sufficiently crowded; but surely some of the paths might be open to them. The makers of bicycles have, within the last few months multiplied exceedingly, and, naturally enough, the price of machines has fallen, and is still falling. Some are now made at five pounds, and even less; but when it is remembered what a union of strength and lightness is requisite to constitute a good one, this must be a false price. In addition to this, should the main-spring break, the consequences would be so serious, that any one paying too low a price must be very "penny wise and pound foolish." Many of the makers have practice grounds attached to their premises, but these are usually small, and though a "Velocipedian Ducrow" may be able to turn round in the length of his machine, cut figures of eight, and go through an entire performance on a kitchen table, a novice is most helpless, and needs plenty of "elbow room." On one or two commons near London bicycles may be hired by the hour; but working them is such terrible labour at first, that turf, however smooth, is unfavourable. To supply this want the Agricultural Hall, which certainly "in its time plays many parts," has undergone yet one more transformation. It is, in fact, difficult to remember for what purpose this building has not been used. One week it is full of fat cattle; the next, glittering with ornaments, and festooned with flowers, for a Belgian, "or any other," ball. A monster "demonstration" is succeeded by an industrial exposition, and those who, on Friday, have done their best to spoil a good horse at the water-jump, may attend a promenade concert on the following Monday. For the purpose of velocipede practice, the Hall has been completely boarded over, as smoothly as a ball room floor, and no place could be better adapted for the purpose. On the opening day two races took place, for amateurs and professionals respectively; but though good prizes were given, and nearly two thousand people were present, the sport was not very successful, as but few of the competitors were good performers, and consequently the heats were won in hollow style. We went there one evening about seven o'clock, but found the place comparatively deserted, and unless the attendance on this particular night was exceptionally scanty, the speculation must prove a failure. Several very good performers were gliding round the arena, at each corner of which a gigantic tub of flowers marks the course. One young fellow in boots and breeches especially attracted us. He had the speed of all the rest, and managed his bicycle with consummate ease while riding sideways, standing in the saddle, &c. Several of the others were very clever, but one got a heavy fall while shooting round a corner. A professional race for money prizes was advertised, but the management evidently did not consider the "gate" good enough, and it fell through. We then went into the gallery, where velocipedes of all makes and sizes are let for hire. The Americans have divided ❝ velocipedestrians" into three classes" timid toddlers," "wary wobblers," and "go it gracefuls ;" and though but few of the last-named were to be seen in the body of the hall, the first and second divisions were well represented in the gallery. The first person we saw was an elderlylooking Scotchman, the tails of whose coat almost swept the floor. He had evidently just acquired the correct knack, and toiled round and round, with a most solemn face, for more than an hour, apparently afraid to stop, lest he should be unable to start himself again. A lanky French boy in a ramshakle tricycle, careered wildly about, with his knees and nose in uncomfortable proximity, and frequently upsetting some unhappy beginner. The proprietor of the machines, to whom we stated our fear that learning to ride them was very hard work, triumphantly refuted us by pointing out a "timid toddler," who was "urging on" his by no means "wild career," with a fair show success. Unfortunately, just as he spoke, there was an awful crash, and the whole concern came to unmitigated grief. Notwithstanding this, we boldly engaged one, and worked desperately hard for an hour. For the first few minutes we were utterly hopeless, and could do nothing whatever with the machine; but after that we began to "feel our feet," and with a friend pushing behind, could just keep our balance as long as we did not touch the treadles. When, however, we tried to propel ourselves, all the troubles began over again. Time after time did we drag the velocipede, by no means a light one, to the top of the inclined plane, which has been constructed specially for "duffers," and again and again did we ignominiously fail to ride down it. In the last few minutes, however, a great improvement was manifest, we managed to go nearly thirty yards unaided, and fully expect, after one or two more attempts, to fairly rank as a "wary wobbler." We may, too, in time as a "go it graceful" be able to realise what the mad king forecasted: "He shall have chariots easier than air, Which I will have invented, And thou shalt ride before him on a horse, Cut out of an entire diamond, That shall be made to go with golden wheels, Mr. David Robertson, M.P., once the owner of Harkaway, Little Wonder, and Storm sells off his blood and hunting stock on July 9th. So ordinary mortals would say, but Mr. Donkin has it that he "is giving up the delights of those creations for the Turf, the Field, and the Road, which have so long and so triumphantly been identified with the truly imperial stables of Ladykirk." After this preliminary canter, the historian proceeds: "Mr. Donkin, availing himself of the carte blanche so munificently placed in his hands, to dispose of by auction the entire of the stock of blood horses at Ladykirk, submits with the most respectful deference to the accomplished judgments of the enthusiastic admires, of the thorough-bred blood horses, a catalogue of sale, representing the hunter in the full possession, no less than in the assuring promises, of those peculiar attributes which so irresistibly recommend themselves to the true British sportsman-form, power, and action. This superb stud-the progeny of an ancestry who have so repeatedly swayed the glories of the sceptre of the Turf upon the thrones of Doncaster, Epsom, and Ascot-this imposing stud-whose perfect forms, in the highest condition and so completely in harmony with the equestrian magnificence of Ladykirk-now awaits the inspection of all in quest of the thorough-bred weight-carrying hunter, the brood mare for breeding such hunters, or of the thorough-bred stallion for the transmission of the best blood in England." Le commencement de la fin. The last stage in love. The fatigue of our precipitate flight, had told severely on all of us: one of our party being half dead, myself nearly done up, and even Jemmy, although suffering to a much less extent, declared he had had enough of the Mail, swore that he would sooner be in a seven day's gale than pass another hour aboard such a rickety craft. Our first and whole care was of course bestowed on Agnes; poor girl, she had not once moved out of her seat, scarcely changed her position, since she had been originally packed up at Barnet. Her removal was consequently both a delicate and somewhat dangerous matter in the state she was in, added to which her appearance was the most comical and astonishing disguise imaginable, and demanded some consideration from our gallantry. The Crown at Carlisle was what in former days was called a coaching-house, and dependent for its success and support upon those popular vehicles, including also the Royal Mails, broad-wheeled long-journey waggons, a very old English institution, little less than indeed they were locomotive villages, and every other description of equine conveyance, for either passenger or goods, or both. The landlord and landlady, as usual in all such inns, were up and attending to the creature comforts of the insides and outsides of their various visitors, supper of a very invit ing appearance being prepared in the long-room to re-animate ana effectually thaw for the time such as were proceeding either up or down the road, nipped by perhaps one of the bitterest February frosts on record. Entering this hospitable house (alas! now no more), I addressed myself at once to the hearty-looking boniface, whose good-natured countenance was an index to all the manly qualities of a north-countryman. After a few introductory whisperings, confidential hints and requests for advice, all of which he listened to and answered with the utmost feeling and kindness, he immediately offered us his own private apartments, already agreeably heated, and admirably suited for the occasion. Calling to his amiable and business-like partner, he bid her at once prepare for the reception of his interesting guests, which she instantly C did by going out to the door of the mail to assist in the transportation of our fair sufferer. After considerable difficulty, and not without great risk under the circumstances of helplessness in which she was, we succeeded in placing Agnes in an easy arm-chair by the side of a blazing fire, which quickly revived her, and she spoke with evidently more cheerful sentiments; laughing, as well as she could, at her own droll and extraordinary get up. Leaving her to the care of the tender attentions of the sympathising hostess, we retired for further consultation as to what was the next step to be taken towards accomplishment of our union, and bringing the object of our journey to a secure end and happy issue. The worthy host quickly explained to us this was an affair to him of common occurrence, and that the only obstacle that he could see to its immediate completion was, the unfortunate and pitiable condition of the young lady herself. "You see, sir," said he with a smile, "the sooner these sort of jobs are over the better; and generally our orders are to push on,' for no one knows who's following, or how quickly they may be on to you. Certainly, the lassie is uncommonly queer. I hardly know what to advise you, but talking is no good in a case of this sort, and sitting still is tempting the devil." "I'll tell you what," interrupted Jemmy, "I quite agree with the landlord. Action in these cases lends success to the undertaking, and if possible-that is, with the lady's consent-we ought certainly to go a-head. Only think what a fearful mess we should make of it in case the enemy were to catch us aground." "Well," said I, filled with impatience to get forward, "we are evidently all of one opinion as to the necessity of reaching Gretna without further loss of time. So landlord," I continued firmly, "let a postchaise, and four of the best horses, be got ready without a moment's delay. Dead or alive it is a duty that I owe to her, myself, and the world to go through with it. In the meantime I will venture to disturb her, and learn from her own dear mouth, what are her own wishes, we shall all be better able then to judge of her powers of endurance and the practicability of proceeding." "Ah, that is the best way, Guy," exclaimed Jemmy, who was highly anxious to assist in any way he could. "Order the trap first; fire into the ranks, and then go pick up your wounded. Never look out for number one in a big fight, if you do you will be sure to be picked off. Yes, Guy, let us have the ambulance to the door, all sails set, and every man at his post." At this I knocked at the private door, and demanding an interview was quickly admitted, when I had the satisfaction in finding in Agnes a great change for the better, at any rate outwardly, as she had undergone a thorough change of apparel, and was otherwise much more composed and comfortable. A wish was expressed on the part of Agnes, whose voice was quite inaudible, by her good nurse and friend, that she should be allowed to continue the journey as soon as possible, that she was quite prepared, and in fact, the quicker they set out again the happier she would feel: she only thought that by remaining longer she would run fresh risk on facing the bitter winds and the morning frost. Thus the determination to hasten onwards was universally agreed upon, and an arrangement made that during our absence, which would not be more than two or three hours at the very outside, proper apart ments should be prepared for our reception, and every possible comfort in waiting to welcome our return. In a few minutes we were bounding, flying, tearing along that direct and straight road which formerly terminated in a little road-side inn, situate in the middle of a grass-plat or common, but for the life of me I cannot call to mind the name or sign which distinguished it, and the chief reason of that happens to be that I never saw it by daylight, nor have I ever revisited the scene of my great chapter of accidents. Our party consisted of myself and Agnes, who was somewhat re-established both in health and spirits, as insides; Jemmy Wadham and the guard dividing the honours of the box-seat, if such it could be called, at any rate they managed to hold on, although I must confess there was no room to spare; however, as they were both accustomed to make shift in their callings they perhaps felt but little inconvenience in comparison to what others might have done under the same circumstances. Away we went at full gallop, faster far than we had been carried by the mail, the lightness of the vehicle adding much to the sensation of speed; but what was that to the contending feelings that rushed through me? I was at last about to irrevocably seal my fate, this was the commencement of the end, a step from which there was no going back, no recalling, no retreating, and although I acknowledge to the soft impeachment of love, its infatuations and blindness, I candidly own that I suffered from that presentiment of coming evil which casts its shadows before and throws a gloom over even virtue and truth itself. I sat with my betrothed in my arms; I looked on her with the purest and sincerest affection; my heart, my very soul was hers; oh, Agnes! how I loved you still in spite of my abandon, a weight hung at my heart which I could not account for, it was as it were the cold finger of a warning angel; it indicated nothing, it pointed nowhere, still there it pressed coldly and signally against my breast, creating an uneasiness and dulness which defied all my efforts to shake off. It was a dark and cutting night, not an object was to be seen; a heavy snowstorm added to the embarrassment and cheerlessness of this our last stage in love, which was passed in complete silence, and with anything but happy thoughts between our two selves. How strange that the delirium of earthly bliss should be crushed by unaccountable regrets, which have no other foundation than fancy! Jemmy and the guard were evidently determined to take things as merrily as they could, and by frequent applications to the inexhaustible flask, it was pretty clear they intended to keep out the cold till it was done; they were in high glee, first one and then the other recounting some adventure which was received with "laughter and cheers" from the opposite party or by both sides of the box. The distance, which is but a trifle over nine miles, was at the speed we flew along at soon accomplished; a shout from the guard announced our arrival, which was quickly answered from the window above by the intimation that we should be attended to immediately. Looking out I could just perceive the head of an old man in a white nightcap; it was |