It was in such manner that the men of De Freston frequently occupied that hour of their meals; and let education do what it will, it will no more prevent the current of observation and reflection in the kitchen than it will prevent many of those who call themselves most enlightened religious professors talking about their neighbors, and interfering much more in their families than any servants do in their master's affairs. It is as impossible to stop men from thinking about national subjects as to control the conversations of their domestics when they see things passing before their eyes, either in the parlor, or the chapel, or the hall. Good masters will not always make good men, nor good domestics cease to serve bad masters; but evil masters seldom fail of conveying evil consequences to their dependents. In those days of feudal grandeur it was of as much or of more consequence than it is in these enlightened times that a lord should stand well with his vassals. Though his power was great over their lives, yet his own life and state much depended upon their support. Happily, no such tyranny now exists, unless it may be said to have sprung up in the nineteenth century, in the horrible tyranny of that law which now enslaves the poor. The future consequences to this country, under this new system, remains to be seen; at present, great is the misery experienced; and it will be so whilst the liberty of the subject is so shamefully infringed upon as to make poverty an excuse for imprisonment, where crime only should be punished. We may approach the days of high pressure upon liberty, and whilst we are speculating upon the rapidity of motion, we may be only forging chains for our confinement. 'We shall see!' is the expression of many a man who sees more than he chooses to discuss; but may we live to see more peace and prosperity, industry, simplicity, and contentment, than we do any of us see or know at the present time. Dinner was in the banqueting hall, and De Freston, his daughter, and friends, sat as they did of old, at one long table, all on one side, while the serving men stood opposite. The banners of De Freston waved over the head of the gallery leading to the upper rooms, while the old carved chimney-piece, representing the battle of the giants, one party ascending on the right hand column of the fire-place to the grand contest, whilst the left hand represented them hurled down with rocks from Jupiter Tonans, who, in the very centre of the cross beam, was with his fiery eagles sending forth his thunderbolts.