Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

April 28, 1866.]

some refreshments, when, on going to lock up the case, around which knots of visitors were standing in conversation, lo! his treasure was not there! He turned to the group nearest to him, anxiously asking them for it, deeming it was still under examination. No, they had not got it. Every one began to ask everybody else if he had it, and the inquiry spread like wild-fire across the room.

It was nowhere to be found! the greatest consternation ensued! What could have become of it? Some of the more immediate friends of the house had already gone into the dining-room. Inquiries were at once made there, but still the same reply, they had not seen it since it was in their hands first. Search was made in all directions, on the ground, on the chairs, along the edges of the carpet by the wainscot, by the rug, fender, and in every possible corner, crack, or cranny in the room, where, in case of its falling, it might have rolled; all were subjected to the strictest investigation. Every one assisted in this; particularly diligent appeared the Baron von Grumbach; still no success attended their unwearied efforts. What was to be done? It was the most awkward thing that could have occurred; the majority of the visitors were personal friends of Mr. Winkworth, but yet one thing only suggested itself to his mind.

It must have been stolen! yet who could have been guilty of so infamous a thing? All present were men of the strictest probity, and of the highest standing and character, engaged most earnestly in one single object, the advancement of learning, and it was impossible almost to conceive that any one in that assembly could be capable of such meanness and dishonesty. Still, where was the coin? No servant had entered the drawing-room, nor indeed were there any above stairs, for the refreshments were laid unostentatiously in the dining-room, ready for every one to help himself; therefore the culprit, after all, must be, if anywhere, amongst the guests. Over and over again the search was renewed, but with no better result. Mr. Winkworth was perplexed beyond measure. How could he, the host, personally accuse any one in those rooms of committing a deliberate theft? Yet do what he could, the conviction would force itself upon his mind that this was the only way to account for the mysterious disappearance of the coin.

Presently he made his way through the bewildered crowd to his friend the bishop, who had just been spokesman for the assembly, and took him aside, and after they had whispered a few words together, the bishop called every one around him. With the utmost courtesy and good taste, and after expatiating a little on the extraordinary circumstances, he said, "There is but one thing for it, gentlemen, we must all be searched, for our host's satisfaction as well as for our own; and I feel perfectly certain that there is no one here who will object to this." These words were followed by a loud burst of applause, and cries of "Yes, yes, by all means," resounded on every side.

This unparalleled proceeding was then carried out in the following manner. The guests were all to pass through the drawing-room to Mr. Winkworth's bedchamber, which was on the same landing, thence to descend by another staircase to the ground floor. No guard was kept at the top of the stairs to prevent any one going up or down without being searched, for it was felt to be a point of honor for every one to go through the bedroom. Mr. Winkworth and his man-servant acted as searchers;

all evinced the most earnest anxiety to display the contents of their pockets, and in some instances insisted on taking off their shoes and Hessian boots.

he would

Had Mr. Winkworth possessed any sense of the ludicrous-which he certainly did not have been diverted from the serious object at stake by the many farcical absurdities educed during this extraordinary scene. It occupied a considerable time, but like everything else came to an end. There remained but two more gentlemen to be examined, and still no trace of the missing treasure had been discovered. These two entered the bedroom together, and were most zealous in showing how utterly impossible it was for them to have anything secreted about their persons. In fact, every one being innocent, was, as may be naturally supposed, only too glad of the opportunity of proving it. The coin was not found, however, and hopeless dejection settled down over the party. What more could be done? Again were Mr. Winkworth's perplexities redoubled on his servant whispering, "You have not searched the Baron von Grumbach." The sudden recollection of the truth of this penetrated like a sting to the heart of the antiquary. Of course not! he had never come into the bedroom; where was he? He was called for, and did not answer. He, now, was also missing; from which circumstance suspicion slowly though naturally began to attach itself to him. He had evidently avoided the test. Could anything be more unpleasant to his friend than this? Why, he was actually living in the house, and not only would it be necessary to search him, but his effects; especially as it had in the mean time been ascertained that his bedroom door was fastened. It was also known that he had not left the house, therefore it was concluded that he had locked himself in.

A polite message was sent up to him, requesting his attendance below, in order that he might explain his conduct and submit to an examination. He sent word back that if he came down he positively must decline allowing either himself or anything belonging to him to be searched. Hitherto, although these proceedings had been conducted in the most serious and earnest manner, there had been inseparable from them a certain air of comicality, but now that they had reached this point, they no longer bore that aspect. It did look terribly suspicious that the Baron should withdraw himself in such a way, and under such peculiar conditions. A consultation was held, and after much deliberation it was decided that a deputation should go to his room door, and formally beg, in the name of justice to himself and to all, that he would submit to what they required.

In the event of his refusing, as they had now only too much reason to suppose he would, they must very reluctantly threaten him with the authority of the police. This plan was proceeded with, and it all fell out as they expected, he refusing even to open his door. There was nothing for it, therefore, but to send for a constable, who eventually arrived. After commanding the Baron to let him in in the king's name, and he also meeting with a flat refusal, the door was broken open, and the party stood face to face with Von Grumbach. He was in a wild state of excitement, and with a small pocket-pistol in each hand, threatened, in his broken English, to shoot the first man who laid hand upon him.

At this moment a shout arose from the drawingroom, "It is found! it is found!" Quite impossible

would it be now to describe the mingled consternation, astonishment, and confusion that ensued. Who had found it? Where was it? were questions asked on all sides; and when the hubbub into which these usually grave men had been betrayed had subsided, it was explained.

One of the guests, while the awkward scene just described was being acted up stairs, had taken hold of the case belonging to the coin, and which curiously enough no one had thought of carefully examining after the first moment of its inmate being missed. Whilst idly turning it about, he had removed the glass portion of it, and in so doing, slightly disturbed the velvet cushion before mentioned. At the same

VINES AND WINES.

Ir will be important to many of our friends engaged in the wine trade, as well as interesting to the public generally, to learn that the Vendemmia or vintage feast has been this year celebrated in Madeira with all the honors and ceremonies which belonged to its observance in the day of the island's greatest prosperity.

The grape, as is well known, is not one of the indigenous fruits of Madeira, having been introduced about three hundred years ago during the governorship of a Portuguese noble named Alver.

After the departure of this man from the island, the cultivation of the vine for a long time was neg lected, the people in general meeting with no encouragement.

In the beginning of the sixteenth century, however, some nine or ten Jesuits landed at Funchal. These men were not only sages and scholars, but they were men strong in resources from repeated successful trials. No sooner had they touched the brown sands of Madeira with their sandalled feet, and breathed the pure atmosphere, stealing ever with refreshing fragrance from the groves and gardens, than they justly estimated the amount of wealth which slumbered amongst the everlasting hills of Madeira, like living crystal in a rock, and they resolved at once on effecting important changes in the agriculture of the country.

moment he heard a gentle click, as of something falling to the bottom of the box. This attracted his attention, and turning it upside down, the cushion fell out, and the coin with it, upon the table. It had evidently slipped between the badly fitting edge of the velvet and the woodwork of the case. Amidst all the pleasure that now followed on the restoration of the missing wonder, there was mingled a great feeling of awkward annoyance. What could be said to M. le Baron? How could Mr. Winkworth and his friends atone sufficiently to him for the outrage he had undergone? However, all that could be said was said, and Grumbach received the apologies graciously enough. Yet a natural curiosity manifested itself upon the simple question of why, as he had not secreted the coin-in fact, had had no more to do with it than anybody else he should have made so vehement and active a protest against being searched. He at first made no reply to the interrogation, but merely drew from the breast of his coat a small packet, which he begged Mr. Winkworth to open. This was done, and there lay exposed to the wondering eyes around a fac-amaranthine vineyards. Adopting the Eastern cussimile of the much-vaunted and isolated specimen! Not a mark, not a hair's breadth of difference could be detected between them. Rigidly were they compared over and over again, and at last, changing hands so often, it was impossible to tell one from the

other.

They found that both soil and climate were particularly suited to the cultivation of the vine, and accordingly they procured cuttings from Candia, Cyprus, and Burgundy, and once more the hills in the neighborhood of Funchal were clothed with

tom, they trained the vines over trellised arches, allowing the rich clusters to droop through the leafy roof, beneath which thousands of delicate flowers lifted up their heads, wooing the sunny gleams which came and went, as the soft wind stirred the broad foliage above.

"There is my answer, gentlemen. Had I sub- The rock-ribbed spaces lying between one leafmitted to your search, most inevitably I should have woven colonnade and another were left open, and been convicted of a gross and abominable theft, and of course presented wildernesses of flowers and at once have forfeited my position, and with it all I ferns, the latter sending up their tremulous fronds hold dear." Then turning to Mr. Winkworth, he from every crevice and fissure, shading and softenadded, "Had you not, my friend, persisted in refusing the gorgeous beauty of the scarlet and purple ing to show me your prize the other day, I had in- and golden flowers. tended to tell you how, a few days after you had left me, I got scent of the existence of a second specimen in St. Petersburg, which I forthwith secured in person for my society in Berlin; and I was on the point of surprising you all by its production when the disappearance of yours led to what has just occurred. I had suspected that there was more than one coin of that date extant, but I am sure there are not more than two; here they are."

"Fiction founded on fact" is an old expression, used in many cases of story-telling, and I can find none better with which to conclude what I have related. The fiction only has been that part of the story which applied to names, dates, and localities; the main gist of the matter is fact, but, as may have been seen in its narration, could not for many reasons have been given in all its actual reality. Still the circumstances appeared as curious, and the coincidences, perhaps, as odd as any that have ever led to those mistakes and equivoques which sometimes clothe the events of every-day life in the garb of romance.

While on the subject of ferns, I may as well mention that one of those most difficult to find now in Madeira, is one which for centuries was thought to be indigenous only on the shores of the lovely lakes of Killarney, the Trichomanes radicans. Even in the childhood days of the writer, it grew there in such profusion that tourists were in the habit of carrying it away in corn-sacks. Now, however, its beautiful filmy fronds must be carefully sought for in moist little nooks, and in the crevices of the rocks, or they will escape being discovered.

Having planted numerous vineyards on the hills, the Jesuits next turned their attention to the low grounds, and to the northern coast; but instead of watching, step by step, the progress of their judicious labors, it may be as interesting, and more profitable, to examine into the present appearance and prosperity of the island.

Comparing it with the years previous to 1852, before the sudden and fearful blight "Oidium Tuckeri" had destroyed its thousands of vines, the balance is against it; but comparing the current

[ocr errors][merged small]

Every Saturday,
April 28, 1866.)

VINES AND WINES.

year with any other during the past twelve, and the | scale preponderates in its favor. The vines are recovering, and in all directions men are planting new vineyards.

The vines blossom in May and June, and frequently of late years, when they appeared most fresh and healthy, then, like a plague breath, came the blight, and they died off hopelessly. The disease first attacks the leaves, which, from a beautiful green, turn brown in a few hours; a clammy, whitish substance then appears, and they shrivel and roll up, never more to spread their fragrant surface to the skies.

This effect is attributed by some to an aphis; others say the stocks are worn out, and, like last year's nests, are fit for nothing. The chief remedy used is sulphur, and it is no uncommon circumstance to see two or three barrels of this powerful disinfectant dragged on sledges to a vineyard, to be sprinkled over the fruited plants, thus saving the grapes, but in a great degree destroying the flavor of the wine. There were at one time between thirty and forty kinds of grape used in making the wines; now the island does not produce such a variety. The best grape for the wine known as "Madeira" is a small kind, of a reddish-brown color, called "Verdeilho." Its flavor is rich, and the skin remarkably thick. The clusters are small, each grape being no larger than a good black currant.

or

what better quality, is sold at a considerable profit
under the name of "Hock."

During the last two years there has been a steady
This
improvement in the vines, so much so, that in every
direction new vineyards are being planted.
work is usually done in November, and if a visitor
desires to witness the operation, he has but to choose
when the deep blue waters of
any soft sunny day, when the trees are trembling in
the fragrant air,
the bay are coming in with a quiet murmur, and the
and wandering, without a guide,
foam is lying at the base of the Pontingua Rock like
eastward from Funchal along the sea-cliffs, he can
carded wool,
hardly fail of seeing husbandmen planting a vine-
yard.

Imagine a number of graceful rustics, of medium
height, athletic, free in their motions, heaving the
"euxada," a kind of light pickaxe, instead of dig-
ging with the spade. They work as if in sport;
careless and merry; while the cheering song, and
there is no appearance of lusty labor; they look
the electric joke which opens every throat at the
same instant, keeps each man's heart dancing to its
own music.

Having made deep parallel trenches, they next am sorry I must add, they plant cabbages and plant cuttings two and a half feet apart, and then, vines; thus effectually depriving them of the necesbatatas, and other vegetables between the rows of sary amount of moisture and nourishment. Rebeen covered with cane trellis-work, presenting a turning in February, you find that the vineyard has succession of arched corridors about four feet and a half in height, over which the vines are wreathed and intertwined, so that when they are fruited, the clusters shall fall through and receive the benefit of the heat radiating from the earth, as well as that from the sun's rays, coming tempered through the mantle of soft green.

The Vinta Tinta, or colored wine, sometimes To called "Madeira Claret," and "Madeira Burgundy," is made of various kinds of purple grape. heighten the color, the juice, when expressed, is poured into a vat, into which the skins have been thrown, and allowed to stand until it has acquired Its flavor somewhat resembles the desired hue. that of Claret. "Ladies' wine," is manufactured "Malmsey," Or it may be that instead of leafy corridors, from the Malvazia Candida, which grows in no other situation in the world better than in front of the cliffs beyond Cabo Jirao, or Cape Turn Again. straight rows of cane have been placed behind the Down almost to the water's edge the vine is cultivat-cuttings, which, holding them by their tendrils, ened, covering the very sands with verdure and beauty and fragrance, while from the heights come rills of limpid water, carried by means of conduits, to cool and nourish the shingly soil. There is a magnificent view of this headland from the new road, which runs along the southwestern coast for about three miles. If looked upon at sunset it will never be forgotten; when its lofty summits are gleaming with golden when the ravines, touched by the desplendor, parting rays, have grown luminous to their most inaccessible depths, when the vineyards are glowing with the rainbow-hues of the dewy hour, and the two rivers, Socorridos and Vasio Gil (which, taking their rise high up in the Curral, unite near the base under the name of the "Curral River"), flow like a stream of molten silver into the sea.

The sweet dry Sercial, the delicate and delicious Bual, and many others, belong peculiarly to the neighborhood of Funchal. There is one grape, however, which I must not omit to mention, on account of its curious mercantile notoriety. It is a Hock grape, small and sour, grown chiefly in the northern parts of the island, and is so unpalatable that not only the rats and lizards, who lay all other vines under heavy contributions, leave it untouched, but even the "wild bees, humming their drowsy song," refuse to use it in making their "honey hoards." The wine made from this grape is all shipped to Hamburg, from whence it is exported to England, and being there mixed with other wines of a some

circle and garland them with living beauty. Gathering the fruit is a fatiguing work, and is always performed by the men, and it is also men's feet which press it, when it is thrown in the huge wooden troughs to be crushed. The average produce is a pipe of wine per acre, of which a tenth belongs to the government; one half of the remainder to the owner of the vineyard; and the residue to the farmer or cultivator.

During the month of September, the Vendemmia, or vintage festival, usually occurs; but for ten years-from 1852 to 1862-it was only spoken of as a thing of the past. During that period the cheerful peasantry of Madeira suffered toil and um Tuckerii, like the potato famine in Ireland, has sorrow, distress and want; yet in the end the Oidiproved a benefit, by discovering to the people fresh sources of independence within their reach, and by forcing the government to the expenditure of thousands of pounds in the improvement of their city, their villages, and their public roads.

THE VINTAGE FEAST.

The Vendemmia may be said to resemble the English harvest-home, though it is far more picturesque, having all the advantages of a sunny sky, splendid scenery, and costumes bright as "blossoms flaunting in the eye of day," and fitting like dresses in a picture.

The sun has hardly streaked the "east with pur

ple light" on the morning of the festival, before the strains of vocal and instrumental music are heard approaching Camacha, a village situated on the Serra, or rather St. Antonio da Serra, from every direction, from the interior of the island, from the well-known northern routes, and from the sea, which is dotted with gayly-painted boats, coming in from the numerous little villages lying along the coast, between Funchal and Canical on the east, and Funchal and Magdalena on the west.

the Vendemmia, but chiefly with elderly people, the young preferring to sleep in the tents, or under the trees in the circa or grove, at the opposite extremity of the Serra.

At this season of the year this beautiful bower wears that rich autumn dress, of which "Every hue

Is but a varying splendor."

Bright-hued flowers are jewelling the earth under the soft shade of trees, whose tall trunks, from the roots to the topmost branches, are adorned either by the graceful fronds of the Capillus Veneris and Davalia Canariensis, or that curious lichen familiarknown as "old man's hair," hanging in gray tresses of half a foot in length, and waving loosely about with the faintest breeze.

Groups of peasants follow each musician, and for hours the roads leading to the Serra are bright with the picturesque multitude. The dress of the men on those occasions generally consists of white linen "quakes," very much like our modern knick-ly erbockers; buff goat-skin boots, white linen shirts, blue vests ornamented with several small solid gold buttons, and blue carapuças with long gold tassels. The blue cloth with which these latter articles are made is imported from Portugal, generally from the well-known firm of Correa and Company, or it may be from the rival house of Lafourie and Company. The women are, as usual, dressed in bright colors, some wearing native manufactures, but the greater number clad in the gayly striped cotton sent to the Funchal market by the Lisbon Weaving Company; while their lenços are of fancy shot silk from the factories of Joze Barboza, or have come from the celebrated cotton looms of La Luz. Their jewelry has only the fault of being too heavy; their chains are like ropes, their bracelets like golden cables.

Arrived at the Serra, the first object of attraction is the Church of St. Antonio. It is a small building, somewhat resembling in its outer structure an English village church, with a low square tower. The walls are of a brilliant white, bordered with black. On the present occasion a tall flagstaff runs up from the tower and sustains an enormous crimson banner, on which the arms of Portugal are embroidered in silk, the huge crown only being worked in gold.

Surrounding the church is a square, answering the purposes of the adro of the Mount church, which is crowded with people who cannot obtain an entrance into the edifice, where a high mass is being performed; the Vendemmia, like every other festa celebrated in Madeira, beginning with a religious service.

While the multitude are thus engaged, let us look at the scene around us. The Serra is dotted with barracas and tables heaped with provisions, beside each of which stands a little barrel of wine; while | from the branches of the oak-trees hang quarters of the best beef the island can afford. On the right, in a hollow, we see what looks like a roofless hut, but from the red light glaring up from between its walls we know that they are roasting whole the fat ox on which the vine-dressers are to feast in the afternoon. On the left, at a short distance from the church, is the cemetery, surrounded by a low wall. In the centre stands a wooden cross, and thick and close around it lie the mounds of bare red earth, beneath which the dead await the call of the last trumpet. Between this and the church there is a long, low building, having a pretty open verandah running along the front. This is known as the "Pilgrim's house," and is abundantly provided with culinary utensils, and mattresses stuffed with the soft silky hair which grows round the roots of the beautiful rare fern, Dicksonia culcita. As lodgings are given gratis to all who bring their own provisions, this place is generally over-crowded during

There are many pleasant walks in the circa, but there is one which has a peculiar though melancholy interest for English visitors: it is known as the "Hydrangea Walk." Between rows of this beautiful shrub, whose branches are drooping beneath the wealth of innumerable large blue flowers, you pass on till about half-way through, when a slight rising in the centre of the path attracts your attention. You inquire why it has not been levelled, and are told that it is a grave. He who sleeps beneath had renounced the religion which the state declares no man must forsake, nor even be suspected of leaving, lest his grave be made in the streets or highways, where his friends and neighbors cannot choose but trample on his dust. About a mile from the Serra, where three ways meet, there is another such grave, and there are many others scattered through the island.

While we are still admiring the singular spectacle presented by the Serra, the bell of the church rings out a merry peal; the service is over, and the multitude is swarming over the plain. It is a novel and picturesque sight, though some of its details are mean and unpleasant. The first rush is to the refreshment tables, and there, in drinking a sort of wine made from pears, oranges, lemons, and grapes, even the honest hearts of the Madeiran peasants catch an unnatural spark, and shouts, whistling, and fantastic attitudes, such as one sees in the highlands of Scotland and the west of Ireland, accompany the dances, which commence all over the Serra at one o'clock.

In feasting and amusement the day is passed, and also a greater part of the night, when, just as the brief, dim half-hour of dawn comes round, the bells clang out a summons to the young maidens to commence the preparation of the morning meal, a last feast, for the time, of beef and wine and fine bread.

As soon as this is ended the whole multitude join in a dance, called the cachuca, though differing altogether from the Spanish dance of the same name. When this is over every woman takes her partner's hat, and wreaths it with the beautiful blue flowers of the hydrangea, while the men on receiving them back make the mountains re-echo with their hearty shouts. Presently the Serra assumes a new aspect. Borequerous, who had been all the morning watching for the proper moment, now appear galloping into the Serra from all directions. Madeirans of every rank are graceful and fearless as Arabs on horseback; the borequerous, therefore, soon find customers, but the Lisbon ponies are in the greatest demand; they are well known to be strong, swift, and active, and though the riders will not be permitted to try their speed through the streets of Funchal, there will be

April 28, 1866.]

many a well-contested race on the new road before

the sun sets.

pal streets, loudly cheered at every step, as the harbingers of a promise of a golden future.

or wine, or spirit I considered would have the effect of knocking a man down, and many other questions In a gleesome picturesque procession the multi- of the same description. Seeing everybody laughtude enter Funchal, and pass through all the princi-ing, I began to think that possibly I did not give my answers carefully enough; the effect of the oath I had taken being still strong within me. I therefore gave my replies more circumstantially, as I imagined; but the questions increased in facetiousness in consequence, and my answers caused more mirth than before. I then thought that perhaps, in my serious mood, I did not appreciate sufficiently the wit of the learned gentleman, and I paid great attention to his words in order to find out in what their humor consisted. But in vain. His questions appeared to me to be simply what in vulgar parlance is called chaffing, and nothing more.

THE BARRISTER'S WIG.

"THE wisdom is in the wig" is a very common proverb, and, like most of the common proverbs, doubtless contains a considerable amount of truth. To prove this, the reader has only to attend one of our law-courts for a day or two, and he will then hear opinions carrying great weight with them, which, if uttered out of court, and by an individual By dein a private dress, would be thought very common-grees I got so confused that I made a very simpleton place indeed. But not only is there a great amount of myself, and contradicted my own statements at of wisdom in the wig, but a great amount of wit and least a dozen times over. At last, when he had humor as well; or, how should we read in the news- contrived to make me neutralize completely the papers of the mirth elicited at our trials by the very truthful evidence I had given in my examination dull jokes occasionally uttered by the members of in chief, he allowed me to leave the box; and I did the bar? We read in the Reports of a barrister, so under the unpleasing impression that I had made who said, "He would rather not answer that ques- a great fool of myself. tion" (a laugh). Another will say, "No, I thank you" (great laughter). Another, "Thank you, I am not to be caught in that way" (here the court was convulsed with laughter for some minutes, in which the learned judge joined heartily). Now out of court, all these sayings seem powerless enough, but in court their humor appears to be irresistible.

Although it has long been a favorite idea with me, that there is occasionally more wit and humor in the wig than in the individual wearing it, it is only lately that I have been convinced of the fact. Possibly I may be accused, and with justice, of putting a little acrimony in the statement of my opinion, for I was lately, in the witness-box, for more than an hour, the butt of a barrister with a witty wig.

I left the court immediately, and the trial went on without me. But in the evening, I had the unpleasant intelligence that my patient had lost his case, principally owing to the uncomplimentary remarks made by the judge on my evidence, in his summing up.

But the annoyance did not stop here. The next day, not only the local papers, but the London journals as well, had a full account of the trial, in which I figured in by no means a flattering manner. There were the usual parenthetical remarks, - (The crossexamination of the witness elicited great mirth in the court); (The judge could with difficulty maintain his gravity); (Great laughter, which the ushers had much difficulty in repressing); and many other expressions of the same kind. At first I was I am a surgeon in considerable practice in a large naturally greatly annoyed at all this, but in a few country town, and was subpoenaed to give evidence days the feeling wore off; still, it frequently rein an assault case, in which the plaintiff was my pa- turned to my mind, and on more than one occasion tient for some time, in consequence of the injuries I attempted to analyze the cause of so much mirth he had received. As the plaintiff, an old farmer, arising from so serious a subject, and with so little was half drunk at the time of the assault (he had real wit on the part of the barrister. At last a been dining with some other farmers of his acquaint-vague suspicion arose in my mind that it was due in ance after the market was over), it was, naturally, the policy of the counsel for the defence to prove that he was thoroughly intoxicated, and that the injuries he had received arose from his own helpless condition. Of course, if he could break down the medical evidence it would mitigate his client's cause greatly, if not completely exonerate him from blame. I attended at the court on the appointed day, and was sworn. I mounted the witness-box with a feeling somewhat akin to awe at the solemnity of the oath I had taken, and with a resolution conscientiously to speak the strict truth in all things.

My evidence in favor of the prosecution went off smoothly enough, and, to tell the honest truth, I felt somewhat proud of it. Then the cross-examination began. Here a great change took place. The counsel for the defence had the reputation of being a wag, and I soon found my position change from that of a grave scientific witness into the Jack Pudding of the court. The amount of mirth the counsel contrived to elicit from my evidence was astonishing; yet, for the life of me, I could see no subject for jesting whatever. He inquired in what manner I made the distinction between having drunk a little too much and being drunk; what amount of beer,

great measure to the wig; but how to prove my conclusion puzzled me extremely. When I least expected it, however, chance threw an opportunity in my way.

per

One morning, on leaving my house, my attention was arrested by a long procession on horseback coming up the street, dressed in a most motley manner. They were the company of an equestrian circus which had arrived that morning in the town. Their advent had been advertised some days before, and, as usual, the first great feature of their formance was their parade through the streets. The sight was certainly a very brilliant affair: the circus was one of celebrity, the troupe was numerous, the dresses magnificent, and they appeared to make a great impression on the beholders. But one thing struck me as abnormal, there was no clown. To leave the clown out of a circus troupe is to take the whole romance out of the thing. All its intellect is destroyed, and nothing but a body of mere mechanism remains.

I was aroused from my speculations by a little slipshod girl pulling my coat, and telling me that my services were immediately required at the "Coach and Horses," where a lady was in want of my as

« ПредишнаНапред »