loss of
the same, which had been confiscated for the use of the county.

The gentleman who played the violoncello at Mrs. Gattleton's
party has already been referred to, and it only remains to
mention Mr. Evans, who 'had such lovely whiskers' and who
played the flute on the same occasion, to bring the list of
players to an end.

_Hummers_

We meet with a remarkable musician in _Dombey and Son_ in
the person of Harriet Carker's visitor, a scientific one,
according to the description:

A certain skilful action of his fingers as he hummed
some bars, and beat time on the seat beside him,
seemed to denote the musician; and the extraordinary
satisfaction he derived from humming something very
slow and long, which had no recognizable tune, seemed
to denote that he was a scientific one.

A less capable performer was Sampson Brass, who hummed

in a voice that was anything but musical certain
vocal snatches which appeared to have reference to the
union between Church and State, inasmuch as they were
compounded of the Evening Hymn and 'God Save the King.'

Musicians of various degrees abound in the _Sketches_. Here is
Mr. Wisbottle, whistling 'The Light Guitar' at five o'clock
in the morning, to the intense disgust of Mr. John Evenson,
a fellow boarder at Mrs. Tibbs'. Subsequently he came down to
breakfast in blue slippers and a shawl dressing-gown, whistling
'Di piacer.' Mr. Evenson can no longer control his feelings,
and threatens to start the triangle if his enemy will not stop
his early matutinal music. A suggested name for this whistler
is the 'humming-top,' from his habit of describing semi-circles
on the piano stool, and 'humming most melodiously.' There are
a number of characters who indulge in the humming habit either
to cover their confusion, or as a sign of light-heartedness and
contentment. Prominent amongst these are Pecksniff, who, like
Morfin, hums melodiously, and Micawber, who can both sing and
hum. Nor must we omit to mention Miss Petowker, who 'hummed a
tune' as her contribution to the entertainment at Mrs. Kenwigs'
party. Many of the characters resort to humming to conceal
their temporary discomfiture, and perhaps no one ever hummed
under more harassing circumstances than when Mr. Pecksniff had
to go to the door to let in some very unwelcome guests, who
had already knocked several times. But he was a past master
in the art of dissimulation. He is particula