Arabella see me in this state on any account. Hard and bitter though it may be, and will be, to stay away from her now, I must complete the sacrifice. I leave town to-morrow, sir, not to return until my hair is sufficiently grown to enable me to approach your daughter without fear of ridicule. Kindly explain my reasons for avoiding her to-night." I then left the room somewhat abruptly in my anxiety to escape, lest anything should occur to mar the success so luckily attained. Arrived in the hall I donned my friendly wig, and eventually reached my apartments without mishap.

One deception, of course, leads to another, and thus to carry out deception number one logically and to perfection, I wrote to Arabella next day, telling her of my intention to travel for a time so as to let my hair grow before venturing to see her dear face again.

Within six months from this episode, Arabella became Mrs. Abelard Petrarch Walker. We have now been married four years, and our only serious trouble as yet, was the death of my eccentric, but warm-hearted father-in-law.

Arabella and I, accompanied by nurse and a double perambulator, still pay frequent visits to the Botanical Gardens, and talk about the old romantic days. Dinyer and Gilbey's band is still there at stated times, but the ill-fated drummer is no more. He was suspended by the conductor for his mysterious energy whenever "Love Not" was performed, and he took the dismissal and its cause so much to heart that he suspended himself the next day by a knot that ended his drumming for A. P. W.

ever.

[NOTE BY THE EDITOR.-Pinned to the manuscript of the foregoing story, we found the following addendum, written in a feminine hand. Our only excuse for not complying with the lady's request for secrecy is, that we never could keep a secret in our life.]

"Private and Confidential.-If you please, Mr. Editor, I should like to tell you (in confidence, of course) that noticing how very busy my husband has been lately, writing and writing, night after night, without condescending to tell me what it was about, I naturally felt very curious to know. How I did manage to get a peep at his rubbish I need not tell you. But I did; and I think it is right to say that I knew from the very first all about his so-called sacrifice, for Mr. Brown told me all about it. I kept my secret, for obvious reasons, as well as he fancied he had kept his; but I have often laughed in my sleeve at his well-deserved punishment in having to stop away from me, as he said, "while his hair grew on again." But I heartily forgave him, as I considered that the end justified the means-don't you? Take him all in all, however, he has been a good, kind husband, and I don't think I could make much alteration in his certificate, beyond the following-Self-esteem and Pugnacity developing day by day. Amativeness, considerably fallingoff.' Please to burn this."

In order to give practical effect to a happy inspiration, our zealous and esteemed President, Mr. Councillor Payton, recently invited the officers and committee of the Birmingham and Edgbaston Debating Society, to meet the officers and committee of the Central Literary Association, with a view to a friendly discussion on the management and conduct of their respective Societies.

The invitation was cordially accepted, and the meeting took place on Friday evening, the 24th inst, at the Grand Hotel, Colmore Row, thirty gentlemen being present.

After ample justice had been done to the good things provided for the inner man, the President briefly but forcibly introduced the subject for conversation, drawing special attention to the advantages resulting, not only to individuals but to communities, from well-conducted and properly supported debating societies, and expressed a hope that the conference that evening might be productive of lasting good by eliciting such information and suggestions as would lead to the continued and increased usefulness of both Societies.

Dr. Malins followed on behalf of the Birmingham and Edgbaston Debating Society, and concluded an eloquent speech by thanking Mr. Payton, not only for the means thus afforded for discussing important questions, and for his graceful hospitality on that occasion, but for the opportunity given for pleasant and friendly intercourse between the officials of these two flourishing institutions.

The meeting was subsequently addressed by Dr. Madden, Messrs. Lakin Smith, H. S. Pearson, G. Zair, E. H. Lee, J. W. Tonks, C. H. Allison, C. Lean, F. W. Lowe, A. Liddell, J. Collier, and L. Brierley

We are unable, in this necessarily brief notice, to enter into any details of the various points referred to, and must, therefore, content ourselves with congratulating Mr. Payton on the success of his efforts to make the officials of the two societies better acquainted with each other, believing, as we do, that this friendly interchange of opinions and suggestions will, sooner or later, be productive of mutual benefit.

THE WORK OF THE SESSION.

THE Annual Conversazione was held at the Royal Hotel Assembly Rooms, on Friday, January 7th, 1881, 188 tickets being sold, and the attendance was nearly 200. The Comedietta," Nine Points of the Law," was well played by Messrs. Reading, Lowder, C. P. Newman, G. D. Newman, and three lady amateurs; with an excellent set scene by

Mr. E. H. Jaques. The dance programme was strictly adhered to, and completed by 2.20 a.m., the Vice-President being M.C. A most successful and enjoyable meeting.

January

21st.-DEBATE:-Semi-public :-"That the present distur bance of the Church of England can only be allayed and the liberty of all its members secured by Dis-establishment." Supported by the President and Mr. James McClelland; opposed by Mr. W. H. Greening and the Rev. John Long. On the motion of the Rev. R. Gray and Mr. John Jones, the meeting was adjourned. There were present 60 members and friends.

February 4th.-ADJOURNED DEBATE: "That the present disturbance of the Church of England can only be allayed and the liberty of all its members secured by Dis-establishment." Affirmative, Rev. R. Gray, Messrs. A. Holden, Grinsell, Chas. Lean; negative, Mr. John Jones, Mr. R. C. Jarvis, Mr. C. P. Newman. The President, Councillor H. Payton replied. Votes-members only, affirmative, 27; negative, 13. Members and friends, affirmative, 35; negative, 21. This meeting was also semipublic, and there were 93 members and friends present.

February 18th.-DEBATE: That the annexation of the Transvaal was unjustifiable, and the demands of the Boers for self-government should be granted." Affirmative, Messrs. H. Clarke, James McClelland, John Crane; negative, Messrs. W. Perks, H. S. Pearson, John Jones. Votes-affirmative, 20; negative, 16. At this meeting Messrs. W. Summerton and E. Uren were elected members of the association. There were 50 members present. March 4th.-DEBATE: "That there should be an Irish Parliament to deal with Irish affairs." Affirmative, Messrs. A. Liddell, James McClelland, and J. Suffield; negative, Messrs. R. Pardoe, T. J. Moore, J. W. Tonks, and G. Titterton. Votes-affirmative, 4; negative 21. There were 38 members present.

March 18th.-DEBATE: "That Total Abstinence is more conducive to perfect health and the performance of Life's Duties than a moderate use of Stimulants." Affirmative, Councillor W. H. Hart, Messrs. James McClelland, R. Parkes, S. E. Short, and H. Clarke; negative, Messrs. Paxton Porter, J. Collier, John Jones, J. Suffield, and W. Mountfort. Votes-affirmative, 22; negative, 15. There were present 50 members.

NOTICE.

Contributions for the July Number should be sent to the Editor not later than June 3rd,