ead was a jolly figure, of a florid complexion and
round belly, seemingly turned of fifty, and, in all appearance, of a
choleric disposition. As they approached the market-place, they waved
their hats, huzzaed, and cried aloud, NO FOREIGN CONNEXIONS!--OLD ENGLAND
FOR EVER! This acclamation, however, was not so loud or universal, but
that our adventurer could distinctly hear a counter-cry from the populace
of, NO SLAVERY!--NO POPISH PRETENDER! an insinuation so ill relished by
the cavaliers, that they began to ply their horsewhips among the
multitude, and were, in their turn, saluted with a discharge or volley of
stones, dirt, and dead cats; in consequence of which some teeth were
demolished, and many surtouts defiled.

Our adventurer's attention was soon called off from this scene, to
contemplate another procession of people on foot, adorned with bunches of
orange ribbons, attended by a regular band of music, playing God save
great George our King, and headed by a thin swarthy personage, of a
sallow aspect, and large goggling eyes, arched over with two thick
semicircles of hair, or rather bristles, jet black, and frowsy. His
apparel was very gorgeous, though his address was very awkward; he was
accompanied by the mayor, recorder, and heads of the corporation, in
their formalities. His ensigns were known by the inscription, Liberty of
Conscience, and the Protestant Succession; and the people saluted him as
he passed with repeated cheers, that seemed to prognosticate success. He
had particularly ingratiated himself with the good women, who lined the
street, and sent forth many ejaculatory petitions in his favour.

Sir Launcelot immediately comprehended the meaning of this solemnity. He
perceived it was the prelude to the election of a member to represent the
county in parliament, and he was seized with an eager desire to know the
names and characters of the competitors.

In order to gratify this desire, he made repeated application to the
bell-rope that depended from the ceiling of his apartment; but this
produced nothing, except the repetition of the words, "Coming, sir,"
which echoed from three or four different corners of the house. The
waiters were so distracted by a variety of calls, that they stood
motionless, in the state of the schoolman's ass between two bundles of
hay, incapable of determining where they should first offer their
attendance.

Our knight's patience was almost exhausted, when Crabshaw ent