If any class of her Majesty's subjects are more miserable than another, it is that of gentlemen's servants. One of these oppressed persons is revealed to us in the next act. Poor fellow! he has nothing to do but to sit in the hall, and nothing to amuse him but the newspaper. But his misfortunes do not end here: as if to add insult to injury, the family governess presumes to upbraid him, and actually insists upon his taking a letter to the post. _Mr. Nibble_ declines performing so undignified a service, in the most footman-like terms; but unfortunately, as it generally happens, in families where there are pretty governesses and gallant sons, _Miss de Vere_ has a protector in the _Hon. Charles Norwold_, who overhears her unreasonable demand, and with a degree of injustice enough to make the entire livery of London rave with indignation, inflicts upon his father's especial livery, and _Nibble's_ illustrious person, a severe caning. The consequence of this "strike" is, that _Nibble_ gives warning, _Lord_ and _Lady Norwold_ are paralysed at this important resignation; for by it they discover that a secret coalition has taken place between their son and the governess--they are man and wife! Good heavens! the heir of all the Norwolds marry a teacher, who has nothing to recommend her but virtue, talent, and beauty! Monstrous!--"What will the world say?" The treaty formed between _Mistress Tattle_ and _Mr. Pye Hilary_ is in the next act being acted upon. We behold _Captain Tarradiddle_, as one of the high contracting parties' ambassador, taking lodgings in a house exactly opposite to that in which _Miss Mayley_ resides. Of course nothing so natural as that the Captain should indulge his friend with a visit for a few days, or, if possible, for a few weeks. It is also natural that the host, under the circumstances, should wish to know something of the birth, parentage, and education of his guest, of which, though an old acquaintance; he is, as yet, entirely ignorant. Now, if it be possible to affront a real sponge (but there is nothing more difficult), such inquiries are likely to produce that happy consummation. _Tarradiddle_, however, gets over the difficulty with the tact peculiar to his class, and is fortunately interrupted by the announcement that _Tattle_ is in the parlour, duly keeping her agreement, by bringing her mistress's favourite canary, which, having flown away quite by accident, under her guidance, has chosen to perch in _Hilary's_ new lodging, on purpose to give him the opportunity of returning it, and of obtaining an interview with _Miss Mayley_. The expedient succeeds in the next scene; the lover bows and stammers--as lovers do at first interviews--the lady is polite but dignified, and _Tarradiddle_, who has been angling for an invitation, has his hopes entirely put to flight by the entrance of the lady's guardian, _Mr. Warner_, who very promptly cuts matters short by ringing the bell and