Mr Tappertit, I shall expect you to invite me to dinner when you are Lord Mayor of London.' 'Sir,' returned the 'prentice, laying down his hammer, and rubbing his nose on the back of a very sooty hand, 'I scorn the Lord Mayor and everything that belongs to him.

We must have another state of society, sir, before you catch me being Lord Mayor.

How de do, sir ?' 'The better, Mr Tappertit, for looking into your ingenuous face once more.

I hope you are well.' 'I am as well, sir,' said Sim, standing up to get nearer to his ear, and whispering hoarsely, 'as any man can be under the aggrawations to which I am exposed.

My life's a burden to me.