xt Saturday and Monday,
And riding out in one-horse shay o' Sunday;
'Tis drinking tea on summer afternoons
At Bagnigge Wells, with china and gilt spoons;
'Tis laying by our stuffs, red cloaks and pattens,
To dance cowtillions all in silks and satins."
"Vulgar! (cries Miss) observe in higher Life
The feather'd spinster and three feather'd wife;
The Club's Bon Ton--Bon Ton's a constant trade
Of rout, festino, ball and masquerade;
'Tis plays and puppet shows--'tis something new--
'Tis losing thousands every night at loo;
Nature it thwarts, and contradicts all reason;
'Tis stiff French stays, and fruit when out of season,
A rose, when half a guinea is the price;
A set of bays scarce bigger than six mice;
To visit friends you never wish to see--
Marriage 'twixt those who never can agree;
Old dowagers, dress'd, painted, patch'd and curl'd--
This is Bon Ton, and this we call the World!

AS they passed through the gate, Tom observed it was rather too early to
expect much company. "Never mind," said Sparkle, "we are company enough
among ourselves; the morning is fine, the curricle not arrived, and we
shall find plenty of conversation, if we do not discover interesting
character, to diversify our promenade. Travelling spoils conversation,
unless you are squeezed like an Egyptian mummy into a stage or a
mail-coach; and perhaps in that case you may meet with animals who have
voices, without possessing the power of intellect to direct them to any
useful or agreeable purpose."

~176~~Tallyho, who was at all times delighted with Sparkle's
descriptions of society and manners, appeared pleased with the
proposition.

"Your absence from town," continued Sparkle, addressing himself to
Dashall, "has prevented my introduction of Mr. Mortimer before, though
you have heard me mention his Sister. They are now inhabitants of our
own sphere of action, and I trust we shall all become better known to
each other."

This piece of information appeared to be truly acceptable to all
parties. Young Mortimer was a good-looking and well made young man; his
features were animated and intelligent; his manners polished, though
not quite so unrestrained as those which are to be acquired by an
acquaintance with metropolitan associations.

"I am happy," said he, "to be introduced to any friends of your's, and
shall be proud to number them among mine."

"Yo