Thus, with the great Charles V. of Spain, I resign the glories of this transitory world:  yet, at the same time, to show you my indifference, and that my desires are not too much fixed upon anything, I own to you, I am as willing to stay as go:  therefore leave it in the choice of my gentle readers, whether I shall hear from them, or they hear no more from me.

White’s Chocolate-house, April 25.

Easter Day being a time when you can’t well meet with any but humble adventures; and there being such a thing as low gallantry, as well as a low comedy, Colonel Ramble[138] and myself went early this morning into the fields, which were strewed with shepherds and shepherdesses, but indeed of a different turn from the simplicity of those of Arcadia.  Every hedge was conscious of more than what the representations of enamoured swains admit of.  While we were surveying the crowd around us, we saw at a distance a company coming towards Pancras Church; but though there was not much disorder, we thought we saw the figure of a man stuck through with a sword, and at every step ready to fall, if a woman by his side had not supported him; the rest followed two and two.  When we came nearer this appearance, who should it be but Monsieur Guardeloop, mine and Ramble’s French tailor, attended by others, leading one of Madame Depingle’s[139] maids to the church, in order to their espousals.  It was his sword tucked so high above his waist, and the circumflex which persons of his profession take in their walking, that made him appear at a distance wounded and falling.  But the morning being rainy, methought the march to this wedding was but too lively a picture of wedlock itself.  They seemed both to have a month’s mind to make the best of their way single; yet both tugged arm in arm; and when they were in a dirty way, he was but deeper in the mire, by endeavouring to pull out his companion, and yet without helping her.  The bridegroom’s feathers in his hat all drooped, one of his shoes had lost an heel.  In short, he was in his whole person and dress so extremely soused, that there did not appear one inch or single thread about him unmarried.[140] Pardon me, that the melancholy object still dwells upon me so far, as to reduce me to punning.  However, we attended to the chapel, where we stayed to hear the irrevocable words pronounced upon our old servant, and made the best of our way to town.  I took a resolution to forbear all married persons, or any, in danger of being such, for four-and-twenty hours at least; therefore dressed, and went to visit Florimel, the vainest thing in town, where I knew would drop in Colonel Picket, just come from the camp, her professed admirer.  He is of that order of men who has much honour and merit, but withal a coxcomb; the other of that set of females, who has innocence and wit, but the first of coquettes.  It is easy to believe, these must be admirers of each other.  She says, “The Colonel rides the best of any man in England”: