“Ay,

the fowling-piece from the tilbury. my lad, to be sure; and I hope you have reconnoitred the birds for us, and that the coveys are as good as when they lived at free quarters on my friend Humphrey's domains: it was right that they, at least, should derive some profit from his farming; for I never could learn that he got any himself.” A groan was rising, ab imo pectore, within me at this reference to my agricultural disasters; but it evaporated into a laugh and hearty greeting, when I saw the cheerful expression and irresistible merriment of O'Grady's countenance.

There are men who have, somehow or other, the art of invariably leading good humour in their train, who can never be met without pleasure, nor quitted without regret; and O'Grady is one of them. Such a temperament is twice a blessing-to its possessor, and to the fellow-beings among whom he is cast. O'Grady's corner at the mess-table was ever the nest of hilarity; at the party, or in the

ball-room, the spot where he stood was the nucleus of a circle of humour and witticism: there was no being tired by his side on a march, or splenetic in his tent after its conclusion.

"Still in our ashes live their wonted fires."

And more than a spark has been preserved to illumine the walls of my cottage. When O'Grady comes-comes with him the best day's sport for my nephew, and the best evening's lengthened chat for myself. Even Havresack is conscious of the benignant effects of his presence, and emulous to increase them. He knows that this is the period to have the young lawyer's sporting paraphernalia in the highest order, and my pony in his most respectable appointments; and when the day is past, and we draw from the social board to the cheerful fireside, that this is the time to give peculiar care to the well-decanted bottle, the crackling blaze, the neatly swept hearth, and the close-drawn curtains.

MILITARY LIFE.

"Glory, alas! is the rusted mail which hangs as a hatchment over the champion's dim and mouldering tomb—is the defaced sculpture of the inscription, which the ignorant monk can hardly read to the inquiring pilgrim-are these sufficient rewards for the sacrifice of every kindly affection, for a life spent miserably, that ye may make others miserable!"

ROMANCE OF IVANHOE.