called for ale. They were in high glee, and from their conversation, which we could not but hear, we learned that there had been a kind of battle-royal in the village, betwixt some of the lads of the place, and a party of collegians, and that the latter, after fighting bravely, which they allowed them the merit of generally doing, had been soundly thrashed, and compelled to retreat. Some inquiries, on my part, elicited an opinion from the company as to the general conduct of the young gentlemen at college; and it certainly, like all other human emanations, had its dark side as well as its bright one, only rather more of the former than should be expected, considering they were to become exemplars to, and directors of, others. They were represented as courageous fighters, generous remunerators, and profuse spenders; all of which most of the company allowed were good English gentlemanly qualities; but then, in their intercourse with those not of their class, they were represented as being arrogant, wilful, and capricious; and too prone to lay on hard, when they got the upper hand.

'It was not to be wondered at, said an elderly person who sat on the other side of the room; it was not the young gentlemen's fault but the fault of their "Pa's" and "Ma's" at home, and of the institutions of the country. If Will was schooled to be an officer in the army, would he not begin by trying to domineer over, and command all who would submit to him? If Dick was to have his father's broad acres, how

merely interrupted, but for ever destroyed, the friendship between Finnerty and the Lancashire poet. When he called at Peter's house in the suburbs of London, a few day afterwards, his reception was this

'He seemed, I thought, very mysterious and embarrassed in his manner; did not ask me to sit down, or take anything, but at last said, Would you like a walk round the square, Bamford?" I, thinking he wished for more private conversation, said I would; and we went out, and walked round a large square hollow, like to those laid down for the foundations of houses, with a fence of deal boards all around. We paced once round this place, chatting about indifferent matters, I expecting him to introduce my business with the Morning Chronicle; and at last, on my mentioning it, he did say he had not been able to see Mr. Perry yet. We had then arrived at the angle from whence we set out, and were opposite his own door, when giving me his hand, he said, Good morning, Bamford; I shall be seeing he went into the house, and shut the door. I you in town some of these days ;" and with that was mute with astonishment: my first impulse then, I thought, neither the door nor its owner was to send the pannel in with my foot; but had done me harm, and at last consoling myself with the reflection that it was no place for out of it than within it, I went away.'—Vol. ii. a worthy honest man, and that I was better PP. 45, 46.

could he better prepare for the enjoyment of them, as things went, than by learning to drink, We hear no more of Peter. Nor did Mr. gamble, and box; by picking up stable-slang; and becoming a connoisseur in "dogs, horse- Hunt give himself much trouble about his flesh, and women ?" as they had it-and by an partner in misfortune. The great man' early imitation of that reckless self-willedness presented him to his Aspasia, a Mrs. V.'which he had seen practised by his class at originally one of the finest of her species'— home. If James is for the church, should he entertained him once or twice at breakfast, not learn to be combative when a boy; inas- when, instead of tea or coffee, the famous much as he would have to contend against decoction of roasted corn' was produced, "the world, the flesh," and-another antagonist; and in favor of tithes, preferments, and fat not at all to the weaver-poet's contentmentlivings? And if Jack was preparing for the and gave him a letter of introduction to navy, what so natural as that he should prac- that worthy gentleman and scholar, Sir tise with a bamboo, instead of a rope's-end, on Richard Phillips,' with a view to a metrothe heads and shoulders of the King's sub-politan publication of the Lancashire Hymn jects? Great folks, he said, sent their sons to and other lyrics, already celebrated at Midcollege, and they came there tainted with the vices of their order, and the follies of their par forthcoming. Neither did he obtain any dleton but no pecuniary assistance was rents: they were here planted thick together like young trees; the rank and worthless advantage from an application to Mr. Alderdragged the others up; the vicious overshad-man Waithman,' at that time a dissatisfied, owed the virtuous, and when they had become bilious-looking man-mind and manners noxious or morally withered, they went back soured.' There were sundry similar disinto the world, as their fathers had done, to prepare a new race to succeed them. All' allowed that the elderly gentleman's remarks were about the fact; I begged leave to drink his health, the company followed my example, and the conversation then becoming general, and chiefly on rural affairs, I went to bed.'Vol. ii. pp. 37, 38.

The lost umbrella, it turns out, had not

appointments. At last Mr. Charles Pearson, who, as Hunt's solicitor, had met Bamford at Lancaster, kindly offered him employment in copying papers at his chambers; but a week of this new sort of labor was enough. He felt that to persist would break his health completely-his spirits had already sunk to the verge of despair-and

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he took to his bed in a nervous fever. A place before-every thing seemed almost too small supply from the Manchester Com- sumptuous and too delicate for a human habimittee' set him on his legs again; and he tation-and to me it seemed a little museum then made the round of about a dozen pub; look at, and not to use. of curious and costly things, arranged but to There were mirrors, lisher's shops, with his bundle of hymns and and pictures, and cushions, and carpets glowing songs, which found no acceptance in any of like silk; and delicate hangings, and curtains, these quarters. They did not suit' one as fine as gossamer in summer; then the tables Mæcenas another said they were out of shone like glass, and the chairs with their high his line;' even the sympathizing Sir Rich- cushions trussed up, quite tempted one to sit. ard Phillips would not meddle with them-Well, I stood looking about me some time, and no volume of poetry could have any sit down at any rate; if his Lordship should no one appeared; and at last I thought, "I'll chance unless it were something astonishcome in, he cannot be so greatly offended at ing;' which is, at least, as true in 1844 as one taking a seat in his house." So I sat it was in 1820. Before he made up his down, and was quite surprised-I almost sunk mind to return to Middleton, he was advised to my elbows in the soft downy cushion, and to state his views concerning the Peterloo immediately jumped up again, thinking those meeting, and its results to himself, in the seats could never really be meant for human Parliamentary petition already referred to; world have been taken by his Lordship, sitbones to rest upon—and I would not for the and in connection with this,' he says, OCting there, with the cushion up to my elbows, curred an incident, which, as it affords a like a puff of soap suds. I began to make the glimpse, as it were, of the outer-court eti-thing right again, and was so busied, when I quette of the great in London, I will narrate:'

heard a slight creaking noise; immediately I resumed my posture of attention, and a tall, gentlemanly-looking person, forty or forty-five years of age, dressed in a blue coat with yellow costed me in a very courteous and affable manbuttons, undoubtedly of gold, entered and acner, and immediately entered upon the busiLord," which indeed he was, and told him ness of my petition. I addressed him as "my which I now showed him, and requested he somewhat about the subject of my petition, would be so kind as to present it for me to the House of Lords. He looked at it a few minutes, and said he would present it. He then questioned me about the state of the country, and particularly of my own neighborhood, to each of which I gave him brief and true answers, according to the best of my ability. He then questioned me about our new rector, at Middleton, the Rev. John Haughton; and as I was partial to him, I gave his Lordship a fair and bound in truth, though not at the time overhonorable account of the worthy clergyman, whereat he seemed much pleased; soon after I made my final bow, and was myself bowed that grand mansion and its immensely rich out by the porter; and so I took my leave of owner.'-Vol. ii. pp. 42-44.

'Earl Grosvenor was the nobleman selected to present my petition to the House of Lords, and Sir Richard went with me to his mansion. His Lordship was not at home, and we were directed to call on a certain day. It happened that Sir Richard was then engaged, and I went to his Lordship myself. The great hurly porter, who wore a rich livery trimmed with gold lace, would scarcely admit me within the door, when he found I had not a letter of introduction. I explained to him my business with his Lordship, but it was of no use, he could not send my message up. A fine table, with pens and paper, was near the window of the hall, and in my simplicity I made a move towards it, saying, I could soon write a note to his Lordship; but he said he could not allow me to write there, it was contrary to orders, and would cost him his place if the other servants saw me. I accordingly bundled out, and went to a tavern, and wrote a note, which took back; the porter then took the note, and told me to come again in about twenty minutes, or half an hour. It was raining, and I had nowhere to go under cover, save the tavern, so I went there again-not much liking, however, this mode of noble housekeeping-and waited with impatience the time for the noble interview. I again went; and now the folding doors were thrown open long before I arrived at the steps-the late surly porter received me with a respetful inclination and a smile, say-prisoners were without council; and though ing my note had been sent up, and his Lord- Hunt condescended to take plenty of assisship would see me. He then rang a bell, and tance in private, he was too wise a man not a servant appeared, to whom the porter an- to act as his own advocate in the courtnounced my name. The servant asked me to follow him, and he led me into a very grand over which Mr. Justice Bayley presided, room, where he left me, saying his Lordship Mr. Scarlett (then a leading Whig as well would be with me in a few minutes. I had as leader of the Northern Circuit) conductnever seen any thing like the richness of this ing the case on the part of the Crown;

I

Mr. Bamford's petition having been duly presented and disposed of, he returned to Middleton, to prepare for the great trial at He and several of the other poor

York.

We shall not re-enter on the serious part of the business, but some of Mr. Bamford's minor details are not to be passed over :

the matter, Hunt said, "Bamford, you will be noon of that day. Whilst we were talking of

called on to address the court the first of all

would use it. Mr. Scarlet colored, but he good-humoredly took the phial, and, having smelled, he politely returned it with thanks, which the Doctor as politely acknowledged: 'Every night Hunt retired with his friends, oftener afterwards, and the Doctor then, perthe same ceremony was repeated once, if not discussing the occurrences of the day, and pre-fectly satisfied, gave up the farce. paring for the next; consequently, he came into court ready at all points, and like a loaded Monday, the fourth day of trial, that the prose'It became apparent towards the noon of gun, he only required a sudden impulse to make a grand discharge. Under these circum-cutors were about to close their case, and that stances, it was no wonder that he performed the defence must be commenced on the afterso well; that he appeared to be so greatly talented, whilst his co-defendants had not credit for the talent which some of them really pos- the defendants." I said I thought that scarcely sessed. This was just the position which Hunt wished himself and us to occupy. He probable, as we should most likely be called in would be all in all, and he could not endure the order in which our names stood in the inthat the humblest of us should come betwixt dictment. Hunt said he knew that was conthe public and himself; that the smallest sha- templated by the opposing counsel, and pardow should intercept one ray of his luminous ticularly by Mr. Scarlet, who wanted to bring presence. This intense selfishness was conhim out in the evening when he was exhausted, stantly displayed in all his actions. I saw it the court wearied, and the public satiated and and was astonished; I could not account for it listless. But-with an oath-he said he was not to be taken aback that way; he was too old a except by condemning him; and that was not to be thought of; though the facts came oozing Mr. Bamford, by bird to be caught by such a manœuvre. "Now, out like water-drops; I could not harbor an what you must do if called this afternoon." ," he said, "I'll tell you unkind thought of our leader: "it was his ""it was the way of great folks;" "it "Well, what should I do?" I inquired. "You way;" was perhaps necessary that he should do so-what's that?" "You must keep possession must talk against time." "Talk against time!

and so."

Healey was one of the five defendants who had a seat at the barristers' table. On the second day, Mr. Scarlet had a smelling-bottle which he frequently used, and then laid on the

table before him. Our friend the Doctor was

you must talk to put on time, in order to preof the court an hour and a half," he said; vent them from calling on me, under any cirwhat Scarlet is aiming at, and we must play cumstances, to-night. I know well that is seated nearly opposite to the learned gentle-But I am not prepared with matter for an our game so as to put it beyond his power." man; and I observed him once or twice cast hour and a half's speech-I should break down very desirous looks towards the phial whilst the barrister was using it. Mr. Scarlet, howif I attempted it." "Don't mind that—don't ever, did not, or affected not to notice our surmind any thing-only keep on." "I should gical friend, and at last, the patience of the make myself look like a fool; and they would latter being tried beyond control, he leaned be laughing at me, and stopping me."across the table and very respectfully solicited "Pshaw! and suppose they did, you could listhe loan of the bottle, which was readily grant- ten, and, when they had done, begin again." ed: "Oh yes, Doctor! by all means," said "Say! say any thing-the d-est nonsense "But I should not know what to say."Mr. Scarlet, politely handing it to him, who in the world; never mind what you say—only immediately applied it to his nose, and evinced its pugency by very zestful sneezing, which obliged him to apply his handkerchief to his Of course there was some tittering around the table, and Mr. Scarlet was declared to have "taken the Doctor fairly by the nose." Hunt laughed till his eyes were brimful, whilst Healey sat quite unconscious and serious. Soon after the bottle was returned with compliments, and the trial claimed our attention. On the third day Mr. Scarlet did not bring the smelling-bottle, and the Doctor seemed disappointed. On the fourth day the Doctor lugged a long square smelling bottle out of his pocket and laid it down before him. Mr. Scarlet took no notice.

eyes.

keep on until they cannot call me to-day."
Something like a glimmer of the naked truth
flashed across my reluctant mind; and I re-
plied, "No, Mr. Hunt, I will not do as you de-
sire; I will not exhibit myself before this court
as a fool; I will speak as long as I can speak to
the purpose, and with common sense. I would
I was prepared for the task; but I am not, and
speak until dark if that would serve you, and
I won't make myself ridiculous "
"C Very
well," said Hunt, and looked another way,
quite cool and distant.'-Vol. ii. pp. 75–77.

Bamford acquitted himself well. Mr. The Doctor smelled and laid it Scarlett complimented him, in his reply, on down. Mr. Scarlet took no notice. The Doc the talent he had exhibited, and also on the tor smelled again. Mr. Scarlet did not see

him. At length, determined not to be out-respectful manner of his defence. The jury, done in generosity, the Doctor thrust it towards however, had not the slightest difficulty Mr. Scarlet with a bow, and a request that he in finding all the prisoners guilty of a se

ditious misdemeanor; and they were or-term home, with all its domestic comforts and dered to renew their recognizances, and associations, properly understood. May it appear before the Court of King's Bench in long continue the home of the brave! and London, on the first day of next term, to reeventually become the home of the really free! 'There had been some rain a few days beceive judgment. fore; the Trent had been flooded, and of all the verdant pastures I have ever beheld, none have surpassed the rich, vivid green of the meadows betwixt Shardlow and Kegworth. As the sweet air came across them, cooling one's dewy brows, one almost felt tempted to stop and seek an abiding place in that delicious valley.

Poor Bamford had naturally expected that the well-drilled Middleton patriots would supply their laureate and leader with funds for his trip to London-but he was disappointed. The contributions amounted in all to one shilling :—

'I took my way down Middleton and towards 'During our walk we had a a very agreeable Manchester. I could not but reflect that when chat: I entered into some particulars of my I went that way on the 16th of August, there early life, and into matters always interesting were ten thousand with me ready to shout, to females-namely, the histories of some tensing, or do whatever I requested; now, as if der attachments which I had formed, but they were afraid I should want something which had lapsed, either through my own infrom them, not a soul came forth to say, "God difference, or, as I was pleased to suppose, the be with you." One or two whom I saw on faithlessness of the objects I loved. This the road did, as they passed, ask if I was "going seemed to touch a tender chord in my comoff," to which I replied by a nod. The words panion: she was all attention, and when I stuck in my throat; I was ashamed both for paused, she put questions which compelled me myself and them; ashamed of my past folly, to resume my narrative. I spoke of the noble and of their present faithlessness. Reader, and exalted pleasures of true affection, and that shilling was the only Middleton coin which pictured the sickening pangs of love betrayed, I had in my pocket when I started for London and the unhappiness which must eventually to receive judgment. So much for the shouting, haunt the betrayer, whether man or woman. huzzaing, and empty applause of multitudes. I repeated some verses of poetry, which A young aspirant to public notoriety may be excused if he feel a little tickled with the shouts of adulation; but whenever I see a grey-headed orator courting such acclamations, I set him down as being a very shallow, or a very designing person'.-Vol. ii. p. 106.

heightened the picture; and at last, on looking aside, I found that her cheeks were glistening with tears. She now became more communicative, and informed me that she had somewhat to accuse herself of with respect to a young man, the first indeed whose addresses she had encouraged; that she now often On this occasion he walked all the way thought she behaved coldly towards him, withto town, and most agreeable is his descrip- out any just cause, and that in consequence tion of the journey. For two or three days his friends knew what had become of him; the lad enlisted, and joined his regiment before he travelled in company with a sturdy brick-that she soon afterwards was married, and he setter and his very pretty wife, who were was killed in battle. Weeping freely, she adbound for her native place, Loughborough.ded, that at times she accused herself of havOn the last of these days the bricksetter being been the cause of his death. I consoled coming footsore, accepts a seat in a wagon, and the young woman is left alone with our friend Bamford, who well knew how to shorten the way for his comely and intelligent fellow-pedestrian :

her as well as I could, by the reflection that her conduct appeared to have arisen more from youthful carelessness than want of feeling. She said he was an only child, and his mother was still living; and she thought if she could get settled down beside the old 'We were now in a right farming country, woman, it would afford her some consolation where large stacks, barns, and cattle-sheds to assist her, and be a child to her in her old were quite common on the road-sides. The age. I approved of this with all my heart; roads were broad and in good condition, and and now being. at Kegworth, we stepped into there were very often wide slips of good land a public-house and waited the arrival of the on each side, apparently much trodden by cat-cart, which soon came up; and after a cup or tle. Occasionally we came to a neat, homely- two of ale betwixt John and myself, and a looking cottage, with perhaps a large garden, whiff of tobacco, we set forward, and a short and a potato-ground attached, and with rose-journey through a pleasant neighborhood shrubs and honey-bines clustered around the brought us to Loughborough. door. These were specimens of our real English homes; there was no mistaking them; in no other country do such exist; and he or she who leaves this land expecting to meet with like homes in foreign ones, will be miserably disappointed. In England alone is the

'Nothing would satisfy my fellow-travellers but my accompanying them to the house of the old folks, as they called them. I was not much averse to going with them, especially as I knew that I must stop somewhere in the town all night. I accordingly accompanied them

"And why not, mother? my other mother"— he said, trying to force a smile. "Why not call at a house where I left friends, and mayhap a little of something more than friendship?"

along several streets and turnings, until we were in a humble but decent-looking thoroughfare, when, knocking at the door, the woman in a whisper told me her parents lived there. A tall, venerable looking dame opened the Nothing beyond friendship now, Robert," door, and in a moment our female traveller said the mother, endeavoring to appear cool. was locked in her arms. A cheerful, clear- "Why, where is Margaret ?" he said, "I complexioned old man at the same time got up hope nothing has befallen her?" from his chair and shook John heartily by the "Margaret is your friend," said the old wohand; and on John mentioning me as a fellow- man; "but she is nothing more now. Yontraveller, he gave me a like frank reception. der sits her husband," pointing to John. He them embraced his daughter; and when 'John advanced towards the young man and the first emotions of tenderness were over, we took his his hand; and, looking towards Marsat down to a very comfortable but homely re-garet, said he believed she had been his wife fection, and the family party hecame quite about two years. cheerful and communicative. Meantime, the news had got abroad amongst the neighbors, several came in, and in a short time we were joined by a fine-looking girl, a younger daughter of the old folks, who had been at work in one of the manufactories. In short, we had a joyful family and neighborly meeting; liquor was sent for; a young fellow tuned up his fiddle, and the old couple led off a dance, which was followed by others; liquor was brought in abundance, and the hours flew uncounted.

'John and I, and the old man, were seated in a corner smoking and conversing, when I observed the younger sister come in somewhat fluttered. She took the old mother and her sister aside, and by the expression of their countenances, and the motion of her hands, I perceived that something troublesome and mysterious had occurred. In fact, she was explaining to them, as I afterwards learned, that in going to the public-house for more liquor, she had to pass a stage-coach which was stopped, and that, on looking up, she saw a young soldier getting off the coach, with his knapsack slung on one shoulder, and a foraging-cap pulled over his face; but she saw enough to convince her that he was Robert-the same who once courted her sister, and who, they had heard, was killed in battle. This news, as may be imagined, was soon known in the house, and caused a great sensation, particularly amongst the women. We had just learned the cause of their whisperings, when the door opened, and a young fellow, pale, slender, and well-formed, wearing regimentals and an undress cap, with a knapsack properly adjusted, stepped respectfully into the room, and, seeing the old woman, he put out his hand and took hers, and spoke to her affectionately, calling her mother. She gazed a moment on his face, as if incredulous of what she beheld. The company had drawn in a half circle at a distance around them; John, myself, and the old man, kept our seats; the younger sister stood beside her mother, and the married one was on a low seat behind her.

"The soldier trembled, and staggered to a seat.

'Margaret got up and gave her hand to the young soldier, saying she welcomed him home with all the regard of a sister. She was now married, as he had heard, and was about to settle in Loughborough; and if he had never returned, his old mother should not have wanted the tender offices of a child whilst she lived.

"Thank you, Margaret," he said; "that is some consolation; you would'nt neglect my old mother, I know." He put his hands over his eyes, and burst into tears.

"I would not, Robert," she said; "and if in former times I did not value you, as perhaps you deserved, I was willing to make the only atonement I could, by cheering the drooping years of your supposed childless parent." "That is very good!" 66 very fair on both sides!" "very handsome!" said a number of voices. Neither of the interested parties spoke they were both deeply affected.

"The old woman and youngest daughter then conducted Margaret into another room. The old man shook hands with the soldier, and endeavored to cheer him. Meantime, information had been conveyed to Robert's mother, and she now entered the room, shaking and leaning on a stick. The meeting was most tender; it was such as could only take place betwixt a parent and child equally affectionate. The dancing had at first been given up; a warm, substantial supper was in a short time spread on the board; Robert and his mother took some of the refreshment, and then went home; Margaret did not make her appearance. Shortly after supper I was conducted to lodgings at an inn, and spent most of the night in confused dreams of the strange scenes which, like those of romance, had passed before me.

The following morning I breakfasted at the old folks', according to promise. I asked not any question, nor did I hear anything further. Margaret's eyes appeared as if she had been weeping. John was attentive to her, and she seemed as if she valued his attentions; but

"I scarcely know what to say to you, Rob-could not entirely cast the weight from her ert," said the old woman. "I am glad to see you have escaped death, for your mother's sake; but I almost wish you had not called here to-night."

heart. I left the family, to pursue my way, and John accompanied me as far as Quorn, where we parted, and I never saw him afterwards.'-Vol. ii. pp. 112-117.