his fame upon very extensive works in history and moral science.

The stranger asked aloud if that was the man who wrote the history of ? Now it happened that at that moment, the very identical Author of that very history, who had been brought to Lord Bellenden's dinner by a neighbouring Dean, was engaged with Mrs. Neville in a disquisition upon geology, from which that lady seemed very much to wish to be released. When therefore the above speech of the traveller was uttered, Lord Bellenden became anxious, lest so critical a question might disturb the harmony of his table, by involving the two Authors in a personal contest: and in order to prevent all danger, at least as it might arise from ignorance, he instantly interposed by observing, "I perceive, Sir William, you know that gentleman only by reputation, for I have the honour of having him close by me, I have been faulty in not presenting two eminent persons to each other-Dr. M'Ginnis, give me leave to introduce Sir William Wagstaff to you."

This good nature on the part of Lord Bellenden met with a strange return; for our traveller, (whether from jealousy, a real fit of absence, or some infatuation,) after returning the profound bow which the Scotch Doctor made him, exclaimed, as one who was thinking aloud, " A strange rencontre! it is very

well I did not go any farther." Lord Bellenden was in consternation at this speech; particularly as he observed the Doctor red from ear to ear with resentment, and about to make a thundering reply; when the traveller, with probably greater presence of mind than strict good faith, perceiving he had got into a scrape, disarmed the Doctor in a moment by observing, "My dear Sir, I have made you a very awkward speech, but you know there are two ways of construing it-favourably and unfavourably. I will only put it to your own knowledge of good breeding, in which sense I could have meant it."

"Oh, my dear Sir," answered the mollified Doctor, bowing with most dignified humility-" I am convinced how a person of your figure could alone have meant it; and indeed, as you vary justly observe, it would have been vary awkward for your humble servant, (though it has hay-pened to me before now, turning to Lord Bellenden and Mrs. Neville,) to have heard my own works praised before my face."

This speech entirely cured the fears of the goodnatured Lord Bellenden,—who, however, afterwards declared he should have desired no better entertainment than to have seen the two Authors cut up each other; and Mr. Beaumont observed gravely to the Doctor, that really so great a reputation must some

times be inconvenient; to which the Doctor modestly assented.

This little episode being over, the business of dinner went on with earnestness, and many were the praises of the venison, and turtle, the grapes, the pines, and the peaches which were demolished.

"I wish my mother would go," said Lady Gertrude, yawning; "she thinks it so civil to stay with these people."

"Why to be sure," answered Mrs. Neville; "do you think, with all her rectitude, (and to be sure nobody has more) she does not know what she is about? or your father there, good dear man! would he do all this in the county for nothing? By the bye, how old is your brother?"

"Who, Norburn? twenty-nineteen-I really don't know, and don't care-I really am so stupid, I don't know what I am about, or what I am saying."

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Forgive me, my dear, if on such an occasion you ought to know both the one and the other," replied Mrs. Neville.—“ We who come in upon a popular election, where there are a great many long purses, owing to that hideous commerce, are forced to study, and therefore are able to give a lesson.”

The signal so much wished for by Lady Gertrude was now given by the Countess; and the ladies retired in the same order that had been settled at

dinner; but Mrs. Neville staid behind every one, to go out arm in arm with her dear Lady Gertrude, who, as the daughter of the house, retired last. As soon as the door was closed, Lord Bellenden took the head of the table, and was followed without ceremony by Mr. Beaumont, who did not much like his quarters, now there was neither the host nor the host's daughter to enliven him.

And now Dr. M'Ginnis prepared his mighty spirit, and hoped the wished-for opportunity was come, when he might display those powers of ratiocination, and that fund of information, which he seemed peculiarly to have treasured up for occasions of this sort. And now the most accomplished of travellers revolved in his mind all his magazines of anecdote and egotism, sighing for that fortunate question, or opportune remark, which might unlock the ample store; and now Mr. Beaumont began to look round in quest of food for his favourite amusement of quizzing;-in short, the health of the King was given, the signal for general conversation was thrown out, and every man's heart beat high with expectation: save only Tremaine's, which had alone felt pleasure while he found himself near to Georgina, and which, now she was gone, gave itself up to the disgust which preyed upon it, from the folly or the vice which he attributed to every one of his neighbours,-always ex

cepted the master of the feast, and Evelyn, to whom he clung with more than usual attachment.

But the removal of Lord Bellenden to the head of the table was rather a damper to Dr. M'Ginnis's hopes, as he by that means was deprived of his most illustrious auditor-the man, whom, being master of the house, he most wished to please: for it was a very good house,-the company assembled in it very good company, and the table which adorned it a very good table; in short, it was a house which in all respects the Doctor had no objection to visit again.

Soon, however, he was relieved; for a difference of opinion had already begun to arise at the upper end of the table, in consequence of a warm eulogy of the traveller upon the Empress Elizabeth, for abolishing capital punishments in her dominions,-accompanied by a censure, in no very measured terms, of the sanguinary nature of the English law. This was replied to by Lord Bellenden himself,-who as a Senator, and perhaps as Chairman of Sessions, where he so worthily presided, thought it right to defend the policy of his country.

Evelyn, who had hitherto been a silent observer, but who loved conversation, ranged himself on the side of Lord Bellenden; while Beaumont, whether he thought it not fair for two to fall upon one, or that he might be better able to draw out the ridicu