curiosities of the kind, did not at all contribute to the improvement of the picture; but, on the contrary, by exhibiting his bald pate, and the natural extension of his lanthorn jaws, added to the peculiarity and extravagance of the whole. Such a spectacle could not have failed of diverting the whole company from the chase had his horse thought proper to pursue a different route; but the beast was too keen a sporter to choose any other way than that which the stag followed; and therefore, without stopping to gratify the curiosity of the spectators, he in a few minutes outstripped every hunter on the field. There being a deep hollow way betwixt him and the hounds, rather than ride round about the length of a furlong to a path that crossed the lane, he transported himself at one jump, to the unspeakable astonishment and terror of a waggoner who chanced to be underneath, and saw this phenomenon fly over his carriage. This was not the only adventure he achieved. The stag having taken a deep river that lay in his way, every man directed his course to a bridge in the neighbourhood; but our bridegroom and courser, despising all such conveniences, plunged into the stream without hesitation, and swam in a twinkling to the opposite shore. This sudden immersion into an element, of which Trunnion was probably a native, in all probability helped to recruit the exhausted spirits of his rider, who, at his landing on the other side, gave some tokens of sensation, by hollowing aloud for assistance, which he could not possibly receive, because his horse still maintained the advantage he had gained, and would not allow himself to be overtaken.

In short, after a long chase which lasted several hours, and extended to a dozen miles at least, he was the first in at the death of the deer, being seconded by the lieutenant's gelding, which, actuated by the same spirit, had, without a rider, followed his companion's example.

Our bridegroom, finding himself at last brought up, or in other words, at the end of his career, took the opportunity of this first pause to desire the huntsmen would lend him a hand in dismounting; and was by their condescension safely placed on the grass, where he sat staring at the company as they came in, with such wildness of astonishment in his looks as if he had been a creature of another species dropped among them from the clouds.

Before they had fleshed the hounds, however, he recollected himself,

G

and, seeing one of the sportsmen take a small flask out of his pocket and apply it to his mouth, judged the cordial to be no other than real cognac, which it really was, and experiencing a desire of participation, was immediately accommodated with a moderate dose, which perfectly completed his recovery.

By this time he and his two horses had engrossed the attention of the whole crowd; while some admired the elegant proportion and uncommon. spirit of the two animals, the rest contemplated the surprising appearance of their master, whom before they had only seen en passant; and at length one of the gentlemen, accosting him very courteously, signified his wonder at seeing him in such an equipage, and asked if he had not dropped his companion by the way. "Why, look ye, brother,” replied the Commodore, "mayhap you think me an odd sort of fellow, seeing me in this trim, especially as I have lost part of my rigging; but this here is the case, d'ye see. I weighed anchor from my own house this morning at 10 A.M., with fair weather, and a favourable breeze at south-south-east, being bound to the next church on a voyage of matrimony; but, howsomever, we had not run down a quarter of a league, when the wind shifting, blowed directly in our teeth; so that we were forced to tack all the way, d'ye see, and had almost beat up within sight of the port, when these sons of bitches of horses, which I had bought but two days before (for my own part, I believe they are devils incarnate), luffed round in a trice, and then refusing the helm, drove away like lightning with me and my lieutenant, who soon came to anchor in an exceedingly good berth. As for my own part, I have been carried over rocks, and flats, and quicksands, among which I have pitched away a special good tie-periwig, and an iron-bound hat, and at last, thank God! am got into smooth water and safe riding; but if ever I venture my carcase upon such a harum-scarum blood of a bitch again, my name is not Hawser Trunnion!"

-SMOLLETT.

O

TO LEVEN WATER.

N Leven's banks, while free to rove,
And tune the rural pipe to love;

I envied not the happiest swain

That ever trod the Arcadian plain.
Pure stream! in whose transparent wave
My youthful limbs I wont to lave;
No torrents stain thy limpid source,
No rocks impede thy dimpling course,
That sweetly warbles o'er its bed,
With white, round, polish'd pebbles spread,
While, lightly poised, the scaly brood
In myriads cleave thy crystal flood;
The springing trout in speckled pride;
The salmon, monarch of the tide ;
The ruthless pike, intent on war;
The silver eel, and mottled par.
Devolving from their parent lake,
A charming maze thy waters make,
By bowers of birch, and groves of pine,
And hedges flower'd with eglantine,

Still on thy banks so gaily green,

May num'rous herds and flocks be seen,
And lasses chanting o'er the pail,

And shepherds piping in the dale,

And ancient faith that knows no guile,

And industry imbrown'd with toil,
And hearts resolved and hands prepared,
The blessings they enjoy to guard!

-SMOLLETT.