breeding could enable him to suppress his feelings, and to appear in perfect ease after so painful an accident. The cheerfulness of her ladyship, and the familiar chat of the young ladies, insensibly led me to throw off my reserve and sheepishness, till at length I ventured to join in the conversation, and even to start fresh subjects. The library being richly furnished with books of an elegant binding, I conceived Sir Thomas to be a man of literature, and ventured to give my opinion concerning the several editions of the Greek classics, in which the Baronet's opinion exactly coincided with my own. To this subject I was led by observing an edition of Xenophon, in sixteen volumes, which, as I had never before heard of such a thing, greatly excited my curiosity, and I rose up to examine what it could be. Sir Thomas saw what I was about, and, as I supposed, willing to save me the trouble, rose to take down the book-which made me the more eager to prevent him; and, hastily laying my hand upon the first volume, I pulled it forcibly; but lo! instead of books, a board, which by leather and gilding had been made to look like sixteen volumes, came tumbling down, and unluckily pitched upon a Wedgewood inkstand that stood under it. In vain did Sir Thomas assure me there was no harm; I saw the ink streaming from an in-laid table on the Turkey carpet, and, scarce knowing what I did, attempted to stop its progress with my white cambric handkerchief. the height of this confusion, we were informed that dinner was served up, and I with joy perceived that the bell which at first alarmed my fears, was only the half-hour dinner bell. my In In walking through the hall, and suite of apartments, to the dining-room, I had time to collect my scattered senses, and was desired to take my seat at the table betwixt Lady Friendly and her eldest daughter. Since the fall of the wooden Xenophon, face had been continually burning like a fire-brand, and I was just beginning to recover myself, and to feel comfortably cool, when an unlooked-for accident rekindled all my heat and blushes. Having set my plate of soup too near the edge of the table, in bowing to Miss Dinah, who politely complimented the pattern of my waistcoat, I tumbled the whole scalding contents into my lap. In spite of an immediate supply of napkins to wipe the surface of my clothes, my black silk breeches were not stout enough to save me from the sudden effects of this painful fomentation, and for some moments my legs and thighs seemed stewing in a boiling cauldron; but, recollecting how Sir Tho servants. mas had disguised his torture, when I trod upon his toe, I firmly bore my pain in silence, and sat with my lower extremities parboiled, amidst the stifled giggling of the ladies and I will not relate the several blunders which I made during the first course, or the distress occasioned by being desired to carve a fowl, or help to various dishes that stood near me, spilling a sauce-boat, and knocking down a salt-seller; rather let me hasten to the second course, where "fresh disasters overwhelmed me quite." I had a piece of rich sweet pudding on my fork, when Miss Louisa Friendly begged to trouble me for a pigeon that stood near me; in my haste, scarce knowing what I did, I whipped the pudding into my mouth, hot as a burning coal: it was impossible to conceal my agony; my eyes were starting from their sockets. At last, in spite of shame and resolution, I was obliged to drop the cause of torment on my plate. Sir Thomas and the ladies all compassionated my misfortune, and each advised a different application; one recommended oil, another water, but all agreed that wine was the best for drawing out fire; and a glass of sherry was brought me from the sideboard, which I snatched up with eagerness: but oh, how shall I tell the sequel! Whether the butler, by accident, mistook, or purposely designed to drive me mad, I am at a loss to conclude-but he gave me the strongest brandy, with which I filled my mouth already flayed and blistered. Totally unused to every kind of ardent spirits, with my tongue, throat, and palate as raw as beef, what could I do? I could not swallow, and clapping my hands upon my mouth, the cursed liquor squirted through my nose and fingers, like a fountain, over all the dishes; and I was crushed with bursts of laughter from all quarters. In vain did Sir Thomas reprimand the servants, and Lady Friendly chide her daughters; for the measure of my shame, and their diversion, was not yet complete. To relieve me from the intolerable state of perspiration which the accident had caused, without considering what I did, I wiped my face with that ill-fated handkerchief, which was still wet in consequence of the fall of Xenophon, and covered all my features with streaks of ink in every direction. The Baronet himself could not support this shock, but joined his lady in the general laugh; while I sprung from the table in despair, rushed out of the house, and ran home in an agony of confusion and disgrace, which the most poignant sense of guilt could not have excited. Thus, without having deviated from the path of moral rectitude, I am suffering torments like a "goblin d-ned." The lower half of me has been almost boiled, my tongue and mouth grilled, and I bear the mark of Cain on my forehead; yet these are but trifles to the everlasting shame which I must feel whenever this adventure shall be mentioned. JOHN GILPIN'S JOURNEY. CowPER. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown; A train-band captain, eke, was he John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear- "Unto the Bell at Edmonton, 66 My sister, and my sister's child, He soon replied, "I do admire "Of woman-kind but one,— “I am a linen-draper bold, "As all the world doth know; "And my good friend the callender Quoth Mistress Gilpin, "That's well said; "We will be furnish'd with our own "Which is both bright and clear." John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife ; That, tho' on pleasure she was bent, The morning came-the chaise was brought; To drive up to the door; lest all So three doors off the chaise was stay'd, Six precious souls-and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip! round went the wheels! Were never folk so glad ; The stones did rattle, underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. John Gilpin, at his horse's side, For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers When Betty, screaming, came down stairs,"The wine is left behind!" "Good lack!" quoth he-" yet bring it me,― 66 My leathern belt likewise, "In which I bear my trusty sword "When I do exercise." Now Mistress Gilpin, careful soul ! Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, Now see him mounted, once again, Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, But finding soon a smoother road "So, fair and softly!" John he cried→ In spite of curb and rein. So stooping down, as needs he must Who cannot sit upright, He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, His horse, who never in that sort Away went Gilpin, neck or nought, He little dreamt, when he set out, |