I know-am perfectly certain-aye, spite of the Captain's dark looks that I am the happy man. So, gentlemen, de jure and de facto-for her I return you thanks." He sat down. There was so much kindness in his manner, and he had so handsomely disavowed any intentions of hurting Captain's feelings, that I hoped the young Hotspur beside me was quieted. Not so, however. "Trevor," said he, with an oath, in a hurried tone, "you are mistaken. You don't know what passed between Mary and myself that evening. On my word and honor, she told me she wished she could be off her engagement with you."

"Nonsense! nonsense! She must have said it to amuse you, Captain-she could have had no other intention. The very next morning she told me

"The very next morning!" shouted Captain ; "what could you have wanted with her the next morning?"

“That is my affair, Captain-not yours. And since you will have it out, I tell you, for your consolation, that Mary and I have met every day since!" said Mr. Trevor, loudly, even vehemently. He was getting a little flustered, as the phrase is, with wine, which he was pouring down, glass after glass, or of course he could never have made such an absurd-such an unusual disclosure.

Trevor, I must say you act very meanly in telling us, if it really is so," said the Captain, with an intensely chagrined and mortified air; "and-if you intend to ruin that sweet and innocent creature-I shall take leave to say, that you are a-a-a-curse on it, it wILL out -a villain!" continued he, slowly and deliberately. My heart flew up to my throat, where it fluttered as though it would have choked me. There was an instant and dead silence.

"A villain-did you say, Captain? and accuse me of meanness?" inquired Mr. Trevor, coolly, while the color suddenly faded from his darkening features; and rising from

his chair, he stepped forward, and stood nearly opposite to the Captain, with his half-emptied glass in his hand, which, however, was not observed by him he addressed. Yes, sir, I did say so," replied the Captain, firmly-" and what then?"

"Then, of course, you will see the necessity of apologizing for it instantly," rejoined Trevor.

"As I am not in the habit, Mr. Trevor, of saying what requires an apology, I have none to offer," said Captain, drawing himself up in his chair, and eyeing Mr. Trevor with a steady look of composed intrepidity.

"Then, Captain, don't expect me to apologize for this!" thundered Mr. Trevor, at the same time hurling his glass, wine and all, at the Captain's head. Part of the wine fell on me, but the glass glanced at the ear of Captain and cut it slightly; for he had started aside on seeing Mr. Trevor's intention. A mist seemed to cover my eyes, as I saw every one present rising from his chair. The whole room was, of course, in an uproar. The two who had quarreled were the only calm persons present. Mr. Trevor remained standing on the same spot with his arms folded on his breast; while Captain, calmly wiping off the stains of wine from his shirt-ruffles and white waistcoat, walked up to Lord, who was at but a yard or two's distance, and inquired, in a low tone of voice, "Your Lordship has pistols here, of course? We had better settle this little matter now, and here. Captain Vyou will kindly do what is necessary for me?"

knows as well as I do, is impossible. Will you, Captain V- be good enough to bring the pistols? You will find them in his Lordship's shooting gallery-we had better adjourn there, by the way, eh?" inquired the Captain, coolly-he had seen many of these affairs! "Then, bring them-bring them, by all means. "-"In God's name, let this quarrel be settled on the spot!" exclaimed several of the company.

"We all know they must fight that's as clear as the sun-so the sooner the better!" exclaimed the Honorable Mr. a hot-headed cousin of Lord

's.

"Eternal curses on the silly slut!" groaned his Lordship; "here will be bloodshed for her!- My dear Trevor!" said he, hurrying to that gentleman, who, with seven or eight people round him, was conversing on the affair, with perfect composure; "do, I imploreI beg-I supplicate, that you would leave my house! Oh! don't let it be said I ask people here to kill one another! Why may not this wretched business be made up?—It shall be," said he, vehemently; and, putting his arm into that of Mr. Trevor, he endeavored to draw him towards the spot where Captain was standing.

"Your Lordship is very good, but it's useless," replied Mr. Trevor, struggling to disengage his arm from that of Lord

"Your Lordship knows the business must be settled, and the sooner the better. My friend Sir - has undertaken to do what is correct on the occasion. Come," addressing the young baronet, away! and join Captain V" All this was ut

as a mole !-Ha! I have it." He walked out from among those who were standing round him, and strode up to Captain who was conversing earnestly with one or two of his brother officers.

"Captain," said Mr. Trevor, firmly, extending his right hand, with his glove half drawn on. The Captain turned suddenly towards him with a furious scowl. "I am told you are a dead shot-eh?"

"Well, sir, and what of that?" inquired the Captain, haughtily, and with some curiosity in his countenance.

"You know I am short-sighted, blind as a beetle, and not very well used in shooting matters ". -Every one present started, and looked with surprise and displeasure at the speaker; and one muttered in my ear "Eh-Trevor showing the white feather? I am astonished!"

"Why, what do you mean by all this, sir?" inquired the Captain, with a contemptuous sneer.

"Oh, merely that we ought not to fight on unequal terms. Do you think, my good sir, I will stand to be shot at without having a chance of returning the favor? I have to say, therefore, merely, that since this quarrel is of your own seeking -and your own folly only has brought it about-I shall insist on our fighting breast to breast-muz

zle to muzzle-and across a table. Yes," he continued, elevating his voice to nearly a shout; we will go down to hell together-if we go at all-that is some consolation."

ward, with no sign of agitation, except a countenance of an ashy hue; "for I accede to your terms-ruffianly-murderous as they are; and may the curse of a ruined house overwhelm you and your family forever!" faltered Captain who saw, of course, that certain death was before both. "Are the pistols preparing?" inquired Mr. Trevor, without regarding the exclamation of Captain He was answered in the affirmative, that Captain V and Sir were both absent on that errand. It was agreed that the distressing affair should take place in the shooting gallery, where their noise would be less likely to alarm the servants. It is hardly necessary to repeat the exclamations of "Murder!-downright, savage, deliberate murder !" which burst from all around. Two gentlemen left abruptly, saddled their horses, and galloped after peace-officers; while Lord

who was almost distracted, hurried, accompanied by several gentlemen, and myself, to the shooting gallery, leaving the Captain and a friend in the dining-room, while Mr. Trevor, with another, betook themselves to the shrubbery walk. His Lordship informed Captain V- and the Baronet of the dreadful nature of the combat that had been determined on since they had left the room. They both threw down the pistols they were in the act of loading, and, horror-struck, swore they would have no concern whatever in such a barbarous and bloody transaction. A sudden suggestion of Lord -'s, however, was adopted. They agreed, after much hesitation, and doubt as to the success of the project, to charge the pistols with powder only, and put them into the hands of the Captain and Mr. Trevor, as though they were loaded with ball. Lord was sanguine enough to suppose that, when they had both stood fire, and indisputably proved their courage, the affair might be settled amicably. As soon as the necessary preparations

were completed, and two dreary lights were placed in the shootinggallery, both the hostile parties were summoned. As it was well known that I was preparing for the medical profession, my services were put into requisition for both.

"But have you any instruments or bandages?" inquired some one. "It is of little consequence ;we are not likely to want them, I think, if our pistols do their duty," said Mr. Trevor.

But a servant was mounted on the fleetest horse in Lord's stable, and despatched for the surgeon, who resided at not more than half a mile's distance, with a note, requesting him to come furnished with the necessary instruments for a gunshot wound. As the principals were impatient, and the seconds, as well as the others present, were in the secret of the blank charge in the pistols, and anticipated nothing like bloodshed, the pistols were placed in the hands of each, in dead silence, and the two parties, with their respective friends, retired to a little distance from each other.

"Are you prepared, Mr. Trevor?" inquired one of Captain

-'s party; and, being answered in the affirmative, in a moment after, the two principals, pistol in hand, approached one another. Though I was almost blinded with agitation, and was, in common with those around, quaking for the success of our scheme, my eyes were riveted on their every movement. There was something solemn and impressive in their demeanor. Though stepping to certain death, as they supposed, there was not the slightest symptom of terror or agitation visible-no swaggering-no affectation of a calmness they did not feel. The countenance of each was deadly pale and damp; but not a muscle trembled.

"Who is to give us the word? ” asked the Captain, in a whisper, which, though low, was heard all over the room; "for, in this sort of

affair, if one fires a second before the other, he is a murderer." At that moment there was a noise heard; it was the surgeon who had arrived, and now entered breathless. "Step out, and give the word at once," said Mr. Trevor, impatiently. Both the Captain and Mr. Trevor returned and shook hands with a melancholy smile with their friends, and then re-took their places. The gentleman who was to give the signal then stepped towards them, and closing his eyes with his hands, said, in a tremulous tone, "Raise your pistols!"-the muzzles were instantly touching one another's breasts-" and, when I have counted three, fire. Onetwo-three!" They fired - both recoiled with the shock several paces, and their friends rushed forward.

"Why, what is the meaning of this!" exclaimed both in a breath. "Who has dared to mock us in this way? There were no balls in the pistols!" exclaimed Trevor, fierceİy. Lord and the seconds explained the well-meant artifice, and received an indignant curse for their pains. It was in vain we all implored them to be reconciled, as each had done amply sufficient to vindicate his honor. Trevor almost gnashed his teeth with fury. There was something fiendish, I thought, in the expression of his countenance. "It is easily remedied," said Captain as his eye caught several small swords hanging up. He took down two, measured them, and proffered one to his antagonist, who clutched it eagerly. "There can be no deception here, however," said he; and now"-each put himself into

posture-"stand off there!"

We fell back, horror-struck at the relentless and revengeful spirit with which they seemed animated. I do not know which was the better swordsman; I recollect only seeing a rapid glancing of their weapons, flashing about like sparks of fire, and a hurrying about in all direc

tions, which lasted for several moments, when one of them fell. It was the Captain; for the strong and skilful arm of Mr. Trevor had thrust his sword nearly up to the hilt in the side of his antagonist. His very heart was cloven! The unfortunate young man fell without uttering a groan-his sword dropped from his grasp, he pressed his right hand to his heart, and with a quivering motion of the lips, as though struggling to speak, expired!

Oh, my great God!" exclaimed Trevor, in a broken and hollow tone, with a face so blanched and horror-stricken, that it froze my very blood to look upon it, "what have I done? Can all this be REAL!" He continued on his knees by the side of his fallen antagonist, with his hands clasped convulsively, and his eyes glaring upwards, for several moments.

A haze of horror is spread over that black transaction; and if it is dissipated for an instant, when my mind's eye suddenly looks back through the vista of years, the scene seems rather the gloomy representation-or picture-of some occurrence, which I cannot persuade myself that I actually witnessed. To this hour, when I advert to it, I am not free from fits of incredulousness. The affair created a great ferment at the time. The unhappy survivor (who in this narrative has passed under the name of Trevor) instantly left England, and died in the south of France, about five years afterwards, in truth, broken-hearted. In a word, since that day, I have never seen men entering into discussion, when warming with wine, and approaching never so slowly towards the confines of formality, without reverting, with a shudder, to the trifling, the utterly insignificant circumstances, which wine and the hot passions of youth kindled into the fatal brawl which cost poor Captain his life, and drove Mr. abroad, to die a broken

hearted exile!

English Opium-Eater.-THERE are two principal ways, Mr. Hogg, in which every object can be considered-two chief aspects under which they present themselves to us-the philosophical and the poetical-as they are to reason, as they seem to imagination.

Shepherd.-Can you, sir, make that great distinction good?

English Opium-Eater.-Perhaps there is no absolute distinction in the world of nature, or in the human soul. But let me say, we may consider all things, either as intellect without feeling tends to consider them, or intellect with feeling, i. e. causatively and passionately. The great, the most earnestly desiring inquiry that pure reason makes, is of the causes of things. For this end it comes into the world. To intellect thus working, what it sees is nothing-for what it sees are signs only of what has preceded and therefore such speculation dissolves the fabric to construct it over again. It builds out of destruction. But intellect working by feeling, i. e. imagination, does quite the reverse. What is, is everything to it. It beholds and loves. Imagination educes from its objects all the passion, all the delight that they are capable of yielding it. It desires, it cares for nothing more. Hence philosophy and poetry are at war with each other, but they are powers which may belong to the service of the same kingly mind. Imagination lives in the present-in the shown -in the apparent. From the whole, as it is presented, springs some mighty passion. Disturb the actual presentment, and the passion is gone.

"If but a beam of sober reason play,

Then Fancy's fairy frost-work melts away." That line, beautiful as it is, and true-is yet inadequate to express the demolition, when is and SEEMS

encounter, and the latter is overthrown.

Shepherd.-Plawto pour'd out his pheelosophy in Dialogues-and sae, sir, do you-and I'll back ye again' the auld Trojan-that is, Grecian-for a barrel o' eisters. Í never understood metafeezixs afore -but noo the distinction atween reason and imagination and their objects, is as plain as that atween the pike-staff o' a sergeant o' militia and the sceptre o' Agamemnon.

North.-You have been touching, my dear Opium-Eater, on abstruse matters indeed, but with a pencil of light. Certainly, the ef fect of right metaphysical study is to dissolve the whole fabric of knowledge. Boscovich has metaphysicized matter, and shown that there need be none-that certain centres of attraction and repulsion are the only things needed. Others have metaphysicized vision. Now, two great bonds of our knowledge, are-habit, and the feeling we annex to forms; and we repugn the breaking up of either. How our idea of a house, a palace, a kingdom, a man, the sea, is infused with feeling! To all doctrines that dissolve feelings or habits, we are naturally averse. They are painfulas for example, that which denies that color or beauty is in the objects -just like that further discovery of the world, which shows us that those whom we thought all-perfect, have great faults. But this is a discipline we must go through-for we begin children, and end spirits. There is but One good. There is but One deserving of all love. The discipline forms love in us, and gradually and successively breaks it off from all less objects, so that we remain with the affection, and Him the sole object fitted to it. He is to be all in all. The more you approach to total devotion, the more you unite high intellect and