on their success, and their task was soon completed. The old MS. which is our authority, leaves out the music; which omission the amateurs of the present day have little reason to regret ; but it preserves the poetical shaft, which was as follows:

EPITHALAMIUM PERFORMED ON THE JOYFUL OCCA-
SION OF THE NUPTIALS OF SQUIRE GEORGE
GILDRIG AND MISS CAROLINE BROWNWIG.

There are no Smithfield bargains driv'n,
Nor marriages clapp'd up in Heav'n,
And that's the reason, as some guess,
There is no Heav'n in marriages;
Two things that naturally press
Too narrowly to be at ease:
Their business there is only love

Which marriage is not like t' improve.

CHORUS.

No matter, so each tenant gives a loose
To joy, and kills, for golden eggs, his goose,

Marriage is but a beast, some say,
That carries double in foul way;
And therefore 'tis not to b' admir'd,
It should so suddenly be tir'd;
A bargain at a venture made
Between two parties in a trade,

For what's inferr'd by t' have and ť hold,
But something pass'd away and sold?

CHORUS.

Yes, tenants, something pass'd away and sold,
The show is past, and now put down your gold.

As the same fashion reigned in that as in the present day, both with the performer and audience, of wholly disregarding the words, and attending only to the music, it will not seem incredible to modern amateurs, who declare themselves ravished at an Italian opera, although they do not understand a syllable of any other language but their native one, and that very imperfectly, that this burlesque composition was pronounced to be a chef-d'œuvre of poetry and music by all who read it. The authors, however, had too much modesty to suffer it to be published; and the MS. mentions that the poetry was accidentally discovered among the bard's papers after his decease.

The day concluded with fireworks, bonfires, and other demonstrations of joy on the part of the tenants.

CHAPTER III.

HOW TO NICK THE PUBLIC. THE SQUIRE'S LADY PRESENTS HIM WITH A DAUGHTER.-THE WHIMSICAL WAY WHICH HE TAKES ΤΟ SHEW HIS JOY ON THE OCCASION, AND HIS GRATITUDE TO THE TENANTS WHO CONGRATULATE HIM ON IT. -A SEPARATION BETWEEN MARRIED FOLKS IN HIGH LIFE CONTRASTED WITH THAT OF THOSE IN

LOW.-ON (THE DIFFERENT TASTE OF MEN FOR FEMALE BEAUTY.

THE tide of popular joy was not suffered to ebb before the reckoning was called for. Within some few days after the marriage, Vortex brought a message from the Lord to the Common-hall, importing that he relied on their generosity to settle an establishment on the bridegroom and bride, but that no settlement could be effectually secured to the former unless he was previously cleared from his incumbrances; that he did not propose to them any other means of paying

those debts than the application of part of the money which should be settled on the Squire to that purpose; and that he would readily concur in any plan for regular arrangement of the Squire's expenditure, and for guarding against the possibility of his being again involved. Vortex wound up the message by declaring that it was certainly necessary to remove all clogs and embarrassments from the Squire's affairs, in order to enable him to support his dignity and splendour. He proposed two heads for consideration: the punctual payment of the debts already contracted, and that no further debts should be incurred. But what security could they have for the latter? Who breaks one promise, will break a thousand, and even his oath. One of the delegates (a Mr. Greygoose) declared he was as great a friend to the real dignity and splendour of the Lord's family as Vortex, or any other "slippery sycophant," but that dignity and honour would be best supported by the Squire's shewing a feeling heart for the distresses of the poor. "Let him," said he, "retire to a situation where he may, by reflection, qualify himself for the duties

of his future station, and endeavour to come to a composition with his creditors, who, in such a case, would be satisfied with easy terms."

Another delegate remarked, that the way, which appeared best calculated for the preservation of the Lord's inheritance, was to prevent it from being oppressive to the tenants.

Brush expressed himself surprised when he heard of the Squire's promise; but he thought him in honour bound to keep it. He observed that something might be spared from the Lord's revenue, as former lords, in times of war, had subscribed from much less revenues, towards the public exigencies.

Merryman observed, that notwithstanding the Lord's promise, that the affairs of his own household should not run into arrears, yet debts had been paid, which at compound interest would exceed seven millions! It was no wonder the Squire was in debt, as his income was not suffi cient; and he had advised him not to make the promise which he had done. He proposed that the Lord and Lady should subscribe certain sums annually out of their private purses, and for the remainder they should look to places and