To
PROFESSOR OWEN, C.B., F.R.S., &c.,
WITH THE WRITER’S GRATITUDE,
FOR WORDS OF TRUE ENCOURAGEMENT,
AND MANY ACTS OF KINDNESS,
This Work
MOST HEARTILY IS DEDICATED

April, 1875.


CONTENTS.

CHAPTERPAGE
[I.—]ALL IN THE DOWNS1
[II.—]COOMBE LORRAINE3
[III.—]LINEAGE AND LINEAMENTS5
[IV.—]FATHER AND FAVOURITE7
[V.—]THE LEGEND OF THE ASTROLOGER11
[VI.—]THE LEGEND CONTINUED14
[VII.—]THE LEGEND CONCLUDED17
[VIII.—]ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST20
[IX.—]THE LEGACY OF THE ASTROLOGER24
[X.—]A BOY AND A DONKEY27
[XI.—]CHAMBER PRACTICE35
[XII.—]WITH THE COSTERMONGERS45
[XIII.—]TO THE CHERRY-ORCHARDS49
[XIV.—]BEAUTIES OF THE COUNTRY55
[XV.—]OH, RUDDIER THAN THE CHERRY!59
[XVI.—]OH, SWEETER THAN THE BERRY!66
[XVII.—]VERY SHY THINGS72
[XVIII.—]THE KEY OF THE GATE78
[XIX.—]FOUR YOUNG LADIES84
[XX.—]A RECTOR OF THE OLDEN STYLE92
[XXI.—]A NOTABLE LADY96
[XXII.—]A MALIGNANT CASE100
[XXIII.—]THE BAITER BAITED105
[XXIV.—]A FATHERLY SUGGESTION109
[XXV.—]THE WELL OF THE SIBYL112
[XXVI.—]AN OPPORTUNE ENVOY117
[XXVII.—]A GOOD PARSON’S HOLIDAY121
[XXVIII.—]NOT TO BE RESISTED126
[XXIX.—]ABSURD SURDS130
[XXX.—]OUR LAD STEENIE135
[XXXI.—]IN A MARCHING REGIMENT139
[XXXII.—]PUBLIC AND PRIVATE OPINION144
[XXXIII.—]RAGS AND BONES149
[XXXIV.—]UNDER DEADLY FIRE157
[XXXV.—]HOW TO FRY NO PANCAKES161
[XXXVI.—]LADY COKE UPON LITTLETON166
[XXXVII.—]ACHES v. ACRES172
[XXXVIII.—]IN THE DEADLY BREACH177
[XXXIX.—]SHERRY SACK183
[XL.—]BENEATH BRIGHT EYES191
[XLI.—]DONNAS PRAY AND PRACTISE195
[XLII.—]AN UNWELCOME ESCORT200
[XLIII.—]IN AMONG THE BIG-WIGS209
[XLIV.—]HOW TO TAKE BAD TIDINGS216
[XLV.—]INNOCENCE IN NO SENSE220
[XLVI.—]HARD RIDING AND HARD READING226
[XLVII.—]TRY TO THINK THE BEST OF ME234
[XLVIII.—]SOMETHING WORTH KISSING239
[XLIX.—]A DANGEROUS COMMISSION245
[L.—]STERLING AND STRIKING AFFECTION250
[LI.—]EMPTY LOCKERS259
[LII.—]BE NO MORE OFFICER OF MINE264
[LIII.—]FAREWELL, ALL YOU SPANISH LADIES268
[LIV.—]GOING UP THE TREE275
[LV.—]THE WOEBURN281
[LVI.—]GOING DOWN THE HILL290
[LVII.—]THE PLEDGE OF A LIFE297
[LVIII.—]A HERO’S RETURN304
[LIX.—]THE GRAVE OF THE ASTROLOGER312
[LX.—]COURTLY MANNERS316
[LXI.—]A SAMPLE FROM KENT322
[LXII.—]A FAMILY ARRANGEMENT327
[LXIII.—]BETTER THAN THE DOCTORS332
[LXIV.—]IMPENDING DARKNESS335
[LXV.—]A FINE CHRISTMAS SERMON341
[LXVI.—]COMING DOWN IN EARNEST344
[LXVII.—]THE LAST CHANCE LOST348
[LXVIII.—]THE DEATH-BOURNE353
[LXIX.—]BOTTLER BEATS THE ELEMENTS357
[LXX.—]OH, HARO! HARO! HARO!361
[LXXI.—]AN ARGUMENT REFUTED367
[LXXII.—]ON LETHE’S WHARF370
[LXXIII.—]POLLY’S DOLL374
[LXXIV.—]FROM HADES’ GATES377
[LXXV.—]SOMETHING LIKE A LEGACY380
[LXXVI.—]SCIENTIFIC SOLUTION385
[LXXVII.—]HER HEART IS HIS387
[LXXVIII.—]THE LAST WORD COMES FROM BONNY390