Countess! No marvel then was it that the whirligig in his head appeared to whiz with increased velocity, and that his language was somewhat confused, as he entertained the fair lady by his side. But at a first tête-à-tête, your ardent lovers are apt to be somewhat nervous, and consequently not particularly brilliant; therefore what passed need not be related, and it will suffice to say that the evening went off delightfully, and Mr. Sniffton Snealy went home perfectly convinced that his manners, person, and style, were sufficient to carry all before him. So from that date he held up his head higher than ever, or, to speak more correctly, he held it backward, making his chin, as the sailors would say, serve as a bowsprit instead of his nose. "Faint heart never won fair lady," thought he, as he rang and knocked furiously at Sir Charles Glenfield's door on the following morning. "Is Miss Glenfield or the Major at home?" he inquired, presenting two elaborately embossed cards. "Yes, Sir, they are both within," replied the porter, with a decision indicative of his having recently seen the name before him written in another place. "If you will take the trouble to walk up stairs, Sir," said the Major's valet, stepping forward with deferential alacrity. no "A superb mansion!" thought our ticed" gentleman in his ascent; and, to his dismay, he caught himself in the act of rubbing his hands, a habit which he believed he had entirely conquered. As he entered the drawing-room, Lucy, who was engaged in painting, started as his name was announced, and appeared in as pretty a confusion as any aspiring lover need wish. The Major lay reclined on a sofa with a book in his hand, which he immediately threw aside, and welcomed his visiter by a friendly grasp, exclaiming― "We were just speaking of you! I should have called on you in less than an hour, just to leave my card selon les règles, though I hate all useless ceremony. So consider that done, there's a good fellow, and from this time come and go as you like, for my time in England is too short to allow of your snail-creeping cautious ways of forming acquaintance." Mr. Snealy expressed himself highly flattered by this cordial reception, admired Lucy's drawings, essayed his skill in the art of complimenting, and talked over the last party, and so forth, with tolerable glib ness, till he conceived the limits of a first morning visit were more than past, and then he rose to take leave. "Don't leave us yet, my dear fellow," said the Major, "I see the Duke of Bettington's carriage coming round the Square, and expect him to call. I must introduce you to him. He's a little harum-scarum now, but he's young, and a capital fellow at heart, I do think. A few friends who know the world well, as you do, would be invaluable to him." It was not in our hero's nature to shun such an introduction, but he muttered something about not "presuming," to which the Major bluntly replied-" Nonsense! a gentleman is a gentleman. You'll soon find that the Duke has no pride of that sort about him. His foible lies the other way. He isn't half particular enough. Yes-the carriage stops." Here the usual scientific ra-ta-ta-tat-tat was performed upon the door, and, half-aminute after, the young Duke came running up the stairs two steps at a stride, and bounced unceremoniously into the room. "Your pardon, fair lady," said he to Lucy, who rose at his entrance. "Didn't know you were here. How are you? Pray be seated. Don't mind me.” Then turning to the Major, he shook him cordially by the hand, and then-our hero was, for the first time in his life, regularly introduced to a Duke. "Sniffton Snealy!" his Grace exclaimed after the ceremony, "what a strange name! Don't be offended, my dear fellow ;—but really I can't help laughing-not at you, but at your name. Never heard it before. Not a numerous family, eh?" 66 66 "I believe I am the only person of the name,” replied our "noticed" little gentleman. My parents have been dead many years, and I am an only child, and not having yet entered into the holy state—” At these words, he cast a furtive glance towards Miss Glenfield, and fancied that he perceived a smile playing about her lips, as she bent forward apparently busily employed with her pencil. "I should strongly recommend you to do so at the first convenient opportunity," said his volatile Grace, affecting gravity. "It would be a shame, a positive sin to allow such a name to pass away from the face of the earth.” "I feel exceedingly obliged to your Grace," said Mr. Snealy, exceedingly 66 flattered! And I hope-I trust-it will himself to recommend a gentleman in the not." profession with whom he was acquainted. "Bravo!" exclaimed the Duke. " As you have made up your own mind on the point, we may consider that affair as settled. To think otherwise would be a libel against the ladies." Mr. Snealy simpered, placed his hand upon his heart, and performed a most reverential obeisance in return for the supposed compliment ; and then the conversation took a less interesting turn, and his share therein was small, till the young peer expressed his wish to find a really talented painter of horses. "The fellow I employed last," said he, "is reckoned very clever; but he cannot catch the character, the points, the expression, if I may use that term. Nay, don't smile, Miss Lucy. There is as great a variety of expression in the heads of horses as in the human countenance, always excepting-" 66 "Nay, nay," exclaimed Lucy, smiling, no common-place flattery, I prythee, my Lord Duke." "Not another word of it," said his Grace, sinking into a chair opposite to her, and taking possession of paper and a camel's hair pencil. “I'll explain myself. Here are colours of all sorts between us, and mayhap, even with my small skill, I could mix up the exact hue of your dress, and hair, and eyes-no-I could not match them!" "Gently, my Lord! you are transgressing again," exclaimed Miss Glenfield, laughing, and with a familiar archness that rendered Mr. Sniffton Sncaly exceedingly uncomfortable. 66 “Well, Lucy," said the thoughtless young nobleman, we are old friends; but there's no denying facts, and you know as well as I that every body says you are a devilish fine-" "Hush, hush!” cried Lucy, giving way to immoderate laughter, in which the Major and the giddy peer soon joined heartily; but poor Mr. Snealy made a dismal cackling and coughing affair of his simulated mirth, inasmuch as, with all his self-complacency, he felt that a young Duke, with a fine person and an immense estate, might really prove a formidable rival. At length his Grace clearly explained that the artist with whom he was dissatisfied, was deficient in vigour and accuracy of design, though his colouring was admirable; and thereupon our hero took upon The Duke thanked him, and added→→→ "He shall try his hand at Mad Tom and the black Highflyer mare first. So come along-you must take a seat in my chariot, and introduce me. Good morning, Lucy. Au revoir, Major. Observe, seven o'clock, military time. I hate your late dinners." Mr. Snealy shook hands with the Major, and then approached respectfully to Miss Glenfield and bowed, and probably looked very interesting, as she extended her hand towards him, which was more than she had done towards the nobleman. So he seized thereon, and stammered his good wishes, and hardly believing or knowing where he was or what he did, skipped nimbly down stairs after his long-legged leader. On that morning he was noticed" indeed, for, at the top of Bond Street (the Regent Street of those days), his Grace ordered his coachman to drive as slowly as possible, in order to give him time to criticise any "turn-out" that might attract his attention. So, from Oxford Street to Piccadilly, Mr. Snealy sat well forward and erect, with his elbow through the window, below which were emblazoned the ducal arms and coronet. Perhaps no Roman warrior ever felt prouder during the progress of a triumph. little heart bounded within him, and he was perfectly "in the ecstatics," as familiar faces met his eye, and all appeared honored by his recognition. Then, as though his cup of bliss was to be filled to overflowing, there was a momentary stoppage, and from an elegant landau at his elbow was heard an harmonious voice, exclaiming familiarly"What! won't you notice me, Snealy?" His It was that of the Countess, who proceeded to express her delight at seeing him look so well, whereas the only notice she took of his companion was, "Good morning, Duke," as the carriages separated. "You appear to be a general favourite, Mr. Snealy," said his Grace: "we must be better acquaintance. Don't suppose I mean anything disrespectful by not inviting you in a formal way the first time, but oblige me at once by taking your dinner with me to-day, sans façon ? We shall make a small select bachelor's party, and you will meet your friend the Major for one." eventful day in a manner most unwonted his proffered assistance in carving, a science with him. The dinner was exquisitely arranged, and afterward choice wines and wit were superabundant. It was a jovial party, and the little man sat and laughed, and passed the bottle, till it somehow struck him that it was his turn to exercise his talents for the amusement of the company. So he volunteered a song, in which he broke down, endeavoured to substitute a weary old Joe Miller, essayed a speech, and finally was carried out of the room and deposited in a hackney-coach, which bore him home in a glorious state of independence. On the following morning, he was sitting tormented with an aching head, and certain unpleasant misgivings relative to the propriety of his conduct on the overnight, when Major Glenfield called for the purpose of fixing an early day to introduce him to his father. "He's very anxious to make your acquaintance," said the off-hand soldier "and he'll be able to dine with us to-morrow for the first time en famille. So, my good fellow, don't be squeamish, but take us as we are. There will be no one but ourselves -that is, Sir Charles, you and Lucy, and myself. All quiet. Nothing of the sort of thing we had last night. By the by, you were excessively entertaining. The Duke is delighted with you." 66 Really, I hardly know what I said," groaned our little gentleman, rubbing his forehead. "Oh! you rattled away charmingly," observed the Major. "You kept us all in a roar of laughter. But that's the way with you men of genuine talent and humour. When once you get warm-out it comes, you scarcely know how." Really, my dear Major," simpered Mr. Snealy, "you are too flattering. I do certainly remember something of telling a story and I must confess it was a very good thing when I heard it.". "Aye, aye," said the Major, "but, after all, it is the manner in which tales are told, that gives the zest, and I suppose we had your last edition. However, let that pass. You dine with us to-morrow, that's settled." Accordingly, on the following day, our "noticed" hero found himself seated at the right hand of the adorable Lucy Glenfield, whose dark eyes sparkled as she accepted in which he prided himself not a little at being an adept. Sir Charles also appeared well pleased with his visiter, to whom he showed all gentlemanly attention, although at times there was a certain bluntness in his manner of speaking that startled our hero. But the Major took a private opportunity of observing that, although his father had his little odd ways, like most elderly persons, he was a kind, warm hearted, and friendly man. And of this Mr. Sniffton Snealy felt perfectly assured, when, toward the termination of the evening, the old Baronet thus addressed him : "I've suffered much from the gout lately, my dear Sir, and constant pain makes one peevish; therefore, if ever you perceive anything of that sort about me, don't notice it, and you'll oblige me. I never intend to hurt any body's feelings, depend upon it. So now, as the ice is broken between us, I' beg you to consider that you have the entrée here at all hours. Come, and go, and do, just as you like, and remember there will always be a knife and fork for you at my table." No aspiring lover could wish the young lady's papa to conduct himself with more propriety. Mr. Snealy felt as though his place was regularly booked, and he had taken his seat for life in Fortune's golden car, and the wheels were running upon velvet. From that day he became a constant visiter at the baronet's, and was ever to be seen dangling and hovering after and about the beautiful Lucy wherever she went; but-it seemed remarkably odd to himsomehow it happened, that he could not find a convenient opportunity to declare unto her the extreme ardour and sincerity of his affection. At times, when sitting near her, and they were left alone, during brief intervals between morning calls, he was often on the point of precipitating him self upon the floor, and delivering himself of a most moving and passionate address! that he had got by rote the preceding night, when, suddenly, a carriage would stop at the door, or she would start up, and, professing to have forgotten something, leave the room in the same unceremonious way as though he were her brother. (To be concluded in our next.) It is our pleasant duty to state, that although His Majesty had an attack of gout at the beginning of the month, and a slight relapse on the 22nd, and Her Majesty has suffered from a trifling cold, they are both in the enjoyment of good health. Her Majesty has been sitting to Sir Martin Archer Shee for her portrait, and has, during the greater part of the month, taken her accustomed rides. The Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria, attended by Lady Conroy, Baroness Lehzen, and Sir John Conroy, arrived at Kensington Palace on the 22nd from Claremont. Their Royal Highnesses were present at Covent Garden Theatre on the occasion of the benefit of Mr. Charles Kemble, and returned to Claremont on the 24th. His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, Lord Lynedoch, Lord Waterpark, Sir William Cook, Colonel Parke, and a numerous circle, are now on a visit at Holkham, the seat of Mr. and Lady Anne Coke. On the 8th, the House of Lords met pro forma, and was further prorogued to the 31st of January next. The apartments in the Round Tower, Windsor Castle, where the Earl of Munster is entitled to reside, as Lieutenant of the lower Castle, but which his Lordship has generously refused, are to be appropriated, it is understood, during the approaching season, to the occasional visiters of their Majesties, by whose commands they have been elegantly furnished. The Prince de Polignac arrived at the Clarendon Hotel on the 3rd. It is expected that a mansion in Connaught Place will be fitted up for his future residence. The Duke of Newcastle has subscribed £1000 towards the erection of a new pier at the harbour of Aberystwith, and has besides become guarantee for a further sum of £2000, in case the subscription now in progress should not prove sufficient for its object. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland intend returning home in the first week of March. Their Graces will pass only part of that time at Paris. The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland are expected to leave Alnwick Castle early in February for Northumberland House; and, in consequence of the favourable change in his Grace's health, the parties are expected to commence soon after their Grace's arrival. The Duchess of Gordon intends to dispose of her noble mansion in Belgrave Square, and to continue abroad for some time. We are sorry to state that the health of the Duke of Montrose does not improve. The Marquess of Hertford, the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury, and many other English fashionablos, intend to winter at Nice, and return to England about Easter next. We are happy to state that the Marchioness of Donegal is so much recovered from her illness, as to prevent the necessity of the Earl of Belfast (who arrived express from Paris) proceeding to Ireland. The Marchioness of Westmeath has taken up her residence for the winter at Naples. Her Ladyship intends, it is said, to make a long sojourn on the Continent. Letters have been received from the Marquess of Londonderry, dated St. Petersburgh, stating that his Lordship and the Marchioness, from the severity of the weather, had been slightly indisposed.... The Marquess of Abercorn intends building magnificent chateau in the Highlands of Scotland. The Earl on his estaby is making vast improvements in Lancashire. At Knowsley, his Lordship expends £500 weekly in wages to to la odmore. libl bourers. The Earl and Countess Grosvenor will remaine at Motcomb House, near Shaftesbury, until the confinement of her Ladyship, which is expected to be early in the present month. sent odt al etc The Earl of Devon and his interesting family are sojourning at his seat, Powderham Castle. Mr. Southey has been on a visit at the Castle. The learned Earl is not expected to come to town until the meeting of Parliament. The Earl of Kingston's magnificent seat, Mitchelstown Castle, county Cork, has been relinquished to his son, Viscount Kingsborough. The noble Earl, it will be recollected, by a commission de lunatico inquirendo, has been pronounced of unsound mind from the 9th of April, 1830. The Earl of Dundonald is about to proceed to Paris, to lay the results of a new philosophical experiment before the members of the Institute. We understand that the Earl of Winchilsea will in a few days be married to the Hon. Miss Bagot, maid of honour to the Queen. The marriage will be solemnised at Brighton, and it is expected that their Majesties will give the bride away. Lord Maryborough is expected to be present at the ceremony. We are requested to contradict a statement which has gone the round of the papers, concerning im provements and preparations at the residence of the Dowager Countess of Charleville, Cavendish Square. The health of the Earl of Westmorland continues in a very delicate state. The Earl of Eldon has erected a beautiful tablet in St. Nicholas Church, at Newcastle, to the memory of the late William Scott, Esq., the venerable earl's father. Viscount Gage is said to be on the eve of diminishing his establishment at Firle-place, Sussex, and making an extended continental tour. Lord Robert Grosvenor's new mansion in Upper Grosvenor-street is undergoing various repairs, which will not be completed until the spring. Lord Saye and Sele will recommence his dinner parties in Bruton-street early this month. The infant Lord Massey, born in 1827, is now, by the recent demise of his noble father, the youngest peer in the three kingdoms. Lady Dudley Stewart has discontinued her parties in Wilton-crescent. Lady Grenville continues to enjoy her residence at Dropmore, the house and pleasure-grounds at which place were so tastefully decorated and adorned under the immediate superintendence of her deceased lord. The Right Hon. the President of the Board of Control has arrived at Evesham House, Wilts, on a visit to Mr. Methuen, M. P. It is reported that the Rt. Hon. Baronet is on the eve of leading one of the daughters of Mr. Methuen to the hymeneal altar. Sir Walter Cann, Bart., is about to lead to the hymeneal altar Miss Taylor, the young and beautiful daughter of Colonel Taylor, of Ogwel House, in the county of Devon. It is understood that Miss Ridley, eldest unmarried sister of Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart., will shortly be led to the altar by John Cookson, Esq., eldest son of Isaac Cookson, Esq. of Meldon Park. On Saturday the 10th, the christening of the infant son of Lieut.-Col. John Sydney and Lady Susan Doyle took place at Brighton. Their Majesties were graciously pleased to stand sponsors, and deputed the Earl and Countess of Sheffield to be their proxies. Lady Sheffield, on the part of their Majesties, presented to the infant a most beautiful piece of plate. Mr. and Mrs. St. John Mildmay are expected to commence their fashionable parties at their new mansion in Berkeley-square early in February next. The youthful son of Sir Gore Ouseley, who has been more than once alluded to as one of the mu sical prodigies of the age, is said to have just com. pleted an opera. The young composer is only eleven years of age. We are requested to state that Mrs. Huntley, who has suffered from a long and serious illness, is sufficiently recovered to attend to the commands of the nobility and gentry as heretofore. REVIEW OF NEW WORKS. Adventures in the Moon and other Worlds. eulogium by an extract which will give our readers Longman & Co. MORE genius is displayed in this work than we have seen in any other single volume since the publication of "Childe Harold." Although entirely different in form, it is, like that magnificent poem, a discursive philosophical essay; but, while Byron cast his glowing thoughts in the mould of Spenser, our anonymous author has clothed his ideas in the nervous prose of the best old English writers. Unfortunately, at the same time that he emulates the power of his prototypes, he does not abate a jot of the prolixity which has caused their works to be less frequently read than they are quoted. Precious literary fragments, like samples of rich ore, are seen and admired, but mankind in general are too busy or too idle to explore the mines from which such brilliant specimens are extracted. Having briefly stated our high opinion of this production, we shall endeavour to justify our a better idea of the author's style than the most elaborate description could afford. |