98 TOMMY GORDON 



of his high authority, our hero, seeing him distinguished 

 by his scarlet gown and other insignia of office, ran after 

 him, and, jumping on his back, caused him to carry him 

 two or three yards, when he, as quickly getting off, called 

 out to the astonished crowd, — 



" Who can say I never rode a Mayor ? " 



This poor creature was at once the scoffed and the 

 scoffer — the scorned and the scorner ; his attainments were 

 the envy of the scholar — his gross misconduct the pity of 

 the charitable and right-thinking — his personal appear- 

 ance 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 — reminding me of 

 the poet's description of Hecate's cave, I expected from 

 his account to be entertained with some scientific expo- 

 sition, or, at least, some learned and interesting conver- 

 sation. I was greatly disappointed when I found myself 

 sitting down next to two Avell-dressed men, who, l)y 

 earnestly disputing which was the most desirable part of 

 the visage to commence operations on, convinced me that 

 they were journeymen barbers. The rest of the company 

 were doubting or affirming the truth of some doggerel 

 rhymes published in their provincial paper, which gave a 



^ This unfortunate being, well known as " Tommy Gordon," has 

 long been defunct ; but lives in the memory of every Cantab, of his 

 time. 



