the answer to which was a decided negative. At last they arrived at the house, the ring was not returned, and the companions still at strife. Mr. Musters now, unknown to his parents or to any party, flew to Annesley, and entering its "antique oratory," was very soon in the presence of her who was the innocent cause of this juvenile quarrel. The occasion of his abrupt visit was quickly stated, the ring produced, and a lover's enquiries made concerning it. Mary Chaworth confessed that she knew it to be in Lord Byron's possession, that it became so with her permission, or rather sufferance; and that he had taken it from one of the tables, declaring, in a playful manner, his intention to keep it. Thus obtained, her's was a very careless and easy acquiescence in the loss of that which love had made so dear to Byron. The explanation concerning the ring was soon over, but Mr. Musters had something more at heart which he had determined to divulge. He had felt that it was no longer proper that the fair object of his affections should seem to have "two strings to her bow," and, therefore, before he again parted from her, he intimated his wish that Lord Byron should be made sensible she coveted no such distinction. Mr. Musters further requested that if he (Mr. Musters) was the accepted lover (which in spite of her parents' hostility he knew himself to be) it should be forthwith made known to all parties. The request was complied with, and Lord Byron was soon given to understand that he was the discarded one. ROMAN FOUNDER.-An auctioneer put. ting up an antique Roman helmet for sale told the company he was informed that it had belonged to Romulus, the Roman founder; but whether he was an iron or a brass founder, he could not tell. STAGE COACH TRAVELLING.-The ra pidity with which our stage-coaches now travel has almost driven away all conviviality on the road; for should hunger drive you to dine, you are forced to devour your victuals like a cannibal, and then run like a debtor pursued by bailiffs. Laughable incidents frequently occur from the shortness of the time generally allowed for refreshment. I recollect once breakfasting with the company of the Dover coach at Canterbury; there were several ladies and gentlemen; the men, as usual on such occasions, ate, drank, and helped themselves. A good-humoured Swiss, shocked at this English proceeding, was all politeness-pouring out tea and handing about toast and muffins; his tongue going all the while like the clapper of a mill, and satirizing most jocularly the English method of preparing coffee: but just as he had a cup manufactured to his mind, for his own especial use, the fatal horn was sounded, and an instant afterwards the guard made his appearance.The poor foreigner looked aghast, and instead of gulping down a few mouthfuls of the precious fluid, lost his time in appealing to the company whether he had ate a mouthful, and in swearing he would not stir without his breakfast. The guard told him he might sit there breakfasting till doomsday, or the day after, if he liked it, but for his part he would set off that moment. It was not the least part of the mortification of the poor Swiss, on leaving the room, to have the attendant bowing to him, with the usual remembrancer"I hope you wont forget the waiter, sir?" "Forget you!" exclaimed the Swiss in a rage, Got d-n you, I will never forget you, nor de guard, nor de house, nor de nation," (in a lower tone, as if speaking to himself) He then began whistling Malbrook with great earnestness; and when dinner put him into good humour, he was as inattentive to the ladies as any Englishman could possibly under such circumstances have been. 66 military hero once accepted an invitation A SHORT PUN UPON A LONG STAY.-A to pass a few days at the house of a highly respectable gent. The son of Mars finding out the comforts of tucking his trotters under a well furnished mahogany, was in no hurry to depart, but prolonged his visit far beyond the wish or convenience of his friend, who repeatedly gave him various indirect hints to commence a retreat. Finding, however, all efforts ineffectual to shake off his guest, the worthy host was under the necessity of leaving home, when one of the family in the absence of the gallant captain, placed upon hts toilet a scrap of paper on which was written these words, "Long stays made here." This had the desired effect-the hero took the hint, and walked off, to pay a short visit to another friend. MIRIAM, THE BEAUTY OF ALDGATE. FOR THE OLIO. 'She was worth a Jew's eye.' 'Be merey and glad, be no more sad, "THE Sweet little gipsy led us a pretty round," said De Courci, as he turned out of Houndsditch into Leadenhall Street, and joined his companion Hawkesworthy. "Didst thou mark the number of the house into which she slipped?" "I did not notice any number to it," Hawkesworthy replied, "but I know the door by the carved pillars and portico, and the jutting butts on the left; besides, there is a large figure over the front." "And," rejoined De Courci, "I recollect, it is nearly over against the VOL. XI. hostel, kept by Drum.' Ned o' the Aldgate "Just so," said Hawkesworthy, and adjusted his dress; they walked on towards the Exchange, and passed muster in several broils in Paul's chain. But De Courci, instead, as he had been wont, was silent and thoughtful. Hawkesworthy ridiculed his mood, and determined, if possible, to laugh the Aldgate beauty out of his head. There was not a tavern of note they did not peep into, between Giltspur Street and Whitehall; they partook, also, freely of liquors, and wormed their ways through the night hours. But De Courci, almost maddened with the love of his adventure, resolved to make a more important figure in it, at no distant opportunity. 'He was a man who had seen many changes, And always changed as true as any needle; His polar star being one which rather ranges, And not the fixed-he knew the way to wheedle.' Meanwhile, as he meditated on his manifold vagaries, Miriam was somewhat thoughtful. "And what kind of gentles were these cavaliers that dodged thee home, Miriam ?" inquired her mother on the fol 298 lowing evening, while folding up the garments which loaded the shelves in a back room, facing Aldgate church, 66 you say, they were none of the people-who and what were they?" "Rather young and quite as troublesome as the fashionables of their kind; they dodged me like shadows, followed me like lapdogs of Charles's breed ; and courted me like rudelings. One of them possessed an agreeable person, an elegant address, and an engaging manner. He was very witty and cheerful; the other, though less of the cavalier, was not less beseeching and palpable." "But you know, Miriam, you must not be led aside from the tribes," said her mother. "I am aware of that mother, but one cannot help noticing such politeness such sweetheart gallantry." "Such what, child?" roared her father, who had been combing out his beard, and peeped in at the door; "If thou follow not the steps of thy forefathers, thou shalt die the death 6 Thou and thy mother have harassed me these latter years, since we left Frankfort, with nothing but the 'fine men,' and went up stairs to bed. Scarcely were his rabbinical clothes and hat thrown aside, and his head comfortably clad in a large red cap, than, as he imagined, he heard a few taps at the window shutter fronting the street, and fearing his money or fire the cause, he stealthily pushed the casement aside, and gave his best audience. The tap was repeated. He could discern a person wrapped in a cloak waiting under the eaves, and saw a sword stretched out from under it, just reaching the window, and tapping it a third time. The front door was gently slid open from within, and Miriam whispered 66 Begone, you naughty cavalier! don't you see my father watching you? my mother, too, is close behind me.' The figure, undaunted and civil, took a few paces forward; he caught Miriam's hand, and was about to serenade her as another Juliet, when a flower jar tumbled down from the upper window. Well for De Courci it reached the ground in a thousand pieces, instead of breaking his head. The Jew called "Stop thief," might and main, and two persons ran up and secured the supposed culprit, promising to lead him to justice. They certainly did lead him to a Justice Shallow at an inn that was open all night, for they were no less persons than Hawkesworthy and a compeer in the freaks. But De Courci, on the eve of being discovered in his true character, retired in a boat to Hungerford stairs in the dawn of morrowFor the cock had crown, And light began to clothe each eastern hill.' However boisterous Elamite the Jew proved himself to his wife and Miriam, of whom he was not a little proud, yet they knew how to pacify him. They united their powers, and fairly talked him into a belief that the previous night's fracas at the door was nothing more than a dream, arising from an over anxiety for his money and goods. Though they the more he desired the possession. Mi- A warrior and a reveller, who dwelt not In a few nights after their visit to Elamite's portals, De Courci and Hawkesworthy hit on a stratagem. They wrapped their cloaks round, and disguised themselves as well as they could be, in the hostel at the Aldgate Drum. The one in a tabard frock, and the other in a doublet of coarse cloth. Crossing the road, they knocked at the Jew's door, and were, at one word, in the presence of Ishmael Elamite. "Your business ?" said the old man. "Yes, business-nothing like it, master Ishmael," said De Courci. "Nothing like business," retorted Hawkesworthy. "Our business," rejoined De Courci, "is to fit ourselves properly for the good king's approval-whom we must acknowledge as our lawful sovereign." "Very good!" observed the Jew; and, taking a survey of their persons, size, and stature with a pair of barnacles striding athwart his full-dialled nose, he reached down from a recess what he considered to be a decided fit. "But," said De Courci, as if recollecting himself, "the suits must be taken to the Drum over the way, and there they can be paid for." Ishmael not willing to lose a liberal sale of goods at his own price, agreed to and calling his wife, she desired had played many successful gambols Mo be in attendance in the interim. with the gallants, they kept the prerog-De Courci, who had made himself known ative of the sex, however, in sheering to Miriam, immediately the hopeful Israeloff when any thing serious, as tending to attack their virtuous qualities was likely to ensue. The mother had bred her daughter to toy and value her beauty too well to sacrifice it at the caprice of every admirer. Miriam was beautiful, and sure to strike such a volatile creature as De Courci, whose time was principally filled by vagaries. He had seen and touched Miriam, and this was sufficient. The more the fair one he loved shunned him, either by compulsion or any other cause, ites, laden with the clothes, were leaving the house in advance, and taking them as directed; but Ishmael had forgotten how long he was to stay there, and how soon his customers would follow him, suddenly bethought himself, and returned so unexpectedly as to witness Miriam in De Courci's embrace, and Hawkesworthy guarding the door. The old man became enraged, and suspected a robbery; his wife returned also, and, not knowing her customers, joined him in condemning their ill-intentioned assurance. Miriam hung down her head, and ran out of the way to get rid of their ire, which was likely to come on her. De Courci affected displeasure at being suspected of dishonourable motives, and with an air of hauteur indifference, strutted out of the shop, saying, “My money is current all over the realm, and detest counterfeiting tradespeople." Ishmael relented on their leaving his "change," as he called his stock, and abused his daughter in round set terms for being the occasion of his losing business with a liberal couple of flat and easy customers. A minute past, And she had been all tears and tenderness. The next day was the Sabbath. Ishmael attended the synagogue in sackcloth. Miriam attended also. The young Jews often cast eyes of love up through the lattice at her beautiful face and form. One in particular loved her, Emanuel Israel; but he had not yet declared his love openly. He managed, albeit, to place himself so as he could see her with advantage, when he raised his eye and voice to the upper seats. De Courci, who never lacked invention or vigilance, attired himself in the disguise of a Jew, and waited about the courts to see Miriam, so as to propose her terms which he flattered himself she would accept. But, in this, he found himself deceived, and racked his brains how he should, sans ceremonie, bear her off at all risks of propriety, or discovery of his person. In one of the Sabbath evenings he had learned that Emanuel Israel, who was cultivating further advances with Miriam, had agreed to make a more explicit de claration to her, and she was to meet him at dusk near the water-side below the Tower. De Courci, who could not get out of scrapes without the assistance of Hawkesworthy, had ordered a barge in waiting near the spot. When Miriam made her appearance, the bargeman, who bad been instructed, walked secretly behind her, and bore her shrieking into the barge. De Courci and Hawkesworthy, pretending they were here by mere accident, offered her their honourable protection-the bargemen rowing fast away in the Thames, through London-bridge, and nearing to Somerset stairs. Miriam knew not what to make of this; she threatened, if she were not permitted to land, she would plunge into the water; and, suiting her action to her words, she stood up boldly in the barge, and forced herself half forward into the eddy, De Courci snatching at her apparel, and Hawkesworthy reaching over the side of the barge. So strong was Miriam at the moment, that they with much difficulty saved her from drowning. As they drew her back, she heaved a sigh and fell in De Courci's arms. He now, for the first time, accused himself of an injury which he could not repay. His kindness in promised expressions would not justify his volatile disposition; and, for once, he looked seriously and felt thoughtfully. When Miriam's senses returned, she repeated the effort, but her strength failed her and she swooned again. A vehicle was waiting at the strand, and Miriam was insensibly handed into it. De Courci sat by her on one side and Hawkesworthy on the other. The horses were driven swiftly along till they arrived at the gate of De Courci whispering lines similar to these : Child of gentleness! How dear this very day must tell, Short as was the interval, and sudden as was the surprise, it is not possible to describe the confused distress which pervaded the nooks in Houndsditch, the Jewry, and St. Mary Axe, regarding Miriam's fate. Emanuel Israel, however, who had kept his engagement rather later than he had expected, on learning by some bystanders that a young female was taken into a barge, and accompanied by two cavaliers, repaired instantly to Elamite's. Miriam's father, on being informed of the circumstance, smote himself, and began his old tirade of complaint against his wife. She professed ignorance, and expressed mournful sorrow; yet she doubted not Miriam would yet be heard of favourably. But the old Jew put on his best robe, took a long purse, and leaving his house in the care of a neighbour, agreed with Emanuel, his proposed sonin-law in the camps of Israel, to repair immediately to the king for proper authorities for the restoration of his beloved and beautiful Miriam. At the very same time De Courci, whose conscience could not justify his conduct towards one of the persecuted Hebrew nation, despatched a messenger to wait on him instantly. The afflicted parents, however, arrived at the king's palace. His majesty received them graciously, and sympathising with them in their loss, hinted that he was not rich, and could not prosecute such an enquiry without considerable expense. The hint was enough, the old Jew drew forth the purse and laid it be fore his majesty, declaring "that all the gold it contained should be at the disposal of the person who would restore his |