tually to prevent any subsequent correction of the evil.
There were two material consequences which followed this insidious change in the regular plans of Marmaduke. The one, that the main street, after running about half its length, was suddenly reduced to precisely that difference in its width; and the other, that the "Bold Dragoon" became, next to the Mansion-house, by far the most conspicuous edifice in the place.
This conspicuousness, aided by the characters of the host and hostess, gave the tavern an advantage over all its future competitors, that no circumstances could conquer. An effort was, however, made to do so; and, at the Corner diagonally opposite, stood a new building, that was intended, by its occupants, to look down all opposition. It was a house of wood, ornamented in the prevailing style of architecture, and about the roof and ballustrades, was one of the three imitators of the Mansion-house. The upper windows were filled with rough boards, secured by nails, to keep out the cold air; for the edifice was far from finished, although glass was to be seen in the lower apartments, and the light of the powerful fires, within, denoted that it was already inhabited. The exterior was painted white, on the front, and on the end which was exposed to the street; but in the rear, and on the side which was intended to join the neighbouring house, it was coarsely smeared with Spanish brown. Before the door stood two lofty posts, connected at the top by a beam, from which was suspended an enormous sign, ornamented around its edges, with certain curious carvings, in pine boards. and on its faces, loaded with masonic emblems. Over these mysterious figures, was written, in large letters, "The Templetown Coffee-House, and Traveller's Ho-
