at once. "I knew he would come," said one; "How kind!" cried another; "How he runs!" exclaimed a third—and I must, in justice, declare that, for a gentleman whose legs diverged like a pair of compasses, and who lacked some of the wind for which my horse was so celebrated, he wagged along with very praiseworthy rapidity." How d'ye do, Mr. D?” cried all

at once.

Mr. D. wiped his red face and powdered head, and panted sorely-"Servant, ladiespooff-oh dear!-pooff-how hot it is—only just got your note-pooff-came off at a noment's warning-pooff-ran like a lamplighter -dear me, dear me-brought my share of the pic-nic though-round of beef-fat as I am— all melted, I'm afraid, and-beg pardon, young gentleman-permit me to put it between your

legs."

"Ye Gods, ye Gods! must I endure all this ?"

The reeking bundle was placed under my nose, and Mr. D. ascended the after-part of the car. The shafts rose, and the belly-band tightened, and I was very near leaping from my station under the idea that Mr. D. and the

horse intended playing at see-saw, or rather that the latter was to be hoisted over my head and seated in the laps of the ladies. The event, however, not occurring, I resumed the application of the whip, and had the satisfaction of seeing my animal set up his back and grind away beyond my hopes.

Oh, how I wish my limits would permit me to dilate upon the dust and the heat; the stoppages and the walkings up hill; the jokes of Mr. D. and the applauses of the ladies. For be it known that Mr. D. was something of a wit, and very much of a roysterer, and, altogether, a very desirable companion-when there was room for him. One thing I must not omit to state, which is that no person whatsoever should judge of a horse by appearances, or mistrust his own abilities before he has given them a fair trial. We overtook the cars which preceded us, and, had it not been for the screams of the married ladies and the clattering of the dishes, I verily and truly believe we could have beaten them.-Mr. D. thought so too, for which I honour him.

We now arrived within sight of our destina

tion, and I found my spirits not a little exhilarated at the prospect of being once more upon my legs. Perhaps this happy state of mind may have been in some measure owing to the consciousness of having proved myself a worthy candidate for gymnastic honours; but it was more likely to arise from a sweet smile of my dark-eyed maid, who beckoned me to approach her car, and assured me, that, since I was evidently the most accomplished knight, she had determined to place herself under my protection for the rest of the expedition.

With such a prospect, I leaped to the ground as lightly as if my joints had not once been shaken out of the sockets. The captain took care of the hacks, (which, without dispute, must have been nearly related to the horses of the sun, or, they must, many miles ago, have sunk beneath his beams) the cornet saw to the unloading of the baggage, and I did my best to play the agreeable to thirteen petticoats; for Mr. D. was dusting himself amongst the butter-cups, and another young gentleman, whom I have not mentioned, was too much enthralled by an individual enchantress to be

worth the notice of the rest. It would be an uncourtly breach of confidence were I to relate all the gentle things that were said to me. Let it suffice that I had interest to procure, by general assent, a total manumission from the labours of the day, and received the fairest arm in the world, with strict injunctions to make myself as happy as I could.

"And now," said my dark-eyed maid, are you still sorry that you came with

us?"

"Say no more of it," I replied; "I would come every day of my life, if I lived to the age of Methuselah."

Of course eating and drinking (plebeian vices!) were the first amusements which occurred to the earthly minds of such of our gentles as did not happen to be favourites with the ladies—that is, very especial ones—I mean -in short, the reader knows I mean a delicate allusion to myself. We stood upon the summit of a hill, reconnoitering the valley for an appropriate scene of carousal. Huge cliffs on the opposite side extended their delicious shadows over the green bosom of the wood, and

the blue streamlet looked cool as the springs of Lapland.

"Delightful!" ejaculated Mr. D., who had just risen from the grass with a pair of green buck-skins; "let us carry down the provisions without more ado. The two dragoons shall bring the two hampers, the clergyman carry the baskets, and I my own beef.”—With that he flourished the saturated bundle, and pushed boldly at the declivity.

Alas and alas! the hill was steep and the grass was slippery! poor Mr. D. lost his feet and his bundle at the same instant. The whole party set up a shout, and down he rolled-I never saw a man turn over at such a rate in my life, and I am quite convinced that he would have distanced the best roller at Greenwich fair. The beef was inspired with a noble emulation, and contended the race most magnanimously. Bets ran high; and the odds varied from two to one on the man to five to four on the beef. The wager, however, was not doomed to be decided, for Mr. D., in throwing his arms about for some kind friend

to stop his career, unhappily seized upon his