when he had quitted trace was found of the man who had fired at the London. He could hardly walk into his house junior partner in the firm. The search of Mrs. without assistance. But then he had been much Barford and her party was diligent but fruit- upset by the news of the attempt upon his partner's less.

life. Moreover, the Margate hoy had met with very "I'll advertise in the newspapers. I'll print rough weather on its passage to London. Both Mr. handbills," said Mr. Starkie; “I'll offer a reward Block and his daughter had suffered very much of fifty pounds for the discovery of the offender. from sea-sickness. Still, he had shown a proper That is, of course," he added with a change of tone, spirit on the occasion. He had declared that he “ if Mr. Block consents to my doing so. I can do would n't rest a moment until the offender had been nothing without his permission."

discovered and brought to justice. He had already * We'll sit up all night with you if you like, Mr. bad long deliberations with Mr. Starkie on the subStarkie," said Mrs. Barford, speaking for herself ject. He had determined that a handsome reward and her friends.

should be offered, and that the Bow Street officer Mr. Starkie thought it would not be necessary. should be at once consulted. He was under no fear. He did not think that there Miss Yancy Block had also been much distressed. was any more danger for that night, at any rate. She feared that all this excitement would have a The offender would not return. Besides, Mr. Star- very injurious effect upon her father's health. At kie slept in an upper chamber away from the river Mr. Starkie's request she had favored him with a front of the house. Mrs. Barford complimented him private interview in the counting-house. She had on his courage, but insisted on leaving with him her come forth pale, and shivering and faint, with blunderbuss.“ And now,” she said to her party, streaming eyes, and encountered the boy Davy " there's a rummer of hot grog at • The Traveller's Jones close outside the door Joy' for whoever likes it, and without charge. “Listening and spying again, Davy !” she said, We shall be none of us the worse for it, I'm think- in a tone of reproach, yet still gently and kindly. ing. Such a night as it is too !”

She seemed not to possess strength enough to be

angry. III.

* I could n't hear what he said, - I could n't see Soon it was known in the neighborhood that Mr. anything. The door was shut so close. But you ’re Starkie had written to his partner, informing him of crying, Miss Nancy?” what had happened ; and that Mr. Block, much dis “O Davy! if what he says is true? That my turbed by the intelligence, and little benefited in father — But I ought not to tell you.” health by his sojourn at the sea-side, was returning 1 “ What did he say? Did he insult you? Can I to town, personally to investigate the matter. Pop-help you, Miss Nancy? O, if I only could! Let ular suspicion still pointed in the direction of the boy me help you, - let me try and help you, Miss NanDavy Jones, though it did not appear that the case cy. Don't cry so, - it breaks my heart to see yon against him had gained strength in any way. Yet crying so." it was held generally to be a sort of outrage upon * You 're a good boy, Davy.” common sense, and the nature of things, that there “ You're the first that's ever said so much for should be mischief done upon Mr. Block's premises, me. Bless you for it, Miss Nancy," Davy interand that the boy Davy Jones should bave no hand posed, softly. in it. The company meeting nightly in the parlor " I know you'd help me if you could; but you and tap-room of “ The Traveller's Joy" formed them- can do nothing, nothing. He says -I must tell selves into a sort of extrajudicial tribunal, and sat some one — he says my father 's a ruined man ; in judgment upon the case. Without much regard that even if he regains his health he must give up for the principles of law or the rules of evidence, all he possesses, and that if he dies, he leaves me a they decided that the boy Davy Jones was guilty beggar. Not that I care for that; but my poor faof the attempt upon Mr. Starkie's life. For if he ther! If I should lose him! And then then he was n't guilty, why then, who could be? they de-spoke - he spoke again of his love for me," and manded. The case was narrowed to that issue. Miss Block blushed, and bowed her head upon her And upon Mrs. Barford frankly stating her opinion breast. that the boy " was a linb who was n't born to be “He did, did he?" muttered Dary, between drowned," an unanimous verdict was given against clenched teeth. “And you, Miss Nancy; what did Davy Jones, and it was adjudged that he certainly you answer bim? You did n't tell him you' loved ought to be hanged in Horsemonger Lane at the bim ; don't say that, Miss Nancy. You did n't tell very earliest opportunity, or, at the very least, him you loved him? You never could have told transported to His Majesty's plantations in the West him that!” Indies for the remainder of his natural life. Mean- « Could I talk — could I think -at such a time time, however, no formal proceedings were taken. of his love, or of mine, or of anybody's ? " The officers of the Crown did nothing. It was be- * You could n't, Miss Nancy, of course you lieved that they were waiting until the public adver- could n't," Davy acquiesced, eagerly. tisement of a handsome reward had stimulated their “ Hush, not a word more now. There's a foot

in

step.” And they separated, as Mr. Starkie ap- / which, together with a little ingenuity and hardiproached them.

hood, I contrive to annihilate barriers, appropriate In the course of the evening following Mr. Block's seats, defeat the watchfulness of warders, and prereturn to town, his usual medical attendant, a near sent myself to royalty. I see everything, hear neighbor, one Mr. Jasper, called upon him. The everything, know everybody. Oberon is Asmodoctor gave, upon the whole, a not unfavorable ac- deus too, and with a touch of his crutch cracks a count of his patient's state. He had great hopes of reputation as easily as if it were an egg. Mr. Block's speedy restoration to health; though he The paths of glory lead but to the grave, sings admitted he found him somewhat nervous and ex- the poet; and no stair or path in this brilliant wilcited, and a little the worse for his rough journey derness of splendor but leads up to some stern and from Margate. “But care, and attention, and cynical exposure from my friend. First, I am inquiet," said Mr. Jasper, “ will do much, very much structed to silently show my pass, and to press my for us. We have an admirable constitution ; a hand to my lips, and push on impassively, if quesgood nurse in our daughter, Miss Block; a trusty tions are asked or opposition raised. " They can't man of business, who 'll relieve us from all unneces- possibly tell that you 're not a pacha who's chosen sary trouble, in our excellent partner, Mr. Starkie. to don English attire," whispered my mentor; "and Well, we could n't ask for much more, could we if the pass fails, you must just fall back upon your now?” And so Mr. Jasper bowed politely, and dramatic power, and play the Turk.” Thus it was went his way.

I had the happiness to seat myself among the flower (Conclusion next week.)

of the aristocracy, to sup magnificendly, to inter

change jocund but silent familiarities with princes, RUSTICUS AT THE BELGIAN BALL. I

to be smiled on by lady patronesses, and to receive

the homage of the mob. Since the Chinese imposThe Duke of Brigadia, who owns a Scotch coun- tor from the junk walked in the royal procession at ty or two, and is our young Prince's Poins, dancing the opening of the Exhibition of 1851, there's been the double-shuffle as a pas seul in the refreshment- nothing finer than my reception at the Islington hall room; one of the sternest and proudest of our field of dazzling light. Take the most reserved of the officers hob-nobbing with a compact knot of Brus- reserved galleries at the end of the hall opposite the sels tradesmen; a West-end tobacconist, in scarlet dais. The magic pass takes me up stairs; and a and plumes, lounging languidly against a door-way, pressure of hand to mouth passes me through barrier and criticising beauty through his eye-glass as cen- after barrier, until I am in the front row, with a soriously as any guardsman; a philanthropic peer, City madam, bejewelled and panting, on the one who, having just “settled” a sham mendicant in hand, and an Asiatic aristocrat, who is apparently three and a half easy rounds, is now misguiding his in an opium trance, shivering stolidly, on the other. fair-haired, beauteous lady into entering the room “A great mixture here,” whispers Oberon apolwith the commonalty, instead of at the sacred door logetically; "anybody can come up for three guineas; devoted to their order; the initial aspirate of the but you'll see the general effect better than from

Times crushing down the stairs against the crowd, the daïs.” “What is your nuinber, sir ? as these as if breathing-space were more than suffrages, and seats are specially reserved," from the attendant, is elbow-room than international law; Mademoiselle answered by the mouth pressure and a fierceish Leah, the face-enameller ; Kurlee, who looks a stare, and we take a couple of unoccupied chairs in handsome Plunger from his eyebrows to bis heels, the centre of the front row. The view here is magand who keeps a Haymarket night-house, where nificent. The chandelier, which my daily paper you may have “ the office" the night before any has just informed me is for sale," is the centre of great fight; Mr. Omnium, who, as Mr. Ruskin said a perfect orrery of gaslights, and shines down upon the other day of Mr. Carlyle, seems - old and a vasty space filled with richest color. The whole clean," and gazes from his lofty height - a black night is one of recouciled impossibilities; and that and-white lighthouse in a raging sea of gaudy silk gallant swells, whose faces are familiar to every and cloth - as serenely as if prince, peer, and frequenter of the Drive and Row, should now stroll beauty were so many Dorsetshire laborers, to be arm-in-arm in uniform up the floor on which I have dealt with by his pen; a brawny, rosy, loud-voiced seen the decorated donkeys of our costermonger's baronet, looking so jolly and good-tempered in his race, is one of the least of these. diplomatic uniform, that I forgive him for stopping The night is early yet, and when Oberon suggests the mail-train whenever I go to Ireland, in order supper as a precautionary measure, I only accept that his highness may alight, or his highness's parcels under protest. First, though, he takes me to what be left at Tamaroo, which borough he and his illus- is called the light refreshment-room, that I may see trious father before him have represented many what real crowding is like. This is at the back of years; the vivacious lord who treats his constitu- the dais down stairs; and is, I remember pleasantly, ents with so much good-humored contempt that he the chamber appropriated to pigs at the festival of makes them scramble for cigars, eren while profess-the Smithfield Club. The ladies and gentlemen ing to solicit their free and independent votes, who fill it now are noisier than those quadrupeds ; now fresh from Bumbledon flatteries, — bowing and but that is perhaps because they have more difficulty smiling in his scarlet coat, as if Mr. Bernal Os. in procuring food and drink; and as they scramble borne's dog would live to fight another Day: anoth- for ices, coffee, and seltzer-water, we see many a er noble lord, his successor at Bumbledon, promen- brave Belgian worsted in the encounter. I suppose ading the line just roped off the centre of the ball the arrangements were all that could be wished, room, with an evident relish for the common ground because I have read so since; but certainly sending enclosed :— such are some of the London celebri- visitors empty away, and vanqnishing them by sheer ties pointed out to me, Rusticus, the young man force of arms whenever they approached the counfrom the country, at the grand Ball given to the ter, seemed a curious form of hospitality. Men and Belgians at the Agricultural Hall.

women of substance pushed their utmost, and in Oberon has provided me with a magic pass, with gangs. Stalwart men fought for coffee as for their lives. Sturdy matrons pushed and struggled with him in the Old Bailey. This, I learn from him, Amazonian vigor. The waiters did their best, the was when some wretched pirates were banged; and supply was ample, but the demand was gigantic, and I am immediately lost in wonder at the connection the arrangements undoubtedly broke down. There between the present glittering throng and the fierce were as many people at this ball as the entire pop- mob I suppose present then. "A crowd 's a crowd," ulation of many a borough which has returned two explains Oberon, philosophically, “and I dare say members to parliament ever since 1832, and to feed affects people in the same way; at all events, he them properly was impossible. The Belgians soon looks quite as startled now as he did when the drop saw this, and were clustering in the centre of the fell ; and vou remember the speech he made about room when we left it, imperturbably good-tempered, public executions in the House of Commons." The and pointing with many a shrug and much gestic- slim, dark handsome young man, who shows a good ulation to the battle-field to the right and left. A set of teeth as he smiles from under bis black musmere stroll down the path with my instructor was tache, is hailed as Prince Teck with as much warmth full of interest. Its huge size made it impossible to as if his fair wife had endowed him with her popusurvey it as a whole, save from one of the galleries larity as part of her worldly goods. A pause, durwe bad left; but beneath these, and in the various ing which our friends in the iron-gray melt into portions you traversed, were groups of foreigners humanity, and exchange nods with acquaintances and of compatriots, nearly all of which had their round; and the question is buzzed from mouth to interest to an observer. The polka and the waltz mouth, “ Is the Sultan coming ?” Poor Sultan! A were the most popular of the dances played; and it compact crowd, at least fifty deep, is ranged on was instructive to see Jules and Antoine confer to- each side the path up which he is expected to walk, gether before they went into action. A consid- and are already practising British cheers, to be ready erable number of Belgian and French damsels were with a proper outburst when he comes. His Effulpresent, and these had their own knot of admirers, gence has evidently but a meagre notion of the with whom they danced in turn, and smiled and value of time. I saw him from a Pall Mall club chatted and were happy. But when Mr. Godfrey that afternoon; and he then kept old gentlemen and his merry men had struck up an inspiriting air; waiting at the windows until long past their dinnerwhen those so fortunate as to have secured partners time, to the destruction of their temper and the were whirling the happy time away; when the dis- consequent misery of the servants. To-night he engaged English “meeses” were ranged under the does not come at all. After several false starts, and parental wing, - then the hesitation, the confer- when some fezzes belonging to his suite have been ence, and the decided conduct of Jules and Antoine cheered vociferously in mistake, “God save the were things to see. A prolonged whisper behind Queen" is once more played, and the Prince of one of the illuminated columns, an animated discus- Wales and party file slowly in. sion as to which party should be approached first, a One more Turkish salute at the barrier at the end sudden advance, some eloquent signs and broken of the gallery, and Oberon and myself are at a wellEnglish, and the gallant Belgian was in most in- filled supper-table, with obsequious attendants minstances speedily whirling to and fro with the best. istering to our wants. Plenty of wine, plenty of There would have been more fraternization among food, plenty of civility. It is just midnight, half an the men, hosts, and guests, but for the exigencies of hour before the advertised supper-hour, but we are the language; and pats on the back, and shakes of all privileged within the barrier, and eat and drink the hand, perforce did duty for the heartiest senti- as we list. It is superfluous to add that there were ments. But Oberon declared that to a Londoner no Belgians here. The view from this end-gallery the strangest thing of all was the metamorphoses was superb. The light milky color of the white the men he knew by sight had undergone. Just dresses contrasted with the dark shades of the magbefore the royal party arrived from the Guildhall, nificent ferns and shrubs ; while the bright scarlet we strolled up the line, guarded by a stern band in coats gave, in the distance, shadow colors of deep iron-gray. Stretching from a side entrance-door to blood. Far and wide plumes are waving and eyes the bottom of the room these soldiers stood side by sparkling, and the whole room is moving with a side, and preserved the pathway from intrusion. feathered silken thunder indescribably impressive. "God save the Queen" was played, and the word Here and there among the glittering mob of men to present arms given out, when, with a martial and women, arrayed like so many gorgeous birds of clang and a stolidity worthy of all praise, they struck the East, stand out the plain uniforms of the metroan attitude and became immovable. It was not politan fire-brigade and of our police force. The merely their figures and uniforms that were soldierly, rather dirty officers whose rank is inscribed in yel. but their very faces assumed the wooden dogged low characters round their foraging caps are gasmen, look which pertains to the British private. Yet and bear the initials of the Houndsditch firm to among these men were recognized the curled dar- | whom the grand success of the festival is due lings of our middle-class drawing-rooms; and Oberon These officers turn the lights down or up, regard ticked off for me face after face he knew. “ That's the chandeliers with unintermittent watchfulness, the private secretary to the Duke of Legendoff; guard the transparencies as if they were so many this is the chief clerk of the docket office; that fragile children, and chat amicably together on this pleasant-looking officer with the Roman nose won the crowning glory of their trade. “ Princes is his medals for arduous official services during the very well, and Sultans is very well, Jem," said one Anak war. Not a man before you but is a slave of honest fellow in our hearing; " but what I say is, the desk; and it is to those national ornaments, where would any of 'em be if they was n't jolly formerly known as government clerks, that royalty well lit up ? - w'y, no better than you nor I, to be is indebted for its guard of honor."

sure !" Enter the bluff stalwart Duke of Cambridge and By the time Oberon had explained to me how the a slender court. The nobleman nearest him looks waters of the fountains are made to change their color, to right and left with precisely the same expression, and shown me the artists at work upon them, calmly Oberon says, as when he spent a mad night with seated in holes in the roof, and when we had con