ery, my father, whose yearning for a return to the old roof-tree
was irresistible, prepared for our departure from the metropolis.

Curiously enough, we passed through Prosperous, exactly on the
anniversary of the day when we had so providentially effected an
invasion from certain destruction. Were aught required to elicit
gratitude for a fortunate escape, two objects, and both visible
from the inn windows, would have been sufficient. One was a mass
of blackened ruins--the scathed walls of the barrack, in which the
wretched garrison had been so barbarously done to death: the other
a human head impaled upon a spike on the gable of the building. That
blanched skull had rested on the shoulders of our traitor host, and
we, doomed to "midnight murder," were mercifully destined to witness a
repulsive, but just evidence, that Providence interposes often between
the villain and the victim.

I am certain that in my physical construction, were an analysis
practicable, small would be the amount of heroic proportions which
the most astute operator would detect. I may confess the truth, and
say, that in "lang syne," any transient ebullition of military ardor
vanished at a glance from Constance's black eye. The stream of time
swept on, and those that were, united their dust with those that had
been. In a short time my letter of readiness may be expected; and I
shall, in nature's course, after the last march, as Byron says, ere
long

"Take my rest."

And will the succession end with me? Tell it not to Malthes, nor
whisper it to Harriet Martineau. There is no prospect of advertising
for the next of kin, i.e. if five strapping boys and a couple of the
fair sex may be considered a sufficient security.

[Footnote 2: An Irish term for wearing jockey-boots.]

[Footnote 3: An Irish gentleman shot in a duel in lang syne, was
poetically described as having been left "quivering on a daisy."]

[Footnote 4: In Ireland this functionary's operations are not confined
to the dead, but extend very disagreeably to the living.]

* * * * *

No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic
satisfaction. A man is pleased that his wife is dressed as well
as other people, and the wife is pleased that she is so well
dressed.--_Dr. Johnson._

* * * * *

THE IVORY MINE:

A TALE OF THE FROZEN SEA.

IV.--THE FROZEN SEA.

Ivan soon found himself received into the best