se _Gogs_ and _Magogs_ of civic notoriety,"
and thus saying, they were quickly on the road for the city. The morning
being fine, they took their way down St. James's Street, at the bottom
of which their ears were attracted by the sounds of martial music
approaching.

"We have nicked the time nicely indeed," said Dashall, "and may now
enjoy a musical treat, before we proceed to the oratorical one. The
Guards in and about the Palace, are relieved every morning about this
time, for which purpose they are usually mustered at the Horse-Guards,
in the Park, where they are paraded in regular order, and then marched
here. It forms a very pleasing sight for the cockney loungers, for those
out of employ, and those who have little inclination to be employed; and
you see the crowds that are hastening before them, in order to obtain
admission to Palace Yard, before their arrival--let us join the throng;
there is another detachment stationed there ready to receive them,
and while they are relieving the men actually on duty, the two bands
alternately amuse the officers and the bye-standers with some of the
most admired Overtures and Military Airs."

They now passed the gate, and quickly found themselves in a motley group
of all descriptions, crowding to the seat of action, and pouring in
from various avenues. Men, women, and children, half-drill'd drummers,
bandy-legged fifers, and suckling triangle beaters, with bags of books
and instruments in their hands to assist the band. The colours were
mounted as usual on a post in the centre, the men drawn up in ranks, and
standing at ease, while the officers were pacing backwards and forwards
in the front, arm-in-arm with each other, relating the rencontres of the
preceding day, or those in anticipation of the ensuing. This order of
things was however quickly altered, as the relieving party entered,
and at the word "attention," every officer was at his post, and the men
under arms. Our friends now moved under the piazzas so as to be in the
rear of the party who had the first possession, and after hearing with
great admiration the delightful airs played by the two bands, which
had been the principal object of attraction with them--they proceeded
through the Park and reached Charing Cross, by the way of Spring
Gardens.

~~205~~~ "Zounds," said Tallyho, "this is a very unworthy entrance to a
Royal Park."

"Admitted, it is so," was the reply, "and a degradation to the splendid
palace, I mea