infinite resemblance, both in colour and shape, to a pair of leather buckets; his shoulder was graced with a broad buff belt, from whence depended a huge hanger, with a hilt like that of a backsword; and on each side of his pummel appeared a rusty pistol, rammed in a case covered with a bearskin. The loss of his tie periwig and laced hat, which were 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 in 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's 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 properly 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 hallooing 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, that 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 the 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, dropt among them from the clouds.

Before they had fleshed the hounds, however, he recollected himself, 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 neat cogniac, which it really was; and expressing 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 him 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 a 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 ten A.M. with fair weather and a favourable breeze at south-south-east, being bound to the next church on the 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 horses, which I 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 exceeding good berth. As for my own part I have been carried over rocks, and flats, and quick-sands; 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 hare'um scare'um blood again, my name is not Hawser Trunnion!"

VIRGINIA.

LORD MACAULAY.

YE good men of the Commons, with loving hearts and true,

Who stand by the bold Tribunes that still have stood

by you,

Come, make a circle round me, and mark my tale with

care,

A tale of what Rome once hath borne, of what Rome yet may bear.

This is no Grecian fable, of fountains running wine,
Of maids with snaky tresses, or sailors turned to swine.
Here, in this very Forum, under the noonday sun,
In sight of all the people, the bloody deed was done.
Old men still creep among us who saw that fearful day,
Just seventy years and seven ago, when the wicked Ten
bare sway.

Of all the wicked Ten still the names are held accursed,
And of all the wicked Ten Appius Claudius was the

worst.

He stalked along the Forum like King Tarquin in his

pride:

Twelve axes waited on him, six marching on a side; The townsmen shrank to right and left, and eyed askance with fear

His lowering brow, his curling mouth, which alway seemed to sneer:

That brow of hate, that mouth of scorn, marks all the kindred still;

For never was there Claudius yet but wished the Commons ill:

Nor lacks he fit attendance; for close behind his heels,

With outstretched chin and crouching pace, the client Marcus steals,

His loins girt up to run with speed, be the errand what

it may,

And the smile flickering on his cheek, for aught his lord may say.

Just then, as through one cloudless chink in a black stormy sky

Shines out the dewy morning-star, a fair young girl came by,

With her small tablets in her hand, and her satchel on her arm,

Home she went bounding from the school, nor dreamed of shame or harm;

And past those dreaded axes she innocently ran, With bright, frank brow that had not learned to blush at gaze of man;

And

up the sacred street she turned, and, as she danced along,

She warbled gaily to herself lines of the good old

song,

How for a sport the princes came spurring from the

camp,

And found Lucrece, combing the fleece, under the midnight lamp.

The maiden sang as sings the lark, when up he darts

his flight,

From his nest in the green April corn, to meet the morning light;

And Appius heard her sweet young voice, and saw her sweet young face,

And loved her with the accursed love of his accursed

race,

And all along the Forum, and up the sacred street,
His vulture eye pursued the trip of those small glancing

feet.

Over the Alban mountains the light of

broke;

morning From all the roofs of the Seven Hills curled the thin wreaths of smoke:

The city gates were opened, the Forum all alive,
With buyers and with sellers, was humming like a

hive:

Blithely on brass and timber the craftsman's stroke was

ringing,

And blithely o'er her panniers the market girl was

singing,

And blithely young Virginia came smiling from her

home;

Ah! woe for young Virginia, the sweetest maid in Rome!

With her small tablets in her hand, and her satchel on

her arm,

For she went bounding to the school, nor dreamed of shame or harm.

She crossed the Forum shining with stalls in alleys

gay,

And just had reached the very spot whereon I stand

this day,

When up the varlet Marcus came; not such as when erewhile

He crouched behind his patron's heels with the true client smile: