"Nothing, I hope, serious?"

"Oh, no; nothing. I have but to go for him, and there will be an end of the matter. It's a ridiculous affair altogether."

"Well, return to me as soon as possible—there's a dear!" Stanley promised to do so, and, having sent for a cab, he and the policeman proceeded to the station.

On entering the place, the first person whom he saw was the delinquent, who had, as a special favor, been allowed to remain there until his messenger returned; and while Stanley was speaking to him on the subject privately, the policeman whom he had accompanied was transacting soine cabalistic business with the inspector, which had evidently reference to the matter in hand.

"You wish to become bail for this person?" said the inspector, at length.

"I do," replied Stanley.

"Are you a housekeeper?

"Yes; but what is the amount of bail demanded?" "The usual business-five pounds."

"Well, then, as I am not known, it will be better, perhaps, for me to deposit that amount."

"I am satisfied; but you can do so if you please," said the inspector, and Stanley at once produced the five pounds; and when a document, which touched distinctly upon the production of John Jones's body in the morning, had been read to him with appropriate solemnity, he slipped a half sovereign into the hand of the policeman, and retired with the said John Jones on his arm.

"What could have induced you," said Stanley, on leaving the station, "to commit so monstrous an act of folly?" "Folly!" exclaimed Albert. "It's glorious! All our fellows pride themselves upon it. All do it who have a particle of pluck!"

"I have heard of its being done, certainly, by men who have been drunk; but you are perfectly sober."

"So much the more glorious! That's the beauty of it! Any fellow can do it when he has been drinking; when sober, very few have the courage. It is then, and then only, that the pluck is displayed. But did you see them in the corner? There was half a hundred weight of them at least! If it had n't been for that, I should never have been taken. A fellow can't, you know, cut away so well with a weight like that at his tail."

"Well, but what was your object?—what did you mean to do with them?"

"Do with them!-send them as trophies to head-quarters, through Slasher. You have heard of Harry, of course-Lord Mountjove's son?"

"I don't remember."

"Oh, you must have heard of him. I'll introduce you. There's no mistake about him. I know where to find himhe expects me. Come now?"

"No; not to-night. I promised to return immediately." Oh, how about Amelia? She, of course, knows nothing of this?"

"She knows that you have got into some trifling scrape." "Well, we'll soon set that square. But I wish you would come. He is waiting for me, I know."

"Then he prompted you to this expedition?" "Of course-in order to qualify myself. By the by, they are going to have a glorious meeting to-morrow! You must

be there."

"Well, we shall see."

"Oh! you must! I'll call upon Harry directly this business is settled."

"Why, it is settled already. You must n't appear." "Not appear!-ridiculous! Do you imagine that I care what the old fool of a magistrate may say? He'll fine me a couple of pounds, perhaps, or something of that sort. And what if he does treat me to a lecture? It will, at all events, be known how many trophies I had."

"Nonsense! You must not appear.'

But this was a mode of settlement of which Albert did not at all approve; for his associates at Cambridge, although he had been there so short a time, had metamorphosed him from a quiet, studious, gentlemanly fellow, into a hair-brained, devil-may-care, reckless young scamp. He did, however, eventually yield to the advice of Stanley, who, could he on all occasions have summoned sufficient firmness to practice the prudence he could preach, would have been far less liable to

error than he was.

On reaching home, Albert was severely interrogated, of course, by Amelia; and while he was making the thing "all right and straight," as he termed it, with her, Staxley was laboring to conceive what description of plasure that of wrenching off knockers in the abstract could be. He felt that its character was peculiar: that he felt from the first; but he could not imagine it to be great. As, however, he invariably assumed that a man must have some specific motive to stim ulate him to action, he in this particular instance arrived at the conclusion, that although there might be no delight in the achievement per se, the most noble, the most beautiful feelings might be awakened by the applause of those who held that achivement to be glorious.

It was this consideration, and a high one it was, which induced him to consent the next day to accompany Albert in the evening. He was anxious to see what description of creatures they were by whom actions of this peculiar character were applauded; and hence, immediately after dinner, no official declaration touching the contemptuous non-appearance of Mr. John Jones having arrived, he and Albert repaired to the place appointed.

It was dusk when they reached the rendezvous; but few of the Sons of Glory had arrived. Slasher was there, and soma others, who, like him, were great among the small; but none of the regularly recognised great men had made their appear ance. Of course, Stanley was immediately presented to Slasher, and Slasher was graciously pleased to declare, that he wished he might die if he did n't rather like him; which was highly complimentary, and very good of him, considering. "We shall have some crack fellows here presently, I presume?" observed Stanley.

"Out and outers!" replied Slasher. "Can't be a second opinion about 'em!-down to every dodge safe as a hammer! nothing like 'em alive!"

From this Stanley was of course bound to infer that they were very superior fellows indeed, and was about to give expression to his feelings upon the point, when a stunning shout was heard-a shout which made the air tremble, and threatened to shock the nerves of nature.

"Hark! hark!" cried Slasher, with an expression of ec stasy, "here they are!-here they are! Something new, I'll bet a million! The chief!" he added, on reaching the window. "Let the Earl beat that when he knows how to do it! Hurrah for ould Ireland! hurrah!"

Stanley was at the window in an instant, and saw a welldressed, powerfully-built fellow, embellished with a coalheaver's cap, and duly mounted upon a broad-backed dray horse, preceded by a brass band playing with unexampled fury, "See! the conquering here comes!" and followed by a travelling carriage, built in the very first style, and drawn by eight decent donkeys, mounted by eight postilions, chosen from the smallest sweeps extant. In the carriage sat six intellectual dustmen, and it was extremely interesting to mark the exalted dignity with which they sat, and the gracious con descension with which they occasionally removed the shert pipes from their mouths, and spat upon the multitude by whom they were cheered.

would not much like that?

"Why, I can't conscientiously say that I should."

from the carriage the delicate rose-pink lining of which had, in consequence of the grandeur with which they had reposed, become a shade or two darker in places-he and they entered the house with due solemnity of step, and soon appeared in the room set apart for their orgies. Here Stanley was in due form presented to the hero, who presented the half dozen dustmen to him, and then summoned three waiters, and having with a carving knife slashed off the tails of the coat of the first, and given him a five pound note to purchase a new one; he presented the second with a kick, and sent him down for ten pounds' worth of silver; and desired the third to bring up pots of porter, two at a time, continually, until further orders. The demand for the silver had been obviously anticipated, for the supply was immediate; and when the required amount, nominally, had been poured into a hat, the hero appeared at the window, and was again hailed with cheers.

“A scramble! a scramble!" shouted the masses below, who seemed to know that a scramble was intended by instinct; for they instantly squared their arms, opened their shoulders, and elbowed each other with the most perfect freedom. Some held up their hats; but that the hero would n't have. "Fair play!" he exclaimed, "and no tiles!" And no edict was ever more quickly obeyed.

The scramble then commenced, and the scene which fol lowed was delightful to behold. Prompted by the sweetest and most beautiful feelings of which the human heart is susceptible, the masses dashed after every handful of silver with a zeal which could not in any cause have been surpassed. If we check emulation, we enervate, if indeed we do not absolutely destroy, the comprehensive mind of man; and as in a scramble the spirit of emulation is most powerfully developed, it legitimately follows that, for the benefit of the species, scrambles ought to be upheld. This the hero felt strongly, and being deep in the philosophy of scrambling, he on this occasion made his knowledge tell, inasmuch as, instead of strewing his favors right and left, like a man without due discrimination, he directed his attention to one particular point; and the moment he beheld a few happy individuals luxuriantly rolling in the mud, he pelted them with diligence, that the rest might roll over them, and thus impart general joy. This, however, is not to be accomplished by an inexperienced hand; it requires great judgement, and a practically-acquired knowledge of human nature. It is all very easy, when you have to deal with boys. You may get them down, because their minds are not matured; but when you have to manage a mass of full-grown men and women, with all their faculties about them, and your object is to make them form a heap, so that, in order to regain their position as first-class animals in creation, they may wriggle and twist in and out like a corresponding number of live silver eels, it is absolutely essential for you to have obtained a perfectly clear insight into the workings of

the human heart.

As in this particular instance the active energies of a mighty mind were devoted exclusively to the achievement of this great desideratum, the result was the most complete success; and no sooner had the laudable efforts of the hero been triumphantly crowned,-no sooner had he brought about so happy a state of things, that a mighty mass of intelligent beings lay entangled, like the Gordia to be found on the banks of the Thames about low-water mark in the mud,—than a heartstirring, ear-piercing, soul-inspiring shout, announced the near approach of him who stood second in the estimation of the Sons of Glory.

As a matter of fair play, the hero instantly retired, and down came the glorious pageant of his rival. It was headed by a talented company of twelve wooden-legged fiddlers, who had been engaged expressly for this occasion, and who scraped away at the overture to " All round my hat," with surpassing precision and beauty. The presence of mind which these professional individuals displayed was remarkable; and as, by one of their articles of agreement, each was bound to wear a shirt with the right sleeve duly tucked up to the shoulder, in order to give the wrist and elbow full play, their appearance was not only unique and picturesque, but rather solemn than net, while the expression with which each particular tone was produced was excessively delicate and true. Then followed the second Son of Glory himself, majestically seated in a peculiarly constructed triumphal car, which belonged to a hearthstone and Flanders-brick merchant, and which was drawn by six thorough-bred bull-dogs appropriately muzzled.* As he passed, he was hailed with the purest delight; and although,

This was, of course, antecedent to this remarkably aristocratic mode of travelling being prohibited by 2 and 3 Vic. cap. 47, sec. 56.

in point of physical strength, his rival had the advantage, the strength of his moral influence over the multitude was equal, if not indeed superior, to his. Of this he appeared to be perfectly conscious; and hence as he rode, strongly supported by a master-sweep at one wheel, a member of the prize-ring, who was a highly-distinguished pickpocket in his early youth, at the other, his heart throbbed with the proudest feelings a mortal can know. The next point of attraction was his suite, in three mud-carts. This had an imposing effect. It consisted of bricklayers, laborers, with their insignia of office, scavengers, nightmen, costermongers, coach-cuds, and sweeps; and if laughter, unrestrained by the shackles of civilization, be indicative of happiness, they were the most happy beings upon the face of the earth.

Their joy developed itself in one continued roar. It was enchanting to hear them, and beautiful to see them with the utmost familiarity recognise their friends among the multitude. Oh! there was no paltry pride about them! Nor was there the least about the glorious and gallant Captain whom they immediately preceded, and who brought up a long line of open cabs, crowded with basket-women, street-sweepers, cobblers, and journeymen tailors, who form perhaps the most interest ing class of the genius to which it is said, as a matter of courtesy, they belong. He was perfectly free from that pitiful sin, and so, indeed, were they all. They all seemed to be inspired with the spirit of independence, which prompted them to treat the conventional forms of society with the most supreme contempt. This, of course, was refreshing. All appeared to enjoy it highly: and so striking and so varied were the characteristics of this pageant, that it was on all hands acknowledged that it beat that of the hero into fits.

On arriving at headquarters, the second Son of Glory alighted from his car, when, with the utmost condescension, he proceeded to assist his suite to alight; and, while they who were in the first cart were giving him three enthusiastic cheers, he drew out the pin which secured the body of the cart to the shafts, and shot them out with great ability. The applause which followed this physical devolopement of his moral influence unhappily gave the signal to the rest of the suite, who did but turn their eyes, and in an instant it was amazing the activity they displayed. They leaped out of the two other vehicles, some over the wheels, some over the tail-boards and others over the shafts, with the alacrity of imps; while the anxiety they exhibited when they saw their noble patron approaching, clearly proved it to be a moment of deep interest to them all.

On being defeated, so far at least as the spilling of two cart-loads out of the three was concerned, the noble person philosophically took the arms of his two immediate friends, the prize-fighter and the sweep, walked with great deliberation to the bar of the tavern and thence having ordered all the beer his enraptured followers could drink in an hour-pro ceeded at once to the room of state, where he was cheered very loudly, and complimented highly on the taste, tact and talent he had displayed.

By this time the majority of the members had arrived, and, as no other pageant was expected, the chief summoned them to the table, and ordered six dozen of champagne to begin with, and, on its being produced, gave "Success to the Sons of Glory!"

No

This was, of course, enthusiastically honored; and when the applause had become in a measure subdued, one of the intellectual dustmen was called upon for a song, which he instantly gave with great feeling and point. His voice was a baritone strictly, but one of extraordinary compass tenor could beat him above, no bass could surpass him below: and as, in the course of nature, he unconsciously got into an infinite variety of keys, it might at the time have been rationally inferred that his organ was about a six and a half octave.

Immediately after this excellent song, the vice-presidentthe second Son of Glory-proposed the health of the chief; a proposition which was instantly hailed with delight, and, when the toast had been drunk, each member turned his glass down and broke it.

The noble chief then majestically rose and said, with all due solemnity: "I'll tell you what it is,-you 're a set of trumps, and that 's all about it. [Cheers.] I know you're all made of the right sort of stuff, and there's no mistake about you. [Loud cheers.] I expect you'll beat the world. [Renewed cheering.] I'm not going to give you a long speech, because I hate it; so I'll drink all your jolly good healths in return, and may you always have power to floor the police!"

The conclusion of this display of eloquence was honored with three distict cheers, after which three deafening groans were given for the police, whom they naturally viewed with ineffable disgust.

As soon as this mighty demonstration of feeling had subsided, the glorious and gallant Captain, who stood third, proposed the health of the vice, of whose virtues he spoke highly; and when the glasses had been drained, turned, and broken, as before, the noble second Son of Glory rose and delivered himself as follows:

"My noble friend in the chair said he hated long speeches, -so do I; and that's just why I never go down to the House. If therefore, you expect to have a long speech from me, all I can say is, I cordially wish you may get it. [Cheers and laughter. But to the point. You have drunk my healththank you!-that's as good as cutting away for a month. Brevity,' as somebody says,-Milton, or Moncrief, or one of those author fellows- Brevity is the soul of wit.' And it's devilish good, too; for I like to be brief,and so that's all about it. [Tremendous applause.] But I say!-perhaps we are not getting on!-here are forty of us! It strikes me that we shall soon be enabled to boast the possession of forty tons of knockers in a spacious saloon, with the sides completely covered with door-plates, and festooned all round with double rows of hats captured from the great unboiled. [Immense cheering.] What can't we do? Here's my friend, the clergyman," alluding to his right-hand supporter, the sweep, "has undertaken to stop up in one right the whole of the chimneys in Grosvenor Square-"

"And no mistake!" exclaimed the distinguished individual in question. "There's a mob of pots, no doubt, in that 'ere skweyor; but that's a no odds-they shall all be bunged up, and then p'raps there won't be a leetle smoke in the neighborwood? Oh! no! It somehow or another strikes me there'll be about enough to make bacon of the whole bilin'!"

Here the "clergyman" gave an interesting wink, and having mixed half a bottle of champagne with a pint of beer, prepared to take a mighty draught, as his noble friend resumed.

'Well, I don't know that I've anything else to say. Chummy's broken the thread. But, however, I'll give you -success to our order, and down with the police, and a bad night's rest to Bobby Peel."

This patriotic sentiment was loudly applauded, and various others followed in rapid succession; but at length Slasher rose, and having introduced Stanley, who was sitting on his right, proposed his health, on the ground that, as their object was to make themselves as powerful as possible, they ought to hail with pleasure the accession of one whose look was sufficient to prove him to be nothing but an out and outer.

Stanley's health was accordingly drunk, and he felt, of course, flattered; but he was not exactly the "out and outer' they imagined. He had, however, no desire to undeceive them, and therefore rose, less with the view of acknowledging the toast than of indulging his taste for that refined subtle irony, in which he began to excel.

"You will believe," said he, " of course that I feel highly honored, not only by this introduction to the true Sons of Glory, but by the warm, nay, I may say the enthusiastic, manner in which my name has been received. The pleasure I have experienced in the society of those brilliant persons whom I still see around me has been great; but I candidly confess to you that it would have been greater, and far more pure, had their legitimate sphere of action been more comprehensive. I presume that this glorious institution is yet in its infancy. I am prepared to make every allowance that; still I must say that its members do not at present appear to be anything like the trumps I expected to find them." "What do you mean? What do you mean?" exclaimed the younger Sons of Glory, who panted for the pleasure of calling him out.

"I mean," replied Stanley, "that you have done really nothing to immortalise yourselves. Immortality can never be secured by confining your operations to knoekers and bells!"

"They have not been thus confined."

"I admit they have not strictly. You have an elegant variety of door-plates; but where are all the parochial weathercocks? Police-men's hats and truncheons you have in abundance; but have you ever captured an entire suit of clothes? You have stopped up chimneys, extinguished the gas, practised beautifully with the air-gun, and wrenched off an orb; but where is the ladle of Aldgate pump ?-where is the shield

of Achilles? The royal pigtail still hangs down the back of the Third George; that sublime work of art, the striking sta tue of the Fourth, stands at King's Cross still; the sceptre of Elizabeth is still in her hand; the bust of her favorite Shakspere is still in Wych Street; the pepper-box still adorns the Royal Academy; the Mercury of the Morning Poststill standa upon the parapet; while the ball and cross are still upon the top of St. Paul's! It is to these things, and all such as these, that I am anxious to direct your attention. Let them be cap tured, and then we may establish a museum for the private exhibition of our trophies, with the names of the captors em blazoned thereon, that our children, and our children's chil dren, nay, even the remotest posterity, may know that we were Sons of Glory indeed."

Before the conclusion of this speech, the fiery malcontents were calmed: bnt when Stanley resumed his seat the applause was deafening. He had won all their hearts; he was, in their view, a trump of the first water; he had opened to them a new field of glory, and had thereby created so powerful a sensa tion, that they immediately formed themselves into commit tees, with theview of discussing the practicability of the fears had suggested.

This Stanley no sooner perceived than-it being rather late he and Albert, without ceremony, departed, and, on leaving the house, entered at large into that broad and strongly-marked distinction which is drawn-not by the law, but by those to whom its administration is intrusted-between professional and amateur felons. Albert, of course, would not hear of the "felonious intent; " he repudiated the notion with scorn; but Stanley stuck to it with firmness, albeit he admitted that these amateur felons were men whose gentlemanly feelings and re fined sensibilities were so acute, that either of them would, without the slightest remorse, shoot the dearest friend he had through the heart, if in an ungarded moment he dared to in pugn his honor.