space is the deathless spirit that once ruled it in majesty, and drew from it music whose echoes roll through eternity? And how has science mapped and parcelled it, like a dead planet. Here is the "island of Reil," here the "pons Varolii"; here is the "arbor vitæ"; and here is the "subarachnoid space"; and here that wonderful contrivance of the great Designer that regulates the arterial supplies. I lift my hat reverentially and whisper, _Laudate_! Well, the doctor knew how much I appreciated him. He was not nervous, therefore, in broaching the subject. "We have come to see you, sir, about a concert." "A what?" I said. "A concert," he replied, in a little huff. "They have concerts every winter over at Labbawally, and at Balreddown, and even at Moydore; and why shouldn't we?" I thought a little. "I always was under the impression," I said, "that a concert meant singers." "Of course," they replied. "Well, and where are you to get singers here? Are you going to import again those delectable harridans that illustrated the genius of Verdi with rather raucous voices a few weeks ago?" "Certainly not, sir," they replied in much indignation. "The boys here can do a little in that way; and we can get up a chorus amongst the school-children; and--and--" "And the doctor himself will do his share," said one of the deputation, coming to the aid of the modest doctor. "And then," I said, "you must have a piano to accompany you, unless it is to be all in the style of 'come-all-yeen's.'" "Oh, 't will be something beyond that," said the doctor. "I think you'll be surprised, sir." "And what might the object of the concert be?" I asked. "Of course, the poor," they all shouted in chorus. "Wait, your reverence," said one diplomatist, "till you see all we'll give you for the poor at Christmas." Visions of warm blankets for Nelly Purcell, and Mag Grady; visions of warm socks for my little children; visions of tons of coal and cartloads of timber; visions of vast chests of tea and mountains of currant-cake swam before my imagination; and I could only say:-- "Boys, ye have my blessing." "Thank your reverence," said the doctor. "But what about a subscription?" "For what?" I said. "If we all have to subscribe, what is the meaning of the concert?" "Ah, but you know, sir, there are preliminary expenses,--getting music, etc.,--and we must ask the respectable people to help us there." This meant the usual guinea. Of course, they got it.