though much his senior, resembled him in many particulars.

July, who was of a desperately hot temper, was every now and then a good deal irritated by March, a dry old fellow, as cool as a cucumber, who was continually passing his jokes upon him. At one time July went so far as to threaten him with a prosecution for something he had said; but March, knowing what he was about, always managed to keep on the windy side of the Law, and to throw dust in the eyes of his accusers. July, however, contrived to have his revenge; for, being called upon for a Song, he gave "The dashing White Serjeant" in great style, and laid a peculiar emphasis upon the words "March! March! away!" at the same time motioning to his antagonist to leave the room.

April having announced that it was raining hard, January was much perplexed as to how he should get home, as he had not brought his carriage. At one time, when he was looking very anxiously out of the window to discover if there were any stars visible, October, at the suggestion of May, asked him if he thought of borrowing Charles's wain to carry him, as he had done so great a kindness to it's proprietor? This put the old fellow into such a passion, that he hastily seized his head-gear, a

red cap, sallied out through the rain, and would most likely have broken his neck in the dark, had not February sent her footman, Candlemas-day, after him with a lanthorn, by whom he was guided in safety to his lodgings in Fog-alley.

On the retirement of the Ladies,-February, May, August, and November,—the Host proposed their healths, which were drank with the usual honours; when April, being a soft-spoken youth, and ambitious of distinction as an orator, began to return thanks for them in a very flowery speech; but was soon coughed down by December and March; and March, by the bye, at length got into such high favour with his old enemy July, that the latter was heard to give him an Invitation, saying, that if ever he came to his side of the Zodiac, he should be most happy to see him. October told the Host that, with his leave, he would drink no more wine, but that he should be glad of some good home-brewed, and a pipe. To this December acceded, and said he should be happy to join him, and he thought his friend March would do the March having nodded assent, they set to, and a pretty puffing and blowing they made among them. April, however, continued to drink Madeira; while June, July, and September, stuck, with exemplary constancy, to the Burgundy.

same.

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After repeated summonses to the drawing-room, they joined the Ladies at the tea-table. Novem. ber drew herself up, and affected to be quite overpowered by the smell of smoke, which March, October, and December had brought in with them; although it was well known that the old lady herself could blow a cloud as well as any of them. October seated himself by May, and said he hoped that his pipe would not have the same effect upon her, as upon her Aunt; and after having very gracefully assured him, that she was not at all annoyed by it, he told her, that he would make her exercise her own sweet pipe before the evening was much older; which, instead of annoying, would delight every body. August, a grave stately matron of extraordinary beauty, although perhaps un peu passé, officiated as tea-maker. GoodFriday, who by this time had recovered the fright into which Shrove-Tuesday had thrown her, handed about the toasted buns, and Swithin, a servant of July, was employed to keep the tea-pot supplied with water, which he too often did to overflowing.

Tea being over, the old folks went to cards; and the young ones, including October, who managed to hide his years very successfully, to the Piano-forte. May was the Prima Donna, and delighted every one, especially poor April, who

was alternately all smiles and tears, during the whole of her performance. October gave them a hunting Song, which caused even the card-tables to be deserted; and August sang a sweet melancholy Canzonet which was rapturously encored. April both sang and played most unmercifully; but the company had an ugly trick of yawning over his comic songs, and were ready to expire with laughter at his pathetics.

At length, Candlemas-day having returned from seeing old January home, his mistress February took leave of the company. April, who was a little the worse for the wine he had drunk, insisted on escorting November; although she had several servants in waiting, and her road was in an oppo. site direction to his own. May went away in her own carriage, and undertook to set Juned own, who lived very near her. The road was hilly and steep, but her coachman, Ascension-day, got the horses very well to the top; and July and August both walked home, each preceded by a dog-day, with a lighted torch. September and October, who were next door neighbours, went away in the same hackney-coach; and March departed as he came, on the back of a rough Shetland poney.

"NEWS OF LITERATURE," 1826.

EVERY DAY AT BREAKFAST.

THE Seven Days of the Week, hearing that the Months had dined together, were not a little vexed and puzzled at the circumstance, being anxious to do something of the same sort, and yet feeling that they were by no means in a condition to manage the affair so splendidly as their rivals. Every one knows that a Month is a person whose importance is, at least, eight and twenty times superior to that of a Day, and, therefore, for the latter to attempt to emulate the former, would have been only a practical illustration of the fable of the Ox and the Frog. Still, as the Days very significantly asked, "What would the Months be without them?" was, therefore, unanimously resolved, that they should have some meal or other together, to shew their spirit; and, as a Dinner was out of the question, it was at length determined that they should have a Breakfast instead, and that Monday, the

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