EING, from my long sedentary habits, not much more locomotive than an oyster, it was with some little difficulty that I resolved to take my physician's advice, and seek in change of air and scene a remedy for the blue and yellow melancholy which too close an attention to business had superinduced.

Those who are accustomed to rove "from pillar to post," and, with no other luggage than their cloak, and a widemouthed, all-devouring carpet-bag, take a trip to France or Holland, cannot conceive the feelings of one long pent up in a dingy office, whose personal knowledge even of the localities of the great city itself wherein he toils is almost limited to the particular tract invariably traversed in his diurnal transit from his lodging to the counting-house. Like a bird bred in a cage, liberty to him proves rather a source of nervous apprehension than enjoyment.

This is more especially the case with a single gentleman who has passed his fiftieth year in the mechanical routine of an office, and who carries his confirmed love of order and regularity to that solitary sanctum, his suburban dormitory, where the people of the house," from long experience, know his chronometrical habits, and where he finds everything as ready to his hand as the knocker of the street-door.

On the evening of the momentous day I had named as that of my departure, I sat alone in my snug apartment, and contemplated my lares-my household gods in silence. I was about to separate from my books, my pictures, and, as I thought in my melancholy mood, from all my earthly comforts. But the die was cast; although strongly inclined, I was ashamed to retract.

The words of the Earl of Orrery recurred tormentingly to my memory with more than their ordinary force. "Whenever we step out of domestic life," says that nobleman, "in search of felicity, we come back again disappointed, tired, and chagrined." To which consolatory maxim was added the dogma of old James, our book-keeper, who was as great a stay-at-home as a snail, for the last twenty years not having walked farther west than St. Paul's Churchyard, and whose usual peregrinations were limited to a stroll on Tower Hill or the wharf at the Custom House, where he declared the air was as fine and fresh as mortal could desire. "When a man is rich," quoth James, "there is no pillow so soft as his own; when he is well, he certainly requires no other."

Among other things which disquieted me, strange to say, was the vision of the sweeper of a certain crossing which I daily used, to whom for years I had regularly paid my penny. I thought he might calculate upon the weekly expense in part payment of his miserable lodging, -for it had become a sort of certain income, and I accused myself of selfishness in not having remembered him, and paid the paltry stipend in advance!

The morning came, and at the appointed hour old Smith appeared at the door to escort me, and carry my luggage to the steam-vessel which was to transport me to-Gravesend !

The garrulity of the old man cheered my spirits. He said he was quite sure the jaunt would do me a world of good, and that, for his part, he thought it was wrong to "stew" myself up month after month, and stick so close to the desk as I had done, especially as I had latterly been so " peaking" and queer, and was morally certain that I should come back as fresh as a daisy, and be better than ever. This did encourage me, I must confess, and I followed him as he elbowed through the motley crowd assembled at the wharf, and "made way for me" with something like alacrity, and seated myself as soon as possible on the nearest bench on the fresh-washed deck. Having slipped a crown into his honest palm, with an injunction to drink my health, Smith departed. Presently, as I looked at the spectators who lined the edge of the wharf, I discerned his jolly countenance peering over their shoulders, and watching me intently.

"Foolish fellow!" thought I, in a peevish humour, "he will lose his breakfast; for he must be punctual at the office."

But still I must honestly confess I felt an indescribable gratification in the consciousness that one at least among that mass looked upon me with affection. This feeling became more intense when the vessel was unmoored, and we fairly started; for then, and not till then, as if he feared to be recognised, I observed his head thrust forward to watch me as far as his eye could reach; and when at last I lost sight of his close-cropped, muscular head, it seemed as if the link betwixt me and the "greatest city in the world," was suddenly snapped in twain. The cupola of St. Paul's, the Monument, and the Tower soon vanished

from my view. "Sic transit gloria mundi!" thought I, and then instantly smiled at the ridiculous importance I attached to smoky London and its associations.

The voyage, however, proved anything but disagreeable, for 'twas

"All on a summer's day,"

and the smooth water, on which the sunbeams danced, was only disturbed from its placid repose by the revolution of the labouring wheels. The band played, the passengers walked and talked, and the smart steward in his linen jacket-the "arbiter bibendi "-ran up and down supplying the thirsty souls with ginger-beer, bottled ale and porter, and other choice liquids.

For my own part, I experienced a sort of indolent dreaminess—a dull insensibility to the realities of the novel scene around, that was not entirely dissipated until we had nearly reached our destination. I had no sooner effected a landing, and escaped the holiday throng, than I toiled up the narrow High Street, and crossing the London Road, discovered a glimpse of the country. I felt cheered and exhilarated, and having fixed upon a lodging which overlooked a beautiful orchard and garden ground, I ordered dinner; for I experienced an appetite to which I had long been a stranger. I discussed this important affair, and then drawing my chair to the open window, for it was a sultry day, sipped my pint of wine at my ease, the smiling prospect almost imperceptibly dissipating my moodiness, and filling my mind with pleasant thoughts.

At the period of this my first visit, Gravesend was not a third of the extent of the present town. There were then no Bazaars, Tivoli Gardens, or Observatories,-no Royal Baths or Zoological Gardens, giving one a notion that a huge slice of the great Babylon had emigrated to the shores of Kent. It is now, in my opinion, too towny; for the pleasant green lanes and walks have gradually retreated farther a-field before the rapid march of bricks and mortar, and the casual visiter is scarcely able to spare the time to take a peep at the country.

But to return. Having the organ of order largely developed, I was desirous of unpacking my portmanteau, and finding a place for everything, and putting everything in its place, when, lo! I discovered that I had left the key behind. It was not a member of the numerous and united family which I invariably carried in my pocket. After poking at the lock for half an hour, trying all the keys in turn, and almost breaking my back, I found my " mother bunch" no witch, and was compelled to summon a smith, who without ceremony "cut the gordian knot" in a few seconds.

Having arranged all my paraphernalia to my satisfaction, I returned to my sitting-room, where I found a tea equipage of gaudy colours displayed upon the table, garnished with shrimps and watercresses.

My obliging landlady, who was very fine, and talked a little too much, asked me if I did not intend to visit the hill, and see the mountebank, whose kind intentions of amusing the inhabitants and visiters had been announced in due form by the bellman; and she assured me that "all Gravesend" would be there.

As I had come on purpose to see "all Gravesend," I thought this an excellent opportunity, and thanking her for her information, started in quest of pleasure, with my cherry-tree walking-stick in my grasp. I had no need of a guide, even had that giant landmark the windmill been wanting; for a stream of people sailors, and peasants, and gailydressed visiters, men, women, and children-were flocking to the spot, appearing, as they wound over the hill, like a huge boa coiling about the back of a monstrous elephant.

I surmounted the hill. I looked around me- the panorama was beautiful. The hum of the crowd-the song of the larks- for there were many soaring from the cornfields below-filled the prosy Cockney with a poetical feeling of gladness!

Passing over the brow of the hill, I beheld a sort of natural amphitheatre formed by the declivity, interspersed with bramble and heath; while on the grassy spaces were seated the greater part of the " genteeler" sort, with their children. At the foot was a meadow at the rear of a house of entertainment (the Old Prince of Orange) where a ring was formed by the humbler classes. As I wished to hear as well as see, never having witnessed an exhibition of the kind, I descended to take my place in this verdant parterre, with the determination of being "first in the throng."

What a merry set they were!-brimful of expectation. At length one of the countrymen shouted out, "Here be Tom-fool!"

All eyes were instantly turned towards the house, and behold! a clown came capering forward leading a donkey, laden with the implements of the craft, and a sorry nag, gaudily caparisoned in fringes of yellow and red worsted. Two men in smock-frocks followed; one trundling a cart-wheel, and the other leading a sheep in a string.

Here we are!" cried the fool. "Open the door of the 'green'room for the greatest ass in the three kingdoms!'

Whereat there arose a shout that would have been esteemed a flattering greeting by one of the first comic actors of the age. Then drawing out a penny trumpet, he blew a charge. "Rear-guard, advance!" cried he, and his followers entered, and deposited their " properties" in the centre of the space. He was a short, thickset little fellow, broad-shouldered, and rather bow-legged; but he skipped about with all the briskness of a dancing-master.

Casting his eyes towards the hill-side, he bawled out to the company, "Ladies and gentlemen, all the seats are taken; but there is plenty of standing-room."

Many took the hint, and descended. "There's another donkey coming," continued he; and presently there appeared a slim figure of a man, attired in white pantaloons and pumps, and a spangled jacket; a cotton velvet cap, stuck jauntily on his head, surrounded by a plume of ostrich feathers; and dangling a riding-whip in his hand.

"My honoured master," said he, obsequiously, "I just proclaimed

VOL. IX.

2 D

your coming to the eager multitude. Allow me to introduce you to the circle of my acquaintance."

Which ceremony he performed in extravagant dumb-show. His “honoured master" immediately bowed his white plumes à la cavalier to the grinning audience, and then with an airy agility chassed towards the horse. Mr. Merriman, throwing himself upon his hands, revolved in the fashion of a wheel till he arrived at the centre, when seizing a long whip in one hand, he led the animal to the edge of the circle.

Meanwhile one of the attendants in the smock-frocks threw a drum across his shoulders, thrust his pandean pipes in his waistcoat, and struck up an air.

"Here's the dog's meat, sir!" said the clown.

"The dog's meat, sirrah! It's a thorough-bred hunter."

"So am I," replied he. "I'm always hunting for my bread." "Come, Mr. Merriman, don't keep the ladies and gentlemen waiting, but give an eye to the horse; lend me a hand, and give me a leg." "How liberal!" exclaimed the clown. "And pray what am I to do with the rest of myself?"

"What do you mean, Mr. Merriman ? ”

“Why, when I've given an eye to the horse, and lent you a hand, and given you a leg, there's the best half of me gone, and your humble-cum-stumble servant may go all on one side like a crab the rest of his days."

"Come, sirrah! I want no words."

"Oh! I'm not quarrelsome,” replied the other consequentially. "Then skip along," said his master, striking him with his ridingwhip.

"How can I skip along with a wale on my back?" demanded the clown, rubbing his brawny shoulders, and writhing about; and then, taking his master by the ancle, he assisted him to mount.

Away started the horse on his accustomed round, gradually inclining his body inwards, increasing his speed as the clown followed him, cracking his long whip.

Suddenly the glittering equestrian stood upon the saddle, bending his knees to the cantering motion of the animal, and striking him on the shoulders with his whip while he held the long reins in his left hand.

sang out the clown.

"Ride a cock-horse
To Banbury cross!"

Anon the rider held out one leg behind him, and then the other. "There he goes, round and round, like a teetotum -all upon one leg!" exclaimed the clown. And now, to the admiration of his audience, he threw down the reins, and holding the riding-whip in the fashion of a skipping-rope, sprang over, both backwards and forwards, while in full career.

Laying aside his whip, Mr. Merriman extracted from their baggage two oranges stuck on two forks, and handed them to his master, singing,

"Oranges and lemons,

Says the bells at St. Clement's!

The mountebank then disencumbered himself of his cap and plume, nd tossed them to his motley servitor, together with his whip.