J827.] The Lord Mayor a Journey to Oxford. 379 





Yet such was the fact. No sooner had the important "'So be it," 

 issued from the lips of the Lord Mayor, than the " grasshopper" on the 

 top of the Royal Exchange (the precaution having been neglected of 

 swearing him to secresy) telegraphed the " striking boys" of the clock at 

 Carfax church. And, quick as apoplexy, a note arrives, with the wax 

 yet warm, from the Mayor and Magistrates of Oxford, asking the Lord 

 Mayor to dine with them on the 26th instant the very day on which 

 he had intended that they should dine with him ! 



So 



" As it stands agreed by all, 

 That, but by force or fraud, 

 That day a man should dine at home, 

 He cannot dine abroad." 



** This letter, at once so unexpected and so welcome, gave occasion to a very 

 pleasing sort of embarrassment, on the part of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of 

 London. They felt it would be unkind, if not improper, to decline the invitation 

 so han-dsomely given by the mayor and magistrates of that ancient and most loyal 

 city 5 and yet, as they had not intended to prolong their stay in Oxford, beyond a 

 single day, and had, moreover, fixed to entertain at dinner, the chief members of 

 the University, and the city, they know not how they could accept it !"' 



The dilemma will be admitted to be a critical one ; and perhaps the 

 whole party Lord Mayor, Alderman, and all might, up to this hour, 

 have been unable to extricate themselves from it if a gentleman, of happy 

 facility, had not suddenly suggested a resource, by the question 

 " Could not your Lordship go a day sooner to Oxfoid ?" 



This admirable stratagem, of which we rather suspect Mr. Dillon him- 

 self, although a laudable modesty has prevented him from laying claim to 

 it, clears up the difficulty. A letter is dispatched to Oxford, requesting 

 the Mayor and Magistrates to " make" their dinner " Thursday the 25th 

 . instant." 



" Instructions were given to the town clerk, to secure such accommodation at an 

 inn in Oxford, Reading, and Windsor, as might be adequate for the civic party ; 

 and to make every other necessary arrangements." 



And nothing remains (after making the Wills of all the travellers) but 

 to fit out for the expedition. 



At this point, if we could write any poetry we would : for the subject 

 rises into an interest which can only adequately be sustained by verse. 

 " For Brentford, ho!" is the cry, from Walbrook to Bishopsgate with- 

 out. The Lord Mayor's trumpeter blows his horn 



" Tuba dirum spar gens so num." 



with a force that shakes the city ; till the hoarse roar of the Guildhall 

 giants answers like an echo. The " trysting place" is Monument-yard; 

 and the " gathering" commences. 



The party is to " return from Oxford" in the " city state barge ;" 

 but, for more independence and delight, it is agreed that the individuals 

 composing it shall make their way to that classic and venerable city, 

 each in the way which best suits his own convenience. Therefore 



" Every preliminary arrangement being completed, and ample accommodation 

 having been secured at the Star Inn, Oxford, fur his Lordship and suite, to the 

 number of about thirty persons, Mr. Alderman Atkins, accompanied by two of his 

 daughters, Miss Atkins, and Miss Sarah Jane, left his seat, Haisiead Place, in Kent, 

 On Monday, 'the 24th of July, and set out from London, for Oxford, in the cuol of 

 the following morning! On the same "day, Mr. Alderman and Mrs. Lucas, with 



3 C 2 



