to come here to-night in order
to prepare myself for the approaching festivity."

Dashall was unable to contain himself longer, and Bob, who had been for
some time stuffing his white cambric handkerchief into his mouth, could
no longer resist the laugh he had been trying to avoid. They look'd
alternately at each other, and then at the doleful complainant, who with
unaltered features sat for a moment between his laughing companions,
till perceiving the ridiculous situation he was in, he rose from his
seat and hastily left the room.

Our friends then took a further survey of the company without making
any additional remark except upon the view of the various elegant and
tasteful dresses exhibited, the grace and agility of the dancers, and
the brilliance of the decorations, when supper was announced.

Moving onward to the Supper Room, they again encountered poor Distich,
who although he had no relish for the generality of the amusements,
declared he would not quit till he had supped: after which, Tom
determined if possible to drive away the blue devils, who seemed to
have occupied his brain. For this purpose he listened to his additional
complaints, and filling his glass at every pause, became lively and
agreeable, as the toast was circulated, till the invigorating effects
of the bottle sunk him again, and at length putting him into a hackney
coach, they dispatched him in good order to his Rib; after which they
took their departure towards Piccadilly.~155~~

CHAPTER XI

"I be one of they sailors who think 'tis no lie
That for every wherefore there should be a why,
That by fortune's strange weather a calm or a squall,
Our births, good or bad are chalk'd out for us all:
That the stays and the braces of Life will be found
To be some of 'em rotten, and some of 'em sound.
Thus the good we should cherish, the bad never seek,
For death will too soon bring each anchor apeak."

IT was half past eleven o'clock before our friends approaching the
breakfast parlour, had an opportunity of congratulating each other on
the amusements of the previous evening, when the Hon. Tom Dashall ever
upon the active look-out for the most pleasureable amusements to occupy
the mind and attention of his cousin, observing it was a very tine
morning, proposed a ride to Greenwich, and with this object in view all
being prepared, it was not long before they were se