As there may be some of our readers who are ignorant of the purposes for
which this invaluable pack has been organised, it may be as well to state a
few particulars, before proceeding to the detail of one of the most
splendid nights upon record in the annals of disorderism.

The knocker is a thing which is generally composed of brass or iron. It has
frequently a violent resemblance to the "human face divine," or the
ravenous expressiveness of a beast of prey. It assumes a variety of phases
under peculiar _vinous_ influences. A gentleman, in whose veracity and
experience we have the most unlimited confidence, for a series of years
kept an account of the phenomena of his own knocker; and by his permission
the following extracts are now submitted to the public:--

1840.

Nov. 12--Dined with Captain ----. Capital spread--exquisite
_liqueurs_--magnificent wines--unparalleled cigars--drank _my_
four bottles--should have made it five, but found I had eaten
something which disagreed with me--Home at four.

_State of Knocker_.--Jumping up and down the surface of the door
like a rope dancer, occasionally diverging into a zig-zag, the
key-hole partaking of the same eccentricities.

Nov. 13.--Supped with Charley B----. Brandy, _genuine
cognac_--Cigars _principè_. ESTIMATED CONSUMPTION: brandy and
water, eighteen glasses--cigars, two dozen--porter with a cabman,
two pots.

_State of Knocker_.--Peripatetic--moved from our house to the