with buffalo sinew and partly with thread procured at the Fort; the dressed skin of a small deer furnished the pockets in front, and it was subsequently ornamented for me with porcupine work by some Indian women on my return to the fort. The fit was not of much consequence, as my belt confined it round me. I found this a most effective hunting-shirt, for no brushwood could tear it; and it now hangs up among my other trophies as fit for service as ever. Although it was a simple thing in itself, to cut out and make the hunting-shirt, yet it took me three days, inasmuch as I was obliged first to smoke the leather in order to prevent its shrinking and hardening like parchment every time it got wet; next to cut it out without the help of scissors, and with my hunting-knife only; and, lastly, to sew the strong, tough material together without a thimble, which was very tedious indeed."-pp. 230, 231.

When in want of materials for any garment they sallied forth from their Sartorial occupation, and shot and skinned a suitable animal, in the same way that we should here send to the shop to buy an extra half-yard of stuff:

"We continued along little watercourses, and trying the brushwood on the hill Bourcharville got a shot at a black-tailed buck, but missed him, as I did also a doe. After a good deal of hard work, we shot a black-tailed doe each: the meat was not very good, so we did not burden the horses with it, but brought the skins to camp. On the morrow I occupied myself in dressing them, with Bourcharville's assistance, and the following day finished and smoked them, and began to cut out. The celebrated Rout, of Portsmouth, who was once known to affirm that he passed sleepless nights over the cutting out of trousers, could not have taken greater pains than I did with mine; still I wasted the cabbage to such an extent, that before the completion of my work, I had to sacrifice another deer at the shrine of the Sartorian god."-pp. 233, 234.

It was in these identical habiliments, as nearly as possible resembling the "Man Friday," that our traveller a short time after had to run the gauntlet through the fashionable promenade of St. Louis, and was, of course, pounced upon by all his acquaintances, as he was endeavouring to slink along to some depot of more civilised garments! Soon now he begins to turn his face homewards, descends the Yellowstone in his canoe, and the Missouri in a more orthodox skiff, is surprised by a party of Indians, who retreat be

fore the uplifted mouths of the steady rifles, and kills a bear and divers other animals, for which we must refer the curious to the book itself. But as the time of departure draws nigh, he remembers that he has not yet stood face to face with the "grisly bear," the monarch of the savage tribe, the lion of the prairies. To retire without this pleasure is impossible; and, as they have not sought him, he must e'en seek them, and attack them in their lair in the Turtle Mountains. En route, he is roughly handled by his old friends, the buffaloes, and only escapes the thundering charge of a ferocious bull, by the novel feat of leaping over him on horseback, when in full career. At length his bearish aspirations are fully gratified:

"At length I came to the putrid carcase of a bull, and on the mud all around saw the tracks of a large old bear, some of which led from the carrion along the dry watercourse, and looked very fresh. I drew my shot charges, and rammed down a couple of bullets, and followed the tracks over an undulating prairie, till at a distance I descried a very large bear walking leisurely along. I approached as near as I could without his perceiving me, and, lying down, tried Dauphin's plan of imitating the lowing of a buffalo calf. On hearing the sounds, he rose up, displaying such gigantic proportions as almost made my heart fail me; I croaked again, when, perceiving me, he came cantering slowly up. I felt that I was in for it, and that escape was impossible, even had I declined the combat, so cocking both barrels of my Truelock, I remained kneeling until he approached very near, when I suddenly stood up, upon which the bear, with an indolent roaring grunt, raised himself once more upon his hind legs, and just at the moment when he was balancing himself previously to springing on me, I fired, aiming close under his chin: the ball passing through his throat, broke the vertebræ of the neck, and down he tumbled, floundering like a great fish out of water, till at length he reluctantly expired. I drew a long breath as I uncocked my left barrel, feeling right glad at the successful issue of the combat. I walked round and round my huge prize, surveying his proportions with great delight; but as it came on to rain, I was obliged to lose no time in skinning him."-p.p. 275, 276.

Man is not in good odour with this formidable animal, for though it will fearlessly attack him when the wind blows from the bear to the man, let it but catch the scent of the man, and it will turn and flee, if not previously goaded into

rage.

This makes great caution necessary in seeking to approach them. Despite this difficulty, and the inevitable danger, our traveller was not satisfied till he had secured five of enormous size. And now the annual incursion of civilised invention affrights the desolate prairies, and the shriek of the steamer is heard on the waters of the Missouri. He must depart, or remain another year. His spoils and trophies are piled on board, and if the Prisoner of Chillon "regained his freedom with a sigh," we may well fancy the regret with which the hunter forsook the freedom of the prairie, to return to the restrictions of a more refined society. The downward current and the powerful engine soon bear him a couple of thousand miles, back to St. Louis again. Once more on beaten ground, he wisely refrains from telling an often-told tale. A variety of trips are merely intimated, and adventures are recounted only where there is something pleasant to record. Yet the sport is not all at an end, and even duck-shooting near New Orleans produces something uncomHere is a moonlight shot at an

mon.

"Seeing that the wind was favourable, I desired the negro to steer close alongside; and we soon passed within eight or ten yards of the brute, on which I gave him a shot in the head, which I thought had done for him. We lost not a moment in securing him; the nigger got out and fastened a rope round over the forepart, and a hitch round the tail, and after a good haul we three heaved him into the boat, an undertaking that gave us enough to do. We had hardly completed our task, and taken a horn in honour of the event, when even while congratulating ourselves on our success in safely stowing him along the bottom of the boat-up rose his ponderous tail, descending in the following second with a slash that made the knees of the boat shake again.

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By golly, master,' said our black boatman, I wish him nebber had come into this boat; and we heartily wished our prize in his more congenial element again, as lash after lash of his ponderous tail followed in rapid succession, breaking up the thwarts, which one after another went flying about, either striking us or falling into the water, accompanied by groans from blacky; who grasped his shins with his hands in sure indication of the utmost nigger uneasiness. I was utterly perplexed-not daring to fire for fear of swamping the boat-and unable with my knife to pierce through his tremendous scales. Fortunately, however, our gound little Yankee craft stood the leviathan

shocks, and at length the alligator safely expired; when we drew a long breath again, put up our helm, and reached the squatter's hut again before the moon disappeared. Next day we hailed a tug steamer, which picked us up, and took us back to New Orleans."-pp. 312, 313.

We shall take leave of the bold hunter, the former fashionable of the gay world, and our now author, at a ball given in some public gardens, to celebrate the marriage of-a German butcher! No position seems unsuited to him, or to be taken amiss; and our readers will ere this have discovered that he tells every kind of adventure alike naturally and agreeably:

"The proprietor kept most excellent German wines, and had a very large ball-room attached to his establishment, and a splendid orchestra of brass instruments in his pay. He gave the entertainment, and provided the capital supper, on condition that all except the bridal party should pay for the wine they drank. At about nine o'clock in the evening dancing commenced, the orchestra playing Strauss's and Lanner's quadrilles and waltzes to perfection, besides all the best and latest polkas, and galops, not excepting the celebrated Railway and Sturm march. Urged by these I became so exhilarated as to run down and seek the lady of the establishment, who was busy in the lower regions superintending the culinary operations of her handmaidens. My proposal of dancing the Sturm march galop with her was at first received with ucter astonishment; but after a little persuasion her pretty features relaxed into a smile, and she began to make excuses as numerous as the dishes she was preparing Her husband would be angry at the work being neglected; perhaps the maids would want to dance too, if she once began, and so on. A little persuasion, however, soon removed these obstacles, and at last, upon my protesting, in reply to her question, 'Are you serious or are you laughing at me?' that I would quit the premises forthwith if she did not comply-Lieber herr je!' she said, 'look at my dress.' 'Well, take off your apron,' I replied. She laughed, and turning to one of the maids, bid her bring water, soap, and towel, and the cap with the ribbons,' adding, as she smoothed her beautiful hair, and looked coquettishly at me, 'You know there is no reason for looking uglier than one really is!' At last the cap was adjusted; but just as we reached the ball-room the galop was drawing to a conclusion. This, however, I had foreseen, and in consequence of a message previously dispatched to the orchestra, the moment our hostess and I entered, the Sturm march raged with redoubled fury, and soon

bore us off flying before the gale. A glance from her husband, however, caused my Cinderella to dive into the lower regions again before the termination of the dance, exclaiming, as I caught the last glimpse of her, Well, perhaps after supper.' I continued to wander about, and turned my attention to the bride, but she was hässlich' plain, so I consoled myself with supper, and sent a dozen of wine to the orchestra, which I afterwards heard had been presented to them with the compliments of the great English lord from the Felzen Gebirgen.' After supper I regained my beautiful hostess, who, in addition to a more becoming change in her dress, had donned a pair of newer shoes that did not come off every moment in dancing. Shortly after we reappeared, the Hockheimer was finished in the gallery, whence, in gratitude or honour to me, 'God save the Queen' rang out its thrilling harmonies from seventeen brass throats. I felt so

touched by the compliment, that I think I should have sent another dozen aloft but for the expostulations of my fair partner, who was apprehensive of its influence on the music. I remained so late that all the omnibuses had returned to town except the one destined for the conveyance of the orchestra, with whom I took my place at two in the morning, to return to the planter's house. In conversation with them I happened to ask if they knew a favourite polka of mine. 'Oh, ja!' and in an instant all the brass instruments were blazing away in the confined space of the crowded omnibus. Fortunately, however, before the drum of my ear gave way the axletree tree did, and down we came with a jolt that put an end to harmony; off rolled one of the wheels, and-chaqu'un pour soi'-each had to make his way home as well as he could."pp. 301-303.

I HAD often heard that the day which should see the count restored to us, would be one of festivity and enjoyment. Again and again had we talked over all our plans of pleasure for that occasion; but the reality was destined to bring black disappointment! We were returning in sadness from the toll-house, when a messenger came running to tell of the count's arrival ; and my mother, leaving me with Raper, to whom she whispered a few hurried words, hastened homewards.

I thought it strange that she had not taken me along with her, but I walked along silently at Raper's side, lost in my own thoughts, and not sorry to have for my companion, one little likely to disturb them. We sauntered onward through some meadows that skirted the river; and at last, coming down to the stream, seated ourselves by the brink, each still sunk in his own reflections.

It was a bright day of midsummer: the air had all that exhilaration peculiar to the season in these Alpine districts.

The stream ran clear as crystal at our feet; and the verdure of grass and foliage was in its full perfection. But one single object recalled a thought of sorrow, and that was the curtained window of the little chamber wherein Herr Robert lay dead.

To this spot my eyes would return, do what I could; and thither, too, sped all my thoughts, in spite of me. The influence which for some time back he had possessed over me, was perfectly distinct from that which originates in affectionate attachment. Indeed all his appeals to me were the very reverse of such. His constant argument was, that a man, fettered by affection, and restricted by ties of family, was worthless for all purposes of high ambition; and that for the real successes of life, one must sacrifice everything like individual enjoyment. So far had he impressed me with these notions, that I already felt a kind of pleasure in little acts of self-denial, and rose in my own esteem by slight traits of self-restraint. The compara

tive isolation in which I lived, and my estrangement from those of my own age, favoured this impression, and I grew by degrees to look upon the sports and pleasures of boyhood, with all the disdainful compassion of an old ascetic.

I remember well how, as I lay in the deep grass and watched the rippling circles of the fast-flowing river, that a sudden thought shot through me. What if all this theory should prove but a well-disguised avarice . that this passion for distinction be only the thirst for wealth these high purposes of philanthropy but another scheme for self-advancement! Is it possible that for such a price as this, I would surrender all the enjoyments of youth, and all the budding affections of coming manhood!

"Mr. Joseph," said I, suddenly, "what is the best life?"

"How do you mean, Jasper? Is it, how shall a man do most good to others?" said he.

"Not alone that; but how shall he best employ his faculties for his own sake?"

"That may mean for his personal advancement, Jasper, for objects purely selfish, and be the reverse of what your first question implied."

"When I said the best, I meant the wisest," replied I.

"The wisest choice is that of a career, every duty of which can be fulfilled without the sacrifice of kindly affections, or the relinquishment of family ties. He who can adopt such is both wise and happy."

"Are you happy, Mr. Joseph ?" asked I, for I know you are wise."

"Far more happy than wise, Jasper," said he, smiling. "For one like me, life has borne many blessings."

"Like you!" exclaimed I, in surprise, for to my thinking he was a most enviable mortal; I knew of no one so learned, nor of such varied acquirements. "Like you, Mr. Joseph !"

"Just so, Jasper; I, who have had neither home nor family, have yet found both; I, whom no ties of affection encircled, have lived to feel what it is to be cared for; and I, that almost despaired of being aught to any one, have found that I can be of use to those whom it is my chief happiness to love." "Tell me your history, Mr. Joseph, or, at least, tell me something about yourself."

"My story, my dear Jasper, is but the history of my own day. The least eventful of lives would be adventurous if placed alongside of mine. I began the world such as you see me, poor, humble-minded, and lowly. I continue my journey in the same spirit that I set out. The tastes and pursuits that then gave me pleasure are still the same real sources of enjoyment to me. What were duties are now delights. Your dear mother was once my pupil as you are now; and it is my pride to see that she has neither forgotten our old lessons, nor lived to think them valueless. Even here have I seen her fall back upon the pursuits which occupied her childhood; ay, and they have served to lighten some gloomy hours too."

Raper quickly perceived, from the anxiety with which I had listened, that he had already spoken too much ; and he abruptly changed the topic by saying

How we shall miss the poor Herr Robert! He had grown to seem one of ourselves!"

"And is my mother unhappy, Mr. Joseph ?" said I, recurring to the former remarks.

"Which of us can claim an exemption from sorrow, Jasper? Do you not think that the little village yonder, in that cleft of the mountain-secluded as it looks has not its share of this world's griefs? Are there not the jealousies, and the rivalries, and the heartburnings of large communities within that narrow spot?"

While he was yet speaking, a messenger came to summon me home. The countess, he said, was waiting dinner for me, and yet no invitation came for Raper. He seemed, however, not to notice the omission, but taking my hand, led me along homeward. I saw that some strong feeling was working within, for twice or thrice he pressed my hand fervently, and seemed as if about to say something, and then subduing the impulse, he walked on in silence.

"Make my respectful compliments to the count, Jasper," said he, as we came to the door, "and say that I will wait upon him when it is his pleasure

to see me."

"That would be now, I'm sure," said I eagerly.

"Perhaps not so soon; he will have so much to say to your mother. An

other time;" and, hurriedly shaking my hand, he retired.

As I slowly, step by step, mounted the stair, I could not help asking myself, was this the festive occasion I had so often pictured to myself?-was this the happy meeting I had looked forward to so longingly? As I drew near the door I thought I heard a sound like a heavy sob; my hand trembled when I turned the handle of the lock and entered the room.

"This is Jasper," said my mother, coming towards me, and trying to smile through what I could see were recent tears.

The count was seated on an easy chair, still dressed in the pelisse he had worn on the journey, and with his travelling-cap in his hand. He struck me as a handsome and distinguishedlooking man, but with a countenance that alike betrayed passion and intemperance. The look he turned on me as I came forward was assuredly not one of kindness or affection, nor did he extend his hand to me in sign of salutation.

"And this is Jasper !" repeated he slowly, after my mother. "He isn't tall of his age, I think."

"We have always thought him so," said my mother gently, "and assuredly he is strong and well grown."

“The better able will he be to brave fatigue and hardship," said he sternly. "Come forward, sir, and tell me something about yourself. What have they taught you at school?-has Raper made you a bookworm, dreamy and goodfor-nothing as himself?"

"Would that he had made me resemble him in anything!" cried 1, passionately.

"It were a pity such a moderate ambition should go unrewarded," replied he, with a sneer. "But to the purpose. What do you know ?"

"Little, sir; very little."
"And what can you do?"
"Even less."

"Hopeful, at all events," rejoined he, with a shrug of the shoulders. "They haven't made you a scholar. They surely might have trained you to something.

My mother, who seemed to suffer most acutely during this short dialogue, here whispered something in his ear, to which he as hastily replied

"Not a bit of it. I know him better than that; better than you do. Come,

sir," added he, turning to me, "the countess tells me that you are naturally sensitive, quick to feel censure, and prone to brood over it. Is this the case ?"

"I scarcely know if it be," said I. "I have but a slight experience of it.'

"Ay, that's more like the truth," said he gaily. "The language of blame is not familiar to him. So then, from Raper you have learned little. Now, what has the great financier and arch-swindler Law taught you?"

"Emile, Emile," broke in my mother, "this is not a way to speak to the boy, nor is it by such lessons he will be trained to gratitude and affection."

"Even there, then, will my teaching serve him," said he, laughingly. "From all that I have seen of life, these are but unprofitable emotions."

I did not venture to look at my mother, but I could hear how her breathing came fast and thick, and could mark the agitation she was under.

"Now, Jasper," said he, " sit down here beside me, and let us talk to each other in all confidence and sincerity. You know enough of your history to be aware that you are an orphan; that both your parents died leaving you penniless, and that to this lady, whom till now you have called your mother, you owe your home."

My heart was full to bursting, and I could only clasp my mother's hand, and kiss it passionately, without being

able to utter a word.

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"I neither wish to excite your feelings, nor to weary you," said he, calmly, but it is necessary that I should tell you, we are not rich. The fact, indeed, may have occurred to you already," said he, with a disdainful gesture of his hand, while his eye ranged over the poverty-stricken chamber where we sat. "Well," resumed he, "not being rich, but poor; so poor that I have known what it is to feel hunger, and thirst, and cold, for actual want. Worse again," cried he, with a wild and savage energy, "have felt the indignity of being scoffed at for my poverty, and seen the liveried scullions of a great house make jests upon my thread-bare coat and worn hat. It has been my own choosing, however, all of it!" and as he spoke, he arose and paced the room, with strides that made the frail chamber tremble beneath the tread.