storm, as though undetermined whether to continue the unequal contest with the elements, or to expire without further struggle. A thick fog was rapidly obscuring the few objects yet distinguishable through the gloom; the pavement was nearly impassable; and, altogether, the night exhibited every appearance of wretchedness, cold, and discomfort, which the uncongenial season of the year could possibly furnish.

But few individuals were visible in the streets, and those whom business or necessity forced abroad, glided swiftly to the place of their destination, muffled up to the utmost of their ability, in hopes of being thereby protected against the inclemency of the weather; and, frequently, the loud slamming of distant doors, as the half-drenched persons regained their houses, proclaimed the willingness with which they exchanged exposure to the shower for the comfortable blaze of their own firesides.

Nevertheless, there were some poor sufferers to whom the luxury of a plentiful repast and sufficient clothing had been long denied, and who might-at the period of

which I write-have been observed crouching beneath the insufficient protection of a doorway, which trifling shelter proved but a poor alleviation to their miseries.

Huddled together, their teeth chattering with cold, these unhappy creatures would ofttimes gaze upon the windows of the opposite mansions, from whence issued the reflection of the cheering fire, while ever and anon a figure glided by the casement, and for an instant obscuring the light, involuntarily caused them to draw the heartrending comparison between the happy lot vouchsafed to some of their fellow-mortals, and that which their miserable destiny had decreed them to undergo.

The clocks had just struck eleven-the shops were closed-and, as the wind rather increased than otherwise, there seemed but small prospect of the usual noise and excitement-which, in that populous district, commonly prevail-being resumed during the night. Now and then, the sound of approaching carriage-wheels was borne indistinctly on the blast; and, from amid the hazy atmosphere, the outlines of two mi

serable-looking horses, driven by a halfdrowned coachman, passing on their homeward career, gave indication that the causeway was not wholly deserted. But, as the night advanced, the appearance even of a hackney-coach, drawn sluggishly along by its poor jaded animals, became less frequent ; and, at length, the rumbling of the crazy vehicles was heard no more, and all sound of mortality died away.

As the wind rose, the dark clouds partially separated, and occasionally the moon, struggling to cast her light through the dense atmosphere, for an instant shed a sickly beam on the cold, deserted pavement, and immediately sunk into her former obscurity.

It was during one of those intervals, when the storm was temporarily lulled, as if to gather fresh strength for a renewal of its fury, that a person was seen to issue from a gloomy passage leading out of Green-street, and wrapping the shawl which she carried closely around her, hurried towards the broader thoroughfare of Higler's-lane. Now and then the figure stopped, as if irresolute

how to proceed; and frequently, on approaching a door, which apparently she had been anxious to reach, she turned away with a gesture of impatience, which clearly demonstrated the disappointment she experienced at finding the habitation closed for the night.

More than once the figure raised the ponderous brass knocker which ornamented one of the most conspicuous houses in the street; but as it fell from her hand, the dismal echo of the noise reverberating through the neighbourhood was the only result of her exertions.

Wearied with fruitless endeavours to obtain admission where she had sought it, she hurried across the Borough-road, when, observing a light in Market-street, she instantly directed her steps thither. Fortunately for the wanderer, the light proceeded from a window, in which were displayed bottles and jars of various shapes and sizes, containing liquids of all colours imaginable, and, in fact, at that hour it would have been as hopeless as vain to have expected to find any, save an apothecary's abode, illu

minated and open: nor would this lucky chance have occurred, had not the worthy disciple of Esculapius but recently returned from some professional occupation, which he had found more in accordance with duty than inclination to attend.

The gentleman in question was in the act of divesting himself of a large coat, thoroughly saturated with rain, when a knock at the street door speedily dissolved all anticipations of immediate comfort, which his blazing fire, and ready-prepared repast seemed to promise.

It was, therefore, with no complacent feeling, or benevolent intent, that he proceeded to question his midnight visitor, as to the cause of being summoned at so unseasonable time, and, had his sense of duty permitted, he would most gladly have retired farther into his domicile, and allowed the unwelcome applicant to seek for medical aid at the hands of some other practitioner; but in the present case, that was not to be thought of; for owing to the neglect of his assistant in not having closed the shutters of his dwelling, he well knew