SCHOOL FESTIVITIES, 24]

sang part of Burns’s lines to the Mouse, whose nest was
turned up by his plough :—
“* But, mousie, thou art no thy lane,*
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes 0’ mice and men
Gang aft a-gley,t
And leave us nought but grief and pain
For promised joy.”’.

It was finally, however, completed, with beautiful
wreaths of myrtle, and two fine cyphers of initials, which
were carefully covered from curious eyes. Carl espe-
cially was forbidden to"approach that darkened avenue
near the cascade; and the small boys took a peculiar
arch satisfaction in barring out the master from his
own grounds. Christopher Longworth, the painter’s
son, brought two large canvass banners, executed in
the manner usual in scenes, so as to look well at a dis-
tance. They were happily placed near the spring. Of
these more hereafter. There was great practising of
a German glee, and Ludwig was the leader of the
orchestra. Charles and Edward Lowe, with John
Marshall, being little boys, were drilled as pages to
scatter flowers at the proper places in a grand proces-
sion. Gregory Beale brought a note from his uncle,
the great confectioner, offering a number of pyramids
of ice-cream; and the neighbouring florists sent in
baskets of bouquets. In all this part of the preparations
it was observed that Matilda Mill took no part. She

* Not alone. t Awry, off the line,

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