THE STEAM EXCURSION. 3> 



porters ran down the steps with luggage that would crush any men 

 but porters; and sloping boards, with bits of wood nailed on them, 

 were placed between the outside boat and the inside boat, and the 

 passengers ran along them, and looked like . so many fowls coming 

 out of an area; and then the bell ceased, and the boards were taken 

 away, and the boats started ; and a great many people who wanted to 

 go were left behind, and a great many people who didn't want to 

 go were carried away ; and the whole scene was one of the most 

 delightful bustle and confusion that can be imagined. 



The time wore on ; half-past eight o'clock arrived ; the pastry- 

 cook's men went ashore ; the dinner was completely laid out, and 

 Mr. Percy Noakes locked the principal cabin, arid put the key into 

 his pocket, in order that it might be suddenly disclosed in all its 

 magnificence to the eyes of the astonished company. The band 

 came on board, and so did the wine. Ten minutes to nine, and the 

 committee embarked in a body. There was Mr. Hardy in a blue 

 jacket and waistcoat, white trousers, silk stockings, and pumps ; 

 habited in full aquatic costume, with a straw hat on his head, and an 

 immense telescope under his arm ; and there was the young gentle- 

 man with the green spectacles in nankeen inexplicables, with a ditto 

 waistcoat and bright buttons, like the pictures of Paul not the 

 saint, but he of Virginia notoriety. The remainder of the committee, 

 dressed as they were in white hats,, light jackets, waistcoats and 

 trousers, looked something between waiters and West India planters. 



Nine o'clock struck, and the company arrived in shoals. Mr. 

 Samuel Briggs, Mrs. Briggs, and the Misses Briggs made their ap- 

 pearance in a smart private wherry. The three guitars, in their res- 

 pective dark green cases, were carefully stowed away in the bottom 

 of the boat, accompanied by two immense portfolios of music, which 

 it would take at least a week's incessant playing to get through. 

 The Tauntons arrived at the same moment with more music, and a 

 lion a gentleman with a bass voice, and incipient red mustachios. 

 The colours of the Taunton party were pink ; those of the Briggs's 

 a light blue. The Tauntons had artificial flowers in their bonnets ; 

 here the Briggs' s gained a decided advantage they wore feathers. 



"'How d'ye do, dear?" said the Misses Briggs to the Misses Taun- 

 ton. (The word "dear" among girls is frequently synonymous 

 with " wretch.") 



" Quite well, thank you, dear/' replied the Misses Taunton, to the 

 Misses Briggs and then there was such a kissing, and congratu- 

 lating, and shaking of hands, as would induce one to suppose the 

 two families were the best friends in the world, instead of each 

 wishing the other overboard, as they most sincerely did. 



Mr. Percy Noakes received the visitors, and bowed to the strange 

 gentleman, as if he should like to know who he was. This was just 

 what Mrs. Taunton wanted. Here was an opportunity to astonish 

 the Briggs's. 



" Oh ! I beg your pardon," said the general of the Taunton party, 

 with a careless air " Captain Helves Mr. Percy Noakes Mrs. 

 Briggs Captain Helves." 



