ime that these things were done and celebrated; but remember
this, that society may change its place, states and empires may rise and
be consolidated, but patriotism still lives enduring and undying as of
yore! And who shall dare to say that patriotism was not the motive of
M'Wilkin? Who shall presume to analyse or to blame the instinct which
may have driven him to the deed? Call him not a felon--call him rather a
poet; for over his kindling imagination fell the mighty shadow of the
past. Old thoughts, old feelings, old impulses, were burning in his
soul. He saw in Gubbins, not the grazier, but the lawless spoiler of his
country; and he rose, as a Borderer should, to vindicate the honour of
his race. He may have been mistaken in what he did, but the motive, at
least, was pure. Honour it then, gentlemen, for it is the same motive
which is at all times the best safeguard of a nation's independence; and
do honour likewise to yourselves by pronouncing a unanimous verdict of
acquittal in favour of the prisoner at the bar!"

By the time I had finished this harangue, I was wrought up to such a
pitch of enthusiasm, that I really considered M'Wilkin in the light of
an extremely ill-used individual, and the tears stood in my eyes as I
recapitulated the history of his wrongs. Several of the jury, too, began
to get extremely excited, and looked as fierce as falcons when I
reminded them of the field of Flodden. But my hopes were considerably
damped when I heard the charge of his lordship. With all respect for the
eminent Senator who that day presided on the bench, I think he went
rather too far when he designated my maiden-effort a rhapsody which
could only be excused on account of the inexperience of the gentleman
who uttered it. Passing from that unpleasant style of stricture, he went
_seriatim_ over all the crimes of M'Wilkin, and very distinctly
indicated his opinion that a more consummate ruffian had seldom figured
in the dock. When he concluded, however, there was a good deal of
whispering in the jury-box, and at last the gentlemen of the assize
requested permission to retire.

"That was a fine flare-up of yours, Freddy," said Anthony Whaup, the
only other counsel for the prisoners upon the circuit. "You came it
rather strong, though, in the national line. I don't think our venerable
friend overhead half likes your ideas of international law."

"Why, yes--I confess he gave me a tolerable wigging. But what would you
have me d