my favourite expanding principle, be found fully adequate to the conduct of matters which are considered of the highest importance.

I believe I am yet young-but I believe that to make what is called a statesman, very little is required; to make a cabinet, still less. I have already said that I know little, and think little of politics; but it occurs to me, that any thirteen tolerably reasonable gentlemen of moderate understandings, might, with the assistance (each in his separate department) of experienced clerks well versed in details and routine, manage the government of this country as well as any other tolerably reasonable thirteen gentlemen who might be found; and, therefore, when I hear of a difficulty and delicacy on one side, in turning out the thirteen of the other side who happen to be what is called "in," I wonder. A master spirit will lead the way and command; but, as for the rest-however, I must not dilate upon this;-here we have a Tory ministry in office, and, from all I can judge, are not likely to have any infliction of Whiggery for many

years to come. The name of Wellington grows upon us as fast as his titles blossom to the admiration of the country. If the fortune of war spare him, he will save our country; and as I firmly believe in the fostering care of Providence in favour of England, I trust he will be saved for her sake. We had a Duke of Marlborough, who did great things after his fashion; fought in fine weather, and rode about the field of battle, with a pair of kettle-drums at his heels, in a gilded chariot, now, as they say, to be seen in the Tower; and when the weather became bad, walked into quarters for the winter. Lord Wellington takes it rather differently; he beats the French instead of the drums, and the chances are, if he be preserved, that we shall see him a Duke too-the thing is not impossible. Where have I got to-prophesying? Yes: but vainly, perhaps. All I meant to say was, that every house, every family, is in itself a little monarchy -and mark, what it would be if it were a little republic. Take Blissfold-multiply all the conflicting passions and feelings which now agitate

Ashmead by forty-say forty, the number, perhaps, of houses in which the same class of feelings may be supposed to exist in this parish— multiply those again by all the towns and villages in the British empire, and see what a combination of interests-incalculable, interminableare at work!

Why, now, I, this very evening, have been to Kittington's. There is an under-current at work, as clear and as pure as the more sparkling tide above. That mother has her mind filled with solicitude for her worthy children. That son is, perhaps, although he laughed it off upon a former occasion, devoted to some amiable girl; there may be difficulties in the way of their happiness. That auburn-haired sister of his, with one of the most intelligent countenances I ever beheld, might have been copying the air which most delighted her when some favourite voice sang the strain; and yet I, living in the same place, had never seen that scene before. If I travel along a road of which I know nothing, I cannot help watching the smoke which, as Moore says,

"gracefully curls" from the chimney top of a house which I never have before beheld, and saying to myself-Round the fire which gives that vapour out, are now, perhaps, sitting a family whose simple history written down might interest the whole world.

It is needless to note what Harriet and I said about Kitty and Jane, and the abrupt refusal of the former to attend the funeral. I rejoiced in the result, although we knew perfectly well the cause to which it was attributable; but I certainly had a difficulty in keeping from my dear domestic wife, especially now that we were more together in what might be called confidentiality, the history of the Thompsonian visit, which remained to be settled. This was to me of no great moment, except as I feared that Nubley might, either consciously or unconsciously, let out the secret. To my great delight—I ought, I believe, to beg pardon for my want of gallantry and compassion-Mrs. Nubley was seriously afflicted with tooth-ache, which kept her hors de combat in her room, as soon as ever what

she called "the evening cold-he! he! he!". came on; a circumstance which reminded me of a letter I had recently seen from a very gallant officer, a son of one of my earliest friends, who, having been shot through both cheeks just under the ear, wrote to his father that he had received a severe wound, which rendered him a living anomaly, inasmuch as whenever "he wanted to speak, he was obliged to hold his jaw." This term, applied to a lady, might sound coarse; but I admit the absence of what I called Mrs. Nubley's "peahenism" afforded me a delightful relief.

There is, however, a time for all things. Harriet looks tired-dear girl, it is quite natural she should; I am only too happy she has borne up so well.

"Come, dearest," say I, "lean upon my arm -let me lead you to your room.”

"Thanks, Gilbert," says the good, kindhearted girl.

She leans upon my arm-her father kisses her, and gives me a look which indicates-" as