Having given two specimens of their written invitations, perhaps some of my readers may call out, “Enough!” but there is still one before me, which looks so very dashing that I cannot pass it by with any propriety. It is written upon a _red_ card, (placed in a _blue_ envelope,) in the following manner:— “Mr. Edward and Sam will happy of Mr. Hues Company on the 25th instant, &c. Quadrilles in Bishopsgate Street. “G. Priddeys, “G. Silises. Stewards. (Direction) “Mr. Hues, Esq.” The ball generally breaks up between four and five, and then there is great cloaking-up with the ladies, the gentlemen lending all the assistance. “’Tanky, Mr. _Theopolus_, you’re bery kind, I’se sure.” “Miss, anything dat _lays_ in my power for a lady like you.” “Oh, sir! you’re very purlite.” “Miss Eleanora, does dis shawl ’blongs to you?” “I’se ’bleive it do, Mr. Frederick.” “Well, I do declare, I thought so, ’cause it’s handsome, like its owner,” &c. &c. The _Good nights_ are then repeated, and the ladies move off, accompanied by their _beaux_, and the late gay ball-room is left to the smell of expiring tallow-candles, and lamp-oil; drooping flowers, and broken bottles; sleeping musicians, and half-starved dogs, who creep in with the hopes of picking up a stray bone or two; until the bright sun arises, and bids the inmates bestir themselves to clear away the relics of their midnight orgies. ------ [28] For mode of moving houses, see page 132. [29] A negro’s specific for the head-ache. [30] I am not quite certain what is meant by this expression; but suppose it relates to the arrangement of the forms, or benches. CHAPTER XXXIX. Negroes: Fondness for “Nancy stories”—Negro loquacity—Their signification of the word “cursing”—Markets—Confusion of tongues—Weddings—The drive to church—Wedding banquet—Blushing brides—Funerals—“Wake nights”—Funeral procession—Christening— High-sounding names.