Beatrice.

BEATRICE .

BV THE AUTHOR Ol' THE " OLD , 01 , 0 STOKV , " " ADVEXITI . 'KS OF DOS PASQUALE , " ETC . CHAPTER XIY . PERIOD of peace ancl calm succeeded the eventful scenes 1 haA'e recently

A recorded in the truthful pages of this magazine , and the "Idle Club " seemed to gather force and recruits , whether from the reaction of lassitude , or the anticipation of coining events . Even Mr . Miller condescended to join that agreeable " symposium "; and there it Avas that the waggish TAvamley contrived to extract from the somewhat taciturn Scotchman the history of his dealings with the male and female Grogwitz , which I haA'e already recorded

in , let us trust , " imperishable records . " As Mr . Miller liked a glass of grog , or whisky toddy , it was not difficult , in that genial circle , to unloose his tongue ancl obtain his confessions . Little by little , however , whether yielding to the sage philosophic advice of Brumme ' r or the . airy nothings of Twamley , Mr . Miller came to think he had better " leaA'o well alone "; ancl he soon relapsed ( taking more snuff than ordinaril )

y into a contented frame of mind , ancl learned to laugh heartily at Brummer ' s experience , as he termed it , of "the state of affairs , matrimonially speaking . " A memorable conversation which ensued at one of these pleasant gatherings ( IIOAV also things of the past for ever ) deseiwes to be mentioned here , as it not only throws some light on the action of the various " dramatis jjersonte , " but seems replete ivith wisdom and warnings suitable for all ages and appropriate

to all conditions . Indeed , as one remembers and realises it now , we almost think that Ave are listening to the didactic exhortations of Socrates , the sunny temperament of Plato , and the proverbial senteutiousuess of Confucius ail concentrated into one focus .

They were talking of what some disciple of Darwin or Huxley has termed the "female unit" when dealing with the principles especially of natural or unnatural selection , when the conversation took the following striking turn . Much allowance must be made for the amiable weakness of the " Idle Club " in those eventful days " . A large portion Avere actuall y on the very brink of the plunge of matrimony , and naturally , poor foolish moths , they would keep encircling the flames which ivereere longto scorch ancl consume them ! It

, , may be safel y asserted . I think , that human nature is always the same , under given circumstances ancl distinct conditions , at all periods of the world ' s history ; and men in loi'e haA'e ahvays been held , by the wisest of teachers to be " pro tern" in an abnormal "status , " AA'hether of feeling , thought , or action , and rather to be regarded with compassion than reprehension , with sympathy rather than ridicule . No doubt at that period they say many words and do

many things equally unreasonable ancl unaccountable on any known principle of the truest philosophy . Nothing but the " old , old story" seems to have any interest or fascination for them , and they believe—yes , actually believe , —in constancy which is often fickleness , in affection which too often wearies , in devotion which is , too often , short-lived ; in truth which is , alas , too often , too often indeeda hollow and a shallow lieHowever truce to disquisitions

, , . , a , AA-hich are depressing , and platitudes , which are profitless . One evening they were all assembled together in full conclave and in hi gh force , and much was the noise , thick the smoke , and great the laughter . " Ah ! " Mr . Miller said sententiously , all of a sudden , taking a huge pinch ot : sirtiff , "it is a very singular thing , gentlemen , hoiv little wo do know of