City Sketches. ' 343 



Mr. Hookern precipitated his glance upon the minute features and 

 slender outline of Mr. Storks. If it be really true (as I believe it is) 

 that a certain sympathy attracts congenial spirits, no wonder that 

 these two gentlemen felt magnetically drawn towards each other by 

 a power as sudden as it was mysterious. Perhaps the interesting 

 indisposition of Mrs. Hookem (for Storks was a man of true feeling 

 and unquestioned gallantry) facilitated an introduction which other- 

 wise might never have been effected. They slid into conversation 

 insensibly a conversation in the first instance devoted to topics of 

 no exciting interest such, for instance, as the state of the weather 

 the construction of the paddle-boxes the civility of the captain 

 the attention of the steward whether the water was brackish at 

 Gravesend what a romantic spectacle the little church of Erith 

 presented whether the malefactors at Execution Dock had been 

 taken or blown down and other matters of less moment. But, 

 having retired to the best cabin, and each gentleman being promptly 

 supplied with a glass of brandy-and-water, a colloquy of a more 

 solid and instructive character succeeded. 



" Well, Sir," said Mr. Storks, addressing his companion, "we shall 

 soon find ourselves once more in the great city, that vast mart of 

 merchandise, that emporium of the world." 



" Yes, we shall soon be there," returned Hookem. 



" A mighty place, London," observed Storks ; " a wonderful place 

 wonderful !" 



" Isn't it, Sir ?" coincided the lady. 



" I believe you," said Hookem. 



41 Industry never flags there," pursued Storks; " never lies dor- 

 m ant never sleeps." 



" No, all wide awake there,'' returned the other, with a wink. 



" And yet, a good living may be picked up in London, even now/' 

 suggested Storks. 



" If you did but know whereto lookfor it," said his new companion. 



" Excuse me, that isn't it," returned the other; "many people 

 know where to look for it who can't get it, you know." 



" The gentleman speaks true, H.," remarked the wife of H.'s best 

 and purest affections. 



" Now, I know many ways/' continued Storks, " by which a 

 fortune might even be made in this very town ; inevitably cer- 

 tainly " 



*' ' And no mistake ?' as my friend Downey says," enquired 

 Hookem. 



"Strange!" exclaimed Storks, with animation; "did you say 

 Downey ? I know a gentleman of that name." 



" You do ? what ! a stout man, with a very red face?'' 



" Striped stock ?" 



" Brown coat, always close buttoned ?" 



" Yes." 



" Arid a mouth all on one side so?" and Hookem, with exquisite 

 mimicry, indicated the identity. 



" The very man," cried Storks. 



" My dear Sir," said Hookem, " I'm sure I'm very glad to make 

 your acquaintance. Pray, Sir, is your name Wilkins?" 



" No, Sir, my name is Storks Mr. Ambrose Storks." 



