that which has placed the kingdom so proudly in the van of all
modern nations. There may be an amiable delusion, as my Lord Castlereagh
has said, in the popular sentiments with respect to the queen. Upon
that, as upon her case, I offer no opinion. It is enough for me to have
seen, with the admiration of a worshipper, the manner in which the
multitude have espoused her cause.

But my paper is filled, and I must conclude. I should, however, mention
that my sister's marriage is appointed to take place to-morrow, and that
I accompany the happy pair to France.--Yours truly,

ANDREW PRINGLE.

"This is a dry letter," said Mr. Snodgrass, and he handed it to Miss
Isabella, who, in exchange, presented the one which she had herself at
the same time received; but just as Mr. Snodgrass was on the point of
reading it, Miss Becky Glibbans was announced. "How lucky this is,"
exclaimed Miss Becky, "to find you both thegither! Now you maun tell me
all the particulars; for Miss Mally Glencairn is no in, and her letter
lies unopened. I am just gasping to hear how Rachel conducted herself at
being married in the kirk before all the folk--married to the hussar
captain, too, after all! who would have thought it?"

"How, have you heard of the marriage already?" said Miss Isabella. "Oh,
it's in the newspapers," replied the amiable inquisitant,--"Like ony
tailor or weaver's--a' weddings maun nowadays gang into the papers. The
whole toun, by this time, has got it; and I wouldna wonder if Rachel
Pringle's marriage ding the queen's divorce out of folk's heads for the
next nine days to come. But only to think of her being married in a
public kirk. Surely her father would never submit to hae't done by a
bishop? And then to put it in the London paper, as if Rachel Pringle had
been somebody of distinction. Perhaps it might have been more to the
purpose, considering what dragoon officers are, if she had got the doited
Doctor, her father, to publish the intended marriage in the papers
beforehand."

"Haud that condumacious tongue of yours," cried a voice, panting with
haste as the door opened, and Mrs. Glibbans entered. "Becky, will you
never devawl wi' your backbiting. I wonder frae whom the misleart lassie
takes a' this passion of clashing."

The authority of her parent's tongue silenced Miss Becky, and Mrs.
Glibbans having seated herself, continued,--"Is it your opinion, Mr.