with great violence against the lee-bulwarks, my legs and arms feeling much as though they had been burnt by a hot iron.

In a short time I was carried below by Berton and his hero Curly ' Manvers, both of whom had been attracted by the noise.

"Is he much hurt?" inquired the Naval son of Stentor, without deigning either to remove the whistle from his mouth, or to wait for a reply.

"Come lay out there! lay out!" he cried in the same mild accents as before this time addressing the men on the Main Royal Yard. Whether they laid out or not I never learnt, and what is more, I did'nt so much care-I was more shaken than hurt, and I need not say that from this moment, I grew more particular as to the perches I chose for roosting-either in a calm or in

a storm!

Charlie Fairfax, who was terribly ill-natured, laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks, while Berton, with endless additions of his own, narrated the adventure. The chaff never really left me, and I well remember Berton coolly asking me to sit on the sheet anchor while we were steaming into the harbour of Halifax. The journey at length came to an end, and in a short time, though not without many privations and great difficulties, we found ourselves in the town of Montreal.

"Peace, or War?" cried Colonel Despard as he saw a cocked-hat and white feather appear on the scene.

"Not known," was the reply, and a most unsatisfactory one too!

That hospitality, which is so proverbial with Canadians, began to appear in its brightest colours and compelled Berton to exclaim more than once, "Why hang it, man! I can't dine at ten houses in one night!" Of one thing I am certain, he never tried. We all dined out for the first, and many subsequent nights 'sans choix et sans reserve.'

I found myself installed in the house of a wealthy Canadian, the father of three marriageable daughters, while Berton, I believe, dwelt with a more indigent personage, who amply made up for his monetary deficiency by extra hospitability, and forthwith presented twice the number of eligible young ladies to his notice. The first care of a Guardsman is the welfare of his men, and therefore we allowed ourselves but little leisure until we had provided for their individual and collective wants. Canada, inflamed by an enthusiasm which did it infinite credit, evinced throughout, the strongest marks of attachment even to the meanest of our men, and thus, in a very few hours, they were all as happy and contented as if they had been back again at home.

Mr. Francis Warrington, for such was the appellation by which my host

was distinguished, appeared so cordial in his greeting and so profuse in his offerings, that I believe if I had asked him for the hands of his three daughters in marriage, he would have merely replied "certainly, Captain Morton, if you will turn Mormon, and leave for Utah to-morrow." He would'nt hear of my taking lodgings, but insisted on my living in his house; offered to advance me money; and bade me make myself perfectly at home. The mênage was entirely at my disposal and the servants looked upon me as one of the family!

No news had reached us relative to the probable course to be pursued by the Home Government and we, therefore, did not know how long we should remain in Montreal. That gay city with its magnificent edifices and princely mansions, already described by abler pens, was dressed as for a holiday. The famous Hôtel Dieu, established in 1644, was decorated with the Standards of France, while the English Flag fluttered from the summit of St. Sulpice as a simple indication of the pride of conquest. Our drums and fifes played in the squares, to the delight of pretty Canadian women who flocked down in 'shoals' to pass an hour or two in the society of Guardsmen, for whom they had, from the first, evinced a strange partiality, and with whom, they had a wondrous desire to become acquainted.

In stories of this kind the goose is apt to assert its right over the quill resting betwixt the authors digits, compelling him to write hesitatingly, uncertain as to the manner in which his endeavours will be received; for an impartial sketch of Canadian Society, however well written, or apologetically described, must reflect strangely upon the manners and customs of English men and women.

Be not therefore surprised if in the following pages I draw what must seem a broad and grotesque view of Canadian life, but treat it rather as a faithful representation of a hospitable people, the mingling in whose society might teach many useful lessons. Above all, convict no one on my authority! Where manners differ, there can be no rule!

The youngest Miss Warrington was the prettiest, and I was not long in making an agreeable selection of a confidante and companion. One day, while I was passing along on my way to an Inspection Parade, I met Charlie Fairfax and Berton walking arm in arm; they were consulting deeply on a subject of interest to both, and when I caught them up, they changed the topic of conversation very clumsily. "Come Charlie! more secrets!" I exclaimed reproachfully.

"Not a bit of it, Morton, Bertie was giving me an account of his adventures with the Hydra."

"Like Hercules I suppose, performing the impossibilities commanded by Eurystheus," I replied laughingly.

"Nonsense--don't listen to him," exclaimed Berton rather stung than amused by the classic allusion.

"Why, the fact is, Morton," he continued, "my host has seven daughters,

and I really believe he expects me to marry them all!"

"Stuff and nonsense, Bertie!" I exclaimed, vainly endeavouring to suppress a smile, "you're an unlikely bird to be caught in so palpable a net—it's against the law!"

"Law! indeed! Canadians do not even mention it in their estimates," he replied, "why I'm engaged to three of them already!"

This clinching piece of information not only defied all counter argument, but caused Charlie and myself to burst into a roar of laughter; we joined our respective companies giggling like school-girls.

The Battalion was drawn up in open column of companies 'standing at ease' in anticipation of the arrival of the Major General. Ladies and gentlemen flocked round the saluting post anxious to gain a good view of the marching past.' A cocked hat in the distance warned us of the approach of the General, and the order was given to 'wheel into line.' In a few minutes, a fine looking old officer, who in days gone by had served with our Battalion, rode down towards the centre of the line, and was received with a 'general salute.' Several manoeuvres were gone through with marked precision, and at the close of the inspection, the General delivered a complimentary speech from the centre of the square. There was never a neater or more appropriate speech made on that parade ground before! It reminded me of the well-known toast of a French cavalry officer at a Banquet given to the Foot and Horse during the occupation of Paris in 1815, "Messieurs les officiers d'Infanterie ! et Messieurs mes camarades-à vous!"

General Sydney had once more met his comrades on a foreign soil!

The rest of the British army must have felt the point nearer to their breasts than they expected, yet it was but the spark of ésprit which kindled in the old man's heart! There is no shame in the indulgence of a whim, the folly rests in its creation!

When all was over, I hurried back to fetch the Warringtons, where with some difficulty I induced Charlie and Berton to follow me. We found them dressed and ready to start on a pre-arranged excursion into the country, and as Mrs. Warrington preferred remaining at home, we had nothing left but to 'pair off' and depart. The absurdity of chaperonage' had not worked its way into Canadian Society at this time, hence there were no 'gooseberry bushes' by the way, and perhaps a great deal less humbug au fond.

We drove in a Phaeton and pair, across the St. Lawrence by the Victoria Bridge, and far into that beautiful country with its endless forests and luxuriant foliage. We listened to the warbling of passing birds, while the wild note of the monarch moose sounded like a blast of defiance through the clustering trees. Mabel sate by my side, and pointed out to me all points of historical interest connected with the march of General Amherst's army at the capture of Montreal in 1760. There was a blush of pride in her face as she recounted the history of one of England's Victories, Albion's blood in every vein that

marked the white transparent hand.'

Berton was not as amusing as we had a right to expect, but as he afterwards said, "Clara Warrington is all very well-but she don't suit me! She hasn't either enough of life to be interesting, or beauty to be exacting."

We pulled up at the door of a neat looking farm-house and drank some new milk which the old woman avowed 'required no tasting,' but which Berton declared must have 'dropped from the clouds,' which complimentary remark elicited a rejoinder to the effect that 'soldiers always was werry hard to please,' and then Mabel and I sauntered off into the woods, beyond the reach of Berton's sarcasm and Charlie's eyes.

We reached the centre, or very nearly the centre, of the wood without speaking a word, and then, when the trees shut out the country house from our view and we were well beyond the hearing of the others, my companion said"Captain Morton, I am going to ask you to do me a favour."

It came unexpectedly, this somewhat strange remark, and I began to make a calculation with the tips of my fingers, which had leap year for its result. "I need not say that, if in my power, Miss Mabel, I shall be delighted to comply," was my answer.

“Well then!—but no-you would be vexed I'm sure! "

I persuaded her that she need entertain no fears on that score and begged her to proceed.

"Well then," she resumed hesitatingly, "we are going to a Ball this evening, and Papa hoped you would not mind acting as our chaperon."

She repented this as soon as she had spoken, "no, no! never mind Captain Morton, I was only joking."

I own the request somewhat surprised me, but then I was at that time unacquainted with the manners and customs of Canadian Society. "I am that you should distrust me so far as to mock me, Miss Mabel,” I said. "You need not accuse me yet," she replied.

sorry

"It looks very much as though I had cause for the suspicion at any rate." "Ah! the request puzzles you! well it is part of our Canadian privilege," she exclaimed blushingly, "in England Knights-errant are people one reads about and never sees."

"I am as easily converted by custom as other people and therefore I accept the appointment on this occasion, with a perfect sense of the honour you intend me."

"Spoken like an Englishman-and intended as a bound to my modesty," she replied, at the same time turning in the direction of the Farm House.

"Mabel was vexed-and all through my Bull-dog stupidity"-this was the thought prevailing in my mind. It were worse than folly to attempt the mending of the evil, and therefore I bit my lip, and walked by her side in silence.

We found the carriage waiting-the coachman fast asleep with his hat on his knees, the horses pawing the ground impatiently, while Berton, Charlie, and the young ladies, were nowhere to be seen!

THE CHINESE CLASSICS.

ગ

I

NE of the most to be regretted sources of error in regard to the Chinese and all that is theirs, is the delusion which prevails, that all that a

Chinaman does, is, and says, must savour of the grotesque and ludicrous. A serious and thoughtful lecture on China would hardly be listened to at home-the audience would feel defrauded if they were not kept in a roar all the time, if they did not

(( see a fellow

In a long motley coat, guarded with yellow'

they would pronounce the discourse a thing of nought.

Things may be changed now, but in the writer's school-days, we swallowed out of Magnall and Pinnock the monstrous doctrine that the Chinese way of doing everything is exactly opposite to the way of Europeans. This we believed in as firmly as that nature abhorred a vacuum. And of course every one knows how true it is. A Chinaman is not fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same summer and winter, as a Christian is. If you prick him he does not bleed, if you tickle him he will not laugh, if you poison him he will not die, and if you wrong him he will not revenge! It is well known that the Chinese walk on their heads instead of on their feet, and fall up into the air instead of down to the ground.

Most of this extraordinary "exactly opposite" theory arises from mere provincialism—the provincialism of children who cannot believe a plongh is a plough if it is not the same shape as that used in "our village." Knives and forks were revealed from heaven, but "chopsticks"-Phoebus! what a name— are an invention from the nether pit. So also, in our conceit, we speak of Chinese beginning at the wrong end of a book, and the wrong side of the page, forgetting that they are only wrong because we choose to do differently.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the book of books in China should have suffered from much of the same preconceived scorn and unkindly laughter that has been lavished on every Chinese thing, from temples to tea-cups. The one only sentence that English people can quote is that "The Master was never without ginger when he ate," while a tradition floats amongst linguistic