No. 51. j ^ ir^ tL3; PUBLISHED WEEKLY. ' Price Id.— per post 2d. " l tlle Office, for Eighteen Stamps- J For remote parts, Single Copies may be sent direct from the Office, for 2 Postage Stamps, or 26 Stamps per Quarter. A SCENE IN LOW LIFE, " I say Bill, vot's your veight ?" " Yhy, sixteen stone, six pounds, and an ounce." ASIDE.—(" Veil, then the odds is agin me). you blows a little don't ye'r." But I say, Bill, [( See Page: 3.) TALES OF LONDON LIFE.— No. 2. MODEST MARTHA; OR, THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON STREETS BY H. G. BROOKS, AUTHOR OP " MRS. LORIMER SPINKS." The reception room for visitors in Whitecross Street Prison was a large apartment fitted up with hoxes, parted off from each other, after the style and fashion of a tavern. The place being common to the use of all the prisoners. It happened fortunately, for Leslie's conversation that at the moment of the arrival of Lady Arding, the inmates of the prison were anxiously engaged in the yard, watching the result, of a game of rackets which was being played that afternoon be- tween an old chum, and a swell visitor, for a considerable sum. Leslie was therefore alone with his companion; his observations being only interrupted by an occasioned huzza from without, caused by a successful stroke by one or other of the players. Seating himself therefore in one of the boxes at the end of the room, upon the table of whioh were writing materials, Herbert commenced the conversation. ' You say,' he observed, ' that you have come to set me free, that were indeed a desirable circumstance, Louisa, if it can be honourably effected. It is strange, however, that I have not seen you ' ere this, nearly three days is a long time.' ' You know not what has occurred since then,' she answered de- spondingly; ' all my thoughts, have however, been but for your welfare— surely you have seen the Weazel— he must have ex- plained all.' ' I have not seen him,' answered Herbert,' he had not the da- ring hardihood to venture here— but I have heard from him, and of him.' ' I do not understand you,' said Lady Arding. ' Your brother informs me of that which I am already ac- quainted with, viz., that my child is heiress to theElstree Estate.' ' Exactly— but arc you also aware that the old man is in our power ?' Lady Arding proceeded to explain to her companion that the footsteps of old Pemherton had been dogged by the followers of the Weazel, on the night of his attempting to embark for Ireland, and that in place of his being on the sea, making for Elstree Castle, he had been seized upon a pretended warrant, for plotting a treasonable rising in Ireland. That the supposed officers were friends of the Weazel; but in place of the old man being lodged in a prison, he had been gagged, and taken to a place in Wands- worth Field. ' You will remember there is some ground for this accusation,' added Lady Arding,' for the chests which had been conveyed on board tho vessel were found to contain powder and shot, suffici- ent for a fleet, all of which are now in our possession.' ' To what purpose can all this tend, how can the seizure or even the exposure of Pemberton serve me ?' enquired Herbert. Lady Arding appeared surprised at the observation, and quickly cleared up any doubts Leslie might have as to her intentions, by informing him that Pemberton must sign a deed, conveying to her sufficient to pay out his ( Leslie's) release immediately ; that the possession of the estate must be made over to Martha, who being, she continued, your child, and a minor there will be but little difficulty in becoming really the master of this princely pro- perty. ' Here are the documents,' she added, placing the papers, ' and it only remains for you to give your signature, and in a few hours you are at liberty.' Herbert did not answer, but continued gaziDg vacantly at the documents before him. In truth, he was not prepared for such a demoniac scheme, he had heard of the desperate character of his companion, but could not believe she would boldly expose her views to liim. Paralyzed for a second with the shameless hardi- hood of the woman, yet anxious to gain time, and at the same mo- ment, learn what power she possessed of carrying out her diabo- lical projects, he in a subdued tone enquired— ' Is Mr. Thistlewood, or any of his friends acquainted with, or assisting in these plans— as I learn the meeting for to- morrow is postponed.' ' Psha!' exclaimed Lady Arding with a contemptuous move- ment of the head,' I deal with men, let such poltroons as This 2 THE TOWN. tlewood rot as he and all his gang will ' ere to- morrow night closes in a prison.' ' To- morrow night, Louisa,' repeated Herbert. ' Yes, to- morrow night,' she answered,' and do they deserve a better fate, the property- destroying knaves, if their doctrine held good, where would such as us be. No, no, the Weazel has taken care of them.' ' Surely he has not betrayed them to the government.' ' Call it by whatever name you like, my brothor has placed himself in a position to work for our joint prosperity, without fear of annoyance from the police. The information he has given of the purposed assassination of all Her Majesty's ministers, has procured a free pardou for all former errors. And now I could wish you were a* free as him.' ' Would that I were,' ejaculated Herbert. Her ladyship most certainly misunderstood the true meaning of the remark, for she desired her companion to sign one of the documents before him, as a means towards effecting his liberation, a subject, she observed, of more importance than the failure or success of a contemptible mob, such as were to meet to- morrow in Cato Street. ' It may be so,' said Leslie,' but are you certain Pemberton, or rather the Earl of Elstree, will consent to your terms.' ' Is he not in our power ?' ' True, but documents obtained by the means you propose, would hold valid but a short time after the signer had obtained his liberty.' ' That is a grant he will never obtain again, at least in this country.' ' Suppose he refuse altogether, what will then ensue ?' ' Probably,' answered Lady Arding, placing a strong emphasis i each sentence,' he may die suddenly, and then the estate must THE MYSTERIES OF LOVE: Adventures of Manon Lescaut. fall to your daughter— which will lead to the same results.' ' You know then where she is ?' ' Certainly,' was the quick reply,' all that has been taken care of, we require but your signature, and then she will be removed from her present place of safety, and once in the presence of the olrl man, her appearance will be sufficient to obtain from him all we desire.' ' Think you then the old man loves her ?' exclaimed Herbert, musingly. ' Can there be a doubt of it,' said Lady Arding,' for two days he has done nothing but rave about her.' ' To what effect is the document you would have me sign.' ' It is not your mere signature, I require," answered her lady- ship,' delighted with the apparent readiness of Herbert to second her plans,' but a letter to Pemberton.' ' To Pemberton ! To what effect ?' ' Listen. We have persuaded the old man that you were mar- ried to Martha Elstree, and that this grandchild is legitimate.' ' Persuaded him,' exclaimed Herbert, quickly. 1 Persuaded. By Heavens it is the truth. Martha was my wife, the hand that ] united us was that one of England's clergy, although a fallen member. ' No matter for that,' said Lady Arding, exhibiting violent cha- grin at the pleasure with which Herbert made the declaration, ' the man, whoever he was, is long since dead. We are anxious to convince the old man of the legitimacy of his grandchild. That accomplished, there is little doubt he will do all you can desire.' ' The property woul'd then be Martha's— my child's.' ' Subject to one condition.' ' Name it.' ' That I am one of her legal protectors, Mrs. Leslie.' ' I will write the letter you desire,' said Leslie,' we will speak about the priviso when I am free.' A deep frown passed over the countenance of Lady Arding, but it was unnoticed by Leslie, who, taking up a pen, wrote a letter to Pemberton, detailing the circumstances of his marriage with the old man's daughter, and clearing up all doubt as to the ligi- timacy of' Modest Martha.' Whilst perusing this epistle, Lady Arding closely observed the features of her companion, and when he had concluded, she pro duced from out of one of the roll of papers, a bottle, which she placed upon the table, and as he handed to her the letter, she drew the cork, and poured forth into a glass a portion of the con- tents. ' Come,' she exclaimed,' this is but dull work, I have brought with me a bottle of Sir Vincent's primest sherry, let us drink to the success of our present undertaking.' ' What I have done,' answered Leslie, ' is but justice to the memory of one whom I have so deeply wronged, and in giving to her child a honourable name, and independence is but a slight atonement to the mother.' As Leslie uttered these words, Lady Arding dashed down the glass, pouring its contents upon the floor. ' And oan you,' she exclaimed, fury flashing from her eye, ' can you think so meauly of me, as to suppose that it was to assist this brat, the bastard offspring of your minion— for that she is a bastard, not all the writings will ever convince me! Was it I say for this, you suppose I came here to- night, for this that I have done may peril my life. No, Herbert, no, you know bnt little of a woman's hatred if you think so meanly of me. I have sworn to be revenged upon her. It was her accursed beauty first lead me to crime, first caused me to stain my hands with blood, and become the wretch I now am.' ' Do not interrupt me,' she continued in the same vehement strain,' it was her art that first robbed me of your love.' ' It is false,' answered Leslie, ' my wife never injured you.' ' Great God,' exclaimed Lady Arding, clenching her hands from the intensity of passion,' he even now defends her— calls her his wife— my brother was right,— but I will be revenged, Herbert, beware, beware.' ' Misguided woman,' replied Herbert,' ' ere you threaten others it were well to look to yourself, lest your plottings recoil upon yourself. Learn that the place, as well as the circumstance, con- nected with the confinement of Mr. Pemberton, are known, for Captain Driscoll though deeply dyed in crime, revolted at your diabolical schemes, and pausing in time to save his life, has given information to proper authorities.' ' Here again you are deceived,' answered Lady Arding with a bitter laugh, he has received the reward of intended treachery from the hands of my brother, and about two hours since sank beneath the waters of the Thames never to rise again.' Herbert remembered that portion of the narrative of Sam, wherein he had detailed the extraordinary scene he had witnessed from the roof of the Weazel's house, and as he did so, he groaned aloud. ' This is trifling,' continued Lady Arding,' it is useless us being ill friends— I said, bnt now it was through Martha Elstree I was first induced to commit crime— hear my story— will you hear me?' Leslie nodded acqueisence. ' First see that there is no one with hearing. Leslie did as desired, he was absent a second, but it sufficed for Lady Ardiig to take a small phial from her bosotn, and let fall a few drops of a white liquid from it into the wine- glass of her com- panion. As Herbert resumed his seat, a fearful demoniacal smile played upon her features, and filling up his glass, she said— ' Drink, and then I will tell you how I first became a mur- deress.' ( To be continued.) She let her arms fall over my neck, as she said that it was she who stood in need of forgiveness, and begged of me in mercy to forget all the annoyances she had caused me, and that she began, with reason, to fear that I should not approve of what she had to say in her justification. Me ! said I, interrupting her impatient- ly ; I require no justification; I approve of all you have done. It is not for me to demand excuses for anything you do ; I am but too happy, too contented, if my dear Manon will only leave me master of her affections! May I, in conclusion, now learn from your own lips what my destiny is to be, and whether you are resolved to sign my death warrant, by spending even a single night with my rival ? She considered a moment before she replied. My good Che- valier, said she, resuming the most tranquil tone, if you had only at first explained yourself thus distinctly, you would have spared yourself a world of trouble, and prevented a scene that has really annoyed me. Since your distress is the result of jealousy, I could at first have cured that by offering to accompany you where you pleased. But I imagined it was caused by the letter which I was obliged to write in the presence of G... M..., and of the girl whom we sent with it. I thought you might have construed that letter into a mockery; and have fancied that, by sending such a messenger, I meant to announce my abandonment of you for the sake of G ... M .., It was this idea that at once over- whelmed me with grief; for, innocent as I knew myself to be, I could not but allow that appearances were against me. However, continued she, I will leave you to judge of my conduct, after I shall have explained the whole truth. She then told me all that had occurred to her after joining G M..., whom she found punctually awaiting her arrival. He had in fact received her in the most princely style. He showed her through all the apartments, which were fitted up in the neatest and most correct taste. He had counted out to her in her boudoir ten thousand francs, as well as a quantity of jewels, amongst which were the identical pearl necklace and bracelets, which she had once before received as a present from his father. He then led her into a splendid room, which she had not before seeu, and in which an exquisite collation was served; she was waited upon by the new servants, whom he had hired purposely for her, and whom he now desired to consider themselves as exclusively her attendants; the carriage and the horses were afterwards paraded, and he then proposed a game of cards, until supper should be announced. I acknowledge, continued Manon, that I was dazzled by all this magnificence. It struck me that it would be madness to sac- rifice at once so many good things for the mere sake of carrying off the money and the jewels already in my possession; that it was a certain fortune made for both you and me, and that we might pass the remainder of our lives most agreeably and com- fortably at the expense of G ... M... Instead of proposing the theatre, I thought it more prudent to sound his feelings with regard to you, in order to ascertain what facilities we should have for meeting in future, on the supposition that I could carry my project into effect. I found him of a most tractable disposition; and added, that it was ultimately settled he being anxious to serve me, that the mistress of his valet should be sent to console me until he conld make further arrangements. And I wrote the letter to blind him in his presence. This is the history, said Manon, of the entire affair. I conceal vince him that his son's affair was a love quarrel. Although it was then at least half- past ten at night, he determined at once to call on the lieutenant of police. Every part of the town was searched in vain, and finally came to Manon's. I was stepping into bed when he arrived. The door of the chamber being closed, I did not hear the knock at the gate, but he rushed into the house, accompanied by two archers of the guard, and after fruitless inquiries of the servants about his sou, he resolved to try whether he could get any information from the mistress. He came up to the apartment, still accompanied by the guard. We were just on the point of lying down when he burst open the door, and electrified us by his appearance. Heavens! said I to Marion, it is old G ... M ... I attempted to get possession of my sword ; but it was fortunately entangled in my belt. The archers, who saw my object, advanced to lay hold of me. Stript to my shirt, I could of course offer no resistance, and they speedily deprived me of all means of defence. G. .. M .. ., although a good deal emb irrassed by the whole scene, soon recognised me; and Atanqn still more easily. Is this a dream ! said he, in the most Srrioiis. toue!— do I not see before me the Chevalier des Grieux, nnd' Matron ® Loscaut? I was so overcome with shame and disappointment, that I could make him no reply. He appeared for some minutes revolving different thoughts in his mind; and as if they had suddenly excited his anger, he exclaimed, addressing himself to me: Wretch 1 I am confident that you have murdered my son! I felt iudignant at so insulting a charge. You hoary and lech- erous villain, I exclaimed, if I had been inclined to kill any of your worthless family, it is with you I should most assuredly have commenced. Hold him fast, cried he to the archers; he must give me some tidings of my son; I shall have him hanged to- morrow, if he does not presently let me know how he has disposed of him. You will have me hanged, said I, will you ? Infamous scoun- drel ! it is for such ns you that the gibbet is erected. Know that the blood which flows in my veins is noble, and purer in every sense than yours. Yes, I added, I do know what has happened to your son ; and if you irritate me farther, I will have him strangled before morning; and I promise you the consolation of meeting in your own person, the same fate, after he is disposed of. I was imprudent, in acknowledging that I knew where his son was, but excess of anger made me commit this indiscretion. He immediately called in five or six other archers, who were waiting at the gate, and ordered them to take all the servants into cus- tody. Ah! ah ! Chevalier, said he, in a tone of sardonic raillery, — so you do know where my son is, and you will have him stran- gled, you say ? We will try to set that matter to rights. I now saw the folly I had committed. He approached Manon, who was sitting upon the bed, bathed in a flood of tears. He said something, with the most cruel irony, of the despotic power she wielded over old and young, father and son,— her edifying dominion over her empire. This superannua- ted monster of incontinence actually attempted to take liberties with her. Take care, exclaimed I, how you lay a finger upon her!— neither divine nor human law will be able, should your folly flrnnsp it- to shield von from mv venffeance ! nothing from you, of either my conduct or my intentions. I should have been too delighted to have sent Marcel, but I could not for I wished WE are but passengers of a day, whether it is in the stage- coach or the immense machine of the universe; then why should we not endeavour to make the way as pleasant to each other as possible? Short as our journey is, it is loug enough to be tedious to him who sulks in tho corner, sits uneasy himself, and elbows his neighbour to make him ride uneasy also. THE best way to humble a proud man is to take no notice of him. a single Instant find an opportunity of telling him what to communicate to you. She finished her story. I listened to her with great patience. There were certainly parts of her recital sufficiently cruel and mortifying ; for the in- tention, at least, of the infidelity, was so obvious, that she had not even taken the trouble to disguise it. She could never have imagined that G. .. M ... meant to venerate her as a vestal. She must therefore clearly have made up her mind to pass at least one night with him. What an avowal for a lover's ears ! However, I considered myself as partly the cause of her guilt, by having been the first to let her know G... M...' s sentiments towards her, and by the silly readiness with which I entered into this rash project. At length, I said to her: With whom do you mean to pass the night ? She was evidently disconcerted by the question, and answered me in an embarrassed manner with buts and ifs. She, however, finally consented to accompany me' first taking a little money with her. While we were getting ready for our departure, I heard some one knock at the street door, it was a letter from M. de T..., in which he told me that, G . .. M ... had gone to his father's house for the money which he wanted, he had taken advantage of his absence, to communicate to me an amusing idea that had just come into his head ;— that it appeared to him, I could not possibly take a more agreeable revenge upon my rival, than by eating his supper, and spending the night in the very bed which he had hoped to share with my mistress ; all this seemed to him easy enough, if I could only find two or three men upon whom I could depend, of courage sufficient to stop him in the street, and detain him in custody until next morning ,— that he would under- take to keep him occupied for another hour at least, under some pretext, which he could devise before G... M.. .' s return. I showed the note to Manon ; I told her at the same time of the manner in which I had procured the interview with her. She said that it was impossible there could be a more enchanting project: You will have his place at supper; you will sleep in his bed ; and to- morrow, as early as you like, you can walk off with both his mistress and his money. You may thus, at one blow, be amply revenged upon father and son. I yielded to her entreaties, in spite of the secret misgivings of my own mind, which seemed to forebode the unhappy catastrophe that afterwards befel me. I went out with the intention of ask- ing two or three guardsmen, with whom Lescaut had made me acquainted, to undertake the arrest of G... M ... I found only one of them at home, but he was a fellow ripe for any adventure ; and he no sooner heard our plan, then he assured me of certain success: all he required was six pistols, to reward the three pri- vate soldiers whom he determined to employ in the business. I begged of him io lose no time. He got them together in less than a quarter of an hour. I waited at his lodgings till he returned with them, and then conducted him to the corner of a street, through which I knew G... M ... must pass on going back to Manon's house. I requested him not to treat G ... M ... roughly, but to keep him confined, and so strictly watched, until seven o'clock next morning, that I might be free from all'appre- hension of his escape. He told me his intention was to bring him a prisoner to his own room, and make him undress and sleep in his bed, while he aud his gallant comrades should spend the night in drinking and playing. He kept his promise, and I saw G ... M ... led away like a lamb. Every thing apparently went on admirable. I succeeded iu allaying the suspicions of the servants, and proceeded to share the bed of Manon. Unfortunately, however, G ... M ... was followed by a servant, when he was stopped by my friend the guardsman. Alarmed by what he saw, this fellow retraced his steps, and the first thing he did was to go aud inform old G ... M... of what had just happened. Such a piece of news of courso excited him greatly. This was Ihis only son ; and considering the old gentleman's advanced age, he was extremely activc aud ardent. This was enough to con- arouse it, you my vengeance! He quitted the room, desiring the archers to make us dress as quickly as possible. I know not what were his intentions at that moment with re- gard to us : we might perhaps have regained our liberty if we had told him where his son was. » From Marcel, a faithful, but now frightened foolish servant, he learned all Manon's plans to dupe his son. Having acquired this information, the old gentleman hastened back in a rage to the apartment. Without uttering a word, he passed into the bosdoir, where he easily put his hand upon the money and the jewels. He then accosted us, bursting with rage ; and holding up what he was pleased to call our plunder, he loaded us with the most indignant reproaches. He placed close to Manon's eye the pearl necklace and bracelets. Do you recognise them ? said he, in a tone of mockery; it is not, per- haps, the first time you have seen them. The identical pearls, by my faith! They were selected by your own exquisite taste ! The poor innocents ! added he ; they really are most amiable creatures, both one and the other : but they are perhaps a little too much inclined to roguery. He concluded his insolence by addressing the archers. Con- duct them to the Petit- Chatelet, said he, and take especial care that the chevalier does not escape you : he is a scamp that once before escaped from St. Lazare. The arcliers had a coach at the door. Mauou went in the same coach with me. I supported her in my arms. I had not heard her utter a single word since G... M . . .' s first appearance : but now, finding herself alone with me, she addressed me in the teuderest manner, and accused herself of being the cause of all my troubles. Swearing eternal constancy to each other, we arrived at the prison, where they put us into separate cells. This blow was the less severe, because I was prepared for it. I recommended Ma- non to the porter, telling him that I was a person of some dis- tinction, and promising him a considerable recompeuce. I had money with me : I gave Manon some ; and I paid the porter out of what remained, the amount of a month's expenses for both of us in advance. This had an excellent effect, for I found myself placed in an apartment comfortably furnished, and they assured me, that Manon was in one equally good. I immediately set about devising the means of procuring my liberty. There certainly had been nothing actually criminal in my conduct ; and supposing eveu that our felonious intention was established by the evidence of Marcel, I knew that criminal intentions alone were not punishable. I resolved to write imme- diately to my father, and beg of him to come himself to Paris. My father, however, was in Paris, having received my first let- ter, and had visited Tiberge, but suspecting from his manner that there was something wrong with me, traced me to Le Chatelet. Before I received his visit, which I little expected so soon, I had the honour of one from the lieutenant- general of police, or, to call things by their right names, I was subjected to an official ex- amination. He upbraided me certainly, but not iu any harsh or annoying manner. He told me in the kindest tone, that he bit- terly lamented my bad conduct; that I had committed a gross indiscretion in making an enemy of such a man as M. G . . M . that in truth it was easy to see that there was, in the affair, more of imprudence and folly than of malice. I ventured to bespeak his attentions in favor of Manon, and I dwelt upon her gentle and excellent disposition. He replied, with a smile, that he had not yet seen her, but that she had been represented to him as a most dangerous person. This expression so excited my sympathy, that I urged a thousand anxious argu- ments in favor of my poor mistress, and I could not restrain even from shedding tears when he left me. I had been occupied with the most melancholy reflections, and was thinking of the conversation I had had with the lieutenant- general of police, when I heard my door open. It was my father. Although I ought to have been half prepared for seeing him, and reason to expect his arrival within a day or two, yet I was so thunderstruck, that I could willingly have sunk into the earth, if it had been open at my feet. I embraced him in the greatest possible state of confusion. He took a seat, without either one or other of us having uttered a word. As I remained standing, with my head uncovered, and my eyes cast on the ground. IJe seated, sir, saitl he in a solemn voice ; be seated. 1 have to thank the notoriety of your debaucheries for learning the place of your abode. It is the privilege of such fame as yours, that it caunot lie concealed. You are requiring oclcbrity by an unerring path. ( To be continued.) 3 T H E TOWN. iTHE CHARMED LIFE; OR, THE REVELATIONS OF A POLICEMAN. ' And how long ago do yon say, Ned, since all this happened?' ' Five and twenty years.' ' And don't he look no older?' ' Not a jot. He is of the middle height, in proportion, rather elegant than muscular. His head is small, his features somewhat Italian, and his complexion a clear olive. His forehead is broad and high and without a single wrinkle; while his eyes are a dark hazel, and his hair a coal- black.' ' And his name?' ' I have know him by several. When I first saw him he was called Count Belluonimi.' ' Go on, Ned, we won't interrupt you again.' ' As you may guess, old Admiral Franklin was almost delirious with joy when he found his daughter restored to him, safe and well, and he turned to thank her deliverer from his heart, but the stranger was nowhere to be seen. Who was she?— ran from mouth to mouth, but no one could satisfactorily answer the question, though many were the guefees hazard. Meanwhile, the admiral and his child inquired for shelter, and my aunt, who sometimes let her drawing- rooms to Naval Officers, was recommended, our house not being many steps off, and yet sufficiehtly far to be out of dan- ger. They came; and oh! what a pretty girl that Mary Franklin was! Most fair beauties are insipid, not so the blooming, piquant, Mary. Her eyes were the deepest blue you ever saw,— large and lumnious,— and so expressive, that they seemed to tell the very secrets of her soul. The brightness of her complexion was un- equalled, and her gold- coloured hair shone softly in profuse ringlets, while her lips which were the very model of Cupid's fairy bow, looked newly stung with kisses. She could have been scarcely eighteen years of age, and though her bust was full, and her figure had acquired the delicate roundness of maturity and grace, you would have called her slight, and said that she was born to be de- pendent on, and cling to man, such was the expression that she wore. Her father was a hale old man, who had spent the best years of his life abroad, in the service of his country. He immediately engaged apartments at my aunt's, and during the time I had opportunities of learning the truth of the story I am now telling you, for in order to make you rightly understand it, confine myself to those scenes in which I was an actor or spec- tator. It was late the next morning when the fire spent its fury, at length the successful working of the engines, aud the subsiding of the wind had wrought a good effect. The hotel was burnt to the ground, and the houses on either side were complete wrecks— they were a sight for weeks. The morning after the fire was to have been Mary Franklin's wedding- day, and the husband chosen for her by her father was a certain military captain, named Granville— an aristocrat and a dandy—- with the average amount of intellect allotted to soldier- officers in general. He heard with a bad grace the news, that the shock received by Miss Franklin, and the great distress of mind occasioned both to herself and father would render necessary the postponement of the marriage ceremony. The preparations were completed, even to a paragraph in the MORNING POST which it was too late to recal, and he fancied that he became ridiculous from the delay. He was quizzed too by his brother officers, and that made him irritable. ' Hang it, Granville,' said Major Lawton,' this is too bad of you. We all expected a little excitement from the ceremony and the breakfast and departure. You should not disappoint your best friends.' ' I am disappeinted myself, man,' replied the captain, but I hardly know if I dare acknowledge as much. Confound it! That such a miserable pretext as the burning of a rascally hotel- keeper's sticks should interfere with the prospects and arrangements of a gentleman!' Who was the preux Chevalier that rescued your mistress? Why were you not there yourself; are you sure that he has nothing to do with delay?' ' He!— impossible! The fact was I had parted with Mary early in the evening. I had been complaining of her low spirits and coldness the night before the wedding, and she retired to her bed- room, I understand, shortly afterwards. What could she have been about to remain up so late, for she had not commenced un- dressing it appears when the fire broke out, I cannot divine; her father returned to the hotel ten minutes afterwards. As to the fellow who was the means of saving her, from the activity he seems to have displayed, and his management of ladders and ropes, he was probably a bricklayer's labourer or a common sailor, and will be liberally compensated with a five- pound note.' ' On the contrary, I have heard that he is a man of great wealth and family, one Count Belluonimi.' ' The devil! I must inquire into this!' Do so> and hark ye, Granville, mind the chivalric count proves not a dangerous rival.' I was looking over our parlour- blinds when the captain came down the street, towards three o'clock in the afternoon. He had called twice before that morning, but had not seen either Miss Franklin or the admiral. The moment I caught a sight of his regimentals I ran to the door, and opened it before he could knock. In reply to his inqniries I told him the young lady was in the drawing- room, and without waiting to be announced he stalked up- stairs. ' He entered the apartment, and the count was kneeling at the feet of the beautiful Mary, pouring out deep protestations of the most passionate love! ' Villain!' exclaimed Granville,' you know that you are address- ing my affianced wife. Madam,' continued he, turning to Miss Franklin, ' my honor demands that all engagements cease be- tween us from this moment.' Mary's face was hidden in her handkerchief, and she made no reply as she hurried from the drawing- room. The count started to his feet, and there was a peculiar expression upon his countenance as he said— ' We will not indulge in personal abuse or recrimination. You conceive that I have done you injury. I am a gentleman, and • willing to afford you any satisfaction you may demand.' ' There is but one course. Who are you?' ' A stranger in this neighbourhood, and without an acquaintance, therefore, to whom I can apply in a matter like the present,' and he threw a card upon the table as he spoke. ' The Count Belluonimi, the hero of the fire.' ' The man who saved your betrothed, who tells you to your teeth he loves her, and will with the man who dares to oppose him, dispute even life itself. He has no fear for the issue,' and he laughed sardonically. ' To- morrow morning then, count, at five o'clock, in the meadow below the bridge, on the high- road beyond the town.' ' I will be there, sir. I do not know your name.' The officer now flung his own card. ' I will be there, Captain Granville, bring with you a friend, who shall decide between us, or at least in the event of a fatality being evidenced to disprove the murder— you understand.' Granville bowed haughtily, and the count strode from the apart- ment and the house. Shall I own it? I had heard every word of what I have told you, and in the spirit of that adventure which has since charac- terised me' in my limited sphere, determined to be on the spot at the appointed hour. I had no thought of giving information to prevent the meeting— I looked upon the rivals as gallant- knights for victory and I wished the best man might win it. I was deter- mined, at least, to be a witness of the fight. The Admiral was from home, attending a meeting which has been convcn ed to devise measures of relief for the sufferers by the late calamity, and Cap- tain Granville having inquired for him took his departure, to con- cert with his friend, Major Lawton. The old gentleman returned to dinner, but Mary did not leave her bed- room again that evening; on the plea of indisposition. Child as I was I arranged my plans with all the cunning of an older head, and at four o'clock the next morning I had crept down stairs, shoes in hand, and softly untouched the street- door. It was a lovely summer's morning, and there seemed no soul astir, I thought even then, in my boyish way, how man lost the brightest hours of the day, and what folly it was to spend that time in bed, when nature put on her sweetest smiles, and in the fresh breeze of the May morning wooed his presence and his love. I ran through the still streets at a brisk pace, and soon gained the bridge beyond the town. I stopped there for a moment to watch the rippling stream gorge- ously tinted with the first rays of the early sun, and with my foot kicked some pebbles in the water, idly wondering at the bubble circles they created. The sound of approaching wheels disturbed me, and I ran oh. I had only time to hide myself beneath the hedge of the appointed meadow, when a tilbury was driven to the gate. Major Lawton and Captain Granville alighted. ' Hang it!' said the former, ' we ought to have brought one of our fellows to mind the mare. Will she be still ?' I thought for an instant of volunteering my services, but re- flection bade me hold my tongue, especially as I was anxious to see the fray. ' She's safe enough,' replied Granville. ' Shg^ will not go far. Our man has not arrived, I think. Will he fail' us?' ' I should hope not,' was the answer. ' I almost wish after all we had brought the doctor, it is deuced handy in these matters. By the bye, Granville, in case of an unpleasant termination to this affair have you any request?' ' You will find several letters and papers in my desk of which this is the key, nothing more— excapt— except my mother's mini- ature. I wear it next my heart, let it be buried with me.' I looked up as he spoke, and the tears gushed to my eyes. Every trace of affection had vanished from the manner of the man— even his lisp had gone. His face was much paler than I had before ob- served it, but there was great firmness about his mouth, and in the tones of his voice, though there was a nervous twitching about the one, and a tremulousness in the other when he talked of his mother's miniature that made me conceive a sudden liking and sympathy. ' And the young lady— Miss Franklin ?' ' I have written to her. She never loved me. It was a made up match, and— Is not that the man crossing the style? My honor! Lawton. Come on.' ' They walked on, among the long wet grass, and I kept up with them beside the hedge. They met tte count face to face, there was a slight and haughty recognition between the principals, and then tho major stepped forward. ' Count Belluonimi I call you to witness that Captain Granville had much preferred the presence of some friend of yours as a fourth party. Do I understand, however, that the matter is now left with me?' Granville and the Count both bowed. ' It is not possible at this late hour to effect other than a hostile settlement ?' ' It is not,' was the joint reply. ' We have weapons,' continued the major, producing a pistol- ease, ' or will you prefer your own ?' ' I have brought none,' answered the count. ' I am in your hands.' ' We will adopt the simplest method, gentlemen. Back to back you will walk fifteen paces, in an opposite direction, and on hearing the word,— turn and fire.' I could see their faces, and on the Count's there was no change, unless indeed the smallest curl in the world, of the lips, might be noted, and Granville looked as firm, but almost as white as marble. He shook hands with Lawton, and I heard him whisper— ' My mother's miniature, you will not forget.' ' They were ready. Once the combatants eyed each other and there was hatred in their glances. Lawton came and stood just before me, and they walked apart. A third of a minute might have elapsed, and then dropping a pocket handkerchief, he gave the word ' fire.' Both pistols appeared to be discharged at once. The count was erect, unhurt, and with a smile upon his face. Granville sprang perpendicularly in the air, and dropped again to earth a corpse. Lawton ran to him, and so did I now, and tho count came up and looked upon his work. We tore open the cap- tain's coat. The ball had splintered the miniature of his mother, and entered his heart. He never moved, or breathed again. ' Poor fellow!' said the major, with a choked voice, ' and he wished that it might be buried in his coffin.' ( To be continued.) A SCENE IN LOW LIFE. THE sketch given by our artist in the first page, is a good il- lustration of what is termed by the cockneys, pluck, a quality for which the natives of our ' sea- girt isle ' are somewhat peculiar. The two figures being an apt representation of size, versus sta- mina, and the old school- boy's cry of' go it little-' un, on to the big-' un,' is here plainly depicted. The thin wiry appearance of the youth with the agitated looking head of hair, and artful dod- ger style of cut coat, must certainly, however, be a favourite with any one who knows aught of the science of' fisty- cuffs,' and place him at 7 to 4 above the wheezey colossal frame of his cap adorned, apron- bedizened companion. The attitude of the young-' un is, however, what may be with propriety termed Stunning! It is, to quote the true London slang,' ultra- roll- me- dickey- dead- flash,' or as the Lion once said to the dogs ' haggrawiting how- dacious.' Indeed, the whole tenour of the engraving partakes of that character, and the figures, like Bill Gibbins's moke, would'nt be allowed to enter the Palace at a levee, or permitted to stand behind the Lord Mayor's chairs, at his first oinner in Guildhall. The language of the two combatants fully supports this observation, it would, however, be unfair for us to claim any- thing on the score of originality in the design, for whilst we are not desirous of making the Town a vehicle for puffiing; we do not wish to rob the labourer of his due share of praise, the sketch is taken from a scene in the deservedly popular drama of ' The Yellow Copse,' a piece, the representation of which we have witnessed several times with undiminisable pleasure ; at the same time we think it due to the graphic power of our artist, to advise all who have not seen the drama to witness it, and thereby judge of the truthfulness of his design. HINTS ON ECONOMY. It is customary to advise that a shilling should be made to go as far as it possibly can; but surely this would be to throw a shilling away, by making it go so far as to prevent any chance of it coming back again. A penny saved is said to be twopence earned; so that if you have twopence and save a penny, you have twopence still; and if the twopence be saved till the next day, it will be fourpence; so that at the end of the week it will amount altogether to ten shillings and eightpence. We recommend all very young beginners to try the experiment by putting a penny away to- day, when, if the proverb holds good, it will have become twopence by to- morrow. ' A pin a day is a groat a year;' and it will he advisable if any doubts the fact, to go and offer three hundred and sixty- five pins at any respectable saving's bank— when, if the proverb be literally true, he will be credited to the amount of fourpence. ' Never put off till to- morrow what you can do to- day;' and therefore, if you mean to do a creditor, it is better not to put him off, but to tell him honestly that you have pul him down among the things to bo done immediately. A COLUMN FOR EVERYBODY. At the Westminster County Court, a fellow much resembling Paul Bedford in features, size and age, upon being asked if he was a labouring man, replied, with indignant contempt, ' No • I'm a pot- hoy.' ' Bobby, my love,' said a silly mother to her darling, whom she had been cramming with tarts and other good things, ' can you eat any more ?' ' Why, y- e- s, mamma,' was young hopeful's hesitating reply,' I think I could if I stood up.' HORRIBLE IF TRUE.— 1There is a work advertised called, Every Man a Lawyer. What a state of society ! It will be worse than cannibalism, or living in each other. ' Where is your father ?' said an angry master to the son of his tippling domestic. ' He is down stairs, sir,' said the boy. ' Get- ting drunk, I suppose ?' ' No 6ir, he ain't.' ' What then ?' ' Get- ting sober, sir?' ' So you say that walking sticks came into use very long ago V ' Not a donbt of it— don't we read that Adam had a Cain ?' Hook being told of the marriilge of a political opponent, ex- claimed, ' I am very glad to hear it.' Theii suddenly added with a feeling of compassionate forgiveness,' Add y « t I doii't see why I should be, poor fellow, for he never did me miieh harm.' Among the novelties in dress that ingenuity has lately brought forth is a garment consisting of collar, cfavatj shirt- front, and waistcoat, all in one. It is said to be ' a snvihg of time, monev and material, in dress ;' but this is an economy that can be just as well achieved with an ordinary waistcoat, by buttoning it closely up, and omitting all the other articles by which it is usu- ally accompanied. We have known several ingenious gentlemen who have anticipated the inventor of the costume described by making one item of dress do the duty of half- a- dozen. In ' this way we have known a boot serve the additional purpose of a stocking ; and other portions of costume have been put upon double or treble duty, in the manner we have hinted at. ' If you beat me, I'll call out the soldiers,' as the drnm said. A DECIDED CASE OP MADNESS.— A poor woman, said to be ninety years of age, was waiting outside the doors of the Bristol Theatre two hours before the opening, having walked eight miles to see Jane Shore, and having the same distance to walk back after the performance. Mrs. Macready, deeming such devotion to the drama madness, asked her officer, who narrated the cir- cumstances, if the poor old creature had her intellects. ' I don't know, ma'am,' said the man,' she's gotton summut tied up in her pocket handkerchief.' ANOTHER CASE.— An unfortunate gentleman in the City, says that he understands the present condition of French politics.' He is now in a private asylum at Hackney ; but little hops is enter- tained of his recovery. It is said that a well- known philantropist left a sum of money to be expended in gloves for the hands of St. Paul's clock, during the present winter. What has been done with the money ? Some Yankee has invented a new kind of ink, called ' Love- letter ink.' It is a sure preventive against all cases of' breach of promise,' as the ink fades away and leaves the sheet blank again in'about four weeks after being written upon. A young Hibernian, recently imported, being asked if he in- tended taking a lass with him to Greenwich next Easter Monday, replied,' If he went by himself he should; but if he went with any one else he should not.' ELOQUENCE AND SUBLIMITY.— The light of the lamp was dying away in the socket, the midnight clock swung heavily aloft and its brazen tones sounded loudly on the frozen air. It was the hour disembodied spirits walk, and when murderers, like the stealthy wolf, prowl for their prey. The lonely watcher shud- dered as he heard a slight noise at the door. Big drops stood on his pale brow ; the door gently opened, and in came— a stramre cat! fa A leveller perceiving two crows flying side by side, said, ' Ay that is just how it should be ; I hate to see one crow over ano- ther.' A Parisian robber, who was seized in the act of stealing in the shop of a tobacconist, said, by way of excusing himself, that he had never heard of a law which forbade a man to take snuff. That's a moving sight, as the stage coachman said cfthe rail- way train. A gentleman who was rather impatient at table, declared that he wished he coidd do without, servants, as they were the greatest plagues of life. ' Why not have a dumb waiter ?' suggested a friend. ' Oh, no !' returned the other; ' I have tried them— they don't answer.' FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ( BY THE TOWN CORRESPONDENT.) The Spaniards are, as yon know, very nutty on their late move- ment. Several provinces have pronounced ; but, as they all have a peculiar' patois' of their own, it is difficult to catch their pro- nunciations. America i3 in a more settled, though certainly not in a more settling, state than it was some time ago. It has re- sorted freely to the old way of paying i. cw debts, and in return for our specie, has sent us a species of whitewash, which is all that we can get as an equivalent. It is a glorious thing to see a whole nation throwing off its bonds ; and the way in which America has released herself from the bonds she was under to her credi- tors, is a proof that she knows how to be free herself, and to make free with others. On the other side of the Channel, Young France finding it impossible to beard Old England, has taken to bearding itself; and the war party shew, by their chins at any rate, that they would be much improved by a good lathering. New South Wales, as you are by this time aware, is to have a representative assembly ; but it is not yet decided what the legis- lative body is to consist of. It, would perhaps be the fairest plan, that each of the prisons should send so many members to the Botany Bay Parliament; but others think that each class of of- fenders should have its own representatives. Whether the Hon- ourable Member for Newgate would sound better than the Gallant Representative of the Housebreaking Interests, is a question that may be decided hereafter; and it will be a very nice point, whether conviction shall be a necessary qualification for a seat in the legislature of New South Wales, or, whether the fact of having committed an offence, shall render a person eligible as a candidate. It will, perhaps, be difficult to draw the line where the elective franchise shall begin, but it is generally believed, that nothing under a pickpocket ought to be entitled to vote, though, whether the claimant to the suffrage must have been positively eaugut ln the act, is a nicety on which 1 leave itto the lawyers to'de- iberate. MORE MISFORTUNES FOR THE LEGITIMATE DRAMA,— On Thursday Evening last, March 7th, the doors of the Olympic Theatre, were suddenly closed to the Public, and a notice posted to the effect that it will not be opened till Easter. It is stated that Mr. Watts has lost several thousand pounds since Christmas through piayingthe Legitimate Drama. SINGULAR ADVERTISEMENT.— LoBt a new silk umbrella, be- longing to gentleman with a carved ivory head. 4 T H E TOWN. SEEING WRIGHT. | A QUEER STORY ABOUT HARE COURT. ' Laugh and grow fat,' is a very ancient saw, and if there be any truthfulness in it, the above figure is earning a claim to obesity. The artist has designated his sketch ' Seeing Wright,' and we have been informed, that the subject introduced itself to his fertile mind and amusing pour! raying pcncil, in consequence of viewing from the pit of the theatre tht various conntenances of his au- dience. The style of the masculine cachinator, is certainly not very recherche-, he is probably one of the half- price visitors, the pin and the spotted collar- coaxer, bespeak him a trifle- fast, but the tile, and the stock are cruel Blow; such a straight- built all- up- the- roof' beaver, could never belong to a saucy youth, and the manner in which he throws up his hands, and expands , his mouth proves unquestionably he is thoroughly flabbergastered. Wright is certainly a very mirthful exciting character; we re- member him many years since in Birmingham, when he was bnt a young actor, and knew but comparatively little of the ' trade.' His jocularity is, we are howevor informed, now very small when introduced into private circles, and the boisterous applause and peals of hearty laughter with which every observation he makes is received, reminds us of a certain young Parisian— who being sorely troubled with low spirits and melancholy, was induced to seek the advice of an eminent physician, Drugs however were found useless, and after various remedies had been unsuccessful to cure him of his despondency, as a last resource advised him to revisit the theatre and witness the performance of La Levrass, the comic actor, whose humour and flow of spirits was setting all Paris in a roar. ' Alas,' answered the poor invalid, with a ghastly smile, ' that will be useless.' ' How so ?' < Why'— was the reply—' I am M. Levrass.' Not that we would imply from this observation that Wright is of a melancholy calibre, though it is a singular fact, that many of our comic ac- tors have been dreadfully ' wet- blankets' in private company. Liston was a terrible prosy customer, and Mr. Harry Nye, Billy Altwood, Manders, and others we might name, are as lively and frolicsome as a mute at a funeral. The following little faux pas, which occurred to an eminent barrister's clerk in Hare- court some weeks since, has created a deal of conversation. Mr. W. we shall call him, who has just been received into the primitive of manhood, does now and then feel the dart of Cupid pricking his tender bosom; and, although these said prickings are like angels visits few and far between, yet Mr. W. could never at such important periods resist the temptation of calling in the aid of a female disciple of Esculapius to heal the throbbing wound. It was upon an occasion of this nature, after the doctor had passed the night in the barrister's clerk's chamber, that the occurrence took place of which we are about to speak. Mr. W. sans everything, save and except his night shirt and head- gear, in ushering his fair companion from his chamber early one morning, accompanied her to the top of the stairs when he took a long and a last farewell of his partner in bliss. The morning was windy— the window upon the landing place was open, and ere Mr. W. could gain his apartment the door was blown to with so mighty a bang that a ' limb of the law' OD the second floor was awakened from his ' dreams of the ermined coif and the woolsack.' He rushed from his chamber to ascertain the ' state of affairs in the disturbed districts,' beheld, and with mingled feelings of wonder and surprise, his friend's fraction of humanity, yclept a clerk, attempting to secrete himself in the coal- bin, and a petticoat gliding its wayward course down the rugged stairs. The first cause of this unexpected recontre ' tripped like a fairy' through the intricate mazes of the Temple, and was soon out of sight, and away from the trammels of the worthy templar's clerk. Not so fortunate, however, was the state of affairs with Mr. W., the key of his door being most un- lucky in the inside of the spring lock. What was to be done?— an exposure— a public exposure beyond the prying eye of the worthy templar, his master— appeared inevitable. A council of war was immediately held in the chamber of B , when it was resolved to seud privately for a blacksmith either to break open the door or pick the lock. The plan was no sooner agreed on than executed. Vulcan made his appearance, and released the templar's clerk from his misery and alarm, who jumped again into his bed with greater glee and self- satisfaction than he had even done the preceding night, for during the whole of this time it must be observed the gay spark was standing shivering and trembling with cold in his night- shirt, gazing at the branches of the opposite trees as they waved to and fro in the wind; B , to have prevented that cold which his brother templar's clerk caught ( the evil effects of which he has been labouring under ever since), would have offered him halt of his bed, but that most unfortunately was pre- engaged by one of the ' daughters of fraility,' who did not feel disposed to ' turn out' to enable the templar's clerk to ' turn in'; and as it is an ancient rule with all Knights Templar never to sleep ' three in a bed, he had no alteraative but to shiver and shake in his shirt, and make a shift in the cold, until the arrival of the blacksmith. Since this affair has got wind among tbe templar's scribes, the principal actor in this domestic drama has been prettily mauled for his anti- mal- thusian propensities. The templar's clerk, however, receives their jokes all in good part. He has promised them if ever caught in a similar predicament to forfeit a ' rump and a dozen.' The pre- caution this gay Lothario now adopts when ' entangled in the meshes of Cupid,' is to sleep with the key of his master's chamber tied to the tassel of his cap. We are, therefore, afraid the rump and dozen will never be forthcoming. SEEING CELESTE. Jiotiws to © oittjjpoitfJetttiS. TOWN TALK. The ' eminent tragedian' Mr. Macready, has appeared in a new character, viz:— as the prosecutor of a poor woman for robbing him of twenty- four pounds weight of coal, who with her husband received seven days incarceration. THE license for Cremorne Gardens has been suspended, should it not be granted on the appeal day some hundreds of families will be thrown out of employ. A young sprig of fashion was one night last week relieved at a gaming house, in Jermyn- street, of nearly two thousand seven hundred pounds. A man has been fined two pounds for being sufficiently fool- hardy enough to ride on the buffer of the engine belonging to a mail train, ironi London to Cambridge. SOMB fine fun may be seen, and really excellent speeches heard every Wednesday evening at Harris's, the Equestrian Tavern' next door to the Surrey Theatre. Our scientific friends should witness his wonderful electric light, which he exhibits, together with other extraordinary magnetic effects, gratis. OLD Mother Allison, a memoir of whose atrocities appeared in No. 3 of this publication, has been compelled to fly to Havre- de- Grace, in consequence of abducting two young ladies from a school near Lower Edmonton, one of whom, a daughter of a Colonel in the British army, is still with her. As it is anticipated the exhibition of the works of all nations will bo a public holiday, several showmen intend applying for leave to erect booths and stands near the building, in that case we may anticipate a second Hyde Park Fair. THE Drury- lane mangement have been obliged to reduce their performances two nights in the week, and are paying only half salaries for the other four, so much for the public support of a national theatre. In juxta- position to the laughter excited countenance of one of Wright's admirers, we place a lacksey- daisical demoiselle, who delighteth in the moving miseries of Madame Celeste. The young creature looks like one who has supped brimfull of horrors, and probably reveleth in novelties of a lugubrious descript on. To judge from the style in which the tears are chasing each other down her cheek, she has had a good four shillings worth of dis- tress. There is certainly no accounting for taste, but we could never understand people going to tbe theatre to cry themselves nearly blind, and soak three or four stout cambric handkerchiefs through and through, gazing at imaginary miseries. We re- member a young lady some years since, who never went to see that monomanical monstrosity—' The Stranger,' but she took a sponge with her, pocket- hankerchiefs being no more use than mere sheets of blotting- paper. ' Seeing Celeste' is not always, however, a sequitur to crying. Madame's style is too varied, too happy, to always minister and excite the melting mood, and we should say to those who doubt it— TBY HER. A CAUTION TO ASSES.— Whereas several idle and disorderly persons have lately made it a practicc of riding an ass belonging to Mr. Pepper, on Ginger Common, at tho end of the lane. Now, lest any accident should happen, he takes this method of inform- ing the public, that he has made up his mind to shoot the said ass, and therefore cautions all persons who may be riding on it, at the same time, to take care of themselves, lest by some unfortu- nate mistake he should chance to shoot the wrong animal. THE COTTAGE GIRL, VOL. 2, JUST OUT. VOL. 1 RE- PRINTING, IS. each. Sold at all Booksellers, Railway Stations, & c. SOMETHING NEW AT LAST. We are informed, upon good authority, that in consequence of the great sensation created at Chatham by the recent dreadful death of the Lion Queen, that it is the intention of a certain manager on the Surrey Side of the Thames, to give them some thing new at last; and arrangements have been made for the production of a drama to be called ' MURDER, SUICIDE, RAPE, AND STARNOULATION.' The first act will conclude with a man and a woman being ACTUALLY KILLED before the audience, the oue being shot, and the other stabbed. This it is anticipated will have a great effect. In the second act, the heroine ( a supernumera from the Lambeth Union,) will be flung from the chandiler into the pit; the Rape and Strangulation will embody most extraordinary effects. In the course of the piece, a REAL bull bait will take place after the most approved Spanish fashion; and four starving agricultural labourers are to be gored— first rate. After which, the bull will be spitted to death, and the curtain remain up till his struggles are over. Mr. Van Amburgh is also engaged, with a a wild lion and a perfectly savage panther; to appear at Easter, iu a piece to be called ' THE POOR LAW VICTIM, AND THE RELENTLESS PANTHER; OR, THE GNAWED BABY.' The child is to be eateu at half price. The Managers are willing to oontract for the supply of a child every night. Two will be taken on an allowance being made. This is an excellent chance for parents and poor law guardians, who wish to see their younger branches' permanently settled.' THE EDITOR OF THE TOWN ( Mr. H. G. Brooks,) respectfully intimates to his numerous friends in town and country, that he will take a benefit at the Judge and Jury Society, Garrick's Head, Bow- st., on the 26th of March; and trusts, on that occasion, he shall receive their assistance and support. For the convenience of parties coming to London, Mr. Winn has kindly consented to forward admission tickets from the office, and each purchaser will be presented with a verbatim report of the trial, speeches of counsel, and the whole of the luminous and laughter- exciting charge of the Lord Chief Baron Nicholson, never before printed.— Admission Tickets, One Shilling each. A SUBSCRIBER FROM NO. 1 ( Ashton under Tyne).— Write to Professor Chambers. YOUNG CASINO.— We have not got it. G. W. ( Newcastle 011 Tyne).— 1837. MUMMINGS.— The Bay of Tunis and the Bay of Bengal are not relations. AMICUS STULTH.— Write to Hicks. STAR AEOVE GARTER.— At Evan's Grand Hotel, Covent Garden, any evening; or, J. W. Sharp, Richmond Villa, Hawley Road, Kentish Town. CONSTANT READER ( Newcastle).— 57. A. Y.— No use to us, at the same time we are'obliged to you. BLUE BEARD.— Sends us the following :— A young draper's swell of about 15 or 16, called upon one of the principal barbers in Blackburn the other day, to get shaved, the barber lathered hun, but instead of shaving him he went and commenced cleanin. and dressing some long hair, on bein^ obseived by the lathered swell, he asked the barber why he did not come and shave lnm? when he replied that he was waiting till his beard was grown. When the young swell had to wipe the lather from his face and come out of the barber's shop as he went in. GEORGIANA.— What do you mean by ' HAUNTED SHOW?' We presume it is ' Galant's show.' PAr ( Liverpool).— We have received a slashing story, redolent of humour and full of piquant amatory matter; developing incidents of every- day London life, and showing men and manners as they are in 1850. The tale will appear in a few weeks. C. C. C. ( Lambeth)— Such scenes are only to be witnessed in the lowest night- houses. In 1829, a Captain Mewyn was imprisoned for 3 years for hocussing a water- cress girl, and then sending her into the Haymarket in a state of nudity. ASFERO ( Bury St. Edmunds).— We don't know, and what is more, don't care, where Sims Reeves buys his shirts. We shall be asked next, we suppose, if Her Majesty ever darns her stockings. AN OLD UN.— YOU should tako the dose we have so often recommended to carry off the effects of a night's fuddle. X.... Y.— There have been more women thrown themselves over Waterloo- bridge since 1880 than all the other bridges together. T. A. M.— The lines on the grocer's wife and the Independent minister's attempt upon her chastity have been received. But, whilst we think the Newark magistrates quite right in fining the Rev. gentleman forty shillings, we cannot have the slightest pity for such a fellow as the husband. Our correspondent should read the case as fully reported in the TIMES. RUSBO ( Oxford).— Don't be a fool; pay the girl the money, before the affair is made public, if you are as you say a inarr ied man. COSMO.— The piece at the New Strand Theatre is anything but new, it bei ng produced at the Surrey in 1817. A READER FROM NO. I. ( Leeds)— There are the same writers upon it as before, but the alteration is in accordance with the wish of the proprietor, whose will is, like the law of the Medes and Persians, unalterable. F. D. S. ( Dublin).— Next number if possible. CEST FAIT DE LUI ( Accrington).— You shall be attended to. ( Other communications next week.) TO COUNTRY BOOKSELLERS & NEWS- AGENTS. THE TRADE are requested, should they find any difficulty in obtaining THE TOWN from their regular agent, to send their orders direct. W. W. begs to inform the trade, that he can serve them at the lowest price with all the weekly and monthly periodicals, magazines, and newspapers, he making it his endeavour to deserve their Bupport by his promptness and dispatch in collecting and forwarding their orders entire, even to the smallest articles. Cash in advance for the first two months. W. WINN, 34, Holywell- street, Strand, London. IN CASES OF SECRECY, CONSULT DR. DE ROOS' CELEBRATED WORK. HE MEDICAL ADVISER, the Sixty- fourth Thou- sand of which is just published, containing 144 pages. Illustrated with numerous beautifully coloured engravings, descriptive of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Generative Organs in both sexes; and also containing chapters on the obligations of Marriage ; Diseases of the Male and Female parts of generation ; the Treatment aud the Cure of all those Secret Diseases arising from Infection aud youthful excesses; with plain directions for the speedy removal of every disqualification, easily, safely, and secretly. May be obtained, in a sealed envelope, of tbe Author, in English, French, or German. 2s., or free, by post, for 32 postage stamps. Also of Hicks, 34 Holywell street. Country patients cannot be too minute in the detail of their cases, thus rendering a personal visit unnecessary. Advice, with medicine, £ 1. Patients corresponded with until cured. Those deemed INCURABLE are particularly invited. PROFESSOR SECRETS.— CHAMBERS'S THREE PULMONARY PRACTICE.— Curran's ruling passion was his joke. In his last illness, his doctor observed in the morning that he seemed to cough with more difficulty, he answered,' That is rather surprising, as I have been practising all night.' SECRETS OF MARRIED HAPPINESS; addressed to the Barren, the Potent, and the Impotent. A Medico- Philosophical work. Postfree, Is.— • The youthful and ihe aged, th- J married and the single, should alike consult it.'— The Argus. SECRETS FOR YOUNG MEN, MARRIED MEN, AND SINGLE MEN; giving them a description, by which certain diseases may be cured without medical aid. Post free, 8d. " This is a useful little work, and should b6 read by every Englishman." ' Old Bell's Weekly Messenger." SECRETS OF HEALTH IN MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN; ad- dressed to all who would escape the diseases and epidemics peculiar 10 Great Britain, and attain robust, maturity and hale old age. Post free, 8d.— ' This is certainly a work of first- rate talent; the best on the subject.— Penny Punch. THE PROFESSOR'S RECEIPES and REMEDIES.— The following pieces of valuable information will be forwarded on the receipt of postage stamps for each Secret to the amount named— THE TOWN TONIC; or, Next Day's Restorative ; the only escape from the effects of drink. Price 2s. LIQUID HAIR DYE. To aid the appearance of youth, and remedy the defects of age. Price 2s. 6d. INSTANT CURE FOR THE TOOTH ACHE; a Drop of Mercy for the Miserable. Price Is. THE CORN AND BUNION ERADICATOR; a Friend at a Pinch. Price jgt THE LADIES' TELL- TALE. Originally published at £ 1 10. Price 2s. 8d. per post. THE CONFESSIONS OF A LADY'S MAID, a picture of fashionable passion and seduction. Price 2s. 6d. post free. THE SWELL'S NIGHT GUIDE through London, Edited by the Lord Chief Baron, 3s. 6d. post free. MYSTERIES OF VENUS— Lessons of Love: or, the Adventures of Kitty Pry— five plates, 4s. fid., post free. WOMAN of PLEASURE, coloured plates, 5s. 6d., post free. BEAUTY OF WOMAN, 3s. 6d.; post free. THE EXQUISITE, in Three Volumes, One Guinea each, or Three Volumes, Three Guineas, ( Carriage free). GENESOLOGY OF WOMEN, Sixty- three colourod Engravings, pos free, 5s. MEMOIRS OF MISS F H , coloured plates, postfree, 5s. 6< L PHYSIOLOGY OF MAN, coloured Plates, post free, 3s, THE SILENT FRIEND, Twenty- six coloured Plates, post free, 3s. ARISTOTLE'S CELEBRATED MASTER- PIECE, 3s. 6d„ HARRIETT WILSON, 5s. 6d. post free. AMOURS OF LORD BYRON, 4s. 6d. post free. THE SECRETS OF NATURE Revealed, 2s. Od. post free. COAL- HOLE SONGSTERS, Is. each, post free. LESSONS FOR LOVERS, only 3s., post free; originally published at 10s. 6d. BACHELOR'S ALBUM, ten splendid coloured plates, post free, 2s. Od. TIT BITS FOR GENTLEMEN, six racy plates, a la Fransais, post free, Is. BEFORE AND AFTER, two beautiful plates, from Hogarth, Sd., post free. THE MEDICAL ADVISER, by Dr. De Roos, coloured plates, ,, rice 2s. 6d post free.—" The best work on the subject"— Public Press. Stamps taken as Cash. Catalogues sent per post, on receipt of two stamps. T. Hicks, 34, Holywell- street, Strand. T. H. will not be responsible for any Works directed to be sentto Post Office Printed and published by W. WINN, 34, Holywell- street, Strand, where all communications are to be addressed Sold at all Booksellers, Railway Stations, and Stum Boat Piers. [ ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.]