;8 MY LIFE 



now before me, there arc several; they arc not as common 

 dirt or earwigs in the country I but they often turn up. 

 " I begin the second reading to-night — not aloud — oh, no! 

 " With our best Salaam to the Lady. I remain. 



" Thine in amity, 



"T. PURLAND." 



The next letter is so wholly and heartily gastronomic that 

 it appeals to me strongly, and reveals the jovial character of 

 the man so amusingly that it must not be omitted. 



" Fang Castle, 7, Mortimer St., W., 

 "Jan. 9, 1870-1. 



" Now you're wuss and wuss ! 



"Tuesday is the 'University' of the High-mighty and 

 pious College of Dentists of England, and everywhere else : the 

 1 Collection ' of Officers, and when I am to give an acct. of 

 all the four-penny pieces I have received during the year — 

 for, and on behalf of the Jaw-breakers in general, and the 

 Council in particular. We begin at 7 — close when we have 

 no more to say; and adjourn to St. James's Hall feeding-box, 

 for a trial of the Artificials ! 



" It was lucky I called there this morning. Our Sec. had 

 ordered a Cold Collation — Cold Veal, Ham and Fowls! Cold 

 Devils ! You may as well eat a Hat-box or Fire-zvood. 



" I have ordered a Hot Supper — Ducks — Giblet Pies — 

 Plum-pudding, and such like Comforts — cold grub indeed, and 

 the Glass at 26 . So you see, as I cannot well be in two places 

 at once, and where Duty call one must obey, we shall not 

 have the pleasure of Banquetting upon the ' Cold Greens. 3 



" As to ' Alcohol ' — I do not think I shall venture out — 

 Aunt Loo is going to preside at a School treat in the shape of 

 T., Bunns, Plum cake and sundry indigestibles, one a Magic- 

 Lanthorn, which they are to devour. Tom and his Cousin 

 Constance go as well : So I shall be alone, as the Gals are at 

 Torquay — capital place for females as it is all Talkee! 

 Talkee ! — So, as I said before, I shall be alone — and I con- 

 template the utter destruction of a Kidney pudding! Think 



