ployed in the digging of the Artesian wells. With this I undertake to bore any thing."

"Or any body, you may add," said Mr Wallop, whom surprise at the effrontery of the stranger made apparently calm and resigned; " Who are you, sir?-give me your name." "My name is Doctor Bubb-you have probably heard of me before." "Never, sir."

Dr Bubb and the lady here looked at each other, and shrugged their shoulders in amazement at such profundity of ignorance. The lady, however, by way of turning the conversation, addressed the old gentleman again

"I shall turn this whole estate into a mineralogical museum."

"Oh, you will, will you?" "With the Artesian process of Dr Bubb nothing can be so easy as to go down to the very centre. Before I have been here a month I shall have hot baths from the springs immediately above the internal fire. But perhaps you are not a Plutonian."

"Perhaps not," said Mr Wallop, who knew nothing of what she was saying, except that she intended to dig great holes all over his estate.

"A Neptunian then, perhaps?" interposed Dr Bubb; "I shall be happy to explain both the theories to you. Werner in Germany, and Hutton in Scotland, are the rival Demiurges in the mythology of modern science. The question to be resolved is this Is water or fire the potentia genetrix, the vehicle, the organ, the substratum of all things? A few words will explain the conflicting statements of the different schools."

young woman, unless you give a good account of yourself, I'll commit you to the tread-mill for six weeks. What the devil! is there no law in England am I to be robbed and ruined in this way?"

"Robbed sir?"-said Dr Bubb, soothingly "we have taken nothing; excepting, indeed, your cart-wheel, and the legs of your sideboard to erect our platform on."

"My sideboard legs!-by Heavens, and so you have my beautiful carved oak sideboard! I would not have destroyed it for a hundred pounds; but I'm glad of it-very glad of it-It's a hanging matter now; and I shall have you both on the gallows yet."

The looks of mutual understanding, which he had formerly observed, were again exchanged between the lady and gentleman.

"Poor old man," whispered the lady-" Captain Slap was rightly informed-but luckily Mr Martin, his nephew, has full power over him. He shouldn't have taken off the waistcoat though. Yet he seems harmless enough."

Dr Bubb made no reply, but again mounted the platform, and was preparing to set the wheel once more in motion; but the patience of Mr Wallop could stand this no longer. He took him by the arm. "Stir from this spot, and I break every bone in your body."

"Sir-remember the respect due to science"-began the philosopher, in huge alarm.

"Unhand him, old man," said the young lady-"I tell you to do so, and I have some right to command

here."

"He stirs not from this spot, nor you either, till the constable takes you to jail. Depend on that, young wo man."

"Mr Wallop!"-interrupted the lady, horror-struck at such profanation; "we feel for you-deeply, and sincerely feel for you-but such language is not to be borne; you speak to Dr Bubb."

"Dr Bubb or Dr Bubble, it's all one to me I'll have him in the stocks for a vagabond; and as to you,

"If there is any mistake here," said Dr Bubb, "a few words will explain every thing. A search for fossilized shells, and a desire to trace the layers of the different strata constituting the romantic scenery of this neighbourhood, has been the guiding principle of all our proceedings. this young lady also is so soon to be proprietor of this soil

As

A slap on the back, bestowed with

young lady of the military philoso

per.

"Pon my honour-I don't exactly what family did you say?-old Mr Wallop knows more about such matters than I can do." she repeated,

hearty good-will, hindered Mr Wallop from listening to a syllable more. "That's my calling-card, old boy," said the individual who had thus saluted him; "Captain Slap of the copper-coloured Snapdragons. You don't know me, I suppose-but I'm a sworn friend of your nephew's. Never mind this old fellow, Dr Bubb, but go on with your experiments," he added, turning to the philosopher.

"But he shall mind me, sir-and you shall mind me, sir; and you too, madam; by Heaven! if there's a pillory in England, I'll have every soul of you on it, if I die for it!"

The curses, the threats, the denunciations of Mr Wallop were of no avail-and in a silence, such as he had never maintained in his life, he listened to the conversation of the three scientific enquirers into the mysteries of nature.

Round went the wheel, and down fell the iron bar.

"Have you come to the chalk yet?" enquired the young lady, taking out her note-book once more.

"Nearly-and then we shall see if the organic remains contained in it confirm the commonly received Mosaic theory or not."

"Moses!"-exclaimed the young lady, with a sneer; "he was not a Dr Bubb. What remains have been discovered in this layer?"

"Of the perfect animals, my dear young lady," replied the Doctor, pausing in his labour, and quoting, apparently, one of his lectures-" very few; some specimens of vertebral fish-the teeth of a species of shark, allied to the squalus galeus, and two varieties of the grinding palatal bones of some genera unknown, vertebræ and scales. But of the testaceous molluscæ, the order of multilocular univalves, has left many genera imbedded in this formation. Ammonites; Scaphites and Belemnites; Serpulæ also, and spirorbes are common. But our gallant friend, Captain Slap, has made researches into several classes of the multivalves."

"Oh, yes-granitic, of course, tertiary and supermedial"-blustered out the captain, who knew as much of what the learned lecturer had been saying as of Hebrew.

"Isn't the important family of Echinites numerous here?" enquired the

"The Echinites" appealing to the still furibund old

man.

"No family of that name heresome people in one of the lodginghouses, perhaps."

"The members of that family dif fer very much from each other," continued Dr Bubb, ex cathedrá,some are heart shaped, spatangus for instance; and others conical."

66

"They must be a rum-looking set of customers as they go to church of a Sunday" said the captain-while Mr Wallop felt more and more persuaded that the whole party was mad.

"But I hope," continued the philo. sopher, "you will go on with your researches, my dear Miss Haggersbaggie -this is quite the spot for them."

"I most certainly shall. Indeed, my great object in my projected change is to be enabled to pursue my geological studies."

Mr Wallop started on hearing the name-but before he had time to say any thing Captain Slap had nudged him with his elbow.

"I say, old boy, there'll be rare work with this Artemisian well digging when she becomes your niece-and rules the roast up in the hall there?"

"The first thing I shall do," pursued Sophronia-" is to make a section of the face of that cliff. It seems to me very like simple conglomente."

"We can easily try," answered Dr Bubb, "for the vase on which my hat is hung is of the same material

I will chip off the handle and ascertain the fact in a moment."

"The deuce you will!"-cried Mr Wallop-" I tell you you shall do no such thing here comes old John Bammel, and I'll have you all in the lock-up house forthwith."

As he spoke, our old friend the fisherman came up to the scene of action; and after touching his hat to Mr Wallop, addressed himself to Dr Bubb.

"Iv'e got it all ready, sir-spade and mattock-to dig half a foot down with; you'll easily find them in the Cove on the shore-and can carry them home at leisure,"

"What's all this?" enquired the captain, as if he had scarcely heard what Bammel had said.

"A few curiosities," said Dr Bubb, "which this intelligent person has procured for me, and hidden in a spot known only to myself. They are of inestimable value, and in great quantities-two casks are filled with them. For fear of other students of the noble science getting possession of the specimens, I have had to adopt all these precautions; and to-day, at one o'clock, when all the population of the village will be at dinner, I will go and take possession."

"And Captain Slap and I will go on with the well," said Sophronia.

"I'll be hanged if you do!" exclaimed Mr Wallop-" John! I command you to seize those people."

"Can't, sir—indeed that there young lady is young master's intended," said Bammel, hurrying away. "Yes," continued Captain Slapas the property is hers." "Hers? who made it hers?-'tis mine, I tell you."

66

"I told you how it was, Miss Frounay," said the captain to his compan

ion, "the poor old man very often talks in this way. His nephew humours him a great deal too much."

"Ha!"-exclaimed Dr Bubb"'tis near the time. I must go. Perhaps you had better delay farther proceedings till I return. In the meantime, go into the house, as Captain Slap has kindly invited us, and order luncheon. I will join you as soon as I have deposited my two puncheons of fossils in a place of safety." Saying this the Doctor put on his hat, and again adjusting his spectacles, pursued his way at a rapid pace from the garden, while Captain Slap, offering his arm to Sophronia, marched majestically towards the house.

"Well, of all the infernal rascals I ever saw of all the vain, conceited, insolent, intolerable gipsies I ever heard of, these men and this woman are the worst-Marry her!-I'll write a note this moment to Mrs Lorimer, and ask her and Jane to stay for a-week.' Such were the reflections of Mr Wallop, as, with melancholy steps and slow, he followed the pair of intruders into his own hall.

Over a sea, splendidior vitro-more intensely beautifully blue than the eyes of young ladies, or the stockings of middle-aged ones, glided a light boat, propelled by a gentle wind, that only sufficed to send her on her way, without causing a ripple in the water. Under the wild headlands and great chalky promontories that rose in perpendicular ascent many hundred feet from the dark and deep waveless expanse at their feet, the little "Fairy" slipt noiselessly along, scarcely disturbing the sea-mews that were resting half way up the cliff, or looking at it from the rocks that studded the shore; and it is equally certain that its motion, beautiful as it was, and the gleaming of its white sail, picturesque as it appeared to any one who may have looked at it from the land, attracted no notice whatever from the two persons whom it contained. In fact, they seemed to be so occupied with each other, that it is to this hour a marvel and a mystery how Charles Martin managed to steer clear of the numerous rocks that blocked up the passage,

VOL. XLIV, NO. CCLXXV,

or how, above all, he contrived with such skill and dexterity to shoot round the west point of land, and glide into the open bay that formed the landing-place on his uncle's estate. In this effort of seamanship he obtained no assistance from Jane Lorimer, who sat beside him; and old Bammel, the owner of the boat, had made his way by land, and had left Master Charles to bring the "Fairy" round when his visit to Shepherd's Cove should be concluded. Jane, it appeared, had required to run over to her late residence to arrange some exchange of plants in the conservatory, and nothing could be more natural than for her to accept Charles's offer of a conveyance in the boat. What the conversation might have been we have no means of judging, except that it must have been very satisfactory, for two handsomer faces more filled with happiness are seldom to be met with than those of the two navigators as they sprang on the sand. Winding their way slowly along the steep road that led upwards from the bay, they were surprised

2 c

to see two sailors of the coast-guard, armed with sword and pistol, stealing quietly among the thick brushwood that covers the chine, and making their way to the cave which the lovers had so often visited in their childhood. Their path, if they chose to enter Mr Wallop's domain by the little wicket, instead of following the main road, conducted them very near the cavern; and urged on by curiosity, which seemed mingled in Charles with a strange feeling of gratification, they resolved to take the shorter, though steeper ascent. On passing the mouth of the cave they perceived a fat gentleman stripped to his waistcoat busily plying a pick-axe, and so deeply intent on his employment, that he never perceived the spectators of his proceedings. At last, with a groan, partly of fatigue and partly of delight at reaching the object of his search, he stooped down, and after some manful tugs, succeeded in lifting up two moderate-sized tubs, connected with each other like chain-shot by a leather thong. This he put over his neck, and with a tub dangling from each side was hurrying out of the cave our two friends having slipt aside to leave him free exit-when the sailors, each with a pistol at his head, commanded him to stand, or they would drive a bullet through his brains.

"No use making any resistance; we got notice of this, this morning, and have the rest of our force stationed within call."

This was said in rather a growling tone of voice by the boatswain, who had the pistol still pointed within half an inch of the prisoner's right ear.

"Hawl him along to Mr Wallop's, and get him committed for trial. 'Twill be five years before the mast, and a month or two of Winchester tread-mill."

This was said by the other assailant, whose pistol was within an equal distance of the left ear of the sorely puzzled Doctor Bubb.

"But, gentlemen," said the prisoner, "in Heaven's name, what is the meaning of this? I will explain in a few words the provisions of Magna Charta."

"You may have your provisions in a cart or a waggon if you like; but in the mean-time, them two little tubs is good evidence against you."

"For what?" enquired the Doctor. "For running a rig on the Queen; I wonder you ain't ashamed on't," answered the boatswain.

"March him along," added the other, giving the prisoner a push on the shoulder that nearly sent him over the cliff.

"Let me understand this; you come here and forcibly seize my person, and object to my carrying off these tubs of geological specimens. Is there a rival philosopher in the case? Is there a collector here?"

"To be sure there is, and a supervisor too; but come along, Mr Wallop will soon set you to rightscome"

"Mr Wallop, did you say? You must mean his nephew, Mr Martin; the old gentleman is non compos."

"Oh, curse the compass," said the men, "it's all plain sailing here, so shut-to your clapper and come on.”

"Will they indeed carry the poor gentleman to your uncle?" enquired Jane Lorimer in an anxious voice, as they hurried up the path, and cut into Mr Wallop's grounds.

"To be sure they will, and, by Jupiter! the old fellow will take his revenge on this pedantic booby, and, perhaps, Jane, it may be a lucky incident for ourselves."

"How, Charles? Who is this old man with the tubs ?"

" A Doctor Bubb; but I'll tell you more as we go on ; you must positively come in for a few minutes-my uncle will be delighted to see you."

"Oh, Charles! not now-not till he knows—not till"

But before her objections to paying the old gentleman a visit could be concluded, the door was opened, and she only finished her full reasons for not being able to enter the house when she had arrived in the drawing-room. A noise of loud talking in the library had almost alarmed her as she passed; and she was glad to have a few minutes to herself to prepare for her interview with her former friend. The passionate old man had quarrelled with her mother, and had been harsh and angry with the poor girl herself; but she knew that, along with all his bad temper, there was a great fund of goodness; and she, therefore, had great confidence in what Charles had told her about his uncle's change of sentiment in her favour. The noise in the

next room increased in a few minutes so prodigiously, that Charles rushed off to ascertain what was the matter. On entering the library, he saw Doctor Bubb closely guarded by his two captors-Mr Wallop sitting in his arm-chair with a grin of the most diabolical triumph on his rubicund visage, and Sophronia and Captain Slap in a recess of the window in earnest consultation.

"This old man is not in the least insane," said Sophronia.

"No more than a mad dog," groaned Captain Slap, sympathizingly. "He'll certainly send the Doctor as a common sailor on board the fleet, and flogging's not abolished yet."

"Good Heavens! he has often told me that persons born on a chalky formation are hot and violent. It seems, indeed, too true-I must exert myself in his favour." Saying this, she walked forward and said, " Mr Wallop, you must allow me to have some right to interfere here, as soon about to be an inmate in your house."

"That's no evidence," interposed the magistrate, with all the dignity of power, "you saw this person, who calls himself Bubb, in possession of two tubs of contraband spirits?"

"Yes, sir," answered both the men. "You received intimation of a projected run on this coast, and set watch accordingly?" "Yes, sir."

"And this is the man?"
"Yes, sir."

"There can be no farther doubt on the subject. I must commit him for trial; and in the mean-time, I can give orders for a prosecution for the wilful damage done to my land."

"This I can explain in a few words," began the lecturer.

"I advise you to say nothing, sir," said the justice; "your words will be taken down."

"But I-I, sir," exclaimed Sophronia, " am answerable for the opening of the soil; and as wife of this gentleman," seizing at the same time the hand of Charles Martin, who, at that moment, entered the room, " I conclude I had a right to do as I pleased with the estate."

"Is she your wife, Charles ?" roared Mr Wallop.

"You have so arranged it, sir," meekly replied the nephew; "but as

we are to reside along with you, it will make no”

The dignity of the bench was for a moment forgotten, and some epithets by no means complimentary to his nephew's intellectual accomplishments, were showered on him in a voice of thunder.

"Marry her!-have my whole estate riddled with deep holes by iron bars and cart wheels-perpetual grubbings for shells and fossils-Doctor Bubbs lecturing all day about chalks and strata !"

"And why not, sir ?" triumphantly enquired Sophronia; "I shall teach your nephew the science of geology; we shall ransack the very centre of the universe for specimens-conchology will be our study also you already know something of shells?"

"A little," replied Charles; "my uncle will find a specimen of a very lovely one, if he will go into the next room. If he will bring it in, I'm sure it will reconcile him to every thing." The uncle, at Charles's request, accompanied him to the drawing-room; and in the mean-time Captain Slap made a proposal to Sophronia, as it was evident old Wallop would never agree to have his estate made into a mineralogical museum; and as without that the match was by no means desirable, he would undertake to free Doctor Bubb from his unfortunate predicament, if she would reward him for such a favour with her hand."

"For Heaven's sake, Miss Sophronia," whined the Doctor, "consider the miseries of five years' banishmentaway from science and literature !"

"With the cat-o'-nine-tails in full play," chimed in Captain Slap.

"Twill be a Roman sacrifice to friendship and geology."

"Enough!" said Sophronia, "I yield. Deliver Dr Bubb from his disastrous condition, and I am yours!"

"Have the goodness," said Captain Slap to the sailors, "to open one of the tubs."

"No use o' that, sir; we knows 'em by the look."

"Open it, nevertheless; if I am not greatly mistaken there is no penalty for a man carrying a few gallons of gooseberry wine; and if all was done as Bammel promised, it is nothing but some British Champagne."

The men looked rather crest-fallen,