Fitzroy Square

In spite of the sneers of the Newcome Independent, and the Colonel's
unlucky visit to his nurse's native place, he still remained in high
favour in Park Lane; where the worthy gentleman paid almost daily
visits, and was received with welcome and almost affection, at least
by the ladies and the children of the house. Who was it that took the
children to Astley's but Uncle Newcome? I saw him there in the midst
of a cluster of these little people, all children together. He laughed
delighted at Mr. Merryman's jokes in the ring. He beheld the Battle
of Waterloo with breathless interest, and was amazed--amazed, by Jove,
sir--at the prodigious likeness of the principal actor to the Emperor
Napoleon; whose tomb he had visited on his return from India, as it
pleased him to tell his little audience who sat clustering round him:
the little girls, Sir Brian's daughters, holding each by a finger of his
honest hands; young Masters Alfred and Edward clapping and hurrahing
by his side; while Mr. Clive and Miss Ethel sat in the back of the
box enjoying the scene, but with that decorum which belonged to their
superior age and gravity. As for Clive, he was in these matters much
older than the grizzled old warrior his father. It did one good to hear
the Colonel's honest laughs at clown's jokes, and to see the tenderness
and simplicity with which he watched over this happy brood of young
ones. How lavishly did he supply them with sweetmeats between the
acts! There he sat in the midst of them, and ate an orange himself with
perfect satisfaction. I wonder what sum of money Mr. Barnes Newcome
would have taken to sit for five hours with his young brothers and
sisters in a public box at the theatre and eat an orange in the face of
the audience? When little Alfred went to Harrow, you may be sure Colonel
Newcome and Clive galloped over to see the little man, and tipped him
royally. What money is better bestowed than that of a schoolboy's tip?
How the kindness is recalled by the recipient in after days! It blesses
him that gives and him that takes. Remember how happy such benefactions
made you in your own early time, and go off on the very first fine day
and tip your nephew at school!

The Colonel's organ of benevolence was so large, that he would have
liked to administer bounties to the young folks his nephews and nieces
in Bryanstone Square, as well as to their cousins in Park Lane; but
Mrs. Newcome was a great deal too virtuou