“The sergeant, a fine soldier, one of the heroes of Waterloo, is smiling and amused, while a grenadier, one of the other three under arms, is looking at his sergeant for orders.

“In the corner, directly under the sergeant, is a dissipated young man, addicted to hunting and sports, without adequate means for the enjoyment, attended by his distressed family.  He, half intoxicated, has just drawn a cork, and is addressing the bottle, his only comfort, while his daughter is delicately putting it aside and looking with entreaty at her father.

“The harassed wife is putting back the daughter, unwilling to deprive the man she loves, of what, though a baneful consolation, is still one; while the little, shoeless boy with his hoop, is regarding his father with that strange wonder, with which children look at the unaccountable alteration in features and expression, that takes place under the effects of intoxication.

“Three pawnbroker’s duplicates, one for the child’s shoes, 1_s_. 6_d_., one for the wedding ring, 5_s_., and one for the wife’s necklace, 7_l_., lie at the feet of the father, with the Sporting Magazine; for drunkards generally part with the ornaments or even necessaries of their wives and children before they trespass on their own.

“At the opposite corner lies curled up the Head Constable, hid away under his bed-curtain, which he had for a robe, and slyly looking, as if he hoped nobody would betray him.  By his side is placed a table, with the relics of a luxurious enjoyment, while a washing tub as a wine cooler, contains, under the table, Hock, Champagne, Burgundy, and a Pine.

“Directly over the sergeant, on the wall, are written, ’The Majesti of the Peepel for ever—­huzza!’—­’No military at Elections!’ and ’No Marshal!’—­on the standards to the left, are ’Confusion to Credit, and no fraudulent Creditors.’  In the window are a party with a lady smoking a hookah; on the ledge of the window, “Success to the detaining Creditor!” —­At the opposite window is a portrait of the Painter, looking down on the extraordinary scene with great interest—­underneath him is, ’Sperat infestis.’

“On a board under the lady smoking, is written the order of the Lord Mayor, enjoining Peace, as follows:—­

    “Banco Regis,
    Court House, July 16,
    In the Sixth year of the
    Reign of GEORGE IV.

“Peremptorily ordered—­

“That the Special Constables and Headboroughs of this ancient Bailwick do take into custody all Persons found in any way committing a breach of the Peace, during the Procession of Chairing the Members returned to represent this Borough.

  “SIR ROBERT BIRCH, (Collegian) Lord Mayor.

“’A New Way to pay Old Debts,’—­is written over the first turnkey; and below it, ‘N.B.  A very old way, discovered 3394 years B.C.;’ and in the extreme distance, over a shop, is—­’Dealer in every thing genuine.’