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second after he was sprawling.

When this had been repeated twice in less time than it takes to write these words, he got up slowly and said rather sulkily

"'T ain't no use going on as I knows on; I give yer best man." And he began to blubber!

"Now you see what rows you get into," said the woman. "Why can't you come home peaceable. Lor,' Sir, he ain't so bad when he's sober."

"I hain't hit yer since Easter," snivelled the man, justifyingly. It was now past Whitsuntide.

"Upon my honour," said Hayter, as the group broke up, “quite a gallant knight, Berington; but awfully incautious and impulsive. You won't do for London, if you go on like this."

"Then I shall have to do without London," said Arthur. He was rather excited with the preceding episode, and spoke out decisively. By-and-bye they came to a billiard room.

"Don't come in here, Berington," said Hayter, "I want just to speak to a fellow; I won't keep you a minute."

"You treat me like a child," said Arthur; "Do you suppose I should not be able to resist the temptation of being ruined?

"Well, I don't want the responsibility. Come in, if you like. They certainly are all very gentlemanly fellows here, and I don't think you run any risk, but I dislike to introduce a young fellow for the first time to a London billiard room."

Quite touching, was it not? What could be more benignant than the expression of Hayter's face at this moment?

Of course, Arthur went in. Equally, of course, he played a game or two. Hayter was bound to confess that he had never seen a cleverer beginner.

"Tell you what it is, Berington, it is your confoundedly good eye. You can shoot, and by Jove, Sir, you can fight! How straight you hit that beggar in S― Square. And it's plain I mustn't allow you to become a frequenter of billiard rooms."

"Nonsense," said Arthur. He was rather flushed. He had had two glasses of "B. and S."

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He came out of the rooms rather late, and a winner to a small amount. The "gentlemanly fellows were very kind. They allowed him to win. Was this a "lesson in life?" He thought it all extremely pleasant, and went to bed in great good humour.

(To be continued.)

REDBARN.

REVIEWS.

SINCE our last issue our local literature has been increased by the appearance of the Midland Magazine. This new literary venture hails from the thriving neighbouring town of Walsall. It is a monthly periodical, and claims, as its raison d'être, that "the district for which it is mainly intended has at present no literary serial of its own."

In size and shape it bears a close resemblance to the C. L. M.; unlike our Magazine, however, it is not the organ of any Association, but stands on its own merits and appeals directly to the public for support.

To judge from the two numbers which have already appeared there is no lack of talent on its staff; and there is evidently a wide field of interesting local archæological lore to work upon. The first number contains, among other papers, "An Ode in Evil Times," a clever and spirited poetical contribution by the Editor; an interesting article on "Local Etymology," by Mr. W. H. Duignan; and "Glimpses of Old Walsall," by Mr. W. C. Owen.

The June number, which is an improvement on its predecessor as regards variety, contains, in addition to a continuation of the papers on local subjects, an exciting ghost story, by Mr. H. S. Pearson; some comic rhymes, entitled "The Parson's Ball;" a thoughtful paper on "Sleeplessness;" and a political article on the subject of " Free Land." We wish our contemporary a large clientèle, and a successful career.

We have also received with pleasure the Birmingham Liberal Review, the latest addition to our local literature, a weekly paper formed on the model of the Spectator.

It is easy to see from a perusal of its contents that this paper aspires to be the local organ of intelligent Liberalism of an advanced kind. It is written, evidently, by men of strongly pronounced opinions, for readers with opinions equally pronounced; and if we are to judge of its quality by the numbers already issued, we think the Liberal Party must be congratulated on having an opportunity of showing by their support, that it will be possible for a paper to exist which is able to combine with faithful political advocacy an intelligent criticism of men and things, and to provide food for thought by articles on history, poetry, and science, as well as to keep its readers abreast with the educational movements of the time.

We have been particularly pleased with the biographical articles, which seem to be dictated by a spirit of breadth and fairness, evidencing a high tone of thought and feeling on the part of the Editor and contributors; a characteristic to which we trust its managers will strictly adhere, whether the undertaking be financially successful or not. need not say how much we regret the discontinuance in our own

We

Magazine of the earnest and scholarly articles with which we were so frequently favoured by the gentleman who has been wisely selected to perform the arduous duties of Editor of the Liberal Review; nevertheless, we congratulate ourselves that a member of the C. L. A. is thus faithfully striving to serve his generation, and we heartily wish for the new venture the success it deserves among those for whom it is specially written.

Correspondence.

"THE ASSIMILATION OF THE LAW OF REAL AND PROPERTY."

SIR,

PERSONAL

In your notice of the "Work of the Session," which appeared in the last issue of the C. L. A. Magazine, I see my name is given as an opponent of the above, which was discussed by the Association on the 6th February last. Under ordinary circumstances I should possibly be content to allow a slip to pass uncontradicted, but as this is a subject of which I may reasonably be supposed to know something, I feel bound to trouble you with a short explanation, and to state that, however neutral or even dubious my remarks on the subject may have appeared to our worthy secretary, if I spoke as a partisan of either side the weight of my observations must be thrown on the affirmative side. Sir, I spoke for about five minutes, at the fag end of the debate, and partly at the request of the secretary. The pith of my reasoning, if I recollect rightly, succinctly stated, was:

1.-A cordial support of the abolition of primogeniture in cases of intestacy as to real property.

2.-If the laws were assimilated, the nature of things being different, the actual state of affairs would remain the same practically. And

3.(As a corollary deduced from No. 2.) An attempt briefly to prick the contending political bubbles, which had been introduced as "catch-vote" arguments for waverers who had not made up their minds, or who had not given the subject proper consideration, both parties (Liberal and Conservative) sketching fanciful pictures of the political consequences in the event of the assimilation being accomplished-sketches varying from arcadian perfection to revolutionary communism-which, in my opinion, were arguments really pardonable in calm debate, only by a recollection of the preparatory stirring and agitated state of the political world at the time the debate took place.

If the records of the Society were searched, it would be found that on a former occasion I had the pleasure of opposing Mr. E. B. Rawlings upon the subject mentioned in No. 1 of my above summary. I advocated the abolition of primogeniture as to real estate in cases of intestacy then, and I have heard no sufficient arguments since to induce me to change my opinion. To this extent, therefore, I must be taken to have supported the affirmative in the recent debate; on the other point I merely wished to look at the question with a judicial mind rather than as an advocate.

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FROM THE GERMAN OF HEINE.

MANY have me tormented,
Angered me pale and wan;

These with their love have done it,
As those with their hate have done.

Many my bread have poisoned,
Poured into my glass the bane;
These with their love have done it,
As those with their hate again.

But me she has most tormented,
Most anger and trouble moved;
She who has hated me never,
She who has never me loved.

J. A. L.

SUMMER.

WHAT a glorious season of warmth and of light
Is this Midsummer festival, banishing night!

See, the earth wears her holiday garment of bloom,
Rejoicing in life, with no shadow of gloom.

Now the flower-loving bees in the clover and hay,
And in blossoming trees murmur music all day.

Now orchards are heavy with still swelling loads;
Now toilers leave cities for cool, shady roads,
Where the fragrance of golden-spray lime fills the air,
And swift wheeling swallows find bountiful fare.

The thrush and the lark sing till eve from the morn,
And the nightingale keeps up the concert till dawn.
Oh, Summer in England! rich Summer so bright,
Say, where in the world is so lovely a sight?

J. B.

THE WORK OF THE SESSION.

APRIL 2nd. The Debate was postponed, owing to the absorbing interest of the general election. Attendance, 16.

APRIL 16th.-DEBATE: "That the present Vaccination Laws are unjust and ought to be repealed." Affirmative: Mr. Clarke and Mr. Holden. Negative: Mr. J. Suffield and Mr. Collier. Voting -Affirmative, 7; Negative, 10. Attendance, 29.

APRIL 30th." An Evening with John Milton." Dr. Langford reviewed "Comus" and "Lycidas:" Dr. Simon treated of "Milton's Satan" and the "Sonnets;" Mr. J. W. Tonks contrasted "L'Allegro" and "Il Penseroso." A hearty vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the three gentlemen for their brilliant addresses. Attendance, 135.

THE C. L. A. OUT OF SESSION.

On Saturday, June 19th, an Excursion was undertaken to Ragley Castle and Alcester, in saloon carriages from New Street Station. 130 members and ladies attended, and by the kindness of the Marquis of Hertford and the Earl of Yarmouth, they were permitted to view the fine old Hall and the noble Park.

The village and church of Arrow were visited en route; and after an enjoyable tea at the Swan Hotel, Alcester, the church of this quaint old town with its two beautiful monuments, and the ancient half-timbered houses in the streets, were objects of considerable interest. The weather, fortunately, was all that could be desired, and gave full effect to the charming scenery of the neighbourhood.

NOTICE.

INTENDING CONTRIBUTORS to the October number will oblige by sending their papers to the Editor, Mr. Leonard Brierley, not later than September 3rd.

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