as a lanthorn, with a great deal of civility, observed, 'No, sir, I never heard of any such thing!

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"I am quite surprised at that," answered Flourish, with a face of clay, and without moving a muscle, while young Sprightly was ready to burst his sides with laughter; "you are a finisher, I believe (Doleful stared at him with the most piteous aspect) -I mean, an undertaker; that is, you put people out of sight very cheap. Yes, yes, I am right-I well remember you finished off in good style Churchwarden Swallow-Mutton, who was choked with a bone at a vestry-supper; and so extremely low were your charges, that had I not have known you to have been a man of strict integrity in all your dealings, I should have thought you had not come honestly by your materials."

"Have you got a card about you?" Doleful put his hand in his pocket, and gave Flourish one. (Jem, on witnessing this circumstance, was so overcome with risibility, that he was compelled to run to another part of the steamer, in order not to spoil the joke)" That's right; I will recommend you to a job directly. Now, if you go to the World's End'-that is, I mean the sign of it, at Greenwich-there is a Coroner's Inquest sitting, and the foreman of the jury, a friend of mine, John Hookham Snivey, Esq., will make it all right for you to bury him. A poor simple chap had laid a wager that he would climb up to the steeple of Greenwich Church, but, unfortunately for himself, he made only one false step, which caused his exit before he expected, and he never told any person how the accident happened."

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"How very shocking!" replied Doleful; and, pulling out his pocket-book, noted down the World's End,' and Hookham Snivey, Esq.' with all the gravity attending a real circumstance, and quite pleased with the job he had in view, not being bound down to any precise terms of contract, exclaiming, at the same time, to himself, "I shall leave the Park and the casualties to themselves to-day- a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush at any time."'

Flourish, strutting off like a crow in a gutter, in a sort of audible whisper to his brother Pilgrim Jem, said, "I have finished off Old Doleful in good twig;" but before he could congratulate himself on the success of his joke, "Finished off!" muttered a voice, "I should like to finish you off a little bit, for imposing on a simple tradesman!" Flourish, with his face half turned round, recognized the well-known countenance of the daring Scapegrace! but he wisely took no notice of it.

"Aye, you may look; its me," said Scapegrace, in a low voice, but a murderous tone of accent," I owe you one upon an old account and perhaps I may chance to wing you, some day, when you least expect it! It won't do now, I perceive; but the time will come-and then-if you get off as well as the Old Shroud Maker has done-think yourself lucky! Now that's what I mean-and no mistake!"

This sort of side-wind murmur, and coming when least expected from the dangerous and determined Scapegrace, almost produced an attack of the ague on the frame of Flourish; at another time, it might completely have paralysed his efforts: but the latter was too well supported on board of the steamer to experience any rough treatment-so he pocketed the affront,' as the safest mode to get rid of it—by putting it off with a smile!

Makemoney, whose time had been occupied with several other objects, on returning to his friends, felt rather surprized at the sight of Scapegrace close to the elbow of Flourish, and, to all appearance, his lip quivering with rage, and his face looking more like a disappointed demon than a Christian, and ejaculating Revenge! Makemoney, with great eagerness, said "Has that fellow, Scapegrace, been saying any thing unpleasant to your feelings in the shape of a threat! I know he is perfectly capable of such an action: and I am sure we do not stand at all well in his estimation; and, if he had a convenient opportunity, I think he would not mind to do any of us an injury. He bears the character of a vindictive fellow-therefore, keep out of his clutches-give him no cause for reproach—but more anon, when I am at leisure!"

Flourish thought it the most prudent method to put a stop to any more argument on the subject, by observing "I did not hear him say any thing, although, in passing by me, he appeared in anger, as if some person had irritated him. However, I heed him not!" yet thinking to himself, at the same time, that it might be as well for him, if he remained quiet during the short voyage to Greenwich.

"He may be a desperate character, and in an assassin-like manner, be inclined to take a cowardly advantage of us in private; provided he could conceal himself, and without the fear of detection! But let him, if he dare, come to an open contest," said Sprightly, in a high-spirited tone of challenge-" and although I hate and despise anything like boasting, I care not for the threats of fifty Scapegraces! Therefore, at present, let us not bestow another thought upon him. Do not let such a fellow as that, whom no one knows any thing about, mar, in the slightest degree, our pursuits or pleasure. A good general, I am told, is always prepared for his enemy-therefore, only keep a good look out; and I am certain it is out of his power, or malice, to do either of us any harm. A fig for his threats, Flourish, if he did make any! Yet I have some faint recollection of the subject of his anger towards us! But another time!"

Here the discourse was finished, and Scapegrace was forgotten, by the band playing the animating gallopade from the opera of Gustavus-the company gaily promenading up and down the deck, and several of them from the movement of their feet quite anxious to commence the Gallope! But no leader, or master

of the ceremonies, presented themselves to give the eclat necessary to the dance; and Flourish still tardy about making up his mind to challenge the fair daughters of the old Duchess,' to join the party on the 'light fantastic toe.' the tune was permitted to finish, and the deck resumed its former appearance.

Old Makemoney then addressed his nephew, in a quiet, colloquial manner, "Travelling in a steamer, more especially on the Thames, where scarcely any thing like danger is apprehended is, in my humble opinion, of the most delightful description ; for instance-refreshments can be had at any time, in case the breezes should operate on the appetite, and hunger require sustenance: an elegant cabin for retirement-books for those who have a taste for reading; and where, frequently, several ladies may be seen quite wrapped up in excitement at the tale of the last new novel.

"The lovers of prospects and other objects are equally amused on the deck-and a taste for naval architecture may also be gratified. The great variety of company you meet with connected with all ranks in the scale of society-the different remarks you likewise hear on all passing subjects upon politics, theatres, police, &c. are highly worthy of the attention of any author who is fond of exercising his pen on the subject of men and manners. The delight of popping on an old acquaintance by accident. Viewing others cogitating over a cigar-a few scientific persons engaged at chess. Here and there a few parties may be seen at drafts, dominoes, cribbage, &c., while some of the juvenile company are enjoying themselves skipping about the deck, or in the shape of a dance.

"You may also behold lots of young cockneys, of both sexes, puzzling the man at the helm, it being their first trip by steam, with all sorts of questions, as to What's that ere place?' or this ere castle? Travelling by steam also gives the steady merchant a little respite from business-and his mind perhaps, at ease, is at work on the calculating system from the beginning to the end of his journey, and when he hears the man sing out→ Gravesend! Herne Bay! Margate! or Dover!' He feels astonished, as well as pleased, that he has accomplished his place of destination in such a very short time.

"You may also see the man of pleasure,' full of gallantry, making himself agreeable to the ladies by his polite attention and conduct to their little wants, and with his spy-glass, he is the very essence of communication, pointing out the situations and names of all the places as they pass along; obtaining the character of 'what a nice man-a perfect gentleman,' with the whole sex on board. Sometime hearing the remarks Really, my dear mamma, it is more than delightful to meet with such intelligent persons.'

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Well, for my part, I must give a preference to steam before any other sort of conveyance-the weather cannot affect your

person-you are enabled to retreat from the attacks of the wind and rain; besides, you are not subjected to trifling quarrels about putting up,' or 'leaving the glasses down as in a stage coach: no dust to annoy your feelings, or spoil your clothes;-you experience the pleasure of walking up and down the deck-not only enjoying the requisite towards health and exercise; but you have the gratification to know, at the same time, that you are rapidly proceeding with your journey, and that your progress is not retarded by stopping at the doors of inns on the road to change horses, or coachmen!

"Many other circumstances might be pointed out in favour of steam navigation, if it were necessary to show its great convenience and immense utility-it also conveys a picture of real life -abounding with characters of every description; only witness the veteran tar, nearly three sheets in the wind, a passenger by the steam-boat to join his ship, laughing at the remarks of freshwater sailors, and the fears expressed by the ladies of the approaching danger, talking of the boisterous winds, and the roughness of the sea! Rough! my darlings-Ha! ha! there an't a thimble-full of wind stirring, and on the rough sea, as you call it, why there's not a ripple to be seen. My eyes, if you had been along with me and my shipmate Jack Dreadnought, who sits beside me, in the Bay of Biscay, then you might have said Old BOREAS had opened his doors, and went to work with a new pair of bellows-that Daddy Neptune had been kicking up a row in his berth below, and set the foaming billows in rapid motion, making all the craft, big and little, dance mountains high without any music. But never mind, my hearties, every one to his calling (singing.)—

But sailors were born for all weathers

Great guns let it blow high-blow low!
Our duty keeps us to our tether,

And where the gale drives we must go!

Here, steward, bring us a glass of stiff grog-none of your six upon four stuff-that I may drink to all sound hearts and true bottoms! The tout ensemble, to me, is of the most inviting description; and if you, my worthy brother Pilgrims, enter into the same sort of spirit on the subject, I feel assured that all our trips connected with the Banks of the Thames will not only prove gratifying to our feelings, but instructive to our minds.' Greenwich Hospital was now in sight, and boats from the shore putting off for the steamer. The Pilgrims immediately were ready to get on land; the Duchess and her companions were equally on the alert; and Doleful appeared so anxious to be off, that he had nearly jumped over the waterman's wherry into the water, so eager was the undertaker to reach the land.

Scapegrace, also, as it were, slunk out of the steamer. Flourish, it should seem, had now screwed his courage to the sticking place, thinking his only chance might be now or never-im

H

mediately went up to the Duchess, and begged he might have the honour of seeing her safe in the boat, and also to the shore: Makemoney and his nephew making for the land in another wherry, viewing with merriment the operations of Flourish.

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Really, sir, your offer is very kind," replied the Duchess, with a sort of agreeable simper on her countenance; "but I cannot think of being so troublesome to a perfect stranger: yet, nevertheless, permit me to return you thanks for your gentlemanly conduct to unprotected females."

Flourish, flattered up to the eyes by this reply, swallowed the bait with all the greediness of a perch; and positively insisted on performing "the amiable" to ladies who were so much in want of a male friend. The row was but short to the shore; but during the little period which occured, the Duchess was determined to make the most of it-a conquest being in view. She, therefore, appeared the very mirror of attraction-her smiles, affability, condescension, and politeness, were truly conspicuous. The young ladies, who had also had their cue-giggled a little, shewed a kind of simplicity, and affected a sort of coyness, that, whenever Flourish put any questions to them, as if shy, they turned their heads from his face. Makemoney and Jem, at this juncture, bowed in recognition to Flourish, which the latter returned by a nod.

"You are nodding to your friends, I presume. I am sorry we should have been the cause of your separation. I beg pardon," said the Duchess," the corpulent gentleman is perhaps your

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"O la, ma!" observed one of the young ladies, in an audible whisper, yet quite loud enough for any person to hear, "is he not very much like our butcher? It is him, I am sure; and I thought so when I first saw the fat man on board of the boat."

"Hush! hush! my dear Seraphina," replied the Duchess, as if in great confusion; "you should not have interrupted the gentleman in his reply: besides, it is extremely rude to make any remarks on the dress of any person. But you will be kind enough to excuse them, sir, as this is the first time they have ever been suffered to gaze or to mix with the world; at least, upon such an occasion. You are very foolish children; and I hope no more caution from me will be found necessary." This was urged with so much propriety, that a Saint might have been imposed upon, much more the self-important Flourish.

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"Well, and I think Seraphina is right, after all," observed the other young lady, with a toss of the head, "for I know him by the cut of his coat! Butchers always wear such coats." Wilhelmina, my child," answered the Duchess, to all appear ance quite angry; worse and worse-O fie!—if you cannot say any thing more to the purpose, I must impose silence upon you for the rest of the day. I am shocked!"