I have wandered through lanes and fields when the autumn was on and the world golden, and my journey has ended at a yeoman's door. My welcome has been a hand-grasp, that needed bones and muscles to bear it unflinchingly--my fare the homeliest, but the sweetest; and when the meal was ended, how has the night wore on and then away over a cup of brown October--the last autumn's legacy--and, forgive me, Emmeline, a pipe of tobacco! Glorious herb! that hath oft-times stayed the progress of sorrow and contagion; a king once consigned thee to the devil, but many a humble, honest heart hath hailed thee as a blessing from the Creator. I was introduced by my new acquaintance without much ceremony, and was pleased to see that little was expected. "We meet here thrice a week," said Bonus, "just to wile away an hour or two after the worry and fatigue of business. Most of us have been acquainted with each other since boyhood--and we have some curious characters amongst us; and should you wish to enrol your name, you have only to prove your qualification for this (holding up his pipe), and we shall be happy to recognise you as a 'Puff.'" * * * * * THE STAR SYSTEM. SIR PETER LAURIE having observed a notice in one of the journals that the superior planets, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, are now to be seen every evening in the west, despatched a messenger to them with an invitation to the late Polish Ball, sagely remarking that "three such stars must prove an attraction." Upon Sir Peter mentioning the circumstance to Hobler, the latter cunningly advised Alderman Figaro (in order to prevent accidents) to solicit them to come by water, and accordingly Sir Peter's carriage was in waiting for the fiery stranger at the [Illustration: TOWER STARES.] * * * * * THE LIMERICK MARES. The borough of Limerick at present enjoys the singular advantage of having two civic heads to the city. The new _mare_, Martin Honan, Esq., after being duly elected, civilly requested the old _mare_, C. S. Vereker, Esq., to turn out; to which he as civilly replied that he would see him blessed first, and as he was himself the only genuine and original donkey, he was resolved not to yield his place at the corporate manger to the new animal. Thus matters remain at present--the old _Mare_ resolutely refusing to take his head out of the halter until he is compelled to do so. * * * * * MORE SKETCHES OF LONDON LIFE. _By the Author of the "Great Metropolis."_