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us to start。' LOGIC proposed a ‘bit of a stroll' in order to get rid of an
hour or two； which was immediately accepted by Tom and Jerry。 A turn
or two in Bond Street； a stroll through Piccadilly； a look in at
TATTERSALL's； a ramble through Pall Mall； and a strut on the Corinthian
path； fully occupied the time of our heroes until the hour for dinner arrived；
when a few glasses of TOM's rich wines soon put them on the qui vive。
VAUXHALL was then the object in view； and the TRIO started； bent upon
enjoying the pleasures which this place so amply affords。〃
How nobly those inverted commas； those italics； those capitals； bring
out the writer's wit and relieve the eye！ They are as good as jokes；
though you mayn't quite preceive the point。 Mark the varieties of lounge
in which the young men indulge now a stroll； then a look in； then a
ramble； and presently a strut。 When George； Prince of Wales； was twenty； I
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have read in an old Magazine； 〃the Prince's lounge〃 was a peculiar manner
of walking which the young bucks imitated。 At Windsor George III。 had
a cat's path a sly early walk which the good old king took in the grey
morning before his household was astir。 What was the Corinthian path
here recorded？ Does any antiquary know？ And what were the rich
wines which our friends took； and which enable them to enjoy Vauxhall？
Vauxhall is gone； but the wines which could occasion such a delightful
perversion of the intellect as to enable it to enjoy ample pleasures there；
what were they？
So the game of life proceeds； until Jerry Hawthorn； the rustic； is fairly
knocked up by all this excitement and is forced to go home； and the last
picture represents him getting into the coach at the 〃White Horse Cellar；〃
he being one of six inside； whilst his friends shake him by the hand；
whilst the sailor mounts on the roof； whilst the Jews hang round with
oranges； knives； and sealing…wax： whilst the guard is closing the door。
Where are they now； those sealing…wax vendors？ where are the guards？
where are the jolly teams？ where are the coaches？ and where the youth
that climbed inside and out of them； that heard the merry horn which
sounds no more； that saw the sun rise over Stonehenge； that rubbed
away the bitter tears at night after parting as the coach sped on the journey
to school and London； that looked out with beating heart as the
milestones flew by； for the welcome corner where began home and
holidays。
It is night now： and here is home。 Gathered under the quiet roof
elders and children lie alike at rest。 In the midst of a great peace and
calm； the stars look out from the heavens。 The silence is peopled with
the past； sorrowful remorses for sins and shortcomings memories of
passionate joys and griefs rise out of their graves； both now alike calm and
sad。 Eyes； as I shut mine； look at me； that have long ceased to shine。
The town and the fair landscape sleep under the starlight； wreathed in the
autumn mists。 Twinkling among the houses a light keeps watch here and
there； in what may be a sick chamber or two。 The clock tolls sweetly in
the silent air。 Here is night and rest。 An awful sense of thanks makes
the heart swell； and the head bow； as I pass to my room through the
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sleeping house； and feel as though a hushed blessing were upon it。
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ROUND ABOUT THE
CHRISTMAS TREE
The kindly Christmas tree； from which I trust every gentle reader has
pulled out a bonbon or two； is yet all aflame whilst I am writing； and
sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season。 You young ladies； may you
have plucked pretty giftlings from it； and out of the cracker sugar…plum
which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may you
have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners
introduce into the sweetmeats； and which apply to the cunning passion of
love。 Those riddles are to be read at your age； when I daresay they are
amusing。 As for Dolly； Merry； and Bell； who are standing at the tree；
they don't care about the love…riddle part； but understand the sweet…
almoned portion very well。 They are four； five； six years old。 Patience；
little people！ A dozen merry Christmases more； and you will be reading
those wonderful love…conundrums； too。 As for us elderly folks； we watch
the babies at their sport； and the young people pulling at the branches：
and instead of finding bonbons or sweeties in the packets which we pluck
off the boughs； we find enclosed Mr Carnifex's review of the quarter's
meat； Mr Sartor's compliments； and little statement for self and the
young gentlemen； and Madame de Sainte… Crinoline's respects to the
young ladies； who encloses her account； and will sent on Saturday； please；
or we stretch our hand out to the educational branch of the Christmas tree；
and there find a lively and amusing article from the Rev。 Henry Holyshade；
containing our dear Tommy's exceedingly moderate account for the last
term's school expenses。
The tree yet sparkles； I say。 I am writing on the day before Twelfth
Day； if you must know； but already ever so many of the fruits have been
pulled； and the Christmas lights have gone out。 Bobby Miseltow； who has
been staying with us for a week （and who has been sleeping mysteriously
in the bath…room）； comes to say he is going away to spend the rest of the
holidays with his grandmother and I brush away the manly tear of regret
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as I part with the dear child。 〃Well； Bob； good…