far as making a noise in the world went, there was Harry Tate's old brass cannon, which would carry a ball as big as a bonce-eye, although the captain had carefully ordered that nothing but harmless missiles should be used.

Thus defences and arms being mustered, and other military necessaries brought into operation, a review of the troops in defence of the citadel was made by the captain-general, who divided his forces into three divisions, appointing a captain and lieutenant to each. They were posted at the several doors and windows, the old brass cannon was loaded and fired as a signal of defiance, and three hearty cheers given by the little army; while the captain-general, hoisting a red pockethandkerchief on a pole, thrust it out of one of the panes of the window near the door, as a token of " War to the Potato !"

The noise of the old brass cannon and the cheering of the boys reached the ears of the Magister, as he sat at his breakfast in his private room. Rising up to the window he looked towards the school-room, and when the red flag met his eyes, and the cheers of the boys reached his ears, and when he saw, in addition, none but little boys in the play-ground, and observed that the said little boys jumped about in an ecstacy of delight, clapping their hands in wildest glee, his natural or scholastic instinct told him "what was o'clock." "As sure

as I am a living schoolmaster," thought he, "there is rebellion-rife rebellion, and I must proceed to die in my duty. Per acuta belli. But let me recollect the beautiful and sublime words of Claudian :

6 Peraget tranquilla potestas,

Quod violenta nequet; mandataque fortius urget,
Imperiosa quies.'”

So saying, and with a loud voice, the Magister descended to the garden or play-ground, his usher following in his wake at a respectful distance, and the little boys, gathering in a cluster behind, as if they only felt safe under the shade of his reverend person. As soon as the Grecians saw the pedagogue coming, another roar of the cannon was put in requisition, the "bloody flag" was riggled about through the hole in the window-pane most valorously, and another astounding cheer shook the roof of the old school-room.

The Master drew near the door, and, for a moment, a solemn silence prevailed. "What is amiss my young friends ?" said he, in the most bland manner possible, "what game is this you are playing? Remember the words of Seneca

'Per se scelera semper sceleribus certum est iter.'” The captain-general now appeared at the window, and taking in the red flag, as speedily run out a white pockethandkerchief, with the great name of PARLEY written thereon, which seemed to have a most significant effect. "Since you

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deign to call Parley to your aid," said the captain-general, we condescend to treat, and to state our terms. 1st. No school studies beyond nine hours a day. 2. Play hours three hours a day. 3. Death to Dampers.' 4. No more Skillagalee. 5. Holidays on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. 6. No cuttings over the head. And 7. No blackholes."

"Hurrah," said the boys, both within and without, while, at the end of the cheering, the captain-general cried

'Principiis obsta; sero medecina paratur

Cum mala per longos convaluere moras.'

"If you don't open the doors and let me enter," said the

Domine, his choler rising before the breath of Ovid thus sacrilegiously quoted, "I will cut every one of you to pieces."

"You must get in first, though," said the captain-general. "Our motto is 'no surrender' till our just rights be obtained."

"Is it ?" returned the Pedagogue, trying to dissemble his rage. "Squeers," said he, turning to the usher behind him, "bring me a crowbar and a pickaxe, and you will see"

'If you please, sir," said one of the little boys, who stood trembling and tittering behind, "they have got the crowbar and pickaxe inside."

"Villains!" said the Master, "then bring me the great kitchen poker!"

"If you please, sir, they have got that too," said the same little shivering urchin.

"Then—then, bring me-bring me-the-" and here the Pedagogue seemed at his wits' end for a weapon; while his fiery eyes gleamed with passion, and his whole frame shook. "But," he continued, "I will soon force you to yield, you rebellious young monkeys;" and making way to the door, he struck it with the whole force of the sole of his foot. At the same moment a wet mop, thrust out at the broken pane from which the flag of defiance had waved, met him full in the face with a splash, the captain-general crying out,

"In hoc mopo spes mea.”

At the same moment the ushers ran to the rescue, and endeavoured to seize the mop, which was, however, so cleverly handled as to remain in the possession of the "Barrers."

Some of the household servants, seeing the affray, now came running from the house armed with various instruments for breaking open the door, but, the moment they advanced, were met with such a shower of potatoes as utterly to over

whelm them with confusion, and cause them to retreatwhile loud cheers from those within the school-room testified to the ardour with which they carried on the combat.

"This is the most impudent and audacious affair that has ever occurred in my school," cried the Pedagogue," and let what will come, I am determined to subdue this refractory spirit. Boys," said he, "take warning in time-beware of what you are doing. It is an illegal act, and I call upon you, in the Queen's name, to surrender."

"God save the Queen!" called out the Captain, "three cheers for the Queen of England, the friend of school-boys, and the enemy of tyrants. Hurrah!" And they did hurrah,

to the sad mortification of the Domine, who stood biting his nails with vexation.

"I am determined to have the door open;" said the Master. "Squeers, go to the wheelwright's shop, and tell Bendall to send me the great mallet with which he drives the spokes of the wheels in, and if that does not make an entrance, I will find some other method. In the meantime, I call upon you boys to surrender at discretion. I hereby promise pardon to all but the actual ringleaders-the captain, and the Greek class. Come, my boys, see your own interests, and for the honor of the school, open the door, before I have recourse to those violent measures which are at my command."

"Submit you to our conditions," replied the captain. "Concede our seven points-the rights of the pupil, and we will open the door. Otherwise, we will laugh a siege to scorn, and defend ourselves to the last extremity—won't we, boys?" "Yes, we will! Hurrah!"

The great mallet of the wheelwright was now brought, and a most ponderous weapon it was. The Domine took it in his hands and approached the door, but just as he raised it for a tremendous blow, one of the boys, who had provided himself with a syringe and loaded it with ink, squirted it with such dexterity, that the poor Domine's face was suddenly changed from red to black, while himself was nearly blinded.

"Extremis malis, extrema remedia,"

ejaculated the captain-general.

"Hic niger est. Ille niger est."

"You Master Alexander, from the top of your shoulders to the bottom of your jacket-" he would have said more, but a