n]

After this slight refection, like the rest of the _gemmen_ who live
by their means, they wiped their chins with their napkins--the cuffs
of their coats--arose, and went out to that sink of ruin, the gin
shop, to rinse their teeth with a little rum, that being the favourite
stimulus of the begging tribe. The twopenny dram of pure Jamaica is
preferred by them, and particularly those who live in the country, to
any other kind of malt, or spirituous liqueurs.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER V.

AN EVENING MEAL--A FEAST FOR AN ALDERMAN.

All the wandering race, such as pedlars, tramps, and hawkers of small
ware, whose pursuits are in the open air, and which lead them, during
the day, to an uncertain distance from their residence, never have
more meals than their breakfast and their tea. But as the most of
these people are no enemies to good living, they usually contrive to
have their morning affair as much in the Scotch fashion as possible,
and their evening refection to unite the substantiability of the
English dinner, with the refreshing qualities of the tea table.
Between six and seven is the hour which they in general retire from
the labours of the day; and as this was the time the lodgers were now
crowding in, every one carrying the eatables he intended to use, which
usually consist of half a pound of bacon, quarter of a pound of
butter, a pennyworth of tea or coffee, with as much sugar. These are
placed upon a half-quartern loaf, and carried in one hand; and, if
eggs are in season, three or four may be seen clutched in the other.

In London, and other large towns, these people, when their finances
will permit, indulge in all the luxury of the cook-shop and the
flesher's stall; but in country places, there is not such a variety,
the bacon--a red herring, and the _et ceteras_, are mostly their
choice.

Among the people who now made their appearance, were certainly some
two or three labourers, but the rest were all of that stamp who scorn
to live by the sweat of their brow. The frying pan was put into active
motion. A couple, a man and his wife,--who by their appearance, no one
would suppose that they ever partook of anything save crusts and
scraps, filled the pan with nice mutton chops, by way of a relish to
their bohea. Eggs and bacon, ham and eggs, ham, beef-steaks, (aye, of
the prime rump, too,) mutton chops, sausages, saveloys, &c., &c., were
all now with rapidity, and in their turn, soon smoking, fumin