famous mulatto Saint-George. By 1791, however, the vogue of Ranelagh was declining. Its last great festino, as Walpole would have called it, was a reception given at the beginning of the present century by the Spanish ambassador. In 1804 the grounds were closed; in 1805 the Rotunda was pulled down. Fifteen years later, Sir Richard Phillips, of the Million of Facts,' moralizing on the weed-grown site with much pumped-up sentiment and plentiful notes of exclamation, could only imperfectly identify the traces of the famous pleasure-gardens which had once been-like the 'Waxworks' in Dickens'the delight of the Nobility and Gentry, and the patronised of Royalty.'

EPILOGUE.

WHAT is it, then,—some Reader asks,—

'What is it that attaches

Your fancy so to fans and masks,—
To periwigs and patches?

Is Human Life to-day so poor,-
So bloodless, you disdain it,

To "galvanize" the Past once more
-Permit me. I'll explain it.

?'

This Age, I grant (and grant with pride),

Is varied, rich, eventful;

But, if you touch its weaker side,

Deplorably resentful :

Belaud it, and it takes your praise

With air of calm conviction;

Condemn it, and at once you

A storm of contradiction.

raise

Whereas with these old Shades of mine,

Their ways and dress delight me; And should I trip by word or line, They cannot well indict me.

Not that I think to err. I seek

To steer 'twixt blame and blindness ; I strive (as some one said in Greek) To speak the truth with kindness:

But-should I fail to render clear
Their title, rank, or station—
I still may sleep secure, nor fear
A suit for defamation.

GENERAL INDEX.

N.B.-The titles of articles are in capitals.