together. The wine was good, and after enjoying their repast, Tom
and Mortimer enshrined themselves in dominos for the remainder of
the evening. The usual masquerade frolics and dancing were afterwards
continued, and about five in the morning they left this region of fun,
mirth and good humour.~417~~

CHAPTER XXVII

That Life is a picture of strange things and ways,
A grand exhibition, each hour displays;
And for London there's no place can with it compare,
'Tis a jumble of every thing curious and rare.
Cheap-side Bustlers--Fleet Street Hustlers,
Jockeys, Doctors--Agents, Proctors,
Bow Street Slangups--Bond Street Bangups,
Hide and Seekers--Opera Squeakers,
Lawyers, Tailors--Bailiffs, Jailors,
Shopmen, Butlers--Alderman Gutters,
Patriot Talkers--Sunday Walkers,
Dancers, Actors--Jews, Contractors,
Placemen, Croakers--Boxers, Brokers,
Swindlers, Coroners--Spies, and Foreigners,
And all, all to keep up the bubble of strife,
And prove ways and means--is the picture of Life.

THE bustle and merriment of the Masquerade were long remembered in the
mind of Bob Tallyho, and furnished frequent conversations between him
and his Cousin; and the laughable occurrences of the evening, in which
they had been engaged, were re-enjoyed in recollection, notwithstanding
the preparations they were making for an excursion of another kind
in the country, which though not exactly to the taste of Dashall, was
inflexibly persevered in by Tallyho.

Tom tried every effort in his power to prolong the appointed period
of departure in A'ain. The heart and mind of his Cousin appeared to
be occupied with anticipated delights, which he described in the most
glowing colours of imagination. The healthful fields, the enlivening fox
chase, and the sportive exercises of a country life, were detailed with
ecstacy; and though last, not least, the additional zest for the more
attractive scenes (in Tom's idea) that would present themselves for
inspection upon a return to the Metropolis. At length it was finally
arranged that their country excursion should not exceed 418~~ one month
in duration, and that they would leave London time enough to reach
Belville Hall on or before the first day of September.

Dashall, after consenting to this arrangement, finding there was not
much time to spare,