id not stop here; for he then pulled out an orange
from his pocket, and held it up, as much as to say, Your poor beggarly
country cannot produce this. I then pulled out a piece of good cake, and
held it up, giving him to understand, that I did not care a farthing for
his trash. Neither do I; and I only regret, that I did not thrash the
scoundrel's hide, that he might remember how he insulted me, and abused
my country.' We may learn from hence, that if there are not two ways of
telling a story, there are at least two ways of understanding Signs, and
also of interpreting them."

This story, which was told with considerable effect by their merry
companion, alternately called forth loud bursts of laughter, induced
profound silence, and particularly interested and delighted young
Mortimer and Tallyho; while Merrywell kept the glass in circulation,
insisting on _no day-light_{1} nor _heel-taps_,{2} and the lads began
to feel themselves all in high feather. Time was passing in fearless
enjoyment, and Frank Harry being called on by Merrywell for a song,
declared he had no objection to tip 'em a rum chant, provided it was
agreed that it should go round.

This proposal was instantly acceded to, a promise made that he should
not be at a loss for a good _coal-box_;{3} and after a little more
rosin, without which, he said, he could not pitch the key-note, he sung
the following~266~~

SONG.

Oh, London! dear London! magnanimous City,
Say where is thy likeness again to be found?

Here pleasures abundant, delightful and pretty,
All whisk us and frisk us in magical round;

1 No day-light--That is to leave no space in the glass; or,
in other words, to take a bumper.

2 Heel-taps--To leave no wine at the bottom.

3 Coal-box--A very common corruption of chorus.

Here we have all that in life can merry be,
Looking and laughing with friends Hob and Nob,

More frolic and fun than there's bloom on the cherry-tree,
While we can muster a _Sovereign Bob_.

(Spoken)--Yes, yes, London is the large world in a small compass: it
contains all the comforts and pleasures of human life--"Aye aye, (says a Bumpkin to his more accomplished
Kinsman) Ye mun brag o' yer Lunnun fare; if smoak, smother, mud, and
makeshift be the comforts and pleasures, gie me free air, health and
a cottage."--Ha, ha, ha, Hark at the just-catch