hemisphere. It will be imagined, perhaps, that we shall find out where
we are by the indication of the flora and fauna.

A lady and gentleman before the dawn of day have been climbing up an
arid road in the direction of a dark ridge.

Observe, again, the ingenious vagueness of the description: an 'arid
road' which may mean Siberia, and a 'dark ridge' which may mean the
Himalayas.

The dawn suddenly comes upon them in all its glory. Birds twittered in
their willow gorges, and it was a very glorious day. Arthur and Emily
had passed the night at the ranche, and he had now taken her up to
look at the mine which at all events had introduced them. He had
previously taken her to see his mother's grave, the mother whom he had
so loved. The mine after some delay proved more prosperous than ever.
It was not sold, but is the 'appanage' of the younger sons of the
house of Dacres.

With the exception of the 'ranche,' it will be remarked that there is
not one word in the foregoing description to fix locality. The mine and
the ranche together seem indeed to suggest South America. But--I ask for
information--do birds twitter there in willow gorges? Younger sons of
noble families proverbially come off second best in this country, but if
one of them found his only 'appanage' was a mine, he would surely with
some justice make a remonstrance.

The readers of this class of fiction will not have Dumas at any
price--or, at all events, not at a penny. Mr. Collins tells us how
'Monte Christo' was once spread before them, and how they turned from