PICCADILLY. 217 



proposition, at once, on witnessing the recognition, 

 fell in with my views, and passing into his office 

 quickly drew upon me; I promptly accepted; a 

 friend, merely as a matter of form, " jumped up be- 

 hind," then there was at once a mercantile and 

 negotiable instrument which, if I remember rightly, 

 was not provided for when it came to maturity, and 

 consequently had to be renewed. Leisurely passing 

 along Piccadilly I see the member for Brecknock, and 

 the constituency of this borough are to be congratu- 

 lated at having secured so thorough a gentleman as 

 Mr. Cyril Flower to represent them in Parliament. 

 Then going in the direction of Apsley House I observe 

 a park-phaeton, drawn by two matchless black cobs, 

 with grand action, and in blooming condition, marvel- 

 lously well driven by a young lady, whose radiant face 

 beams with pleasure and delight as she threads her 

 way confidently through the crowd of vehicles; the 

 servant who sits behind appearing to be fully im- 

 pressed with the responsibility of being entrusted with 

 the care of the hope and the pride of the family he 

 serves. By this time I had finished my cigar; and 

 speaking of smoking reminds me of an anecdote of 

 Keeley, whom I met at a garden-party at the close of 

 his career. Having been requested by our host to 

 ascertain if he had everything he required, I asked 

 amongst other questions whether he had a good cigar. 



" Yes, sir/' he replied, " I have got a good cigar, 

 but it has got one fault." 



"Pray tell me what it is," I said, "that I may 

 rectify it." 



<f It is too short, sir, too short," was his prompt 

 reply. 



