ht. I remember, Mrs. Siddons had a majestic manner of
extending her arm as she left the stage. 'What grace!' said the world,
with tears in its eyes, 'what dignity! what a wonderful way of extending
an arm! you see her whole soul is in the part!' The arm was in reality
stretched impatiently out for a pinch from the snuff-box that was always
in readiness behind the scenes."

It is my misfortune, Reader, to be rapidly bored. I cannot sit out a
sermon, much less a play; amusement is the most tedious of human pursuits.

"You are tired of this, surely," said I to the Devil; "let us go!"

"Whither?" said Asmodeus.

"Why, 'tis a starlit night, let us ride over to Paris, and sup, as you
promised, at the Rocher de Cancale."

"_Volontiers_."

Away--away--away--into the broad still Heavens, the stars dancing merrily
above us, and the mighty heart of the City beating beneath the dusky
garment of Night below.

"Let us look down," said Asmodeus; "what a wilderness of houses! shall I
uncover the roofs for you, as I did for Don Cleofas; or rather, for it is
an easier method, shall I touch your eyes with my salve of penetration,
and enable you to see at once through the wall?"

"You might as well do so; it is pleasant to feel the power, though at
present I think it superfluous; wherever I look, I can only see rogues and
fools, with a stray honest man now and then, who is probably in prison."

Asmodeus touched my eyes with a green salve, which he took out of an
ivory box, and all at once, my sight being directed towards a certain
palace I beheld * * * *

* * * * *

THE GATHERER.

A clergyman preaching in the neighbourhood of Wapping, observing that most
part of his audience were in the seafaring way, very naturally embellished
his discourse with several nautical tropes and figures. Amongst other
things, he advised them "to be ever on the watch, so that on whatsoever
tack the evil one should bear down on them, he might be crippled in
action." "Ay, master," said a son of Neptune, "but let me tell you, that
will depend upon your having the weather gage of him."

* * * * *

A poacher escaping one morn with his pillage,
Unexpectedly met with the lord of the village;
Who seeing a hare o'er his shoulder was thrown,
Hail'd him quickly, "You fellow is that hare your own."
"My own!" he replied, "you inquisitive prig,
Gad's curse, pompous sir, d