3fi EXPERIENCES OF A SURGEON. 



I had my resilience. The story above this was divided in like man- 

 ner ; one division occupied by two young; women, and another by a 

 journeyman bookbinder. There were thus under the same roof, seven 

 distinct families, each unconnected with and perfectly independent 

 of his neighbour. The stairs were of course common to all ; and it 

 was astonishing- how orderly and quiet the place was. I lived here 

 nearly eight months; and so little intercourse was there amongst the 

 members of the colony, that I never knew the name of any one of 

 them, and believe my own was equally unknown : nobody seemed 

 to trouble themselves either as to the mode of life or character of 

 those around them. With the exception of the passing along the 

 stairs, and the sound of mirth, music, and singing, from the first-floor 

 at times, I was as secluded and solitary as if in the midst of a number 

 of Trappists. I never saw but once my fair neighbour, and that 

 only for a moment: she was a fine, showy young woman, and had 

 an air of espitglerie and insouciance belonging to her profession. 

 My landlady was civil and attentive; and as my rent and other ex- 

 penses were punctually paid every Monday morning, and as my 

 hours were regular, we were good friends : she was honest, and kept 

 my apartment clean, and never intruded herself. 



I now commenced housekeeper on my own account bought 

 sugar, tea, coffee, cheese, ordered a loaf to be left every morning; 

 while my landlady got me butter, chops, and steaks, when I did 

 dine at home took me a pennyworth of milk daily, and a peck of 

 coals weekly, and found me pepper, mustard, and salt, gratis : she 

 had my linen washed and my shoes cleaned ; and, on the average, 

 these several items made my weekly expenditure about a guinea. 

 As to dinner, I usually made a substantial one in the evening, as 

 this left me the middle of the day quite at liberty; now and then, 

 however, I dined at an ordinary, of which there were a vast number, 

 and of all grades and prices. One half the population, I verily 

 believe, never cooked their own dinners, but supplied themselves 

 from the eating-houses. 1 could get a very good dinner, including 

 bread and a pint of stout, for one shilling ; this of course consisted of 

 one dish only. The house I principally frequented, was a French 

 one, in a narrow street leading out of Leicester-square : it was 

 admirably conducted, and had a great choice of dishes and soups : 

 the bread was especially good and cheap : I donjt know a pleasanter 

 eating-house ; and it was attended by very respectable people. I 

 have often seen ladies dine there, in as much privacy as if at their 

 own table: the gar^on, William, was an orderly and civil waiter, 

 and well deserved his penny fee. The coffee was superb, but very 

 dear, fourpence a cup: the liqueurs too were excellent ; and one 

 might make a dinner for a shilling or a guinea, just as it was con- 

 venient. There was, when T was in the habit of visiting there, a 

 smart French girl in the bar, and a most singular-looking cat without 

 a tail, that made a regular circuit round the room, taking a turn 

 before each of the fires, of which there were three, and then squatted 

 herself down in the middle of the room, as if to watch the company. 

 Many of the dishes I did not like, and some of the soups I could 



