From the irregular square into which he has plunged, the streets and courts dart in all directions, until they are lost in the unwholesome vapour which hangs over the house-tops, and renders the dirty perspective uncertain and confined; and lounging at every corner, as if they came there to take a few gasps of such fresh air as has found its way so far, but is too much exhausted already, to be enabled to force itself into the narrow alleys around, are groups of people, whose appearance and dwellings would fill any mind but a regular Londoner's with astonishment.
On one side, a little crowd has collected round a couple of ladies, who having imbibed the contents of various 'three-outs' of gin and bitters in the course of the morning, have at length differed on some point of domestic arrangement, and are on the eve of settling the quarrel satisfactorily, by an appeal to blows, greatly to the interest of other ladies who live in the same house, and tenements adjoining, and who are all partisans on one side or other.
'Vy don't you pitch into her, Sarah ?' exclaims one half-dressed matron, by way of encouragement.

'Vy don't you?
if _my_ 'usband had treated her with a drain last night, unbeknown to me, I'd tear her precious eyes out--a wixen!' 'What's the matter, ma'am ?' inquires another old woman, who has just bustled up to the spot.
'Matter!' replies the first speaker, talking _at_ the obnoxious combatant, 'matter! Here's poor dear Mrs.Sulliwin, as has five blessed children of her own, can't go out a charing for one arternoon, but what hussies must be a comin', and 'ticing avay her oun' 'usband, as she's been married to twelve year come next Easter Monday, for I see the certificate ven I vas a drinkin' a cup o' tea vith her, only the werry last blessed Ven'sday as ever was sent.

I 'appen'd to say promiscuously, "Mrs.Sulliwin," says I--' 'What do you mean by hussies ?' interrupts a champion of the other party, who has evinced a strong inclination throughout to get up a branch fight on her own account ('Hooroar,' ejaculates a pot-boy in parenthesis, 'put the kye-bosk on her, Mary!'), 'What do you mean by hussies ?' reiterates the champion.
'Niver mind,' replies the opposition expressively, 'niver mind; _you_ go home, and, ven you're quite sober, mend your stockings.' This somewhat personal allusion, not only to the lady's habits of intemperance, but also to the state of her wardrobe, rouses her utmost ire, and she accordingly complies with the urgent request of the bystanders to 'pitch in,' with considerable alacrity.

The scuffle became general, and terminates, in minor play-bill phraseology, with 'arrival of the policemen, interior of the station-house, and impressive _denouement_.' In addition to the numerous groups who are idling about the gin-shops and squabbling in the centre of the road, every post in the open space has its occupant, who leans against it for hours, with listless perseverance.
It is odd enough that one class of men in London appear to have no enjoyment beyond leaning against posts.

We never saw a regular bricklayer's labourer take any other recreation, fighting excepted.