The subject commends itself by its red and scarlet crimes to the enmity of the Anti-Slavery Societies-if they have vigour and vitality left, after consenting to other measures, which they have allowed to pass without rebuke. If the old are dead, their place will be supplied, unless the

Ir was a festal day in Heaven; for summer had begun, and the monarch of the sky rose with increased splendour, to celebrate this his season of beauty and luxuriance.

Aurora, to whom the ceremony of his rising was intrusted, exhausted all her resources to do honour to the occasion. She decked her handmaidens, the clouds, in their brightest attire, bordering their fleecy garments of the purest white with a golden rim, and casting a roseate veil over all. Then she paved their aerial path with orange, graduated to the palest primrose, and studded this, also, with golden spangles, which shone resplendent on the deep blue vault of Heaven.

The potent monarch of the sky was well pleased with these arrangements, and he consequently rose in the very best of tempers, and shone benignantly on the children of Earth.

First the great towering mountains received his smile and a glow of ruddy pleasure lit up their snowy heads, creeping from them gradually down, until it reached their base, where sat a crowd of noxious, malicious vapours, enemies of man, artificers of diseases to him in the shape of rheumatisms, consumptions, and many other ills.

The smile of the great heavenly potentate. just touched them, and it acted like a charm ;-for off they all flew in dudgeon, crowding together in a dark and sullen mass, sitting half way up the mountain, sulking and lowering, and threatening to come down again as soon as ever King Sol (for so this great monarch was named) had gone away again.

How glorious all nature looked! Millions of spirits, unseen to mortal eyes, danced jocundly in the pure morning air, chaunting their heaven-born songs of praise and joy. All nature was happy all, save one etherial being, who, with drooping wings and broken harp, stood in the pathway of the monarch of the sky.

"Iris, mine own loved messenger, wherefore so sad ?”

But the wings drooped still, and the harp fell lower in her hands.

Then there arose a chorus of heavenly music. "Twas the morning hymn. Its melody stole over the sorrowing spirit, and, as it ceased, her voice was heard, like the last tone of an Eolian harp.

"I sorrow that this glory which I share, these sunbeams on which I dance, should be denied to some of those who pine in misery. I would crave a boon, great monarch," and she knelt before him :-"Grant me one warm sunbeam to carry where I will."

Then the voices of Heaven's children broke forth again in a rejoicing song of grateful praise, as the spirit's request was complied with.

Now, her drooping pinions were spread in rapid flight, as, folding a sunbeam to her bosom, she took her way from heaven to earth.

On she flew and she hugged her treasure yet more closely, for she feared it would be stolen from her. Down her coloured way she sped-down, and down, and down-until she alighted on a glittering dome of gold.

It was an eastern palace, a monument of magnificence. Gems of rare value adorned its marble walls; the treasures of the earth had been ransacked to provide for its embellishment.

"Shall I leave thee here, mine own sunbeam ?" asked the spirit:" shall I make this thine home?" and she just peeped into her bosom at her treasure ; and there it lay, so pure and bright! Then she looked at the magnificent work of man, the palace ; but its glory had departed, its lustre had faded before the beauty of nature's handiwork, before the brilliancy of the warm sunbeam; and Iris then knew that this was no place for her treasured gift. So, ou she flew with it for many a long and weary mile, over both sea and land. At last she

came to a city-a great noisy, dirty, bustling city, with its smoke and filth of every kind.

"Here art thou wanted! here art thou wanted, my treasure!" said the gentle spirit; "but, how can I leave thee in this human den, with nought worthy of thee?"

"Nought worthy ?" said a still small voice; "presumptuous spirit! fold thy wings, tarry in thy course, and see whether thou can'st not bestow thy gifts worthily here. Behold!"

The spirit closed her half-spread wings. Before her stood one with heavy eyes and famine-pinched face-a child in years, a woman in sorrow and experience. Her clothes hung in rags about her, and displayed her delicate limbs of marble whiteness. How that loving spirit longed for a mortal tongue, to whisper words of comfort to that friendless being!

A stranger passed, and gave her alms. They were seized with avidity, and the wild eyes looked an intensity of joy. How swiftly the bare feet sped on-in quest of bread, perchance? No, she entered a fruiterer's shop, and spent the whole of this, her fortune, in a few strawberries!

On again, until she had traversed the length of the dirty street, and turned into a narrow alley, swarming with riotous children.

The spirit hovered over her, and, with her zephyr wings, fanned each noisome air from the poor child's heated brows.

On again, until she reached a court leading from this alley, and looking still more wretched and uninhabitable. She entered a miserable abode, and, with a quick and happy step, ascended the stairs. With a gentle hand she unclosed a door. The room she entered contained a miserable bed, one chair, and a deal table.

A lad of about sixteen was lying on the bed. How his eyes beamed with affection as he saw the girl approach!

She placed her hand on his head; alas! there was no abatement of the fever.

She held up a strawberry to him-another, and another!

The eager eyes of the suffering boy proclaimed his delight at so unexpected a treat. The girl raised a strawberry to his lips.

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first."

No, Ruth, not one morsel, unless you taste it

To please him, she consented. There they sat, those two friendless beings-he, so soon to be in a happier world, she .

The boy's eyes suddenly rested on the window. "Look, dear sister," he said; "look!-a gentle radiance seems to come even from those dull clouds, and a balmy fragrance spreads around, reminding me of other days, before we came to the smoky town, when we lived 'mid green fields and glorious valleys, when the lark, with her wild melody, roused us from our morning slumbers, and the nightingale's plaintive note lulled us to our evening Ah! Ruth-that was a happy time!"

rest!

For some moments his mind seemed to be absorbed in the past.

"Ruth," he at length said, "what will you do when I am gone? Who will love you then, my sister? Who-who be kind to you, and speak the word of sympathy to your heart?" He beut his dying eyes sadly on her. She took his wasted hands in hers, and pressed them to her lips, then in an attitude of prayer. The gesture alone was an answer; but her words also replied to his question.

"The same God," she said, "who has loved me for sixteen long years, will love me still-still show me His loving kindness. In mercy has He afflicted to make me turn to Him; even in this poor place, amid our past and present wretchedness, He has thrown over my trembling soul the balm of His heavenly comfort. He, my brother, will be my support when you are gone-my stay, my all!" comfort, my hope, my

There was a bright glow on that bed of death; a sunbeam fell on the pallid face, as the wings of the hovering spirit lulled the dying boy to his last slumber.

Hour after hour passed-daylight faded.

"Die ye together, ye things of earth and heaven!" sighed the gentle Iris; "die, my treasured sunbeam, even as the soul of that sufferer fades from earthly woe!"

The fragile girl had laid her head beside her brother; one hand pillowed her head, the other was clasped in his. Gradually, she lost the consciousness of all external things; she slept ;-and then-a murmur, like music, but still not musiconly a tone, like the south wind singing its own sad requiem, stole over her senses.

She fancied she was wafted along in air, her tattered garments changed to floating vapour, her tangled locks to golden tresses. Suddenly, she seemed to stop in her etherial flight, and a voice bade her observe what would pass.

In the distance, a small white cloud appeared. It came nearer and nearer, and then she discovered two forms of heavenly radiance. The one looked down on the dim earth beneath, and its tears fell fast on the distant land; the face of the other was raised to heaven, and there was seen joy, worship, gladness, adoration. Carried between these two, as in a couch, resting peacefully in their arms, was a form of angel brightness, bearing a semblance to humanity, but beatified-changed; the mortal, clothed with immortality-the imperfect, perfected by the reunion with its God.

in it she recognised her brother's soul !

Ruth's eyes were fixed on the recumbent figure;

It was now twilight, but the spirit's wings were

CHAPTER XI.

BANGALORE.-THE SALUTING BATTERY, ETC.

Ar Bangalore, where whole detachments of newly arrived cadets, for artillery, cavalry, and infantry, were daily arriving, as a natural result, some species of mischief was being continually perpetrated. So many wild young colts let loose together were sure to be up to one lark or another; and although the Brigadier was a perfect old Turk, they contrived to set him and his fulmi nating general orders at defiance. Sometimes their owlish propensities for turning night into day ended in an abrupt and melancholy manner. Three fine young officers, highly promising in talents, and in everything but those bushels of wild oats which they they had not, unfortunately, as yet sown, would persist in the most extravagant display of temerity; such, for instance, as boating upon the Ulsoor tank, in leaky old tubs cut down from emply beer barrels. Many a time had these expeditions ended in a capsize; but generally a numerous party of friends, who were watching proceedings from the shore, would man a boat and rescue them. One dark morning, after a ball that had been kept up till half-past three a.m., they ventured alone upon their foolish and hazardous voyage, and the conclusion arrived at is, that they got entangled amongst the weeds, and were drowned beyond hail of assistance. This incident occurred some years after my visit to Bangalore; but every Madrasee will recognise in it the fate of poor Oakes, Seaton, and Showers. Court-martials were frequent, and I remember one that created a tremendous sensation, from the ludicrous incident connected with it. The victim was a Captain F——, of —th N. I. He then resided at Bangalore; and Mrs. Colonel C, who like a mother true attended race-stand, ball, or dinnerparty, with six Miss C's under her motherly wing. No fowl was ever more jealous or fearful

for the fate of her little ones, though, truth to say, the Misses C were, as regards youthfulness, anything but chickens. Once, at a masquerade ball, somebody, disguised as a postman, bearing her

delivered a letter to Mrs. C

address, and on opening it, so great was her wrath at its contents, that she actually read it aloud, amidst the uproarious mirth of the assembly, and to the exceeding mortification of her six unhappy daughters.

I was, unfortunately, too young to retain a distinct recollection of more than the two opening lines; the whole, however, was an admirable satire, and commenced with

Termagant mother of a waspish race,

Why come you here to show your ugly face? The result proved rather serious to the unhappy postman, who lost his commission through this freak. Whereas the waspish race, despite every drawback (so great, oh ye maidens of England, who have passed a certain age, is the demand for wives in the Indian market), married and settled comfortably, having mostly picked up nankeen breeched and liverless old judges and collectors, who died in the course of a few years, and their relics enjoy to this present day the fruits of their

thrift.

Captain Marryat, in his "Olla Podrida," tells a capital anecdote about a quiet old doctor, who had had the misfortune in his old days to contract a love for a freakish young lady, which terminated in a brief courtship and hasty marriage. The doctor detested gaiety of any kind, and regularly retired to bed at half-past nine p.m. Not so his young wife, who made a point of never missing a single evening party to which she might chance to be invited. Wearied in spirit, his peaceful slum. bers broken and interrupted by the unconscionable hours that his pretty wife thought proper to keep,

the doctor at first remonstrated mildly, then raved and stormed, and finally vowed to bolt his wife out if she was not home before midnight. The wretched medico watched till that hour, and then, with stern determination and strong arm, bolted the truant out for the night. Somewhere about four p.m., the lady was carried in her palanquin from one of the most delightful balls the commandant had ever given. Finding remonstrance and tears of no avail with the obdurate old disciple of Esculapius, she threatened to throw herself into a well hard by. The doctor only laughed at her threat. Suddenly, the bearers, who were set up to the dodge, let drop a huge stone into the well, and simultaneously raised loud lamentations for their lost mistress. Out rushed the wretched doctor, half distracted, and less than half clothed; in stepped madam, and bolted the door securely. Alas! too late the medico discovered the ruse-vainly he implored forgiveness and admission. There, on the sharp gravel, nakedfooted and night-shirted, that unhappy man walked to and fro to keep up circulation, till daylight revealed his grotesque position to the scores of young officers bound for morning parade, who bandied the joke from one to another, until the luckless doctor was obliged to fly the country.

But as the Frenchman says, to "Come back to my muttons" (revenons a nous moutons). Time grew on apace, and in that interval my sister Jessy and her husband joined us from St. Thomas Mount. They brought their only daughter with them, a child of some two years old, and had come with the double object of recruiting health, and witnessing Ellen's second wedding. Balso had despatched his little son, George, then only eight years old, to be placed early under the care of his future mother-in-law, and my other sister, who had been left with the cantankerous old aunt at Tellicherry, wrote urgently to come and join us again, as, apart from her not relishing a sojourn with her newly found relative, sad havoc had been committed by the cholera in the house where they were awaiting an opportunity for Bombay, and poor Mrs. S, the wife of the fierce old judge, had been carried off by a sudden and violent death. My nose-tweaking relative set off to fetch her, and eventually we were all collected under the same roof at Bangalore. All save my two elder brothers, who had been sent home one immediately prior to and the other subsequent to my mother's death.

In the interval, before the arrival of Band the celebration of his nuptials with my sister, I had managed to eat so many raw mangoes, and other unwholesome fruit, that, much to my regret, I was seized with an attack of fever, which compelled us to call in the aid of the learned Doctor C, above alluded to. His daily visits, and the abominations he prescribed, reminds me of one thing at Bangalore, which has a very novel and absurd appearance to strangers. I allude to the practice of driving bullocks, in lieu of ponies or

horses, in their carriages; and yet it is surprising to see the speed some of these bullock carriages go at. The carriages (called in other parts of India, palanquin-carriages, or "shigram poos") are constructed precisely the same as the palanquins, only wider, and instead of having poles, they are fixed upon springs and wheels, and admit of a well in the centre, which lets up or down for the convenience of the inmate. Twice a day, regularly for a month, did these wretched bullockcarriages put me into a state of nervous trepidation, as I feared that each one passing might prove to be the doctor's. Time, and a pretty fair constitution, however, did wonders; but I must here protest against the theory, now, thank heavens, pretty well exploded, practised by physicians of the old school, who prohibited drink to the parched and miserable fever stricken. I am persuaded I owe my life to the often and sly visits of that dear old soul, my grandmother, who, despite her failing intellect, in any case of emergency like that presented by my serious illness, was invaluable. Often and often on the sly has she supplied me with tumblers full of weak sherry and water, at the same time, for I was too weak to move from my bed, quietly disposing of the doctor's draughts by emptying them out of the window. At last I recovered, and then the long delayed wedding took place. Amongst the guests present was one harem scarem young fellow of the Horse Artillery, who turned everything into fun, and profanely nicknamed the altar the saluting battery, from a momentary pause in the service having led the bridegroom to the conclusion that the ceremony was ended, whereupon he kissed the bride, repeating the same at the conclusion of the wedding service.

Next day, the newly married couple took their departure for Bellary, and we turned our backs upon Bangalore, bound for St. Thomas' Mount. The last smile on those loved lips, the last tears that dimmed those loved eyes, they are recorded here, deep in my heart, oh, gentle sister mine! never to be erased; but thy fair form has long since crumbled away to dust, and thy pure soul, oh, Saviour, grant it, is basking in the glorious sunshine that never dies.

CHAPTER XII.

SCHOOL-DAYS.

SCHOOL-DAYS have very little interest to the general reader, and are, with few exceptions, the same old story repeated over and over again through successive generations. The only novelty in mine was the fact of my commencing in India, where the greater number of boys were half-castes and Portuguese, with all that inherent roguery about them which unfortunately stamps these unhappy races. My first schoolmaster was, however, a thorough scholar and a perfect gentleman-the

son of Mr. Exley, a mathematician of no mean repute. In common with two others, I was a parlour boarder; and of those two, one is now a captain in H.M.'s 94th Foot. Our privilege consisted in dining with the family, and sleeping apart from the common herd of boarders, who were nightly locked up in a dormitary detached from the house and school-room. In all other respects we fared alike. Not many months, however, after my being placed under his care, my worthy schoolmaster sickened and died, very much to the sorrow of even the younger boys-and if this is not proof of kindness in a schoolmaster, I do not know what is. There was that in his mild and loveable disposition which commanded universal esteem, and though, of necessity, compelled to exercise occasional severity, and flourish the birch-broom of childhood's terrors, all such castigations were invariably administered in a separate and private apartment, which gave painful evidence of refined delicacy, such as is seldom to be met with in a pedagogue. With tears in our eyes, we used to acknowledge this fact to each other, and all joined in deploring the premature loss of so excellent a

man.

The day after Mr. E.'s funeral, his place and authority were unworthily usurped by his bro. ther-in-law a dark-eyed, beetle-browed young man, who introduced himself into the schoolroom in company with a bundle of rattan canes, carefully prepared against the emergencies of the day. Unaccustomed as the boys had been (and some of them were big, sturdy fellows, verging upon eighteen) to such proceedings, a general spirit of discontent seized upon the school; one or two unhappy dunces felt the weight of the new master's fist, and that night, before bed-time, a plot for deserting was arranged, which was carried out with signal success long before daylight the next morning. Some dozen youngsters, and amongst others myself, made a bolt of it. I could have formed very indefinite plans as to the course to be pursued, and in my urgent hurry to be off, I forgot my cap -a very unfortunate neglect in so hot a climate. Little dauuted, however, I started off towards the mount, and ran till I could run no longer, when I rested in hedges and byeways until I revived. Hea vens! how I trembled at every noise that was raised behind me! How my fevered imagination pictured the horrible nightmare of our new master in full cry, with half a dozen rods in pickle against my return! With what joy and weariness I sighted the old familiar parade-ground and church, and so made straight for the house of the staff officer, Major E., who happened just to be sitting down to breakfast, and who started and stared at the apparition that presented itself before him as though he had been electrified. How he laughed till he cried again when I breathlessly told him my sorrows, and then made me sit down and eat a breakfast with the appetite and relish of an ogre! All these are souvenirs long firmly closed up in the strong box of memory, and though mingled

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with terror at the time, can now afford to be smiled at. In Major E. I found a staunch and excellent friend. My own relations had some months quitted the Mount for Penang, where F. had been appointed Staff-officer of Artillery, and B. (my sister Ellen being dead) was then at Cuddalore, so that I had no one to fly to in my trouble but Major E. I believe the voracity with which I devoured that breakfast inspired E. with the notion that I had been starved for a fortnight; he accordingly determined that I should not return to the school until after he had communicated with my guardian, and as to do this a fortnight must necessarily intervene, I had the unspeakable pleasure of a long holiday, with the best of fare and the kindest of treatment, eventually resulting in my removal to another school, and thence to Old England for a space.

And what are my souvenirs of English schooldays? What can rival their happiness or their fleetness! Shall I tell of the terrible old professor in mathematics, whose dreams were of right-angled triangles, and who nightly thrashed his second wife because she could not master Greek? How he hammered it into her head with-" Alpha, woman! I tell ye the first Mrs. M. spoke Greek divinely!" How, fusty and ancient in his ideas, he looked upon all modern literature and wit as foolish and insipid, quoting Socrates, and nobody knows who not besides, in support of his opinion? How he loved to set down a punster by saying "Call that a poon, sir? I tell you what was a poon. When Alcibiades asked Socrates whether it was true that a raven would live a hundred and forty years, the latter told him that he had better keep one and try! Ha! now, sir, that's a poon, sir!—that's a real poon !" Shall I further dilate upon how this learned doctor (for learned he undoubtedly was) literally astonished the weak minds of us youngsters by ideal descriptions of Scripture localities and persons, until we were impressed with a vague notion that he was another Wandering Jew, and had been co temporary with the people he described? How, when a boy asked him innocently why it happened that so little mention was made in Scripture of so important a character as Pontius Pilate, the doctor gravely replied "Puntius Pilate, sir, was a young dandy in the streets of Rum (Rome), sir. He lived, sir, at 147, Tiber-street, Rum, sir. He was a wild young man, sir, till his friend Agoostos tuk him by the hand, sir, and appinted him governor of Jerusalem!" Shall I further tell how he hated all females to intrude upon his studies, and invariably told us boys to "take that woman away" when a little girl, only three years old, came playing into the room? How he also invariably stopped at the corner of streets when heavy, timber-laden waggons were passing, and mentally calculated the angle of the sweep to within a few inches of his nose, until one day his calculations failed, and a large log sent him flying into the mud? How he would stand, and had stood for goodness knows how many years, at the