down into the midshipmen's
berth; but he made himself very unpleasant, quarrelling and wrangling
with every body. It did not, however, last very long; for he would not
obey any orders that were given to him. On the third day, he quitted
the ship without asking the permission of the first lieutenant; when
he returned on board the following day, the first lieutenant put him
under an arrest, and in charge of the sentry at the cabin door. During
the afternoon I was under the half-deck, and perceived that he was
sharpening a long clasp knife upon the after truck of the gun. I went
up to him, and asked him why he was doing so, and he replied, as his
eyes flashed fire, that it was to revenge the insult offered to the
bluid of M'Foy. His look told me that he was in earnest. "But what do
you mean?" inquired I. "I mean," said he, drawing the edge and feeling
the point of his weapon, "to put into the wheam of that man with the
gold podge on his shoulder, who has dared to place me here."

I was very much alarmed, and thought it my duty to state his murderous
intentions, or worse might happen; so I walked up on deck and told the
first lieutenant what M'Foy was intending to do, and how his life was
in danger. Mr. Falcon laughed, and shortly afterwards went down on the
main-deck. M'Foy's eyes glistened, and he walked forward to where the
first lieutenant was standing; but the sentry, who had been cautioned
by me, kept him back with his bayonet. The first lieutenant turned
round, and perceiving what was going on, desired the sentry to see if
Mr. M'Foy had a knife in his hand; and he had it sure enough, open,
and held behind his back. He was disarmed, and the first lieutenant,
perceiving that the lad meant mischief, reported his conduct to the
captain, on his arrival on board. The captain sent for M'Foy, who was
very obstinate, and when taxed with his intention would not deny it,
or even say that he would not again attempt it; so he was sent on
shore immediately, and returned to his friends in the Highlands. We
never saw any more of him; but I heard that he obtained a commission
in the army, and three months after he had joined his regiment, was
killed in a duel, resenting some fancied affront offered to the bluid
of M'Foy.--_Metropolitan_

* * * * *

NOTES OF A READER

* * * * *

A CHANCELLOR'S START IN LIFE.

(_FROM THE DOUBLE TRIAL_.)

Thurlow had travelle