He that hath no music in his sole

Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils !'"

The pun was not bad, therefore I had an excuse for a smile.

"Now, my dear sir," continued my loquacious companion, "I have mixed in every class.".

Not always to your lordship's credit, thought I.

"I am a man of the world. I love to observe human nature in every rank of society, therefore I occasionally mingle with people who are much my inferiors in rank."

"As they are your superiors in moral and intellectual worth," said I to myself.

"I remember once going to a musical party which consisted entirely of amateurs. The host, of course, was allowed to play first fiddle,' though I could have sworn that his amiable partner was a more experienced performer. The orchestra was numerous rather than select. It consisted of three violins, none of which were in tune; a violoncello operated upon with more labour than skill; eleven flutes, each differing in tone; two French horns, similarly circumstanced; a clarionet that shrieked like a perturbed spirit; an oboe, with tones exactly similar to those produced by a schoolboy from a pocket-comb; and a bassoon, the sounds of which were like the growl of a polar bear with the stomachache. An overture began the evening's entertainment. In the execution of this composition there was no slavish adherence to old-fashioned rules. All those threadbare notions about time and tune were scouted as antediluvian. Time really appeared to them a matter of moment, for every bar was passed over with the rapidity of a steeplechase. It seemed as if each performer was trying to get first to the conclusion. Now the second fiddle was ahead: -he was soon passed by two of the flutes, closely followed by the clarionet and violoncello, and fiercely pursued by the rest of the band, the French horns bringing up the rear, At one time, to use a sporting expression, they lay so closely together that you might have covered them with a tablecloth; but as the heat was a long one, symptoms of exhaustion were exhibited by several. Two of the violins bolted; the oboe refused to take a leap-I mean a passage, and would not proceed further; the bassoon broke

เ

down for want of breath; the first fiddle and the last halfdozen flutes were completely thrown out, and the French horns gave up in despair. I would have offered at one period ten to one upon the flute in advance, but towards the end he began to flag; and although he pushed along at a frightful pace, he was so closely pressed by the violoncello and clarionet, that I saw it was impossible for him to hold out. He was at last fairly blown,' and passed by the other two. It became a neck and neck race between the remaining pair. Each strained every nerve to reach the winning post; and neither for some seconds gained or lost an inch. At last the wind instrument, when near the end of the course, -the overture I should say, 'let out,' (it was here slashing work,) and won by nearly half a head—I mean half a bar. Some judges proclaimed it a dead heat, but in my opinion the stringed instrument lost. A few of the regular 'out and outers' came straggling in two or three minutes after the winner; the rest were completely distanced."

“Really,” said I, with a laugh, "I must compliment you on your powers of description."

"You are too good," he replied. "Well, my dear sir, after this exquisite treat, which, of course, was honoured with 'thunders of applause," a respectable gentlewoman, with a superabundance of false ringlets, and a naval officer, with a remarkably fine bald head, sung Time has not thinned my flowing hair.' Then two superannuated clerks from Lombard-street tuned their voices to I know a bank ;' after which a half-pay lieutenant, on the wrong side of fifty, who had been abusing the War Office all the evening, favoured the company with 'A Soldier's Gratitude.' But the most charming of the vocal performances was executed by a young married lady who had figured some time since at Doctors' Commons. She sung an air from a new oratorio, and it was entitled A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,' with horn accompaniments. Other compositions of a similar nature, and heard under equally appropriate circumstances, followed, of which I have now no remembrance; but I can assure you they were executed in a manner, until then, to me unknown.

"Once, my dear sir, I was induced by curiosity to pay a visit to a place called a house of call,' where I heard concerts were given, for admission to which the price of two

dló

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pence sterling was demanded. It was not a place where a person of my rank ought to have gone; but I am a man of the world. After paying the fee, I was ushered into a large room, carpeted with brown sand, and filled with the most select company of the swell mob, the beau monde of the lower orders, seated on narrow benches around square tables of painted deal. Some, in all the shirtless majesty of independence, were blowing a cloud;' others, who appeared as if they considered smoking vulgar, thought proper to masticate the savoury weed; and a numerous circle, who seemed as if they scorned baccy in any shape, patronised a popular liquid there called 'heavy wet.' While the major part of the company were gratifying their liquorish propensities, others, more intellectually inclined, favoured the rest with the melody of their most sweet voices;' and I felt assured, as I gazed around me, that if the audience were not then transported, some of them very shortly would be. A few volunteer instrumental performers, and a concerto on the jews-harp; an obligato on the salt-box, and a fantasia, by a chin-chopper, were among the chief attractions of the evening. They were evidently performers of celebrity. Many of them were well known for the dexterity: of their fingering; and their execution will be answered for by a distinguished professor near the Old Bailey, whose performances on one string' have attracted more numerous audiences, and have hitherto been more effective, than those of Paganini."

I had been in some degree amused by the humour of his conversation; so, with a design to gain from him the particulars of his life, from which I expected to gain considerable entertainment, I invited the "man of the world" to breakfast with me at my hotel next morning. The invitation was gladly accepted; and we parted with many professions of esteem on his part, and a few commonplace complimentary phrases on mine.

CHAPTER VII.

Dora awakens in my mind a desire to enter into political life." The man of the world" relates his history, in which he describes the blessings of single blessedness, and shows the advantages of a bad memory. An incident.

WHEN I returned to my hotel I found a letter waiting for me from Dora. I opened it eagerly. It commenced thus:

"DEAREST VINCENT,

"Belgrave Square.

"The occurrences of this eventful day have passed by like a dream, from which I am scarcely now awake. Yet they were all real. I cannot doubt the reality of your words and actions, nor their sincerity. Neither do I wish to hold them in my remembrance save as evidences of life and truth, to be cherished in the mind as the presence of a pure felicity; and to be regarded, under all circumstances, and in all times, as the source of everything that is good and excellent-sacred, just, and exalted in human nature. My heart is brimming over with happiness. I have prayed fervently to the great Creator of all goodness to strengthen my spirit under the pressure of these accumulated prosperities; for since you left me I scarcely know how I have existed. I have been in a delirium. I have lived out of the world. Such a state of being I think far more trying to our sinful natures than disappointment and adversity. In the latter, we feel our dependence, for we are placed at the mercy of circumstances. In the former, we are exalted above ourselves, and fancy that we are beyond the reach of every evil influence. While one

obliges us to cling to religion as the only resource in the world's abandonment, the other teaches us to rest all our love upon self, from a pleasing conviction that our happiness proceeds from our own meritoriousness. But I am prosing, and at such a time!

"How could you think of endeavouring to depreciate yourself in my eyes? What use could there possibly be in

inventing such fables? and to talk, too, in such a manner, to one who knows you so thoroughly! If I could be angry with you I would; however, I will forgive you, if you will promise not to repeat the offence.

"I have received a letter from my father, who states, that he will most probably be in town to-morrow. It is full of kindness to me-kindness that affects me the more, because I cannot consider myself worthy of it; but what possessed in my eyes still greater attractions, it contained much that concerned you. You know that my father is a great politician, but I understand nothing of politics. This is partly my own fault; for lately Lord Melcombe has taken a great deal of trouble to show me the importance of the constitution, and the utility of kings, lords, and commons; and since I have been where I am, I have heard the Marquis of Brambleberry and his friends continually exclaim against the wickedness of a set of persons they call Whigs and Radicals. My father has now a great desire that you should represent the borough of Melcombe in Parliament. I have heard that the right of returning two members always belonged to our family; but that the Reform Bill, which all papa's friends seem to regard, I suppose with justice, as a very iniquitous measure, took away that privilege, and gave one member only to the borough. At the last election, my father's candidate did not succeed, which has made papa vory indignant at the ingratitude of the people. It seems that there is a probability of another election soon taking place, and he thinks that you would be sure to be returned. But he will explain these matters to you much better than I can. If you do make the attempt, which I sincerely hope you will, I shall be so proud to be near you to watch your progress, and encourage your exertions!

"Let me see you, if possible, some time to-morrow. I am going in the morning with Lady Brambleberry sight-seeing: I wish you would accompany us. Her ladyship speaks in the highest terms of your friend the foreign prince. Bring him with you: I am anxious to know and appreciate every person whom you may consider deserving your friendship. They are all very busy here, preparing for my début in the fashionable world. I think they make the subject of far more mportance than in justice belongs to it; but I am too happy to be dissatisfied with anything or anybody,