opted as necessary
for the good of his country, and had the glory of being almost
universally thanked for his share in bringing about their triumph! Let
young literary men particularly take this duly to heart, for it may
save them from many a bitter pang in their latter days.

FOOTNOTES:

[3] 'Lord Eskgrove, a judge, who consoled a friend he was obliged to
banish, by assuring him that there really were places in the world,
such as England, for example, where a man, though out of Scotland,
might live with some little comfort.'

THE MOONLIGHT RIDE.

A number of years ago, a gentleman in Clydesdale offered me a
situation as head-groom, which I accepted. He had one horse which was
kept in a stable by himself, and was, without exception, the ugliest
and most savage animal of his kind I had ever seen. There was not a
single point of a strong or a fast horse about him. He was as black as
charcoal; he was named Satan, and richly did he deserve the name. He
would fly at you, like a dog, with his teeth; attempt to beat you down
with his fore-feet; and strike round a corner at you with his hind
ones. He had beaten off all the rough-riders, grooms, and jockeys in
that part of the country.

After being in the place for a few days, I was asked by the gentleman,
if I thought I could make anything of Satan. I replied, that if he
beat me, he would be the only horse which had ever done so; but still
I considered him to be by far the most savage I had ever seen. 'Try
him to-morrow at one o'clock,' said he, as he turned to go away: 'I
will have a few friends with me to see how you succeed.'

I determined, however, to try him that night, and without any witness
to see whether I succeeded or not. My room was over the stables, and
as the moon did not rise till eleven o'clock, I threw myself upon the
bedclothes, and, contrary to my intention, fell asleep. When I awoke,
it was twelve, the moon was shining brightly, and rendering everything
as visible as if it were day.

I went down to the stable with a bridle prepared for the purpose, and
a heavily-loaded whip in my hand. I knew that it would be impossible
to saddle him; and, indeed, I should be safer on his bare back, in the
event of his throwing himself down. I opened the stable-door gently,
and there he was prone on his side, his legs and neck stretched out,
as I have often seen horses lying after sore fatigue. I clapped my
knee upon his head, loosed the collar that bound hi