Shop in L Street; dingy imperfect light-A counter on the right hand side of the door, with some plated pencil-cases, gilt watch-keys, and pinchbeck watches, under a glass-case-A few tarnished silver watches, suspended within a perpendicular frame- A stool within the counter, near a low fire-place-A small desk, fitted to the end of the counter next the window-Door into a small back room ajar-The Watchmaker obscurely seen in the inner room-Enter Learned Whig-The bell on the half-door rings as he enters-Watchmaker comes slowly from inner room, not aware of honour awaiting him.

Learned Whig-Mr.

I am glad to find

&c. &c. &c.

you at home-I trust that you are very well-very mild weather this has been Mr.

Whig Watchmaker.-'Ey, Mr. is this you? -a sight of you is good for sair een, as the folk say -I have na seen you for a lang time-not, am thinking, since there was some wark about the infirmary, was't? or, maybe, about the toon's cause; there was a subscription, ye ken.

Learned Whig-Oh-very true, I believe there was something of the kind necessary; but, Mr. these were all very minor and unimportant matters to the great questions which have lately been agitating the country.

Whig Watchmaker.-Nae doubt, nae doubt.

Learned Whig-Questions which would at any time have been of the deepest interest, but which really now involve, in the present state of the country, consequences directly striking at the foundations of our freedom, and creating at once an arbitrary government.

Whig Watchmaker.-(Aside)-What a fine thing now it is to be able sae glibly to speak on ony thing that may occur. But, Mr. I am no just sure that I ken the consequences to which ye may be alluding.

Learned Whig-Why, Mr.

I am surprised

that you should not at once see that I am pointing at the alarming and unexampled prorogation of Parliament when

Whig Watchmaker.-Hoot, na, Mr.

; that the like o' me should say sae; but surely the King may at ony time prorogue the Parliament; and it

seemed to me to be an unco queer thing to see géntlemen making sic a din and hooting in

Learned Whig-I beg you may not, Mr. misunderstand me: I admit freely that the King may prorogue the Parliament when he chooses; but then surely a person of your penetration and judg ment will see, and I am happy to hear that that is the general opinion among you, that at present the ministers have prorogued the Parliament on purpose to prevent any further discussion about their illegal and unconstitutional proceedings against the Queen, and to save themselves from being turned out by the indignant voice of the House of Commons.

Whig Watchmaker. A'weel that is nae doubt a very different view of the case. I believe that you are very right.

Learned Whig-Not the least doubt. I was confident that you would see the matter in the proper point of view. But then it is clear that this cannot be endured. This attempt to prevent even the discussion of their measures in Parliament calls upon the country to declare their opinion to the House in a voice of thunder. We hear that meetings are to take place everywhere throughout the country, to declare the sense of the people, that the Queen hast been most cruelly oppressed, and that much injury has been done to their loyalty and regard for the royal family in the course of her extraordinary trial. And it seems generally to be thought the people should likewise call for a change of ministers, as the authors of such evils.

Whig Watchmaker.-Ou, that follows of course. Learned Whig-Surely-surely. It is hardly necessary indeed to notice that change as one of the objects of the people. Yet it has commonly been thought right to include that object, as I understand, in petitions to the King. Now, I believe it is intended shortly to have a meeting in Edinburgh upon this important subject, upon an entirely new plan, calling" the inhabitants" generally to meet, and making the summons proceed without distinction from persons in every different situation. I mean to sign the requisition, and it occurred to me that you might like to have an opportunity of recording your opinion in this public manner, and of being instrumental in promoting so very grand and imposing a spectacle as a meeting on this plan will exhibit. The example will be followed over all Scotland, and there cannot be a doubt that it will be a death-blow to the present hateful system of government.

Whig Watchmaker.—Oh, I will sign with all my heart. I am muckle obliged to you for sic attention to the like o' me.

Learned Whig-Nay, my good sir, every man is entitled to record his opinion upon such a subject. Whig Watchmaker-But, maister, after a', what gude will this do to our friends?

Learned Whig-Oh, the benefit in that way will be incalculable and instantaneous. Mr. Cwill be Lord Advocate-the Solicitor-General (Here the Learned Whig seemed to draw himself up with a

smiling self-complacency, which appeared to be perfectly understood by the brother whig)-the SolicitorGeneral, I believe, is not absolutely named, though there is little doubt on that point. Then Mr. J. P. G will certainly be made Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Scotland; and

Whig Watchmaker.-Oh, nae doubt o' that-nae doubt you'll hae plenty o' good things; but what I meant was, what will a' this do for the like o' us? Now, for instance, there is a puir bit laddie o' a son o' mine, has been educated in the surgery line

Learned Whig (speaking very fast.)-O, Mr. ―, you can easily speak to some tory friend in the mean time about him; but you may feel entirely assured that we shall amply provide for all our friends, though, of course, there has been no time to fill up every existing office, and there will be no stint in the creation of other offices. And, my very good friend, the claim acquired by signing this requisition

Whig Watchmaker. That's a' true; I believe a' that-sae I'll e'en sign, and muckle obliged to you, maister, for thinking on me. And what o' clock should we be there?

[Requisition is produced-Watchmaker signs-Learned Whig signs-Latter departs after fraternal embrace.]