all
foreign concerns, both inwards and outwards. The Ship Master first makes
the report of the cargo here; the entries of which, either for payment
of duties, warehousing, or subsequent exportation, are all passed with
the respective officers in this room. The business of the customs is
managed by nine Commissioners, whose jurisdiction extends over all
parts of England. We will now pass out at the west wing, adjourn to yon
Tavern, refresh and refit, and after which a further walk."

"With all my heart," said Tallyho.

"What ho, Master B------," said Dashall, saluting the Landlord as he
entered the Tavern--"How does the world wag with you?--send us some soda
water--the newspaper--let somebody clean our boots--give us pen, ink and
paper, and prepare us some breakfast with all speed, but no fish, mind
that."

The Landlord bowed assent to his honourable customer; and by the time
they were ready, their orders were complied with.

"Pray," inquired Dashall of the obliging Landlord, who came in to ask if
they were supplied with all they wished for, "did you ever recover any
thing from that dashing Blade that so obligingly ordered his dinner
here?"

"Never got a halfpenny--no no, he was not one of those sort of
gentry--nor do I ever wish to see such again in my house."

This was uttered in a tone of discontent, which evidently shewed he had
no relish for the conversation.

Dashall could not refrain from laughter; upon perceiving which, the
Landlord withdrew with a loud slam of the door, and left his customers
to enjoy their mirth.

"What are you laughing at?" cried Bob.

"Why," continued his Cousin,

"There was, as fame reports, in days of yore,
At least some fifty years ago, or more,
A pleasant wight on town----"

~303~~ And there are many pleasant fellows now to be met with; but you
shall have the tale as I had it: This house has been celebrated for
furnishing excellent dinners, and the cookery of fish in particular;
consequently it has been the resort of the Bucks, the Bloods, and the
dashing Swells of the town, and I myself have been well entertained
here. It will therefore not be wondered at that its accommodations
should attract the notice of a Sharper whose name and character were
well known, but who was in person a total stranger to the unsuspecting
Landlord, whom however he did not fail to visit.

Calling one afternoon for the purpose of seeing how the land lay, in
high twi