ees, suspended by its hind legs from the upper
bar of the fence, and vainly essaying at extrication. The other cockney
sportsman was similarly situated: his horse had not cleared the fence,
neither had the rider, although he had reached the neck of his rosinante
in his progress to the opposite side; in this position he assumed a
permanent aspect, for his horse rested with his fore-legs over the
fence, and seemed incapable of either retrograding or proceeding. These
lessons taught the baronet resignation in mishap; the result of which
was the return, in about an hour, of his friends Tom and Bob, to his
great comfort, which was further increased by their bringing with them
his gelding, having recognized the animal ~199~~ in the possession of a
stranger, who, on their claiming it as belonging to Sir Felix O'Grady,
very readily gave it up, saying, that the baronet had not forgot in the
midst of his threats, frequently to announce his name, and hoping that
he would excuse him for having resorted to the privilege which every
person claims on this day, of taking care of the stray horses. The party
now fully satisfied with the humours and disasters of the Easter Hunt,
turned their steeds homewards, and journeying unimpeded, notwithstanding
the throng of the road, they quickly gained town, without the occurrence
of any other memorable incident.

Having reached the mansion of Dashall, Sir Felix acquainted Tallyho with
the success of his mission respecting the hand, as a partner, at the
Mansion-house Ball, of the august descendant of the Kings of Ulster,
the sage and venerable Miss Judith Macgilligan. "O, the beautiful
_illustrissimo_! the sweet crature" exclaimed the baronet, "with
commendable care of her virgin purity, and fair unsullied fame, is
tenacious of etiquette, and insists that she shall be asked with all due
form and respect, (after I have introduced your Squireship to the honour
of her notice) at the Mansion-house. By my conscience, I believe she is
in love with your character, and no doubt will prove desperately so with
your person. Faith and troth now, she is both too young and too old for
matrimony; too young, because she may live to torment you these twenty
years to come, which is a penance no sprightly lad should voluntarily
undergo for all her fortune; and too old, being in all respects
disqualified by age, for the important object of marriage, which was
instituted for the procreation of children."

"My dear si