u to be a fool, but I do not know which!"

The Judge at this repartee could not retain his gravity; a tumult of
mirth pervaded the whole Court, and the discomfited counsellor adjusted
his wig and sat down.

During the few minutes longer that our heroes remained, nothing of
interest occurring, they withdrew; and passing down the Old Bailey to
Ludgate Street, and from thence towards the Temple, they crossed Fleet
Street, and taking the direction of Shire Lane, were induced, by way of
investigating Real Life in its lowest classification, to enter one of
those too frequent receptacles of vice denominated Coffee Shops.

This was a house of notorious irregularity, the occupant of which had
more than once experienced the visitation of the law for his utter
contempt of social order--and from the present appearance of his guests,
it did not seem that legal interference had effected moral amendment.

As our two friends entered this Augean Stable, a whisper of surprise,
mingled with dismay, went round the motley assemblage of female
street-drabs, cracksmen,{1} and fogle-hunters; and a wary glance of
suspicion darted from the group "many a time and oft" on the new-comers,
who notwithstanding kept possession of their seats, and ordering without
apparent notice of the party a cup of coffee, apprehension subsided into
security, the re-assured inmates resumed their interrupted hilarity, and
our adventurers were thus afforded the means of leisurable observation.

1 Cracksmen (Burglars), Fogle-hunters (Pickpockets).

~180~~ The Squire, who had not perused the annals of blackguardism, and
consequently was not an adept in the knowledge of the slang or vulgar
tongue, was under the frequent necessity of applying to his friend for
explanation of the obscure phraseology of those ladies and gentlemen of
the pad, which Dashall contrived to occasionally interpret without the
assistance or notice of its multitudinous learned professors.

The desire of witnessing the exhibition of Real Life in its lowest
state of human degradation, induced a prolongation of stay by our two
associates. In the meanwhile, "the mirth and fun grew fast and furious,"
exemplified by dance, song, and revelry, interspersed with practical
jokes, recriminative abuse, and consequent pugilistic exercise, where
science and strength alternately prevailed; and in deficiency of other
missiles, poker, tongs, coffee-cups, saucers, and plates, were brought
into active requi