share In Italy, Ireland, France; For never a
beggar need now despair, And every rogue has a chance.'"

And yet another extract. Who does not remember Thackeray's _Diary of C.
Jeames de la Pluche_, _Esqre._? but few know how the idea was started.
It was by W. M. T. himself in _Punch_ of Aug. 2:

A LUCKY SPECULATOR.

Considerable sensation has been excited in the upper and lower circles in
the West End, by a startling piece of good fortune which has befallen
JAMES PLUSH ESQ., lately footman in a respected family in Berkeley
Square.

One day, last week, MR. JAMES waited upon his master, who is a banker in
the City; and, after a little blushing and hesitation, said he had saved
a little money in service, and was anxious to retire, and invest his
savings to advantage.

His master (we believe we may mention, without offending delicacy, the
well-known name of SIR GEORGE FLIMSY, of the firm of FLIMSY, DIDDLER AND
FLASH) smilingly asked MR. JAMES what was the amount of his savings,
wondering considerably how--out of an income of thirty guineas, the main
part of which he spent in bouquets, silk stockings and perfumery--MR.
PLUSH could have managed to lay by anything.

MR. PLUSH, with some hesitation, said he had been _speculating in
railroads_, and stated his winnings to have been thirty thousand pounds.
He had commenced his speculations with twenty, borrowed from a
fellow-servant. He had dated his letters from the house in Berkeley
Square, and humbly begged pardon of his master, for not having instructed
the railway secretaries, who answered the applications, to apply at the
area bell.

SIR GEORGE, who was at breakfast, instantly arose, and shook Mr. P. by
the hand; LADY FLIMSY begged him to be seated, and partake of the
breakfast which he had laid on the table; and has, subsequently, invited
him to her grand _dejeuner_ at Richmond, where it was observed that MISS
EMILY FLIMSY, her beautiful and accomplished seventh daughter, paid the
lucky gentleman _marked_ attention.

We hear it stated that Mr. P. is of very ancient family (HUGO DE LA
PLUCHE came over with the Conqueror); and the new Brougham which he has
started, bears the ancient coat of his race.

He has taken apartments at the Albany, and is a director of thirty-three
railroads. He purposes to stand for Parliament at the next general
election, on decidedly conservative principles, which have always been
the politics of his