mate terms, and I never was more pleased than when he made his appearance, as it was invariably the signal for mirth. The first time I certainly considered him to be a lunatic, for playhouse phraseology was quite new to me. “Boat, sir," cried I to him, as he came to the hard. 66 My affairs do even drag me homeward. Go on, I'll follow thee," replied he, leaping into the boat. "Our fortune lies upon this jump." I shoved off the wherry: "Down, sir." "Down," replied he, pointing downwards with his finger, as if pushing at something: "Down, down to h-1, and say I sent you there." 66 Thanky, sir, I'd rather not, if it's all the "Our tongue is rough, coz-and my con dition is not smooth." We shot the bridge, and went rapidly down with the tide, when he again commenced : "Thus with imagin'd wing our soft scene flies, In motion of no less celerity Than that of thought. Then his attention was drawn by a collier's boat, pulled by two men, as black as chimney sweeps, with three women in the stern sheets. They made for the centre of the river, to get into the strength of the tide, and were soon abreast and close to the wherry, pulling with us down the stream. "There's a dandy young man," said one of the women, with an old straw bonnet and very dirty ribbons, laughing, and pointing to my man. "Plead you to me, fair dame? I know you not: At Ephesus I am but two hours old, As strange unto your town as to your talk." "Well, he be a reg'lar rum cove, I've a notion," said another of the women, when she wit nessed the theatrical airs of the speaker, who immediately recommenced "The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne, Burned on the water-the poop was beaten gold: Purple the sails, and so perfumed, that The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver; Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made The water, which they beat, to follow faster, As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, It beggared all description." "Come, I'll be blowed but we've had enough of that, so just shut your pan," said one of the women, angrily. "Her gentlewomen, like the Naiades, "Mind what you're arter, or your mouth will tend to your mischief, young fellow." "From the barge A strange invisible perfume hits the sense “Jem, just run him alongside, and break his head with your oar." "I thinks as how I will, if he don't mend his manners." "I saw her once Hop forty paces through the public streets." "You lie, you liver faced rascal, I never walked the streets in my life; I'm a lawful married woman. Jem, do you call yourself a man, and stand this here ?" "Well now, Sal, but he is a nice young man. Now an't he?" observed one of the other women. Away, you trifler. Love! I know thee not, "I've a notion you will, too, my hearty," interrupted one of the colliers. "That 'ere long tongue of yours will bring you into disgrace. VOL. II. M Bill, give her a jerk towards the wherry, and we'll duck him." 66 My friend," said the actor, addressing me, "Let not his unwholesome corpse come between the wind and my nobility. Let us exeunt, O. P." Although I could not understand his phrases, I knew very well what he meant, and pulling smartly, I shoved towards the shore, and a-head. Perceiving this, the men in the boat, at the intimation of the women, who stood up, waving their bonnets, gave chace to us, and my companion appeared not a little alarmed. However, by great exertion on my part, we gained considerably, and they abandoned the pursuit. "Now, by two-headed Janus," said my companion, as he looked back upon the colliers, |