CHAPTER XVII.

The winding up of the Pilgrimage for the season; MAKEMONEY, FLOURISH, and SPRIGHTLY, having a peep at the Lord Mayor's Show, opposite Hungerford Market. Remarks of the crowd, and other incidents connected with mobs in general. There is a time for everything. The Pilgrims' FAREWELL to CHARLES TURF, Esq., until the long days and bright Sol, once more invite them to the country:

Parting is such sweet sorrow,

That I shall say, good night, till it be morrow!

THE cold weather and the long nights having made their appearance, put an end to the travels of the Pilgrims, and they, like ships in the navy, who had done some service, had made up their minds to retire into port, until some new feature might again call them into action, and to leave the Banks of the Thames for a short period, to enjoy those amusements which might cross their paths in the Metropolis.

The Pilgrims were in the neighbourhood of Westminster Bridge, when being attracted by the bands of music, and the procession of the Lord Mayor's Show by water, immediately repaired to the banks of the river, to enjoy the civic scene, opposite Hungerford Market.

"This is a day of great triumph to a merchant, or tradesman," said Flourish, "and that individual who can elevate himself above his neighbours, by his industry and talents, to obtain the high and honourable situation of Lord Mayor of the City of London, has done himself and the state some service. This is one of the sterling features and pride of old England; that a man in business-a shopkeeper, can hold so important a situation in the eyes of his country; by which circumstance he is introduced to the notice of his sovereign, without being indebted to the aid of sycophants and flatterers for his presence at court."

"It is well known," observed Sprightly, "that most of the Lord Mayors of London, and the Mayors, in general, in provincial towns, have been the architects of their own fame and fortune. The Story of Whittington and his Cat, however questionable, er divided in opinions on the subject, authors may be, it is nevertheless, an emulation and excitement to show what great fortuues may be made by industry ard trade in England."

Foreigners may laugh and sneer at us, if they please, and

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call us a nation of shopkeepers," said Turf, "but these shopkeepers not only form the bulk of the nation, when any great questions are at issue, connected with the prosperity of the country, or liberty of its subjects, but have their importance when numbers are counted. The wealth and property of Britain, in the aggregate, are inexhaustable! And I will have for the security of my money, the Bank of England against any other establishment of the sort in the wide world!"

The river was covered with boats, but the confusion on the water appeared so great, that Makemoney resisted all entreaties to put off in a wherry to join some of his old companions on board of the stationer's barge, where he was sure to have met with all the 'good things' of this life, the great delight of the aldermen and citizens of London. The recollection of the row with the Eton boys, at Windsor, remained too fresh in his memory, to run the risque of another aquatic row!

"No, no," said the old Citizen, "the crowd, bad as it may be, and to be pushed about from pillar to post, is very annoying and troublesome, I admit, but a ducking in November, won't do for an old fellow like I am! It might be the death of me!" However, Makemoney almost repented the decision he had made, being very soon afterwards engaged in a row, and hardly escaped being pushed in the river by a gang of thieves.

"You impudent rascal," said Sprightly, in a violent passion, turning round and catching a fellow's hand in his pocket, at the same time giving him a blow in the stomach, hard enough to knock all the breath out of his body; "How dare you be enquiring into the worth of my pocket? If I could see an officer of justice, I would give you into custody!"

"You are too rash," replied the thief, "it was entirely a mistake. Your pocket is so much like my own, that I can't tell one from the other. But I beg your pardon, sir, it shall not occur again during the show. The stomacher you gave me, might have deprived a horse of his wind, and may prove of more consequence to me, than the worth of a cart-load of wipes. But you have no right to take the law in your hands, and I have a great mind to employ my solicitor to enter an action against you for an assault!"

"Throw him into the river," urged Flourish, "a rascally thief like he is, talk of a solicitor and an action; make a duck of him, and if he is not web-footed to swim, it seems that every finger belonging to him is a fish-hook. I never met with such insolence!"

"Better not attempt that 'ere sort of rash conduct, my fine fellow," escaped the lips of three or four horrid looking fellows, as if belonging to a gang of pickpockets. Take care you don't get put in the river yourself. The man had no right to be hit in that cruel manner, enough to break every bone in his body! Hold your gab, if you wish to get home safe!"

At the same time, another robber, who was pretending to point out some interesting feature on the river amongst the city barges, with his left hand, employed his right in picking Makemoney's pocket. Turf observing this conduct, without any ceremony, laid the fellow sprawling on the ground, who roared out for help. This was the signal for a general rush of the thieves to commit depredations, and the old Citizen had a narrow escape from being forced into the river. "That's the fellow!" cried one of the thieves, "the big one, lets tip it to him; he's been annoying every body about him. He's no good!" In saving himself from the water, Makemoney got surrounded by a desperate set of villains; and had it not been for the spirited exertions of Turf, who led the way, followed by Flourish and Sprightly, Makemoney would not only have lost every thing he had about him, but got a severe thrashing into the bargain. On the appearance of an officer, and before the old Citizen could recover his breath to point out any of the thieves, they were all off like lightening.

66 Have you lost any thing?" asked Turf, "you are in luck if you have not! A more determined set of thieves, I never met with in my

life."

"No!" replied Makemoney, "nothing else but my wind, and they have taken all that from me. I can scarcely breathe, I am

so exhausted in trying to get out of their abominable clutch a

to enter

"Never mind, if it is only your wind!" said Turf, "that is recoverable, without any expense! It is an article that comes and goes when a man is employed in defending himself!" "How soon a man may get into trouble," observed Makemoney," and I have now made up my mind never again a crowd; nothing shall entice me. There is no protection from danger; and the strongest man only has the best chance. Besides, I believe, I have had a mark set upon me, for if there is anything unpleasant occurs, I am sure to be the victim of it."

"It's the fortune of war, uncle!" said Sprightly, "and as the weather is disagreeable, the sooner we arrive at home the better. Upon the whole we have no right to complain. Storms overtake travellers, in spite of their precautions; therefore, as we have disappointed the thieves, our adventures will serve us to laugh at over the gaily circling glass. We must now say,' Farewell!' to our invaluable friend, Turf, whose presence is required in the country."

"Good-by, my jolly Pilgrims," said Turf, "it is impossible that I could part with you without feeling sincere regret. I have found you, upon all occasions, ready to do the thing that was right towards each other; and such companions are not every day acquaintances. Therefore, I cannot repeat good-by, Makemoney, Flourish, and Sprightly, without the recollections of friendship, mirth, and harmony, being indelibly stamped upon the tablet of my memory."