and vanity which end often in vexation of
spirit, not only to themselves, but to the strata of society which rest
above them.

One night Ned betook himself to this temple of vice, and on the way was
struck by the appearance of a man with a barrow--a sort of book-stall on
wheels--who was pushing his way through the crowded street. It was the
man who at the temperance meeting had begun with "bah!" and "pooh!" and
had ended by putting on the Blue Ribbon. He had once been a comrade of
Ned Frog, but had become so very respectable that his old chum scarcely
recognised him.

"Hallo! Reggie North, can that be you?"

North let down his barrow, wheeled round, and held out his hand with a
hearty, "how are 'ee, old man? W'y you're lookin' well, close cropped
an' comfortable, eh! Livin' at Her Majesty's expense lately? Where
d'ee live now, Ned? I'd like to come and see you."

Ned told his old comrade the locality of his new abode.

"But I say, North, how respectable you are! What's come over you? not
become a travellin' bookseller, have you?"

"That's just what I am, Ned."

"Well, there's no accountin' for taste. I hope it pays."

"Ay, pays splendidly--pays the seller of the books and pays the buyers
better."

"How's that?" asked Ned, in some surprise, going up to the barrow; "oh!
I see, Bibles."

"Yes, Ned, Bibles, the Word of God. Will you buy one?"

"No, thank 'ee," said Ned, drily.

"Here, I'll make you a present o' one, then," returned North, thrusting
a Bible into the other's hand; "you can't refuse it of an old comrade.
Good-night. I'll look in on you soon."

"You needn't trouble yourself," Ned called out as his friend went off;
and he felt half inclined to fling the Bible after him, but checked
himself. It was worth money! so he put it in his pocket and went his
way.

The hall was very full that night, a new comic singer of great promise
having been announced, and oh! it was sad to see the youths of both
sexes, little more than big boys and girls, who went there to smoke, and
drink, and enjoy ribald songs and indecent jests!

We do not mean to describe the proceedings. Let it suffice to say that,
after one or two songs and a dance had been got through, Ned, part of
whose duty it was to announce the performances, rose and in a loud voice
said--

"Signor Twittorini will now sing."

The Signor stepped forward at once, and was received with a roar of
enthusiastic laughter, for anything more l