I am the more surprised at this sudden alteration in his feelings but for himself—he thinks he is the standard of perfection; and he imposes upon you in such an insinuating sort of style that you can scarcely withstand his remarks. For instance, 'My dear boy, Jem,' said he, 'I admit that you are a clever, highspirited, well-informed young man, and in reality you do possess a much greater knowledge of the world then could be expected for so young a man. But would you, Jem,—and let us argue the question fairly,-place your experience in competion with mine?' Therefore, let Flourish take his chance-it is most certain we have all our weak moments-and perhaps we ought to think ourselves lucky, if during our pilgrimage connected with the Thames, we escape free! After all, he may not be serious."

Liberal, boy, liberal!" exclaimed the uncle, “I like that sort of generous allowance which you have made for the infirmities of human nature; it ought to obtain praise-nay, more, it ought to be recommended, as a point well worthy of consideration, to all our friends and acquaintances through the different walks of society. Mankind might not then be inclined to prove such harsh judges, as they too often do, upon outside appearances, giving undue weight to them, instead of relying only upon facts.'

"Every body seems happy here, uncle," said Jem, "from the highest to the lowest person; and mirth and good humour appear to predominate in every party. I am quite delighted with the scene, although it does partake, in a great measure, of rudeness."

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True, Jem: but surely you would not expect etiquette at Greenwich Fair," replied Makemoney: " in my humble opinion, in promoting the happiness of the lower classes of society, you increase the strength of the nation. I must confess, I am fond of old customs-I have a great veneration for those sort of land-marks-they hand circumstances down from father to son -and they keep alive features not only in private parties, but connected with the rise and fall of nations; which, otherwise, might be totally forgotten, or sunk into oblivion.

"I love to keep birth-days-and like the return of the holydays at Christmas, Easter, Whitsuntide, &c., it tends to break the business-like chain of confinement—and employment, and work of every description, is returned to with a pleasing zest, that cannot be felt without the benefit of relaxation.

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"I am quite aware it may be strongly urged against the revival of such places as Fairs, Races, &c.; that they are the means of bringing crowds together, and that riots sometimes occur; it is likewise a harbour for designing folks to assemble together, to entrap the unwary; there is little doubt but there is a great deal of truth in these remarks-but notwithstanding, I am of the late Sergeant Best's legal opinion, now Lord Wynford- that

we ought to take cere to preserve our national habits, manners, and customs. From the union of these,' the learned Sergeant boasted, has arisen our national spirit-our love of independence, of justice, and of our country.-THE TRUE AND ONLY SOURCES OF ALL OUR GREATNESS AND ALL OUR HAPPINESS. Wakes and their amusements are amongst the customs, and are the fruits of our liberty. He who would destroy them, would make a change in our manners and habits, the extent of which we cannot see; and for the consequence of which, no good man would chuse to answer.""

"Excellent!" replied Jem," and as I feel rather dry, and require a little refreshment before we proceed on our Pilgrimage in Greenwich ;—if you have no objection we will walk into a tavern, or one of the booths, and drink the health of the late Sergeant Best, for those noble sentiments;—which, I am sure, cannot be too often repeated—and which all lovers of their country must cherish and admire ;-they are so truly English!" "With all my heart and soul!" said Makemoney, glowing with animation," and in a bumper!"

We will now leave them to the enjoyment of their repast, and take a peep at the movements of the Duchess and her daughters."

"It is well, perhaps," thought Flourish, on leaving his brother Pilgrims, "that I did not say any thing to them about the butcher, the cut of his coat, &c., calculated to excite angry feelings against the ladies; however, it appears I am all right in their estimation, and old Makemoney a good foil to me."

“Your friends, then, will not join us?" said the duchess. "It is, I assure you, madam, a matter of regret to them," replied Flourish, "but a previous engagement prevents them from the enjoyment of your delightful company."

"You are a flatterer, I perceive, sir," answered the Duchess, with one of her most fascinating smiles; "but I am sorry for their absence, as we might then have been so agreeably paired off. Give me leave to say, sir, you are a bold man to encounter three females! I am afraid you will have to regret your temerity, or rather, like Macheath observes :

How happy could I be with either,

Where t'other dear charmer away!

Ha! ha! ha! You must excuse me, sir, but perhaps, I am making a little too free at so short an acquaintance: indeed, it has always been my fault to be too communicative; however, I hate your distant, cold, proud, reserved sort of folks. No, I belong to a different sort of world-my feelings are of another cast: If I like a person, or feel pleased with their manners, I cannot help making free with them, that is to say-rank them amongst my friends. Yet, sir, you may think me too candid in this respect?" "You overwhelm me, madam, with delight," answered Flou

rish; "it is this sort of frankness which belongs to persons of superior intecourse with society; and which the advantages of education give them over other individuals, who are confined to a different sphere; therefore, madam, I hope you will be more candid, as you term it, and let me be benefitted by your remarks and conversation. I will close here, lest any further observations of mine might be deemed flattery, which I assure you, is far, very far removed from my intention; therefore, may I hope that you will proceed without the slightest

reserve!"

"Your politeness, sir, emboldens me to enter into that freedom of conversation," said the Duchess, assuming an air of gravity; " which otherwise I most certainly should have hesitated in doing; for, after all, females, however well educated they may have been, and positively drilled into every thing connected with genteel life are very inferior to the well-bred gentleman and elegant scholar! Ha! ha! No, no-there is no sort of comparison-but the man of gallantry who seems outwardly to pay the most devout attention to a female, like the actor who has to deliver a speech aside, has often been heard to denominate the ladies" mere.playthings of an hour!"

"You wrong yourself, my dear madam," said Flourish; " and I am afraid the last sentence was rather too satirical!" "This is not fair, my dear ma!" said Miss Seraphina; "You engross the whole of the gentleman's conversation to yourself." "A few words more, my dear girl,” replied the Duchess " and then you can say what you please. But I was merely going to account for our being here, to inform the gentleman that you were tired out with your frequent visits to the Italian Opera; the Zoological has become a perfect bore; the Coliseum was very well in its way; lounging at the Bazaars had ceased to become attractive, and that you were determined to enjoy a little RURAL FELICITY by way of a change in your amusements. That you were more anxious to tread on a carpet of green, and enjoy the sweet fragrance of the air, than waltzing on chalked floors, and being oppressed with the heat proceeding from the effects of gas light, or wax candles."

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Charming! mamma, you have described our feelings to a nicety," said Wilhelmina; " too much of one thing is good for nothing—and at the West end, you know, it is one continued routine from morning to night. It is enough to make one yawn only to think of it."

"True, my dear Willy," observed Seraphina; "Only look at those persons having a little delightful rural exercise from that high hill-I long to be with them. Do you think it would be

indecorous, mamma, if we were just to have a little scamper down the hill? I am sure it would do us good, and improve our health. We shall only be taken for well-dressed rustics-perhaps country milliners-but no matter for once

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'Yes, mamma, you must consent!" echoed Miss Wilhelmina; "it will be only viewed as a little bit of rusticity." Why, my dears," replied the Duchess, you seem quite wild, and more like birds who have had the doors of their cages left open by accident, than young ladies whose education and pursuits should have taught you better manners. But you are so persevering, that you will not be denied. However, if I thought your uncle, the Admiral, would not pounce upon you-and that is not at all unlikely, as he might have some duty to perform at the Hospital-perhaps I might, for once, indulge your whims. But he's a fine old soul, and, jolly tarlike, he might only join in the laugh. But pray take care you do not run down the hill too fast, as it is not very lady-like you know, girls, for females to be seen tripping up their heels."

"You will perhaps, sir, have the goodness just to join us for a run or two," said Miss Seraphina; “it will have such a strange appearance for us to run down the Hill without the protection of a gentleman. I am sure you will not refuse a challenge from a lady."

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Certainly not, my dear young ladies," replied Flourish, quite gallant; "if your mamma will remain by herself for a few moments, only to laugh at our folly."

"You have my free consent," replied the Duchess; "therefore, on my account, lose no time."

Miss Seraphina and her sister commenced the race with all the rude ardour of romps, and nothing like the appearance of delicate females. Flourish, in truth, was so pulled about by each arm that he was panting for breath; and, after a run or two, he was compelled to decline the contest. Though the latter did not perceive it, yet it should seem that the young ladies were more anxious to display their well-turned ancles, covered with rich silk stockings, elegantly clocked, than to conceal them from the eyes of the public, and were quite indifferent as to bashfulness. After the race had terminated, they all three joined in the laugh at the weakness of Flourish's constitution. During the space of time that Flourish was recovering his exhausted breath, he perceived old Doleful running as fast as he could towards him— who, upon reaching him, observed," I beg your pardon, sir; I cannot find the World's End!' and I am afraid I shall lose the job."

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Flourish could scarcely look at Doleful, from the effects of risibility, at the great simplicity displayed by the tally undertaker. Egad," said Flourish, "I beg your pardon-I have made a mistake-how could I be so stupid!-I mean 'the Man struggling to get through the World!'-but there is such a similarity between them, that any person might have committed an error quite unintentionally. However, you shall be correct now, as I will write it down for you; but if you do not make haste you will be too late."

6

Away ran Doleful, but in his haste he tripped up against a stone, and down he measured his whole length on the ground; which Flourish perceiving, proposed to the ladies to have a stroll to some other part of the Park. On turning round, just to have a last look at Doleful, he perceived the thread-paper sort of figure of the undertaker on his legs, hopping as fast as he could for the Man struggling to get through the World !' Flourish was now totally unable to proceed until he had enjoyed an immoderate fit of laughter at the successful hoax, a second time which he had played off on old Doleful: but on taking out his pocket-book, to write the direction for the undertaker, he accidentally let fall one of his cards, unperceived by himself, but which was carefully picked up by one of the young ladies, who, after looking at the name, immediately concealed it in her reticule.

"Did I not see that grim spectre-looking sort of man on board the steamer?" asked the Duchess. "What a horrid fright for a human being!"

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Yes, madam," replied Flourish; "he is a cheap undertaker by profession-always looking out for a job. Therefore, to have a little bit of fun, I found him a subject, and he is gone to look after the said imaginary being to bury him. Will you allow me-ha! ha!-to recommend him to the notice of your Ladyship?"

He is

"For mercy's sake, sir, don't frighten me to death! more terrible-looking than any of the horrid skeletons in the German Opera. But it was cruel of you," said the Duchess; "O fie!" Yet, nevertheless, in spite of their sympathy, they all joined most heartily in the laugh at the finisher's expence.

On recovering from their laugh, they had not proceeded far from the above spot before Flourish perceived a large ring, composed of young men and girls, enjoying themselves at a rural game, which is very conspicuous at holyday time in Greenwich Park, called "Kissing in the RING!" It is truly simple in its nature, and does not require the least instruction to become perfect for instance, the female selects one of the males whom she appears to prefer to any other person present, when she touches him on the back, and then runs away from him as fast as she can, until the man she has touched overtakes her. The female is then taken into the ring, when she is saluted by her admirer, and also by the clerk of the ring. She is then left as a pledge until she is relieved by some other aspiring lover from the ring. Therefore, those ladies who are fond of kissing, here may be gratified to the utmost extent of their wishes.

Flourish now thought he had an opportunity to have a bit of fun with the young ladies, when he thus addressed them :— "Now, young ladies, it is my turn to challenge; what do you say to a game at Kiss in the Ring? It is a game I am very fond of. Therefore, my dear Miss Seraphina, let me beg the favour