376 THE TWO RABBITS. 



Captain Helves continued his attentions to Miss Julia Briggs, 

 whom he might possibly have espoused, if it had not unfortunately 

 happened that Mr. Samuel arrested him in the way of business, pur- 

 suant to instructions received from Messrs. Scroggins and Payne, 

 whose town debts the gallant captain had condescended to collect, 

 but whose accounts with the indiscretion so peculiar to military 

 minds he had omitted to keep with that dull accuracy which custom 

 has rendered necessary. Mrs. Taunton complains that she has been 

 much deceived in him. He introduced himself to the family on 

 board a Gravesend steam-packet, and certainly, therefore, ought to 

 have proved respectable. 



Mr. Percy Noakes is as light-hearted and careless as ever. We 

 have described him as a general favourite in his private circle we 

 hope he may find a kindly disposed friend or two in public. 



Boz. 



THE TWO RABBITS. 



FROM THE SPANISH OF YBIARTE. 



PRESS'D by the dogs, o'er hill and heath 

 A rabbit flew, quite out of breath ; 

 A friend, whose burrow swift he pass'd, 

 Stopp'd him, and Cfied, " Ho ! why so fast?" 

 (i So fast, indeed, and where's the wonder? 

 See those two scoundrel greyhounds yonder." 

 " Ha ! here they come, that's sure but stay 

 They are not hounds.'* " What then, I pray ?' 

 " Setters, if well my eyes descry 'em." 

 " Setters ! about as much as I am. 

 They're hounds I know, and will not doubt it." 

 " They're setters you know nought about it." 

 " They're hounds, upon my soul they are." 

 " I say they're setters still." Thus far 

 The contest on the point had gone, 

 When the two hungry dogs came on 

 Seiz'd on our rabbits, roused too late, 

 And quickly settled the debate. 



They who neglect important things, 

 For vain and captious cavillings, 

 Let them to this example turn, 

 Think on the rabbits' fate, and learn. 



