exposition, the physician turned to the dominie, and made particular inquiries after his supposed malady-"No tightness across the chest, or difficulty of breathing, I trust?"

66

Why, no, Doctor Slow, I feel myself better, although I fear during this hot weather the attack may return."

"Should the paroxysm come on," continued the modern Galen, "opium, assafoetida, ether, or other antispasmodics should be adminstered; to promote expectoration, decoction of seneka, milk of ammoniac, with nauseating doses of tartar emetic, or a preparation of squills, are medicines of considerable efficacy." The patient was all attention. "Warm pediluvia, and the respiration of an atmosphere mixed with hydrogen gas, or any other innocuous air, which might dilute the oxygenous gas, would be useful in spasmodic asthma."

After this gratuitous advice, Mr. Taylor felt himself bound to play into the doctor's hands, so addressing him, said, "Although Philip's

burn is considerably better, perhaps a little régime might be advisable."

My heart sunk within me, and a vision of parti-coloured drugs floated before my mindblue pill, grey powder, and black draught.

paper,

"Let me feel your pulse, Master Philipno fever," my hopes revived; "and your tongue-a little furred," down went my expectations. "A slight cathartic might be advisable." So calling for half a sheet of the doctor wrote a hieroglyphical-looking prescription, in which the words sulphas soda and senna were conspicuous, and which my knowledge of Latin enabled me to ascertain was to be taken early in the morning.

The practitioner having gratified his propensity, which was a ruling passion, that of receiving his guinea, looked as pleased as the man in the farce, who sings

'No hand so fair to me

As the one that holds a fee,'

and prepared to take his departure; before, however, he left the room, Harry Arthur made

his appearance to inform us that the gig was at the door, and that the hamper of edibles and drinkables had been placed under the seat. As he enumerated the delicacies, which consisted of cold chicken, tongue, lobster, apple tart, fruit, cake, ale, and wine, the doctor made a face very like the one the inimitable Liston was wont to put on, when, in the words of the Scotch pedagogue Abel Sampson, he exclaimed "Prodigious!"

CHAPTER II.

'No scandal about Queen Elizabeth, I hope.'

SHERIDAN.

Ir was a lovely summer's afternoon; the harvest had commenced, the sun shone brightly in a clear azure sky, the birds carolled their "wood notes wild," the banks and hedgerows were variegated with a thousand flowers, emitting their balmy odours to the light breeze, when Mr. Taylor and myself entered the vehicle which was to convey us to the ruins of Kenilworth.

"Philip, take the reins for a moment,” said my companion, "I am anxious to say a word to Dale ;" and pulling up at a farm house

within a hundred yards of the lodge, my tutor descended from the gig. As the sun's rays still acted powerfully, and the insects tormented "Gaffer Grey" so the steed was called I drove on a few yards to get under the shade of an old barn, when my attention. was attracted by the following posting bill

Theatre, Coventry.

FRIDAY, JULY the 21st,

Mr. GEORGE FREDERICK COOKE,

THE CELEBRATED TRAGEDIAN,

Will have the honour of appearing in two of his most favourite characters.

For further particulars, see small bills.

I read the announcement over and over again. I had heard of the delights of a theatre from many a young companion; I had seen characters and scenes descriptive of the gorgeousness of "Blue Beard," the "Blood Red Knight," and "Lodoiska," and laughed