"When thou art out upon the cross, May she be faithful to thy doss. If things go rough, and traps are nigh, May she upon the nose be fly." The company then repeated in chorus the last line; after which display of their vocal powers, the ceremony was continued by the parson in the following words:— "If you should pinch a lob—or plan A sneezer, or a randlesman— Or work the bulls and couters rum— Or go the jump and speel the drum— Or turn shop-bouncer at a pinch,— Should you do this and get the clinch, May she, while thou art lumbered, be Still true and faithful, Josh, to thee." The parson paused for few moments, and concluded with this distich:— "Be witness, all, to what is said:— And with this fawney ye are wed!" Barlow handed Josh the ring, which the thief placed on the girl's finger, and then gave her a hearty kiss. The spectators immediately set up a shout of acclamation; and at that instant the gin-punch made its appearance. A scene of debauchery—noise—quarrelling—and ribaldry now followed. The parson was voted into the chair, which was constituted by the foot of one of the beds; and the punch went rapidly round in pewter-pots. The bowl was soon emptied; whereupon Josh Pedler sent to the public-house and ordered another. The little deformity, without legs, sang a filthy song: even the man with the curved spine, and who went about on grapnels, forgot his wonted ill-humour and insolence, and joined in the mirth. The woman, who had charge of the house, was summoned; and, for a consideration of seven shillings and sixpence, she agreed to provide a separate room for the accommodation of the "happy couple." This amount was duly paid; and the woman was made drunk into the bargain for her trouble. At length some one proposed a dance; to which the parson objected, and moved "another bowl of punch" as an amendment. Jane Cummins, however, put an end to the argument by undressing herself, and performing sundry saltatory evolutions in a complete state of nudity—an example which was very speedily followed by Mutton-Face Sal, whose grief for the loss of her paramour, Tim the Snammer, was temporarily drowned in punch. Even the woman in widow's weeds was about to adopt the same course; but she was too tipsy to accomplish her purpose, and, on rising from her chair, fell on one of the beds and into a profound sleep at the same time. The noise, confusion, and disgusting licentiousness of the scene increased to an extraordinary degree; but Josh Pedler led Matilda away—or rather carried her; for the unfortunate girl was now in a complete state of intoxication. * * * * *