a young woman in a very humble station of life-a proceeding stigmatized by his relations as an unpardonable breach of family obligations. Nevertheless, the headstrong Squire, Mr. Burnett, as I will call him, not only completed the mésalliance, but determined to make, on behalf of his lowly bride, a post-nuptial settlement, which promised to be highly detrimental to the interests of his probable successors. It happened that he was, one night, busily engaged in examining the draft of the proposed settlement. He was in his study, situated on the first floor; raising his eyes for a moment, he became suddenly aware of a head, opposite to his own, which he instantly recognized as that of his deceased father. The first moment of awe and astonishment passed away; yet the head remained, fixed and frowning on him, while a shadowy hand seemed to extend itself in the direction of the papers that lay on the table. Determined to ascertain whether or not he was the victim of some strange optical delusion, Mr. Burnett rose from his chair, and advanced upon the spectre. It retired before him, seeming to glide round the room, encircled by a kind of mist which blurred the outlines, but left the phantom visible. After some vain attempts to reach it, Mr. B――abandoned the pursuit, and, descending to the lower apartments, in one of which his young wife was seated, he put on an appearancee of indifference, and requested her to run up to the study, and bring down a paper he had left upon the table. He would at least have the testimony of another's senses besides his own A few moments after the young lady departed on her errand, a piercing shriek from above alarmed the household. Mr. Burnett rushed up-stairs, his servants following. His wife was lying insensible on the floor. On being restored to consciousness, she declared that she had seen the head and shoulders of her husband's father, the face wearing an angry and threatening expression-and the whole, as it were, enveloped in a cloud. "How," inquired the Squire, "could you recognize my father, whom I am sure you never saw ?" "It was the exact image of his portrait in the dining-room," was the answer, "but with a very stern expression."-Spicer. THE LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET, November the 9th, 1864. Feasting, after an epicurean manner, is not a custom which owes its origin to modern times. We have a minute description of a feast at Rome, when the Roman Emperor ruled the world, in The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter at which Opimian Falernian wine a hundred years old was drunk. Trimalchio, the host, says to his guests, "O dear! O dear! to think that wine should be longer lived than we poor manikins. Well, since it is so let us e'en drink till we can hold no more. There's life in wine. This is genuine Opimian, you may take my word for it. I did not put so good on my table yesterday, and I had much more respectable men than you to dine with me." Notwithstanding the candid remarks of Trimalchio, his guests sipped their wine and extolled all the fine things set before them. Our modern host talks to his guests with less candour but more politeness. He has well defined rules to guide him in his conduct, and thus, public banquets, very much in their chief features resemble one another—always excepting the profusion of the entertainment and the number of guests. The banquet of banquets in our day is the inaugural dinner given in the City of London by the newly elected Lord Mayor and Sheriffs. It derives its importance from a variety of causes-the rank of the principal guests who grace it by their presence, and the splendid hospitality with which they are entertained, are not perhaps, among the least important. On the 9th of November of each year, after the City functionaries have been in procession to Westminster, and returned, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress receive the company who have been invited to the Banquet, in state, at Guildhall. I will now relate the particulars as far as they passed under my notice, of the Banquet on the 9th of November last. The party which I accompanied started at half-past five o'clock, and we passed on without interruption until we reached the Poultry, where the police directed the coachman to rein in his horses; but a quick survey which a policeman made of the interior of the carriage showed him that we were going to the Guildhall, otherwise we should have been turned back. We passed on at once. It is the sight of the large envelope (size 11 inches by 9 inches) which contains your Ticket that enables you to pass so readily the barrier of police. Without any difficulty we fell into the line of carriages, and proceeded at a slow pace through King-street, into Guildhall-yard, where we were set down. Immediately on reaching the entrance lobby, which was decorated with military trophies, figures in armour, mirrors and flowering plants, the opportunity is afforded to those who have a top-coat or hat, or other article which they desire to place in safe custody, to do so, and they receive in exchange a ticket bearing a number. On entering the Great Hall, which you do through an army of gorgeous footmen, your name is announced by stentorian lungs. You cross the Great Hall through a passage formed by previous arrivals, who having already been presented, are now watching the approach of the new comers. On your ascending the flight of steps, on the opposite side of the Hall, your name is again announced. You now enter a passage lined with ladies and gentlemen, and pass through several rooms, which are likewise filled with company, until you reach the handsomely fitted reception room, on entering which, you are announced for the third time. This room was thronged with elegantly dressed ladies, and gentlemen in some official costume or military uniform, court or evening dress. You approach the raised platform on which are stationed the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. There is no haste, every movement is most leisurely made. You are now at the foot of the steps which lead to the platform, and as you ascend them and come into the immediate presence of the host and hostess, your name is for the last time announced. The Lord Mayor will say something agreeable and cordially shake handsotherwise, you bend to him and to the Lady Mayoress, and pass on. You now join the throng who await to see the fresh arrivals, or, if more agreeable, take a survey of the numerous Works of Art which ornament the various chambers. The Great Hall, which was built in the reign of Henry the 4th, is adorned with the monuments of Pitt, Wellington, Nelson, Chatham, and Beckford, the Arms of former Lord Mayors, the Mottos and Flags of the Twelve principal Livery Companies round the cornice, and I must not forget the presence of the famous Gog and Magog. It has been pronounced by competent persons to be a Dining Hall unequalled in the world. In the Loggia of the Exchequer Court and Gallery leading to the Council Chamber, are Pictures and Sculpture. On the North side of the Aldermen's Court Room is a conservatory in which is a scenic representation of Garibaldi recounting to his friends, on his arrival at Caprera, the particulars of his reception in England, and the presentation to him of the freedom of the city by the corporation of London in April last. In the court-yard at the western end of the same room another Conservatory is fitted up, containing a scenic representation of the arrival by night of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales at Stockholm. It is especially interesting to remark the reception high personages and public men meet with from the company. The Lord Chancellor, with his daughter leaning on his arm, preceded by a crowd of ushers and followed by his train bearer, was the first "sensation" arrival that came under my notice. He had been preceded, however, by Lord Brougham, and M. M. Berryer and Desmarest, and several others. The ushers shout "The Lord Chancellor" continually as they proceed, and all eyes are turned upon the imposing robes worn by the "first subject" of the realm. The entrance of the Lord Chief Baron and the other judges in their robes of state, created much interest. It was nearly seven o'clock before the Chancellor of the Exchequer arrived— he was received with cheers. He entered alone, and wore the ordinary court dress, as did likewise Lord Palmerston, who followed soon after, and was the last guest of distinction who arrived. The Premier of eighty stepped on with a light step, and bowed his acknowledgements to the company, who greeted him with hearty cheers. His reception was the most enthusiastic of any. The general company now seek their appointed places at the tables, which is a matter of no difficulty, for every one is provided with a printed representation of the tables, showing him his seat marked in colour, the others being plain. At seven o'clock, the approach of the Lord Mayor from the reception room is heralded in brazen voices by trumpeters, who head the procession. After the trumpeters come the mace and sword bearers, and other officials, who are followed by the Lord Mayor The Premier, having the Lady Mayoress on his arm, came after his lordship, and next, according to their rank, follow the principal guests. On entering the Great Hall, the party turned to the right and passed the Nelson Monument, and made the circuit of the Hall before they reached the upper end. The band of the Guards, under the direction of Mr. Godfrey, played a selection of music during the dinner. The Rev. Dr. Mortimer, the Lord Mayor's chaplain, said grace. Excepting the soup and the game everything is served cold. The guests numbered about 1,000, and the following is the Bill of Fare with which they were regaled :-500 Tureens of real Turtle Soup, containing 5 pints each, 400 Bottles of Sherbet, 58 Dishes of Fish, 168 Turkeys, 120 roast Pullets, 180 Fowls, 140 Capons, 100 French Pies, 118 Pigeon Pies, 106 Hams, 86 Tongues, 2 Barons of Beef, 5 Rounds of Beef, 26 Rumps and Sirloins, 120 Dishes of Mashed Potatoes, 260 Jellies, 100 Blancmanges, 237 Tarts (various), 120 Mince Pies, 112 Salads, 12 Leverets, 160 Pheasants, 48 Geese, 160 Partridges, 60 Wild Fowl, 4 Pea Fowls, 200 Pine Apples (from 2 lbs to 3 lbs. each), 400 Dishes of Hot-house Grapes, 500 Ice Creams, 100 Dishes of Apples, 200 Dishes of Pears, 120 ornamented Savoy Cakes, 150 Plates of Walnuts, 160 Plates of Dried Fruit and Preserves, 100 Plates of Preserved Ginger, 120 Plates of Rout Cakes and Chips, 92 Plates of Brandy Cherries. There were many other dishes which I need not stay to enumerate. The Wines were Champagne, Moselle, Hock, Claret, Madeira, Port and Sherry. There was likewise a plentiful supply of that element which enjoys the special patronage of total abstainers, I did not, however, observe anyone touch a water decanter. Before each guest is a pile of some half-dozen plates, together with the "Bill of Fare" elegantly printed on tinted paper, and likewise a "Description of the Decorations, Musical Arrangements, &c., &c," in the form of a pamphlet in an illuminated glazed cover. "Eat, drink and be merry" was the sentiment now most vigorously carried into practice by all. Whatever you desired to take, it could only be your own fault if you did not get it, for the attentions you received from the numerous waiters, were, if anything, rather too oppressive, in that way. To illustrate the utter disregard of indigestion generally displayed, I will enumerate what I saw crowded on the plate of a young lady who sat near me. On her plate were at one and the same time, a half of a large pear, a slice of Pine Apple, some ice cream, a slice of Savoy Cake, some fine grapes, and some blancmange and jelly. I don't mean to infer, that the lady in question disposed of all these nice things, oh no! before she could have eaten all, I noticed that her plate had been removed and another placed in its stead. This one in its turn again became crowded. "The In due course Mr. Harker, the toastmaster, gave the loving-cup. cloth having been removed," "Non Nobis Domine" was sung by the vocalists, who were under the direction of Mr. Edwin Gray. After the first toast had been drunk, which was done with all the honors, the National Anthem was sung. It was not until Viscount Palmerston rose to return thanks for the toast which had just been drunk (the health of Lord Palmerston and Her Majesty's Ministers), that the attention of the company generally became directed towards the proceedings which were taking place at the Lord Mayor's table. The noble Premier was the first speaker whose words could be understood in remote parts of the Hall, and he received while speaking, constant marks of approbation from his auditory. The feasting may now be said to be concluded, and the undivided attention of the company is given to the speeches. The other speakers who were received with most applause were Lord Brougham, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and M. Berryer. The Lord Chief Baron took his departure about half past ten o'clock, and Mr. Gladstone followed his example immediately after he had delivered his speech. On the Lord Mayor's rising from table the company broke up, and the votaries of Terpsichore repaired to the beautifully decorated ball-room prepared for their reception. The ninth of November is a proud day for the City of London, and a costly one to the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs. TIT FOR TAT. A quaker coming to town with his team, was laid hold of, and taken before a justice for riding on the shafts of his cart, and fined forty shillings. The quaker, without any hesitation, threw down two guineas; when the justice offered him two shillings change. Ay, says the quaker, but thou hast been at so much trouble, thee mayest keep the two shillings to thyself; only write it down on a bit of paper for my satisfaction; which the justice accordingly did, and gave a receipt for two guineas, but not upon stamped paper. quaker immediately goes to a neighbouring justice, shews him the receipt, tells him he has just taken it, and asked, if it were according to law? No, said the justice, it should have been stamped. On which the justice who levied the fine, was brought before the quorum, and fined in the penalty of five pounds. The THE AMERICAN CONFLICT. It is a notorious fact that the great mass of the English people entertain a strong aversion for human bondage. On the other hand, judging from the tone of the Press and other utterances of public opinion, it appears equally evident that, in this American war, a large majority of the nation have conferred their sympathies upon the South, on whose success or failure hangs the success or failure of slavery. Hence naturally arises the question: "How can this glaring inconsistency of a great people be accounted for ?" A question well worth investigating, and the solution of which we respectfully submit to the reader in this paper. When committing an act, or adopting an opinion inconsistent with his moral principles, man, ever ingenious in such cases, is not at a loss to blind himself, and throw dust into the eyes of his fellowcreatures. So it is that, in the present American conflict, the English people are endeavouring to reconcile two utterly irreconcilable things, namely, their opposition to human bondage, and their leaning to the champion of slavery. Many of them assume that the South is not fighting for its peculiar institution, that slavery has nothing to do with the present war; and having thus summarily disposed of the chief point, they feel perfectly justified in conferring their sympathies on the weaker party, the one striving for independence. This would do admirably well, if their assumption were grounded, but it is not, and instead of having nothing to do with the war, we contend that slavery has every thing to do with it, at least on the Southern side of the question. This point we shall endeavour to settle in as few words as possible. If the Confederates are not fighting for their peculiar institution, we ask, "What are they fighting for?" We expect the reply to be "Independence." True enough, but independence as the means of forwarding the cause of slavery. If slavery had not existed in the Southern States, would the Southern States have thought of seceding? Or, even with slavery existing in the South, if the North had allowed the South to have her own way, would she have ever thought of secession? Most certainly not. And the circumstances under which the secession took place evidently show it. In the Presidential election of 1860, there were two candidates, representing the great points at issue between the two sections: Douglas, the Southern candidate, standing on the platform based upon the extension of slavery, and Lincoln, the Northern candidate, standing on the opposite platform. Douglas was the man pledged, like so many Presidents, to let the South have her own way, whereas Lincoln, on the contrary, was bound to check the encroachments of slavery; he was to say to the slaveholders, "Gentlemen, you have been far enough, and shall go no further. We, of the Free States, refuse to act any longer as slave-catchers, bloodhounds of slavery, your accomplices in schemes tending to perpetuate and extend the baneful institution." Now, so long as the contest was undecided, the Southern States remained in the Union, yet all the while openly threatening to part company, in case Lincoln should be the successful candidate. And they made good their word, for the election of Lincoln was the very signal of rebellion. Now, we ask, had the Southerners elected their own candidate, would they have parted with the North? It would be absurd to reply in the affirmative; therefore it is safe to conclude that slavery is essentially the cause of the secession, the cause of the conflict which is deluging America with blood. And not only is slavery the very essence of the main material interest involved in the strife, but it also lies at the bottom of the minor motives which have concurred to bring about the deplorable event. The bitter hatred to their Northern brothers, which rankles in the bosoms of the Southerners, is chiefly owing to slavery, on account of this their favourite institution being opposed and held up to the odium of the world by a considerable party in the North. Even the tariff interest, on which so great a stress has been laid by some English journals, proceeds from the peculiar institution, which has been the great impediment to industry and manufactures flourishing in the Southern States. With manufactures existing in the South, it is evident that the tariff would not affect her differently to the Free States; the interest would be the same in both sections, and consequently this minor cause of secession could not exist. We might go on and show that, in whatever way you turn the question, you can, if you but open your eyes, see slavery staring you in the face. 66 But it seems almost idle to discuss this point, as the Southerners themselves have pleaded guilty," and boldly declared that slavery should be the corner-stone of the new political edifice. They have even gone so far as to boast that they would revive the slave trade. In the face of such declarations, is it not passing strange that their good friends on this side of the Atlantic, should so strenuously endeavour to represent them as white as snow? Here the question presents itself: "Whatever may be the purpose, has not a community an indisputable right to form |