Walker, on finding himself inspunged for debt in Chancery Lane, was
so foolish as to think of applying to any of his friends (those
great personages who have appeared every now and then in the course
of this little history, and have served to give it a fashionable
air). No, no; he knew the world too well; and that, though
Billingsgate would give him as many dozen of claret as he could
carry away under his belt, as the phrase is (I can't help it, madam,
if the phrase is not more genteel), and though Vauxhall would lend
him his carriage, slap him on the back, and dine at his house,--
their lordships would have seen Mr. Walker depending from a beam in
front of the Old Bailey rather than have helped him to a hundred
pounds.

And why, forsooth, should we expect otherwise in the world? I
observe that men who complain of its selfishness are quite as
selfish as the world is, and no more liberal of money than their
neighbours; and I am quite sure with regard to Captain Walker that
he would have treated a friend in want exactly as he when in want
was treated. There was only his lady who was in the least afflicted
by his captivity; and as for the club, that went on, we are bound to
say, exactly as it did on the day previous to his disappearance.

By the way, about clubs--could we not, but for fear of detaining the
fair reader too long, enter into a wholesome dissertation here on
the manner of friendship established in those institutions, and the
noble feeling of selfishness which they are likely to encourage in
the male race? I put out of the question the stale topics of
complaint, such as leaving home, encouraging gormandising and
luxurious habits, etc.; but look also at the dealings of club-men
with one another. Look at the rush for the evening paper! See how