of his former propensities;
so difficult it is to eradicate vice from the human mind, even though
in this instance so early implanted. Lenity in this case would have been
equally misplaced as unjust, although the Squire humanely pressed his
intercession; the incorrigible pilferer was therefore handed over to
the custody of one of the turnkeys, until the Governor might award a
punishment suitable to the heinousness of the offence.

The two friends had been here above an hour--it was an hour they thought
not idly spent. And now leaving a small donation for distribution
amongst such as appeared deserving objects, they returned home gratified
by the additional knowledge acquired of _Real Life in London_.~34~~

CHAPTER III

"......Would you see
The Debtors' world, confide yourself to me.
Come; safely shall you pass the fatal door,
Nor fear it shuts you in, to ope no more.
See, frowning grimly o'er the Borough Road,
The crossing spikes that crown the dark abode!
O! how that iron seems to pierce the soul
Of him, whom hurrying wheels to prison roll,
What time from Serjeants' Inn some Debtor pale
The Tipstaff renders in default of bail.
Black shows that grisly ridge against the sky,
As near he draws and lifts an anxious eye:
Then on his bosom each peculiar spike,
Arm'd with its proper ill, appears to strike."

THE recollection of past enjoyments in the vivacious company of Merry
well, could not fail to be revived in the minds of Dashall and his
Cousin; and as some persons, with due attention to his safety, had
manifested their interest and regard for him by obtaining his admission
to the Priory, where he was at this moment pursuing his studies,
and could not quite so conveniently call on them, an early visit was
determined on.

"We shall," said Tom, "by a call on Merrywell after six weeks residence
among the gay blades that inhabit the walls of the King's Bench,
have all the benefit of his previous observation. He will be able to
delineate the characters, consciences, and conduct of his neighbours.
He will describe all the comforts and advantages of a college life,
introduce us to the Bloods and the Blacks, and, in short, there are few
persons I know, except Sparkle himself, more able to conduct us through
the intricacies of the Building, to point out the beauty and excellence