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neglect of his parents; and when Nahmah betakes herself to his capital, it is with a willing step but a foreboding heart. The prophecies of her spirit are realised. The priests, who have already brought about the death of his parents, have bound him in a tremendous vow to give what he prizes most to Baal; and Nahmah, exacting the equally binding promise he had made to her, acquires the right of perishing on the funeral pile, a sacrifice for her beloved. Such is the really fine conception of a poem the greatest want of which is-a little ordinary tact.

With regard to the execution, a favourable idea will be formed of it from the following dream of Nahmah:Methought I stood

Waiting for Nimrod; the slow sinking sun
Made golden pillow of the glowing sward

Whereon his slant beams rested. Sudden a change-
The beams were gone, and yet there was no shade-
No light, and yet all visible. I raised

My wondering eyes, and, mother, there 'mid cloud
Hiding the darkened west, yet glittering
With some dread foreign splendour, all unknown
To our mild rainbow's tints, a woman stood:
I see her now-even now, with her white hands
Crossed, pressed upon a bosom which despair
Had made an aching void; her features wan,
As moonbeams on new snow, and fixed and sad.

Her gaze pierced through even to the inner soul,

Where thought in thought makes being, and finds there
Its essence-mingling there with thought and self-
Till she grew part of me, as I of her,

Our past, our present, knowing, sharing all:
I felt she loved and she despaired, yet clung
To love and peace refused; though endless were
The love despairing. Mother, I then was taught
Such love may linger through an endless wo,
Yet no repenting weakness e'er disturb
The calmness of the grief which love endears.'

A fine idea on a hackneyed subject:—

'I know now whence it comes-yes, there is hope-
Not in this false and mocking world, not here,
But in hereafter-hope-ay, even for him:
The rainbow arches o'er all men alike,
But they alone who raise their swelling eyes
Feast on its wondrous beauty.'

The following is the death of the mother, struck down by the insulting neglect of the son on whom she had doted:

'As Admah heard these bitter words,
She veiled with shivering hands her burning eyes;
Then fell the helpless hands back to her side,
One look intense at thee-but none at him:
The father outraged by unnatural son
The mother feared to gaze on; then erect,
Unbending, with a queenly step, as if

A towering port alone could bear the weight
Of grief, which else had crushed her to the earth,
She passed away. I followed, yet dared not
Approach that awful image of lone wo,

Till at yon height from whence the torrent comes,
Mad, eager rushing with a wild delight

To dash and churn itself among the rocks,

She stood-one long gaze gave the south-then, turning
To this dear home, she shuddered-raised her eyes
To the blue heaven (a lark was singing there,
With joyous trill piercing the water's roar),

And tottering fell: it might be chance, not purpose,
But the fierce waters with an added shout
Closed round her shrieking not: all help was vain-
And I am here the miserable tale

To tell; more wo to heap on utmost wo.'

This is sufficient to show, that even setting aside the general conception, which we have shown to be fine, there is matter in this volume to repay the adventurous reader.

GOVERNESSES' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Iv a former paper we described the nature of the benevolent institution which has been formed, and some time in operation, in London; and we again refer to the subject, for the purpose of mentioning that it is now proposed to add to the institution an Asylum or Permanent Home for Aged Governesses. The directors appear to be encouraged to carry out this object by the success which has attended the other departments of the establishment. Already there is a Provident Fund, by paying into which ladies

connected with educa an Annuity Fund, from pressed circumstances may, by er It is distressing to rea small amount. for the benefit of this fund. At the last were eighty-four candidates for three annuities of Eighty-four ladies,' says the Report before us, reared in affluence, and all accustomed to the comforts and luxuries of at least our middle ranks, seeking an annuity of L.15! Of these, seventy were unmarried, and out of this number seven had incomes above L.20-two derived from public institutions; sixteen had incomes varying from L.1, 16s. to L.14; and forty-seven had absolutely nothing! It will be recollected that all these ladies are above fifty years of age; and of the utterly destitute, eighteen were above sixty. It is sometimes asked, Could they not have averted this lamentable condition? The committee would fain hope that all who have received a polling-paper have read the cases to which they refer, to see that out of these seventy ladies no less than fifty-four had not provided for themselves, because they had devoted their salaries or their savings, legacies from relations, and all their earnings, more or less to their families; from the "support of one or both parents for many years," to the educating younger sisters, helping brothers in their onward path, and protecting and educating orphan nephews and nieces.'

It is impossible to peruse this melancholy record without turning round on those to whose negligence and selfishness, in the first instance, governesses too frequently owe their destitution. With every proper allowance for the misfortunes which prevent parents from making provision for their daughters, we must speak emphatically of the injustice and cruelty of rearing them in affluence, and afterwards leaving them to struggle with the stern realities of the world. It would be interesting and useful to know in what condition the parents of the above eighty-four governesses lived, and whether it was absolutely beyond their power, at any time, to provide, by life-assurance, against utter destitution. In the present, as in many similar appeals, we fear that heedlessness, and some degree of selfishness, were concerned; and that to the public is left the performance of duties which it ought to have been the joy of private parties to fulfil. Be this, however, as it may, compassion cannot leave the unfortunate to perish. The efforts, therefore, now making to provide a home for poor and aged governesses, whose cases merit consideration, have our hearty commendation; and we unite with Mrs S. C. Hall-the friend of the friendless-in her eloquent appeal to the charitably-disposed in a late number of the Art Union.' Are we to suffer those ladies, who, from the poverty of pocket, or poverty of mind of their employers, or from circumstances over which they have no control-who have laboured so honourably and so profitably for us-to find their last restingplace in a lonely garret, or the still more wretched workhouse? We appeal to mothers of families to look back to their own early days, and in reverence to those who taught them, who had patience with them, who made them what they are, to aid us in the erection of a shelter for aged governesses; we appeal to the young to devote their spare time, between this and May, in employments for them, so that if they have not money to bestow, their labour may be converted into money at the bazaar which is to be held early in June on behalf of this great object.'

The bazaar here alluded to is, we understand, to be a species of fancy fair, to be held in the Royal Hospital Grounds, Chelsea, in the first week in June. For every L.150 realised by sale or donation, apartments will be found for two aged governesses.

HOW TO ACT IN A MOB.

A mob is a riotous assemblage of persons. Every individual, therefore, who remains in the neighbourhood of it, even from curiosity, helps to constitute that mob. Every one who goes away helps to dissipate it. If, therefore, you are a good citizen, and find yourself in the neighbourhood of persons destroying property, or acting riotously, you should at once range yourself on the side of those who are appointed to keep the peace; or, if there be none at hand, immediately get away from such dangerous and disreputable companions. If you do not, remember that, as a mob is made up of individuals, every respectable person who remains in it helps to encourage the disturbers of the

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JOURNAL.

ed it in a volume, bearing honourable reference and in almost every page, to the ability and singular faithfulness of his humbler predecessor, the Wanderer.' And yet this strange story, so full of revolting incongruity and utter disregard of probability or nature,' would be exactly that of the Paisley pedlar, Alexander Wilson, the author of the American Ornithology-a work completed by a fervent admirer of the pedlar's genius, Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte.-Bass Rock.

this, where the press, and petition our rulers the poor, all riotous and must, and will be rities, aided by all good the way to act in a mob is, e of the peace authorities, or he company of riotous persons al Magazine. [We are glad of an ng these useful and proper advices, he too common practice of swelling the from motives of idle and silly curiosity.

INJUDICIOUS PATRONAGE.

DANCING AS AN EXERCISE.

A few words may be offered in this place in favour of dancing as an exercise, and as a school-room recreation. Exercising so many muscles otherwise little used-exercising them fully and duly, and without violence-exercising them to the cheering influence of music-exercising them in forms of grace and beauty-dancing may be made an important and valuable part of the physical education, and as such should be spoken of, and promoted by, the powerful voice of the medical public. The balanced action of the opposing muscles, the active use of the different articulations, the extensive and varied action of the spinal muscles, effected by dancing, and the degree to which the mental excitement produced by it enables the exercise to be made use of without undue fatigue, are strong reasons obtrusive interference with opinions as to the propriety, or for so decided and favourable an opinion; and this, without otherwise, of carrying the practice of dancing to an excess in the after-life, and making it the plea for late hours, &c. Let people think as they will of public balls, or even of in the school-room, or among the members of the family private balls; with the conscientious opinions of others it is not my wish, nor intention, to interfere; but to dancing circle, few will object; and it is not too much to say that if dancing could be made a daily, not nightly, exercise among the people of all classes, the healthiness and the expectation of life, as well as its happiness, would be increased.-Robertson on Diet and Regimen.

RAILWAYS.

The following table relative to the capital invested in railways is peculiarly interesting at the present period: Capital and Loans Authorised.

It is very well to encourage young artists and young poets, provided that the encouragement be judiciously and temperately rendered; but knowingly to raise hopes which can never be realised is, at the best, wanton mockery. To extol beyond reason is often, in effect, to weaken the moby a false estimation of their own abilities! We could tives for improvement. How frequently are men spoiled point out instances in the present day of persons refusing to work because they have been dubbed poets; we have known men who would never handle the hoe, nor wield the hammer, nor throw the shuttle, because they could spin rhymes; and we have seen the hand that could pen a sonnet withheld in contempt from the recording of a transaction in business. These individuals revile the world for troubles which they bring upon themselves; and their own drivelling conduct entirely hinders their advancement. They are not alone to blame for their unfortunate position; for they have each in turn been injured by adulation. To versify with facility is an elegant accomplishment; to try to be a true poet is a noble ambition; but the sweetest songs, and the loftiest imaginings, are not incompatible with hard work performed by either hands or brains. As a recreation, literature adds grace and dignity to honest, independent industry; and as a profession, it offers a career which may be successfully pursued by those who have the requisite intellectual aptitude and untiring perseverance. But to make the love of literature a pretext 3. for eating the bread of idleness, is a moral wrong, which deserves unsparing censure. Sheffield and Rotherham Independent.

PEDLARS AND POETS.

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1. Railways sanctioned during twenty years, from
1826 to 1845 inclusive, comprehending stock
and loans authorised according to Mr Ker
Porter's table. (See Progress of the Nation,
last edition, p. 332),
Railways begun or projected under acts passed
in 1846 (272 acts), per parliamentary return of
stock and loans authorised,

2.

Ditto ditto under acts passed in 1847 (18 acts),
stock and loans, enumerated in Companion
to the Almanac' for 1848, p. 42, et seq., just
published,

L.153,455,837

132,617,368

35,053,324 L.321,126,529

These enormous sums exceed by threefold the amount of foreign loans and joint-stock bubbles which in 1826 brought the commercial and landed interest of this empire to the brink of ruin; and the railway projects for the last two years exceed our national expenditure in the years of Leipsic and Waterloo.

CHAMBERS'S EDUCATIONAL COURSE.

To this series of books, which now approaches its completion, has just been added the HISTORY OF ROME, in one volume, illustrated with a map of the Roman empire, price 2s. 6d. In the preparation of this work, advantage has been taken of all the lights recently thrown on the subject by Niebuhr, Arnold, Michelet, and others: while it has been a special object of the writer to present the narrative in that intelligible and attractive form desirable for interesting the minds of youth.

How vastly more strange and extravagant-looking truth is than fiction! Our Edinburgh reviewers deemed it one of the gravest among the many grave offences of Wordsworth, that he should have made the hero of the 'Excursion' a pedlar. What,' they ask, but the most wretched and provoking perversity of taste and judgment could induce any one to place his chosen advocate of wisdom and virtue in so absurd and fantastic a condition? Did Mr Wordsworth really imagine that his favourite doctrines were likely to gain anything in point of effect or authority by being put into the mouth of a person accustomed to higgle about tape or brass sleeve-buttons? Or is it not plain that, independent of the ridicule and disgust which such a personification must give to many of his readers, its adoption exposes his work throughout to the charge of revolting incongruity, and utter disregard of probability or nature? If the critics be thus severe on the mere choice of so humble a hero, what would they not have said had the poet ventured to represent his pedlar not only as a wise and meditative man, but also as an accomplished writer, and a successful cultivator of natural science-the author of a great national work, eloquent as that of Buffon, and incomparably more true in its facts and observations? Nay, what would they have said if, rising to the extreme of extravagance, he had ventured to relate that the pedlar, having left the magnificent work unfinished at his death, an accomplished prince-the nephew of by far the most puissant monarch of modern times-took it up, and com

The work is sold by all booksellers.

*** At the Depôt of W. and R. CHAMBERS'S Publications, 147 Strand, London, may be seen or procured all the works in the EDUCATIONAL COURSE.

Published by W. & R. CHAMBERS, High Street, Edinburgh. Also

sold by D. CHAMBERS, 98 Miller Street, Glasgow; W. S. Orr, 147 Strand, London; and J. M'GLASHAN, 91 D'Olier Street, Dublin.-Printed by W. and R. CHAMBERS, Edinburgh.

EDINBURGH

CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS, EDITORS OF CHAMBERS'S INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE,' 'CHAMBERS'S EDUCATIONAL COURSE,' &c.

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THE NEW LAIRD OF BALDRIDDLE. A FEW years ago, a lounger in the Outer-House-as our Scotch Westminster Hall is termed-might have heard, booming above the general din, the sonorous cry of Mistress Peney Glendinning versus the Laird of Baldriddle,' at which certain gentlemen in gowns and wigs might have been seen hurrying away to attend a hearing' in an adjoining court - room. It is certainly, as Peter Peebles observed, a very grand thing to have a law-plea, but occasionally it is more grand than profitable; and in these degenerate days, when a shilling is looked at on both sides before it is parted with, people may be heard pensively and candidly confessing that they would put up with a good deal before they went to law-the whole thing of course being looked upon very properly as a game of chance, all statutory enactments to the contrary notwithstanding.

Our old friend Mistress Peney Glendinning was pretty much of this mind when, by a conjuncture of circumstances, she hauled her landlord before the Court of Session-a step, be it known, she did not adopt till she had been hauled up by the said landlord in the first instance; so that it was a kind of litigation vindicatory in which she found herself engaged-an account per contra opened in favour of herself, and chargeable with interest to the Laird of Baldriddle. How Peney sped in this affair is now our business to relate.

Peney Glendinning, it will be remembered by the reader of these pages, was a rustic heroine; a farmer on her own account, who, by extraordinary energy of character, and unceasing industry, reclaimed a wretched piece of land in one of the northern counties of Scotland, and made it bloom like a garden-vastly to her own advantage. Peney's history we had thought was concluded when we dropped it, but a new incident was added in the form of her law-plea, and without a proper notice of this, her biography would necessarily be incomplete. But how, in the name of wonder, did Peney provoke this stirring incident; for she was a miracle of sound sense, and desired to live at peace with all, her landlord included? Thereby hangs a tale. It is very true that Peney lived at peace with her landlord, paid her rent regularly, and fulfilled all her other territorial obligations: but this was her first landlord-old Cacanny of Baldriddle, a worthy, decent man, who would not have harmed a fly, whose word was his bond, and who in all things did as he would be done by. It was sad news to Peney and the other tenants when old Cacanny found it necessary to dispose of the Baldriddle estate, and retire to a distant part of the country. It was acknowledged to be the

*See Journal, No. 565, old series.

PRICE 11d.

greatest loss the district had sustained for many a day. What the precise calamity was which brought the Cacanny family, in which the property had been for a hundred years, to this lamentable crisis, is of little consequence. Landlords are exposed to a number of vicissitudes. They are liable to build and improve themselves out of house and home. From spending over-much, and taking matters too easily, they occasionally have to sell all, or at least go under trust. Making a provision for daughters is another serious affair, which sometimes ends badly; though it is not generally half so bad as buying commissions for sons in the army, and paying their debts to keep them out of prison. What heartrending tales could be told of sons-brilliant, dashing dogs!-ruining fathers, and getting them turned out of their ancestral domains!

In whichsoever way the thing happened, old Cacanny was obliged to part with Baldriddle, and a terrible parting it was. For a week previous to departure, he sat in an old arm-chair-the domestic throne of three generations-sunk in a stupor of grief; and not till in some measure soothed and exhilarated by the pious counsels of the clergyman of the parish, could he be persuaded to put his foot in the postchaise which was to drive him for ever from the halls of Baldriddle.

It was known that Baldriddle was sold; but nobody knew anything of the new laird, and his coming to the country was looked forward to with a reasonable degree of interest. The gentry wondered whether he would reside amongst them, and give dinners; the farmers wondered if he would turn out an exhibitor at agricultural shows; and the shopkeepers of the neighbouring town wondered whether he would encourage local trade, or import his groceries from the metropolis. One thing seemed of doubtful portent: his name, M'Cosh, sounded harshly, and indicated a plebeian origin. Besides, he had realised a fortune by commerce-a mode of getting rich which is not highly appreciated in rural districts. Yet M'Cosh was not a bad sort of man; he considered himself to be very sagacious, and had bought Baldriddle for two special reasons: first, because it was a good investment. Everybody declared it went far beyond its price when it was knocked down at Fraser's sale-rooms for L.74,000. But Mr M'Cosh knew perfectly well what he was about. The property was improvable in the way of rent. This, however, was not the sole consideration. On the estate there were fourteen tenants, with bonâ fide votes, every one of which, as a matter of course, could be counted on. There could, besides, be fixed on the estate forty-five fictitious, yet valid claims-making altogether fifty-nine votes at the beck of the Laird of Baldriddle in the event of a county election. With such a weight of influence -the just and sacred influence of property-if Andrew M'Cosh could not screw places out of government for

all his kith and kin, he would allow himself to be called

ass.

So much as regards one reason for purchasing Baldriddle at so high a figure. Another, somewhat less substantial, yet by no means illusory, was the sound of the name. In Scotland, a man is usually called by the name of his estate; and a purchaser therefore does not like to saddle himself with a horrible appellation for the remainder of his existence. How do you do, Drunkie?'-Could anybody stand that? Skreigh, I'll trouble you to hand me a leg of that fowl!'-Worse and worse! I beg leave to propose the health of Glenyeukie!'-The thing is too ridiculous! M'Cosh, like a wise man, thought over all this. He had been diligently watching the advertisements of estates for several years, with the view of snapping up the first that came into the market of a proper size, and which had a finelysounding title.

'Baldriddle-Baldriddle! that will do,' said M'Cosh to himself on looking over the North British Advertiser one day in the Glasgow Exchange. 'Andrew M'Cosh of Baldriddle, Esq. Yes, that will do. The name is ancient. Bal is Celtic for town. I see how it is; the town or seat on the Driddle-a fine trouting river I daresay. And so many recommendations besides:"Vast extent of dry hill pasture-shooting over ten thousand acres-grouse, blackcock, and deer-highlyimprovable rent-roll-can command nearly sixty votes for the county-fine old mansion-house-genteel neighbourhood-mail-coach passes the lodge daily," &c. Admirable! Baldriddle is mine: I would not lose it for the world.' And true enough M'Cosh purchased Baldriddle, as we have intimated, for L.74,000, cash down. On the evening following the acquisition, what a carouse at Carrick's to congratulate the new Laird of

Baldriddle!

But we must hurry through our preliminaries. The delight of Mrs M'Cosh and the three Misses M'Cosh on quitting the amenities of the Cowcaddens, and their still greater delight in telling everybody they were going to their country seat, need not be particularised. It is enough to say that the family reached, and were installed in, their new mansion without losing their senses; that the neighbourhood-the scenery of the Driddle-was pronounced charming; and that the view from the drawing-room window was declared to be very much superior in every way to any prospect on the Saughieha' road.

When all things were settled, and the new laird had got his business-room in order, he began to look about him. The time was come for seeing how the rent-roll could be improved. No doubt things had been left in a confused and backward state by that stupid, well-meaning idiot, old Cacanny. But I shall set them to rights.'

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Inspired with these high hopes, Baldriddle made a round of calls on his tenantry, and at length alighted at the door of our heroine.

'Happy to see you, Mrs Glendinning. I have taken the liberty of calling to ask for you, and make a few inquiries about your farm.'

I am much obliged to you for calling, sir, and beg to wish you happiness in the property. Please to step in and take some refreshment after your ride.'

Thank you,' replied Baldriddle, entering the dwelling; I would rather be excused eating anything at present. My chief object in calling was to ask how long you have been in the occupation of your farm.' 'I have a lease for nineteen years, and I am now in the eighth year.'

'You mean seven years have run?'

'Yes.'

'And what is your yearly rent?' 'Two pounds an acre.'

Baldriddle knew this fact previously, but he affected surprise.

Two pounds an acre only; and such crops! I have seen nothing like them north of the Carse of Gowrie.' 'I would be bauld to complain: the crops are no that bad; but I should tell you that when I entered into possession, the farm was little better than a wilderness, not worth five shillings an acre. I have drained it, manured it, sheltered it, and made it what it is.' too good a bargain of the farm. Would you show me That may be all true; and yet I think you have

your lease?'

Peney candidly acknowledged that she had no formal lease. Baldriddle then requested to see her minute of lease, or missive; but neither had she anything of that kind. All she possessed was a scrap of paper on which old Cacanny had noted the proposed rent until the lease could be extended.'

do. You have positively no lease; you are a tenant 'Mrs Glendinning, I am very sorry, but this will not

at will.'

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The new laird withdrew. War had been as good as declared between the parties.

A pretty thing truly,' said Baldriddle to himself as he rode home; a pretty thing that this jade should do worth three pounds if it's worth a farthing. And now The land is me out of a pound an acre per annum.

that I think on't, she is not a voter. This comes of having female tenants. I must get rid of her, and so not only raise the rent, but make up the voters on the estate to the neat sixty.'

Animated with these brilliant ideas, Baldriddle sent a letter to Peney next morning to intimate that she would require to vacate at Martinmas.

The blood went and came repeatedly in Peney's face as she read and reflected upon this document; and though she sat down to breakfast as usual, she certainly did not breakfast that day. She could only read and re-read that letter. With her usual good sense and decision, she resolved, as a first measure, to see some professional man; and of all men, she thought the likeliest to serve her would be an old friend, Sandy

M'Turk.

Dressing herself, therefore, as for an ordinary journey-that is to say, in silence, and with all the composure she could assume-she had her curricle brought to the door, and set out to visit this rural attorney. She fortunately found him at home, scrawling away at a great rate, a sheriff's officer being closeted with him, and two concurrents at the door. Having dismissed them, and for some time exercised the remainder of a poker in clearing the ribs of a diminutive grate, as if to get time to clear up his own -thoughts at the same time, he said, 'Now, ma'am, what may be your commands?'

Peney told her story, apologising with great humility for her excessive stupidity in not having obtained a lease from her late landlord, whose situation he now knew.

'Stupidity, ma'am !' said Sandy, who was a dry humorist, and possessed considerable versatility of talent; 'don't abuse stupidity: there is nothing so useful as a certain degree of stupidity. The stupidity of one half of the world makes the other half live. It is only when stupidity is so excessive as to render the possessor useless, that it becomes offensive; for

then it can do nothing for itself or anybody else. But
a decent degree of stupidity is an absolute necessity
of society. Without a certain amount of it in the
world, I don't know how many might shut their
shops. The end of stupidity would be the end of
society, as at present constituted; therefore speak
respectfully of stupidity. But stupidity is not your
failing; it is too much trust, and that came into the
world with original sin. Women will trust to the end
of the chapter! But you'll have a missive of lease?'
'No.'

'Nor an offer followed by possession?'

'No.'

'What have you then?' 'Nothing!'

neighbours, either male or female; nor even with your
sweetheart, if you have one; for they would burst if
they could not tell how you mean to tickle the laird.
Ah how nicely I shall wind him a pirn!'
Peney again bowed in token of obedience.

Now I'll tell you what you are to expect,' said the oracle. You'll see your farm let over your head, if any one be bad enough to take it; absolutely, if you do not frighten your landlord, that will be pickle the first; but if you do anything to alarm him, he will take care to preserve a loophole, and so you will miss fire. In due time he'll eject you!'

'Eject me!' said Peney. "What is that?'

Turn you out of house and home to be sure, without mercy and without remorse; at least I'll try that he

'Nothing like doing a thing out and out when you shall!' are at it! Have you a receipt for your rent?'

'Yes.'

'It's a mercy! Let's ha'e a look o't.'

Peney gave the paper, and while he was perusing it, watched every look, as if he had been a physician reading her case, and making up his opinion for life or death; soundly rating herself at the same time internally that she had been so foolish as to place herself in such a predicament.

This says nothing good,' said Sandy; 'but fortunately it says nothing ill. But how you contrived to settle such a transaction without some scrap of writing or other'

'There was a trifling note,' said Peney; but it says nothing; merely states the rent I was to pay.'

And is that nothing, you taupie?' and he eagerly seized the note.

He looked at the note on both sides, and endwise also, lest there might be in any corner a latent word; and placing his foot against the chimney-jamb, looked to the ceiling for some time.

This is in the handwriting of the landlord of course, or of his clerk, or factor?'

It is in the handwriting of the landlord.' And there was no other writing?' 'Nothing else whatever; except, I think, his copying that into his book when he again returned it to me; and giving his hand, wished me prosperity, and we parted.'

'Oh,' said the legal adviser, 'in that case, and under all these circumstances, if they could be proved, you have as good a lease as need be, at least I think so: only, to do you justice, it is through no merit of yours: all pure accident: but no matter. And now, do you wish to punish the scamp? Because, if you do, I'm your

man.'

'He certainly has not been very kind to me,' said Peney. 'You don't know half the kindness he intends you,' said Sandy. If you wish to see it, I will show it you; and if you don't then punish him, the world will owe you a grudge, particularly as it will be necessary to do 80 merely to do yourself justice. Therefore I'll tell you what you are to do-that is, if you are to be guided by me.'

Peney declared she would be guided wholly and solely by him, and by him only.

'You had better,' said Sandy, or I sincerely believe that in a very few months you'll be a beggar, as surely as the king's a gentleman.'

Peney repeated her vows of obedience, only begging he would say what she was to do.

"Then here are my directions: Go home as if nothing had happened; say nothing of your having been here; take no notice of your landlord's letter, nor of anything he may do, but keep me advised; and don't do that openly, but slip a letter into the post-office with your own hand, and not sealed with your thimble, if you please, for anybody has a thimble; and though I am a lawyer, I have a character.'

Peney bowed assent.

Peney looked bewildered.

'Because,' added Sandy, slapping the table, 'that's the cream of the jest!'

Peney still looked ignorant.

That's to be the foundation of our action of damages !'

But Peney didn't want any damages; only the possession of her farm, or at least payment for the improvement of the land and fences, and for her drain-tiles, as had been promised: all her toil and anxiety she expected to see go for nothing.

You shall lose nothing,' said Sandy firmly; that is, if you can keep your own counsel, and be guided by me: and by the bye, you are to remember this as a first thing: they'll be coming about you with papers-sign nothing, and say nothing. They may ask you to acknowledge that you have received a summons, and turn it into an agreement to remove, without legal proceedings; in which case you are done for, if you were the only woman on earth.' Peney promised she would neither write nor speak in reference to this matter.

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'You had better not,' said the lawyer, or don't come near me your life would not be safe. But in the hope that you are not to be an idiot, but a good and obedient client, I'll give you a glass of wine, and give it you with my own hand, in case the servants even of this house might blab, and spoil as good-a-looking case as a gentleman need wish to have." With this he did as he proposed, and having joined in drinking confusion to all bad landlords, Peney returned home much comforted.

Everything happened as Sandy had predicted, which, though but in the usual course, raised him almost into a prophet in his client's eyes. The lands were let to a Mr Snoove, who had become rich by a legacy, and, having purchased Mount - Hooly for his heir, wanted this comfortable farm for a younger son. They came and looked over everything, and even arranged their plans of improvement in Peney's sight and hearing. She considered it prudent to show some feeling upon the occasion, and observed that they were about to receive the benefit of all her labours for years, while she might be turned upon the world penniless. Mr Snoove knew nothing about that, but observed what a pity it was that she had not had a lease. With honest men and gentlemen,' Peney was beginning, and meant to conclude by saying the justice of her case would have been sufficient, when Mr Snoove asked his son if he thought the house would suit, or if it must be wholly pulled down. This was a sore trial to Peney's spleen. She could have said something very edifying upon the ups and downs of life, upon the circumstances that had made him for the present great, and her for the present small, and particularly as to the excellence of the precept, not to gut fish till one gets them;' but she restrained herself, and merely said that she would permit no alterations while she remained there; and they parted with no very kindly feelings.

At last the day for removal or ejectment came; and though Peney had been comforted the very night before by an assurance that her agent would be with her in due time, she arose and dressed herself that morning

'Above all, no gossipping on the subject with your with something of the feelings of one dressing for exe

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