ot on each gave the whole a very imposing
appearance. On this raised seat, which was made to hold two, were placed
two armchairs, richly gilt, and around these were other chairs for
persons of distinction, who now began to arrive in pretty considerable
numbers. First, there was the Grand Master of the Odd Fellows, with a
numerous retinue, with their emblematical tools, flags, banners, and
devices. He entered the arena amid the clang of trumpets and the roll of
drums, and proceeded to the place assigned him. Then came the President
of the Anti-Lie-a-Bed Society, with a whole troop of boys and girls who
had been cured of this great sin by drinking half a pint of yeast
overnight, which made them _rise early_ in the morning. They were
received by 'artificial cock-crowing' by the gallant showman, who had a
place assigned him as underwarden. Then came a batch of young damsels,
all in white, being chimney-sweepers' daughters; and after them a
flourish of trumpets--that is, _cow-horns_--a squadron of costermongers'
donkey-lads mounted, with their pocket-handkerchiefs floating from the
vulnerable point of 'bean-sticks.'

Next came the redoubtable Mr. Mumbles himself, leading Mrs. Mumbles by
the hand, preceded by the young lawyer Quiddity. He ascended the throne
provided for him with extraordinary dignity, and, having made a bow to
the company by putting his hand to one of his curls, as if to pull his
head down, and giving a scrape with his foot behind, the whole assembly
burst out with a simultaneous cheer--'Mumbles for ever! Mumbles for
ever!'

Soon after Mr. Mumbles had seated himself the clang of trumpets was
heard, and Quiddity appeared on a splendid pony, richly caparisoned,
with a hearthrug under his saddle as a saddle-cloth, having in one hand
his baton of office, and in the other a banner. After making his
obeisance to the king and queen of the tournament, Mrs. and Mr. Mumbles,
he took his place in the centre. Immediately the horns were blown, the
mob shouted, and Quiddity read the following proclamation:

'_To all whom it may concern, and to our beloved Neighbours, greeting,_

'With a view to do away with and put down the cowardly, dastardly, and
_ungenteel_ sports of bull-baiting, badger-baiting, fox-hunting,
pigeon-shooting, and other wicked and cruel amusements, we, John Mumbles
and Co., King of Chivalry, Grand Master of this Tournament, invite all
persons, gentlemen born, to engage in, and others to _witness_