on: page200 Donkey Cart Race]

While Ton and Bob were quizzing the costermongers and the Venuses,
they in their turn were queered out of their wipes; thus another
cogent argument was afforded as to the necessity of suppressing these
nuisances, as being the rendezvous of infamy, and the harvest of
depredation. The visitors appeared in all their glory, as elegant
and boisterous as usual; the consumption of gin and gingerbread was
apparently prodigious, and the great luxury amongst the fashionables was
fried sausages and the bolting of oysters with sugar for wagers. Having
lost their wipes, the two friends resolved at least to save ~201~~ their
tattlers; and having seen a sufficiency of Westminster jollification,
they left the fair to those visitors who might better appreciate its
enjoyment.

Returning home, they were not encountered by farther mischance, and
having shortly reached their destination, and dressed for the evening
gala, a chariot was ordered, and they were set down at the lodgings of
Sir Felix O'Grady.

The baronet introduced his two friends to his aunt, with much affected
form, and with an arch leer of expression, which, on an occasion of
minor import, would have excited the risibility of Bob, but this was no
laughing affair; the presentation therefore was conducted with all due
solemnity, and Miss Judith Macgilligan received him with a maidenish
diffidence and complacency, yet with the dignity becoming a descendant
of O'Brien, King of Ulster.

Having partaken of a slight repast, the party drove off, in the lady's
temporary vehicle, and rattling rapidly along the streets, were in a
very short time arrived at the Mansion-house. The company was select and
elegant; the ladies particularly, might vie in splendour of ornament and
fascination of personal charms, with first rate beauties of the west;
and what gave the entertainment a superior zest above every other
consideration, was the condescending affability of the Civic Queen, who
received her numerous and delighted guests with a truly hospitable, yet
dignified politeness; nor was there any deficiency on the part of her
lord; all that the most excellent arrangements and the most minute
attention could accomplish was done, to the entire gratification and
comfort of the company.{1}

1 Easter Amusements.--Mansion-house. The customary Easter
Civic Dinner and Ball were given at the Mansion-house. A
material alteration was effected in the entert