movements of the steam-machinery, now standing, straddle-legged, in the most daring manner, right over the paddle-box, enveloped in steam and smoke -careless of danger-courting it !—I have made up my mind as to Jones. He is a little swaggererneither more nor less; and in one of those moments of mutual confidence, when a friend may take that liberty with a friend, I shall tell him so.

We hurried to land, for the rain still poured down. The first person who got on shore, sure enough, was the old oddity whom I shall call Mr. Number-One, as I have not the honour of knowing his remarkable name. He had to wrangle for the priority, however; for Jones-just like him!-tipsy as he was, seeing his intention, contended for the honour with him, and was already on the gang-board, when Number-One seeing his intention, boldly and bravely pulled him back by the skirts, and jumping a-head of him, away he darted over, crying "I'm first!-always first!" while Jones" went tumbling after," leaving his wife to shift for herself! Mrs. Jones again looked what she intended to say at bedtime.

The first thing which met our eyes, when we had got under cover on the Pier, was the interesting meeting of old Philpott and his "darter"-a short, fat, round, lumpy, dumpy, but not unnice-looking little girl, of about seven summers-who flew to her father's arms, or, rather, legs; for as he did not stoop down to embrace her, and she was not tall enough to clasp him higher than his trowser-pockets (a part of the persons of pa-s to whose "entire affection" these dear young creatures too frequently make clinging appeals)-she embraced as much of " Pa” as she could-(as "She was so considerably below par," according to Snubbs)-and began climbing"his knees, the envied kiss to share," though, I believe, it was all her own, when she could get it. Some persons do meet the affection of other persons as coldly as a Polar seal would receive the embraces of a Polar bear-as if they wished they would not be so pressing. Old Philpott seemed a man with these

cold affections; for he did nothing, for some time, but look scrutinizingly at his darter, uttering not one word! He even kept both hands firm down in his trowser-pockets! At last his right hand made its appearance, with a two-foot rule in it, which he very coolly opened, and, taking off her bonnet, clapped it side by side with little Miss, and gauged her with as much gravity as an exciseman. And then, and not till then, was he pleased to speak-thus affectionately: "Growed an inch, Becky, since last quarter-day! That's a good gal-grow away!" Mr. NumberOne coming up at that moment, knew them, and, in his way, added, "Yes, yes-don't lose time-grow away, Becky! How do, dear? How do, Dan?"and the old chums shook hands-" What brought you here? But don't lose time! Walk and tell me! Come on! Rain's over-only spits! not more than a kitten! Down 'mbrellar! Come along! Quick!" And away went the well-assorted pair of old boys!What odd people go to Gravesend!

And now we walked from the pier into the town— pitched upon our hotel at once-entered-dried ourselves-thought of dinner-ordered it-passed the time pleasantly, in discussing the dangers we had undergone, till we got it-gave up the idea of taking tea on Windmill Hill, as it must have been so sloppy; and as there were no hopes of a dry voyage home that day, and we had had enough of cabin comforts, we made up our minds to stay where we were. London could very well spare us for "that night only," as the playbills say: beds were accordingly bespoke for all parties; and after tea we began to inquire what Gravesend could afford us in the shape of gaiety.

"Oh, gentlemen," said our worthy host, Mr. Oswald Overton Widdrington, "there are bazaars—libraries-one next door-and other places of delightful amusement, where you may pass your evening very pleasantly. There's Penny's library, admittance sixpence

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Yes," said Snubbs interrupting him, "and I am told that Tully has let his Offices, and keeps a bazaar

down here?" Every body did not appreciate the classicality of Snubbs.

"Edwin sings at Penny's," continued Mr. O. O. W. "And where does Angelina hang out ?" asked that incorrigible Snubbs, no doubt in allusion to Goldsmith's beautiful "Hermit." Mr. O. O. W. could not say he didn't know the lady. However, the long and the short is, that we stopped that night at Gravesend. But what befell us in the shape of adventure there, and on the following day, in the voyage to London, I shall hereafter relate. T. T.

CHARLEY STUMP,

THE

CROSSING-SWEEPER.

IN my perambulations about Town, I had often noticed one of those very useful professional persons and ill paid servants of the public, commonly called Crossing-Sweepers: for there was something so superior in the manner and the manners of the mansuch an alacrity in his air, a shrewd sagacity in his eye, and an upright, unbeseeching attitude of inde pendence-that I could not but admire and marvel at, they were so unusual in gentlemen of his calling, who are commonly such miserable-looking beings-so ragged, wretched, humble, humbled, and filthy withalthat you sometimes wish that they were swept away, and the mud that they administer to were left and let alone. Not so the hero of my tale. He was, if I may say so, cleanly in his person; his broom was the dirtiest thing about him. He was about forty-fat, rosy, and evidently contented with his humble station, which seemed to suit the humour of the man-for he was manifestly to the eye a character-a humorist, and an observer of men and things. I set him down VOL II-Q

He

in my book as a happy fellow in his humble way, and as a man to be envied by men who make more pretensions to having the enviable about them. I freely confess that, for my own part, I thought his good-humoured, smart smile, and his round, Richard-Steelelike face, looking heartily healthy through the few slight smirches and small splashes of professional mud and dirt, as far as first appearances went, had the best of my own grave face and swart complexion; and I caught myself once half wishing that I could change conditions with him. And why not? was, plainly, contented with his poor calling-seemed to know no idle cares-had no false hopes to become in their eventual disappointment true despondencies -and walked through his lowly part in the great drama of life cheerfully, as if pleased with it-as, if not a topping part, one that might be played well, and accordingly he made the most and best of it. Many actors or rather walking gentlemen-on the same stage, holding their heads very high, because they hold a much higher rank in the Dram. Pers., if their professional merits were rightly estimated at their true worth and value, would not be found, mayhap, to have genius enough to sweep a crossing well; and yet they are not half so "happy in their station," and "mind their occupation" not half so well as my humble friend and monitor,

MR. CHARLES STUMP,

King William-Street crossing,
Strand.

For that is my friend's name, and his address. This sort of exalted, heads-high, heads-up gentlemen are acknowledged by the passing world, and receive homage, because they exact, demand, and enforce their demand. Mr. Stump makes no claim upon your patience-only upon your pocket, and that modestly and deferentially; and you give him your respect as à free gift, because he looks, humble as he is, as though he well deserved it. Some of these high and mighty ones might, I say, envy Mr. Stump the cordial

salutations he receives from men of consideration in their way: he seems, indeed, to be as well liked as he is well known. I have heard Mr. Thomas, late Superintendent of the F Division of Police-no mean man in his own or in public opinion-when walking his rounds of inspection, familiarly address him with a "Well, Mr. Stump," or a "Good morning, Master Charles." My friend was equally polite and condescending on his part, and returned the complimenta community of good feeling which I was glad to observe in great public characters. The coal-heavers who emerge from the dark depths of the coal-depôts under the Adelphi-men who stand up for the rude dignity of their order, especially when their shortsmock-frocks or large flannel-jackets have their Saint Monday morning's whiteness yet unsoiled-I have heard them cordially salute him with a playful smack of their wagon-whips and a loud "Hah, Charley! how beest thee, boy?" and I have observed them carefully not drive their wagons over him, and refrain from pulling-up in the middle of his crossing, to the interruption of his business, and the damagement of "his shop" as he calls it-indubitable marks of their respect for him. Sometimes then I have missed Mr. Stump for a minute, and noticed that he came back again to business wiping his mouth with the hinder part of his broom-hand: from which appearances I inferred that Mr. Stump had been treated by those well-meaning heavers of coal and pewter-indifferent which—with " the first bite" at a pot, or “a drop of summut short"-morning indulgences of theirs. Messrs. Eve and Phythian-a pleasing copartnership of names-his neighbours, gave one nod for the firm to his respectful morning salutation, and think of Charley when the cold meat accumulates.The old, powdered-headed gentlemen tradesmen belonging to the spot "nod to him, and do him reverence"-exchange compliments-ask the time of day -and looking up, as if doubting the necessity for an umbrella, appeal to Mr. Stump, who, being weatherwise, assures them that "It is duberous;" and when