insular war. Mrs. Kennyfeck, Mr. Howie."

Mr. Howie made his round of salutations, and although by his awkwardness
tacitly acknowledging that they were palpably more habituated to the
world's ways than himself, yet inwardly consoled by remarking certain
little traits of manner and accent sufficiently provincial to be
treasured up, and become very droll in print or a copper etching.

"It's a vara new pleasure ye are able to confer upon your friends, Mr.
Cashel," said Sir Andrew, "to show them so fine a collection o'
pictures in Ireland, whar, methinks, the arts ha' no enjoyed too mickle
encouragement."

"I confess," said Cashel, modestly, "I am but ill qualified to extend
the kind of patronage that would be serviceable, had I even the means;
I have not the slightest pretension to knowledge or judgment. The few I
have purchased have been as articles of furniture, pleasant to look at,
without any pretension to high excellence."

"Just as Admiral Dalrymple paid ten pounds for a dunghill when he turned
farmer," whispered Mr. Howie in Mrs. White's ear, "and then said, 'he
had only bought it because some one said it was a good thing; but that,
now, he 'd give any man "twenty" to tell him what to do with it,'"

Mrs. White burst into a loud fit of laughter, exclaiming:

"Oh, how clever, how good! Pray, Mr. Howie, tell Lady Janet--tell Mr.
Cashel that."

"Oh, madam!" cried the terrified tourist, who had not discovered before
the very shallow discrimination of his gifted acquaintance.

"If it is so vara good," said Sir Andrew, "we maun insist on hearin'
it."

"No, no! nothing of the kind," interposed Howie; "besides, the
observation was only intended for Mrs. White's ear."

"Very true," said that lady, affecting a look of consciousness.

"The odious woman," whispered Miss Kennyfeck to her sister; "see how
delighted she looks to be compromised."

"If we had Linton," said Cashel, politely offering his arm to Lady
Janet, as he led her into the so-called gallery, "he could explain
everything for us. We have, however, a kind of catalogue here. This
large landscape is said to be by Both."

"If she be a coo," said Sir Andrew, "I maun say it's the first time I
ever seen ane wi' the head ower the tail."

"Nonsense," said Lady Janet; "don't ye perceive that the animal is
fore-shortened, and is represented looking backwards?"

"I ken nothing aboot that; she may be shortened in the fore-parts, an'
ye say, and that may be som