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THE KNIGHT OF GWYNNE.

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[At the request of a correspondent we give the follow- ing extract from a work lately issued, and noticed by us in our last number, with the view of presenting to the public a sample of the style in which it is written.] THE KNIGHT OF GWYNNE. CHAP. 1.—A FIRE-SIDE GROUP, It wa3 exactly forty-five years ago, that a group consisting of three persons drew their chairs around the fire of a handsome dinner-room in Merrion-square, Dublin. The brilliantly-lighted apartment, the table, still encumbered with decanters and dessert, amI the sideboarrl resplendent with a gorgeous service of plate, showed that the preparations had been made for a much larger party. the last of whom had just taken bis de- parture. Of the three who now drew near the cheerful blaze, more intent, <1, it seemed, on confidential intercourse than the pleasures of the table, he who occupied the centre, was a tall, and singularly nandsome man of some six or seven and twenty years of age, his features, perfectly classical in their regularity, conveyed the impression of one of a cold and haughty temperament, unmoved by sudden impulse, but animated by a spirit daringly ambitious. His dress was in the height of the then mode, and he wore it with the air of a man of fashion and elegance. This was Lord Castlereagh, the youthful Secretary for Ireland, one whose career was then opening with eyery promise offuture distinction. At his right hand sat, or rather lounged, in all the careless- ness of habitual indolence, a young man some years bi" junior, his dark complexion and eyes, bis aquiline features and short thin upper lip almost resembling a Spanish face; his dress was the uniform of the Foot Guards, a costume which wen became him, anel set off to the fullest advantage a figure of perfect sym- metry; a manner of careless inattention in which he indulged contrasted strongly with the quick impatience of his dark glances, and the eager rapidity of his utterance, when momen- tarily excited, for, the Honourable Dick Forester was only cool by training, and not by temperament, and, at the time we speak of, his worldly education was scarcely more than well begun. The third figure, strikingly unlike the other two, was a man of fifty, or thereabouts, short and plethoric, his features, rosy and sensual, were lit up by two gray eyes, whose twinkle was an incessant provocative to laughter, the moutb was, however, the great index to his character it was large and full, the under lip slightly projecting, a circumstance perhaps acquired in the long habit of a life, where tbe tasting function had been actively em ployed, for Con Heileman was a gourmand of the first water, and the most critical judge of a vintage the island could hoast; two Imgers 01 either hand were inserted m the capacious pockets of a white vest, while his head jauntily leaning to one side, he sat tbe very ideal of self-satisfied ease and contentment; the" aplomb"-why should there be a French word for an Englisb quality ?—he possessed, was not the vulgar ease of a presuming or under-bred man, far from it, it was the impress of certain gifts, which gave him an acknowledged superiority in tbe society he moved in. He was shrewd without over-caution, he was ready-witted, but never rash; he possessed that rare com- bination, of quick intelligence with strong powers of judgment, and, above all, he knew men, or at least, such specimens of the l'ace as came before bim in a varied lUe, well and thoroughly. If he had a weak point in his character, it was a love of popu- larity not that vulgar mob won hip, whlch some men court awl seek after, no, it was the estimation of his own class and set he desired lo obtain he was proud of his social position, and nervously sensitive in whatever might prejudice or endanger it. His enemies, and Con was too able a man not to have made some, said, that his low origin was tbe secret of bis nature, that his ambiguous position in iIOciety demanded exertions un- caned for, from others less equivocally circumstanced, and that, Mr. Heffernan >vas, in secret, very far from esteeming the highl- and titled associates Jwith whom his daily life brought him in contact. If this were the case, he was assuredly a consummate actor, no man ever went through a 10llger or more searching trial unscathed, nor could an expression be quoted, or an act mentioned, in which he derogated, even for a moment, from the nabits of" his order." You never did the thing better in your life, my lord," said Con, as the door closed upon the last departing guest; •' you hit oil" Jack Massy to perfection and as for Watson, though he said nothing at the time, I'll wager my roan cob against Deane Moore's hackney, long odds I iancy, that you find him at the Treasury to-morrow morning, witb a sly request for five minutes' private conversation." c, I'm of your mind, Heffernan. I saw that he took the bait; indeed, to do the gentlemen justice, they are all open to convic- tion," You certainly cannot blame them," said Con, if they take a more coneiliatincr view of your lordshlp s opinions, when assisted by such claret as this-thIs is old '72, if I mistake not," They sold it to me as such, but I own to you I'm the poor- est connoisseur in the world as regards wine. Some one re- marked this evening that the '9'J was richer in bouquet." It was Edward Harvey, my lord, I heard him, but that was the year he got his baronetcy, and he thinks tbe "lUll never shone so brightly before; his father wu sellini Balbriggan stockings when this grape was ripening, aud now. the son has more than one foot. on the steps of tbe Peerage." This was said with a short, quick glance beneath the eyelids, and evidently more as a feeler, than wltb any strong conviction of its accuracy. No Government can afford to neglect its supporters, and the acknowledgments must be Proportioned to the sacrifices as wpll as to the abilities of the individuals who second it." "By Jove! if these gentlemen are in the market," said Forester, who broke sllence for tbe first time, 1 don't wonder at tbeir price being a high one; in consenting to the 'Union' they are virtually voting theIr own annihilation." By no means" said the Secretary, calmly, the field open to their ambition is imperial and not. provincial; the English Parliament will form an arena for tbe dlsplay of ability, as wide surely as this of Dublin. Men of note and capacity will not be less rewarded, the losers will be the smalt talkers, county squires of noisy politics, and crafty lawyers of no principles tbey will perbaps be obliged to remain at home, and look aftpr their own affairs but will the country be the worse lor that, while the advantages to trade and cummerce are inconceivable I agree with you said Con; we are likely to m- crease our expurt:5, by sending every clever fellow out of the country." '.Vhy not, if the ul.trkl,t be a better one Wouldn't you sp • re us a few luxuries for home consump- tion ? ii'1 Con, as he smacked his lips and looked at his g.as.s through the candle. His lordship paid no attention to the remark, but taking a small tablet from his waistcoat pocket seemed to study its n tenK. kre we certain of Cuffee; is he pledged to is. Ilefleman ?' '• Yes, my lord, he has no help for it, we are sure of him he owe? the Crown eleven thousand pounds, anI says, the onH ambition he possesses, is to make the debt twelve, and nevr pay it." What of that canting fellow from the North ?—Newland." "He accepts your terms conditionally, my lord," said Con, with a sly roll of his eye; if the arguments are equal to your liberality, lie will vote for you, but as yet, he does not see the advantages of a Union." '■ Not fee them said Lord Castlereagh, with a look of irony, why did you not let him look at them from your own windows, llelfernan the view is enchanting for the Barrack Depart- ment." The poor man is short-sighted," said Con, with a sigh and never could stretch his vision beyond the Custom House." "lie it so, in the devil's name; a commissioner more or less shall never stop us ''What a set of rascals," muttered Forester between his teeth, as he tossed off :t bumper to swallow his indignation. Well, Forester, what of your mission have you heard from your friend Da cy ? Yes; 1 have his note here he cannot come over just now, but he 11,15 given me an introduction to his father, and pledges himself 1 shall be well received. AVha' Darey is that ?" said Heffernan. The Knight of Gwynne," said his lordship; do you know him ?. 1 believe, my lord, there is not a gentleman in Ireland who could not say yes to that question, w hile west of the Shannon, Maurice Darey is a name to swear by. We want such a man much," said the Secretary, in a low, distinct utterance "some well-known leader of public opinion is of great value just now. How does he vote usually ? I see his nam.1 in the divisions." 011 he rarely eome3 up to town, never liked Parliament, but when he did attend the House, he usually sat with the op- position, but without linking himself to party, spoke and voted independently, and, strange to say, made considerable impres- sion by conduct which in any other man would have proved an utter failure.' Did he speak well. then ?" For the first five minutes you could think of nothing but his look and appearanee; he was the handsomest man in the house, a li tie too particular perhaps in dress, but never finical asTie went un, however, the easy fluency of his language, the grace and elegance of his style, and the frank openness of his statements, carried his hearers with him and many who were guarded enough igainst the practised powers of the great speak- ers, were entrapped by the unstudied, manly tone of the Knight of Gwynne. You say truly, he would be a great card in your hands at this time.' We must have him at his own price, if he has one. Is he rich ?' lie has an immense estate, but, as I hear, greatly encum- bered but don't think of money with him, that will never do." ''What's the bait, then ? Does he care for rank? Has he any children grown up?" One son and one daughter Rre all his family and as for title, I don't think he'd exchange that of Knight of Gwynne for a Dukedom. His son is a lieutenant in the Guards." "Yes; and the best fellow in the regiment," broke in Forester. In every quality of a high-spirited gentleman, Lionel Darey has no superior." The better deserving of rapid promotion," said his lordship, smiling significantly. I should be senary to offer it to him, at the expense of his You must see him, however, JJICK, said the Secretary, there is no reason why he should not be with us on grounds of conviction. He is a man of enlightened and liberal mind and surely, will not think the worse of a measure, because its advocates are in a position to serve his son's interests." "Hthat topic he kept very studiously out of sight, it were all the more prudent," said Con, drily. "Of course: Forester will pay his visit, and only advert to the matter with caution and delicacy; to gain him to our side is a circumstance of so much moment, that 1 say carte blanche' for the terms." I knew the time that a foxhound would have been a higher bribe than a blue ribbon, with honest Maurice but it's many years since we met, now, and Heaven knows what changes time may have wrought in him. A smile and a soft speech from a pretty woman, or a bold exploit of some hare-brained fellow, were sure to find favour with him, when he would have heard flattery from the lips of Royalty without pride or emotion. His colleague in che county is with us has he any influence over the Knight V' Far from it. Mr. Hickman O'Reilly is the last man in the world to have weight with Maurice Darey, and if it be your intention to make O'Reilly a Peer, you could have taken no readier method to arm the Knight against you. No no if you really are bent on having him, leave all thought of a pur- chase aside; let Forester, as the friend and brother officer of young Darcy, go down to Gwynne, make himself as agreeable to the Knight as may be, and when he has one foot on the carriage step, at his departure, turn sharply round, and say, Won't you vote with us, Knight?" What between surprise and courtesy, he may be taken too short for reflection, and if he say but yes," ever so low, he's yours. That's my advice to you it may seem a poor chance, but I fairly own, I see no better one." I should have thought rank might be acceptable in such a quarter," said the Secretary, proudly. He has it, my lord, at least as much as would win all the respect any rank could confer, and besides, these new Peerages have no prestige' in their favour yet awhile, we must wait for another generation this claret is perfect now, but I should not say it were quite so delicate in flavour, the first year it was bottled. The squibs and epigrams on the new promotions are remembered, where the blazons of the Herald's College are for- gotten • that unlucky Banker, for instance, that you made a Viscount the other day both his character and his credit have suffered for it." What was that you allude to ?—an epigram, was it ?" Yes, very short, but scarcely sweet, here it is, With a name that is borrow'd, a title that's bought,' You remember, my lord. how true both allegations are With a name that ;s borrow'd, a title that's bought, Sir William would fain be a gentleman thought While his Wit is mere cunning, his Courage but vapour, His Pride is but money, his Money but paper." Very severe, certainly," said his lordship, in the same calm tone he ever spoke not your lines, Mr. Heffernan ?" No, my lord, a greater than Con Heffernan indited these one who did not scruple to reply to yourself in the House in an imitation of your own inimitable manner." Oh, I know whom you mean-a very witty person indeed, said the Secretary, smiling; and if we were to be laughed out of office, he might lead the opposition, but these are very business-like matter-of-fact days we're fallen upon. The Cabi- net that can give away blue ribbons may afford to be indifferent to small jokers but to revert to matters more immediate, you must start at once, Forester, for the west, see the Knight, and do whatever you can to bring him towards us. I say • carle blanche' for the terms I only wish our other elevations to the Peerage had half the pretensions he has and whatever our friend Mr. Heffernan may say, I opine to the mere matter of compact, which says, so much, for so much." 11 Here's success to the mission, however its negociations incline," said Heffernan, as he drained off his glass, and rose to depart; we shall see you again within ten days or a fortnight, I suppose 1" Oh, certainly, I'll n0* hnger in that wild district an hour longer than I must;" and so, with good night and good wishes, the party separated-Forester, to make his preparations for a journey, which, in those days, was looked on as something for- midable. THE LATE SIR WILLIAM FOLLETT. Blachtvood opens this month with an extremely interest- ing memoir of, or rather disquisition upon, the personal and professional character of the late Sir William Follett. The commencement of the article is a little too senti- mental about his funeral and grave, but the rest is vigorous and entertaining. The writer grapples boldly with two accusations which have been brought against Sir William's memory — bis love of money, and (which would result from that passion) his acceptance of briefs when there was no reasonable prospect of his being able to attend to them., Itoth these charges are admitted-but only for the ptirp* of showing that they formed no blot upon his name. We extract from this article the follow- ing striking and amusing anecdote No one ever ventured to c&lculate upon Sir William Follett's overlooking a slip or failing to seize an advantage. Totus teres atque rotundus must indeed have been the case which was to withstand his onslaughts. So accurate and extensive was his legal knowledge, so acute was his discrimination, so dexterous were all his movements, so lynx-eyed was his vigilant attention to what was going on, that the most learned and able of his opponents were never at their ease till after victory had been definitely announced from the Bench-from a Court of Error-or even the House of Lords. They were necessarily on the qui vive to the very latest moment. Some short time before he was compelled to relinquish practice, a certain counsel was engaged with him as junior in a case before the Privy Council, which it was deemed of great moment that Sir William Follett should be able to attend to. "I don't exactly know how I stand in the Queen's Bench to-morrow morning," said he, at the consultation late over night—" but I fear that that long troublesome case of the Railway will be brought on by at the sitting of the Court. I'm afraid I can't get him to put it off-but I'll try and if he won't, I may yet be able to settle the case before he has got far into it-for it will be very strange if all their proceedings are right." On this slender chance rested the likelihood of Sir William's attendance at the Privy Council. The next morning at ten o'clock, beheld all the counsel on both sides ready for action. You're not going to bring on the —— case this morning, are you ?" whispered Sir William Follett, as soon as he had taken his seat, to his opponent, who was arranging his papers. I am indeed, and no mistake whatever about it." Can't we bring it on to-morrow, or some day next week ? It would greatly oblige me-I really have scarcely read my papers, and. besides, want to be elsewhere." I'll see what my clients say"-and then he consulted them, and resumed—" No—my people are peremptory." Very well. Then keep your eyes wide open. I must bring you down as soon as possible, for I want to be elsewhere." 0 "Ah—I must take my chance about that"—then, tumin" round to an experienced and learned junior, he whispered- You hear what Follett says Are we really all right ?" Oh, pho! never mind him-we are as right as possible." A few moments afterwards, up rose and soon got into his oase, and very soon, also, to the end of it. The case had not been heard more than half an hour, Sir William Follett at once attentively listening to his opponent, and hastily glancing over his own papers, when he rose very quietly, and said- If my learned friend will pardon me, I think, my lord, I can save the court a very long and useless inquiry—for there is clearly a fatal objection in limine to these proceedings." Let us hear what it is," said the court. Sir William had completely checkmated his opponent I A statutory requisition had not been complied with; and in less than ten minutes' time the enemy were all prostrate-their expensive and elaborate proceedings all defeated—and that, too, permanently, unless on acceding to the terms which Sir William Follett dictated to them, and which, it need hardly be observed, were somewhat advantageous to his own client! Really this is too bad, Follett," might have been heard whispered by his opponent, as the next case was called m. Not at all—why did'nt you let it stand over as I asked you "Oh—you would have done just the same then as you have now." I dou t know that," replied Sir William Follett," with a significant smile. But why won't your people be more care- ful ?" And then turning to his junior, said—"Now for the i rivy Council!" And all this with such provoking, easy, smiling nonchalance.

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