my Cousin, Robert Tallyho, Esq."

"You do me proud, my dear fellow. Any thing new--can't live without
novelty--who's up, who's down--what's the wonder of the day--how does
the world wag--where is the haven of destination, and how do you weather
the point."

~~346~~~ "Zounds," replied Tom, "you ask more questions in a breath than
we three can answer in an hour."

"Never mind--don't want you to answer; but at all events must have
something to say--hate idleness either in speech or action--hate talking
in the streets, can't bear staring at like a new monument or a statue.
Talking of statues--I have it--good thought, go see Achilles, the
ladies man--eh! what say you. D------me, made of cannons and other
combustibles--Waterloo to wit--Come along, quite a bore to stand
still--yea or nay, can't wait."

"With all my heart," said Sparkle, twitching Dashall by the arm, "it
is quite new since my departure from town; "and joining arms, they
proceeded towards the Park.

"Been out of town," continued Gayfield,--"thought so--lost you all
at once--glad you have not lost yourself. Any thing new in the
country--always inquire--can't live without novelty--go to see every
thing and every body, every where. Nothing new in the papers--Irish
distresses old, but very distressing for a time: how the devil can you
live in the country--can't imagine."

"And I apprehend," replied Sparkle, "it will be of little use to
explain; for a gentleman of so much information as yourself must know
every thing."

"Good, but severe--never mind, I never trouble my head with other
people's thoughts--always think for myself, let others do as they like.
Hate inquisitive people, don't choose to satisfy all inquirers. Never
ask questions of any one, don't expect answers. Have you seen the
celebrated ventriloquist, Alexandre,--the Egyptian Tomb,--the------"

Sparkle could hold no longer: the vanity and egotism of this everlasting
prater, this rambler from subject to subject, without manner, method,
or even thought, was too much; and he could not resist the temptation to
laugh, in which he was joined by Tom and Bob.

~~347~~~ "What is the matter," inquired Gayfield, unconscious of being
the cause of their risibility. "I see nothing to laugh at, d------me,
but I do love laughing, so I'll enjoy a little with you at all events;
"and immediately he became a participator in their mirth, to the
inexpressible delight of his companions; "but," continued he, "I see