own minds of what sort of a woman the heroine really was. We vaguely knew she was beautiful, at the beginning of the description; and we know just as much-just as vaguely-at the end.

Penetrated with the conviction above-mentioned, I prefer leaving the reader (assisted by a striking likeness in the frontispiece) to form his own realisation of the personal appearance of the customer at Messrs. Dunball and Dark's. Eschewing the magnificent beauties of his acquaintance, let him imagine her to be like any pretty intelligent girl whom he knows-any of those pleasant little fire-side angels, who can charm us even in a merino morning gown, darning an old pair of socks. Let this be the sort of female reality in the reader's mind; and neither author, nor heroine, need have any reason to complain.

Well; our young lady came to the counter, and asked for lip-salve. The assistant, vanquished at once by the potent charm of her presence, paid her the first little tribute of politeness in his power, by asking permission to send the gallipot home for her.

"I beg your pardon, miss," said he; "but I think

you live lower down, at No. 12. I was passing; and I think I saw you going in there, yesterday, with an old gentleman, and another gentleman-I think I did, miss ? "

"Yes :

we lodge at No. 12," said the young girl; "but I will take the lip-salve home with me, if you please. I have a favour, however, to ask

of

you before I go," she continued very modestly, but without the slightest appearance of embarrassment; "if you have room to hang this up in your window, my grandfather, Mr. Wray, would feel much obliged kindness."

by your

And here, to the utter astonishment of the young assistant, she handed him a piece of card-board, with a string to hang it up by, on which appeared the following inscription, neatly written:

“Mr. Reuben Wray, pupil of the late celebrated John Kemble, Esquire, begs respectfully to inform his friends and the public that he gives lessons in elocution, delivery, and reading aloud, price twoand-sixpence the lesson of an hour. Pupils prepared for the stage, or private theatricals, on a principle combining intelligent interpretation of the text, with

the action of the arms and legs adopted by the late illustrious Roscius of the English stage, J. Kemble, Esquire; and attentively studied from close observation of Mr. J. K. by Mr. R. W. Orators and clergymen improved (with the strictest secresy), at three-and-sixpence the lesson of an hour. Impediments and hesitation of utterance combated and removed. Young ladies taught the graces of delivery, and young gentlemen the proprieties of diction. A discount allowed to schools and large classes. Please to address, Mr. Reuben Wray (late of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), 12, High-street, Tidbury-on-the-Marsh.”

No Babylonian inscription that ever was cut, no manuscript on papyrus that ever was penned, could possibly have puzzled the young assistant more than this remarkable advertisement. He read it all through in a state of stupefaction; and then observed, with a bewildered look at the young girl on the other side of the counter;

"Very nicely written, miss; and very nicely composed indeed ! I suppose in fact, I'm sure

some strong wooden construction being gradually rent asunder. It was Mr. Dunball himself, squeezing his way out of the Branch Bank box, and coming to examine the advertisement.

He read it all through very attentively, following each line with his forefinger; and then cautiously and gently laid the card-board down on the counter. When I state that neither Mr. Dunball nor his assistant were quite certain what a "Roscius of the English stage" meant, or what precise branch of human attainment Mr. Wray designed to teach in teaching "Elocution," I do no injustice either to

master or man.

He

"So you want this hung up in the window, myin the window, miss?" asked Mr. Dunball. was about to say, "my dear;" but something in the girl's look and manner stopped him.

"If you could hang it up without inconvenience, sir."

"May I ask what's your name? and where you come from?"

"My name is Annie Wray; and the last place we came from was Stratford-upon-Avon."

"Ah! indeed-and Mr. Wray teaches, does he?

-elocution for half-a-crown-eh?"

"My grandfather only desires to let the inhabitant of this place know that he can teach those who wish it, to speak or read with a good delivery and a proper pronunciation."

a

Mr. Dunball felt rather puzzled by the straightforward, self-possessed manner in which he branch banker, a chemist, and a municipal authority -was answered by little Annie Wray. He took up the advertisement again; and walked away to read it a second time in the solemn monetary seclusion of the back shop.

The young assistant followed.. "I think they're respectable people, sir," said he, in a whisper; "I was passing when the old gentleman went into No. 12, yesterday. The wind blew his cloak on one side, and I saw him carrying a large cash-box under it-I did indeed, sir; and it seemed a heavy one."

"Cash-box!" cried Mr. Dunball.

"What does a

man with a cash-box want with elocution, and two-andsixpence an hour? Suppose he should be a swindler!"