Mr. Salter senior died, and Mr. Salter junior married; on which the Misses Salter found themselves constrained, by their limited circumstances, to betake themselves to a small lodging, where, if we may be excused the twofold contradiction in terms, they lived _together_ in _single blessedness_ the remainder of their days, as _miserable_ as bad tempers, aggravated by discomfort and disappointment, could make them. They seemed to have but one object in life, which was mutually to thwart each other, and as they could afford but one sleeping apartment (the single dressing-glass of which, by-the-by, was a constant bone of contention), and one sitting-room, each of the smallest possible dimensions--they had neither means nor opportunity of flying from each other's ill-humour. The one, too, had a pet dog, while the other espoused the cause of the cat of the lodging-house; so that these respective representatives not only furnished a never-failing subject of quarrel, but whenever there happened to be a moment of truce between their principals, supplied themselves an underplot in excellent keeping with the leading drama. For, invariably on making their first appearance on their own peculiar stage, the rug before the fire, they saluted each other with a snarl, and a snap, a spit, and a claw in the face; after which, to do them justice, they did not keep _at it, at it_, like their betters, but lay down quietly, and went to sleep; puss in general persisting, notwithstanding a remonstrance or so from pug, on picking her steps in among his feet, and laying her back on his warm bosom; thus wisely making herself as comfortable as circumstances would permit. Why is man called, by way of distinction, _a rational animal_? Man, who, of all creatures in creation knows the least how to be happy, while happiness is the end and aim of all. Oh, happiness! our being's end and aim! Good, pleasure, ease, content, whate'er thy name: That something still which prompts th' eternal sigh, For which we bear to live, or dare to die; * * * * * Plant of celestial seed! if dropp'd below, Say in what mortal soil thou deign'st to grow? * * * * * Fix'd to no spot is happiness sincere; 'Tis no where to be found, or every where. Why, then, is happiness so rare? Because ere it can be possessed, every virtue must be ours and we must be wise withal, gentle, patient, lowly, meek; nor at the idle suggestions of vanity, immolate life's realities on the imaginary altars of _Pride_. Know then this truth, enough for man to know, Virtue, alone, is happiness below. THE END.