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As these articles, with three exceptions, have already appeared in the columns of different periodicals, you may possibly have seen some of them before. But being now brought forward in somewhat of a "new dress," though without any "additional decorations," it is hoped their reception on this "second appearance" will be no less favourable than it was upon the first. At any rate if your organs' of mirthfulness' and 'benevolence' are pretty fully developed, you cannot fail to read these trifles in the same spirit of kindness and good humour under the pleasing influences of which they were written.

The "Lines on the death of Mr. D La M.-are imperfect, and far below mediocrity in every respect. They were inserted in this collection to gratify some of the friends of the deceased subject: but as the expense of printing them has not been added to the charge of the book it is hoped the general reader will see no reason to find fault with the introduction.

There are also many errors of orthography, syntax and punctuation, in this volume, which the reader is politely requested to correct as he discovers them: and consider that they have occurred less from the ignorance of the author than the carelessness of the printer; who has threatened to make the necessary emendations in the next edition.

ESSAYS, &c.

SPORTSMEN.

For my own convenience, I shall define the term SPORTSMAN to mean " any person who hunts for the purpose of catching or killing it, any kind of creature: fleas, and other such small deer,' always excepted." Under the comprehensive signification of this new definition, I am enabled to form three distinct classes of sportsmen, with the following titles, viz:-the vagabond sportsman; the dandy sportsman; and the true sportsman. I commence with the first class, and, in imitatation of Midas, say, "Pan, take the lead."

The vagabond sportsman belongs to a pretty numerous class of men, residing in the purlieus of large towns and cities; although now and then he may be detected in the ranks of the dandy class, but never in that of the true sportsman. Take a sketch of two worthies belonging to this class purchasing a four dollar fowling piece, in the store of those well known caterers for the sporting world, Messrs. Cooper and Moore. One of the fellows dressed in a long drab coat and old white hat, walking up to the counter, where the last named gentleman is engaged with a respectable looking person, says, "Well, boss, I guess I'll look at that are gun agin." With his

customary urbanity the store keeper respectfully inclines his head, and answers, "very well, sir." The gun which he had examined in the morning is then handed to him again: he takes hold of it with his right hand; tries its weight and balance; raises it to his shoulder, and looks knowingly along the barrel; he then, bringing it down to the priming position, pulls back the hammer, and listens to the dull sound of the sear and tumbler, as the one falls sluggishly into the other; leaving it at full cock, he then drops the butt upon the floor, like one of the awkward squad at a militia training when trying to "order arms;" after this he puts one of his fingers into the muzzle to determine its calibre and internal finish; and in the last place rubs his hand along the barrel from the sight to the breech, as though he was anxious to smooth down the nap.

When this examination is over, with a diffidence in his own judgement worthy of all imitation, he says to his companion, "What do you think of this ere tool, Bill?” Bill, who, wrapped up in a pea jacket, coarse muffler, and hairy cap, has been watching the motions of his friend for the last five minutes, answers in a tone of voice resembling that of a clam-boy with a sore throat, "How the h! should I know? I never buyed a gun in my life. You ought to know the wally on it yourself, Sam." Then, turning to the store keeper, Sam says, can't you take no less than four dollars for this ere gun? It's a rough made un." And receives for answer, "No sir." That is the very lowest; and it is a very cheap gun, too. A few years ago we got ten dollars for the very same article; and although we have

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