re, who only wanted Fashionable
Encouragement to rival the Feet Parsons in the trade of faggot-weddings.
There were philosophers who devised schemes for paying off the National
Debt, or for making roast ribs of beef out of brickbats. Here were swept
the last pillings and frayings of the South Sea Bubble, in the shape of
divers Speculators and Directors who had absconded from their Creditors,
and were here pretty safe from arrest, for although not legally a
sanctuary, it was as chancy to cop a man here on a capias as to put
one's naked hand into a bag full of rats.

I dined this day at a sixpenny ordinary in the New Exchange, and after
that asked my way to the Savoy, which I found to be close by. So I
walked down to the old Tower, and passed the time of day to the Sergeant
of the Guard, who was for having me empty a can of ale with him on the
spot, but I would not then, and concealed my intention, being minded to
defer the execution of it till sunset. I don't know what Vain and
Foolish Hope possessed me that something might yet turn up which might
save me from the sad necessity of listing for a soldier, to the which
vocation, mindful of my early experiences among the Blacks in Charlwood
Chase, I entertained a very sincere Abhorrence. So I wandered up and
down the Streets, asking from time to time where I was, and being (as is
usual with the People of England in their intercourse with strangers)
cursed or laughed at for a fool or a bumpkin. Half a dozen times I felt
that some rogue was trying my pocket; but I knew I had no money to be
robbed of, and kept my kerchief in my hat; only the bare endeavour made
me mad, and the next time one of my gentleman nick-skins made a dive
into my pouch, I turned round and hit him a crack over the head with a
short knobbed-stick I carried, which, I warrant, made him repent of his
Temerity.

I had gotten into St. James's Park about four o'clock in the afternoon,
and was walking very moodily by the side of the long water trench called
Rosamond's Pond, when at once a desire seized hold of me to behold the
Tower of London. Whether in my fantastic Imagination I deemed that I
might find Tower Hill paved with gold, or pick up some Profitable
Acquaintance there, it is fruitless as this distance of time to inquire.
But I must needs see the Tower, and was as eager for a view of that
famous Fortress as though I had been the veriest holiday-making and
sight-seeing Country Cousin. I made my way into