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very young, and bore, I blush to say, the vulgar name ings towards me, too," (with a conscious glance at of Scrogie. This hapless dissyllable my uncle car- the bills, he still held in his hand,) “have, I admit, ried in person to the herald office in Scotland; but been such as to intimate some such deep cause of inneither Lyon, nor Marchmont, nor Islay, nor Sna-terest as you have been pleased to state. But it seems doun, neither herald nor pursuivant, would patronise strange that your lordship should have permitted Scrogie. Scrogie!-there could nothing be made out years to glide away, without so much as inquiring afof it-so that my worthy relative had recourse to the ter the young lady, who, I believe, is the only person surer side of the house, and began to found his dig-qualified as your grand-uncle's will requires, with nity on his mother's name of Mowbray. In this he whom you can form an alliance. It appears to me, was much more successful, and I believe some sly that long before now, this matter ought to have been fellow stole for him a slip from your own family tree, investigated; and that, even now, it would have been Mr. Mowbray of St. Ronan's, which, I daresay, you more natural and more decorous to have at least seen have never missed. At any rate, for his argent and my sister before proposing for her hand.", or, he got a handsome piece of parchment, blazoned On the first point, my dear Mowbray," said Lord with a white lion for Mowbray, to be borne quarterly, Etherington, "I am free to own to you, that, without with three stunted or scrog-bushes for Scrogie, and meaning your sister the least affront, I would have became thenceforth Mr. Scrogie Mowbray, or rather, got rid of this clause if I could; for every man would as he subscribed himself, Reginald (his former Chris- fain choose a wife for himself, and feel I no hurry to tian name was Ronald) S. Mowbray. He had a son marry at all. But the rogue-lawyers, after taking who most undutifully laughed at all this, refused the fees, and keeping me in hand for years, have at length honours of the high name of Mowbray, and insisted roundly told me the clause must be complied with, or on retaining his father's original appellative of Scrogie, Nettlewood must have another master. So I thought to the great annoyance of his said father's ears, and it best to come down here in person, in order to addamage of his temper." dress the fair lady; but as accident has hitherto prevented my seeing her, and as I found in her brother a man who understands the world, I hope you will not think the worse of me, that I have endeavoured in the outset to make you my friend. Truth is, I shall be twenty-five in the course of a month; and without your favour, and the opportunities which only you can afford me, that seems a short time to woo and win a lady of Miss Mowbray's merit."

"Why, faith, betwixt the two," said Mowbray, "I own I should have preferred my own name, and I think the old gentleman's taste rather better than the young one's.'

"True; but both were wilful, absurd originals, with a happy obstinacy of temper, whether derived from Mowbray or Scrogie I know not, but which led them so often into opposition, that the offended father, Reginald S. Mowbray, turned his recusant son Scrogie fairly out of doors; and the fellow would have paid for his plebeian spirit with a vengeance, had he not found refuge with a surviving partner of the original Scrogie of all, who still carried on the lucrative branch of traffic by which the family had been first enriched. I mention these particulars to account, in so far as I can, for the singular predicament in which I now find myself placed."

"Proceed, my lord," said Mr. Mowbray; "there is no denying the singularity of your story, and I presume you are quite serious in giving me such an extraordinary detail."

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Entirely so, upon my honour-and a most serious matter it is, you will presently find. When my worthy uncle, Mr. S. Mowbray, (for I will not call him Scrogie even in the grave,) paid his debt to nature, every body concluded he would be found to have disinherited his son, the unfilial Scrogie, and so far every body was right-But it was also generally believed that he would settle the estate on my father, Lord Etherington, the son of his sister, and therein every one was wrong. For my excellent grand-uncle had pondered with himself, that the favoured name of Mowbray would take no advantage, and attain no additional elevation, if his estate of Nettlewood (otherwise called Mowbray-Park) should descend to our family without any condition; and with the assistance of a sharp attorney, he settled it on me, then a schoolboy, on condition that I should, before attaining the age of twenty-five complete, take unto myself in holy wedlock a young lady of good fame, of the name of Mowbray, and, by preference, of the house of St. Ronan's should a damsel of that house exist. Now my riddle is read."

"And what is the alternative if you do not form this proposed alliance, my lord ?" said Mowbray, "The bequest of my grand-uncle lapses," said the Earl, "and fair Nettlewood, with its old house, and older oaks, manorial rights, Hodge Trampclod, and all, devolves on a certain cousin-german of mine, whom Heaven of his mercy confound!"

"You have left yourself little time to prevent such an event, my lord," said Mowbray; "but things being as I now see them, you shall have what interest I can give you in the affair.-We must stand, however, on more equal terms, my lord-I will condescend so far as to allow it would have been inconvenient for me at this moment to have lost that game, but I cannot in the circumstances think of acting as if I had fairly won it. We must draw stakes, my lord."

"Not a word of that, if you really mean me kindly, my dear Mowbray. The blunder was a real one, for I was indeed thinking, as you may suppose, on other things than the showing my point-All was fairly lost and won.-I hope I shall have opportunities of offering real services, which may perhaps give me some right to your partial regard-at present we are on equal footing on all sides-perfectly so.'

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"If your lordship think so," said Mowbray,-and then passing rapidly to what he felt he could say with more confidence,- 'Indeed, at any rate, no personal obligation to myself could prevent my doing my full duty as guardian to my sister."

"Unquestionably, I desire nothing else," replied the Earl of Etherington.

"I must therefore understand that your lordship is quite serious in your proposal; and that it is not to be withdrawn, even if upon acquaintance with Miss Mowbray, you should not perhaps think her so de"And a very extraordinary one it is," replied Mow-serving of your lordship's attentions, as report may bray, thoughtfully. have spoken her."

Confess the truth," said Lord Etherington, laying his hand on his shoulder; "you think the story will bear a grain of a scruple of doubt, if not a whole scruple itself?"

"At least, my lord," answered Mowbray, "your lordship will allow, that, being Miss Mowbray's only near relation, and sole guardian, I may, without of fence, pause upon a suit for her hand, made under such odd circumstances."

"If you have the least doubt either respecting my rank or fortune, I can give, of course, the most satisfactory references," said the Earl of Etherington.

"Mr. Mowbray," replied the Earl, "the treaty between you and me shall be as definite as if I were a sovereign prince, demanding in marriage the sister of a neighbouring monarch, whom, according to royal etiquette, he neither has seen nor could see. I have been quite frank with you, and I have stated to you that my present motives for entering upon negotiation are not personal, but territorial; when I know Miss Mowbray, I have no doubt they will be otherwise. I have heard she is beautiful."

"Something of the palest, my lord," answered Mowbray.

"A fine complexion is the first attraction which is lost in the world of fashion, and that which it is easi

"That I can easily believe, my lord," said Mowbray; "nor do I in the least fear deception, where detection would be so easy. Your lordship's proceed-est to replace."

Are you serious, my lord ?" said Mowbray. "I am-and I will speak my mind still more plainly. I have good temper, and excellent spirits, and can endure a good deal of singularity in those I live with. I have no doubt your sister and I will live nappily together-But in case it should prove otherwise, arrangements may be made previously, which will enable us in certain circumstances to live happily apart. My own estate is large, and Nettlewood will Dear dividing."

"Dispositions, my lord, may differ," said Mow-ton's power; and the escape from absolute ruin which bray, "without faults on either side. presume your he had made, solely by the sufferance of his opponent, lordship has inquired into my sister's. She is amia- had nothing in it consolatory to his wounded feelings. ble, accomplished, sensible, and high-spirited; but He was lowered in his own eyes, when he recolyet"lected how completely the proposed victim of his in"I understand you, Mr. Mowbray, and will spare genuity had seen through his schemes, and only abyou the pain of speaking out. I have heard Miss stained from baffling them entirely, because to do so Mowbray is in some respects-particular; to use a suited best with his own. There was a shade of susbroader word-a little whimsical.-No matter. She picion, too, which he could not entirely eradicate from will have the less to learn when she becomes a count- his mind.-What occasion had this young nobleman ess, and a woman of fashion." to preface, by the voluntary loss of a brace of thousands, a proposal which must have been acceptable in itself, without any such sacrifice? And why should he, after all, have been so eager to secure his accession to the proposed alliance, before he had even seen the lady who was the object of it? However hurried for time, he might have waited the event at least of the entertainment at Shaws-Castle, at which Clara was necessarily obliged to make her appearance.Yet such conduct, however unusual, was equally inconsistent with any sinister intentions; since the sacrifice of a large sum of money, and the declaration of his views upon a portionless young lady of family, could scarcely be the preface to any unfair practice. So that, upon the whole, Mowbray settled, that what was uncommon in the Earl's conduct arose from the hasty and eager disposition of a rich young English man, to whom money is of little consequence, and who is too headlong in pursuit of the favourite plan of the moment, to proceed in the most rational or most ordinary manner. If, however, there should prove any thing further in the matter than he could at present discover, Mowbray promised himself that the utmost circumspection on his part could not fail to discover it, and that in full time to prevent any ill consequences to his sister or himself.

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'Nay, then," said Mowbray, "I have little more to say—nothing indeed remains for inquiry, so far as your lordship is concerned. But my sister must have free liberty of choice-so far as I am concerned, your lordship's suit has my interest."

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And I trust we may consider it as a done thing?" "With Clara's approbation-certainly," answered Mowbray.

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"I trust there is no chance of personal repugnance on the young lady's part?" said the young peer. "I anticipate nothing of the kind, my lord," answered Mowbray, as I presume there is no reason for any; but young ladies will be capricious, and if Clara, after I have done and said all that a brother ought to do, should remain repugnant, there is a point in the exertion of my influence which it would be cruelty to pass.'

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Immersed in such cogitations, he avoided the inquisitive presence of Mr. Meiklewham, who, as usual, The Earl of Etherington walked a turn through the had been watching for him to learn how matters apartment, then paused, and said, in a grave and were going on; and although it was now late, he doubtful tone, "In the mean while, I am bound, and mounted his horse, and rode hastily to Shaws-Castle. the young lady is free, Mowbray. Is this quite fair?" On the way, he deliberated with himself whether to "It is what happens in every case, my lord, where mention to his sister the application which had been a gentleman proposes for a lady," answered Mow-made to him, in order to prepare her to receive the bray; "he must remain, of course, bound by his offer, until, within a reasonable time, it is accepted or rejected. It is not my fault that your lordship has declared your wishes to me, before ascertaining Clara's inclination. But while as yet the matter is between ourselves-I make you welcome to draw back if you think proper. Clara Mowbray needs not push for a catch-match."

"Nor do I desire," said the young nobleman, "any time to reconsider the resolution which I have confided to you. I am not in the least fearful that I shall change my mind on seeing your sister, and I am ready to stand by the proposal which I have made to you.If, however, you feel so extremely delicately on my account," he continued, "I can see and even converse with Miss Mowbray at this fête of yours, without the necessity of being at all presented to her-The character which I have assumed in a manner obliges me to wear a mask."

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'Certainly," said the Laird of St. Ronan's, "and I am glad, for both our sakes, your lordship thinks of taking a little law upon this occasion."

"I shall profit nothing by it," said the Earl; "; doom is fixed before I start--but if this mode of manmy aging the matter will save your conscience, I have no objection to it-it cannot consume much time, which is what I have to look to." 33

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young Earl as a suitor, favoured with her brother's approbation. But no, no, no;" such was the result of his contemplation. "She might take it into her head that his thoughts were bent less upon having her for a countess, than on obtaining possession of his grand-uncle's estate. We must keep quiet," concluded he, "until her personal appearance and accomplishments may appear at least to have some influence upon his choice. We must say nothing till this blessed entertainment has been given and received."

CHAPTER XIX.

A LETTER.

"Has he so long held out with me untired,
And stops he now for breath ?-Well-Be it so."

Richard III'
MOWBRAY had no sooner left the Earl's apartment,
associate, which we lay before the reader, as best cal-
than the latter commenced an epistle to a friend and
culated to illustrate the views and motives of the
writer. It was addressed to Captain Jekyl, of the —
gate, and was of the following tenor :-
regiment of Guards, at the Green Dragon, Harrow-

"DEAR HARRY,

"I have expected you here these ten days past, They then shook hands and parted, without any anxiously as ever man was looked for; and have now farther discourse which could interest the reader. to charge your absence as high treason to your sworn Mowbray was glad to find himself alone, in order allegiance. Surely you do not presume, like one of to think over what had happened, and to ascertain Napoleon's new-made monarchs, to grumble for inthe state of his own mind, which at present was puz- dependence, as if your greatness were of your own zling even to himself. He could not but feel that making, or as if I had picked you out of the whole of much greater advantages of every kind might accrue St. James's coffee-house to hold my back-hand, for to himself and his family from the alliance of the your sake, forsooth, not for my own? Wherefore, lay wealthy young Earl, than could have been derived aside all your own proper business, be it the pursuit from any share of his spoils which he had proposed of dowagers, or the plucking of pigeons, and instantly to gain by superior address in play, or greater skill on repair to this place, where I may speedily want your the turf. But his pride was hurt when he recollected assistance.-May want it, said I? Why, most neglithat he had placed himself entirely in Lord Ethering-gent of friends and allies, I have wanted it already,

and that when it might have done me yeoman's service. Know that I have had an affair since I came hither-have got hurt myself, and have nearly shot my friend; and if I had, I might have been hanged for it, for want of Harry Jekyl to bear witness in my favour. I was so far on my road to this place, when, not choosing, for certain reasons, to pass through the old village, I struck by a footpath into the woods which separate it from the new Spa, leaving my carriage and people to go the carriage-way. I had not walked half a mile when I heard the footsteps of some one behind, and, looking round, what should I behold but the face in the world which I most cordially hate and abhor-I mean that which stands on the shoulders of my right trusty and well beloved cousin and counsellor, Saint Francis. He seemed as much confounded as I was at our unexpected meeting; and it was a minute ere he found breath to demand what I did in Scotland, contrary to my promise, as he was pleased to express it.-I retaliated, and charged him with being here, in contradiction to his.-He justified, and said he had only come down upon the express information that I was upon my road to St. Ronan's. Now, Harry, how the devil should he have known this hadst thou been quite faithful? for I am sure, to no ear but thine own did I breathe a whisper of my purpose. Next, with the insolent assumption of superiority, which he founds on what he calls the rectitude of his purpose, he proposed we should both withdraw from a neighbourhood into which we could bring nothing but wretchedness.-I have told you how difficult it is to cope with the calm and resolute manner that the devil gifts him with on such occasions; but I was determined he should not carry the day this time. I saw no chance for it, however, but to put myself into a towering passion, which, thank Heaven, I can always do on short notice.-I charged him with having imposed formerly on my youth, and made himself judge of my rights; and I accompanied my defiance with the strongest terms of irony and contempt, as well as with demand of instant satisfaction. I had my travelling pistols with me, (et pour cause,) and, to my surprise, my gentleman was equally provided.-For fair play's sake, I made him take one of my pistolsright Kuchenritters-a brace of balls in each, but that circumstance I forgot.-I would fain have argued the matter a little longer; but I thought at the time, and think still, that the best arguments which he and I can exchange, must come from the point of the sword, or the muzzle of the pistol.--We fired nearly together, and I think both dropped-I am sure I did, but recovered in a minute, with a damaged arm and a scratch on the temple-it was the last which stunned me-so much for double-loaded pistols.-My friend was invisible, and I had nothing for it but to walk to the Spa, bleeding all the way like a calf, and tell a rawhead-and-bloody-bone story about a footpad, which, but for my earldom, and my gory locks, no living soul would have believed.

fell, I know him well enough to swear, that, had he not been severely wounded, he would have first pestered me with his accursed presence and assistance, and then walked forward with his usual composure to settle matters with Sir Bingo Binks. No-no-Saint Francis is none of those who leave such jobs half finished-it is but doing him justice to say, he has the devil's courage to back his own deliberate impertinence. But then, if wounded severely, he must be still in this neighbourhood, and probably in concealment-this is what I must discover, and I want your assistance in my inquiries among the natives.-Haste hither, Harry, as ever you look for good at my hand.

A good player, Harry, always studies to make the best of bad cards-and so I have endeavoured to turn my wound to some account; and it has given me the opportunity to secure Monsieur le Frere in my interests. You say very truly, that it is of consequence to me to know the character of this new actor on the disordered scene of my adventures.Know, then, he is that most incongruous of all monsters-a Scotch Buck-how far from being buck of the season you may easily judge. Every point of national character is opposed to the pretensions of this luckless race, when they attempt to take on them a personage which is assumed with so much facility by their brethren of the Isle of Saints. They are a shrewd people, indeed, but so destitute of ease, grace, pliability of manners, and insinuation of address, that they eternally seem to suffer actual misery in their attempts to look gay and careless. Then their pride heads them back at one turn, their poverty at another, their pedantry at a third, their mauvaise honte at a fourth; and with so many obstacles to make them bolt off the course, it is posí tively impossible they should win the plate. No, Harry, it is the grave folk in Old England who have to fear a Caledonian invasion-they will make no conquests in the world of fashion. Excellent bankers the Scots may be, for they are eternally calculating how to add interest to principal;-good soldiers, for they are, if not such heroes as they would be thought, as brave, I suppose, as their neighbours, and much more amenable to discipline;-lawyers they are born; indeed every country gentleman is bred one, and their patient and crafty disposition enables them in other lines, to submit to hardships which other natives could not bear, and avail themselves of advantages which others would let pass under their noses unavailingly. But assuredly Heaven did not form the Caledonian for the gay world; and his efforts at ease, grace, and gayety, resemble only the clumsy gambols of the ass in the fable. Yet the Scot has his sphere too, (in his own country only,) where the character which he assumes is allowed to pass current. This Mowbray, now-this brother-inlaw of mine-might do pretty well at a Northern Meeting, or the Leith races, where he could give five minutes to the sport of the day, and the next half hour to country politics, or to farming; but it is scarce necessary to tell you, Harry, that this half fellowship will not pass on the better side of the Tweed.

Shortly after, when I had been installed in a sick room, I had the mortification to learn, that my own impatience had brought all this mischief upon me, at a moment when I had every chance of getting rid of my friend without trouble, had I but let him go on his own errand; for it seems he had an appointment "Yet, for all I have told you, this trout was not that morning with a booby Baronet, who is said to easily tickled; nor should I have made much of him, be a bullet-slitter, and would perhaps have rid me of had he not, in the plenitude of his northern conceit, Saint Francis without any trouble or risk on my entertained that notion of my being a good subject part. Mean time, his non-appearance at this rendez- of plunder, which you had contrived (blessings on vous has placed Master Francis Tyrrel, as he chooses your contriving brain!) to insinuate into him by to call himself, in the worst odour possible with the means of Wolverine. He commenced this hopeful gentry at the Spring, who have denounced him as a experiment, and, as you must have anticipated, coward and no gentleman.-What to think of the caught a Tartar with a vengeance. Of course, business myself, I know not; and I much want your used my victory only so far as to secure his interest assistance to see what can have become of this in accomplishing my principal object; and yet, I fellow, who, like a spectre of ill omen, has so often could see my gentleman's pride was so much injured thwarted and baffled my best plans. My own con- in the course of the negotiation, that not all the finement renders me inactive, though my wound is advantages which the match offered to his damned fast healing. Dead he cannot be; for had he been family, were able entirely to subdue the chagrin mortally wounded, we should have heard of him arising from his defeat. He did gulp it down, though, somewhere or other-he could not have vanished and we are friends and allies, for the present at least from the earth like a bubble of the elements. Well-not so cordially so, however, as to induce me to and sound he cannot be; for, besides that I am sure trust him with the whole of the strangely complicated I saw him stagger and drop, firing his pistol as he tale. The circumstance of the will it was necessary

to communicate, as affording, a sufficiently strong consent to assume the lower characters of the drama. reason for urging my suit; and this partial disclosure For the first parts there were candidates more than enabled me for the present to dispense with farther enough; but most of these were greatly too highconfidence. spirited to play the fool, except they were permitted to top the part. Then amongst the few unambitious underlings, who could be coaxed or cajoled to undertake subordinate characters, there were so many bad memories, and short memories, and treacherous memories, that at length the plan was resigned in despair.

"You will observe, that I stand by no means secure; and besides the chance of my cousin's reappearance-a certain event, unless he is worse than I dare hope for-I have perhaps to expect the fantastic repugnance of Clara herself, or some sulky freak on her brother's part. In a word-and let it be such a one as conjurers raise the devil with-Harry Jekyl, I want you.

As well knowing the nature of my friend, I can assure you that his own interest, as well as mine, may be advanced by his coming hither on duty. Here is a blockhead, whom I already mentioned, Sir Bingo Binks, with whom something may be done worth your while, though scarce worth mine. The Baronet is a perfect buzzard, and when I came here he was under Mowbray's training. But the awkward Scot had plucked half-a-dozen penfeathers from his wig with so little precaution, that the Baronet has become frightened and shy, and is now in the act of rebelling against Mowbray, whom he both hates and fears-the least backing from a knowing hand like you, and the bird becomes your own, feathers and all.-Moreover,

'by my life,

This Bingo hath a mighty pretty wife.'

A lovely woman, Harry-rather plump, and above the middle size quite your taste-A Juno in beauty, looking with such scorn on her husband, whom she despises and hates, and seeming, as if she could look so differently on any whom she might like better, that, on my faith, 'twere sin not to give her occasion. If you please to venture your luck, either with the knight or the lady, you shall have fair play, and no interference-that is, provided you appear upon this summons; for, otherwise, I may be so placed, that the affairs of the knight and the lady may fall under my own immediate cognizance. And so, Harry, if you wish to profit by these hints, you had best make haste, as well for your own concerns, as to assist me in mine.-Yours, Harry, as you behave yourself,

"ETHERINGTON."

Having finished this eloquent and instructive epistle, the young Earl demanded the attendance of his own valet Solmes, whom he charged to put it into the post-office without delay, and with his own hand.

CHAPTER XX.

THEATRICALS.

A substitute, proposed by Lady Penelope, was next considered. It was proposed to act what the Italians call a Comedy of Character; that is, not an exact drama, in which the actors deliver what is set down for them by the author; but one, in which the plot having been previously fixed upon, and a few striking scenes adjusted, the actors are expected to supply the dialogue extempore, or, as Petruchio says, from their mother wit. This is an amusement which affords much entertainment in Italy, particularly in the state of Venice, where the characters of their drama have been long since all previously fixed, and are handed down by tradition; and this species of drama, though rather belonging to the mask than the theatre, is distinguished by the name of Commedia dell' Arte. But the shame-faced character of Britons is still more alien from a species of display, where there is a constant and extemporaneous demand for wit, or the sort of ready small-talk which supplies its place, than from the regular exhibitions of the drama, where the author, standing responsible for language and sentiment, leaves to the personators of the scenes only the trouble of finding enunciation and action.

But the ardent and active spirit of Lady Penelope, still athirst after novelty, though baffled in her two first projects, brought forward a third, in which she was more successful. This was the proposal to combine a certain number, at least, of the guests, properly dressed for the occasion, as representing some wellknown historical or dramatic characters, in a group, having reference to history, or to a scene of the drama. In this representation, which may be called playing a picture, action, even pantomimical action, was not expected; and all that was required of the performers, was to throw themselves into such a group as might express a marked and striking point of an easily remembered scene, but where the actors are at a pause, and without either speech or motion. In this species of representation there was no tax, either on the invention or memory of those who might undertake parts; and, what recommended it still farther to the good company, there was no marked difference betwixt the hero and heroine of the group, and the less distinguished characters by whom they were attended on the stage; and every one who had confidence in a handsome shape and a becoming dress might hope, though standing in not quite so broad and favourable a light as the principal personages, to draw, nevertheless, a considerable portion of attention and applause. This motion, therefore, that the company, or such of them as might choose to appear properly dressed for the occasion, should form themselves into one or more groups, which might be renewed and varied as often as they pleased, was hailed and accepted as a bright idea, which assigned to every one a share of the importance attached to its probable success.

The play's the thing.-Hamlet. THE important day had now arrived, the arrangement for which had for some time occupied all the conversation and thoughts of the good company at the Well of St. Ronan's. To give it, at the same time,, a degree of novelty and consequence, Lady Penelope Penfeather had long since suggested to Mr. Mowbray, that the more gifted and accomplished part of the guests might contribute to furnish out entertainment for the rest, by acting a few scenes of some popular drama; an accomplishment in which her self-conceit assured her that she was peculiarly quali- Mowbray, on his side, promised to contrive some fied to excel. Mr. Mowbray, who seemed on this oc- arrangement which should separate the actors in this casion to have thrown the reins entirely into her lady-mute drama from the spectators, and enable the former ship's hands, made no objection to the plan which to vary the amusement, by withdrawing themselves she proposed, excepting that the old-fashioned hedges from the scene, and again appearing upon it under a and walks of the garden at Shaws-Castle must ne- different and new combination. This plan of exhibicessarily serve for stage and scenery, as there was no tion, where fine clothes and affected attitudes, supplied time to fit up the old hall for the exhibition of the pro- all draughts upon fancy or talent, was highly agreeposed theatricals. But upon inquiry among the com- able to most of the ladies present; and even Lady pany, this plan was wrecked upon the ordinary shelve, Binks, whose discontent seemed proof against every to wit, the difficulty of finding performers who would effort that could be proposed to soothe it, acquiesced *At Kilruddery, the noble seat of Lord Meath, in the county in the project, with perfect indifference indeed, but of Wicklow, there is a situation for private theatrical exhibi- with something less of sullenness than usual. tions in the open air, planted out with the evergreens which arise there in the most luxuriant magnificence. It has a wild and romantic effect, reminding one of the scene in which Bottom rehearsed his pageant, with a green plot for a stage, and a "hawthorn brake for a tiringroom.

See Mr. William Stewart Rose's very interesting Letters from the North of Italy, Vol. I. Letter XXX., where this curious subject is treated with the information and precision which distinguish that accomplished author.

Dr. Quackleben was applied to to play Wall, by the assistance of such a wooden horse, or screen, as clothes are usually dried upon; the old Attorney stood for Lion; and the other characters of Bottom's drama were easily found among the unnamed frequenters of the Spring. Dressed rehearsals, and so forth, went merrily on-all voted there was a play. fitted.

But even the Doctor's eloquence could not press Mrs. Blower into the scheme, although she was particularly wanted to represent Thisbe.

It now only remained to rummage the circulating | salutiferous fountain, who were easily persuaded to library, for some piece of sufficient celebrity to com- let their children figure in fine clothes at so juvenile mand attention, and which should be at the same an age, though they shook their head at Miss Digges time suited to the execution of their project. Bell's and her pantaloons, and no less at the liberal display British Theatre, Miller's Modern and Ancient Drama, of Lady Binks's right leg, with which the Amazonian and about twenty odd volumes, in which stray trage-garb gratified the public of St. Ronan's. dies and comedies were associated, like the passengers in a mail-coach, without the least attempt at selection or arrangement, were all examined in the course of their researches. But Lady Penelope declared loftily and decidedly for Shakspeare, as the author whose immortal works were fresh in every one's recollection. Shakspeare was therefore chosen, and from his works the Midsummer Night's Dream was selected, as the play which afforded the greatest variety of characters, and most scope of course for the intended representation. An active competition presently occurred among the greater part of the "Truth is," she replied, "I dinna greatly like stagecompany, for such copies of the Midsummer Night's plays. John Blower, honest man, as sailors are aye Dream, or the volume of Shakspeare containing it, for some spree or another, wad take me ance to see as could be got in the neighbourhood; for, notwith-ane Mrs. Siddons-I thought we should hae been standing Lady Penelope's declaration, that every one crushed to death before we gat in-a' my things riven who could read had Shakspeare's plays by heart, it aff my back, forby the four lily-white shillings that it appeared that such of his dramas as have not kept cost us-and then in came three frightsome carlines possession of the stage were very little known at St. wi' besoms, and they wad bewitch a sailor's wife-I Ronan's, save among those people who are emphati- was lang eneugh there-and out I wad be, and out cally called readers. John Blower gat me, but wi' nae sma' fight and fend. The adjustment of the parts was the first subject-My Lady Penelope Penfitter, and the great folk, of consideration, so soon as those who intended to may just take it as they like; but in my mind, Dr. assume characters had refreshed their recollection on Cacklehen, it's a mere blasphemy for folk to gar the subject of the piece. Theseus was unanimously themselves look otherwise than their Maker made assigned to Mowbray, the giver of the entertainment, them; and then the changing the name which was and therefore justly entitled to represent the Duke of given them at baptism, is, I think, an awful falling Athens. The costume of an Amazonian crest and away from our vows; and though Thisby, which I plume, a tucked-up vest, and a tight buskin of sky- take to be Greek for Tibbie, may be a very good blue silk, buckled with diamonds, reconciled Lady name, yet Margaret was I christened, and Margaret Binks to the part of Hippolyta. The superior stature will I die.". of Miss Mowbray to Lady Penelope, made it that the former should perform the part of Helena, and her ladyship rest contented with the shrewish character of Hermia. It was resolved to compliment the young Earl of Etherington with the part of Lysander, which, however, his lordship declined, and, "Dinna tell me o' health, Dr. Kittlepin!-Can it be preferring comedy to tragedy, refused to appear in for the puir body M'Durk's health to major about in any other character than that of the magnanimous the tartans like a tobacconist's sign in a frosty mornBottom; and he gave them such a humorous speci-ing, wi' his poor wizzened houghs as blue as a blamen of his quality in that part, that all were delighted wort?-weel I wot he is a humbling spectacle. Or at once with his condescension in assuming, and his can it gie ony body health or pleasure either to see skill in performing, the presenter of Pyramus. your ainsell, Doctor, ganging about wi' a claise screen tied to your back, covered wi' paper, and painted like a stane and lime wa' ?-I'll gang to see nane o' their vanities, Dr. Kittlehen and if there is nae other decent body to take care o' me, as I dinna like to sit a haill afternoon by mysell, I'll e'en gae down to Mr. Sowerbrowst the maltster's-he is a pleasant, sensible man, and a sponsible man in the world, and his sister's a very decent woman.'

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The part of Egeus was voted to Captain MacTurk, whose obstinacy in refusing to appear in any other than the full Highland garb, had nearly disconcerted the whole affair. At length this obstacle was got over, on the authority of Childe Harold, who remarks the similarity betwixt the Highland and Grecian costume, and the company, dispensing with the difference of colour, voted the Captain's variegated kilt, of the MacTurk tartan, to be the kirtle of a Grecian mountaineer,-Egeus to be an Arnout, and the Captain to be Egeus. Chatterly and the painter, walking gentlemen by profession, agreed to walk through the parts of Demetrius and Lysander, the two Athenian lovers; and Mr. Winterblossom, loath and lazy, after many excuses, was bribed by Lady Penelope with an antique, or supposed antique camco, to play the part of Philostratus, master of the revels, provided his gout would permit him to remain so long upon the turf, which was to be their stage.

Muslin trowsers, adorned with spangles, a voluminous turban of silver gauze, and wings of the same, together with an embroidered slipper, converted at once Miss Digges into Oberon, the King of Shadows, whose sovereign gravity, however, was somewhat indifferently represented by the silly gayety of Miss in her Teens, and the uncontrolled delight which she felt in her fine clothes. A younger sister represented Titania; and two or three subordinate elves were selected, among families attending the

The Arnaouts or Albanese," (says Lord Byron.) "struck me forcibly by their resemblance to the Highlanders of Scotland, in dress, figure, and manner of living. Their very mountains seem Caledonian, with a kinder climate. The kilt, though white; the spare, active form; their dialect Celtic, in the sound, and their hardy habits, all carried me back to Morven."-Notes to the Second Chapter of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.

"You mistake the matter entirely, my dear Mrs. Blower," said the Doctor; "there is nothing serious intended-a mere placebo-just a divertisement to cheer the spirits, and assist the effect of the waterscheerfulness is a great promoter of health."

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"Confound Sowerbrowst," thought the Doctor; "if I had guessed he was to come across me thus, he should not have got the better of his dyspepsy so early.-My dear Mrs. Blower," he continued, but aloud, "it is a foolish affair enough, I must confess; but every person of style and fashion at the Well has settled to attend this exhibition; there has been nothing else talked of for this month through the whole country, and it will be a year before it is forgotten. And I would have you consider how ill it will look, my dear Mrs. Blower, to stay away-nobody will believe you had a card-no, not though you were to hang it round your neck like a label round a vial of tincture, Mrs. Blower."

"If ye thought that, Doctor Kickherben," said the widow, alarmed at the idea of losing cast, "I wad e'en gang to the show, like other folk; sinful and shameful if it be, let them that make the sin bear the shame. But then I will put on nane of their Popish disguises-me that has lived in North Leith, baith wife and lass, for I shanna say how mony years, and has a character to keep up baith with saint and sinner.-And then, wha's to take care of me, since you Dr. Kickinben ?" are gaun to make a lime-and-stane wa' of yoursell,

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My dear Mrs. Blower if such is your determination, I will not make a wall of myself. Her ladyship

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