and out, under the feet, and between the legs, of
the assembled concourse, in the most playful and exhilarating manner.
There were old gentlemen, trying to make out objects through long
telescopes; and young ones, making objects of themselves in open
shirt-collars; ladies, carrying about portable chairs, and portable
chairs carrying about invalids; parties, waiting on the pier for parties
who had come by the steam-boat; and nothing was to be heard but talking,
laughing, welcoming, and merriment.

'Fly, sir?' exclaimed a chorus of fourteen men and six boys, the moment
Mr. Joseph Tuggs, at the head of his little party, set foot in the
street.

'Here's the gen'lm'n at last!' said one, touching his hat with mock
politeness. 'Werry glad to see you, sir,--been a-waitin' for you these
six weeks. Jump in, if you please, sir!'

'Nice light fly and a fast trotter, sir,' said another: 'fourteen mile a
hour, and surroundin' objects rendered inwisible by ex-treme welocity!'

'Large fly for your luggage, sir,' cried a third. 'Werry large fly here,
sir--reg'lar bluebottle!'

'Here's _your_ fly, sir!' shouted another aspiring charioteer, mounting
the box, and inducing an old grey horse to indulge in some imperfect
reminiscences of a canter. 'Look at him, sir!--temper of a lamb and
haction of a steam-ingein!'

Resisting even the temptation of securing the services of so valuable a
quadruped as the last named, Mr. Joseph Tuggs beckoned to the proprietor
of a dingy conveyance of a greenish hue, lined with faded striped calico;
and, the luggage and the family having been deposited therein, the animal
in the shafts, after describing circles in the road for a quarter of an
hour, at last consented to depart in quest of lodgings.

'How many beds have you got?' screamed Mrs. Tuggs out of the fly, to the
woman who opened the door of the first house which displayed a bill
intimating that apartments were to be let within.

'How many did you want, ma'am?' was, of course, the reply.

'Three.'

'Will you step in, ma'am?' Down got Mrs. Tuggs. The family were
delighted. Splendid view of the sea from the front windows--charming! A
short pause. Back came Mrs. Tuggs again.--One parlour and a mattress.

'Why the devil didn't they say so at first?' inquired Mr. Joseph Tuggs,
rather pettishly.

'Don't know,' said Mrs. Tuggs.

'Wretches!' exclaimed the nervous Cymon. Another bill--another stoppage.
Same question--same answer--similar