Holcke's embarrassment was considerably increased by this, and he was visibly hurt, seeing the King in a manner countenanced the rudeness of the Skipper.
This King, who it should seem determined to see _Real Life in London_, mingled in all societies, participating in their gaieties and follies, and by practices alike injurious to body and soul, abandoned himself to destructive habits, whose rapid progress within a couple of years left nothing but a shattered and debilitated hulk afflicted in the morning of life with all the imbecility of body and mind incidental to extreme old age.
~283~~ who are particularly partial to the brown stout, which they can obtain there in higher perfection than in any other house in London.
Brokers and others, whose business calls them to the Royal Exchange, are also pretty constant visitors, to meet captains and traders--dispose of different articles of merchandise--engage shipping and bind bargains--it is a sort of under Exchange, where business and refreshment go hand in hand with the news of the day, and the clamour of the moment; beside which, the respectable tradesmen of the neighbourhood meet in an evening to drive dull care away, and converse on promiscuous subjects; it is generally a mixed company, but, being intimately connected with our object of seeing _Real Life in London_, deserves a visit.

On the first floor is a good room for dining, where sometimes eighty persons in a day are provided with that necessary meal in a genteel style, and at a moderate price--besides other rooms for private parties.

Above these is perhaps one of the handsomest rooms in London, of its size, capable of dining from eighty to a hundred persons.

But you will now partake of its accommodations, and mingle with some of its company." By this time they had passed the Royal Exchange, and Tom was enlarging upon the new erections lately completed; when all at once, "Hallo," said Bob, "what is become of our party ?" "All right," replied his Cousin; "they have given us the slip without slipping from us--I know their movements to a moment, we shall very soon be with them--this way--this way," said he, drawing Bob into the narrow passage which leads to the back of St.Peter's Church, Cornhill--"this is the track we must follow." Tallyho followed in silence till they entered the house, and were greeted by the Landlord at the bar with a bow of welcome; passing quickly to the right, they were saluted with immoderate volumes of smoke, conveying to their olfactory nerves the refreshing fumes of tobacco, and almost taking from them the power of sight, except to observe a bright flame burning in the middle of the room.

Tom darted forward, and knowing his way well, was quickly seated by the side of Merrywell, Mortimer, and Harry; while Tallyho was seen by those who were invisible to him', groping his way in the same direction, amidst the laughter of the company, occasionally interlarded with scraps which caught his ear from a gentleman who was at the moment reading some of the comments from the columns of the Courier, in which he made frequent pauses and observations.
~284~~ "Why, you can't see yourself for smoke," said one; "D------n it how hard you tread," said another.