and my leg was shot off. Had I the good fortune to have lost my leg and use of my hand on board a king's ship, and not a privateer, I should have been entitled to clothing and maintenance during the rest of my life, but that was not my chance; one man is born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and another with a wooden ladle. However, blessed be God, I enjoy good health, and have no enemy in the world that I know of, but the French and the justice of peace.'

Thus saying, he limped off, leaving my friend and me in admiration of his intrepidity and content: nor could we avoid acknowledging, that an habitual acquaintance with misery is the truest school of fortitude and philosophy. Adieu.

LETTER XXVI.

THE WEDDING.

AFTER a variety of disappointments, my wishes are at length fully satisfied. My son, so long expected, is arrived; at once, by his presence banishing my anxiety, and opening a new scene of unexpected pleasure. His improvements in mind and person have far surpassed even the sanguine expectations of a father. I left him a boy, but he is returned a man; pleasing in his person, hardened by travel, and polished by adversity. His disappointment in love, however, had infused an air of melancholy into his conversation, which seemed at intervals to interrupt our mutual Fatisfaction. I expected that this could find a cure only from time; but fortune, as if willing to load us with her favours, has in a moment repaid every uneasiness with rapture.

Two days after his arrival, the man in black, with his beautiful niece, came to congratulate us upon this pleasing occasion: but, guess our surprise, when my friend's lovely kinswoman was found to be the very captive my son had rescued from Persia, and who had been wrecked on the Wolga, and was carried by the Russian peasants to the port of Archangel. Were I to hold the pen of a novelist, I might be prolix in describing their feelings, at so unexpected an interview; but you may conceive their joy, without my assistance; words were unable to express their transports, then how can words describe it?

When two young persons are sincerely enamoured of each other, nothing can give me such pleasure as seeing them married; whether I know the parties or not, I am happy in thus binding one link more in the universal chain. Nature has, in some mea

sure, formed me for a match-maker, and given me a soul to sympathise with every mode of human felicity. I instantly, therefore, consulted the man in black, whether we might not crown their mutual wishes by marriage; his soul seems formed of similar materials with mine, he instantly gave his consent, and the next day was appointed for the solemnization of their nuptials.

All the acquaintance which I had made since my arrival were present at this gay solemnity. The little beau was constituted master of the ceremonies, and his wife, Mrs Tibbs, conducted the entertainment with proper decorum. The man in black and the pawnbroker's widow were very sprightly and tender upon this occasion. The widow was dressed up under the direction of Mrs Tibbs and as for her lover, his face was set off by the assistance of a pig-tail wig, which was lent by the little beau, to fit him for making love with proper formality. The whole company easily perceived, that it would be a double wedding before all was over, and, indeed, my friend and the widow seemed to make no secret of their passion; he even called me aside, in order to know my candid opinion, whether I did not think him a little too old to be married. As for my own part,' continued he, 'I know I am going to play the fool, but all my friends will praise my wisdom, and produce me as the very pattern of discretion to others.'

At dinner, everything seemed to run on with good-humour, harmony, and satisfaction. Every creature in company thought themselves pretty, and every jest was laughed at; the man in black sat next his mistress, helped her plate, chimed her glass, and jogging her knees and her elbow, he whispered something arch in her ear, on which she patted his cheek; never was antiquated passion so playful, so harmless, and amusing, as between this reverend couple.

The second course was now called for; and among a variety of other dishes, a fine turkey was placed before the widow. The Europeans, you know, carve as they eat; my friend therefore begged his mistress to help him to a part of the turkey. The widow, pleased with an opportunity of showing her skill in carving, an art upon which it seemed she piqued herself, began to cut it up by first taking off the leg. Madam,' cries my friend, if I might be permitted to advise, I would begin by cutting off the wing, and then the leg will come off more easily.'-'Sir,' replies the widow, 'give me leave to understand cutting up a fowl; 1 always begin with the leg.'-'Yes, madam,' replies the lover, 'but if the wing be the most convenient manner, I would begin with the wing.'' Sir,' interrupts the lady,' when you have fowls of your own, begin with the wing if you please, but give me leave to take off the leg; I hope I am not to be taught at this

time of day.'-'Madam,' interrupts he, we are never too old to be instructed.'-' Old, sir!' interrupts the other, 'who is old, sir? when I die of old age, I know of some that will quake for fear; if the leg does not come off, take the turkey to yourself.''Madam,' replied the man in black, 'I do not care a farthing whether the leg or the wing comes off; if you are for the leg first, why you shall have the argument, even though it be as I say.'— 'As for the matter of that,' cries the widow, 'I do not care a fig whether you are for the leg off or on; and, friend, for the future, keep your distance.'-' O,' replied the other, that is easily done, it is only removing to the other end of the table; and so, madam, your most obedient humble servant.'

Thus was this courtship of an age destroyed in one moment; for this dialogue effectually broke off the match between this respectable couple, that had been just concluded. The smallest accidents disappoint the most important treaties: however, though it in some measure interrupted the general satisfaction, it noways lessened the happiness of the youthful couple; and by the young lady's looks, I could perceive, she was not entirely displeased with this interruption.

In a few hours the whole transaction seemed entirely forgotten, and we have all since enjoyed those satisfactions which result from a consciousness of making each other happy. My son and his fair partner are fixed here for life; the man in black has given them up a small estate in the country, which, added to what I was able to bestow, will be capable of supplying all the real, but not the fictitious demands of happiness. As for myself, the world being but one city to me, I do not much care in which of the streets I happen to reside; I shall therefore spend the remainder of my life in examining the manners of different countries, and have prevailed upon the man in black to be my com panion. They must often change,' says Confucius, 'who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.' Adieu.

THE END.