t the position you take
when you go into a public room, and talk about any subject that comes
up. Suppose you're ignorant; well, there you sit; and what are you?
You're nobody. No, I approve of edgication--it improves the mind. It
does undoubtedly improve the mind. Look now at this Randolph Churchill
that's come to the front. What is it but edgication that brought him
forward? I should venture to say he's a learned man, and knows lots of
languages and sciences, else how'd he shut up such a wonderful orator as
Gladstone? We all know as old Beaky was edgicated. Look at his books.
How'd he write a book without it? I began "Cohningsby," and, I tell you,
it's grand--sublime. No, friend B., I think you must give in I'm
right."

"And I think you're a lot of ---- fools."

This interruption came from the devout Billy--Billy Preston. That pious
man liked to have the talk mainly to himself, and he thought that
anything not obscene was tame. By the way, these abrupt and insolent
remarks are characteristic of public-house wit. A favourite joke is to
ask a friend a serious question. When he fails to answer, then the joker
shouts some totally irrelevant and indecent word, and the questioned man
is regarded as "sold." I cannot repeat the interlude with which Billy
Preston favoured us, but it was very spicy indeed, and referred to some
of those sacred secrets which are known to all. For a pillar of the
Church, Billy displayed rather amazing tastes and abilities. Then the
talk fell into decency after the regulation merriment had greeted Mr.
Preston's closing effort.

"How long will you give Jobson to hold out?"

"I don't know. He's into everybody's books all round. I should like to
pick up that pony if he does smash."

"I heard Charley Dunn say that Mrs. Jobson was round at old Burdett's
asking for time. Jimmy Burdett's got a lot of Jobson's paper, and I
shouldn't wonder if he stole a march on the other creditors."

"Well, Jobson's a good sort, but he couldn't last. He's too free with
his money. I never wanted his champagne and his suppers, but you had to
drop in like the others, and there you are."

A strident voice drowned the scandal, and an admiring group ceased
smoking and listened spellbound to a characteristic anecdote. I cannot
put in all the expletives, but I may say that the speaker modelled his
style on that of the more eloquent betting men whom he knew.

"I says to him, you'll trot me, will you? Why, go on with you,