ar
fact (there being ladies in the case) that Miss Amelia Martin's principal
foible was vanity, and the leading characteristic of Mrs. Jennings
Rodolph an attachment to dress. Dismal wailings were heard to issue from
the second-floor front of number forty-seven, Drummond-street,
George-street, Euston-square; it was Miss Martin practising.
Half-suppressed murmurs disturbed the calm dignity of the White Conduit
orchestra at the commencement of the season. It was the appearance of
Mrs. Jennings Rodolph in full dress, that occasioned them. Miss Martin
studied incessantly--the practising was the consequence. Mrs. Jennings
Rodolph taught gratuitously now and then--the dresses were the result.

Weeks passed away; the White Conduit season had begun, and progressed,
and was more than half over. The dressmaking business had fallen off,
from neglect; and its profits had dwindled away almost imperceptibly. A
benefit-night approached; Mr. Jennings Rodolph yielded to the earnest
solicitations of Miss Amelia Martin, and introduced her personally to the
'comic gentleman' whose benefit it was. The comic gentleman was all
smiles and blandness--he had composed a duet, expressly for the occasion,
and Miss Martin should sing it with him. The night arrived; there was an
immense room--ninety-seven sixpenn'orths of gin-and-water, thirty-two
small glasses of brandy-and-water, five-and-twenty bottled ales, and
forty-one neguses; and the ornamental painter's journeyman, with his wife
and a select circle of acquaintance, were seated at one of the
side-tables near the orchestra. The concert began.
Song--sentimental--by a light-haired young gentleman in a blue coat, and
bright basket buttons--[applause]. Another song, doubtful, by another
gentleman in another blue coat and more bright basket buttons--[increased
applause]. Duet, Mr. Jennings Rodolph, and Mrs. Jennings Rodolph, 'Red
Ruffian, retire!'--[great applause]. Solo, Miss Julia Montague
(positively on this occasion only)--'I am a Friar'--[enthusiasm].
Original duet, comic--Mr. H. Taplin (the comic gentleman) and Miss
Martin--'The Time of Day.' 'Brayvo!--Brayvo!' cried the ornamental
painter's journeyman's party, as Miss Martin was gracefully led in by the
comic gentleman. 'Go to work, Harry,' cried the comic gentleman's
personal friends. 'Tap-tap-tap,' went the leader's bow on the
music-desk. The symphony began, and was soon afterwards followed by a
faint kind of ventriloquial