Strip the bishop of his apron, or the beadle his hat and lace; what are they? Men. Mere men. Dignity, and even holiness, too, somtimes, are more questions of coat and waistcoat than some people imagine.

"You shall read them, if you behave well", said the old gentleman kindly; "and you will like that better than looking at the outsides - that is, in some cases, because there are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts"

Morning drew on apace. The air became more sharp and piercing, as its first dull hue - the death of night, rather than the birth of day - glimmered faintly in the sky. The objects which had looked dim and terrible in the darkness, grew more and more defined, and gradually resolved into their familar shapes.

If the parish would like him to learn a right pleasent trade, in a good 'spectable chimbley-sweepin' bisness,' said Mr Gamfield, 'I want a 'prentis' and I am ready to take him.'

In Jacob's Island, the warehouses are roofless and empty; the walls are crumbling down; the windows are windows no more; the doors are falling into the streets; the chimneys are blackened, but they yield no smoke. Thirty or forty years ago, before losses and chancery suits came upon it, it was a thriving place; but now it is a desolate island indeed. The houses have no owners; they are broken open, and entered upon by those who have the courage; and there they live, and there they die. They must have powerful motives for a secret residence, or be reduced to a destitute condition indeed, who seek a refuge in Jacob's Island.

It was almost too much happiness to bear. Oliver felt stunned and stupified by the unexpected intelligence; he could not weep, or speak, or rest. He had scarcely the power of understanding anything that had passed, until after a long ramble in the quiet evening air a burst of tears came to his relief, and he seemed to awaken all at once to a full sense of the joyful change that had occurred, and the almost insupportable load of anguish had been taken from his breast.

Spring flew swiftly by, and summer came; and if the village had been beautiful at first, it was now in the full glow and luxuriance of its richness. The great trees, which had now burst into strong life and health, and, stretching forth their green arms over the thirsty ground, converted open and naked spots into choice nooks, where was a deep and pleasant shade from which to look upon the wide prospect, steeped in sunshine, which lay stretched out beyond. The earth had donned her mantle of brightest green, and shed her richest perfumes abroad. It was the prime and vigour of the year, and all things were glad and flourishing.

But, tears were not the things to find their way to Mr Bumble's soul; his heart was waterproof.

There is a drowsy state, between sleeping and waking, when you dream more in five minutes with your eyes half open, and yourself half conscious of everything that is passing around you, than you would in five nights with your eyes fast closed, and your senses wrapt in perfect unconsciousness.

Lie down, you stupid brute! Don't you know the devil when he's got a greatcoat on?