Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/97



P mighty betimes, and after a tour Miles' Walk, loſing Weight like a Jockey, to the Palace Yard of St. James's Palace, to ſee the Soldiers mount Guard to guard the, which they do every Morning whether ſhe is there or no, and is a pretty pompous Ceremony. Found myſelf among as dirty ſhabby a Set of Fellows hanging about as I think I ever law, with whom two or three with the Look of Gentlemen, and a pretty Sprinkling of Milliner Girls and Nurſe-Maids, but they presently away from the Ragamuffins to the Eaſt Side of the Yard, and ſo did I. Strange how all Women almoſt do run after Soldiers; which Mr. Pumpkyns do ſay is becauſe Weakneſs do, by Inſtinct, ſeek the Protection of Courage; but I think is owing to Nothing at all but the Bravery of a Red Coat. In a few Minutes more Riff-Raff pouring in; then a Noiſe without of drumming: and then juſt at ¼ to 11, a Party of the Grenadier Guards marching in under the Clock-Tower, the Drums and Fifes in Front of them, and, at the Head of all, the Drum Major, twirling his Staff, ſtrutted like a Pouter-Pigeon, as ſtately, almoſt, as ever I saw. The Men at the Word of Command ground Arms with a Clang, and ſtood at Eaſe in Lines, and together with the Spectators made a Square, with the Drums and Fifes at one End, and the Band at the other by the Clock Tower, and a Poſt in the Middle, and around the Poſt, with the Colours, the Officers in full Figg, mighty trim;