candles and glass-drops on either side, and a chained bird trying to fly away on the top—no marvel, then, he attempted to fly from the image reflected in the glass, which gave you your face with the same likeness as does a silver spoon. Our grandfathers certainly hung these said mirrors as correctives, not incentives, to vanity. There were also two paintings in oil, half-length likenesses of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer: both were seated, he with part of a table on his side, on which stood a decanter, a liquor-stand, and half a dish of oranges; while his lady had a similar table, but decorated with the exact likeness of her best set of china tea-things. This was a perpetual grievance to Mrs. Gooch, and, indeed, to the other daughters: if, as they observed, papa had had a book in his hand, and mamma had a basket of flowers, there could have been no objection. But Mr. Palmer had always been accustomed to his own way; and he would have it in this instance. He chose that these pictures should represent his wife and himself, at what was their time of greatest enjoyment.
The only representatives of to-day, were two large and comfortable arm-chairs, and a few elegant-looking trifles, the work of the Misses Granard. Still there was a cheerful appearance; a capital fire burnt in the bright grate; there were some stands of thriving plants in the windows; and some canaries and Java sparrows chirped as if they were quite content to be "hereditary bondsmen."
