I go to a dozen sales a week; but it is not to buy--I enjoy the humors.

Did you ever hear of Robert Burton, ma'am ?" "No.

Yes; a great traveller, isn't he?
Discovered the Nile--or the Niger--or SOMETHING ?" This majestic vagueness staggered old Crusty at first, but he recovered his equilibrium, and said, "Why, yes, now I think of it, you are right; he has travelled farther than most of us, for about two centuries ago he visited that bourn whence no traveller returns.

Well, when he was alive--he was a student of Christchurch--he used to go down to a certain bridge over the Isis and enjoy the chaff of the bargemen.

Now there are no bargemen left to speak of; the mantle of Bobby Burton's bargees has fallen on the Jews and demi-semi-Christians that buy and sell furniture at the weekly auctions; thither I repair to hear what little coarse wit is left us.