ation of the City of London. No one was more esteemed at the great
Guildhall feasts than he was. No one, at Christmas time, was more
constant at the Mansion-House dinners, where he was invariably placed at
the head of the table, close by the Lord Mayor.

Mr. Gobble was born in Norfolk, at one of those fine old-fashioned
farm-houses so frequently met with in that county, and was often heard
to tell the tale of his first coming to London, on a bitterly cold day,
when the whole country was covered with snow, on the top of the
"Telegraph" coach. It was Christmas-Eve, in the year 1815, and the roof
was crowded with such piles of turkeys, geese, hares, and pheasants,
that he always said he had preserved an affection for them throughout
his life.

Some few years after his arrival in London, Mr. Gobble became a member
of the Worshipful Company of Poulterers, and shortly afterwards he was
elected Common-councilman by a great majority of the voters, who, to
show their approbation of his excellence, invited him to a handsome
dinner at Poulterers' Hall. In due time, the Common-councilman became an
Alderman; and it was at a grand ball given on the occasion, that he fell
in love with Miss Owlet, the daughter of a magistrate very celebrated
for his wisdom. The wedding was attended by all the great City people;
and after this union Mr. Gobble had the satisfaction of becoming the
most popular member of the Corporation, and was more frequently than
ever seen at the Corporation dinners.

But the Alderman's ambition did not rest satisfied with municipal
honours. He read the debates in the House of Commons, until he thought
he could speak as well as most of them, and aspired to become a member
of Parliament. In this laudable desire, he was greatly abetted by his
beloved spouse, who was deeply impressed with the conviction that he
would be one of the most eloquent members of the House.

It happened that, about this time, the borough of Woodside became
vacant. Mr. Rabbetson, the member, while on a visit to Earl Falcon, the
owner of half the village of Woodside, was accidentally killed by his
Lordship while they were out together for a day's sport.

The Alderman no sooner heard of the accident than he flew home to his
wife, and told her of the opportunity that had offered itself. By the
next night's mail, Mr. and Mrs. Gobble travelled down to Woodside, and,
on the following day, they hired a carriage and rode over to Lord
Falcon's mansion