lar interest.-Pray, sir, what is your opinion of the present ministers ?"

Before Mr. Dalben could answer, the maidservant appeared at the door, saying, "What's your pleasure, sir ?"

"Where is the corporal? where is Trim, Mrs. Betty?" asked the youth. "Do me the favour to inform the veteran that we require a supply of carbonaceous matter to aliment the flame about to expire upon the altar of our lares."

"Sir!" said the waiting-maid.

"Believe me, Mrs. Betty, that, however pressing the emergency, it is the last thing I could do, as a gentleman, to hint, however remotely, at any request which might induce you to soil your fair hands by a service so unworthy of them.”

The servant seemed to be more and more perplexed in measure as she listened to this rhapsody. However, Mr. Dalben having in two words explained what was wanting, she withdrew; and when the young gentleman heard her retreating step upon the stairs, he laughed, and added, "How I do love to pose people of that kind with a flourishing speech! As we were saying on speaking of the ministers, I expect great things from them; there is no person who can pretend to say that the state of things for ages past has not been contrary to all ideas of rectitude. Are not all men equals by birth, from the prince to the beggar? and wherefore should one order of people possess privileges which are denied to another? Why should not the pauper be represented in

parliament as well as a man of property? Is not a pauper a man? Has he not the same stake in the state?"

"In answer to your last inquiry, I answer, certainly not," replied Mr. Dalben; because the pauper incurs much smaller risk by any change which may take place. Simply let me ask you, has the traveller who carries his little baggage in a wallet, the same interest in the large inn in which he lodges for a night or more, as the master of that hotel? and if at night there is a cry of fire in the street, would he, I ask, have the same motives for extinguishing that fire as the owner of the large and well-furnished hotel?"

"Is not the wallet, if it is his all, as much to the traveller, as the large house with all its appurtenances is to the innkeeper?" replied the

young man.

"No, sir," said Mr. Dalben; "because, under the supposition of the loss of both, the one is much more easily replaced than the other; and you will not certainly dispute, that in case of accident by fire, by water, by tumult, or any other circumstance of danger, the wallet is not far more easily preserved than the large house with its manifold appurtenances; and such being the case, I maintain that the man of property has more interest in the well-being of his country than the pauper."

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"Just as much," replied the young man, sneeringly, as his own interest may be bound up in the flourishing condition of his country."

"But whether it be for his own private interest, or from a pure spirit of patriotism, it matters not," replied Mr. Dalben," from what

ever motive a man be anxious for the good of his country, that man is more to be depended upon than another who has much smaller interest in the state."

"You and I, sir, I see," replied the youth, "entertain different views;" and he passed his hand over his chin, and gave a glimpse first on one side and then on the other of his well-decorated feet and legs; then starting up to the perpendicular, he looked at his watch, rung again, and on the appearance of Parker he said, "By Jove, Trim, if you do not supply fuel and lights, we shall be all in carcere tenebroso in no time."

"Anan! sir," said the corporal, giving his usual salute.

"Coals and light," repeated the youth. "Do you comprehend? Do you take in my meaning, corporal ?"

"I do, sir," replied the other.

"Then you are a bishop," said the youth. "But apropos of bishops," he added, turning to Mr. Dalben, "what may your opinion be on the question of establishments? I myself have decidedly adopted the persuasion that all ecclesiastical establishments supported by government are opposed to the freedom of the subject; the voluntary system is that which I patronize as the only one which is compatible with a man's natural liberty." Then stroking his chin, drawing up his lips, and filling his cheeks with wind, "I consider, sir," he added, "I consider that no man has a right to dogmatize in the presence of another man. No man has a right to dictate to me the mode and

manner in which I am to say my prayers, to perform my devotions;" and whilst he spoke, he drew up his whole person into such an attitude of determination, if not of defiance, that Mr. Dalben grew nervous, and began to be troubled with his short cough. He was therefore greatly relieved by the inpouring of the Major, Henry Milner, George, and the servants with the apparatus for laying the cloth, who at one and the same time all appeared at the door.

CHAPTER III.

The voluntary System.

MR. DALBEN was considerably surprised, on the entrance of Major Beresford, to hear him say, Why, Walter, who would have thought of seeing you here?"

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Why, uncle," replied the other, "did you not invite me for this very day at five o'clock precisely, to partake with you of beef-steaks and oyster-sauce? and did I not come at the very moment appointed, like a dutiful nephew, as you know me to be? and here have I been for a full hour, to the great annoyance of this gentleman;" and he bowed to Mr. Dalben.

“Well, I shall not say that I am not very glad to see you, Walter," said the major, "though I do not dispute your assertion that your having been here for a full hour may have tended somewhat to the annoyance of my friend, for your principles are quite as much opposed to his as they are to mine; but let me not forget my old-fashioned forms." Accordingly, taking the young gentleman by the hand, he introduced him first to Mr Dalben, and then to Henry, as his nephew, his sister's son, Mr. Walter Wiggins, a student of the London University, and a resident in Finsbury Square.

"And now, Parker," he added, "be quick :