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bestow upon him marked attention. His particular friend is old Mr.
Parrot, whose connexions lie with the West Indies and South America, and
who boasts of his relationship with the celebrated Macaw family.
Whenever there is a sudden rise in sugar or tobacco, Mr. Parrot
immediately goes on 'Change to consult his great friend, Mr. Trunk, as
to the course he should pursue; and the united wisdom of the two
merchants generally produces a result favourable to Mr. Parrot's
interests.

Mr. Trunk lives in a large house in the Regent's Park, where he
entertains very many visitors, in a way peculiar to himself, his chief
pleasure consisting in the offer of his carriage for a ride round his
beautiful gardens; for which, by way of joke, he always demands a cake
or a bun from each visitor. His son, too, Master Suckling Trunk,
contributes much to the gratification of the guests; and certainly he
is a very amusing youth, such as one does not often meet with.

Two years ago Mr. Trunk was greatly annoyed by the arrival of a young
black prince from the banks of the Nile, who took a house close by him
in the Park, and, much to Mr. Trunk's mortification, completely outshone
him in the grandeur of his entertainments. All the fashionable and
mercantile world flocked to the mansion of Prince Ippo, and considered
it a great condescension if His Highness would but favour them with a
sight of his eyes and ears.

The great Mr. Trunk, he who had never known a rival near his throne,
felt deeply the slight cast upon him, and vowed to be revenged on his
sable adversary. He talked of his grievance to old Mr. Parrot, till that
worthy felt as indignant as his friend; but, as he could suggest no
method of vengeance, Mr. Trunk called to his counsel, the celebrated
City conveyancer, Mr. Starling.

"You see, sir," said old Mr. Parrot, when the three had met in
consultation, "this black young fellow is an upstart; he has nothing to
recommend him but his exceeding ugliness and his extreme inhospitality.
Do you know, sir," he continued, addressing the conveyancer, "some
ladies of my family paid him a visit the other day, and the brute--yes,
sir, I say the brute--had the ill manners to send word by his attendant
that His Highness was in the bath and would not be disturbed?"

"I wonder," growled Mr. Trunk, "that, as the ladies had so much
curiosity, they did not go and see him in his bath."

"Well, the fact is," replied Mr. Parrot, "that they did try, bu