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would become hysterical, she screamed and called out for spirits of hartshorn, and said again and again she was sure her darling James had broken some of his bones. bearer of the note, however, protested against Letitia's fears, and entered his declaration that the gentleman had sustained no bodily harm.

Crest-fallen, indeed, was the hunter when he turned in at the gates of his father's domain, and before he had passed the threshold of the mansion he stoutly resolved to abandon all description of field sports, by averring them to be unintellectual and dangerous amusements. Letitia in the exuberance of her joy received him with extended arms, and Gideon congratulated his enterprising son-in-law on matters not being worse.

Within forty-eight hours of this catastrophe, Mrs. Inglis gave birth to a still-born child—and, too, a boy! Squire Clynchiere's lamentations were indeed heartfelt-he had ardently wished for a grandson-his ambition had long been fixed upon having an heir male to inherit the honours of his name, and found a house; alas! by this

foolish fox-hunting, and its mischance, his daughter had been brought to a premature delivery, and his expectations blasted. He sincerely hoped that James would, without more to do, and greater misfortunes, break up his sporting establishment, and find pleasure in more laudable and more profitable sources of excitement.

The ducking in the horse-pond was glorious news for Mr. Shears, and gave rise to a suffocating laughter on the part of that worthy when he chanced to join the rustic circle at the Plough. He declared he would have given the worth of the best ell of broad cloth he ever had the honour of cutting to have witnessed the joke. Shooting a cheeper, and being nearly drowned, were chronicled amongst the tailor's legends.

Time, with the inmates of the hall wore away, as with all other people, but there was a feeling of dissatisfaction experienced by each of the trio, which increased instead of becoming mitigated. It is true they had essayed to keep up their heads, and strenuously maintained a dignified position, but

they felt unappreciated, and not unfrequently had good cause to be mortified. Gideon strongly resolved to have no annoyance with any public duties, and declared he would make himself comfortable in utter disregard of those around him. In no great length of time he issued orders that his implements of husbandry should be disposed of, and the land rejoined to the farm, to which it was originally attached.

"Tis all nonsense," said he one day, pettishly, "giving one'self a vast deal of trouble for so called public good, and what do the public care for all a generouslyspirited man may do ?-not a fig. I have, at no small expense, shown my tenants new modes of cultivation, but they are as addleheaded and obtuse as the nether millstone. What satisfaction is that to me in sweating my brains for a parcel of ignoramuses, who are so contracted and pig-headed in their notions. To drive common sense into their rough and unenlightened pates is as difficult as to put vitality into automatons, or lay figures. I will take good care of one thing,

however, that they pay their rents, if they don't, sure as my name is Gideon Clynchiere, they shall have practical illustrations of the meaning of fieri facias, and if they like to go on in error, why they are quite welcome."

Mr. Clynchiere had become disgusted with that want of enthusiasm amongst his neighbours. He had entertained a hope that those desiring information would have flocked around him as agriculturists do around the Rev. Mr. Huxtable or Mr. Mechi at their model farms; but no such thing, the Elleringaytonians were impenetrable and casehardened in their long inherited methods of dressing the soil, which had been by their grandfathers tilled-their reformation was hopeless.

CHAPTER X.

"He sighs-for after all, by slow degrees,
The spot he loved has lost the power to please.
To cross his ambling pony day by day,
Seems at the best but dreaming life away;
The prospect such as might enchant despair,
He views it not, or sees no beauty there;
With aching heart and discontented looks
Returns at noon to billiards or to books;
But feels, while grasping at his faded joys,
A secret thirst of his renounced employs."

Cowper.

"Papa," said Letitia one evening, when seated over the fire, "I've been thinking I shall give up my charities; the poor people are so ungrateful, and it is so very unpleasant one's visiting their dirty hovels. have given them soup, clothing, coals, money,

VOL. II.

I

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