The director of a small light carriage for two persons was then hailed; and the two friends were about to enter it, when several boys, carrying bundles of papers, ran up to them, and commenced vociferating with loud voices entreaties to purchase their goods.
“Buy the Sydney Philosophical and Critical Quarterly Review. Only one penny,” cried one little urchin.
“Here’s the Universal Encyclopædia of Useful Knowledge, only one halfpenny,” exclaimed a second.
“Neither are to be compared to these treatises by the Society for the Diffusion of Science among the Insane, sir,—only one farthing!” bawled a third.
“Away with you!” shouted Oriel Porphyry, as he sprang into the carriage, followed by his companion.
“At what velocity shall I apply the power?” inquired the conductor very civilly.
“Oh, moderate; and put me down at the house of Posthumous, in Botany Square,” said his customer.
“Yes, sir,” replied the man.
“Here’s an article on the ponderability of imponderable substances; worth double the money for the whole review,” cried one of the little booksellers.
“Here’s a treatise on——” but what it was on must remain unknown; for both Zabra and his patron were far out of sight and hearing of their tormentors before the last sentence was concluded; and, in a few minutes, they found themselves opposite a stately mansion, which they stopped some time to examine. It seemed an edifice of more modern date than any near it on either side. A flight of broad steps led, under a small portico supported by pillars which in thickness seemed to rival their length, to an entrance by folding doors large enough to admit a regiment of soldiers, over which was placed three draperied figures in marble, sculptured as large as life, blowing trumpets towards three points of the compass, and dropping each a wreath upon the bust of a man with a foolish countenance, upon the base of which, in large letters, was conspicuously placed the name “Posthumous.” Small windows were on each side, and above the door. Over the portico was placed a row of caryatidæ, resembling opera dancers making a pirouette, that supported an entablature, upon which a cumbrous attic was raised, forming an elevation as heavy and incongruous as it is possible to conceive.