of the most bland and sunny manners that ever won woman's
love, or softened man's asperity. He died young--where? Where should
he have died, since this world was deemed by Providence not deserving of
him, but amidst the enemies of his country, her banners waving
victoriously above, and her enemies flying before, his bleeding body?

Henry now stood forward as our leader and spokesman: eloquently did he
descant upon all our grievances, not forgetting mouldy bread, caggy
mutton, and hebdomadal meat pies. He represented to Mr Root the little
honour that he would gain in the contest, and the certain loss--the
damage to his property and to his reputation--the loss of scholars, and
of profit; and he begged him to remember that every play-box in the
school-room was filled with fireworks, and that they were all
determined,--and sorry he was in this case to be obliged to uphold such
a determination,--they were one and all resolved, if permission were not
given, to let off the fireworks out of doors, they would in--the
consequences be on Mr Root's head. His speech was concluded amidst
continued "Bravos!" and shouts of "Now, now!"

Old Reynolds, our classic, quietly stood by, and taking snuff by
handfuls, requested, nay, entreated Mr Root to pass it all off as a
joke, and let the boys, with due restrictions, have their will. Mr
Root, with a queer attempt at looking pleasant, then said, "He began to
enter into the spirit of the thing--it was well got up--there could be
really nothing disrespectful meant, since Mr Henry Saint Albans was a
party to it (be it known that Henry was an especial favourite), and that
he was inclined to humour them, and look upon the school in the light of
a fortress about to capitulate. He therefore would receive a flag of
truce, and listen to proposals."

The boys began to be delighted. The following conditions were drawn up;
and a lad, with a white handkerchief tied to a sky-rocket stick, was
hoisted over the benches into the besieging quarters. The paper, after
reciting (as is usual with all rebels in arms against their lawful
sovereign) their unshaken loyalty, firm obedience, and unqualified
devotion, went on thus--but we shall, to save time, put to each
proposition the answer returned:--

1. The young gentlemen shall be permitted, as in times past, to
discharge their fireworks round what remains of the bonfire, between the
hours of nine and eleven o'clock.

_Ans_. Granted, with this limi