Another fit of coughing distressed my grandfather sorely. "Go to the waters--any place in England will answer. If you will stand tallow or tobacco, you can in a month or two wipe old scores off the slate. Sir Roderick O'Boyl, when he was so hard pushed as to be driven over the bridge of Athlone in a coffin to avoid the coroner,[4] didn't he, and in less than a twelvemonth too, bring over a sugar-baker's daughter, pay off encumbrances, and live and die like a gentleman as he was every inch? I have not much to leave you but some advice, Frank dear, and after I slip my girths remember what I say. When you're likely to get into trouble, always take the bull by the horns, and when you're in for a stoup, never mix liquors or sit with your back to the fire. If you're obliged to go out, be sure to fight across the ridges, and if you can manage it, with the sun at your back. Ugh! ugh! ugh!" "In crossing a country, choose the--" Another coughing fit, and a long hiatus in valedictory instructions succeeded, but the old man, as they say in hunting, got second wind, and thus proceeded-- "Never fence a ditch when a gate is open--avoid late hours and attorneys--and the less you have to say to doctors, all the better--ugh! ugh! ugh! When it's your misfortune to be in company with an old maid--I mean a reputed one--ugh! ugh! always be on the muzzle--for in her next issue of scandal she'll be sure to quote you as her authority. If a saint comes in your way, button your breeches-pocket, and look now and then at your watch-chain. I'm brought nearly to a fix, for bad bellows won't stand long speeches." Here the ripple in his speech, which disturbed Commodore Trunnion so much, sorely afflicted my worthy grandfather. He muttered something that a snaffle was the safest bit a sinner could place faith in--assumed the mantle of prophecy--foretold, as it would appear, troublous times to be in rapid advent--and inculcated that faith should be placed in heaven, and powder kept very dry. He strove to rally and reiterate his counsels for my father's guidance, but strength was wanting. The story of a life was told--he swayed on one side from the supporting pillows--and in a minute more the struggle was over. Well, peace to his ashes! We'll leave him in the family vault, and start with a party for the metropolis, who, in the demise of our honored kinswoman, had sustained a heavy loss, but notwithstanding, endured the visitation with Christian fortitude and marvelous resignation.