Mr. John Snobbins's good qualities," said the lady, coldly, "he is assiduous no doubt, and respectable in his own station."

"And what is the difference, pray, Mrs. S., between his station and that of Otty or Guss; save, and except, that they make ducks and drakes of the money which he has helped to earn; they have all lived, and do live, out of the grease-pot, ma'am, and so have you, too, much as you seem to despise it."

"I do not despise it, Mr. De Snobyn-"

You did not, ma'am, when you married me," retorted the chafed little man as he strutted about the room.

The lady saw proper to soothe her irritated husband.

"I do not despise your business; and I think highly of the industry and integrity of your eldest son; but my dear Mr. De Snobyn, our actions and mode of life are, certainly, influenced by varying circumstances. You have never, hitherto, found

fault with me that I have endeavoured to elevate my family in society, or to imbue yourself with a little of that gentility which it was not your fortune to acquire in early life."

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No, no; I know I've no manners. never learnt none. I'd no time-no money."

"No; but your children-your younger children-have both these advantages, and only require your countenance and support, to move in that sphere of society to which I was early accustomed, and to which they are entitled."

The shrewd lady had tickled her husband in the right place. Personal consequence, influence, was a grand desideratum in his domestic life. He was not insensible to the unaccustomed compliments.

Still he demurred.

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It is quite natural, Mrs. S., that children should look up to their father for countenance; but still I can't say as I think these young 'uns has ever done it

at least, not in the way as Jack and Abel used to do, God bless their curly pates! I think I see 'em now, when my dear Madge, my first wife, used to bring 'em every night into shop for their father's kiss and blessing afore she put 'em to bed and no fidget, then, because my hands was dirty, or my clothes greasy, or any fallals of that sort; and the young urchins-how well I remember-I used to give 'em a ha'penny, now and then, when I wanted them to go in a hurry, without my seeming cross-like in my haste-and the 'cute rogues-they soon found out, at a glance, when I was busy, and not a step would they budge without a ha'penny, and their mother used to stand laughing at 'em. Aye, how well I remember them times! God bless her and them."

It may be imagined that there were some points in this oration not altogther agreeable to the more refined taste of the present Mrs. De Snobyn; but she had a point to gain from her husband, which made her

more than usually accommodating; moreover, he spoke under the influence of deeply excited feeling-that was evident.

She was patient and courteous, and succeeded in her object. The Budge Row concern was to be given up; and, as Mr. De Snobyn very honourably and peremp torily refused to retain a share for any younger son who was too fine a gentleman to work in it, the whole was to be resigned to his eldest, who had been for many years, its main stay and support.

"And I will look in on Jack to-night," said Mr. de Snobyn, "when he shuts up shop, and we'll have a kank together."

"Don't you think, Mr. de Snobyn, that I and Helena had better call in the morning, and invite Mr. and Mrs. John Snobbins to dine here? You can then have your conversation leisurely and comfortably, over your wine."

The amendment was approved, and by it Mrs. de Snobyn gained two points. Firstly, the credit for hospitable courtesy

towards Mr. John Snobbins, on whose account the lady stepmother's airs often excited the father's indignation; and secondly, the certainty of being on the spot to counteract any adverse influences, which the conversation with Mr. John might chance to awaken.

But it is time that we introduce our readers more particularly, to Mr. and Mrs. de Snobyn.