The house, or rather the heap of ruins, in which Mr. Dancer lived, and which, at his death, devolved to the right of Captain Holmes, was a most miserable decayed building, frightful and terrific in its outside appearance; for it had not been repaired for more than half a century. But though poor in external appearance, the ruinous fabric was very rich in the interior. It took many weeks to explore its whole contents; and Captain Holmes and Lady Tempest found it a very agreeable task to dive into the miser's secrets. One of the late Mr. Dancer's richest scrutoires was found to be a dung-heap in the cow-house; a sum little short of £2500 was contained in this rich piece of manure; and in an old jacket, carefully tied, and strongly nailed down to the manger, in bank-notes and gold, five hundred pounds more. Several large bowls, filled with guineas, half-guineas, and quantities of silver, were discovered, at different times, in searching the corners of the house; and various parcels of bank-notes stuffed under the covers of old chairs and cushions. In the stable the Captain found some jugs of dollars and shillings. It was observable, that Mr. Dancer used to visit this place in the dead of the night; but for what purpose even old Griffiths himself could not guess; but it is supposed, it was to rob one jug to add to a bowl which he had buried, and was nearly full, when taken up from under one of the hearth tiles. The chimney was not left unsearched, and paid very well for the trouble; for in nineteen different holes, all filled with soot, were found various sums of money, amounting together to more than 200l. Bank-notes to the value of 600l. were found doubled up in the bottom of an old tea-pot. Over these was a bit of paper, whimsically inscribed, "Not to be too hastily looked over." Mr. Dancer's principal acquaintance, and the most congenial companion of his soul, was the penurious Jemmy Taylor, of the Borough of Southwark. This genius became acquainted with him accidentally at the Stock Exchange, where they chanced to meet to transact some money affairs: and they often visited each other afterwards; for it was a certain satisfaction to each to edify by the other's experience. No doubt their conversation ran much upon refinements in _hard living_; for Jemmy was as rigid an ascetic as the other, though he did not go quite in so beggarly a style. FINIS. A LIST OF IMPROVED BOOKS FOR CHILDREN; _Recently published by W. Darton, jun. 58, Holborn Hill._ LECTURES AT MY SCHOOL; or, Play-Ground Conversations. By a Friend to Youth. Illustrated with Fifty elegant Engravings. Price 2s. 6d. half-bound. LEARNING BETTER THAN HOUSE AND LAND, as exemplified in the History of Harry Johnson and Dick Hobson. By J. CAREY, LL.D. 2s. 6d. half-bound. THE SCRIPTURE ALPHABET, by a Parent, for his Children; illustrated with Twenty-seven Engravings from Scripture. Price One Shilling.