166 Walks in Ireland. [FEB. 



' His prime-minister was a sour, vinegar-faced, griping steward, who 

 grew by degrees in the confidence of the old man, so as to become, as it 

 were, his representative in all matters of business connected with the 

 world and the social system a sort of maire du palais, in fact, by whose 

 intermediation he was relieved of all that might interrupt his moody 

 dreams, or break the even tenor of his sombre and secluded life. 



Matters stood thus, when, one morning, the old gentleman was seen to 

 issue forth, mounted upon a white horse, almost as old and misanthropic 

 as himself, to enjoy the only indulgence his habits permitted namely, a 

 solitary ride along the most unfrequented roads in his neighbourhood. So 

 completely had he withdrawn from all communion with his kind, that his 

 appearance excited no more attention among the peasantry than that of 

 the quiet silent animal he bestrode ; and he was suffered to glide along 

 the lonesome bridle-paths which he loved to haunt, without even the usual 

 courtesy of a passing salute, inasmuch as it was discovered by experience 

 that said courtesy might just as well be bestowed upon an ass or a cow, 

 for all the notice or return it met with. One thing, however, might be 

 depended on " the world forgetting by the world forgot," the old 

 gentleman was pretty sure to remember his dinner ; and duly, as the 

 hour arrived for that refection, his household, such as it was, might 

 expect to see him pacing up the grass-grown avenue which led to his 

 solitary abode. 



Wisely has it been remarked by somebody or other, that there is 

 nothing certain in this world a remark to the truth of which a glance 

 at the Gazette compels many a rueful assent, and of which the household 

 aforesaid found the value on the day I speak of; for though, reasoning 

 from past experience, when they saw their silent master wend his way, 

 they counted upon his return with as much certainty as upon that of the 

 gloomy evening, with its sullen shadows, and made their preparations 

 accordingly ; yet they were destined to be disappointed. The evening 

 came, to be sure, and the fire blazed, and the candles burned, and the 

 dinner smoked ; but the man of silence returned no more neither he 

 nor his white horse were ever seen nor heard of from that day to this. 



In our times, God be praised ! no gentleman whatever no matter 

 how silent he may be, can walk off the stage of life without making 

 some noise. Hand-bills will describe him from top to toe, carefully 

 noting all those little imperfections of person, and peculiarities of bear- 

 ing, voice, and manner, which he, the proprietor, had fondly hoped to 

 gloss over to slur, as it were to carry off with that easy grace which 

 every body thinks he possesses : as thus 



Mysterious Disappearance ! 



Left his lodgings, 937, Strand, on Saturday, 16th ult., at eight o'clock 

 in the evening, a little in liquor, and has not since been heard of, 



AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN, 



About 5 feet 1 inch in height ; head a little bald ; face (especially nose) 

 a little red ; a little inclined to corpulency ; squinted a little with the 

 right eye, and limped a little with the left leg ; stuttered a little, espe- 

 cially after dinner, or when in a passion ; and took a great deal of 

 dark snuff, which he carried loose in his waistcoat-pocket. 



Had on 



A white hat, yellowish- white cravat, flannel under- waistcoat and drawers, 



