n a no pleasant tone by an old gentleman with
a brownish complexion, a yellowish brown scratch wig, somewhat awry, a
decidedly brown coat, breeches, and waistcoat, a neckcloth, once white,
but now partaking of the sombre hue of his other garments; brown
stockings and brownish shoes, ornamented by a pair of silver buckles,
the last-mentioned articles being the only part of his costume on which
the eye could rest with satisfaction.

On his lap was placed a pocket handkerchief, of a nondescript tint,
brown, predominating, in consequence of its frequent application to a
longish nose, made the recipient of huge quantities of snuff.
Altogether there was a dry, withered-leaf-like look about the old man
which was not prepossessing. His little grey eyes were sunk deeply in
his head, his sight being aided by a large pair of tortoiseshell
spectacles, which he had now shoved up over his forehead.

He was seated on a high stool at a desk in a little back dingy office,
powerfully redolent of odours nautical and unsavoury, emanating from
coils of rope, casks of salt butter, herrings, Dutch cheese, whale oil,
and similar unaromatic articles of commerce. It was in that region made
classical by Dibdin--Wapping. The back office in which the old
gentleman sat opened out of one of much larger proportions, though
equally dull and dingy, full of clerks, old and young, on high stools,
busily moving their pens, or rapidly casting up accounts--evidence that
no idleness was allowed in the establishment. On one side was a
warehouse, in which large quantities of the above named and similar
ship's stores were collected. In front was a shop, the ceiling hung
with tallow candles, brushes, mats, iron pots, and other things more
useful than ornamental. From one end to the other of it ran a long,
dark-coloured counter, behind which stood a man in a brown apron, and
sleeves tucked up, ready to serve out, in small quantities, tea, sugar,
coffee, tallow candles, brushes, twine, tin kettles, and the pots which
hung over his head, within reach of a long stick, placed ready for
detaching them from the hooks on which they were suspended. In the
windows, and on the walls outside, were large placards in red and black
letters, announcing the sailing of various ships of wonderful sea
qualities, and admirable accommodation for passengers, with a statement
that further information would be afforded within.

"Speak, boy; what do you want?" repeated the old ge