nder which
circumstances they had better remain as they are, in ignorance of
their melancholy position. But, on the other hand, it is commanded
that people of common intellect, henceforth cease to designate any of
their male friends as "Gents," the word being one of exceedingly bad
style, and equally objectionable with "genteel," which is, possibly,
derived from it. And that if, after this, anyone speaks of a "Gent,"
or "Party" he knows, it is ordered that such speaker be immediately
set down as one of the unfortunate class in question.

The Shakspere autograph which was sold on 24 May, 1841, came again into
the market, and was bought on 19 May, for 145 pounds, by the Corporation
of the City of London. The _Patres Conscripti_ of the Common Council
were not of one mind as to the eligibility of the purchase. On the
motion "that the Court agree to the report, and that the Chamberlain be
instructed to pay the sum," Mr. Warton rose to move, as an amendment,
that the report should lie upon the table. (A laugh, and loud cries of
"Hear, hear.") He had, he said, done all he could in the Committee, to
prevail upon the members that the purchase of the autograph was a most
wasteful and prodigal expenditure. ("Hear, hear," and "No, no.") The
precedent was a most mischievous one. If the Court sanctioned such a
proceeding as that which the report had described, by and by the
autographs of archbishops and bishops, and other individuals who had, in
times long past, distinguished themselves, would supply apologies for
wasting the City cash, in order to gratify gentlemen who were afflicted
with that description of mania. (Laughter.) He hoped the Court would
not catch the infection, but second his rational effort to check it, by
condemning the report to its proper station on the table. After all, the
document was doubtful; but there was no doubt at all as to the profligacy
of the expenditure. (Laughter, and cries of "Hear, hear," and "No, no.")
Mr. Knott said it was quite ridiculous to think for a moment, of voting
145 pounds for a few doubtful, illegible, almost obliterated scratches of
a pen. (Laughter, and cries of "Hear, hear.") He defied any man on
earth to say what those scratches represented. On a division there were,
for the motion 41; for the amendment 31.

CHAPTER XXI.

Exhibition of cartoons--A duel--A monster--Gambling--The "Albert
Hat"--Nelson's statue--Fun thereon--Sol