eresting, indeed, to
every epicure in the universe. The subject which then engaged his pen
bore the following title:--"_Signs by which the most unobservant may
detect in the soils of the world the existence of Truffles; together
with an Essay on the most effectual mode of cultivating them._" And it
may well be conjectured, from the great learning and fitness of the
writer to deal with such a subject, how much new light must have been
thrown upon it. Unfortunately for the tribes of gourmands, and poor
Piggy's fame, this valuable paper was never destined to electrify the
world; for, cast into the street by Bruin among other articles,
considered, alas! of no value, it was picked up by some ignorant puppy
passing by, who, seeing it written in German character, and not
understanding a word of it, tore up the priceless document to make
lights for his cigars.

Two mastiffs, who had been informed of the death, kept watch meanwhile
without the house; and when night again came on they were joined by a
couple of ugly curs, whose business it was to convey the body to its
last resting-place without the city; for the dogs, with great good
sense, had an intense dislike to bury the dead among the living. The
mortal remains of Herr Schwein being placed upon a kind of sledge, were
drawn slowly down to the little lake, followed by Tom, as chief and only
mourner, for Bruin was so devoid of feeling as to refuse even this last
tribute to the memory of one who had been his best friend; and when the
funeral procession reached the water, the body was gently let down into
the current, which bore it gradually away. Poor Tom sent after it a
prolonged and melancholy howl, the last sad adieu of a simple but
faithful heart; and then turning his steps, which were mechanically
leading him towards his late home, in quite an opposite direction, he
set off upon a lonely pilgrimage, resolving in his own mind that many a
scene should be traversed ere he again gazed on his native city of
Caneville.

Meanwhile Bruin, who felt not the least alarm at Tom's continued
absence, found himself suddenly in a position of the highest prosperity.
As no one was there to claim the property of the deceased, he took
possession of it as his right. Every corner was ransacked, every
hiding-place examined, and a large store of costumes, and things of
every kind, gathered in the course of the late Herr's wanderings in
different lands, were dragged from their obscurity.

[Ill