Weekly Mail

J WHAT THEY LOVE- "I am going to the seaside," said the milkman blithe and gay, "For I love the ocean breezes, and I love the daihing spray; Yes, I love the gor- geous sunset, love the calm and love the squall; But I think I love the water, in my business, best of tIL" "That's the diffe- rence between us," said the grocer at his side, Though the ocean breeze is brac- ing, and I love the rolling tide, Though I dearly love the bil- lown,yet I can't forget the land, And I think my young affec- tion most is centred in the sand."

44 Put out your tongue a little farther," said a physician to a fair invalid. "A little farther still, if you please." Why, doctor, do you think a woman's tongue has no end ?" said the gentle sufferer. An end, perhaps, madam," replied the doctor but no cessation." The editor of a paper receired a long poem from a gentleman last weak, and wrote to the lank- haired specimen a mild remonstrance, at the same time breaking through the rule by returning hie MS. 44 You really must send short verses," was the wind-up of the editor's exordium. The reply was: I enclose you a little thing; it is short, and to the point: "Tire BALLA.6 09 irum TXADESVAK. Trust- Bust."

[NOW FIRST PUBLISEED.1 [ALL RIGHTS RESETTED.] FAIRFAX OF FUYSTONE. I J A NOVEL. By MRS. HIBBERT WARE. Authoress of The King of Bath," Life's Seven Ages," "His Dearest Wish," r. Friend Ell wood," &c. CHAPTER XXXIIL YOLE TIDE. Christmas in the olden time was ever a season of mirth and good cheer, and spite of the cloud that darkened the hitherto bright and peaceful home at Newhall, Master Edward Fairfax failed not to dispense his wonted hospitality, whilst happily, whether she were diverted or distracted by the preparations for the great winter feast, or by some other unknown cause, Mistress Hellen bad been for some time past, but little troubled by trance or illusion, and took an active part, with her mother, in all the multifarious preparations for the many guests they would have to entertain before Yule Tide was fairly over. What though the keen biting north wind moaned amongst the hills, and. snow covered the valley of the Washburn lying in deep drifts in the hollows, and obliterating the narrow tracks and footpaths around the lonely and sequestered hamlet of Fuy- stone, people managed to meet together and be merry. Strong and willing and vigorous young arms industriously plied the spade, cutting passages through the snow, so that. neighbour could visit neighbour, whilst after nightfall, the glimmer of their lanthorns moved through the darkness, reminding one even in the depth of winter of the bright flitting light of the treacher- ous Will o' the Wisp. It was yet early morning, for day had not long broke, but breakfast was already over at Newhall, and mistress and maids were hard at work in the large kitchen preparing good cheer for the goodly number of guests expected that day to par- take of the generous hospitality of Master Fairfax. The poet was sitting in the dining parlour with his old friend, Master Parker, the Leedes cloth merchant, who with his spouse had spent his Christmas at Fuystone. A little joined table drawn near to the fire, and covered with snow white napery, was spread as though for breakfast, indicating that some laggard had not joined the family circle at the early meal, and the laggard shortly appeared in the person of Mistress Parker, whose garments literally exaled perfume aselie swept into the parlour decked out in the finest of cloth gowns, with cape fringed and faced with blue velvet, and a kirtle Of the same. Master Parker surveyed his spouse with an air far from one of admiration and pleasure, as, after an apology to her host for not being able to rise early, on the score of her weak health, she seated herself at the joined table, and forthwith stocked her plate with so large a portion of cold pheasant pie as seemed to indicate that if her health were weak so were not her gastronomic powers. 44 Of all the Latin I learnt at the Latin Grammar School when I was a boy," remarked Master Parker, rather abruptly, I remember little but this, sanat, sanctificat, et ditat surgere mane; can you construe me that?" he added, addressing himself to William Fairfax, who was sitting on a stool beside him. The lad hesitated for a moment, and was about to reply, when the cloth merchant solved his own question by saying: "Early rising maketh a man whole in body, wholer iu soul, and richer in gooda. That verse I have never forgotten." "Why no, husband,'twould be marvel if you had, seeing how oft you repeat it," said Mistress Parker, as she helped herself to a fresh baked manchet; but sooth to say," she added, address- ing herself with a plaintive air to Master Fairfax* 4' 1." health hath never been robust eDough to permit that I should rise early." Tush, tush, that is passing good, I trow. I wot not, Barbara, what has come over thee since we were wed," exclaimed Master Parker, sharply, 44 good sooth thou couldst rise early enough when 1 fit at knew thee; marry, how often have I told thee about my mother ? "Save us! nine hundred and ninety-nine times,o replied the lady with a provoking smile. i4 Up first in the morning," said the clothier, commencing to enumerate his mother's good qualities for the thousandth time; she would sweep her house, dress up her dishboard, and set all things within doors in good order, then milk the cows, strain the milk, take up her children and drees them, provide for breakfast, dinner, and supper, bake and brew,when need was, makebutter, cheese, serve the swine, morning and evening, and give meat to the poultry, she could winnow the corn also, make malt, wash and wring, aye, and in time of need," added Master Parker, waxing vehement in his discourse, to the secret mirth of young William Fairfax; "she would fill the muck wain, drive the plough and loud hay and corn, although she was the wife of a yeoman of good substance." There be few of our yeomen's wives nowa- days who would load a muck wain," replied Mistress Parker, shrugging her shoulders; "No, I'll be sworn, there be not, good sooth; they must flaunt about. in fine cloth gowns, bor- dered with guards and fringe, and with velvet hats on their heads, scattering their husband's substance instead of keeping measure in spending; and hark'ee wife, yuu yourself are not minded to eat with in tlie tether." It Did you see Mistress Margery Robinson at church last Sunday? or Margery Hesketh, as 1 should call her now," asked Master Fairfax, kindly wishful to avert the impending altercation betwixt the cloth merchant and his wife; to I know nothing," he added with a sigh," that makes me more regret the difference that exists between Master Henry Robinson and myself than the thought that it stays our old loving intercourse with Margery, who was ever a favourite of ours." "Ay', I saw her, but she left before the service was well ended. "Fis a thousand pities her father should have mated her with a Papist, sure lie might have found her a good honest gentleman for a husband, instead of a Popish knave." Diitir, friend, pry thee, do not dub him a knave, as I understand he is a gentleman of good estate and position, and much respected by his Protestant neighbours," remarked Fairfax, with a smile; that he is a Paptist is certes to be ?orely re- gretted i but I wot not that Margery hath any leaning towards Popery; the only danier for her would be lest perchance her husband should bring under his roof some one of these setuinary priests from foreign parts, who are lurking about the country." "What is a seminary priest?" asked the inquisi- tive Bessy, who was standing at Master Parker's elbow. "I cannot tell thee, my little wench," replied Master Parker rather testily, for he was chafing at the conduct of his spouse, who was surveying the stately turret on her head in her devil's spectacles. II I know no more about them than the man in the moon." Why ia he in the moon ?" asked Bessy again. He is imprisoned there for ever for gathering sticks on the Sabbath," replied Master Parker, very sententiously, and for stealing them, too; but where is Mistress Hellen, friend Fairfax?" added the cloth merchant, turning to hit host; "she slipped out of the pari our directly after breakfast; and 1 have a little keepsake for her which I thought I had forgotten to bring with me, but I found it this morning in a pocket of the doublet I wore on the day I came here." 44 She is most likely in the kitchen," said Master Fairfax, for we expect a goodly gathering of our neighbours to-day of all degrees, and she will be helping to prepare some of the dishes." Do come to the kitchen, Mistress Parker," urged Bossy I oil, they are making all sorts of nice things," added the little maid, with glistening eyes; "butter cakes and custards, and marchpane and warden pies, and 1 don't know what." 44 Aye, go and bring back sister Nell with thee, there's a good little 1888," said Master Parker. 44 Is that Christopher Yeates coming up the path ?" asked Mistress Parker, who, having com- pleted her breakfast, had left the table, and now stood at the window. Marry, be is as awkward and boorish in his appearance as ever. How he slouches along, and what a sorry hat he hath on his head, and his doublet and hose might have been made for his grandsire. Good Jack I saw one ever a greater rustic." I never knew a man whom I respected more than John Yeates of Pately Bridge," observed Master Parker,contracting his brows as be glanced at his wife, 'and truly his son Christopher treads in his footsteps. And though John was a yeoman of good substance and come of an old stock, he was a simple, plain dealing man; he knew nought of periwigs and piekadills, rich wines, yellow atarch, velvet hats and laced jerkins, and good sooth, he never trieked up his son in the spick and span new fashion; he remembered the old verse which teaches us that— 5Is that doth more expend "hen his good will extend, lfarvrl it should not be, Though he be grieved with povertl "Yes, child, we will go to the kitchen." said Mistress Parker, abruptly, taking Bessy by the band and quitting the apartment before her hus- band's last words were well out of his lips. Traversing the hall where dinner was to be served, in view of accommodating the great num- ber of guests, Mistress Parker tarried for a moment to admire a large porcelain dish of dragon china, on which was pourtrayed a dragon, pursuing a bull of fire, and which had just lately been given to Master Fairfax by his brother. And what does it mean ?" asked Bessy, staring curiously with wide open eyes at the painting on the dish. If Marry, Bess, our father told thee but yeater- day," said William Fairfax, sharply 44 that 'tis a Chinese superstition that during eclipses of the sun or moon, they are pursued by a great serpent." II I never heard him say aught of the kind," re- plied Bessy, pettishly, as she followed Mistress Parker to a buffet where, amidst a goodly supply of plate and crystal glass, were to be seen several dishes containing conserve of oranges, coriander, and kissing comfits, a large marchpane cut in the shape of a heart, wet and coloured sweetmeats in glasses, ratafia cakes, and dry sweetmeats piled on salvers with crisped almonds and nick-nacks. Not once, but several times did Bessy's small fingers steal into one or other of the diehes, ab- stracting therefrom lozenges, coloured wafers, or savoy biscuits till the advent of her mother stayed the hand of the little depredator. When Mistress Parker entered the kitchen with her hostess, she found all the maids with their young mistress and Bess Moorehouse hard at work. Never had the poor turn spitdogs of the New- hall establishment had a harder time of it, although the worthy vicar had lent his own two dogs to Mistress Fairfax, in order to share with hers the labour of turning the spit, for besides beef and pork, there were geese and capons to be roasted, so the work of the canine domestics promised to be of long duration. As for the maids, one was preparing stuffing for the poultry, another getting herbs and vegetables ready for the pot, a third kneading dough for manchets. while Bess Moore- house was busy making mince pies, and Bellen concocting custards and creams, Christopher Yeates standing at her elbow, who, though one of the invited guests, had not come empty handed, for he had brought with him three mallards, which he had shot himself, and which were handed over to the cook to be prepared for the spit, to the still further torment, if they had only known it, of the long-suffering turn spit dogs. Mistress Parker did not tarry long in the kitchen where, in truth, her fine cloth gown with its long trailing sleeves seemed rather out of place, and after a few words with her hostess on the ex- cellence of carraway seeds, pepper and garlic, steeped in red wine, as a sauce for roast pork, she said, turning to Helleu. Pr'ythee, Nell, leave thy sack cream, and that orange custard thou art so busy over, and come with me to the parlour, my husband hath a new year's gift for thee; 'tis marvel, I trow, he hath opened his heart, for once in a way, I can tell thee, child, and good sooth, 'tis really a present worth having, and thou knowst what a niggard he ia." "Nay, fie, Barbara, to speak thus of thy bus- band," said Mistress Fairfax as they left the kitchen; he hath a truly good heart, though he may be, at times, a little over thrifty." "Is it brown almond gingerbread, or a gilt nut- meg, or an orange stuck with cloves?" asked Bessy. Good hearts! a valuable gift that would be truly, my bonny replied Mistress Parker, joining in the laugh which William Fairfax raised at the little maid's question; though certes," she added with a disdainful toss of her head,44 'twould be more in keeping with the usual quality of the worshipful Master Parker's gifts." No niggard, indeed, did the worthy mercliant prove himself on this occasion, and Hellen gazed with unfeigned delight at the costly trinket, in the shape of a very beautiful emerald jasper, set in gold, and attached to a gold chain, which Master Parker would him- self hang round her neck, bidding her always wear it, inasmuch as it was a sovereign remedy against witchcraft, and never to lay it aside night or day. It was only after the jasper had been duly examined and admired by all the family that Hellen was allowed to return to her creams and custards, though in the kitchen the precious stone bad again to be exhibited, whilst Tony somewhat damped her pleasure by the half-muttered remark, Save us; I hope it won't 11y away like the charmed penny." Before mid-day the plates and crystal glass were removed from the buffet and placed on the long tables, covered with fair white napery, ranged down the centre of the hall, and when the guests had all arrived, and arrive they did very punc- tually, dinner was served, and rare substantial Christmas cheer it was to which they sat down. The savoury odours of roast goose and capon mingled with those of beef, mutton, and pork; and when the company had done full justice to this, the first course of the entertainment, thB tables were cleared to make room for minced pies, pudding and sauce, pear and apple tarts, with numerous other sweet dishes; and as the home- brewed ale and the wine passed round, the talk and mirth grew louder, only one momentary luU taking place in the general merriment, when Hellen, who had been gazing intently for a moment or two at a brightly polished silver bowl before her, suddenly fell back, pale and half un. conscious, in her chair. In a few moments, how- ever, she rallied, but would say nothing of what had ailed her, though at night she told her mother how she had seen the face of Margaret Waite in the bowl, and as she clasped the jasper amulet the face seemed to melt away. In due course, the mince pies and plumb porridge and all the other sweet dishes were removed for the dessert, which was brought from the buffet, and the horn and boxwood spoons rattled merrily on the plates as the wet sweetmeats, for which the hostess was so noted, were passed round, and the raftered roof rang with the merry laughter of the guests whilst they toasted each other in canary and sack, and to such a pitch rose their mirthful voices that fur a few moments they were deaf to the noise of music and singing without, till William and young Edward Fairfax, suddenly throwing back the large oaken door, admitted, together with an icy rush of the north-east wind, a band of carol singers and a troupe of wandering minstrels. Their entrance roused Master Parker from a pleasant half-dreamy state, induced by the host's very good ale and sack, and, scarcely awake, he began to utter one of his favourite diatribes, to the great amusement of the company. Hark you, every town, city, and country is full of these twangling Jacks, minstrels, forsooth I to pipe up a dance to the devil. But some of ye, I'll be sworn," and here the speaker glared sternly at the fiddlers; will reply and say: What, sir, we have licences from justices of the peace to pipe and use our minstrelsy to our best commoditr. Tush. tush, I like not these licenceik which license any man to get his living with the destruction of many thousands! Give over, therefore, your occupations, you pipers, your fiddlers, you tabretters, you fluters, and all other of your wicked hrood." Certainly, had Master Parker not been in some measure under the influence of hie host's gooii wine, he would not have denounced the twangling Jacks, much as he abhorred them, under that gentleman's own roof tree, but as it was Master Fairfax only joined in the general laugh raised by the merchant's address to the minstrels, whilst they on the other hand, as though 10 revenge, scraped on their fiddles to such effect as to nearly drown the orator's last words. Then a carol wae sung, most of the company joining in the chorus, and the poet, quitting for a few momenta die scene of hilarity, stepped out into the garden, wooden trencher in hand, with some food for his feathered friends, who were perched on the snow- wreathed branohea of the trees,as though awaiting his coming. Before he had shaken the crumbs from the trencher, thrushes and blackbirds, saucy sparrows and robins alighted almost at his feet, and after watching them for a few moments, he was about to return to the house, when he fancied he heard in the distance a cry for help, which aeemed to him to come from the banks of the river. Perhaps, thought Maater Fairfax, some traveller had lost his way, and weak and benumbed with cold could walk no further. In a very abort space of time. however, he had traversed the garden alley leading to the cow pasture, and crossed the latter by a narrow path cut In tlie snow. Descending c the bank of the river, urged ) to his utmost speed by that despairing appeal for help, now heard more distinctly, and evidently proceeding from the lips of some child in dire terror, so soon as he came in sight of the little wooden bridge spanning the stream, and leading to Fuystone mill, on the opposite shore, he realised the terrible nature of the impending catastrophe which his Intervention alone could avert. CHAPTER XXXV. MINDED TO DESTROY HERSELF, On that frail wooden bridge, scarcely two planks in width, and with a slight hand-rail on either side,stood Mistress Robinson of Swinsty Hall, her arms encircling her little son, a child of ten years old, whose blue eyes were filled with wild terror, whilst hers gleamed with the fierce light of in- sanity. Below- the bridge tile stream rolled swiftly on, its swollen waters encumbered with pieces of floating ice, and in an instant did Master Fairfax comprehend the reason that impelled the boy to scream wich such piteous cries for help, cries which he could now no longer utter, for his childish strength was exhausted, and lie remained almost motionless in his mother's tenacious clasp, his fltixen hair falling in disordered curls on his little velvet doublet, though his fingers yet clasped with a tenacity almost convulsive the hand-rail of the bridge, which the poor child had grasped when his hapless mother would have flung her darling into the stream. Her hold of the boy suddenly relaxed, however, as Master Fairfax set foot on the bridge; and the latter gently drew him from her side, the poor lady making no resistance, though she murmured to herself: Well, well, I thought to save him from the pangs I have endured then she added aloud, and in an angry and almost fierce tone, Why did you stay me, Muster Fairfax ? Under those deep waters there is rest and per.iL', but here none. It is all danger, alarms, pursuit, and I wot not what else. 0 Heaven! it would have been well for me and my darling to have died together, but go your ways with the boy, and leave me to do as I list. Go, I say." With admirable presence of mind Edward Fair- fax did not contradict the poor distraught lady, but, on the contrary, assuming an appearance of agreement in her design, said in a calm, tranquil, and yet very determined tone, as he gazed stead- fastly into her blazing eyes— Nay, Mistress Robinson, I pray you by your leave you must delay your purpose till a more seasonable opportunity. My house is full of guests, and they are now about leaving, and will pass this way; pry thee come with me and let us tal k over the matter with my wife." "She was always my kind friend, but I have not seen her lately, nor your dear wene h Nell," replied Mistress Robinson, suddenly relapsing into a gentler mood, it would have done me good to have talked with her, but I will not go to Newhall now, while you have company, I will come some other day, and Jack and I will go home together.pl But poor little Jack clung to the poet's furred cloak in an agony of fresh terror at the bare idea of being left alone with his mother. A n't please you to go back to Swinsty, good Mistress Robinson, you must let 'me bear you company," replied Fairfax, for Itisbeavy walking through the snow, and there are, loose disorderly characters abroad at this festive season, whom 'twere not well you should meet alone in these wild and solitary parts." And as Fairfax spoke he glanced at the poor lady, whose dress and ornaments might have in- deed exposed her to danger, for her velvet hood, partly thrown back, exposed to view the jewelled pendants hanging at her ears, whilst her ungloved hands showed the rings glittering on her fingers. A strange sight she looked in the poet's pitying eyes, her rich damask gown and kirtle of purple satin all wet and bedraggled, and a small velvet cloak, only affording a slight protection from the keen and icy wind. As quickly as might be, and avoiding his own home, lest he should arouse any return of her former violence. Edward Fairfax, leading the poor distraught lady and her boy, one in either hand, directed his steps towards Swinsty Hall, and happily falling in with one of his own hinds on the way, he sent a brief message to Mistress Fairfax, telling her whither he was going and that he would return home before nightfall. For a little while Mistress Robinson walked onjin silencel; then she said, looking up into the face of her companion, with eyes full of tears, and with a mournful pathos, and in a tone of deep anguish: Good Master FairfaxJ you had better let me do the deed. then would my sorrows and dear Jack's all have been at an end. I shall do it sone day. 0 Heaven, there are times when my brain seems all on fire, and then they whisper to me, and tell me what I must do. When I look from my chamber window, save us, how they mock and jibe at me! and I trow I have felt minded to cast myself out to get free of them, and,marry, they followed me all through the woods to-day, nay, good Master Fairfax, they stood nigh the bridge, but they fled when you came." "Who are they who thus torment you ? Is it the witches ? asked Fairfax. "Save you, sir. I know nothing about witches; 'tis evil spirits that persecute me." 44 Aye, the familar spirits who attend on the witches, and do their bidding," remarked the poet in a thoughtful tone. I have beard how poor Nell is afflicted. I marvej if she doth see spirits? Hath she ever tried to escape from them as I have done? It Nay, truly, Heaven forbid," exclaimed Fair- fax, with a shudder. "Do you what folks say of me? asked Mistress Robinson, abruptly. Then, without waiting for an answer, she added in a half whisper, 44 they say I am mad, and the evil spirits whisper to me that my husband will send me to the dark house, but that he never will, I wot well, for he loves me too truly; but I dream sometimes that I am in a dark room, couched in the straw, and I can hear the lafh of the whip, and the cries and gibbering of the mad people, and then I awake screaming. 0 Heaven, I trow Henry will never send me to the dark house." "Nay, good Mistress Robinson, that, indeed, he never would," replied Fairfax, emphatically, for well he knew that Master Robinson's horror of the dark house, as the mad house was then called, and the cruelties practised in it, was as great is his own. A change for the worse in the weather now caused Fairfax to hurry his pace and that of his companions. The north-east wind, rising almost to a gale, cast flakes of the snow, which had now begun bo faU heavily, in the faces of the way- farers, so as almost to blind them, whilst at the same time rapidly obliterating the narrow tracks that had been made, and all this, added to increas- ing darkness, rendered progress each moment more difficult, and it was with a sense of intense relief that the poet discerned two or three lights twinkling in the gloom before them. "Shall we soon be home. sir jI II asked tlie boy, with a half sob,441 am so cold and tired." h Aye, presantly, little Jack," replied Master Fairfax, is a reassuring tone, 44 we have but a short way to go now, and belike those lights are the lanthorns of some of your father's servants. This surmise proved correct, the advancing lights were lanthorns, borne, however, not by the servants, but by Mistress Margery's husband. Cuthbert Hesketh, and two other gentlemen, form- ing one of some half dozen separated parties, wlio had been seeking in different quarters for the poor, distracted lady from the moment her absence was discovered, about an hcur previously. Mistress Robinson, now apparently as snne as those around her, and quite unconscious of the alarm her absence had given to her household, in- troduced her son-in-law to Master Fairfax, and begged the latter, who would now have returned at once to Newhall, to come into the house. "I protest I cannot suffer you to go back through this storm, Master Fairfax. Sure you will not refuse to spend a few hours under the roof-tree of your old friend. Nay, pray you, don't go. Truly I would that this piece of land that is in dispute had lain fathoms deep under the sea, ere it had caused an estrangement betwixt us, Cuthbert, she cried, appealing to her son-in-law do thou second my entreaty ? Well, I wot thy father would were he at home." "Good sooth, I need no further pressing, and I thank you lieartily, dear lady," said Master Fair- fax, who had continued to advance towards the hall; II I am Christian enough, I hope, at this season of peace &ud goodwill, to cast itside all un- kindness of heart, and moreover, I am truly glad to tarry and make the acquaintance of Master Hesketh." And here Fairfax spoke with great sincerity, for the frank, pleasant countenance of the Lancashire squire pleased him much, and he described him to his wife as a very honest, handsome young gentle- man, with eyes grey as glass, and right amiable. In good truth, Edward Fairfax was not sorry to pass from the gloom and the snowstorm, and the icy wind which seemed to chill him to the very bone, into the warmth and light of the hall at Swinsty, where the reflection of the broad tongues of flame shooting up from the blazing logs on the spacious hearth played on coats of black and white armour, and on pikes, lance staves and bal- berds, ranged against and suspended from the dark oak-panelKid walls; whilst Margery, his old favourite, with her own fnir hands would first re- llieve him of his cloak ere she followed-her mother, now in the safe care of Anne Mitton, to her chamber. Being left alone in the hall for a few moments, whilst Cuthbert Hesketh went in search of a man to send to Newhltlllo tell Mistress Fairfax that her husband resolved to ptio t-fie isigiit at Swinsty, Edward Fairfax began to marvel and wonder what could be tht) reason of Master Robinson's absence, when there was company staying in his house,and it also struck him as being rather strange that the gentlemen comprising that company were all noted secusants, three of whom-al/hert Piumpton of Piumpton, Ambrose Tiappes of Nidd Hall, and Emanuel Cross, of KIIRreslu"o'-he had seen with Master Hesketh, and whom, to the beat of his knowledge. Master Henry Robinsou had not hitherto been personally acquainted. 44 By your leave I have bi-uuglit your worsliip a pair of my master's slippers, so that you may doff your wet boots, for wet enough they arc, I'll war- rant," said Peter Gilling, the butler, as he came bustling into the hall. "And do you still ycarnafter Old I aund, Peter?" asked Master Fairfax, as with the aid of the butler lie removed hia boots which were in truth quite wet through. Ay, glJol sooth, I do, your worship," replied Peter Gilling, only too glad of the chance of retail- ing some of his grievances. 441 shall yearn after Old Launi to the last day of my life, if so be as I should end my days here; but that's neither here nor there. Marry, save you, sir, there's not a mort fearsome place to live in than Swinsty Hall. There were witches enough, I trow, i' Pendle Forest; aye, a good round score of the devil's dams; but, good sooth, sir, here we've gotten what is, in a manner of speaking, worse than witches." "That were, iiidebd, liardly possible, GiUinc," re- plied Master Fairfax. 44 But by your leave. your worship, you can have a witch up before the justice, and she can be stuck i' the pillory, and she can be hung when her spells and bewitchings are proven, but save us, sir, what can you do with ghosts? Good hearts, there's no way of getting at 'ein at all as I can see," added Gilling, with a perplexed air, his last remark eliciting much laughter from Master Fairfax, and also from Cuthbert Hesketh, who had just returned to the liall. 44 A nd what does your master say ?" asked Master Fairfax, when he could command his voice. "Marry, he cares no more for the ghosts than he did for the Pendle witches; and then by your leave, sir, he is a scholar like your honour, and knows Latin, so he can talk to ghosts." "Ill warrant the weaver never spoke a word oi Latin in his life, Peter," said Master Hesketh, in a jocose tone,44 so his ghost is not like to under* stand it." T'other one will though," remarked the butlet in a solemn tone. "Wiiatl have you two ghosts at Swinltyjlll asked Master Fairfax '4 why man alive," he added in a tone of playful remonstrance, "one is enough for any house." "Aye, and more than enough, your worship," replied GiUing with a groan which increased ths mirth of the two gentleiiien. "Stve us, 'tis a fearsome sight to see the weaver, as I have seen him, wi' my own een I trow, staggering down the lane with his sack of gold on his back to Green* well Spring, but 0 Heaven, by our lady, it goes nigh to kill one outright to see the friar, with een like living coals of fire, and a face as white as any corpse." "4 Tush, tush, Peter," said Master Hesketh, in < tone of laughing incredulity,44 this Is the first] have lieurd of any friar." "The Lord send you mayn't see as well as heat of him, Master Hesketh," replied Gilling with a doleful shake of the head, Anne Milton thinks to do your worship honour by putting you in one oJ the grand bed chambers, und so forsooth, bu: marry, I've something against it." "And why not the red chamber?" asked Master Fairfax gaily. 44 Because, sir, 'tis the very room the friar hath been seen in, I wot not why lie haunts that cham* ber, or why he comes at all, but two or three Papists have told lIIe." added Gilling, forgetful of the presence of Master Hesketh, 44 tliat belike he wants prayers to get him out of purgatory." "Sithe that be all the friar's ghost wants, honest I'elør, by my troth, I think I may sliMp quietly in the red chamber," replied Master Fairiax gaily* "for belike, he knows I am a heretic and that my prayers won't help him." Well, well," said Peter very dismally, there's small choice in rotten apples, and what betwixt ghosts and witelies. I'll Ue swiiig'd if I have any peace of my life, and I trow I've no good stomach for my food at times." Then preparing to dis- burden himself of more gossip before leaving the apartment, lie added, with a mysterious shake of the head, 44 An't please your honours, I can tell you a dreadful story about them witches that happened not far from these parts. From all such devils, good Lord deliver us," groaned the. poor butler as lie spoke. "Let's ha* 't, we'll lend you our ears, honest Peter," exclaimed Master Hesketh, looking much amused. Then, an't please your honours, and by yout leave, there's a young man as died at Skipton, not a month since, and a lusty fellow he had been I trow, but he chanced to vex one of them devil's dams, and the old cozening quean began to practice her dauberies on him, and so he fell ill, and bless us and save us, he threw up hairs and rags and broken biis of glass." 44 What o' devil's name, old lad!" cried out Master Hesketh. Tut, I like it not," said Fairfax quietly. 44 Belike your honours, don't believe It," said the butler, whose feelings ttppeared to be somewhat hurt at the incredulous air of the two gentlemen; but I can tell you something that is as true as the gospel anent another man who was bewitched) and, save UII, there came iron nails from under hit skin, and his torments were that great that, in a fit of despair, he cut his throat. I ken him who told me, he's of good substance, and an honest wight; and, that there might be no doubt of the poor man's having been worked to his death by the witches, his body was opened as soon as the life wns out of him, before a many honest wit- nesses, and 0, Lord bless us and save us, what do you think they found in it? why, as I hope to be saved, a staff, four steel knives, two small iron things, I forget what, and a great ball of hair." 44 By my troth, that was a jet Indeed," exclaimed Master Hesketh, in a voice broken with laughter. "Marry Peter," he continued, in a grolvat tone, 44 the knave whosoe'r lie wa-, who told you tliat marvel can have had no other object than to see how many of his lies you would swallow." By your leave, sir, but. 'twas a right lionest man," replied Gilling, with a very injured air. "Then must lie have been deceived himself," said Master Fairfax, with a entile and a shrug of his shoulders, "for," lie added, such tales as these are mere inventions, and do muoh mischief, inas- much as they serve to cast discredit on the true charges which are brought against witches, for I have heard it said by those who do not believe ia witchcraft that, sith one accusation be fatse, so another may be." 44 Does your worship believe in wise women asked the butler, broaching another subject. 44 Assuredly not, Peter. If thou meanest to asi if 1 believe in their power to uiend folk that arc bewitched," replied Master Fairfax, neither wis4 woman nor witch can do that." But, an't please your honour, there was a wise woman in Pendle Forest," said Gilling, with a dogged air, "and I trow she could cure mad folk; why, people used to come to her from all parts. She dealt in physick, and forespeaking, and In palmistrv. and recovering of things that were lost." "The Lord alone can heal man," replied Masiel Fairfax, in a reverential tone, and with a certaia grave sternness of manner, which cheoked the ftii-ti,er flow of.Oilling's gossip. who now took hit departure, with a rather aggrieved air, to tJJt kitchen, where lie deacanted at length on the obstinate incredulity of the two gentlemen. 14 Flow is it, sir," asked Master Hesketh, when Gilling had retired, that dealers in magit and sorcery are mostly women ? 41 That is a question I have long considered," replied the poet, who, perceiving that the young Lancashire squire did not share his fttlier-iri-lawx scepticism with regard to witchcraft, was very willing to give him the information he souglit, lilt auswer proving how deeply and earn". he had studied the whole subject. "The learned have remarked that from the most remote ages there have ever been far more female sorcerers than male, a fact that is clearly set forth, nut oniy by the modern writers of all nations, but by the ancient Greek nnd Latin authors. Amongst tin Greeks I may mention Moschus, Arllltoph.,nds Homer, who speaks of noted sorceress who predicted the fall of Troy. Then there ar< Circe and Medea, two notorious witches, and Hecate, a witch and a dabbler in the most subtil poisons, and amr,ng the Latin writers who speak of witches are Virgil, Ovid, Horace, who detaill for us the vile ni-ts of Cikitidia, and another witch to whom he has given the feentlric name of Sapnal Juvenal, who mentious the witch Lpcasta, who compounded poisons out of the bodies of certain venomous frogs found among brambles, and I could multiply still more my authorities had Ithi time and did not fear to weary you." On the contrary, si. interposed Mastei. Hesketh,4* I am only too content to listen to youi explanation of a fact that hath often puzzled inei but witchcraft is a matter which Master Koblnsoi and I discuss not at all, sith our opinions are at variance." 44 You must come and visit me at, Newhall) replied Master Fairfax, "and I can then talk with you at greater length; but I may now add to wlial I have been saying that to this day Uie Italians call the workers in the black art Sybils, Nymphs* and Fates, which, being all female appellations* prove that the woman has naturally more inclina- tion tosorcery than the man, Mid Bod in us, a learned Frenchman, who wrote a book on sorcery several years ago, says that I his inclination is not a corlo sequence of the weakness and fragility of the seXJ since they can suffer the most cruel tortures with more fortitude and constancy than man, but it il because the woman has a stronger desire to gratify her appetite for revenge or of curiosity, andtt wish to know the unknown. It is beyond a doubt that the Evil One more easily draws the flighty spirits of women into superstition and idolatry than the stronger souls of men; hence we inaj read in the great Book of Genesis that diabolical doo trines were, from the beginning of tlie world rather taught to Eve than to Adam, and that abt was more easily seduced by Satan in the form 01 a serpent." Oh, you dear traducer of our sex I" exclaimed m istrsw Margery Hesketh in a tone of playful chiding, as she suddenly stood in front of Master Fairfax, having entered the hall untterceived bf either of the two gentlemen; 44 flighty are wA forsooth, good Master Fairfax, and fond of reveng* and curious? Save you, sir, you are mors cruel than Master Parker; he doth but rail and scold our horned caps and yellow starched ruffs, and call our head-dress a Maypole, and our sleeve* cowtails, while you charge us with far u°or<j weighty matters. But let tliat pass, sir," added, with an assumed air of reproach, ,nar.r £ l I've something against you withal; you are domojy unkind, sith your railing words were utv husband, and might weaken his allegiance 1 me." (To be continutd.1 )