CHAPTER IX.
We post up to Portsdown Fair--Consequence of disturbing a lady at supper -- Natural affection of the pelican, proved at my expense--Spontaneous combustion at Ranelagh Gardens--Pastry _versus_ Piety--Many are bid to the feast; but not the halt, the lame, or the blind.
A few days after M'Foy quitted the ship, we all had leave from the first lieutenant to go to Portsdown fair, but he would only allow the oldsters to sleep on shore.

We anticipated so much pleasure from our excursion, that some of us were up early enough to go away in the boat sent for fresh beef.

This was very foolish.

There were no carriages to take us to the fair, nor indeed any fair so early in the morning; the shops were all shut, and the Blue Posts, where we always rendezvoused, was hardly opened.

We waited there in the coffee-room, until we were driven out by the maid sweeping away the dirt, and were forced to walk about until she had finished, and lighted the fire, when we ordered our breakfast; but how much better would it have been to have taken our breakfast comfortably on board, and then to have come on shore, especially as we had no money to spare.