but a very few glasses had arisen about four o'clock, and was at that momentwandering slowly, with folded arms and downcast countenance, up and down the fine avenue of elm-trees, where, it may be recollected, Mr Aubrey had spent a portion of the last evening of his stay at Yatton.

Such is my account-and as fair an account as I know how to give of the matter; but it is curious to observe how very differently the same thing will strike different people. As soon as the grateful Mr Centipede had recovered from the excitement occasioned by the part he had taken in the memorable occasion above described, he set to work with the pen of a ready. writer, and in the next number of the "Yorkshire Stingo," there appeared the following interesting account of the "FESTIVITIES at YATTON-HALL, on the occasion of POSSESSION being taken by TiTTLEBAT TITMOUSE, Esquire. "Yesterday this interesting event came off with signal eclât. Notwithstanding the very unfavourable state of the weather, about five o'clock in the evening an imposing cavalcade, comprising many of the leading gentry and yeomanry of this part of the county, on foot and on horseback, preceded by an admirable band, and a large and splendid banner, bearing the inscription-"Welcome to Yatton," went out to meet the above gentlemen, whose cortege, in two carriages, made its appearance in the village about halfpast five. The band immediately struck up" See the Conquering Hero comes!" which, however, was nearly drowned in the shout which welcomed the new proprietor of the noble estate of Yatton. His carriage was of the most tasteful, splendid, and unique description, and attracted universal admiration. Mr Titmouse repeatedly bowed through the carriage windows, in graceful acknowledgment of the cordial welcome and congratulations with which he was received.

He was

dressed in a light-blue surtout, with velvet collar, full black stock, and a rich velvet waistcoat of plaid pattern. His countenance is handsome and expressive, his eye penetrating, and his brow strongly indicative of thought. He appears to be little more than twenty-five years old; so that he has before him the prospect of a long and brilliant career of happiness and pub.

lic usefulness.

Tables were spread

in all the chief apartments, groaning beneath the most costly viands. All the luxuries of the season were there; and the wines (which we believe were those of Mr Aubrey) were of the first description. Grace was said by the exemplary vicar of Grilston, the Rev. Mr Fleshpot; and the Rev. Mr Mudflint returned thanks. Sir Harkaway Rotgut Wildfire (whose amiable lady and accomplished daughter were present) proposed the health of Mr Titmouse in a brief, but manly and cordial address; and the manner in which Mr Titmouse acknowledged the toast, which was drunk with the greatest possible enthusiasm-the simplicity, point, and fervour whieh characterised every word he uttered-were such as to excite lively emotion in all who heard it, and warrant the highest expectations of his success in parliament. Nothing could be more touching than his brief allusions to the sufferings and privations which he had undergone

nothing more delicate and forbearing than the feeling which pervaded his momentary allusions to the late occupant of Yatton. When, however, he distinctly avowed his political principles as those of a strong and decided Whig-as those of a dauntless champion of civil and religious liberty among all classes of his Majesty's subjects-the applause was long and enthusiastic. After dinner, the great hall was cleared for dancing, which was opened by Mr Titmouse and Miss Wildfire; Lady Wildfire being led out by the Honourable Mr Yahoo, an intimate friend of Mr Titmouse. We should not omit to mention that Miss Quirk (the only daughter of Caleb Quirk, Esq., the head of the distinguished firm of Quirk, Gammon, and Snap, of London, to whose untiring and most able exertions is owing the happy change which has taken place in the ownership of the Yatton property) accompanied her father, at the earnest request of Mr Titmouse, who danced several sets with her. Sir Algernon Fitz-Snooks, a distinguished fashionable, also accompanied Mr Titmouse, and entered with great spirit into all the gaieties of the evening. The light fantastic toe' was kept tripping' till a late, or rather very early hour in the morning

when the old hall was once more (for a time) surrendered to the repose

and solitude from which it has been so suddenly and joyously aroused." [In another part of the paper was contained a bitter and abusive paragraph, charging Mr Aubrey with being a party to the "flagrant and iniquitous job," by which Sir Percival Pickering was returned for the borough; and intimating pretty distinctly, that Mr Aubrey had not gone without "a consideration" for his share in the nefarious transaction.]

A somewhat different account of the affair appeared in the " YORK TRUE BLUE" of the same day.

"We have received one or two accounts of the orgies of which Yatton Hall was yesterday the scene, on occasion of Mr Titmouse taking possession. We shall not give publicity to the details which have been furnished us-hoping that the youth and inexperience of the new owner of Yatton (all allowance, also, being made for the very natural excitement of such an occasion) will be allowed in some measure to palliate the conduct then exhibited. One fact, however, we may mention, that a very serious fracas arose between Mr Titmouse and a certain well-known sporting Baronet, which is expected to give employment to the gentlemen of the long robe. Nothing, by the way, could be more absurd and contemptible than the attempt at a Procession' which was got up of which our accounts are ludicrous in the extreme. Will our readers believe it, that the chief personages figuring on the occasion, were the editor and publisher of a certain low Radical paper-which will no doubt, this day, favour its readers with a flaming description of this memorable affair?'"'

Titmouse, assisted by his anxious valet, made a desperate attempt to get up, and make his appearance the next day at dinner. Aided by a glass of pretty strong brandy and water, he at length got through the fatiguing duties of the toilet, and entered the drawing-room, where his travelling companions were awaiting his arrivaldinner being momentarily expected to be announced. He was deadly pale; his knees trembled; his eyes could not bear the light; and every thing seemed in undulating motion around him, as he sunk in silent exhaustion on the sofa. After a few minutes' continu

ance, he was compelled to leave the room, leaning on Gammon's arm, who conducted him to his bed-room, and left him in charge of his valet, who got him again into bed, where he lay enduring much agony, (Dr Goddart being sent for,) while his friends were enjoying themselves at dinner.

Snap had set off the ensuing day for town, by the first coach, pursuant to the arrangement already spoken of; but I think that old Mr Quirk would have made up his mind to continue at Yatton until something definite had been done by Titmouse, in two matters which absorbed all the thoughts of the old gentleman-his daughter, and the Ten Thousand Pounds bond. Miss Quirk, however, intense as was her anxiety to become the affianced bride of Titmouse, and as such the mistress of the delightful domain where at present she dwelt only as a guest-and in a very embarrassing position-was not so blind to all perception of womanly delicacy as to prolong her stay at Yatton; and at length prevailed upon her father to take their departure on the day but one after that on which they had arrived. Mr Quirk was perfectly wretched; he vehemently distrusted Titmouse he feared and detested Gammon. As for the former gentleman, he had not made any definite advances whatever towards Miss Quirk. He had not afforded to any one the slightest evidence of a promise of marriage, either express or implied. He chattered to Miss Quirk an infinite deal of civil nonsense-but that was all, in spite of the innumerable opportunities afforded him by the lady. Was Titmouse acting under the secret advice of that deceitful devil Gammon?-thought Mr Quirk, in an ecstacy of perplexity and apprehension. Then as to the other mat ter-but there Gammon had as deep a stake, almost, in proportion, as Quirk himself. On the morning of his departure, he and Gammon had a very long interview, in which they several times came to high words; but in the end Gammon vanquished his opponent as usual; allayed all his apprehensions; accounted for Titmouse's conduct in the most natural way in the world-look at his position just now, the excitement, the novelty, the bewilderment, the indisposition he was experiencing: surely, surely that was

twice," he replied, gravely and distantly.

"You see, sir," lisped Fitz-Snooks, "the prayers are so-so-devilish long and tiresome-if you could-eh? shorten 'em a little?"

Dr Tatham slowly turned away from them, and, disregarding their calls to him, though their tone of voice was greatly altered, walked back again towards the gate, and quitted the park, for the first time in his life, with feelings of mortal repugnance. On reaching his little study, he sate down in his old arm-chair, and fell into a sad reverie that lasted more than an hour, and then he got up to go and see the old blind stag-hound fed-and he looked at it, licking his hands, with feelings of unusual tenderness; and the little Doctor shed a tear or two as he patted its smooth grey old head.

pro

On Saturday morning, Mr Tit. mouse, at Mr Gammon's instance, had fixed to go over the estate, accompanied by that gentleman, and by Mr Waters and Dickons, to give all the information required of them, and point out the position and extent of the perty. To an eye capable of appreciating it, in what admirable order was every thing! but Titmouse quickly tired of it, and when about a mile from the Hall, discovered that he had left his cigar-box behind him; at which he expressed infinite concern, and, greatly to the annoyance of Gammon, and the contempt of his two bailiffs, insisted on returning home; so they re entered the park. How beautiful it was! Its gently undulating surface, smooth as if overspread with green velvet; trees, great and small, single and in clumps, standing in positions so picturesque and command. ing; the broad, babbling, clear troutstream winding through every part of the park, with here and there a mimic fall, seen faintly flashing and glistening in the distance; herds of deer suddenly startled amid their green pastures and silent shades, and moving off with graceful ease and rapidity; here and there a rustic bridge over the stream; here an old stone bench placed on an elevation commanding an extensive prospect; there a kind of grotto, or an ivy-cov ered summer-house; then the dense, extensive, and gloomy woods, forming a semicircular sweep round the back of the Hall; all around, nearly as far

as the eye could reach, land of every kind in the highest state of cultivation, plentifully stocked with fine cattle, and interspersed with snug and substantial farms.

All this, thought Titmouse, might do very well for those who fancied that sort of thing; but as for him, how the devil could he have thought of leaving his cigars behind him! Where, he wondered, were Yahoo and Fitz-Snooks? and quickened his pace homeward.

On Gammon the scene they had been witnessing had made a profound impression; and as his attention was now and then called off from contemplating it by some ignorant and puerile remark of the proprietor of the fine domain, he felt a momentary exaspera tion at himself for the part he had taken in the expulsion of the Aubreys, and the introduction of such a creature as Titmouse. That revived certain other thoughts, which led him into speculations of a description which would have afforded uneasiness even to the little idiot beside him, could he have been made aware of them. But the cloud that had darkened his brow was dispelled by a word or two of Titmouse. "Mr Gammon, 'pon my soul you're devilish dull to-day!" said he.

Gammon started; and with his winning smile and cheerful voice, instantly replied, "Oh, Mr Titmouse, I was only thinking how happy you are; and that you deserve it!"

"Yes; 'pon my soul it ought all to have been mine at my birth! Don't it tire you, Mr Gammon, to walk in this up-and-down, zig-zag, here-andthere sort of way? It does me, 'pon my life! What would I give for a cigar at this moment!"

The next day was the Sabbath, tranquil and beautiful; and just as the little tinkling bell of Yatton church had ceased, Dr Tatham rose, in his reading-desk, and commenced the prayers. The church was quite full, for every one was naturally anxious to catch a glimpse of the new tenants of the squire's pew. It was empty, however, till about five minutes after the service had commenced, when a gentleman walked slowly up to the church-door; and having whispered an enquiry of the old pew-opener which was the squire's pew, she led him into it-all eyes settled upon him, and all struck with his appearance, his

calm keen features, and gentlemanly figure. 'Twas, of course, Gammon; who, with the utmost decorum and solemnity, having stood for near a minute with his hat covering his face, during which time he reflected that Miss Aubrey had sate in that pew on the last occasion of his attendance at the church, turned round, and behaved with the greatest seriousness and reverence throughout the service, paying marked attention to the sermon. Gammon was an unbeliever, but he thought Dr Tatham a very sensible man, who was most probably in earnest; and he felt disposed to admit, as his eye glanced round the attentive and decent congregation, that the sort of thing was not without its advantages. Almost all present took him for Titmouse, and watched every turn of his countenance with intense interest; and, in their simplicity, they rejoiced that Mr Aubrey's successor was, at all events, so grave and respectable-looking a man; and they fancied that he frequently thought of those whose seat he was occupying with kindness and regret. About the middle of the service, the doors of the

church being wide open, the congregation beheld three gentlemen smoking cigars, and laughing and talking together, approaching the porch. They were dressed very finely indeed; and were supposed to be some of the great friends of the new squire. They stopped when within a few yards of the church; and after whispering together for a moment, one of them, having expelled a mouthful of smoke, stepped forward to the door, holding his cigar in one hand, and with the other taking off his hat. There was a faint smirk on his face, (for he did not catch the stern countenance of Gammon anxiously directed towards him,) till he beheld Dr Tatham's solemn eye fixed upon him, while he made a momentary pause. Titmouse blushed scarlet ; made a hesitating but most respectful bow; and, stepping back a few paces, replaced his hat on his head, and lit his cigar from that of MrFitz-Snooks, perhaps unconsciously, within view of more than half the congregation. Then the three gentlemen, after Mr Titmouse had spoken a word or two to them, burst out into a laugh, and quitted the churchyard.