physiologists of the age that the young brood invariably evinced an instinctive attachment to their maternal boiler, striving to nestle themselves under their parent kettle immediately it began to sing. And as a conclusion to the day’s entertainments, they might all pop in at the Adelphi, and having passed an hour or two there, they might then be able to get to Vauxhall just in time to see the horsemanship and fireworks; and there, after a cold fowl and lobster salad, by way of a little supper, they could return home ready and thankful for bed. The Sandboys were all delighted with the Major’s programme for the day’s festivities, and having swallowed a hasty breakfast, and decked themselves out in their holiday costume, they once more descended to the parlour, ready to start for the Great Sight, with Cursty fidgeting at their heels, in inward fear of something or other occurring that would once more delay their departure. At length, however, the whole party were fairly off; and as Mr. Sandboys stood on the door-step, wondering within himself how they had succeeded in getting even that far towards their destination, he said thoughtfully to the Major, as he held him by the button-hole, while Jobby, Elcy, and Mrs. Sandboys went tripping along lightly up the street, “I’ll tell thee what I’ll do, Major——” “Yes, yes,” answered his friend, “but tell me as we go, or we shall miss the ladies.” Cursty paid little or no attention to the Major’s impatience, but still musing, said, “I’ll wager thee a crown, man, that we never get inside t’ Girt Exhibition to-day.” “Done!” shouted the Major, and he dragged the fatalistic Cursty Sandboys with him, as he hobbled up the street. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER THE LAST. “Wi’ sic thoughts i’ my mind, Time thro’ the warl may gae, And find me still, in twenty years, The same as I’m to-day: ’Tis friendship bears the sway, And keeps friends i’ the e’e; And gin I think I see thee still, Wha can part thee and me?” _Song, by Miss Blamire._ IN a few moments the Sandboys and Major Oldschool were safe on board the penny “Bee,” steaming along the Thames towards the Westminster pier.