exempts it altogether from the provincial appearance common to the other towns. If indeed the equipages that you see are many of them wanting in the finished and perfect appearance of a London turn-out, at all events there is no deficiency in point of number and variety.

From the slang drag, the family coach, the town chariot, the travelling ditto, the open landau, the German calash, the light britscha, the voluptuary's luxurious cab, the phaeton, the tilbury and the stanhope; the infinite and innumerable sorts, sizes, and descriptions of four-wheeled chay, down to the peculiar conveyance indigenous to the country, and familiar to all, as the Irish jauntingcar. Alone, perhaps, is wanting that bijou of conveyances, the lordly vis-à-vis, which, light and graceful, bowls swimmingly along behind a pair of good-actioned sixteen-hands-and-a-half, with sufficient room to stretch your legs-and if you are fond of ease, and like to ride alone, holds invitingly an opposite seat to rest them on-and not heavy as a coach, it still affords room for that double attendance from behind, so absolutely necessary in entering and alighting, to those unable

to rough it with one footman. But revenons à nos moutons, if the vast number of conveyances in Dublin streets please, by their crowd and number, still more amusement may be derived from the grotesque and clumsy finery of most of them. Servants pranked proudly forth in some one article, whose bright and brilliant newness contrasts not pleasantly with the old and shabby remnant of their dress; coachmen in coloured handkerchiefs and top-boots-footmen in frock coats and soiled gloves, with gaiters that too short to reach the entire length from knee to heel, thus expose above the latter the broken stocking, through which the new potato peeps. Huge and enormous family coaches roll heavily on, like a mountain put in motion, almost eclipsing the Lilliputian pair of under-sized horses that toil in front-of which one groans beneath the mercilessly-added weight of an overgrown man enacting a postillion, whose dark cord breeches and clumsy jacket suit but ill the smart cockade that ornaments his hat. Gentlemen on horseback, with grooms in showy liveries; and ladies also en cavalier, not alone indeed, but still unprovided with a groom. In this respect, par

ticularly, Dublin is remarkable; the number of equestrians being incredible, arising from the fact of almost every one keeping horses, not alone for themselves, but also for their children—and this often amongst persons of very limited means. In fact, the love of display is so great that many persons, who live very badly in all other respects, still manage to keep carriages and horses, and livery servants, even if they starve them-and half starve them they certainly must-though, from the habit of the country, except in very first-rate houses, the unfortunate domestics, not expecting much, are contented with the poorest fare; and even shopkeepers, who cannot afford to give credit for inconsiderable sums, and are compelled to run from customer to customer at the risk of losing them by their importunity, in order to raise money to meet their bills, are not content to remain within their proper sphere; but, aping the gentry, they too must keep their car and country-house, though bankruptcy be at hand and ruin stare them in the face. Another feature that tends to enliven the appearance of the streets is the presence of the vast military force quartered here, of which

the different officers commonly throng the more crowded places-whose varied uniforms strike the eye not unpleasantly, although they for ever recall to mind the provincial character of the town, which might otherwise be forgotten. Wandering through this scene of showy poverty, insolvent pretension, and counterfeit wealth, I passed the time until the arrival of the hour when, as I had been given to understand, all the inmates of my new home assembled for dinner-whose circle I soon found was to be increased by the presence of several strangers as their guests, this being, as I afterwards learned, one of the regular days set apart every week more particularly for this purpose-the fare being on such occasions intentionally improved by the addition of a second course, and euphoniously denominated by Mr. Timothy O'Neil, a "company-day." Having been informed by the same personage, (who, accoutred in a dirty white neck cloth, and a blue coat built a good deal on the model of a coatee, garnished with tarnished brass buttons, of which one was wanting behind, with the elbows and upper part of the back turned white by age and wear, whilst the top of the collar was, in a

spirit of contradiction, dyed black with grease), that the ladies and some of the gentlemen were in the drawing-room, and that I had better make haste,-"I have settled a place for you, sir, near the foot, and if you are not in time some of the strangers may get it, which I should be sorry for, as I always stand near there, and could take partiklar care of you; besides, there will be a beautiful boiled leg of mutton and trimmings, which we always considered a top joint at the Saracen's Head. So you will please to observe, first seat on left-hand side, next but one to a turned-down plete-always make it a rule to mark stranger's seats in that sort of way; I learned that plan in Liverpool."

I hastened to thank the worthy Timothy for his useful information, who, if having his very heart in his business deserve commendation, well merited praise, being devoted body and soul to the grand event about to come off, which he spoke of with a becoming seriousness.

"A very large party to day, sir! almost every gentleman has got a friend; a great many more than Mr. Cullen knew of till within these two