uriously in the depths of its swelling cushions, or musing complacently with his chin on a massive gold-headed cane. With the men he was shy and mysterious; but he could talk and flatter the women into a belief that they were almost as clever as himself.

master who should be qualified to give the concern a still more effectual lift in the eyes of the world.

Fortunately several influential members had perused the "Jaunts and Jollities," and after a lengthened negotiation the celebrated Mr. Jorrocks was prevailed upon to accept the vacant post. We must allow his biographer to introduce the prince of

grocers:

-

"Portraits appeared at the windows, bespeaking the characters of each-Swizzle sat with a patient at a round table, indulging in a bee'swinged bottle of port, while Mello reclined in a curiously carved chair, one be-ringed hand supporting his flowing-locked head, and the other holding a book. Swizzle's was painted by the "At the time of which we speak Mr. Jorrocks artist who did the attractive window-blind at the had passed the grand climacteric, and, balancing late cigar-shop in the Piccadilly Circus, while his age with less accuracy than he balanced his Sebastian was indebted to Grant for the gentle-books, called himself between fifty and sixty. manly ease that artist invariably infuses into his admirable portraits."-vol. i. p. 31.

Of course, as soon as the visitors began to muster strong at the new spa, a Master of the Ceremonies must be elected: but we regret that we cannot class the lucky candidate for this high office, Captain Miserrimus Doleful, with either the rough and jolly Esculapius of Handley Cross, or his abstemious and dandified rival. The M. C. is a mere caricature; and we resent especially the extravagant blunder the author has made in representing him as the chosen pet of Mrs. Barnington-a splendid Leeds lady, no longer in her first bloom indeed, but in the full magnificence of her matronly development. The husband of this Queen of Handley, a rich Cheshire squire, is as sick of his wife as she is of him-but though, under such circumstances, some extraneous flirtation might have seemed within the limits of the probable, that such a lady should have chosen to console herself with a poor, battered, ghastly Militia Captain is a monstrous incredibility. At the same time, if we can overlook this glaring blunder, the scenes between the wife, the husband, and the swain are very cleverly sustained so much so, that we fully expect to see them pillaged by the theatres. Some other characters of less importance, but all very nicely sketched, need not detain us.

At the period after the waters first began to be frequented, there was on the spot a primitive farmer's pack of hounds-trencher-fed, as they are called-that is to say, where every man kept one. As the place proceeds to expand, a little more ambition is apparent in the hunting department. Michael Hardy, a knowing, comfortable yeoman, takes the lead, and under his auspices the pack acquires some provincial distinction. That eminent character, however, is after one glorious day's sport run to ground-gathered to his fathers; and very serious difficulty occurs as to the discovery of a fit successor that is to say, a

He was a stiff, square-built, middle-sized man, with a thick neck and a large round head. A woolly, broad-brimmed, lowish-crowned hat sat nut-brown wig, worn for comfort and not decepwith a jaunty sidelong sort of air upon a bushy tion. Indeed his grey whiskers would have acted as a contradiction if he had, but deception formed no part of Mr. Jorrocks's character. He had a fine open countenance, and though his turn-up nose, little gray eyes, and rather twisted mouth, were not handsome, still there was a comthat pleased at first sight, and made one forget bination of fun and good humor in his looks all the rest. His dress was generally the samea puddingy white neckcloth tied in a knot, capacious shirt-frill (shirt made without collars,) a single-breasted, high-collared buff waistcoat with covered buttons, a blue coat with metal ones-boots with large tassels, displaying the liberal dark-blue stocking-net pantaloons, and Hessian dimensions of his well-turned limbs. The coatpockets were outside, and the back buttons far apart.

"His business-place was in St. Botolph's Lane, in the city, but his residence was in Great Coram Street. This is rather a curious locality, city people considering it west, while those in Coram Street is somewhere about the centre of London, near the London University, and not a great way from the Euston station of the Birmingham railway. Neat, unassuming houses form the sides, and the west end is graced with a building that acts the double part of a readingroom and swimming-bath-"literature and lave

the west consider it east. The fact is that Great

ment" is over the door.

"In this region the dazzling glare of civic pomp and courtly state are equally unknown. Fifteer-year-old foot-boys, in cotton velveteens and variously fitting coats, being the objects of ambition, while the rattling of pewter pots about four o'clock denotes the usual dinner-hour. It is a nice quiet street, highly popular with Punch and other public characters."-vol. i. pp. 120–122.

The readers of the 'Jaunts' will perceive that the hero of Great Coram Street has advanced considerably in years since the date of his Surrey feats and the trip to Paris with Countess Benwolio; but his taste and manners preserve very much the old stamp. Mrs. Jorrocks is still as fat and nearly as comely as she used to be-as proud and perhaps as

jealous of the great man: the niece Belinda eyes?' asked a second. 'Handsomest creature has from a pale little threadpaper girl become I ever beheld! What a quiz the old girl is!" a plump, rosy charmer, slighly given to co- 'Is she her daughter? inquired a third of Capquetry-but at heart good, and really very cession. tain Doleful, who was busy marshalling the pro'Lots of money I suppose ?? He pretty. Batsy, the maid, is still what we re- looks like a rich fellow, with that great sack of member-handsome, active, clever, manag- a M'Intosh. The servant girl's not bad-looking.' Miss for my money, I'm in love with her

ing-a principal personage in the establishment, and possessing special influence over already. I wish she'd stand up and let's see her her master. Binjamin, the boy, is as short as when Jorrocks picked him out of the Pentonville Poorhouse-but his wits have been considerably sharpened from living several years under the roof, and occasionally partaking in the sporting excursions, of so eminent

joining in the cry against Cockneys! He | keen rivalry between Mrs. Barnington and proceeds: Mrs. Jorrocks in the salon-while the "Of all sitivations under the sun, none is more new M. F. H. gives his morning to the ken enviable or more 'onerable than a master of fox-nel, his day to the field, his evenings "to 'ounds! Talk of a M. P.! vot's an M. P. com- the mahogany"—that public balls and fancy pared to an M. F. H.? Your M. P. lives in a balls occur at proper intervals and that tainted hatmosphere among other M. P.s. and the interest of the new dynasty is much loses his consequence by the commonness of the promoted by the charms of Belinda. Benoffice, and the scoldings he gets from his constituents; but an M.F.H. holds his levee in the jamin undertakes the office of whipper-in stable, his levee in the kennel, and his levee in under the tea-merchant-but Jorrocks by the 'unting-field-is great and important every and by establishes, even to his own satis where-has no one to compete with him, no one faction, his incompetency to hunt the pack to find fault, but all join in doing honor to him himself-and hereupon much trouble and to whom honor is so greatly due (cheers.) And alarm ensue. The grocer's blood is upoh, John Jorrocks! my good frind,' continued in for a penuy in for a pound: albeit the the worthy grocer, fumbling the silver in his small-clothes with upturned eyes, to think that subscriptions come in poorly, a real huntsyou, after all the ups and downs of life-the man must be hired-otherwise the honor crossins and jostling of merchandise and ungo- and glory of Great Coram Street are gone. vernable trade-the sortin of sugars-the mexing Mr. Jorrocks advertises in "Bell's Life," of teas-the postins of ledgers, and handlin of and the letters that pour in are far too good inwoices, should have arrived at this distin- not to be exemplified :guished post, is most miraculously wonderful, most singularly queer. Gentlemen, this is the proudest moment of my life! (cheers.) I've now reached the top-rail in the ladder of my hambition! (renewed cheers.) Binjimin! he hallooed out to the boy below; Binjimin! I say, give an eye to them 'ere harticles behind the chaythe children are all among the Copenhagen brandy and marmeylad! Vy don't you vollop 'em? Vere's the use of furnishing you with a vip, I vonder?'

"To resume,' said he, after he had seen the back of the carriage cleared of the children, and the marmalade and things put straight. "Unting, as I have often said, is the sport of kingsthe image of war without its guilt, and only fiveand-twenty per cent. of its danger. I doesn't know what the crazyologists may say, but I believes my head is nothin' but one great bump of 'unting (cheers.) 'Unting fills my thoughts by day, and many a good run I have in my sleep. I'm none of your fine, dandified, Rotten-row swells, that only ride out to ride 'ome again, but I loves the smell of the mornin' hair, and the werry mud on my tops when I comes home of an evenin' is dear to my 'eart (cheers.) Oh, my frinds! if I could but go to the kennel now, get out the 'ounds, find my fox, have a good chivey. and kill him—for no day is good to me without blood-I'd-I'd-l'd-drink three pints of port after dinner instead of two! (loud cheers.)... We'll soon get acquainted, and then you'll say that John Jorrocks is the man for your money. At present I've done-hoping werry soon to meet you all in the field-for the present I says

adieu.'

"Hereupon Mr. Jorrocks bowed, and, kissing his hand, backed out of the balcony, leaving his auditory to talk him over at their leisure."-vol. i. pp. 182-186.

"Warminster.

"Sir,-On hearing you want a huntsman, I take the liberty of writing to enquire after the place I thoroly understand my business either as groom or coachman and have been accustomed with hounds I live at present with John Jones Esq at Warminster as groom and gardner where I leave on Thursday first if you want a servant I shall be glad to serve you as I am a married "Your obedient servant JOHN CRAKETHORPE."

man

"To Mr. Jorrocks, Esq.,

Handley Cross,"

"Dear Sir, I take Liberty of writing those Few Lines to you Hereing that you are In Want of A Servant And I Am In Want of A Situation If you Have No Objections And I have Been in the Racing Stables Seven Years And My Age is 23 And Stands About 65 foot 64 And My Wages will be 30£ A year And If you thought I Should Suit You Direct to Mark Spraggon, North-fleet And for My Caracter Inquire of Major Barns of Horton Hall Near York And My Weight is A bout 9 stone. I am disengaged in the woman way

'Your humble Servant MARK SPRAGGON."

"To J. Jorrocks, Esq.
'For hunter
'Handley Cross."

or

James Pigg -a Newcastle-man Scotchman, as Mr. Jorrocks calls him-at length obtains the envied situation, and James's rough honesty, keenness, and local songs (or national melodies as his master phrases it) do credit to the North, whatever his drinking and swearing may do. Pigg is quite a character, and an admirable foil to the tricking, lazy rascality of the Cockney boy Benjamin.

The dramatis persone are now mustered, and the play begins: but we have no desire to anticipate the satisfaction with which it is sure to be studied as a whole. But Benjamin has other foils. We beg It will be guessed that the plot embraces al to give a scene in the harness-room at the

of assistant-waiter in the Dragon, as was the case on this occasion."

Dragon-just before the Newcastle-man arrives. Here we have Benjamin in the full double importance of the whipper-in to a think ye, Mr. Benjamin?" was the question put "When will your hounds be going out again gentleman huntsman, and the London by Samuel Strong to our sporting Leviathan. Gamin among snobs. The party is a most 6669 ""'Ang me if I knows,' replied the boy, with interesting one: first and foremost, seated the utmost importance, turning his top-boots be on an inverted horse pail, immediately before the fire. It's precious little consequence, fore the fire, appears Mr. Samuel Strong:-I thinks, ven we goes out again, if that gallows old governor of ours persists in 'unting the

"What'n a chap is your old gen'leman ?” inquired the first pair boy out.'

In stature he was of the middle height, square-'ounds himself. I've all the work to do! Bless built, and terribly clumsy. Nor were the de- ye, we should have lost 'ounds, fox, and all, yesfects of nature at all counteracted by the advan-terday, if I hadn't rid like the werry vengeance. tages of dress, for Strong was clad in a rural See 'ow I've scratched my mug,' added he, turnsuit of livery consisting of a footman's morning ing up a very pasty countenance. "If I'm to 'unt jacket, with a standing-up collar made of dark the 'ounds, and risk my neck at every stride, I grey cloth, plentifully bespringled with large must have the wages of a 'untsman, or blow me brass buttons, with a raised edge, as though his tight the old 'un may suit himself.' master were expecting his crest from the Heralds' College. Moreover, the jacket, either from an original defect in its construction, or "Oh, hang me if I knows,' replied Benjamin; from that propensity to shrink which inferior 'precious rum 'un, I assure you. While he's cloths unfortunately have, had so contracted its wery well-then it's Bin this, and Bin that, and dimensions that the waist-buttons were half-way you'll be a werry great man, Bin, and such like up Samuel's back, and the lower ones were just gammon; and then the next minute, perhaps, where the top ones ought to be. The shrink- he's in a regular sky-blue, swearing he'll cut my ing of the sleeves placed a pair of large ser- liver and lights out, or bind me apprentice to a viceable-laooking hands in nervously striking fiddler--but then I knows the old fool, and he relief. The waistcoat, broad blue and white stripe knows he carnt do without me, so we just battle made up lengthwise, was new, and probably the and jog on the best way we can together.' tailor, bemoaning the scanty appearance of Sam's "You'll have good wages, I 'spose?' rejoined nether man, had determined to make some Samuel with a sigh, for his 'governor' only gave atonement to his front, for the waistcoast extend-him ten pounds a year, and no perquisites, or ed full four inches below his coat, and concealed stealings,' as the Americans honestly call them. the upper part of a very baggy pair of blue "Precious little of that, I assure you,' replied plush shorts, that were met again by very tight Benjamin- at least the old warment never drab gaiters, that evidently required no little in-pays me. He swears he pays it to our old 'oman, genuity to coax together to button. A six-shilling hat, with a narrow silver band, and binding of the same metal, and a pair of darned white Berlin gloves, completed the costume of this figure servant.

"Binjimin' was the very converse of Samuel a little puny, pale-faced, gin-drinking-looking, Cockney, with a pair of roving pig eyes, peering from below his lonk white hair, cut evenly round his head, as though it had been done by the edges of a barber's basin.

but I believe he pockets it himself, an old ram; but I'll have a reckoning with him some of these odd days. What'n a blackguard's your master?'

"Hush! replied Samuel, astonished at Ben's freedom of speech, a thing not altogether understood in the country. A bad 'un, I'll be bound," continued the little rascal, or he wouldn't see you mooning about in such a rumbustical apology for a coat, with laps that scarce cover you decently; reaching behind the aged postboy, "On the boiler-side of the fire, away from the and taking up Mr. Samuel's fan-tail as he spoke. door-for no one has a greater regard for No. I. 'I never sees a servant in a cutty coat without than himself--sat the renowned Benjamin Brady, swearing his master's a screw. Now these droll in a groom's drab frock-coat reaching down to things, such as you have on, are just vot the his heels, a shyblue waistcoat, patent cord great folks in London give their flunkies to carry breeches, with grey worsted stockings, and slip- coals and make up fires in, but never to go stapers, airing a pair of very small mud-stained top-ring from home with. Then your country folks boots before the fire, occasionally feeling the get hold of them, and think, by clapping such scratches on his face, and the bites the fox in-clowns as you in them, to make people believe flicted on his nose the previous day. Next him sat the first pair boy out,' a grey-headed old man of sixty, whose jacket, breeches, boots, entire person in fact, were concealed by a long brownholland thing, that gave him the appearance of sitting booted and spurred in his night-shirt. Then came the ostler's lad, a boy of some eight or nine years old, rolling about on the flags, playing with the saddle-room cat; and the circle was made out by Bill Brown (Dick the ostler's one-eyed helper), Tom,' a return postboy, and a lad who assisted Bill Brown, the one-eyed helper of Dick the ostler, when Dick himself was acting the part

that they have other coats at home. Tell the truth now, old baggy-breeches, have you another coat of any sort?'

"Yee'as,' replied Samuel Strong, 'I've a fustian one.'

"Vot, you a fustian coat!' repeated Benjamin in astonishment; vy, I thought you were a flunky!

"So I am,' replied Samuel, 'but I looks arter a hus and shay as well.'

"Crikey cried Benjamin; 'here's a figure futman wot looks arter an 'oss and chay! Vy, you'll be vot they call a man of 'all vork,' a

vite nigger in fact! Dear me !" added he, eye- and talliho! till they bring the street-keeper to ing him in a way that drew a peal of laughter make them quiet." from the party; "vot a curious beast you must be! I shouldn't wonder now if you could mow!'

"Never tried-dare say I could though.'
"And do ye feed the pigs?' inquired Benjamin.
"Yee'as, when Martha's away.'
"And who's Martha ?'

Whoy, she's a widder woman, that lives a'back o' the church. She's a son aboard a steamer, and she goes to see him whiles.'

"You had a fine run t'other day, I hear,' observed Joe, the deputy-helper, in a deferential tone to Mr. Brady. Uncommon replied Benjamin, shrugging up his shoulders at the recollection of it, and clearing the low bars of the grate out with his toe. They tell me your old governor tumbled off,' continued Joe, and lost his hoss.' 'Wery like,' replied Benjamin with a grin. A great fat beast! he's only fit for vater carriage!"--Vol. i. pp. 224--232.

After the Newcastle-man's installation the affairs of the Hunt assumed a much more agreeable appearance and we are entertained with a variety of field-scenes, 'Your governor s an apothecary, I suppose, exhibiting the noblest of our sports in a by that queer button,' observed Benjamin, eyeing Sam's coat-wot we call a chemist and style of description not inferior, we think, druggist in London. Do you look arter the red even to Mr. Apperley's. But, spirited as and green winder bottles now? Crikey! he these are, and highly as they are set off by don't look as though he lived on physic altogeth- the picturesque peculiarities of the illustrier, does he? added Benjamin, turning to Billous grocer, we must not be tempted to Brown, the helper, amid the general laughter of the company.

"My master's a better man than ever you'll be, you little ugly sinner,' replied Samnel Strong breaking into a glow, and doubling a most serviceable-looking fist on his knee.

"We've only your word for that,' replied Benjamin; he don't look like a werry good 'un by the way he rigs you out. 'Ow many slaveys does he keep?"

"Slaveys?' repeated Samuel; slaveys?

what be they?"

quote them. We are, in fact, still more pleased with the hero in his evening uniform-"a sky-blue coat lined with pink silk, canary waistcoat and shorts, pink gauze-silk stockings, and French-polished pumps,"-than when arrayed in the scarlet of the morning. His jolly countenance free and easy manners, unconquerable good humor, and delightfully open vanity, cannot but recommend him to the hospitable

"Vy, cookmaids and such-like h'animals-attentions of the neighboring gentry whose women in general.'

"Ow, two-one to clean the house and dress the dinner, t'other to milk the cows and dress the childer.'

"Oh, you 'ave childer, 'ave you, in your 'ouse?' exclaimed Benjamin in disgust. Well, come, ours is bad, but we've nothing to ekle that. I wouldn't live where there are brats for no manner of consideration.'

covers are included in "Mr. Jorrocks's country." We have him dining with the young Earl of Ongar amidst a most distinguished company, where he gets "werry drunk"-is soused into a cold bath at night, and finds his face painted like a zebra in the morning-all without the least disturbance of his equanimity; for "sport is sport" -"pleasure as we like it"-are of old the maxims of Coram Street. Indeed, we might go over a dozen different dinners, from the "That's the niece,' replied Benjamin-"a lordly castle to the honest farmer's homejolly nice gal she is too-her home's in Vite- stead, without finding him once put out. chapel-often get a tissey out of her-that's to Jorrocks is, in fact, bore-proof. Scarcely say, the young men as follows her, so it comes a sympton of flinching even when he is to the same thing. Green-that's him of Tooley planted right opposite to a celebrated exStreet-gives shillings because he has plenty; president of the Geological Society, who then Stubbs, wot lives near Boroughbridge-

"You've a young missis, though, havn't you?" inquired the aged postboy: there was a young lady came down in the chay along with the old folk."

the place the rabbits come from-gives half crowns, because he hasn't much. Then Stubbs is such a feller for kissing of the gals. 'Be'have yourself, or I'll scream,' I hears our young lady say, as I'm a listening at the door. 'Don't, says he, kissing of her again, you'll hurt your throat,-let me do it for you.' Then to hear our old cove and he talk about 'unting of an evening over their drink, you'd swear they were as mad as hatters. They jump, and shout, and sing,

We fancy this proverbial similitude has no reference to the makers of hats; but originated during the early phrenzy of the Quakers.

(unlike the learned and gallant President) has never had any familiarity with the chances of the field. This philosopher was spunging on some great Duke or Marquess not far off; but Jorrocks and he are accidentally thrown together at the festive board of a certain ultra-liberal squire, who, after a fashion, patronises both the whip and the hammer, but whose chief glory is having been put on the commission under the late, and we trust last, administration of the Whigs: