midnight
They were a mingling of the ludicrous and the wretched . Yet , to give you but one or two instances out of many : -- One cold and weary night , sleep came upon me like death itself . I was wandering along Thames Street , and came to Billingsgate . Porters and oyster-sellers were lounging about the market , some sitting smoking , laughing , or drinking , though it was not an hour past midnight . I sought shelter beneath the sheds , and stretched myself upon one of the tables or benches . But the cold was intense . My very blood seemed freezing .