immediately dispatched a messenger to his wife to prepare for the reception of so extraordinary a guest. She dressed herself out in her best apparel; the son put on his new suit, and his silver laced hat. When the lady was introduced to the dean, he saluted her with the same respect, as if she had been a duchess, making several congees down to the ground, and then handed her with great formality to her seat. After some high flown complimennts he addressed his host" Mr. Reilly, I suppose you have a considerable estate here-let us go and look over your demesne." ""Estate," says Reilly, "devil a foot of land belongs. to me, or any of my generation: I have a pretty good lease here, indeed, from Lord Fingal, but he threatens he will not renew. it, and I have but a few years of it to come." Well-but when am I to see Mrs. Reilly?" Why, don't you see her there before you?" "That, Mrs. Reilly, impossible! I have heard she is a prudent woman, and as such would never

dress herself out in silks, and other ornaments, fit only for ladies of fashion. No, Mrs. Reilly, the farmer's wife, would never wear any thing better than plain stuff, with other things suitable to it." Mrs. Reilly happened to be a woman of good sense, and taking the hint, immediately withdrew, changed her dress as speedily as possible, and in a short time returned to the parlour in her common apparel.

Swift saluted her in the most friendly manner, taking her by the hand, and saying, “I am heartily glad to see you Mrs. Reilly, this husband of your's would fain have palmed a fine lady upon me, all dressed out in silks, and in the pink of the mode, for his wife, but I was not to be taken in

He then laid hold of young master's fine laced hat, ripped off the lace with his penknife, and folding it up in several papers thrust it into the fire. When it was sufciently burned, he wrapt it up in fresh paper, and put it in his pocket.

The family, as may be supposed, were put into no small confusion at this strange proceeding; but they dared not shew that that they took umbrage at it, as the presence of Swift struck every one with awe, who were not well acquainted with him. He soon, however, resumed his good humour, and entertained them with many pleasantries to their taste, for no man knew better than he how to adapt his conversation to all classes of people with whom he conversed. They soon recovered their spirits, and spent the remainder of the day very chearfully When he was taking his leave, he said, "I do not intend to rob you Mrs. Reilly, I shall take nothing be longing to you away with me, there is your son's hat-lace, I have only changed the form of it, to a much better one. So God bless you, and thank you for your good entertainment." When he was gone, Mrs. Reilly (upon opening the paper) found four guineas enclosed in it, toge ther with the burnt lace. While he stayed

in the country he kept an eye upon them, and found his lessons had not been thrown away, as they were cured of their vanities, and lived in a way more becoming their situation in life.

In consequence of which, one of the first things he did on his return to Dublin, was to pay a visit to Lord Fingal, and engage him to renew Reilly's lease.

ANECDOTE OF SIR ROBERT WALPOLE.

When Sir Robert began to manifest symptoms of a declining power, the first of his old friends who began to shrink from him, were the bishops.

Having, however, a question to carry in the house of lords, to the success of which episcopal votes were essentially necessary; he applied to his firm and faithful friend the Archbishop of York, to assist him in procuring the support of the right reverend bench. The prelate shook his head, when the minister urged the necessity of personal application.. My good friend," said he,

"there is but one way to proceed with my right reverend brethren, and you may be sure I will put that in practice. Trouble yourself no further about the matter, and be as secure of their votes, as if they had already given them."

The minister went away perfectly satisfied, and the archbishop took immediately to his bed, ordered the knocker to be tied up, the street to be covered with straw, and desired his confidential physician to convey by shrugs of his shoulder, and shakes of his head, that he was in great danger.

The sickness of the archbishop was soon known; the archiepiscopal mitre danced before the right reverend bench: the bishops returned to ministerial duty, Sir Robert Walpole gained his point, and the sick archbishop, on being informed of hissuccess, immediately quitted his bed, in order to dine with the minister, and to laugh in their sleeves at the trick they had put upon lawn sleeves.