but I at the same time must observe, that I have
no very great relish for London as a continual residence. When you
arrive in the country I will try if I cannot be as explanatory and
amusing. At all events I expect you will give me the trial.

"I'll give you a chevy over the hills, a pop at the pheasants, and a
pick at them afterwards; besides which, you know, we have some very
pretty lasses in our neighbourhood, to whom you have already been
introduced, and to whom you shall be better known."

"I know, I know," said Tom, in a hurried manner, which strongly
indicated some other motive for regret than that which arose from mere
disappointment at not being a partner in their journey, and from which
Sparkle did not fail to draw an inference, that some roguish eyes had
been darting their beams into the bosom of his friend.

~~430~~~ "I see how it is now," cried Sparkle, "Tom is not cut but
caught, and I'll sport a fifty, that the Evergreen Tom Dashall, of
London, will be transplanted to entwine with some virgin blossom of the
country, before another twelve months."

Tom was silent.

Tallyho smiled in accordance with the sentiment of Sparkle, and declared
he would not take the bet.

"It's of very little use," cried Dashall, recovering himself after a
short pause, "I may as well make a merit of necessity. I confess I
have a sort of a liking for the gay and sprightly Lydia Forcetext, the
parson's daughter; and if--but curse if's--I hate if, I wish there was
no such word in the English language."

"Ha, ha, ha!" exclaimed Sparkle, "I thought we should find you out--but
come, I think I may say there is not much for you to fear--if you are
but serious."

"It is a serious subject, and if we continue, this conversation I shall
grow downright sentimental--so no more at present--we have not much time
to spare--and as I mean to make use of every minute, let us look around
for any novelty that may occur before your departure."

"Well," said Sparkle, "I must say I do not know of any thing so new to
me as the very subject we were upon--but as you wish it dropped--why
e'en let it be so--I have no desire to be either particular or
personal."

And as London's the object we've long had in view,
As long as we can, we'll that object pursue.
And as visions we know have been for an old grudge meant,
We'll make ours a view--not a vision of--judgment.

"Good," said Tom, "and as the lines are ext