sentence or two, with the hopes it may have the same cheering effect

upon you.

It is a genuine sporting and cordial effusion. "Damme, Guy, I am truly proud of you, I didn't think you had so much mettle in you. There's some breed somewhere; I suspect its on the dam's side; I remember her, though you don't, she was always reckoned a good 'un, and had rare points. Confound it, boy, you can go any distance after this, and last, I should think long enough to beat Old Time, and I hope to God you will, for he's a rum'un at it. The day after I received yours, assuring me that you were both safely over the broom-stick, I had a few of the right sort to dinner. How it ended I can't say. I read your letter to them, and they were all delighted. It set the table in a roar, and I think upset it, for there were a good many found themselves under it. Did you hear us cheer you ? for if you did not, you must have been deaf. But what delays your return? They are sure to come and fetch you if you don't, for the papers have got it, and your doing the Captain is the talk of the town; besides, I am getting impatient, long to see you both, and can't really stand it much longer. Never mention money to me again, unless you want any more to get home with, and then write directly." Oh, rare Bob Layhard! that such as you should have departed from amongst us!

We had resumed our usual happy life but a day, indeed it was only early on the evening of the second, and I had just posted answers to the lawyer, and Mr Layhard, stating therein that we were on our road home, and would write again en route, when the landlord, knocking at the door, made his friendly bow with a most rueful countenance. "Bad news, Mr. May bad news," he repeated; taking the seat which I offered him. "I'm sorry for it, Mr. May. I have done the best I can in the business," he said, with a shake of the head; "but still it's very bad news."

"Well, hang it," exclaimed Wadham, "don't make it worse, but out with it at once. It won't kill us, I suppose; Guy and I can stand it at any rate, and we are sure they can't hurt the girl."

"Be patient, pray sir," replied our excellent and kind host, " you shall hear it all in time. An old gentleman made his An old gentleman made his appearance here this afternoon, and inquired for you and Mrs. May, late Miss Agnes Jeffery, a ward in Chancery: observe how precise he was. At first sight I smelt the law in him, it was written in every line of his face, and his manner exposed the man in every movement. His walk across the room decided my opinion, and I was right, so I denied you. He shut the door and returned to the fire.

"Now, Mr. Landlord,' he quietly said, in the dryest tone of voice imaginable, don't you be a fool, and get yourself into trouble, if I didn't know that the parties were here that I want, I should not have come so far to fetch them. I don't wish to disturb them to-night,. provided you will pledge me your word, that you won't let the birds out of the trap before morning; if you do not, I shall be under the painful necessity of locking them up, and you with them, for harbouring them, under a warrant which I now hold in my hand.'

"And who, then,' I asked, 'might you be, with such an authority as that, for I could tell at a glance that he was not a Bow-street run

ner.

66

"I am Mr. Butt, sir,' he returned, the Lord High Chancellor's Sergeant-at-Arms.' He drew himself to the height of his position. When, said I, That is quite a different thing;' so I immediately became security for your remaining here, until you are in his presence in the morning."

"I know the old boy well," I exclaimed, "so don't be uneasy, Agnes. I made his acquaintance in court. He is quite a gentleman, will not do anything to annoy us."

"" Pray, what has become of him?"

"Why, he has had his grouse and good port, and gone to bed tired." "Or, drunk," said Jemmy.

"All I can say is, that we are very much obliged to our worthy host; and we hope," I added, " that as it is our last evening here, that he will spend it with us. To-morrow we will be at our posts, and beg that you will bring Mr. Butt to breakfast."

Mr. Butt. The road home. In Chancery.

All countries lean upon their institutions; the natural or unnatural state of society compels this necessity as a check upon human inclinations, and for the mutual benefit of all the world. Antiquity, superstition, justice, and power point to religion, the laws and the army as the three great pillars of support, of all well-regulated states. These same institutions, again, lean upon their ministers, or heads of office, who themselves are greatly dependent upon those minor heads, who uphold and execute the authority of the institution. And certainly no big head was ever better represented by a little one, than was the High Court of Chancery by the mild, unassuming, yet withal dignified, commanding, and gentlemanly Mr. Butt, Sergeant-at-Arms to the tenant of the Woolsack, for the time being. Ushered into our breakfast-room by mine host, he looked the beau ideal of the Great Head which he represented. We rose to receive him, and he bowed with the grace and submission of a true courtier. He was in full dress, black coat, and waistcoat, knee-breeches, black-silk stockings, buckled-shoes, white wig, and court sword, which he carried with the elegance and certainty of one who knew the fence, or use of it.

66 Sir," said I, advancing to meet him, "we hope for the honour of your company to breakfast."

"With all due respect, sir, and many thanks," he replied, calling up one of those peculiar unmeaning shivering smiles, which long service only in the presence of Great Heads can teach the little ones to accomplish, we will first get through our business, and account for our intrusion upon you."

He then advanced slowly towards myself and Agnes, at the same time unfolding a most ominous-looking document. By this movement he had effectually placed himself between us, so that in the process of reading it he could address himself to either, or both, without inconvenience. The position he had taken up likewise gave us the advantage of

accurately scanning and admiring the very just proportions and profes sional bearings of this extraordinary little man, and which were certainly deserving of especial observation. In stature he was about five feet four inches high; his countenance betokened considerable intelligence, and his features were those of a once handsome man, aristocratic and pleasing. But his leg!-ah, that indeed was a model fit for Canova or Chantry; it was worth attending Court to catch a glimpse of it, and no doubt no one knew it better than himself, for he dressed it to perfection with the finest of silk, and finished it off with the best-made shoe imaginable. From the knee downwards it was a picture, that no artist could have done more justice to than did Mr. Butt himself. Strange stories had been circulated of its feats and killing effects, its made-up symmetry, and its natural fallings off. Nevertheless, it played its part in the processions of legal pageantry with great importance, and threw a thoroughbred appearance over the whole ranks of his Lordship's faithful followers. The real dignity of bis attitude is almost indescribable as he stood warrant in hand: no smile lighted up his legal look; there was no compromise of thought or intention; there he was, statue-like, an unflinching representative of the Court of Equity. Every word of the warrant was well and emphatically pronounced, and carefully read; the names might have been laid a little extra stress upon as he addressed himself to us, as also might have been the order, "that forthwith, and without loss of time," we, the guilty ones, for contempt of Court, should be brought before the Lord High Chancellor. Not being a document of any length, the difficulty, or business part, of our introduction was soon concluded; and although no doubt of immense importance to this worthy officer, I must say that both Agnes and myself, as well as the wonder-struck Jemmy, were heartily tired of the glorious uncertainty of the law's delay long before it had been spun out.

There was no mistake now we were prisoners, but owing to Mr. Butt's kindness permitted to esteem ourselves simply en parole; and not being at all inclined to dispute his authority, or the omnipotence of Chancery powers, we were soon the best of friends. Having closed the warrant, and replaced it in his breast pocket with as much care and reverence as if it were the sign manual for an execution, he bowed most politely, first to Agnes and then to myself, looking extremely commanding and dignified at each.

"I hope, young gentleman," he commenced, with an ominous Lord Thurlow shake of the head, "that we shall have no misunderstanding, and that your respect for the Court will prevent my being compelled to act harshly, or in an unfriendly way. My power is unlimited and compulsory, but we can dispense with the disagreeable exercise of it, provided you pledge me your word of honour as a gentleman not to dispute it. I am the law."

"Pray don't for a moment, Mr. Butt," I returned, "allow yourself to be uneasy on that score, because I give you unhesitatingly my hand, and honour with it, that I will on no account attempt to resist your authority; in fact, whatever I can do to help you to smooth matters on our journey, to our mutual advantage and comfort, I shall be most happy to do.'

This settled the big wig of Lincoln's Inn; he was evidently mentally

relieved, and displayed his confidence by the blandest and most courtierlike assurances "that he could see we should get on very well together."

And so we did; and as breakfast proceeded our intimacy and confidence was thoroughly established.

"Pray," said I, "Mr. Serjeant, when do you propose starting for the metropolis? Is there any very great hurry as to getting home by a particular time?"

No," he replied, with a laugh, "there is no reason to make the same haste back that you did in coming down. Nevertheless, we had better put in our appearance by the end of the week, as his Lordship might ask why there had been no return to his order; although, as you have both been such invalids, there would be a reasonable excuse for delay."

Then," I continued, with all due respect, "if it meets your views, we will work our way to Court by easy stages; and as York is not much out of the road, we will take a peep at the cathedral."

The arrangement was perfectly satisfactory, and in the course of the morning, all being in readiness, we left Carlisle, where in so short a time changes so serious in the drama of my life had suddenly, almost magically, occurred.

Our parting with Jemmy was most painful to all parties. To console us, however, he promised, after settling his position with his uncle, to pay us another visit, and in the meanwhile to acquaint us with the particulars of his anticipated alteration in his affairs.

The old Serjeant-at-Arms really made himself exceedingly pleasant, and tended greatly, by his intelligence and affability to shorten this wearisome journey.

On arriving at Hertford, we prepared for our entrance into London, which event was discussed by Mr. Butt with much ceremony, as his duties compelled him to take me before the Lord Chancellor, provided it was at a reasonable hour. We consequently agreed to postpone starting until after dinner, so that we might reach Brompton late in the evening, and all of us enjoy a night's repose, and recover from the fatigues of travelling, before appearing before his Lordship at the sitting of the Court in the morning.

By this considerate arrangement, instead of being hurried into Chancery, we had the opportunity of consulting and shaking hands with our friends and advisers, who had all been prewarned of our plans, having received letters from us at every stage. Foremost amongst these was Mr. Nosyde, who had undertaken the settlements, and provided the proper professional counsel for me at the approaching interview with the Great Seals of England. Mr. Laybard was the first to welcome, foremost to defend us; offering to lay the longest imaginable odds that, happen what would, we should all dine together to-morrow.

Upon a proper undertaking from the lawyer, Mr. Butt left us for the night, it being understood by all parties to the cause that we were to meet in Chancery, at ten precisely, at the Lincoln's Inn Court.

175

THE WEALTH IN EQUINE RESOURCES POSSESSED BY FRANCE IN HER ALGERIAN PROVINCES.

BY R. P.

(Continued.)

But, as we have elsewhere said in the pages of this Magazine, whose reading public embraces men of thought and action in every region of the world wherein our countrymen have made their home or field of enterprize, we have too much hope and faith in their better instincts to despair of their abjuring the errors which in the past they had permitted, by use and custom, to sully not only the once fair repute of their national equestrian games, but that of their once more generous estimation of the horse-in their noble coursers of Eastern descent.

In the more immediate interest, therefore, of those of our readers who have followed the at times necessarily devious path by which alone the open was to be gained, where, less obstructed by requisite passing advertencies to the war events and circumstances that were agents, more or less direct, of the remarkable issues which it is our object to lay before them, we shall omit reference to no authoritative and reliable sources to which in the past we had access, and availed ourselves of permissively, from the personal interest we took in the subject. In the fullest confidence also that they will be found of interest amply compensative to our readers for their mental companionship through these pages, we shall put to the fore no opinions of our own-no flippant judgments or inflated portraitures from the pages of holiday tourist narrators, but that plain statement of facts which most impresses the thoughtful reader with the charm of truthfulness, while it presents a wide field for reflection, and those sober self-deduced inferences which are more frequently convincing than the most emphatically enounced theories. Clearing our way, therefore, as curtly as possible, through the eventful episodes of a war of which both the active and passive elements of resistance on the part of wide-spread populations, animated no less by the sternest religious fanaticism than by warlike instincts and habits of life congenital with a long traditional love of independence of all rule, we now reach that period in which, despite all the circumstances of a struggle more indomitably persistent and exceptional in kind than had been experienced by any European armies since the Parthian and Numidian wars of Rome, the question of the final conquest of Algeria became at once greatly simplified.

The heroic Emir, Abd-el-Kader, made sensible by his disastrous reverses of his utter inability to maintain the struggle in the provinces of the Regency, or the Desert itself-with every hope dissipated of a yet effectual aid and support from the Emperor of Morocco, to whom conviction had been brought home of the wiser policy of non-intervention, by the decisive overthrow sustained at Isly by his eldest son, at the head of 40,000 men; and despairing of any successful issue to the desultory incursions of the Morocco tribes over the French frontier, too