French, with greater propriety, would style him a rejeton) of "The Ten Thousand," not worth a thousand brass farthings; and the connection is to counterbalance all the bother and expense of making your daughter and yourself the envy of the Barony of Eliogarty.'

If that be the value you set upon the speculation,' I asked him, 'how is it that you take a personal share in it, tying yourself on to that toasting-iron and masquerading in point-lace, ruffles, and a silk cocked-hat? You must be aware that you look more of a gentleman-ay, and feel it too, from the crown of your head to the sole of your foot-in your tweed jacket and clouted brodekins.'

'Wait till you are married, my fine fellow, and have a nursery full of girls. Then you will understand the reason why. Would you have me let them go to the Cassle by themselves? No; I must first go to the Levee to qualify myself for admission into better company, and then attend my wife and "the Misses Brody" to the Drawing-room. I bless my stars the first part of the programme is past and gone; for I appeared at the Levee yesterday.'

'O, then,' I said, 'yours was really that little round body which I saw in a covered car on Cork-hill, panting inside an over-tight doublet of brown poplin. You reminded me of a soldier-crab who has outgrown its shell, and strains every muscle to burst through it into the cool air and liberty.'

6

Upon my word, you are complimentary,' replied Mr. Brody; 'but them was my feelings undoubtedly, however you managed to decipher them. An excruciating yoke it was, and most expensive. For though I did not go the length of buying a Court-dress out and out-which Heaven forbid !—the hire of one was equal to an entire shoot of broadcloth, which you could for ever after call your own. And when the clothes were hired, they were-as you sharply ob-. served too tight in every way for a man of my girth. I declare I felt like a lunatic in a strait-waistcoat all the time they were on my back, to say nothing of the continual dread of bursting out of them, which would, of course, have doubled the cost, to say nothing about the exposure.'

'Well,' I remarked, that must have been distressing in itself, and adverse besides to the ease and freedom which are so essential to the proper carriage of a gentleman.'

Indeed and you may say that,' answered Mr. Brody, whether you are in jest or not. Mighty awkward it was, I assure you. But what was all that to the trouble my nether garment was to me when my turn came to make a bow to the Lord Lift'nant!'

What you don't say there was danger of a rent there also ?' That same was on the cards,' he continued. It might; but it didn't. Every other sense of danger, however, went clean out of my mind, in the confusion of the moment, when, bending forward to perform my obeisance, a glimpse of my lower members deprived

me of all recollection. In haste, whilst dressing, I had surveyed my figure superficially in the glass. It was nothing to boast of, that shadow of a "bare forked animal," which there confronted me. But I had no leisure to dwell on the reflection; for Manus O'Brien, who was joined with me in the expense of the car, was singing out in the street, and bringing all the neighbours to the windows with his asseverations that "the Voiceragal Coort was waitin' for us.” Scarcely allowing myself time, therefore, to bring buckle and tongue together, I bounded into the vehicle, and what between Manus's gabble and the novelty of the situation, I forgot, long before we passed the Cassle-gate, what manner of man I was. I hope there is no irreverence in the expression. No wonder afterwards if, in the flare and the excitement of the presence, the sight left my eyes at the second view of my infaryor man. A horrible fancy seized me that I had forgotten the most matarial covering of all, and come away in my drawers. "Good gracious!" says I, "what made me go laive mee throwsers beehind ?" His Ex-sellency and suite indulged in an audible titter at this original remark. Small blame to them for that. I laughed myself afterwards till I cried again; and the mistress had like to be choked with a spoonful of soup, when I told her of it at dinner. But the disthress at the moment was littherally inexpressible. How I did envy a major of Highlanders who was advancing towards the spot, which I made haste to evacuate!-how I envied his fillibeg!—and what would I not have given to be a parson, like Jemmy Martin our curate, who had just passed through the room, with his cossack so convaniently let down all round, that he was able to roll up his trowsers knickerbockerwise, and make believe that he wore shorts and knee-buckles.'

Ah! that is one of the many advantages enjoyed by the Church,' I said; but military men also are, in this matter as in most others, highly favoured beyond civilians. They find it easier and less costly than any other class to pay their court to the great, while their costume is incomparably more becoming.'

'O, yes,' Mr. Brody answered, 'I see that now. Indeed, I was made sensible of it yesterday, when young Cassidy from Ballinamuck, the brewer's son, swaggered about like a field-marshal, and he only a full ensign in the Myo Maleetia. But if Mrs. B. insists on another saison at Court, I'll manage to figure as a soldier myself.'

Is it as a Light Bob you mean?' I saucily inquired.

That will depend upon the company, sir,' my friend gravely answered, and in rather a severe tone of voice. I may have a commission in the Ossory Rifles for asking, and that would entitle me to face the Queen's representative in a tunic and continuations, like a Christian. But now I ask you, Rody Connor, as a friend, if a man's wife wears the smallclothes at home, does that circumstance

give her a right to put her husband into such an apology for them as she sent me out with yesterday ?'

It is a delicate matter to tender an opinion, even when pressed to do so, on subjects matrimonial. I therefore dodged my friend's question, and in a general way commended his idea of joining the defenders of his country, though it were for no better reason than that he might enjoy the privilege of wearing his trousers at the Cassle. As there is no competitive examination for the militia service, nor any impertinent inquiries about spelling to be satisfied at Chelsea, there seemed no doubt that his interest with the county authorities might easily procure for him such a distinction.

M. P.

NOT FOR LOVE

EDITH was fair indeed, and I was free;
But that which had been was not so to be-
My heart awoke, and Edith smiled on me ;
But not for love.

In winter deep I dreamt of summer shine,
And all my hopes were false as they were fine.

And I was happy then as I might be.
Warm spring had painted every field and tree;
And Edith sang sweet ditties unto me;

But not for love.

And I had looked upon her budded youth
As on a book of innocence and truth.

And knowing not of poison in the wine,

I said, 'And may I link my life with thine ?'
She whispered, 'Yes,' and placed her hand in mine;
But not for love.

And I lay in a sweet swoon of delight,

And thought it daytime in the depth of night.

'Twas coming soon, too soon, when I should keep
My days in darkness and my eyes from sleep;
When Edith, without sorrowing, should weep,
And not for love.

O that a maid should sigh upon her glove,
And mimic fondness where there is no love!

GUY ROSLYN.