While she was thus comforting us, my father, who had been told of what had happened by my brothers who escaped, accompanied by a few friends, came into the stable to see if we were still alive, and if any thing could be done for us. He soon found out where we were confined, and, after endeavouring to raise our spirits as well as he could, with a prospect of deliverance, he and his friends made a most minute survey of how matters stood. Upon inspection, they did not look flattering. On the top of the pail where we were, they found there was another nearly full of water, the weight of which made it almost impossible to be moved. My father's first plan was to endeavour to overturn both pails and to let us have our chance of escape as we best could. He accordingly got his whole band to make a united effort by applying their backs to our dungeon. This was done by word of command in the most regular manner; but after repeated trials, it was found totally impossible, as scarcely the slight est motion was produced. All this time our poor mother's agony was much increased by fears for my father's life, and she used every argument to endeavour to persuade him to leave her and us to our fate. My father's next idea was to endeavour to upset the upper pail, and this he thought might be effected by throwing all their weight to one side, (providing little water should be found to be in it,) we prisoners at the same time making our utmost exertions to raise the weight as much as possible. This had been no sooner planned than my father made a spring to ascertain as to the water; but at this moment the key was heard in the door-our sentinel gave the alarm-a retreat was sounded. Alas, however, my father lost his balance and fell into the water. He was a capital swimmer, and might soon have got out if his retreating friends had not made so much noise, that it instantly made the dragoons, who entered, think that something was wrong. The two who had taken us prisoners, were now accompanied by a couple of sergeants, whose favour by such a treat they did not doubt they would gain. Each sergeant had a terrier with him, both of which were famed for their bloody deeds. Upon their entrance, the dogs barked loudly, and their masters immediately VOL. XXIV.

went to where we were; when they found my father in his sad plight, a loud vulgar laugh first apprised us of their discovery. My father had remained so very quiet, that we were in hopes he had escaped their notice; but all in vain. The one sergeant now said to the other, that as there was to be such good sport, he thought he would go and tell Lieutenant and Cornet, both of whom he was sure would thank them all, and perhaps help them out of the next scrape.

"If you are to do that," says his comrade, "I may as well also just tell my Captain, old, who has been rather sulky of late, and I think it may help me on a bit in his good books-I know he likes good sport, and I don't think he has tried his new ferrets yet."

The Captain, the Lieutenant, and the Cornet, I suppose, thought it but friendly to tell some of their companions, for in a few minutes the two sergeants returned with five or six officers of the regiment. All this time the two dragoons had held the dogs, who did not fail to give plenty of tongue, I assure you.

Pity, a'nt it, says a young Cornet, "that the good fat Colonel should not see the fun?"

"And the Major too," said one of the others.

They were both duly informed, and in a little time, puffing and blowing, they both made their appearance.

"I hope you have not begun yet,” was the worthy commandant's first words. "I was very busy with the Paymaster; but faith I could not afford to miss this."

Being assured they had waited for him, he wiped his forehead, and seemed in the best possible good-humour; and indeed a good-natured fellow he always was, I am told. A regular court-martial was now held. The sergeants and the privates modestly stood aside, but were soon called up by the Colonel.

"Well, Sergeantdoing? Ha, ha, ha!"

-, is this your

The sergeant could not resist silently assenting; and would thus mo destly have claimed the whole merit, if his brother sergeant had not at the moment taken the liberty of treading on his toe.

"Sergeant and I thought it was a pity not to let your honour 4 G

know, plaise your honour," was the reply.

The result of this drum-head court martial was instantly proclaimed, viz. that we should be taken to the messroom, and there have each a fair chance, at least, for our lives. A handbarrow was provided, and the whole party immediately adjourned to the scene of action, the officers bringing up the rear. We seemed to make no small sensation in our progress across the barrack-yard. The Adjutant instantly dimissed the men at drill. The Surgeon made a right about wheel on his way to the hospital, and found that the Assistant would do equally well; and two young Cornets made a sudden escape from the riding school. I do not blame any of the regiment for the pleasure they all seemed to feel at the amusement to be derived from our torture. Any other corps would have done exactly the same. A barrackyard has not many amusements, and every little event is looked upon with interest. In former days, perhaps, I might probably have been one of the first to join, though I cannot blame myself with ever having been fond of unnecessary cruelty.

We reached the field of combat. The water in the pail, where my father was, was carefully removed, by being poured off. He was allowed ten minutes to recruit, in case, as the Colonel, who loved fair play, said, he should be at all exhausted by his immersion. The tables were by this time removed, and a large circle of chairs was made, in the centre of which it was arranged that the combat should take place. In case of accidents, the spectators were to stand on their chairs, the sergeants, messmen, &c. remaining behind. Our father, it was determined, should commence the amusements of the day. Captain

-'s ferrets were produced, muzzled. They were said to be in famous fighting order. You may imagine, reader, that our family party was at this moment in no very enviable situation. For my part, I scarcely as yet knew my own powers. I, however, was resolved to do my best, and, at all events, die like-a man, I was almost going to say-but let it be like a hero. My teeth I found sharp and tolerably long; but more calculated for gnawing than for biting, as they seemed to be situated at the extremity

of the lever or jaw, and had not therefore so much force as they should have had. But I need not, I am sure, distress you, gentle reader (if any there ever be,) with the particulars of the battle which ensued. Suffice it to say, that our father, mother, brothers and sisters, died fighting bravely. I believe it is impossible for our species, although our strength is said to be nearly equal, to overcome the ferret He bites with his whole jaw, and, instead of ever quitting his hold, sucks the blood from the wounded part, till exhausted nature at last gives way. One of them, however, I was happy to hear, was very much bitten; and both the terriers, by their cries, shewed they had suffered severely. I was now alone left; and as it was said I was a fine tight fellow, it was agreed I should be well fed till next day, by which time Cornet expected his new

dog home. Before the party broke up, as it was a wet day, and they had nothing better to do till six o'clock, they thought they would amuse themselves by having a nearer look of me; and the pail was accordingly put upon the mess-table. The old Colonel seemed to enjoy the sight, and kept turning the pail from side to side. I began to have hopes; I watched my opportunity; I made a spring full in the Colonel's face. He tumbled over a chair. Cornet upset the Major; the Major pulled Captain

to the ground along with him. A rush was made to the door, and it seemed to be sauve qui peut. In the confusion I easily made my escape; and although I could not regain my old habitation for some days, I secured myself in a safe retreat.

I must here most distinctly observe, that I do by no means intend to cast the smallest slight upon the courage of any of my military friends. There is many a brave officer who would far rather engage a couple of Frenchmen than a couple of R-ts; and some of those whom I singly routed, may yet die like heroes upon the battle's bloody field.

I met many of my species behind the wainscot, who were most anxious to know all particulars of the fight, the noise of which they had heardand by them I was most kindly entertained for some days. Our race are always generous to one another, when not pressed by hunger; and it

is only in the utmost necessity that we are driven to the shifts, I shall be afterwards obliged to mention. While in my present quarters I fared most luxuriously. The mess generally broke up about 10 or 11; but we used often to come out long before that, and play our cantrips, our friends being generally pretty far gone early in the evening. The mess-man's pantry was not far distant, and every good thing was there to be found in abundance, without the smallest trouble. About 12 at night we generally set out on our peregrinations. I soon easily found my way to my old quarters, and was joyfully received by my surviving brothers and sisters. None of my friends, or of my family, were at all surprised when I told them of the cruel loss of our parents. They only seemed astonished that I should ever have come back to tell their fate, and said that I was the first who had returned from the hands of the Philistines.

A few nights afterwards a large band of us made an excursion of several miles, and in returning, we remained for a day or two at Leith. It being a seaport, we met some of our own species from all parts of the world, the language of most of whom I could not understand. Among others I met some beautiful creatures, who, I was told, were natives of Spain; their hair was long and silky; their shape was elegant, and altogether they appeared to be the most lovely of their race.* It was now I first felt a curious kind of palpitation of my heart; but I know, fair reader, you cannot in this enter into my feelings, so I shall not again obtrude them upon you. It was here, likewise, I first witnessed battles be tween ourselves. A snarl or a side bite I had before heard of, but any thing further I could not imagine. The first I saw was truly dreadful; it was between a brawny Norwegian and a sturdy Scot. I don't know what was the cause of the quarrel-proba bly some dispute about the honour of their two countries; but dreadful was the shock of combat, and long and loud the cheers and cries of the two heroes. They were both well prac tised in the art of war, and their re

spective weapons were used with such effect, that the field of battle was soon drenched with blood. They seemed equally matched, and the friends of both thought their own countryman sure of success, when all of a sudden the Norwegian's strength appeared at once to fail, and at the same moment the vigour and courage of his opponent began to rise. He seized his foe so fiercely by the lower part of the throat, that the blood gushed from the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Shriek succeeded shriek, but in a moment all was hushed, and the Norwegian lay extended on the ground a mangled and unseemly corse. If the fight had terminated otherwise, the head of our countryman would have been instantly opened, and he would have been speedily devoured by his antagonist. But, like a true hero, the Scot knew how to use his victory with moderation, and modestly retired from the scene of action. While in Leith, I saw many other battles, both single combats and regular fights of ten or fifteen on each side; but it is unne cessary to say more about them at present, as I shall soon have occasion, in describing my adventures in Germany, to dwell so much on blood. I was much amused at the mixed society I met with at this seaport, and listened with an eager ear to the many adventures and tales of wonder I heard related. One boasted of the many countries he had visited-another of the escapes he had made a third of the hardships he had endured in an eight months' voyage-a fourth amused us all with the stories of Whittington, Lord Mayor of London, and Puss in Boots. And an old fellow, who appeared to have seen a great deal of service, maintained to us, that, in the West Indies, he and a dozen companions had been swallowed alivet by a large serpent, and that they had cut a passage out for themselves, "sword in hand," and escaped safe to a R-t! But what delighted me most, was an account another old fellow gave of the taking of the Isle of France by an army of 360,000,000 R-ts!! The poor Dutch, he said, fought most valiantly for long, but nothing could withstand

opportunity of going up stairs. When I was about half way up, an ill-bred cur of a dog flew at me, but I gave him tit for tat; and he was happy to have the excuse of hearing his master whistle, to take himself off. I went from room to room, and at last I took George's word for it, that the best dinner was to be in No. 7; and I accordingly comfortably nestled myself behind the fire-screen till the moment of attack should commence. It at last arrived, and a good set-to we certainly had. The waiter fellows whipt off the dishes from the sideboard so quickly, however, that I had scarcely time to dip my whiskers in half of them. I therefore determined to accompany a choice one down stairs, and gently insinuated myself below the cover. I was not a little nonpluss'd at one of the fellows taking off the cover as soon as he got out of the door, for the purpose, no doubt, of having a tasting himself, and was forced to leap in his face, and make my escape as I best could. The consequence was, the poor devil was so terrified, that he let fall the turkey, china and all, and had his wages stopped for three weeks for his pains. I adjourned to the pantry, and made a most excellent repast, and after some time returned to the dining-room for my wine. I found so many glasses of champaigne on the side-table, that I must confess, I rather exceeded, and had such a headach next morning, that I was not relieved till I had taken one of Puke and Spew's best Sedleitz.*

I am afraid I am rather long-winded in details of so little consequence, so I must pass over my visit to the Royal Hotel, the New Club, my friend Blackwood's, our R-t Assembly-room, (below, or rather in the North and South Bridges,) and the Parliament House (a devilish dusty place,) where I found the macers uncommonly officious. At the first mentioned, I must only remark, that my rashness had wellnigh cost me my life. In the early part of the evening, I had observed a pair of green eyes prowling about; but the eatables were so excellent, I soon quite forgot all caution, and never once again thought of the matter, till I heard a

dreadful scream-saw dishes overturned in all directions, and found myself engaged in mortal combat with that abominable creature called a cat. She luckily trusted to her claws, and was not a good biter-I was; and elevated with Glasgow punch and claret, I fought so desperately, that she was, before long, glad to sound a retreat.

I often walked along the streets of Edinburgh, and frequently have I put my head above a grating in the South Bridge, and stood for hours moralizing. Often, in the middle of my melancholy reflections, have I been made to laugh aloud, at the sight of two fat burghers meeting, and attempting to pass each other, first on the one side and then on the other, I daresay at least eighteen different times, but the result always was, their falling into each other's arms. The good people of Edinburgh should really have lessons in walking. It would be more worthy of the Provost and Corporation to set the example of such a thing as this, than all their gymnastics and nonsense. Nobody ever seems to think it necessary to look where he is going. Indeed, every body makes it a rule to look one way and walk another. The more dirty a fellow is, with the more confidence he walks the streets of Edinburgh. He thrusts a hand into each pocket of his inexpressibles, and the pavement is instantly cleared for him, as no one but those as filthy as himself care to rub shoulders with him. It is really quite unsafe for one of us to go along the pavement of Edinburgh, for there is no saying which side the man you meet will take-ten to one he even puts his foot on you. Now, in the streets of London, every body knows there are regular sides and regular streams of people; and often have I walked between the two columns, and indeed often in the middle of them, as the Londoners are too much taken up with themselves to mind any body else. A Sawney Scot, on the contrary, is always looking about him, and would, I am sure, stay a quarter of an hour, be he ever in such a hurry, to see one of us killed, or even to look at one of our dead bodies.-But I have to apologize for taking the li