t continued, until at last the river was frozen
over, and all communication by it was stopped. Stapleton's money ran
short, our fare became very indifferent, and Mary declared that we must
all go begging with the market gardeners if it lasted much longer.

"I must go and call upon Mr Turnbull, and ax him to help us," said
Stapleton, one day, pulling his last shilling out and laying it on the
table. "I'm cleaned out; but he's a good gentleman, and will lend me a
trifle." In the afternoon Stapleton returned, and I saw by his looks
that he had been successful. "Jacob," said he, "Mr Turnbull desires
that you will breakfast with him to-morrow morning, as he wishes to see
you."

I set off accordingly at daylight the next morning, and was in good time
for breakfast. Mr Turnbull was as kind as ever, and began telling me
long stories about the ice in the northern regions.

"By-the-by, I hear there is an ox to be roasted whole, Jacob, a little
above London Bridge; suppose we go and see the fun."

I consented, and we took the Brentford coach, and were put down at the
corner of Queen Street, from thence we walked to the river. The scene
was very amusing and exciting. Booths were erected on the ice, in every
direction, with flags flying, people walking, and some skating, although
the ice was too rough for that pastime. The whole river was crowded
with people, who now walked in security over where they, a month before,
would have met with death. Here and there smoke ascended from various
fires, on which sausages and other eatables were cooking; but the great
attraction was the ox roasting whole, close to the centre pier of the
bridge. Although the ice appeared to have fallen at the spot where so
many hundreds were assembled, yet as it was now four or five feet thick,
there was no danger. Here and there, indeed, were what were called
rotten places, where the ice was not sound; but these were intimated by
placards, warning people not to approach too near; and close to them
were ropes and poles for succour, if required. We amused ourselves for
some time with the gaiety of the scene, for the sun shone out brightly,
and the sky was clear. The wind was fresh from the northward, and
piercing cold in the shade, the thermometer being then, it was said,
twenty-eight degrees below the freezing point. We had been on the ice
about three hours, amusing ourselves, when Mr Turnbull proposed our
going home, and we walked up the river