may be from having continually before their eyes those rows of
old family portraits, with which the mansions of this country are
stocked; certain it is, that the quaint features of antiquity
are often most faithfully perpetuated in these ancient lines;
and I have traced an old family nose through a whole picture-
gallery, legitimately handed down from generation to genera-
tion, almost from the time of the Conquest. Something of
the kind was to be observed in the worthy company around
me. Many of their faces had evidently originated in a Gothic
age, and been merely copied by succeeding generations; and
there was one little girl, in particular, of staid demeanor,
with a high Roman nose, and an antique vinegar aspect, who
was a great favorite of the 'Squire's, being, as he said, a
Bracebridge all over, and the very counterpart of one of his
ancestors who figured in the Court of Henry VIII.
The parson said grace, which was not a short familiar
one, such as is commonly addressed to the Deity in these
unceremonious days; but a long, courtly, well-worded one
of the ancient school. There was now a pause, as if some-
thin -- was expected -- when suddenly the butler entered the
hall with some degree of bustle; he was attended by a ser-
vant on each side with a large wax-light, and bore a silver
dish, on which was an enormous pig's head, decorated with
rosemary, with a lemon in its mouth, which was placed with
great formality at the head of the table. The moment this
pageant made its appearance, the harper struck up a flourish
at the conclusion of which the young Oxonian, on receiving
a hint from the 'Squire, gave, with an air of the most comic
gravity, an old carol, the first verse of which was as follows

Caput apri defero
Redden, laudes Domino.
The boar's head in hand bring I,
With garlands gay and rosemary.
I pray you all synge merily
Qui estis in convivio.

Though prepared to witness many of these little eccen-

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