He scarcely uttered the words, when he observed that these figures struck their clubs upon the bells which hung between them to denote the time of day. “These figures,” said Tom, “and the circumstance of giving them motion every fifteen minutes by the movements of the clock, have attracted a great deal of notice, particularly among persons from the country, and at almost every quarter of an hour throughout the day they are honoured with spectators. The church itself is very ancient, and has been recently beautified. The _Bell thumpers_, whose abilities you have just had a specimen of, have been standing there ever since the year 1671.” “It is hard service,” said Bob, “and they must certainly deserve a pension from Government more than many of ~251~~the automatons who are now in the enjoyment of the national bounties.” “You are right enough,” said a Translator of Soles,{1} who had overheard Bob's last remark, with a pair of old shoes under his arm; “and d----n me if I would give a pair of _crazy crabshells_{2} without _vamp or whelt for the whole boiling of 'em_{3}-there is not one on 'em worth a bloody jemmy.”{4} Upon hearing this from the political Cobbler, a disturbed sort of shout was uttered by the surrounding spectators, who had rather increased than diminished in number, to hear the observations of the leathern-lung'd Orator; when Tom, giving his Cousin a significant pinch of the arm, impelled him forward, and left them to the enjoyment of their humour. “Political observations are always bad in the street,” said Tom; “it is a subject upon which scarcely any two persons agree distinctly-_Old Wax and Bristles_ is about _three sheets in the wind_,{5} and no doubt there are enough to take advantage of any persons stopping at this time of the day.”{6} “What have we here?” said Bob, who observed a concourse of people surrounding the end of Fetter Lane. “Only a couple more of striking figures,” replied Tom, “almost as intelligent as those we have just seen.” 1 Translator of Soles--A disciple of St. Crispin, alias a cobbler, who can botch up old shoes, so as to have the appearance of being almost new, and who is principally engaged in his laudable occupation by the second-hand shoe- sellers of Field Lane, Turn Stile, &c. for the purpose of turning an honest penny, i.e. to deceive poor purchasers. 2 Crab-shells--A cant term for shoes. 3 Whole boding of 'em--The whole kit of 'em, &c. means the whole party. 4 Bloody Jemmy--A cant term for a sheep's head. 5 Three sheets in the wind--A cant phrase intending to explain that a person is more than half drunk.