the mouth and face, produced no doubt by the twitching of the strings; but still he looked cheerful, and went about his work so as at once to convince every beholder that he was really a man of business.

For nearly a quarter of a century (a great portion of which time I have had the pleasure of his acquaintance) has Bowton perambulated through the country in his present capacity; and although not always a favourite of Fortune, in having the best or most liberal houses to represent, he has always been equally industrious and deserving, and at last Providence has so blessed his perseverance as to place him where he proves a valuable acquisition to no mean firm, who well know how both to value and reward his excellent services. For, as a salesman, he is active and energetic, using nevertheless quiet but persuasive language; and having a sober aspect, and grown grey in the service, although not beyond the meridian of life, he can, without boring, being well supported, command attention and effect sales in less time and more efficiently than many who are more eloquent and pressing, and have youth and other advantages on their side.

As an example for aspirants to respectability of position, who have commenced a commercial career, he stands pre-eminent, and well deserves

L

to be handed down to posterity as a model of what a commercial man should be. Never throwing away his time, he is perpetually occupied, whether in or out of the room. There are seasons when he, as well as ourselves and others, from the probable short absence or engagement of a customer, cannot "progress" to his satisfaction; but all these intervals are filled up, either by throwing out, or adding to, or rearranging his samples, or copying his orders, or the single order as he receives it, supposing he may have taken but one, to prevent the possibility of his being so hurried at post time as to cause him to omit anything he ought to remember, or to lose a post-for he writes daily or arranging his cash accounts, preparing his remittance, or forwarding his circulars. All this, with the rapidity with which he gets over the ground, facilitates his business amazingly.

What he is in point of industry when on his journey, I have been an eye-witness to also in the warehouse; where, though not compelled, he voluntarily, during the busy season, if at home for a few days only, having the interest of his employers at heart, is engaged from nine in the morning till five or six in the evening. Anxious to see those who pay their periodical visits to London, and to supply the wants of his

various friends himself, he fags like an ordinary warehouseman. The letters and correspondence in connexion with parties on his own ground, and the other duties of the counting-house, he takes no common interest in; and his employers, placing a high value upon his services, have enabled, and are still enabling him to support, educate, bring up, and put into good situations, a large family, who will I trust know how to value the blessing of so good a father, and allow him to end his days in peace, relieved from the toils and anxieties of commerce, and leaving them to profit by his excellent example.

DINING REGULATIONS.

Sunday, Fleece Hotel, Cheltenham. - Arose rather earlier than usual for Sunday morning, and strolled all alone up to Pitville Spa, when, after pacing for an hour or more up and down the avenues of trees and the many delightful walks with which this magnificent watering place abounds, I returned to "mine inn" about nine o'clock to "break my fast." Out of

eleven gentlemen in the house, two only beside myself had, by ten o'clock, partaken of this meal; for there is no set period to the taking of breakfast in a commercial room, every one choosing his own hour, and catering to supply his own wants. At this time, from an inclination to enjoy a precious morsel, or to satisfy a squeamishness of appetite produced probably from causes unexplainable, the properties of grills, kidneys, sausages, and eggs, with a variety of all seasonable productions under which the table groans, are canvassed, as adapted to the palate, or suitable to the stomach. One witty wag observed that some particular dish was "good for his complaint." And the breakfast was not finished, from the usual inclination of many to indulge a little longer on the Sunday, after the fatigue of the week, till nearly twelve o'clock. Before that time, however, preparations were made by a select few for going to church; and they who were allied to dissent, and had the inclination, went also to the various places professing their own peculiar tenets or sentiments; previously canvassing and arranging, by mutual consent, the dinner hour for four o'clock, to suit the appetites and convenience of those who had breakfasted late, or had engagements to fulfil.

The tables in various directions were through

out the morning strewed with the writing cases, driving boxes, papers, and books of gentlemen corresponding; the married very properly devoting the hour to an epistle of love to their wives, and others to their employers, &c. The evening newspapers, or Chronicle or Times, or the always acceptable witty, laughter-moving Punch, engaged the attention of others, who would occasionally, when coming to a pithy bit, without solicitation give those who chose to listen an opportunity of getting both news and merriment gratis.

The usual weekday ordinary is served generally about one, or varying from one to two o'clock, when those acquainted with the rules of the room take, without scruple, the one who has been the greatest length of time in the house, the head, and the last arriving the bottom of the table, without reference as to age, standing, or capability, and are denominated respectively the president and vice-president, who for the time being are in possession of supreme authority.

The tenor of conduct and conversation usually takes its standing from the respectability, efficiency, or inefficiency of the president; and although it would seem more desirable always to have an experienced rather than an inexperienced or young man in the chair, it is