unfortunate. Some,
too, went out to char and wash, and all united to their several
professions the privilege of the _pave_. One or two, about a
twelvemonth ago, had been the _belles_ of Regent-street walk, but
whose bloated cheeks and tattered shawls now made them fit denizens
for St. Giles's.

A stout, middle-aged, good-looking woman, who had once been cook and
housekeeper in a gentleman's family, and who still retained something
of the decency and respectability of her former appearance, was now by
misfortune reduced to be their associate. A few were young and
handsome, and, what would appear strange in such a place, even well
dressed.

There were two girls (sisters) who were romping about with a young
lad, certainly in rather an unboarding-school-like manner, that
particularly attracted our attention. They were both neat and clean,
and genteel in their apparel. One of them, indeed, might be called
beautiful. These girls had three ways of making a living. The first
was that of selling flowers; the second, begging as servants out of
place; the third, and certainly the best, was, to use their own
phrase, "seeing gentlemen." It is a fact what we are going to state,
that one of these girls has been known to make as much as five pounds
a day--doubtless by the _seeing_ profession and although cadgers from
their birth, and born and bred, as we may say, in vice, yet it was but
a few days before this, that we heard these young strumpets (for they
deserve no better name) abusing an unfortunate woman who lodged in the
house, using the most opprobrious language; and had at the same time,
the most singular audacity to style themselves modest girls.

Of the males, the most of them were young men who had once been in
better circumstances, but who now were reduced to get their living by
calling papers about the streets. A few fine characters might have
been picked out amongst those prodigal sons, as they stood warming
their backs, or grouped together in this Vagabond's Hall.

There was an Anglo-German; he was very respectably dressed, only he
had neither shoes or stockings, and though of small stature, had a
voice like thunder; he was of course, considered a first-rate patterer
(caller). Another, a merchant's clerk and active young man, and an
excellent mimic, but a _Careless_ himself. The third, a Welshman; one
who might have caused a painter to halt--a model of strength; in size
and form like one of his own mountain bulls, wi