BAGNALLT’S BUNGLES. 97 
be) to propose and seriously recommend a substantial 
breakfast, qualified”. . . andsoon. A substan- 
tial breakfast is clearly the foundation for a good solid 
lunch ; and, accordingly, in the very next chapter (p. 
22), where the historical reminiscences of the river Lea 
are due, he returns to the charge.—‘*“ Well,” he cries, 
“could I here expatiate upon the venerable remnants 
of former ages which the various buildings belong- 
ing to the old Rye House present to the observer ; 
but” —the only remnant he can call to mind is 
“the huge banqueting-room wherein,” etc. etc. ete., 
and the “signboards which direct the piscatorian (2) 
to public-houses in the neighbourhood (O blessed 
sight !)” 
Three meals in twelve pages—O insatiable Bag- 
nall! Not even yet, however, are his cravings ap- 
peased. On passing through Enfield he “ must stop 
at the well-known establishment kept by host Jarvis, 
and proceeds at once to recruit his constitution with 
the liquids and viands which he can pronounce al- 
ways A 1.” Thence, “ invigorated by the pleasing pro- 
cess,” we come to Edmonton, and the famous old 
“Bell,” of John Gilpin renown, the signboard of 
which still represents him in the act of starting on 
his involuntary ride— 
“ Away went Gilpin, neck or nought, 
Away went hat and wig !” 
But all this is, of course, comparatively nothing 
H 
