X PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. from the first, in the hope that he might secure the approbation of persons of sober, independent, and experienced judgment. - Literature is not the author's profession. Having been led, by special circumstances only, to commence writing this work, he found it impossible to go on, without sacrificing to it a large portion of the time usually allotted to repose, at some little cost both of health and spirits. This was, however, indispensable, in order to prevent its interference with his professional avocations. It has been written, also, under certain other considerable disadvantages which may account for several imperfections in it during its original appearance. The periodical interval of leisure which his profession allows him, has enabled the author, however, to give that revision to the whole, which may render it worthier of the public favor. He is greatly gratified by the reception which it has already met with, both at home and abroad; and in taking a final and a reluctant leave of the public, ventures to express a hope, that this work may prove to be an addition, however small and humble, to the stock of healthy English literature. LONDON, October 1841. For the beautiful verses entitled "PEACE," (at page 266, Vol. I.) the author is indebted to a friend (W. S.) CONTENTS TO VOL. I. I. While Mr. Tittlebat Titmouse adorns his outer man, the reader gets a glimpse of his inner man, such as it is. A sincere friend; a wonderful advertise- ment; an important epistle. A snake approaches an ape; which siguifies Mr. Gammon's introduction II. Quirk, Ganimon, and Snap, and Mr. Titmouse; who astonishes them with a taste of his quality. — Hucka- back chooses to call upon Quirk, Gammon, and Snap, to stir them up; and what it led to. III. Great lawyers come on the scene; a glimpse of day- light; a very moving letter. - Titmouse and Hucka- back think it right to go to church; and the former receives a lesson on landlord-and-tenant law, from IV. A vision of beauty unseen by Mr. Titmouse; who is in the midnight of despair and writes a letter which startles Mr. Quirk. How Gammon used to wind VI. Damascus Cream; Tetaragmenon Abracadabra; Tit- mouse's levee at Closet Court; Mr. Tag-rag's enter- tainment to him at Satin Lodge; and its disgusting VII. The reader is now introduced to quite a different set of people, in Grosvenor Street, and falls in love with Kate Aubrey. Christmas in the country; Yatton; VIII. Two strange creatures are seen at Yatton by Mr. Aubrey and his sister; and a hand-grenade is thrown, unseen, at the feet of the latter. - Country life; Yatton; Fotheringham; the two beauties; IX. The explosion of the hand-grenade; shattered hopes and happiness. - A winter evening's gossip at the - X. Gammon versus Tag-rag; and Snap cum Titmouse, XI. Suffering; dignity; tenderness; resignation XII. How the great flaw was discovered in Mr. Aubrey's title; but a terrible hitch occurs in the proceedings XIII. Madam Aubrey's death and burial; Gammon smitten TEN THOUSAND A-YEAR. CHAPTER I. ABOUT ten o'clock one Sunday morning, in the month of July 18, the dazzling sunbeams, which had for several hours irradiated a little dismal back attic in one of the closest courts adjoining Oxford Street, in London, and stimulated with their intensity the closed eyelids of a young man one TITTLEBAT TITMOUSE― lying in bed, at length awoke him. He rubbed his eyes for some time, to relieve himself from the irritation occasioned by the sudden glare they encountered; and yawned and stretched his limbs with a heavy sense of weariness, as though his sleep had not refreshed him. He presently cast his eyes towards the heap of clothes lying huddled together on the backless chair by the bedside, where he had hastily flung them about an hour after midnight; at which time he had returned from a great draper's shop in Oxford Street, where he served as a shopman, and where he had nearly dropped asleep, after a long day's work, in the act of putting up the shutters. He could hardly keep his eyes open while he undressed, short as was the time required to do so; and on dropping exhausted into bed, there he had continued, in deep unbroken slumber, till the moment of his being presented to the reader. He lay for several minutes, stretching, yawning, and sighing, occasionally casting an irresolute glance towards the tiny fireplace, VOL. I.- -1 where lay a modicum of wood and coal, with a tinder-box and a match or two placed upon the hob, so that he could easily light his fire for the purposes of shaving, and breakfasting. He stepped at length lazily out of bed, and when he felt his feet, again yawned and stretched himself. Then he lit his fire, placed his bit of a kettle on the top of it, and returned to bed, where he lay with his eye fixed on the fire, watching the crackling blaze insinuate itself through the wood and coal. Once, however, it began to fail, so he had to get up and assist it, by blowing, and bits of paper; and it seemed in so precarious a state that he determined not again to lie down, but sit on the bedside: as he did, with his arms folded, ready to resume operations if necessary. In this posture he remained for some time, watching his little fire, and listlessly listening to the discordant jangling of innumerable church-bells, clamorously calling the citizens to their devotions. The current of thoughts passing through his mind, was something like the following: - This - for I "Heigho! - Lud, Lud! Dull as ditch water! is my only holiday, yet I don't seem to enjoy it! feel knocked up with my week's work! (A yawn.) What a life mine is, to be sure! Here am I, in my eight-andtwentieth year, and for four long years have been one of the shopmen at Tag-rag & Co.'s, slaving from half-past seven o'clock in the morning till nine at night, and all for a salary of thirty-five pounds a-year, and my board! And Mr. Tag-rag-eugh! what a beast! is always telling me how high he 's raised my salary!! Thirty-five pounds a-year is all I have for lodging, and turning out like a gentleman! 'Pon my soul! it can't last; for sometimes I feel getting desperate such strange thoughts come into my mind! - Seven shillings a-week do I pay for this cursed hole (he uttered these words with a bitter emphasis, accompanied by a disgustful look round the little |