of the Marquis of Rockingham,
a new Ministry was formed in England, and the Duke of Portland recalled
from his viceroyalty, to be succeeded by Lord Temple. The changes that
were like to ensue upon this new appointment were actively discussed in
society, and now formed the subject of conversation on the balcony.

"You will be at large again, Barry," said one of the group; "these new
people won't know your value."

"Pardon me!" cried he, laughing, "I'm handed over with Cotterell and the
state coach, as functionaries that cannot be easily replaced. Let them
try and manage Dublin without me! I defy them! Who knows every flaw and
crack of reputation, every damaged character, and every tarnished fame,
as I do? Who can tell each man's price, from knowing his weak points?
Who can play off the petty jealousies of rivals against each other;
disgust them with their party; and buy them cheap for the Castle? Who
but Barry Rutledge? I'll offer a wager of five hundred that there is not
a family secret I can't have the key to within one week."

"What the devil ever induced you to take up such a career?" asked a
deep-voiced, burly-looking country gentleman.

"The turf gave me the hint," said Rutledge, coolly. "I lost every
sixpence I once possessed, when I backed this horse, or betted on that
one. I regained a considerable share of my loss when I limited myself to
looking out for what they style 'disqualifications,'--to discover that
Wasp was n't a two-year-old, or that Muffin was clean bred; that Terry
had won before, and that Ginger was substituted for another. I saw that
political life was pretty much the same kind of game, and that there
would be a grand opening for the first fellow that brought his racing
craft to bear on the great world of state affairs. I 'm sure others will
follow out the line, and doubtless eclipse all the cleverness of Barry
Rutledge; but, at all events, they can't deny him the merit of the
invention. They talk to you about skilful secretaries and able debaters:
I tell you flatly I 've got more votes for the Government than any one
of them all, and just in the way I 've mentioned. Was it Dick Talbot's
convictions, or his wife's losses at lqo that made him join us last
session? How did Rowley come over? Ask Harvey Bruce who horsewhipped him
in the mess-room at Kells. Why did Billy Hamilton desert his party? Lady
Mary may tell you; and if she won't, George Gordon, of the Highlanders,
can. What's the use of go