p rivulet, and the park
of Schonbrunn a prairie for the buffalo." I am not exactly aware how
or why these changes were to have occurred, but Lord Macaulay's New
Zealander might have originated them.

While I thus mused and brooded, the tramp of four horses came clattering
down the street, and soon after swept into the arched doorway of the inn
with a rolling and thunderous sound.

"Here he comes; here he is at last! said a young officer, who had
rushed in haste to the window; and at the announcement a very palpable
sentiment of satisfaction seemed to spread itself through the company,
even to the grim old field-marshal, who took his pipe from his mouth to
say,--

"He is in time,--he saves 'arrest!'"

As he spoke, a tall man in uniform entered the room, and walking with
military step till he came in front of the General, said, in a loud but
respectful voice,--

"I have the honor to report myself as returned to duty."

The General replied something I could not catch, and then shook him
warmly by the hand, making room for him to sit down next him.

"How far did your Royal Highness go? Not to Coire?" said the General.

"Far beyond it, sir," said the other. "I went the whole way to the
Spluegen, and if it were not for the terror of your displeasure, I 'd
have crossed the mountain and gone on to Chiavenna."

The fact that I was listening to the narrative of a royal personage
was not the only bond of fascination to me, for somehow the tone of the
speaker's voice sounded familiarly to my ears, and I could have sworn
I had heard it before. As he was at the same side of the table with
myself, I could not see him; but while he continued to talk, the
impression grew each moment more strong that I must have met him
previously.

I could gather--it was easy enough to do so--from the animated looks
of the party, and the repeated bursts of laughter that followed his
sallies, that the newly arrived officer was a wit and authority amongst
his comrades. His elevated rank, too, may have contributed to this
popularity. Must I own that he appeared in the character that to me is
particularly offensive? He was a "narrator." That vulgar adage of "two
of a trade" has a far wider acceptance when applied to the operations
of intellect than when addressed to the work of men's hands. To see this
jealousy at its height, you must look for it amongst men of letters,
artists, actors, or, better still, those social performers who are the
brig