However, the dropping of "h's", even to the accompaniment of sweet music, sooner or later becomes monotonous, and so, after awhile, I was glad to leave the Pier for the attractions of the Upper Cliff. On my way I passed a Palace of Pleasure or Varieties, or Something wherein a twopenny wax-work show seemed at the moment to be one of its greatest attractions. This show contained a Chamber of Horrors, a scene full of quiet humour of Napoleon the Third Lying in State, and an old effigy of George the Third. The collection included the waxen head of a Nonconformist minister, who, according to the lecturer, had been "wery good to the poor", preserved in a small deal-box. There was also the "Key-Dyevie" of Egypt, General Gordon, and Mrs. Maybrick. Tearing myself away from these miscellaneous memories of the past, I ascended to the East Cliff, which had still the "apartments-furnished" look that was wont to distinguish it of yore. There was no change there; and as I walked through the town, which once, as a watering-place, was second only in importance to Bath,--which a century ago had for its M.C. a rival of Beau Nash,--I could not help thinking how astonished the ghosts of the fine ladies and gentlemen who visited "Meregate" in 1789 must be, if they are able to see their successors of to-day--"Good Old Chawlie Cadd", and Miss Topsie Stuart Plantagenet, _née_ Tompkins. * * * * * [Illustration: DEAL] * * * * * [Illustration: "NICE FOR THE VISITORS" (Sketch outside a fashionable hotel)] * * * * * [Illustration: _Boy_ (_to Brown, who is exceedingly proud of his sporting appearance_). "Want a donkey, mister?"] * * * * * [Illustration: INCORRIGIBLE _Visitor._ "Well, my man, I expect it must have cost you a lot of money to paint your nose that colour!" _Reprobate._ "Ah, an' if Oi cud affoord it, Oi'd have it _varnished_ now!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTE" _Materfamilias_ (_just arrived at Shrimpville--the children had been down a month before_). "Well, Jane, have you found it dull?" _Nurse._ "It was at fust, M'm. There was nothink to improve the mind, M'm, till the niggers come down!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BY THE SAD SEA WAVES "But, are you sure?" "Yus, lady. 'E's strong as an 'orse!" "But how am I to get on?" "Oh, _I'll lift yer_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DELICATE ATTENTION _Confiding Spinster._ "I'm afraid the sea is too cold for me this morning, Mr. Swabber." _Bathing Man._ "Cold, miss! Lor' bless yer, I just took and powered a kittle o' bilin' water in to take the chill off when I see you a comin'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HOLIDAY PLEASURES