onsequence."

"Well," said Bob, "I can with safety say there are but two trades or
callings that I have met with since my arrival in London, to which I
have discovered no rivalship."

This remark from Tallyho excited some surprise in the mind of his two
friends, who were anxious to know to what he alluded.

"I mean," continued he, "the doll's bedstead seller, who is frequently
to be heard in the street of London, bawling with a peculiarity of
voice as singular as the article he has for sale,--'Buy my doll's
bedsteads;'--and the other, a well known whistler, whom you must both
have heard."

"Egad you are right," replied Sparkle; "and although I recollect them
both, I must confess the observation now made has never so forcibly
struck me before: it, however, proves you have not exhausted your time
in town without paying attention to the characters it contains, nor the
circumstances by which they obtain their livelihood; and although
the introduction is not exactly in point with the subject of previous
remarks, and ought not to cut the thread of our discourse, it has some
reference, and conveys to my mind a novel piece of information. But I
was about to consider what can be the causes for this extraordinary
host of ladies of all ages, classes and colours, from the Honourable
Mistress------to the Misses Stubbs, who have their establishment for
the education of young ladies in a superior style; and whether in
consequence of this legion of fair labourers in learning and science,
our countrywomen (for I am adverting particularly to the softer sex) are
chaster, wiser, and better, than their mammas and grand-mammas."

"A most interesting subject, truly," replied Tom, "and well worthy of
close investigation. Now for my part I apprehend that the increase of
tutors arises from many other causes than the more general diffusion of
knowledge."

~~364~~~ "There can be no doubt of it," continued Sparkle, "and some
of those causes are odd enough--very opposite to wisdom, and not more
conducive to improvement; for amongst them you will find pride, poverty,
and idleness.

"For instance, you may discover that the proud partner of a shopkeeper
in the general line, or more plainly speaking, the proprietor of a
chandler's shop, is ambitious of having her daughter accomplished.

"E'en good Geoffrey Forge, a blacksmith by descent,
Who has his life 'midst bars and hammers spent,
Resolves his Bet shall learn to