profit in expectancy that the old citizen was, at last, induced
to admit the utility of the chain-pier.

Retracing our steps towards the Steyne, we had one more good laugh at
our companion's credulity, who expressed great anxiety to know what the
huge wheel was intended for, which is at the corner by the barrier, and
throws up water for the use of the town; but which, Crony very promptly
assured him, was the grand action of the improved roasting apparatus
at the York hotel. We now bade farewell to our amusing companion, and
proceeded to view the new plunging bath at the bottom of East-street,
built in the form of an amphitheatre, and surrounded by dressing-rooms,
with a fountain in the centre, from which a continued supply of
salt-water is obtained. The advantages may be great in bad weather; but
to my mind there is nothing like the open sea, particularly as confined
water is always additionally cold. On our arrival at home, a parcel from
London brought the enclosed from Tom Echo, upon whom the sentence of
rustication has, I fear, been productive of fresh follies.

[Illustration: page323]

Dear Heartily,

Having cut college for a _bolt_ to the _village_,{8} I expected to
have found you in the _bay of condolence_,{9} but hear you left your
_moorings_ lately

8 London, so called at Oxford.

9 The consolation afforded by friends when _plucked_ or
rusticated.

~324~~to _waste the ready_ among the _sharks_ at Brighton. Though not
quite at _point nonplus_, I am very near the _united kingdoms_ of _Sans
Souci and Sans Sixsous_,{10} and shall bring to, and wait for company,
in the province of Bacchus. I have only just quitted _AEager Haven_, and
been very near the _Wall_{11}; have sustained another dreadful fire from
_Convocation Castle,_{12} which had nigh shattered my _fore-lights_,
and was very near being _blown up_ in attempting to pass the _Long
Hope_.{13} If you wish to save an old Etonian from _east jeopardy_,{14}
set sail directly, and tow me out of the _river Tick_ into the _region
of rejoicing_; then will we get _bosky_ together, sing old songs, tell
merry tales, and _spree_ and _sport_ on the _states of Independency_.

Yours truly,

The _Oxford rustic_,

London.

TOM ECHO.

P. S. I should not have cut so suddenly, but joined Bob Transit and
Eglantine in giving two of the old big wigs a flying leap t'other
evening, as they left Christ Church Hall, in return for rusticating
me:--to escap