the great black wharf inscribed with "Hodson's
Pale Ale." What a devil of a row they do make. I thought we were into
that fellow. See, here's a wherry actually under our bow; where is she
now? are they all lost already? No! there they go bobbing up and down,
and looking after us, as if asking, why we didn't sail over them. Ay!
there comes an Indiaman, and that little black slug that 's towing her
up against the stream, is one of the Tug Company's craft; and see how
all the others at anchor keep tossing ana pitching about, as we pass by,
like an awkward room full of company, rising at each new arrival.

There's Greenwich! a fine thing Greenwich. I like the old fellows that
the first lord always makes stand in front, without legs or arms; a
cheery sight: and there's a hulk, or an hospital ship, or something of
that kind.

"That's the Hexcellent," saith a shrill voice behind me.

"Ah! I know her, she's a revenue cruizer."

Lord, what liars are the Cockneys! The plot thickens every moment;
here come little bright green and gold things, shooting past, like
dragon-flies skimming the water, steaming down to Gravesend. What a
mob of parasols cover the deck, and what kissing of hands and waving of
handkerchiefs to anonymous acquaintances nowhere. More steamers--here's
the "Boulogne boat," followed by the Ostender, and there, rounding the
reach, comes the Ramsgate; and a white funnel, they say, is the Cork
packet; and yonder, with her steam escaping, is the Edinburgh, her deck
crowded with soldiers.

"Port--port it is--steady there--steady."

"Do you dine, sir!" quoth the steward to the pale gentleman. A faint
"Yes," "And the ladies too?" A more audible "No."

"I say, steward," cries Sir Peter, "what's the hour for dinner?"

"Four o'clock, sir, after we pass Gravesend."

"Bring me some brandy and water and a biscuit, then."

"Lud, Pa!"

"To be sure, dear, we shall be sick in the pool. They say there's a head
wind."

How crowded they are on the fore-part of the vessel! six carriages and
eight horses; the latter belong to a Dutch dealer, who, by-the-by, seems
a shrewd fellow, who, well knowing the extreme sympathy between horses
and asses, leaves the care of his, to some Cockneys, who come down every
half hour to look after the tarpaulins, inspect the coverings, see the
knee-caps safe, find ask if they want "'ay;" and all this, that to some
others on board, they may appear as sporting characters, well versed in
turf