Our Royalist countrymen were not heartless, dangling courtiers, bowing at every step, and simpering at every word.

There was not the first twinkle of a simper about eye or lip.

Regarding me thoughtfully for a moment, MARGARET asks, "What is an 'old comedy?'" I say to her, "An old comedy is to the comedy of to-day, precisely what an old beau, padded, painted, simpering with false teeth, and leering with rhumy eyes, is to a handsome, gallant young fellow, such as Mr. LESTER WALLACK impersonates in Ours or School." To which she replies, "What are roomy eyes, dear?"

The smile with which she forced herself to respond to the fixed simper of the Watchetts seemed to cause her horrible torment.

As for the Widow Wycherley, she stood before the mirror, courtesying and simpering to her own image, and greeting it as the friend whom she loved better than all the world beside.

" "I dare say, my love,[looking in his face, and continuing to drawl and simper in the manner which we might imagine of Shakspeare's little shepherdess "'Sweet youth chide onI had rather hear thee chide

See how he ducks to the lady of the house, and simpers across the fire-place to his wife, who, by this time is giving a most spirited account of the state of the roads, and the civility of the postilions near the Borders.

The worthy judge could not help observing a surprise on the countenance of his guests, and perhaps a simper on some; so he broke out in explanation: "Ou ay, it's a cauf; when we kill a beast we just eat up ae side, and down the tither."

How much more profitable are such family recreations than sitting hours over spotted pieces of paper, counting the pips of dice, or simpering over fashionable novels and tales of scandal run mad.

"Thus only can I tell the true thoughts of those who bow and simper before my face.

Their portraits simper from shop windows; and they live and die respected.