man has a right to do so, and, in the great common world, Count, men learn the methods of wisdom."

"Certainly, a certainly-'tis the prerogative of every man of spirit to act according to a-his fancy. 'Tis all very fine for females to rail against such noble institutions as this, but if a-you consider for a moment their arguments are a-based on selfishness. Many of 'em would, by their will, never allow their poor devils of husbands to stir from the chimney corner-and not a few wish to have them hung to them like a chatelaine. I can only answer for myself by declaring that no spouse should ever rule me into such petticoat subjection-aw!"

"When women rule, their lords are cyphers-or if not cyphers at the first, in time become so."

"Precisely-precisely, mon cher-become nonentities—mere tools and playthings to please capricious wills, and a--ridiculous fancies," said the sage-looking Puffendoff, waving his hand with an irredoubtable air of self-complacency.

"Well, I can only say, Count Puffendoff, that as I have had the honour of becoming a member here, and as the monotonous existence of my country seat is often hard of endurance, and as I have concerns of deep moment to frequently demand my presence in the metropolis, I shall make it as much as possible my home. I was always fond of society, and never did like obscuring myself out of the way of everything and everybody

-therefore I don't mean, as my wife would have me, to be buried alive in the regions of dull rusticity, with no better associates than country bumpkins, whose only fluency is on the stable and the kennel."

"The a-wisdom of such resolve is-amost unquestionable, and I can only say that as you are-a-something of a stranger amongst us here, if I can introduce you to my small circle of Clubites, I-a-shall—a -be most happy-aw!"

"You are, indeed, very kind, Count Puffendoff, and I can but observe that our thug becoming acquainted, by the free-and-easy terms of unaffected good-fellowship, withou

VOL. II.

the ceremonious roundabout of a formal introduction, is to me a most pleasing reflection, and I sincerely trust that this fortuitous acquaintance may ripen into a more intimate friendship."

"My pleasure is as great as your own, and-a-I trust it will be so. Let me see,

Good morning, Mr.

'tis a-half-past one o'clock-my cabriolet will be at the door. Inglis; you'll excuse my precipitate departure, mon cher, won't you, as I have an appointment with my Lord Squanderfield at a quarter to two, and Squanderfield lives up in Portman Square? Good morning-more chat when we-a-next meet," said the Count, shaking Jemmy's hand very cordially, and beaming on him the most benignant smile.

"Deuced agreeable, gentlemanly fellow is the Count," soliloquised Jemmy to himself, after Puffendoff had leisurely thrown his military cloak over his arm, and made his exit at the further end of the coffee-room; "deuced gentlemanly fellow," reiterated he, after a thoughtful pause. "Ah! this con

firms what I have often heard, only get into a West-end Club, and you get into first rate society. What a fool that Dashover, or that pot-bellied parson would appear in conversation with men like this-poor, narrowminded creatures are they about Elleringay; indeed, in information and social enlightenment, a few removes more elevated than the painted skinned subjects of King Caractaeus know nothing save of the adroit destruction of the beasts of the field. Yes! I shall cultivate him. Call on Lord Squanderfield ! Doubtless, I shall one of these days have the honour of his Lordship's acquaintance. Talk about Clubs being of no indirect use-why they can conduct to a peerage, through finesse and long membership. Confound Elleringay and rural obscurity; let me, I say, live in

London!"

It is quite unquestionable that at this moment, James Inglis, Esq., of Elleringay Manor, internally congratulated himself on having had those gentlemanly aspirations, whereby he had placed himself in juxtaposition with dashing Counts, and had become

not far removed from the friendship of peers of the realm. To turn his mind's eye from these very flattering visions to the more utilitarian everyday life of commerce and the 'Change, was anything but agreeable, and he vowed within himself that on the very first propitious opportunities, he would make some bold ventures, so as to have done with all such pursuits as city business and moneymaking. Indeed, after he had realized another twenty thousand, he declared he would bother himself no more—no, not to gratify the favorite avarice of his father-inlaw, nor even of King Pepin himself, were that worthy's shade to solicit his continuance in his present vocations.

On returning to Elleringay after this visit, not only Gideon could perceive some difference in his deportment, but even poor, guileless Letitia thought there was something of an alteration in her James.

"Well, James," said Gideon, "how do matters go on in the great city?"

"First rate-first rate."

"This report of Napoleon's escape from