ciates lurking about the steamer, should any thing offer to require their assistance. He is, to sum up his character, nothing better than a well-dressed ruffian.” 66 "You are not far from the mark," answered Flourish, and, as our friend Catalogue has it, we will pass him over as a very bad lot. His mode of life is truly mysterious, and how he lives is a matter of doubt; yet, he will, if possible, introduce himself to the notice of good society. He never appears to be in want of cash; is cool, cautious, and calculating; and appears to have a motive for every thing he does." "He is more of a bravo, or bully, I think, than absolutely a man of courage; although fear does not appear to belong to him. However, in my opinion, he is a dangerous fellow-either in the character of a friend or a foe! He is slow in resentment; but nevertheless, he treasures up his anger for a time when it will best suit his purpose; and I am sure since we have cut his acquaintance, it rankles in his mind, and he flatters himself that he will be able to revenge himself, sooner or later, for such sort of contempt. He can smile, and smile again, and yet be a villain;' but once more, my dear Frank," said Sprightly, "avoid him. This is all owing to making an acquaintance in the first instance with Scapegrace, without an introduction. For my own part, I shall avoid such an error in future." 6 "True, my boy," answered Flourish, "sensibly urged, and a good hint into the bargain; or, rather a guide for us during our Pilgrimage. All is not gold that glitters-men are not always what they seem-and the women are 66 Stop, stop, my dear Frank, a word or two about the fair sex," said Sprightly; "the Duchess, as you have designated her, I have my doubts respecting her person and appearance altogether; and what little I know about society in general, teaches me that her eye speaks volumes-it is a penetrating one -there is a sharpness and fire attached to it, that you do not meet with in the heads of modest, unassuming females-her look is too wanton and knowing for my taste-although she may attempt to conceal it; therefore, take care you do not meet with your match, if not decidedly your mistress. She appears to me a kind of Argus in society-she sees everything, I should say, at a glance is up to every move on the board-and has forgotten more, much more, than you and I have ever seen or heard in our intercourse with life, or can positively remember." "Not quite so fast!—You are calculating without your host, Sprightly," observed Flourish, "you make up your mind too hastily the female in question is a perfect stranger to both you and me, and you are running down the Duchess, as I call her, with a vengeance, and also calumniating her character without any rhyme or reason. People are not to be taken by their looks -for, of all other criterions, that is the most dangerous; but you are inexperienced in such matters, and that accounts for it." G "I may be wrong in my conjectures; but it is only a private opinion between ourselves, and which goes for nothing as to a matter of decision; but nevertheless, I confess, I do not like her appearance; her face is a sort of index to my feelings as to her notions and I should rather say, that the Duchess comes, (as a matter of course,) from the West, and not the East end of the town. Indeed, I will bet a wager-May Fair and its neighbourhood, against Wapping and the Docks!' that speculation is her forte on this trip-she is on the look out-and if the day turns out pleasantly and beaus are to be picked up-entangled, and ultimately made victims-why then her scheme is answered. If not, the expence is so trifling, that a failure on her partonce in a way, can be put up with, without any complaintsHa! ha!" "You may laugh at your own ideas upon the subject," said Flourish, rather touched with the remarks of his friend," but you may depend upon it, before the day has expired, the laugh will be in my favour; and you will acknowledge that you have taken a wrong view of the matter at issue." "Be that as it may, I have only to urge, brother Pilgrim, if you are not above taking advice," observed Jem, "to have a care, and be not too profuse in your devotions to the ABBESS; and also on your guard respecting vows to the Nuns! Do not be too clever!-neither entertain an opinion that you know too much to be outwitted; and, likewise, be not more confident than you ought to be in yourself. Quiz! quiz! by all means, if you like to shew' your talent, wit, and knowledge of the world; and 'go it' as much as you think proper. But, remember, if a row should occur, I am not one of the party. True, I would not stand by and see you wantonly ill-treated; but do not let it appear against you as the author of any disturbance. I see my uncle coming towards us. Only one word more:-Remember! Pray keep the line." 6 "Well, brother Pilgrims," said Makemoney, putting the newspaper into his pocket, "the last bell has rung, and we shall soon be off." The band struck up God save the King, when the left St. Catherine's Dock. "Is this not a prospect worth a Jew's eye? Talk of foreign parts, indeed; such another sight like it to be seen any where?—and if I possessed the oratorical talents of some of our great folks in Parliament, I would describe it in glowing colours : This ancient City, How wanton sits she, amidst Nature's smiles! Is there Does not Old Father Thames look delightfully to-day, surrounded by such a numerous offspring-old and young, all in pursuit of pleasure and happiness? And I will insist upon it, my dear nephew, that the THAMES-Old Father Thames-and his nextdoor neighbour, the Ocean, combine every thing that must please and attract the coldest spectator; but to a cockney, a man born in London, if you like the expression better, unutterable delight and satisfaction. 66 Only take a peep down the River-view the different ships from all parts of the world-the steamers, as it were, flying along the water, the wherries full-barges all in motion-commerce in all its bearings, or myriads of persons all on the qui vive, either for pleasure, trade, or enterprise. See the anxious merchant waiting for the arrival of his vessels from a far distant clime, laden with goods, &c. to replenish his empty warehouses, and also view the sailor's joyful return to his native shore, after an absence of several years;—does not the sight of the Thames bring forth recollections and feelings to his mind, that neither painting nor pen can depict : And as the much-lov d shore we near, Therefore, brother Pilgrims, excuse my partiality, prejudice, weakness-call it what you will-the BANKS OF THE THAMES for me. I am satisfied with my own country." "Mr. Makemoney," observed a gentleman very near to him; "I have been listening to the description you have been giving of the Thames, to your nephew, with the greatest delight; and I am very glad to find that you still continue the same true-born Englishman, and are not to be laughed out of those good old notions, that there is nothing like home! Here is another friend of your's on board-Mr. Fearful. Shall I tell him you are here, as I know he will be glad to see you?" "Most certainly, Mr. Briton," replied Mr. Makemoney; and, during his slight absence, he said to his nephew and Flourish, "I will have a bit of fun with Charles Fearful, Esq. one of the best-tempered creatures in the world; but for the last forty years of his life he has been the most terrible alarmist I ever knew. At every change of government, if contrary to his way of thinking, or any little disturbances, he contemplated nothing else but destruction to all our public establishments, and a total annihilation of property; and almost prepared himself to lay down and die!" At this juncture a tall, thin, classical looking gentleman made his appearance; a Sir Peter Teazle sort of personage; and when the congratulations were over at meeting with each other, after an absence of several years, Makemoney, with a smile on his countenance, thus addressed him-" Well, Mr. Fearful, all the fine old establishments, I am happy to say, still remain en tire. The political whirlwinds that you so much dreaded when last I had the pleasure of seeing you, have done not the slightest damage whatever. "St. Paul's Cathedral stands as firm as ever; Westminster Abbey has not moved a jot: the House of Commons is as strong as a rock-and the House of Lords still remains a fixture. The Tower of London continues as formidable as heretofore:-Windsor Castle stands in the same place-but improved in every point of view-not a tree missing in its fine splendid Forest-the KING, God bless him,' still remains in health, with undisputed prerogative; and long may he continue to reign over a brave and free people. "Not a shadow of a picture defaced in the National Gallery, and the British Museum increased beyond all degrees of comparison for the benefit of the student and reader. All the good old edifices the antique, rich spires-hundreds of places of worship remain also in statu quo; the national representation has been improved, and we are getting on, as an improving race of intelligent beings altogether. Therefore, I hope, my dear friend, all your fears have long ceased to exist-all apprehensions for the worst are at an end, and you may now lay down in quietness, and your repose secure." "True, Mr. Makemoney, "I cannot refute several of your assertions; but, nevertheless, we live in strange if not in troublesome times-alteration seems the watchword. You must excuse me, my old friends, if I still have my doubts." "I have done, Mr. Fearful, as I perceive you are perfectly incurable! But, rest assured, difference of opinion will never alter our friendship." CHAPTER V. The Steamer afloat-FLOURISH at fault―" the amiable" wanting-afraid to attack the Duchess-DOLEFUL and Coroners' Inquests; or, the World's End! a hoax-A few words more respecting SCAPEGRACE, but not quite ripe for exposure. MAKEMONEY delighted-his description of the variety seen in a Trip by Steam-Cocknies adrift-Freshwater Sailors; versus, the Rough Sons of the Ocean-Debarking from the Steamer-Greenwich Park-Kissing in the Ring-National habits ought to be preserved; a legal opinion on the subject. An invitation to dinner; a rhetorical display, vulgarly termed the gift of the gab! WILHELMINA and SERAPHINA, a pair of female Portraits— live and learn, stay at home, and know nothing-What a world we live in !-The self-sufficient FLOURISH completely outwitted. DURING the previous harangue, or rather piece of satire from Makemoney to the Alarmist, Flourish had been strolling up and down the deck of the steamer, ogling the old Duchess and her two daughters, but he could not exactly make up his mind in what manner he should address her; and not the slightest circumstance had occurred on which he could make any point of conversation. No opening being left to him but to make a direct attack, he felt quite at a loss, hesitated, and could not assume courage enough to enact" the amiable!" although he had brushed up his hair two or three times-placed his shirt-collar in the best point of view-put his diamond pin in a prominent situation looked at himself, again and again-still he appeared waiting for something like a cue to commence the siege. Whether his ardour might have been damped by the definition given of the Duchess by his brother Pilgrim, James Sprightly, did not appear, but his unblushing impudence, which had, upon all other occasions, prompted him forwards, it should now seem had totally deserted him, in case he might meet with a Tartar in disguise. Yet, nevertheless, he was determined not to be idle; and, on passing Doleful, he appeared more at his ease, and ventured, with a sort of insolent freedom, to ask him "if he was not going to Greenwich to attend a Coroner's Inquest?" Doleful, harmless in the extreme, screwed up his melancholy phiz, not quite a yard and a half in length, and almost as hollow |