nnection is
there between what economists call supply and demand, that, in place
of being, as I esteemed myself a few minutes back, "passing rich," I at
once perceived that I was exceeding poor, since to effect any important
change in my condition, five shillings was a most inadequate sum. It
would not buy me more than a pair of shoes; and what use in repairing
the foundation of the edifice, when the roof was in ruin?--not to speak
of my other garments, to get into which, each morning, by the same
apertures as before, was a feat that might have puzzled a harlequin.

I next bethought me of giving an entertainment to my brethren at
Betty's; but, after all, they had shown little sympathy with me in my
late misfortune, and seemed rather pleased to be rid of a dangerous
professional rival. This, and a lurking desire to leave the fraternity,
decided me against this plan.

Then came the thought of entertaining myself, giving myself a species
of congratulatory dinner on my escape; and, in fact, commemorating the
event by anticipating the most fashionable mode now in use.

I canvassed the notion with all the skill and fairness I could summon,
starting the various objections against it, and answering them with what
seemed to myself a most judicial impartiality.

"Who does a man usually entertain," said I, "but his intimate friends?"
Those whose agreeability is pleasing to him, or whose acquaintance is
valuable from their station and influence. Now, with whom had I such
an unrestrained and cordial intercourse as myself? Whose society never
wearied, whose companionship always interested me? My own! And who, of
all the persons I had ever met with, conceived a sincere and heartfelt
desire for my welfare, preferring it to all others? "Con Cregan, it is
you," said I, enthusiastically. "In you my confidence is complete. I
believe you incapable of ever forgetting me. Come, then, and let us
pledge our friendship over a flowing bowl."

Where, too, was the next doubt? With a crown to spend, I was not going
to descend to some subterranean den among coalheavers, newsvenders,
and umbrella-hawkers. But how was I to gain access to a better-class
ordinary,--that was the difficulty,--who would admit the street-runner,
in his rags, into even a brief intimacy with his silver forks and
spoons? And it was precisely to an entertainment on such a scale as a
good tavern could supply that I aspired. It was to test my own feelings
under a new stimulan