"The chapel thriveth well, I thank you--as well as can be expected in these times of heathen abominations," answered a demure-looking middle-aged gentleman, who was clad in deep black and wore a white neck-cloth, which seemed (together with the condition of his shirt and stockings) to denote that although he had gained the confidence of his flock, he had certainly lost that of his washer-woman. After having taken a long draught of a pint of half-and-half which stood before him, he added, "There is a many savoury vessels in my congregation--reputable, pious, and prayer-full people, which pays regular for their sittings and fears the Lord." "Well, I am glad of that," ejaculated Mr. Suggett. "But, ah!" he cried, observing a thin white-haired old gentleman, with huge silver spectacles hanging half-way down his nose,--"I'm glad to see Mr. Cobbington here. How gets on the circulating library, eh--sir?" "Pretty well--pretty well, thank'ee," returned the bookseller: "pretty well--considering." A great many people qualify their observations and answers by the addition of the word "_considering_;" but they seldom vouchsafe an explanation of _what is to be considered_. Sometimes they use the phrase "considering all things;" and then the mind has so much to consider, that it cannot consider any one thing definitively. It would be much more straightforward and satisfactory if persons would relieve their friends of all suspense, and say boldly at once, as the case may be, "_considering_ the execution I have got in my house;" or "_considering_ the writ that's out against me;" or even "_considering_ the trifling annoyance of not having a shilling in my pocket, and not knowing where to look for one." But, somehow or another, people never will be candid now-a-days; and Talleyrand was right when he said that "language was given to man to enable him to conceal his thoughts." But to continue. Mr. Suggett glanced a little further around the room, and recognized another old acquaintance. "Ah! Snoggles, how are you?" "Very well, thank'ee--how be you?" "Blooming; but how come you here?" "I dropped in quite permiscuously," answered Snoggles, "and finding good company, stayed. But it is up'ards o' three years since I see you, Mr. Suggett." "About. What grade do you now fill in the profession? Any promotion?" "I'm sorry to say not," replied Mr. Snoggles, shaking his head mournfully. "I've tumbled off the box down to a level with the osses;" which, being interpreted, means that Mr. Snoggles had fallen from the high estate of coachman to the less elevated rank of ostler. "But what rank do you now hold?" "I left off the uniform of _tiger_ last month," answered Mr. Suggett, "and received the brevet of walley-de-chambre." "That gentleman one of the profession?" demanded Snoggles, alluding to Mr. Whittingham.