Denham fixed his eye upon the Jäger, and scanned him attentively; then, as if some idea had suddenly struck him, he threw one glance towards the Fräulein Armgart, whom he saw engaged in close conversation with a friend, and hastily quitted the stand.

Passing quickly through the crowd of loiterers below, he made the best of his way to the booths, where, in the midst of an uproar of laughter, he found Templewell seated on a barrel, smoking a long pipe, and haranguing a circle of bauern on the utter impracticability of their language, the ugliness of their frauen, and their own intense stupidity,-a theme which, perhaps, was but imperfectly understood, from the fact of its consisting chiefly of strong English, sprinkled with a few German expletives. It had the effect, however, of Scrub's personal appearance in the comedy—it made his audience" laugh consumedly."

Forcing himself through the ring of amused listeners, Denham went up to his new friend, and, after a little persuasion, induced him to leave his exalted position, and enter one of the booths, where, when they were quietly ensconced, he narrated briefly the circumstances detailed in our first chapter, the conversation he had just heard, and the plan he had suddenly formed, and respecting which he now came to ask Templewell's opinion.

The plan was this:-Denham was an excellent horseman, and had ridden many a steeple-chase and hurdle-race in England, and he conceived that, if by good luck he could take the place of the Duke of Brunswick's jockey, he might win the race, discomfit Von Stir'emup, whom he already looked upon as his rival, and obtain an introduction to the noble Fräulein, the object of his aspirations. The scheme was sage and notable, and there remained only the question -Was it feasible?

Templewell, to whom no proposition of rashness, or adventure, came amiss, at once decided that the project was a good one, but observed, You should make your party as strong as you can, and get hold of some of these Hanoverians. There are some excellent fellows in the Guards, who are as fond of fun as we are ourselves. If we can find Steinmann, or Brinkhausen, I dare say we can manage it. Have you any objection to mention the thing to Saville and Sir Nicholas?-they may be able to help us. I see them at the entrance to the next booth, talking to a knot of rather good-looking girls." "None in the world," replied Denham; "in fact, I would rather do so."

"We want your assistance," said Templewell, approaching them, "in an affair of some moment. This young gentleman has fallen over head and ears in love, and is bent upon doing something desperate. Your sage advice is much desired."

As soon as the subject was named, Saville exclaimed, "By George! it's very lucky. There's an aide-de-camp of the Duke's here, if I can find him, with whom I was very intimate at Berlin. He said he should be at the Celle races to a certainty. Let us go to the bettingstand."

Thither they went, and by good fortune soon espied not only Saville's friend, Captain Von Hartig, but the officers whom Templewell had also named. The greeting between the former was most friendly, and Denham was introduced at once to the aide-de-camp as a first-rate gentleman rider, who, fond of these amusements, would

be happy to ride for the Duke of Brunswick if he stood in need of such service.

"Upon my word," said Von Hartig, who spoke English remarkably well, "I really do think the Duke would catch at the opportunity. He has a match with Count Von Stir'emup, of the Jägers, a conceited fellow, who thinks he can ride, and, what is more, has made others think so too; so that none of the officers will venture against him; and the Duke has been obliged, to let the match go on, to mount his own jockey. I know he would rather a gentleman rode his horse; for, he says, there would be no credit gained if little Stumps, the English groom, were to beat Von Stir'emup. But we must see his Highness. Will your friend, Captain Denham, come with me to be presented?"

Immediate assent being given, Von Hartig took Denham's arm, crossed the course to the stables, where the Duke was at the moment inspecting his racing-stud. His Highness received the Englishman with the courtesy for which he was remarkable, smilingly observing, "I know your countrymen are proficients in this exercise; but you will be so good as to let me see what you can do. It is a hurdlerace, and Von Stir'emup is a clever dog. I make no doubt you can ride well; but let me see you take a few leaps. Here!-Stumps— Stumps put up the bar in the inclosure outside. Is four feet too much of a jump?"

Certainly not, if your Highness does not think it too little." "Here, bring out Oscar! He is a fine creature !—an Irish horse, accustomed to these things. I won with him last year."

Denham gazed admiringly upon him, and, vaulting lightly into the saddle, sat firm and erect, while the noble creature made two or three sidelong bounds on being thus suddenly backed.

"A good seat!" said the Duke, "a very good seat! Now, sir, will you try him?”

Denham slightly raised his hand, and in an instant he was rapidly in motion, and over the bar without the slightest effort; but it was not his purpose to stop here. The wall of the inclosure, about a hundred yards distant, stood apparently between five and six feet high, and Denham dashed on towards it.

"Gott in Himmel!" exclaimed the Duke, "what is he going to do? He will kill himself and the horse, and knock down the wall into the bargain!"

"Never you fear, yer 'ighness," said little Stumps, who looked on approvingly; "that 'ere's a gen'l'm'n as can ride. He'll take the wall, and no mistake." And the words were scarcely uttered before Denham, giving the Irish horse his head, cleared the wall in gallant style, and, greatly to the Duke's astonishment, repeated the leap into the inclosure, bringing Oscar safe and sound to the spot where the Duke stood.

"Upon my honour, sir!" said his Highness, "I had no idea that any horse of mine could have done such a feat. Poor Von Stir'emup!-he is beaten already."

"I'll back the gen'l'm'n at five to one," said Stumps. safe to win as if I rode him myself."

"He's as

The Duke seemed to be of the same opinion, and it was accordingly settled that Denham should ride the match, which was to come off the last of the sports of the day. In the meantime he returned to

the course, where the first race was about to begin. Templewell and Sir Nicholas had gone back to the booths; but he found Saville, who told him that the report had already got abroad that an Englishman was to ride the Duke's horse, and much speculation had been set afoot about him. Brinkhausen and Steinmann had offered to back him at even, and Von Stir'emup had caught eagerly at the bets.

Now, then," said Saville, " you must point out the lady for whose sake you have made all this coil. In which stand is she to be found?"

"Here," replied Denham, "directly opposite to us. She wears a light blue bonnet and scarf."

Armgart Von Bortfeld was at that moment engaged in an animated conversation with the friend who sat beside her, and Saville at once admitted that she was an exceedingly beautiful girl.

The business of the races now began, and, considering that they were not contested on an English course, were, for the most part, very creditable. During almost the whole time Denham remained in the position he had originally taken up, as thence he could gaze upon his mistress; nor did he fail to observe that, from time to time, a steady and searching glance was thrown to the spot where he stood, by a pair of eyes whose hue rivalled the colours which she wore.

At length the hour approached when it became necessary for him to prepare for the coming race; and it was not without a slight feeling of nervousness that, accompanied by Saville and Von Hartig, he withdrew to the Duke of Brunswick's stables. That feeling, however, vanished in a moment as his eye caught the figure of Von Stir'emup piaffing across the course on a wild-looking chesnut horse, all mane and tail.

may

"A

"That do very well in the manège," said he to himself. good enough cavalry seat; but you must ride a little shorter for the hurdles, or you'll never fetch them."

There was no lack of jockey costume at the Duke's stables; and, as Denham was a light weight, and neat figure, he found no difficulty in suiting himself. We need not say that he chose light-blue for the colours of his cap and jacket. Having duly weighed, the antagonists mounted, Von Stir'emup cantering to the starting-post, while Denham followed at a walk. The former rode a hot chesnut mare, called Wildblast, with a good deal of action,-the latter, the bay horse, Oscar. All was eagerness and excitement. The men shouted, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and expectation stood on tiptoe. The odds were in favour of the Jäger; for Wildblast and her rider were both Hanoverian,-Denham and Oscar foreigners.

After two or three preliminary curvets on the part of Von Stir'emup, the horses were brought to the post, and, on the signal being given, the mare started off at score, Oscar waiting upon her quietly to the first hurdle, of which there were five in the race, the distance to be run being a mile and a quarter, twice round.

Von Stir'emup took his leaps in very good style, though the mare jumped anything but steadily. The Irish horse behaved very well, and Denham felt that he had him in perfect command. It was evidently his policy, as much as his inclination, not to take the lead. In this position, therefore, they went round the first time, Wildblast about two lengths in front. The unsophisticated Germans looked

VOL. XIII.

D

upon this as a certain indication of winning, and shouted “Hohoh!" and "Juchhei!" with all their lungs. The Duke, however, was calm and silent; for Stumps, who stood behind him, had already pronounced his opinion. "He can vin vhen he likes," was the only observation he made.

As Denham passed the principal stand, he turned his head, and thought he did not deceive himself when he saw a white handkerchief wave after Von Stir'emup had gone by. It was evidently a token of encouragement to him from the Fräulein von Bortfeld.

Now, then," said Denham to himself," she is interested in the race. Look to yourself, Mr. Von Stir'emup!" And, letting his horse out, though not to his full powers, in a few strides he was abreast of the mare; and this time they took the first hurdle together.

This was evidently a surprise to the Jäger, who thought till now that he had the thing hollow; but, seeing Denham close beside him, he spared neither whip nor spur to maintain the vantage he had at first taken. Denham's tactics were now altered; it was no longer a waiting-race with him; the contest became exceedingly animated and interesting, and the horses ran neck-and-neck till the fourth hurdle was past. Von Stir'emup here flogged with all his might; but Denham never lifted his whip. The consequence to the Jäger was, that his mare, always hot, and now slightly restive, swerved something from the course, and it was with difficulty her rider could keep her from bolting. Oscar headed her a few yards, and they drew near the last hurdle. Von Stir'emup became desperate; and, burying his spurs in Wildblast's sides, he took his leap a thought too soon, and, for want of coolness in the rider, the mare caught one of her hind-feet in the hurdle, and down she went, sending Von Stir'emup over her head, flying in his purple and orange jacket, like a balloon in a state of collapse. Not so Denham; with the same ease that had marked him throughout the race, he cleared the hurdle at a stride; and, merely turning his head for an instant, to note Von Stir'emup's actual position, went past the winning-post like lightning, amidst a loud and uproarious noise of mingled congratulation and disappointment. The Jäger, who, luckily, was only shaken, soon found his legs again, as well as the mare; but they had parted company for that day, and he led her off the course. Denham had taken the first step towards the conquest he sought.

THIS WORLD OF OURS.

BY W. G. J. BARKER.

THIS world of ours, if free from sin,
Oh! would it not be fair ?
Sunshine above, and flowers beneath,
And beauty everywhere!

The air, the earth, the waters teem

With living things at play;

Glad Nature from an hundred throats
Pours her rejoicing lay.

Each balmy breeze that wand ers by
Whispers some angel tone;

And the clear fountains have a voice
Of music all their own.

Even the leaves of forest trees,
Moved by the zephyr's wing,
Make a low murmur of content
To little birds that sing.

The busy bees o'er garden-flowers
A holy song attune,
Joining, with never-tiring mirth,
The minstrelsy of June:
And the great waves upon the deep,
Leaping, like giants free,
Add, in their hollow monotone,
The chorus of the sea.

There's beauty in the summer sky,
When from his ocean bed,
Like a strong man refresh'd by sleep,
The Sun uplifts his head ;—

And when behind the western rocks

At eventide he goes,

How beauteous are the crimson clouds
That curtain his repose!

Are not the grassy valleys fair,
Deck'd in their spring array?
And the high hills with forests clad,
How beautiful are they!

Look on the sea, that girdle vast,
Wherewith the earth is bound!
Even in Fancy's wildest dreams

Can aught more grand be found?

Oh! 'twere indeed a radiant world,
A paradise complete,-

So redolent of lovely things,

So fill'd with voices sweet,-
If Sin had not in evil hour
Enter'd this pleasant clime,
Yielding them over unto Death,-
Sad consequence of crime !

Hence is it that the choicest flow'rs
Fall by a swift decay,

And hopes to which we fondly cling
Pass suddenly away;

Yet, 'mid all trials of our life,

This blessed thought is given,
Earth is not our abiding place,-
Man's native clime is Heaven!

Banks of the Yore.