schaum, filled with my own particular mixture, sup- country. Here it comes, sweltering from the “Yes," I replied, raising myself with a gentle that? The round one? Yes! Quite right n grunt from a supine to a reclining posture, “I be- I think! Close packing in these flys! Your di lieve I shall." in the door, Jessie! Now, cabby, drive on." “ Your mother, and two sisters, I suppose ? " So I got my party off to the lodgings prović " And a cousin." for them within a hundred yards of St. Anthony “ He or she ?” and Thornhill followed with his to the next do “She, of course: what do you take me for?” but one. A high tea at Thornhill's lodgings, a Five minutes went by, and then Wingfield began then we all strolled into the college garden togeth again. Just let me give you a slight idea of each mei *** I've thought of asking somebody up; but, you ber of the party. First, my mother, rather tall ai see, I've no sisters, — nothing but five she-cousins, stout, with a face of the most beaming good-humo and I hate them all. I never met a girl yet who little comic wrinkles about her eyes, and a gener was good for anything beyond an evening party, air of what I call comfortableness. At her side n and even then they 're safe to talk to you about eldest sister, Minnie, tall, like my mother, and pe some big idiot or other whose waltzing is so splendid, haps just a thought too thin, full of life and spirit meaning, of course, that it's the reverse of your and good sense to boot, as her bright gray eyes te own. O, they ’re all alike, a bad lot all round! you, and just the girl to make home happy, as I te Don't you think so ?” you, who ought to know. That is my younger si I thought the sentiment beneath contempt, and ter, Jessie, under the old wall there, looking as deigned no reply. she would like to climb the ivy, or go birds'-nestin, "Well, there's one girl certainly — that sister of among the shrubs ; you see what she is hy her firn Thornhill's, the youngest — who seems to have some step and frank way of looking you straight in thi good in her; she did take an interest in the boat; face when she speaks; a real true-hearted Englis! I could almost have fallen in love with her for girl, believe me, with auburn hair and rosy cheek: that.” and blue eyes, and as fond of country sports as a “ Umph!" lady may be. “ Yes,” continued Wingfield, reflectively ; “ and Then there is my cousin, that girl with the darkas she's going to be up at Commem., there 's no blue eyes and brown hair, very sober to all appear. knowing what may happen.” ance, but full of quiet fun too. Mrs. Thornhill is “Ah!” said I, dryly, “ you 'd better be careful." the reverse of my mother, rather small and thin, and “Well, yes, I think so too, old fellow; she might slightly deaf, which gives her an eager look about not suit me after all.” the eyes. She is in earnest in everything she does “ More than likely," I replied, with a smile as sar- or says, but always kindly and pleasant to all around donic as I could manage to make it ; “suppose you Her eldest daughter, Alice, is one of those girls who were to try the eldest daughter. By the by, Thorn- delight in poetry, and look well in black velvet hill and I have agreed to join our parties and go to stately and gracious, not easily excited, like her sis Nuneham on Thursday in Commem. week. You ter, but easily pleased. Lastly, there is Florence may come with us, if you 'll behave yourself; but | Thornhill. I must not attempt to describe her, foi mind, I should n't like to introduce to Miss Thorn- if I once begin there 'll be no stopping me; imagine hill one who would cause a flutter in her breast, and her for yourself. if you please, reader. One thing ] then find out that she did n't suit him.” will tell you: she is bright in every sense of the "0, all right, old fellow, I see what you 're driv-word; there is brightness in her eye, brightness in ing at; I won't interfere with you, if that's what her voice, brightness in her step, brightness in her you mean, though I think if she does n't suit me glossy hair, -- but there, I knew how it would be she is still less likely to suit you. Yes, I should like this is the one topic on which I lose my head. to go with you to Nuneham, if it's only to see how “(), Mr. Maynard,” said Florence, as I came to you go about to court the young woman. There, her side, having set the two senior ladies on the best I've finished my weed, let 's move." of terms by shrewdly introducing the subject of ba It is the afternoon of Saturday, the 18th of June. bies, “it's so delightful to get back to this dear old Oxford lies basking in the summer sun, and looks place again; we've come prepared to enjoy our just now as lazy as a lotus-eater. Work is over, selves to the fullest extent.” except for a few pale candidates for -- Smalls," re- “ You will have to work hard." sharp-eyed, sure-footed, keen-nosed, sweet-temper- “Monsieur,” he said, politely, uncovering first his ed; all you want.” | badge of office and then his head, “I am very sorry “But I hope, at least, that he can fetch ?” for what has happened, for you have certainly there " Whatever you like; bares, rabbits, pheasants, a most wonderful dog. But we have a painful duty "A nice beginning!” muttered poor H"I can shoot with him, then ?” * If you wish it to go on better,” said one of his bow solemnly, “will you favor me with your hand | very merry over the Moselle and claret cups after for the first waltz ?” breakfast. First Mrs. Thornhill declined politely “Nothing could give me greater pleasure," she re- but with firmness, and her eldest daughter, in spite plied, mimicking my bow with mock gravity of the remonstrances of Baxter, who practically “ I shall make a note of it,” said I, taking out my illustrated the ease with which the liquor might be pencil, “ ladies' memories are short sometimes." imbibed by means of a straw, did the same. Then We stood still opposite each other while I wrote. lit came to my sister Minnie: she had quite a repu “Ah! you don't know me," said Florence; “you tation for always knowing just the correct thing to think I'm a flirt, don't you?” do on all occasions, and all the girls looked for MinHer tone was so serious all at once that I looked nie's lead. up in surprise. “Come, Miss Maynard," said Vere, "if Baxter is "No," I replied, rather bluntly; “quite the re- allowed to finish that cup by himself, as he will do verse." if you don't prevent it, the consequences may be She said no more, but our eyes met, and, — well, fatal; consider.” that was all; but there was a look in hers that put Minnie hesitated and looked at my mother; my me in high spirits for the rest of the evening. mother, who I think was, to tell the truth, nothing “ Florence, my dear, the grass is getting quite | loath to have an example set her, returned a beamdamp, and Charlie says it is time to dress for the ing smile, which spread all around the table, as concert.” Minnie very demurely took the straw which Baxter " Very well, mamma, I'm coming. The first had selected for her, and put herself in communicawaltz, Mr. Maynard; I shall not forget." tion with the fragrant Moselle. The spell was A college concert, despite the absence of lady | broken: no one hesitated now, and even the poetic singers, has several advantages over ordinary ama- | Alice Thornhill yielded to the bland entreaties of teur performances. There is the charm of the Wingfield to sip, as he poetically put it, the amber college hall, with its high oak roof, antique portraits stream. Florence, who sat beside me, said she had and associations of quaint old dons, solemn dinners, done her duty like a rowing-man in eating beefmassive plate, and choice old wine, brightened up steak, and she should now go out of training, espefor the nonce into a lighter festivity to entertain cially as the great Henley cup was going round. So the votaries of Euterpe, and (hear it not, shades of she tasted, and so did Jessie, and so did my mother. founders and benefactors !) perchance of Terpsichore “Now, Mrs. Thornbill,” said Vere, “ we can't let also. And then everybody comes in the best possi- you off this time; this cup is made from a receipt ble humor. Many are friends of the singers, and bequeathed by our generous founder, and carefully applaud accordingly. Jones has a knot of support-preserved among the college archives; and they say ers, who encore his solo as a matter of course, even it was over a cup of the same that our present rethough he did sing flat all through the first verse. vered Dean wooed and won his charming wife this And then there are the stewards, in the most fault-time six years ago." less evening dress, handing you to your seat in that 1 “Indeed!” said Mrs. Thornhill, who took everyconsummately polite and deferential way which thing in earnest, "then there must be something in marks the Oxford man par excellence. And, lastly, it.” the cups of antique silver, filled with ambrosial “Yes, there 's a good deal in it, though it has liquor, and passed down the gay rows of ladies, been through Baxter's hands: it only wants one young and old and middle-aged, from hand to hand, I addition, and that is your straw, Mrs. Thornhill." ay, and from mouth to mouth, with half-revealed And so the good lady's reluctance was overcome, enjoyment. All these things combine to make a and she tasted the pleasant compound not once nor college concert always pleasant and successful. This twiee, and the conversation became sprightly, the evening's concert was no exception to the rule, and most sober faces looked vivacious, the merry looked when at last the seats were cleared away, the piano merrier than ever, and everything seemed rosy and and cornet set going, and we began the expected delightful. impromptu dance, every one agreed that nothing - Ten o'clock," said Thornhill, looking at his could have been managed better. Certainly that watch. “I'm afraid we must take the ladies away, was my opinion as I floated through that dreamy Vere: the drag will be bere to take us to Blenheim waltz with Florence Thornhill. Sunday came and at half past ten: you and Wingfield and Baxter are went. Of course we attended duly at St Mary's to engaged to come with us, remember.” see the vice-chancellor, doctors, proctors, “ pokers,” | " It seems almost a pity to move though," replied &c., in their robes of state, and in the evening, as in Vere, * when we're all as snug as a select circle of duty bound, promenaded the Broad Walk for the gods and goddesses as we sit beside our nectar, appointed hour, bowing and nodding to our friends, &c.” and scrutinizing the faces and dresses of strangers, “Yes; only it strikes me that the rosy hours, in 11 na nohod and nooko nas !trith. +wninni ha hana fatih har ret ml . I Journal of Choice Reading, SELECTED FROM FOREIGN CURRENT LITERATURE. INA 95. Il Every Saturday, Oct. 19, 1867.)" BOATING AT COMMEMORATION. pressed her deeply. Florence and I came upon the said Thornhill, “and you, too, Alice; 1 in the cool of that Monday evening : old he "I wonder if I could drive four-in-hand,” she the river with perhaps their wives and da said. “I've driven a pair often. Will you help citizens of Oxford and their families, rarely me on to the box for half a minute, just to see how low Folly Bridge, strangers to whom all is n I feel up there?” strangers who have seen it all before, mingl Of course I complied. boating-men in the many-colored flannel u “O, it's splendid! I know I could manage | of their various clubs, and undergraduate si them if I tried. I'm a first-rate whip, Charlie the first water, all come on Monday evening says." river to see and to be seen. There is an abu * Take care,” said I, as she took up the reins, for of ladies, the young and fair predominating, the leaders threw their noses up and began to the airiest and brightest of summer costum move. “Wait till I get to their heads; they 're ing the nine or ten college barges that lie i very fresh.” along the bank, and making each look, as I The caution came too late : Florence could not Wingfield say to Miss Thornbill afterwards, resist giving the reins a shake, and before I could a bridle bouquet, filled with the choicest bi stop them, the horses broke away, and made for the May.” There is a long, deep crowd too, fri steep incline that slopes down to the lake. I fol- the opposite bank, not very distingué in its con lowed at my utmost speed. Florence turned and tion, but motley enough. The volunteer band glanced at me for a moment with her face deadly work merrily ; flags are flying from many a i pale, and then seemed to nerve herself for the hor head, and there on the 'Varsity barge, – that rible danger, and pulled the reins with all her which carries the big dark-blue flag, — you see strength; but four fresh horses were too much for long string of college colors rising one above and her, and they dashed on straight for the slope. in the order of their place on the river. Th “Keep your seat, and turn them to the right," I our St. Anthony's flag at the top, the red Mal shouted in an agony of terror, “the right, for God's cross on a white ground, and Exeter the dark ci sake !" son just below it. Now just look at the river it: Poor Florence hears me, and tugs manfully, but swarming with punts, dingeys, whiffs, skiffs, can all in vain : they are within twenty yards of the and craft of every size and shape, so thick in so slope: nothing can stop them; in another moment places that you might almost cross the river by st they will be rolling headlong to the lake. Look !) ping from boat to boat. The Eights are manr look! they must be — no, thank God, the horses and away down the river getting into their plac see their danger, and swerve suddenly to the right; and practising to toss oars, and chaffing each otl the drag sways and reels, and then rights again; merrily. Ah! there goes the starting-gun. Loc in the pause I am up with the horses, and Thorn here they come. Our boat is moored under 1 hill close behind me; we have them safely by the university barge: the Exeter Eight comes 1 heads, and the danger is over. “Easy all!” cries the coxswain, and they float “Are you hurt ? ” we both asked at once. level with us. “Up!” and all at once the eis “No, not at all,” replied Florence, faintly. “Help oars rise dripping from the water, and glittering me down, please." the setting sun; our oars go up simultaneously I sprang to the wheel, and she fell senseless into return the salute, and stand upright for a few s my arms. The whole party came up now, all very onds; both crews doff their straw hats and che pale, and the girls half hysterical; Mrs. Thornhill | lustily; then - Down !" and the sixteen blades 1 would have fainted if her anxiety for her child had flapping and splashing upon the water. Exe been less strong. We soon brought Florence round : moves on to make for Oriel; we salute a her eyes opened, the color came back to her cheek, I cheer as befo Le procession goes and she declared herself quite well, and ready for through son 18" and the drive home sharp-eyed, sure-footed, keen-nosed, sweet-temper-| “Monsieur,” he said, politely, uncovering first his ed; all you want." | badge of office and then his head, “I am very sorry “But I hope, at least, that he can fetch ? ” for what has happened, for you have certainly there 6 Whatever you like; hares, rabbits, pheasants, a most wonderful dog. But we have a painful duty partridges; only he brings the hares and rabbits in to perform. You will receive to-morrow a summons quarters and the partridges in halves. But an ex- for trespass. Good morning, Monsieur. I wish you cellent creature, capital teeth, fine scent, sweet luck.” temper; you want nothing more.” “A nice beginning!” muttered poor H“I can shoot with him, then ?". "If you wish it to go on better,” said one of his “ Certainly. Here is his little bill.” | friends, “I advise you to fasten Athos to your game Francs. bag behind you. Here's a capital strap. "If it Six months' board and paternal care, at 20 breaks, I will pay for all the mischief he does.” francs per month, as agreed .. . 120 The advice was found good. A minute after16 hens killed, at 3 fr. . . . . . 48 wards, Athos and his master were a semi-attached 4 ducks ditto, at 3 fr. . . finiceans ditraat 1 fra couple, entertaining about the same mutual affection 12 sensation feat of the day. The head-boats are I had been resolving all the evening to speak my through Folly Bridge by this time, having turned mind to Florence, but somehow the words would under the Lasher (a trying business for the cox-never come just at the right moment. Two or three swains, I can tell you, and not accomplished with times I bad carefully planned the attack, and beout some warm language from those little tyrants of tween the dances had composed several imaginary the hour), and are coming down again to their conversations that should lead up neatly and imper barges. Now the cheering waxes louder and lusceptibly to — the subject; but they had all failed tier ; the boats coming down cheer the boats going miserably. However, Jessie's words gave me a up, the Lights cheer the Torpids, the Torpids cheer fresh spur: my mind was made up - I would do the Eighty, and all cheer head-boat; each man in the deed forthwith. But again it was not to be : every boat rows as he likes, and when he likes, there was a change in Florence's manner all at once: everybody's oar gets in everybody else's way, and not a great change, but just enough to make it imovery boat is within an ace of upsetting, but nobody possible for me to say what I intended. I soon loses his temper or seems to care a rush about any found out the reason. tiring except making as much row as in him lies. “I've something to tell you, Mr Maynard,” said ('oxiwaing 'whriek and bellow to their men all in | Florence, “ that I dare say will amuse you very vain ; small boats are swamped and their owners | much." dragged dripping into punts ; women laugh, boy's * By all means tell me; what is it, pray ?” chatl, and boatmen swear, and all is wild, gay, “ Well, guess." glorious confusion. Then by degrees the excite “ (), I understand, it's a riddle, is it?" ment dies away; the boats drift to their moorings “No, no such thing; it's about my sister, Alice." at last, the gay crowds melt and vanish from the “ Your sister, Alice ? and — Wingfield ? Why barges; the town-folk and gamins disappear from surely they 're not —” the opposite bank, and nothing of the lato carnival “Yes." remains but a stray crow of holidny citizens, and "Engaged ?” the college flags flapping lazily in the evening "Yes, engaged — only think! I can scarcely breeze. believe it, though Alice has just told me herself. As everybody knows, there are only two states They've not told mamma yet, for she could never of mind possible to the lovor, namely; bliss in the hear in this crowd of people ; and besides she would presence of the adorod, and misery in her alisence; be sure to cry." and as I had to escort my mother and sisters to the “ And what does your brother say?" St. Anthony's theatricals, while Florence Thornhill “Charlie ? O he seems as pleased as brothers stayed at home, it is no wonder that the perform generally are, you know. Here he is; we 'll ask ance that Monday evening had no charm for me. him. Now, Charlie, how do you like the intended Vere, I believo, acted mirably, and kept the au march?" dience in roand all through Wingfield man irud tol - Well, it's not a very good one in point of size. hide his whiskers, and did a petrinh dicele wonini olis it But he's a boating-man, that's a great thing the intense amusement at the ladies and Bantur prope in his favor, -- plenty of brains and plack about him. tormed the part of a brown bed in the land she might have gone higher and fared worse," add naturally as if he had been here in clin i cal para laughed and passed on Gartens; but I was glad when the alla fill, Soon after the day broke in, and the ball broke I could retire to sleep and learn that I' mur, and we departed home. I just mention thermi flange in mine that the "Jessie'," said I, as I wished her good night, realer my understand that I was in luna in the "I'm afraid she is tired of me." gondole momantis Renter and Juliet ile whi " Not a bit," returned Jessie, “ I know all about so fashionable w ith the Tiit la just occurred to her to-night that yon mar grand morning e't, then went and flowing Mr. Wingfield's example before lors ekannt lunch in BA H WAY, Th Man in the fier & little frightened," she added, w kere. And then the chichard Bell Do, 111 and pressive nod, * but she 'll get used to i "Tintis ! full hp 4 biust (1647, 4 , and then it will be all right, you 'l! « Every Saturday, Oct. 19, 1867.) BOATING AT COMMEMORATION. are specially designed, lay ready for us at Hall's shades, where no end of rural fays and fairies native woodnotes so beautifully wild that it acter of Bacchus, and carry this basket of ci "Safe as your own arm-chair, my dear mother." pagne up to the summer-house; perhaps the la “Well, don't run any risks, my dear; though my will form a group of wood-nymphs to escort you chaperoning duties are nearly over for the present, “My character to a hair, old fellow; I'm I may be wanted again you know.” man; the jolly god in triumph comes." “Let me take care of you, Mrs. Maynard,” put And forth with exit Baxter, bearing champas in Baxter: "come, I'll be cox. of this boat, Maynard, with nymphs attending. and serve out the grog, or whatever it is, from time! “Now, Maynard," said Thornhill, “bustle, < to time; that 's my line, is n't it? Now then, is let's get the dinner ready, and the rest may tak everybody quite comfortable ? Room enough, Mrs. stroll till we want them." Maynard? All the liquors in, Thornhill ? Shove “Very well. I see Wingfield and your sister her off, Mat. Now pull away, you fellows." off already. He seems, by the wave of his hand, And off we glided, Baxter seated in the stern, be saying, “This is the forest primeval,' &c.” with his legs reaching far along the boat, my mother " Ah, no doubt; and she's enjoying it wonde and my cousin Helen op his right, Alice Thornhill fully, I dare say. Now, mother, and wood-nymp and Jessie on his left, while Wingfield and Macléane all," he went on, as we came up to the summe did the rowing. In the other boat were Mrs. Thorn-house with the provisions, “ we're going to sprea hill, Florence, and my sister Minnie, Vere, who took the feast; will the lovely nymphs be kind enoug the steering, Thornhill, and myself, who toiled at to take Bacchus into the woods for a short time the oars. | he's sure to be in the way here.” Pleasant it is on the Isis river to drop gently “And if you want a couple of good ugly satyrs, down the stream between the smooth green banks, added Vere, “perhaps you 'll take Macleane and with the sun shining bright overhead, and to watch me, - eh, Mac?” the gray spires of Oxford rising over the rich sum- “0, let me stay, Charlie, won't you ?” said Flormer fiage, and then gradually diminishing in the ence; “you 'll want one girl, I'm sure, to make it hazy distance. Pleasant it is when there are light all look nice; and I can cut up a cucumber much hearts and pretty faces floating along with you, better than either you or Mr. Maynard, you know." “ Youth at the prow, and Pleasure at the helm," "Well, yes, you may stay; I dare say we can make you useful. Now, Maynard, out with those when many a lively jest goes round, and many a pies, and I'll brew the claret cup; go to work at merry laugh rings out across the water, and all is the cucumber, Florrie.” bright and smiling and rosy. And we all agreed In twenty minutes or so the table was spread in that morning that not one of the gay pleasures of the arbor by the water-side, and we were making the week could be compared with the serene and our way into the various dainties as fast as the imsunny enjoyment of our Nuneham water-party. | perfect nature of the knives and forks supplied from Perhaps, as Vere remarked with complacent pity, the cottages, would allow. No one declined the the rowers found the enjoyment a good deal more fragrant bowl of Moselle, or hesitated a moment sunny than serene, but then Baxter took care to over the claret-cup, this time, and even sherry-cobrefresh them — not forgetting himself— from time bler, that persuasive nectar, found no small favor to time, and feminine voices praised their prowess, among nymphs as well as satyrs. Of course everyand rebuked the laziness of the two steersmen, till thing was pronounced delicious, and everybody was the toiling galley-slaves felt they were not so badly as merry as it was in his or her nature to be. My used after all. And so we glided on, part Iffey Lock mother's face beamed with smiles on all around. and the picturesque mill, which all who see burn to Mrs. Thornhill made believe to be taking in all sketch on the spot; past Kennington Island, with its | Vere's jokes with great apparent enjoyment; and trim little “public,” famed for beer and skilles : leven Wingfield and Alice gave up for the time the |