."

~11~~"D--n his acquirements!" exclaimed Timothy; "would you think it,
they are of no use in the way of trade, and though I have given him many
an opportunity of doing well, he knows no more of keeping a set of books
by double-entry, than Timothy Surety does of keeping a pack of hounds,
who was never twenty miles beyond the hearing of Bow bells in all his
lifetime!"

This important communication, having been made apart from the
recognition of the Aunt and Nephew, passed on their approach,
unanswered; and Dashall and his friend remained in doubt whether or not
the Nephew, in his late definition of the word Sarcophagus, was in
jest or earnest: Tallyho inclined to think that he was hoaxing the old
gentleman; on the other hand, his Cousin bethought himself, that the
apparent ingenuity of Jaz's definition was attributable entirely to his
ignorance.

Here also were two statues of Roman workmanship, supposed to be those
of Marcus Aurelius and Severus, ancient, but evidently of provincial
sculpture.

Mrs. Tabitha, shading her eyes with her fan, and casting a glance askew
at the two naked figures, which exhibited the perfection of symmetry,
enquired of her Nephew who they were meant to represent.

His answer was equally eccentric with that accorded to his Uncle on the
subject of the Sarcophagus.

"My dear Madam!" said Jaz, "these two figures are consanguineous to
those of Gog and Magog in Guildhall, being the lineal descendants of
these mighty associates of the Livery of London!"

"But, Jaz" rejoined the antique dame, "I always understood that
Messieurs Gog and Magog derived their origin from quite a different
family."

"Aunt of mine," responded Jaz, "the lofty rubicunded Civic Baronet
shall not be 'shorn of his beams;' he claims the same honour with
his brainless brothers before us-he is a scion of the same tree; Sir
W*ll**m, the twin brothers of Guildhall, and these two sedate Gentlemen
of stone, all boast the honour of the same extraction!"

Behind them, on the right, was a ram's head of very curious workmanship,
from Thebes.

"Perhaps, Sir," said Mrs. Tabitha, graciously addressing herself to
'Squire Tallyho, "you can inform us what may be the import of this
singular exhibition?"

"On my honour, Madam," answered the 'Squire, "I cannot satisfactorily
resolve the enquiry; I am a country ~12~~ gentleman, and though
conversant with rains and rams' horns in my own neighbourhood, have no
knowledge of them with r