the many stories he told of his early life, fully convinced them that he must have been present at the scenes he related. The poor dame was almost beside herself with joy at the discovery; and great was the wonder of the villagers, when they learnt that the fine French officer who came so often to the farm, should turn out to be the old play-mate of many among them. Little now remains to be told. On the night his father threatened him with his curse if he married Mary Bradley, Harry Stancome left the house, to cool his throbbing head in the night air; and as he wandered through the fields which surrounded his father's house, suddenly a thought struck him, that he would never again enter it-where the sole blessing he desired, was only to be obtained at the expense of a parent's curse. Turning his steps through the most unfrequented parts of the country, he sought the sea coast; reached Plymouth, from whence he crossed to France, entered its army, distinguished himself, rapidly rose to command, and was ordered to one of the islands in the West Indies, where he married the only daughter of the governor, and on his death succeeded to his possessions on the island, and large estates in the South of France. Having obtained leave of absence, he was taken on his return to Europe by an English man-of-war, and by one of those extraordinary chances, which far exceed the bounds of fiction, was sent on his parole within two miles of his native place.

The first thing he did after making himself known to his sister, was to purchase for her a small estate in the neighbourhood; shortly after which, he was included in an exchange of prisoners, and returned to his adopted country: happy in the feeling that he had never drawn his sword against his conntrymen, and by his early flight had escaped his father's "THREATENED ČURSE."

A VISIT TO A MUTUAL INSTRUCTION SOCIETY.

"The more we learn, the less we seem to know."

It is a true, although perhaps a trite remark, that "one half the world has no knowledge of what the other half are doing."-This I not only hold to be true of the world in general, but also of London in particular. For although I have passed the greater portion of my life in the "metropolis of the world," and although I had heard many and various accounts of Mutual Instruction Societies, still I had never had an opportunity of witnessing the proceedings of any of these Institutions. At length, however, such an opportunity being thrown in my way, I gladly availed myself of it; and as I do not doubt that many of the readers of the New London Magazine are in the same predicament as I was, I shall make no apology for enlightening the barbarous state of ignorance in which they have hitherto been living, by introducing them at once to a Mutual Instruction Society.

In the neighbourhood of Chancery-lane, some twenty or thirty young philosophers, principally limbs of the law, (as those studious individuals who modestly hide their scientific or theatrical employments, behind the

huge folios of "abridged statutes" are generally designated), have combined to form themselves into a literary and scientific body, bearing the magnificent title of "The Society for promoting Moral, Useful and Enteraitning Knowledge!" They have officers, committees, and sub-com. mittees, rules, bye-laws, and standing orders-pains, penalties and prizes, and glory in the awe-inspiring motto

"De omnibus scientiis et artibus et quibusdam aliis".

All this I learnt from my friend Mr. Theodore Woddle, jun. M. S. P. M. U. E. K. (!!) clerk, or (as he styles himself in familiar converse), confidential adviser to my father's solicitor. I had been often requested by him to be allowed to be proposed as a member, and at last—for I am very desirous of seeing a little of the world-I consented.-But it appeared that an introductory essay was expected from every person wishing to join the association, on the merits of which, rested his claim for admission. Now, it is a fact, which I am heartily ashamed to avow, that writing never was my forte-that-in short, I am excessively lazy, and to sit down to write a regular Addison paper, is far beyond my patience, to say nothing of absence of talent and want of geniusso I proposed-if the honorable society should consider it sufficientto appear at their next meeting, and speak an essay on any subject they might think proper to command. I believe a tremendous debate ensued on this novel application, but Woddle having much influence, carried it triumphantly.

Accordingly I proceeded to the society's rooms, so called by courtesy, though were I to be exceedingly veracious, I ought to speak in the singular number. The room into which I was conducted, I found to be one occupied on other evenings by a dancing-master. It measured about twenty feet by fifteen. Adown the centre, was stretched a long table covered with green baize, at the upper end of which, sat the president on a chair mounted on a large stool, and the vice and secretary supported him on either side. About eighteen or twenty members were disposed down the sides, and a vacant chair was placed at the lower end. Above the head of the president were two candles stuck in brass supporters, with a profusion of glass drops depending therefrom, and between these hung a picture representing some view on the castellated Rhine, conspicuous for a tall tower remarkably black at the top, where it met the white sky, and beantifully white at the bottom, where it appeared to grow out of the black rock. At the opposite end of the room, a bust-originally intended for Byron, but which, having become dirty, had been rubbed over with black-lead, and now stood for Kean, as Othello-was fixed; beneath this a large card in a gilt frame announced, that Signor Corrielio gave lessons in the art of jumping to music, at the rate of fifteen shillings per quarter, and below was appended another little frame, containing the notification that "Music” was "provided for Ball's;" which was adorned by way of flourish, with an immense number of flutes, harps, lyres, kits, violins, tenors, violoncellos, double basses, and other musical instruments. To complete the picture, it will be necessary to say, that a dozen backboards and as many stocks stood in one corner, and in another, an immense pile of hats, which had gradually accumulated as the gentlemen dropped in one after another. Over the mantel-piece, a profile of Signor Corrielio might have been observed, smiling and looking as amiable out of his one eye, as it was possible for any young danseuse to wish. Under the mantel-piece, something like a fire, surrounded by three large bricks, was observable in the grate, but shovel, tongs, and poker did not obtrude

themselves, being perhaps considered (if used as they generally are), fatal to the spark that flickered there. I hope this long description will be excused, as it is necessary to convey an idea of the apartment in which I found myself.

As I entered, Mr. Woddle came forward and introduced me to the president, who politely requested me to be seated, and expressed himself proud of the great honour of my attendance. I forthwith-having bowed my acknowledgements—took possession of the chair at the bottom of the table, whereupon Mr. Woddle rose, and with much solemnity spoke as follows:

"Mr. President and gentlemen! hum-It will be in your recollection, that at the last meeting it was—er—decided that a gentleman would be admitted-er-that is, would be allowed to substitute a-er-speech, for an-er-essay, which if considered worthy, would secure him a place in this society, equally with a-er-written communication— (hear! hear!) gentlemen! that gentleman for whom this rule was brought into operation, can-that gentleman now stands-is now sitting before you, and I have only to request, that some gentleman will rise to give a theme for that gentleman to speak upon. Before I sit down, I shall merely beg to add, that this gentleman-hem-that my honorable friend is perfectly a gentleman, being a particular acquaintance of my Mr. Woddle here sat down, as the newspapers say, "amid the most deafening cheers," and to continue the extract, "when the applause had partially subsided," the "worthy president" stood up, and giving one or two raps on the table with an enormous silver pencil-case, in lieu of a hammer, proceeded to say :

own."

"That if the members generally should think it a subject on which an extemporaneous effusion could be effused, he should beg to have the happiness the felicity-he would say the pleasure of proposing— that is, if it would meet with the approbation of the gentleman who would have to exert his oratorical powers-as the question-or rather subject-or rather theme-Woman !”—(hear! hear! bravo! huzza! &c.) When two minutes had elapsed, the president had recourse to his pencil-case, and after the noise had thus been increased for another minute or so, order was restored. As Woddle kept coughing, screwing up his nose, and alternately opening and shutting one eye with great velocity, I at last took the hint that he expected me to rise, and as I had by this time become pretty well acquainted with the tastes of my audience, I made sure of my election, providing I did not speak in accordance with the fundamental rules of elocution.

I rose-half the members seemed to have acquired all at once a great wish that the other half should not lose any part of what I was about to say, and called out to them with the greatest vehemence, to hear! hear! whilst the moiety to whom this advice was addressed, kept punching the table with their fists, and vociferating brave-o! brave-o! apparently as much pleased with their combat and their valour, as little children are at the tricks of punch.

"Mr. President," said I, " Deeply feeling the honour of the reception which has been given me by the enlightened members of this noble and ever-to-be-supported society-(hear! hear!) I cannot but feel the humility and the insignificance of my station-standing, as I do, before so many of the most illustrious members of the society for promoting moral, useful, and entertaining knowledge."-(here a murmur of pity circulated among the members, and one was heard at the upper end to whisper, "ah! poor fellow! tell him to keep his spirits up!") "Never

theless, gentlemen," I continued-"I shall endeavour"-bnt I will not detain my readers with a repetition of the bombastic nonsense which I poured into the ears of these would-be-wise literati-suffice it to say, that I talked of pretty women, without mentioning the ugly; of young ladies, without the existence of aged dames; of sweet tempers, without the juxtaposition of sour ones; of white teeth without thinking of the black; of love, without hatred; of virtue, without vice; of perfection, without a blemish; all which, would be designated by a reflective mind, as rather a too partial view of the case; however, this magnificent oration was received with the most enthusiastic cheers, (pardon my vanity, gentle readers!) and conceiving it to be rather indecorous to be present whilst the merits of the speech were under discussion, I bowed, and backed out of the room. Mr. Theodore Woddle followed, and perceiving my eye to be inquisitively fixed on the lacquered handle of a door on the landing-place, he told me that it led to the "Museum" of the society-and further offered to procure the key from the president, and indulge me with a view of the rarities therein preserved.

He therefore returned for that purpose, leaving me to anticipate in my imagination a splendid collection of stuffed birds, dried fish, spiked beetles, stiff butterflies, curious coins, antique vases, precious stoneswith mummies, crocodiles, skeletons-in fact, every thing I could think of in geology, osteology, zoology, entomology, numismatology, and all the other ologies which came crowding like waves upon me; the which I fancied arranged in the most exact order around a spacious apartment, with books of reference, catalogues raisonnée, &c. &c. I had completed a most beautiful ideal picture in which all the best arrangements of the best collections were adopted in one gallery, when my conductor approached with the important talisman in his hand which was to disperse in a moment all my enthusiastic anticipations. The door flew open on the application of the instrument, and I found the "museum" to consist of a heap of unarranged lumber deposited in-a cupboard! I could not conceal my chagrin, and my companion observing it, asked me if I really expected to find the experience of an old collector in the young secretary of a young society? I apologised for my fanciful enthusiasm, and Mr. W. being restored to good humour, remarked that although the museum (!) was not yet fitted up there were still several very curious articles among the various contributions which lay around. "Here, for instance," said he, taking up what I considered to be a piece of an old chimney-pot with some of the mortar used in attaching it to the gable-end of an old house still adhering to it, 66 Here," said he, "is a very remarkable relic of ancient times and manners. It would occupy too much of your time at present to give you an account of all the important facts which may be deduced from a careful examination of this interesting antique—” "Antique!" exclaimed poor 1, forgetting myself, but instantly checking any further ebullition of incredulous astonishment.

"Yes, my dear sir, an undoubted antique-which I can incontestibly prove by the testimony of a young friend of mine who is a midshipman in His Majesty's service, and of course, therefore, incapable of acting disingenuously. I have bestowed much attention on the article, and have brought what little knowledge I am possessed of, to bear me out in the deductions I have made from a close investigation of its several parts. The result of these labours is a memoir which I have presented to the society, and the reading of which will, I believe, be finished at the next meeting, as it has already occupied the attention of the members, three evenings. When the society has come to a conclusion, I hope you will do me the honour to peruse it, and I think you will say that is I

VOL. I.

F

flatter myself you will think-that much extensive and patient research, if not positive talent, is displayed in the production."

"But, Woddle," said I, beginning really to think there might be something in the affair after all, though I could not easily relinquish the idea of its being a piece of a chimney-pot, "cannot you give me some slight indication of the original use, or wonderful virtues of this-this-what d'ye call it ?"

"Sir," said Theodore solemnly, "I am afraid you will jeer at the account, however plausible it may appear to unprejudiced hearers; but I care not the unflinching ardour with which I have maintained a conscientious opinion hitherto, shall support me now. But you will be convinced-you must be convinced of the great truths which I shall reveal to you. The friend whom I mentioned to you as a midshipman in the Royal Navy, having in the course of his travels visited Naples, contrived to bribe an old fisherman, to procure an article from Pompeii or Herculaneum. "You know," said Mr. Woddle in a parenthesis, "that the Neapolitan government will not allow any thing to be extracted from the ruins of these ancient cities, and that guards are posted to prevent the embezzlement of Pompeiian relics by strangers. However, this fisherman contrived-my friend furnished me with these particulars himself, verbo et epistola-the fisherman contrived to elude the vigilance of the guards, and the result of his success is this identical— "What!" said I, interjectionally, as required.

"What think you-What do you think," asked Woddle, chuckling with intense delight.

"Can't possibly say-a tile from the house of Pliny?" "No." "A brick from the oven of a Pompeiian baker?" thing nearer, but not quite the thing."

"You must really inform me, I shall never guess it."

"Some

"Then I will tell you-It is," said Mr. Theodore Woddle, and his eye gleamed with the genuine flame of a delighted antiquary as he spoke-" It is, sir, a piece of petrified dripping preserved in this fragment of an earthen utensil for eighteen hundred years at Herculaneum ! On receiving this wonderful intelligence, I burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, which only became lessened by exhaustion, and was ever and anon renewed with greater vehemence, as I occasionally caught a glimpse of the astonished countenance of Mr. Woddle, through the tears which coursed each other down my cheeks. I was at length reduced to a degree of calmness, by the arrival of the secretary, who came to inform us, that I had been unanimously elected a member of the Society for promoting moral,'useful, and entertaining knowledge, and that the president and members "hoped I would favour them with my company for the remainder of that evening." Back accordingly we went, and I subscribed to the laws, and took my seat. After thanks and compliments had been bandied about, a Mr. Niffit (such I was informed was the gentleman's name), rose and delivered himself of the following attempt at a speech.

"Gentlemen," said he, pausing at every word, "you are aware that by our 5th Rule, a prize is to be given for the best poem to be written on a subject which we ought this evening to bring under consideration; and I believe it is usual for each member to propose a theme, and for the president to select the best. I shall therefore beg with all humility" (and he made himself three inches taller as he spoke)" to bring forward the following proposition, viz. The contemplations of a traveller supposed to be standing on the apex of the grand pyramid of Egypt, looking down on the waters of the Nile and the home of the pa