ing for the light, and two and
sixpence for other lights; so that the bill amounted in the
whole to the sum of two pounds one shilling for his night's
lodging! To this very exorbitant charge he had refused to
submit; in consequence of which he had been put to great
inconvenience by the detention of his luggage. The
magistrate animadverted with much severity on such
extravagant charges on the part of the tavern-keeper, and
advised that upon the gentleman paying fifteen shillings,
the things might be immediately delivered up. To these
terms, however, Mrs. Hickinbottom refused to accede, adding
at the same time, that the gentleman had only been charged
the regular prices of the house, and that she should insist
upon the whole amount of the bill being paid, for that the
persons who were in the habit of coming to their house never
objected to such, the regular price of their lodgings being
ten guineas per week! The magistrate lamented that he had
no power to enforce the things being given up, but he
recommended the complainant to bring an action against the
tavern-keeper for the detention.

~3~~ These were the observations directed by Dashall to his friend,
as they passed, one morning, the _Hotel de la Sabloniere_ in Leicester
Square.

"Doubtless," he continued, "in those places of affluent resort, the
accommodations are in the first style of excellence; yet with reference
to comfort and sociability, were I a country gentleman in the habit of
occasionally visiting London, my temporary domicile should be the snug
domesticated Coffee-house, economical in its charges and pleasurable in
the variety of its visitors, where I might, at will, extend or abridge
my evening intercourse, and in the retirement of my own apartment feel
myself more at home than in the vacuum of an hotel."

The attention of our perambulators, in passing through the Square, was
attracted by a fine boy, apparently about eight years of age, dressed in
mourning, who, at the door of Brunet's Hotel, was endeavouring with
all his little strength and influence to oppose the egress of a large
Newfoundland dog, that, indignant of restraint, seemed desirous in a
strange land of introducing himself to ~4~~ canine good fellowship. The
boy, whose large dark eyes were full of animation, and his countenance,
though bronzed, interestingly expressive, remonstrated with the dog