ng the
Barriers would now and then throw among them for their Diversion's sake.
And all behind it was like a Fair, set out with Booths, where there was
shooting and drinking and Gaming, just at one's ease; for I have ever
found that in the most Despotic countries the Mobile have a kind of Rude
License accorded them; whereas in States where there is Freedom
Authority gives a man leave to Think, but very carefully ties his hands
and feet whenever he has a mind to a Frisk. My Master was in very good
spirits that day (having quite recovered his health), and for a time
wanders about the Tents, now treating the common people, and now having
a bumper with Mr. Hodge. We had tickets for the second ring, but not for
the Inner one, where the Quality were standing; but just before the
shooting of the great Match for the Empress's ruby ring, Mr. Pinchin,
into whose head some of the bubbles from the white Hungarian had begun
to mount, begins to brag about his gentle extraction, and his cousinage
to Lady Betty Heeltap and my Lord Poddle. He vows that he is as well
"born" as any of the rascaille German Sausage-gorgers (as he calls
them), and is as fit to stand about Royalty as any of them. The
Chaplain, who was always a discreet man, tried hard to persuade him
against thrusting himself forward where his company was not desired; but
Mr. Pinchin was in that state in which arguing with a man makes him more
obstinate. Away he goes, the Chaplain prudently withdrawing into a
Booth; but I, as in Duty bound, followed my Master, to see that he got
into no mischief. But, alas, the Mischief that unhappy little Man
speedily contrived to entangle himself within!

By dint of a Florin here and a Florin there, the adventurous Squire
succeeded in slipping through the row of Guards who separated the outer
from the inner Ring, who, from the richness of his Apparel (for he was
dressed in his very Best), may perhaps have mistaken him for some Court
Nobleman who had arrived late. He had got within the charmed circle
indeed (I being a few paces behind him), and was standing on Tiptoe to
take a full stare at one of the young Archduchesses who was bending her
bow to shoot at Cupid, when up comes an old Lord with a very long white
face like a Sheep, with a Crimson Ribbon across his breast, and a long
white staff in his hand atop of which was a Golden Key. He first asks my
Master in German what he wants there, at least so far as I could
understand; to which the