to form tolerably accurate estimates of
those by whom he was surrounded.

It was, therefore, with his usual view to the accomplishment of his
cousin as a votary of Real Life in London, that he had proposed a visit
to a fancy dress Ball at Almack's, and preparations had accordingly been
made between them.

"A Fancy dress Ball," said Tom, in order to give his cousin an idea
of the entertainment he was to partake, "bears some similitude to a
Masquerade, with two important exceptions: first, Masks are not general;
and second, ~148~~ No practical Jokes are expected or admitted. Dress
however, is left wholly to the taste or inclination of the visitors, and
the amusements consist principally of dancing and cards. The Rooms are
of the most splendid description, and the company generally of the first
order; combining all that is elegant and fashionable in what is termed
the higher ranks of society,--'Tis said

[Illustration: page148 Almacks]

"If once to Almacks you belong,
Like monarchs you can do no wrong.
But banish'd thence on Wednesday night,
By Jove you can do nothing right.
I hear (perhaps the story false is,)
From Almacks, that he never waltzes
With Lady Anne or Lady Biddy,
Twirling till he's in Love, or giddy.
The girl a pigmy, he a giant,
His cravat stiff, her corset pliant.
There, while some jaded couple stops,
The rest go round like humming tops.
Each in the circle with its neighbour
Sharing alternate rest and labour;
While many a gentle chaperon
As the fair Dervises spin on,
Sighs with regret that she was courted,
Ere this new fashion was imported.
Ere the dull minuet step had vanished, .
With jigs and country scrapers banished.

But ---- whose energy relaxes
No more revolves upon his axis,
As sounds of cymbal and of drum
Deep clanging from the orch'tra come,
And round him moves in radiance bright
Some beauteous beaming sattelite.
Nor ventures as the night advances,
On a new partner in French dances,
Nor his high destiny fulfilling
Through all the mazes of quadrilling,
Holds, lest the figure should be hard
Close to his nose a printed card,
Which for their special use