dinner, and to dress for Lady M.'s party in the
evening."

~~393~~~ Thus saying, they took their way towards the place he had
mentioned. It would, however, be extending description more than
necessary, after the preceding observations of the Hon. Tom Dashall,
except to state that the Dock covers 20 acres of ground, and is 1262
feet long, 699 feet wide, and 27 deep. The warehouses, situated at the
eastern extremity, are two in number, appropriated for the reception of
tobacco; the largest 762 feet long, and 160 feet wide, equally divided
by a strong partition wall, with double iron doors; the smallest is 250
feet by 200. They consist of a ground floor and vaults, the latter of
which are devoted to the care and housing of wines, in which are usually
5000 pipes. They are solely under the control of the Customs, and the
proprietors of the Docks have nothing more to do with them than to
receive the rent. Other warehouses are devoted to the reception of the
various articles of commerce, and the small buildings situated near the
edge are appropriated to counting-houses for clerks and officers, and
for weighing and pileing the goods, workshops, &c. as in the West India
Docks. The capital of the Company is about L2,000,000, and the ultimate
profits are limited to 10 per cent. The building was commenced in 1802,
and the grand dock was opened in 1805. In the immense subterraneous
caverns under the warehouses, all wines imported by the London merchant
are deposited, without paying the import duty, until it is fully
disposed of by the owner: a practice which is termed bonding, and saves
the proprietor the advance of the duty to government out of his capital.
When the merchant finds a person likely to become a purchaser, he
directs a written order to the cellarman, to peg certain pipes which
are a part of his stock, in order that the visitor may taste the various
samples, and select from them such as he is most agreeable to purchase."

"And no small convenience, of course," said Bon, "and of course the
goods are not allowed to be removed till the duties and charges are paid
by the purchaser."

"Certainly," was the reply; "they are held as a security for their
ultimate payment; but come, as we have already seen enough of docks, let
us make the best of our way home."

~~394~~~ Upon arrival in Piccadilly, a letter from Merrywell reminded
Tom of his proposed journey to the country, with the additional
attraction of Merrywell's descr