"Very rarely,” replied the wonder ing Mr Wag.

"Well," continued his guest, "take that paper to light your next with. Put it in your pocket, and don't look at it till I'm gone. Hem! Tom's master says he will make a good scholar; so, if you've no objection, I was thinking he might as well go to college in a year or two. Not in your I know way, perhaps? Never mind. some of the big-wigs. See all right, and enter his name. Should have one parson in a large family, eh?"

Here Mrs Wag could no longer refrain from giving vent to her overcharged feelings by certain incoherent ejaculations, which terminated in a flood of tears.

"Humph!" said the old gentleman, 66 my spectacles want wiping;" and he took the opportunity of rubbing them and blowing his nose, while Jeremiah was comforting the wife of his bosom, and telling her not to be so foolish, although he could scarcely avoid snivelling himself.

"Hem! ahem!" resumed their guest; "think I've got some of the mince pie sticking in my throat. Stupid old fellow to eat so much, eh?"

"Better take another glass of wine, sir," said Jeremiah. "Give me leave, sir, to pour it out.'

"No, no!" exclaimed Mrs Wag, starting up and smiling through her tears, let me! Nobody else! God bless you, sir!"

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"And you, too!" ejaculated the old gentleman gayly; come, that's a challenge! Glasses round! and then we must say, good-night. Don't let us make a dull end of a merry evening."

Warm benedictions were forthwith uttered, and the "compliments of the season" were wished, with more than common sincerity, by all three, as their glasses met gingling together. Then, the whimsical guest tossed off his wine, jumped up, shook his hosts heartily by the hand, wished them good-night, and sallied into the shop to find his cloak. Mr and Mrs Wag followed, and expressed a hope that he would honour their Christmas dinner by his presence on the following day; but all they could draw from him was-"Can't promise. Ate and drank a little too much to-night, perhaps. Getting shockingly old. See

how I am in the morning. Enjoyed myself this evening. A jolly set of Wags altogether! Merry Wags all, eh? Young and old. Well, well, wag along happily, my dear Mr and Mrs Wag! Good-night!" and after once more shaking hands with them, he nimbly whisked himself out at the shop-door, and trotted across to the King's Arms.

No sooner were the worthy couple alone, than curiosity led them to examine the piece of paper which their benefactor had presented to Jeremiah for the purpose of lighting his pipe; and it proved to be the promissory note which the latter had signed for the first thousand pounds. The donor's intention was plain enough, as it was regularly cancelled, so Mrs Wag was obliged to use her pockethandkerchief once more; and her spouse, after striding three or four times rapidly across the room, felt himself also under the necessity of taking out his, and blowing his nose with unusual vehemence. Then they congratulated and comforted each other, and said their prayers, and offered up their thanksgivings with a fervour and sincerity that proved they were not unworthy of their good fortune. Then they retired to rest, though not immediately to sleep, for they were each beset by strange waking dreams, and beheld in their minds' eye a black clerical Wag, two longcoated little blue Wags, with yellow nether investments, and other Wags of sorted sizes, but all very happy.

On the following morning, being Christmas day, our fortunate shopkeeper equipped himself in his best apparel, and, before breakfast, stepped across the road, and found Mr Titus Twist rubbing his eyes in his own gateway. Mutual salutations, and

66

compliments of the season," were exchanged in good neighbourly style, and then mine host exclaimed, "There's a box here for you, Master Wag, left by that queer little old gentleman. I'm sure he's cracked! In he comes here yesterday, just after dark, posting in his own carriage. Well, he orders up any thing as we happened to have ready, and I sets him down to as good a dinner as ever any gentleman need sit down to, though I say it, because why, you see, our larder's pretty considerably well stocked at this season, So down he sits,

rubbing his hands, and seeming as pleased as Punch, and orders a bottle of wine; but, before he'd been ten minutes at table, up he jumps, claps on his cloak and hat, and runs smack out o' the house, and never comes back again till past eleven at night, when he pays his bill, and orders horses for six o'clock this morning."

"Is he gone, then?" exclaimed Jeremiah.

"Off, sure enough," replied Titus ; "but he's left a great box for you, which I was just going to send over. So, I suppose you and he have some dealings together."

"Yes," said Mr Wag, "I shall have cause to bless and thank him the latest day I have to live; but I wish he had stopped here to-day. Well, God bless him, wherever he's gone. Hark ye, neighbour-you have often heard me speak of having a friend well, that's him. I don't know why, but he's taken a fancy to me and my wife and family, and has done for us more than you'd believe, if I was to tell you. However, we can chat that over another day, as I can't stop now, as Mrs Wag and the children are waiting breakfast. But where's the box? I'll take it with me, if you please."

"If two of the strongest fellows in my yard can take it over, it's as much as they can," replied Titus. "How ever, they shall try; and I hope you'll come over this afternoon and crack a bottle of my best to drink the little queer old gentleman's health. But, mind me, he's cracked to a certainty, and you'll find it out some of these days."

The box was accordingly delivered, and, on being opened, was found to contain a dozen separate packages, each directed for one member of the Wag family, the largest for Jeremiah, the father, and the smallest for little Philip, a "rising three" year old Wag. Their contents were far too various for precise specification, but could not have been more judiciously appropriated nor more gratefully received, so that Christmas day was a day of rejoicing; and the only regret felt by one and all the Wags was, that their very kind friend had not stayed to spend it with them.

When the festive season was over, matters went on as usual with Jeremiah, save that perhaps there was

NO. CCC, VOL. XLVIII.

more of cheerfulness in his manner while pursuing his course of steady industry. The fact was, that he never now felt perplexed about money affairs, which were wont formerly to occupy much of his time by day, and cause him many sleepless hours by night. Those who called for payment were as welcome as those who came to pay, and consequently his credit stood high; and the travellers and London houses strove, by tempting bargains and peculiar attention in 66 selecting the best articles, to complete his kind orders," to keep his name upon their books. So he went on and prospered in all his undertakings, and in the course thereof visited the metropolis to make purchases, and, when there, called upon Mr Goodfellow, who gave him a hearty welcome, but could not be persuaded to reveal the name of his eccentric client, though he scrupled not to say that he was in good health, adding, with a smile," and in perfect possession of his intellects."

Jeremiah next endeavoured to worm the secret from his bankers, but with no better success. The partner who received him, assured him that the steady increase and respectability of his account had wrought such an impression in a quarter which he was not permitted to name, that their house would feel much pleasure in making advances, whenever any thing advantageous offered itself for purchase.

"It is wonderful!" exclaimed Jeremiah.

"A good character, my dear sir," observed the banker, "is every thing in trade. We are dealers in money; and nothing pleases us more than placing it where we know it is safe, and have every reason to suppose it may be useful."

"But," observed Jeremiah, "you know nothing about me."

"I beg your pardon, Mr Wag," said the banker; "you are what we call a good man, and have got a back."

"A back!" exclaimed the bewildered shopkeeper.

"Yes," said the banker, smiling, "that is, a good friend to your back; and, though he chooses to keep him. self in the background, depend upon it he'll not forsake you so long as you go on as you have done. Therefore, buy away for ready cash as largely as

2 M

you please, and we'll honour your drafts.'

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On this hint Jeremiah subsequently acted, by making purchases which enabled him to serve his customers on terms that defied all competition." Therefore, and by dint of strict attention and civility, his trade continued to increase, till he was obliged to add warehouses to his shop, and employ a regular clerk and collector, besides shopmen, porters, and waggoner.

In the meanwhile young Tom Wag studied Latin and Greek with a neigh bouring curate; William and Stephen were, in due course, admitted into the Blue-coat School, and the education of the other children went on precisely as had been recommended by their eccentric benefactor, whose advice Mr and Mrs Wag considered equivalent to commands. Still they were often uneasy about him, and more particularly after another Christmas eve had passed without his appearance. Poor Mrs Wag was sure he was ill, and would occasionally charge him with unkindness for not letting her know, that she might go and nurse him. But again months and months rolled away, and at last autumn arrived, and with it brought the grand dénouement of the mystery, as suddenly and unexpectedly as their former good-luck.

All the Wags who were at home were sitting round a tea-table, in the little garden at the back of the house, and Mrs Wag was sedately filling their cups, when one of the younger chil dren exclaimed, "Who's that?" Jeremiah looked round to where the child was gazing, and beheld his benefactor stealthily approaching from the back door, with an arch smile on his countenance, as though wishing to take them by surprise; but perceiving that he was discovered, he stepped nimbly forward, according to his usual custom, and holding out his hand, said, "Well, my dear Wag, how are you? How are you, my dear Mrs Wag? and how are you, young Jerry Wag, Mary Wag, Sarah Wag, Henry Wag, and Philip Wag?"

All expressed their delight at his appearance, according to their different ages and abilities, but all were evidently delighted, and none more than the strange little gentleman himself, whose eyes sparkled with gratification as he took his seat, looked

round at the joyous group, and begged to join their family party. Mrs Wag felt somewhat tremulous at first, and doubtless her visitor perceived it, as he turned his attention to the little Wags till she had finished her table arrangements and presented him with a cup of tea.

"Thank you, my good lady," said he, "that's as it should be. All merry Wags together, eh ?"

"We-we-thank God!" whimpered Mrs Wag, "we are-Yes! But its all your doing, sir. I wish I could thank-thank you—as Ì ought."

Here Jeremiah, perceiving that his spouse was too nervous to make an excellent speech, "took up the eudgels" of gratitude; but, saving that there could be no doubt of his sincerity, displayed no great oratorical talents. Brief, however, as his speeches, or rather ejaculations, were, the funny old gentleman stopped him by the apparently funny observation,

"So, my good Jeremiah Wag, you don't know where your father came from?"

"No, sir, indeed," replied the shopkeeper, marvelling at the oddity of the question.

"Well, then, I do," said his benefactor; "I was determined to find it out, because the name is so uncommon. Hard work I had, though. Merchant, to whom he was clerk, dead. Son in the West Indies. Wrote. No answer for some time-then not satisfactory. Obliged to wait till he came Long talk. No use. Well,

back. well.

day.

a

Tell you all about it another Cut it short now. Found out person at last who was intimate friend and fellow-clerk with your father. Made all right. Went down into the north. Got his register."

"Really, sir," stammered Jeremiah, "it was very kind of you, but I am sorry you should have given yourself so much trouble; but I'm sure, if I have any poor relations that I can be of service to in employing them, now that your bounty has put me in the way of doing well, I shall very glad, though I never did hear talk of any."

be

"No, Master Jeremiah," said the eccentric old gentleman, "you have no poor relations now, nor ever had; but your father had a good-for-no

thing elder brother, who left home at an early age, after your grandmother's death, and was enticed to go abroad by fair promises, which were not fulfilled. So, not having any thing agreeable to write about, he didn't write at all, like a young scamp as he was, and when the time came that he had something pleasant to communicate, it was too late, as his father was no more, and his only brother (your father) was gone nobody knew where. Well, to make a short story of it, that chap, your uncle, was knocked about in the world, sometimes up and sometimes down, but at last found himself pretty strong upon his legs, and then made up his mind to come back to Old England, where he found nobody to care for him, and went wandering hither and thither, spending his time at watering-places, and so on, for several years.'

"

"And pray, sir," enquired Jeremiah, as his respected guest paused, "Have you any idea what became of him?" "Yes, I have," replied the little gen tleman, smiling significantly at his host and hostess. "One day he arrived in a smallish town, very like this, and terribly low-spirited he was, for he'd been ill some time before, and was fretting himself to think that he had been toiling to scrape money together, and was without children or kindred to leave it to. No very plea sant reflection that, my worthy Wags, let me tell you! Well, he ordered dinner, for form's sake, at the inn, and then went yawning about the room; and then he took his stand at the window, and, looking across the road, he saw the name of Wag over a shopdoor, and then--You know all the rest! The fact is, I am a Wag, and, Jeremiah Wag, you are my nephew, and you, my dear Mrs Wag, are my niece, and so let us be merry Wags to gether!"

Here we might lay down the pen, were it not for our dislike to strut in borrowed plumes; and that inclineth us to inform the gentle reader that no part of this simple story is of our invention, except the last disclosure of the senior Wag's relationship to his namesake, which we ventured to add, fearing that the truth might appear incredible. The other facts occurred precisely as we have stated. An elderly gentleman, bearing a name more singular than Wag, returned home from India with a handsome fortune somewhat more than half a century back, and sought in vain for relatives; but one day, from the window of an inn, at which he had arrived in his own dark-green travelling chariot, he espied the shop of a namesake, whose acquaintance he instantly made. His expressed hope was to discover that they were connected by some distant tie of consanguinity; but failing in that object, after most minute investigation, he never withdrew his patronage. For many years he watched over the rising fortunes of the family; and as the young people arrived at maturity, provided for them as though they were his own children, to the extent of many thousand pounds; and when he died, left among them the whole of his property. Now, though the heart and conduct of this good man were truly benevolent, there can be no question respecting the motive of his actions, for he often avowed it. He was determined to keep up the respectability of his name; and with great pleasure we have to record that the few who now bear it, move in a much higher circle than would have been their lot but for him whose memory they hold in reverence, and consider as the founder of their family. Reader! imitate him, and "keep up" the respectability of your name.

"FACIT indignatio versum:" mere disgust at the obstinacy of British blunders in one particular quarter of our policy, makes us politicians. One often becomes a political speculator à force de s'enrager. Let any man examine de son chef-let him note the disclosures from time to time occurring of facts or secret treaties-let him compare-let him remember-he will come at length to a conclusion:-that the British press is under a "craze" -a strong maniacal delusion-with regard to Russia. We say that a man has a craze when he manifests either a false enthusiasm, or an ill-regulated enthusiasm for any object-whether it be man, book, or system. But the craze which we impute to our domestic press, takes the shape of hypochondriacal horror-of visionary terror. All assume the Czar to be the general enemy of liberty-or even of national independence and the special enemy of Great Britain. No plausible indications have ever been assigned to colour this assumption with likelihood: with willing hearers no proofs are required. "Many an empty head," it has been said, " is shaken at Aristotle." And, in the same spirit, we might say" Many a servile head, equally willing to be a slave, or to make a slave, is shaken at the Czar." Witness in particular the French nation-so willing to be the slaves of a military chieftain, provided he would aid them in riding roughshod over the liberties of other nations.

Delusions are not always or necessarily misfortunes. But this delusion is it is bad for what it causes, and for what it pre-supposes as its own cause. It causes injustice and the most perilous impolicy; and it argues a sort of infatuation. The result of this "craze" is likely enough to be, that we shall absolutely force Russia to become our enemy by the rancorous pertinacity with which we suppose her to be such. We shall make her learned in the arts of annoying us, by persisting to view every step taken in politics, under all the possible relations by which it could be made ministerial to Russian purposes of hostility: we shall suggest to the councils of St Petersburg the weak points in our own lines of defence, by so

eternally insisting on these as the ulterior objects of her policy. Every power knows her own infirmities more intimately than foreigners; and, if her journals will unmask all these in detail, for the sake of convincing people at home that such or such a Russian movement might remotely be made applicable to these infirmities, it is probable they will succeed at length in convincing somebody else besides their own readers.

Such is likely to be the result of our folly. We shall terminate in creating the danger which at present we solely imagine. But the cause implies even a nearer danger. The very same bias of feeling which turns our eyes towards Russia, turns them away from France. We are led to fear Russia because we do not fear France; or confide too much in France as having a common interest with ourselves. It is yet a stronger ground of jealousy-that from France and French journals it is that we derive our anti-Russian bias. We all know that France, without moving an inch on their behalf, doing nothing but talking, raised an uproar for the Poles which has been echoed in this

country. Whether our own or the French were the "old original" howl, we shall not ask-"non nostrum." Certainly each, whether spurious echo or authentic original, increased the other. And, as the Three Days of July 1830 confessedly reacted upon us in the shape of the Reform Bill, there is no reason to doubt that very much in each country of the craze in behalf of Poland was a mere reaction from the false enthusiasm in the other. Each nation, however, wise at least in one point, buttoned up its breeches' pocket. And into that same depository for old affronts, did each nation consign any injury or shock that might have untuned the musical system of Europe. The injury or the insult (whichever it was) inflicted through Poland, was not considered too large for pocketing; and pocketed it was. pathy with Poland was not considered large enough for unpocketing money; and unpocketed it was not. Beyond a pension of 1s. per diem to a number of Poles, varying from 480 to 620, but averaging 500 communibus annis,

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