upon a certain day, we directed our
steps to that well known spot of this mighty part of the world--the
Rookery, the appropriate title given to that modern Sodom, St.
Giles's. On entering this region of sin, we, of course, had the usual
difficulties of foot-passengers to encounter, in picking and choosing
our way among the small but rich dung heaps--the flowing channels and
those pitfalls, the cellers, which lie gaping open, like so many
man-traps, ready to catch the unwary traveller. At length, however,
we reached No. 13, ---- Street, which was pointed out to us by a
damsel standing in one of the many groups which are usually collected
there, discussing the queries of that city, as being the habitation
that we were in search of.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER III.

THE CADGING HOUSE.

As this is the first attempt that has been made to describe a Cadging
House, we perhaps may be excused in being somewhat particular. The
outside of this dwelling was more cleanly and decent than we had been
led to expect. The window of the low front room, which was large and
rather bowed, still retained the remains of its former shop-like
appearance, was modestly screened in the inside by a green curtain;
and the step of the door was nicely scoured and sanded.

On entering, we were struck with the establishment-like appearance of
the room. Rows of common tin tea-pots were ranged along the dresser.
As for the shelves, they literally lined the walls, well filled with
plates, dishes, and tea-ware. The landlady came forward to meet us, a
tall, genteel woman, with the manners of one apparently used to
better society. After putting down our groat, and giving into her hand
a certain garment wrapped in a handkerchief, in case of accidents, we
were told that the men's kitchen was in the next house, the first door
on the right hand side, in the entry. By this, we found that the
threshold on which we then stood, was no less than the high quarters
set apart for the barrack-master himself. Accordingly, we sallied out
for No. 12: but, before going in, we took the liberty to make a survey
of this "Vagabond's Home!" and, in troth, it did well deserve that
name.

[Illustration]

The low front room or parlour, whose fate it was now to be the
Cadger's Kitchen, had certainly the same shop-like appearance as that
of No. 13--but there the likeness ended. The door, which led into the
street, instead of having the clean, welcome, and open look of its