"Thee be dommed!" was the courteous reply.

This repulse did not disconcert me; I was anxious to conciliate the Radical, and determined not to notice his rudeness.

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'I have called to solicit your vote, Mr. Bull, as a candidate for the representation of this important borough. As it is requisite, in times like these, that a proper understanding should exist between the candidate and the electors, I am ready to enter into a full explanation of my political opinions; and I am sure, from what I have heard of your good sense, and sound independent principles, that we shall be found to agree perfectly."

"Thee be dommed!" was the only answer I received.

"The savage !" I exclaimed, in an under tone, to Mephistophiles. However, I was not to be turned from my purpose by such a specimen of rustic civility. I commenced again :

"I am willing to go heart and hand with all sincere reformers in eradicating those abuses which have crept into the constitution; I am desirous of removing all laws that press unequally upon the people; and I can safely assert, that, if elected, I shall at all times be found doing my duty to the country, and carefully attentive to the interests of my constituents."

The farmer listened with a settled gravity of physiognomy to my observations, occasionally puffing forth huge volumes of smoke; and when I concluded, I fancied that I had made a favourable impression.

"Thee be dommed!" he exclaimed, with increased emphasis.

I tried all kinds of cajolery; I used all the most orthodox means for persuading an obstinate elector; and I even entreated him to give me his vote, or at least to remain neuter during the contest: but my cajoling, my persuasions, and my entreaties were answered with a uniform "Thee be dommed!" At last I began to lose my temper.

"At any rate, Mr, Bull," said I, rather warmly, "I think a little civility would be a great improvement to you." "Thee be dommed!" he replied; and puffed away at his pipe with more vigour than ever.

"There is a way to punish such insolence, sir," I exclaimed more angrily.

161714

"Thee be dommed!" shouted the Radical.

Mephistophiles laughed; the dog growled; but John Bull did not move a muscle of his face. In spite of his great bulk, and the sharp fangs of his ugly beast, I had a great inclination to knock the man down.

"It would be doing a service to society to make an example of you, merely to show persons of your stamp that gentlemen are not to be insulted with impunity!" said I, in a perfect passion.

"Thee be dommed!" he answered, in that quiet, contemptuous tone of voice he had continued to use from his first exclamation.

This was too much. My blood boiled with indignation at his impertinence, and I was just on the point of rushing towards him for the purpose of putting my threat into execution, when Mephistophiles, who seemed to enjoy the whole as a very good joke, caught hold of my arm, and while I was wondering at the detention, he advanced before me and addressed the Radical. Mr. Bull listened and smoked.

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"My good sir," exclaimed Mephistophiles, in his most winning manner, you must pardon my young friend here for the apparent warmth with which he has met that honest bluntness of manner that distinguishes you from the servile wretches who are ever thrusting such sincerity and goodness, as it is well known you possess, out of the way. Mr. Herbert is a gentleman of liberal principles, and acknowledged integrity. He would not have solicited your suffrage, but he felt great indignation at the manner in which you have been treated by the party you have honoured with your support. It may not, perhaps, be known to you, my worthy sir, that you, who are considered all over the country the most influential, the most active, and the most deserving of the partisans of Sir Steadfast Folly, have been passed over with contempt, while such a man as Weazle, a person of no credit, a mere man of straw, possesses a seat among the committee."

"Eh! what?" exclaimed the farmer, dashing down his pipe into the fire, and starting up from his seat with a look of surprise and indignation. "Thee doesn't zay zo, man? It be'ant true, zure ? Domm my bootuns! What, Weazle! that sneaking, palavering, methody hoombug, that

aren't a got scarcely a rag to coover his roomp! he be placed on the committee, and I weren't axed! No, no; they

dursn't do it!"

It was well known to Mephistophiles that Weazle and John Bull had long been bitter enemies.

"I have here a printed list of Sir Steadfast's committee," said I, handing it to the incensed Radical," and it is much at your service, my good sir. My principal reason for calling upon you was to entreat you to become one of my committee, on which the many excellent qualities you possess will confer honour!"

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Thankee, squoire! thankee koindly!" said the farmer, glancing his eye hurriedly over the list. "Eh! here it be, zure enough. Benjamin Weazle. Domm my bootuns! what do he do among respectable folk. I think Zur Steadfast moight have been as civil as to have axed my advoice."

But, my worthy friend," remarked Mephistophiles, "how could you expect such a thing? Did you not request Sir Steadfast not to ride over your fields when the seed was coming up, and did he not the next morning lead the whole hunt through a field of young corn?"

"That be true enough," replied John Bull. "He spoilt me a capital crop o' barley; cut the hedge quoite shameful; and then never said so much as, 'I ax your pardon.' He were never moy friend, or he'd a given that feller Weazle a flea in his ear, afore he'd a made 'un one of his committee. I wunt stand it. I'll teach em who's who! Domm my bootuns! must respectable folk as farms their own land be shoved aside to make room for a pauper like Weazle!"

The conclusion of all this was, that John Bull, Mephistophiles, and myself, sat round the little table, smoked our pipes, shared the home-brewed, and explained our political opinions; and the Radical was so well satisfied with my principles, that he immediately joined my committee, took an active share in the canvass, and was instrumental in producing the great majority that placed me at the head of the first day's poll. My election was secure; so much so, that in the evening my opponent resigned the contest.

I was chaired the next day, amid the enthusiastic revelries of the multitude, to the great gratification of Mr. Timothy Whisp, who gave evidence of the singular fancy that distinguished him, by making a speech to the people,

in which he congratulated the opposite party that they had been done brown. John Bull did not fail on the occasion to show his superiority over "that feller Weazle," whom he caused to be serenaded by all the old pots and tin kettles in the neighbourhood. I, of course, did not conceal the triumph I had achieved. I went through the usual course of speechifying, gave a grand dinner and a grand ball to my principal supporters, and left the borough by far the most popular member it had ever returned.

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CHAPTER VI.

Mephistophiles presents me with a magic mirror, by the aid of which I learn some extraordinary things.-The wicked manner in which I am tempted to revenge myself upon Dora for the duplicity with which I discover she has acted towards me; and its strange result.

MEPHISTOPHILES and myself had been sitting discussing my future intentions till long after midnight, in an antique chamber of the family mansion I used as a study, an-apartment of Gothic origin, with painted window, polished oak floor, and a profusion of grotesque carvings upon the panels and ceiling. A pause ensued in the conversation. I had drunk deeply of sundry flasks of old wine that had long been hoarded in my uncle's cellars, but which my good friend Mrs. Cordial had persuaded the butler to send up to me, and the empty bottles stood before us on a curious table of ancient workmanship. The chairs on which we sat were equally strange in their fashion. Everything around me seemed to evince the taste of our Norman ancestors. I placed my meerschaum on the table, and, leaning back in the chair, gave my mind up to reflection. Mephistophiles sat opposite smoking.

The knowledge of Dora's treachery came like a blight upon the few good feelings that lay enshrined within my heart; and I felt as if there was nothing in the world worth living for, unless it tended to the gratification of my passions or assisted in the realization of my ambition. I turned my thoughts towards Lady Julia; and a glow, like that of a

flood of sunshine bursting through a cloud, seemed created within me by the mere imagination of her beauty. I felt dizzy with delight. I then began to imagine the result of my first successful exertion in search of political renown, and visions of future greatness rose in splendour before me. Yet from these bright dreams I found myself continually returning to think of Dora. Like the homesick mariner, who, weary of wandering in far-off climes, sees in the boundless and unfathomable waves that stretch illimitably before his eyes, the green fields and blooming gardens of his native valleys, I, having travelled over the gladdening regions of fancy, looked upon the dark space that intervened between me and felicity, and saw there love, and faithfulness, and glimpses of the immortal truth; and signs of those verdant springs and blossoming hopes which throw freshness and purity around the home of the erratic spirit. I began to doubt that Dora had deceived me. It was so contrary to all I had anticipated from my knowledge of her character.

"You are thinking of that immaculate girl again!" exclaimed Mephistophiles, in the scoffing tone so habitual to him. "Ha! how natural it is for those who have a high opinion of their own wisdom, having formed a judgment which is erroneous, to find a difficulty in their efforts to persuade themselves they have been deceived. They will not be convinced. They will not lesson their confidence in their own judgment. Women are great adepts in the art of deception. Like the ferocity of the cat, the viciousness of the woman is often well concealed, but never totally eradicated. Yet both are animals considered exceedingly useful for domestic purposes. Women will show many virtues, as long as no temptation to vice exists. They may be perfect creatures in the eyes of the lover-angels if you will; but move them to another sphere, where there is a greater degree of moral danger, and their excellence melts away like snow before a fire. I will prove this to you." He drew from his vest a flat piece of metal of a singular shape, with a rude handle to it. Round a circle, formed of twisted snakes, were placed many strange characters, of the meaning of which I was ignorant. "This," said he, MAGIC MIRROR, in which you may be enabled to see anything you desire. Probably you have heard of these things,

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