TOMMY GORDON. 25 



pity of the charitable and right-thinking 

 his personal appearance and manner the 

 constant jest of the learned as well as the 

 unlearned.* 



Such scenes as these did not much 

 recommend the place to my favour ; 

 neither did the society I met in the 

 evenings, by the advice of my predecessor, 

 accord with my taste. Having entered a 

 room called the Sixteen, which from its 

 darkness there being but one mutton-light 

 placed on a table in the centre remind- 

 ing me of the poet's description of 

 Hecate's cave, I expected from his account 

 to be entertained with some scientific 

 exposition, or, at least, some learned and 

 interesting conversation. I was greatly 

 disappointed when I found myself sitting 

 down next two well-dressed men, who, by 

 earnestly disputing which was the most 



* This unfortunate being, well known as "Tommy Gor- 

 don," has long been defunct ; but lives in the memory of 

 every Cantab, of his time. 



