that we should have such unexceptionable company, and, last, that it was possible our steed (which by this time had commenced dancing with impatience, and seemed at times on the point of leaving the earth altogether) would not be called upon by rough riding to do any espe cial credit to his distinguished progenitors.

The morning was fresh and bracing, and once fairly under way the sun broke cheerily through the light floating mists, assuring us of a goodly day. At every advancing step hounds, horses, and riders became more and more animated; the first named were continually reproved by their keepers for undue levity; the impatience of the steeds was restrained by gently bearing on the rein; while the bipeds engaged in animated conversation, which occasionally awakened echoes by creating hearty and oft-repeated laughter.

Unaccustomed at that time to much saddle exercise, it was with some feelings of anxiety that we, by the polite attentions of a negro boy who held our stirrup, mounted a tall lithe steed, whose form was only familiar to us among the engravings of the "Derby winners"-which steed, by-the-way, it was claimed had a well-authenticated pedigree, reaching back to the Godolphin Arabian, and who was of course from family pride bound to be in the thickest of the fray, and up to all and singular break-neck performances. Our "seat," however, at the moment was most agreeable, and with proper philosophy we determined to wait the events of the future. As we passed out of the inclosure a daughter of our host-a gay, lively lady, scarcely sixteen-invaded the holes and hollows, and every few suddenly made her appearance splendidly mounted on a white horse, and kindly announced that we were destined for her escort-a fact that filled us with an immense amount of pleasure, first, VOL. XXIII.-No. 138.-3 B

Our course soon took us from the well-beaten road into the dense forest, which being threaded a while, we finally reached an "old field" full of admirable "brier patches," fallen timber, ravines, and other favorite resorts of game. The dogs now commenced earnestly their work; they wormed themselves into the tangled vegetation;

moments uttering cries which indicated the nearness to game, the hunters either looking on as quiet spectators, or dashing in among the dogs, giving those idly disposed a touch of the whip.

and encouraging the industrious with animated the forest depths, and rolled back in rich cacheers. dences from the broken lands, they dying away in the distance as softened and dreamy as the notes of the Eolian harp.

Our fair companion, who had by this time become intensely interested in the proceedings, finally turned and remarked, "I am sure there Reynard, hard pressed, now buried himself in has been a fox started ;" and the next instant the dense forest; and hard riders, with strange several of the hounds opened in a united exul- impunity, flew through the tangled openings betation. "That's Pet; that's Rashly," said the tween the trees, safely leaped yawning ravines, young lady, clearly noticing distinctions of voice and dashed on. Others stationed themselves in in the general clamor, and whirling her delicate favorable places, and watched the chase as it riding-whip in the air as a sign of acknowledg- passed from time to time in review, and if opment. The less enthusiastic dogs soon feeling portunity occurred gave the pack a cheer of enthat it was safe to join in, took up the cry. The couragement as they now, like maddened fiends. scent evidently was warm, for the fox was soon sweep on their way. The country, fortunately, run from his lair, and started off, the result of was not only favorable for the hunt but for the which was that, in a few moments, the surround- view; the broken ground ran out into the swamp ing woods, so recently in a humming repose, now in a long spur, which we the spectators occupied, rang and vibrated with soul-stirring notes. Our the hunt sometimes being on the edge, and somehorses, some of whom had become covered with times passing in review almost at our feet. Reyfoam from impatience, encouraged by the in- nard, who seemed all the while to be under the voluntary whoop of their riders, now dashed in, impression that nothing serious was intended, their splendidly groomed sides flashing in the for some half hour amused himself with coursing sun, as if their coats were composed of bronze hither and thither among the switch cane and and satin. The undergrowth was still wet with briers, crossing and recrossing his track, climbdew, and Reynard, delicate about wetting his ing from one sheltering ravine to another, apbrush, flew first to the open grounds, presenting parently determined not to leave the comfortable the hunt to view streaming over the landscape. quarters he had selected for his retreat. It now The dogs, now fairly engaged, attuned their became evident that the dogs every moment were notes with the skill of nature's orchestral ar- closing in on their victim; in fact, the fox must rangements, pouring them out with a rich ef- often have been visible to their eyes; but it was fulgence that harmonized with and vibrated in not these organs, but the keen scent on the trail.

Our noble host, accomplished in every thing pertaining to his office, had judiciously followed our party with a carefully selected commissariat, which was now located under the wide-spreading branches of a magnificent water-oak, the generous arms of which would have afforded shelter to a regiment of men. Near by gurgled a cool spring, which was considered, we are compelled to say, more useful to cool the wine in than any other purpose; and thus situated we prepared for a forest meal, our appetites and our wits sharpened by exercise and the open air.

a young gallant who had distinguished himself | his lip illy conceals his teeth. His ancestors, by his fearless riding. A few words of acknowl- we were informed, came from Cuba. Approach edgment passed, and the two, accompanied by him with kind words and he sneaks away: havan old servant, bade us adieu and started home- ing performed his duty he prefers to be alone. ward, leaving the hunters to the enjoyment of How unlike is that beautiful creature "Fanny," the more boisterous humors of the day. already alluded to in the notice of the chase. She is all life and animation, kind and companionable with all. In the sociality of her disposition she thrusts herself delicately upon your notice, and a kind word seems absolutely to inspire her with gratitude. Her mischief, too, was paramount; for while we watched her she roused the soul of "Triton" to anger by her pranks, and when he dashed at her she would leap for safety among the group of hunters. Among the outer circle of dogs we observed one rejoicing under the name of "Terror." Indian fashion, he was christened after he had showed his character. He was the bully and rowdy among his kind. He only keeps well up in running; but when the game is to be seized then he puts forth all his strength, gets the first bite. and at the conclusion, if not immediately interfered with, will whip off the surrounding dogs. and alone take charge of the game.

To say that we enjoyed the prevailing excitement would be an inexpressive term. There was something positively exhilarating in the sensations constantly created by the novelty of our position. As the dinner was in course of preparation, among other things the hounds, now comparatively quiescent, attracted not only from us, but older and more familiar admirers, a due share of praise and critical observation. Among them we noticed every possible variety of attitude, and a rich fund of speculation was suggested in the exhibition of the various characteristics for dogs differ in tastes and dispositions as much as the same number of human beings. Pythagoras might possibly have conceived his romantic philosophy of the transmigration of souls by observing the conduct of a pack of hounds. With this idea it did not take us long to decide that an old gray-nosed, scalpfurrowed dog sitting moodily by himself possessed the departed spirit of an old Indian warrior. He certainly possessed the dignity of a sachem, and the furrows about his eyes and mouth gave evidence of a world of hard thinking. In vain impertinent mosquitoes and evil-minded yellow jackets insulted his nostrils: a scarcely perceptible flap of his ear is all the notice he deigns to take, considering the many troubles he has passed through, of such petty annoyances. Look at his benevolent eye as he watches the wantonness of some young hound that is wasting his strength in endeavoring to make up an exciting race with "Frivolous Feather,” or provoke a wrestle with another puppy about his own age. In the shade of the old magnolia yonder, in an uneasy attitude, is "Triton." He was thus named, I was told by a classical friend at my elbow, on account of his musical note. He is a fine animal, but unintellectual and ill-natured; foremost in the van his trumpet tongue rings merrily; but he seems to pursue the game with malicious intent, and as the alarmed foe flies before him, he rejoices over the warm scent that promises a death-gripe on the victim's throat. Triton," in fact, never is other than vicious; but when his work is done, unexcited and cool as a butcher, he surveys his work with eyes as expressionless as lead, though the foreshadowed snarl about

Dinner was finally announced, and reposing Oriental fashion on the soft carpet of grass, or by arranging a first-rate seat with a propped-up saddle, we partook of the various viands, prominent among which were cold chicken and dainty ham sandwiches, most artistically tempered by exquisite claret and sparkling Champagne. Commend us, indeed, to a rural feast with the fox-hunters, particularly if we desire a reminis cence from which to date common events of pass ing life. The substantial part of the meal discussed, there followed a lively and characteristic gossip, that was as sparkling as the wine. Among the many good things we heard that day, most of which were greatly dependent upon the manner of their relation for half their merit, we presume to give the

STORY OF THE IMPERTURBABLE WITNESS.

"Some years ago," said our narrator, who had a very twinkling eye, and durable red color on the end of his nose, "some legal business caused me to sojourn for a few days in a little neighboring town, which, though now boasting of a numerous population, was at the time of which I speak possessed of but little more than a rude court-house, a tavern, and blacksmith shop. The only active life the place ever witnessed was at 'court term,' and our reminiscences even at this moment are vivid that we found our time any thing but heavy on our hands. The judge who presided upon the bench was a man of superior character; familiar with the world and with the members of the bar; altogether superior to the rude surroundings with which they were associated: the contrast, therefore, between the members of the profession and the permanent residents in the vicinity was necessarily very striking.

"At the time of which I speak, a man by the name of Parker, one of the local dignitaries,

had been sued upon an open account which he denied owing, and it rested upon the plaintiff, Glass, to prove the indebtedness.

"A queer sort of genius named Brimlon, who made a precarious living by hunting and doing odd jobs as occasion required, was subpenaed by Glass as his witness.

"The proceedings of the Court were conducted, as might be supposed, in rather a familiar way; the judge, though a man of great natural firmness, was very little disposed to be very exacting in his demands upon the enforcement of mere forms, and so long as no legal principle was invaded and his dinner hour not interfered with by business, every thing was as cozy and comfortable as possible.

"After a day of more than usual excitement, when there had really been something before the Court which called forth legal acumen in the pleadings, having put the judge up to his metal; in other words, after a hard day's work had been performed, and judge, lawyers, attending jurymen, and witnesses had really become fatigued and hungry, as the judge was on the point of ordering an adjournment of the Court, the landlord of the tavern having openly announced in court that a dinner of fat venison was on the table, at the particular moment Mr. Sharp, Glass's lawyer, rose and said:

this gross breach of decorum on the part of the lawyer Brimlon showed no resentment, but after remaining silent a minute or more, with increased impressiveness he began:

"It was a beautiful evening-I shall never forget that evening. The sun was setting in the west, where there was a very curious cloud, funnel-shaped, with a large head to it, and then sort o' coming down to a lettle eend-it was. in fact, a rail beautiful evening, and I thought I mought as well go a huntin', so says I, "Boss"-you know Boss; he is a short-tailed dog with crop ears, and as good a dog as any in the country-so having called up Boss, and found he was all right, I got down my gun (it's about thirty inches in the bar'l), and thought I'd ile the locks, though they work like hair-tiggers; so I iled the locks and started for the stubble-field, owned by old Squire Todman—'

"By this time the symptoms of impatience on the part of the by-standers were openly expressed, and Glass's lawyer, no longer able to restrain himself at the prolixity of his own witness, jumped on his feet and begged the judge to order Brimlon to give a more direct answer to a simple question. The judge thereupon nodded his head to the imperturbable Brimlon, who, having stopped the moment he was interrupted until perfect silence was obtained, began:

"It was a beautiful evening-I shall never forget that

evening. The sun was setting in the west, where there was a very curious cloud, funnel-shaped, with a large head to it, and then sort o' coming down to a lettle eend-it

was, in fact, a rail beautiful evening, and I thought I wit-mought as well go a huntin', so says I, “Boss"—you know Boss; he is a short-tailed dog with crop ears, and as good a dog as any in the country-so having called up Boss, and found he was all right, I got down my gun (it's about thirty inches in the bar'l), and thought I'd ile the locks,

"May it please your Honor, my client, Mr. Glass, wishes to prove an account. The only ness in the case is present, if the Court please to hear the testimony, which will but consume a moment.'

"The judge, impatient as he was for the din-though they work like hair-tiggers; so I iled the locks and started for the stubble-field, owned by old Squire Todman ner, hesitated for a moment, and consented. the one he was going to build the gin-house on, but The case was called, Glass vs. Parker;' the didn't well, after walking 'bout a while, with Boss jest a witness Brimlon was put on the stand, the law- little ahead, his ears forward, and his tail (what's left of it yers and spectators stood around hats in hand; my foot in some long grass, which acted like a shin hopple a waggin', what should I do but tumble over by catching the judge in the act of leaving the Court had act--but 'twas no use, and I was going to give up the hunt, ually put on his hat, and removed it to hear the testimony which would only take a moment.'

"Brimlon, meantime, was duly sworn, and asked in a familiar way what he knew about the disputed account; but instead of promptly answering he stood still, looked severely and reprovingly at the spectators who were bustling about, and finally, by staring all present into silence, the judge absolutely settling back in his chair as if suddenly impressed with the idea that he too must be profoundly attentive. This having been accomplished, Brimlon commenced as follows:

"It was a beautiful evening-I shall never forget that evening. The sun was setting in the west, where there was a very curious cloud, funnel-shaped, with a large head to it, and then sort o' coming down to a lettle eend-it was, in fact, a rail beautiful evening-'

"When the witness had proceeded thus far, the counsel for the defense, much to the gratification of all present, pettishly exclaimed,

"Mr. Brimlon, we do not wish to know any thing about the "beautiful evening" or any thing of the sort; please tell us what you know about this account'-at the same time rudely shoving Parker's bill into the witness's face. At

when I seed ahead a partridge, just beyond a stump, a pluming himself in the old dry ravine that takes across the road whereat says I-'

"At this moment the landlord rushed into the court-room and announced that the venison was getting cold (it was a December day), and wanted to know, if the Court wouldn't adjourn soon, if he hadn't better put the saddle down by the fire. At this interruption Brimlon again stopped, rolled his large vacant eyes over on the landlord, and after the restoration of a fearful silence proceeded:

"It was a beautiful evening-I shall never forget that

evening. The sun was setting in the west, where there was a very curious cloud, funnel-shaped, with a large head to it, and then sort o' coming down to a lettle eend-it was, in fact, a rail beautiful evening, and I thought I mought as well go a huntin', so says I, "Boss"-you know Boss; he is a short-tailed dog with crop ears, and as good

a dog as any in the country-so having called up Boss, and found he was all right, I got down my gun (it's about thirty inches in the bar'l), and thought I'd ile the locks. though they work like hair-tiggers; so I iled the lock and started for the stubble-field, owned by old Squire Todman-the one he was going to build the gin-house on, but didn't-well, after walking 'bout a while, with Boss jest a little ahead, his ears forward, and his tail (what's left of it) a waggin', what should I do but tumble over by catching my foot in some long grass, which acted like a shin