William threw him the fruit, which the fellow had no sooner sucked
dry, than he began bawling with increased energy, "No Curtis," "No
Billy," etc. Such an ungrateful act would have soured even Seneca; but
Sir William merely gave a smile, with a good-natured shake of the
head. Sir William Curtis possessed a much greater share of shrewdness
and good sense than the vulgar ever gave him credit for. At the
Sessions' dinners, he would keep up the ball of conversation with the
judges and gentlemen of the bar, in a fuller vein than either of his
brother aldermen. It is true that he had wealth and distinction,
all which his fellow citizens at table did not enjoy; and these
possessions, we know, are wonderful helps to confidence, if they do
not lead the holder on to assurance.--Ed. M.

* * * * *




THE SKETCH BOOK.

* * * * *

EXTRACTS FROM THE ORIGINAL LETTERS OF AN OFFICER IN INDIA.[3]


_THE SIGHT OF A TIGER._[4]


Secunderabad, 1828.