ing example of the vanity of human ambitions. The longcoveted Dukedom died out the other day, and the family, phenomenally prosperous for so long, Kad been ruined in the former generation. It was greatly to the credit of the late Duke that, declining to shelter himself behind provisions of entail, he resigned almost the whole of what should have been a splendid inheritance to satisfy the claims of his father's creditors.

Such are a few examples selected almost at random from the stories or traditions suggested by the Roll. From the romantic point of view, the interest seems inexhaustible. There are tragical elements in every variety for ambitious dramatists who dare to follow in the footsteps of Shakespeare as the novelists who take liberties with historical incidents will find endless inspiration for characters and plots without any severe strain on the imagination. The three massive volumes published by her Grace, which cover an immense extent of ground, might nevertheless have been almost indefinitely expanded. It is fortunate that she became absorbed in the fascinations of a task where each fresh line of inquiry was apt to lead her far afieid, often branching away into numberless ramifications. In the course of her researches she came incidentally on many curious facts. Many noble Norman names, for example, under forms more or less corrupted, are still common among the peasantry of particular districts. Within her own knowledge, De Venoix, which has disappeared from the peerages and the Londlon red and blue books, transmuted into Veness, is a frequent patronymic of the Sussex labourers

VOL, CXLVI.-NO. DCCCLXXXVI.

near Battle. While De Vesci, modernised into Vesey or Vasey, is borne by many of the Durham colliers in the neighbourhood of Ral In Kent, as we happen to know, not 3 few of the oldest county names are preserved in the hamlets and cottages of some limited locality, though they have long ceased to be associated with the occupants of the castle or the hall. Setting aside the probable offspring of illegiti mate connections, it stands to reason that after the bloody civil and foreign wars had ceased to make provision for superfluous younger sons, and when the epidemics of plague and contagious maladies had become less frequent and less virulent, the penniless younger children of prolific old stocks must have sunk into the class of small tenants on the patrimonial estates, and from that through succeeding generations into the still humbler order of labourers. Before taking leave of her Grace, we must express oùr gratitude, not only for the great pleasure she has given us, but for much future enjoyment which we promise ourselves in striving to elucidate many matters of interest which are left more or less speculative or obscure. but simple justice to say that she has a singularly charming style, and few people could have written so brightly and fluently when the flow of thought must have been perpetually interrupted by the necessity for consulting authorities and verifying names, and facts, and dates. She has very happily blended poetry and romance with the prose of her histories, as she has the art of treating picturesquely and dramatically the events which always strike her in their most effective aspects.

It is

I was spending a month on the Neilgherry Hills for the benefit of my health; and I had strolled out one morning from the comfortable Glenview Hotel at Coonoor intending to enjoy a view of the ghaut from Lady Canning's seat, and to return to breakfast at half-pást nine o'clock. I had smoked a trichy whilst lazily watching the fleecy clouds brushing the summit of the Droog opposite, and. was preparing to walk back to Coonoor by the path I had come, when a thought struck me to vary my constitutional by finding out a new way home. I knew exactly in which direction the hotel lay; so, taking the bearing of the sun with the Droog and other landmarks, I climbed the ridge of hills at my back, intending to keep along th crest and so pick my way back.

On reaching the top I found the fleecy clouds which I had observed on the other side of the valley were also skimming the ground where I then stood. Prudence should have warned me to regair the beaten track at once; but as the clouds were very light, and did not more than momentarily obscure my vision of the sun, I disregarded any impulse to return, and taking my bearings once more, I set off at a fair pace.

After going a short distance I came to a pretty deep nullah,1 into which, of course, I had to descend and ascend on the opposite side. I was not in very robust health, and the climbing somewhat took my breath away; so it was some little time before I finally struggled to the top of the other bank, and

1 Nullah, a ravine.

I

I then found the clouds had settled down and that I was enveloped in a thick mist. At first I thought very little of the matter, expecting the sun, as the day advanced, would dissipate the vapours. therefore lighted another cheroot, and continued walking on in what I felt sure was the right direction -going cautiously, however, as I knew there were some frightful precipices in the neighbourhood, notably one having a perpendicular face of some 600 feet, over which Tippoo Sultan was credited with hurling sundry prisoners, as he similarly massacred some captives on the Droog.

But the clouds, instead of lifting, grew much denser, and presently I felt rain. I knew enough of the Neilgherries to realise at once that there was no immediate prospect of the weather improving, and I began to feel somewhat uncomfortable; and not without cause, for I had no longer any idea of which direction to followin fact, I was lost. I had nothing with me in the shape of food, having had chota hazree 2 at seven o'clock, before starting from the hotel, when, of course, I did not contemplate any necessity for

further refreshment until breakfast; but now an uncomfortable feeling of emptiness under the belt made me consult my watch. It was twelve o'clock.

I had a stout walking-cane, which I found of great service in helping me over the rough ground, which was covered with the stiff bunchy grass peculiar to the Neilgherries. I dare not remain still, as I was

wet through; and had I got a chill, fever 'or dysentery would have been pretty certain to have followed. At the same time, the increasing density of the mist made walking very dangerous. There was also the possibility of encountering some wild animalthough that was not a very serious risk, as in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred a wild beast acknowledges the dominion of man, and will make off if it can. Still instances are on record of soldiers from Wellington, who have been out butterfly-hunting, being carried off by a tiger or mutilated by a boar -pigs being numerous and savage on the slopes of the "blue mountains."

I had plodded on for several hours, when I heard the sound of a waterfall; and on reaching the stream, I eagerly availed of the opportunity for having a drink. I found the water was much warmer than at Coonoor, so I rightly judged I had been walking downhill all day; and what was really alarming was the reflection that I must have reached a sufficiently low elevation to bring me within the fever zone-to sleep in which, in my wet condition, would be certain death, and I felt no hope of finding my way again that day.

But things were not yet at their worst, for presently the distant roll of thunder warned me that a storm was coming; nor had I to wait long before it burst overhead. The crash of the thunder was appalling, and the lightning seemed to strike the earth close to me.

It cleared the mist away, but the rain fell in such torrents that it was impossible to see anything fifty yards off. I walked dejectedly along the stream when a vivid flash of lightning revealed something to my sight which caused me the greatest satisfaction. It was a field of coffee; and by the method of cultivation I knew it belonged to a European's estate. I at once struck into the plantation, and presently came in sight of a white hut, for which I headed without loss of time. In response to my knocking an East Indian writer came to the door, and informed me I was on Mr Wetherall's tote.1 I was conducted to that gentleman's bungalow, where I received the hearty welcome for which Southern Indian planters are proverbial; and after I had partaken of "sudden death," and some excellent curry and rice, my host promised to lend me a tat, and to send a coolie to guide me back to Glenview.

The storm, however, increased with such violence that my departure was perforce postponed, and we had drawn our chairs together to enjoy a chat and a cheroot, when the sound of horses' feet galloping up the road to the bungalow struck our ears. Presently. two riders drew rein before the verandah; and flinging the bridles to their syces, who ran up almost at the same time, dismounted. One of the new-comers was evidently known to Mr Wetherall, who advanced and greeted him with, "Glad to see you, doctor; walk in." The doctor introduced his compan

ion, a merchant from the plains, who was staying with him for a change of climate.

It appeared they had been to visit another planter, whose estate lay some four miles off; but on returning they found the wooden bridge over the stream (the same I had come to) had been carried away by the storm; and that the river was impassable. They had therefore sought shelter at Mr Wetherall's bungalow, and he gladly bade them make themselves at home.

After they had refreshed themselves, and we had all dried our clothes, we grew more communicative; and as the storm continued to rage with unabated fury, it became evident we could not resume our journey for some hours, perhaps not even that night. I therefore proposed that each of us should relate a story or some adventure in order to pass the time; and my idea meeting with general approval, it was resolved I should break the ice.

"Gentlemen," said I, "I fear my own life has not been sufficiently eventful to enable me to give you any interesting narrative from its pages, but I will relate how my friend Captain B became a great shikaree, and I will call my story

griffin come to India with his head filled with wilder dreams and imaginings than B- For hir

a tiger, or at least a cheetah, lurked behind every rock; beneath each cushion was coiled a deadly snake; whilst harmless flying-foxes grew to horrid vampires in his excited brain.

"Shortly after his arrival, Bwent out one morning in search of sport, accompanied by his servant, Mohamed Hoossain. He had been told by a friend there were plenty of snipe in the paddy-fields; and though he had but a very hazy notion of what sort of winged creature a snipe was, he determined to make a heavy bag. Had he been compelled to trace his conception of this fearful wild fowl upon paper, the resulting picture would have been a mixture of a pheasant, a turkey, and an eagle: probably some vague recollection of the description of a bustard was floating in his brain, but he always confounded a bustard with a buzzard; and such unclean poultry as brahminy kites or their cousinsgerman, he knew could not be delicate eating.

"As there was no knowing what might turn, up, B- thought it would be well to be provided against sudden emergencies. Accordingly, with his No. 8 cartridges for the snipe, he took a few ball-cartridges for any of the larger fauna which might present a target to his deadly aim. 'Who knows,' he remarked, 'but that a hyena might break out from some culvert, or a black panther might be crouching in a palmyra tope! it

is always well to be ready.' So, as it would not be much extra weight to carry, he put a loaded Colt's navy revolver into his belt on one side, and in the other he stuck

a shikar knife, a genuine blade by Arnachellum of Salem. He had fought more than one imaginary hand-to-hand combat with tigers, bears, wolves, and other beasts of prey in his own quarters with that shikar knife; and in pulling back a wounded sambhur's head by its antlers with his left hand, whilst with the right he drew his trusty steel across its throat, he was absolutely perfect-theoretically.

"Mohamed Hoossain was armed with a sword-stick, and a boarspear, 'In case, you know, a jángli suar2 should happen to charge us in the sugar-cane fields,' Bexplained. Thus equipped, and presenting an appearance which reminded one very forcibly of Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday, the pair set out in quest of game, feathered or furred. They soon reached the paddy-fields, and there on the very first bund stood a yellow-legged bird, with grey wings, white breast, crested head, and long bill.

"Snipe?' interrogatively murmured B, under his breath, at the same time laying his finger on his lips to enjoin 'profound silence, while he began to steal forward after the manner of a stage - villain, his gun on cock.

"Kuchh nahín, sahib !'3 sponded Mohamed Hoossain, 'kuchh nahin!'

full

re

"Aha!' replied B véry knowingly, and having crept up to twenty yards of the unsuspecting biped, he fired, and rushed triumphantly forward to secure his quarry. There was no need to hurry, as the game was dead as nail in door, its head being literally blown to atoms.

Mohamed Hoossain was not en

thusiastic about the result of the first shot, and did not seem to care about even carrying the trophy. But now and then he would grow more excited as a bird about the size of a thrush would rise with a scream and a whirr, flying off zigzag, and being lost to sight ere B- could bring his gun to his shoulder.

"Ishnáff, sahib !' Mohamed Hoossain would exclaim.

"Bother the snipe,' growled B, 'they are always off before I am ready.'

"This was manifestly unfair of the 'becassines; but if he could not manage the snipe he was death on the other birds, and in the course of a couple of hours they returned with a bag of eight or nine.

"Well, what luck have you had, old man?' inquired the fel lows in the anteroom, when B came in for breakfast. 'Got any snipe?'

"No, replied B

airily;

the snipe were very wild-fancy they have been pretty well peppered lately-though I knocked over three, but lost them in the paddy-ought to have had a dog with me you know. But I got four or five brace of kuchh nahins.' "What the deuce is a kuchh nahin?'

"Oh, I don't know; but that is what my man called them. I fancy they must be good eating.'

"Mohamed Hoossain was sent

for and interrogated, and ordered to produce the spoils of the chase. He wished to screen his master from ridicule, and vowed that pariah dogs had run off with the birds. But Binsisted- upon

his skill in shooting being established by the exhibition of his bag, and Mohamed Hoossain was forced

• Jángli suar,

wild pig.