The whole party was silent, even the Honourable Mrs. Pinmoney, till Mr. O’Scarum entreated Anthelia to sing ‘something neat and characteristic; or a harmony now for three voices, would be the killing thing; eh! Major?’—‘Indeed and it would,’ said Major O’Dogskin; ‘there’s something very soft and pathetic in a cool evening on the water, to sit still doing nothing at all but listening to pretty words and tender melodies.’ And lest the sincerity of his opinion should be questioned, he accompanied it with an emphatical oath, to show that he was in earnest; for which the Honourable Mrs. Pinmoney called him to order. Major O’Dogskin explained. Anthelia, accompanied by Miss Danaretta and Mr. O’Scarum, sang the following TERZETTO 1. Hark! o’er the silent waters stealing, The dash of oars sounds soft and clear: Through night’s deep veil, all forms concealing, Nearer it comes, and yet more near. 2. See! where the long reflection glistens, In yon lone tower her watch-light burns: 3. To hear our distant oars she listens, And, listening, strikes the harp by turns. 1. The stars are bright, the skies unclouded; No moonbeam shines; no breezes wake. Is it my love, in darkness shrouded, Whose dashing oar disturbs the lake? 2. O haste, sweet maid, the cords unrolling; 1. The holy hermit chides our stay! 2. 3. Hark! from his lonely islet tolling, His midnight bell shall guide our way. Sir Oran Haut-ton now produced his flute, and treated the company with a solo. Another pause succeeded. The contemplative silence was broken by Major O’Dogskin, who began to fidget about in the boat, and drawing his watch from his fob held it up to Mr. Hippy, and asked him if he did not think the partridges would be spoiled? ‘To be sure they will,’ said Mr. Hippy, ‘unless we make the best of our way. Cold comfort this, after all: sharp air and water;—give me a roaring fire and a six-bottle cooper of claret.’ The oars were dashed into the water, and the fairy reflections of clouds, rocks, woods, and mountains were mingled in the confusion of chaos. The reader will naturally expect that, having two lovers on a lake, we shall not lose the opportunity of throwing the lady into the water, and making the gentleman fish her out; but whether that our Thalia is too veridicous to permit this distortion of facts, or that we think it the more original incident to return them to the shore as dry as they left it, the reader must submit to the disappointment, and be content to see the whole party comfortably seated, without let, hindrance, or molestation, at a very excellent dinner, served up under the judicious inspection of mine hostess of Low-wood.