114
COMPLIMENTS.
meaning, of course, that the gentleman resided in St. John's, the capital of Antigua. Having given two specimens of their written invitations, perhaps some of my readers may call out, “ Enough !" but there is still one before me, which.looks so very dashing that I cannot pass it by with any propriety. It is written upon a red card, (placed in a blue envelope,) in the following manner :— "Mr. Edward and Sam will happy of Mr. Hues Company on the 25th instant, &c. Quadrilles in Bishopsgate Street.
(Direction)
"
MR. HUES, ESQ. '
The ball generally breaks up between four and five, and then there is great cloaking-up with the ladies, the gentlemen lending all the assistance. “ 'Tanky, Mr. Theopolus, you're bery kind, I'se sure." " Miss, anything dat lays in my power for a lady like you." “ Oh, sir ! you're very purlite." "Miss Eleanora, does dis shawl 'blongs to you ?" " I'se 'bleive it do, Mr. Frederick." “ Well, I do declare, I thought so, cause it's handsome, like its owner," &c. &c. The Good nights are then repeated, and the ladies move off, accompanied by their beaux, and the late gay ball-room is left to the smell of expiring tallow-candles, and lamp-oil; drooping flowers, and broken bottles ; sleeping musicians, and halfstarved dogs, who creep in with the hopes of picking up a stray bone or two ; until the bright sun arises, and bids the inmates bestir themselves to clear away the relics of their midnight orgies.