consequence of the footmen, appointed to sit up for their master and
mistress, having fallen asleep, leaving a lighted candle in the room.
Mr. and Mrs. Flybekin escaped, with the loss of all their clothes
but what they hurried on in the confusion, and were conveyed to a
neighbouring hotel by their noble relatives, where they received
succour for the night."

But unhappily for the Flybekins, the naked truth at length forced its
way into Devonshire, and the true statement of the matter was circulated
as above related, and now handed down to their posterity.

Thus, the best version of their story only placed them, "out of the fire
into the frying pan," and the unlucky fire-escapes merely saved them
from the fear of being _badly burnt_, in order that they might all
the rest of their lives be _well roasted_!

There is considerable humour and ingenuity
in the following lines, introducing the
names of London booksellers, and their nominal
fitness for publishing certain books:--

* * * * *


"WHAT'S IN A NAME?"


Long hail! to _Longman_, and his longer Co.,
Pride of our city's Pater Noster Row;
Thy trade forego in novel trash romantic,