worth while to ask him? Hitherto we had only lost time by inquiring of the natives. Alas! this one introduced to our already excited imagination a number of treacherous bogs and a wild moor, though whether they had anything to do with the pond I don't know. As we were talking, another rustic passed us. "What! Lashmere Pond?" he cried; "I'll show you the way." Our hearts bounded within us-or rather they would have done so had they been able-as we followed our friend in need. We looked around in vain for the picturesque spot our imaginations had conjured. Our conductor led us to a gate about a hundred yards distant, opened it for us, and, pointing towards the middle of the field into which it led, left us. I was glad he did. Words cannot express our feelings. In the middle of the field was a pool, which degenerated into a marsh. It was a good deal overgrown with weeds, and of small dimensions. We walked sadly round. This, then, was our picturesque lake, the long lookedfor spot! The charger exhibited a great desire to walk through, but that was too much for our feelings. We silently left the field, and made our way back to Godshill. There we obtained some tea, and made our way home.

We will never visit Lashmere Pond again.

66

Notes in General.

By TIFKINS THUDD, ESQUIRE.

DOCTOR SNEAK.

Y face is my fortune, sir, she said; " and no doubt she said truly, for most folks carry

M

their characteristic virtues or vices in their faces. It is surprising, however, what a deal of trouble some people have with their faces, and how difficult they find it to keep up an appearance of smiling virtue when their countenances are naturally the incarnation of meanness, cunning, and cant. These people are veritable actors, whose stage is their every-day life, and on that stage they wear a mask in public, taking it off when they retire to their chambers, just as teethless creatures remove their dental apparatus at bedtime.

If a man feel black, I like him to look black, and I respect him for looking so; but I instinctively recoil from a man whom I know to be a mean, contemptible, and pitiful fellow, but who always wears a face of meek humility, and who always pretends to be the very acme of amiability as long as you are looking at him.

Doctor Sneak is a man with what you may call a "perky" head of hair-slightly on the curl. He has perkily brushed whiskers and no moustache. His face is pale. His eyes are never open so as to look you full in the face, but screwed up and half-closed, and his expression gives you the notion that he tries with all his might to make people believe in his integrity, honesty, and general amiability; but experienced folks see through him. I wish, sir, you permitted engravings in your admirable magazine, then would I give you such a sketch of this type of humanity! Once I saw the mask removed, but only for half-a-second. It was like a weary look pass

ing across his face-as if the tension were too painful, and he was compelled, though only for an instant, to withdraw it. I can fancy this man retiring to his inner room after a day's work. I can fancy the haggard look which comes over his face as he takes off the mask and lets his features regain their natural look. Why does he give himself so much trouble, you ask? Why, he finds it pay! He finds that those with whom he associates believe in him, and so they will continue to do until one day when his true disposition will peep out and spoil his little game. Enough, however, of Doctor Sneak for the present. I have it in my mind to write the story of his life anon.

It is a curious life, believe me.

CAPTAIN HEART.

ONTRAST the Captain with the Doctor. No need for a mask here! Beaming kindness and jollity dwell in the Captain's happy face. His grip of the hand when he meets you-his hearty greeting-his jolly laugh—his innocent simplicity which makes him the victim of designers on his pocket—all these mark the genuine disposition of the man who not only never did a mean act, but probably never even thought one!

BRANDY AND WATER.

F I find it somewhat difficult to express my thoughts, it need not be wondered at, for there are several young folks in the next room to this, wherein I write, singing glees and part songs, and my ideas are naturally interfered with. At this present moment they are performing with more earnest

ness than correctness the celebrated glee of "Mynheer Van Dunk," of brandy and water proclivity—hence I am tempted to say a word upon the subject of drink. I will improve the occasion.

Let this fact be taken to heart. Neither wine, beer, nor spirits are at all needed by way of beverage. If we take them let us honestly declare that we do so because we like them, and not because they are necessary. I have no hesitation in affirming that mankind would be all the happier and better if these things were swept off the face of the earth, and yet I am not a teetotaller. It is found by Insurance Offices that there are two great causes of death in this country with which they have to contend -consumption and drink! Some Insurance Offices will not take a publican on any terms, nor will they take any one who is known to indulge in the bottle. Happily the greed for strong drinks is going out, to a great extent, in this country; the light wines of France, and now of Italy, are taking the place of the heavy brandied ports and sherry-so much drunk of late years. Speaking of the wines of Italy, I may say that these are not sufficiently known or appreciated here. They are for purity admirable, and I am informed that a champagne has recently been made out of the Moschat grape, a pure and delicious wine not containing any of the heavy liqueur which is added to the wines of Epernay. Perhaps, sir, in your next number I may be able to tell you something more about this champagne, for I may by that time be in possession of a case of it, which ought to have been delivered three weeks ago, but which the London Parcels Delivery Company, desirous, no doubt, of improving the wine, have persistently carried backwards and forwards in their carts. And here, perhaps, I may again improve the occasion by telling a little tale of the said Delivery (or, in my case, non-delivery) Company.

When I, sir, and all my family were away for a holiday, an Italian gentleman sent me unexpectedly a case of Moschat champagne. One of the servants having no change at the moment to pay the carriage, asked the carter to call to-morrow. But, no, the man could not trust a householder with eightpence; so he took the case away, and never either brought it back again, or advised me that the Company had it. Three weeks elapsed, and I heard nothing of the case until at last, after great exertion, I found out where it was. Then came trouble, for I was naturally indignant. The Company now were anxious to deliver it, but I declined to receive it, and the case is regularly brought to my house once or twice a day, and I won't take it in, although the Company would give their ears to get rid of it. When the delivery people

pay my solicitor's costs,

write me a humble apology, and send it carriage free, then I may, perhaps, take it in, and tell you, sir, what I think of it.