"Exactly," said the Devil, with a malicious smile. "In the arrangement and distribution of the pictures the committee show an intimate knowledge of 'light and shade,' which is particularly instructive to others. They appropriate all the 'light' to their own pictures, and the 'shade' to their neighbours'. Yonder dirty-looking gate is Temple-bar, where in the olden time traitors' heads stood in goodly row, as plentiful as the portraits in the Exhibition, only that the 'bodies' never came to own them. But"--and here the Devil sighed like a furnace--"innovation and improvement have destroyed all venerable customs." So, venting his regrets, they journeyed down Fleet-street, when the attention of the gentle South was attracted to the large gloomy edifice which is so prominent in that locality. "Ah!" said their guide, "that is the Fleet." "Where?" said the East, springing up at the idea of stiff breezes and swelling sails; "I see no ships." "Yet there is no lack of _craft_, I promise you," replied the Devil. "One of the considerate laws of this realm declares that a debtor shall pay in person what he is deficient in pocket: a sapient method to man his Majesty's _fleet_, and as pretty a piece of legislation as _I_ would propose." Turning from the prison and its solid-looking brickwork, the first glimpse of St. Paul's met their astonished gaze. The strangers were enraptured at that mighty monument of man's power and perseverance. After surveying the exterior, the Winds expressed an eagerness to view the inside of the cathedral; but their importunities were negatived by their companion, who intimated in strong terms his repugnance to such a proposition. "Besides," he observed, "which of you will pay the twopences demanded for admission? By-the-bye, do me the favour to wait here a few moments. Some most intimate and particular friends are now assembled at the Chapter Coffee-house." "Do not let us detain you unwillingly," growled the North. "We are much indebted for your care and guidance," murmured the South. "I feel more at home in my own quarter of the town," said the East; "let me prove no hindrance." "But promise me to remain,--rely upon my speedy return," said the Devil. "Agreed!" roared the North, who seemed to think the spot a good place to make himself heard. "Then I depend upon your awaiting my coming. For the present, farewell!" "_Au revoir!_" lisped the West, as the arch deceiver disappeared down one of the narrow avenues which abound in that locality.