cedented conduct,' growled Major Mug. 'I'll never be second
to a _Pekin_ again.'

"'_My_ principal leaves the ground with honour,' said Captain Codd,
looking melancholy nevertheless.

"'Humph!' grunted Wooden-leg Waddy, lighting his meerschaum.

"The crowd dispersed much displeased, and I fear my reputation for
valour did not rise among them. I went off with Purdon to finish a jug
at Carmichael's, and Brady swaggered off to Miss Dosy's. His renown for
valour won her heart. It cannot be denied that I sunk deeply in her
opinion. On that very evening Brady broke his love, and was accepted.
Mrs Mac. opposed, but the red-coat prevailed.

"'He may rise to be a general,' said Dosy, 'and be a knight, and then I
will be Lady Brady.'

"'Or if my father should be made an earl, angelic Theodosia, you would
be Lady Thady Brady,' said the Ensign.

"'Beautiful prospect!' cried Dosy, 'Lady Thady Brady! What a harmonious
sound!'

"But why dally over the detail of my unfortunate loves? Dosy and the
Ensign were married before the accident which had befallen her uncle was
discovered; and if they were not happy, why, then you and I may. They
have had eleven children, and, I understand, he now keeps a comfortable
eating-house close by Cumberland Basin in Bristol. Such was my duel with
Ensign Brady of the 48th."

"Your fighting with Brady puts me in mind, that the finest duel I ever
saw," said Joe MacGillycuddy, "was between a butcher and bull-dog, in
the Diamond of Derry."

"I am obliged to you for your comparison," said Burke, "but I think it
is now high time for dinner, and your beautiful story will keep. Has
anybody the least idea where dinner is to be raised?"

To this no answer was returned, and we all began to reflect with the
utmost intensity.

THE HEADSMAN.

A TALE OF DOOM.

[_MAGA_. FEBRUARY 1830.]

On a dark and gusty evening in November 178--, three students at a
university in Northern Germany were sitting with Professor N. around the
stove of his study. These four individuals had in the morning
accompanied a much-valued friend, who was finally quitting the
university, on the first stage of his journey homeward, and had returned
at the full speed of their jaded horses, to reach the city before the
closing of the gates. On arrival within the ramparts, they were invited
by the Professor to drown their parting sorrow in a bowl of punch, and
accompanied him to his abode, where they sat for some time gazing a