He maps out a few excursions. He has taken them all before, long ago. But, delighted to go over old ground, the greater part of his pleasure will be found in my enjoyment; for to revisit places associated with pleasant memories, or with nothing but the remembrance of their loveliness, their grandeur, or their solemnity, is to him, in some way like welcoming old friends. All JOHN BIRLEY'S friends are old ones; he has no new ones,--he never had. Some men of the world discussing him, aver that it is a sort of proof to themselves of there being something good still left in them, that they can reckon themselves among JOHN BIRLEY'S friends. They are of all shades and colours are his friends, and they will analyse each other's characters behind each other's backs in the presence of JOHN BIRLEY, and afterwards they will be more inclined towards each other, more sympathetic, and more charitably disposed, in consequence of each other's good points having been brought out into strong relief by JOHN BIRLEY'S kindly light. So it is with seeing the beauties of nature or art in his company; and so it is that I consider myself to have alighted on my legs in having come across him in this, the lovely playground of Europe, the home of the Merry Swiss Boys and Girls. There is the Lake to be done; there is Nyon, Thonon, Rolle, Lausanne, Ouchy, Evian-les-Bains, Vevey, and then there are the heights above, including the ascent to St. Gergues, and to wherever can be obtained the best views of Mont Blanc, the Dent du Midi, and the other well-known "objects of interest." Were PULLER here, he would say that "the best views of these mountains can be obtained at the photographers"--but he is not here, he is finishing his treatment at Royat. So it is all arranged, and we dine together, as a commencement. "You don't mind a third party present?" says BIRLEY to me, apologetically, "as I have just found old Sir ALEC MCQUINCEY, wandering about without a companion. Wretched to be alone, eh? and not well, eh? Suffering from liver--nasty that--gives jaundiced view of life. So must cheer the old boy up. He's off for a cure to Evian-les-Bains; so I said to him, 'Dine with us to-night, and we'll land you there to-morrow, eh?'--that's right, isn't it?"--and he gives me a cheery wink and nudge, taking me, as it were, into partnership with him in his scheme for entertaining Sir ALEC MCQUINCEY, and for keeping up the latter's spirits, previous to seeing him off to-morrow to the place across the Lake where he is to undergo his treatment, which I trust may enable him to "live happily ever after," and enjoy any amount of City dinners ("He is a City magnate," says BIRLEY, with a nudge, "and that's not good for liver complaint, eh?") till the end of next Season.