The old woman being supplied with a pipe, and the fiddler having rosined his nerves with a glass of _blue ruin_{3} to it they went, some singing, some whistling, and others drumming with their hands upon the table; while Tom, Bob, and Sparkle, taking a seat at the other side of the room, ordered a glass of brandy and water each, and enjoyed the merriment of the scene before them, perhaps more than those actually engaged in it. Bob was alive to every movement and every character, for it was new, and truly interesting: and kept growing more so, for in a few minutes Limping Billy and Mother Mapps joined the Slaughterman in the dance, when nothing could be more grotesque and amusing. Their pipes in their mouths--clapping of hands and snapping of fingers, formed a curious accompaniment to the squeaking of the fiddle--the broad grin of the Dustman, and the preposterous laugh of the 1 White Tape--Also a common term for gin, particularly among the Ladies. 2 Ould Chap, or Ould Boy--Familiar terms of address among flash lads, being a sort of contraction of old acquaintance, or old friend. 3 Blue Ruin--Gin. ~120~~Irishman at the reelers in the centre, heightened the picture--more gin--more music, and more tobacco, soon ad a visible effect upon the party, and reeling became unavoidable. The young man reading the paper, found it impossible to understand what he was perusing, and having finished his pipe and his pint, made his exit, appearing to have no relish for the entertainment, and perhaps heartily cursing both the cause and the effect. Still, however, the party was not reduced in number, for as one went out another came in. This new customer was a young-looking man, bearing a large board on a high pole, announcing the residence of a Bug-destroyer in the Strand. His appearance was grotesque in the extreme, and could only be equalled by the eccentricities of his manners and conversation. He was dressed in a brown coat, close buttoned, over which he had a red camlet or stuff surtout, apparently the off-cast of some theatrical performer, but with a determination to appear fashionable; for “Folks might as well be dead--nay buried too, As not to dress and act as others do.” He wore mustachios, a pair of green spectacles, and his whole figure was surmounted with a fur-cap. Taking a seat directly opposite our party at the same table--“Bring me a pint,” said he; and then deliberately searching his pockets, he produced a short pipe and some tobacco, with which he filled it--“You see,” said he, “I am obliged to smoke according to the Doctor's orders, for an asthma--so I always smokes three pipes a day, that's my allowance; but I can eat more than any man in the room, and can dance, sing, and act--nothing conies amiss to me, all the players takes their characters from me.” After this introduction--“You are a clever fellow, I'll be bound for it,” said Dashall.