the fluid-she then rushed up stairs for her own smelling-bottle ; and then she returned to the drawing room, where she found her visitor, who eagerly took a long draught of the restorative.

"I am better-indeed I am-only a little faintness" murmured the reviving patient. "But it is an awful thing-a very awful thing, Madam, to conduce even indirectly to the execution of a human being-for the poor creature was hung."

66

'Aye, I guessed as much," said Mrs. Dowdum, with a fresh clucking, and a grave shake of the head. "Well, that's just my own feeling to a T. I don't think I could feel delighted at hanging any one, no, not even if they was to steal the house over my head !”

66 I honour you for your humanity, Madam," said the lady, warmly pressing Mrs. Dowdum's little fat hand between both her own. 66 I hope you will never find occasion to revoke such sentiments. In the meantime I am extremely obliged-extremely. Ann may come when she likes-and I have the honour to wish you a very, very, good morning."

"And I'm sure, Ma'am, I wish you the same,"

replied Mrs. Dowdum, endeavouring to imitate the profound curtsey with which she was favoured," and I hope and trust you will find poor Ann turn out everything that can be wished. I do think you may repose confidently on her honesty, I do indeed, Ma'am."

"We shall see, Madam, we shall see," repeated the Lady as she went down the stairs, whence she was ushered by Betty, who received a piece of money during the passage, to the street door.

"What a nice woman!" soliloquized Mrs. Dowdum, as she watched her visitor across the street and round the corner. "What a very nice woman! Quite a lady too-and how she have suffered! I don't wonder she is so suspicious-but then she is so forgiving along with it! It was quite beautiful to hear her talk about honesty-Faith, Hope, and Honesty,— 'Why should I deprive my neighbour

Of his goods against his will'

Why indeed! I could have listened to her-butMercy on us! Where is the goold watch as was on the mantel!-and-O Lord! where is the silver tea

pot I can't see in the cupboard? Thieves! Thieves ! Thieves!"

*

"And to think," said Mrs. Dowdum, at her twentieth repetition of the story-" to think that I've lost the family goold watch and my silver teapot, by letting of her in!"

"And to think," said Betty to herself, putting her hand in her pocket, "to think that I only got a bad shilling for letting of her out!"

He gave a nod, and then a wink,

And told me to get there

"Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square."

G

I box'd his little saucy ears,

And then away I strode ;

But since I've found that weary path
Is quite a common road.

Utopia is a pleasant place,

But how shall I get there?

66

Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square."

I've read about a famous town

That drove a famous trade,

Where Whittington walk'd up and found

A fortune ready made.

The very streets are paved with gold;

But how shall I get there?

"Straight down the Crooked Lane,

And all round the Square."

I've read about a Fairy Land,

In some romantic tale,

Where Dwarfs if good are sure to thrive

And wicked Giants fail.