reference to him. His expostulations only called forth significant hints that it was time for him to retire. . . . . Still the old man clung with a desperate grasp to the wreck. Seldom, indeed, have Christian meekness and Christian humility equalled the meekness and humility of his patient and abject ambition. At length he was forced to understand that all was over. He quitted that court where he had held high office during fortyfive years, and hid his shame and regret among the cedars of Claremont."†

The reader will hardly object, whether familiar or not with Walpole's Letters, to see Lord Macaulay's evidence backed, not to say topped, by Lord Orford. Harry Conway is told in 1762: "They talk of your friend the Duke of Devonshire's resigning; and, for the Duke of Newcastle, it puts him so much in mind of the end of Queen Anne's time, that I believe he hopes to be Minister again for another forty years." (Cunningham's "Walpole's Letters," IV. 20.)

"For the Duke of Newcastle, he only makes one smile as usual; to see him frisking while his grave is digging." (IV. 50.)

But two years later, Horace somewhat moderates his tone. "For the Duke [Aug., 1764], his spirits, under so many mortifications and calamities, are surprising: the only effect they and his years seem to have made on him is to have abated his ridicules." (IV. 260-1.) We continue to hear, nevertheless, of "that old simpleton," and his "having the impudence to talk to me of character (IV. 353), and his zeal in "restoring clerks and tide-waiters, and offering everybody everything, and patronising the clergy again; not being yet cured by their behaviour, of loving to make bishops" (389). "It is too ridiculous [Jan., 1766] to see Goody Newcastle exulting like old Marius in a seventh consulship" (459). "That old wretch is [July] moving heaven and earth (but heaven and earth are not easily moved with a numbed finger of seventy) to raise dissatisfaction; and I suppose will end, like Lord Bolingbroke, laying plans at fourscore to govern under the Prince of Wales, who is now almost five" (V. 6).-"Newcastle's people are [August] weary of following him in and out, and see what everybody else sees but himself, that seventy-three and ambition are ridiculous comrades' (V. 8-9).

A year later, July, 1767: "A meeting of the two factions was held at New castle House, where the Duke of Bedford was agent for the Grenvilles; and the old wretch himself laboured tooth and nail, that is, with the one of each sort tha he has left, to cement, or rather, to make over his friends to the same influence (V. 58-9). A parallel passage ensues some six months afterwards: "The Duk of Newcastle, who had rather make peace than not make mischief, scuttled t Bedford House, and tried to unite the two factions, but could scarcely obtain t be heard; and is gone to whisper anybody that will be whispered, at Bath However, if he has but three dependents left upon earth, and can make two o them wait in his ante-chamber while he affects to be locked up with the third, h will be satisfied" (73-4). "I cannot," Horace protests, about this period, "lik the Duke of Newcastle, sail through life with generation after generation" (75) In the first month of the new year [1768] we are told: "The Duke of Newcast has been dying, but is out of danger. He says he will meddle no more wit politics, and therefore I think I will not declare that I have done with them, fo I am sure he will relapse to them, and I should hate to be like him" (79).

That year, however, was the old duke's last. "Your old cousin Newcastle going," writes Walpole to George Montague on the 15th of November (on th 17th the "going" man was-gone); "he has had a stroke of a palsy, and the think will not last two days." What they thought, turned out to be literall correct. On the 18th this cold, curt paragraph occurs in an epistle to Man "The Duke of Newcastle is dead, of a stroke of a palsy. He had given u politics ever since-his illness a few months ago! It does not make the lea alteration of any kind" (V. 134, 135). For long years,

"Superfluous lags the veteran on the stage,"

a veteran who has in his time played many parts, and had his exits and h entrances: but even for the longest lingerer on the boards there is a last exit reserve-when a stronger voice even than the vox populi shall bid him Off, off! † Macaulay's Essays, vol. iii. Art.: "The Earl of Chatham."

TALES OF AN OLD SPORTSMAN.*

I. The Arquebusiers.-II. An Arquebusier's Vengeance.-III. The Rival Kings of the Arquebusiers.-IV. The Hermit of Ripaille.-V. The White Hare.

I. THE ARQUEBUSIERS.

IT would scarcely be imagined that the memories of an old sportsman, which at the best cannot go far back into the eighteenth century, should be stored with reminiscences of the cross-bow and the arquebuse; yet such is the case in the instance of M. Joseph la Vallée, owing to the practice which obtained till a very late period, and which is indeed still upheld in many parts of France, of holding shooting matches of no small provincial import.

A society of cross-bowmen (Arbalétriers) was first organised in Compiègne, the ever loyal capital of Valois, when the dauphin Charles took refuge within its walls, after the battle of Poitiers. The company of Châlons-sur-Marne-the capital of Champagne-was only created some time after by the same prince, and still greater privileges were conferred upon the two when he ascended the throne under the title of Charles V. This was in 1358; the company of Arbalétriers of Paris does not date till the 9th August, 1359.

At the time when Charles V. was founding the first companies of Arbalétriers from among the notable citizens of France, the effects of powder were becoming gradually known. The Moors had used cannon for the defence of Algesiras in 1342, and the English used them at Crécy in 1346. The step from great guns to little guns was soon made. The Italians first used the schiopetti-the escopette of the French-at the siege of Bonifazio in 1421, and these new weapons soon came into common use among the mercenaries of the day. The Spaniards called them espingarda. This instrument of offence was, however, gradually superseded by the arquebuse, which was introduced into France in the time of François I.

The example set by Compiègne, Châlons, and Paris of founding a bourgeois militia of Arbalétriers and Arquebusiers was soon followed by the other provincial capitals. Each company had, besides its local designation, another which was more or less characteristic. Thus, the Arquebusiers of Avise were called les Gouailleurs; of Beaumont, les Chaudronniers; of Chauny, les Singes; of Crépi, les Cochons; of Epernay, les Bons Enfans; of Pontoise, les Usuriers; of Saint-Quentin, les Canonniers; of Rheims, les Mangeurs de Pain-d'épice; and so on. Many had also their devices, as the company of Château-Thierry, which had for emblem a branch of holly with the device "Nul ne s'y frotte"another version of the Nemo me impunè lacessit.

The companies of Arquebusiers had their regular days for practice; but they had, besides, an especial day in the year when prizes were contended for. The most successful shot was elected king for the ensuing

Les Récits d'un Vieux Chasseur. Par Joseph la Vallée, Auteur de "La Chasse à Tir et de la Chasse à Courre."

year, and he enjoyed many municipal privileges, among others, that of being exempt from taxes during the year. The object fired at was the model of a bird, not larger than a filbert, raised upon the top of a high mast. This was called the "papegault ;" and hence the successful shot was called King of the Papegault. The companies, which were always founded by royal letters patent, had also their captain, who was elected by a majority of votes; he commanded the company, and enjoyed his rank so long as he remained connected with it. The captain was, like the king, exempt from taxes. There was also a prince-an honour conferred on the highest bidder; a provost, who acted as secretary, adjutant, and paymaster; and lastly, the chevaliers, or members. The Arquebusiers took precedence of all other militia. They not only assembled for trials of skill once a year in their own towns, but they used sometimes to meet a a select spot. Thus, out of sixty companies of Arquebusiers which existed in 1729, forty-eight assembled to contest the public prizes given at Com piègne that year.

The society of Arbalétriers of Senlis, which dated from olden times was newly organised by Charles VI. on the 1st of February, 1405, and again by François I. in September, 1538, when from Arbalétriers the became Arquebusiers. They were at that time designated as Chestif a contemptuous expression said to have been ill-merited, for Froissar records that Senlis having been assaulted after the sack of Meaux i 1358, the citizens drove the enemy off with great slaughter. They wer afterwards called Besaciers, from a beggar with his wallet being repre sented in their colours, with the device "Florescet sartis innumerabilibus (it will flourish with numerous repairs); but some have wished to rea Florescet sæclis innumerabilibus" (it will flourish for numerous ages Certain it is that already in 1588, when the colours of the Arbalétrier Arquebusiers of Senlis were blessed by the Archbishop Rose, it was in possible to make out if the device was "sartis" or "sæclis."

The united company of the Arbalétriers-Arquebusiers broke up on t 17th of January, 1601, and the privileges granted to the Arquebusiers Louis XIII. in 1637 were subsequently confirmed by Louis XIV. a Louis XV. Another local body also sprang up during the League: t citizens having so gallantly defended the city, they were enrolled into corps called the Fusiliers Royalistes de Senlis. These different bod carried on their practice in different places, and lived on the best possi understanding with one another, till they were all alike suppressed by great Revolution. It was on this occasion-viz. the 13th of Decemb 1789, when the colours of the National Guard were blessed for the f time-that Senlis became the scene of a strange and fearful tragedy.

II. AN ARQUEBUSIER'S VENGEANCE.

It is not always the tallest and the strongest, the bearded and par that are the most ferocious. The Arquebusier Billon, watchmake Senlis, was a little man, spare, pale, much marked with small-pox, with deep seams in his face where there ought to have been whisker moustache. Billon was a usurer, and was in the habit of lending out mo at ten per cent. upon sufficient guarantee. Among his clients was

Levasseur, who, when his bill became due, refused to pay more than a legitimate interest, and summoned the watchmaker before the LieutenantGénéral du Baillage de Senlis. The trial created a great sensation, and resulted in Billon's being declared guilty of usury. He was in consequence expelled the company of Arquebusiers, of whom M. Delorme was at that time captain, and Préville, the celebrated comedian, beloved by Garrick, as also Leblanc, Caron, and Pigeau, names not unknown to fame, were members of the permanen committtee. Billon attempted in vain to bring the committee to a more lenient view of his case, and at last failing, and having been further somewhat rudely treated by Captain Delorme, he vowed a terrible revenge upon the whole of them.

On Sunday, the 13th of December, 1789, the day appointed for the blessing of the colours of the National Guard, the different armed bodies had been invited to assemble at the town-hall, whence they were to proceed to the cathedral in the following order:

1. A detachment of National Cavalry preceded by a trumpeter. 2. The company of Arquebusiers.

3. The company of Royalist Fusiliers, with the municipal officers, the members of the council-general, the hoquetons, and the valets de ville. 4. The staff of the National Guard.

5. The colours, with a detachment of fifty men selected from all the armed bodies.

6. The select companies and the central companies of the National Guard to the number of seven.

7. Lastly, the procession was to be closed by the rest of the National Cavalry.

The procession, as thus determined, was advancing slowly up the Vieille Rue de Paris, when, passing the house of Billon, the report of a gun was heard. The first thought was that a musket had gone off accidentally, but this impression did not last long. Cambronne, drummer of the Arquebusiers, fell, struck by a ball on the brow. At the same moment M. Leblanc, son of the deputy of the National Assembly, and one of the chevaliers of the Arquebusiers, received a ball in his left arm: he was also struck by buck-shot in the breast and other places. Captain Delorme was rushing forward to see whence the disturbance came, when he was struck by three balls in the chest, and died in a few minutes. He was the man whom Billon hated the most.

The fury of the assassin did not, however, vent itself solely on the chevaliers of the arquebuse. M. Deslandes, lieutenant-general of the bailiwick of Senlis, was also hit. Luckily the magistrate, having made a movement as if in the act of bowing, the buck-shot intended for his breast hit him on the top of the head, and only made seven slight wounds.

The National Guard had in the mean time rushed to the door of Billon's house. It was soon broken open, and among the first who obtained admission were M. Hamelin de la Bruyère, lieutenant of the maréchaussée; M. Boitel de Dienval, maréchal des logis of the cavalry; M. Roulier, sub-lieutenant of the maréchaussée at the residence of Compiègne; Lanier, brigadier; and several other brave fellows.

M. Boitel broke open a glass door which led to the ground-floor, but nothing was found there. The first-floor was next quickly reached. A

few blows with the butt-end of a gun broke open the door of the front room; still nothing was found. Another doorway led from this to Billon's bedroom. This was solidly barricaded with furniture. They were obliged to wait till a pioneer could come to their assistance. The latter broke through a panel with his axe. It was then found that a heap of fagots and straw had been piled up in the centre, and this heap was already alighted. MM. Boitel and Lanier were the first to make their way into the room, and in doing so they heard a door closed upon them. This door led into another room, which was lighted by a window which looked upon the street. It was from that window that Billon still kept up his murderous fire upon his fellow-citizens, and dealt death among their ranks. M. Lanier threw himself against the door, and made vain efforts to open it, whilst M. Boitel tried to stop the progress of the conflagration, little aware of the danger that threatened him in so doing. As the fire, however, continued to increase, M. Boitel hastened down stairs to obtain further assistance. As to M. Lanier, believing that the room had no other outlet, and that it was Billon's last place of refuge, he remained at his post. He was, however, mistaken: there was a staircase which led to the garret. Hence, when M. Roulier succeeded at last in obtaining access to the Arquebusier's fortress, he was at once tumbled over by a pistol-shot, whilst Billon effected a safe retreat to the garret, whence he continued to rain down a perfect shower of balls and buck-shot. M. de la Bruyère, however, pursued the miscreant up to his last place of refuge, and succeeded in fastening upon him. Whether it was that Billon still entertained hopes of escape, or that he really felt some compunction, he said, "Save yourself, M. de la Bruyère; get away as fast as you can! I have no ill-will towards you; make your escape before it is too late-you will be blown up!" The gallant lieutenant, however, did not let his victim go, but endeavoured to drag him away. At this very moment the mine exploded, and the house crumbled to pieces with a loud noise, burying in its ruins all the brave fellows who had so heroically assailed it. The force of the explosion was such that no less than sixty-six neighbouring houses were shaken and damaged. The one that was next to it fell to the ground, crushing in its fall a woman, who alone remained within, and a stone was shaken from the roof of the cathedral, which was more than two hundred yards distant.

As soon as the first moment of stupor occasioned by this terrible catastrophe had passed over, people set to work to endeavour to extricate the unfortunate victims from the ruins under which they were buried. When they found M. Hamelin, "Go to those who are worse off," he said; "the support is a good one." This was in allusion to a great cross beam that had fallen on his legs. When he was carried to his home he refused to receive the attentions of a surgeon till the others had been attended to. He was so covered with wounds and contusions that no one thought he could survive, yet he seemed to have no feeling but for others. "If I were the only sufferer," he said; "but my poor companions!" In reward for their courage on this momentous occasion, M. de la Bruyère and M. Hamelin received the cross of St. Louis. The number of citizens who perished by this terrible catastrophe was thirty, among whom were several Arquebusiers and three Royalist Fusiliers. As to the wounded, there were upwards of forty, and that without enumerating those who were