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perhaps not much less so, which for the present must be postponed; as, for example, the judicious efforts which have of late been made by the Circassians, even during the short respites in Russian warfare by sea and land afforded them, to improve their administrative and judicial institutions, and to eradicate disorders, of long prevalence, which had been found of special detriment to the national unitynow more than ever desirable.

We think we cannot better conclude our sketch, than by appending to it a portion of an article upon the late intelligence as to the capture of the forts constructed by the Russians upon the Circassian coast, which appeared in the Times of the 25th of May last, merely premising that this intelligence has received the amplest confirmation from Constantinople, (whether the first portion of it was brought by two Turkish vessels from SookoomKalé,) from Odessa, from Trebizonde, from St Petersburg, (in letters to respectable mercantile houses in London,) from Berlin, from Paris, and from the foreign minister himself, in the House of Commons on the 12th of the past month. The article in question runs thus :

"Now came in operation those tactics which it is probable that the Circassians from the first had contemplated. They wisely allowed their wily antagonist, as he thought himself, to expend lavishly his force and treasure before they commenced their demonstration of the fallacy of all his hopes, and all his expectations. Then began a series of wild and irregular attacks, of which the details have not, and perhaps never can reach us; but the result of which, in the demolition of all the Russian forts on the Circassian coast, is now, as we are confidently assured, placed beyond all doubt. The Circassians have stormed and captured, since the commencement of last winter, the whole range of fortresses on their coast, which have been the sole aim and occupation of the Russian large naval and military force employed against the country for the last three years! The achievement of such a series of signal successes, without the aid of artillery, by an undisciplined multitude, against redoubts constructed and defended ac

cording to the best principles of modern military tactics, forms a phenomenon in warfare which the accounts before us do not wholly explain, though they do not leave us without a clue to the tactics of the Circassians, which we shall now proceed briefly to describe. The position of all the forts in question was close upon the sea, at the embouchure of narby ranges of steep and thickly-wooded row valleys, bordered to the very shore hills, at so little distance from each other, that a fort placed halfway, which in such a position could hardly be avoided, was commanded from either side.

The walls, or rather embankments of each redoubt, could be constructed of no other materials than the soil of the spot ; and although surrounded by a fosse, this tended little to augment their security, as the height thus occasioned rendered it necessary to give the embankment exteriorly a considerable slope, by which means scaling, even without the aid of ladders, or other implements, became a matter of little difficulty. Further, as each of these enclosures had been made of considerable extent, to afford to the garrison the only exercise in which they could indulge, it will easily be seen how liable to surprise such a place was during the night from the neighbouring population, who, devoting themselves to that sole object, could watch their time, and take their measures without observation or obstruction on the part of the devoted garrison. In fact, secrecy, darkness, and resolution combined all that was requisite on the part of the Circassians; and the project of the capture of the forts by surprise, which it seems was formed in the course of last summer and autumn, under the advice of an English traveller then on the spot, and which commenced by the attack on Sootcha on the 9th of October last, has been crowned with triumphant success. As these exploits of the brave Circassians may open a new field, yet but partially explored to British commercial enterprise, and tend, moreover, to check the progress of Russian aggression on the side of India, they become important events to this country, on the score of national advantage alone; but they acquire a still higher interest as the records of another triumph, on the part of a free and brave people, over a reckless and unprincipled invader, whose march spreads despotism, and puts a deadly extinguisher upon civilisation!"

TEN THOUSAND A-YEAR.

PART IX.

"FORTUNA Sævo læta negotio, et Ludum insolentem ludere pertinax, Transmutat incertos honores,

Nunc mihi, nunc alii benigna. Laudo manentem: SI CELERES QUATIT PENNAS, RESIGNO QUE DEDIT, ET MEA VIRTUTE ME INVOLVO, PROBAMQUE PAUPERIEM SINE DOTE QUÆRO.'

"THE Attorney-General did his work very fairly, I thought-eh, Lynx?" said Mr Subtle, as, arm-in-arm with Mr Lynx, he quitted the castle-gates, each of them on his way to their respective lodgings, to prepare for their next day's work.

"Yes-he's a keen enough hand, to be sure he's given us all work enough; and, I must say, it's been a capital setto between you. I'm very glad you got the verdict!"

"It wouldn't have done to be beaten on my own dunghill, as it were-eh? By the way, Lynx, that was a good hit of yours about the erasuree-I ought, really, if it had occurred to me at the time, to have given you the credit of it 'twas entirely your's, Lynx, I must say."

"Oh, no"-replied Lynx, modestly. He knew that Mr Subtle would be Attorney-General one day; and would then require the services of a certain grim functionary-to wit, a devil"It was a mere accident my lighting on it; the merit was, the use you made of it!"

"To think of ten thousand a-year turning on that same trumpery erasure."

"But are you sure of our verdict on that ground, Mr Subtle? Do you think Widdrington was right in rejecting that deed?"

"Right? to be sure he was! But I own I got rather uneasy at the way the Attorney-General put it-that the estate had once been vested, and could not be subsequently de-vested by an alteration or blemish in the instrument evidencing the passing of the estate, -eh? that was a good point, Lynx." "Aye, but as Lord Widdrington put it that could be only where the defect was proved to exist after a complete and valid deed had been once established."

"True-true; that's the answer,

Hor. Carm. Lib. iii. 49.

Lynx: here, you see, the deed is disgraced in the first instance; no proof, in fact, that it ever was a deed-therefore, mere waste paper."

"To be sure, possession has gone along with the deed."

"Possession goes along with it?— What then!-that is to say, the man who has altered it, to benefit himself and his heirs, keeps it snugly in his own chest and then that is of itself to be sufficient to"

"Yes-and again, you know, isn't it the general rule that the party producing an instrument must account for the appearance of erasure or alteration to encounter the presumption of fraud?—it seems good sense enough."

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By the way, did you ever see any thing like Quicksilver in that matter? I knew he'd bring Widdrington down on him-Isate frying, I assure you! To hear one's cases spoiled-butwell! it's all over now, however!—It's really been a very interesting cause."

"Very. Some capital points-that of Mortmain's on the stamp-act"

"Pish, Lynx! there's nothing in it! I meant the cause itself has been an interesting one-uncommonly."

Mr Subtle suddenly paused, and stood still. "God bless my soul, Lynx-I've made a blunder!" "Eh!"

"Yes-by Jove, a blunder! Never did such a thing since I've led a cause before."

"A blunder? Impossible!-What is it?" enquired Lyux briskly, pricking up his ears.

"It will be at least thirty or forty pounds out of our client's pocket. I forgot to ask Widdrington for the certificate for the cost of the special jury. I protest I never did such a thing before-I'm quite annoyed-I hate to overlook any thing."

"Oh! is that all?" inquired Lynx, much relieved-" then it's all right!

While you were speaking to Mr Gammon, immediately after the verdict had been given, I turned towards Quicksilver to get him to ask for the certi ficate-but he had seen a man with the new "Times" containing the division on the Catholic claims, and had set off after him-so I took the liberty, as you seemed very earnestly talking to Mr Gammon, to name it to the judge -and it's all right."

"Capital! Then there isn't a point missed? And in a good two-days' fight that's something."

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"D'ye think we shall keep the verdict, and get its fruits, Mr Subtle ?"

"We shall keep the verdict, I've no doubt; there's nothing in Widdrington's notes that we need be afraid of-but of course they'll put us to bring another ejectment, perhaps several."

"Yes-certainly-there must be a good deal of fighting before such a property as Yatton changes hands," replied Lynx, with a complacent air; for he saw a few pleasant pickings in store for him. "By the way,' he continued, "our client's a sweet spe. cimen of humanity, isn't he !

"

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"Faugh! odious little reptile! And did you ever in all your life witness such a scene as when he interrupted me in the way he did?"

"Ha, ha! Never! But, upon my honour, what an exqusite turn you gave the thing-it was worth more than called it forth-it was admirable."

"Pooh-Lynx!" said Mr Subtle, with a gratified air; “knack-mere knack-nothing more. My voice

trembled-eh ?-at least so I intended."

"Upon my soul, Mr Subtle, I almost thought you were for the mo ment overcome, and going to shed tears."

“Ah, ha, ha!--Delightful! I was convulsed with inward laughter! Shed tears!! Did the Bar take it, Lynx ?" inquired Mr Subtle; for though he hated display, he loved appreciation, and by competent persons. "By the way, Lynx, the way in which you've got up the whole case does you vast credit- that opinion of yours on the evidence was upon my word-the most masterly"- here he suddenly ceased and squeezed his companion's arm, motioning him thereby to silence. They had come up with two

gentlemen, walking slowly, and conversing in a low tone, but with much earnestness of manner. They were, in fact, Mr Aubrey and Lord De la Zouch. Mr Subtle and Mr Lynx crossed over to the other side of the narrow street, and quickened their pace, so as soon to be out of sight and hearing of the persons they seemed desirous of avoiding. Mr Subtle was, indeed, unable to bear the sight of the man whom his strenuous and splendid exertions during the last two days had tended to strip of his all-to thrust from the bright domain of wealth, prosperity, distinction, into-as it were outer darkness-the outer darkness of poverty-of destitution.

It's a bore for Mr Aubrey, isn't it?" quoth the matter-of-fact Lynx. "It's quite frightful!"-replied Mr Subtle, in a tone of voice and with a manner which showed how deeply he felt what he uttered. "And it's not only what he will lose, but what he will be liable to-the mesne profits-sixty thousand pounds."

"Oh!-you think, then, that we can't go beyond the statute of limitation?-Eh?-is that so clear?" Mr Subtle looked sharply at Lynx, with an expression it would be difficult to describe. "Well"-continued the impenetrable Lynx-"at all events I'll look into it." He felt about as much sentiment in the matter, as a pig eating acorns would feel interest in the antiquity of the oak from which they fell, and under whose venerable shade he was munching and stuffing himself.

"By the way, Lynx-a'n't you with me in Higson and Mellington?" "Yes-and it stands first for tomorrow morning."

"What's it about? I've not opened my papers, and-why, we've a consultation fixed for ten to-night."

"It's libel against a newspaper editor-the POMFRET COCKATRICE; and our client's a clergyman." "What about?" "Tithes-grasping, cruelty, and so

forth."

"Justification ?"
"No-not guilty only."

"Who leads for the defendant?"
"Mr Quicksilver."

"Oh!-we can dispense with the consultation then. I shall send my clerk to fix to morrow morning, at court-five minutes before the sitting of the court. I'm rather tired to-night."

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With this the great leader shook hands with his modest, learned, laborious junior-and entered his lodgings.

As soon as Titmouse had been ejected from the court, in the summary way which the reader will remember, merely on account of his having, with slight indecorum, yielded to the mighty impulse of his agitated feelings, he began to cry bitterly, wringing his hands, and asking every one about him if they thought he could get in again, because it was his case that was going on. His eyes were red and swollen with weeping; and his little breast throbbed violently as he walked to and fro from one door of the court to the other. "Oh, gents, will you get me in again?" said he, in passionate tones, approaching two gentlemen, who, with a very anxious and oppressed air, were standing together at the outside of one of the doors-in fact, Lord De la Zouch and Mr Aubrey; and they quickly recognised in Titmouse the gentleman whose claims were being at that instant mooted within the court. " Will you get me in? You seem such respectable gents-'Pon my soul I'm going mad! It's my case that's going on ! I'm Mr Titmouse".

"We have no power, sir, to get you in," replied Lord De la Zouch haughtily so coldly and sternly as to cause Titmouse involuntarily to shrink from him.

:

"The court is crowded to the very door, sir-and we really have no more right to be present in court, or get others into court, than you have," said Mr Aubrey, with mildness and dignity. "Thank you, sir! Thank you!" quoth Titmouse, moving with an apprehensive air away from Lord De la Zouch, towards Mr Aubrey, "Know quite well who you are, sir! 'Pon my solemn soul, sir, sorry to do all this; but law's law, and right's right, all the world over."

"I desire you to leave us, sir," said Lord De la Zouch with irrepressible sternness; " 'you are very intrusive. How can we catch a syllable of what is going on while you are chattering in this way?" Titmouse saw that Mr Aubrey looked towards him with a very different expression from that exhibited by his forbidding companion, and would perhaps have stood his ground, but for a glimpse he caught of a huge powdered, broad-shouldered footman, in a splendid livery, one of

Lord De la Zouch's servants, who, with a great thick cane in his hand, was standing at a little distance behind, in attendance on the carriage, which was standing in the castle-yard. This man's face looked so ready for mischief, that Titmouse slowly walked off.

There were a good many standers-by, who seemed all to look with dislike and distrust at Titmouse. He made many ineffectual attempts to persuade the doorkeeper, who had assisted in his extrusion, to re-admit him; but the incorruptible janitor was proof against a sixpence-even against a shilling; and at length Titmouse gave himself up to despair, and thought himself the most miserable man in the whole world-as very probably, indeed, he was: for consider what a horrid interval of suspense he had to endure, from the closing of Mr Subtle's speech till the delivery of the verdict. But at length, through this portentous and apparently impenetrable cloud, burst the rich sunlight of success. "Mr Titmouse!-Mr Titmouse! _Mr Tit”.

Here!"

"Here! Here I am! exclaimed the little fellow, jumping off the window seat on which he had been sitting for the last hour in the dark, half stupified with grief and exhaustion. The voice that called him was a blessed voice-a familiar voice -the voice of Mr Gammon; who, as soon as the jury began to come back, on some pretence or other had quitted his seat between Quirk and Snap, in order, if the verdict should be for the plaintiff, to be the very first to communicate it to him. In a moment or two Mr Gammon had grasped both Mr Titmouse's hands. "My dear, dear Mr Titmouse, I congratulate you! You are victorious! grant you long life to enjoy your good fortune! God bless you, Titmouse!" He wrung Titmouse's hands-and his voice trembled with the intensity of his emotions. Mr Titmouse had gone very white, and for a while spoke not, but stood staring at Mr Gammon, as if he was hardly aware of the import of his communication.

God

"No-but-is it so ? Honour bright?" at length he stammered.

It is indeed! My long labours are at length crowned with success!Hurrah, hurrah, Mr Titmouse!"

"I've really won? It a'n't a joke or a dream?" inquired Titmouse with

quickly increasing excitement, and a joyous expression bursting over his features, which became suddenly flushed.

"A joke?-the best you'll ever have. A dream?-that will last your life. Thank God, Mr Titmouse, the battle's ours; we've defeated all their villany !"

not follow that the mischief is finally done."

"I am certain of it!-But, dear Lord De la Zouch, how much I owe to your kindness and sympathy!" said Mr Aubrey, with a slight tremor in his voice.

"We are at this moment, Aubrey, firmer friends than we ever were before. So help me Heaven! I would not lose your friendship for the world; I feel it a greater honour than I am worthy of-I do indeed," said Lord De la Zouch, with great emotion.

"Tol de rol! Tol de rol! Tol de lol, lol, lol, rido!-Ab," he added, in a loud truculent tone, as Lord De la Zouch and Mr Aubrey slowly passed him, "done for you now-'pon my life! -turned the tables!-that for you!" "There's a great gulf between us, said he, snapping his fingers; but I though, Lord De la Zouch, as far as need hardly say that he did so with worldly circumstances are concerned perfect impunity as far as those two-you a peer of the realm, I a beggentlemen were concerned, who were gar." so absorbed with the grievous event which had just happened, as scarcely to be aware of their being addressed at all.

"Aubrey, it's against you-all is lost; the verdict is for the plaintiff!" said Lord De la Zouch in a hurried agitated whisper, as he grasped the hand of Mr Aubrey, whom he had quitted for an instant to hear the verdiet pronounced. Mr Aubrey for some moments spoke not.

"God's will be done!" at length said he, in a low tone, and in rather a faint murmur. More than a dozen gentlemen, who came crowding out, grasped his hand with great energy and vehemence.

"God bless you, Aubrey! God bless you!" said several voices, their speakers wringing his hand with great vehemence as they spoke.

"Let us go," said Lord De la Zouch, putting Mr Aubrey's arm in his own, and leading him away from a scene of distressing excitement, too powerful for his exhausted feelings.

"I am nothing of a fatalist," said Mr Aubrey, after a pause of some minutes, during which they had quitted the castle-gates, and his feelings had recovered from the shock which they had just before suffered ;-" I am nothing of a fatalist, but I ought not to feel the least surprise at this issue, for I have long had a settled conviction that such would be the issue. For some time before I had the least intimation of the commencement of these proceedings, I was oppressed by a sense of impending calamity"

"Well, that may be so ; but it does

"Forgive me Aubrey, but it is idle to talk in that way; I am hurt beyond measure at your supposing it possible that under any circumstances"

"Believe me, I feel the full value of your friendship,-more valuable at this moment than ever."

"That a serious calamity has fallen upon you is certain ;-which of us, indeed, is safe from such a calamity? But who would bear it with the calm fortitude which you have already evinced, my dear Aubrey?"

"You speak very kindly, Lord De la Zouch; I trust I shall play the man, now that the time for playing a man's part Iras come," said Mr Aubrey, with an air of mingled melancholy and resolution. "I feel an inexpressible consolation in the reflection, that I cannot charge myself with any thing unconscientious. If I have done wrong in depriving another for so long a period of what was his, it was surely in ignorance; and, as for the future, I put my trust in God. I feel as if I could submit to the will of Heaven with cheerfulness"——

"Don't speak so despondingly, Aubrey"

"Despondingly?" echoed Mr Aubrey, with momentary animation"Despondingly? My dear friend, I feel as if I were indeed entering a scene black as midnight-but what is it to the valley of the shadow of death, dear Lord de la Zouch, which is before all of us? I assure you I feel no vainglorious confidence; yet I seem to be leaning on the arm of an unseen but all-powerful supporter."

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You are a hero, my dear Aubrey!"

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