being thrown wide open, admitted a view of other lacqueys orters lining the passage, or standing at the foot of the se, all quite as grandly arrayed as their fellows outside, and is proud in look and deportment.

let us now repair to the room where the breakfast party issembled, and bestow a glance at its occupants.

Lady Mayoress, it has been intimated, was a few years er than her husband, and being still in remarkably good preon, might be termed a fine woman. Her person was on a large scale, it is true, her features fat and rounded, er once dimpling chin doubled, but her teeth and eyes were and she had an agreeable smile, and a generally pleasing exon of countenance. Her size, however, was vastly exaggerated e outrageous dimensions of the hoops sustaining her pink gown, which was decorated to profusion with large bows of , cords, tassels, and wreaths of flowers, and festooned with bands of parti-coloured silks; while her stature was ind in the same ratio by a surprisingly lofty head-dress, which ll three feet above her brows, and might have over-balanced a bstantially-built frame. This monstrous "head," the interior ich (if we may venture to reveal the secrets of the toilette), ormed of tow, rose up smooth and straight as a wall in front, stiffened with powder and pomatum, while the sides and back covered with ranges of enormous curls, likewise plentifully nkled with powder. Some of these curls descended upon her ip's ample shoulders. But we have not yet done. The towering dress in question, which reminds one of Queen Huncamunca's, ung over with ropes of pearls, and other jewels, decorated ibbons in bobs and ties, and surmounted by a plume of ostrich rs. There seems little danger of such a mode as this being ed, but it may be well to remark, by way of caution, that, endently of the time occupied in its construction, the shape, was calculated to last for a fortnight, could only be pre1 by the wearer sleeping in a chair during the whole of the

ch, ladies, was a Lady Mayoress in the times of your greatmothers.

parated from her mother by the Lord Mayor's chaplain, Dipple,-a fat, rubicund-visaged divine, attired in cassock and, who looked as if he did not despise the good things is world, and had assisted at many a civic feast,-was Lorimer's eldest daughter, Lady Dawes, a lively, dark-eyed, ttish, and very pretty widow of some three or four-and. Lady Dawes's rather full figure-for her ladyship proin due time to attain to her mother's goodly proportions arrayed in a polonese of garnet-coloured lustring, made very behind, and very low in front. Open from the waist, and

tresses-now changed in hue by powder-were arranged, her to a marvel. Lady Dawes's features were by no classical in outline. There was nothing severe, or chiselled, r style. But without being regular, they were pretty, and xpression was eminently pleasing. She was the relict of in Dawes, a rich old goldsmith in Gracechurch-street, whom spect she must have married for his money, for he had no recommendation, and who had died a few years before, g her all his treasures. With her personal attractions and alth it will not be supposed that Lady Dawes lacked suitors act, she had a great many-but she did not seem inclined to e the matrimonial yoke for the second time.

Lady Mayoress's second daughter, Mrs. Chatteris, who was e present with her husband Captain Chatteris, of the Hole City Artillery-Tom Chatteris, as he was familiarly -was also a very pretty woman, though in quite a different rom Lady Dawes, being a blonde, with soft blue eyes, a defair complexion, and languishing looks. Lady Lorimer had eard to declare that she did not know which of her two marughters was the handsomest-she sometimes gave the palm to Olivia, sometimes to dearest Chloris. But she never comer youngest daughter, Millicent, with either of them. Mrs. is, however, was pretty enough to make any mother vain, y husband jealous, though Tom Chatteris neither doted upon was jealous. In fact, he rather liked to see her admired, Mrs. Chatteris had no objection to admiration, this did very Provided he was allowed to flirt as much as he pleased, Tom hought of interfering with his wife's proceedings, and this good understanding being arrived at, they lived together on terms possible. Sir Gresham would have liked to see a little eal conjugal regard on both sides, but as Lady Lorimer him that dearest Chloris was perfectly happy, he was fain ntent, simply remarking that "this was not the way married d to live together in former days."

! but habits of life have greatly changed since our time, sham," observed Lady Lorimer.

it seems," he replied, dryly; "but I am dull enough to like ners best. I could never have borne to see any one make ht love to you, as I perceive some of those scented fops loris; and for all your pretended indifference, I don't think ld have liked me to run after every pretty woman I met, to be the case with Tom Chatteris."

on't think I should, my dear," Lady Lorimer rejoined, agitating her fan. "But our case is very different. We, v, married from love."

n you don't think people do marry from love now-a-days,

■ respect.

shall be very glad if Milly marries as well as either of them, ed Lady Lorimer, somewhat sharply. "Dearest Olivia was nvy of all our City belles when she married that Croesus, ir John Dawes

Vell, I can't say that was a bad match, regarded in a pecuniary of view," Sir Gresham interrupted; "but it was entirely making, my love."

o it was," she rejoined. "I take the entire credit of it. And st Olivia is greatly obliged to me, if you are not, Sir Gresham. could she desire better?"

Why, Sir John Dawes was twelve years older than myself, Sir Gresham. "I remember him when I was a boy and ing in Bucklersbury."

Don't refer to that period, I beg of you, Sir Gresham. Sir John's were a recommendation rather than otherwise, since they his wife the assurance of becoming the more speedily a V. And he was obliging enough to gratify her, and to leave en thousand a year in testimony of his affection. If that can't rmed marrying well, I don't know what can."

Vell, well, my dear, I won't contradict you. Ten thousand r is a jointure not to be despised, and Olivia may please herf she marries again, that's quite certain. But you can't say were any such worldly advantages as those in Chloris's and you were as eager to bring about that match as the You know I objected to Captain Chatteris, and thought too gay, too fond of pleasure-not quite steady enough, in --but I suffered myself to be overruled by you." And very properly so, too, Sir Gresham. Where a daughter's ness is concerned, no one is so good a judge of the means suring it as a mother. Captain Chatteris and dearest Chloris d made for each other. You remember I said so when he d with her at the ball at Goldsmiths' Hall, where they first

remember he was very assiduous in his attentions to you, my and paid you nearly as much court as he paid Chloris." lere fancy on your part, Sir Gresham. Captain Chatteris is est-bred person I know. He has been brought up in a good , which teaches that assiduous attention to our sex is the ry duty of man.”

he lessons he learnt at that school have not been thrown away him, it must be owned," laughed Sir Gresham. "He rarely > profit by them."

nd much to his credit, if he does," Lady Gresham rejoined. ny mind, people can never be too polite. You would be none orse yourself, Sir Gresham, if you imitated Captain Chatteris t respect a little. However, let that pass. Tom's agreeable ers and good looks won dearest Chloris's heart, as you know,

the confessed his position so charmingly, and promised ment so earnestly, that one could not fail to be pleased with d take him at his word. And you behaved nobly, as you do, Sir Gresham. You not only paid his debts, but agreed them a handsome allowance on their marriage."

ich they have always exceeded," observed Sir Gresham. Tom isn't in debt again. I shan't help him out of his ies a second time, I can promise him."

e owes anything 'tis a mere trifle. A few hundreds, which I never miss, Sir Gresham, will set all right." en he is in debt!" cried her husband, angrily. I've a good mind to turn my back upon him."

"Fire and you won't, Sir Gresham," she rejoined, in the coaxing ich seldom failed in effect. "You are far too kind, too s for that. Set him clear once more, and I'll answer for

1 conduct in future."

on't promise anything till I know precisely how much he nd whom he owes it to," said Sir Gresham. "When I am on these points I will decide. But it is not merely of Extravagance that I complain, but of the bad example he ur son, Tradescant, who, I fear, is disposed to tread in his Use all the arguments I please, I can't get the young scapeattend to business."

wonder, Sir Gresham. Tradescant knows he is an only he likewise knows you are very rich."

Chatteris takes care to impress that upon him pretty What is more, he tries to make a fine gentleman of him, hes him to despise his father's business."

y you wouldn't have Tradescant a draper, Sir Gresham?" dy Lorimer. "Surely, you intend him for something

an that!"

what better could he do than follow the business which r and grandfather have conducted before him? Zounds! none of these fine airs. Tradescant is a son of a tradesI ought not to be ashamed of his origin. If he is, I'm of him. But he shall attend to business. He shall be e shop. He shall stand behind the counter."

ill die first. What! our son, Tradescant, measure out rds of cloth for a customer! Dreadful!-not to be

why not?" cried Sir Gresham. "I've measured many cloth in my day, and thought it no disgrace. But times ed now. Sons begin where fathers leave off."

very natural too, Sir Gresham. Don't lower your son, I

ke, and entirely attributable to his partiality. No one else vered these beauties, because poor, retiring Millicent, who, in the background-" the proper place for her," Lady Lorimer -was generally overlooked. It cannot be denied, however, she had a very good figure; tall, slight, and perfectly formed. ich dark tresses were taken back from her smooth brow so form a very pretty toupee of moderate size, while her profuse locks, which, when unfastened, fell down almost to her feet, clubbed behind, and secured by a broad pink ribbon, tied bow. Her gown was of dove-coloured silk, long waisted, over the stomacher, and had short sleeves to the elbow, ed with large ruffles. There was no other ornament about Her feet were quite as small and as pretty as those of her , and this was the only point of resemblance between them. ving thus completed the survey of the female members of our Mayor's family, we will next glance at his only son, escant. It will not be thought surprising that Lady Lorimer deem it degrading in such a smart young gentleman as we bout to present, to pay any personal attention to his father's ess. Tradescant was a beau of the first water. A richlymaroon-coloured velvet coat, made in the extremity of ode, with large cuffs, and without collar, and a long-skirted waistcoat, embroidered and laced like the coat, set off his fine person; while cobweb silk stockings of a ruby colour, hoes with diamond buckles in them, were equally advantageous display of his leg and foot, of both of which the young fellow ot a little vain. Ruffles of the finest Mechlin lace, a deep frill e same material, and a muslin cravat completed his costume. hevelled peruke of flaxen hair assisted the rakish look and tment he affected. But for this dissipated expression, and xtreme foppery of manner, Tradescant Lorimer might have termed a very handsome, elegant fellow; but his graces, as they were, were all external, for though not devoid of he was shallow-pated and frivolous, devoted to pleasure, led is equally dissolute brother-in-law, Captain Chatteris, and d upon and duped by his other profligate associates. With orst side of his son's character Sir Gresham was entirely uninted. He knew him to be idle and extravagant, but he ot know the sort of company he kept. He was aware he frequented Ranelagh, Vauxhall, and Marybone Gardens, pera and the theatres, and he saw no great harm in this, e never dreamed that he haunted taverns and gamings, consorted with racing-men, and betted at the cock-pit. Had proceedings come to his father's ears, Tradescant would have he full weight of the old gentleman's displeasure.

nspicuous among the party at the breakfast-table was the