Another is said to have been so pleased with a row of grotesque Indian-China jars, which embellish one side of the entrance, and which he mistook for _pots de chambre_, that after returning home and consulting his rib, he sent an order per post for one of the most elegant pattern to be forwarded to him! There is a similar Shop to this, though on a smaller scale, to be seen in a great leading thoroughfare at the West end of the Town; the owner of which, from his swarthy complexion and extravagant mode of dress, has been denominated The Black Prince, a name by which he is well known in his own neighbourhood, and among the gentlemen of the cloth. This dandy gentleman, who affects the dress and air of a military officer, has the egregious vanity to boast that the numerous families of rank and fashion who frequent his shop, are principally attracted to view his elegant person, and seems to consider that upon this principally depends the success of his trade. 1 A large Glass-manufacturer. 128--shop, and without observing the other persons about him, saw himself surrounded with spectators, unconscious of being in their company. He look'd up--he look'd down--he gazed around him, and all was inconceivable light. Tom's allusion to the gas flashed upon him in a moment--“What--what is this?” said he--“where, in the name of wonder, am I?” A flash of lightning could not have operated more suddenly upon him. “Why,” said Sparkle, “don't you see? “You are not here, for you are there,” pointing to his reflection, in the looking-glass. “Egad,” said Bob, under evident surprise, and perhaps not without some apprehension they were playing tricks with him--“I wish you would explain--is this a Drawing-room, or is it the _Phantasmagoria_ we have heard so much of in the country?” “No, no, it is not the Phantasmagoria, but it forms a part of metropolitan magic, which you shall be better acquainted with before we part. That is no other than a Linen-draper's shop, '_papered_,' as an Irishman one day remarked, 'vvid nothing at all at all but looking-glass, my dear '--one of the most superb things of the kind that perhaps ever was seen--But come, I perceive it is getting late, let us proceed directly to Dolly's, take our chop, then a _rattler_,{1} and hey for the Spell.”{2} Bob appeared almost to be spell-bound at the moment, and, as they moved onward, could not help casting “One longing, lingering look behind.” 1 Rattler--A coach. 2 Spell--The Play-house; so denominated from its variety of attractions, both before and behind the curtain. CHAPTER X