CHAPTER V.
"Place me, thou great Supreme, in that blest state, Unknown to those the silly world call Great, Where all my wants may be with ease supply'd, Yet nought superfluous to pamper pride." ~36~~IT will be seen in the previous chapter, that the formal ceremony of a fashionable introduction, such as--"Mr.Sparkle, my friend Mr.
Robert Tallyho, of Belville Hall; Mr.Tallyho, Mr.Charles Sparkle," was altogether omitted; indeed, the abrupt entrance of the latter rendered it utterly impossible, for although Sparkle was really a well-bred man, he had heard from Lady Jane of Tom's arrival with his young friend from the country.

_Etiquette_ between themselves, was at all times completely unnecessary, an air of gaiety and freedom, as the friend of Dashall, was introduction enough to Bob, and consequently this point of good breeding was wholly unnoticed by all the party; but we are not yet sufficiently acquainted with our readers to expect a similar mode of proceeding will be overlooked; we shall therefore lose no time in giving our promised account of Mr.Sparkle, and beg to introduce him accordingly.
Mr.Reader, Mr.Sparkle; Mr.Sparkle, Mr.Reader.
Hold, Sir, what are you about?
You have bewildered yourself with etiquette, and seem to know as little about _Life in London_ as the novice you have already introduced--By the way, that introduction was one of the most extraordinary I ever met with; this may be equally so for ought I know; and I really begin to suspect you are an extraordinary fellow yourself.

How can you introduce me, of whom you know nothing?
Egad, I believe you have me there--"a palpable hit, my Lord," (or my Lady, for I certainly cannot say which;) I was getting myself into an awkward dilemma, but I hate suspicion-- "Suspicion ever haunts the guilty mind." ~37~~Methinks I see a frown, but I meant no offence, and if you throw down my book in a rage, you will perhaps not only remain ignorant of Mr.Sparkle, but, what is more important, of those other numerous fashionable characters in high and low life--of those manners--incidents--amusements--follies--vices, &c.

which, combined together, form the true picture of Real Life in the Metropolis.
"He who hath trod th' intricate maze, Exploring every devious way, Can best direct th' enquiring gaze, And all the varied scenes display." Mr.Author, you are a strange rambler.
Admitted, Sir, or Ma'am, I am a rambler, who, with your permission, would willingly not be impeded in my progress, and under such expectations I shall proceed.
Charles Sparkle was the son and only child of a Right Hon.

Member of Parliament, now no more, whose mother dying soon after his birth, was left destitute of that maternal kindness and solicitude which frequently has so much influence in forming the character of the future man.
His father, a man of eccentric turn of mind, being appointed soon afterwards to a diplomatic situation abroad, left the care of his son's education to an elderly friend of his, who held a situation of some importance under the then existing government, with an injunction to conceal from the boy the knowledge of his real parent, and to bring him up as his own child.
This important trust was executed with tenderness and fidelity; the boy grew in strength, and ripened in intelligence, and being accustomed to consider his protector as his parent, the father, upon returning to England, determined not to undeceive him, until he should arrive at years of discretion; and with this view Mr.Orford was instructed at a proper age to send him to Oxford.
Charles, however had contracted before this period, habits and acquaintances in London, that were completely in opposition to the dictates and inclinations of his supposed father.