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BENTLEY'S
MISCELLANY.
VOL. IIL
LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY,
NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
1838.
'■ ^Trtiiiiii I
LOXnOX :
tkinted bt samvei. iemtley,
llDTWl Sum, Vlcel Strret.
PREFACE.
The Third Volume of this work stands in need of
very few observations from the Editor, for its success
fortunately renders any remarks from him, in intro-
duction of it, unnecessary.
He leaves it to make its entry without any prelimi-
nary flourish of trumpets, and hopes that the next ten
or twenty volumes will do better still, and speak so well
ior themselves as to render it needless for him to say
even a word in their behalf.
June 1, 1838.
CONTENTS
or THB
THIRD VOLUME.
PAptms by Boi :
Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boji'a Progress
Page 1,105,209, 313,417. »21
Papers bj Geotge Uoganh :
Frendi lilrrrvr)- Ladies . . .17
ThcroboDers of the SeTeniecnihCcniuiy— iheUucheuofOrieans 121
TlwPamgeaf llwSebcio, byJ. B, LeGros ... 29
A Night of Terror, by the Author of " CourestiuQS of m Elderly
Genilemao" ....... 33
by Delta :
as of llic Middle Aga, No II. — Bonomyv the Usurer . 44
No. Ul. The Professor of Toledo . 544
Papers by Muk Lemon :
A True inslory of the celebrated Wedgwood Hieroglyphic com-
monly called the Willow ratiern .... 41
Cvpid and the Rooe ....... 69
IVpen by Captain Mcdwin t
The Three Sisters, a Rononee of real Life . . . M
The Innkeeper of Andenuu .... .143
lite Two Sitters ...... 278
TW Cuiiiue Maigrc ...... 347
Pociial Epistle to " hot," fay Father Prout . . 71
Phptts by Joyce Jocuod i
All *f Well th«t emb well (tiol Shakspeare's) . 73
A blilc Lolfor Mr. George Uobins .... A06
The ConlnM ....... SIO
Lnaato ....... 77
A,Cb«fur<iaSe(as.by II. T. M. 78
Papers by H Daiice :
The Madripil of the SeaioDS .... 83
The Laur«l,ili« RoBe,aiid Um Vine . .130
VI
CONTENTS.
Family Dnunaticalt, by ilie Aulbur or"Talc« vfaii Autiqiury" .!*<
Th« Bird of Paradise ......
A Tftle of Grainrawye, by " Dalton"
Family Stories, by Thomaj Ingoldsby :
No. Vlll. Or. lDgDl(l»by's Story
IX. The Nurse's Story
The Golden Legend, No. I. A Lay of St. NicboUs
Tlic Temptations of St. Anthony ....
T)ie No« Y«ir, by llic Authgr ot" Ilcadluug; HM"
Y* Angler'* Adryie . . ...
A psiwate Account of the late Fire ....
Ttie Female Walton .....
A SpoiliDij ltaiiibl« in tbti Uiglilands ....
Paper* by Old Nicholu:
Sonnet to Friendship ....
Sonnet iu a Churchyiu'd ....
The Krcuiiciliation; oi, the Dream .
The Poet's Fienxy ......
The Portrait CMtry, by the Author of " Adventures of an Irish Ci-nllcmftn"
No8. V, and VL The Cannon Family at Boulo^e . , lAO, 452
Two of a Trade— the Pc-rmu Barbt-r, by the Autliur of " Uajji Baba" 159
Poems by Mrs. Comwell Baron Wilsgn i
Od conleroplating th« HmvviM by MooDligbl . • . 166
Miuic is twen . . . 34 1
English Comfons, by a German ..... 16T
A Dream ........ ITS
Artists and Worbi of Aft in F.nghuid . ... . . 173
Chequered Life ....... 181
MciDuir of the Rev. Robert Hogg;, by tlwAuthor of "Stories or Waterloo** 181
Concert ExtraordinAry ....... 190
Nighto at Sw, by the " Old Sailor ;•
No. VII. The Rii«e, the Duello, and the Naval Sportsman . I91
Vin. Tlic Buttle or the Nile, llie Dying pRsoner . . 37S
I\. Tliu Bunal at 3«n~Sling the Monkey— the V'aaia Cn(\ M\S
The Three Damseb ....... 203
Oiieof Many Tales, by a neglected OpenttiTe .... 305
The Poppy ........ 124
Slukspcare Papers, by Dr. Ma^nn :
No. VI. Tiinoo of Athens ..... 135
VII. Polonius ...... 470
'nete'a oa Mistake in that, by Tristram Mvriylhouiihi . . 242
^mby W.J.Tboms:
Versailles iU
A Chapter oo Clowns .... 617
CONTKNTS.
VII
rapen by Cbwle* Macfcay :
Oti Popular Ant) Nmionul Poetry — No. I. Trance .
II. Switu-rbixl
The Ktisfonnoes and Coniohtioni of Peregrine Tncezle
Olc] Muuiiaja Dew ....
*' Bo Quid, do— 1 'II call my Mother 1"
Coaot Culio'vrhuky and hb Three Houses
The Gnud Juror, by the Author or " The I^llard*'*
Ode to Ml. Murphy .....
Uonoania — Mr. Khiiichiinbtiich, by J. Uanilton Keynoldi
Anacreontic .... . .
f^pen by lient. Johm :
The Dodc-yud Ghost ....
Hie Conreyance Company . .
The Benedict C'lob .....
Pkpen by II. Holl :
Martin Mites, who cared for henetf
VTby did .Mijot MufGn keep « PuTOt ?
Th« Deril .....
f*apen by a Hember of Uie Comet Club :
Slmmi Gow and the liule Grey M&n and the Fairies
Papers by W, Jerdan :
A Chapter oo Lif« ....
Tlw Sou(r*box .....
Thomas Noddy, Eu), ....
Tha Windsor Ball of the latcM FaahJua
SpeeiiDen or AlUterilioD — SieKC of Belgrade
Uu Claude HcboUe in " Ttie Maid of Lyona"
A modem Rdo^ue between Jemmy Douhleiouch and Pat Moguire,
Tnftnm Menytboocbt
A Love Slory in diree Cbapten, by " The Elderly Centleroan"
Nyibology nude easy — My Niece'* Album
TW Uarioei'l Dream — ^Thc Storm Demon .
7W Nanative or John Ward Gibsoo, by Cbarin Wbii^ead
TW Dying Child ......
Tttr VN'elcr.me liiHc . . .
Papcri by Toby AlUpy :
The Upa and Downs of Life ....
The Uaoarde ; Adrcnturca in Paiia No. III.
the Uoating ......
TV Wtealh
^ Hw Lifend of Waller Childe ....
H Epuile Extraofdiiiary lo a dear Friend, by Punch
H Reunqp for NtgblHigales, by Dick Dislicb .
305
by
Till
CONTENTS.
Book-making considered as one of the Fine Arts, by F. J. F
The Raven ......
Song .......
TheLeg ......
Spring .......
The Postman, by Dr. Litchfield
Babiogiaphy ......
The Diary of a Manuscript-hunter
Conundrum ......
Love, Hopej and Joy . . . ■
' A Plain Case .....
A Gleam of tbe Past . . . . .
The Widow cured, or more than the Doctor at fault .
Poems by Julian :
Darkness .....
A Fn^tnent . . . ■ ■
Hr. Buggins, by Vaslyn .....
The Bibliophilist, by T. Raikes
Tlie Queen of Spring, by Camilla Toulmin
Versea .......
Index ......
Page 465
469
479
480
484
493
. 507
511
. 520
535
543
. 552
553
. 555
563
556
564
577
600
625
ILLUSTRATIONS.
BY GEORGE CRUIK8UANK.
Page
Olirer Twist— the Burglary ...... i
Temptations of St. Anthony ...... loo
Oliver Twist — Mr. Bamble and Mrs. Corney takii^ tea . . 1 05
Nights at Sea— a practical Joke . .191
Oliver Twist — Mr. Claypole as he appeared when his Master was out 209
The little Grey Man and the Fairies .... 305
Olirer Twist at Mrs. Maylie'a door . . . .313
Nights at Sea— the Battle of tbe Nile . ' . . 378
Oliver Twist waited on by the Bow-street Runners . .417
The Golden Legend ...... 496
Oliver Twist ........ 551
Nighu at Sea ....... 585
BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.
OLIVER TWIST;
Oif TUK FAHIlill HOV'S mOORKAS.
BY BOZ.
ILLtlStMATBD BY OBUKOE CRVIKiiSAXK.
CIIAFTEH TIIR TWKMTIBTU.
WnK«EI>' OLIVER. IS DtLIVEBXU OVLH TO U«. WILLIAM flKLS.
WiiBN Oliver awoki' in (he tnuming, he was a gnod UwJ Hur-
nrisifl to iimi that a new pair of shoos with strong thick soles
had ht^-n places) at his beilside, and that his old one^i hitil bwn
removed. At Grst hv was pU'itHetl with thcdi »vtfry, hopin;; it
might he the forerunner of his release ; but such thoiij;hts were
quickly di^Uct] oa his silting down to breakfa-it alone with the
Jew, who ti>ld him, in a tone and manner which increusitl his
alarm, that he was to be taken to the reudenc« of Bill SikM
lliat night.
" To — to— stop thcrt', sir ?* nfikt-d Oliver anxiously.
** No, m», Diy dear, not to stop there."' repliod the Jew. ** Wc
shouldn't bke to lose yuu. Duii't t>e afraid, Oliver; you shall
come hack to us again. Ha i ha I ha ! Wl* won't be so cruel
as to Knd you awavi my dear. Oh no, no I*'
The old maU) who was Htooping over thu firv toasting a piece
of bread, looked round m he ImnterL-d Oliver thus, and chucktetl
u if to »bow tliat he knew he would still be very glad to get
away if he cuuld.
"I 6upiioM',*' uud the Jew, fixing his eyea on Oliver, "you
want lo know what you 're going to Bill's for — eh, my dear ?"
Oliver coloured involuntarily to (iud that ihe old thief hail
hmn reading his thotighta ; but boldly said. Yes, lie did want
to know.
" Why, do you think ?" inquired Fagin, jiarrying the que«-
tiuu.
*' Indert) I don't know, sir," replied Oliver.
" Bah !" said the Jew, turning away with a disappointed
counlrnance from a cIom: perusal of Oliver's face. " Wait till
Bit! tells yon, ihcn."*
The Jew tnnni-d much vexed by Oliver's not expressing anv
grcalcT curiufity uu the subject ; but the truth is, that, cdliiougn
nc felt very anxittu*, Im* was too much coufuswl by the earnest
v«u 111. a
OLIVER TWIST.
cunning of Fawn's looks, and his own speculations, to malceany
further inquirioH jiist then. He liad no other opportunity ; for
thf Jew rcmaincil very surly and silent till night, when he pre-
pared to go abroad.
" You may burn a candle," said the .Tew, putting one upon
the table; *'anil here's a bouk for you to read till they come to
fetch you. (iood-ni^ht !"
*' Good-night, sir !" replied Oliver softly.
The Jew walked to the dixir, looking over his shoulder at the
boy as he went, and, suddenly stoppinf;, called him by his name.
Oliver looked up ; the Jew, poioting to the candle, motioned
to him to light it. lie did so ; and, as he placed the candlestick
upon the table, saw tliat the Jew wns gazing fixedly at him
with lowering and contracted brows from the dark end of the
room.
" Take heed, Oliver ! take heed !" said the old man, shaking
his right hand before him in a warning manner. ** He's a
rough man, and thinks nothinf^ of blood when bis own is up.
Whatever falls nut, sny nothnig; and do what he bids vou.
Mind !" Placing a strong omphRsia on the la»t word, he suflercd
his features gradually to resolve themselves into a ghastly grin ;
and, nmlding hi^ li^-ad, left tin; riHUii.
Oliver leant his head upon his hanrl when the old man disap-
peared, and pondered with a trembling heart on the words h«
had just heard. The more he thought of the Jew's admoniiiiHi,
the more he was at a loss to divine its real purpose and meaning.
He could think of no bod object to be attained by sending him
to Sikes which would not be equally well answered by his re-
maining with Kagjn ; and, after nie<litating for a long time, con-
cluded that he had been selected to perform some ordinary me-
nial oflices for the liuusebreaker, until another boy, better suited
for his purpose, could be engaged. He was too well accustomed
to suileriiig, and had suffered too much where he vaf, tu bewail
the prospect of a change very severely. He remained lo^t in
thought for some minutes, and then, with a heavy sigh, snuft'ed
the candle, and, taking up the book which the Jew had left
with him, began to read.
He turned over the leaves carelessly at first, but, lighting on
ft passage which attracted his attention, soon bi-camc intent upon
the volume. It was a history of the lives and trials of great
criminals, and the pages were soiled and thumbed with use.
Here, he read of dreadful ericoes that make the blood run cold ;
of secret murders that had been committed by the lonely way-
side, and bodies hidden from the eye of man in deep pits and
wells, which would not keep thi-m down, deep as they were, but
hod yielded them up at last, aflcr many vears. and so maddened
the murderers with the Right, that in their horror they iiad eon-
^es^Hed their guilt, and yelled for the gil>l>ct to cud their agony.
Here, too, tie read of men wIks lying in their beds al dead of
night, hud bc^n tempted and l«l on by their own bad thoughts
to such (Irpadful bloodshed as it made thi- Hesh crwp and the
limbs quail to think of. The trrribW deiwriptions were bo vivid
and real, that the sallaw page* neetncd to turn red with ftore,
and thti words upon them to he sounded in his ears as if they
were wldnprred in hnltow murnium by the spirita of the dead.
Ill a paroxvam of fear tlie boy clowd the book and thrust it
ftom him. T)iun, fulling upon big kiiivK, he prayed Heaven to
spore him from such deeds, and rather to will that he should
die at once, than be reserved for crimes so fearful and appalling.
By decrees he grew uuire cabn, and bcBou^ht, in a low and
broken voice, that he might be rescued from his present dangers :
and that if any aid were to l>e raiseil up for u (KX>r outcast boy,
who hud never known tlie love nf friends or kiiidrvd, it might
come to him now, when, desolate and deserted, he stood alone
in the midst of wickedness and guilt.
He had concluded his prayer, but still remained with his
head burio<I in his hands, when a rustling noiw arntiMvl him.
" What *8 that !" he erii*d, starting up, and catching sight of
a figure standing by the door. ** Who s there ?"
" Me— only me, replied a tremulous voice.
Oliver raised the candle above his head, and I(X)kcd towards
the door. It was Nancy.
" Put down the light,'' said the girl, turning away her bead :
** it hurts my eyes."
Oliver SAW that nhc was very pale, and gently inquired ifidie
were ill. The girl threw herself intu a chair, with her I>ack to-
wards him, and wrung her hands; but made no reply.
" God forgive me !*■ slic cried after a while, " I never thought
ofaUchis."
** Has anything happened?" asked Oliver "Can I help
you p I will if I can ; 1 will indeed."
She rockefl her^'lf to and fni, and then, wringing her lunds
violently, caught her throat, and, uttering a gurgling sound,
struggled and gasped for breath-
"Nancy !" cried Oliver, greatly alarmed. ** What is it ?"
The girl burst into a dt of Inud laughter, Wating her hnnd))
upon her knees, and her feet upon the ground, meanuhite ; and,
suddenly stopping, drew her shawl clone round her, and shi-
vered with c*)ld.
Oliver stirred the fire. Drawing her chair clow to it, she sat
there for a little time without speaking, but at length ^e raised
her head and looked round.
" I don^t know what comes over me Gometimes," said the girl,
afTccting to busy herself in arranging her dress; *'it's this
damp, dirty room, I think. Now, Nolly, dear, are you ready ?'
** Am 1 to go with you ?" asked Oliver.
"Yes; I have come from Bill," replied the prl. "You are
to gu witli mv."
OLIVER TWIST.
" What for ?** Bait! Oliver recoiling.
" Wliat for r echoed tlie girl, rai&inji her eyes, and averting
them uguiii the moment they ciicuuntercd the boy^s face. " Oh !
for no Uarin."
" 1 don't believe it," said Oliver, who had watched her
closely.
** Have it your own way," rejoined the girl» affecting to ]au|;li.
" For no goud, then."
Oliver could see that he had some power over the girl's
better feeltngB, and fur an instant Lhou<;ht of appealing to
her a>nipas«iiun for his hclploss stale. Hut then the thought
darted across his mind that it was barely eleven o'clock, and
that many [K*onle were slill in llic streets, of whom surelv «>me
might be found to give credence to his tale. As (he reflection
occurred to him, he stepped forward, aud said somewhat hastily
that he was ready.
Neither his brief considerar ion nor its purport were lost upon
his companion. She eyed him narrowly while he spoke, and
cast upon him a look of inlclligL-iice which sufficiently showed
that she guesM-d what had been jwissing in his tlmughts.
'" ilush !" said the girl, stooping over hini, and [Kiinling to
the dunr as she hiuked lautiuuijy round. ** Yuu can't lielp
yourself. I have tried hard for you, hut all to no purpose.
You are hedged round and round ; and, if ever you are to get
loose from here, this is not the time."
Struck by the energy of her manner, Oliver looked up in her
face with great surprise, iihe seemed to speak the truth ; her
counlenance was wldte and agitated, and she trembled with very
earnestness.
" I have saved you from being ill-U8vd once, and I will
again, and 1 do now," continued the girl aluud : " for those
who H-ould have fetched you, if I had not, would have been far
more rough than me. I have promised for your being quiet
and silent ; if you are not, you will only do harm to yourself and
me too, and perha|»s 1m? my dt-nth. See here! I have borne all
this for you already, aa true as God ttees me allow it.**
She pointed ha&tily to wme livid bruises upon her neck and
arms, and continuetl with great rapidity.
*' ReuH-oiber this, and don't lei me sufier more for vou Just
now. If I could help you I would, but 1 have not the |N>wcr:
they don'l mean to harm you ; and whatever they make you do,
i« no fault of jours. Hush ! every word from you is a blow for
mc: give me your hand — make haste, your hand !"
She caught the liand which Oliver instinctively placed in
hers, and, blowing out the light, drew him nfUT her up the
stairit. The door was opened ijuiekly by some one shrouded
in the darkness, and as (|uickly cIomxI when ihey had |>aHMe<l
out. A hackney cabriolet was in waiting; and, with the same
vehemence whicli she hati exhihiictl in addresning OUvcr, the
OLtVER TWWT.
girl pullfxl him in with her, nnd drev the nirtains close. The
driver waiiteil no directions, but Inched his hone into full speed
without the delay of an instant.
The f^rl still held Oliver fast Iiy the hand, and continued to
pcHir int» \m ear the warnings and AH^uranceii t>he had already
imported. All was so auick and Imrrted, that he Iind scarcely
time to recollect where he was, or how he came there, when the
carriaire stopped at the same house (o which the Jen-'s steps hod
been clirected on the previous eveninf;.
For one brief moment Oliver cft»t a hurried plance along the
empty street, and a cry for help hiinc u[Kin liit> lips. But the
_grrl"» viii«' was in his fur, Iwseechinij niiii in such tones of agony
to ivmcmher her, that be had not the heart to utter it; and
^W'hile he hesitated, the opportunity was gone, fur he was already
,in ihe house, and the d(K>r wah ^hut.
" This way," said the girl, releasltig her hold for the first
time. " Bill 1"
** Hallo !" replied Sikes, apni'ariD;r at the head of the Mairs
with a candle. " Oh ! that V tiie time ufday. Come on !"
This was a very htrung exiireiision uf apf>r(ibalion, and un
uncommonly hearty welcome, from a person of Mr. Sikc^'s tern-
peran)eut ; Nancy, appearing much gratified thereby, saluted
tiin] cord ill I ly.
"Bullseyc's gone lionic with Tom," observed 8ike« as be
|Iighled them up. " He'd have been in the way."
•' 'J'hat 's riglit," rejoinetl Nam-y-
" So you "vc got the kid," said Slices, when they had all
reachctl the room : closing the door as he spoke.
" Ye», here he is," replied Nancy.
" Did he come quiet 'f" inquired Sikcs.
" Like a landi,** rejoined Nancy.
" I 'm glad to hear it," said Sikes, looking ijrimlv at Oliver,
** fur the sake of his young carcaw, as would otiierways have
suficreil fur it. Come here, young 'uu, and lei me read you a
lectur', which is as well got over at once."
Thus addressing his new protege, Mr. Bikes pulled off his
cap and threw it nilu u corner; and then, taking him by the
shoulder, sal himself down by the tabic, and stood Oliver in
front of bini.
** Now first, do you know wot ibis i%?" inquired Sikes,
taking up a pocket-pistol which lay on the table.
Oliver replied in the affirmative.
** Well tiK-n, look here," continued Sikcs. " This is powder,
that 'ere 's a- bullet, and this is a little bit of a old bat for
waddinV
Oliver murmured his comprehension of the different bodies
referred to, and Mr. Sikes proceeded to load the pistol with
great nicety and ileliberation.
^* Now It 's loaded,** koid Mr. Sikes wbcn he had finished.
OLtVER TWIST.
** Yes, I Bee it ift, sir," replied Oliver, trembling.
" Well," said the robber, grasping Olifer's wriut lightly, and
pultiug the barrel »a clo« to his temple that tlicy touched, at
which (iionient the boy could imt rupresK a shriek ; '* if you
speak a word when you're out u' dcHini with me, exrept when
1 epeak to you, that loading will be in your he»d without
notice — so, if you lio make up your mind to speak witliout
leave, say your prayers first."
Having bestowed a »cowl upon the object of this warning, to
iucreast? its effect, Mr. Sikes conlinui-d.
•* As npft'r as I know, there isn't onybndv as would I>e asking
very partitkler arter you, if you wa« di»p"w<l of; so I needn't
take this devil-and-all of trouble to explain matters to you if
it waiu't for your own good. D'ye hear?'"
"The short and the long of what you mean,'^ said Nancy,
speaking Tery emphatically, and slightly fruwniug at Oliver, an
if to licspoak his serious attention to her wnrdji, " is, that if
you 're crossed by him i« this job you liave on band, you 11 pre-
vent his ever tiOling tales aflerwanis, by shouting him thnmgh
the bead, and take your chaiitv of (.winging for it a» you do for
Ik great many other things in the way of business every niontb
of your life.
"That** it!" observed Mr. Sikes approvingly; "women
can always put things in fewest words, except wht-n it ''s blowing-
up, and then they lengthens it out. And now that he's tho-
roughly up to it, let 's have some supper, and get a snooze afore
starling."
In pursuance of this request, Nancy quickly laid the cloth,
and, clisappeaiing fur a few nttiiutes, presently returned with a
pot of pnrter and a dish of shceps' beads, winch gave occasion
to several pleasunl witticisms on the part of Mr. Sikes, founded
upon the !>ingutar cuincidenee of *' jcinmii-s" Iwing a cant name
common to tbcm and an ingenious implement much used in his
rfewicm. Indeed, the worthy gentleman, stimulated perhapv
the immediate prompect of being in active service, wan ti
great spirits and good-humour; in proof whereof it may Ik
ere remarked, that he humorously drank all the beer at '
draught, and did not utter, on a rough ealculatitm, iiiore tliF
fourscore oaths during the whole progress of the moal.
tiup]>L'r being ended, — it may be easily conceived that 01^
had no great appetite for it, — Mr. Sikes disposed of a coup'
glasses of spirits and water, and threw him<ielf upon the
ordering Nancy, with many imprecations in case of failur
call him at five precisely. Oliver stretched himself, ii
clolhen, by command of the same authority, on a mattres?
the flour ; and the girl, mending the bre, sat before
readiness to rouse lliem at the appointed time.
For a long time Oliver lay awake, thinking it nut iin
that Nancy might seek that opportunity uf whtsperii
OUVKR TWIST.
further ailvioc, liiit the gtrl wit bromltng over the fire witliuiit
moving, save uow and then to trim the- light : weary wilii watch-
ing ami anxietj, he at length fell asleep.
\Vhen he awoke, the tahli' was covered with tc:i-thing8, and
Sikcs yfoii thrusting various arttclet into the jwckets of hu great-
coat wtiich hung over the hack of a chair> while Nancy was
busily engaged in pretmring breakfast. It was not vet daylight,
for the eanule was 9liU burning, and it was quite dai'k outride.
A stuirp rain, too, was beating against the winduw-piUKit, and
the iky looked black and cloudy.
" Now, then !" growled Sikes, as Oliver started up; "half-
poit five ! Look siuirp, or yuu Ul get no break fast, for it ^s late
OS it is."
Oliver was not long in making his toilet ; and, having taken
gome hreakfaU, replied to a surly inquiry from Sikcs by say-
ing that be was quite ready.
Nancy, scarcely looking at the boy, threw him a handkerchief
to tic round his thruat^ and Sikes gave him a large rough cape
to button over his shuuldera. Thus attired, he gave his hand
to the rubber, who, merely pausing to show him, with a uie*
nacing gesture, llmt he hod the pistol in a side-pocket of his
greDt-<-oitt, clapped it (irndy in his, and, exchanging a farewell
with Naucy, led him away*
Olivet turned round for an instant when they reached the
door, ia the hope of meeting a look from the girl ; but she had
resumed her old seat in front of the fire, und tat |H>rfevtly uio-
tiotiless befOTe it.
CHAPTBR TH8 TWILSTV-MBST.
TBS espEomoK.
It was a cheerless momiug when they got into the street,
blowing and raining hard, and tlie clouds looking dull and
stormy. The night nad been %'ery wet, for large poms of water
had collected in the road, and the kenTiels were overflowing.
There was a faint gltmuiLTiiig of the coming day in the skj,
but it rather aggravated than relieved the gloom of the scene,
llie tinmbrc light only berving to pale that which tite street-lamps
AfTordet), without shetlding any warmer or brigliicr tints upon
the wet housetops and dreary streets. There appeared to be
nobt«iy stirring in that quarter of the town, for the windows of
the houKes were all closely bhut, and the streets through which
they piisscd noiseless and empty.
By the time they had turned into the Belhnal Green road the
day had fairly begun to break. Many of the lamps were already
extinguished, a few country waggons were «luwly toiling on to-
wards London, and now and then a stage-coach, coveretl with
mud, rattled briskly by, the driver bestowing, as he passed, un
admonitory lash upon the lieavy waggoner, who, by keeping
on the wrong ^ide uf tlie rood, hud endangered his arriving at
OLIVER TWIST.
tlw (ifficc a quarter of a iiiiiiute after his time. The puhttts
hou»cst with f^aa-liglits burning inside, vrre alretuly open. By
ilejfTcfs uther hhop* began to be unclosed, and a few KC»ttered
iii'i)[ile were mel with. Then came straggling gnnips nf la-
(MUrers going to their wurk ; then men and wunii-n with fixh-
basketb on their hradH, donkev.carls laden with vegetahti-<i,
choise^arls filled with live-stock or whole RircaH'>A «f meat,
milkwomen with paiU, and an unbroken cone-nurse of people
trudging out with various supplies to the eastern »uburb« of
the town. As thpy approitehLtl the City, the ni>isu and trafllc
gradually increaRetf ; and, when they threaded the streets be-
tween Shorediteh and Smithfield, it had swelled into a roar of
sound and buMle. It was as light :u it was likely to lie till
night Kt in again, and the busy morning of half t"lte London
popuIatioQ had b^un.
I'uming down Svin-street and Crown-street, and n-ossing
Hnsburv-><juare, Mr. Sikc* struck, by way of Chit^woll-atrc-t-t,
into liarbicaii, thencv into Long-lanv, and mi into Siiiithrit^ldt
from which latter place aroM^ a tumult of discordant sounds
that ^Ued Oliver Twist with surprise and amazeiia'ut.
It was niarket-murning. The ground was ctivered nearly
ankle-deep with filth and mire; and a thick steam perpetually
rising from the recking bodies of the eatlle, and niingling with
the fog. which sifined to rest upon the chimney-tops, hung
hea*'ily above- All the pens in the centre of the largo area, and
as many temporary ones as could be crowded into the vacant
space, were filled wiih shtvp ; and, liiil up to posts by the gut-
ter side, were long lines of beasts .-ind oxeii three or four cieep.
L'uuutrymen, butchers, drovers, hawkers, boys, thieves, idlers,
and vagalxtntls of every low grade, were mingled together in
a dense mass: the whi^tHng of drovers, the barking of dogu,
the lx-l!ow ing and plunging of beasts, the bleating of sheep, and
gruntmg and squeaking of pigs ; the cries of hawkers, the shouts,
Oaths, and ouarrelling on all sides, the ringing of Ik-IU and roar
of voices tlmt issued from every pubhc-housc ; the crowding,
pushing, driving, beating, who<jpinff, and yelling; the hideous
Hud (iiseordaiit din that resounded from every comer of the
market ; and the unwa^hed, unshaven, squalid, and dirty iigures
constantly running to and fro, and bursting in and out of the
throng, rcuderetl it a stunning and bewildering scene which
quite cunfnunded thi- senses.
Mr. Sikcs, dragging (Hiver after him, ellmwed his way
through the thickest of the crowd, and bestowed very Uttle at-
tention upon the numerous sighli> and sounds which so a8to<
iiiblu'd the boy. He nodded twice or thrice to a piisfiing friend :
and, resisliDg as uiony invitations to take a morning dram,
pressed sleiidily onward until they were clear of the turmoil,
and had made their way through Hotiicr-lane into fIotl>om.
** Now, young 'uu !" &aid Sike.s surlily, looking up at the
I
I
I
OUVER TWIST.
'clock, of St. Andrew's church, ** hard u|)on «evm I you must
step out, GhiU', (Idu'i lag ln-hiiul already, Lazy-legs !"
Mr. Sik«* accompanied this (s]x»ch with a 6crcf jerk iit his
little cuuipaoion's wrist : and Oliver, uuickeniiig litn pace )iit» A
kind of trot, between a fust walk and a run, Kept up with tbc
.rapid strides of the housebreaker as well as ho could.
I'hey kept uti their course at tlus rate until they bad passed
lyde-Park comer, and were on their way to Kensington,
icn Sike* relaxed his pace until an empty cart, which was at
some litlte distance behind, cante up : when, seeing " Ilouniilow"
wrillen upon it, he asked the driver, with as much civility as he
oiuld assume, if he would give tlieiii a Kfi as far an Ulcworthy**
*' Jump up," said the man. *' Is ilmt your boy ?"
*' V'es ; he 'ft my l»*>V," replied Sikes, looking hard at Oliver,
and putting his iiatiij abstractedly into the pocket where the
pibtol was.
** Your father walks rather too quick for yon ; don*f he, my
man?" inquired the driver, tw'mg that Oliver wa» out of breath.
*' Not a hit of il,' replied Sike», interposing. " He's us«l to
it. Here, take hold of niy hand, N»-d. In with yo" !"
Thus addri-ssing OliviT, lie helpe<l him into the cart ; and the
'driver, pointing to a heap of sacks, told him to lie dawn there,
■ and rest himwlf.
As they passed the difl^reot milesloiies Oliver wondervd
more and more where his conipanion meant to lake him. Ken-
aingtun, Hainmersuiith, (.'hiswick, Kew Bridge, Hreiilford, were
^all pasaed ; aiul yet thry kept on as tsteadily as if they had only
lieffun their journey. At length they came to a public-house
called the Coach and Horses, a little way beyond which, another
rood appeared to turn olf. And here the cart stopiied.
Sikes dismounted with great precipitation, holding Oliver by
the hajid all ihe while ; and, lifting him down dircctlv, bestowea
a furious look uiion him, and rapped the side-pocLet with his
fist in a vrry signific-ant manner.
•' Good-b'je, boy I" said the man.
" He's sulky," rcplie<l Sikes, giving him a shake; " lw*s
sulky,— a youug dog ! Don't miud him."
" Not 1 !" n.*joined ihe other, getting into his cart. " It 's a
fine day, after all." And he drove away.
Sikes waited till he liad fairly gone, and then, telling Oliver
be might look aliuut him if he wanted, once agaiu led biui for-
waitl on liis joQ^ney.
'i'hey turned rr>und to the left a short way past the public-
house, and then, taking a right-hand road, walked on for a lung
time, pa«»ing many large gardens and gentlemen's houses on
both sides of the wuv, and at length croti«ing a little bridge
whicli led them into ^Fwickcnhani ; from which town they i>tiU
walked on »-itliout 8lopj>i[ig for anything but *onie Ixvr, until
they reached another lunn, in which, ogaiubt tlie wall of a
8
the f.C :;;rs "Hampton."
hoiisi . tile sigji uf the
ili'S''' .' i short distaiKv,
IH'-p' ,v street, walked
'•"'" ....a sign-board, and
h:i>' ■
i"hj_' . . ;. with a great beam
"li"' . .<.- with hifjh bucks to
ti"-' . v.vt'nil roujjh men in
t" iL'V took no notice of
^i" .,- Siki's took very little
*'■ -iJo sat in u corner bv
■"■^ ..; l>v the company,
t' .'-. and sat here so long
■ .-s.lt' with three or font
.■ oertiiin they were not
,,■ with the walk and j;et-
-.t ; and tlien, tuiile over-
.- ol" the tobacco, i'ell fast
V irtakeiied by a })ush (rom
'■ '.o sit up und l(Hik about
^ r'.llowship and cominunica-
■:;i[ of ale.
..i- llalliford, are you?" iii-
. hIio seemed a little the worse
^ t'.T ilrinkinj^ ; " and not slow
■ m't a load liehind him going
■v- mornin', and he won't be
i^ (.1 him! Kcod, he's a good
. .li till- a lift as far as there ?*' de-
, ..'Miirds Iiis new friend.
I iMii." n'|)Iied the man, l(M)king
.. .; t,. llalHford.'"
. ;e|'hi'd Sikes.
. I .;,«,"■ replied the other. " Is all
.. , '.. |i;iid," replied the girl.
, .' tipsy gravity ; " that won't do,
■,;i,-., *' ^'ou 're a-going to aecciiii-
.ok'iit my standing treat for a pint
. ■»■.! this argument with a very pro-
,-. -■ Mt, sei/ed Sike> by the hand, and
... !*Jlow. To which Mr. Sikes rt-
■ , i.i.l been >ober, lllere wotdd liave
\
OtIVKK TWIST.
II
After the exchange of a few more complimptits, they bode tlic
[company good-night, and went out : the girl gatliering up the
potH and gla-i»»e8 an they did so, and lounging out to the door,
with her hands full, to see the party start.
The horse, whose hesllh had been drunk in his absienw, vai
fltailding outside, ready harni^iised to the cart. Oliver and Slkea
^■eot in without any furtiier ceremony, and the man, to whom he
hclongefl having lingered a minute or two ** to bear him up,"
and to defy the hostler and the world to produce his et|ual,
ninuuied al^> Then tlic hostiur waa told to give the horse his
head, and, his head being given him, he made a very unpleasant
uw.' of it, tos&lng it into the air with great disdain, and lunniog
into the parlour windows over the way ; after performing which
featti, and supporting himself fur a ithort time on hi'^ hiiiddegy,
he sturtcd off at grual speed, and rattled out of the town right
galliiiitly.
The night was very dark ; and a damp mist rose from the
river and the marshy ground about, and spread itseif over tlie
dreary fields. It was piercing cold, too ; all vran gloomy and
black. Not a word was sjwken, for the driver had grown
sleepy, and Sikes was in no uiut»d to lead him into convcr^ition.
Oliver sat huddled together in a corner of the cart bewildered
with alarm and appreiiension, and figuring j-trange objects in
the gaunt treea, wIiubc branches waved (grimly to and fru, as if
in some fantastic joy at the desolation of the licene.
As tliey pas&etl Sunbury church, the cluck struck seven.
There was a liglit in the ferry-house window opposite, which
streamed acrosii the road, and threw into more sombre shadow
a dark yew-tree with graves beneath il- There was a dull
sound of falling water iiuL far ofl', and the leaveA of the old tree
stirred gently in the night wind. It seemed like solemn quiet
music for the repujo of tlie dead.
Sunhurv wan pusscfl through, and they came again into the
lonely road. Two or throe niilifs morv, and the cart stopped.
i^ikes nllglited, and, taking Oliver by the hand, they once again
walked on.
Tliey turned into no house at Sliepperton, as the weary boy
hail exncctetl, but siill kept walking on in mud and darkness
througn ^^hximy lanes and over cold open wajitei, until they
came within sdght of the lights of a town at no great distance.
On looking intently forward, Oliver saw titat the water wan ju»t
below them, and thai tliey were coming to the foot of a bridge.
Siken kept straight on till they were close upon the bridge, and
then turned suddenly down a bank upon the left. *' The
water !" thought Oliver, turning sick with fear- " He has
brought me lo this lonely place tu murder mef
He was almut to throw nimself on the ground, and make one
struggle for his young life, when Ik.* saw that they hIckkI bef»)re
a solitary huusc'ull ruitKins and decayed. There was u window
12
OLIVBR TWIST.
on each side of ihc dilapidated entrance, and one story aliove;
but ntj lig'it ^'^ risibk'. It was dark, dismantled, and to all
a{iiiearaiiee iininhiil)iti>d.
Sikcs, with Oliver's hand still in his, si>ftly approached the
low |)orch, and raided the latch. The door yielded lo his pre»-
sure, and they passud ia together.
CHAITEB TUB nU'ENTY-SECOMD.
TBB BDRDLinr.
" HAI.I.U \" cried n loud, hoarse voicc^ directly ihey had Bet foot In
the pasHS^.
:* Don't make such a Tov' eaid Sikcs, bolting the door. " Show a
glim, Toby."
" Aha I my pal." cried the eanic voice ; " a glim. Barney, a glim 1
Show tlic pcnileman in, Barney; and wake up first, it' convenient."
The speaker appeared to throw & booi-jack, or aotne nuch article,
at the person he addrcttsed, to rouse him from his filuniberR; for the
iHHie of a wooden body falling violently was heard, and then an in>
distinct mtitCerin)^ as of a man betncen a«]ee|i and Awake.
" l>o you hear ?" cried tlic same voice. " There '» Bill Sikes in
the passage, with nobody to do the civil tti him ; and you sleeping
there, ua if you loolc laiiclaiium with yourrneaU, anduolJiing stronger.
Are you any fresher now, or do you waul tlie iron candlestick to
wake you Uioroughly ?"
A pair ofsiipshod feet BhufBcd hastily acrn&s (he bare floor of the
roocn as thi^ interrogatory was put; und ttierc issued Iruni a door on
the right hanil, firit a feeble rjmdie, and next, the form of the same
imtiridual wlio hoH been heretofore described a3 labouring under the
intirinily of speaking through his nose, and officiating as waiter at the
public-house an Saffi^on Hill.
" Bister Sikes!" exclaimed Bameyj with real or counterfeit joy;
" cub id, sir ; cub id."
"Here! you get on first," s^d Sikes, putting Oliver in front of
him. " Quicker! or I shall tread upon your heels."
Muttering a curse upon his lnrdint-f>», Sikes pushed Oliver before
him, and they entered a low dark room with a smoky tire, two or
three broken chairs, a table, and a very old couch, on which, with hia
kgs much higher tlian bis head, a man wbb rcpoalng at full length,
smoking a long clay pipe. He was dnuscd in a smartly-cut snufT*
coloured coal with large bra» buttons, on orange neckerchief, n
coarse, staring, shawUpattern waiiitcoat, and drab breechtrs. Mr.
Crackit (for he it was) had no vtry great quantity of hair, eillier
u[>on his head or face ; but what he had was of a reddish dye, and
tortured into long, corkscrew curls, through which he occasionally
thrust some very dirty fingers ornamented with large common rings.
He was a trifle above the middle size, and apparently rather weak in
the legf ; but this circumstance by no means detracted from his own
admiration of his top-bouts, which he contemplated in their elevated
situation with hwly satisrucilon.
'■ Bill, my boyl" said tliisfigute. turning his head towards tlie door.
OUVEE TWiST.
13
" I *m glad to nee you : I vai klaiost afraid you 'd given ii up, in
which case 1 slmuld havu usde a persoiiai wuritur*. Huliu I"
UUcring llii!« excluinHtiuo in a lonv vf grcuL tiiirpri^u an his cyea
retted on Oliver, Mr. Tolty Cruckil hrouglit himscll' intn a Siting
posture, and dcmandcil who that was.
*' The boy — only the boy I" replied Sikes, drawing a chair towards
the fire.
** WuO of Bistrr Fagid's ladt," exctuimctl Barney, with a grin.
" Fagin'e, eh 1" exclaimed Toby, looking at Oliver. " Wot an
iowahtble boy that'll make for the oldladivs' pocketa in clupeU. llis
niu)f ii a fortun' to hiin."
" There— there's enough of thai 1" interposed Sikes impatiently;
and, atoi^ng over his recumbent friend, he whispered a lew words
in his eur, ut uhich Mr. Crackit bughed immensely, aud hunourud
fOlivcr with a long stare of Bfitontshmenu
■■Now," said iiikcs, as lie TL*»uni(.-d hi« atuU "if you'll girc us
something to eat and drink while we 're wuiling, you 'II put some
Llieart in US| — or in me, at all events. Sit down by the fire, ynunker,
ftnd rest yourself; for you'll have to go out wiili us again to-night,
though not very far off."
Oliver looked at Sikes in mute and ttmid wonder, and, drawing a
stool to the fire, sat witli his aching head upon hi* hands, tc&reely
knowing where lie was, or what was passing around him.
" Here," said Toby, a» the young Jew placed some Iragmeota of
food and a bottle upon the table, " Success to the uratk 1" He roae
to honour the toast, and, carefully depositing his empty pipe in a
comer, advanced to the table, filled a glass with epiriiSi and dnuik off
ita conteota. Mr. Siketi did the same.
" A drain for tlic boy," siud Toby, half lilliog a wlao-glasa. " Down
■witli It, innocence ',"
" Indeed," said Oliver, looking pitcoualy up into the man's face ;
" indeed I "
"Down with it I" echoed Toby. " Do you think 1 don't know
what's good for yon? TcU him to drink it, Bill."
" He had better," said Sikes, clapping his hand ujion his pockeL
" Burn my body I if he isn't more trouble than a whole fkniil/ of
Dodgers. Driidc it, you perwerje imp; drink ill"
Frightened by the menacing gestures of the two men, Oliver haatily
swallowed the contents of the glass, and immediately fell into a violent
£l of coughing, which delighted Toby Crsckit and Barney, luid even
drew a smile from the surly Mr. iiikes.
This dune, and Slkes having feaiis^ed hia appetite, (Oliver could
eat notliing hut u small crust of bread which they made him swallow,)
tlie two men luid themselves down on chairs for a short nap. Oliver
retained his stool hy the lire ; and Barney, wrapped in a blanket,
stretched hiroaetfon the floor, close outjiide the fender.
They slept, or appeared to sleep, for Mtac time; nobody stirring
but Barney, who rose once or twice to throw coals upon the fire.
Oliver felt into a heavy doze, imagining himself straying alone through
the gloomy Unes, or wandering about the dark churchyard, or re-
tracing somt- one or other of the sceties of the past day, when he
was roused by Toby Cracltit's jumping up and declaring it waa half-
post one.
14
OLIVER TWIST.
In an instant the other two were on tlicir leg*. an<l all were ac-
ttrelr engaged in busy preparation. Sibes and hi» cotnpiinion enre-
loped their necks and cltini in large dark ahawlfi, and drew on their
great-coats ; while Barney, opening a cupboard, hrougbt forth several
ariidei, which he hastily crammed into the pockets.
« Barkers for nic, Barney ?" taid Toby C'rackit,
*'Here they are," replied Burney, producing a pair of ptslols.
**You loaded them yourself."
"All right!" replied Toby, Blowing tliem away. "The per-
suaders ?"
** I 've got 'cm," replied Sikes.
"Crape, keys, centre-bit, darkiea — nothinp forgotten?" inquired
Toby, fastening a iimnll crowbar to a loop inside the skirt of his coat.
" All right !" rejojned his companion. " Bring them bit* of timber,
Barney: that's the tinac of day-"
With these words he took a thick stick from Barney's hands, who,
having delivered another to Toby, busied himself in fastening on
Oliver's cape.
'* Now then !" said Sikes, holding out his hand,
Oliver, who was completely btupifieil by tlie uofrontcd exerciie.
and the air, and the drink thai hcd been liitced upon liim, put his
hand mechanically into tiint which Sikes extended for the pu«{)osc.
"Take hiis other hand, Toby," said Sikcs. " Look out, Barney I**
The mou went to tlie door, and returned to announce tliat aU was
quiet. The two robbers issued fortli tvtth Ohver between them; and
Barney, having niaUe all fant, rolled himself up as before, and was
soon adeep again.
It was now intensely dark. The fog was much heavier than it bad
been in the early part of the night, and the atmosphere was so damp
that, although no rain fell, Oliver's hair and eyebrows within a few
minutes after leaving the house had become lililf with the half-frozen
moisture that was Boating about. They crofl»ed the bridge, and
kept on towards the lights wliitit he had seen before. They were at
no great difitaDce off; and, as they walked pretty briskly, they soon
arrived at Chertsey.
" Slap through the town," whispered Sikcs: "there'll bo nobody
in the way to-night to see ue."
Toby acquiesced: and they hurried through the main street of the
little town, which at that late hour was whnlly deKcrted. A dim
light shone al interraln from some hed-room window, and the hoarse
bstfking of dogs occasionally broke the silence of the night ; but
there was nobody abroad, and they bad cleared the town aa the
church bell struck two.
Quickening their pace, they turned up a rofld upon the left hand ;
afier walking about a (]uarter of a mile, they stopped before a detached
house surrounded by a wall, to the top of which Toby Crackit.
scarcely pausing to lake breath, climbed in a twinkling.
" The boy next," said Toby. " Hoist him up : 1 11 catch hold of
him."
Before Oliver bad time to look round, Sikcs hud caught him under
the arms, and in three or four seconds he and Toby were lying on
the grass on the other side. Sikcs followed directly, and they stole
cautiously towards tJtc house.
I
I
I
I
I
^
0L1VB& TWIbT.
15
And now, for lite first lime, Oliver, well-ntgh tutd with grief and
terror, saw that hous<^hrcnkinf; and robbery, il' nut murtk-r, were iliii
objects o4'the expedition. He cluprcl his hands tn);ctliur, and invo-
luntarily uttered a subdued pxclamation of horror. A mist came
before bit eyei, the cold sweat stood upon hia ashy face, his limbft
Failed bim, and he sunk upon his knees.
" Gel up !" murmured Sikes, trembling with rape, and drawing the
pistol fruoi bis pocket: " get up, or I'll tuew your brains upon the
gnnl"
** Oh ! Ibr God's sake let toe go V cried Oliver ; " let me run away
and die lu the belds. I will never come near Loudon—never, never I
Oh I pray have uK-rcy upon nic, and do not make mc steal : for the
love of all the bright angels that rest in lieuven, have mercy upon
me!"
The man to whom this appeal was made swore a dreadful ooib,
and had cocked the pistol, when Toby, striking it from his grasp,
placed his hand upon the boy's mouth and dragged him to the hnii$e.
"J lush 1" cried the man; " it won't answer here. Say another
word, and I'll ilo your business myself with a cmck on the head that
makes no noic^e, and is quite as certHin and more genlM'l. Here,
Bill, wrench the shutter open. He 's game enough nuw, I 'II engage.
I've seen older haods of his age took the same way for a minute or
two on a cold night."
Kikes, invoking terrific imprecations upon Fagin's head for sending
^Oliver on sueb an errand, plied the crowbar vigorously, but with little
loise; and, after some delay and some BssiEtaniH; from Tub» the
•butter to which he had referred swung open on im hingeo.
It was a little lattice window, about five feet and a half above the
ground, at the back nf the house, belonging to a scullery or small
browing.phce at the end of the passage: the aperture was so small
that the inmitles had probably not thought it worth while to defend
it more securely; but it was targe enough to admit a boy of Oliver's
size nevertlitiletB. A very brief exercise of Mr. Sikes's art sufficed to
overcome the fastening uf tlie lattice, and it soon stood wide open also.
" Now listen, you young limb I" whimpered Sikes, drawing a dark
lantern from his [Micket, and throwing the glare full on Oliver's face;
*■ 1 *m a-going to put you through there. Take this light, go soflly up
the steps straight afore you, and along the tittle haU to Iho atreet-
'^tMMT. llnfastcn it, and let m in."
" Tliere 's a bolt at the top you won't be able ta rearh," interposed
Toby. " Stand upon one of tlie liall chairs ; there are three there.
Bill, with a jolly large blue unicorn and a gold pitchfork on 'em,
which ia the old lady's arms."
" Keep quiet, can't you ?" replied Sikes with a savage look. •'The
room door is open, is it r"
" Wide," replied Toby, after peeping in to satisfy himself. " The
game of that is that they always leave it open with a catch, so that
the tltyg, who 's got a bed in here, may walk op and down the passage
when he feels wakeful, ila ! ha I Barney 'ticed him away to-night,
so neat."
Although Mr. Crackit spoke in a scarcely audible whisper, and
laughed without noise, Sikes imperiously comniandcd him to be silent*
ADd loget to work. Toby complied by finit prndudng Itin Inntrm,
16
OLIVER TWIST.
and plncing it on the ground; and then planting hiniectf firmly wit
liis head against the wall beneath the window, and his hand)> upon
tii« kticcs, &o 08 to niake u step of his bacL ThiK was nu euuncr done
lliun SikL'S. inouiiling upon htm, put OUver gently through the win-
dow, with his f'cvt first : and, without leaving hold of his collar,
planted him Eal'ely uii tlii: tluur iiiiiidc.
" Take tliU luntern," fiuid ijikes, looking into the room. ** You see
the sinirs afore you?"
Oliver, mote cleiul tlian alive, gasped out, " Yes " nnd Sikes, point-
ing to the streetnioor with tlie pintnl barrel, briefly odriscd him to
lake notice that hi? va» within shot all the way, and that if he faltered
be would full dead that instant.
" It 'fl done in a minute," said Sikcs in the same low whisper. " Di-
^rectly I leave go ot'you, do your work. Hark 1"
" WTiat'a tliat?" whispered the other man.
They listened inteiitly-
" Nothinf^," said Sikes, releasing his hold of Oliver. " Now I"
III tlie »hort lime he had had to collect his Henses, tlie boy had
firmly resolvtxl that, wlu-tficr he died in tl>e attempt or not, he
would make one olTort to dart up stairs from the hall nnd alnrm tlte
foinily. I'dled with this idea, tie advanced at once, but stealthily.
" Come back t" suddenly cried Sikes aloud. " Back I back !"
Scared by the sudden breaking of the dead Htillncss of the place*
and a loud cry which followed il, Oliver let hia lantern fall, and
knew not whether to advance or tty. llie cry was repeated — a light
apfieared — a vision of two tetrilied holf-dretsed men at the top of the
stairs 8wam before his eyes — a R&hh — a loud noise — a smoke — s
crash somewhere, but where he knew not,— and he staggered back,
Sikes had disappeared for an instant ; but he was up again, and had
him by the collar before the smoke had cleared away. He firpd hia
own pistol after the men, who were already retreating, and dragged
the boy up.
" Clasp your arm tighter," said Sikes as he drew him through the
trindour. "(iive me a shawl here. Thoy 've hit him. Quick I Dam>
nation, how the boy bleeds!"
Then came the loud ringing of a hell, mingled with the noise of
fire-arms and the shouts of men, and the ftensation of being carried
over uneven ground at a rapid pace. And then the noises grew
confuned in the distance, an^a cold dcodly feeling crept over the
boy's heart, and he saw or heard no more.
TUB Bvo or rns Finsr book.
FRENCH L1T£I{ARV LADIEIS.
BY OSonGB UOaAKTH.
Tas iiifl
uence
a test of
irthe fair I
u* French mean to
n soci^y i» accaunteU, and
?i>roRTCS«iifcivili7-Btinn ; a
imply their superiority to all the rest of the world in thi* respect by
the Uie of their faroiirite proverbial phrase, ''Jm Mlf frana' ext If
jtaradu des femmex." There can be no dotibt thai the latliefi of
France, in modern times at least, have exercised a greater degree of
influence, not only over the habiu, mauuen. luid cliiiracter of the
male part of the creation, but Q\eT their roost impurUnt aflairs and
avocations, public m welt ai priiale, than they have done in any
other country whatever. The Sa]i(]ue Law, notwith$tandin|> its long
prevalence in France, may be said to have been little more than »
dead letter; for where wa^ thu use of providinjij against a female
succession to the crown, when the nation never ceased to be virtually
under petticoat government? What did it matter thai the throne
could not be occnpied by a female sovereign, when the whole power
iif the slate was wielded by some female or other, who wanted nothioft
of sovereignly but the name? \Vhat, after all, wa-'tthemuch-boa-ited
Louip LB Grand but a crowned and "ceplred pti|)pvt, while the real
monarch of France, for the time, wa« Maiiitetion, or Lh Valliere, or
Mtmtetpnn ? What was his succesuwr but the slave of a Du JUrry
and a Punip»dour? And what was the best and most virtuous of
tlie race, — the unhappy boui» the Sixteenth, but an inftrtmient in
the haiidK of hi« AuBtriiin consort, whose imperious tcinj>er, and
reckless interference with affairs of state, which ehc had neither
knowledge to comprehend nor wivlom to conduct, preci|jiLiited the
caijistrophe which swept her family from the earth, and levelled in
the dust the ancient monarchy of France ,- Seldom, however, has
a French king been under no Ipgitiraato a sovereignty an thjit of his
consort. The pictun^of the Grand MoHarqtif holding his council in
the (tottdmr of Madame de Ataintcnon, while the lady sat at her little
table, with her work-basket before her, listening to the deliberations
of grave itdtesmcn, and quietly putting in her all-powerful word^
reprusentg, in fact, the machinery of the guveniment of France for a
century, at Iea«t, liefore the Revolution.
It wax the same influence which, more than an)-thing eL^e, g«re
the French society ot' those days its singidar grace, cleganrc, and te-
Rncnient. Other things, no dnubt, contributed to produce thai most
rt-niarkablc »tAte of manners: that constitutional gaiety and liveli-
ness which makes a French man or woninn, of whatever rank or sta-
tion, an eminently social animal, must no doubt come in for its share.
Ill the aristocmtic nni-iety of the metropolis its exclusiveness had a
similar temlvncy. Nu degree of wealth, or luercly pcrsvHul dixlinc-
tton, unaccompanied by rank, could admit any ooe within lU pule.
If men of letters tmd votaries of the arts were received into it* circles,
it wa« as /iVerMfiand artirts, whose position was perlectly iinilor^lood
on lilt hands. They had no pretensions which could interfere with
those of the class vnih whom they were allowml to mingle ; the tne
of the poet could nol gall the kibe of the courtier. They did not
VOL. 111. C
FRENCH LITKRARV LADIES.
rt^uiix' 1i* be kept itnwn by nny x^ximption of supmoritj ;
livnCf Ihrir XK'inl iitltrcotiroe with the urcut w«a on a footing of ap-
iHitmt i-<j(iKlity »nil frredom from restraint," Something, too, musit
i^f nM-rilx-'d to the very insigniHciincp of the French ariatocrncT ■* «
politii'Jil boily. They Uu(] nn political power, no political functions,
ho politicjil interests, no political rnre^i : they hud nothing to t\o but
to mini on their Prt*tes, or pursue the plejuiures of the capital. The
French tuAh-tsr of ihc sevcnu-i.'Uth century accifrdinply were a de-
cruilnl race; ignorant and viciuu«, costm! in their habits, and brutal
in their niuusenients. r'rom this debasement feuiulc influence con^
Cributvd greatly to raise them, The crowd of men of genius, who&e
■iinullatteuus Hppearnnce stied lustre over the age of Louis the Four-
teenth, found, among the lni)ie» of his brilliant court, their fireatest
Milinirer^ and patrons. It wax through the influence of the fair sex
thiit literature became the fashion, and thut itfi profes«orB ciunc to be
ItMiked upon a« the ornaments of polite society.
Nothing can be more captivating than the account*, cnntaineil in
the DumerouH French biographies and memoirs of the lart age, of
these social eirclcH. ofwliiE-h the elements were rank, beauty, learn-
ing, and gvniuH. It had, havrever, ita dark, as well as its light side.
There wag none of the restraiot arising from the jealousy of rank
and station, and the neceniiity ofrepelbng the pretem^inn!» of infe-
riors; but the distinction acquired by wit and brilliuiiry of conver-
sation iDtro<lucrd pretensions of another kind ; and these noclex
rtrnafie Driim, were npt to become scenes of jealousy, rivalry, and
laborious effortjt of the company to outj>hine ejich other. " i soon
perceived," wys Marmontcl, speaking nf his firH adminsion into this
wiciely, "that each guest arrivetl ready to play hi« part, and that
the (leoire of exhibiting frequently prevented the conversation from
following its ea«y and natural cour»e. It wa>i who should seize most
quickly the passing moment, to bring out his epigram, his tJtle, his
Anecdote, his maxim, or his light and pointed satire; and very un-
natural round-abouts were taken, in order to obtain a lit opjKtr-
tunity." There were, buidei, other evils of a more serious nature.
The moral tone of tbew el^uit c6tcrieM waa anytliing but pure ;
* ProfL-ssorsof Iheralurc^minglincin the society of tlic noble tuitllbt; wealthy
upon iuAer.iiKe, huld a rank ■careen' hiRher than Uiai of inuiictttiu or acton,
from amoo!; wtiom indiridusis have olten, hy their ulents and cbaraoter, become
membos ofibtj best tocii-ty, while the castes to which such individuuls heloni;
rvmaiD in getienJ exposed [oihi-mo«t biimilialiiij; contempt. Tbelaily ur(|uali(y,
•ho smilml on the nui of letters, and tlie ntan of r^tut wtu> admitted hiai lo
lilt tiiiimiu:y. still retained their coaMioiisDCSs thai he wu not, like thcniselTes,
rnmted oul«f "il>ep«wtelain clay of the earth:" and erea while receiving cheir
baunlira, or partici|':>tii)); m ihrir pleasurt», itie farourite taiaiit must ofleu
have tean duiutbed by the refleelioo that be was uuljr considered as a cH-aiure
of BiiRBiance, whom tlic copnce of fashioo, or a suddea reaction of the ancieiu
clii|UGttn, mt^lit fling out orthe society where he was at preaent toleruled. Under
ihli ditlwartniiiig and even degndiii); inferiority, the man of letters iniRhl be
itiinpliril tiiTidiotuly to compnre iho kixurions style of liTtng at which he sat
apeimiltvdKUMtMitli bis own mllry hinr^l ;i(artnirn),iuid scaolj and UtKetlun
fMnoe of rapporr. Andcrenlno&eofaiiobk'r mood, when ihey hndconeMled to
ih»ir henebctors all the grxiitud* tbey could justly demand, must somciiinai
hat* K^nlted ibelr own situation —
'* Condrmn'd as needy t\i{>pl»caiiti to nail.
While Itdtes uiterpote aiid Uavcs dcbau."
Sir tt'ittu S(»tt'l Lift ^ KofuVAW, %<A. i.
4
I
I
PRKHCH LITBKARY MDIlfS.
19
little wRrmth of heart or elpvation of sentiment, and a
total xbtM>ncr of religious t'eelinjj or principle. Tbi-ir prfivwilinx spirit
>n^m» to h«vi' brtri a selfish indifference lo evcrytlimg lieyonH the
puntiit or xni iiM^meiit of the hour. We susjject, after all, that their
extreme poliHli HrrMe I'rnm the hnnhicm of the materiaU.
Many diatinj^uiHhed women fijirure in the French literary annula
of the last century, a* occiipyinji prominent plncea in the society we
have been enfleavourini; to character! ne. But a few notices of some
ot'them trill ffxvo a l>ettpr notion nf it than can be convevetl by any
geaen\ description. Wc shnll mke. tor the present, t^rec of th«
moat rrniarkible amon^ them, — Madame Geoffrin, the Marquise Dii
*" ~ il, and her prnteg^r and rival, Mademoiaclle L'Gspinaaae, all
Ictniiorariep. and ronnerted with each other,
ifadame Omffrin was bom in lOyU. iier faibcr waa a man of
family, and had a place in the huusehold of the Dauphin. At fifteen
afar WAS married to M. OeofTrin, an eminent glafs>rimimfacturer.
Her talenfi and accomplishments early attracted notice, and during
her hu-band'B life, an well an atW liis <lealli, her house became the
rendrxvoui of the best society in Fari». He left her a considerable
fonune. which she grently augmented by prudence and economy,
and which »he emjtioyed in actft of benevolence anil chnrily. Her
geocroaity was extensive and noble, yet free from any pmfustnn
which could impair her means of doing good. " I perceive with
Mtisfhciitm."'«he said to D'Alenibert, (ns he informs us,) " that as I
grow older I grow more benevolent, 1 dare not nay better, because
mv benevolenco, like the malignity of some people, may be tho
etfcct of weakness of mind. I have prnJHed by what was often aaid
In me by tlie g(n>d Abbe de St. Hierre. that the charity of n worthy
nun Ehoiild not be confined to the 9tip))urt ami relief of the nnfor-
unue, but that it nhoidd extend to the iinlutgencc which their faulti
■• iA«n aland in need of; and, in imitntion of him, I have taken for
my mono two W(M-d>t, dortner el pardonner." Such became her cele-
bniy u A leader in the literary Miciety of Paris, that no traveller of
■oj noCe thouftbt he had seen that capital till he who introduced to
Madnne Get^Hn. She had receivMl no regular e<Uication, her
mind having acquired iti cultivation from her intercour»e with the
Durtd. Hlie confessed «he could not even spell ; but nothing coold
ffxcrrcl the r*»e and grace of her Atyle: and though she hnd never
4adi«d painting or music, >he was an excellent judge and munificent
IMtron of both these art*.
klarmontrl give* some pleasing picturei of the !iarut meeringg at
thia lady's houM*. '* At^er having dined," he snyn, "at Madame
OvoffHn'a with men of letters or artistx, ] was again with her in the
rvfiiing in n more intimate >>04:iety, for uhe had uK--u granted me the
favMir of aiTmilting me lo her little cuppert. The entertuinmeiiC
*aa ftry moderate, — generally a chicken, some spinach, and an
Modet. The company were not numerous ; llu-y roiisistvil at mfwl
af Ave or ux of bet particular friends, or three or four grntlemea
lod liittra of U>e first fanhion, aelected to auit each other's tailn, and
happv to be tofretber.
'• Vou may ea»ily conceive that at these little suppers my aelf-love
•ronipted all tJie uieana I ])in>»e»«e(l of being amusing and agreeable.
TSr new ulrt I we« then writing, and of which these ladies had the
first otfcriugj ware re*! for their entertainment before or after siip-
so
PRBNCn UTBRARY LADIES.
tiipr. They made rpgiilar aiipointmpnts lo hrnr tlicm, uml when t!i*
liltle Slipper vras prcvcntwl hy any accHlent, Uit-y asscuiWeii at dinner
at Mudnrnc dc Briotine's. I conftss Uiat no succcMt ever flattere<l me
so much ns that which I nbtainetl by tlicfc readings in that little
circle, where wit, taste, and hi-auty wen- my judges, or rather my
Biilf»Rist!i. There was rioi a bingle trait, cither in my colourinp or
flialogue, however niinuU-ly delicate and subtle, that was not fflt at
once; and the pleasure] gave had the air of enchantment. I was
eiiraptwrcd to see the finest eyes in the world Rwimming in tear* at
the little touching scenes in which I had made love or nature wet-p.
But, notwithstanding the indulgence oF extreme politeness, I eouM
well perceive, too, the cold and feeble passage* which were passed
over in silence, as well m thfise in which I had mistaken the tone of
nature or the juxt tihade oflroth ; and these passages I kept in mind,
that I might correct them at leisure."
Madame Geoffrin's husband, like the huKbnrds of many other dis-
tinguished i/«c«, was a thoroughly insignificant personage. — b per-
fect cipher in his own house. Grimm tells some amusing sti>-
ries of Kim. He was in tlie habit of borrowing books of a fritiid,
who, by way of joke, lent him the name bonk several times over.
It happened to be a vulume of Father Labat's TrarrU. ftIon«ieiir
Geoflrin, with the most perfect simplicity, read it over every time it
was lent him. "AVell, sir )" said hig friend, '* how do you like the
travels?" "Ob, very good — very good indeed; but I think the
author a little given to repetition." A literary f<jreigrer, who had
fre(juently dined at Madame Geoffrin's without knowing her hus-
band, askeil her one day, aRer a long absence from Paris, what had
become of the poor gentleman he used to meet there, and who al-
ways )>at without opening his V\^ "Uh !" said the lady, " that was
my hu»band — lie is dead."
She was celebrated for her lum-mult, of which many are preserved
by Grimm and other writers of the day. The Coimt de Coigny was
one day at her table, telling, as was his wont, interminable stories.
Some dish bnng set before him, he took a little clasp-knife from his
pocket, and began to help himself, prosing away all the while. " M.
le Comte," said Maflume Geolfrin at l&.<<t, out o^ptilience, "at dinner
we should have Inrce knives and little storieV One of her literary
friends, M. dc Rulhiere, having ihn-iitened to publish some verj*
imprudent remarks on the conduct of the court of Ru!tsia, from the
Kale of which he expected to make a Inrge nrulii, she oiTercd htm a
handsome sum to put his manuscript in liie fire, from a good-natured
wish to keep him from getting himself into trouble. The author
begnn to talk in .-■ high tone about honour and independence, and
the ItaM-ness of taking money aa a bribe for auppressing the Initb.
" Well, well," said she with a quiet smile, " My yourself huw much
more you must have.''
As may be supposed, she partook of the infidelity which pre-
vailed among the society in which she lived, though her good
di.<7)Oflitifln, and, we may Mid, good taste, prevented her from
adnptine the offensive style of conversation tlien fa^hionable on
the subject of religion. In her long last illness she began to think
seriously on this topic, and gave up the wiciety of the phi/ompkert.
HaYlng bad a stroke of apoplexy, ber daughter, the Marquise de
la FertP-Iinbrrt, took tlie opportunity of shutting h**r door against
D'Alembert, Jlarmonlel, and her othtr old friends of this description.
4
4
PRBKCU UTERARY LAUIES.
51
*• Every Uidy cxpcflwl," says Orimiti, "that as soon as MmUme
Uciiffrin came to licrsclt', &)ie would (li»H%-oMr her daugliter's procved-
ioga ; but the world wu mistaken. Afler hiiving ecolded a )ittl«,
tiw forgave lier daughter, and cuiite6ee<l that, iit'tpr all, the viaticum
«iid the philosophers would not do very wtU together. She <uu(l her
'itiii-hier h^d b«-ii ■illv, hut gave her credit for her zeal- "My
jimht»T," slie sJiid with a smile, "is likeGtKltrey ul'liouillou, — she
anted lo defend my tomb against the iniideU." 'fliit. pitiinaitterie
voun a tittle of levity ; but her pious inipressioiis appear to hiivc
Btrcnfftbetied by the chasteninf; hniid of affliction. She per-
. in her drterminniion to sec her tnlidcl fricnd.i no more, and
It aa we are iDformcd by the liio^raphie Vnivei-selU, profeMing
her belief in the truths of rnigion. .She died in 1777i "t the age of
KTmty •eight, leaving behind her a brilliant reputation, and a me-
■MTf cmuilited by many great and good qualities, and unatalned by
tfaa vices and fulUcs of her time.
The character of the Marquise du Deffant rcHecUi more faithfully
Uw sumieTa of the age, with which tliut of Maduiue (leolfriu. in
mmy respects, stood in reuiarkuble contrii»t. This celebrited lady
bad all tin; wit, all the talent, all the hejirtles^nesi, and all the immo-
rality which entered w largely into the composition of the most po-
liabrd •ocirty the world ever saw. She was bom in 1699. of n ntilile
fcnilji and marrie<1, nt an early a(^e, to the Mnrquis du Deflnnt, a
MflD much older thim herself. The union wa* unhappy ; thcy
paftMl, and the Imly cotiMoIrd hernelf with a lover. This did not
prtTent a reconciliation from U-ing p;itclicil up Ijctwccn the mnrricd
pair by the intervention of friemU. But the lover complained ao
WMlly uTthe injury the lady hnil done Itim by taking back hi-r hus>
hmil, that, (initing it nec«»'uu-y to cIioohc between thcni^ she gave
her iMomarata the preference, and once more contrived to get rid of
thr narquia.
After thi4 she tenm to have had n succesMon, or rather a plu-
rality of admirers, and to hnve given herself little trouble about
areaerving even the appearance of decorum. She is Auid tu have
had an intrigue with that inimitable n»u' the Regent Uukc of Ur-
haiH; but her earlie-it icnomn lover seems to have been font d«
Vol*, ■ man of literary eminence, and of oa cold and heartlPM a
character as herself. Her 8ubsec|uent preference of others did not
firrvent her from remaining on terms of the most intimate friend-
•hip »iUi him, as It wa* called, for more tlian forty years. On the
»*Ty cirening of his death. La Ilarpe tells un, slie came to sup with
a W)^ pv^y at Mad^iuie de Marchnis*. On her arrival, someboily
bn^an to condole with her on her loss. " Alas !' she said, " he died
thia ctrntiig at BIX o'clock ; \\sid it not been so enrly f could noi
have been here-" So wying, she »at down to unpper, made, as
naaal, an excellent meal, and was the ljvelie»t of the company. From
a eoUuquy between Iter and thia ancieia friend, we niiiy hiive some
(Mtiea of the strength of her friendship. " I'ont de VVbU-,"' slie said
Id Um one day, " we Imve been friend^i these forty years, nnd 1
don't tllink wo have had a single quarrel or ditfercnce all the time.'
•^" So, madam." — " Don't you think the re»Hon i<«, that we do not
care m gmt deal for one atuahcr?" — '"Why, niAdam, it w very
bkely.''~W«ll might La Ilarpe say of her, "QutI etait difficile
d'avotr moins de »cniibilitc ei plus d ego'tsrae."
$^ rtBNCU UTERARr LADIES.
I^mIk I^mM ^ Vnl*. >}ie bad another lover, ihe President H^
(MSk^lb* hirtirT"" There is «n amusing anocdotc of thfir /tui-ron,
L viw W lW «l««nU4:c, tim, of beiuj: autliriitic. They were both
_ nr day of the continual inlcrniption!! they met with
'lA* MCirtv ill Mhic'h they lived.
ttK«t « uleavuit thing it would be," said Madame du DeHunt,
> . « wThuW day tn ourwives I"
- . kcr mfi^rly caught at the idea, and it waa determined tu
|Mk «b u* «Ac«'uttan, They found a small apartnitjnt in tlie Tuilli*rie»,
Q^Midl'Mt t^* * friend, wJiich vfna iincK'e'upit!d ; and there they re-
•yi\M, h^e Seyrd, llu- Kiu^ror of Kthiupiu, to lipi-ml a happy day.
\b»k <*uivcil aruuitliii^ly, iii i>eparalc Ci4rria{i;e». Hbuul eleven in the
tlM«u<.vtit ; \trdrml their carriogeft to return at twelve at night ; and
^VMUitki' dtiutrr IVoni a traitfir.
'Hw iui>riiing wiu s|>vitt entirely to the Mti»faction of both par-
\IT4u *^> thv luuid 4'onvrrvitiuii uf hners.
'■* WvU !" thi-y eould not hftp «iying every now and then, " were
l|Wt\ di^v lilic thi^, lilV would really be to«) .short I"
Uiiiit«r KAxnt, WAS heartily partaken of, and sentiment gave way
V^ %\\ atMl galely. About mx the Marquise looked at her watch,
^' Athulic iu Id be played tu>night, aiul the new actress is to make
^^Hf a)>)M'4iraiK'e."
> M \ iuii«i own," Mid the Pre«ideut, "that were I not here 1 should
I^Kl it«>t tcelnu; her."
>■ I'w^c isktv, Vrt'Stflent ; what you say is on expresaioa of rcgreu
WfiV )k<u It* tukp{>y n* you prolt-iis to be, you never would Bave
■EihhM v>t the poasibitity of going to H-e the new actreiis !"
^X^v I'lV^iilrtit defended luui^ell', and in turn became the accuiKr.
»» It it fw lou to com2)Uin uf me, when you were tlie first to look.
tt JVWT Wttlcfi, and to remark lliat Alh«lie was to be aclt-d to-night }
^Uhv i>ii|flit to be no watches fur people who lire happy."
YW ifU»iiute went on. The loving ]>air got more and mure out of
|mWau<^( with tach other; and by seven o'clock wotdd both of them
tUiV 1>*^'U very glad to separate. Hut that was imjMHsihle.
■ \K''*cri«I the Mar()ui»e, "I can never stay here till twelve
live houra longer, — wluit a pcnante!"
'\ iu|ui>e went and ^tdown behind a screen, leaving the rent
L.- the I'rctident. Piiiucd at this, the gentleman seisei
. ,.. .. L. ....-A luite full of reproaches, and throwH ii over the screen.
\k» Vd> ^ckl It up, goes in sciLtch of pen, ink, and paper, attd
, ., . ... ■M>wfr In tliu oharpcst terms. At lost the hajipy hour uf
^ ; ami each hurried olT separately, resolved never again
■ w rK|M<riinent.
, ,<d to the age of ninety ; and with him, a» with Pont
V '' •.Ifuiici du Delfant kept up an intimacy tu the last. lie
< tio of dotage before hia death: and one day, when he
i.iU*, the having tiiken it into her head to u»k hiui wh«-
I her or another lady tlie best, he, quite unaware of iJie
■ (peaking to, not only declared hi& preference of the
)>iil went on to juAtify it by an enumeration of the
i' hia hearer, on which topic he became *o aniniate<l
il woj hnpw.sibte eitlier to stop him or to prevent
itmiu from having the benefit of his strictures.
Madauiv du J>eOant's cSitrit woa the most briU
FRENCH L1TBRART LADIB3.
ss
liant in Paris. Nnlilernen of tlie hifrhest rank, rainisler-i of ittat**, the
mott (listin|;uis[|p(l turcij^ners, men of ^nius of every dcscriptinn,
th« mo«t elei^iic and iiccotnpli^ihed women, all thoui;tit it » high ho-
nour *nd privileKt* tu he aiimittL-d intu her circle, oi' which she her-
i«*lf, from her wit *mJ varioui lalcnts, wm the greatest oriininent. At
fifty she was seiied with a disorder in her eyca, which terminated
in blindncM. When threatened with loss of »tght, she took Made-
muUellr I'KNpinnati^, then u poor friendless girl, emploved a< a g»-
vereeu in a convent, to be hn humble companion and iecirice. But
the men of letter* who frequented the houHe were more attracted by
the />ro/r^.V than the patroneiw ; ntid their increjtwngaltentiona to Ma-
demoiaclle rEspinasse f^ave rise to constant JcjiIohmoh and heartburn-
ings, which ended in her withdrawing herself, or bein^ diitioivife'I,
from Madame du Delfant';* house. Iler recession was attended with
that (if D'Alembert, and others of the old lady's literary friends, who
preferred the society of the young' one ; a circumstance which pro-
duced an irreconcilnl>le feud between Madame du Deffant and the
fihilosopfaers, and seems to h:ivc embittered the remainder of her
ife.
Af^er thi« time she became actiuainted with Iluruce Walpolc ; and
their long and intimate friendEliip gave (K.'ejHiun to the uilmiruble
eac-rr*]>oii[lcnce between tlicm which ha« been putili^hird. The let-
Icn to Walpole are niudeU in thiti ^pecieti of composition. Equal in
raoe, grace, anti ])iirity of style, to tli'ise of Madame de Sevi^^,
tbuagh witboot her gentle and womanly feeling, tliey embrace many
more bfiicB nf intere«t and entiTtainment to a render of the preM>nt
(Uy. They contain dhrewd :ind pointed remarks on pubUc oecur-
rmte.«. spirited sketches of character ami manners, discuasions on se-
niKi* Mibjecta, the scamlul of the hour, and ainufing anecdotes, all
nuDcietl together in an eaxy and felicit4Mia cunfunion. The following
Utile Ktory, wiiich we extruct from one of them, is not only exqtiikrtely
bi^habte, but iipenkM volumes as to the eharacter of Louis the Fif-
IMnth and hi» courtiers. The Duke de Chniteul wo* then Prime Mi-
irialcr, and the Itishoji of Orleans \\e\d an nllice in the government.
"About eight days ago, the king after supper went to Madame
Vietcirr's apartments, odled a Acrvant, and gave him a letter, utying
I/) hiro, ' Jacques, take that letter tu the L>uke de Ch«i»'u1, ami tell
him to deliver it immediately to thv Bishup of Orle&iiH,' Jacques
cues to the Dnke's, and Ik told that he is at M. de Penthievre'«. He
MIova him there, and gives him the letter. Monsieur de Choitwul
vrada Cadet, one of the Duchess's valets, to seek the Itishop.and tell
bJM vrbere he it. In a couple of houm Cadet return<<, ruid tells the
[>uke that he had been to the Bisliop'a, had kni>cke<l at the door
with all hi« might, and, fmding that nobody anawcred, h:id been all
ofW the town in search uf him without unccess, The Duke had
■othfng for it but to go himself to the Oirhop's npartments, climbed
a huodrcii and twenty -eight uteps, and knorked .so furiously at
tl>r <tuoT chat a coupli: of servant* cnme running in their pthirt» to
ufien it.
" • Where ia the Bishop?'
"• In ht<\ aiuce ten o'clock.*
'• ' Open hit door, and let me into his bed-room."
**The Duke entem ttie bed-room, and rouses the Ri^hojt from
a*
FRENCU LITERARY LADIK8.
" ' What 's the niHttcr }'
" ' Tis I. — I have got a letter for van from the Kinj;.' 4
" ' A letter from the King ! Oootl Gad ! What is it o'clock ?'
"'About two."
" The HiBhop tiikea the letter, and opens iL
" ' I euu't ruad witliout my B]K-vtacles.'
•" Where ore tbcy?'
" ' In my breeches* pocket.'
"The minister goes to find them ; iind meanwhile they are pUK.
cling themselves with conjectures. — 'What can the letter contain ?
Con the Archbishop of Paris have died eucUK-nly ? Which of the
bishopH can hnvc hanged him«ejl'?' At the same tiroc they were
iKrth uneasy enough, ai it might perchance contain something of a
less agreeable nature.
" The BUhop begins the letter, but cannot see to gel ttirough it
He hands it to the minister, who rtfads hs foUowi ;
" ' My Lord Bishop of Orkans, my daughters have a great desire
to have some quince marmalade. They want it in very small pot».
Send some; niid if you have not got anv, I beg ' In this part
of the letter there was a scrawHn tlie ti>nn of a sedan chair, and
underneath it the letter went on, 'you will immediately aend to
your episcopal city for some, and let it be iu very small pots. And
so, my Lord JBi>>liop of Orleans, luay God have you in hi» holy
keeping, Louis,'
" Then there wan a poHtscript ; — ' The pedan-chair does not mean
anytliing ; my daughters had drawn it on this sheet of paper, which
was the first 1 laid my hand on.'
" Judge of the amazement of the two ministers. A courier was
instantly dejipstdied for tlie marmalade, which arrived next day,
but nobody cared any more about it."
These letter*, however, with all their wit ufKl liveliness, preaent
the picture of a mi»eruble mind. The writer constantly deaciibcj
herself as devoured by cnuui, weary of life, and indifferent to eTery-
thlng but the affection of her correspondent, whom she often «d-
drcttet in terms of passionate attachment, which are not easily com-
preheiuible as proceeding from an old blind woman, and applied to
a man pa-it the meridian of life, whom, ton, she had never iicen. No
wonder she was w rctcJit-d, with nothing at the close of a long life to
look to for comfort; when the past whs without Felf-approval, the
preM>nt witliout enjoyment, and the future without hope 1
Her death was characteristic of herself and her society. " Her
deamt friends," says (jrimm, " Madame de Luxembourg, Madame
de Choineul, and Madame de Cambise, were constantly with her in
her but illness. Through an extraordinary excess of attachment these
ladies played at loo every evening in her bed-room till she had drawn
her lait breath ( juiii|u'a son dernier soupir incliistremcHl). Another
writer says that her victors happened in the middle ol their game
to discover that she was dead, but sat still, and played it out with
great compoiure.
Voltaire, her letters to whom have .■^Iso been published, oaed, in
allusion to her acutenexs and penetration, to call her, " L'aveugle
clairvoyante." With her character and powers of conversation, she
could not fail to be celebrateil for her wnttidsms. She tuiid of
L'Etftrit din Lv'u. that it was ■■ Uc I'esprit sur les lots." Hearing
FRENCH LITERART tADIE
te*nom liisputing about the fiuiious mtrxcle of SMint Deiiu, the
untuning tlut the saint had only carried hi.« head in hi* hands
for a few minutes, and the other that he had carried it all the way
Eram Montmartre to St. Denis, she ptit an end to the Mrgumeitt by
obierving that, *■ in ancb cafies, i7 n'^ a que If premier poa qui cnutr,"
la regard to Jicr utter hoartlcH.'ntess (notwithRtAndtnf; tne apparently
•otitary axceptioi) of her anumalmis attic-hment Co Watpole), all wUu
' ipcak of her ore afireed. \\'hL'n the celebrated Marqutsc du Chaie-
H let died, she showed her grief fur the loss of her oldeiit and most in-
' tiiiiat« friend by circulating all over Paris the very next morning
a tnalisnant and Krurrilous atuck on her character : a tingle fact,
wUdi u perfectly conclusive.
I
Aladcmoisclle rEspinaase wn» bom at Lyons in 1732. Her mo-
ther wu a woman of rank, who had been Unif; before this time
•eparated from her husband. She brought up her daughter with
great care and tenderneu, nnd it was not till Iter death that the poor
girl, at the age of 6ftecn, was aware of the illfgitimaey of her birth,
and her fi^rlorn and destitute situation. 8he found an asylum in a
coarent in the capacity of a f^nvcrneiu ; and she hiid been four
veart in that muntion when she attracted the notice tif Miulame du
DeAnt, with whom »he lived for ten years. At the end of that
baWvaAer having supplanted the old lady in the attentions of a larce
|>oilioa of her literary circle, »he left her house, as has been already
nMnuotMcL
With the remains of what her mother had left her, and a pension
granted bv the King (through the intereHt of the friends slie had
nude in Madame du Dcffant's cfiterie, she fnund herMrIf in u cundi-
ika to live independently. U'Alembert, wltu had becotne strongly
auached to her, took up hio abode under her roof; and others of
Che literati, who had fVequi^nted Madnme du Deffant's house, for-
Book the poor old lady, and betook themselves to the society of her
Bore attractive rival. ttlademoiselle I'Espinausc was then above
ihtrtT, and far from handsome, her face being utrongty marked with
■nall'pax ; but lier countenance was full of intelligence and aniraa-
tioa, and ber manners and convematiun quite cnutivuting. Good>
bumoaml and witty, po8»es»ed of information, j augment, and ta»te,
■he na* the life and nuul of the brilliant circle of which her honw
«u the centre. "I cannot mention the Graces,'' ">« Marmnntel,
'* without speaking of one who possessed them in mind and language.
Iiwaathe li-iend of D'Alcmbert, Mndemoiselle TRspinasse; a won-
dvfill combination of correctness, judgment, and prudence, with
tlia UnHest fancy, the most ardent soul, and tJie most lier)' imaglna*
tiana that have cxisteil since the daya of Happhu. The constant ob>
laaof attention, whether she qiukc (and no one spoke better) or
l;^t<mTJ ; without coquetry bhe inspired us with the innocent de-
uiv of pleaaing her; witliuut prudery she made freedom feel how
far it nigbl venture without disturbing modesty, or hurting decu-
ram. Nowhere was conversation more lively, brilliant, or better
rvfobtod than in her society. That degree of temiierate and ever-
eqmal warmth in which sb« knew how to auctain it, now by re-
ktnjntng, nnd now by animating it, was a rare phenomenon ; and
\mr it ol>ferv«tl that the heads she tlicn moved at her will were neither
wok tior light. The CondilUcs and the Tnrgots were of the num-
96
PRKNCH LITERARY LADIES.
bcr. D'Alembett, ty her side, was like a titnple aitd docile child."
" Of this society," says the tame writer in Miotlier pluce. " the gayert,
the rnodt animatetl. the most mmising in his gaiety, was D'AIembert.
At\er hiviDf; pa«sv(t hia tiiuniiiifipf in ntgebriiic caIcuUtion», mid
Bolvinc the problems of mech»nic« or astronomy, he cxnie fmm his
»tudy like a boy ju»t let loose from nchool, iteekiii^ only to enjoy
hinmclf; and, by the lively and plca»int turn which hi^ luminous,
■olid, and profound mind then nssiimcd, he soon made ua forgi-t the
philosopher and the man of science to admire in him every delight-
ful and cngag^in^ quulily. The 8(iurre at' ihi8 niiturA) gaiety was
fl pure mind, free t'rcnu pa-iainn, satiBfiec] with itself, and in the
daily enjoyment of Fomc newly -discuvervd trulli which rewarded
snd crowned his labours; s ])riviU'(:e which the malhcmuticsl »ci-
euccs exclusively poBtess, and wluch oo other kind of study ciu
completely attain."
This illustrious philosopher, raiwd fnr above the level of the soci-
ety in which he lived, by the lingular simplicity ami sincerity of hit
character, as well as bis high intellectual piiwers, was the victtm
of a strong and unrequited attachment to Ahidemoinelle I'KspinasM.
She was unuuesliuiiAbly an adventuress, and a remiile fortune*
hunter; but ner own pas«ions were too strong to enable her to ploy
the part successfully. She appears to have had an affection for D'AIem-
bert and to have bfcn fond of hi* society ; but she was too .imbilious
and ajpiring to marry a man without family or fortune. She calcu-
lated on the effect of her powers of plea»inj;, and tnuigined she
could captivate some distinjjui&hed member of her coterie, so much as
to induce him to offer her his hand. She succeeded in inspiring the
Marquis de Mora, a yoiin^ .Spani.di nohlenian who had visited Paris
in his travels, wiih to violent a paitfiion for her, that hia family, ap-
rrehcneive of the consequences, recalled him home. ■• ^Indemniiielle
KspiiiUHfie," says Afarmoutel. •■ was no loni^L-r the same witJi
D'AIembert; and he nut only had to endure her coldness luid ca-
price, but olicn the bitterness of her wounded temper. He bore hit
sorrows patiently, and complained urdy to me. Unhappy man I
Euch were his devotion and obedience to her, that in the absence of
M. de iklura, it was he who u».ed ti> gn early in a murning to ask tor
bis letters at the pust-oflice, and bring them to her when ithe woke."
Absence diil not abate the young Spaniard's ]Mis.4ion. lie continued
liis cc>rrei»iwndcncc with the object of it; and at last, while hia
family were seeking to terminate the connexion by means of a
suitalile match for him, he fell into a dangerous illness. This pro>
duced an extraordinary step on the part of Mademoiselle I'Espi-
nasse. She contrived to obtain an opinion from a physician at Paris,
that the climate of Spain would be mortal to her lover, and that if
his rriendii wished to sHve him iliev ought to si-ud him to breathe
the air of France. This opiniun, dictatetl by Mademuii^elle I'Eapi-
nasse, was obtained bif D'Altimin^rl from his intimate friend Al.
Lorry, one of the muHt celebrated phy!<icians in Farid. It was trnnx-
mitted to 31adrid, and the authority of Lorry, supported by the
wishes of the patient, produced its effect. The young Marquis was
pertiiitted to return to France, and eagerly set out on his journey;
but he could nut bear the effort, and died (»i tlie road.
In tlic mean lime D'AlcnilN.-rt'» unhappy attachment preyeil deep-
ly on ilia mind. lie neglected all hit studies and pursuiu, devoting
4
FRENCH LITERAttY LADieS.
27
If pntirvly to tlie society of Mudemoiscllc rRspinsatie, tlidiifrh
it was productive to him of nothiiij^ but misery. In thi>i extremity,
Maflanie OenRViii. vith her uhuaI active frirntl^ip, d<>tt>i-niiii«xl tu
nve him, if possible, from tliu fatal cnii.<iequenccs of such n wuy <>f
life. Thouu;li unacquiuulud with iMadpniDiiielle i'E«pinas.4e, mIio
went to visit bL-r, uttil rtrpri-&eiiteil to Jicr so strongly tlie irreparable
injury sbe wu doitig to D'Alembert, witliout the hope, or even the
object, of any aJvantJige to herself, th»t she prevailed on Mftdemoi-
fvUe r£«|)inaii»e to g\ve up all the letters she bad received from
him, und obtained lier solemn promise to see him no more. An a re-
compenie for this compliunce, Mfulnme (aeofTrin settled on Made-
moiselle t'Rspimui'e a pension, whicli abe received durinir Ute r«>
nuimler of her life.
Whatever may hii« been her orij^iiial motive for endeavouring lo
captivate the young Spani»h noblcmnn, there can l>e no doubt that
ber paasion for him was not only real, but an violent »■ his own.
Krom the time that she was Aeparsted from him by the interference
o( hi;t family, her health gave way, and her mind was so deeply nf-
(ectcd, that she became an object of eommisi^-ration to her (riendD;
and hi« death wan a blow from which she never recovered.
But the most extraordinary part of her life yet remajns to be
noticed. While slic was paenionately attached to the Marquis do
Morm during bib life, and dying with grief for bis death, she was
■t the aune time violently in love with another. Thin was the
Comte de Ouibvrt, the ct-Iebniled writer on military tactics. This
Mruige circuiuatiince seems to htive been little known or noticed, till
it waj brought to light by the publication of her letttTS to (inibert,
about five-and-twenty years ago. Guibert, a handsome and fashion.
able young man, distinguished for spirit and talents, hod recom>
ncmled hinuelf to her by the tender interest he took in her afHic-
tino caused by ber «ep»ration from her lover. The correspondence
iirtwom them began in i773, won after Rlora's recall, and continued
till witliin a few weeks of her death in I77fi.
The*e letters disclose a state of mind that seems inexplicable on
the common principles of human nature. That the feelings they
ekpresA are fictitious, or even exaggernttd, is out of the question, for
ihejr alflw with the eloquence of truth ; and the reader cannot but
feel that the pasdon^ to which thev give vent are not the ]i^i real
fm being iocoiuiatcDt and conflicting. Long before Alora'it death
we find eipreM<ma of the utmost attachment to Guibert. Rven in
the wme letter Ouibert is addreswHl in terms of papsionate adoration,
and then nijuh< the confidant of her unspeakable luve fur Mora.
After htfl death the same mixture of feelings continues. At one
tiae ahe pours out the sorrow of a widowed and desolate heart, and
Paa-mtmatOL hnrnti with passion for a living object. None of C>ui-
bvl's lettera have appeared ; but she conetontly complains of his
eddOHi and inditTeTenee. All the while «he neems never to have
hepffd or desired from him anything more than the happiness de-
nvrd from reciprocity of affection. She appears never to have ex-
pected his bond; on the contrary, she advises him to marry, and,
when be docs so, the correspondence is continued in the same strain
as before.
We extract a few paasages from these singular letters, from which
ovr female rCMlers may sec that there has been actually such a thing
SB
LITEHAHY I.ADIRS.
as a lady loving two gentlemen at once. We are (li«satis6e(l wfll
our translation of these fragments; feeling that we have been unabte
to transfer to another laiigungc, tliose "thoughts th.it brenthe, ami
words that bum ;" which (notwitlutancling all the fnulu of the tm-
happy writi^r'H character) render Fier efTiisiona ho interesting and
imnreKsivv. These passage!* are frnm letters written al'ter the dvutli
of Mora, and during the lust year of'lier own life.
" I felt a dreadful reluctance Co open your letter. Had it not
been for the fear uf offending you. 1 stiould have sent it back un-
opened. Something told nie it would increase my suSeringn, and I
wished to spare myself. My constant bodily pains wear out my
mind : I hive again been in a fever, and unabie to close my eye* ; [
am quite exhaunied. For pity's sake, torment no longer* life whi^
i* closing, and every moment of which ii given to sorrow and regret.
I do not accuse you — 1 axk nothing uf you — you owe me nothing :
for, indeed, I have not a feeling or a sentiment to which I have vo-
luntarily yielded. When I have been so unhappy as to give way to
them, I hare always detested their strength, and my own weakness.
So you see that you owe me no gratitude, and that I have no right
to reproach you with anything. Be free, then — leave mc to my
sorrow ; let me, without interruption, occupy my mtud with the
only object I have adored, and wrioHe memory is dearer to me tlioii
ul] that rvnuiins under the sun. U, my Gud ! 1 ought not to weep
for him — I ought to follow him : it is you who uiuKC me live, and
who yet arc the torment of a creature cousuiued by grief> and exert-
ing the last remains of bet strength in praying that death may re-
lieve her. I tohl you truly a week ago — ^you make me captious and
exacting: in giving all, one look»t for ioxne return. Hut, once more.
I forgive you, and hate you not: though it is not from generuaity
that i forgive you ; it is not from kind fecbng that I do not hate
you. It is simply because my very soiit is weary even unto death.
Ah ! my friend, let me alone^-do not talk any longer about loving
mc ; it is a balm that turns to poison. Uh! how cruelly you hurt
me — how heavily I feel the burden of life! IIuw 1 love you noU
withiitanding, and how wretched should I be to make you un-
happy !"
• * • • ■
•■ IIow often might I have complained ; how often have I hid
fVnm you my tears ! Ah ! I see it too well : it ts impossible either
to keep or bring back a heart drawn away by another attachment.
This 1 repeat to myself without renting, and sumeiimes think myM-lf
cured ; but you come, and I find tliiit all my elfurts have been vain.
]leiIe<.-ttons, resolutions. Bufferings, — all become powerless the mo-
ment you utter a word, I see no refuge but death, and never has
poor wretcll prayed for it more curnestly. Ah ! if you only knew —
ifyou only read, what happiness was once derived, by a strong and
impsMiioned soul, from the pleasure of being loved by mel He
used to compare the luv« unce felt for him. with that felt for him
atill; and he said to me again and again; 'My countrywomen are
not worthy to be yn«ir icbolars : your sunl has been warmed by the
sun of Tama, they seem to have been born amid the Knows of
Iiapland ;* and it was frnm Madrid that lie Inid me this. My dear
friend, he never praised me; ho felt bis happineae : nor do I think [
I
THE 5EBET0.
pnite mysc-lf when I t«U you that, in loving you to distraction, I
only beetow upon you what I haw uo power to withhold."
• • • « •
" My frame i« no lonjjCT rtroiin «nougli for my coul — it is killing
me- Vou can do notlttn)^ to me but make me suffer ; do nut then
make any furtlu-r «It<niipt.t lo (.-onirort me ; don't trv to make me the
victim (^ your moralitif, aSttr harin^ mnde me the victim of vour
fickleneu. You Havc not seen me, because there «re but twelve
hours in the day, and you iiave hnd the means of filling them up
with interests and pleasures irhich must touch you more nearly
than my unhappine»s. 1 cluim nothing — I exact nothing ; but I
never cesAc to tell niy»eir that the source of happiness and pleasure
U kvt to me for ever."
• • a • ■
"Oh, how you oppress my heart, wliuii you wish to prove to me
tliBi it ought to be sati^lied with yours ! I would never compUin,
but you force me Bometimeti to cry out, 9q deeply and pninfully do
you hurl me! 3Iy friend, 1 have been loved — I am so still — and I
die with grief that it is not by you. In vain I say to myself that I
have never merited the hnppioesK I regret. My heart tells me iJiat,
were I ever to be lovetl, it wn» by him who h»i(I charms sufEcient in
mr eye* to wJthdr^iw me from fli. de "SI , and to reconcile me to
lile when I hail lost him. I have done nothing but languish since
your departure. I have not had an hour free from suffering ; my
■lental disease affects my frame. Every day I have b fever, and my
pbrrioui, though not one of the able^ of men, tells me incewutntlv
that I am consunied by some hidden grief, and alwavi takes his
kare wying; 'we have w> rctnediffor (he mind.' For me there is,
bwiced, no remedy : but cure is not what I desire. I wish for nothinjr
bat a little ealm — for a few moments' re|io»e, before obtaining that
&m1 rMt which nature will soon grant me."
This highly-gifted and most unhappy woman diet! in 177^, in her
forty-tliird year, the victim of violent paKMont' acting on an iU-regii-
laud mind. Though wasted with painful and hopeleu disease, she
emeinued to go the nccuitomed round ai guitlij ; and her salon was
fiUed with company down to the d^y of Inrr deatli.
THE PASSAGE OF THE SEBETO.
" Vixirc fortes ante AgatneniDona
Multi ; led onnes illacnrmtbiles
L't^^entur ignoliqae loiten
Nocte, canut quia rate sacro." — Bobacb.
Tnsobfigition of heroes to lliotc poets who have celebrated their
dcsda, hw ever been proverbial.
Diifmtra may arise amongst the teamed on the subject of the Trojan
war. which iome may treat as fabulous, and others as historical. But
even thou who most strenuously defend ttie authenticity of the siege
rompeDed to allow that without the aid of Homer the memory of
kchiUe% St least, would have been more effeclually plunged into the
M«r» of Lethe than his body waa into those of Styx.
SEBETO.
Virgil, by OiruM'iii^ ihe cloak oT pit'ty over eoiiic very questionable
traniutctiotis, (a practice, by the way. whidi Ims nut yet fallL-n lutu
disuse.) has coiUrivti] to patch up Uic character of/Eiiuus, and wc
moderns are content lu receive that whiuiug Trojaii as a hero; not.
certainly, in consideration of bis own meritSt but out of respect for
those of his bard.
Had not TiUso lived and wrillen, the name of Kinsldo would
linvc been no better known than that of any other Taliant crusader
whose crost^lcggcd and noRcless effigy we occasionally find on a
marble tomb.
Itoland the Bruvc, Amadis dc Gaul, Marmion, Rokcby, and a
thousand other hcroc*;, whom it would be lodious to enumernic, have
owed their celebrity, nay. many of them their very existence, to the
intervenlion of the ratet men.
'Wxe dcvik, indeed, (who, whether Milton intended it or not, is by
many acknowledged as the hero of his " ParadiNe Lost,") does at first
sight apjnrar lo be an exception to the general rule. But even he,
although it mu«t be confessed that his fame waa already established,
liBs great reason to be thankful to his blind poet for the feelings he has
excited in his favour, inasmuch as the proud sentiments he i« made
to utter amidst his fuHtrn pi-era have undoubtetlly betrayed many a ^
reader into a passing udniiration of his 8iilanic majesty. ^|
Since, then, the weight of obligation has been hitherto so entirely ^|
un the oue side, it would be both fair and desirable that something ^^
should now be thrown into the opposite scale ; that the epic and the
lyric muse ehould hencelbrlh derive their whole inspiration from
llie subjects of their song, and poets be thu« enabled tn found tlieir
own pretensions to fame on the merit of tlieir chosen heroes.
Fortunate at least would it he for me if this new order of things
could be at once established ; for then, in the following humble at-
tempt to describe the heroic passage of the Sebeio, my name might
be handed down to posterity with that of the warlike Ferdinando the
Second, King of the Two Sicilies, of Cyprus, and of Jerusalem !
THE PASSAGE OF THE SEBETO: A BALLAD.*
To iht tune of" A Frog he would a-woomg jo."
A xiMC went to the ** Champ dc Mars,"
FhI Frrdinando.
To p1&]r Bi soldiers, free from KOrs,
Pot hi! '« not v^rjf likely lo go to the wars.
With his rowleypowley inacaroni,^
GalUnl Ferdinando I
* That tlio Kojral Neapolitan Guards on a certain field-day ahoul Tour years
ago bnka their line, to avoid a puddle in the cnitrp ofllw " Chamj) de Mars,"
and that by way of pDnulimeiit ihcy were led by iheir itnf;fy king through the
river Sebeto, ii an at^lual fact. I know not if my nianner of idaiing il msy
succeed in etciltnp the risible nerves of my r^en, but (m Ihe words of
Mntilirwo* prosv retailei uf old jokes) " I do assure them tliat it caused a ray
great laugh at tKo iimc."
f " ^la^^l»-Iuaearoni'* is the well-Vnown tobriqmt of a Nmnolitan ; and
King Ferdinando, u in dui^ hound, daily di»cu»m a hu)re pile or his natioral
fotxl.lo the nuiriUous i|ualities uf whu^h, hi» iocreuing bulk does .imple justice.
THE PASSAGE OF THE SEBETO.
Hit lroo|>* Went clu) in dmsex flnp,
Fal F«rdinuidoI
Afxl, a« thty glanced in bright jinnii)iin«,
With awelling pride he forni'd his line,
With bia rowlpy \>om\tj tnauroni,
OalLaDl Fetdinaiidol
U« whael'd them left, iwd whccl'd tbcm liglit.
Did Ferdiii^ndo I
When the]' moved so niucli lo his dcli;;bl.
ThiU bv mid lo hiiiuelf, " Oh, I 'm mitv ihey 'II figlil,
Led bj* rowlej powley macaroDi,
Roynl Fcniiiiiiniln r*
But to dwck thpue hnj>m thnt high did loar,
Ah! Ferdinanilol
Abu t ihp niiti of ihe mglit beforB
Had wetted (he jrround ten yanU, or more ;
With K ntwiey powley mararani,
Gatlunt Ferdiriaiulo )
And, ibuugb upon the monial cunp
Wiiti Ft-n]ii9»ido,
lib guards, for fat of cold or craoip.
Fell out of tlie line to aroid t)i«- dump,
LcBViog rowley pDwIey macaroni.
Oalluil FeT<]iniin<lo I
Ko wonder ihuL thii should move in rjge
Fal Fcrdinando,
Who bopo to shine in liistoryS pa^'c
As (he gmtfst warrior of the age,
With bis rowlcf powley macaroni,
Gallant Perdinando J
Resolved lo tiy example's force,
Fat Fcrdinando
TiM tastant threw him from hi^ hAne,
WIw w«c glad «nough lo be nd, of coiine,
Of his rowlry powley mat^roni,
Heavy Ferdinando.
A itand of coluun llira lie look.
Did Fcrdinando;
And, heading bin nwn with an angry look.
He waddled bo fast, that his fut adea sUaakt
With bis rowt«y powlvy inacaruiii,
Callutt renlinaiidD )
tie led iheoi o'er inch broken ground,
Fat Ferdinand o.
Thai nuch his guards it did confound
To gueu wtwre (he devil tlieir kin^ could be bound,
Willi bu rowlcy powley nukcarodi,
CrftUant Fcfdioaiado I
Odbre hint now SehMO lav,
Fal Ferdinanao ;
But, bent on valiant ile«d* thai day,
Netlbcr puddle uor river could slop the way
Of ihiB rowWy powley mu-aroni,
Uallaui Feidinaodo !
31
3)8
Tllfi PA55AQB UF THE SEBBTO.
So, like Philips *on at the Gnuitc flocx),
I'at I''ertlin.in(Jo
(TI>ou[fh ht wadM (hrotigh waiw ttninix«l with Ido^id)
Couraseouily plunged his hu|^ weicht in the mud,
With his Knclcy powlcy macuoDi,
Gallant Fefdinaodo 1
And u his army ibui \iii led,
Fai FerdiMOudo,
By tliosc who saw tbe deed 'Us said
Tne iiflnKhtMl «eb tiefort^ liiin ftwl,
Wiih his rowiey powley muaroni,
Gallant Frrdinaiidu !
And we mu«l e'en believe (be tale
Of Ferdinando ;
For little ti»h o( coucte would qDul
Deforv such o monstrous royal wbnlc
As ttiis rowiey powley macaroni.
Gallant Fcrdmando 1
But Icsl the stTpam too hifih for 6oinc,
Fat Ferdiiiaiido,
Above their knees Tnig;bt chance to <^oine,
He otder'd each drummer to float on his irum,
With hiB lowley powley loacaroni,
Oallant Ferdinaiido 1
A little colonel too he (old.
Kind Ferdrn.indo !
To be by no means rashly hold.
But a tajt pioneer by the beard to hold,
With iiii rowk'y ponley macaroui,
GulUuil Furdiimnilo I
And thus both thort and tall defied,
Wiih Ferdinnjiilo,
Tlic dangers of the swttllen tide.
Alld in safely tcadi'd ih* other nidu.
With their rowlcv powley macaromi,
Giillant Fenlinandol
Twai theof in this laconic nylr,
Fat Ferdinando
His drippinit soldiers did revile.
Who trembled with cold and Tear the while
Of ihcir rowiey powley macaront,
Gallaul Ferdinando I
** Ye cms ! moie fit for show than slaut^hter,"
Quoth Fetdinando,
*' Ye cun ! more fit for show than slaufiltler.
If you wonH face fire, you shall face waidr,
With your rowiey powley macaroni,
Royal Ferdiuandol"
.■53
A NIOHT OF TERROR.
[This "tory is partly Iranclated, partlv imitBtcfl, from ihe Frprich.
Th« Fr«nch author, i suppose, was indebted to eoiiiL- German <iri-
Itinal. It is no great matter, »o the reatlex likes it. Jrft uit there-
fore, without further preface, begin.]
Yor will recnitect that, three yparn ajjo, wc had a dreadful uinter
throughout Europe. It was severe in thnsc quarters whore the oli-
inate ta osunlly genial ; in the north it was nb^otutely dreadful. My
■iner and I were on a visit to nurold friend, the Princess N , at
her Lithuanian castle. The tiling wai arranj;ed tliat Adelaide
was to be married to the Princwti's son, Sobieski, who was daily ex-
pected jVoui Spain. I suppose my sister looked forward to the ar-
rival with more impatience than the rest of the party ; and certiiiiily
!t> male portion were far more interested in hunting the wutf all the
morning through the snows, and drinking down the fatigties of the
rbase in the evening over the fire, than in anything connected with
the tender pasxinn.
The wished-for morning arrived at Inst. Sfibie-«ki appeared in the
caatle of his ancestors amid the acclRmations of an admiring peasan-
try, to be kiftsod by hii mother, shaken handa with by his friends, uvl
kxJccd at, I suppose, by his betrothed. Foreign travel had improv-
ed him, and a single year had sufficed to turn the h^nidsomc stripling
into a fine and noblc-lnoking young man. The Princriw was happy,
AMaide was happy, Sobieski wiis happy, we all were happy: but
dM bappimeM was destined to be of short duration ; for we had
hardly men from iM^i^fast when n wearied cniirier arrived, bring-
mt in the melancholy information that my father had lieen suddenly
taken ill in Bohemia, and that our attendance wa^ in»itantly re<piirvd,
as hia life was despaired of. It was of course necessary that we
ifaould start on the instant ; no time could be lust, and our arrange^
mmu Ibr departure were made with the utmost rnpidity. Sobi«$kt
wished to have gone with us ; but how could he leave his mother,
wbotn b« had only seen for two or three hours oAer a year's ab-
Nore? Beatdes, why expose him to the trouble ami inconvenience
af the journey ? It', w we liii[»ed, we found the nUrni ex:iKgeraled,
it would be easy to send for him, or to ri-tuni : if the event were
wtMt our fear* suggested, it was arranged that my sister's future
hsaac was tn be tlut of the PrineoHs. .\del2ude and 8obie»ki had n
laa|[ private interview before we p/irte^t. What they »aid I do not
bwvt but it would not be hard to guess at what was the tenor of
iheir eoovrrsalinn. With much reluctance he gave his consent to
remain behind : but, fan-well is a word that has been, and mu«l be ;
il WM nioken at la<it. and we set off in our trsvellin<; carriage about
lit m the morning through the snowy roadit of Lithuania leading
dwoogh ibe grrat forest.
We got over the short day without any adventures different from
what might be expected. Our carnage sometimes stuck in the snow,
MOWfim^t narrowly escaped being upsel by the stum|i (^f a tree.
Kdart an the road were few, and the people at the po«t'liau»ea
tenned-half f^oKen, and afraid to open tneir mouths. We were
rpL. III. 0
A NIGHT OF TERROR.
tolcrubly indep«itlcnt of!hcm for supplies, ns wo had been suffi-
ciently utoreil befori' we started on o»ir route. We left the Ust
DM^t-noiisc about six in the e%'enin^, with « pnir of fine, strong, youn^
horses, fit to contend with the night difficuhies of the forest roail.
Those difficiiUies did nut Appear to be in any decree remarkiibly
formiddble. ThL> full muon, just risen, caist a bright light all RrounJ,
nnd a otroni; frwt liavinf; tcx in, the pnth wiis lutrd and pritcticablr.
Our driver, »ii old retainer of the Prineess, knew the forest well :
for forty yearn, na chnuieur or courier, postilion or coachman, be
had traversed it at nil hours of the d«y ami night, and was as well
acquainted with i-vcry '■ dingle and bosky botirne of the wild wood "
as with his own stitbU-s- I forgot to say that, besides Adelaide and
myself, her favourite French maid occupied the inlt-rior of the voi-
ture- Heinrieh smoked, whixtUil, and cracked his whip in solitary
dignity without. There being nothing in the Rcenery or its associa-
tions to captivate the Parisian soul of Louise, who had done due jus-
tice to the contents of our basket while wo changed hordes, she
speedily dropped into a profound iltiniber, to dream, I 8up{Hi!ie, of
the glories of the Pahii^ Koyal, and to tranH)>ort herself from the
woods and nnnw.'' of Lithuania to the parterre of <ionie theatre on ibe
BoulevariU. She soon gave us audible information that she was far
nway in the land uf ilreaniK, and that, if her slumbers were not me-
lanciioly, thev were at leniit mueica].
Let it not be imagined that uiy more delicate companion or my-
relfpermitted Louise to enjoy our basket- store< I repast without co-
operation. Onr epirilB wi*re sevei-elv de|)rcB*ed ; the dreaded death
ol*a beloved father filled us both with sorrow and appreheiiiiion, and
Adelaide in parting with Sobie^ki had her pecidiar sources ofgrief.
But it is n sad truth, that all the movt 8entiiirentnl emotions of the
mind give ulace when the most uruentimeiital organ of the body
makes its demand upon our attention; and the bracing air of the
f«»re»t had largely cuntribute<l to the sharpening of the appetite.
The substantial dainties of the Princets, aided by some generous
bock, somewhat assisted in my ease by a fair proportion of bran-
dy, disposed us also to iiUimber, and Adelaide fell asleep on my
shoulder. Her sleeping thoughts reverted in all probability to a
certain Northern castle frowning over the flood, garnished M-ith
tower and turret, buttress and bulwark, fosse and rampart, draw-
bridge and portcullis, and every other adjnnet of feudal war ; but
in which was alw* the picture-studded corridor, the gay s-ilon, and.
above all, the sofl boudoir, where sounds more fitlnl for the ladies'
car than the claxliing of arms were uttered ; round which were form-
eil trcIHscd gardens, where IwMnjuets such as the North affortls were
culled, and where Muntering walks by raoming-liglit or moonbeam
made life forgotten ; or spreading parks and chase*, where some
rode together who thought of other joys than those which the syl-
van sports rtffordc-d. For my part, my mind wandered to the pm-
sible change of my mode of life and position in sociely. I loved
my father with an affection which few sons fwl: I adndml the l»i»-
Ire of his military career ; our house had h^-n honourrd by the fame
he had won and the high repute he rojuyixl ; and I loukud back
Mlth mingle<l love and reverence on the uniform kindness which 1
had experienced at hi» hjtiid« ; — but, I ennfcis, I coidd not keep mv-
self from tiiinking what 1 should do with llie family estates when they
I
i
BR
came Into my |w»#esrion, of the moile in wliicli I w« lo repilnte my
eoniltict, of the tisiiire I was to c»tal court, »f thi> way I wii* to «p«nu
the Dextyear, — of— of— of something flat- that it iia now notnecpsaary
to speak about. In vain I reproached myself with tliinkin^ of any-
thing but thr impenilinp ilcitth of a dear and honoured father. Al
I dropped into ilrow-iy hnlf-waking. Kalf-sloepin;; His of ilreAminesfi,
ulher visions wntiUl occur, and it was only when I roused myself
lo look uulofttie voitun* tn see how we f^ot on, itint a sensntinn of
•orrow would take pu>H-sRian of my mind. On my shoulder still
ilept Adelaide, on the uihcr side siturcd Louise ; outside Hiuuked
Heinrich, thinking, I take it fur grautvd, of leuthing but his boneti
ind theae be drove steadily along.
On a sudden, however, it seemed as if they afforded him more
than ordinary trouble. I was awnket) from one of my nmldings by
brsring him devotin;; tbeni to the infernal goih, in hII the mtneled
dialects of Pohmd, Rii»»ia, and GermHoy, — and that for a crime which
iddon) flwdkentt the indignation of a traveller in these regions. In
■pite of* all his exertions, they had burst into a furiouH gallop. He
enrseil, and swore, nnd pulled, and tug|;ed, but in vain. With
lUrmed eye and erected ear, the e.ij;cr borsett disre giarded the utmo(<t
■ffottofcurb and bridle, and draped ut> forwnrd with a velocity I
dunild have thought beyond tlieir powers. Ax there was no dunger
•f Rcddrnt, 1 wofc tuthcr amused by the unexpected vifjour of uur
Heads, aod the indignation of the usually plUigiuatic Heinrich at
tbrirapostacy from tbe regulated pucevf the road. All on a sudden,
iHfwever, cur driver ceu»ed to swear, and, uttering a hasty ejacula-
tkw, something half-way lietween a prayer and n cur»e, exclaimed,
*• The beasts are right — right, by a thousand devils right ! I should
bsTe guessed it long ago."
And »o saying, be surrendered lo them the rein*, no longer endeii-
vrariOfr to cuntrtd their rapidity. I u»kecl him what he meant.
Toniinf; cautiously round, and whi&pering ho as not to disturb my
sister, be breathed rather than spoke into my ear,
" They are coming."
M Wb^— whof" Bud I; " who arc coming ^ There U not a hutniin
bdaa In sight."
** I did not say tttere was," replied Heinrich ; " and dtftfate scarce
in sight. But don't you hear tliem?"
•* rhrar nuthiiig," said I, " but tlie wliiirtling of the wind and the
crashing of our own carriage thruu;:li the smow."
"Hark!" interrupted Jlcinrieh, dropping his pipe: "they nrr
MBtec, by^— " liut he suppressed the oaih, and crossed himself
iMlraa- " Ay, there they ore : I see them plain enough now."
"The 1a>t glans of brandy is in your head, IIcinriL-h. What do
Jtn hear ? W'Imt do yuu itee ? Who are Ihfy ?"
Profoundly incliniii|; bis liead, he whispered with a thrilling en-
phana.
" Tub wolte*!"
II.
I removed Adelaide from my shoulder as gently -la I could, so as
■■( l<] awaken her, and. ."Standing up in the vuiture, looked in the
icrectioci pointeti out by Heinrich. I looked, however, for a while
■ tain. I Mtw a tUrk ma^s at a dirtauee in llie snow, but, a» thfrj
» '2
38
A NrOHT OF TBRROR.
country was p.^tchp<l in all <lirpctioD!i with timber, persisted, as finn-
ly as ever did Hoim|mrle al Watcrlim, that it was only trees. In
abuut leu iniiiutc-s, liowfTcr. 1 was uiideccivcd as cuiiiplelely as was
tlic InttU cuiperur, oiiii by the same meuiis. The dark miu!i wnn un-
queHtioiiably in moiioii ; and alter I had aticertained that fact, my
eye, stiarpened by fear aiul aiixifty, could perceive that the motion
was not only rapid, but acceleratini;. The ftound, too, whicii in the
distance I had taken to be the u-hiiitling nf the wind, came more
distinctly upon the breeze, and I recojjnized the dismal howling of
the Wolf runhin^ closer and closer cvt-rv momenL The terrified
horses, whoie inninct had di«covvrred to them the enemy ionf;; before
his approach could be dctcrted hy any human organ^ as if they were
aware of their impending; fate, j;alloped on with more desperate
energy than ever, and Meitirich aided their exertiona by all the skill
of which he was miLster.
They came nearer and nearer. We cnuhl hear nut only their
dreadful howls, i.iHninf; from a hundred ravenous throaU. but the
tramp of their accursed paws paticrinp over the snow. I bad no
arms but a hluiiderbu&v, a fowling-pii'ce, and a brace of pistols :
Heinrich had a lonjc pistol. These arms, at best but inadequate
against the number of our assailants, were rendered comparatively
useless by the discover)' we made at the very moment, that we had
omitted to bring with us ntore powtier and bull than wan barely suf-
ficient for nmtther charge in addition to that which they already
contained.
"What is lo be done, Heinrich?" I asked in a whisper.
"There is no use in whisjiering now," s^aid the old chasseur, —
" they will be upon us in less tliaii five minutes, and it would be bet-
ter to Wflke Mis.<( Adelaide and her woman, to inform them of our
danger. Poor things ! it would be terrible if thej- were taken out of
tJie world, as we are very likely to he, without some notice !'*
I acquiesceil in ihc propriety nf ttie advice, and roused Adelaide.
I was about to inform her of the dHuccr. but I'he had been lately
dwelling for too long a time ninoiifj huntsmen lo render it necessary
I should speak.
" Gracious heavens !" she exclaimed, starting up, *' it is the howl
of the wolf! Oh, Herman — Herman ! what wdl become of us?
I see them — I tee them ; they are gaining upon us. We are lost!
We have but ti few minutes to live! Last year an EnpUsh party
was torn to piece* and di-voiired by tliem some leagues beyond our
castle ! I shall never see my father agiaiii !"
Her cries woke her attendant, wlio, ilie niom«-nt she comprehend-
ed the danger, burst into an agony of yelliuK that almost rivalled
in dissonance the cry of the wolves. She curiied herself, her fate,
her .stars, her folly, that ever drew her from France to thi< abomina-
ble country. She vowed to all the infernal powers she could think of,
that if she were to escape thiH peril, ^ihe would never again commit a
fault ao unpardonable. Hhc raved about her^lf, and her life, and
her dress, and her Aiphonse, (a smart ^ar(aH cuUtHier in Paris, with
whom she kept uii an aiualory correspundence, much to the detriment
of King Loui»-Pnilippe's tVench,) and all sorta of matters, horrible
or flimsy, that crofisnl her distracted brain. [ remember, particu*
larly, that death itself did not seem to nfTect her with so much ter-
ror as the prospect of being devoured af\erwards by a n3.>ty wolf.
Her grotesque 1.1 mentation s had the good elFrct of recidling my
I
A NIGHT OP TERROR.
I
I
titter to her natuMl (irinncM of mind. She felt tlat in thin trying
ucciuian tt became her to set an example oj' courage and resigminiim.
Mid in an imuuit, (the M-hole »cene 1 have bren jtin describing did
not occupy two iiiiiiuttB.) she was herfelfngain. She itssured me in
n cuuplc of ward* oi' her constancy, and prt^Rcd niy hand to her
heart to nhuw that it was not bcutiiig with tuiy undue emution.
"It 18 no time to ag:itate you now, Hennau," sbc said; "our
cbai3c«s of escape, I know, are but small : but still, people have escap-
ed from danger? as dreadful, and, under iiod, our houe» principally
depend upon yemr prcwince of mind. Our defence is ui yuur hands,
and iliere I am t-ontent 1u leaw it. With the«p wordx, she turned to
her ahrieking attendant, whont nhe ende^ivourcd to xnotho nitb ail
IIm! topics of ciinsoUttion — they were few fiiou/;h in n)l conKcience
— ^be could think of, and to cngaj^c in smnc thou^f hts «)f religion, but
all equally in vain : Louise could hear nothing but the howling of
the wulres outitide, and the howling of her own fears within.
TJie chn.«e continued. 1 stood rewly with my blunderbuss to di»>
durge it un the herd the moment tiiey npproaehe^l within shot. I
had luu won an uppurtunity. The tIeeteHt of the juick in a few mi-
mte« approached within four or five paces of the voiturc. and I
fired. It was imjios^iblc to miss, and 1 saw twio or three full kilted
or «roiiiKlc«l. To those who were hit it wa» soon matter of little im-
portance whether the wound which brought theai down was mortal
or not, for they were in an instant surrounded by the rest, who
fuoKht for the fallen bodies. This obtaineil us the respite of a few
mioutrs, which wna occupietl by the contest among themsrlveft and
the devouring of their (lain brelliren. We madetlie Itt^st of the time;
but, iJie carc.-is«e» once drmolishe«l, and the bones left to whiten in
tiie SHOW, the hunt recommenced, and we had not f^ained a mile when
tiiey came up m itii us again. Aly blunderbuss had been reloaded in
the mean whde, and on their near approach I again fired, with simi-
Ur effect. Hut this time the respite was briefer. The wolves had
sow tMted blood, ami their fury was excited, no that the devouring
of their mmpnnionii did not occupy half the Sjxire it did before, and
ipecdily tijey renewed the chase with bowlings far more terrific than
erer.
1 ^pealed to Hcinricht who drove his panting horses at their
MBotqwed.
** I have nw" 1 said, " enough for another charge for the bluadvr-
Ixua. What is Iwxt lo be iluiie i"
"It la of no use," »aid he, "to (ire our fowling-pieces among
than. Tor we could not expect to kill more than one, and that, go fur
from delajing, would only spur them oo faster. We h«l better re-
serve out fire for our last chance."
" la there any f"
" Ont, and tliat but slight. Not far from this, but I do not know
fcuw lar.— perbajMi a mile, perhaps three, — is the old hunting-lodge
boiit tot the chasseurs of the forest. If we could reach that, — but
what a>e i* there iu talking?— you nee these poor deiiU of bortet
an tcMTcIy hold oat — they are almost sinking under the hell of a
pMo bbey luvc been keeping up Uii» half-lKPur. Have }uu your pis-
toJt about you }"
• I have ; why K
"Do not disrluirge yoor lu.-t pistol on any account; ik», nnt to
MVf your own life. Kceji it until "
S8
JP TRRROR.
Somctliinft choked tlic old mnn's utterance, rniil passing his hand
over tiis face, he wi|w«l ofT some moisture, which hnre as much rc-
scmblnTice to a tear as Anything hiB eyes could muster, and, applying
to hifl lips his cherry 'tree pipe, which woe never forgotten in the ex-
treme&t dancer, he discharged a more than usually voluminous efiu-
siun of ^niuKe. This done, be beckoned nie to put my head out of
the voitiire, h> that whatever be eaid should re««b my ear alone. I
complied.
" Keep it until these damned brutes, — God forgive me for ustDE
iuch words now ! — until they are compJetelj- mitstrrs of the day, and
we have no further chance, and tlien, sinkinf; hi« voice to the lowest
punible whisper, "dji'tb«rgp it into the bmins cif Mias Adelaide;
put it to her temple, and be sure you do not misft."
God! how his words thrilled ihrouxh my heart! — not even the
horror of my own impending death, of the hideous manner in which
it seemed inevitable that I should be cut ofT from exiiitence in the
flower of my youth, fnr from my friends, who would perhaps for
ever rcnifiin ignorant of my untimely fate — not the fierce forma
which I buv,- htirrvinj!; to my destruction, and nnticipatiug wiili
»,ivage howl tlieir bloody rcpiuit- — not all the terrors of my situation
eo pidfeied me, as tliis whisper of Heinrich. 1 looked at my eistcr.
iSliu was eminently beautiful : uiid if the dreadful tcene around her
hiwl baniBhed the colour from her cheeks, it had inspired her fijiure
with an aJr of exalted courage, and filled her eyes with a blended
fire of heroiHrn and religion, tliat rendered h*-r one of tlie mort
niHjc»tic beings I ever beheld. And this noble creature, 1 thought,
— she. full gfallthat renders life one scene of happiness — she,
c|ual)licd to inspire love and admiration into all heartS;, the bU-tsing
or the onmment of every circle in which she moves- — »»he, who
yesterday was wrappeil in vi»ion8 of delight, who this morning
woke to welcome the chosen of her heart, and whose present mi«-
sion, melancholy as it is, wax hallowed by filial duty and soothed
by the recollection that &he has been all thnt father could prav for,
^is she to die — and bo to die? — by the hand of me, her brotfier —
her brother, who wuuld gkdly lay down his life for her .^ Alas I
aliis I
I'erhaps I sud these Urt words aloud, perhaps Heinrich divined
wlwt was piusing in my bosom, for he continued in a whisper,
" To be itire, it is hard enough ; but it is better than that *he
should die many ile.iths by the mBUjiling of the wolves. You and I
will fight the damned bruten, — fiod pardon me ! — with our pistols to
the last, and die like men ; and it is no grent matter how men die.
And. indei»], it ia little matter how that screaming baggage, who is
almoht ab great n plague as the wolve* them^lven, eunies to an end :
fhe 'a lit loud enough for them. But that dear young lady, just think
Irora what a liorrid denth you nave her ! She must not be torn by
the jaws of a wulf. I "d shoot her myself, dear master, with plea-
Hure, but it would not become mc, an you ore here. It is you arc
to do it, for you are the head of the family. So don't flinch."
Thin converMition occupied only a few seconds. It was carried
ou in llic moot subdued voice, and 1 lliought Adelaide had not heard
it. I learned tVum her afterwards that she had distinctly heard
every word. When I looked at her. »he wiw busily emWa'vouring
to Stiollie Louise. She told me that she hftd purpOM'ty avoided re-
A KICUT OF TERROK.
39
■\g rav fl;lance, lest it might kliake my rirsolution. " Tlicre w«g
hill one other hand in tlie world," she said jitlcrwurdii, "by which I
•houUl havp preferreti to have died, iC such death was ineviiHlile. H«
^*s not tJicre in person ; be n-ai indeed too vividly present in iiiv
beart, thoiif^h his name c«:ap«i not my lips ; and to 'whoiu, de»r bro-
iher, vould I look for deliverance but to you ?" Such »"» the effect of
iIm wllispcTin^ on my sister. It had not pitM»cd unnoticed by Louisir ;
iboUffh, an it wa4 carried on in Grrmun, nlif would not huve u»di?r-
•torn a word of it, even if spoken aloud. She failed not, however,
to httrrpret it in her own mnnncr.
" Ah, HeinrichI ali, dear baron !'* she cried with an ayony more
hitenBe than ever ; " ah ! do not — do not — do not ! I am nure you
camiot be so cruel. Ah, dear sweet Heinrich, of whom I was so
fofidr
Even at tlLat moment, Ileinricli, m-Iio hated everything Kreiich in
l^eneral, and Louise m pnrticiilar fur licr especial impertiiiL>iice tu-
wmrds him ami his brother (Jermuns in the service of the ])rinee8s,
ODold not refrain from giving a mu«t disiM^nlicnt grunt.
" Dear Heinrich ! deur Muusieur le Baron I do not be so cruel. I
know what you are whispering about; I know you are going to
tfiniw me to tile wolves, that you may get off while they arc eating
IBo. Oh, mon Dieu I mon Dieu !"
Adelaide unde.iTOure<l to edge in a word, but in vain.
"Oh I dear Alonsieur !e Daron, rememUr what became of the
wicknl prince who did the «ame tr> Ins courier: he wan torn by his
own 4l<^* t'T 't. Kemember this wicked woman who threw her
children: the wa» boileil alive for it Oh ! dear Mr. Heinrich, dear
SItmairiir le IJaron,— oh I oh ! oU !"
[Lfuuiiie in her agony remembered two tttories, one German, And
on*- French- The German story is. that some Polish prince, travel-
ling thrtiugh a forest, was pursued by wolves ; and that a faithful
hcjrduck devoted himself to save hi:* maKtcr'» life, by <les[>;nding
(ram the carriage, and making with his sabre n coiirai^enu)^ light against
tbem as long as he could. He knew that he sacrificed himi^elf, but he
did it without a second thnnght, in order that, by delaying them firnt
by wliatever opposition he could offer, and then by the time it would
Imkc ihem to devour his Umly, his master might escape. Hi» devotion
ma luccessfut. and the graa*ful master, according to our versmii,
pnnrftled fur his family, and heajied liis memory with honours. A
ilifrrait version is, that the sel&)b prince who conBented to the «-
criGce of »o faithful a servant, reaped hie reward, by being torn to
piecea on entering his own jjate by his dog», who did not know him
m itw absence of his attendant, under wTu)»e irametliute care they
Wd bc«a placed. — The otJier story is, I fear, true: it is that of
a wrvte}inl mother, who with her three children were overtaken by
waive* MMoewherc in the Kaat of France, when, to save her own
life. Jm- flung away the children one by one to be eaten. The
wolvn pursuni her to the vates of a neighbouring town, which was
oneoed to save her ; but when che told her story, the populace, in-
aigiuot at the itniiAtural conduct of this worse than Medea, stoned
her to death in the market-place. As a story iievcr loses by the tell-
ii^ {I U currently said that they put her into a cauldron and boUe^l
W< hid not tinw to pay any attention to the Ument of tlie unfot-
40
A NIGBT OP TBRHon.
lunate tuivatife, for the wolves were by this lime quite cluse upon
the rarrinj^r. Fiuttthey came as a dark cload, scuurinf; witn incon-
ceivable rapidity over the mov. Their dreadful howls reverberated
through the JWeai, waking its every echo. We could see their
flamini^ eyes, their fiiorting nostrilH. their mouths and tongues red
and dripping with the fret<h lilood of their mangled companiutw.
Another tuonient anil they would be upon us. The mouwiit cainej
aniL there tltey were.
"Oh!" cried Ilvinrich, " keep them off one minute — one kiiifcle
miuutv, and we arc at Uie hunting-lodgc. "O that the hoTBes
mav bold out !"
I'he poor animals exerted th«r last eiTorls. If we had been
pressed too closely by the wolves, no other chance remained bat
to sacrifice them, and make our way as best we could to the lodge,
while our asvailantK were lighting u round the spoil. But there was no
need ; one woHunly s>uccee<Wd in reacliingthe window ol'lheioiture,
atid him I in»tant1y nhot with my fuMl. Another wak mnklng the
nttemj>t ; but I knocked hira on the head Mitli the butt end, and at
Icait stunned him. Ik-fore a third could come up, the horses had
made some desperate plunj^eo forward, and the wrlcomc lodge was
{;3ine<l. lleinrieti jiimiutl diiwn at once, loudly calling *oe to fol-
r>w him. I did *tt, and with the help of AdrUide dragffing on
Lotiiite, who h.id fainted the moment the firft wolf had put nia no«e
into the cArriage, in less than a second we found ourteltes inside the
iron>bound ^ute of the lodge.
" Thank God," I exclaimed, " we arr rape P*"
III.
" A pretty safety indewl !" said Hetnrich, who had lingered be-
hind for a moment, as he firmly secured the gate. " Howerert here
wo are at all events. 1 hnd jusl lime to take something out of the voi-
turethat we shall Bad of u!>e.and unharness the p«>or hurfips, to whom
we all ought to be so much obliged, »o ait to give them ■ run for
their lives, though there is hardly a run in them, belbre the brutes
weru upon me. I could barely say, ' Take that, canaille.' as I
slapped my shut miiun); them, which gave me nn instant to get in.
'Ay! there von urv. uiy beauties! howl away as you like, but you
aball be baulked of your expected 8up]H-r tu-night.'
The lodge in which we had taken refuge, like uU such buildingii.
consisted of four bare walls of rough but uncomniuidy strong ma-
Bonr)-, with stone benches built all round for the purpose nf sitting
or sleeping upon. It contained a rude fire|>lace without a chimney ;
and furniture it had none, except an iron pot. lefi beliind by chance
ur fleitign by its lant tenants. It cuntaintnl, however, a treasure to
tu of in^Ntitnable value.^-the exjieeted legncy of an immense heap of
firewood, which the experienced hand ai' Jlt^inrich speedily dis-
covered in spite of the intenM- darkness. What he had risked his
life to bring from the voiture, wiis my lamp and tinderbox ; and, by
their assistance, he soon succi^vdnl in lighting an ample lire. Though
ihecxertionsof the preceding Indf-hmir hajl jmlliciently prevented otir
blood Irmn stagnating, the tomb-like caldntfn* of the lodge chilled us,
now that the excitement was over, to the very mdhI. Tiie genial
warmth wasj therefore, verj* acceptable, and even Lonise began to
revive. She at lir»t uttered a cry ol' despair, when she sjiw herself
I
I
I
J
A NIOIIT OF TEAUOK.
41
ifl a glootny viialt he«ide « foftring fire, enveloped in tnick clouds
(if maoke, through which she could but dimly diM^em our 6gureB.
she rAitcicd she had descended to the other world, and did her old
friend Ilcinrich the compliment of supposin;; him to be the devil,
** 1 am in no humour, woman," Mid he, " to listen to your prute.
Thank your innMer and mUtress, there, for suiving vou ft-om the
wolves^ for the devil a hniid 1 'd have titirred luwardR it. However,
M you are here, take thi» drop of braudy ; and that may call back
your brain& again, ifyou ever had anv in yuur pupi-r skull."
lie proffered her the drauglu of what he coiisiiieri-d a panncen for
ill tbr iiU uf life, and which, tu du him justice, he <lid nui pre^ribe
witlivut having duly tried it* (|uulitiea upon him§elf. While hastily
ninntng back for the tinderbox, he could not resist the temptation
of carrying ofl'a umall basket of provisions, wliicli happened tu vou-
tain a brandy-bottle, and it was put into immediate requisitiou.
LuuiH! received the glaHi with uufeiKued politeneAH in Kpite of the
unpHant speech by which it wnii prefaCf>d, and, cheered by the re-
■torfttive, and delighted beyond meaHure with her escape, was be>
ginning a long flory of her own courage during the adventure, when
»he ttmn suddenly interrupted by a piercing shriek from outside.
"Silence!" *aid Heinrtch muurnfuUv. •' 1 thou/jht bo. It i« the
poor bones, sir. They e>tRnd a great ileal, the dumb bea^s, without
nakiog cry or moan ; hut when one comp.i to Iw torn to pieces by
voItc*, it is 4|uite a diUercnt thing. Ay, there 's the cither. There 's
an end of thciu both, poor things ! I feared thcj* had not a run in
them ; uiid the blackguard brutes outside have a supper alW all, —
and little good may it du them '."
" What I" said Lmjige with a fresh acceeo of terror, " are the
wolvei^ outride?"
" Indeed they are," replied the chasseur, beginning lo smoke
" Vou will soon hear them, my dear, and perhaps see them too
DtKl't be afraid, however, fur a whilL%" iiintinued he, as he saw her
clinging to her tntEtrea« ; " nil in goud time — you are safe fur a bit
yet.-
It WBi not long, indeed, before we heard them ; for, apparently,
■Iter Uiev had Mten the horses, they surroumled the building on all
ride«. iVr couht hear them scraping and pushing .igainstthe gate»,
tail mdeavuuring to climb up the wall. The only exit for the amoke
wn by an aperture tn the ntof, through M'hich at tirst it issued in
vnlutac*. ami seemed to nerve as a mn of guide to the wolves ; at
lean wc heard them clambering along the roof, as if in search nf an
rntranoe. Aittr a short time, thr i^moke be;;nn to clear, and a frenh
wind luiving arisen, it was so far blown away, that, luuking tip, we
coold pkinTy behold tlic blue sky aXudded with stiiri>. Vou may
beilevr me when I tell you that we had no iiute for admiring hea-
teo's clear azure, aa we miw plainly llint the aperture would enable
At wolves to cume down upon us. Our tears were not without
fitanblioti, for in a short tmie a wolf appeared and looked in.
LontK fainted outfight; but ne lontno time in striking the intruiter
with our fuK ling-pieces, and the brute fell through liie hole. U'e
t|>frdAy Wiiuckcil hnu un the head. Ileinrieh then thrust a Urge
bUaing spar through the ajx'rture, and waved it about for a lew
■inale^. uttering the cry uited by the chasseurs when they hunt
ih« w\Af. H'r heard wliat a))|ieared tu us to be a general Hight from
the roof.
42
A NIGHT Of TKRllUB.
" Thry will not try lluit way ftpfrtin," «ud Ileiiirich, and he wan
right, " iliiriiiK tlie d.-irknc«-* ; for they are scared olTby the fire, and
they havH Niifficicnt instinct to know that one of their party ia killed.
We are then safe all night."
" I wish/' said I, " it was moming."
" It is A wise wish," m'lA the iilri man ; " for why shcMild you wwh
for rooriiinf; ? Our horses are killed ; we have near twenty miles to
get throtijrh maw to the next pn^t-hoUBe ; anil huw could Mitts Ade-
laide, to Kay nothing of thin helpU-iis jade here, walk that distance
before nifrhtfall, when we should have the v.olve« on us again, if we
had them not before ? Wv uiusl not expect anol]i«r lodge like this.
Nay, tltou^h this 6re keeps awuy the wolves during the night, yet
when daylight rctunis it will ohiiie so much more dimly, tliat it will
lose its eJfect, and daunt them no more."
" ! thought," said I, "the wolves retired by day, and prowled
only at ni^ht."
"Ay, that's generally the caw; but when there is so strong a
pack AM this, ftnd they know that prey is at hunil, »nd »ee nobody to
scare them »way, they m^nctimes take coiir.if;e, and do not dreed the
daylij^fht. Resides, it munt have been hunger that drove them ao
early into these parti: and what bruitjj^ht them here will keep them
from Roinff back."
" We, then, have no chance of escape ?'*
" Nay, I don't say that neither : while there 's life, there '» hope.
Something may fright the brutes off; or some trsvellera, seeing our
carriaj2;c, may stop and come to our assistance ; or "
'* Or, ill slnirt," said I, " Home angel in sevcn-leagned boots may
descend from the sky. But no matter, dear Adelnide, we have at
least anijlher day's provision ; nntl if the worst enmca to the worat,
iw we lived together we shall die tn^etlier. Strangers must close
the eyes of our father, and strurigcrB sii in his halls."
" It is the will of God, dear Herman," said Adelaide ; " and (lod's
will be done!"
We 'M'rapiied ourselves in our cloaks, and tried to sleep during that
dismal night. Liouise, who had eliriekcd and moaned away all her
powers, cOd, 1 believe, at last fnll into an exliaustcd slumber, Hein-
rich vmoketl, and sipped brandy, aud allenutely sung snatches of
ballads or mumbled forth fragments of ]>rayerK, until he was as
soundly asleep as if he was in bed, Adelaide and I were Kilent,
ruminating on our condition, on the blighting of budding hopes and
the darkening of brilliant prospects ,^.on the melancholy fate for
which we were reserved, .nnd on our father waiting in the uckly
«u8pe»se of hope dcfen-ed for his children, and perhaps sinking
down to die chiding us for the nnkindnesa of our delay. In reflee-
tions such as these ptuswd the night, undisiurbetl by any sound but
Uiat of the ceasek-iia howling of the wolves outside, and the crackling
of the faggots within.
All things must have an end, and so had this night. The tardy
day broke at lai^t. and Ileinrich, rousing himself, flung numeroui
logs on the (ire to excite as great a blaxe as jiossible.
•' It will be 111! of no u*e." muttered the old chasceur as he plied
ihU work; " ihey will come in spite of usi but one should never
give lip. In the meiui time, let n« take whatever we van get for
breakfaM ; for, believe mc, we shall want all the strength and spirits
we can muster before long."
A NIGHT OF TEKRUB.
43
I
lie prepared breaklV^t ncconliiiglvi ns wt'll as liifi materials s].
lowed, iind we partook of it with lieuvv htiarls. The sun bimjii shone
brij{ht]^' through the .iperture, and Uie logs begoii to " pule their
inefTrctual fire." W« made ourselves ready for the expected Httack ;
for, «i Heiiirich aiittcipati-d, the wolves hail tiot withdrawn. A suf-
Scient charge fur t}ie bhinderbufs, which 1 committed to the chu-
srur, was 3cri«|ird together from our united storen, and, except niv
pistols, one of which, to say the truth, I had reserved for iiiy»elf', ifdire
ncoeuity imposed on mc that use of the other on wjiicn I dreaded
M think, we had no other means of defence but the butt-ends of our
ftutb. Nothing beyond howling occurred until cbout three hours
sftcrmnrise, — and what aM-ful hours were they ! — when ttnddcnly our
eyea, which were scarcely for a moment dive*led from tlie aperture,
»w the ub)ect of their fear. Two or three wdves of the hirgest size
tud eltmlxxl up the roof, and were preparing to jump in. A dis-
durge of the blunderbuss drove them awav. and the body of one
huge brute dropjivd dead into the loilgc. Sliort respite '. — l!ie way
was fotind, and the sun hitd deprived the firebruiid of its power.
Anotbcr and fiercer relay was soon un the roof, and we had no
nwans of preventinj{ their descent.
"Now," whi!<i>ered Heinrich, " may God help usl for there ia do
help for UB in this world. Have you tlie pistol ready?"
1 as»«nted by a glance.
The shaggy wolves, howling incessantly, glared down upon us
witli ravenous eyes from the top, waiting the moment to spring.
Below stood Heinrich and I, illuminated in the bhite nf the faggots,
our reversed fowling-piece* in our hand* ready to strike. Louise lay
«* our feet proatntte, fainting on the ground; and Adelaide, sunk
upon her knws, seeuieil, ait the light from above streamed upon her
opltftetl countenance, emerging in radiant beauty from the smoke
and glare, like an angel about to wing her way hack to her native
heaven from the darkncaa and the turmoil of a hapless and uncon-
nual world.
> • ■ • •
"And is this all?" said my cousin Lucy.
'• I haTe not time/ said f, " to write any more, for I am going
out lo shoot with your brother Dick."
" Bat I tell you this will never do: you must put an end to iU
How were they saved ?"
'* Arc you sure tlwy were saved ?"
•* V«, quite sure ; else how could you hear Herman tell tJie
Mary? And he says, beside, that Adelaide told him how she over-
hlMtJ hit whispering.
•' Ah ' i forgot that ; but I must be off."
•' No* before you Bnish the story."
" Ktnish it yourself."
" 1 can't^t '» not my business,"
" Why, you will ne»-er thrive in it, if you cannot devise some way
of bringing in the lover to the reacue, with his tmin of huntsmen and
wolf^dogft. He must have heard of the bursting down of n pack of
wolves, and followetl on their traces just at the right moment to save
the party, to kill the marauders, to put fresh horses to the carriage,
to whirl oil' to papa, and to come in time fur his blessing. Then tlic
iwi ia fcaay. Herman gets Uir cstaU's, — Sobieski gets his wife;—
ther tMiUi gel back to his mother's ; there they get — very havp>fr—
mkII get rid of Ute iU>ry." Wakua,
44
FICTIONS OF THE MIDDLE AGES.
DONOMYE THE USLKEU.
HotucoLTBAM, or Holtn'8 Cnltrnin, was, as ererybody may not
know, a rpHptfctable ecclesiiifllicjil fuuiidatitm in tlic imrlh of Ciioiber-
Ifind : uiiil tti*.' ctiTiiiiicle from tvliicli tin- folluwiiii; irudition in taken
WU8 lutely purcfauavd in ibal cuuuly, wliere it Iiaa lain unnoticwl by
any aiic>()uary, fruiii Lvlnud to the punditfc of tlie " Collwrtnnirfa Top«v
grapliica." It U n hmuU foHo volume, writt*?n in (loiiblt* CMlumus, by
" various hatiiis," ns the phrase goes, commencing Mitli the year llfiO,
nnd ciiilinK in M-iil, and contains several ciiriou?t dramfij;:s and illu-
initiHltun.-, — to n:iy iioUiinj^of the remurkiilily funny Morios to be found
in it of Scotch Kirlmrity niul Cnmhrian civilixiition, of portents in air
and on earth, miriclM, and «uch like maitfrs. Moreover, in details at
great length, und with singular minuteness, nn event merely alladed
to by other writers ; vis. how Wnller Biwt, ont «f rL-veugc, craeUy
burnt Patrick, the son of 'niomuH de (>alMiir> n-ith liis wmiMuiiiiua,
in u harii at Iladdin^^ttm, where he slejit tlie nighi utter u touma-
iiierit iu wbicli Lu had unhorsed the samu Walter. It would have
delighted ScotI, who vraat a sensible man, but would drir« the poor an-
tiquaries of the prewent hour out of their iwEines; xvherefore the po»-
Ni-iuor will, out uf chHrity to them, keep the volume to himselF.
The c<>nditti>n of the Jews dmriii;; the rei^i of Henry tho Third
W.1S, perhup.t, n'ot»e thim it is »»id to h»ve be<'n under bin predt.-ce)uiors.
They had no security whatever for their lives and property 8» far aa
the king wji coiici-rned. He torineiiteit and robbed tbem an he
pleAted. On one occahion ihey were xummoned to give him the third
of all their goods, and on another tliu half; and Henry, who hod bor-
rowed Iftr}^ Mimfi of bin brother Jticbard Karl of Curo'vall, at leat a>-
si^ned him all the Jews in Kn|;land in payment, — that iit to say, hewaa
to ■;el ill!) money out of them in anv wny he could ; so that, aa a writer
of the lime obsirves, "after the Icim: had A.iyed them alive, he de-
lirert>d them o%'er to liis brotlutr to eniliowel."
In spite, however, of the daily perwcution to which they were
subjected, the Jews continued to be, with the exception uf the Italian
tnerchanta. the sole capitnlittB of the kingdom. Misfortune only
>ibar[iened th«ir wjla and increawed their energies; they became expert
profewKim «>f the inceaiuua arts of elippini; and sheuiiui;, foi^og and
cheating, — reati«ed large ftums in trade, and ittill larKer ]irutita by
tunry. All attempts M ^et rid uf them only proved their existence
tu be an evil ni.-cessary to the .state: and another histi>ri:ni, whu bad
witneiHted their enormities, and in hispious zeal desired iiulhinR better
than their total ruin and e\tirpaiion, exclaims, iu a momentarr de-
spair, " this accnned race i« like unto the heard of the chin ;^have
M cluA* as you may to>day, there will be food for the raxor to-mur-
row."
U«ury ia a mighty sin, saith the GoHpel, the liw, and the Chronirle
of nolnicoHrum. According to the latter resiH-ctable authorttv. it waa
coeval with Uie fir«t umi of money, and majikind reipiired no ii'istruetor
in ail art suggested by, and agreeable to, the natural cupidiiv of the
hnman rare.
The chruuielur enpreitiirii wuie wuuder that the character of the
80NOMYB Till
I
I
U erer tin" »nnu; anil r|U(»te<i tin- I'liMjueat e*?ar of St. Ani-
on tbe stury Totijas for the pwrtrnit of u nionv})-li>ii(ler iii tliu
<fa3rs of tli« venerable mclmnolilan uf MiLin, "which in nverj rv-
■pect," MjA be. " IB applicable to the ungodlf and inUjiittniis of our
•wn flRe." But ut tlit- cl^^^e of the ihirt«pnth century tlie yeiKTiiliza-
tMo of iduoft ifdi* uiiknotrii, and tlie only philusopliy was thut of tli«
flcfaoiJs; or the irorthy Diuiik, instead of being HUrprised at this ^t,
wmlil liave rt-tnarked, witli tbi: pvrtiiniH of u ninderii tnonilist, that
the nme poseJous iiroduce the Katiic effects in all ages and under all
orcnmstHnces-
Tbe object of the chronicler in relating the story we truiislutv. is,
to tmpreMs u|)on his readers that h terrible nunii.hnient tuvuriably
•limits the mint suc«:ewfiil wickinlnes-t ; that ultboiii^b tbe cupuren-
jorntent may bare already toucheil the lip. tbe liaiiti uf retribution i»
hMdy to dash it dnu-n, — to reclaim tbe iniquitAna from the wa\-8 uf
eril. and to warn the thouf^biless and profuse of the danger of en-
tangling themselves In the toilii of avurice und the Je\vs. The hurrnr
be expre^ces of the whole race of usiirers ivii» natural enough ta one
wlio lived in an age when their ]>nitits were enormous, nnd who
visweil their practices as contrary to tlie pren^ptii uf the fiospel ;
bat, without tunning into |ioliticaJ econuuiy, it nipy be ubserred, that
the high interest wJiich money then beru wns ouly eijual to tbe im-
mense profits reaped by the few mercantile adventurers of the time,
lod lliot the jwopie in );eneral, and inucli less tbe clerj^V) bad nut yet
perceived that money ts a mere article of inercb;indise, tbe value of
which i* ulw»ys ]iro|iortii>ne<) to tlit^' Mip]ily of it. Trite iw this remark.
Bour is, it had nut then entered tbe beads of our w;)rlike legialatorv,
who, kuitini; tlicir uvl» to tbvir own cuiiveiiieU'Cf, were unaware that,
vbtie at one time they ruluMed to acknuwledjje the legulity uf usury,
and at another endeavoured to limit the rate of it, tliuy repreioied the
•pint of oommerciul iipeculation, the grand »i>urce of natiomil wealth.
** The tal«- wua relate unto us," ^^^V* the chronicler, " in our rc-
'■Mtory, by 8ir Thomns do I^tuiton of Kgrcmont, who hesrd it while
in London from peroons of approved credit. The same Sir Thnmaa
tsrriRl with as »u tbe eve of the Ascension iu tbe firtX year of King
Edward, and prv?iented m cup for tbe Kuehiirist, made ot ugrillins
Sict in silver gilt, and curiou^y wrought witli strange deviev»: liu
COofinDed unto us tbe four dozen dislies of ore out of the iron mine
M Coapfauid, formerly given unto us by Lambert de Multon ; tiud the
b«lr mtbvr ubbot guve unto him a little ciutket containing u toe-uuil
«f St. Oitith, which the said pious ktiiglit received with much veuera-
tioa and joyfullv carried away with him."
So one can doubt that the abbot had the l>c»t of the bargain, for Ite
had long Ceased to tniit in relic:> for protection ngninst the Soots
thierra who harried bin lands and btirned hi>i barns ; liut tbe iron
Would pay tbe artncd men he w;is oljligi'd to Hupfwrt, and wbn would
have given no thanks for a cart-load of urm-lHinen, double teeth, unil
OmIs, tlMUgb tiiey had once pertained tu tJie greatest Eaint& in tbe
^^u«- nails
BuMviye the Jew sat, towards tbe close uf an autumn day in tbe
year 1247. in tbe little bock-room of his tenement in .\liik>i)treet,(-'hea{^
tidg, Tbe bouse was a miserable wooden erection, patched up againsi
B Mmw bttibling apprupriuted tu tbe oflicera of tbe ruyal wardrobe ; and
tbt IWMI Co woicb we refer was of the moat uncomfortable descrip-
46
FICTIONS OP TKB MIDDLE AGBS.
tion, flltboiiph it sprved him for cmintinfj-liouw, Irwixtirjr, nnil tnanr
purpoii's bi'sid{?s. Ii wfla ft Urge closet, the wnlU of vhicti wenr
rudely plaBtered and bliick iviih tliri. the floor pnrtiallr covered by the
remninH of n rush mfit, and tlic ftiniiturt' coiisislirig of a Tudoty-sliapnl
ouken iMc, a chert etrotigly ttciimd with iron, a cnuple of short
tH-iJchvK, utui a single clinir, which, on the preneiit nrcision, wun oc-
cupied by tliu owiii>r of th« ptacp. lie wun a miiti Aonipivhat ad-
vanced ill years, uliort iti KUturc, aiid nt>sHv»iiiig tn an ex.tritorduuu'T'
<legree the Ntronely-markL-'J fuitiirvs of liis race. IJis beard waa short
mid grey, and hi» matted hair strapgled over a. well-f(inncd foreliead
jieniiifd with many a careful wrinlcle, from beneath n-hich hts sharp,
restle-ss tilncV eyn peeri^d out nith nn expretwion of dirtnist and b|^
prehensinn, while a peculiar liabit of hwkitur doun llie line of hia noae,
when in conrersation, gave n MinistiT rxpri>!Mi(>n to liin cuiintenancr-
He wiijt ihin, of a xallow coninlexirtn, and wore n loiip dark brown robe
gathered round the middle by a lenthcfrn girdle, a blnck ^voollcD cap
faltint; behind, luid loose boot^ of cordoi'aii K-iitlicr. He nros evidentlr
unea&y, lidgEted ali^tut in his xeitt. and althon^h a parchment coverei^
wiib calculacioaii lay on the table Wfore him, Keeuifd at a Iush what
to do.
Bonomyc was rcpuu-d to be the richsBt uf ihc many wealthy uiurcrt
then ^e^idellt in London ; the king hud him under his sjiecial pro-
tection, and, in the multitude uf his transBCtions, he hud obliged ur
MvindEt^d not n fvW of thv nobility and cleq^ ; the che«t of the iiutary
of the JfW* fontnined more bunds dwe to him than to any other of his
money -gftting race.
Hitherto he had been a fortunate man,— li:»d cscuped the fury of
aeveral mobH of unruly citizvnit who plundered the dwelliaf^H and
murdered some hundrei^M of hi* liicklessi brethren, und, with the ex-
ception of two or thre« dehtK which the king had jiiirdoned without
consulting htm, his specnlations had provL-d eminentlr successful.
Well vas his dwelling Known; thither went men of all degrees, fipom
the noble to the squire, the binhop to the ckrk ; the prodigal heir and
the acheming oiTchant. all who could give the desired securiiv^ had
found Bouuuive an obliging lender, and iiuittcd his threshold with
lii:ht beartit. When the day of restitution was cume, and ihey bad not
ii^erewith to satiafy faim, though they &till found him smiling and
serrile, the suiile was Kiircastic, the servility a habit: for Bonomyc
was a mercilesx creditor ; the ruined heir saw bis f.iir lun^s glide anay
Wnrntb his grasp, the bankrupt trader curbed him when be Mtw the
aheriff in possession of his guodit and warehouse ; and to all the blow
was unexpected, for the Ji-w was so civil — listeu'ed to thi'ir tales with
aach attention, and seemed so nccet^sible to pity, that they hoped, and
were deceiveil. B«Miiimye hated iv Christian, and never renewed a
loan. He did both upou principle: hiii fiiuh and the HiifTeriugs of his
peopL- led him to the firhl ; and he gpnerally rea-soned justly when
ill? suid to himself, " If ihin iMind and the inter«^t runnut ljt> paid,
how shall I be satiiilied uhi-n both are duublt'd?" His iiiuney he
would have: the teurs of the orpbuu, the entreiitics of the nil but
ruined merchant — beauty in its mo».l dazzling guise, manhood in il»
hour uf pridt; and strength, age in its helijles^ness, and misery and
denpair, had never clumged his resolution. "Nut one drachm lew;
I am but a poor man,— you Inive used my mcrney, and it must lie
returned." He had never abated one farthing of bin due: prayers
BONOMYE THE USUHBR.
and execrations were unljoeded by him ; be wfifjliod nntl reweiphed,
told tliu |)irccs viiK by one into llm chesl — <>ach chink was as a drop
of balui tu his Koul, iitid lo the pututi-siiiiHi of his man<>y he wnn ii hnppy
nao. Fresh victims were always Ut bv found, and Bonomj-e aUvaya
rcndr to sccotnmridate them ; and »o be went on accuffluktinf; and
Icnibng, strong in bate, hitrd tn heart, and utterly witliout conscience,
aaitb the Chronicle of Holmcoltram ; " homo inifjtiiuimus, filius Dia-
holi, tt dnmnntn.«."
The day nf advi^rsity, however, \vas< ar. Imnd. Bunomve ahvayti I«nt
«ut to the last stiver, and to kti>p up hin Ktock of cn>,h for the Mtpnly
iflf the many demands upon bis purse, he had been whligpd, a few
nootha before, to borrow a ]ar;:e itum of a company of linliun nier-
dnBtK then in l^ondon. It iva-i put out to Advantage, it in true,
hot tbe day appointed for the repayment nf it wan but a week diHiiint,
and his cuest nearly empty: his creditum were, if po^ihle, greiiter
abuks than Jewa, and in a riot that hud recently tnken place the
LeodoDvra seized all their treasure, which they had dejHJsitvd fur
Mcurity in the relinious bouses of the town ; so that, iiltlioiiph at any
other time they might have been (lis]in^:«d t« renew the loan, they were
now nrgent for lhi> dtNcharjie of it. 13iit this (vns not the sum of the
Jew's didicMUieK. He might have lunight aMiKtiince from bio bretliren,
had ifafv not Hvffered Keren-ly from tbe ftaoio riot that hud ulmont
mined the Itatianii. The Jewry was burnt, their syni»goj;iie destroyed,
aocne hundreds of Je«-8 were murdered, and their treasure rifled by
tbr crowd ; and. above all, at thii calamitous period, it suited the con-
▼enfcnce of the king to cull upon tbeni for a heavy loan, and Bonomrc
Kimaelf bad been fivoured that very morning with auTit, in which the
Idag addrcAed him aa " trusty and welLMoved," reminded him of
tW ioBg and effectual protection he had enjoyed, and commanded him,
at tbe peril of Iiindeting his majeiily's busine!^, to centribnte twice the
asumnt required of any other Jew." " Two tliuuaand markH," groaned
Bnamye, as the fiital mtsidre dropped from his ffrosp ; " so miicb did I
gire 10 obtain his countenance ; my bruiber Reuben spoke the word of
truth wbeil hetaid that my shekels were as chatrBCnttered before the wind)
lirtbat CheGentileheedelh tiothis word. Protection, funtontb ! the boon
«f beiog tbe last to be devoured." — Jlonomye knew too well the con-
•Rjoence* of a refuxul ; that howe\'er truK hisi plea of poverty might be,
it would be teUed by the dentist, tbe gridiron, or the hangman ; and
tint a Jew could obtain no pitr hut by piircha«>. Often had ho knoM'n
hik bretlin^n aulfer, and hiu) Leurd unmoved the hnrrowinj* recital of
tbcir tonnents ; tbe blow had not fallen upon bimsplf. and he wjb in-
ae««ible lo tbe mi^ierr of another: but now all the horrid scenes that
raooUeetwa oould bnn^ tn mind or tma<nniilion conceive eniwded ou
laa llMMi^fata ; he gmuud his teeth — they were all lirnt and »harp, age
bad nn'thrr hiOBeni-d nor impaired them ; he had picked a mutton-bone
tJiai day fur lliu fourth time, and fouud a dinner upon it. I}es{Miir
jito the wretch whose ruin i», or appeani to be, inevitable, to dwell
the Tnriuu» htage* of his fall, and to iinii^ine every scene ; and
ye slitiddered with ideal pain aa he fancied tbe pincers of the
bather Iraring bis teeth from their sockets ; he saw the Elms, that
dnarr field, and tboM? m.xii«ive gibbets, green with damp and nuws,
tkit Bad witnenu'd the last convnlaiona of so many of hi^ people ;
W kanl ihp ralilinn of the dried and bleached bones that yet buns
tk tfaoMf cbsitis. and beheld those tilotcbea of ]on<; rank grass bcneutu
48
FICTIONS OF THE MIDDLE ACES.
which still inauUIcri-il H^vuy tlie hiKlit-s of mi many vipliiiiB uf pe"
u-culiaii : iii-vvr bud Ijl- hvi;u the sput hut once, yet vvety (valuto uf it
waH distinctly in his vyv. llv Fuucivd the brutul and merciless mob
their shout» oad their ribaldry, the iniiiiuveable and bokine^s-hke
•Qtellites uf death] and his hiind insensibly chitched his lonfc Mrniggy
neck ; a^tin did iiiia^iiiutiun exercise iU fearful power — hin willow face
grew lliislirti, hi» **ye-i hard mill btirning, mid in Ihut h>n<j nervous
gra.<<]t he had anticipated hulf the horrorii of auffooiLiuit. Without une
good act tn dwell upon, and his natural timidity increased by an evil
cfinacience, want, and perhaps death, before him. Bonomye for the
tint time felt the intenae agony of that despair that expects no pity, (he
Mckne&s of the heart ihnt Knoivcth no comfort, nnd thiit wount) whicli
never benln. He had no tie to hind him to life, no wife, no child, lo
leare to lui uncertain fate, hut he dreaded death : now he thoui^ht that
could he but ttxvii his life, hu would bo content to [pve up all that he
had, and when he cuuKidered wliuT he must sicri^cv — hi* gold, the
idol of his waking and ^leepiIlg thoiif^hlK, he would rather resign both
together. Agitated by conflicting resolutions, he now detemioed to
brave iti all its Iiuirors the Bite tliut awaited him ; then imiij*inud that
if be could eitca|H.> with some remnant of hi* wenll.1i, he tvotild bo »b
•lt«red man, — that the prayer of the dintreued mhnuld not be addreit»«d
to him in rain, that he it'ould he as merciful as he had hitherto been
callous. Seldom hiul Bonom ye prayed, but now his lip quivered with the
inward entreaty for Divine on^istance ; he felt that the linnd of the Al-
mifrhty wa^ justly raised Oj^iinKt him, that the vinl of nniih was about
to ite poured on his devuted bend, nnd he vowed, after tlie fa.^hi»n of
the Gentile, to rebuild, if he eKciiped his prewut diinirer, the tiynii;;<^ic
ao lately destroyed, uud tu rephice the mil that contained the sncred dis-
pensatiuii of bin r-ice. " Alas !" saith the Chronicle) " !hi*c were hut
pa&sinf; thnuj/ihUs ; the author uf all evil hud Ktrong hold of his soul, sud
tmpeUed him towards the bottonili-s!i pit :" after a few moment!^, the
feelings of the miser returned in all tneir ancient strength, — prayers,
vowB, and resoEutions were forgotten, and Bonomre, opening his chest,
took forth u sm;Ul bi>x tilled to the brim with little rollH uf |mrehn)cnt.
theacknowledgiiientfcof hiauumeruiisdebtors. Although he knew wvll
enough the dates, he Ktill fancied that some might he nearly available,
^he would look and see what bone remained unto him.
" The Abbot of Westminater, lire hundred marks. Ay, they were
for the Norway hawks and Hpanish jennets he bought' of Peter of
Sienna : thosu Lonibarda draw all to their clutches — nothing comes
amiss — one year vet to run — the wwd of the mauor of Hide for ho lon^
an interest ; I did not wisely ; the licrd telli> of the rot. KeulH'n said
yesterday the Abbot had suld the wool of Cotswold to tht?ni of Lucas
for ten yean to come fur the t>ame sum : a proud prodisal priest that ;
the monks ivill suuii get but poor commons, meihioks — the goodly
rents of their landK Hy awny uu Uie u'ingH uf the Abbot's hnivks.
" Philip de liorel, a thousand. Maoter Philip kuoweth the ways
of the great, and hath found favour at court— the king's justice may
not be reminded of the bond of the bishop's aerving-man. Over the
term by three months : 'tis lu«t.
" Nicholas de Basing, three thoUMnd. A man well to do. but some-
what atilT withal, is Master Baaing : he striveth hard with the Italidn ;
Dion say the king luveth him, and ahoweih it by running h>ng hills,
Six weeks of the term : be might help me— I '11 iry : his daughter.
BOKONVE THE USURER.
49
I
wIm Inretli fftuni; Aiiiim Buk«rel> is well fiiroured, and the maiden
mar like a necklace of the vml Puris irurk."
He went an muttering »ii he read, and many were the nnecdoU'S of
fnlks of all ctos&CK which niij^ht bavo he«n gAthered from hiH Kiililnquy-
Ue seemed to wish to prolong the rotiult of his search, and, lu kia re-
ooUection scrred him, touchvd with more or less minut4>nc»s on the
oreiunaluiees and chumcters nf hiR ftebtors.
The ooDtpnts of the box were exhauBted, the last roll dropped on
the table, and Bonomye sank back in bii> chair, crossed his Iramh be-
fwT him, and, with jiis eyes hxed vacnntly on the vvuU, iuuked the
very ima^ of miwry aud dismay- The only ray of ]ii>pe he hud de-
rired from hi^ search rested on the chance of Nicholas de Basing being
nrillinfc to take up his bond at some rediicliiiii oftJie interest ; but then
the lum waaiwsmiill that it uould h« of little usf. The amount h«
owed the Italians was four tiinen as much ; and althou);h a jiart of it
tniji^t appease them until he shonld hare time to look about him, what
could he do u-ith the king's demand upon his purser' A tboughc
suuck him — he would place in his hands, btnuls to the amount required
of bun ; and although the terms for their payment hiid not arriveil, ))C
believed that the royal prerog^ve would be KufKcieut tu compel the
liquidation of them, if the money wa« to Ih; hud ut uU.
In the RiidKt of these retleelious, a knock at the outer door recalled
Bonomye'a utteiUion ; and having hastily scrambled up the loo»e deeds
and returned them to their place, he went to inquire who visited bim
thus late in the day.
" My errand is from Albert Boccanigro, the Italinn, to Master Bo-
Butnje, the Jew. Upen the door, man, for the wind blows coldlj^ down
tJm street. You roust have slumbered, niethiiiks, for I 're stood here
tdl I can scarce feel my fitij;erH."
Ban<Hnye, to whom the ivAxne wan well known, half opened the duor,
mattering in apology the while aomething about fatigue, druwMinesx,
and tbe deafneas of his old servant ; iitnd peered out U{H>n the stranger,
wba, hastily pushing open the door, entered without ceremony-
" \o times these for men to sleep in the broad day, Jew : folk^ who
would look U> themselveH and their goods niUBt be up and waking."
Ho saying, he walked into tbe room, followed by Bunomyo, who,
{KtUiAi; one of the benches towards the t;ible, entreated bim to be
aMtdL Tbe strun^r, who from bis speech appeared to he an Eng-
Hrfimin. bad a rufeigo look and complexion : his drew» was that of the
ncRlunt of those days, but he wore over it a long dark cloak. At his
tpnO* was the usual appendage of a wriling-case, and Bununiye re-
marked ttiat he carried beside it a long knife or dagger. 'I'he Jew did
HM like bis countenance or manner, but diiisemmmg Ida uneasiness
M««n u he could, demanded what the Italian would have with him,
whaai trbicb be bad some misgivings, for Bucuuiigro was the principal
■f Uw sacietT to wbieb he stood indebted.
"It is late in the day," he remarked, "and Master Albert gen»>
nlly loaks aAer business himself; he is not wont to employ sCmggBK.
By wkal nark «liatl I know that you come from him?"
"Brtbia mark," replied tbe stronger. "Albert bids me say to
yen, tiiat coocerning the silver you owe unto him and others of bis—"
" Bat tbe day is not yet come." snid Bunuuiye ; " it is still a week
diMiBt. DoubtlesB. tlio'ugh times are bad for our people "
i< " Hmr BHS Jew, and tiien llwii mayst speak as thou pleasest.
^ 1
I
I
50
FICTIONS OP TUE MIDDLE A0E8.
Mwiter Roccnni^r» dnubts nut you will rep&y tlicra : but toQchrng the
renevrai itf thi! loan, wliicti lie Tofused whvii vuu spoke of it but lately.
Jjt- bttdo lufl sav ibat BOine of his TODipoiiy liave arriTed by sea witli
treasure from France, and maybe the matter cnn be settled now. They
bring niso macb !>ilrt;r plate, and he would conKult vou how to buiivr
it elsewhere than »t tlw Itiiijj's exclian^e: t« malce few wiirdM, he
wouhl »)>e»k with vou thi« present ui^hl nt hi» hnnne in •Soutbtrark."
" Majii*'r Albert knows," said the Jew, "that I am always ready
to serve him with my poor aid ; bnt the night ia coming on, and 'tw
not sjifc for our met* to Lie nlirtiad."
" Ay, »j, we know well cnou|>b you will serve if there is nu^bt to
be gained; and ha for being abroad at ni^ibt, man, the streets arc
quiet enough. Theee Lundunen bare tired of their recent s|>urt, and
if ueed be I can protect vou ; so Jet us bo goiii^. If meo say truly,
tbou an not wont to be dull in pursuit of lucre."
The stranger now rose, and Utummye, in whom fear and expectation
were mingled together, summoned up resolution enough to say that be
would accompany him. Taking the precaution to transfer erery louew
article to hw chest, and havinjT carefully 1(k:1<vi1 it, and thrust th« key
into \m inner rent, he seized hi.s cap and led tli« way to the door.
At thie foot of the staircaic, he stopped, and bawled out, " Rachel !
Rachel !" several times without receiving an answer. At length the
old denf crone who played the pnrt of liis servant-of-alUwork conde-
acended to reply.
" Look to the dwir, Rachel, look to the door, I say : no one mnirt
enter while I *m away. And. Rachel, put up the great bar that Geof-
frey the smith lilted t'olhiT day. Dust heiir, Racliel?"
The old woniiin having ugitified that she utider»tuod him, he undid
tbe door, and quitted the house with the stranger, who hud bvcomt
impatient at bis delay.
it tvsfi evening when Bouomye and his companion found themselves
in CheapBtde, and a dense October foj; wiis rapidly fipreadinj; its ro-
lumes of mist over the long line of irregular buildings which then
formed that now populous thoroughfare. Although the buiir was not
later than eight, few persons were abrofid ; for after dark the Cheap
was a dangcn)U!t sprtt- At the time of which wc write, this »treet had
not the regularity and spaciousnesa which a century ufter^vards fitted
it for the splendid justs and revifla of the court of the third Edward,
when Queen Fhiiippa and her ladies witnessed the sports from the
steeple of Btiw or the gallery in Soper-lane. The reader will imagine
a long narrow street extending from St. Paul's to the Poultry, od
either side of which wc>u<]en sbeds jutted out with the great irregula-
rity and tittle regurd to the sanctity of tlie highway, which was in
parts conaider.ilily narrowed by their encnmchments : in some instances
there were rooms over these sheds; but, gecierMlly, the houses, with
their quaint gables, rose a little in tlie rear of tltelii, varying in aiw,
height, and appearance, according to the circumstances of the owners.
A stack of bare wooden boards, black with age, and mouldering with
the rot, was squatted by the side of the rudcly-carrcd and newly-
pointed front of a wealthier tradesman or private person, in uhich
small gbua windows Kaik the place of the miserable lattices which dli-
linguished the jKiorer tenements: and here and there a stone building
of home pretension and ^intiquity might be seen ; but in everr instsnoa
the buildings were constructed without that reepect to muttial conre-
I
a
I
I
BONOMYC THE USUREll.
51
\
wlucli in modem timoa li«s l««en secured Ity law. A few years
kut, eoiuidcrahle improvements wore madr-; tlie tlioinnijlifare was
wiittudp (he sheds eave woy to cditicf>s wlijcli, thoufch yet of wtH>d,
■RHiwd ■ more regumr appeannw, and the noble conduit of Henry
de WaleyB, better known oy the name of its renovator, Ham, convpved
a dnaun nf (niri! water Cn tlie ditttriet. Yet, misenilile as was the as-
pccS of the Cheap by day, ntill when riewed at night, with n. clear sky.
Hid the nivuuli^lit atrcauiing ii]hiu it, the nhurp outlines of the ronfg
ividng uniost the horizoa, evcrj- iin||;lc and peculiarity bruuKht into
atnmg rett«f, and the broad Ditis«es of gloom below, pn>duced by tlie
nnotn prajevtionH of the bouWH, }i;nhleii, and sheds, it afTarded one of
tboae bold combinationit of lights aiid shadwn-H, and thnt picturesque
cftct which we u*ek in v»ii) iimid the uniform brick pilex that have
■laeeded the humble habitations of our anceiitors. We huve witd that
il was • datif^erons spot, and it was ao, because even in the clearest
tight ifae mad wia dark, and manr were the nooks in which the foot-
put or cot-throat from tlie notorious vicinity of St. Blfirtin's-le-Grand
lanf in ambush for the fttm^linf; pns^enger; to Kuch excesses had
tli«j nrxKCoded about this time, thsil the holy brntfaerbood of that place,
after baring lost half its memben through fright and broken hi-adji,
implored io vain the aid of their uatroti saint and the city wutcli, and
cnrvrd with bell and book till they were tired, were now building a
wondra gallery over the stieet from their cells to the belfry of St.
Martin':!, lh^oll^h which they hoped tu pawi to vespers mid matins
without loMi of life. From such neighbours the Cheup could not escape.
Tbe watch was generally scanty and always idle, and in the depth of
wiMcr the strMU were with<mt Hj^hts, save the. cmdlen that twinkled
llUDl^^ window and lattice, and tbe red smuky lamp which marked
iht locAtitv of Munv tavern : but on the evening in question the diirk*
aas was intense ; the damp fog hung overhend, ncNtled in the nooks
■mI eomers of the street, and deenennd the shadown ; viewed through
iu dcluflire medium, tbe distant lamp lonki'd likD a flickering in the
far faari«an, and tbe toll steeple of St. Mary-le-Bow, and the grotesque
■Btfina oi the bouses, IndUti nelly seen as the vapour was wafted by
tW enrrvnt, seemed gigantic because undeliiied.
Long as the Jew bud lived in Lcndun, be bad never been in the
ttrccta after dark ; it was dangerous enough fur his nice to tr«iud them
in the light nf day, when they did well to escape with the gibes of the
pofi«lac«, — and at the present time, above any other, he would have
saMed it had he been able. The bigoted mob was yet in a state of
WMJI— lent. But a few dara before, seven hundred Jews had been
mtmaati, and the mint or their habitarions were yet smolring. A
mi nperience iocreiHed his natural timidity, nnd worked upon bin
iPHiglBrtisu ; and but for tbe proeiHfct of worldly Kilvatton thus nuex-
pMiadly held nut t«> him, he would have recede*) when he looked upon
(ike doKuy strei't spread out before liirn. Hit> companion, who seemed
indubrcmt tu the scene, trod su-iftly on towards Cornhill, and lloDomye
wilb hit trembling gait had Mimv dithculty to keep up with him,
•taisbliag every moment ovvr the uneven road, starting in terror at
thv tn«t distant soiiniU, and fancying the preocnce of a murderer in
n»ry dark curuer of tbe street. Tbey had proceeded half up the
C%*tip, when the Jew noticed with some nnsiety that the hitrizitn
««■ rnl with the rejection of ft strong light, and remarked the appear-
to hi* conpAoUm, who snsvertu with indifference that !t seemed
E M
52
FICTIONS OF THE MIDDLE AGES.
to be a fire, and was probably ot a distance, os the mist wai deepiv
tive. Bouotnye, wlio, from recent occu rreiicfs could only aaaoclate the
idea of a fire with the huuHu nf h Jew, f^rcw terribly alurtned, nod hu
dread was incresKtfd vt'hi-a, after they b9,d gimc n (ew paces further,
the shouts of u mub tH.>cuuiiL- distinctly audihli;. The snunds appeared
to be cumiug in their directti>n. Ho eodravutircd to increase his speed ;
but a 8tr.in);e perversity seized his comp^inion, wboM pace. lut« so
rapid, noir became intulvrahly slow, and he expressed a w'uh to tee
th« event of the biiMiK'K*. In vain did the excited Jew point out the
risk they wunid int-iir, nnd conjure him lu ekoipe: be coldl)- remarked
that they could run no danger by mingling in the crowd, and odviaed
bioi to mudlc hi« focf" as much lus possible, and to abide by his di-
rections.
When they reached the end of the Poultry, the light became dearly
distin^uishiibl«: it was the blaze of hundreds of torches in the hand*
of H furi^ius mub, which jwurcd out iu such a rapid torrent from the
variuusi ulleyti then occupying the site of the present Mansion-
house, thiit the Jew and hiK cunipaiiion were inseiisiUy carried along
by it. All was confuMun and u|)roar ; a Ihousand voices, uttering a
tfaou^nd different cries, wore ntised together. Yet scarcely a word
could be understood ; and from time to time a furious yell uttered by
ft dingle individual was (juickly caught up nnil eclioed finm the whoJe
iia-ientbly ; ood then the clamour would &uhiude into a loud marmur,
which floated, as it were, above the dull heavy tread and ru»h of tba
muUitude-
In the centre of the mub some one was drugged violently along, and
at inu'rviils his loud cries nnd entrenlieft were distinctly audible.
" What is it?" asked mime. frif>]itened citiiienswho hung on the out-
Bkirtx of the throng. Alarm and curiaiily were expressed in tbeir
countenances, and st-veral suukc at one :iiid the sume moment.
" A Jew dog who has ataobed Adutn Linton in W'alhnHik : they will
hang him, 1 trotv, and do rightly too, I say for one," answered a burlr
red-husded fellow, whose dixcoloured leathern apron, Houty face, an^
huge banimer betokened him to Iw q smith, iiud in nhom Bonomre
rect^niaed, with some apprehension, the man Qeuffrer, who had lately
fitted the iron bur to hin street-door.
" Hang bim ! ay, that will they," >ald a dirty beggar, whose crateh,
that lately supported a had leg, now held aloft a dripping torch, " and
bum B few mure of tbeir nests, I hope: I got little enough to my
share when we aet the Jewry in a bhiiie t'other night. Curse then
all ! tbey prey upou us poor folka."
" Prey, indeed !" observed u meagre- hwhin^ fellow to those nearest
him : " 1 would hare Iwrrowed tMenty shillings of the Jew Alosae the
other day, but he asked two sbtllingit a-week for the use of it, the
greedy infidel ! and, by St. Crispin, I needed the money much to get
me leather."
" Thou must have cobbled a good few buiOtina to pay that, Master
Adam, and hare worked better utan whm you fitted me'tbat new boel-
piece; I vow it's loose already," growled a discoutented customer:
The cobbler, whose anger was exciu-d by this question of his skill,
WU about to reply, when, in the sudden rush ot the crowd tis it en-
tered the narrow opening into CoruhiU. Cricpio and his Bccu»er weiv
sepaialed.
Ihe mob, recruited by iresb comers in erery dnvction, moved
I
BONAMVI! TIIR CSUltBR.
5S
npidJj on ; and Rnnnmyr, who&e feant wvtv drradfntty excited, clang
witb a convuUive fip'asp to the arm of tlie »imngcr, whose object it
•nned to get as near as posiiihlc to the miserable nhject uf the uproar.
Tliejr had noir reached GniNschiir«h-strfL-t, into u-hich the mob turneil,
and, impeded by n niwh of people in the oppiieite direction^ halted.
Th« wbole space froni Bi&liopBgate-&treet to FiKh-i^treet-hill was filled
with a deiiHc maiw of people uf evtry deiicription. Then; were the
butchers and fislimuugurs from the uei^hboiiring tiiarkvt, llio drapers*
■ppreDtioes from C'omhill, the ruliiar.9 of Hi. i^lartiri's, ihievts and
beggars, decent citiKens and houseieM vugrunts, all brought together
by lb« httjte of plundi^r, or tliut Mtrxn^e ciirioNity which, even in dnv*
of greater retinenient, Hxsembleii such crowd* to view the lant muinenls
of tbe felon. The den&e fog, from which a drittzling mihC wiu) fulling,
littDe a clooDiy canopy above, red with the btaze uf the torchea, and
Kodcrea denser by their amukc ; the same lurid tight wan cast ou the
faces and heads of the crowd, and on the houses on either side, ut the
lattices of which the ahtrmed inmuten were tteen in every variety uf
dr«Mi Tiewinf^ with apprehuusiou tbu threatmiiug aspect uud gesturea
of tbe mob, the uproar of wliich baffles dMcriptiun ; — yelU and vxe-
cntiDoa, tbe nlang oi the mbble, the thuuts of people recognising one
another at a distance, the loud tKiisteroas laugh, tbe Ghrill whistle, the
low prwfvmional jokes of the ditferent trHdes, the noi^e of fifty cunflids
Cor place and rowoi, in which hends wer« broken without numWr, nnd
all tbese various sounds at timeH ceasing in the long-continued roar
which demanded the puni&hment of the unfortunate culprit. It waa
carioaa to sec the countenanced of the crowd beneath the strunge glare
tbtt lifted up tbe &cene ; — tbe careli'&4 liiughing face of vouth tM.'<iide
tbe grave burgber, on whose features sate gmve concern ; the deformed
brgi^r, the malienant-eyed rutfiiin, eager for blood and jilundL-r, who
viewed all with tne vacant kIatc and open mouth uf vulgar cnriotuty,
aaeertsin of the cront, and excii«cl by no object-
Bunonije, dragged along by the atruiiger, who vigoruuidy elbowed
his way through tbv crowd, now found Limjelf near enough tu !iee the
prisoner, lie was surroanded by a circle of men, who seemed to be
tbe lenders of th« mob, and was kneeling with bis back townrdx the
spot id which Bouomye rtood- His blnck gown wuk toni to tatters,
Slid covered with dirt ; bis head, over which w«r« scattered a few long
grey bairv, was uncovered, and bis hands raisied in supplicatiun; while
tbe words of entreaty be would have uttered were broken by bis heavy
sad freijuent groans.
*' Save me ! nave me!" he exclaimed at lengtli to a ynung man of a
aaperior sir to those about bim, and who seemed to he un unwilling
ipsMator of the scene.
The youth turned away, and, as be pa«»L'd hy Bonomye, muttered,
" Save tber. man ! 'twould be a miracle to do it."
Tbe victim, to whom the appearuitoe of the jierson be bad thus ad-
drqtted seemed to have excited some wild hope, turned his head in tbe
dirvctiuo in which be retired. The light uf a torch fell full upon his
bee,«nd showed tbe HstoniHhed BoDomye the countenance of his gossip
KcobcD. The exclamation ho would have uttered was checked by fan
Tfrmpiniim. who presM^d his arm. Hut the name had encaped his lips,
mi ths earn of tbe wretched nri
arennd, be iwid,
" y«a, I sm Reuben.
wrrtdied Rvuben?"
prisoner were quick. Looking eugerly
Who colls me i — ^wbo is it that speaks to
54
FICTIONS OP THE HIDDU AQES.
His L>yc {;ljineeil shiirply nhout, but the ntnuiger now stood beween
[iim utul Biiiinniyc; and it wa& lucky for the lattir that t\tv attcntiuD
of tliose about him was at Clufi nuiineiit excited by an u]>roar itt the top
of the struel, occasioned by the city watcli, who hnd bieen railed out,
uiid now piiilenvoiiri'd tn force a |ia&s.i|;{! in. Thi^y were reeeired wjtb
loud hhnuts and kugbter, ti>gutht:r with vxhurtntloiiii to gu bumv uiitl
vuinfurt tlu'ir wivL-s ; mid n lieu the uldi-ruiuii \vhu cuiiiiiiiutded itnw the
dulvtiuiiied iuixs of the niobr iir.d the Hourish of Htavet', and learned
that it was a Jew only whose life was in jeopardy, be retreated to tell
the mayor that the riot uas of little inoinetit.
The emotion Bunomye b:id shown did not iiriae no much from sur-
prUe at seeing Reuben, whom be knew to be m jienceiLbte man, la luch
» situation, and charged with so great an otfonce, as from other mo*
tivea. Rcliered, aa he imagined, from the ruin that so lately threat-
ened him, his heart was aguiu burdened : nnd, after the first mtunent
of amaxe, the thou{;ht flashed upon him thnt he had Reiilien's bond in
bis chest, — two hundred marks were lust, irrecoverably jioue. " He
muut die," tliuiit:ht the Jew, " and tliese FhiliKliueH M'ill Kpbil bi>
bouse; — Iciuinut repay ine out of bis chuttcU:" uiid from that moment
this wia uppertnuMt in bis mind. He grieved not for bin ancient ac-
qnaintance as another would have done; and if be wished him to be
saved, the feeliiijj was jinimjilcd more by the dei»ire to obtJtin hU silver
tbuii u diaintereiited witdi to see him uiati^hed fntm the dre-jdful fate
before him. Pure syinpathy avos unfelt by Bonomyc ; and the only
sensation at all akiu to it which he exjierienced, arose from bis know-
ing that he him^-lf was quite »» ubnoxious to the ^urroundinj; crowd,
and thflt, if discovered, be might take his place beside Reuben. Alen-
tally curbing hi.i imprudence in thus veuturini; abroad so late, he pulled
his cap lower over tiis face, crept cIomt to the atranger, and au-oited
the event with some dread ; but uU lii« uppreliensiuiiti were fur bin uwa
safety.
The prisoner bad essayed in turn, and in vain, the pity of ibosewho
surrounded bim, and au]>eared, as we have said, to be the ringleuder*.
His yeUo»' boiiv huiius, eUsped with the intensity of des^iair, were
raised to eiu:h without Huccess ; hiH lustrous hluck eyes, from which the
ulenl tear trieltled down bis shrivelled cheek, fell upon scowlin|j; faces,
— appealed to Lt-arts JnHanied by rage and the thirst of vengeance. A
culf from one, a kick from onnther, and a loud curse from a third, were
the only replies to bis impassioned entreaties for mercy and assever-
ations of innocence.
" Here, Jew, eat!" cried u burly apprentice, squei'iiinf; into the
circle, and thrutting into his mouth the renmins of u mutlLin-pie ; " eat,
man. Tbou hast a long road to journey, and but it short path into it.
Kut, dog I"
A loud lauub buret from the bystanders, with " Kat, Jew, eat ! — 'til
no pork." 'liie miseruble ifun *unk down, covered bis fnev with bis
bands, and was silent. The mob, which hiid now wuited patiently for
some minutes, renewed its eluninur with incieiiMed fury. Ijoud row
the cries of " Hang bim, hanj! him '." Bui aI this moment the bell of
Bow Church tolling nine was faintly beard, as the soiuid ^tru^'gled with
dense atmuaphere nnd contrary wind ; and some merry fellow in the
cruwd roared nut the popular couplet, that had passed current in Lon*
duD [loiii the days of the curfew.
I
4
BONOMYS TBB USUKBK.
an
I
I
"Cleik ofUie Bow Bell
Willi ilic ydlow lockes,
for ttjy late nngiHK
Thy head (hall have knoclcei :"
Bnil fartferijlM It Vfut rt- peat'tfd by th? mub in n cborug so iloufi-iiiDg,
thsi bal-ml^iferk of the lu'll been there, be uuuld have been stuuticil
hj the noise, though )ii<i bead miL;bt hiivc ettcapeJ the threatened
knnefca. fiat ibis waa a pasNinj; niimoiir only. Iiitirnt upon tbeir
pnpUMf tkey soon returned to their former crtea and iipriinr: the
prason npm tlie spot where the prisoner ]a.j crew Ions and fipive ;
ibe forenoHt mad moNt outm<;enu.s ol the throng acmandea him to be
rival oTi to them ; but the Kinith nnd the beggnr, ivhom we noticed at
tb* bcjpuiung of the tuauilt, atid who had ull along acted r cnniipicuous
put, with iume of their fellows, Ktoud Htuutlv uguiust the ruBb.
*' Fair play 1" roared the smith, whirling nis nauitiier.
" Fair play ! We can't all have a pull at him, but we may all seff
him bang," exclaimed the beggar, nourishing his crutch ; and prepaxtt-
tum» wer« made far the laAt Mcene.
tmmediatety oppniite to the fntnl circle in which the prlwiner lay,
wan a hostel, diatingniahcd then, tut after, by the sign of the Hnrt on
the Hoop. It had a court-yard in front, and the entrance to it woj
tbmugli an nrcbeil gate, over which wns an iron hoop surmounted by a
nidely-carred ntag'a bead. Thici wiw pointed out hy one of the lenders
n a j:o»d spot to procevd to execution ; the Jew wan dragged towards
ibe pite, and the cry was now for a rope.
" SlaaUT (.'ornewsiile will have a guod sign," quoth one: " where a
Jew bangs, Chrit-tians will (ind good cbeer."
But mine boat thought otlu-iwise. He had witiieiiscd the whole
actoe from n lattice, and when be perceived tbc iiittiitionK of tlie mob,
daceoded. in coni[»uiy with a friar who happened to be taking his cup
there that evening, or cornforting the faosteiw, or prohshly doing bulb,
aod iM-gnii to parley willi tbo»e nearest his gate*
'* Wltut, airs .' you will not «)ied blood on tny tbreahnld, and mar the
good repute of my house }"
" N'o blood," growled a felltrtv who was trying to fling the end of a
rop* through the hixip, — " no blood, Master Gilbert, — hanging Bpill« no
blm ; though this itng of a Jew hath spilled honest Linton '» ; — didst
Imiiw hiiD ?---the draper in Wulbmok ?'*
** By ibe Oud ubovv, I did nuf slay bim !" exclaimed Reuben, nuiUing
«u laat effort: "the miin was dead when 1 found bim, and I did
** Af > my," aniiwered the man who bad failed in his attempt to paw
til* nm>. " who ever beard of a Jew stopping to raise or touch a oead
Cbnttim? HIagiie iwiw.- the fellow who bn>u(ilit tbin slired !^A T<i]f,
t Mj — aaotber rn\w. Don't sUind priiting there, Slasler Gilbert ;^
luolc, man, if thou huat a good rope in thy hoUHe."
" TboQ 'It have no n>pe fr<om me, Itubin Troublctown, An tbon
wmUat banfl tbe man, get a rope where thou canst. I 'II liave nought
ta do with the death of any one."
With this, Gtlltert Comewnile was about tn dosB hia gate, when ■
kul ptrrcinj* xbriek rang wildly from the oppoHito side of the fitreet,
aad be riixMi, the hiUf-clutcd dour in hand. The voice of u female wan
bawd entreating the miib to let her through ; ond so sudden was this
bNcfraplua af the horrid work, that, taken by surprtnv, a roud ww
56
FICTIONS OP THE MIDDLE AGES.
mode for tier Hcross. Ru!sliiii|; wildly towards the victim, slie th
beniolf on her knws beside liim, uvted thu Idh); grer liium tliat bad
strolled over his fucu, mid kiHsrd liim with ncrvtmii anvctioii.
" Reuben, mv futher !" slie exclaimed, " 'tis thy daughter Miriam.
Luok up, my father, and behold thy child !"
The uiifurtunute old man, by thie time almral insensible to every-
thing, gated vacantly u)i<in h<*r beaming fnce, that neemed to look Into
his vt-ry soul. A f^iint expr^Aniim lighted up hiii features for a motnent
— lie had recognised hia daughter ; hut tiiis last sign of intelligence
died away, — he uttered a low, fiunt laugh. — the laugh of incipient
idiotcv, — and hia head dropped heavily on the bosom of liis child.
Supporting her father with one urm, Miriam turned towards his
peraeeutora. Slie wub eminently beautiful; her lung dark hair,diiihe-
velled by her struggle in the cruwd, fell over her KLuuIder», and her
full bhtck eyes were suffused with tears as she begged with hysterical
vornestneiw fur mercy to her parent.
" Lttvk vou. Mrs.," the aaia, " he is tny fotbeT,— Beiiben, the son of
Jacob the ^abbi, — and I am his daugliter Miriam. You will not kill
him! — he i» my only p«rent. No! — I am »ure you will not. See, he
i» an old man ! — lonx at his grey hair ! He is meiciful, ton, — he ootild
not slay a feltonr-creature. Do ytiu think ibis weak, trembling hand,"
raining her lather's arm, " could wi(^>1d a knife ? Uh, no I n'O ! no ! — it
could not he he : he naa ever kind and goml 1 Hay now that vou will not
murdeT Itim I^-Gnod |ten])le, let me take my lutlier away, and I will pray
fur ynul Gud hiiirn the prayerH of the meauvet of hiii people. Yes,
Jtliriam will pray fur una tliuuk you all!" J£ncuuruged by the tn<>-
menlary irresululiou that had seized the executioners, bIii* turned again
to her futlier. " Look up, ciy father,' — they will nut ^lay thee ! — tlier
pity the surrow of thy daogbler — they will be merciful unto tliee anil
Die !"
H« gave the same low chuckling laugh, and this time it seemed to
tnock the hupes and exertiuns of his child.
A barbarian could not have witlle^8ed tfaii scene uniitoTed. The
chief actors in the hutiiness, if not moved, were, to aay the least,
puEzIed by this new impediment to their purixnie, and eyed one another
in silent indecision. As forCornewuile.who ttill kept his place at the
aate, he cried like a child: but the distant mob, (who, though they
knew the cauw of the delay, did not see it, and could not feel the force
of Ihe chiUl's appeal for the life of her parent.) and the friends of the
murdered man, were not to be appeased Imt by the liecrifice of his sup>
jiosed asaasMin.
*• Take away the she devil," said one ; " Hang her up with the old
one," said the deformed beggar ; and llobin Trouhletuwn, who had by
this time procured a frv*h ro.pt; and tiassed it thruugh the htMtp, ap-
proached with the smith (u put an end to the affair. When the unfur-
tniuite girl saw their purpose, she clung convulsively lo her father.
She fipnke not, for licr grit-f was beyond the power of B|ieechj and
though her father ues forcibly raised up, she still cluug to him. But
nature could suprwirt it no longer: her eyes encountereiflhe fatal rope,
that now dangled over hia head; and ere the rude hands tliat would
have torn her from all that she loved could effect ihoir purpose, she felt
nenselrss to the ground. A moment sufficed to pass the ni>o»e round
the neck of the mutionJeHs Ileuben,wh» was supported on his legs, and
Hvbiii and the unith, lengthening their hold vt it, dragged him up.
!
I
BONOMYE THE USURER.
57
Tlte bodr, dreadrulty convulsed, ascended but slowly ; more Dicn s«ised
tiie rope — the head of the victioi struck heavily against the iron, — with
ione null more, it vrns acroHs it «ud tlie neck tirokvu. Laud cries of exulta-
tion luiWd the app«arancf of t)ivbiLHly as itkwuiig darkly to and fm. " To
ttU house, — lo Aldgate !" ahouted the becgor ; — " To Ald^te !" Kuid the
unitb, whirli&g bis hammer, ns though lie were alrt^dy forcinf^ n door.
" To Aldgatc, to Aldgate!" rang from mouth to month. And away
rasbed the mob to complete chuir work* by drstruying the houM^ and
property of the murdered Jew.
Jniriam stUl lay on the spfiC where she fell when her father wna torn
from faer amu. The mob, in their hurry lo run ufT ttr Aldj^ie, hud
takes no furtbiu- notice of her, and her situutiou wan unheeded by th»
few |ieople wbo still lingered near the body. No Kooner was the en>
tnoc« to his house sufficiently cleared, thno Gilbert Cornen-aile, iissisted
by bis dmwers, cunveved the unfortiuuttc ^rl iuto bin house. " Whut
thouufa »he irijre a Jrw<*»«i'" be kindly snid ; " she wiix xtill flesb and
blood like binutetf. She bad done bravi^ly in risking her life to save
Iter Eather, and 'tw&s a mercy she had nut suffered with him. He had
a dauf;bt«r of his own ; but the hussey cared little for her old father,
Bad went gadding about ivith that 8cn|K-gnicc, Osbert the fiilconer —
bang him ! His dame would look to [iiior Miriam."
And where was Bouomye all thi^ time ? From the moment he re-
flogniwil Kt-uU-n, he had viewed the whulc uruceediiig in speeclileat
tutor, but it Will for bis vwu safety : and if another thought at uny
timt divided the miser's attention, it was the remembrance uf hts lusC
ibekelo. The appenrance of Miriam at lir^t led him to think that her
htbvr might b« saved ; but he wiliieaaed the utfectiug exertiuux of the
child to rescue ber miserable pnrent from death without emotion and
without • tear. UUdly did Iiih heiirt beat when, by the death of
Kvtlbeil and the retreat of the mob, be was relieved from all apprehen-
doD for lum*elf, and atiw the road open for bis escape. As for the
Uraager to whom be clung, be maintnined throughout the siime cold
danManoor that bad marked him from the first; and Biinomye, who
aavar for a moment tjniited bis hold of bim, did nut perceive that he
WW In aoy degree atfected by the tragedy. He spoke nut, bis arm
trembled nul,— be never changed hh place but when the sway of the
cniwd compelled bim, — and altogether bud the air of oxie who contem-
plated a scsne rendered indifferent to bim by habit-
Koiooner was tbenmd clear, than be resumed his former rapid pace,
dragging the still trembling llonomye uluii^ with bim. Nor did the
Jew bestow a thought upon the situation of Miriuin : be was too
tcUull, tao aoxioua to get away, to wojtte a moment upon her. 1'h«
airwiger wa« ailent untu be reached the bottom of the ttreet ; when he
•liaerved,
" TbcM Londoacn arc a fierce set, Jew I Didst \tna\v the man tbcy
have JiAflged f Thon wauldst have spiken, but that I checked thee."
"Verily," loid Bonomye, " 1 knew him well. We met oft with the
ihaagrri in Lombard-iitrect, and be owed me monies that I can ill
tfmrt."
" What t money again, man ! Hast thou no other tbooeht but of
iky gold ^ Say, do»t think the mta was iuiiocent? Ue looked nut
Ukta nlgbl<bruwler or cut-throat''
" Ua wko knowetb all tbingn only cad tell," replied the Jew ; " I
mold Mrt answer for any one. 'Ti* hard fur a iioor man to low ibM
ss
PICTIOXS OF TUB MIDDLE AGES.
wbicb it costn so much to (^t. Two hundred mnrlcs," said he, talking
to himself, " two buodred, good tale and weight — truly I am a lui-
senible inun !"
" Tiuih, mRo, vrith mark* ! Is it not harder for a guiltleu mmi to
lose bis life than for a vile miser lilce thee to lose n. fiiw pivc««? I
warrant a\v, they did him more good than would ever have come of
them iri thy hitndit. Did not the girl beg nobly for her father? —
S{>euki man !"
" Ay ! ypR ; you hpeak well. I had forpot ; they call her Miriam,"
Bttid Bouomye, arauiivd from auothi'r reverie »n hin loitt marks. " She
h fair to look upon, but mcthougtjt Reuben lent too much unto her ru-
nitieH ; he was but a poor man. Ho would oft speak of the craft of
the Gent]le> and yet lent too ready an ear to every idle tale of want or
misery ; and he clothed his daughter in costly stu^, sacb as are not for
the women of out pt^oplo in the«e clnyit of sorrow. Mayhap, had fa« not
yielded unto her wnrLdly dusireit he would ncit hnve Ixirrowed mr silver:
two hundred — 'twiiH Wt a while since that he iKinght n goodly string
of pearls from Adam of Shorcditch, the goldsmith, for the mniden to
hind her hair. Verily, it grieved me to see so many brojd pieces cast
away, that might have been out at nuance, to the profit of her father.
If they Heize nut hh goods, thuHU pearls might repay me. — Kut. &tAy!
will nut Alatttcr Albert wonder thut we tarry so long?"
" Truly, Jew," »aid the &tiaiiger, " thou url a mini oFitoue, and ac-
cursed, for thou husl no heart : and as for Albert, he will wait thy
coming and mine, tliouj^h it may he sooner than he wuiild."
" How say you ? Did you not tell me thut your errand was from
him,— that he would speak with me about the monieji?"
" 'Twere better not to speak oo luud," replied his cotnpanioni
" What I suid was tonuit my purj»o«e. We will talk mure of it on the
bridge."
The bridge gate was now before ihom, — a tall, embattled tower,
that cut olf all access to the bridge but through the arch in its centre,
defended hy a portcullis, the grinning teeth nf which were visible be-
ticatli the groove into which it slid, A lamp, su^^pended from the ruof
of the passage, sbcd a feeble lighl for a fi-w paces ; and beyond all was
durknesK, have the faint my that glimmered ihrou^^h the wesU'rii win-
dow of the chapel of St. Thomoii on the centre of the bridge, proceed-
ing from the taper thut burued before the altar. The place was di>-
mul, gloomy, uud cold, for the wind swept keenly ucrostt the bridge,
uod Bouomye, whuse fears wvrv oitee more ittvakened by the lost
speed, of the silrauger, thought tlie fthuipmeut of the blasit was beyond
iiiiytliing he had ever felt. X'he water, which could not be discerned
for the fog, rippled heni'ily against the starlings, and a heavy mist
was still falling. The Jew could not help thinking that his oon-
ptnion, who now turned into one nf the angular projection;) of the
fdatform, n few yardh ftum the chapi-l, had chosen a very uncomforta-
ble spot tu converse in : he pulled hi« gulwrdine chwer around him,
and iuiiuired, with a shiver, if thi-y had not better stand wore under
the shelter of tbe chapel tiitie.
" No ; ftome of the doUtrda may be at their prayers and overhear us,"
said the stronger. " If thou art cold, man, take my cloak ; I need it
not."
B«>nomye did not refu«e this olTer, and. uniHIed in its ample fohU,
with his buck turned to the wind, he waited fur his companion to begin
the conversation.
I
I
■
I
BONOHYS TUB USUHRR.
50
Ton owv Bucmiiijiru Mud ]ii« fru*i><lH twelve tltuuBRiid marks, Jvw,
^Mu I iieord frutn liiit uu-n Ups thin murciiiijj,— ^uid yuu kuow tiot Low
lo retwy \h«ni : is it so?'
" Mont true ; but 1 tbought I ww to spenk with Sfuicr Albert him-
aelf thereupon, or I "
" — Would not have l?ft liotne," answvred liix companion with a
kush. " I give thee crtMlic, Jew ; but with Albeit you ouinut trvut,
and Tou muat answer tne !"
*' boubtleiw I can rpjwy him, if Alo-ster Nir'mlas de Hiising "
" 1)o atl thv bop« re&t uu ' its,' uiaa ? Why. then, to end th«n, 1
tell tiiee, Baaing will not — usy, ouinot help tiieu; that thou host no
ujie to trust in but d)C I"
" Friend," said Oouomje, summoninft up retolution, "youtpeakus
kciomng all things. 1 do not despair uf Master Basing; but — but, if
yuu can ttand me in his sleud, I niaj' not r«fu>« to tri-ut tvith you. AU
ij«it, know you not——"
" You niu%t tie4it witli me, n-liatever my terms may hv, if you would
mve yourself," s»td the titraoger, mth tlio ismcsti(.'«ring laugh. " Al-
Ijcrt has thv Imnd in hiH keeping : wliat woiildst thou rink to obtHin
poswit»i»n of it, and the means to satiafy the king.'"
Hooomye, man* and mure xtnrtled at the extent of hia «oinpaniun's
knowledge and th«^ ti-uor uf htA convenutioD, was silent.
•' I would have thy answerj Jew."
" Though to regain my bond would serve me ntuch, I see not how it
may be dune honestly," added nonomre, pausing.
"Dues Uunomye. the usurer, talk of honesty?" remarked the
Htmngi-'r, u'itli the liiu^h th:it Uiu Jew disliked mi umcti. " IJnes he
think he hiu any choxocter to luae^ Why, man, couldst Uiou heur
what folks say of ihev, — imd somelliing thou must bare beard, — tliy
speech would f(^ beof boueiity. They who know thee curse thee ; and
tliey who do not, when tbey beiar others tell of thy ways, curse tou, and
wuiidec th»t one so rile haa lived so long. — Honesty, forsooth I Hu I
hal"
" Friend, I know not what you would bare nic do. I like not your
speech; it savours of temptiilion."
" Well then, Jew, if ibou art so dull, keep thy honesty, and thy
charity too, — fur tliuu bust a» much of the one as wf th« other. But, when
the foreigner anktt his monies trf thee, and thou huat not wherewith
to pay him, and the Royal leech would suck tbee t»o ; when thy tnle of
poverty is derided ; when the tormentor la agonising thy rile liudy, and
a horrid death itares tliee in the fuel-; try if thy boucsly cun soothe
pain, or make dcntb less tt-rrihle. And if tbou fthouldst yet live, but
m want, what will it do for thee? Alen will say as thon cniwlc^t
uiung the street, 'See, that is Bonnmyo; he that was the rich, the
hard-hearted usurer, who knew uu pity : is he not justly served ?' and
thcv will spit on thee, uud thy honesty."
The Biranger had now renewed in Bonomye all his former fears,
uud brought to hi» recollection oU the tliuUfiliLs that had »;;itiitod him
in the utoriiiug. He stood irembtiug and irrt-solutc. He felt there
was some Mniticr meaning beneath bis companion's words. He had a
Seseatiment of evil, and would have tied from it had he known how.
itt thvre WKs the m»n stundirig darkly be/ore him like some malig-
luint spirit, and thv Jl'w funcicd he eould see his eye*. Hash through the
darkness. Below theui the river flowed sullenly aloog : he una but u
■,<ttftug .-^A-t^---
eo
FICTIONS OP THE MIDDLE AGES.
Tvenlc mnn, ilio struugi^r fttroni^ and oclive, — the parapet low,-
imali wuulil HCnd him over. Bonomye could set- no hope of escapt-.
And then his gold ; how was he to he siiwd from miserv t Ii was b
terrible moment for the J*w. flretit wiw the mental slnigple ; de-
spite the cold and ruin, the perNpiratidii fttood dd bit brow, ah teeth
chattered, nnd his whole frame was shaken. He rcTolved again and
a^^in the circumstances in which he wns placed, and " ^VIus !" suitb
tlie Chronicle, " the small remuins of honesly and pood iiiient were
di.spcnsed by tht- love of Mftmrnon." Hnnoniye inquired faintly what
tht! tttratiger wouhl have him do.
" Hnrk you; Albert is mine uneiuy : he ib your creditor ; I would
have revenge, you your Lwud, and," bending his head till the words
fell on Buuuuiyu's ear in a tow whisper, " he must die, snd that tbia
jiij^it."
Bonomye, whose Bjjitation had subsided into that specie* of despe-
rate resolution which looks not to consequence*, wnd is always ereater
in proportion to the indecision tlint precedes it, listened to tin* pro-
piMtition withiiiit a khudder: he could scarcely believe that he was
himself — the same man who, a few moments before, hiid tremblud at
mere innnuationa. However, he did not reply.
" Ha* Bonomye's virtue ron(;iiered his love of gold and Ufc ?" in-
quired the stranger with ii HReer.
*' Can we escape withuut KUHj>icivu ?"
" 1 will conduct thee back to thy dwelliBC.'*
• « a «
The next morning, Albert de Boccanigro was found murdered in luT
house in Southw)irk. By hia side was Bonomye, the Jew: in one
hand he still held the knife with which he had etfected the deed ; the
other gruspeili his bund, which he hud taken from Alb^t's chest, that
lay open on the liuur : and there were M^'eral bags of money near bio,
prepared for removal.
He aat in a state of sturwr, with his eyes fixed on the atrptie of the
merchant ; and when sciiteu and inlerrogated respecting the matter, he
laughed wildly, and could ntter nothing bnt " Sathan, Sathan!"
The story coming to the kicjg's ears, he sent brother Simon of St. Se*
pulchre'a, a very holy man, to viut the Jew in Newgate, whose piuoa
prayers had tlie ctTect of restoring him to sense ; when he made known
unto the friar the history of his connexion with the Htranger, — how he
had yielded to temptation, and that, having by his means entered Al-
bert's house, he stubbed him. Nu sooner had he done bo, than his
companion discovered himself to be the devil ; mocked him, upbraided
him with his hard-heartednesa ; reminded him of his insensibihty to the
fate of Reuben and his daughter ; told him that his initjuitiea had deli-
vered him into his po^ver ; imprinted the mark of hU linger on hi» fur«<
head, where a dark black spot was still visible, and diaupprared he
knew not how : that he had found himself unable to leave the house, or
even to quit the body, by which he sat until found there in th«
morning.
The Jew, npon this, being brought before the king, " with whom,"
Bays the Chronicle, "were many bishops and noble men of the realm,
(Ua th«re relate the same tale unto all nrewnt, who heard it with
xauch aniAse and wonderment, acknowl(.-43giiig the wisdom and judg-
ment of God made evident therein. And, after a few d^js, the sotd
Bonomye breathed forth liia wicked muI amid luexpresaibte tvrmeuts-"
TUE WILLOW PATTERN.
61
The oini»)on of tlie Clironicler in not inforuiiug us of tTie niiiTiTi« af
tlie Jew's death i» laclcilv supplied by aii entry oti ilm Fine Roll of the
48th year of Henry the 'i'hird, memhmne 7. the traiulutioii of which is
u follows :—~
" William de Walworth has made a tine with the Lnrd the Kins', by
fifty marks, to have the hotue nnd tenement in niilk-«treet, London,
which was formerly the property of Bonomye, the Mn of Cres«e the
Jev, but now in tht king's hands, us his escheat, by reason of the
Mony of the sitid Bonomye, who. at the instigation of the devil, did
lately »lay Albert the Lombard, in Souihwnrk, for which the Mid
Bouumya was burned in the Clieap. And the King's Kscheator in
Loudon is cmnaianded to give the mme William pussebition uf the aaid
booM and teuement."
A TRUE HISTORY OF THE CELEBRATED
WEDGEWOOD HIEROGLYPH, COMiMONLY CALLED
THE WILLOW PATTERN.
BT MAHK LBMON.
WITH * PLAie.
If* the reign of the Emperor Po (who wa« nearly as long as his
name), tbe ffreat philosopher Fum, by the introduction of the doc-
trine of raetem psychosis, had set nearly all the pigtails in the Celes-
tial Empire "bolt upright," — Nature hnvinn devised this form of
vxpresnon foe a surprised Chitiese. Never waa tiatuiusbmeut ao ge-
ncraL Wherever ycm turned,
'* Some g;ncefiii pi^il poinled lo the skies."
It waa Mily to be «<]ualled by the delight occasioned by the new
doctrine. Death was now no lonj^er a thing of terrors; but every
child of the sun looked forward with joyous anticipation to the timv
whoi he sboold
** Soar the air, or swim the deep,
Or o'er the sephalica ciwp."
Thv f««r was not that they must die, but that they mig/it not. So
mxioua, indeed, were many for this transmigration, that, anticipat-
mg dcsih, they insisted upon being something else.
Hing-fing, principal tenor to the emperor, fell from the shingleil
roof of his dwelling, snd, becoming impaled on the point of his tail,
oonedvrd himself * humming-bird, and would not 1«? quieted. Ti-di,
the grratest dandy inside of the greatest wall in the untversej rtrut-
ted down the principal street of Kou*ioo with a water-melon on his
nn, which some miitohievous urchin had attached tu it during his
nma. Ti-di was ulwayu so occupied with thoughts uf hiiuf^elf, that
at any time the nyings and doings of the rest of the world never
five him the Least concern. It is therefore nut niach to be wandered
U, that when his brain was being bandied about between self-love
aod the new doctrine, tbe jukes and gibe^ of Ute Uugbing people of
Vvm-\oQ should have been for a long time unregarded, Wlien he
did perceive their merriment, and the cause thereof, be neither
6e
fninUtl, nor swore, nor ran away, nor ditl anytKinj; else that a Chnju
liiiii fno] would ^iHvo <lonp. No: he wru Mttisliet) thnt he hail ilie<l
without hein^ aware of it, ant] was nnw a cockatoo of the first
feather. Under this imjire-wiion, he presented himself to the em-
peror, and it was not until the bamboo had been lihtrnlly awarded
that he was ronvinccd that he had fed, and not talons. Si>lung, n
fulsome Hatterer, discovered that he was a creeping thin;; ; Tri-tri,
an old cnurtcKan, became « spider; and Nic-quic, a lawyer, was
caiivcrted tntn a vnlture by the force of imagination, and a devout
b&licf ill Uie new dottriiiu.
Such wa* the state of things in tiie C-L-lestial Kmjiire of the mighty
Fo, produced by the eluqueuve uf the philosupher Fum, when our
" true history " begins.
.^Ocutle reader,* ring the bell, and deuirc John to bring you a
" tvithw pattern piate," John has obeyed you. and, with your per-
mission, we will now proceed-^
On the banks of the Iwaiitiful lake FIo-slo (see plate) stood the ouu
of-town reNidcnce of C'biiu>cliu. a wealthy dealer in arcca-nuu and
betel. — I had written thus far, when, conscious of mv own inability
to do justice to this pan of my narrative, I procured the oftsisUince
of a friend. I trust the rtyle will betray the author, for his modesty
would not allow me to publish his name. He writes ttius :
" TBlf BINOUI-AKr.Y KLIOIULB PRorKBTV,
which was for a letvgthened i>eri<Kl
TSB ADMiKKD ABOiiK OF cuot'-rHt;, vendor ot areca-n»t» and bete),
Ftands on the margin of that
LOVKLY LAKK, — TH K HLO-fLO,
which, from its waters, colourless and pale as the
which float* upon them, might be called
A GALAXY, OR MILKV-WAT :
a particular desideratum in this land often.
The residence itself is of an extraordinary character,
being two e-roBiBB hiuu, with a
rOBTICD
of lofty prctensiona, the ascent to which ia by a flight of steps
of the mo»t curious
Z10>ZAO
construction. A bow-window, admirably situated
for KISUINCl, UATUIKC. OR BLTCIDU,
overhangs the lake. The armngement uf the grounds hiu
"TASKIi THK IKGKNI.ITY OV MAV," {Hophwlcs).
The principal walk ik interxected by oil
" IS AND out" FRNCB,
for whicli no reason can at present l>e given ; but an inquiring mind
nuiiit derive enjoyment from the pursuit of the divcoverv of its
utility. The trees and shrubs arc rahk and valuable. T)ie PUD-
DiNO-TRKit of LinntEUK overlungs the house (tec fi/n/r) : an in vain-
able acquisition to a purchaser with A lahab pamily op smai,l
cuiLDBKN, a« that delicious compound will be always rkauy for the
* Tlie liiiinmir fif anjrjaT this tkeuli will be hotter undentood i/ tLe aborr
TC>q(iiw(iiw bv n>ui(Ji«il wiUi.
THE W1U.0W PATTEBN.
63
I
I
I
table. Nor is thiit the only Advantage to the married ribii. Immtv
dtatvlf in fmnt, and in close proximity to the nchskby wiiiiluw,
grows th*r bkti:la, or bihcu, wlio»e usetiilnetifi needs no coiuuiendii-
tion troni the liiimble I'ndividujil who pens this feeble aiirnounceniegit.
Among Mime iirlilicinl rocks, a» (lOOn ah rkai,, are two rich speci-
Toena of the PYROTRO.iiNir AHBOR, or the natural Cathrrine- wheel
and 6z~gig (see plate), sfl celebrated in all books on the abt or
KAKINC ptRKWOKKs, in the manufacture of which the Chin e»e so
pre-cminci)tly excel. The residence i« connected by a BRiuot; with
the domain. There is
AL90
a peculiarity about this pmnerty unattainable by any other: its
PxuseiAN-BLrii l-omflrmon] — an advantage wliich may mit at firxt
itrilcc the cusujd ubM^rver, but which to the deeply thouglilful pre-
tenta an opportuuity nevtr to he met with : for, by a moderate ad-
mixture of gamboge, it miglit be made a second
YCKIJ-mX-YtlKU, OR GARDEN OP PKKrKTUAL VKHOLmB.
This brief statement must con%'ey but a very vajjue idea of thi* e]y-
aium ; and there is one feature which it wmdd !>« prcsiiniptuous to
detcr'Ate, — a feature which has piven it celebrity as undying aa that
of the Stafkobi>shirb Pottebies :
This ffatiire id it«
WILLOW!!! (Hoepfate.)
' TTie force of laog:ua2e can no farther go.'
*' Carda to view. &c'*
Now put this in the past tenae, and yoti have a faint picture of
the oui-of-towu residence of Chou-chu, vender of arcca-nutu and
betel, in the reigns of the Emperor Fn find the Philosopher Kum.
Chou-chu, in addition to his other desirable comnioditiei, had a
diughter " pasaing fayr^r' '■ '"- parlicularly fat, for Chin.imen love by
«ns;ht and measure. She was a prrj'rcf beauty, resembling a feiu
tber-brd triiltotif a string round the luiddle, — a celestial globe, — lite-
nllT a whule domestic circle in her^lf. Su much iuvclinesg necen-
urily produced a multitude uf aigbing swains, and Chou-chu had
SBTJous ihoughti of abandoning the nut and betel biisines^i, and exist-
□m entirely on the munificent presents to bis mi^ilicent daughter.
8i-BO (for that was the given name uf ^liss CHiou-chu) had, like
ether beauties, some very preposterous i(lra.4, and one ul them was a
Mtppoaitiun that the knew better than her excellent pajwi Uie niiut
who was most likely to auit her for u hu^ibanH. L'nder this inipre»<
lifm, (he might have been nightly seen watching, like another Ilcro,
the proaresa of a celestial Leander (in a boat) across the Slivtlo. A«
the bark drew near the shore, the night-wind bore the indistinct
iamg-miiir of a guitar. Delicious instrument I especially as con-
ilnuned in China. Thrc% strings tightly ^trained over a mlUblown
bladder atblchcd tn a cane, constitute this ronianiic apiR-ndagc to
the MrcnAdcrs of the Celestial Kmpire. Ting-a-ting(Si-MJs leander)
WW one of the swvetci^l minstrels in Fou-loo ; but being profoundly
It of tliuse struighi'tailed commas by which sound is made
TiiiUe. I taiinot convey to you the melody to which the following
MaBU was originally sung. The Uiou|;hts are beautifully expressed
in (be orii^iiiar, but, at is generally the case, have suffered mucii in
tfcc tnualation.
64
THE WILLOW PATTERN
CE-RA-NA.-riE.
( Original.)
" O-fcye-wi-leSlo-flo
Ic om-io mi Si-so
Sha ttin-yc ni-lin-ga le-s-ong-in ye-gro-fe
Op-inye-lat-ti-ce
H^-re me-o Tha-iis
I-fu-ia wa-kei-f no-iwa-Ven mi-lofe."
(Trmilati«n.)
*• O'er llie whili? S!o-flo
1 comi; IQ tny Si-so,
Sbamio^ llie mglitingnlt?'* nong id tlw grore.
Opeo ihe lattice.
Ilpar me — oh ! that in,
If you 'xe awake: If nol, wakeo, my love"
Sucti was tlie ni^^htly song oi' TinK-a-tiri^ ! — a fittinj; prelude to
that deliKhtful interchange uf soul that followed, rendered doubly
deliglitrul by the knowledge that it was the forbidden fruit of their
young loves.
"ITie courw of ime lo«e never did run smooth"
ia Europe ; and in Asia it has the same disposition to vagarieB.
These hours of deep delight could not last for ever. One night
Cbou-chu had the cholic, and coultl not sleep. H« rallnl over and
over on his bed, in the vain hope of finding a renting-place. At
length, exhausted by pnin, he dozed ; when the dulcet note» of Ting-
s-ting's kitar roused hini. Tlie lattice of Sl-so'a chamber wanted
oil, and as the fond girl obeyed the injunction of her lover, it
squeaked. Chou^chu describeu an angle, that it), he aat upright in
his bed. Something waa thrown from above to somebodv below.
Smack ! smack ! — somebody was kitising the something. It was a
bunch of green-ten sprigs* thrown down by Si-so, to show that she
■was awake. A slight rustling against the wall Assured Chon-chu
that nfiopf was receiving a reply from hflow. It waa the branch of
an ire-plant drawn up bv a thread, by which Si-so learned that her
lover was very cold. I'hc reply waa a capsicum, implying that
extremes meet, for Si-so was very hot with apprehension, for she
fancied thut she heard the shutlfing of her fatht-r'a slippers. It was
but the pattering of the rain on the shinglef. Ting-a-ting put up M
his umbrellii, — spatter, spatter! Chou-cnu was convinced that all S
waa not riglit- Another twinge of the choHc aroused the spirit of
inquiry within him. He arose, and tied his tall In a knot, that the
rustle of its pendulatinns on his brocailed gown shoiihl not be hear<],
and with cnutioiis and noi^elcsa steps proceedeil to the chamber of
hii daughter. His hand was on the bobbin which raitetl the latch,
when a report like infant thunder made him start back in terror.
The rain had then rendered the planks of Ting-e-ting's boat as alip-
fiery as glass, and he had fallen on the bladder of his kitAr. Id a
moment Chnu-chu's disorder changed its character : he became
choleric, and rushing into the room, ne saw — But, like the modest
painter of Greece, let me draw a veil over this part of the picture.
* In tht £a«t, Aowen, &£. \tt flft«n jutsted InM th« MThce ttf the immorul
little boy l^yre, and fonn a language "»wwt m the UiaugliU dwy icU."
I
CUPID AND THE ROSE.
65
Time passed, am! Chuii-cliu, w-tBely considering that to find Si-so
« husband woulii re!eaiie him from tlic c»tv of looking aiYer her,
had tM.'lrct4r^l our from anion^ the richcsl oflicr suitors. But Chou-
chu wft« mortal, and hif; ht>|>M were vatn ; for Lovi*, ever rich in
eipedKnt-i, had conducted Ting.a-ting within hearinj; of the vlo
qoenoe of Fum and the new doctrine. His tail was exaltn), and lie
liiMlMi a Funiitc. In the disguise of a pipe-merchant, he ha<l uh-
tained an interview with his treluved Si-so ; unci having found an
Siportunity to dilute upon the pk>asurej of trsnsmi^netion, he had
e f^ratiticjition of seeing the two little curln on each side of her
heaul break from tlieir gummy bondage, and yield spiral evidence of
her coiivcrfcion to KinniKiu.
■ The happy day (an a bridal-day is facetiously called) at k-ngth
' arrived, and all, except the bride, prepared for the pleasing citc-
mony, when, lo ! the presumptuous Ting-a-tinn made his appear-
ance. The bridegroom elect turned yellow, ('hou-chu Huctuuted
between that colour and green, ami tbe re«t of theCek-itliiiU present
t looked a* though tliey had taken the benefit of the act, and had been
whitewanhed. Ere any rmitd lind words to express their indigiuj.
tion at this intrusion, Si-so had rushed towards her lover, who,
kneeling, transfixed her with hi^ tail, and " buried a dufrper in his
own henrt." Amnnement fur a while blinded the ^pect/itor^i, and
wbea they did recover their perceptive facuhies, the bodies of Si-ao
and Ting-a-ting lia^l diiiapneared ; but perched upon tlie sill of the
window were two doves uf extraordinary dimcniiion.s.
Chou-chu ficd in cuublernation, followed by the bridcyroum and
hla £ilher (sev ntale). Fuminni had proved the divinity <}!' its origin :
for the foidil'iil pair had been traiuifurmed into tiiuKv emblems of
tore and gentleness which have so lung occupied »uch a cuiiapicuoua
pocitjoti in the celebrated Wedgeuood hieroglyph, commonly coiled
" Tlie Willow Pattern.' (See plate.)
CUPID AND THE ROSE.
Whiihik, lijiirly llOJ of lore.
An ihou wantl<.'iitig like a tluvc,
Seekiiia in rairh |;cuv« nxu\ Oell
Some mir forni oa which lo dwell !
[lilbrr bic, aiitl fondly tip
A jiartini; dew-drop from my lip,
LJpgtfriiig in my morning cup,
Ere micy E'hvbos drink it up.
Too ihinty roe I — this dew of thine,
Sw«et Row, is moil ddicioui mrie ;
So apitkling npe, m fre«ly givvn,
VimiiK« o( momirii;** "'*? Iwavon.
Ah ne ! wodM soch but flow far crer,
I '.i Iravr thc«> I^ave Ibnr, love? Oh, never I
Ai n i», the veuel '.i empty, —
I 'm ofT— good-b'ye — I Ve had > plenty
_J =
66
THE THRER SISTERS.
A ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE.
I WAS at Berne on a rery pmticutar occamon — n very particu*
Ur one indeed, so that I cannot htip remembering it What olyeet
other than miixt Iravellen in SwiUcrL-ind have, dn yon suppose Jed
me there? To see the view from thv ttrrMce ? No ! To save yoit
the trouble of any more gnewieft, I will iit once come to the point, and
wy, that I went to the capital of the Canton to — be married. As the
car drew up to the door ol" the mini^^cr — I do not mean the divine,—
I found before it a Ta«t crowd of the citixen*. who, with shntita snd
hisses, were dragging alonjj; two persons, both young, and one vcrr
hundxmnc — a boy and girl, I might almo^ call them; 1 tell
you no fiction, — to be yoked together, whether they would or not.
Your astonishment will be still greater when you hear that they
were our com|i>»triou. There is something about English people that
cannot be mistaken ; it ia not the costume, thouf^h that is something,
but Uieyare a finer race, an improved stock, improved as all the ani-
mal world has been with uh, either by climate or croRsing the breed.
Ask the foreigners what lliev think of our women ; they, at lea»t,
are inipiu-tinl judges. A i-'lorfntine uf my acuuaintance, ou his
rrturn from England to his native city, was asked his opinion of
them as compared with his own countrywomen, and he answered,
" The mrae ilitference as exists between a lady and a payfamnr, bot-
houM grapes and our coarsest raugh onet^." !le was a man uf taste.
The delicate yoting girl who. M-ith downcast eyes and blushing
cheek, was pressed along by the crowd, seemed a liviiig exeniuli-
fication of the Florentine's remark. Don't be afraid th«t I am going
to describe her; nothing is more diffiiiilt to define ihjm beauty^it
must be felt. It certainly s«-lriiy imaj^inalionat work,— that is to say, 1
wondered what this stfongc scene could mean. We were shown into
a room, till the ceremony — the wedding — was conclodrd ; and then
came our turn. After tJie conclusion of that formidablf nffaJr, I waa
not a little curious to be informeil in what alt this po|iular clamour
I had wittieaHed had originated, and the representative of our
wvercign told me the following story ; a romance of real life
"About three months since," said the minister, "there came to
settle at this capital, three sisters, orphans. I had ofYen observed
them in my walk^, and, on inquiry, learnt that they were, or pa.'^sed
for, the naturnl daughters of one of our royal dukes. So beautiful
were they, and vft all diflering in beauty, th.it they might almost
have sat to Cinova for the GraccH. Like Fii^, though hv lut» somewhat
violated thu mytliology of the Greeks und clau&ical aulliority by mo-
delling them of unequal heights, these sisters three were so unlike
in stature and physiognomy* that no one could have gues-^ed their
relationship.
"Adelaide was by several years the eldest. Her figure, tall and
commanding, aud of perfect symmetry, exemplified the expression of
Virgil, Incedil Jle^ina. There was a pride, a haughtiness, in her
look, in her step, in her every gesture, that bespoke her origin ; a
svnse, too, of superiority of intellect, if not of beauty, tiiat rai»e<l her
above the crowd. She was a brunette, and the paleness of her
I
i
I
THE THREE SISTERS.
*
*
*
cTiPck and clciimws of hvr complexion mnindetl mt? of an TtitiMi :
tliestf she mhmtwl, I have uihIptkIhixI, t'roiii 1i»t minln^r, wlio vrugof
llint nation. Her <)ark hair, which hung in lonf; rinj^ieU down to
her (hoiilder. »^ off to advant^c her eyes, that tlirough their long
Ushea djirte<l glances of fire. lYi my tnstc, she waa, however, rather
made to admire thun love, and I should doubt whether so tender a
nusion had cverentered her bosam. — Vtrt. no her Birterfi. The second,
Eugenia, wan half a bead shorter than Adelaide: it was the lo^'etv
creature who has lust excited your ciiriosity and interest. You will
have perceived tnat she is not unlike the pictures of the Princess
Charlotte, as I remember to hiive seen her, a year before her mar-
riage: the same regularity of features and cast of countenance,
the same fuUnc&s of thv eye even tu the colour, was observable in
l>oth. You miglit have remarked, as she walked, her hands and feet,
which were mignonne to a decree. — The third wiis still lesH than
the other two; she wai what the Tusc^ms call piccinim, a diminu-
tive that expresws endearment. She seenjed ma<le to be lutoyi-'d.
"They crame to Berne without sny introductions; »nu it waa
interesting to sec threw girlit, the eldest not lwcnty-thr«, entirely
withi'ut ]iriitectiun in u turcign laud. I was uot the only one of
our countrymen, an you shall bear, who ob«erved and admired
them.
" Amonf; their adorers was one ahnost a boT> ami neither remark-
able for bis appearance, bis family, or his acquirements. liis name-
but no matter, perliMns it woulrl he n» well to omit it. For some
days he was their xhadow ; he crosseil their patli, he haunted them
in their wnlks, be placed himNelf at ttie comer of the »tteet, ami
watched, by the hour, the windows of their a|>artmeiiti tn the hope
of getting a glim[>se of Bugenia, the lady of hit love, or rather
paision.
" \Vc know what nria of eighteen are who have not seen much of
the world or of mankind, espi'cially snch as have nt-rer had an at-
tachment. Hnw natural is it fur one who think.4 hcr«elf loved, to
love in return ! and how soon st that a^e docs she learn to read
ibrniigh the glance of the eye, the iieart ! — I shall «iy nothing of sym-
pathy. iMinc id a plain unvarnished narrative, though it is some-
what a new version of the NouvcHe Hi'lnVMt, — I speak of the first
volume, — and perhaps the hero of this Lile had read that dangerous
work — pprhnpn hislcrttprs were conicB of' those thoughts thjit plow und
words that burn ;" at all events, he profited by St. Preiix's lessons.
And she — poor Julia! — But I have not the mutcriaU for tracing the
process uf his acquaintance with thi? lovely and innoeciii girl, or by
what couDfe of seduction he practised on her young imagination.
■* There is something in the lur of Switrerland, in the primitive
manners of it« people, in the freedom of intifrcourse among its inha-
bitants, that place* society cm an easier fuotiiig there, than in any
other pari of the Continent. In traversing that country, in meeting
ut the game inns, in crossing the same mountain parses, travellers
Boon become, if not intimate, at leant well accjuainted, and shake olT
the more^ne and hnttrtir which is peculiar to us islanders. In the
course of the summer, the three Omce.> made an excursion to Inter-
laken, and of ctiurse imr inamorato, like a Nymplulept, followed their
stepK. At Tliuii they embarked in the same biiat, and on reaching
IJnterseen went to the same pennon.
r 2
THE THREE StSTBRS.
" WIiBt « delicious green valley is tliat which lies between the two
lakes, (^^illl the bright blue Aar runninf; through it ami connecting
them,) — Ua inaRnihcent wjilnut-treei, and cottvj^s thwt so well hxr-
monize with th«t scciie nl'iiiirpKssiiig beauty! And then tho Itjtnx
des Vaches, thoM^' wild and nnttinil iiirit ho itdmirnbly 'ung, im> elective
when hiiriunnized to the clear and i>iU'er voices of the pcaaant^firta
in their picturesque costumes, to complete the enchantment. If any
ipot on earth could uwakon in young heart:) the sacred flame of
love, it would be there; — sacred I call it, for it ^ves birth to the l>e.st,
and noblest, and most religious feeling« in virtuous minds. Alan I
«uch waH not that of the young man of whom I apeak.
" In the character of Adelaide, mioigltid none of ttic tenderer fccliap
that might have i-iideurvd her Cu her ^iisterfi. She was in^tensible to
oU ibe weaknesses of her hex., and begat tiuiiv of that confidence or
openness of heart that nii^ht have made her a fit (cuardi.in, and
friend, and protectress of iier sisters. They rather feared and od-
miredi than loved her; there wa» none of the tendcrnewi of affection
in their iiitemnirac, and having brought them «p from children,
dhe continueti to treat them a* such, though they were grown into
womanhood. ^M
" It was this coldn»s and r*9Cr*'c that proved so fatal to both. ^|
" Pr iud in her own virtue, she not even for a moment harboured a
thought that that of her sinters could be endangered, und wiw blind
to tliohe attentioHH which tlic facility of beinfr under tlic !>ame roof.
Dp meeting at the same table, and joining in the same walks, enabled
tile cold and calculating m-'ducer to pay to Eugenia.
" They extended their tour to Lauterbrunnen, and cronaed tofrether
the W'engern Alp. What opportunitii'8 for carrying hit iie£uiMU
acheme into eflcct !
" It is fcnrcelv more than a week or ten days since the party re-
turned from their excursion.
" Adelaide Jiad very soon sounded the depth, or rather shallow-
nes", vf thiH young man's umlerbtanding, She found him empty
and viun, and, to her mind, in every way unprepossessing, and was
little aware thai her sinter'* young aflectiuns were deeply and irre-
vocably engaged. Perhaps he wore a mask bel'ore her, and was con-
stanlly on his guard not to betray his feelings. Such duplicity in
one so young may astonish, but he waa quite capable of practisinj^
iheso arts. Kven had he expressed his admiration of Eugenia with-
out diHgui&r, instead of encouraging his addresses, she would have
spumetl them, nnd thought it the extreme of arrogance in him to have
a£]i!red to an alliance witli her funiilv. It was only, therefore, by
Btealth that the lovers met ; for Adelaide never admitted him into
her hou»e. and greeted him with cold formality ; yet meet they
did. It was in one of these stolen interview!) that he {minted, doubt-
less in the moat glowing colours, the delights of mutual aifection in
aonie Alpine solitude, where, the world ' forgetting and forgot/ lliey
could love and live for each otlier ; a vision so fascinating, so apt to
act like a spell upon a young, a trusting, and unsophisticated heart.
Perhaps she never rendered it necessary iVir hiui to dilate on the
futility of those ties that the world recognises ; she knew her siater'a
scntimcnt« too well to venture on confiding to her the secret that
had long been the companion of her bosom, — she feared to lone for
ever the object of her tendercst regard ; and in an evil hour,
TUB THRE£ SISTERS.
69
\
b
I
thou/thtles« of the consequences, blinded liy pa«sion, and thinking
no ucrifice too jjrcai to nhow the exmsti of her devotion, thv threw
herself into hi:4 arin«, «n<l ronfirled her destinv to his care,
" Lea\-in{; the untortuimIeji[irl aiid her i^uHty paramour to pumue
their jcmrney to Lauaonnc, I now arrive at a more serious act of
ibis drama.
" I hftve Eiven you some idea of the character of Adelaide, but the
darker side ir yet iindepicted.
" Morning brought with it the revelation of the fujfirive's elope-
ment;— the unfilciil-in bed — thu vacant chamber — the lialf-un-
clo«ed door, through which, with »teps that left no cchn, she butl
fl*d at the hour of midnight. The recollection, now too late, of
many circumstances, vlight in themselves, yet which, put together,
became omelusive evidence, — but, above all, tetters which, in her
haate and preoccupation of mind, Eugenia had lell behind, — were
convictions ' clear as Holy Writ' of a siater'a ruin, and her own dis-
grace and shame.
" The last scene of the tragedy is now to come. And here we find it
difficult to reconcile the firmness of Adelaide's first resolve, with the
weaknesa that she exhibited in its execution.
"It is melancholy to reflect that .^he had no friend whom she could
oonstilt, and her pride revolted Hi;ainst lietraying to a stranger the
event thai liuil taken place. The idea of tirini;iiig the ufffnihir to
juatice never uccurreil to tier mind : the irrevowible deed was done,
ttie itain upon her honour could not be wiped out, her siBter'a
wrong" B<lmitted of no re|>nration ; — a conecioiisnesB, too, that part
I7f the blame recoiled on hersetf, that she had neglected those pre-
-4BUtions which, us a guardian and protectress, she ought to have
^idopted ; and, perhaps, u feeling that she hud alienated and estranged
{fogenia'a affections — that her culdness and reserve had prevented
that ^ftaifchemenl dc caur, which, thniugh the medium uf the affec-
tion*, might have prevented tbt^ fatal occurrence ;— all iheM coniii-
deratiun* tortured her soul to frenzy. She had no religion to call
to her aid ; and on the evening of that day of aaony, *hc resolved on-~
■elf-dcstruction. But that resolve, however cnminal in itself, was ren-
dered doubly so. Horrible to say, by her persuading, or rather com.
manding, — mr ever^ word of hera rrvi.t a command, — her sinter Agnea,
the most perfect angel ever shrined in a human form, so innocent, so
yuung, so full of the enjoyment of life, so capable of bestowing happi-
neas im others, wax wrought iijxm to involve herself in the same fiite!
N'o stronger proof can be wanting to show the power this cold and
■«tfis)i woman had acquired, than the acquiescence of this amiable
thilil in lh«I ino«l cruel resolution. Who win lell by what Ihreuts if
entmtie* failed, by wh«t arguments, by whnl sophiktiis, she over-
otnir that rintur«l reluctance the little creature muBt have felt to p;irt
With her ' dear anxious being,' — to quit a world just opening to her
with all it* delights? The mind iiick<-n4 ut the thought of the
horror with which ith* must have contemplated the grave; and her
fortitude, too, — such Ibrtitude, and such gentlcncsa ! The sublimity
«f human nature could go no further.
"The dreadful hour fixed for the pernetraiiun of this deed
whhout name hod arrived. Hand in hand, tne»e ciaters — sisters but
is name, were w^n to trend the |Milh that led to the Aar. The
rim; bltM u that of the Khonc ut (iencva, lushes with great Jm*
70
TUB THREE SISTEflS.
]tMuoa)ly in > continiuition nf fiUls for some miles brkiw the town ;
M cliW U It, that iu trcuclii;roU8 depth reveaU every peliblr, and
nukes it aiipew shallow to lui uiiacciifitamed eye. The spot to
whii:ii tbi* iiiratunt(.-d vromaa coiiducti-U Agitrs was fringed uitli nl-
d«r», under whose bhade, for it wa« thi-ir almost daily walk, itury
hail often »at and vketrhed. Among their other uccoiuplisbmentSt
in thta they partictdarly Fxcellrd.
" No ere but one and I^li< nbovtr, witnessed the dreadful act I am
about to relotr : tJiat one wit» Adelaide's.
" It \n im)MM»ible to know whether the child on whose untimely
(ate ninny a tear has been tihcd — and I have inyseir wept like a
child — vuhintarily threw herself into the torrent, or whether, a>
•onie suppose, ^e wan putuhed off the bank; but it is an extra*
ordiiLAry circumstance, and may well excite doubt and suspicion,
that she who counselled the crime iUiould not have Bet the example,
or, at least, phinped with her Hibtcr into the stream. CertJtin, how-
ever, it is, thai aAer she had »ci-n Agnes eink to ritie no more, wlie-
tlier the sight of her strug^k-fi with tiie luercilces clement, or the
sound of her scrcaius wliich brought a peasant to thcB)K)t, unnerved
her mind, or the dread of death, on the eve of ru&bing iutu it«
arms, overcame her resolution, she was found by the/wyrair, stariog
with a stupid and vacant insensibility on the gulf. In this «tate
she was le<l to her house, and a few linurs after, the lifeless corpse of
her unhappy victim was coiiftigned to it« IsHt home.
" What muHt the panga of dcAth in all ibi bitterness be, compared
to tlie torments of the soul litis fiend in human ahape must be en-
during !
" The fury of the populace was to great, that it wns unsafv for her
la remain in Bei-no; uiid, after her sister'* funersi, she set nut for
Rome, where, hi'irig u (lallinlie, it is her intention to enter into one
of the strictcKt ciin\ enU ami to take the veil. Let us hope that, by
true prnitence and deep contritiun for her ain, she may make Iter
peace with God t"
• ■••••
*' But." said I alUr a pause, and when I lind Eumewhat recovered
tVom the emotion which ihi* tragic story excited, "we arc not
yt't arrived nt the cause of all tlie disturbance llmi delayed my mar-
riMttv. It i« a melancholy story to tell an such an occasion, and may
well throw A cloud over the day : I cannot help considering it a bad
mnen of my own future happiiie»s,"
" I am no believer in present! mcnti," remarked the minister.
•* A» to the tale, I hare liitle to add. After an absence of a very few
ihy*. the liearile&s villain who waa the cause of this domestic
tragedy brought buck lus bride, meaning to liave returned her to
hor aisleri! — to have abandoned lier to her shame. Hk had rifled the
flower of ila sweets, and then would liave cast it like a worthless
weed away. But his arrival in the town wa<> no sooner known, llian
the g(*ud {>enp]e of the place iinniediately surrounded the hotel, and
i^fiigged him through the streets to the Gmba-ssy ; when n dread to
ntt'el the face nf the tirtuous inhabiloiitH uf llernc, without doing jus-
Xiiv 111 Kujicnia, « sense of sliame, and my just reproaches and re-
yiuu nirnd.it iun, caused him with an ill grace to lead her to the
WW'
I
I
71
POETICAL EPISTLE FROM FATHER PROUT TO BOZ.
A am M£ 1 ft rhjfDf I ftoai a dUtant dime,— frviit llii> gulpli of the Uenoese ;
O'er Uic luggcil scalpi of tliv Julian AIub, flear lloz ! 1 itiid you iliocc,
[To Itfchl thi- Wtfk your caiti)lt«Iick liotiU up, or, iihoiilrj you lisl,
^Td tulivt io Uw <raro you ipin couEc-ruiDij Olimr Twist.
IT.
tBmaue ippbute you 've g^iincd, oh. Box I ihroudi rontJn«ntnl Europe;
You *l! DnK« I'ickwick <rctiiiii.-tiic)c ;* of rumn yau nave a sure hope :
kfor bere your books ara faund, tiadzooks ! in srealer ttm ihnn any
film ba*« Luucd yet, hutprt»a'd or (ret, from di? types of OalicmahI.
111.
Itwt Bertlier when yon sport yoiir pen, oh, potent mirlh-conipeller !
\^ inning our lieani " in monthly puiu," can Pirkivirk or Sam WelliM-
CauK us (o nerp widi pnlboa Jmef, or abftke with lauj^h spjsniodical,
A* whtn you dnin yoar c<^ioDS tein for Bentley'it ]>i;nodi€al.
PoOcs all enjoy your Parish Boy,— so truly yon depict liim :
^ 9ut I, alack I whil« thus you (rack your stiiiied pooi'law'g victiCD,
) klusi think of wmc poor ucarrr homr,— poor who, unhccd<^, perish,
>Sy Kjuiria Uu^ilva, by " pauioia" gulled, — I iDeaa ilie surviEjg Irish.
T.
In there 't no dtanli uf Irish inirtli, ithicti, lo a mind otfccVm^,
ranvih lo b« tlie Helot's Ktc« before lh« Sparlau reeling ;
icb {loony UioD^hl o'ercomctb not ihv glow of Kiigland's humour,
~ ric* happy ijle I long may the smile of genuine joy illume her !
Write on, ywingoge! lUU o'er the pepe poor forth Uie Hood of Tandy ;
Wai tiill more droll, m«L> o'er the luuL Wii's mtiid ul ncL-romunny.
Bfkold I e'en now aruund your brow th' immoitiil Uutel thickens;
TcB,&wifi or SttaxE might gladly learn a thing or two from Dickcks.
VIT.
Ajmt I a rliyme 1 from a distant dime, — a song Uoia the auuny wutli t
I A goodly ihente, lo Om but d«fni tli« mrajuie not uocoutli.
^mld, fiir ihv sake, thai " Pkovt " could mukv his buw in fiuliion finer^
" Partcmf* {ntm tbevj " {wui la Syrie," for Uiuece luid Asia Minor.
* titwXiN' Tift yit fMcaufMrTt.
« ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
(NOT SMAKSPEARE*S !)
BT JOYCB JOOtTND.
■< I AM (}uitr vom out. uid worrieO to death ! Mr esUtence 19 one
tiBvuied cvuneof bftti luck — nottunc profpen witn uicT
Th«* words, KJ exprv»sv« of ai!^x>lltent. were nddrvseed bv
IMshMxd Brigga to hU bosom-fnend Jack Sotnert. during a atroll
ihTBlnh thnr native t-ilUgr. while wutinit the arrival of the stage
which Wan to conrey Jack to Ixmdon. No pprsoni could be more
diMitttilar th«n llie two friend* ; Brigg» all di^satiifaclion and Com-
pUtnl, Smtifra ever ^ootUhiimoured and contented. The former,
•omctvhat envious of hU friend's " better luck," m he termed it. of-
Irti rrraarked thai Jack had not been boni with merely "a silver
»]HH>n in his mouth." but rather a '■ whole »cr»-ice of plate ;" while,
tot his partt he certninlv Had inherited coniidcrahU- more than a fair
avrnkfeoTnusericK, inhirh would have been otherwiMr, had Dame Na-
ture, or Fate, at his birth but condescended to a more equiuble di-
%'itiion of this life's troubles, and not heaped half^Mloten people's ills
upon hiii uiiciflendiDg oUteiice. Notwiihr^jmdin^ tmch oppoeite twn-
jwramems. Jick Somen and Richard Bri^^gs Ii&d become inseparables:
they hunted, »hot, fished, rotl«, and walked tuKi-ihcr. Both possess-
ing a competi-ncy.. tliey might have been euutdl)- happy ; but, while
Soraers looked at the bright side, poor I>ick viewed the world as
fomr folk* gaxc at the sun, through a darkened glosv, and beheld all
his pleasures in — eclipse. Yet they were seldom apart, and the con-
stant aoMcialion of these adverse dispositions gained for them the
title of " PKitjiiire and Pain."
" I am heartily sick of it," resumed Briggs, looking as dull as a
churchyard in a fog, and twice as mi«erabte. '■' 1 repeat, that 1 am
truly ami heartily diftguittcd <"
<■ Patience, my dear fellow !" aaid his companion : " Time briofk
all things round."
■■Does he?"* replie<l Brign: "then I wish he would bring all
thing* jyMirr, for matters nave assumed moat |>erplexing shapes
laU'lv."
•■ \Vhpn lliey cuiuc to the worst," observed Somers, *• the old pro-
wib dn^Uie* that lliev will mrnd."
■ "^ ' gnimbhxl Dick: " they cannot coutr to the worst ;
^. , ' jy« wire, and they e*rr will be nt the worst. I am su-
u,' -iiilucky beyond all comparison. Even in the minor
*' •»<■ li'e there are no excejrtioriB. If I fish, 1 never get a
I UiMk my uckle. Now, you are proverbially fortunate; all
- V ftsh snw your bail, all the birch get up on your side the
'. 11. if H rhiini-p-»]iot cnmes within my range, my gun never
1 1 till lu the pan ! Then, are you not constantly in at the
I laiiiiot so much as keep up »ith tlie hounds ?"
■ . k I" replied Somers ; " this last instance »houhl be a sub-
. 4tulatum, as it prerenta you—' going to the d<^ !' "
ud I Joke," observed Dirk. *■ Do I know what a day's
W»* not the steamer in flames on my last trip to
t itid no* the coach upset when 1 returned? Who
1 4ei)dvnt occurring to you r"
I
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"ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.'
7$
I
" I have escaped thus Tar, certainly, and that without anjr preteii-
iUMU to'wtting the Tu am km on fire;* while you positively had a
' hand in lh«- M fiuwAY 1' "
"Of all thing* I hate an ilKtimed jest," said Dick, blooming more
Ktigry as he continued to dwell on his rnncied evil fortunes. " Dome*-
tic aflain alTord mc no rclirf : I CAiinnt rear any poultry ; my pigs
e>m'/ get fttt; in ^hc garden nothing seems to flourish. I am a sort
of walking mildew, u peripatetic pestilence. Whoever saw n single
plant froin seed of my sowing? If 1 water a rose-bush, the plant
wKhera. Now. 1 feel convinced that if you were to &tare over the
hedge of a fallow field, the next morning would beliuld a waring
crop of corn."
" My dear Dtck I" remonstrated Somen, " by the aid of a little
method "
" Stuffl'* exclaimed Dick. " Adniilting that I may be deficient in
method in these mutters, Ic^t us proceetl to more important atfaira.
Did not the mail break down, nnd won not the letter delayed that
^UMild have »umm<ined me to the denth-bcd of my uncle, from whom
1 had good expectations ; and did he not cut mc off with a shilling
Tor supposed indifference.'' And did he not leave his money to some
i^iecious, artful hussy, who gained his affections .^"
'* Not to r«iy his gnod-wii,i. !" interrupted .fack. " However, hfid
the letter arrived in time, of yuur udcU-'k favourable intentiims you
could nut be asaurcd."
"Assured ! no," sighed Briggsj "nor was my cottage when set
Ml fire by lightning."
" Th;it was an evident want of prudence and foresight on yuur
part." Mid Sooma.
•' Want of foreright ! I give you joy of that remark," renlied
Dick. " Who could have foreseen that Topp» and Lopng's bank
would have suspended payment the day alXer I had p.nid in three
Imndrrd pound*? — Bui any coimesion with mc is lure lu be attend-
ed with fatal conKequencea. Was I not eight monthx boring my eyea
•od brain* out, and Hcribbline my fingers ulf, before the editor of the
County Magazine thought fit In accept an article fur the eilauing
uuinber? I worked myself into a perfect fever."
" Tfpiitg, no doubt," said Jack. " And the ultimate fate of tbJl
baby of your brain.*"
" Was moiit melancholy I it never appeared, for the magazine dird
without Usue ■'" and here Dick looked as wretched an the joke he had
ju« attempted.
** Tbat wad playing your cards badly." observed Somers.
" Cards !" shrieked uriggs, seising the opportunity to found fresh
CBU*e for complaint, — " Cards ! Do I ever have a trump ? A* for neor-
in^ Fight and holding honours, 1 must confer my weakness, but 1
d" mire in my life desire t<i know how pemons feel iu such a posi-
tion. What can it be like ?"
"Why, like to win the game," replied Jack. " But you arc lo
diBpoaeu to grumble, thai, were yoti at such a point, I fear you
woald ' call out !' — .My dear Dick !" rontinued 8omLTB, '- 1 have pa-
tiently listened tn ynur catalogue of woes, and feel conlldent that the
mater portion arc imaginjiry. and the remainder cauM.'d by yuur own
mvlvertcnce. Instead nf findin|; n remedy for trifles, (that are iniig-
Bii«liiibimaltflr& of tmjK>rtuitcc,j you chafe at each little it
74
AIX S WRLL THAT ENDS WCLL.
that does not prfftieiit itsclt' in pxactly the position or colours thst you
wiiiild prefer, and abdiulon yourstlf to useless rtrpinings. Rei«olution
ami precaution would soon enable you to Rtom the current which you
t'uiicy is ever flowing to yonr diacomfort. Do not mount your watch-
tower of dibountt'nt to louk out for troubles — they find us too speed-
ily, and we bave no need to liglit up n beacon for tbvir guidance, or
to sound a trumpet uf welcome on their arrival. I shall be a niunth
absent; on my return let me meet my friend with »mile« upon the
lip that shall greet the renewal of our tntercourse. See, the sta^ is
in si^ht !"
" I see the coach, and a vacant place." mumnired Dick, not much
rdUhing the proffered lulvice. " Had I been going to town, every
horse would have fnllen lame, or the axle have broken, to prevent
my journey."
"Anticipating n^ain !" said Jack reprovingly, as he pressed Dick's
hand and mounted the vehicle."
" Well !" exclaimed Dick, '* we are sure of s month's fine weather
at nil events : it is al way.i favourable for your trips. Wlien / went,
the world wits ibrealenud witli a sccoiid deluge, and I never lyiw the
sun till my return, when I did imt care a ti^ fur the weather."
Jack shook his head as the coach moved rapidly onward, but not
so speedily ah to prevent him hearing bin friend's adieus grumbled
forth in a tone and with a look of despondency that would have
mnde the fortune of any tragedy hero at any theatre ill the United
Kingdom.
There are persona who never will be happy ; so Rich.ird Briggs
enveloped bim«elf in the mantle of despair, and revelled in idl the
luxury of wue !
• ••■*•
We pass over a month. Our friends were ngain seen sauntering
up the avenue leading to the old ivy-covered church. They ap-
peared to be in earnest conver.7Uition, and Dick'? face assumed a re-
splendent appearance, upon which phenomenon some additional It^ht
may be thrown by the following colloquy.
" I can scarcely believe it," cried Somere. " My dear Dick — you
— going to be married !"
*' Fact r said l>ick, with a real downright smile illumining features
hitherto unused to jovous looks. " Yes ! I am really about to enter
the holy state ul'niatnmonr." And again he emiled, until his own fa-
miliar mirror, before Hhii.-h he hud shaved all his life, would not
have rccognii^ed (he face it had reflected fur so many years redolent
of frowns and lather.
"And how well you look! ten years younger, I declare," aaid
Somcrs.
" I hope the novelty will not soon wear off," said Dick. " But, let
me tell you the particulars;. You remember the itteamboat taking
fire?"
" Most clearly," reiilieil Jack ; " I can never forget that unhappy
tarcumstanee."
" The very luckiest event of my life !" exclaimed Dick.
"Surely I have heard you complain a thousand times "
"Exactly!" interrupted tiriggv. "itut the strangest things Anrv*
eocoe about: I won a bumper rubber hi.it night of old Dingleilerry
and his wife, before we supped off* the BbIi that 1 had caught in the
I
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** ALt '8 WBLL THAT HNDS WELL."
75
morning, vith a brace of birds that I shot thr» days ulncc, being
iMie out of eiglit I bAg<;;ed in about thrc^c hours. — Nuw for the
itmaer. Yoa must know. Jack, that among the bisMng flames, and
on boaril tltal T«ry boat, I mnde the arqiiaintance nf a most worthy
old K*fntlciiiati, uiid tlic lovellcat creaturf, hia daughter. I had the
eootl furtunc tu ufltud thuiu aaaistaiicc in tbv coiifusioii and frij^ht
Dial prevailed ; when by some niiEliap we were precipitalcil into
the nver. 1 boldly tiruck out with de»perate strength towards the
ibore, the worthy "Id gentleman maintaining a firm hold of me on
one vide, whilp I endeavoured to keep his daughter secure on the
other; and, thit« biirtlii-ned, ] found niyioelf no liin(rer a sinp;le man
without encunibranceti, but with nil the carea of x heavy family cling-
ing to me for mifitiort. In this trim we were nil rescued: tlicy suf-
ferrd from the fnghl only, while, in addition, I was nearly puUrd to
pieccj, tolerably parboiled by the btejtni, and a perfect mummr of
mod ; — the recollection iii n never-failing source of pure unmixed
dcligbt :" and Dick chuckled over the reminiscence, to his friend's
great joy and aatonii-hnient-
"Tlicn." said Somera, "if I iniBtakc uut, you fell into the river,
anl afterwarda iu love?"
" Something of the sort. 1 believe," replied Dick. " The following
(lay we proceeded towards London, and 1 was terribly low-spiritea
at the idea of the coming sepuration, when, just at the thirteenth
inilevtnne, the coach upBCt-"
" That ao* unfortunate," remarked Jack.
'* Not at all ! I never enjoyed Mny thing «o much in my Hfc! Don't
you »ec. my dear Jack, we were lhrov.n ivgclker again."
"Quite by accideni," added Jsck.
"Ju«l Ml! the iiiont delightful adventure, as it has since proved.
I wa« bruised from head to foot, but they received no injury : again
had I btrt-omc tticir protector, for in my descent I managed to af>rawl
upon tome gravel, and they found me a tolerably efficient seret-n to
guard them from the flinti.. Neither of them had a scratch, though
the blond poured pretty freely from differpnt wounds about my per-
wn, and they acknowledged how tJicy muitt hnve suflered had [ nut
intirpowd so eflfectuaUv. Quite romantic, wa» it not f You cannot
tsagme how they laugnetl when the danger was all over."
" Amiable creuturesi :" ejaculated Somers, " and »o easily pleased
too ! I auppD»e yuu set aaiue all ceremony, and became moeC intimate
arttuaintanees?"
'■ \iA exactly !" uid Dick ; " we had hardly time ty cultivate a re-
dprucal intetcbange of Hentiment, fur tliey hitd urgent buaineM iit
Ukothrr part of the country, »o they took a {lottchaiie, and I took
phyuc, — tlicy went to London, and I to bed.**
" ilathcr ungrateful conduct," remarked Somera, " considering the
ue ih«:y had made of you. Even 1 should have grumbled at aacfa
taatmcDt."
" t waa terribly battered, I must nwn,"Baid Dick.
"And completi'ly cut into the bargain !"*
"The waiter at the inn, where 1 wa8 confined for ■ week, ssflurcd
mt t&at tlie old gentleman placet! his aird in my hand before he
Oaned; but* between my pain and Uie confusion, it vrtu loat."
" WeQ I pritbec proceed, witliout another break-down."
76
ALL S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.*
"Tn K few (Iftj's I dUcliurged tlie doctor, and im reAching hmne,
ffHind my cuttaftv a liuiii ul' cinders."
'■ My dear Uick I" said Soniers^ *'why recall tliai shocking caU-
Htrophe ?"
" CataBtrophe ! fiddle-faddle !" cried Drijigs ; " the moet unparallel-
ed piece of good luck ! Hjivjnjj no dwelling, I took lodgings «t Pri-
ory Kurm," Ill-re Dick smiled till it alinuKt nmountt-d to an incipi-
ent gigjcle. " You know that Topptt and Loppn's bank mmpended
paymfnt?"
" And you experienced a lost of three hundred pounds," aaid
Somera.
" No such thing, my dear Jack J that stoppage was only a conti-
nuntion of luck. I miiy truly congratulate myself on that event.
Their breaking was my making: in common parlanccj tlieir loss was
my gain."
" Astonishing !" exclaimed Somer?.
" Mr. Rutherlbrd hud ii coiiisideruble balance in the hands of TopjM
and Lopps," sjiid Dick very knowingly ; '• go he came down to look
after matters, and, as Fate would have it, took apnrtmtfntx for him-
self and daughter at I'riory Farm. Now you Bce eh ?"
" Can't »ny I do," rc)dtnl SonierR.
" Dear Jack, how dull you are!"
" Nay, "tia you have become so lively !"
"Well, wc were under the same roof. ' Young Love lived once
in H humble nhedf' and all that sort of thing: it was natural to re-
new our acquftintance, when tlie scars on my face reminded them of
my sufferinj^s, and their debt of gnuitude,"
" What !" said Soraprs ; " you don't mean "
" Yea. Imi I do though ! In Mr. Rutherford and his daughter I
discovered my coinpauious who had share<l my pt^iU in 'flood and
field :' — not exactly shared. — but you know whut I mean. In a word.
I am the happiest fellow alive, and the UickicH dog in the iiniveraC'"
" Let me hear that word again," said Jack : " did you say lucky i"
" Not lucky, — the luckie»t uiurtal breathing,"
" That i*, — you are ' beyond all comparison superlatively happy ?' "
" The stoppage of the mail was of no ctHiiieqiience, for my uncle
letl me viinu* merely to he«tow his property on my future wife, the
only child of his old friend Rutherford."
" Then your intended wife ie the same ' artful, specious huMy who
gained his affections?' — ia it so?"
" The same," said Dick. " Henceforth I renounce gnimMing, and
believe thai ' all i» for tlie be>t.* Had I not bi-cn on board the steam>
bodt, nearly drowned, and ufierward^ titoned to death, my suit might
have been pressed in vain. — for gratitude h an extensive fet-ling, and
opens the heart, Jock. But for the buniing of my cottage, 1 should
have wanted the opportunities that i'liury Farm allurded ; and
Topps and Jjopps's busioew crowned all, by bringing tlie Kutherfords
hitlier."
'* Ar>d you have liecmne a convert ?"
" Moat decidedly," wiid Dick: "your word* have been realized;
matter* have mended — Time baa brought thing!* round. E»eii my gar-
den flourishes, for 1 ciin exhibit a pot of swt^t peas of my own act-
ling; and, among my other cures, I also cure my own bdCon,<~pigs
thrive HuadcrfuUy. '
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TO
77
" Bnivo !" csc!aiinp(] Samers ; "I congrntiilnte you on the moral
victory achieved, tuid the- important tesgnn thnt you have learned.
V«t there is one thing "
" Wl»«t can that possibly be ?" Mud Dick iinpQticntJy*
"Why, 'a circulating medium' for tht>»e 'iiidt-liiiite articles'
which -were to huve illumed nnd astonished mankind through the
pages of the County Magnxiiie."
" A fig lor the County Magaxine !" »aid Dick ; " it was only sup-
ported, like other refugca for the poor and dp!<titule, by '%'oluntary
contribntions.' I am enrolled unong the elect in Benlley's Miscel-
lany."
" FamouR ! Then your migfortunes are really at an end ?" aaid
Jack Somen.
" I uufil, for ever," replied Richard Briggs ; " and I hare arrived
at the cvHcluwri,
"Whatbvbb IB — IS Ricnxl"
TO .
Thoi' hast said il,— ti» better, far better ro part,
Tlian suffer tlu; laM chill to crtep o'vr the bean;
F« better at oner lo ri-iid spirit away,
Than feel the life ebh on, in sick'aiiig decay,
I omld still cbetisii oicm'ry of past lioura of jov,
That DO cold look nor OjuIcI word of (liine could destroy.
What to me were the glance of lliy duk, speaking nyu.
If no fervor o( Wc 1 could in il destry !
Tis not for het htanty Hie Kosg it cjreti'd
Hy tb« Ilutbiil. 4tul »im)(lit for bii pillow of rest ;^
Tis tbe inunse ibat nightly iirDunil her slie throws.
And lb« fragratw* she bniiitlie* o'er his place of repose I
Tbou mayit ibiiik 10 fofijel tnc- It nerfr can be !
E'tn the (uiurr will l«m wiih remembrance to th« :
In th« visions of day I sliatl slill \\nrv a place,
In tbe slunbcn of nigbi scenes our bliss Oiou 'U retrace ;
Tlum wOt think how 1 loved thee, wtiM penl* I dared,
To pnnre my devoiiou, Ah ! how have I fared [
I have teen thy brij^ht smile, I hare felt its control
As a faery spelt wtettlhing iu charm round my soul;
To thy bosom in rapturous loi« 1 '«■» bmu ]>r«K*'d, —
Tliine eyes have liclM-ld nw, ihine arms have csircss'd : —
Must 1 low thee for ev«r T 'us dune own aietn decree ;
Tbou art breaking a bean thai beats only for thee I
Dut 'tis over, and not for what worlds could bestow
Would I cast o'er thy spirit a shadow of woe ! —
Uayu thoa learn to km^ci tue, if mem'ry be fraught
Willi grivf to tliy uMil, — with uni- painful itioughl I —
May U»e halcyon of |ioacG make her homv in thy breast I
Uy flffi )of«, my only love, still be thou blest I
78
A CHAPTER ON' SEALS, tec,
A LRTTRH wilhoiit a seal is «n impertinent and imperfect tiling.
It in
** Lik« a ring wiihowt a fingci;
Like a twil wUhoul a ringer ;
Like a fort with n&n« lo win it ]
Or lire nioou with do man iii il;"
39 Beaumont says. It is a planchet wanting the stamp wliicli Ci>n-
fcra a value uii tlir coin : I would not f;ivr the price nt' a ruah for tt.
Who can teJl how nmny may liave reitA it liel'ore it reaches your eyes ?
It if) no Innfrer, or it Miy be no longer (which nmoiintfl to the ssmc), a
pure ond unsullied thing : you can put no faith in it ; it is an arranC
jilt. Its beauties, such as thoy may happen to be, have not been re-
served for one uloiie : its intnctnees has finil no other itafe^iuard than
the discretion of the world — and the world is nnliirally indi!>crec't. It
is afi a peach which has no hloom upon it: whether tlte bloom lios
been brushed off', or never was there, jiiatters little; the bee no
tutifi^T loves to re^t upon it, but leaves it to the slimy passage of the
linail.
I would divide seals into five classes ; the seal of pride, the pious
seal, the seal iuitiative, the common and every-day seal of hiiii who
scorns a wafer, and the sentimental schI.
Th« first is macfa used by those " who draw a long oobility ''
*' From hieroglj-ptick pnxifii or heraldry."'
It is habitually offensive, a puked-»p thing: it sometimes has sup-
porters, oerasionnlly a coronet ; it bears the motto (often unrighte-
uusly assumed) of an ancient house,— «nlikc its synonyme, the older
the coat the mure honourable. Even the " ifiree white luces " are to
it no disgrace. U is tricked out in the fanciful impertinence of a.
griffin or a sphynx's head; you are expected to do it courtesy: sontp-
limes it hae a punning legend, — " ^Ve vHc velis," or the like ; but this
is a condescension you mu»t not always look for ; to excite a smile is
not its office, — it is rather intended to inspire you with a wholesome
awe.
Like the banner o( Engucrrand VII, Sire de Couci, whieb in the
fourteenth cennirj- flouted the admiring world, telling them,
" Je DC luil rot, ni prinrt. atiui, —
Je mil Sirt d€ Ojuci ;"
or, }&e the still haughtier device of Rohan Soubite.
" Roijt ne fiuitf
J'rumjt ne daignef
Rfikanjc luij," —
Ik giu^ at everything. No quarry is too lo^y for its siroop ; and
yet at times it will put off its arrogance, " quenching with a (amiliar
smile its nuxtere regard of control," and veiling itself in an affectwl
umctity and humility, which, however, savours lillle of holy Church.
Plain speaking is not ii* forte: tltvre is a gUinmecing obscurity which
A CUAI>T£R ON SEALS.
it lieialy loves, as showing thnt the dost of aj^cs rests upon it, — WeUh
or Celtic, LiiCiii ur old Xornian-Freiich — only Greek it caret'ullv e»-
diew*.
The piouB wal is one Utile in use ; U may be because tbe really
ri^liteciu* shrink from making a, parade of'tltcir religion, or it may
\x because the multitude have very lillle religion to parade : hut in
ihc itlden lime it was in (treat request. Wc have many instances of
it, liAmled down to u« by the eUler poets ; Wither and Gcorpe Her-
bert mit amtirig tbe worttt. The hitter, in a pleasing little poem call-
ed "The Pony," «ay»,
" Lm Wit* contnl,
Aod with their vrorda and posies windon-s AH ;
Le» than (he It^juil
Of all Uiy mercies is my posy sull.
This on my rinc.
This by my picture ia my book I write :
Whether t sirvjf,
Ur My, or (lictiite> this ts my delight.
laveniioo, rest ;
C*wipariians, go pUy; Wit, use thy will ;
Ijfsa than the least
Uf all God's mercies is my posy sUU."
The 9«a1 initintif'e is of the simplest eon: by it I mean that whirh
bear» merely a cypher or a name. It is chiefly employed by tlio
plain, unaffected man, vrho takes no merit from a fMrchment scroll,
and who at the same time hu» nothing to conceal, ^iomctimes a crest
win riwr aboT« it : but in tJiat caw it is no longer proper, but
trenchn on the seal of pride. You will see the seal initiative with
" Tom " upon it, and yuu may be sure that Tom iit a true man.
There are circumstances under which it tread»< on the kibe of the seal
Hntiiacntal, aa when it is impressed with a pretty name, say Julia,
Qtfry {ffoati Caroline), or Itlary: but then, it is but fancy which
lends to it a charm, and albeit one man may ^ze on it with a
dreamy itenution of pleasure, as being in some manner a portraiture
orexpreMion of its fair owner, to the rest of the world it remains
riwpiy iiluBtradve as l>efore.
The common and every-day bvaI of the man of business exhibiu
ft head, sometimca a whole figure clottieil in flowing drapery, and
fiiaririr id its hand a cWsic wreath, or it may be a torcn. Your
grave literary man will adect the rffipet of some bearded sage
of aiitiijiiity, as Kocrates, Demostheiiea, or tbe hke ; while your
nore lively scribbler etaiups his wax from the j;racef'ul carvtnf;
pf an Italian geni. Nut entirely remote fmm tliiit class of aeala ia
UirMiver thimble of tlie seinp?ttre>i«, tbe pin-dotted nignaculum of
thr ralrnlinc-deltvered hiHi*eniaid, or the watch-key of the lad from
ichool.
There ia oroerally aome shade of character to be deduced from
thia seal f Knew a man once who habitually wotl- and usrd an iron
sosl, with the ima^ of a skullr probably he had at first iturehaKed
it in a Jthastlr jeat, but the moral of it fltting with u CLTtani glouini-
n«a which tinctured his mind, he had atuck by it : thus casting his
tnm nurmfttVi tnari in the tuctli of all h\i Olendti, preaching to them
of tiuir latter end u ufKiily, and almost as unwelcomely, as the stara
80
A CIlAPrER ON SRAI^.
in th« triuinnhal chariot preached of mortality to the Roman con-
queror of old.'
The sentiiii filial seal is tla- most comprehensive ; it is ^wlyglot,
or G[H.-ak«ti ult tongues ; IVotn liic iiu-nieaiiing utUchiui-nt of tlic
bourdliig-iichool Mi».», to the strong Ijtuguuge of reul love, every-
thing; is within its range. It is sometimes ingenious, but that not
much. It is simple and straight- forward in iU natuml form. Like
the posy of a ring, it should be short, but M (he name time pithy. It
is fond of deprecating forget fidm-^s, und hnrping upon the piia of
ahftence. The Portuguese hHve furnished one of it« mo«t touching
cxpreatiions, " xtnulu^cx,'' an uncouth word, but which, tike the Ger-
man " 3rhusucht," breathes n longing, lingering rt-grct, ft '' panting for
the wnters," a struggle of the heart to attain a hitppinesa desired.
The setting of this class of seal i^ perhaps not alnij^pthcr unimport-
ant, neither is the substance on which the legend .'>ha1l he engraved.
Like as in thi; olden time kni{:htb assumed various colours fur the
fit-ld on wluch their arms i^bnuld be emblazoned : he choosing black
who would express his uoustuucy : blue, who would usert his claim
to loyalty ; or white, who would show hie purity of soul : »o might
we fancifully wish that the &eal affectionate might be carved upon a
diamond, the inquisitive on an emerald, the supplicatory on a sap-
phire, leaving the cornelian and green bloodatone tu the ordinary
uses of tlie »tudy and the desk.
Some seals which originally ftpolce a gentle aentSment have dege-
nerated by being profaned : like the j^Iarsei liaise Hymn, or the Duke
dc Reichstiidt's Waltz, from which the ear turns away since they
have been ground on every organ in the land, so have we CL-ase<l to
feel the beauty of ceitain types. It has happened to me tu sec a let-
ter containing a demand for money whose seal bore the impress of a
leaf— the motto, " Je uc chaniic qu'tn m<Mrnnl :" a sorry jest, if you
apply a meaning to it ; an empty mockery, if you give it none.
It waa an old custom with our forcfiatlicrs to bear dfyices not
alone upon thHr signet-ringfi, but upon the oilier oninmetita of their
dreHs: some would have them on the blade, others upon the ptrmmel
of their sword, and tlie fair dunies of ihe period were not slow to
follow their example. It must have been a pretty sight to have Ken
the blonde AttJ: dt Preuilli wearing at her girdle an " aumoiucre rcpri-
aentant, av mUictt d'yneJorC-t d'arolKHfues, deiijjcvnes_fillcs,qmfciaieni
KM nrur ;" a» also to have turned over the rings and amulets which
lay upon her loilet-table, among which we are informed wiu " uw
iiitffue sur iaifutlU ^Uiit grntct. iajigurr du litUier, utrc le sif/ut- fie Mart,
rtoit f/'tit etril, 'Bon jkiht i/u^rr /« rttpcum irttnt hiofulf lie riugi ana.' "
In those days the cherry blnsMini and the fpntfire de Maiwn were
types in themselves, saying, "Aifr: dr mni souvenancr, et nr w'vubliez
pas." We have altered the flower to which thia signiliCation attache5,
but the »entimL'nt remains with ua btill.
One of the comnioneHt, but not the least pleasing of our modem
devices, is the ivy clinging round the oalc, — "Je mrurt ouff m'aUache."
\ can conceive circumstanceii under which this seal might have great
potency; it bespeaks a helple»snefls which ia ulways imercsting:
a faithJui and im)>licit trust. The same plant (paraaite, a» some have
' "llomineat M«iH ntsni triumph&ut, in illo Butiliiniuimif ciirru xlnionEiur :
kiif^eritur min lia tarfto'Nvpice yeax le — hnmitietn mpincniA tir."'^Tv;NTeL>
LiAM Ml ApelagH.aLy, 33.
I
I
A CHAPTER ON SEALS.
81
tRnPortliily called it,) is seen sometimev to twine abuut thf.- broken
iliaft of a culuinn, even « Margaret, that sweet pait<;rii ul' tiiir sex,
clung to the shatteretl fortunes of ■' luke-warm John,"* — saving, " In
tdfftrnt ttiom ^Ja ;" thus expressttig the pertinacious coii»iaiicy of
one who will not be sict aside.
A Bomewliat aimilar, but more fantastic ima^ than the fir^ of tiic
■iltovr, is a pin— the legend, " Je pique, mats failac/it." This muttt
hare been firH invented and adopted by some sprightly Beatrice,
•ome black-eyed damsel of the- hodkin and pomander times.
Pot » seal of invitation, I have seen one cxircmcly nimple and
fw«t, — " Do come." The little dash under tiic first womI jiivea
it an imploring toite. There is, perhaps, something childish about
it; but I douhl whether tliatdoe.'t not add .1 grace to iL
I* There is » noble family who have happily combined both atatc and
^Bkliment in their sea] of arms, — " Oiiblier ne puis." These are u-ords
^^■bcb apeak "of triumphs Jong a^o," as well us of present faithtut-
^^Bk ■no truth. The objects animate and iuaniuuite which are made
^K of to express a meaning of\en horribly tortured and defurmcil
are numerous. It is at times a luokin^-glasK. which culls it«ell'"u
true friend ;" a star which is invoked by some idolater, who exclaims,
(tetting Providence aside,) " Vtilles *ur ce que J'aime ;" or a sister
pbu»rt, to whom «>me »ea-tOst mariner declares, "Sije te perds,je xuix
perdu," But of llicse you will find more than enough at the Puti-
theun, or the Soho^nquare BaKoar.
" Oe Icitt tftjwwf i/t pret" is « motto aometimcs seen, and it is one
which speaks to the heart: there is no frippery about it; it is
honest and nuuily,— or womanly, if you please: so in " Fiei, perodet'
Sekaduz" and there is a melancholy gallantry in the last, worthy of
ft* origin amid tlie romantic mountains of Castile.
I recollect being once struck with a seal which I took up accJdcn-
taDj at the house of a tViend. The emblem wa-f a bird Hyinc- awuy —
dM l^^df " Lefroid me chaste." Poor bird ! how many, like thee,
wxMilcTfain s^ek a warmer region, but, failing in their search, turn
back upon the frozen North and die I
Cupid, under various circumstanccfl. Is pressed Into the service of
many seals. I have seet\ him riding on a lion, faiicirully interpret-
ing the rawer of love over valour and strength ; carried pick-a-back
bjr the ae*'il. the splcneuc motto bcinR, " Le liiabU einpurlc I'amvnr ;"
pfaying at foat>baU with the Prince of Darkness, their ^U^nlm being
a weru — the motto, " Entre nout :" he is mIko made a wutermaii, and
(breed to try an oar for the convenience of old Father Time: again,
hris a fisherman, and eKultingly tells you, " J'at/nijie tage cl fuu :"
BHUckimiitli hammering on an anvit, and forging chains ; or a link-
^PK«Ji»pensing liglit aruutid, whiiitt be himself continues blind.
Thtfrv are tho»e who affect llelenism, ond who engrave Xng>#(Fare-
*ril) upon their seal. I have a (iprman correspondent who claims
n; attention even before I open bis letters, by the words " Denke
mtim."
A few seals there are which cannot come under the denomination of
HDtimmtal. and which yet express something like a sentiment of
dteir own ; but these are hardly worthy of being classed. Amnng
tbcm ill the iiporting seal, a fox's head, or the words "Tally-ho!"
die mal vulgar, bearing on it " I N V tny letter ;" " I hope I don't
• " JoliD Woodvlll," l>7 C. Laoib.
*ou III. n
4M UADftlOAL OP THE SEASONS.
|gmd« ;" or, " Wlio the devil can this be from f " — and the «c«l 3
awiL *• t^t which represents Lovf playing on the violin to a little
tftMb »nX bidding him " Go to the devil and sh&ke himself;" the
MaZr Vcm'o^^e And stippliratnry. " Luez el croi/ez," — or, " /Ji/iM-mot
VM*;" aiu) Iasi. nut least, ihnt richE^nainonj^thpni nil, of which Atoore
IkM tolil you in his poem rtxpcctiiig " Uinirs and Seals."
H.I.M.
MADRIGAL OF THE SEASONa
SPRING HORN.
Tis many on a fair Sphng isom,
Wten l)u»h*(l is ev'ry ruder wind.
And Nnlurv, like a mother kind,
Sniitn joyous ou her b>bc ju5t born :
Whcti •[tBikling den ii on the gromd,
And fluwr«u gay are budding round,
And Hope IB heard in ev'17 sound,
■r>» nwrry, oil, 'ti» merry I
8UMMBH NOON.
Til merry on u Suiiicrifri noon,
When Zejihyr t-iiiTn-n wiili balmy kiss,
And waki's ihc druwsy psirlh ir. hlist
By ijeiilly brwiUimg Lo*f'» own luoe :
Whan leaves an jc^een, and iVics arc blue,
And wRitra of n galdcn hue.
And f v'ry glance brinp hciutiei Deiv,
Til merry, oh, "li* nrnrry 1
AVTVmtf KVS.
Tis merry on an Autumn eve,
ViUva birds sing; fmrcwfll to the min.
And, com »eI1 shmvcd, and labour done.
The fields the h«illtiful leaperj l«iirc :
Wlieii those wlioni dajliirfit keeps afnr
May meet bencuth tbe ves[ter lUr
Without on« fear their joy to mar,
Tis merry, oli, 'tis mcwy !
WINTER lOHT.
TIb merry on a Winter's ni^iit,
WWnfast descends tliedeep'ninfr *now,
And o'er the heath the «.hnU winds blyw.
To walob llie crackling fiiggot's li^bi :
When spicy wine and nut-browD ale,
tJivc zest to each rnre Christmas lale.
And song, and joko, and laugh pierail.
Tia merry, oh, lis merry!
83
FAMILY DRAMATICALS.
BT THE AtTTHOB OK " TAi-IM OF AN ANTIQUAKT."
" \ pl-V- Ffa^k : — wlieri-iii :it«' %wii lliiii^ ! iuch Tndeous, incin«(rott» things I
ihat k nu Blmwi made loe forsTnear ihe iCice."
TAe Uake iif Buckiagkaint Rfkriavii.
Thsrk »re no Torther psrticutars known concerning tin- following
letter, than that it wae t'uuiid upon a. svquvstervd ruaU. within a sliurt
dijtiuice of a celebrated tuid fuiihiuiiable watering- {ibcc. From the
tenor of it* contents, it may certftinty he ^uppOEed to have I'allen
from the pocket of an eminent son of Thespis, on his summer cam-
r'gn, who had pcrlixps been readinj; it over, or studying hit part,
that retreat. But tliou;^h the direction was wiinting, yet the
nmaorandum of " Sent fifty pounds by next poHt" showed tliat it
luul been written to one who»e hand waji "open »s day to melting
chanty;" though, unfurtunately, the noble action ao commemorflted
wu " a deed without a name." Ah there are atill but too many
pcnotu in the metropolis who, like the Sticklebacks, make their
■pmdaa for private theatricals the means of tormenting all their hc-
aunntancca, and of displayinf; their own absurdities, the following
oeicription of tile tasteful and sagacious proceedings of that family
is published, to iihow Folly " her own image," — " pour encvmra^er
kt ttuirei ;" aince, however extravagant the picture may appear, it
never can be doubted that it is an " owre true tale," and actually
eofDcd fVoni the life.
Tbuugli I have no letter, my dear Edmund, direct from yourself,
yrt I owe you many thanks for the country papers, which give me
■o much information of your motives, and relate how successfully
you are tlnrrtH^ It in the proeincra, though as yet not quite a light of
ihc first magnitude in toe town hemisphere- With Jitbsvn, how-
ever, I must caution you " not tu grow saucy upon it," nor forget
that, in \&ia splendid times, before you either felt or deserved the
ma of patronage, you have been known to walk the parades at
MTtain fair*, and to dance a hornpipe with your white stockings
nirimiily blackened round the foct, to supply the lack of pumps:
which most ingenious device not only completely wore mit thrir
wles, and blistered tfoar enen, but, aa I am confidently told, cost thee,
IVon thine indulgent uncle, diver^i aching bones for a month after-
ward. Think not, however, that I write tbua out of euvy at your
talon or your success. No ! by the never-dying name of Uoscios I
piriib tbe seinsli thought I Only, lui " an elJer actor, not a better,"
"kt me. who know tlic public, counsel you," that " tux/inejji Is
young ambition'* ladder." which you shouln be careful not to throw
down till you be aal'ely off it at the top ; and also, how ci^rtain other
peat actors are uid not u have openly avowed their luuuble origin,
oy cxhibiciag tbe Sehing-net which they had ca<<t, or the lowly garb
■hich they had once worn, until they were (iiirly clothed in "the
|MirpIe," and the triple tiara was really won.
?Wotwrth>tand>niF all this. I must confess tliat I tki almost
•R
oS
84
FAMILY DRAMATICALS.
yonr liberty ; or rather, that I do moat frrvcntly dwire to share it,
u I told you with BO iniicb energy at your departure, in the yard of
the Belie Sftuvagi', whicli had iircibably never w itnesited such fine
acting before, or at least imt since tlie days when Inns were Tliealrw.
For, trust me, *' my (jay cousin Ilaiif;iT." after all the privation and
ccmtempl atta(.:hed to the life at' struUing players, sucli as we have been ;
—you know, as lilandlxh ^ays, " it' you and I did not Komutimcs sneak I
truth to each other, we ehould forget there was such a quality ind- ■
dent to Uie human mind ;" — after all these deductiong, your strolling
actor enjoys liis freedom almost beyond any other animal in the
world that I know of; and, at thi« present mutnent, I should certainly
enjoy mine beyond any other etroller in existence ; for, on the con-
trary, here am 1 restrained within limito which encourage much
more of " frrtliug " than of " strutting,'' for they are still narrower ■
than those in whirh you left rae. They arc; confined, indeet), to a I
certAiii ancient verfre, belonging to a certain ancient court nf the
Hovereiffn, bounded on the North and Eafct by Great SufTolk-street
and the IJorongh of Sonthwark ; on the South bv Newinglon ('acise-
way and the Klephant and Castle ; and on the U'est by the Obeligk,
the Surrey Theatre, and the Waterlm»-road ; the whole space of
which, in my thoughts at least, well depcrves to retain the old neigh-
hourinj»nameof " iMelanehnly Walk." Htrein, 1 say, am I enclosed,
like a spirit witliin a circle, — and ihuu knowest what a choice .^piril I
am : — whilst thou — loo, too huppy dog ! — i/mi art at liberty to feci
the free air upon thy cheek ; to liee the fields in all their brightness,
and the blue summer »ky in all its glory ; to roam where you list,
" tilt the livelong daylight fail ;" and " then to the well-trod Ktage
anon," where you behold nothing but holiday faces crowding nil the
bencheE — hear nothing but applauses, shuuts, and encores, until you
believe yourself really a king or a demigod, and are ready to my,
" Upon my life, I am a lord indeed 1" But I think I lieiir you asking,
" M hy, Tom, is thy part to be all patter ?" and duritably reminding
me that my legitimate occupation la to rani fuiitian, xn<\ not to urife
it- I will therefore "deliver myself like a man of this world ;" imd,
taking up my story at your laai cue of " lot me hear from thee," first
tell you of my " private griefa," and then of such a scene of mirth
and folly, that though it be "seven out of the nine day** wonder
whh me," I have not yet decided whether it be most to be laughed
at, or lamented. You may therefore think, if yon will, that you uid I
are about to have anarrativu-scene together, such as Uimond used »o
rpgularly to introduce in the second act of hi« pieces; when two ■
perfiirmerfi always brought forward two chairs to the centre front of fl
the stn^c, thereby indicating that the house was about to be favoured
with a lung story.
You doubtless remember that, touched by the distresses of our
very clever and very worthless friend Seilley, when his best-beloved
child lay at the point of death, i became Becunty for liim to Syke-
house the surgeon, and afterward* to Killgruve the undertaker, that
her remains might receive " a little earth for charity," to a stipulated
amount, »« I sujipoaed, and easily within my power. Outc^ist as h« _
is from almost all society by disinheriUuice, debts, tm]>rndence. and fll
unfortunate character, you will not wonder that, when his dear un« *
died, she was " by strnnger« honoured, and by strangers mourned-"
Now that all these cvctiu ore over, I dare say you can at once
KAHILV DltAMATICALS.
85
Hess At thnr actual result, much more entaly ttian I could hare even
iccived the i>osaibiIity af it. In a little time, Walter 8f<Iley, Esq.
M.A. author of, ftc. See. J^c. was not to l>e tntind, — though / wm,
aaii to be am^werablc to An amount very tAr exceeding my itbitities
~ mgagcments. Kvmonstrancu avnilea mc nothing, and therefore,
Ite Prince Itenrif, " ^o far as my coin would stretch, I paid it;"
itj anlike him, I could make no great use of my credit. I never
powewed the consummale art of " Plau!>ilile Jack" Palmer, who
could persuade ihe very baiUff whu urrcHtc<l him to 1>ccome his bail ;
uid so, to avoid ouch a etage direction as, " Scene changc» to a
room it» a prison, Tom Fairstiecch discovered ecated iu a melancholy
aitttude," — to eccatie this, [ &ay> I determined to withdraw myself
iuto the above well-known and worshiplul liuiitx, to miitie "ior a'
cRtun term '' upon the Pleasures of FneniUhip, »nd the best tiieana
of rendering my rock'stricken veM&el lit for sea again, which I despair
Dot <rf' doing after all ; for well do I believe that
"Tiin« may slili bave one filad houi lo come*
Which, wiDg'd wiih Liberty, may overtake
UvijaMOu paM."
The rxtenfiion of my bounds was effected by " hard entreaty^ and
i round sata ; — ctitreaty 'd weak wjtliout it;" and bo I actually
tntlwit the walls of " DenmanV Purk ;" though " I pray you,
I any cue, poM«» no gentleuun of our acquaintance with notice of
mt lodging.^
I have Du great philosophy in me, as thou knowest, Kdmund ; but
[ am very much of the mind of the young man in (Jay'8 F.ible:>i;
u I thought that Care, or his shadow, did go hf/ure my misfortunes,
I have no fancy that either should /oWok' me, like (Joldsmitli's Tmlck
and Fianipan, " iJefore and behind, you know." I am therefore
imhderentiy cheerful in my cage : " And what fur uo i*" as ^eg Oods
"Then you be incrry, merry there.
And we ll be meny, meny here ;
For who can tcli where we all may be
To be mctty auuUiet ytur \"
MonMTver, I can assure you that, if I had wit enough, I have quite
caivty enough to describe our neighbourhood in the picturesque and
oWBOrou* style ofWashingtou Irving or Mary Mitford: how Lean*
dith'a Koyal Ordinary is oppoMtc my window ; and how Trimmings,
the C'*^^ Wr«t-cnd tailor, has recently come U> live at lite next door.
However, like Old Philip Astley, aa we can't snow white, we'll
toow bruwn ; and this leada me to the scene which 1 pcomiaed to
nelaie to you half a pare ago.
Uy ftome little regularity of payment, the abovC'raentioneil light
beir% aod the eloquence of a player's tongne and memory, I have
■ude a very fair progress in the good liking of my MUtrt-ta Quici-h/,
who, pitying my restraint and loueliucKs, hoii introduced me to the
family of llie great Air. Stickleback, alau our ueighbour, as "the
dviieat and weUnipokcneht gentleiiian aa ever ehc »ce, and one who
em HT m» many tunny ttiiugii anil tine spevche^ aa any plny-actor
bthe Rttlea, or out un 'cm." Khe, however, tittle suspects that I am
in naJity unr of those same " harlotry players," for I have chatted
nj naine ; and. tberclort, wheDcvec thou vritMi, liidaiundj do not
FAMtLr baAMATICAL£.
fur 1
I
ifr ma k* t^y sihI title OS sudi, iF thou hast anjr regunl fur
oeck. Ow SbckMMck I iud already fnuud as thuniy and
. M his name : but bis Cuail}' made aniple ai»eitd», by
Cagsplaitant and udkjiti%ely-coi)c«it«d as imper-
wdl be. Moreover, they were about to have a
_ , to which they invited lue, laooenUng that we were not
MWIHBbHl, that I might have taken a part in the same. It
^■i^ ft Ila% nrvtwr, whirh I assure you 1 diet not at all regret; fur,
bttl tMiF l^kt bven " OH good a plot a» ever was laid," I, at least,
kaa* ted tow Bouch honoumble pmtestiiuiial Ubour to reMMt to such
mifmigf acliliC for amusement, — like Pladdo and the Little Devil,
3la wtNil mmJoXers, who, when visiting the King at Hamptoii, de-
i Aft (UttaDcc of a pavilion by walking to it on their handft,
, ib^ir lin wpvards, as though their daily antics were not euRi-
. lbt(. m Qw present iniitAnce, I dei-outly believe that " tJic
^titok. varc of Cato," and preHcrvcd nie from the irrecoverable
of the Stick k-bnc-k thcuiricals.
^ this account ul' tJieni, Kdiuund, I will allow you to call
**^WQBderrtil ! wonderful ! and most wonderful ! and yet
MwuJerful ! and after that, out of all whooping!" Nay, you
'' almost incn^dible that such things can be, and even
:: that you coulrl not have believed them had you seen
ll"; but for your life do not aucstion wy veracity. " Wliy
_ .„ l .jiiy Uea about?" or how ahould the mind of any decent
iiyi\idu«l «v»r devise such folly > " I tell thee what, Edmund, if I
^( . V . . <ip^ ^( j„ ,j,y face, and call me horse !"
.1 vwit to Mr. Stickleback's, the day before the perform-
i \iu<Uj;ht the house appeared rather defective in furniture, nnd
It: ivimiiion; hut all surprise at either anpearance inonceioied
dl^Hyi W'1^ tutHHluced into the room where tne play was to be en-
^jW(«b.l Uhiildiu): tlir fittinp;a-up,ihe dresses, and the decnraticww.
..* iiK-vd that hurdly a floor ws* left covcrcil by its respective
i-iUK'i ; ihtit the winiluwH vfcre nil despoiled of their cur-
iae bedsteads were retluced to what Jinilors call " hare
H>; resigned tlieir valances, &c to furnish forth the
, *>k.l )>i<.*|ieTties of the »"nteriaiiinieni*. Thtsi', as we were in-
, li> * I'lll printed with the ordinary hand-types used for marlc-
knliold liiii-n, were, "Pizarro; or, the Invasion of Peru;
I III" Hutu ; a variety of eingine and dancing ; and the ro-
^ un-«- 111' ihc HIiiid JJoy ; or, Hodolpli, the Usurping Prince
yf ' kiul Ktilig, the Faithful Courtier!" llut before I re>-
■ •• ftilliea of tliis perlbniiiuice, I ought, in equity to
himself, to sutc that he waa entirely ignorant and
- . '>. all. since the whole design was private^ concocted
b -i- and family, who also took the opportunity of his
JV .ue to afltonish their ao{uaintance by such a display
'..i.'HuU " Bui they arc coming to the play : get you a
i.
I
^
?^
I >>f the stage «*as formed by the opening of two
U, I was assured by Mr*. !5ticklebjtck, who np-
loUc pride and t-omplncency in pointing out the
gf the arraiigemcntn, were absolutely taken off
^ftte€ was fdled up by un old ja})anned cornice,
uT a window>curlain, and u grcun tuiic
rAUlLY DRAMATICALS.
87
rather the worBc for not a few years* wen*, which had been taken up
from the roum within. But these appointments were Uy tar the must
niDile&t and apprupriate of tlie whole. In my own puur uutioiut of
such nuLtt«r», u lurgv Uible-lamp nn each eiile the utagc, and another
Kuipeoded from the L-ciUng of tlie audience-aparttnent, would have
re«prcubly and suHiciemly lighu-il the front. But. no ! the Stickle-
backs bad .1 soul and conceptiun I'ur beyond such every-day contriv.
ance*. When we were alt seated in staring and silent expecUtion,
We first heard the steps and loud whisperings and dUputings of mc-
veral persons in the adjoining narrow passage, carrying sumc large
heavy vessel full of lic)uid, which ever and anon seemed to give a
lurch, and then to wasli over the edge. t<i the great dismay (i( ita
bearers. At lust the curtiiin was pnrtly raitted, and four persons
appeared, carrying — mind, I "il swoir for the truth of thi*, whatever
you may think, — four persons appeared, carrying a large trough of
new bright tin, of sufficient capacity for baJf a do7,en swine
to feed at, if they were dii^posed to be accommodatinj^, three purta
filled witli lamp>oil, in which were floating a multitude of small
niece* of cork, with a lighted wick attached to each! With much
labour, Uld no little spilling of the siaid oil. these most extraordinary
footlights were borne to the front, and set down: but when the
pologue came forward, they were found to be 6o smoky, so oRVnsive
and so much in the way. — for the whole machine reached to the
middle of his, the saiil Prologue's legs, — that they were at once uno-
Rtmously voted out, and were removed with the same labour and
mischief; their place being then supplied by • row of caitdles set
upon the flmtr.
I say noUiing about the total overthrow of this mu»t delicious
invention, which, I fear, from the noi&e and confusion ufter its exit,
took place in the |>a».>iigtr, but pass on now to the performance. I
dare aay that you can very well iina^ne both tune and wurd^ of the
prologue, which was, doubtless, home-iniide, mid <^tiite like the ge-
oerolity of such comimsitions, having a gri^sl deal about " our cause,"
and *• ^oiir applause," without which innny persons think an honest
prologue cannot be written. There were also divers choice poetical
simile*, alwayti ending with " thus we to-night ;" and in one part
the f»tickU-backfl likened themselves to phomixea and young eagles,
though I tlioii};ht tlut magpies or inckdiiWA would have been by fur
ibc mure Bnpru|»riate birde. I (ult truly concerned for the young
IBHi who deliveretl this address, because he might have been reapecu
■fale cstough in sound health ; but at this time he was fur advanced
ia « most dangerous malady, which has been of late very fatal tu
■any of our acquaintance; that is to say, he was nearly eaten up
by conceit: and I farther found, as the play proceedra, that all
t£c ocher actors were deplorably sick of the same dise.ise. This
terrible pestilence, Eilmunil, usttally devours its victims down-
■ards, since it fir^t seijcex u)>im sume weak ))art of the head — next it
dntmys tite »ensi.'s, intoxicate:! the night, vanquishes the tonj^ue, ad-
vaioes to the heart, and then the man is lost for ever! " Pruv vuu.
■toU iL" '
The principal parts of the drama were of counc divided chirHy
Ixtwrcn the members of the git\ed family, each of whtmi was dimin-
euisbesl by some ftrnxi^d peculiarity and striking excellence, wliicli
MViog once seen, theru waa no mij>taking them at\crward. Thu^.
«t
FAMILY DRAMATICALS.
ifflp. 1
1
Mr. CtrMU* Auj^stus Stickleback, as AlaUha, had n elicht snuffle,
mikL Iwinjr •omrthiit^ of a negro make ami colour, looked, in his
•lag* altire, not unlike tlie ima^re of a Virginian which had run
•WAV trom a tobarconist's Rhop-door. ItfJia, Mr. BnitiiH Stickle-
baok, fxntjM^ralcd tliu h, and Uic uudii-nct-, in i-vcry speech ; and bul ■
a iftMMl deal oi' Uic bcar-ganlen fiuurisli in bis acUim, which, pcrluip!!, I
tUH not quite hiiriuoni»e with the niajeelic modest)- of the Peruvian
Icaih'r. Alonvr, Air. Sebastian Stickleback, coiild not ciiuuciate Ins
»*• and k'i without a tittle previous contortion of hi* eyes and lijMi ;
and liii dress was a domino, which bud figured at all the fourth-rate
mai(|uerade6 about London for the last quarter of a century. Miss
Judith Alnrc'ta Stickleback, as fjvira, was, I »ta pertuaded, dis-
tinctly liL'.ird for three doors off on each side the house, ns well as by
•11 who p;ijii«'d it, such was her noble anxiety " to top the part," as
liaypx *HT«; whilst the narrow stage appenred loo little lor either
her soul or her body. Little Misji Kitty Sticklchftck, on the con-
trary, waa so lisping, end mincing, and Inngnistiing, m* Cora, thnl
one hdlf of her speeches could not be understood, and the remainder
vrerc never heart! at all.
These were the principala ; Init a ftw select fHends of slmHar
taste and qualifications were permitted to gather up some scraps of
the family glory by personating the inferior characters, or appearing
us soldiers, priests, and virgins. Their liabits were mostly while
night-gowns, or divers-coloured bed-furuitute, &c. with huge gilded
auns about their necks, which seemed to nie verj- much like those
leaden plates that the 8un Fire Office affixes to the houHcs of its in-
burer*.. The weapons were chiefly plain staves, or lia ewords ; and
the shields were made out of the ui^ual substitutes for such proper-
ties,— namely, the covers offish-kettles and »aiice))Hns. These Mra.
Stickleback herself assured me that her son, Ca-sar Augustus, had
been at infinite pains in collecting, and also that he had actually
cauted quite a wrarcity of euch articles in their vieinit>', and their
price to riite up to mure than double. They were well scoured, and
very (ii'Tcely painted with what I suppose to Ik- sotne of " Satan's
t/mcM," since I know of no other potentate win, could ever have
assumed such. The best properties and tlrc»sie> were, of course,
somewhat unequally divided, and few in number, like the lirrrica of
Vetrvthio'* Bcrvanta ; —
" Tktre were none fine but Adam. Italpli, and GrvKOry ;
71m ml were lagiied, old, and be^ij-ady.**
But of all the characters, by far tlie greatest and grandest personage
was Vizarru himself, as right was no doubt. To be sure, a gaudy
old Turkish suit, with cu^n, calpac and turban, tin crescent, aci-
mitar, &c. were not in tlic purest style of costume; but then the
wearer did so roiir, and rant, aitd strut, and lyranniiie, that he must
have been worse than a 'J'urk who held him to be a hair's breadlli
behind Francisco Fizarro hiniM'lf in tliuse quiJitie^. The performer
of this |»art was a huge black-haired individual, named Josephus
Elijiih ^chmoliinRer, whom I uuwiirily supposed to be a German
Jew; though JMrs. Stickleback siKin enlightened niy ignorance, by
Mving thut '■ Bomc of bis faniily were such, but that Mr. Jovephus
wati )i" sooti n ChriMian as any of themselves, um\, having come over
W Kt>Kl»»«l young, he wai thought to ^tcak the lunguc as well u
FAMILY DRAMATICAU.
they Hid." There waa no HenyiDg xficrtions to poyrerFuWy iup-
portcd, especially an I was very much of her mind ; but /low he
apake, you will 1h- able to conceive, when 1 Iclt yow xhiit he smindetl
n M3 all, «r as t; and > AS /Ahf and that thus he proinniiu-ni t'izarro'%
opening wpeedi in the third wcne of the third *ct : — " Veil, eanri*
rintis id>>l$. Fortune!! ! be mine ruin thy vork and ihy bwist. To
m)ne:ielt3 \ vill still lie true. Vet, ere I fall, ^ranl me thv Hmilet to
pr'jiii>er in von net* of venf^eanres ; an<l be tJint smiles, Alontxu'i
deathn !"
I flhall not try your patience bv g;^ng all through " the mnrder of
PiMnro/' scene by scene, and character by character ; for in auch
ca«e< as this, enough i» britt-r than a tVast. Some circttmstaiici-a in
the representation, however, struck me ns bcine novel. Onv
wiui, that instead of RolLi offering the Castilian sentinel a wed|{e of
gold as the bribe far viMling Ahns4>, he produced a small |>ert,
cockney-lookinj:. reil leather purse, with a tuck, and stamiicd with
the words, "A Trifle from jMarj;ate!" In the last scene, too, the
hl{{h, rude, and liuzarduus bridge between the lolly rocks, was a
long and broad white deal board, not five feet from tJic floor, so se-
curely planted, that no eflbrt of the Peruvian could push it off the
aideboard without the aid of the Spiinish soldiers, who very consi-
derately came to his assistance, and who aAerwardi^, with equal con-
sidemtinn, set it up again. The curtain drop|ied at laat, without
Vf other accident thuii the usual one of leaving Pizarro's body half
lutaidc, which wus dragged in by it« legs and arms.
1 was now determined to niuke my e»ca]>e as soon as I decently
could; but preiiunLly ciime un original epilogue, of about the snme
tJDcrit as the former address, boih of which were of the kind men-
llianed by Bayesi, when be says, " I have made a prologue and an
"" _ le, which may botli serve for either ; that it, the prologue for
I epflogue, or the epilogue fur Uie prologue : nay, they may both
Mrve for any other play a« well as this." By tlie time it was over,
yharro was so mucli refreshed as to enter again in the raiae hubit.
!id roar to us Braham's "Death of Jt'elsou," in the voice of a
3, his lower notes aud his pruiiunciiiUou being |H>tiitively
rAiL
" Tvosh ilk Tratiilni's bay
Vi saw de Frencbmans lay,
£»ch hart* rot a bounainK den 1"
Atler this, which was about half-past eleven o'clock, one of the
jriuiiKer fry of the Sticklebacks, who was considered to be endowed
with no bttle ]Hirtion of the vi* comica, came forward in the habit of
A Worn-out scarrcrow, having his face duly v.imi'thotl with Bruns-
wick black, to cluirm the audience with the tasteful mclmly of" Jim
Crow," The next entertainment was to have beim Madame Ves>
tria's Savoyard song, by Ctira, for which purjMitie a real husear-
dresscd thonkcy had been hired from ft real Savoyard, and securely
tied to a choir in the green-room. About the middle of the necaitd
meore of the previous elegant melodj* of " Jim Crow," faowe%'er, a
loud and husty knock was heard, at which the performers, who knew
that tliey were acting without the paternal licence, turned pale under
iCheir paint, most of the audience fell into consternation, and the
lltwtess started up, exclaiming, " Aly !>tjirs alive ! if there am't Mr.
'Sdcklcbock, after oil !" At the same time, the apartment was ob-
90
TUB BIRD OP PARAIllSK.
served to be rapiiUy filling with *moke, «nd a stronjf tmcll of Are,
£rain the nnall adjoining parlour uied an a " 'tiring- bouse." In
came Mr. Stickleback, truly tlie Provoked Husband, and in a 6tting
miiod for playing Sir John Brute; and, alarmed at the smoke in the
pas«aee, and the noi^e and confusion cverywberc, he rushed at once
uito the Kreen.room. It was then discovered tbdt the husdAr-clreswd
monkey had been amusing himself by fishing the cork floats out of
the oil-trough, which had been carelessly set aside within his reach,
with the wicks alight, and throwing them about the room ; when
they had caught the dre&s of Ataliba, which he had hastily thrown
aside to gi^t. ready for ht» hompipc>
It was with itome difficulty ttiat Mr. Stickleback was prevented
fi'om twisting tlie neck of General Jocko, who, however, widely ea-
Ca|)ed in tlie cuufuaion. A little prompt attention, and a giH>d
deal of water, ouou put out Uic fire, and no great mi-seliicf waa
done by it: but as for tlie oil. dirt, and disorder in the house, " St.
UuniiUui !" thought I to myself with Garth die xwiiieherd, " how it
muU be scraped and cleansed ere it be agnin fit for a Christian !"
All these events liave, nevertlieless, effected one beneficial end: for
I hear that when old Stickleback's passion subsided, he swore
roundly tliat if ever he should find bis dwelling so turnetl out at
windows again, he will have his wife indicted fur keeping a ilis-
ordcrly houtie, and ftend both actors and audience all to the tread-
luiui
THE BIRD OF PARADISE.
Uow weak ia Matter when oomparetl with Mind 1
How slowly docs die hmvi those hieh lliuu(^iu writo
Which spihl do«a so brilhanlly iiiilile!
The feeble pen lotU xlugLcisliljr behjiitl
Ttio^e llai>l)i[i}; visions ofifoCalic liglit,
Tliftt piiM litforc ihc mimrs Inieinal night,
With all ilieii iiue% of beauty and of t;race I
Before the plodding instmment can trace
A word made up of letters cold and dead.
The dauhng Bird of Paradise has fled.
Or, siiipp'd of its fair plumaEet drops to eanh.
The coiourt faded fron its golden wings.
Uh I 1 could weep to see such higfa-boni iliintjs,
Such fLuliiiig thoughti, that arc of heavenly birth,
De|)art without a rccoid of their wonb.
U that the Lightnings were my ready [len I
Whui glowing pictures could l>c wrilteit tlicn !
Hew longs the everlasting mind to tell
Of scenes wliere scraplis rapt in glory dwell,
Caught ere ibeir culours fade, bkc dew-drops Isur,
Tliat sparkle when the $;1or;ous sun is there I
But if a cloud obseure its kindlinji layi,
Lost ate those colours, liki: tlic diamond bright;
No longer cut the dew-drop spaikUii); blaze —
It is a drop of conimoa water quite.
91
A TALE OF GRAMMARYE.
Thk Baron came home in his fury and rage,
He blew up his Henchman, he blew up his Page ;
The Seneschal trembled, the Cook looked pale,
As be ordered for supper grilled kidneys and ale.
Vain thought ! that gnll'd kidneys can give relief,
When one's oivd are inflamed by anger and grief.
What was the cause of the Baron's distress I
Why sank his spirits so low T—
The fair Isabel, when she should have said " Yes,"
Had gi«n the Baron a " No."
He ate, and he dnnk, and he grumbled between :
First on the viands he vented his spleen,^
The ale was sour,- — the kidneys were tough.
And tasted of nothing but pepper and anuff" !
— "Hie longer he ate, the worse grew affairs.
Till he ended by kicking the butler down stairs.
All waa hushed — ^"twaa the dead of the night —
The tapers were dying away,
And the armour bright
Glanced in the light
Of the pale moon's trembling ray ;
Yet his lordship sat still, digesting his ire.
With his noae on his knees, and his knees in Uie fire, —
All at once he jump'd up, resolved to consult his
ComeUuM Agrippa de rebut occulta.
He seized by the handle
A bed-room flat candle.
And went to a secret nook.
Where a cheat lay hid
With so massive a lid.
His knees, as he raised it, shook,
Partly,perhaps, from the wine he had drunk.
Partly from fury, and partly from funk ;
For never before had he ventured to look
In his Great-Great-Grandfather's conjuring-book.
Now Lord Ranulph Fitz-Hugh,
As lords frequently do.
Thought reading a bore,— but his caae was quite new ;
So he quickly ran tbroi^h
A cha'^ter or two,
For without Satan's aid he knew not what to do, —
When poking the fire, as the evening grew colder,
He saw with alarm,
As he raised up his arm,
An odd-looking coimtenance over his shoulder.
Firmest rock wit! sometimes quake.
Trustiest blade will Mmetimes breiUt,
Sturdiest heart will sometimes fail.
Proudest eye will sometimes quail ; —
No wonder Fitz Hugh felt uncommonly queer
Upon suddenly seeing the Devil so near.
Loaning over his chair, peeping into his ear.
9S A TALE OF CRAHMARTE.
The (tranger first
The silence burst.
And replied to the Bfuroo's look : —
" I would not intrude.
But don't thiuk me rude
If I KnilT at that musty old book.
Charms were all reiy well
Ere Reform came to Hell ;
But now not an imp cares a fig (or a spell.
Still I see what you want,
And am willing to gnuit
The person and purse of the fiiir Isabel.
Upon certain conditions the maiden is won ; —
You may have her at once, if you choote to say ' Done I'
" The lady so rare,
Her manors so fair.
Lord Baron, I give to thee ;
But when once the sun
Five years has run.
Lord Baron, thy soul 'a my fee !"
Ob 1 where wert thou, ethereal Sprite }
Protecting Angel, where t
Sure never before had noble or knight
Such need of thy guardian care t
No aid is nigh — 'twas so decreed ;— ■
The recreant Baron at once agreed,
And prepared mth his blood to sign the deed.
With the point of hia sword
His arm he scored,
And mended his pen with his Misericorde;
From his black silk breeches
The stranger reaches
A lawyer's leathern case,
Electa ajpaper,
And snoffing the taper.
The Baron these words mote trace: —
" Five years after date, I promise to pay
My soul to Old Nick, without let or delay,
For value received.*' — " There, my Lord, on my life,
Put your name to the bill, and the lady's your wife."
• • • •
All look'd bright in earth and heaven,
And far through the morning skies
Had Sol his fiery coursers driven,—
That is, it was striking half-past eleven
As Isabel opened her eyes.
All wondered what made the lady so late.
For she came not down till noon,
Though she usually rose at a quarter to eight.
And went to bed equally soon.
But her rest had been oroken by troublesome dreams : —
She had thought that, in spite of her cries and her screams.
Old Nick had borne off, in a chariot of flame,
The gallant young Howard of Effinghame.
Her eye was so dua, and her cheek so chill.
The family doctor declared she was ill,
And muttered darit hints of a drai^ht and a pilL
A TALB OF GUAMMARYE. '93
All duriog breakfast to brood doth she Mem
O'er BOoie secret woes or wrongs;
For shti empties the salt-cellar into the creaiu,
Aod stirs up her tea witli the ton^.
But scarce hath she finished her ihird round of toast.
When a knocking is heard by all —
*' What may that be ? — 'tis too late for the post, —
Too soon for a morning call."
After a moment of silence and dread.
The court-yard rang
With the joyful clau^
Of an armed warrior's tread.
Now away and away with fears and alarms, —
The lady lies clasped in young Kffinghame'i arms.
She hangs on his neck, and she tells liim true.
How that troublesome creature. Lord Uanulph Fitz-llugli,
Hath vowed and hatli sworn with a terrible curse,
That, unless she will take him for better for worse.
He will work her mickle rue 1
*' Now, lady love, dismiss thy fear,
Should that grim old Baron presume to come here.
We '11 soon send him home with a Rea in his ear; —
And, to cut aliort tlie strife,
My love 1 my life I
Let me send for a parson, and make you my wife !"
No banns did they need, no licence require, —
They were married that day before dark :
The Clergyman came, — a fat little friar,
The doctor acted as Clerk.
But the nuptial rites were hardly o'er,
Scarce had they reached the vestry door,
When a knight rush'd headlong in ;
From his shoes to his shirt
He was all over dirt.
From his toes to the tip of his chin ;
But high on his travel-stained helmet tower'd
The lion-crest of the noble Howard.
By horrible doubts and fears possest,
The bride turned and gaz'd on the bridegroom's breast —
No Argent Bend was there;
No Lion bright
Of her own true knight,
But his rival's Sable Bear !
The Lady Isabel instantly knew
Twas a regular hoax of tlie false Fitz-Hugh ;
And loudly the Baron exulting cried,
'* Thou art wooed, tliou art won, my bonny gay bride !
Nor heaven nor hell can our loves divide!"
This pithy remark was scarcely made,
When the Baron beheld, upon turning his head,
His Friend in black close by ;
He advanced with a smile all placid and bland,
Popp'd a small piece of parchment into his hand.
And knowingly winked his eye.
As the Baron perused,
His cheek was suffused
94 A TALE OP ORAUMAKVE.
Widi a flit^ betwffm briek-doit nnd brown :
Whilethe fair Isabel
Fainted, fttid fi-ll
Tn a Mill and deaxh-like *woon.
Lord Howard rouKd out, lill the chapel au<l witlc*
Rang wiih cne« for t^urnt fcmhcrs ami volatile salut.
" Look at the date \" quolh ihe queer-looking man,
In his own peculmr tone;
My word hath been kept, — deny it who can, —
And (lOiT I am com? Tor mine own.*'
Mipht he ini« his eyes? — ^Ala* ! and alsek I
Twas a bill ante-diiled full tiv« yean back I
Twa* all loo true —
It was over due —
Tlic Icrm had cxl)i^^?d '. — he wouldn't " renew,"^
Ami llie Devil looked black as ih« Union liK'kt'tl blue.
The I^rd Fitt-Hngh
Made a ip^at to-do.
And espectiklly blew up Old Nick, —
" Twni a stain," he iwore,
" On (lift name he bore
To play such a rascally tricJt 1" —
•' A tnckf* quoih Nick, in a lotip rather quick,
" It '» one often playeJ upom people who ' ticL." "
Blue flnme-i now broke
From his mouth as he ipoke.
They went mit, and kft an uncommon thick smoke,
\Vh;cl) eitvekinin^ quile
Hiiiiieiraiid tlie Kni||;til,
Tlic pair iti a moment were clean out of sight.
When it waflwl away, '
Where tlie dickyns were they ?
Oh ! no one might guew — Oh I no one might ey,^
But never, I wia,
pToin titut lime la \h\%,
In 1ialL or in hovrcr, on mounlaiii or plain,
|]m ttic EJarou been «eeu or been heard of again.
As for fair Isabel, al\er two or three nghs,
She finally open'd her beautiful tyt*.
She coughed, and she saecwd.
And wns very w«1l ple&sed,
Aj\cr being so rumpled, and towzLcd, and teased.
To find, when rettofed from her panic and pain,
My Lord llowiird had married tier orer a^n.
MORAL.
Be warned by our »lory, ye Nob1e» and Knights,
Wlio'rc so much in llic habit of '^flyiMg of kites j"
And beware how ye meddle auain with such Flights:
At leact, if your energies Creditors cramp,
Itemeinbtr a Unurrr '» alw;iy* a Scamp,
And took welt at the Rill, and the Date, and the Stamp i
Don't sinii in a hurry, whatever fuu du.
Or yoa II |^ to the Devil, tike Baron Fits-Hugh.
" D*I.T0(1."
FAMILY STORIES— No. VIII.
DR. INGOLDSBYS STOUY.
Tlie Lady Rohenia lay on her dentli-be<l I
So said the doctOFj — and doctor* are j(»nier«lly allowed to be judges
in Ihcae miUers ; besides. Doctor Butts wiia the Court Physician ;
be carried a cnitcli-handlcd staff, with its crasa of the blackest
ebony, — raixoN de p/«w /
" If there no hope, iloctflr ?" wud Beatrice Grey.
*• Is th*re no hope ?" wild Everard In^ohlsby.
" Is there no hope?" said Sir Guy de Xfontgomeri — He wu the
Lndi- Rohe«ia'H husband ; — he spoke the last.
Tne doctor nhook his bend : he looked at the disconsolate widower
■a puitt, then at the hour>glaR$; — its waning sand »eenied sadly to
shadow forth the sinking pulse nf his patient. Dr. Butts was a very
learned man. " Art limga, tUn brrrla!" said Doctor Butts.
" I nm very sorry to hear it." cpioih Sir Guy de Wonigomcri,
Sir Guy was a brave knight, mid a tall ; but he was no Scholar.
"Alas! my poor sister!" sighed lipgrjldsbv-
" Alaa ! my poor mistress !" sobbrd Beatrice.
Sir Guy neither sighed nor sobbed ; — his grief was too deep-seated
Ibr outward manifestation.
"And how long, doctor, — f" The afflicted husband could not
finish the sentence.
Doctor Butts withdrew his hand from the wriitt nfthc dying lady ;
be pointed to the horologe ; scurve !\ nuarter of its sand reiniuned in
the upper moiety. Agaiu he shook Iiifi head ; the eye of the pa-
tient waxed dimmer, the mttliiur in the lliruat increased.
" What *B become of Father Francis ?" — whim]>ered Beatrice.
"The last consolations of the church — " suggested ETCrard.
A darker sliade came over the brow of Sir Gay.
" Where is the Confessor ?" continued his grieving brother-in-law.
" In the niintry." cried Morion Hacket pertly, as she tripped
down stairs m &i>urch uf that veiicrut>le ecclcftiastic ; — " in the pantry,
ij warrant nic:." — The bower-wuman was not wont to be in the
wrong ; — in the pantry was the huty man discovered, — at bis de-
votions.
" Pax vohitcum I" said Father Francis, as he entered the chamber
of death.
" Fita brevir.'" retumet! Doctor Buttf : — he was not a man to be
browbeat out oT IiIk Lutin, — and by a paltry friar Minim, too. Had
H been a Bishop, indeed, — or even a mitreu Abbot ; — but a miserable
Franciscan!
" Bcnedicite !" said the friar.
*• Art toBga I" retortefl the leech.
Doctor Butts adjiit^ted the tassels of his falling band, drew his
abort sad-coloured clnak closer around him, and, grasping his cross-
flundled walking-staff, stalked majestically out of the apartmenL
— Father Francis hod the field to himself.
The worthy chaplain hastened to administer the last rite* of the
church. To all appearance he had little time to lose: as be con-
cluded, the disnisl toll of the Passing-Btll sounded from the bellVy
tower ; little Hubert, the bandy-legged .Sacristan, was pulHng v. im
all bis might — It was a capital contrivance that same Parsing- Bell:
96
FAMILY STORIES.
— which of the Urban* or InnociMits im-enteil it, is a query ; bul.
wboicvtT it was, he tlescrved well of his country and of Christcmlum.
Ah ! our nnceptors wpre not Biich ftwls. after lUI, as wc, their de-
generate children, conceit them to have heen. The Passing- Bell ! a
most salemn warning to imps of every descriptiou, i* not to be re-
garded witli im|niiiity : the most impudent SuccuOns o( them all dare
as well dip his cliiws iu holy waU'r as come within the verpe of itx
sound. OKI Nick hiniiscir, if he sets any value at all upon his t»il,
had best convey himself clean «iut of hearinir, and leave (tie way open
to Paradise. — Little Hubert continued pulling with all hi* might,
and St. Peter began to look out for a customer.
The knell seemed to have some effect t'v»;n upon the Lady Ro-
he«a : she raised her head "lightly ; iruirtictdate sonnds issued from
her lips, — inarticulate. Uiat is, to the profane eiirs of the laity. Those
of Father Francis indeed were sharper ; nnthinjj, aa he averred,
could be more distinct than the words " A thousand marks to tlie
priory of St. Mary Kouiicival." Now the Lady Kohesia Ingoldsbv
iiad brought her fmshand broad lands and large possessitms : mucn
of her ample dowry, loo, was at her own disposal, and nuncupative
wills had not yet been abolished by Act of Parliament.
"Pious sftii'l !" ejaculated Fatlier Francis. "AlhouMiid marks,
she said — "
" Ifahe did, I '11 be ahut !" aaid Sir Guy dc Montgomeri.
" — A ihousaiid marks r continued the confeusor, fixing Ins cold
grey eye upon tJie knight, as he went on, heedless of the interrup-
tion;— "ft thousand tuarks ! and as manyviicit and Valvrs ahalt be
duly said — as soon as the money is paid."
Sir Guy shrunk from the monk's giize ; he turned to the window,
and muttered to himself something that sounded like " Don't you
wish you may get it?"
• •••••
The bell continued to toll. Father Francis h.id <piitted the room,
Liking with him the remains of the huly oil he had been using for
Extreme Unction. Rverard Ingoldshy waited on him down stair*.
"A thousand thanks!" said the latter.
•■ A thousand marks !" said the friar.
" A thousand tlevtU I" growled Sir Guy <le Montgomeri from thic
top of the landing-place.
But his accenw fell unheeded : hifl brother-in-law and the friar
were gone; he was left alone with his departing lady .ind Beatrice
Grey.
Sir Guy de Montgomeri »lood pcnaivcly at the foot of the bed:
his anns were crossed upon his boi^nm, his chin was sunk upon his
breast ; his eyea were filled with tears : the dim rays of the fading
watch-light gave a darker shade to the furrows on hia brow, and
a brighter tint to the little bald patch on the top of his hcad.^for
Sic Uuy was a middle-aged gentleman, tall and iiortly withal, with
a slight bend in his shoulders, but that not much: his complexion
waa somewhat florid, i-»|)eciidly about the noee ; but hi.* lady wu
in ex/mnM, and at tldn )iurticiilur nKiment be was paler than usual.
"Bimbonie!" went the bell. — The knight groanud audibly ; Beatrice
Grey wiped her eye with her little square apron of Ince de Malines :
there was a moment's pause. — a moment ofinten&c affliction ; she let
it fall, — all but one corner, which remained between her finger and
thumb. — She looketl at Sir Guy ; drew the thumb and foreGnper of
I
I
I
I
J
PAMII-y STORIES.
W
t
hi
hcf other hand slowly nionc it* border, till they reached the oppo.
■ite extremity ^She sobbetl aloud: "So kind b laily I" said Beatrice
Grey. — "So encclleni a wife!" responded Sir fJuy. — "So^ood!"
««id the damsel. — "So dear!" said the kiiight. — "So pious!" said
ihe. — " So humble!" Raid he. — "So gomi to the poor'" — ^"So ca-
phal m manager !" — "So puiietual at matins!" — " Dinner dished to
a moment!" — "So devout !" said Bcutricc. — "So fond of me t" aaid
Sir Guy. — "And of Father Fraiicis !" — "Wliut liio devil do yoa
loean by that.*" wid Sir Guy de MontBomeri. • « •
The knijrht and the maiden had rutig their antiphonic chniif^es on the
6ne quftlitiev of the departing lady, lilt^ the Strophr and .iHlisiropfie
of a ureck play- The cardinal virtues once dioposed of, her minor
excellencies came under review : — She would drown a witcli, drink
lambawool at Christmas, hcf^ Dominie Dumpy's boya a h(>)irl;iy, and
dine upon sprats on Good Friday !^A low moan from the nidtjert
of these eulogies wouhl intunate that the enumeration of her good
decdj waa not altogether lost on her, — that the parting spirit felt
and rejoiced in the testimony.
" She waa too good for earth I" continued Sir Guy.
"Ye — Ye— Ve»!" sobbed Beatrice.
** I did not deticrvc her !" said the Knight.
" No-o-o-ti I" cried tlie damsel.
"Not but that I made her an excellent husband, and a kind;
but the it going, and — and — where, or when, or how — shall i get
aneh another t"
"Not in broad England, — not Jn the whole wide world 1" re-
sponded Beatrice Grey ; " that i«, not_/««/ *uch anotlier I" — Her voice
■till faltered, but her accents on the whole were mure articulate : she
dropped the corner of her apron, and had recourse to her handkerchief;
in fact, her eye* were petting red, — and so was the lip of her none.
Sir Guy wa» lilent ; he gaxed for a ffw moments steadfastly on the
fteeofliitf lady. The single word "Another!" fell from hia lips like a
diitani echo ; — it is not ot^en that the viewless nymph repeats more
thtn i« alxolutely necessary.
•• Bim ! borne!" went the beJl.^ Bandy- legged Hubert hail l>een
lalliDg for half an hour ; — he htgnn to grow tired, and Ht. Peter
" Mstrice Grey !" said Sir Guy de Montgomeri, " what 'A to be
dotw? what 'b to hccorae of Montsomeri Hall } — and the buttery. —
■Md the wrvanta f and what — what 's to become of me, Beatrice
GrcT ^'* — There was patlioa in hie tones ; and a solemn |uiu*e snc-
CMdid. " I 'II turn Jfouk myself.'" said Sir Guy.
" Monk !" said Beatrice.
" 1 11 be a Carthusian 1" repeated the knight, but in s tone leas
asiiiml : he relaptNHl into a reverie. — Shave his head ! — he did not
so nuch mind that. — he was getting rather bald already ; but, beans
for dtohrr, — and tho«« without butter, — and then a horse-hair shirt !
The knight seeme<I undecided: his eye roamed gloomily round
tlv apartment, paused upon different objects, but as if it saw them
not ; Kj sense waj shut, and there was no specubitioii in its glance :
h r««CAl at last unon the fair face of the sympathizing damsel at
hu fide, heautifii] m her grief.
Her tears had cyaseil ; but her eyes were cast down, and mwum-
Wly filed upon her delicate little foot, which was baating t*""
Jrt'il'it tattoo.
VOL. lit. X
96
FAMILY STORIES.
— whicS of tlie tTrbans or Innocents invcntod it, is a qiierj* ; liut,
whoever it was, he deserved well of hia country and of Cnnstendum.
Ah ! our Ancestors were not nucli fouls, after all, as we. their de-
generate children, conceit them to hiive been. The Passitig-Bi;ll .' a
most solemn warninp to imps of every descriptinn. is not to be re-
garded with ini|iiinity : the mtistiinpiulent Succiibux of them all dare
a.1 well dip his cluws in lioly water as come within the verfie of its
Buund- Old Nick himself, if he sets any value at all upon his tail,
had best convey liinitclf clean out of heartli):. iiiiil leave the way open
to Paradise. — Little IIubiTt continued ])ulUn{; with all liis might,
and St. Peter began to look out for a ciivtomer.
The knell seemed to have 8i>me effect even upon the Lady Ro-
hesta : kIic raided her head »>lightlv ; inarticulate soundtt issued from
her li|»», — iiiarticuliite, that is, to the profane earn of the laity. Those
of Father Frnncii* indeed were Bbarpcr ; nothing, as he averred,
could he more distinct than the words " A thousand marks to the
priory of St. Mary Houncival." Now the Lady Rohesia Ingoldsby
had brought her husband broad land* and large posae5«on« : much
of her ample dowry, too. was at her own di^poftal, and nuncupative
wills hnd not yet been abolished by Act of Parliament.
"Pious soul!" ejaculated Father Francis. "A thousand marks,
she said — "
" If she did, I 'II he shot !" said Sir Guy dc 3lDntgoineri.
" — A thousand marks !" continued the cuidessor, fixing hit cold
grey eye upon the knight, ua he went on, heedless of the interrup-
tion ; — "a thousand marks ! and as many Aves and Paters shall Iw
duly said — as Boon as the money is paid,"
Sir Guy shrank from the monk's gaze ; he turned to the window,
and muttered to himself gumclhing that founded like " Don't you
wish you may get it ?"
The bell continued to toll. Father Francis had quitted the room,
taking with him the reniiiins of the holy oil he had been using fitr
Estrcmc Unction. Everard Ingoldshy waited on lum down stairs.
"A thousand thanks 1" sitd the latter.
" A thousand marks!" said the friar.
" A thousand devils!" growled Sir Guy de Montgomeri from the
top of the landing-place.
But his accents fell unheeded : hia brother-in-law and the friar
were gone; he was left alone with his departing lady and Beatrice
Gre^.
Sir Guy dc Montgoracri sIimkI pensively at the foot of the bed:
his anux were croM&cd upon bis liosom, his chin was sunk upon his
brcRst; his eyes were filled with tears : the dim rays of the fading
watch-light gave a darker shade to the furrows on his brow, and
a brighter tint to the little bald patch on the top of his head, — for
Sir Guy was a middle-aged gentleman, tall and portly withal, with
a slight bend in his shoulders, but thai not much : h'i!> complexion
was somewhat florid, especially about the nose; but his lady was
m txtrrmia, and at this particular moment he was paler than usual.
"Bim home !" went the bell. — The knight groanccfaudibly : Beatrice
Grey wiped her eye with her little square apron of lace «le .^lulincs :
there was a moment's pause,- — a moment of intense affliction ; she let
it fall, — all hut one comer, which remained betwwn licr finger and
thumb.— She looked at Sir Guy ; drew the thumb and forefinper
4
I
anil J
I
p
I
I
PAHILY STORIES. 99
Doubtless the a(ln^ " Then ii idao; > slip
Twixi ibe cup and the lip,"
hstli ri-ference to mvtlicine. Sir Guy's Up was Again nil but in con-
jtinrtton with thjii uT liix hriiW elect-
It htii be«n hinted alrcaily that there vras a little round polished
patch on the suimnit of the knight's jKrkramum, from which hit
locks had gradually receded ; a sort of oo/r'j, — or rather a Mwii lilattc
in miniature^ rising above the highest point of wgetHtioii. It was
on thi» little »pot, undefended alike hy Art n\ii\ Xatiire, that at thi*
intcre*tini; inomettt a blow descended, nuch hh wo must borrow a
term from the Sister Island adequately (o describe, — it was a
•* HTiack r
Sir Guy surted upon hi) feet ; Beatrice Grey atarted upon hera ;
but a mnglc glnnce to the rear reverted her position, — she fell upon
her knees and screamed.
The Knight, too, wheeled about, and beheld a sight which mi^ht
have turned a bolder man to stone, — It was She .'—the all but defunct
Roliesia. — there she sat, bolt upright! Her cycjt no lunger i;laxcd
with the fitni of inipendin|; diii80iutiun, but Bcintilluting like Hint aud
steel ; while in her hand she gratped the bed'StaS',— a weajvon of
mtekle might, as her hu-tband's bl<wdy coxcomb could now well tes-
liiy. Worda were yet wanting;, for the ()iiin»ey, which her rage bad
broken, still impeded lier utterance ; but the&irengtli and rapidity of
her guttural uitonaliuti.v uu^iired well for iH;r future clotjuetice.
Kir Uuy de .Moiitgomeri stood for a while like a man dislr'Xueht;
tliiii resurrection — fur such it seemed — had quite overpoweretl him.
" A husband ot^iimes makes the bcht physician," says Uie proverb ;
fa« was a living person ifieation of it;* truth. Still it was whimpered
he had been content with Doctor Bmts, but his lady was restored
Ui bless him for many year?,^ — Heavens, what a life be led!
The Lady Kohesia mende<l space; her t|uin»cy was cured; the
bell wxN stopped, and Uttl« Hubert, tlie ^>ac^istan, kicked out of the
chapelry ; St. Feter opened bis wicket, and looked out, — There wu
Qobody there :^9o he Hung-to the gate in a passion, and went back
to his lodge, grumbling at being hoaxed by a runaway ring.
Vears roll^ on. — The improvement of Iwdj' Kohesia's temper did
not keep pace with that of her health ; ami, one fine morning. Sir
Guy de Slontgonieri wa* seen to enter the purlr eochi-rr of Durham
House, at that time the town residence of Sir Walter Raleigh. N»>
thing more was ever heard of him ; but a boat full of adventurers
WKi known to have dropped down with the tide that evening to
Difptford nope, where lay the good ship, the Darling, commnndeti by
Captain Keymis who sailed nest morning on the Virginia voyage.
A brass plate, some eighteen inches long, m.iy yet be feen in Dtn-
ton chancel, let into a broad slab of Ilethersden marble; it repre-
sents a lady kneeling, in her winipic am\ hood ; her hands arc clasped
in prayer> and beneath is an inscription in the characters of the age,
" ^tait for n* sotoU of »' IvitJiit Uontft,
SbD lor flflf C^rUttniotott*'!"
The date is illegible; but it ajtpears that she lived at least till
Klizabeth's time, and th.-it the disisoiution of monasteries had lo*t St.
Wary Uouncival her ihousaud marks. — As for Beatrice Grey, it is
well known that she was living in l.'iUlt, :tud then liad %-irginiiy
enough left to Iw a Maiil of Uonotir to " ignud Queen Ik-ss."
J
THE TEMPTATIONS OP ST. ANTHONY.
ILLVSTXATLD BT CEOIUlk CILII1K6HAIIX.
" Hi would ham pikMed & pleuftnt Ufe at iu Sn deipltc of the drvil uiil kU bu
worka, (f lus patli luitl iint ^M'■l crosMnl by a IwiiiK tlial OkiiK* mure iierpluit; Ui
norui] mail ihuii gtiostii, Kulilinn, and th» wbule nte of witcIiM |mt Wt;«thitr, ami
(hM WM— a wamui .' '^SkrtrliSvoi.
St. Axthoiit nt on « lo^ly iUkiI,
And a book woB in his haad ;
KcviT liik vyo fiotii lU pat(G be look,
EitliM u> fi^lit or left to look,
But yr'iih itU'iutfuii •oul, us was Ins rule.
Till) lidly page he MCAijiietL
** Wu Mill woo," said llie imp, " Sl Aalhunji'* ry«»
Off from bin liulj' buuk :
W«- will go (o hitn m11 ill itmngc 4l{9gtilM,
And ttoso him wiili Liu|;lilei, whoops, nod crtes,
Tliiit Iu; u|H}n v* rDajr louk.*'
Tliu Dvvit *>M in lh« beat humour thit thijr
That ever liit highnm was in :
And tlial't wliv he Mn( out liii inipM lo i>Uy,
And ha fuTnishud ilivm torclies Id li^bl tneir way,
Nor Hlititrd lliein inct'ii.si; to bum as the/ may,^
Siilphui, and [iIicK, and rostti.
So they cams \o the Saiiil iu a motley crew,
A l»cten)gcneou> rout:
Hian wete imps of every shape and hue.
And K>iii« looned black, aod tome lookt^l blue.
And ttii-jr pasird and vaiicd before the view.
And twitted ihetnselvfs ikbout :
And h^d the/ trulnbilM Ihos lo you,
I think you 'd have fell in ■ bit ofa sl«w,—
<. Ut so should myself, I doubL
There wne some witli fcalhiMi, and some with scnlt:*,
Aiid some with warly skins ;
Soma had not hc«ds, and some hud tails.
And some had claws like iron nailt ;
And somr had rx>nibs and bmks Lik« bmU,
And yet, like jays, could utter words ;
Aud •umc Itad ^Is and hos.
Soina rode an skeleton beasts, anayed
Id vEold and wlvel stuff,
With iich tiaras on the bead.
Like kini^ aud queens among the dud ;
While fucoaiid bridle-hand, diiplay'd,
111 hue and aubaiiuioe scrmed to cop«
Will] niaayots in a mieroacope,
Atid tlieir thin lint, as white as soap,
Wetw coldrr tiiaii cntiugh.
And sptdrn htfi (lou llie eetling hung,
From every creek and nook :
They had a cnfly, uKly Ruise,
And looked ai tlic Saint with thuir vinht eyei ; ,
And all Ihul iiialiL« could devise
or evil 10 the good and wise
Seened wcUing from ihcir look.
THE TSUPTATIONS OF ST. ANTiIO:<Y. lOl
B«ellct ;ii><J slow-worm* crawled aboni.
And toads did squat demure;
FnHO holes in tlw wtunscotm^ mice peeped out,
O a sljr old cat with bis whiskered niout ;
Asd roTiy-roels, a full spaa loog,
DaiKnl II) and out in an emtleM tllKiDg :
There ne'er bus beeii ttxa tuch extnvaipkDl r\wt
From that lime to this, 1 'm lure.
Uui the ^ood St. AntSony kept hia eyes
KiTcd on the holf book ; —
From it they did not aink nor rise ;
Nor sights oor laughter, shouts nor cheai
Could «in avtay bis U/ok.
A qoaiot imp sat in an earthen pot,
111 a l>i^-t><:lliiHl Kutlu-ii jjiit Hat be :
Tlirougb bolea in the bouom his le^ outsbot.
Anil liolas in lh« aida hi« arms bad got.
And lua bead cause out through the mouib, Cod wot f
A conical tight to tm.
Aod be drummed on his bdly so £ur and round,
Ob hb belljr to routd and foir ;
And h gave forth i niiiil>)iiii;, luin^lcd sound.
Twill a noAed bell and a srowltng hound,
A comical loaivd to bcai :
And be sal on the editv of a lable^deak,
Aad dratnaml it with bis beels ;
And b« looictd as sbange lod a« pictureaqu*
As the fiffuns we ice ta an aiabeMne,
Ilalf hidden m flvmnt, all puntw in Eres^ue,
In Golbio vaulted ceiU.
Tbett he whooped and bawed, aod winked and griuoed.
And hia e^ Mood out with gltie ;
And be tatd these words, and be sung l)ii» song,
Asd bit leg! and his arms, with tlieir duiihle prong,
Karoing lime with his tune aa it galloped aktiig,
StiUon the pot aod At tibk dinned
As birth to his song gave be.
** Old T0D7, mj hoy ! shut op joui book.
And kam 10 be men; and gay ■■
Ton ill bke a bu in bis oloinmd nook,
I jke a nwnd-^boutdcr'd foot of aa owl you look ;
But itnigbiai your faMk from its booby crook.
And oKWe sociable be, 1 piay.
" Lrt a* sea you fan^b, let «s hwr you sing i
TbhcaleawMt (name, old boy!
RcMsher thai lifc bv a Oeetiag wing.
AiA lk«n <«■•• Dcuh, that stem old king,
S* w* *d beocx Ottke sure of joy."
0«i dw aNd St. Anthony bent lits eyes
Una tba holy boofc:
Br hnni iImi lonf wid a bu^h oriw,
B«t h« bMw 4ai *• nwu had a naughty guu^,
Aad ht M MH ore 10 look.
lOfl THE TEMPTATIONS OP ST. ANTHONY,
Ario((>er imp came in a ni&fquerade,
Most like to n monk's a,ttirc :
But of livjng bats his cowl was tntide.
Their winf^s slilchH together with spid» ihreai);
Aiitl Tuuud and uttout Inni they fluricrtxi atid played ;
Aud his eyes shot out from their mtsty shade
Lung parallel bars of lira.
And lii» loose t«eth chattered like clanking boaSi
When the gibbet-trcc sways in the blast :
Aiid with suritUuu; ilifikui, and siill«d ^ruans,
He mocVed the good SI. Anthouy's Iohm
Aji Iiq tiiultcrcd liii pruyui full iatL
A rus^iry uf bends was l>iiiiu; by li<$ vidt^,—
Oh, uaurit-laukiiL^ beads were lliey !
And still, wh€u the good Saint dropped A beadj
lie (Iruji)ied a litolh, and he took guod heed
To rattle his string, and tliu lonta replied,
Like m nitlle-siiitke'.t tid at |)lti)*.
But tlie fpod St. Aniliony bent his eyes
Upon the holy book ;
n« h«at(l ll);it mock of (;Toan5 and sifchi.
And he knew ihm the tbiiist had as vril gutw.
And hf did nut dure lu luttk.
Anotlir^r imp came with a irmupet- snout,
llial was niDUlh and nose in one :
It bad KlopR like a flute, as you nerer may doubt,
Where his long lean finders cBpered about,
As he twm^ted hU nanul roeloaies out,
Id quaver, and shake, and run.
And his head moreid forward and backward still
On iiiii lonif and sn^ky n«ck ;
As he bent his ener^es all to fill
rii« iintey tube with wind and xkill,
And hf ifteeied liLi oe raves out, until
'Twas well-nigh ii-ady to brrak.
And close to Si. Anthun y's ear be came,
And piped bi» iiiusit: In :
And the shrill suuiid went through ihet^ood Suiiil'i rrsims,
Willi a Rinart and a siinf;, like u shred of flanie^
Ut A be« in llie ear, — which is much th« sRiue,^
And he shivered with the din.
Uut the ffood St. Anthony beiil his cyot
LI poH the holy bouk ;
He livanl that ^nuui with its ^inlet cries,
And lit? kitew that the imp bad an evil guis^.
And he did not dare id look.
A thirg with homy eyes was there.
With horny eyti like the dead :
And Its long shaqi notv was all of bom,
And its bony eliceks of Itekh were shorn,
And iis ears were like thin coses torn
From feel of kine, nnd its jaws were ban: ;
And bah-bou«s ercw, iiutMd of bur,
Upon its skinless bend.
THE TEMPTATIONS OF ST. ANTHONY. 103
Iti body wu of thlo btrdy bones.
Bound round with a pnrchment ikin ;
And, ithen 'iwas struck, the hollow tones
That circled round like dnim-dull groans,
Bespoke a void witliia.
Its arm was like a peacock's leg.
And the claws were like a bird's :
But the creep that went, like a blast of plague.
To loose the live flesh irom the bones,
And wake the good Saint's inward groans.
As it clawed his cheek, and pulled his hair.
And pressed on his eyes io tneir beating lair.
Cannot be told in words.
But the good St. Anthony kept his eyes
Still on the holy book ;
He felt the clam on his brow arise,
And he knew that the thing had a horrid guise.
And he did not dare to look.
An imp came then like a skeleton form
Out of a chunel vault :
Some clindngs of meat had been left by the worm.
Some tendons and strings on bin 1^ and arm.
And his jaws with gristle were black and deform.
But his teeth were as white as solL
And he grinned full many a lifeless grin,
And he rattled his bony tail ;
His skull was decked with gill and fin,
And a spike of bone was on his chin.
And his bat-like ears were targe and thin,
And his eyes were the eyes of a snail.
He took his stand at the good Saint's back,
And on tip'toe stood a space :
Forward he bent, all rotten-black,
And he sunk a^in on his heel, good lack I
And the good Saint uttered some ghostly groans.
For the head was caged in the gaunt rib-bones, —
A horrible embrace !
Aiu] the skull hung o'er with an elvish pry.
And cocked down its iDdian^rubber eye
To gaze upon his face.
Yet the good St. Anthony sunk his eyes
Deep in the holy book :
He felt the bones, and so was wise
To know that the tiling had a ghastly guise,
And he did not dare to look.
Last came an imp, — how unlike the rest 1 —
A beautiful female form :
And her voice was like music, that steep-oppress'd
Sinks on some cradling zephyr's breast ;
And whilst with a whisper his cheek she press'd.
Her cheek felt soft and warm.
When over his shoulder she bent the light
(>f her soft eyes on to bis page.
It came like a moonbeam silver bright.
And relieved him then with a mild delight,
For the yellow lamp-lustre scorched his sight.
That was weak with the mists of age.
YEAR.
Her ! Uie f^oorl St. Anthony Ito^led his e]rcs
Ovft tlic linlj! book :
IIo ho ! At the comers ihey '^n to me,
For he kntw that ih« thing hail n \ove\j guise,
And he could doI clioo^e but look.
Tlier« sre many devils thai walk OiU worlO, —
Devils Urf!«, and d«Tils small ;
DcriU so meagre, and d«vili so «t0ut ;
Dm]« with horna, and devils vrithout;
^ly devd« that (;o with iheir taib upciirled,
Dold devils Ihflt carry them quite unfurled ;
Meek devil*, nnd devili iliat hny\ ;
Serious d«vils, and liui;hinj; devils ;
Itniis for churches, and iin[»t« for nrcU ;
Devils ufteouth, and devili poliu ;
Devil* b|[Kl,ui(l dcvili wtjito;
Devils foolish, and devilii wise ;
Uul a Iiiui£)uiT)i wainan, with two bright eytt.
Is the woT&eal devil of all.
T.H.S.
THE NEW YEAR.
Lintt on Ceorgt CridhkaMk't Ilhutratton ofJimuary, in the Ctmic Almmnick
far 1838*.
»r TBS AUTHOR OP " HRA0LOMO BALL."
A ORr.tT philosopher an thoii,Geoise Cruilisluink,
In ihy iininatcli«d groieiquvneff 1 Antic dance,
WiEie, mirth, and miinn, wetKime thy New Ywr,
Who make* Iht t-iiiry ;i« a mliant child.
With smiling fiice, in holiday apparel,
Hearing a romurjnpiK, crowned >nd clustered
With all ihc elemetils of Testnl joy :
All smiles »nd |itonii«c«- Bui looking closet;
Upon that smiling face, 'tis but a tmuk ;
Fitted Ru well, It almost seems a facv ;
Dut mil a mask. What features lurk beneath,
The rolling months will show. Thy ULd Year ptuan. —
Dwic«d nut in morkery by the ft-nive band, —
A tided form, with thin and pallid face.
In spectral weeds ; her maik u^ioq the ground,
ller Aioahha-a's tiom ^e^'e^sed| and emptird
Of all Rood thiiiii^, — not even hope remain iiii(.
Such will the N<jw Ye&i be: thai smiling; mask
Will fdill ; to some how soon : to many later ;
At last to all I The itarae transparent shade
OfwHied means and broken [>roim*M
Win nuikc its exit : and ;uiat)ier Year
Will enter masked and smilini;, and be welruinni
With rainMnliy aud rorclry, as Uin is.
105
OLIVER TWIST;
0R» TUE PAHISH BOV's PltUOBBSS.
BY BOZ.
ILLtlSTHATBD BY CEOItGE CHCIKSHAXK.
BOOK THK SKCOVD.
CIIAPTKR THE FIBSr*
WBICn VOKTAISS T«C SUBSTAlirt QT A PLCASAHT COMTKSSATIOlt atTIVKIH
ME. BVUKLK tua A [.<l>v; AND KNOW* THAT EVKK A BSADLK MAT BK
StrfiCBPTI BLK OR SOME POINTS.
Thk night was bitter cold ; the snow lay upon the groiinfl
frozen into u hard thick crust, so that onl_v the lieapit that had
drined into by-wavs and corners were afiVcted by the sharp
wind that howled abroad, wbicb, as if expending increased fury
on such prey as it found, otiught it savagely up in ctouils, and,
wbirbng it into a thousand misty eddies, scattered it in air.
Bleak, dark, and piercin;; cold, it was a night for the well-housed
■nd fed to draw round the bright fire, and thank God they were
at hom« ; and for the homeless starving wretch to lay him down
and die. Many hunger-worn outcasts close their eyes in our
bare -strccK at such times who, let their crimes have been what
iliey may, can hiirdly open them in a tnore bitter world.
JSuch was the aspect of out-of-door affairs when Mrs. Comey,
the ruatrun of the workhouse to which our readers have been
already introduced as the birth-place of Oliver Twist, set herself
down before a cheerful fire in her own little room, and glanced
with no small dfgrce of complacency at a small round table, on
wtiich stood a tray of corresponding size, furni»Iicd with all
Decesury materiul.s fitr the most grateful nifal lliut matrons
mjoy. In fact, Mrs. Corney was about to solace herself with a
eup of tea: and as she glanced from the table to the tireplacci
where the smallest of all |K>&sil)Ie kettles was (dinging a nma\l
long in B small voice, her inward satisfaction evidently in-
rreaaed, — so much so, indeed, that M r». (.'■orney smiled.
*' Well," said the matron, leaning her elbow on the table, and
looking reflectively at the fire, " I 'm sure we have all on us a
^TCBi deal to be grateful for — a great deal, if we did but know
It. Ah t"
lAn. Comey shook her head mournfully, as if deploring the
mental blindne^ u( paupers who did not know it, and, thrusting
4 silver npnon (private property) into the inmost rvccsbes of «
l«o.4iunoc tin tea-caddvi proceeded to make the lea.
Mow slight a thing will diHlurb the equanimity of our frail
minds ! The black teapot, being very small and easily filled,
na over while Mrs. Comey was moralizing, and the water
■tigfally scalded Mrs. Corney s hand.
vou III. 1
lOG
OLIVER TWIST,
" Drat tlie pot T mM the wortliy matmn, Ktting it down
very hastily on the hob ; " a little stupid thing, that only holds
a umple of cups ! What use is it of to aiiybocly P — except,"
said Mrs. Corney pausing, — '* except to a [lour detiolate creature
like me. Oh dear !" m
With these words the matron dropped into her chair, and, V
once mnre resting her elbow on the luble, thought of her solitary
fate. The small teapot and the single cup hwi awakened in her,j
mind sad recollections of Mr. Cornev, (who had not been dead]
more than five-and-twenty years,) and she was overpowered.
*' I shall never get another !" said Mrs. Corney pettishly, "
shall never get another — like him I**
Whether this remark bore reference to the hufrbaod or the'
teapot is uncertain. It might have been the latter; for Mrs.
Corney looked at it a« she spoke, and took it up afterwards.
She hud jui^t tasted her first cup, when she wa.t disturbed by a
soft tap at the room door.
" Oh, come in with you !"" said Mrs. Corney sharply. •* Some)
of the old women dying, I wupjxise; — they always die when
I 'm at meals. Don't stand there, letting llie cold air in, donH!
What *» amiss now, eh ?"
" Nothing, ma'am, nothing,* replied a man's voice.
" Dear inc t" exclaimed the matron itt a much sweeter toneyj
" is that Mr. Bumble?"
"At your service, ma'am," »aid Mr. Bumble, who had been
stopping outpidc lo rub his^ shtH'.'i clean, and shake the snow off
his coat, and who now made bia appearance, bearing the cocked-
hat in one hand and a bundle in the other. " ijball 1 shut ttu
door, ma'am ?^
The lady modestly hesitated to reply, Ie«t there should be ani
impropriety in holding an interview with Mr. Bumble witl
closed doors. Mr. Uumble, taking advantage of the hcititulion,
and being very cold himself, shut it without farther permission.
*' Hard weather, Mr. Bumble," said the matron.
" Hard, indeed, ma'am," replied the beadle. " Anti-porochial
■weatbci" this, ma'am. We have given away, Mrs. Corney, — we
have given away a matter of twenty quartern lottve«, and a
cbcctic and a huf, this very blessed afternoon ; and yet them
paupers are not otntenled."
"Of eourse not. When would ihey be, Mr. Bumble?" said
the matron, sipping her tea.
"When, indeed, ma'am!" rejoined Mr. Bumble. "Why,
here's one man that, in consicferation of his wife and large
family, baii a quarteni loaf and a good pound of cheese, full
weight. Is he grateful, niu'am, — is he grateful ? Not a copper
farlTiing'a worth of it ! What does he do, ma'am, but aak for a
few coals, if it 's only a puckvt- band kerchief full, he says I
Coats f — what would be do with coals .^ — Toast his cheese with
'em, and then come Iwck for more. Tliat 's tho way with these
OLIVtR TWIST.
107
»
people, ma'am ; — fpve 'em a apron full of coaU It^^clay, and
they 'II come back for another the day after to-morruw, as brazen
at alabaster !""
The matron cxpros^od her entire concurrence in this intelli-
gible simile, and tlie beadlt- went on.
*' 1 never," wiid Mr. Bumble, " sl-c anything like the pitch
it's got to. The day afore yesterday, o man — you have been a
married woman, lua'ani, and I may mention it to you — a maD,
with hardly a raj; upon Ids back, (here Mrti. Corney looked at
the flaor,) goes to our overseer's door when he has got com-
pany coming to dinner, and says he must be relieved, Mrs.
Corney. As he wouldn't go awayi and shocked the cunipanv very
much, our overseer acnl him out a pound of potatoes and half
a pint of oatmeal. * My God !' says the unyrateful villain,
* what '■ the use of this to me ? You might as well jiive me a
pur of iron spectacles.^ — * Very good,' says our overseer, taking
em away again, * you won't get anything else here.' — ' Then
I 'U die in the streets !* oays the vagrant. — ' Oh no, you wo'nt/
lays our overseer."
'* Ha! ha! — that was very gciod ! — so like Mr. Grannct,
wasn't it r" inleqjosed the matron. ** Well, Mr. Bumble ?"
** Well, ma'am," reioiued the beadle, " he went away, and did
die in the streets. There 'it a obstinate pauper for you !"
" It beats anything 1 could hiive believed !" observed the
tutron emphatit^lly. '* But don't you think oul-of-dour relief
a very \>3n\ thing any way, Mr. Bumble ? You 're a gentleman
of experience, and ought (o know. Come."
** Mrs. Corney," said the beadle, smiling as men smile who
■re conscious of superior information, ** out-of-door relief, pro-
perly managed, — properly managed, ma'am, — is the porochiol
aaCp-gaord. The great principle uf out-of-door relief ir to give
tbe paopers exactly what they don't want, and then they get
tirw of cumiug.^
** Dear uic !" exclaimed Mrs. Corney. " Well, that is a gooil
one, too!"
** Ye*. Betwixt you and me, ma'am," returned Mr- Bumble,
" thai 'ft the great principle ; and tliat 's the reaM>n why, if you
look at nnv CAses that get into them nwdacious newsp,iper8,
you'll always observe that sick families havi- Irvh relieved with
tbon of cheese. That's the rule now, Mr::. Coniey, all over
the eouotrv. — But, however," luiid the )K-aille, simiping to un-
pack his bundle, " these are official secrets, ma'am ; not to be
■pokni of except, as 1 may say, among the poroehial ollicers
■ueh OS ourselveH. This is the )K>rt wine, ma'am, that the board
ofilered for the infirmary, — real fres.h, genuine port wine, only
out of the cask this afternoon,— clear as a bell, and uo scdl-
oinil,"
Having held the first bottle up to the light, and shaken it
*tll to teat Its excellence, Mr. Bumble placed them both on the
1 3
lOff
ULIVK&. TWIST.
top of a chest of drawers, folded the handkerchtcF in which they
had bcea wrappcti, put it carefully in his pocket, am) took up
his hat OS if to gn.
*' You '11 have a very cold walk, Mr. Bumble " s&id the
matron.
'* It hlowH, ma'am/' replied Mr. Bumble, ttiniing up his coaU
collnr, " enough to cut one's ears off."
The matron looked from the little kettle to the beadle, who
was moving towards the door ; and as the beadle coughed, pre-
paratory to bidding her good-niglil, bashfully inquired whether
— whether he wuuMii't take a cup of tea ?
Mr. Biituble iiistantaiieuusly turned back his collar ar^in,
laid his hat and ^tu-k umu a ciiair, and drew another chair
up to the table. As he slowly seated liiinsctf, he looked at the
lady: ihe fixed her eyes upon llie little teapot. Mr. Bumble
coughed again, and slightly smiled.
Mrs. Corney nisc to get another cup and saucer from the
closet. As hhe »at down, lier eyes once again encountered those
of tlie gallant beadle ; ithe coloured, and unpliL'd her/«elf to the
task of making his lea- Again Mr. Burable coughetl, — louder
xhh time than he had coughed yet.
*' Sweet, Mr. Bunible r" inquired the matron, taking up the
sugar- basin.
" Very sweet, indeed, ma'am," replied Mr. Bumble. Ilefixed
his eyes on Mta. (!'orney as lie said this; and, if ever a beadle
looked tender, Mr. Bumbli- iras that beadle at that moment.
Tlie tea wa» uaade, and hauded in silence. Mr. Bumhie,
having spread a handkerchief over his knees to prevent the
crumbs fraiu sullying the splendour of his shorts, began to eat
and drink, varying the«' amusement* occasionally by fetching a
deep sigh, which, however, had no injurjuus cfrcrl upon ht.s ap-
petite, but, on the contrary, rather seemed to fAcilitatc hia ope-
rations in the tea and toast di-pariment.
" You have a cat, mu'aui, 1 see," said Mr. Bumble, glancing
at one, who in the centre of her family was haaking before the
fire ; " and kittens too, I declare I"
" 1 ara so foud of them, Mr. Bumble, you can't think," re-
plied the matron. "They're so happy, jo frolicsome, and so
the«?rful, that they are quite companions for me."
'* Very nict; animals, ma'am,** replied Mr. Bumble approv-
ingly ; " »o very domestic."
" Oh, jea !" rejoinc<i the matron with enthusiasm ; " bo fond
of their home too, that it 's quite a pleasure, 1 'm sure."
'* Mrs. Corney, ma'am,'' feaid Mr. Bumble clowly, and mark-
ing the time with his teaspoon, " I mean to say this, ma'am, that
any cat or kitten that could live with you, ma'am, and not be
fuud of its home, must be an at*, ma^am."
" Oh, Mr. Bumble!" remonstrated Mra. Corney.
" It's no use disguising factti, ma'am," said Mr. Bumble,
OLIVER TWIST.
109
tlovrly flourt»hin<!; the (easpoon with a kind of amorous dimity
that made him doubly ioipressive; " 1 would drown it myself
with plcaaure."
** Then you 're a cruel man," said the matron vivaciously, as
she held out her hand for the beadle's cup, *' and a very hard.
bearled man besides."
•' Hiinl-hrarted, ina'am !" said Mr. Bumble, " hard !"" Mr.
Bumble resigned liis cup without another word, squeezed Mrs.
Comey'a little finger as she took it, and inflicting two open-
baadetl slajKi upon his laivd wm.sluoat, guve a mighty nigh, and
hitched his chair a very little morstd farther from the fire.
It was a round tabic; and as Mrs. Curney and Mr. Bumble
had been sitting umio^ilc each uther, with no great space be-
tween them, and fronting the fire, it will bo seen that Mr.
Bumble, in receding from the fire, and flill kft-ping at the table,
iDcreascd the dittance between himself and Mrs, Corney ; which
proceeding some prudent readers will doubtless be disposed to
admire, and to consider an act of great heroism on Mr. Bumble's
part, he being in some sort tempted by time, place, and oppor-
tunity to give utterance to certam soft nothings, which, however
well they may Wcome the lips of the light and thoughtless do
•eem immeasurably beneath the dignity of judges of the land,
Diembers of parliament, ministeni of ntale, lord-mavorA, and
other great public functionaries, but more particularfy beneath
the rtatcliness and gravity of a beadle, who (as is well known)
should be the sternest and mn^t inflexible among them all.
Whatever were Mr. Bumble's intentions, however, — and no
dnubt ihey were of the best, — whatever they were, it unfortu-
luitely happened, an has been twice before remarked, that the
table wait a round one; con»e(|uently Mr. Bumble, moving bin
ciMxr by little and little, luxin begau to dimiuish the distance
bctwcvn himself and tlie niatmn, and, continuing to travel mnud
ihe outer c<lge of the circle, brought his chair in time close to
that in urliii;h the uuitrou was seated. Indeed, the two chairs
touched: and, when thev did so, Mr. Bumble stopped.
Now, if the matron liad moved her chair to the right, Hhe
would Iiave been »corche<l by the fire, and if to the left, she
cntut have fallen into Mr. Bumble's arms ; so (being a discreet
malniti, and mi duiibt furesecing I hese conset]uences at a glatice.)
khc remained where she was, and handed Kir. Bumble another
cup of tea.
" Hnrd-hearte<l, Mrs. Corney .*" Bsid Mr, Bumble, stirring
hid lea, and luokiiig up into the matron's face ; *' ore i/ou bard-
faearti-d, Mr*. Cornev ^
•* Dear me !" e.\clttimed the matron, " what a very curious
que«tiou from a single man ! What can you want to know for,
Mr. BumbWr
I'lu* beadle drank his tea to the la&t drop, finiiihcd a piece of
toa**, whisk^Hl the crumbs off his knees, wiped his lips, and dcli-
facratoljr kiued the matron.
no
OLIVER TWIST.
*' Mr. Bumble," criod that discreet lady in a whisper, for ilit*
fti^lit was »o preat that she had quite lost her voice, " Mr.
Bumble, I shall scream !" Mr. Bumble made no reply, hut in
a slow and dignified manner put his arm round the matron's
waist.
As the lady had stated her intention of screaming, of course
she would have screamed at this additional boldneM, but that
the exertion was rendered unnecessary hy a hasty knocking at
the door, whieli was no sooner heard than Mr. Bumble darted
with much agility to the wine-bottlcR, and began dusting them
with creat violence, while the matron 6har|)ly demanded who
was there. It is worthv of remark, as a eurioufi physical in-
stance of the efficacy of a sudden surprise in counteracting the
eftects of extreme fear, that her voice bad quite recovered ah ita
official asjwrity.
" If you please, mistrcM," said a withered old female pauper,
hideously ugly, putting her head in at (he door, ^* old Sally is
a-guing fast.
" Well, what's that to me?** angrily demanded the matron.
" I can't keep her alive, can I ?"
" No, no, mistress," replied the old woman, raising her hand,
" nobody can ; she 's far ueyond the reach of help. I 've seen
a many people die, little babes and great strong men, and [
know when death 's a-coniing well enough. But she 's troubled
in her mind ; and when the fits are not on her, — nnd lliat 's not
often, for she is dying very bard, — she savs she lias got some-
thing to tell which you must hear. She'll never die quiet till
you come, mistress,"
At this intelligence the worthy Mrs. Comey muttered a va-
riety of invectives against old women who couldn't even die
without purposely annoying their betters; and, muffling herself
in a thick shawl which she hastily caught up, bneflv re<)uested
Mr. Bumble to stoj) till ^hc came back* lest anything particular
should occur, and bidding the messenger walk fubl, and nut he
all night hobbling up the stairs, followed her from the rcmm
with a very ill grace, sculdiug all the way.
Mr. Bumble's conduct, tn\ being left to himself, was rather
inexplicable. He opened the elo8i?t, counted the teafrpoons,
weighed the tsugar-tongs, closely iuapi-ctcd a silver niilk-p«t to
ascertain that it was of the genuine metal ; and, having satisfied
his curiosity upon these points, put on his cocked-hat corner-
wise, and danced witli much gravity four distinct times round
the table. Having gone through this very extraordinarj' |wt-
formance, he took ott' the cocked-hat again, and, spreading hini-
Kelf befor*' the fire with his bark towards it, wemed to Iw men-
tally engaged in taking an exact inventory of the furniture.
OLIVER TWIST.
Ul
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CHAPTER THB SECOND
TKS&TS Ojr A TKSV POOK SUBJLCT, BVT IS A (HOKT OKI, A»P UA1 BS
nvvo or iifPOHTnKCE iw this bistorv.
It waa nu iinfil messenger of death that had disturbed the
(juiet of the matron's room. Her body was bwit b^ age, her
hmbs trembled wiili pal&y, and her face, distorted into a mum-
bling leer, resembled more ihe grotesque shaping of Bome wild
pencil than the work of Nature's hand.
AU<i f how few of Nature's faces there are to gladden ua with
their licauty f The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings of the
world change them as thev cliange hearts, and it is only when
Ibosf passions f.U-f|i, ami \mvv lust tlieir hold for ever, iJiat the
troubled clouds pass oil', and leave heaven's surface clear. It is
a common tiling for the countenances of the dead, even in that
fikfd and rigid state, to bubhide into the long-forgutien cxpres-
■toD of sleeping infancy) and settle into the very look of early
hfe; M> calm, so peaceful do tbey grow again, that tho^e who
knew them in their happy childhuoJ kneel by tlic coffin's stdo
in awe, and see the ungcl even upon earth.
The old crone tottered along the passages and up the stairs,
muttering sonic indistinct answers to the chidiugs of her com-
panion ; and, being at length compelled to pause for breath, gave
the light into her hand, and ren)ain<.'d beliind to follow as she
iB^ht, while the more nimble superior made her way to the
room where the sick woman lay.
It was a bare garret-room, with a dim light burning at the
farther end. There was another old woman watching by the
bed, and the parish apothecary's apprentice was standing by the
fire, making a toothpick out of a quill.
" Cold night, Mrs. Corney," said this young gentletnao as
the matron entered.
" Very cold indeed, air," replied the mistress in her most civil
tones, and dropping a curtsey a& »\iv spoke.
** You should get better coaU out uf your cuntroctors," said
the apothecary's deputy, breaking a lump on the top of the Hre
with the rusty poker ; " tliew are not at all the sort of thing for
a Qtld ni^ht."
" They 're the board's choosing, sir," returned the matron.
'• The le'a^t they could do would be to keep ua pretty warin>
for our places arc hard enough."
The cooversaiion was here interrupted by a moan from the
woman.
Oh !" said the ynitng man, turning his face towards the
, as if hf had previously quite forgotten the |>atienl, " it's
all L'. P. there, Mrs. Curacy."
" It is, is it, sir.'" asked the matron.
^ If she lasts a couple of hours, 1 shall be surprised," said the
apodiocary's apprentice, intent upon the toothpick's point.
U2
QLlVEK TWIST.
** It's a break-up of ihc Bytletn altogether. Is she dozing, old
ladv?"
i'ho ntifiitlaiit stooped over the bed to ascertain, and nodded
in the atKrnintive.
" Then perhaps she'll gooffin that wAy, if you don't make a
row,"' said the young man. " Put the light on the floor, — she
won*t f4s; it there."
The atti^iidaot did as the was bidden, tiHaltinjr her hend mean-
while to intimate that the woman would not die i-o easily : and,
having; Hone so, resumed her seat by the Mde of the other nurse,
who had by this time returned. The niislreM, with an exprc*-
Bion of impatience, wrapped herself in her &hawl, and sat at the
foot of the bet].
The apothecary's apprentice, havinjj completed the manufac-
ture of the toothpick, planted himself in front of the 6re, and
made good use of it for ten minutes or so, when, apiHircnily
growinjr rfllher dull, he wished Mrs. Corncy joy of her job, and
took himself tifl" on tiptoe.
When they had sat in silence for some tin»e, the two old wo-
mpn rose from the lied, and, crouchin;L' over the fire, held rut
their withered hands to cntch the heal- The flame threw a
ghastly light on their shrivelled faces, and made their ugliness
appear perfectly terrible, as in this position ihey began to con-
verse in a low voice.
" Did she say any more, Anny dear, while I was gone ?" in-
quired the messenger.
" Not a word," replied the other. " She plucked and tore at
her arms for a Irltlc lime; but I held her hands, and she'sonn
dropped off. She hasn*t much strength in her, so 1 easily kept
her quiet. I ain't so weak for an old woman, altliouj;li 1 am on
parish allowance ; — no, no.^
** Did she drink the hot wine the doctor said she was to
have?" demanded the first.
" I tried lo get it down,'* rejoined the other : " but her teeth
were light set, and she clenched the mug so hard, ihat it was as
much as I could do to get ii back again. So /drank it, and
it did me good."*
Looking cautiously round to ascertain that they were not
overheard, the two hags cowered nearer to thefirv, and chuckled
heartily.
*' 1 mind the time," said the first speaker, " when she would
hare done the same, and made rare fun of it afterwards.**
*• Ay, that she woultl,'* rejoined the other ; " she bad a merry
heart. A many, many beautiful corpses she laid out. as nice
and neat as wax-work. My ohl eyes have seen thent.— ay, and
tticM- old hands touched them tix> ; for 1 have liel)K.-d lier scores
^f time*."
tilretehing fortli her trembling fingers as she spoke, the old
CIIVUlMre thouk them exultingly before her face ; and then, fuui-
I
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OLIVER TWIST.
113
bling in her pocket, brought out an old timcrdiscoloured tin siiufT-
box, from which she shook a few grains into the outstretched
palm of her ronipaninn, nnd a few more into hrr own. M'hile
they were thus employed, the matron, who had been impaliently
watching; until the dying woman sbiuhi awakt-n from her stupor,
joinetl them by the fire, and sharply a^kcd how long she was to
wait.
" Not Inngi mistrese," rq>licd the second woman, Itmking up
into her face. " Wc have none of us long to wait for Death.
Patience, patieoce ! he'll be liere soon enough for u» all."
" Hold your tongue, you doling idiot !" said ihe matron
stemlr. " Vou, Martha, tell me; has she been in this way
before P"
*' Ofien," answered the first woman.
*' But will never be again," added the second one ; " that is,
shell never wake again but once,— ^nd mind, mi&tress, that
won-t be for long."
** Long or short," said the matron snappishly, ** she won't
find me here when she doe*;, and lake care, both of you, how
you woriy me again for nothing. It's no part of mv duty to
•ee ail the old women in the house die, and I wont, — that's
more. Mind that, you impudent old harridans I If you make
a fool of me again, 1 *11 soon cure you, I warrant you !**
Hhe was Ikiuncing away, when a cry from the two women,
who hod lumcd towardi^ the bc<l, caused her to look round.
The tick woman hud raisc-d herself upright, and was stretching
her arms towards them.
•* Who's that ?'* she cried in a hollow voice.
** Hush, hush I** said one of the women stooping over her,-^
** lie down, lie down !"
" I '11 never lie down again alive .'" said the woman struggling.
** 1 will tell her ! Come here— nearer. Let me whisper in your
ear."
She dutched the matron by the arm, and forcing her into a
chair by the bed«de was about to tipeak, when, looking round,
ibe caught sight of the two old women bending forward in the
attitude of eager lislcnerii.
** Turn them away," said the woman drowsily ; *" make haste
— make haste !"
The two old crones, chiming in togt-iher, hi-gan pouring out
many piteous lamentations that the poor dear wait t<K> far gone
to know her best friends, and uttering sundry protestations that
they would never leave her, when the superior pushed them
from the room, closed the door, and returned to the lM>di>ide.
On bemg excluded, the ohi la<He« changt-d (heir tone, und cried
tbrougli the keyhole that old Sally was drunk ; which, indeed,
vmsnot unlikely, since, in luldilion Ion ninilcrnte dose of 0|Uum
pre*cribed by the apothecary, Jilu- was labouring under the
riTectJ of a 6nal taste of gin and water, which had been privily
114
OLIVER TWIST.
administered in the openness of tbeir hearts by the worthy old
ladies theninelvea.
" Now Hslen to me !" tuud the dying woman aloud» as if
making a great effort to reviveone latent spark of t-ncrgy. *' In
(liis very riKini — in lliis very lied — ! once unrsed a pretty youn^
ercemr', that was brought into the house with her feet cut and
bruised with wallcing, and all soiled with dust and blond. She
gave birlh to a boy, and dii>d. Let nic think — What was the
year again ?"
" Never mind the year," ii&id the impatient auditor ; ** what
about her ?"
*' Ay," murmured the sick woman, relapsing into her former
drowsy stale, '* what about her ? — what about — 1 know !" she
cried, jumping fiercely up, her face flushed, and her eye« »lart-
ing frtmi her head, — " I robhed her, so I did ! She wasn't cold
■ — I tell you she wasn't cold when I stole it .'"
•' Stole what, for God's sake?" cried the matron, with a ges-
ture as if she would call for help.
•' if/"- — replied the woman, laving lier hand over the other's
mouth, — " the only thing she bad ! Siie wanted clothes to
keep her wanii, and food to eat ; but she had kept it safe, and
bod it in her bosom. It was gold, I tell you ! — rich gold, that
might have saved iier life !"
" Gold !" echoed the matron, bending i-agerly over the woman
as she fell back. *' Go on, go on — yes — what of it ? Wlw was
the molhi-'r ? — when was it .*"
" She charged me to keep it safe," replied the woman with a
groan, '* and trusted me as the only woman about her I stole
it in my heart when she first showed it me hanging round lier
neck ; and the child'B death, perhaps, is on me iM'sides ! They
would have treated him hotter if ihey had known it all P
" Known what r" asked the other. " Speak !"
" The boy grew so like his mother," said the woman, ram-
bling on and rot heeding the question, *' that I could never for-
get It when 1 saw his face. Poor girl .' poor girl ! — she was bo
young, too f — such a gentle lamb ! — Wail ; there '» more to tell.
1 have not told yon ail, have 1 ?"
*' No, no," replied the matron, inclining her head to catch
th^ words as they come more faintly from the dying woman. —
" Be quick, or it may be too late."
" The mother," said the woman, making a more violent cfTort
than before, — ** the mother, when the |iaiiiH of dealh tirst came
upon her, whispered in my ear, that if her baby was born alive,
and thriva^d, the day might come when it would not feel disgraced
to hear its poor young mother named. * And oli, my God !' she
eaid, folding her thin hands together, ' whether it be boy or girl,
raise up some friends for it in this troubled world, and take pity
■ijMin a lonely des<ilate chiht Bl)andonc>d to its mercy !' "
'^ I'he ixiy's namei'" dcniandL-il the matron.
I
I
I
OLIVER TWIST.
115
" They calied bim Oliver," replied the woman feebly. '* The
goUl I Btde wa3 "
** Yes, yes — what ?" cried the other.
She was bendiDg eagerly over the woman to hear her reply,
but drew Ijw^k instinctively as plie once again rose slowly and
stiffly into a fitting postnre, and, clutching the coverlet with both
hands, muttered some indistinct sounds in ber throat, and fell
lifeless on the bed.
• • • • «
" Stone dead t" said one of the old women, hurrying in a>
5000 as the door w:ts uponed.
'* And nothing to tell, after all," rejoined the matron» walking
carelessly away.
The two crmifs were lo all appearancr Um busily occupied in
llie preparations for their dreatiful duties to make any reply,
and were left alone hovering about the body.
CHAPTER TIIR TninD.
wBsaxiR tats histdrt ivtan to uti-non akd coutAvr,
Whilp. these things were })asBiiig in the country wdrkhouite,
Mr. Fagin sat in the old den, — the same from which OIi%'er had
bwu removed by the girl,— brooding over a dull smoky fire.
lie held a pair of bdlowfi upon hiH knee, witli which he had
apparently been endeavouring to rouse it into more cheerful
acuon ; but he had fallen into deep thought, and with his arms
folded upon them, and his chin rciiiing on his thumbs^ fixed bis
ryw abstractedly on the rusty bars.
At a table behind him wit tlit.- Artful Dodger, Master Charles
Bates, and Mr, t'hitling, all intent upon a game of whist ; the
Artful taking dummy against Master Bales and Mr. Chitting.
The countenance of the first-named gentleman, peculiarly intel-
Iteeat at all times, acquired great additional interest fruni Ids
cfose observance of the game, and his attentive perusal of Mr.
Chilling'» han<l, ti]K)n which, from time to time, as occasion
fcrved, he bestowed a variety of earnest glances, wisely regu-
lating his nwn play hy the result of his ohfcrvations upon his
■Mighbour** cards. It being a cnld night, the Dodger wore his
bat, OS, indeed, was often liis custom within doors. He al^o
suilained ti eluy pipe between his tot'th, which he only removed
for a brief space, whc-n he dec-mod it necessary to apply for re-
fmhment to a quart-put U)>on the table, which stood ready
filled with gin and water for the accommodation of the coii>-
pany.
Master Bates was alw attentive to the play ; but, being of a
morr cxcJlable nature than his accomplished friend, it was ob-
wrrable that he more frequently applied himself lo the gin
and waliT, and nioreuver indulged in niuny jests and irrele-
tOBl remarks, all highly unbecoming a H:ientilic rubber. In-
Jl€
OLIVER TWIST.
dMdf the Artful, presuming upon th«ir dose Atcschment* more
than once toolc occasion to reawn ^fravely with his companion
upon thcsu imprnprietics: all of which rcntonslmncc^ Aloater
Bales took in extremely good part, merely requesting his friend
to be *• blowcd," nr to insert his hand in a saciv, or replyinjy
with some other neatly-turned wtltici&ni of a Mmibr kind, the
happy application of which excited considcrnhle admiration in
the mind of Mr. Chith'ng. It was remarkable that the latter
fii;eatlemaD and his partner invariably lost : and that the cir-
cumstancPi so far from angerinjj Master liateH, apjieared to
afford him the highpst amusrmcnt, inasmuch as he laughed
moU uproariously at the end of every deal, and protested that
he had never neeri huch a jolly ^me in all his Iwrn days.
" That 's two doubles and the rub," i-aid Mr. Chitling with a
very long face, as he drew half-a-crown from his waistcoat
pocket. " I never see such a feller as you. Jack ; you win
everything. Kven when we've good cards, Charley and I can't
make nothing of 'em."
Either the matter or manner of this remark, which was made
very ruefully, delighted Charley Bates so much, that his conse-
quent shout of laughter roused the Jew from his reverie, and
induced him to inquire what vfOf. the mutter.
'* Matter, Fagin !" cried Charley. ** I wish you had watched
the play. Tommy Chitling h.isn*t won a point, and I went
partners with liim agninst the Artful and dum."
" Ay, ay?"snid the Jew with a grin, which sufficiently de-
munntrnteif that he was ul nu loss to understand the reason.
«( lYy 'em again, Tom ; try 'em again."
" No more of it for me, thankee, Fagin," replied Mr. Chit-
ling ; " I 'vi> ha<l enough. That Vre DiKtger has such a run of
luck, thill there '» no fttNuding again' him."
hn t my dear," reiijieJ the Jew, "you must get up
lln
vei
nauttv
■
I
I
ry eailv In the morning to win against the Dodger."
•» MuruiMg I" said Charley Bates ; " you must put your boots
oit iiviT tiight, and have a teleitcope at ' each eye, and a opera-
^tnii* hi'iween ^our shoulders, if you want to come over him."
Mr. Dawkms received these' handsome compliments with
much philosophy, and offered to cut any gentleman in company
for tlie tirst picture-card at a shilling a time. Nobody accepting
the challenge, and his pipe being by this lime smoked out, he
procee*led to amuse himself by sketching a ground-plan of New- ^
gate on the table with the piece uf chalk which had served him ■
in lieu of counters, whistling meantime with peculiar shrillness. ™
" How preciouB dull you are, Tommy!" said the Dodger,
slopping short when there had been a lung tiilpnce, nnd address- ^
ing Mr. Chitling. "What do you think he's thinking of, V
" How should I know, my dear .'" replied the Jew, hmking
und H" he plied the bellows. " AlK)Ut his losses, maybe, —
OLIVER TWIST.
117
oT the liitle retirrmcnl in the country tliat he's just !cft, eh ?—
Ha ! ha ! Is that il, my dtar?"
'* Not a bit of it," replied the Dodger, tttnpping the subject
of discourse as Mr. Chitting was about to reply. ••What do
jfou iay, Charley '^
** / should say," replied Master Bates with a grin, " that he
was uncommon sweet upon Betsy. See how he's a-hlushing t
Oh, my eye ! here ^^ a mcrry-fjo-roundcr !— Tommy Chitling 'a
in love ! — Ob, Fagin, Ksjjin ! what a spree !"
Thoroughly overp*»were<l with the mnion of Mr. Chitting
being the victim of the tender pansion, Mafiter Bales threw him-
self back in his chair with such violence, that he lost his balance,
and pitched uver upon tho floor* where (the accident abating
nothing of his merriment) he lay at full k-ngth till hi-i laugh
was over, when he resumed his former position and began an-
other.
•* Never mind him. my dear," paid the Jew, winking at Mis-
ter Dawkin», and giving Master Bates a reproving tap with the
nozzle of the bellows. *' Betsy 's a fine girl. Stick up to her,
Tom : stick up to her."
my ficar ; clout mmd hnn. Uetsy 's a fine girl.
Do as she bids you, Tom, and you 'U moke yotir fortvme."
•* So 1 do do as she bids me," replied Mr. Chilling ; " I
»houUiu*t have been milW if it haHn't been for her advice. But
it turned out a good job for you; tlidn't it, Fagin ? And what's
lix weeks of it ? Il must cnnu- some lime or another,— and why
not in the winter time, when you don't want to go out a-walking
•o much ; eh, Fagin 'f"
" Ah, to be sure, my dear," replied the Jew.
'• You wouldn't mind it again, Tom, would you," asked the
Dodger, winking upon Charley and the Jew, " if Bet was all
right?"
" I mean to say that 1 shouldn't," renlie<l Tom angrily ;
** there, now! Ah! Who'll say as luuch as that, 1 should
like to know ; eh, Fagin r"
•* Nobody, my dear," replied the Jew ; " not a soul, Tom. I
don't know one of 'em that would do it besides you ; not one of
'em, my dear."
'* 1 might have got clear off if 1 'd split upon her; mightn't I,
Fftgiu K angrily pursued the poor half-wiited dupe. " A word
(mm me would have done it ; wouldn't it, Fagin P"
** To be sure it would, my dear," replied the Jew.
" But I didn't blab it ; die! I, Fagin ?" demanded Tom, pour-
ing question upon que»liun with grval volubility.
" No, no, to be sun-," rL'|ilietl the Jew : **you were too stout-
hnrte*! for that, — a deal too stout, my dear.
118
OLIVER TWIST.
" Perhaps I was," rejmnL-d Tom, tonkin^ round ; " and if I
was what a to lauffh at in that ; ch, Fagin ?"
The Jew, perceiving that Mr. Chilling was conniderably
roused, hastened to assure him that nuliudy was luugliiiig, and,
to provp the gravity of the company, appealed ti) Master Bates,
the principal ofTeiider ; hut unfurtunatvtv Charley, in opening
his mouth to reply that he was never inure serious in his life,
was unable to prevent the escape of such a violent roar, that the
abused Mr. Chilling, without any preliminary ceremonies, rush-
ed across the room and aimed a blow at the oSeodcr* who, being
skilful in evading' pursuit, ducked to avoid it, and chose hi&
timp so well, that it lighted on the chest of the merry old gen-
tleman, and caused him to stagger to the wall, where he stood
panting fur breath, while Mr. Chilling looketl on in Intense
dismay -
" Hark !" cried the Dodger at this moment, " I lieard the
tinkler." Catching up the light, he crept sortty ui> stairs.
The bell rang agam with some impatience whde the party
were in darkness. After a short pause, the Dodger reappeared,
and whimpered Fagin mysteriously.
" What I" cried the Jew, " alone ?"
The Dodger nodded in tlie afRrmalive, and, shading the
flame of the caudle with his hand, gave (!^harlcy Bates a private
intimation in dumb show that he had better not be funny just
then. Having pcrfurcncd this friendly office, he 6xed bis eyea
on the Jew's face, and awaited his directions.
The old man bit his yellow fingers, and meditated for some
seconds his face working with agitatiou the while, as if be
drradeil something, and feared to know the worst. At length
he raised his heatl.
" Where is he ?" he asked.
The Dodger poiutcd to the floor above, and mode a gesture
as if to leave thf rmim.
" Yes," Mtd the Jew, answering the mute inquiry; "bring
him down. Hush I— Quiet, Charley! — gently, Tom! Scarce,
scarce !"
This brief direction to Charley Bates and his recent antago-
nist (o retire, was noflly and immediately obeyeil. There waa no
sound of their whcrealKiut when the Dodger descended the
KUtirs beariiiu the light in his hand, and followed by a man in a
coarse umock-frock, who, udter casting a hurried glance round
the riM>mi pulled oil' a large fihnwl which had concealed the
lower portion of his face, and di^cloiicd — all haggard, unwashed,
and iinihitvi-n, — the features of flash Toby Cruckit.
" How are you, Fagey P" said the worthy, nodding to the
Jew. *• Pop that shawl away in my castor, Dodger, so that
I may know where to find it when I cut ; that 'k tlie time
uf day ! You It be a fine young cracksman afore the old file
nowr
OLIVER TW)ST.
ItB
With these woi^s he pulled up the anvoclc-frock, and, wind-
ioj; it round hi& middle, drew a chair to the 6re, and placed
his feet upon the hob.
" See there, FagcT)" he said, pointing dis-consolately to his
tap-b{M>t» : *' Dot a drop of Dav and Martin since ^ou know
when; not a hiihhle of hiacking, by ! but don't look at
mo in that way, man. All in good time; I can't tallc abonl
business till I Ve eat and drank : so produce the suslainaoce,
and [et 's have a (juiet fill-out for the first time these three
days •"
The Jew motioned to the Dodger to place what eatabltfs
there were, upon tlie tabic: and, seating himstlf opposite the
housebreaker, waited his leisure.
To judge from appearances, Toby was by no means in a
hurry to open the conversation. At first the Jew conlcntL-d
himself with patiently watching his countenance, as if to gaitt
from it» expression some clue to the inlollisjence he brought;
but in vain. He looked tired and worn, but there was the
Banie complacent repose upon his feature^t that they always wore»
and through dirt, and heard, and whisker, there mill ^none un-
impaired the 5elf- satisfied smirk of flush 'J'oby Crackit. 'I'heti
the Jew in an agony of impatience watcht^ every mor.sel he put
into his mouth, pacin/; up and down the room meanwhile in
irrepressible excitement. It was all of no use. Toby continued
to eat with the ulmo»t outward irtdtiTcrencc until he could cat uu
more ; and then, ordering the Dodger nut, closed the d(K>r, mixed
A glaiis of spirits and water, and eompoKed biuiiielf fur talking.
*• First and foremost, Kagi-y," naii) 'I'oby.
*• Ye«, ye* !' interposed the Jew, drawing up his chair.
Mr. Crackit &top))ed to_ take a draught of spirits and water,
and to declare that the gin' was excellent ; and then ]>lacing his
feel against the low mantelpiece, so a& to bring his boot» to
about the level of his eye, quietly resumed.
** First and foremost, Fagey,' said the housebreaker, '* how 'a
BUir
" What r screamed the Jew, starting from his seat.
• Why, you don't mean to say " began Toby, turning
pale.
" Mean !" cried the Jew, stamping furiously on the ground.
** Where are they .^ — Sikes and the boy — where are they? —
where have they been? — where are they hiding? — why have
tbey not been here ?"
" The crack failed." said Toby faintly.
" I know it,*" replied the Jew, tearing a newspaper fn)m his
pnrket and [Miinting to it. " What more ?"
" Thev fired, and hit the boy. We cut over the fields at the
back with him iMUwcen us — straight as the crow flies — ihmugh
brdge and <Iileh. They gave chase. D — nic ! the whole coun-
try WAA awake, and the dogs upon us !"
LAl^RELt THE ROSE, AND THE VINE.
4
*• Tbe boy !" gasped ihc Jew.
" Bill had him on his hack, and scudded like the wind. We
»tupu«.l to take him again between us; his head huu}; down,
and ne was cold. They were close upon our benla : every mau ^^
for himself, and each from the gallows .' We parted companVi ^^
and left the youngBter lying in a ditch. Alive or dead, that 's
all I know of him." M
The Jew ittopped to hear no more: but uttering a loud yell, V
and twining hiH hands in his hair, rn^^hed from the room and
from the house.
THE LAUREL, THE ROSE, AND THE VINE.
TttrKE iptung up ooe day
So gnnd an aCTray
B«tnixt ft fair plant aod n flow«r,
Tlitt ihc who!* leify world
Inio frinfe wm soon hurl'd.
Each .lidiug wiili one nvtl power.
Tlie Lnurfl nnd Itose
\\'er« ibe»e iwo aagry fow.
And the object or all their loud itotfaer
Wm mvrvly iLikuuw
I r mortals below
Were rul'd more by one or by t'other.
For KremI hour«
Hie plants and the flon'n
Stalk'd about ; ind iho' gnxn iu their krms, sir,
V«, brave at the rwt.
They 'd ill of them tkoat.
And culling for some had its charnu, nr.
Hien, hotly et):i:aiiecl.
The figln Hercel) ni^d,
Titi, sniokitii; hti> loiig Girtnin hooker,
F/oin llic batiks or the Htiine,
The strong Pnissiaii Vine
Came up, like moihcr old Hluuhei.
" Now, wlm upon earth
To this row could spvt birth T"
He cmJ, pyeing sieruly the Laurel ;
'• I thou^t you M enough.
With men, of such stuff;
And you, Row, hxrc do rigbi to quand.
But, here 's the Imt way
To end the nSny :
Come, drink tilt ytw ti4iTeD*t k dry »y»J
For iranc shall cacape
From my rouiufi otgnpt,
S» caob ohooM bit wine— AoEik til mUii !"
191
THK POISONERS OF THE SKVENTEKNTH CENTl'RY.
BY (iEOaCB UOUABTH.
I
k
I
jlMoyo (he auaHinations couiniitteil by meaiig of poiEoii during'
tlwfwitti<i Mliea ttiat crime woe »» {irvvulL-nl iliruugiiuuL Kuro|]c, wnn
llut ul' HL'urieita ai' Kii{;luiiil, Duclmiiii uf Orlfunii. Thut slic tlius
penHtitnl bcemb heyond a doubt: Uuiu^h ilic causcM ol' hvr murder,
anil iu pur|K;tnitors arc itivolvud in home dcgreij til'myetery, wliidi
cinnot nun- he entirely cleared up. Her death, however, vius iit-
tended with circumstnnces wliidi alford room for strong presumptions
on (he subject.
Tlie Princess Henrietta AntiL' of England was the daughter of
Charles the First and hia queen Ilcnrieita Marin. She wiis the child
of Hdversily from her very cradle. In the dcspcrutc fortunes of her
father, when he was driven from place to place by the forces of the
Parliament, hiii queen accompanied liiin in all his perils iind wandcr-
inga Mith heroic courage and devoted ad'ectioii. Finding the time of
Wr conlicieineiit appruaehing, *he »ii» fbreed to leave her hus^hnnd,
and l^ke relume in the loyal city uT Hxeter. They parted alter a
lender farewell, which proved to be their UeC. In Exeter the queeo
wu redtieed to such extremity, that, had it not been for the assist-
ance of the Queen of France, she would have wanted the common
Dcceasaries rt-cjuired in her situation. On the lljth of June lti4>l,
ber daughter Henrietta was born. Tlie Karl of Eiisex was advancing
to Exeter at the head of a |:rarliaiuentary army, and the poor tjueen
«sa obliged lo fly before &he had recovered from her aecouchement.
SBTMIMtt days afterwards, leaving her infiint daughter to the care
of the Coimtess of .Morton, she found menns to reach llie ^ea*
aHe, escaping with difficulty the vigilance of the host lie soldiers; and
got on Board of a nmall vessel, which was pursued and cannonaded to
the very ciiost of France.
On her arrival at I'aritc, she was at 6rsc received u-iih the honours
doe to the daughter uf Henry tlie Fourth, and with the appearance
of aflection to which she wasenlilled from the ro>a! family of France,
hcT near relutiooH. Sood artcrwai'da the troubles of tlie Fronde brolce
aai, and the popular jiarly were l>e«ieged in Paris by the royal
Ibrcca. During tbiM time she was not only insulted by tlie populace,
■s a member of the royal family of France ; but reduced to such want,
that she was conKtraiiied, as she said herself, to ask charity from th«
pvliameiit to enable her barely to subsitit. In this melancholy situa-
tion she received the overwhelming tidings of the Iragical death of
her hushand: and, after having in f^ome measure recovered from the
•hock, she retired to a convent. ]n thi;^ retirement she spent her
time in the education of her children : her daughter Henrietta hav<
iog been some time before brought to her by her faithful governess,
I^y Morion. Her retreat, however, did not protect her from the
fory of the iiuurgeoi tM|)ulace, and bIic returned for hal'eiy to her
former retideoce in the Louvre. The young king and lliu ruyul
bnily luul been forced to retire from the capiuil, which in conse-
\i3
TKi; POISONERS OF
qiience of ttie civil vmr was tuffering from deartli; nnd in this
ilesertcd unil unprotected suite tlie Queen of England aat reduced
to sucli a slate of destitution, that Cardinal tie Retz, in paving her a
visit, found her billing in her daughter's room and the young princess
in bed. " Vou sec," said the queen, " that I am liteping ilenrietia
company here; for the poor child cannot get up to-dfiv for want of a
fire." — "Poslerily," says the cardinal, " »i!l scarcely believe that
the }>riind'daughter of llenry the Fourth, in tiie palace of the Louvre,
cuuld have been in want of a faggot to niurm ncr in the month of
January!" This uuhapiiy {|ueea'» sorroM-s ended only with her tile.
SIm livetl to see the rcstoratiun of her son, but bis conduct in various
respects was n source of grief and mortificutiun to her; and. a(\er
baring resided for some time in Kngluud, shv restolvcd to tinieh her
(fays in her peaceful conrent near Paris, where she died io the jcfir
1660, at the age rjf fifty.
The young princess of England, brought up in great retirement,
and educated in the school of adversity, gave indications of a charac-
ter not often met with in the highest sphere of human life. She
was remarkable for the sut-etncsi of her temper, and the unadccled
htjmility of her disposition. Ilcr youthful grace and beauty, her
cheerful and alTable manner^ and elegant accompliihments made her
the ornament of the court, and recalled the remenibriuiee of her
unhappy ancestress Mary Stuart. It is Fuid that her mother and
Anne of Austria, the mother of Louis the FourtcLMuli, desired ttiRt
the young king should marry ber, but that he objected to the ar-
rangement because the prineets was not old enough, ijoon aAcr-
wards the queen-mother proposed in the Queen of England that the
princess should marry her second son, Philip Duke of Orleans. The
marriage was agreed on ; and, on the dist uf March 1661, the yotuig
pair were united in the chapel of the Palais Royal.
Before the marriage, the duke t.eated his betrothed with all man-
ner of gallantry and tmpttstm\enl, and \m attentioiiM, says Madame
de la Fayette, were ^'anting in nothing but love; " but," she adds,
" the miracle of inspiring the heart of this prince with love was be-
yond the power of any womnn in the world."
United to a husband of this disposition, a degree of circumspec-
tion and knowledge of the world were necessary, which the secluded
education of llie young duclicss Imd not given her the means of
acquiring, (iay, incx|>enenccd, and conHding, she fell into impru-
dences which exjiaBcd her to suspicion, and became involved in the
intrigues of the corrupt and selfish courtiers of both sexes by whom
she was surrounded, and by whom she wis led into £Ome nctiooa
which cannot be quite reconciled to the general character which
is given of her by every contempornry authority.
A young nobleman of the court, the Count de Ouiche, was at this
time high in the good graces of the Duke uf Orleans, by whom hu
was introduced to the duchess, and particularly recomiueiided to her
favour and attention. The coutit was very liaiideome, remarkably
elegant in his manners and dress, aud an adept in the amorous jargon
which made up the polite conversation of the day. A young gallant
of that tiuiu burrowed his language from the romances of Calprenede
lutd Scudcri, and held it essential to his character as a man of fashion
to entertain a lady with the exaggerated compliments and elaborate
THE 3BVENTEENTH CENTURY.
ns
conceici to abundantij^ su[(plied hy tho^e nupcrfine produclions. It
mi B tone of cun verbal ion siitjjlar to that which, under the ntimu
a( eup/iuiKm, [irvvuiled attiuiif^ Uie wits and courticri: ul' our Queen
Elixabeih's lUiys, and is ridiculed by Scott in his cbaructer of Sir
Percy Sliaflon. Tlie diicliesa took great pIcuRure in the society
of ibia accomplished cavalier, while he apiienrs to have become
■erioBsly enamoured of the young nnd liisrinnting creature uiih
vhom he woe permitted to enjoy such unreserved intercourse. His
deportment and liinpinge, at first full of the devoted gallantry re-
quired by the m&nnerft of the age, gradually guvc iniiicaiiuns of
warmer but Icsa respectful feelings ; and the state of his mittd,
though unprrccived by the inexperienced object of his wishes, dia-
coTcrcid ilscJf to the more practised eyes of ^lademoiselle de zinnia-
lais, one of her attendonts. Tiie count, however, found niean» to
gain this lady's good {traces ; and, in place of putting her miHtriKS on
b«r guard against him, she fuvourcd his designs, and even undertook
to prevail on the duchess to receive his letters. This she at 6rst
refuMd to do; but, overcome by the artful entreaties of her cunning
attendant, she was persuaded, not only to receive the count's letters,
but (o answer them, and even carried her imprudence so ^r aa
to admit him to aeveral private interview;.
Of one of ihe^e stolen meetings ne lind an account in (he very
curious fragments of origiiiul letters uf Charlotte Llizabetli of Havaria,
tba tccoiid wife of the Duke of Orleauu. " One day," siiys tliis lady,
* Miiatne (the duchess), either for the purpose of teeing her chil-
dren, or of conversing more freely with the Count do Guiche, went
to the aparta>ent of Madame dc Ch ^. She had a valet-de-
cbaiDbre called Launuis, who was left on the staircase to give notice
in caae the duke should make his appearance. Launois suddenly ran
in, saying < The duke is coming down stairs, and close at bund.* Th«
couQl could no longer make his escape through the antechamber, a<
the duke's at (ondantn were there already, 'There is oidy one way
of getting out,' said Launois (o the count ; * go near the dour.'
Launois then ran to meet the duke, and struck him with his head so
vtoUmtiy on the face that he ni<ide his nose bleetl. ' My lord,' ha
crted, in great apparent confusion, 'I humbly beg your forgiveness.
i did not think you were so near, and wus running as fust as I could
to open the door for you.' Madame and the governess came forward
ui grrat alarm with handkerchiefs, which they apphed to tlie duke'a
face, covering bis eyes as well as his nose, and kept about liim till
the count got to the staircase. The duke thought it was Lauuoia
who had run out nf the room."
This story is awkward and suspicious enough ; and yet the second
Doehes* of Orleans, who tells it, dnrs not put upon it the unfavour*
■hie construction which it would hear. " 1 have always been much
iacUoedv" she says, " to believe poor Madame more unfortunate than
rnlpable. She had such had people about her I" This celebrated
latter- writer is anything but averse to scnndal, and far from charita-
ble in her judgments; and it seems difficult, therefore, to discover
wlwtlicr she is sincere in this exculpatory phrase, or whether, like
Mrs. Candour, she believed that the effect of a scandalous story ia
bf no means done away by the addition of a good>nnlured cxpreuioD
af belief that, after all, there might be no harm in it.
K 2
l«i
THE POISONKRS OF
Thit story rests on tlie aulhority of these LeUrrt, at least wc
haw not fouud il anynhcrc cUc- it mny tlierefure be untrue or
ttXM^'gcmtci] ; but llic Icvily autl impruilinice ol' ttie tluche&»'tf i-on-
duci in Iter intcrcuursc wilh tlic Count de Guichc appear to be
uutleiiinblL*. Thi'ir fBmiliuriLy at lael roust-d tlic suKptL'iuii and jea-
Inudy of ihe duke, who ohtuined an order frum the Liii^'. exiling
De Cuiclie to Poland; iind iMndeniuiselle de MontutaJs wBc dis-
missed.
Soon after thoir inarringp, the Duke and Duchess of Orleans hnd
joincil the court al l-'cntuinL'blcau. The ^iiii; uos cnptivntcd by the
biauty and graces of liis sister-in-law, and, it bat been said, repented
of his precipitancy in declining the proposition of marrying ber.
She, on the other hand, waa pleased wiih the uttetilionG of n young
and amiable ninnarcb; and Ucr intiinaey with liim, like llmt with the
Count de Guiche, gave ri]<e to 0 great deni of contemporary scandal.
Anne of Anstrin, afruid of (he Ui»bruge »liich it niighl give to the
(jueen, renionstrHieci with her son on the subject; and it violently
irritAlvd the jealous temper of the Uulcv of Orleans. Whatever feel-
ings, huwever, the king may ba\-e entertained towards the duchvss,
ibey were soon dissipated by the attractions of MadctTioiselle do la
Valliere; ami indeed there i?> no leasion for believing that there ever
was anything more between them than t!mt confidential intercourse
which was produced by mutual regard, and sanctioned by near re-
lationship.
A groat iniituQcy had arisen bc-twceii the duchess and the Countess
of ijoissons, the celebrated Olimpia Mancini, niece of Cardinal Maza-
rin. This woman, with the genius for intrigue which distinguished
her family, wished lo use Mademoiselle de ]a Valliere as the means
of increasing her own inftucncc with the king; and she contrived to
pcrsudde the duchess Co enter into her views in this respect Poor
La Valliere, however, was a stranger to the oris and intrigues of a
court, and could make no use of thctn cither for the sake oV licr own
advancement or thut of anybody eljo. Provoked al thi-i, the Coud-
tess de Soisson* resolved to ruin her with the king ; and it is unfor-
tunately true that she had address enough to drnw the duclieu into
tbi» coniipiracy. I'heir plan was to get La Valliere supplanted in the
king's afi'eclions by another court htnuty. Madrmoii-elle de la Mothe-
(laudaueoMrl, in whom, when «he became the royul favourite, tb«y
hoped to lind a more docile and eunvenieut disposition. It was
through tlj« jiersuHsiun of tlie Count de Guiche that tlie duchesa was
induced to join in this buite plot ; and the Marquis de Vardes, a lover
of the Comitess de Soissons, atfiisted in carrying it oi>. They forged
■ letter 10 the Queen of France from her father, the King of Spain,
iiirorming her of the iiaistm of her husband with La Valliere. This
letter had its natural effect on the mind of the <jucen. It was put
into the king'g hands; and he -having spoken of it. and the annoy-
ance it caused him, to some of the gentlemen about his person,
^'arJes, who was one of them, contrived to throw his Nuspirions on
the Duchess of Kuvailles, a lady of austere virtue, as having given
the queen's lather the information which occasioned the letter.
Madame de \avuilles was disgraced, and the trick remained for some
years unditicnvered.
The Count de Guiche, on his exile, recommended the Marquia de
TUB SKVBNTEbNTH (:BNT(;RY.
ISS
Varcles to ihe ducheBa'i ihvour, id order itint I)is frieitd might terve
him in his absence by kcrping ah'vc her feelings of regard tor htnt.
Admitted to the confidence of the duchess, Vurdcs conceived iho pro.
ject of supplanting him in her good graces, and of getting her into
hu power by oblaininji possf^^tsiou of tlic correspondence between her
aiid the count. Tlii;* iinnj^eroii!< correapontWnce had been entrusted
to the cur*.- of Maiiemoisellc de Muntalaim, llic ctuitidjiiite whom rhu
duke's jealousy had diitmiB»ei:l from \\i* wite'n service. V'ardes rcprc-
tenled to the duchess the extreme iniporlAnce of recluiniitig this
depovit, and destroying tlie letters. He was iiulhorized accordingly
lo receive them from Madenioi»e]le Oe Montalais ; but, having got
poaiewioa of Ihem, he refuned to give them up. The disputes and
negotiations on the subject ofthefce letlere gave occatioti to private
interviews between the duchess and Vardes, which roused the jea-
louiy of the Countess dc Suissons. i^hc believed thui the duchc&s
had designs upon her lover, and was heard to iipeali ul' her in lan-
guage dictated by resentment and hatred.
Her vindiclive feelinga were heightened by a eireuinttt.ince vrhtch
happened at tliiii Lime. The (^he^ulier de Lorntine, Irom his runt:
and perranal advantage^) was one of the inodt di^lin^ui^hed young
men at the French court. Happening one day lo rneei the Mar<[uis
dr Vsrdcs, they fell into conx-crsution in the Idshionabtc tone of the
day, complimenting each other on the elcgunce and good taste of
their dress, and laughing over their honnes Jhrlunts. Dc Vardca
acknowledged that he nas getting rather too old to be so successful
«ith the foir as he once had been; " but as to you," he added, " at
your age, you may do what you will. Only throw thu handkerchief^
and there is not n ludy at court who will not take it up." The Che-
'«alier de Lorraine repented this conversation to one of hit) com-
pBaiDin. the ,^Ia^qui!i de Villvroy. an enemy of Vardes who imnie-
diaialy hastened to the Duchess of Orleans, and told her that Vardes
kad Mid ID the chevalier that " he was wrong to occupy hiniM-'lf with
the maid, and that he had better try the mistress. He would tind m
btUr difficnlty in the one (juarter ns ilic other." The duchets, in-
dignant at an insult which kIic conceived to be levelled at herself,
eomplnined lo the king, and Vardes was sent to the nastile. Kn-
nged At the injury done her lover, the? Cnunte^s de S«i»sons used
tfa« nuMt violent language against the duchess; and carried her ani-
■MJIj M lar as to inform the king of the secret correspondence that
had talien place between the duchess and the Count de tiuiche.
Thus driven to Miremity, the duchess frankly conlcssed her errors
lo licr brotlier-in-laur ; hut at the same time she revealed to him (he
dangerous secret of the fabricated letter from the King of Spain, in
which the Coutitess de Soiisnns and Vardes were chiefly implicated.
Ilic king, furious at having been grossly iuipuH'd on by a man
whom hi- had iidmilted lu his confidence, sent Vardes as ti prisoner
lo the ciladcl of Mniilpelher ; and the Cotinl de Soitsons was exiled,
almiK witli his wife, t» bin govemmetit in ClmnijiagiK:.
The unfortunate princess was thus inextricably involved in the
intrigues of this profligate court. Her own conduct appeori to have
bun unguarded in the extreme ; but some excuse for it is to bu
Gtood in her yuulh. inexperience, and trying situation. ** She was
AiaiMMHDy surruunded," says tlie second Ouchc!>s of (hlcads, wliuiu
1 20
THE POISONERS OF
Tier huaband married after her death, '* witli die most unprincipled
women of the court, who were alt of tbcni the mistresses of her cnt-
mics, and used every meanit to lili up the measure t>t' her misfortunes
by making a breach heliiecn her and lier husband." In this design
they soon were successful.
The Chevalier de Lorraine had succeeded the Count de Guiche in
the favour of itie Uulci; of Orleans, and obtained an absolute ascend-
ency over Ills M'cak mind ; an nscendency of which all the household,
not excepting the duchess herself, daily felt the effects. The Che-
valier de Lorraine had a mistress, whose name is only given to us as
Madunie de C ; and this lady had contrived also to gain the
atfeccioni of the celebrated MargliaL Turcniie. She was one of the
conhdential friends of the duchess, who was so iniprudcnl n to tell
ber Engliiih secrets of slate, and these she immediately conveyed to
her two lovers. The Chevalier de Lurruine took occaBiun from this
to prejudice the duke against liiiiwife. He told liinii that thcdudicss
made Jiini puss will) the king for a weak-minded man, who repeated
to everybody the most importnnt matters which she communicated
to.hmi; ami that the king, unilLT the impression that he was in-
capahle of keeping a secret, had no longer any confidence in him:
and he persuaded him that, if this went on, his wife would deprive
him of alt concern in stale ufTairs, and rcdiK^'c him to a mere cipher.
The duke, upon this, required his wife to communicate to him what
she knew of English atfairs; hut she positively refused to reveal to
him the secrets of her hrnther, the Kinp of England. A violent
quarrel was the consequence. The duchess was then at the height
of her fiivour with her brother-in-law the king. She complained to
him of the arrogant conduct of Lorraine, his interference with her
household, and his attempts to create dlMension between her hus-
band and herself; and the eflect of her complaints was, that the Che-
valier de Lorraine received an order lo depnrt from France. Such is
substantially the account ^iven by the second Duchess ol' Orleans of
the cireunnttancee which led to the exile of the Chevalier du Lorraine
thiou;th the indueiicc of her prcdcccESur ; and she uddti, " it cost
the princcKu her life."
The Duke of Orleans, like other weak men, waa inconsolable for
the loss of his favourite. " On receiving the news of Lorraine's ba-
nishment," says the Duke de St, Simon, •* Monsieur fainted ; he then
burst into tears, and went to throw himself at the king's feet, be-
seeching him to recall an order which reduced him to despDir." Un-
able to succeed, he threw himself into a passion and retired to th«
country, after having used the most outraiteous languogc against the
king and the duchess, who always protested that the had no hand in
the matter. The king, however, soothed him by means of pre#«nls,
compliments, and attentions: he returned lo court, though his heart
yet swelled with resentment, and by degrees lived as before with tlte
duclieKis whom, fr^m that time, lie treated with studied neglect and
uttkindness.
It was about this time tliat the king discovered, by the duchess's
ownconfcssion,tlicsharvshe had had in the attempt of tlie Countess de
Soisaons to undermine Mademoiselle de la Vallicre ; a discovery which
created a great coolness towards her on the king's part. But while
sht was thus neglected by her hmband, out of favour with the king.
THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
127
and deurtcd by the court, a great object of political interest was t)ie
mean!) of restoring ber influence. In 1670 Louis metlitnted ihc ruin
of Holland, and therefore wijihed to detach Chorlca II. from the iriplu
alliance between that power, England, and Sweden. An anibasKatlor
bad been sent to L.onaon with this view, but be liad not been able lo
bring matters to a conclusion. Louis, knowing the trieiidiiliip which
subsisted between the Duchess of Orleans and her brother, conceived
the idea of turning it to account for the accom^ilishmcnL of this
object. He began to treat her with hiit former kimdneitk, uiiil [>rv-
failed on her to undertake a misMion to tin- King of tn^jUnd. An
excursion of Ihc court to Flanders wno aiiitotinccd, under the pre-
Vtxt of ahowing the queen the cities n-Iiich Iiud been heis by birth-
right, and which Lcuis had recently annexed to France. When (he
cuurt KSK at Calaim the DuchcM of Orleans crossed privately lo
FZn^lond, and met her brother Charles at Do«er, " where," suys Hume,
" lliey passed ten days logeiher in great mirth and festivity. Uy her
aniticci Bud caresses she prevailed on Charles to relinquish the most
settled maxims of huQuur and policy, and to Jinish his cngiigcniLUts
with Louts for the dciitructiuu of HuIIund, as well as Cur the subsc.
quent change of religion in Knglatid." Al the end of that lime
ahe relumed in triumph, having accomplished the object of her
Dtiaaioo, and bringing with her a treaty alTectiiig the interests of half
the countries of Europe. Tarito mpiciitid rfgtttir nitaitfus.' thus
ftlightly and frivolously have the potentates of the earth disposed o(
tbe destinies of millions upon millions of their fellow-creatures!
"The confidence of two such great monarclis," soya Bossuet, tbd
celebrated court -prvacKer, "had raised her to lh« height of greatness
and glory," when, on Sunday the H'Mh of June llj/tl, the court, then
at St, Cloud, was suddenly alarmed hy tbe outcry that " Mutlume
woa dying." The duchcfs li»d been coinpltiining of a pain in tier side
■nd her stomach. At seven in the eveniug she calU-d for a glass of
saccory -water, which she had been taking for some days. She had
Karcely swallowed it, when an excruciating pain in her side matle
ber utter the most piercing cries ; and, in her aguny, she eomtatktly
mclaimed thai she was poisoned. The scene n hieh tbilowed is graphi-
callj described by Mademoiselle de .Monlpcnbier. viho occupies so
proniioent a place in tlie private history of the court of Louts the
Faarteentl).
** Ileiog told that llie c|uuen was going oul. I was runni;ig down in
order not to keep ber waiting, when the Count d'Aycn said lo roe,
* Madame is dying, and the king has ordered me to find M. V'ulot, and
to bring bin to St. Cloud immediately.' When I was in the carriagp,
tbe queen said, < Madome is in extremity ; and, what is dreadful, she
believes she baa been poisoned.' I expressed my horror, and asked
bow it wus. The queen said, that Madame wis tn the saloon at St.
Cloud in perfect health ; that she had asked for some succory .water,
which wa« given her by ber apothecary; Ihat when she had drunk it
cried out that her atoroacli was burning, and Imd scrcntned inceit-
itly ever since; and iJial, a message had come lor the king and lor
M. VftloU A gentleman who had been »vnt by the <jueen to maku
inquiries now arrived, and lold ber that Madame liad cluirgud him to
aay thai »lto was dying, und lliat, if her mujesty witheti to see her alive,
abe iiiu»t come to her without a moment's de'ay. We went lo the
king's apartment, and found him at supper. The queen was advised
388
THB P01SUNGR8 OP
not to po. While she was urnlccided, f Hcggcd her lo allow me to go
immL'diiiicly : unil the kin^ said he was goin;;. and offered lo tnl<e me
in his rarrioi't'. The Counlesa de Soissonn v/aa of the pflpty. When
vrc had Rot halF-way, we met M, Valol returning; he told the king
that Mudame's illneM was merely a colic, and not at all diin^erous.
When we got to St. Cloud, iiohody seemed nlilitled; hut Monsieur
had an air of nslnnisifimeiit. Matlnme w»s laid upon a little couch,
with her hair in dinordi-r, her cIierniBe open at the collar and »leeves,
lier face pale, and her features distorted. Her whale appearance wm
deuth-iike Slie sard, "hen we entered, ' You see thi- state I ain in 1"
We wept in silence. Madame de Montespan and Madame La Val-
lipre came in, and, as well as Monsieur himself, who wa« at the
duchefd'i bednide, behaved with great contpoture. It seemed to give
her pain to see the people about her bo very tranquil, while she wa»
in a titate whicli ou^lic to have encitud the utmost pity. She spoke
lo the king fur u tew uimiienls in u low voice. 1 came forward and
took her hand. She pressed mine tenderly, and said. ' You arc losing
ail affectionate frietul. who wqh beginninp to know you well, and love
jwu very dearly.' I eoold answer only with my tciir?. Slie asked lor
uiicmetii:; tlie phyRician siiid it was unnecessary, aa these kinds of colic
sonietinies lasied nine or ten honrft, hut never exceeded four-and-
Iwenly. The king bepan to argue with lliern. and tliey did not know
Iiow to answer him. He said, * Who ever licnrd nf allowing a woman
to die without giving her any assistance?' They looked at each
olher, and said not a word. Meanwhile, the people in the room were
talking, going up and down, ai^d laughing, ns if nothing had been the
matter. I went into a corner to »[>eak with Madame d'Ejiernon, who
bcemed shocked with the scene. 1 i'uid to her tl>»l I was astonished
that nobody liad'put Madame in mindof Ciod, and that it was sliame-
ful to all of iH. She Niid that Madame had asked for a confessor, nnd
that the Cure uf St. Cloud hud come : but that, not knowittg liim, she
had Ocdy Epoken to him for a moment. Monsieur came to us; 1 told
iiim I did not think Madame was prepared to die. and that she ought
Co be spoken to about religion. He said I was right : and added, that
her confessoT wbr n Capuchin, wlin was good for nothing but showing
himself along with her in her carriage, in order that the public might
see thai ^lie had u eonfettsor; but that another sort of man was neces-
sary to attend tier on her deathbed. ' Whom," he asked, ' can we lind.
vhusc name [luiy sound well in the gazette as having aiisisted Madame
ill her devotions ?* I answered, that the best recommendation for a
confessor at such n moment wa». that he should be a good and de-
vout man. ' .\h,' said he. ' I have it, — the Abbe Bosauct,* who baa
juat been made Bishop of Condom ; Madame used sometimes to con-
Terse with him : he is the man.' lie went to propose the obb^ to
the king, who told him that he ought to have thonght ofit sooner, and
that Madame ought to have received the sucrament before that time.
Madame was replaced in her bed; the king embraced her, and bade
her farewell. She spoke to him, ns well as the <|uet'ii, with great
tenderness: for nie, I was ut the foot of the bed dKowiied in learn,
nnd uimhie lo approach her. W« returned to ViT»aille*; and the
(]uoen went to supper. M . de Lauxun airived an we were rising from
table; I Went up to him and said, ' Here is an incidvut which will
* ADrrwitiit llx' (.•Irlirtilot nitlioji of M««ui. I lU funcrj) 4«nn>nij ou tlie ilealli vf
itiit ptitiOCM u uueineU Uic nii»t etoi|n«al anJ paiKcrfui ol hit woiLi.
THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY,
129
difcoocert me *adly.' — * Ym,' he »aid; • I am persuaik'd it will derange
all your plans.' ■■ And ihii court lady, overwhelmed willi gritT for
lier dyinfjc friend, immediately proceedB to diiscut^ llie prubablc uffeL-l
of that friend's deaili on ht-r own nialrimoniaL prujcclih
Wtien tW kiitg wufi gone. M> I'Vuillet, Cuiion ol' Su Claud, wds
called in, und, alter txtiortiiig cliu ducbeeu to prepttre for dcaili, in a
tone of austerity and liari>hiiess vvlilch iiiiglit have been iipared, ad*
tninistered lo her llic sacrament and extreme unction. She had gent
for the t'n^tish anibat^sador, to wlioni, un bit) cnming in, she spoke in
English. The priest, hearing tlie ainl>as«ador auk her if she believed
tliat she bad been poisoned, interposed by uiying. " iSIadame. accuse
nobody, and offer your death as a sacrilice lo God." She M'us tliuA
prevented from anitwering the ambas^ador'n question. Kooo after-
wards Bossuct arrived from Paris; but by this lime she was »peech-
teu, and apparently insensible. About three in the morning bhe ex-
pired.
Thus peridhed Ihis poor young wnrtian, at theageof aix-and-lwenly,
a victim to the intrigues and diabolical hatred of her enemies. That
•h« died by poison, hiis never been doubted ; but it remains a (juestiou
who were the perpetrators of the crime.
That the WHS poisoned, whs the universal belief at ibe time. The
letters of the English ambassador, written immediately aller the ca-
la<itrophe, show this to be the case. He thus wrote to Lord Arling-
190. tlie English niinislcr tor foreign aifuirs : " According to your
lordship's orders, I tend you the ring n-hieh the Duchess of Orleans
had on her linger when fihe died, which you will have the goodncin
u deliver to rhe kin;;. I have t:ikeri the liherly to givean nccouni lu
the kiop him.vclf of some things which Madame hud charged me to
communicate to him. Since her deoth, as you may imagine in such
a case, there have been many rumours. The general opinion is, that
she haa been poisoned, which renders the king and his ministers un-
eiuy in tlie extreme." — In his next letter he said : " I write at present
to mention to your lordship a circumstance which you are perhapH
already aware of; it is, that the Chevalier de Lorraine baa been per-
mitted to cume tu court, and to serve in the army as a 3Tarri-haI-de~
camp." This passage was written in cipher ; and the letter goes on :
" If AIudaniG lius been poisoned, »r ahiio«t everybody believes, alt
Tnuice looks upon him as her murderer; uiid is surprised, with |i;uod
rauon, that tlie King uf France has hud so little consideration lor the
kiog, our master, as to allow him lo return to court, considering, loo,
the insalent maimer in which Ue always behaved to the princess dur-
ing her life." In the ambaisador's letter to the king, giving an ac-
count ot' Ilia conversation witJi ihe dying princess, he says: " !>he
apoke to me in English. I took the liberty tu a»k her if she did not
Mieve thai she hud been noisutied ? Her confessor, who stood by,
■nd heard niy question, said to her, ' Madame, accus^c nobody, and
ofrf up your death ns a sacrifice to (ioU.* This |>reveiited her from an-
iweringme; and, I hough I repealed the question several limes, site
only shook hi-r. head. 1 asked tor the casket which contained her
Ivllers, Ihdt I mighl send them to your mnjeaiy ; and she desired me
to ask them of .Maddmc dc la Horde : but that Indy was so i>ver>
wbelnnnl with grief, that the fdl into one fainting-fit niter another.
ami, bffbro she came to her&clf, Motuieur had laid hold oi the caskcl
awl carried it oti."
190
TUB POISONERS OF
The princess's body was opened in presence oT the physicians
physician :
/licians and
surgeons of the court, and the EngJish amhassodor's physician : and
their report was, that her death was natural, oa the lun^ were dis-
eased, while the stomach and heart were sound. But Mademoiselle
tie Montpengier »Ay», in her Meinoirs, that a separate writin;; was
drawn up by the English pliysician, and sent to England, to the great
dixpleaeure of the Duke ofOrlt^ans. Am), it will be observed, it was
after this cxutnination tliat the Eiii(lish ambasDadnr, in the letter* al-
ready quoted, BO strongly expressed hijt belief that she hud been poi*
toned. The duke's second wife, too, who had gathered all the cir-
cumstances belonging to ihi.i tragedy which were knuwn at court,
tays pusitively that the princess was poisoned i and that, when her
body was opened, three holes were found in her stomach. The evi>
denCL- ol' court physicians. Id tuch a cQ^e, cannot go for much. The
French court had the greatest interest in niuking it appear that the
Imd died a natural death. A rupture with Charles the Second was a
thitig* t|} he greatly feared : und it is easy to imagine how iliuse politi-
cal considerulicms may hiive influenced the report ul' the physiduns.
There can be no doubt, then, that the crime was cnmniLtted: hut
who WHS the criminal ? Some suspicion fell at first upon tlie Duke of
Orleans, but it iippcars to have been speedily dissipated. The con-
temporary writers concur in acquitting the duke, nnd in accusing the
Chevalier de Lorraine. This man, atier the duchess hod been the
means of his exile, reliretl to Home, where he bore his disgrace with
great impatience. lie had in the duke's houschoM two friends, or
rather companions of hi& debaucheries the Marquis d'Effiat and Uie
Count de iieuvron : men wlio eagerly desire*! Iiis relurn, from the
services he could do them with the duke. The duchess being the
sole obstucie to his being allowed to return to Paris, he seems to have
used their assistance in putting her out of the way ; and this, it &|>-
peors. was accompli:ihed by means of a subtle poison, which he sent
ihem by on Italian agent of his villony, of the name of Morctli.
This may aliuost be said to be proved by the facts stated by llie
Duke de St. Simon, and the second Uucliess of Orteuns,
The duchesii had been fur i^oine time in the habit of taking a cup
of succory -water, by way of medicine, every evening at seven o'clock.
A servant of her chamber had the care of making it ; and, having
done so, he put it in a cupboard in the antechamber, with a cup to
drink it from ; and, along with the china pot in which it was marie, he
put another containing pure water, with which the duchess might mix
It if she found it too bitter. The Mar<]iiis d'Effiat had observed all
this. On the 20th of June, the day she was taken ill, in passing
through this antechamber he found nobody in it; seizing the oppor-
tunity, he opened the cupboard, took up the dririking-cup, and wa*
rubbing it witli a paper when the servant came suddenly in, and, ttnd-
log bim so employed, Kaid to him, "Hir, what are you doing in that
Cupboard ? Why do you touch Mudame's cup?" — " I am excessively
thirsty," answered d'EltiaU " and was seeking something to drink. I
was going to pour some water into this cup; but, seeing it dusty,
1 was cleaning it with a bit of paper." This circumstance was re-
lated tu tlu! second Duchess of Orleuns by this domestic himself, who
was long in her own service. He had been for many years in the scr-
▼iot of hit former mistress, to whom he was strongly attached.
I
■
I
I
THE SRVENTEENTU CENTURY.
151
In tlie evening the duchess drank the succory •water out of the
cup ; wu» tMt«iitly seized with excrucinting |>ainx, and exclaimed that
thv was poisoned. Her attendants had drunk t,ame. of the name lui'-
corjr'-waler, but not out of the snme cup; and it had done them no
liariD. It can tiardly be doubti-d, therefore, that Ihe drinkini:-eup
WB9 poisoned, and not the succory-water in the pot ; and that d'Etliat
w&t rubbing the inside of it wiiU poison when he preteiided. to the
cervaat who surprised bim, that Ite was cleaning it in order to drink
from iu 'Htcre was some cunning in poisoning the cu[^ bceauxe it
wat tued by nubody but the duchess.
She expired at tlircc in the niornio^. The king, who Eccms to
have conceived some deep sutfjiicions. uo sooner Iieard of her death
ihiui he cot out of bed, Hcnt fur Briesuc, un oflicer uf bia body-guards,
and ordered hitn lo go secretly, with six of histnoBt truBiworthy men,
seize Purnon. the ducliess's chief nia//re (Thdtel, nnd bring him to his
closet; which was instantly done. Ah soon as Purnnn entered, the
king desired Briuac and his valet-de-ch&mbre to retire, and then, nd-
drcAsing him in a stern tone, and with n piercing louk : "Attend to
what I say to you, friend. If you confess all, and answer triy questions
truly, I »hall piardon you, whatever you may have done. But beware of
Ihe tlighlent disguise or concealment; for othcrwiiic you nmy look
on yourself as a dead man before you leave iIur cfoscl. Has Madame
been poisoned?" — " Vec, »irc," answered Purnon. — "Who poisoned
her, and how »*ub it con;niitted ?"" Purnon ariitn-ered that it was the
Chevalier de Lorraine who had sent the poison to d Hfliat and BeuV'
roo; sod he then detailed the circumstnnces wbicli have been men-
lioncd. Then the king, repeating bis as^urancoi of pardon and threats
of death, ajtked, with an appearance of painful effort. <■ And, my
brother — did he know of it >" — " No, sire," said Punion ; " none of us
three was fool conugh to speak of it to him. He cannot keep a Eccrei,
ud would have ruined us" At these words ilic king uttered a long
"ah!" like a man who breathes again after t>cing relieved from a
loftd of anxiety. " That," he said, *' is what I wished to know ; but
take care that you have told mc the truth." lie then called in lliisiiac,
lod ordered him to set Purnon at liberty as quietly as he had arrested
him.
The account of this remarkable interview was given by Purnon
bimseir, many yean afterwards, to M. Joly dc Fleury, the procureiir-
generol, by whom it was related to the Duke de St. Simon. " The
same magistrate," says the duke, " in another convcrsalion I had
with bim on this subject, told me some things he had not mentioned
at finU A few days after Monsieiir'n second marriage, the king took
tbe new duchess aside, told her the nbove circumBluiice, and added,
iLat he wished lo satisfy her thai be was too honourable a man to
have allowed her lo iiinrry his brother if he was guilty of such a
criia^. Madame made lier own use of this itiformution. Purnon had
taraaincd in her service n^ tnaitn tThGttl ; but by degrees she aFccted
to make Intiuirics into the expenditure of her household, and so an*
Doyrd Purnon tlmt she forced bim to leave her service."
"The persona who formed the plot to poison Madame," b4IV8 the
•ecood Duchess of Orleans. " disputed among themselves wfieiher
thejr khould reveal tt to Monsieur: but one of tbein decided
question by uying, ' Ko, no ; he would have us hanged were it
132
THE POISONKRS OF
ysAti hence' TIic ilelihcriUionB oftheje wretches are well kncmn.
Thfv made ihc duke believe that tht Dutch Imcl given Madame a
slow' poison, which had not taken effect till then ; for, as to the poison
itself, there was no dcnj-iri]; it ; she had three holes in her stomach.
One Morelli was the a^ent employed to bring the poUon from Italy:
by wMy of recontpertsf. he was aflerwardti placed in ray liouscliold as
diiefKifltVuf tChAtri ; Hnd, ufter plundering nie in every way he could,
his patrons made him sell his ofltce at a higli price." She dcscfibeit
him a» a man of superior talenta, but totally unprincipled, piven to
every sort ofdebaucher^- and wickedness, and prutcusing atheism even
on his deathbed.
There seems, then, no reason to suppose that the Duke of Orleans
had any participation in the murder of his wife. He had never loved
her, for he ^eems to have been intapable of loving any one ; and he
was led by the utuchinatious of her eiieuiies tu treat her niih neglect
and unkindncss. Uut neither, on the other hand, d'les he appear to
have been eupable of atroeiuuii crtnieK. He n-as weak, iiut nicked.
It was ihf vile policy of Mazarin to enfeeble his mind from hia very
iiifanry. *' What do you mean," said the subtle Uiiliiin to Motbc-le-
Vayer, tliu yninif; prince 'b preccptflr, " by trying to make the king's
hrotbcr un able man ? If lie were better educated than the kinfj, he
would soon forget llic- duty of blind obedience." llii mother, Anne
of Austria, seems to hnvc concurred in this odious policy. Even
when prown up, she used to treat him like o great girl, dressing him
in petticoats for the amuoenient of her court ; while his brother was
flCcustoRied to manly occupations. Thiiit the Diikc of Orleans was,
all liis life, imbecile in eliaracter, and eS^'emJnate in litu taster and
aiTiuicments. i )e was fond of dress, parlies of pleasure, masquerades,
the paiteiuilry of the drawing-room, and pompous ceremonials- The
natural rrrnit of hiii education, loo, was utter seliij^hnetis and insensi-
bility i and, if he Innl no hand in the assAssination of his unfortunate
wile, il wu* evident that her death was a matter of eniire indifference
to him.*
Some writers deny, or ut least doubt, the guilt of the Chevalier dc
I-orraine. " Il wa» alleged," says Voltaire, *• that the Chevalier dc
Lorraine, a favourite of IMonsieur, in order to lake venj^canee for the
exile and imprisonment which his culpable conduct towards Madame
had brought upon him, had commitCed this horrible act. But
people did not consider tliat the Chevalier de Lorraine was then at
Rome, and that il was no easy molier for a Knight of Malta, only
twenty years old, and living at Itonie, to purchase the death of a
• •' Tht Sltiifseiion." sayi Hame. " which CUrlw roaped from tk new »\\\Mfn
WOthttl • (jTcnl clipfk by ilie iIesIIi of Im» %Mct, and null niQre by tlii>te mclBnctioly
t-ltvumMuiMTk xliich atic'nil<>l ii. ll«r ile^ch wa* kitJJeu. >ru;r s icw Jayt' illncu ;
%ial «k« '*<■■ Kitted xiili H m4Udy upon diinkin;; a sUm of nnct-my- water. Strong
gggHJIfiH •! poiwn arou in Uic couH of l'nin<Y, and »cie tpre;ul all over £uiDpe ;
uX ID knr< Vrtgiljnnil had dltcovcretl niaav ii}rnipUiRi( of iaalouKjr *'°'^ di*?oi>tent ou w
■ III. he nuunivvDallyWliut-ed to be lIjv author of the cniuc. CliarUa
I 'V liiiii;, wa» rtuiretv ccovinced of hit piift ; but u|"ui rcwviog (be
I tM |>'>j ■■liana, ntio tin a^'rnhi \\t.t IkkIv finiiiid nofo'inildliun* tor Ihr i;«uenil
I im/i^M prvlcCilnl III \\r. tttttA-f'S. The UuLe v( Diloint iniic**! dill net«r,
ziiuiiniuiiii af liii Itic, Lniray Kucb )lK)Nitiiioaa ai ini^ht l>u4U him to ta
.1 )ady, It it Mill. ilTsnk the rcmaint of the fame gU&i vriUiout
V. Tbciutklcn drath of nnnc«a U rommonl; nrroRiiwiiit-d
.»>«»**. and Ikercfari! leaa miglii it to ba laid on the auspicioDs of
THE SEVENTEESTII CEXTURV.
}sa
grcac princeiss." This is but a weak prvKunipllun in fuvuur of Lor-
ratne; Tor tlic ctrcunibUiucu* rclalcii by llic Duku de .St. 8iinon and
llie wcuiiil Uucliesa of Orluans eIuiw thui lie was cnubliid to gratify
his revenge, not by purclmsing the denih ui' the princesH, but by
having confederates Hbout hervery person, whose tuotivcs for desiring
ber death were as strong qs his own.
Lorraine's restoration to favour, within two years of die commission
of this crinio, has been urgcci as a presumption tnat he could not nuvc
been the criminal ; for, had h>o been guitty, it is said, the king would
never have permitted him to return to I'runcc. Wc have already
seen, from the jwiss&gc written in cip&t^r, in tlic EngltHh anibasAador's
letter to his own court, bow much he was astonished at the pt'niiissioii
which Lorraine hnd receivc^d to return to coitrl, and to enter the
military service. Madame tie Sevigne, in a letter to Ikt diiughter
Madame de Grigiian, in Febriiaiy Hi73, «ayi4 that Lorraine's restora-
tion to favour by the king was owing lu the earnest entreaties of the
Duke of Orleans, whose joy ul obtaining it was an passiotvate at his
grief had been when lii» liivourite waE sent into exile. Although the
king had been acquainted with Lorraine's guilt, he could not well
have resisted his brother's importunities; for, in the circumstances
uudcr which he had received his infiinitution, he could not allow it to
appear that he knew anything of the mutter: and hL- wai therelore
under the necessity of outwardly treuliiig Lorraine and his cunfede-
rales as if the futiil secret hud never come to liiH knuwLedf^e. Lor-
raine's return, loo, was uiAcful lo the king; fur, having untiounded
influence over the duke's cimdiiut. he wug the Httest instrument to
iiiaiiHge him according to the policy of the court.
Those who wish to rt-Iieve the Chevalitr dc Lorraine of the lmputa>
lioQ of this dreadful crime, seem inclined to throw the suspicion of it
on the Countess de Soissoiis. ThiN Italian was of a deep and danger-
ous character. She bore a deadly hatred towards the Duchess of
Orieans. She was so much implicated in the dark transactions vf the
notorious women, La Vijjoureux and La Vuiitin, (hat, ivhenthey were
convicted of preparing and sellJng poisons, she fed precipitately to
Brussels: and llmugli I.uui!i wa« gri.-;itly attached to her, as the coin-
[laiiion and playfellow of bis tender years, yet lie would never hear of
ler return to IVance, und allowed lier to die abroad. lie sometimes
even expressed his regret at liuving perniltled her to make her e.icapc,
■fid used to say, " I lear I am respuns^ible before God for not having
bad her arrested." From all this we are warranted in believing that
the Counter dc Soissons was capable of any atrocity : but, of her
being a party to this crime, there does not seem to be a vestige of
evidence.
It does Dcc teem that any further light can now bo thrown on this
incholy history. The character of the unfortunate princess is
iwn, by all her contemporaries, in the moat engaging colours. I*,x.
rrpt by her cold-hearted husband, and the wretches who were leagued
together for her destruction, she was universally Iieloved; and her
death it described as throwing o gloom, not only over the court of
Fraoce, but the whole nation. Even her faults are treated, by those
•ho arc (ur from charitable in their judgments, with indulgence and
pity; and, though slic was an object of the libels and calumnies of
HuBsy Kabutin and writers of his stamp, the purity of her character as
a wile has not been impeached by a single respectable authority.
134-
Y» ANGLERS ADVYSE.
TuEtsB i*a» a Jolli« anjtler olde
Full fayrt^ to look upon,
tlis vysigu hanJuii(.'iJ «vu by colde.
And kioiiud in y' siiDfie.
Anrt be it cold, or bo it hot.
To river, or lo lake,
Thi* jollia angl«r fsij\^A bim nut
His joumie all to make.
It cliXiicoJ upon at »iirTirnp !.■'<( day
Y" winde was fayre and goode,
Y* ttoul (III] ill y* vrnU-t plnye
A) at sucln times iliey slioLde.
Y* analer old* Mood on y* buth.
And foilh drew he «•- Tyulie ;
His osiet cref I, which <;r5i was lanke,
Was full as he could wi>lic.
Wlirn, lo ! (here standen hy hi* syde,
Wiih fayce of son; di»maye,
A manne trho ail and loudiie cryed,
And syghed wcll-a-dayc !
** Now, out on ttiee, unmanlie loona !"
To liim y' angler sayde,
" Wily doxi thgii >iii;{soilrcareaiuneT
^VJial hath ihee thus disinaydr I"
"Alastcl alas»el*"y«torii mftTinesayde,
" A wretched loon« am I !
HTifl of my tpouic I am afntvd*,
Aiid tlLcri! be rL-uonnca wny.
** She scoldeth eke fra morn lill eve,
And nought c:iiin<- I due ry^hte;
Sh* wit) not aiighle I itaya belyre,
Ani Yexeth roe wiili tpyte.
*' In Molhe, a wretched tnnnne am f,
Alnnwii; devour'd ofgricfti ;
And ii ivold^ be, if I sholde die,
To hur aod me rriiefe I"
Lutidr Uuffhed that joll ie ansler wight,
Kull loiidp ;)ii'il long I.iiipl'ifd lie;
It was, 1 wern, a merrie iifjhto
ilii mitihfiillo fayce to k«I
*• And do'h*," anyde he, " a woman's
tongue
Thus smother thee with f,mOs !
Thou ■hnldm, indeede, on liighc bt
hung,
AU for a Kurvyc tkiefe I
' Dm! ( will give lh«« ^yte advyte,
Which. c*rt«i, wilt avayle:
'Dmu 'It follo'T i[ if thou art wise ;
To cure, :i will not f^yle.
'* V* ri«e> banki are fiyie ni>d gr«ene,
y* hyrdcs doc iwet-lnc sing.
And mickie ii ilier* to be s»eu
Id aiitomn or in springe.
** Arwl if ihou 'It be a fysshertaann,
I will impart my skilli-;
And i« it iiul ii liki'lyc pUnn«
Thj" care and giiefe to kill!
" Each morning by y* river syde
We twairv with jjle* wjll roam;
And, when j* hillt* y' sunnc do hide.
Thou sb;iU b«tuke ihes home.
"Then to thy sponse be rough and
bolde,
And at her vlumours Innglit* ;
And if 3h« slill shold raile and icnW,
Thcci (wingc iiLt with tliy ila9e."
Y* lom mnnnc grasped y» fyulicr'i
hande,
ThII Inwlic touted he ;
And sayde," Uy thyadvyieni stand,
l-'or bttlCT may not be."
And now, each morae, these twain did
fyssh<! ;
Y' inrievpd maniie grewe sloule ;
GraytG sporte he had as he eouUe
Wlnhtj,
And pleased was y* loule.
And if, at eve, his spouse did routf,
And clamotir wiOi lier toiigu"-.
From nnnk his'staflTe quirk took he
oiiie,
And snynged her horde and long.
Tltii phjkicke iooi>« cured tier disease,
Ur tongao she foyne must ataye.
For, if she lel it runne al ease,
Her body« rued y* day*.
Eftioons she quir i grewe and goode,
Y* stjiRp wa» out of u^ ;
She slravc to ptrase, as erst she ihouldc,
Aiid gave Kim not abuse.
A PRIVATK ACCOUNT OP TUB LATE riRE.
1S5
And bappil]^ li<td theye and latt^,
Aod lu th^ angler old*
Their f^lilude was much and slrimg,
For well bu pliuinv httd tuldc.
Y* manne who nnre nu ioilx lo live,
Now nwrne (►Mteil his lyfe;
And ^ood Kdvyiv this K»g doth g>re,
To nunagtt «r«ll » wife.
If *hr wilh dcTil ho {KwnHid,
And stirewUh be, and crofse,
Lci licir liki- [i)scj«xni« he wi^ll ilr«ss'tl.
And gitfi lier good oake <kiioe.
Btit, if dhc It^ep a nuiet Koosv,
And ofi dotli liitiih- and taughe.
Tile loon ihnt swjngetli sucli a spouar,
HintMlf Rholde have )■ lufTbl
A PRIVATE ACCOUNT OF THE LATE FIRE.
[llTRACT OF * LETTKK mOM JBKKI.V MOHCAN TO UlS BUOTUBlt
uavy( kbah abertstwitu.j
"Dear Daw,
" La*t Wedneiday night I happeDeil lo pass with luafilcr, our
jroting squire, through the city- We caw the wjitdinif^n u-smelliiig
all round a place they call the Royal Kxcliaiige,— «i»eUing for all the
world like our hounds in the couutrj'', for there w'99 a huge Bmell of
fire, which soon aftrrwards broke out. and burnt to tljc ground thii
firand building. But, um you in your ignorance may not Know what
is the Itoyal Exchange, I shall tell you for your in»truction. Tt is a
big place, Hixlccn or twenty timeb more uiablc nor the market-place
in Aberyfttwith, — yesj indeed I am not joking, — with a pcnt'house
all roiiD4l it, when it rainn, for people to go in. All the great mer-
chant* of London and the Lord Alayor uted to tne<-t here every
day to talk about their stock, and buch matters ; but you must
know it was not »Toclc of sheep and oxen, but something, young
muter Mys, about paper ; and, sure enough. Dnvy, there wa^ an un-
oomnon sight of paper there, — &» ynu sliall henr presently. It was
a abocking cold night, cruel coM, and maHtrr ^id that the 'mometer
was down to nero ; hut what part oC llie world that is, I never heard.
Well, tlierc wui one old walcliman, — wliicU minded mc of old Tow.
IrT in uiir park. — smelled himself all the way to a room called the
Cuuina* Itoom ; and there, sure enough, was n big (ire whirlingabout
a* if it was doing come great act of kindness to come out of ics snug
dwelling in such dreadful cold weather. Then master cot himself
into a famous passion, and sweared in good Welth, and kicked the
gateway w ith all his might ; but it was no use. The key wa» gone
down to (Jrctfiiwich, where it seem* it lived. So, after a great deal
of talking and councilling alKiut whetJier it would be propriety to
bmk open the door ; or whether il would be polite at all to throw
c»>ld water upon the fire without axing the Lord .Mayor to make him
a speech; it was utunimously decided that nothing could be done
wiUMMit sending a deputation to the Mansion. I louse, which is the
place where tlie Lord Afayor is kept. After a good deal of ktK>ck-
Eng aad blattering, the door was opened by one of his lordship's
women ; and wlien he was made to know of the lire, he got up
in a minute out of his warm bed, and after fastening on hi^ great
chain, — which the Common Council always make him wear, — be
calls for a stout, jittly- looking fellow, with a led nose, — who al-
1S6
THK FKMALE WALTON.
ways carries his lorddiip on these occuion^, — and, tnounting cm
hia buck, he ride» him in great state before the gates of the Ex-
change. When his lordntiip had arrived there, he observed that
there wa« * fire to the aUlenitan, — which nil agreed to, except
the oppmition lender, who »iiid it couhhi't be, because it was
imposaible: however, it wati af^reed by the majority tliat the gates
should be inntantly broken open. In tnc me«n white, many fire-en-
jTJneft had arrived, all loaded with briitk, active fellows, riding upon
real tea-kettles full of hot water, and they all began to pour with ill
their might upon the Exchange. Oh, it was a grand sight, Davy !
— On went the fire without mercy, destroying papers, money,
bills, the rorporatioti Heal, nil the old kings of England, and a
gr^aX deal more lumber besides; and the air was filled M'ith clouds
of paper and baiik-tiutes, which fell upon the crowd in ithowers
of fire; and no u«e was all the money tu any living soul but to
burn their clothes instead oftbeir pockets. Then it made one 'most
cry to 8CC the flames enter the beautiful tower, and curl round i( as
if it wan embracing a young bride: and, oh, Davy! — indeed to
goodness it is true 1 am speaking. — the bells of the tower begau to
ring, in a most melancholy way, the old song ' There's no good luck
about the house;' and they rung the song alt through to the end,
and then fell down to the ground one alter another. And the
old clock, Davy, he went on without getting a minute too fau
or a minute too hlow, although the noise and IViglit might well
have put him out; — hut at last it got so hot that he couldn't
bear it any longer, and then he struck. It was now one great ^J
blaac all round the building; — a more awfuller sight could never ^|
be seen. Old master in the justice-room was nothing at all lo it; ^1
and it bkied and burned for a great many hours before it left
off. And now and then there was a huge crash heard as the old
kings and queen^^whn have been »tanHing in the Exchange ever
Bin ce they were dead — fell into the square below. There was one
of these fellowo, who stmid in the luiddie of the building because he
was so wild and had euch a bad Character, so the gentry would not
allow him to cume up stairs, — this chao eseajM-d altogellier ; and
master says it was all proper that he should rscape, bo I 've no doubt
it was. After this we went home, and sorry in the heart is master
at wlial he *aw ; so I unburden myself by writing the account to
yon. Ijove to sister and tlie rest, from your loving brother,
JlCNKlN 31oB(iAN."
4
THE FEMALE WALTON.
Dick pays no comphmenis to Uvely Sail.
She su)* she don't Kxpcri them from ihai quarter.
" You *ni tishitif for ■ comphmfnl, my girl."
" Ha, Uick, indeed, uot id such sliallow water,"
137
A SPORTIiJG RAMBLE IN THE HIGHLANDS.
** JIfy Iteart 'a <ii th^ Ilif^land*. mr hcftrt it not bttA,
Sly li^ATt '» in lliL- Higlilaiiili u-cluuing tlici iImv ^
Chaaing lh« wili) ilfwr, nnil follawiiif; the ruv,
Uy baut 'i in tliti HifchlnndB wherever I go."
" Mc R»«'» Uoiel, Arxl-nam-beam, N. B.
AueiiM, ib:i7.
" Dbab Fhank, — If you call ' quit the pay and festive scene,' —
Lundon. — und pay us a visit iu tlie ilighlaiids, wc shall be delighted
U> see you. Our sport hti» bteii excellent. My return of killed last
*rek was a hundred and fifty brace of grouse, four red deer, and do
end to »aIriKiii. We go to Glengaolach on the lyth-
h" Ever yourt ,
" FiTi-Ror.
I "P.S. — I $end you a box of grouse."
1
The above epistle was put into my hands, or, as the tradesmen
■ay, "came to hand," on the morning of one of the hottest days in
Aagant ; and, anxious to leave the Bweltering metropolis, I imme-
<iiatcly deqatclied the following answer :
•« Dkax Pitz-Roy,— The ' Ducties!* of Sutherland" steamer start*
to-nrarrow : and, wind, or rather smoke nnd weather permitting, I
sIibU be frith you on the l^th.
" Ever yours, (aa we say in Sussex,)
" Frank Falconeb.
" P.S. I was mort\0td (aa were the grouite) at the length of time
tbity were journeying here."
No sooner wa* this affair arranged in my own mind, than it wa«
pot in train for execution. Moore'i gunti were paraded, Punley'in
nfit* tried, ammunition provided, and every preparation itminletcd
tat taking ihc field. After a very prosperous voyage o'C fifty hour«,
I fiwind myself off Gannouth, on tlie north coast of Scotland, a spot
calibmed for the landing of Charles TI, who, as the guide-hoolis
Wtnld wyi van shortly .tfterwarcin rrnwned with mnci) magnificence
at Some, but lost, pro irmptire, his crnn-n and kingdoms in the di^
MtrotiB battle of Worcester : and certainly no event since that memo-
rable period ever produced so great a seiifitiun hh the divftnburkatiun
of myaeir, two pointers, four setters, a couple of decr-hound»— Luith
nd €«lert ; my cab-boy Frank, a perfect pocket specimen of the
tigvr breed, and wbo, from his " wee " appearance, diminutive tops,
Kod tiny coat, (tome ventured to add " small " waues) bad obtiiinecf at
Crockfonfs door the wbriquct of " Huniieopauiic ;" and tart, not
lowt, my Greek valet, not tu mention an innumerable number of
trunk*, purtmanteauH, carpet-bag*, writing, drensing, hat, and gun*
ram. A boat of ragge<l urchins formed the " gathering" whicli
wvtcoowd tne to this celebrated !<pot, and who, in reply to my in-
•OU III. I-
138
A 8PORTIN0 RAMBLE IS THE HIGHLANDS.
quirie*. proceeded to conduct me to the liostelrle. A cluster of some
half-dozen Bina]| nntt dilapidated dwellings formed what wm termed,
par e.icrtleiifc, ''the vJilag*." As usual, one ofthc most imposinff of
these «»id edifices had been termed " tlu^ hotel," thimph only rendered
coiispictinuM above the others by » roicph hounl .tuspcnded Trom q f^al-
iHWR-lookinp post, on whirli ■»•»« pnimcd, in the most aitfj '.Stan field
9tj*lc imaginable, a schooner under weigh, with " Donald Mc Kay's
Hotel" written undcmejith in large, though not exactly very eapitil,
letters.
Mine host soon made his appenrance : but great waa my annoy-
ance, on inqutrinf; whether it would be possible In pet any convey-
ance to Ard-nain-beatn, to receive in anHWcr the following reply :
" It's Hue impossible, but it's \aar.i dlffieulL" At lust, after some
little delay,— iluriiiQ; which Frank had been lottdly vocilerating for
"cab unhiretl," and had shown con^iik-rable disgust at aicertaining
there w.ib never 'sitch a thing u» a hoiunibus" to be had. — a kaart,
»i it was called, iel est cr>.il-cart, was produced ; and into l/iU vtmn
the Honouniblc Francis Falconer, the arbiter eUfiantutrwm of St.
JamesVstreet, &c, compelled to jump, huddled togftlirr with dogs,
luggage, *:c. all previously detailed, and that, loo, amidst the
cheers ofthc unw.i»herl multitude, aqd a few reinsirk* of surprise »t
my costume. N.B. The 6rst French- polished boots ever Men in
this province. |
" rley! what a brnw nhow he'd make in a landwnrd kirk !" —
" He thinks himsel', nae doot. nae sheepshank." Amidst these cheers
I was driven ofl", and for pix hours wai, as Sir?. Iliirdcnstle saya in
the play, almost " jnlled to h jelly-" The evening, however, turned
out remark.ibly fine ; and, were I now writing a tour, I ahonld, in
the fjsliioiiable phrasi-nlogy of the day, describe to perfection the
gorgeous beauty ofthc scenery, llic Tiiiuneiique tints ofcolours, the
Turnerian crl^pnegs and clf!inic,-s, Cluudeiin mcllovrncps. Copley-
Fiehlini; touches, &c. A^i it wa>>, I contented myself with a doze,
froru which I was at length awakened by tile cracking of my conduc-
tor's whip as we drove up about dusk through a few solitary cot-j
tnges to tlie door of Mc llae'f Hotel in Ard-naui-benm.
I immediately nlightt^rl, anticipating ji warui ;ind hearty welcome,
and, following my landlord into a room which the gun-0)Me:«,
old newspapers, and magaxines showed me to be my friend FitK-|
Boy 'a apartment, I felt rather chilled at beholding my own lettcri
unopened on the table. Mv host soon informed me that electioneer* |
ing business hud summoned the party unespectedly away before the
arrival of my despatch, but that ttie foresters and others had received
orders to show every civility to any southern who might chance to
arrive ail interim. This reception, rai/ifier the north side of friendly,
'■daaht-d," or, to ute a Scotticism, "fashed" me not a little; but.
determined not to confos my disappointment, I began to think of
ilmply replenishing the inward man. Aks ! too soon I found that,
like Bailiie Xicol Jarvie, I h.-id not carried the comforts of the Salt-
market at my tail; for, on ordering fish, flesh, or fowl, for a nine
o'clock dinner, 1 was informed timt there was nothing of the kind
to be had witliin five mile:*. A bottle of Uqueur, which by the pn>-i
vidence of my Greek had been stowetl away in my dreesing-CHsc^'l
WAS produced, and I managed to rough it on maraschino and |ioacli«di
t
A SPORTING RAMBLE IN THB IIICnLANDS.
139
refcs, as lh« ^"'■"l^'nan ■" •»<! to hare done on beefiteakt and ]>ort.
Retiring ejiriy, I fell asleep, dreaming much
** Of sport by thiclcet or by sueam,
Orhawlc, of hcMinil. of rinc, orgtove,
Or, « brijihier" yet, {not " lighter," as Scott lays,) of lady's lore,"
tilt daylight )^cntne<l through my Uttict>s- As thtf novels xay, " the
cartcm »an bad illumined the moiuitain's brow with fluid Rold."
when my faithtul Aittnnio made his a{>]>mrancc, informing me that
the foresters were in w«itin|;, and that brenkliist was ready.
" Then, oh, what a hreakfast ! oh, not like your ghort of a break-
fast in England, your curst tea and toast!"
Inatead of tough ham, French eggs, domestic coffee swertened
with maple sugar, I found finnan hiuTdock^, kippered H-ilmon, Iri&Ii
trout, onEmeal cakes, honey, jam, marmalade, &c. all of which Uik
ihonghcrul forester had, on nearing of my arrival, provided for
me.
f)<«r-stalki[tg was prupoHed. and GU'n^aoluch recommended as
my bvad-quarters. Aly shcUie was at the door, and I was about
to mount, when my gilly. in the most respectful manner, asked me
if" I was canging out m Ma/ gear?" I looked at myself with no
lhtl« satisfaction- I evidently saw that I had " Htirprised the na-
lives;" for, "though 1 say it. that aliould not," never was mortal
man better got up. Cooke hud done hit bent, — and he is the king
of Schneiders. A dark mnlberrv-coloured shortting-jnckct, tartan
waistcoat, the nearest possible white cord " oh no, we never men-
tion ihems" in the world ; a drab hat, and coloured neckcloth, formed
mjr shooting costume. I thought that my artist, however an\iuus
he might have been, tr>»M hxrdly have afforded to have purchased
me At mi/ otrn valuation, to at/ind at his door in Patantl-stTcet to
attract custom, as the w^x fi}iure<i do in (he unknown region!; of
Cbeapiide and \rhiicchapel. The forester, seeinj? my determination
la mount, c«me forword, and explained that the qiiick-bighted deer
wnuld niTcr rome within shot of surh a conunie, and Huggeated a
hctthcr-coluurcd suit of my rrien<r!i, which fortunately hatl been left
bcfaJDcL In this I was soon attired^ and ^t fortli for my iirst e^say
■t red-deer italking.
After a ride of two hours, we entered that wilderness of the moim-
lafau calleii Glengaolaeh. A scene »o new, ko wild, s<j lonely, aruT
wtthal so different from anything 1 had ever seen before, filled me
with a confused feeling of delight, not, however, unmixed with awe ;
wbile the only shelter from the storm, or from the angry ghosts of
Ossian when in wrath, was a few loose stones, piled carclestly one
opoD another, afttr the manner of a cow.hou»e. My readers will,
bowevcr, understand me better if they have, by any enance of fate,
ever seen a Highland botliie. The one appointed for my use was a
neat>built dwelling of but one apartment ; and which, like the cob>
bler'a sull, was condemned to serve for parlour, kitchen, and every-
tluagt ebe. A* some refreshment wai bring prepared, some dry
whins soon blazed on the hearth, the timoke furring its way throu|;n
«l antrditunan sort of chimney formed out of an old herring<tub.
Of furniture there was none, save and except u deal box, five feet
iiesen by llirce, — a seal by day, and a bed by night ; and an empty
whtsky-caik, assuming aa many forms as the A*cot-race man s
I. a
140
A SPORTING RAMBLB IN THE HIGHLANDS.
"papyro-inelnmorpbotii," (ns I presume it is called in these days of
higb-sountliiig names,) namely, a table, seat, sideboaril. ami cupboard,
and in which last-mentioned receptacle a scanty furnishing of crockery
liad been stowed awx)-. An iron kettle bung from the rafter* ; and
ii Htick of bdxwood, l>i«tened in the wall by patches of wet clay, did
dut)' for CHndlesticIt.*
The boihie, however, such an it haa been deocribed. was beau-
tifully situate upon a brae-aide, surmounted on all sides by ranj^cs of
lof\y hills, trhich gradually lost themselves in the distant horizon.
The heather was in it^ thickest and deepest bloom ; white a moun-
tain torrent, or scaur, rushing down from the rocky steeps in bold
and sudden sweeps and curves, was partly visible, and partly con-
cealed by the fdliage uf some dwarf trees which clothed its lowlier
banks.
[n the mean time, tliu herd of deer of which wc were in search,
sheltering tlicmsclvcs in the iiio»t remote mid almost inaceesfible re-
ce«*es, rendered the tusk of overtaking or nearing them equ,illy toil-
some and precarious. Alter two hours' labour amongst the clip's and
crB^s, one of them, a royal stag, came within shot. Mv hand trem-
bled with the excess of my anxiety- I however piillecl the trigger.
The »ht»t reverberated thniugh the riKkn, and 1 fancied that he fell.
Calling iiky <log Luith to my aidj I hallooed him on. With a bound
like that oJ" the startled slag, the noble animal is off and away,— he
is racing with the winds. And now the deer bounds over rock and
glen, or plunges onward through the mouniiiin stream. Following
the forester, 1 neared him. cheering, and 1 believe half maddenefl
witli excitement ; when, lo ! I now beheld, to niv utter consternation
and dii<mny, my dog throttling and pulling down, not ft royal stag.
but — oh, nhnine be it spoken .' — a shepherd's ahe-goat, and which,
in i^pite «f every exertion I eould make, 1 was finally unable to extri-
cate from the tangs of the ruthless Luith.
" Hey ! wtnat a bunnie beastie !" exclaimed my gilly at the sight.
"lie's niair flayed than hurt," replied the she])herd ; "so ne»er
fash yourself about it."
A tew shillings served to satisfy the old man. who, in the oot-
pourvngs of bis gratitude, thus expressed himself:
" Ve need nac hae gi'en yuur»elf sair much trouble: it'a too much ;
it 'a just xcandahut !" which said method uf returning thanks sounded
not a little ambiguous to my southern ears.
Such, then, was the consummation, urrdevoutly to be wiabed,
which concluded this first day's hunting the stag.
A joke of the practical sort had been played ofl* this morning upon
my unsophisticated valet, which certainly created a hiuch amidst hia
"hjindsmeiii in the hall." Antonio had unfortunately left my " Pe-
tersham mixture" in London, and, wishing to replenish my melan-
choly account of empty boxes, made inquiries for the nearest and
best purvej'or of snn^. Mc Sneezer, of fliiill, in the town of E ,
eight miles ufl', was immediately recommended. \\\* shop wa» de-
* A puient unell of rarlntnslL, mounuln-dow, and paant. prc^-ailvtl tUroiighout.
As lliB pan uf ihe hsart dom •' tiot" tay,
'^ Vuu iiukIiI Av irhst ym\ will,
Hut tIi«K«ni€irihe«bi*k7 •raiilil cliiig lit tU IV *<<//."
A SPORTING RAMULE IN TUB HIGHLANDS.
HI
Kriberi as being next door to that of one Me Intosh, of Wnlerprui),
uid opptmite tn Kiichan Fairntosh, of Cocieloijie. It was also iti-
■istcJ u|M)ii tlial, an the grouee were very quirk -.tight ed, a few pounds
of iK-atlKT-folourfd shot would be very acceptable tn his matter.
My Greek, in the innocence ol' his nature, — especially after my
hNtber-cotoured iiicl^iiinrphusig, — relied implicitly on this vague
nUtcment, and oW he stiirteu uii loot, being inlorined that at the botnie
two miles off, he woukl, without any diiliculty, procure " Shanks's
sbrltir." Wfiat occurred at E I know not ; suffice it to »ay, that
my poor Greek rcturne<l from his expedition very much disconcerted.
The Waterpruif Ale [ntosh was unknown ; a " Hoot awM, inon ! ye 're
Mii let ■» nave nonenfye'rcti«hniaclaverii !" greeted bin> at the shot-
■bop, and Shanks's nheitie turned out to have tneant but his own
bipraal legs.
But to return to my sport. Emerging from the thicket, I found
nvaeir on a ledge of flut rock projecting over a chasm of not less than
a Imndred feet, where the dark mountain torrent made n rnpid nhnnt
o»rr the precipice beneath. My gilly, stopping suddenly, hastily
culaiined, " Shoot 1 lihoDt 1 — a tnd ! n tod!" Lookiit^ towards the
spot, to my great surprise I saw a foK bearing gallantly away. An
iavoluDtary " Tally hu I" escaped me, and for a moment my thoughts
wiQcfered to W-ir wick shire. My mind's eye for the instant pictured
ti» itself Hill Morton Gorse, — Tom Day's "Gone awav 1" was even
•oanding in ray ears ; when my reverie was put an en^ to by ■ shot
whistling through the rocks. The forester's unerring aim had tak<ni
effect ; aiHl I watched, not without a sigh, the last struggles of i>iK»r
Rcinaitl, it he fell from the cliff, and was carried away by the force
tif thr mountain waters.
Patiyueil »nd dii^tppuintetl with the day's mutlinlietl disattent, I
bow exprestietl a <le»ire to return once more to Arci-nam-beiarn ; on
wtuch my guide disappeared all at once from my side, til), nearing
dke precipice, I beheld him catching by notches, roots of heuther,
■id alight projections of the rocks, rupidly di^sccnding the steepest
lUca of the chA-tm. I, however, though by a longer route, mnde
pwd my own retreat; and, returtting home, sleep and repose lulled
my tired senses to rest.
Tbe next day was wet, or Boh, aa it is called; and the falling
tt a. Hcotcli mist, vis. a thick, driitsling, and unintcrruptetl rain,
wss by no means unacceptable as an excuse for refuge from fuir-
tbet fatigue: to dine, therefore, and to dine in comfort, was now
tbe diief desire of my heart. On leaving London 1 had provided
aayMlf with a few quarts of Peacock's best turtle, and u mo»l llelin-
gabalinc pate dfjoie grat. Wishing tu cre;tte tin Rgree.ible stirprise
la ■osnc brother spurUsmen who liad consented to favour me with
Amr cxMnnany to dinner, I gave my gill)':^ spoii<,e Ntrict orders to
prtyare the soup by simply boiling the contents of the white Jar,
adding lo it only a few glasses of madeira. Aly last injunctions were»
** Rciaemb^r the white jar !"
I proceeded to unkennel my dci^a, revise my gim.s, overhaul my
tkat, ttc. till, the day having happily wore through. ! at last saw all
■f gnrtCs arrive. Our toilets were soon made, and down we ruit to
MBcr. With what glee did I take uifthe suun-cover, — for the soup,
W it kaown^ was the only disb in my bill of fare that I thought it
li&
A SPOATISO RAMBLE IN TMB HIGHLANDS.
worth while to announce, — and with u Urge lea-cup, which served
u» for turvvn-lmlle. begin tu hi-lp my-*i-lf and friends ! Uiit jtidfte of
my horror vrlieii ] perceived h wliitf, greasy, uiiPHTOUrj-loiikiiig
aiibatAncc f\it»unff sti )>pi(-ioii)>ly on the top, and, on dlvltic for Uie
green fat, discovereii certain hard blacV-looktng truffles. The mys-
tery wai soon dissipated. A eonsidtatitin of northern Jlrs. Glass's
haul rftalised the proverb, " Mcikle cooking spoils the broth." They
had misuken the jars aiid boiled the fitile dej'oie gras iu pUce of the
turtle. Byron talks of
"The rage of tie vuUaiy,
Theloreortlieiuitlo;"
mine eq^ualled the former for the loss of the latter.
The morning artcr my dinner failure, a trusty messenger arrived,
having, as he enlleil it, "just stepped over" a diatance of five-and-
twenty miles with my letter*. I read my Engli^ one^ with avidity.
How nnich might be written about a Irtter-bax 1 I" » few lines
penned, perhaps, in all the careleisness of haste, we read that oar
lioppH are haiilke<l, or our ruin complete*!. Anollier may bring the
death of u parent, or a friend, in whose afieetiuns we ourteives reigued
paramuunt. At length, however. 1 tunicd nie to the others, and, ill
addition to the aunounccd return of my Iriend, 1 found im-it«tion»
poured in upon me fruui all the surrounding families of title and di»>
tinction, Scottish hospitality had couunenced. The season of vi«t«
had bejiun; ajid now, cured of my first awkwardness, [joined in all
the sports of the country. Of the interior of noble castles, uulaces,
and shooting-lodges, I shall not here speak, as the subject might be
endless ; but, ere 1 part from my readers, 1 may sulVlv say that the
healthful beauty of the daughters of the Morth, the dulcet »tr,)ins of
their voite and harp, and their graceful bearing in the merry dance,
must haunt my mind's rvmembrance till I, or time, or both, become
no more ! •
" Faiewell lo the IligMoitHs ! faren^ll lo the Nonti I
The bidh-pliioc of valour, tlic rniiniry of worth ;
VVhi'fevtr 1 wander, wherever I ro^e,
Tbv tKHit of the Higtilnncis for ever I love :"
for* ID the words of th« Jacobite ftong,
"TI)ouKh rich be die soil where blotsoins the rose,
And fiarrcii tlic mounluint, and cover'd with xuowR,
Whcie blooms the red litAtlier and ihi&tk so gieeo,
Yet for friendship tuicere. and lojrnliy true,
And for couiaue so bold no foe can subilui',
Unruatch'd is our country, uorinll'd uur swttius,
Aitd lovely atid (rue are the avniphs of our plains^
VVii<fr« rises (bo ihisUe, Ik* t'hislif sg green I
J 13
THE INNKEEPKR OF ANUEUMATT-
Sbortly after the ffei>er)i1 peace, — in cumraon with troops of mv
oimfMtrioU, to whom the Contintmt hut] l>een so toti^ rfoned, — ^1
traveUed to Switzerland. Liltlc was then known of that cotintry ;
the inns w*^e few ami hiid : not no now. The inhnbitanls, too, have,
nnce the perioil of which I ^eak, lost much of thc-ir individuality.
The attriuon of fomgnep.'*, niul the corrupting influence of their
gold, hii%'L>. 1 am sorry to aay, worn off much of ihiit simplicity of
m-mncre, and iimst of tlic rii^ged virtuea, bequeathed to the mouii-
lainecr by bis ancestors.
One oriny first visits was to the- Lake of the Four Cantons; that
lake, the border of which gtive birth to the heroes and jmtriots
who »hnok otF the yoke of foreign tyranliy. The lakes of Swilzer-
land have each a peculiar character of tlieir own, and this owea iti
■ charm to itv deep eolitiide and sechtsion.
^^ Prom AltorfT I croxsrd tlie JMont St. Gothard, and, fortunately
^l^riiie, <<;tw it before the new road, in imitation oftUfttof the Sirnplon,
^P^hto begun. The mechanical art* and civilixAtion are the dexth of
■ •mtinient, despair to the nrtiiit, but Atill more to the poet. There
H «a« then no hideous steara-buiit, with its bUckcning column of
H smoke, to destroy the connexion of the present with the pa«.
^ A bateau, of the snme construction as that from which Tell, kap-
ibg on the rock, — where the chtipel now stands to commemor«te
the exploit. — wiii}fed the arrow into the hpurt of tJctner. conveyed
me to ttie foot of St. (lolliard. It then afTordi'd no prsciicnhle way
fdr carriages, with their imperial.^ their couriers, ami fetnmes ae
ehamhrr, all ptieked t^i^rethiT at the t<ip. The )>ass that had been
iroddMi for centuricH, decp.wurn and precipitous, admitted only
of being traversed on foot, or A mufrl ; thut |tas», the must terrible
in Hk «ublitnity of alt the rest, with hs deafening turrent, and its
Mdr> tliick-iet with giant ninc^, that yet gr.idiially diminished Into
iea aA tliey lo^t theniselves among the clouds above our heads.
WAn the month of April, and near leu o'clock at night, when,
tfter a Imig niiuch, I reached an inn in the out«kirt« of the small
town that beari the »ame name of euiuiroiiit and musical Honiid, —
Laeano. It waa not the be«t hostel in the place ; but, al^r the
ft^thlM in whieh I had been lodging, I had become very indifferent
~ the »Core of accommodation, and jfUd to find shelter anywhere,
buidlord seemed Co liave little respect for foot-paiuengeri, for
b* flid not move from hii ehuir to give me welcome as 1 entered
hi* door. He was seated in the chimney comer with a traveller,
»ba looke<l like an ohi Aoldier, to juilgc from his grey moustache
md half-military costume; white a girl uf eighteen or twenty was
pmuring hiti supper.
Onr bost'i maimers were eeruiiily not preiiosRes^Ing : and he
MMiiiil but little inclined lo afford me thjt paid hospitality which
Goldiniith lo much vaunted, lie told m* sulkily ttiut his house was
Ui, that his guests bod retired, and that thrgentlrm:nt who hnd just
~ ivrd, jnd to whom he pointed, had enKiigeil hit last ch.imbvr.
r firr. place wok one of tlitt kind still common id fiirm-iiousec
fci ' ', and universnl in Wn!e«. with wooden benchc* on each
*•'■' i.ing the ieo^rth of tJie chimney. I told bim, therefore.
144
THE INNKEEPER OF ANDERMATT
that if he votild give me a couple oF blankets, I would Bleep tur le
dur.
The stranger politely ofTcrcd me hulf his bed ; but, our hust hav-
ing acceded to my pr'opositiun, I declinetl to shore it, with Uie be»t
grace I could.
Suiiiv excellent vermicelli soup, delicious red trout, and ah omekt
an.i hrrbct, cuusulcd me for the modicum Aotpitium in other ways. I
Mt down with a true Alpine appetite. Discovering that the cellar
contained one excellent bottle of Bordeaux, the stranger and myself
ordered a second.
Illy companion was «n agreeable person. We communicated t<>
each other whither we were bound and whence wc had come. I apoke
witli niptiiref dI" St. Oothard, and of the green valley of Andcrnjalt,
At the name of Andennatt 1 saw a change come over the stranger's
countenance, as though it were clouded by poine painful retrospect;
and, nf^er drinking two bumpers of the claret in rapid succession,
as if to give lum courage, he tnU5 began :
" You may have heard of Suwarrow, and the dreadful priva-
tions he and the Rus.'iianB endured tn that memorable rvlreat over
Sl Gothard. 1 was a conscript iu the Krvovh uruiy at that time, and
bein^ on the rcar-guanl, cuiiiposed of a compftny of chasseurs, in
charge of btorcs lately come up, we bivouacked for the night at An-
dermatt. Vou remember well — and who oin forget ? — that green
valley, and the peaceable and quiet stream flowing through it,
which by a itrnnge caprice of Nature presents a startling contrast
to theehaoH of r»»clt(i and turbulence that marku the headlong course
of the torrent till it mingle* with the blue waters of the Lake of Uic
Quatre Cimtoiis.
" Well, Uiere h, or was, at Andermatt a solitary inn."
The landlord, who had been h.tlf asleep for aome time from the
effects of intoxication, here gave a start, and threw down his gla»x.
I had senrcely till then remarked the man or his countenance ; but,
as the ^re-light. Hanhed upon him, I wondered I had not done so bc--
forc. He waa fifly-fivc nr sixty years of age. His person, short and
thick-set, bespoke tiic niuuntainecr ; his hair ha<l been almost as
flaxen as an Albino's, but grey now preduminaled ; hh eyes, too,
like theirt), were of a bright grey, much inflamed with hard drink-
ing ; his cheek wos iiale wiUi the leprosy of drunkenness ; his
features betrayed an habitnal gloom, as though he were engaged
in the continual contemplalirm of crime, or u prey to some deep mid
secret remorse, — at Itaal, such was the impression he gave me ; and
I WHS possessed with an indefinable feeling tFuit be was in »ome way
connected with the tale to which he was listening,
There is in ourselves, if we did not repress it, an internal cou>
sciousness, a sense independent of our external senses, that gives ua
a prophetic insight into the truth of things, a secret power of divi-
nation that makes a look an interjection, a gesture eloquent: thu»
with the throwing down of that glass ; it was an echo that respond-
ed to ray mind. I determined to watch him n.irrowlv.
\V'hilst I was thus reasoning witli myself, tlic French officer Had
been going on to say,
" TTub solitary inn, or rather hostel, was ai that time a mere
r^t'uff, such ajt we see on the Simplon and Uie other great passes,
anil hid been built by the government for the shelter of travellers.
I
TUB INNKEEPER OF ANDERMATT.
145
I
I
i
We had bivoutcked on the banks of the fitrroin. The dctnchment
being n very weak one, not excectlitig twenty rank and Ale, under
the charge of a young 8ub-1ieuteniint. and the mountAins full of
JuHttrAa and marauders, it wait iiecesBarv to ke«p a good tonk-out.
The yonng assistant commiHsiiry -general it) charge of ttie stares, who
had no military duties to perfurm, hud taken up liib quarters at the
ekdUl, where, in the only rouui yf which it coiiaisled, they had pre-
paretl biui a twrt of bed. screened only by a blanket from that of the
flOkt and h.\* wife. As he was sitting over a cheerful fire of pine-
wood, there entered a comniis vot/tigcMr, who had been detained for
■omc time at Altorff by the preneiice ol' the emmy, ami their occu-
pation of tlicpaM. Am soon, therefore, as he heard oftts bi-ina;oj}en,
ne had pushed forward on his way to Afilan with the intention of
pTtnecuting the re»t of his journey under the guard of the troop»,
and proceeding with u» the ensuing morning. His employers were
great diamond-merchaoiB ; and he, having partaken rather too freely
of the eau de cerise, — the only liquor tliat the place supplied, — spoke
rather indiscreetly nf the value of the casket — one of the usual brnss-
buund shape—of whicli lie was the bearer. I forgot to tell jfou
that the coniinissarv's name van Adulplic, and that he came from
the aame village in Burgundy asniyaclf. We hud been seliuolfellows
and fricndb from iufaiicv ; and our intimacy was i^till furllier btrcngtli-
awd by his aliection lor my sister, to whom he bad been long be-
tfiithrd, and w.i» about to be married, when the decimation of the
Comuiune marked us on the same day as victims to the conscription.
It waaa nielanchuly moment for poor Adolphe when the hour of pait-
itig came; and a still more heart-rending tme to his mother, whose
hoaband had been killed in action at the hreiiking out uf the revo-
lotionary war. Adulphe w;i« her only son, litr only atay in the
world, a >taB' to the feebleneni* of her age. The cottage tliey in-
babitrd, and an orchard and meadow at the back, were her own
prujierty ; and ahc looked forward to clasping on her knees the
graiid-ciuldren of her Adolphe and Gothon, — such was the name of
her intended daughter-in-law. But nil these dreams of hap)>int!S(t
were doomed to be at once blighted! When «he clasped him in
^cr widowed arniA, it was their lai>t embrace.
' "We joineil the army on the same day, and were attached to the
atme corjis ; hut in cuiiftequenee of the ftervices of Adolphe' .-i fnther,
who had been known to the colonel of the regiment, my friend was
attached to the commiitsuriat department, — a branch of the service
that nramiiieil him the realization of a rapid fortune. Hut he waa
Ui-caJcuUted for a life of activity and enterprise ; he was of a mehin-
dioly temperament, and hie thoughts were constantly reverting to his
home, and those wjiu bad endeared it. During the day's march he
waa frequently by my »ide. The frightful solitudes of the Alps, and
ibn Icrrific grandeur of the Devil's Ilridge, recalled more forcibly the
frecn pastures and vineyards of his native plaina; and a sombre pre-
■ccupatJoti of mind, a presentiment of evil, made him remark to nie
that St. Gothard was an eternal barrier between him and his hopex,
—that he should never again cros.^ it. I laughed at his fears, treated
ihem as idle and chimrrica), and endeavoured la cheer him ; but in
vain. Such waa the mood in wliich I lej\ liini for bivuunck.
**Tbe commit n/t/tigrur and Adolphe having suppe^l together, the
hlUrdffcred the sLranger, — m I have done you, sir, — the half of Ids
b*
THE ISNKREPea OP ANDERMATT.
I W fnlefully accepted ; and, hkvtng deposited his prts
moAet his had Ji» a pillow, soon sunk into a. deep 3lp«p, '
mr««le(l. Tbe other inhiibttAnta of the chiilrt Imd
_ 'fn&rd to ihe'ir grabaU ; btit Adolphe's imaginiition wss
%!• «ctf V* fir •hiaber."
Hart ibt bast gave a deep sif h, which was however unobserved
b^ lh« narrator : and, indrt-d, there scem^ nothing as yet to ucca-
MMiil; I eyed him iittvniivelv ; his bead niu resting on bit hand,
ihftAMX^ uf vhich cin»ped hi* foreheiul, and 1 could perceive a
WBWdntm about hit mouth, but it was momentary. T'le broken
nhta lay at bis feet ; mid it sevmffd to me Ktranjie that hv had not
wuviwd hiiDself with xnother, ao ihr bottle continued to circulate.
" Tbe tuoun was at ihe lull, mid h«rr raya strtramed in a nilver line
thtwljtb the middle of the ckiiiel, iitrepinff both sidea of it in pitchy
darbuvaa- She »eemcd to tnvite Adolphc into the open air. He got
WK 'UhI tried the duor ; but it was fum-ncd by two bolts, und lock-
ed ; aud, ftnrful of disturbing the alecoers by unbarring it, he be-
ihtMigbt him of the window. The hntcn yifldcd ulmost without an
effort ; aud climbing to the aiifrture by meitns of a wooden chair,
wbacb b« hnetl mSixr liini. he leapt with it into the road.
" WbK a glorious BpoctnL-te uus that mnouHght bright, among the
Afps! How sweetly diti that emerald valley slumhcr in its beams!
IWw Irvuiulously did they quiver on the bright iiiul pvlluctd stream
tbtf wvmihI through it like a silver snake! Every jKiint of the
CMiga, ••«« to the- fnr-ofl' heights of the Grimsel, was tipped with
< ~ t~i<> )iroa<l glance of the Ithonc that liiy between, di»tin-
■iiali its wide extent, glittered in the pure effulgence,
.1 ui l-.ke u tit pathway lor spirits up to heaven! Not a
b<\ > ■■ llie grass. Such was the silence, xhat the meai^ured
wvy vt ttw Motinelft was diiitinctly heani a» tliey paced the velvet
1^1 1, AmX ihr I'idl* of the Reuss came at iiitervaU on the ear, fainter
I' I'uuit in respon^e, till they died away in the distance.
^ ' l|'hi' c-ndcavotireil to find a calm for the lever of hii thoughtt
1 Nature. He wa* .ioon challenged by the intrn on guard.
.> 'W>m I wAi one. We recognised him ; and it being contrary
i>iitB of the service, we did not exchange a word. He
.i.i.iol'the stores, and my eye fnllowed him along the course
.»tr idl he was concealed by a projecting rock. How long
- :(, tir bow inT, I know not, tor I was atinost immediately
lievcd.
ice questioned Adolphe aa to the length of \\U walk ;
'>t'red of it wa», that he had *to<id for some time on the
,^■, iitid, as he looked down upon the fonming torrent oa
iikIi the arch, was tempted to throw himself over the
'i.id grrat (lifliculty in resisting the impulse-
1, )uiut!vrr, \\f- found hi" way back to (he chalet, aixA laid
I (II bin clotheH hy the Etrnnger, and fell into a heavy
>. like that produced by opium, was scarcely clumber;
'td by frightful visiouii. i'he figure of the Lindlord of
• .c<\ to stand palpably t>efore him, his handx dabbled in
' \ bciti i<toaned audiblv ; but the narrator, absorbed in htt
i' ftuppoiiing tmt the groans arose from sympathy.
'A-VA-- f .
«"*.,,— V
TIIC INNKEEPER OP ANDERMATT.
U7
"lie thought," ccmtinuircl tin.* officer, " that a death-cold corpue
U}' by hts side ; tliat lit.' felt the very hitiKl of a rurjiMr gntspcd in his
owo ! So like reiility wtt the dream, that he titarled up in the bed,
and stared Mildly around him ; biet all was ftilcnce, and the n)«)cm
bein^ down. — pitchy darkness, — he laid himself on the couch again,
and soon Ml asleep.
" Wc were to recommence our inarch at dawn. It wn« in the
month of June ; and in these Alpine heights the day breaks earlier
than in the valley. It «'as scarcely three o'clock when I was awak-
ened by a loud iliii of vutcvii, auiuuy: which that nrtlie lonillord rose
above llic rcfiC. Hl* vas in his i>hii't> and dratr!^iiig toward our guards
a man ; that man wuh Adolphe. He detiuuiiei'd him us having
CommiLted a tiiurd«r in the iint, nml called fur the tiiflcer in chares,
Wc left our mules half saddled, ami rushed pell-mell into the ckdiel,
wlwre a horrid spectacle awaited ua. The cofuvt'iM vw/ageur, yet
warm and bleeding, was stretched on the bed, that bore tF>e intpreitc
of another person ; lor a purple stream, vet welling from a wdund
in the deatl nuin's side, had formed a puddle there. Beside hiui lay
the sword of Adolphe stained with the recent wound.
" It mu»t be confessed that his having left the inn before day-
break, and by the window, — as the chair on the outside revealed, —
initead of the door ; the diiiappeanmce of the casket, which it mieht
be supposed he hud gone to hide in some recet^s among the rocka,
to be rvnioved nt a C4mvenient opportunity ; alTordetl strong circum-
ftantial evidence to affix upon bini the niurdt-r.
"A corisciouMuese uf the damning proofs that everywhere stared
him ill the face, and, above all, the fucee uriheufliccr and tJiose
around him, where he le;;ibly read a full conviction of Ins gulU, and
ihc certainty of the cruel fate — the ii;noniiniou8 de.-iUi — that awaited
biin, eo unnervetl and unmanned him that he ^tottd ^tIlriI)g nith the
|fl»aay tyes of idiotcy, and had nut a word to urge in his defence.
His countenance, too, watt pale and ghastly from horror at the deed,
a:id the dreadful night thai Jie hud putted. Never Mas there a more
Crfctt picture of conscious guiil. In thi« tAnW of despair he was
iKUiiircd, and marched, together with the landlord of the inn, to
Ucltciigitu, where the hcad-quurlcrs of the army were establinlied.
" Military trialw, e.i[>ecially during a campaign, arc very summary.
The eontuiatidant was a Swiiis ; he entertained a high notion of the
•B|ieTior virtues of his countrymen, and scouted the idea of a suspi-
cioo attaching itself to a simple peasant, a mountaineer, who, he said,
cotUd have no u«e for diamonds or gold, even when he had obtained
iben.
■• After a delajr of only a few hours, a court-martial was appoint-
ed, and sate upon my p<ior, beloved, and innocent friend. It was
with a prouriition of all hiu energies, mental and pby^'ieal. and al-
bkM an uncon^eiuuHness of what was passing, that Adolphc listened
Itf %be connected evidence — evidence tluit he had no power of rebut-
tisc. When called up<'n for his defence, he admiltnl the faetH that
haa been adduced against him, all but that of the murder ; related
bis vandering among the mountains, his dream, and finding when
he awoke in the moming tlie dead body hy his side, and the aU'
ifrgittt ulandiug over hitn : but all tliia in so hurried and confused
aaBaniier, and with so evident a perturbation of mind, that his whole
dnSMOoor seemed rather to confirm his judges in the conviction
1+6
TBE INNKBEPEK OF ANDERMATT.
couch, which he prBtefully accepl«! ; und, having depontc
ciouH casket under h\« heinl a» a pillow, soon Hunk into a il
M his ^norin^ revpjtled. The uchur inhatiitanU of the
long befuru reured to their grabau : buc Adol^b«'s iiDagi
too active for slumber."
Ilert' the host gave a deep H^h. which wa» however
by iht' iiarrutur ; and, indeed, there seemed nothinjj; at
tion iu I eyed him attentively ; his head wa« r««tiiiK
the fingers of which clasped liis forehead, and I oi-.
convulsion about his mouth, but it was momentarr.
glass lay at his feet ; and it reined to me i^trange lli
provided htmnelf with another, ;\i> 'he bottle continm
"The rniion w;i« at the foil, andhT rays stream*''
through the middle of the chtilfl, stccpinp both sld
darkness. She sccmcil to invite Adolphe into the ■
up, and tried iJie door; but it wa< fastened by tw
cd ; nndf fejirriil of disturbing the oleepers by m:
thought him of the window. The lintcti yielded
efi'iirt ; nnd rlimbitifr to the upcrturc by means
which he lilU'd alW him. he le;ipt with it intu i;
" WhKt a glorious spectacle wns thtit moonli j
Alps ! ilow Bweetly did that emerald valley
How tremulously did they quiver on the briy
that wound through it like a silver sniikr ' r
crags, even to the far-oil' heights of the Ori
silrer ; and the broad gUnce of the Rhone li
gui^hable tlirongli its wide extent, glittered
and M-etiied like a lit ]Uthway for spirits i
breath elirri-d the grass. Such was the mL
litrp of the i>rntincU was distinctly heard
turf; and the fulls of die Rcuss came ot i
and more faint in response, till they died
''Adulphe endeavoured to find a Calm 1
in that of N'nture. He was soon chal'i
among whom I wai one. \Vr reco;:
to the reguLitions of the service, we ■'<
passed ill front of the stures, and my •'
of the river till he was concealed h ,
he wandered, or how 1^, 1 know n >.
slterwarda relieved.
" I have since questioned Adol/' ■
all he remembered of it was, that Ic
Devil's Bridge, and, as he Itmked 'i
it flashed through the arch, wa« tt-t
parapet, iind had great diliicuUy in
" At length, however, he fuumt '
himself tlowii in his clothen 1>.
trance, which, like thm prodm. I
it WAS disturbed by frightful v '
the inn seemed to stand palp.!
blood."
Our host here graaned audil'
own rellections, or suppu&ing <
scarcely noticed them.
Tipary groans
nil lay iiirMg-
xfore seemed
. 4ctr regarded
. - ^ mind ; and,
i> he hung over
aiaiper of Ander-
: br aukes Hamlet
^4fv*euUt>on of the
~Mt- &<>t. thus re-
.^ hardened wretch
ijj*r Never shall
.'.v^' During his
, ,'j« teemed to iiauni
. ,«tl«way! Thus
\^ ^^i: and, the next
_^ aflM fvr a warrant
^ j^HWrheoded. Like
■ _^. y^ir found remorae
^ Liiii il ikath will not
^ ^m aLoueuient to the
^^ML — the innkee[>er
^•(vaUeMon, and paid
149
A POETS FRENZY.
Sweet is a kiss from rosy lips.
Sweet the dew the honey-bet! sips.
Sweet the cooing of the dove,
Sweet the memory of love.
Sweet the milkmaid's merry song
As she treads the glades among,
Sweet an injury's redress.
Sweet is Beauty's loveline^iit.
Sweet is to a miser — gain,
Sweet is music's dulcet strain,
Sweet the voice of mirth and gladness,
And sweet is sometimes pensive sadness ;
But sweeter still than these, — than all
Supremely intellectual, —
Is the mental exultation
Of the poet's inspiration.
Yes ! a poet's frenzy rises
Far above earth's vulgar blisses :
It is a touch Promethean glowing, —
A chaunt from Heaven's orchestra flowing, —
A vivid flash of heavenly flame
Illumining
Stop, Pegasus I for something tells me
That now a poet's frenzy Alls me.
Just let me, pray! secure the ginh.
Else I might tumble back to earth.
There, now 1 Away I 'm borne In rapid flight,
•Mid crystal waves and isles of light,
Where dread Sublimity appears
Enshrined amid those starry spheres :
Where Poetry her throne has placed,
August, magnificent, and vast.
I see, 1 sec the goddess: lo! she wears
A crown of dazzling spendour;
Tis gemm'cl with heaven's own golden stars,*
A diadem of wonder :
And in her hand a sceptre, brightening
With flashes of the beamy lightning.
Purple clouds her dmpery form :
Her ministers, sunshine and storm.
Well ! if this be not Uie frenzy, I
Am seized with a strange phantasy.
It must be : so, without furtlier proem,
1 11 just commence a little poem.
While in the grove, at eventide,
My thoughts were thus to ver^e applied.
An Owl, perch'd on the opposite tree.j
Thus from his roost accosted me.
** Your frenzy on a very fine
Pinion may be rising ;
But take advice, — go home to bed,
And cease your poetising."
Ye stars ! which are the poetry of Heaven. — Btrok.
150
POKTRArT G^VLLERY.— No. V.
CANNON FAMILY AT BOUIjOCNE.
W« left two of the ladieo in a seroi-clasBic state, clnsped m the
arms of two GnuU ! What a situation ! — what a condition for modest
chaste Enjflishwomfn ! What could hnve CAuanl ciich an outrage,
— flijch n brctu'li of common decorum ? Simijly one word — one mo-
nosyllable— tliouj»h orten reiteratwl. What niomentous events, what
fearful re^iultfl Tiiny. or may not, arise from one single word !
An iiigenioiifi author, well versed in philology, und uhilo^ufdiy,
and metapliytiicx, mi^ht inditu a dozen loUos to relate the life aud
advent iirt's of a. word I As Batxac says,
" J'uiJiiU du diiiicicux tayaffes, embarqui rur un nict, (fans let ahtftnts
dujmssv, comme un insecte tjui JhUe txu t/ri d'uitjietire eur an brin
d'/terbe,"
iHouoayllahka are untiuestionwbly more eloquent, more conclusive, .
more cotivinciiig. than all the circumlocutions of oratory. Yet, no ;
Jit, tiein ; otn, hu», — what bliss, what misery have not these two short
word* occasioned, when irrevocably pronounced I All your |)rocla-
mation«, your tnanifrstos, your protttcols are idle, comitared to thrni.
They come out sometimes boldly, at other limes (Irawltuff, from tiie
resolute and detcrmiiwd mo»t niiLscidine of feminine woman, or the
timid maiden, hiding her downcast and burning cheek with her
cork-screw undulating curU, and wafting hfr lover's imagination to
the seventh p»radt»(^ of Afiihomet by a languishing ffe*^'t-es. 1
beg your pardon, miss, — that's not it; lay a pro(>cr emphasis im
your jr — thus, v.cr-«-s9. Thus will your consent come Hittitig hot,
and fire your suitor with unquenchable urdour.
But surely the chaste Mis* Cannon could never have said ^rs,
short or long, to these insolent Frenchmen I What, then, could
have been the mystic word ? — who could have pronounced it?
It was Snltey Simper,— in a nioincut of terror. Sukry had also par-
taken of the soups II Caseillr ; Sukey bad also suffrred from the effects :
but she was in un uitic ruoni, without a light, without a beil, without
a knowledge nf tlie liinguoge; she wan in a fever, bunting, psrehed
with the thirst of Taiitalusr She rushed to the head of the etairs,
bawled out '■ It'aler f" ncreecbed out " Wai kk !" roared out
" WATiiK !'■ The great Frederic »aid that there were only three
things required lo wage war, — monky, biONBY, monkv I Sukc
only wanted lo be pacifie<l, — wiTER, watkb, watkr ! — she kncAv
not the French for it. Although pain made her repestt-dly exclaim
*' Oi .'" in variouH modulations, no one heard her ; or, if they heard,
they heccle<I not- Indignant, despairing, cursing the Frank* from
Pliaramond down to the Bourbons, she exclaimed, " You vagabonds.
you won't give me water l^but 1 11 be if you don't !" She re-
collectcfl the French for fire, and, with a voice that would have
roused the Seven Sleepers, she liellowed out ** Feu J Jht ! fnt .'"
Now, when a man is awakened hy the cry of " W'atcr," it Dears with
it a chilling, cold character, which makes him, with an eeotiatical
feeling, coddle himwlf more comfortably and warmly in liis nett.
Not so when the terrific roar of "Firr f" rouses him from his slumbers.
I
I
CANNON FAMII.V AT BODLOCKE.
151
Next to Sukey's room tliiTe luippencd tu »^]ccp two eommit vofftt-
gf»rt, or coimiRTcial travellers. Thev were, pcrliaps, tlrnaraing of
t>uuple», paitcnie, bargains, ]>erh&p!t of love, ^hcii her cries made
[bein jump out of their virtiiou» Wda, like pea*) uut of a popgun.
They must have been dreiiniing uf love, for incontinently they
ru»hed down !itair», re-echoing tlie alarm of fire ; snd .is the devil,
ihev sHTi wilt occasionally throw ttinptatioii in uur path, they he-
held Miu Lucy Cannon and Afi^s Kitty Cannon, shivering and
•halting, at their chamb^^r door, and exclaiminf; with p^reaT trepida-
tion, " Quoif quoi? qurA?" " Ten ! Jeu ! feu .'" was the reply of the
travellers, who bchig, bcBTdcs men of biisincsi^, men of consummate
i:alUntr}-, whipped up the two ladies, and, as wc Iiave «ecn, carried
them out into the yard.
In n moment, heads, night-caps, snd candles were peeping out
TrtTin every window : there wa^ a guard-hoUBe in the nei^hhuurhond ;
ihe drum be:at to arnih, the lire-lwll was Get ringing, all Uuulogne
was in commotion.
What the world calls modesty is clearly an artificial feeling, ori-
ginating from civiliitiiiion, and perhapa coquetry. If a nruof were
wanting to convince the incredulous that our notions on this subject
are most erroneous, let him, like Sukey. roar out " Fire !" in the miudle
of the night in a crowded hotel, and he will soon perceive that every
<me in the house will burxt from the shHckleKofuriginHl itin, and dia-
play the unsophiitticated innocence of our first puirent-t. A learned
philosopher very wisely maintained that the only clas^n of Hoctety
»1k> derived benefit from the fir^t transgression were tailors.
Sam Surly alone proycd himself a binnt-r — (he bad onee been
tried for horse-stealing). He alto filcjit near Sukey ; snd wheti «he
gave the alarm, with a true patriotic feeling he rubbed out, having
first wrapped himself up in a blanket, and performing the same kind
office for Sukey, tteized her in his brawny arms and bore ber away aa
vigorously as Apneas carried hia aged father from the Trojan con-
flunitian.
The gate having been thrown open, the yard wa* aoon thronged
with soldiers, firemen, |>ulictmc-n. all roaring " Fm !" though not a
spark waa leen, or a ^niell of smoke perceivable. Alt stood amiiKeit ;
the ladies looked aghanC. and fied in every direction to their cham-
bers ; the (iardcnalioMtiic and the tnpeurs pompiers were conjugating
aad declining their favourite ejaculations with all tlie veheu.cncr of
ibe abbess of Andouillets, insisting, like most of their counlrymen,
tm being paid ft>r doing nothing, and wanted to dr.ig old Ooiumoilua
C<annon and his male olT-nrin); before the rvmmiiiKurt lie jioiice «•
prriurbattitrt itti rritat public. The laiidlord'M interference alone pre-
vented thia diabolical outrage, by promising, in the name of tlie
nyagetirt, that they should be duly rewarded. Suke and Sam dur-
ing thia confusion were quietlv sente<l in the saLe i) manger, di*-
cvaang a bottle of Qrillnttire, wfiere they were soon joined by several
FrracHmen, who, regardless of the maiden's blushes, crowded in tbe
roam, as the aoldiors say, "as you were," to relrcsh thcniwlves with
ta gatUte — AH^lici, a glaaa of cognac, — served by the lre«d)hng wail-
Wr who were cordially cursing Jean B«!l, and all his generaiioo,
ler roating tliem out of be<l.
Tbe parties were gradually withdrawing to rc«t, some .swearing,
tome buighiug, wbeii tlie most outrageous cries once more bruktf
tkmugli the sjlenc« of tbe night.
152
PORTRAIT OALLBRY.
Whatever foreigners may lay of DHtish wfhitecture, if wc dn not
Oisplay ii proper rIt»«Hii.- UiKtc in the exU'rinr ufoiir public edifici-a,
tlie interior ol'oiir dwelliiiB-hounes fully conifienaate*., liy the com-
fortable distribution of our apnrtnients, for the luck of that ffi-nnrfj«M£
of our neighbours' palaces and hotels. But of all the eviU of out-
Umlish accommodation, corridors arc the most fearful, nay, the most
dangerous. The doors do so resemble each other, that niintakes arc
not only excusnble, but unavoidable. They are only proper in
monasteries — in nunneries — where earh c«ll opens on a common pas-
sa(;e. Even in nurinerieH mistaken have sometimes taken ]>Iacc ; and
a travelled frinul of mine assured me tlut in u ccrtuin uunvent in
Spain a distinctive mark was affixed over each door, according to
the uge or atlractiuns of the sL<cludi.'d tenant of the narrow chamber ;
and while a portrait of the Virgin, with the inscription of "Ave
Maria purissmit, fit pccado cotter If'da," were di9]>layea on the cells of
the young novices, a death's head and marrow-bones were depicted
on the entrance of the aged nun's abode. But, alas I in the corridor
of the hotel where the Canniwm were lodged, no dtstinrtive mark,
savinfT the numlier, could jjuide the tpiivering traveller, returning to
his warm bed, after having been by various causes turned out in
the cold ; moreover it was scarcely grey morning. Aurora had only
opened one eye, and was gaping; Apollo hud just pulled the bell to
order his horses to be harnessed; Nox was only tucking up the
skirts of her sable and stellated mantle; the beCl-ringcr hud only
tossed off n prlil lerre r!c rogminnr.. to pull his malins. How then
cuuld CommoduH Cannon, through this crepuscular medium, find
out the ehatuber in whtcli hh terrilied belter half had crept froui tlie
horrible scene that we have endeavoured to describe?
Cummudus opened the door. Imprudent traveller! — why was it
not lucked, bolted, doubly bolted ? He groped his way, shivering
as though he laboured under a tertian, a quartan, a quotidimi ague.
HadDomitian, or Nero, or Robespierre, beheld the poor old gentJe-
Dian, they would have given him a dose of quinine, in mercy. In
bed be got, and he coiled himself up, and he gathered himself up to
warm himself with bis own caloric: but it was too latent- Lutn ns
he was to disturb Mrs. Cannon, whose slumbers, like a good hus-
band, he ever respected, although he was not a chemist or a
natural philosopher, he »ought on this occasion to increase hi* tem-
perature by a little of the specific warmth of his bcd-fellow, little
thinking at the time what combu»ition he was about producing,
when, stretching out his hand over the person he fancied was flirs.
Cannon, his icy hand lighted on a long grisly benrd !
Cannon had read Don Quixote, and various marvellous stories of sor-
cery and enchantment ; but to find a beard aa long as any capuchin's,
or any Jew llabbi's, on \m darling better half, was more than mortal
man could bear. He could not recoil as frum a rattle-snake or a
boa constrictor ; he could not jump out of bed, as when but recently
the alarm of ftre had been spread ; he was seized with a convulsive
movement — what the French call a crifpnlion de nerj't, and instinc-
tively, mechanically, graspetl the hairy appendage which he fancied
.iHixed to Mrs. Cannon's chin, aud loudly uttered— 1 shall not say an
oath — he wa^ not sufticiently ieaiiied to swear by Jove, Minervrt, or
Apollo, — by Isis, like an Athenian,^-or Oiiris, like a Theban ; he waa
tou religious a man to swear by G — ; but he roared out, ** Afy ir^ /"
I
CASNOS FAMILY AT BOULOGNE.
\5S
'. hsYe o^en sought to discover the oripn of this singuUr exc]a-
mation, although on thi» occasion, by an asDOciatiDil uf idcat:, it mi^Iit
h»yg been accounted for, since C^annon's scratch was !oui<.*what of a
r-hair tcxlure. I one*.* fancit-d that a baJd man, who hud lust tliia
Scial protection, mi){hl cnuswler it a calamity, and excWiiu with
{noper emphiottii, " Oh ! mi/ irii; f"
Then the name man, st^eking for hi* jaxi-y, and layinf; hold in the
dirk of something like it, miitht ejaculate " Ila ! nnf H<ig .'"
At other times I fancied it derived from the strife between Whigt
and Tories, who all wnlte, arcordinjf to Swift, to save their wimt
At last I traced it in Sophocles, where good people awore by tne
hair which they h-id cut off from their victims.
Cannon Iiad never read *S<iphot'-lp3, nor the exnlanatinns of KuBtn-
thius: yet he roared out "My fig.'" when, to his utter [liRmay, a
ftracorian voice bellowed out, " 'lunnerrf de ii'ieu ! (jn'ejrt'Ce qne c'fst
^ ffl f" and in a moment he wuh seized by the throat with an
mm itrnsn.
"Murder! — help! — murder !" wa* the only reply he could make,
rolling out of Ijed ; while? his companion, no ways disposed to let go
hi» hold, rolled out nloii||« with him, exclaiming, " Alt, sacre cliieu
if An^latM, lu me ie pairraj f"
Now ihi« waa a sinRnlar phra«e in the mouth of a Frenchman,
who pretends that honour can only be satiHlied with blood. "You
skafl paifjiir IT," Is a mean expression, only befitting a nation of shop-
keepers. A man runs away with another man's wife: he exclaims,
« Th^f rnncal thall jmij far it f" Pay for tl .'—What? — the wife?
A man who calls a wile it, surely cannot elnim damagcH : it in a nea-
tnl demonstrative, applied to wortlilexs, insignitiennt thirij^s.
•' Tu me ic paieras .'" roared on the Frenchman. " Mtirder ! —
help I" roared nut Cannon; while he of the beard was ahaking him
agamat the wall, and calliiif; him sc^itTat, larhe, brigand, inimlaire !
Had Cannon understood tlieae opprobrious epithets, no doubt he
would liATe re^'ntud the inault like a true-born felnglishman, even
at the pedigree of De Foe. But there wa;; no need on this occasion
of moral excitement, for, despite o'C physic, his physical enei^ea
wmaroUM.*d; and, as it is true that everything Buds it« levvl, th«
Iwa/dcd Frenchman, measuriii;r six foot tour, wliileour worthy only
•taod five f«fet and a " wee bit" in bis »h(K>», hJM head found ititelf on
a borixontal plane with his antajKC"'"^'* abdomen, and, butting like
a Welsh goat, with all the energy of an iinrient battering- ram, he
drf>«e his cranium into the stomach of his foe with such violence that
W produced more fearful cfTccti than he and all the Cannons had ex.
~i«nced from the muj>c a I'oPeiUf.
The Frenchman fainted : every individual in the house ^nupcd
the combatants; our hero litrutlin^ up and down the
earridor, nuflinf;, blowing, and swearing in energetic vernacuhtr,
pnmd of liis achievement, while all the waiters and servants were
load in their indignation at auch an in&ult being offered to a (kildat
FsAsi^aia.
For, be it known, the msn of the beard was a bold saprur of a
nipBient in garrison at Calais, and travelling on leave. A aapi-ur'a
beard, Im it also known, is coneidcre^l Much a valuable apftendix to a
vf, that the government once allowed the*e diitinguishcd warriors a
my jjtr diaa for its due and pr«|)ertitivatiou. Marshal Soult,
'VOL.111. M
151-
rORTRAIT GALLRHr.
however. Wing a grcnt economist, (whom ou r vigilnnt piardiflTiB oFthe
niiblic puree ouglit (>cCiKion»)ly to trail in, in ctHisiiltatiiiii,] — Slarsltal
SnuH ventured to curtail the army expenditure, liy tlirectinn; the»e wild
benrds to lie etit off. Oh ! France, de^aded France 1 where w*a
thy warlike spirit? — and you, veteran followerfl of the Imperial con-
queror, hnd you forgotten Marengo and AustcrlitK, your eagles and
your trophies, to permit siieH an nnn-jigc? The mercenary jsnift.
sarie« III' Charles XII. revolted uhcn he presinned to meddle with
their chins ; Peter the Third caused a mutiny in his army when he
dared to order their hcnrtis to he cropped. Alas ! poor France ! thou
wcrt shorn of thy ^ories when thy pioneers were submitted to the
dej»ni([injr raxor. The very Indians punish the liliickest offences by
ithavingnfTthe beard ; in Lombardy it was tlie penalty inflicted on in-
cendiaries and murderers. The beard ven^ iilvays consideml a mark
of dialinrtian> of dignity, the badge of magistracy, mcerdotal power,
and military prowess. A Turk or Jew would nnicli rather receive
the rheum uf indignity in liis face than on his Ijennl. Perhaps my
reader doea, or does not, know tJiat the Tartars waged a horrible war
against Uw Persians, whom they considered base infidels, because
they would not trim their beards according to their fashion, A beard,
in short, is as prcdous agin to man as it might be consideretl 8CurM>
to the fair sex ; and Herodutus informs un that when the Tarians
were menaced with any dire calamity, a beard sprung forth on the
chinF of JlinervH's fair priesteeses.
I know not whether our tapeur, by name Monkieur Jeun Pierre
Fram;ois de Danlringiie, but whose inim tie gticrre was /^ THli/te,—l
know not whetlier he had read the annalu of beurds, but he conai-
<lered tlio insidt he had receivetl fnmi Connnndiis Cannon of )iuch a
nature, tltat blmid, and blooil alone, could wu>Ii nff Ur* fuul stain.
The fullowiog morning ('Dtnniodiis wuh f|uietly «eate<l at liia
breakfiut, relating, with no small liharo of satisfaction, the summary
punishment he hud inflicted on the Frenchman, when the waiter
came in and informed him that a gentleman, tUcore, wished to h»ve
the honour of speaking with him en jiari'iaiUtr. Cannon, 1 know not
why, turned pale ; some strange forchiKlings, perhaps, had milled
his tranquillity ; perhaps the debility produced by the toupr A I'otciUe
and the turlar emetic did not exactly predispose him to valour. On
the pica of his ignorance of the French Ibngunge, he requested his
Bon, Cornelius Cannon, to accompany him, and, leaning on his am,
went to meet the stranger.
Asmight have been expected, it was achnllenge, — \in combat iiloKfe
cMlrance, as it wax railed by M. dc la Tiilipe's friend, a fellow
six feet lii|:;h, with enormous mustucliios, and a deep sabre-cut
diagonall}' furrowing his aquiline no^e. solving its symmetrical con-
tinuity. Miaisirur dt la lialafre, as he was called, was remarkably
polite, offered a pinch of snuff, a peiit verre of ci^nac; inrormcd old
Cannon thiit hia friend would feel grp.nt honour in measuring himself
with him, since, by hia dress, and buttonii, and grey hair, he was no
doubt a marin disliuf'iir ; and tiiut his cunirade lelt him the choice
of arms, between smiill swonls, unbuttoned foils, sabrcH, or confri-~
paintex. Dune of which deadly weapons had our worthy ex-tallow-
chandler ever heard of During this pleasing conversation. La
Tulipe was mctng the yard, giving vcitt to his indignation in ttie
most energetic and poetical language, threatiming to cut a thorough-
CANNON FAMILY AT BOULOGNE.
IKS
fare through his imtnjTonietB ppntre, — to Bee dnrlight through hi«
carcaue, — and, finally, to plaster hiw wound with the hilt of his
sword. And wct and anon hu would stoji, put liim»>flf en gnrde,
and fence with bia cauc uf^ntt the wii]l, with loud exclamations
of " lla ! ha ! ho ! ho ! tin, deux. Ha ! ha f «a, iteiu. Ho !
ho I" And fear was beginning to act most fearfully upon poor Mr.
Cannon, when Comehus stepped forward, and, havinif been an
en»i^ofan Irish militia ri'girnvnt, like a dutiful son exclaimed, in
whjit he fancied intelligible I'Vench,
" .Wonsiafr, nion p^re est beaucoup trap jhrl frappf en haul attc la
jihyn^ue gtre votrt medinne I'ranfais dorinv Irii pour eTKontrvr rout
litrns le champ; tt mot pas ai-ani poiir tentr debout dnas ses touliert
avoir piftoUls pour deux dans uri mej't>fsi f"
At the word pisfolei, the only one he could understand, La Tulipc
kUBpended Ilia ffiicing; La Balnrrt- niaintaiiiM that his friend, who
hatl heeii the insulted party, hnd h right to choose his arms: it waa
eriiienl that they did not relish the proprwal. What a sudden effect
doe* thehesiution, the wavering of combatant* produce! Rven old
Cannon, who was leaning against the wall in a cold perspiration,
experienced the stimulus, and ventured to look at the foe; white
CtiroeliuB exclaimed,
"Je aoufflar voire ccrvcUe dehors pour un poltroon,"
"Monsieur," replied the Frenchman, " my bu«ines8 is not with
you,butTour father, who is urn- disgrace A voire viarine — «ji capon !'^
"A wrnitl" roared out Cannon.
" He calU you a capon, father."
Xow. whether or nt*t Corncliua pronounced the word incorrectly,
I cannot pretend to fay; hut the insult did so rouse up the feel-
ingn of the old gentleman, that he actually pushed bia son aside,
md swore that be would fight them nil himself.
Finally, the hour of four rjti. wns fixed forn meeting at Napoleon's
Column : the parties separated for due preparation, and all Boulugitc
ma on the tiptoe of expectation. The publicity given to the ap-
proaching duel was not likely to prevent it ; had two Frenchmen
Dcen about cutting each other'ti tlinKits, the police migJtl have in-
terfered, but it was only un Jiifchis wlio wjw iibiiut receiving a
tcMnn from «m brave; and although Hotdogne, once a poor dirty
fi*hing-tnwn, owed all its wealth nn<i comparative splendour to ita
British reaidenln, yet they are as cordially detested as benefactors
gmcrally are.
But where to find a second, to be third in this murderous hu-
ifaicva? the Cannons were strangers, (>hlCommodu<i would willingly
luve ljc«n bottle-holder to hia son in a bout uf lietv-cuffs ; but in a
Ttmanttre with deadly wcapoiia, when he might benold his Comcy
rcoriTing a mortal wound^-dcspite a gliifs of noyau, cr'me des
Barimdrs, and parfaii amour, diluted M-ith brandv-and-wuter,— tlie
oUl gentleman's paternal yearnings could not bring him to the
paniti
it WSB at this critical moment .that a French gentleman, wearine
hllf K dozen bits of ribands, who huil met the family at the table
fh&le. Olid eyed Ali«s Kitty Canmm till her checks were .is red a»
the badge of tiie Legioii ot ilunour that decorated his button-hulc,
ame forward in the mo»t friendly manner, and in tolerably good.
■ Adtttud.
M a
166
TRB PORTUAIT GALLERY.
EnfttUh expressed his readlneu to iiccoinpanjr them to the ReXA : hts
n«mr wos the Comle de« Oripeaux, ana lie moreover was in the
gai-titt tie corps. He jiUMirerl the young Indien tlial he would shed the
Lut drop or hin blood for their father and brother ; that he would
ni*ke a rampart tA' hie bmly to protect them ; and that, nioruuvcr,
he'd man^erait I'Ame, (cat the wul.) or luni it bwide out, [la intt-
Irait a ffnvers,) of any one who would dare uileiid them. Ilowbeit.as
eating a toul, {.ind it was rot a Jwtr woigrr,) is very poor suotenance,
Aion^ieur de« Oripeaux su^sested that a dejruncr « la fnurch^U
might be acceptable avant d'rnUer en campafit, and the Cannons
forthwith ordered the heft breakfast that could be served up. The
ladies were quite (leliKliled with their new acquxintance, altliough
the Mi»« O;imion» were itnniewhat shocked at 9>eein|i; him wearing
variociK lainples of hair, black, brown, and fnir, in brooch, rinf^,
watch-muard, and watch-chain ; and as he was allojiether a very
good-looking man, thry collectively and individually sighed in fan«
eying him a " gay deceiver." although the Comte paid more obse-
quioim court to the mother than to the daughters, — ■ circumstance
which gresitly gratified Jlrs, (.'aiinnn, who, between ourselves. wa«
not aver.'ie tu a little innoeeiit flirtation, which, in her Maiapropic
terms, she would call i'Mhotic nffiction, as she invariably, witn a
sweet li*p. pronounced Plato — Vh'tho.
The breakfttHt was dctightrul ; champaign sparkled in every glata
an«I in every eye ; thoughts of anything but deKtructioD occupied
the minds of the ladies, whilp all the male branch of the Caiinons
were eager for the fiRht, and it was with tlic utmost difficult>" that
Commudus wiu dissuaded by his better half from personally re-
Mnting the mortal insult he had received.
The clock (.truck the hsli'-hour, three carria^ies.were at the door:
the fir«t co»eh eontjiined Ci>mm<Hlits C'-uiinon with a bottle of brandy
and a medicinc-che^tt, Corneliuii CaTiiion with a cAse of pistoU, and
the Count with half a dosen sword* of various dimensions ; the
second carriage contained Mr. C^mnon junior, with amither case of
pistols, a couple of bottles of champaign, and a French surgeon
with n ease of instrnmunt-s ; ttic third and last coach bore IMer
Ctnnon with a French and Kngli»h dictionary to correct miALike*.
Sam Surly, who ewore he wouhl see fair play, with a blundcrbus*.
and an English surgeon with all the necessary app;iratu» for ampu-
tation, extirpation, incihiun, and exciirion. It had become necessary
to put up the doctors in separate conveyance!", or a dnel might have
arisen on the ni;»d ; the Euiilitih surgeon swearing that the French
oarber hud been merely brought by bis countrvman tlie Count,
and the French officer of health, proudly ranintaining that the Gng>
lish knew better than to place their wounds in ute hands 'uf a
British apothecary. Indeed, it occurred toevery one present that the
French operator mu«t have proved the most valuable in ca.se of need ;
for he had put into the carriage at least half ft pound uf lint, a set
of splints fur fractures, n poir of crutches, two tourniquets, six
rollers, an eighteen-tailrd bandage, and four sponges, the very sight
of which would have made any cnura^e ooze out ; he, mnrenver, on
the road, dencribed the various wonders he had performed in gun-
■liiit wounds, — slugs cut out of hearts, splinters of shells out of
lunga, Krane-Hhot uul of eyes, and canister out of heads, — for all of
wh^h be liad obtained La crois det firavtt, nageant dans le aang *ur
k ciamp de la ticimre.
I
CANNON I'AMll.y AT BOULOGNE.
157
At Iftst the party arrived uyinn the field. There it something
tomcwhat nervous n-hcn a combatmnt casts his eyes upon the fp-oiind
which may shortly bike his measure ; Commoilus Cannon could nnt
help heaving a deep i\nh when lie thoiigKt of his once tninqiiil firc-
•ide M Wick-halt, and looked iijion his son Corney, of wnom he
shortly might be bereaved. The fiimcfl of chnmpnign were be-
ginning lu rvapunite, and leave the brntn clear tor inure Koher im-
pressiuiis ; but Comte dcs OripL-aux assisted liim to a Utile cognac :
the old geotleniau cuughed, irhnuk himself, and, strclching uut hia
trembling hand tu his son, exclaimed with a fuUeriiig vuke, which
he in vain sought to strengthen, " Comey, my boy, behave like a
man — like an tiiglisbman!"
They '*ttvn discoverud their adversarirH : La Tnlipe had thrown
off hi« coat, aiul tiird a yellow hundkiTchief round bis bead, which,
eontrasted with hi» b!«ck grinly ivhiikerit tind heard, gave him an
mtearthly appearance : be h»d stuck lour Aworda in the ground, niid
waa pacing up and dciwti like a warrior of old on the eve of' knight-
hood ; his companion, with a cigar in hia mouth, and an old paste-
board Rpy-gUss cocked to bis eye, was on the )ook>out for the
eoemy's upproHch.
And now nadder thoughts crowded on old Cannon's eenBorium,
ay, on hiti very pineal gland, in which portion of the bratn Deorartes
very properly lodged the soul, — a little insignificant gland, ofWn-
timra choked with earthy matter that would check the growth of any
good, and, moreover, of no apparent use or beticlit to toe wesrcr, in
lAi* trvriii at least. The triuinphatiC column of Ntipuleoii ^tuod
before liim. — monument of glury and deiith, ambititjn uud misery :
the day wag dark and windy; black clouds were flitUng in rapid
KuiU over the pillar, cnftling it in gloom, or emitting ti faint suii-
bcBOl to kbed a transient luAtre on iU destinies ; it was now a com-
aMmomtive record of the Uourbons' return ! — in short, the scene
around him «poke a very Dc prof uuiiis —vhvn he whs routed from
hia abitorption by the hiud voice oi' La Tnlipe, who, having snatched
an eiiornioiiji siibre out of mother earth's boMom, helbiwed out,
** £m garde, Jmti UuU !" as he threw biintcirintn a terriftc tragic and
■nelodrarautic posture, — one aiut the same thing in the |>rcBent classic
■Ute of the drama. The Oragonof Wantley must have been a mere
child's bugaboo to hira ; he would have titaggered the very Aloore of
Uoore Halt, despite the "thing on his foot ;" no wonder, then, that
iD the Cunnona pointed their countenances nt each other, I nhall not
my in terror, — they came from Shropshire, — but in instinctive amaze%
■lOiL Nut so with their friend the Frenchman, Comte dcs Oripeaux ;
ha drew out hi« " lor^nun," snepended ruund his neck by n pie-bald
cfcain of black aiid fair hair, and calndy requested the ferocious eym«
~~ ''cator to put up his sword and prepare hift pistols. The injunc-
•tcmly delivered, acted like mugic ; the vapouring bully at-
■pte<l to explain — to discuss the point ; talked of ha firarr inxvU^,
u avUal Fra»i;aiii, le rhaia: dts wrwicj. The Count innitted, M. de
b Baiafre assured him they had no jiiittnls ; tlie Count persiated, and
at Iftst be drew forth from a leathern bag a brace of old {tenttadcrt, —
one of which, from it* length, might have been taken for a baby of
iKe Eg^-pliiiii culvvriii in the l*ark, — exclaiming with a »hrug of hu>
niljty, " A'vMs uavoMM tjue pr," wbjcb in plnin Kngli»li meant to nay,
" WV can't aff»rfi to thoal ftevfifc itilb ani/lltiHg bftUr." Now the pridB_
158
SONNET TO FRIBND8B1F.
of Enj^lnnd WAi very properly routcti at mich a miserable pettifog-
ging Bubterfuge ; for no gVntlemiUi can be possibly expcrtttl
tu give satisfaction 1o any person unable to pay at It-Hst five-
and-twenty guineaA for a pair of Jlantonn, and Comt'IiuB Cannon
felt at that moment such a proper Bpirit of aujifrioritv, that rather
than submit lu the de},'ruding thuught of expoi^ing niiiigelf to tha
muzxle of a vulgar, rusty " miu*king-iron," that a highwayman's
croom in former days would not have carried, he drpw hinmctf up
Uke a true-born Bnton, opened bin Kplen<Hd case of " Kggs." and,
pointing (u Uie highly finisried weapons with pride, exclaimed with a
becoming cuntumpluoua look, " Ja suut pardeimit pmidre nn mo/-
propre apunlai/v tic «/ hommr patrvre," Now Cornelius meant thii
in all the warmth of a gcnemii!^ heart, uid really intended to call
his antagoniet a " jioor man" wttJiout any illibernl alluMOD to his
poverty : but \us unfortunate application of the adjective bore a
different construction ; and, had ibc pioneer been even poorer than
he actually was, be would have prided lumrelf on bis lusty old
pistol, an much as any gay and gidlunt cavalier of former days on-
one of the moot elaborate suits of Benvenulo Cellini, and rcmring
out, " Vwi, diim de bnutii/uier ; ri Je n'ai jms tCor.jui du pfvmb.—
Sacrv yom .'" he foamed, kicked, and loiided bis pistol with such
determination and fury, that he seemed revived tu lire away pistol
and all ; and took his ground.
Curneb'us was equally rapid iu his roovements, scarcely giving
timi: to his father to.shake hands with bini, pi-rliaps for the lant
time. The Count was to give the signal of ojjr, inru, three. By oite,
CommoduB had engxdphed a draught of brandy ; at Uro, he put hi«
hand Uj his face, and turned bis back to the npprttaching horrible
scene ; at (hrer, a terrific shout followed the report t>f fire-arms, and
Cornelius Cannon wa« struck with terror, not m beholding himself,
but his worthy father and his ferocious antagoiust Atrotcned upon
the ground.
SONNET TO FRIENDSHIP.
Ah t who can telS wliat joy it is to nie«l
The friend whom Fate hntli sevci'd for long yean ;
Tu bal-iDce Hha account of hopes and fearjt
With jmiica of welcome Slid cndcanncnls swcel,
That spenk iu music uf life's iu^cy ; to greet
Tilt- pilgrim cf Ihc wurlil ! while Memory jteera
Uy FiietiiUliip's compasit o'ei the past, if tears
Itusb (o the eyc», if h\y\t the boiom Leal
Aud ihc Toi<;i- fullL-r, syitj]jaihy is sirotig,
Antl ietiAt iu laii^unt>;e home unto tlie heart:
None else con hcai it, but the ni!tt;ic looe
Is in its silence- eluquvni ; ihe wrviiij;
And injuries which we have bomc depart.
The preteni o^er the miud teJKua absolute — alone-
Out Nicholas.
15Q
TWO OP A TnADE.
A FRBSB MohametUui, iransfcrreti at once from his own country
to ours without the intervention of any other \mu\, is a most jilen-
suit object of observation. Every thing to him inujft l>c new; Un-
giuge, tnanneTK, modes of lifv, buildings, climate, mode of convey-
ance, men, women, — every thing must be new. He leaves regiou»
where the f»cc of woman ia not permitted to be seen abroa<], and
where her person stalk^i about in diRf;uise ; nnd arrives in a Country
where wc need not say how much she is seen. It ix an much as his
life is worth to be observed lulking to her in his own streets ; here
be finds the rcxcs in a most proniiseuous state. Then, his fellow
nen are so different to his own countrymen! — here, active, alert,
busy ; there, inert, pa.'^sive, ami indiflerent to every thing but their
own individual uch'are. lie him alwnys been accustomed to sit on
tbc ground ; here all arc mounted u{)on chairs. So medium has he
ever known between hiiu^i-irand his fooil but his own fingers ; now
be must cut, and thrust, and pitchfork it, if he wish to Jo like the
reit of the world. Then, what a world of carriages, carts, and cun-
reyancea of every sort, — things he has never seen before ! None of
his dear camels to greet his eye, none of their philosophical faces
and grave motions ; all is hurry-scurry, running, pushing, and tear>
ing about, a« if no one dared to ston, not *veii for a nHuuciiL He
falls into the middle of a luultituoe ns ignorant of him and his
beJMigings as he is of theirs. Every man with a long b<-ard, a
turban, and floating robes, is a Turli in their eyes, be he Persian,
Tltar, Georgian, or AfTghaii; be he Syrian, Egyptian, or African.
Then, what a host of miseries he has to endure before he settles
down into new habits 1 Here he bids adieti to his beloved aun — that
constant friend and promoter of cheer fulnefls, in lien of which he
tnbales an atmosphere denser than the steam of his kummum. 'Tis
Ime. if be pleases to be lax, he gets rid of liis prayers five times a
day, his genuflexions, and dispenses with the prescribed lu»traiions.
But, on the other hand, he tins hi-en taught from hh infancy to
look upon all infidels tu unclean ; and, when lie touches and eats
with one. he feels thai he M providing for himself much penance
and mortification. 1'hen, what does he not undergo concerning his
fced f Has tbc chicken ho is called upon to e^t, bled in tlie proper
way? Ha* the sheep, of wliich he is e:itjiig the mutton, hxd its
throat cut f Is there no infuxion of tlte iincleun beaat in his soup?
He meets witii none of his beloved pilUus, is refreshed by none of
Ua delicious shcrbeu, and never sees that one source of hi» comfort,
* tAOomk or ■ ialuin ! He has to undergo an entirely new eiliica-
liw, and mast submit to be laughed at, and starcil at, and cnticiseil,
and erofi»- questioned from night till mom ; — for oii Knglislmiun
no comproniisc to moke with hia tuitioiial feeUnga and pre-
Te have made these observations because it ia our intention to
aabmil a abort sketch of matters relating to Orientals, who were in
landmi lomc seventeen years agu, to the notice of our renders. It
wfcMlliiiiiii that we are acquainted v.'ilb the gentleman who hnd tlie
<«T(uie mebnisndar, as he was called,) ui the last Persian emba>»y
lo EagUnd. He had lived in Persia, was actiuainted with the loi^
IGO
TWO OF A TRADB.
giiSfj[e, »nd hiitl Acquired an innKht into t^e manners antt cuctoms of
the jieople. It w»j> his jjood fortune to wittietii> nmny most Hiniitiint;
ficeneA during tlic residence of Uiat embassy in Lomlun, which
brought into strong contrast the manners of England and of the
Ea«t. Beginning with the flinfuit^ador himself, auelling with his
own imiKirtance, and with llie convicticn of the superiority of his
own Shah over any other king ; and proceeding down to the lowesit
j^room, who cyetl every fjnt^listh home as> dirt, compared with hia
own quadrupeds; be found the task of defeating prejudice and
producing subservience as diAicult as it was amusing.
The skitch we luive to make, is cnnnecteil with the loves of the
barber of his Per^inn excellency's eNtAbtishment. The liri^t outbreak
of the romance t^wk place one morning when the mehnumdar was
seated at breakfast in hi-i lodgings, when his ser\'ant informed him
tliai a person wished to s{irak to him. Supposing it to be one of tJie
numerous applicants he was daily in the habit of seeing on but^i-
ne$H relating to the eiiihHsey, he immediately desired him to walk
up; but, whtii the individual api>cared, he saw one whom he bad
never seen before- He whs rather an imposing personage to look
at, fur he wab handsomely dreucd in a cloak anu tasiiels, and hia
head was adurucU with a glossy wig, adjusteil with the greateat pre-
cision to a Ihce no lunger young, lie wa< in hia person an illustra-
tion of that ot^CD-repeated saying, that tlierc is only one step t>e-
tween the sublime and the ridiculous ; for he was a sometliing be-
tween (Jeorge the Fourth and Liston. and he was that »tep. It
w«!t difficult to decide, upon so superficial a survey, to what class of
society he belonged. The inchmandar offered him a chair, pressed
him to «it, and then rei^uested to know to what he awed the honour
of hi* vi«it, saying,
*' Are you come upon any butinese in which I can be of use ?"
" Hi ham," answered the »lrauger, " and my name i« Sluconib."
By the magic of these profound ahjiirates he became immediately
informed of what he wished to discover, and straightway put him-
self iti an attitude to give a patient hearing to Mr. Slocomb. We
will spare thi.- reader Mr. Slocomb's deviations from the usual mode
of pronunciatioii, as well a* his variations u]wn grammar, concludinf;
that he is not too refined to understand our vulgar tongue; we therefore
beg of him to take it for granted that wherever an li, or a le, or a
V, were to be misplaced, Mr. Slocomb was sure to misplace them.
" fliay I trouble you to inform me of the object of your viiit ?"
■aid the mehmandar.
" Sir," said Mr. Slocomb, with a tnnst emphatic look, ami endea-
vouring to fish up from the depths of his unclersL-inding on opening
sentence, which he intended for dazzling eloquence, — ■■ Sir, 1 must
apulngise for intruding upun your valuable time: but. having been
informet) that you .u-c the gentleman as dues fur the Persian aza-
bassndor, I make bold to unfold my case to you. The object of
roy visit is a delic^ite object. You nee before yon a man wJin doesn't
know which way to turn. I 'm a profcf^'^ional man, and in a deli-
ute position, t\>r 1 am a great perfumer, a first^ratc wig-nuiker, and
cuta hair,— that's what I do. I keep a lai^e, reH}H-ctable, and I
inuy say clegtint establiKhment, in a bliop that shows as large and
as grand a bow-window as any in London, though I vay« it. It's a
corner houK in one of the greate&t thoroughfares in the mctru"
TWO OF A TUADB.
161
polii^ (and here he named the street,) and I must freely own that I
am proud of my prcmixes, and the wny they look down both sireetSf
rutting them at riRhi-angU*?, as one may Ray."
" Well. »ir : but the object of your visit?" said the mchmandar^
beginning to ahow Eyiiiptuiiis of imjiatLcnce.
"Iain coining to thut, sir," suiu Mr. Slocimib; "lor all this is
eoniiecled witli Uic luuiti ubjecL 1 wite Mtting in my back-room
in toy usual way, waiting tor n hi-ad to cut, — tor they come in quite
promifcuous,' — when Mrs. ijloo^iiib w<i5 in tlie sliop, and our daugh-
ter Nancy all ready dressed to help, — for we like to be genterl both
in and out, — when who should come in but one of your FerHixns
with hU interpreter, fur he tuld us whKt the other »aid. Mrs. S>.
inunetliatrly CAtled out to me, not being up to such rum customers;
•o, AS soon as I came, the interpreter tuaitl very civilly that bin cont-
paoion was chief hair-drcHser to htti excellency, and, eecitig that I
wai one of tlic craft, had ealle<l to see mc; and then be looked at
■ome of our soap, of which lie said his muster was very fond. Well,
thinks I, this ia a gaoA job if I can be mnde perfumer to his ex-
cellency, and stick hU name* over my door; so you may Uelk-ve, t.ir,
how civil 1 waa. I did help him to Roap, and I made him smell
ever}' cake in the shop, so scixiouh w;is 1 to do the civil thing, lie
looked at every thing, but particularly at our daughter Kancy ; for
— although I say it, who should nut, — she is as pretty a creature a«
Qoe would wish to see."
*■ Ho, hoi a love business, is it?" exclaimed the mehm<indiir.
"Stop a bit, sir," continued Mr. Slocomb, "and you shttll see.
Well, sir, he came a second and a third time; and every time lie
came, although he smelt our soap, yet he looked in fact at our
(laughter. He couhl not at first say a wordofKnglish, yet be very
soon picked up m few uhraseo ; and it ix quite surprising, at last, how
well be made himself understootl. There was one word, however,
which he ke|>t conatmtly Haying, which quite overpowered Atrs. K.'s
delicacy and made our Nancy lonk f[Ueer, and that was 'tc//y,-* he
was always repeating 'hetltj, belly,' until wc found out that it wns
only his way of saying ' yea ' in his own tongue. 8o he kept fur ever
ling, until it went from bad to wor*e, when the neighbours
lid talk, and Nancy began to look pale ; and so, having renlU'
elt the rat, wc want to knnw what to do, for we are at a loM.
iwoo't do to lose a gaud customer ; and, if ho is a gentleman and
■ leipectable man in bis country, wc wouldn't lo&e a good husband
for our daughter. It is as jdain as dnyhghl that he id regularly
VPUfting thr girt ; and now, sir, I lieg leave to ask you whether vou
know niiything of this man, and whether you would recommend us
to ciioiiraifjr bis addresses, or on the contrary."
"I tell you what, sir," said the ttiehmandar, "it is my honest
opinion that you h;id better lie a millstone mund your daughter's
neck and throw her into the Thames, tlian allow her to marry any
Fenian, be be who he may."
** lacleed !" excLiimed the abounded perfbmer, almoat starting
frvRi the ground as these startling words issued from the mehman-
dar's mouth. ** Well, blciu me! but tliat is surprising! What will
ilra. 8loeomb aay ? Yuu surprise me."
■•Order your daughu-r never to nee this Persian agaia, and 111
talut care tliat he sbul not molest her more," said tlie un-hinai
162
TWO OF A TRAPR.
" I will, «ir, I will," Rutl Mr. filocomb, in much apparent confusion
of mind ; *' but it wouldn't look well to turn awny u customer ; it '<
not what wc urc nccustomrd to do : but, since you nay it, sir, "
"Why, you woulchi't for a moment plnce the happinesa of your
child,** saia the mehmandar, " in comjwlition with a trifle of gain?
Beddes, of what possible prolit rmi the purchases of auch a misero-
blu fellow as this pennyless Per«ian bu-ber be to you i"
"Profit, sir!" esclnimed the hair-cuttcr, "why, he haa done no-
thing else but get nrticles from us every day he comes- There is
not a [lay tbit he does not Ret either soap, or jierfuniCR, or combs ;
and I can assure you, sir, ttuit he has run up no trifle of a bill witli
us. lie somvliuies ukcoa liking to one tiling ami sonieliuics to an-
Dtbcr; and so day by day he has gut L>%'cr m many things, for which
we have never gut luiytbing yet but an orange or a piece of sugar-
ciuuly : be one ilay brought u» a live lamb, to our astiinishmem, and
culled it ' picAkits,'* but 1 did not see it vaa a bit better than any
common lamb."
"Is it MJ indeed?" exclaimed the mehmandar; "Uien I am a&aid
lluit rou will never hear more of your jterfumery and combs. 1 am
afraid he has come the Persian over you."
" Not get paid for my articles !" said Mr. Slocomb ; " why, surely
his roaster will be obliged to pay; they can't b« sucfa rogues as all
that, not to pay for what they have had."
" Well, well," sjiid the tnenmandar, " I will make some inquiries,
and endeavour to see ju^tice done you. Send me a bill of wh.Tt they
have h.id, and I will sec about it,"
" Thank you, ear," said the perfumer, so bewildered that he scarce-
ly knew what ht; was about ; *' thank you : then you think that I hjid
best not allow him to see my daughter .=' You don't perhaps think
him a rc^peclnbtc man in his own country?"
•' RcspccLible or not respectable," said the mehmandar, "you
surely woulil not willingly be the cause of making a Mussulman of
your daughter, who, I hope, is a goml Christian."
"Make a SIussulmriM of my daughter," inquired the perfumer,
laying s stress upon the Inst aylLible ; ** how can I ever do that?"
" You don't uittlerstand me. If she becomes ■ Persian's wife, she
must change her religion, and adopt his ; she must believe in Mft*
homed ; you would not wish her to do thaL"
"No, sir, uo," said Mr. Slucoiub, "I should not wish that ex-
actly ; but it would be a pity alXet all to lose a good husband for
want of a little belief."
*' Then, if you place her once in a Persian harem," continued the
mehmandar, "you shut her up from the world for ever, and you
never know what uui happen to her. Her husband may beat, poi-
son her, put her into a »ack iuid ilrown her, and no one be tlie wiser
I'or that- Vou surely would not subject her to auch tyraiuiy f"
"No, sir, 1 don't think that fair; — I'm all for liberty, and I doa't
see whr our Nancy should not have hers as well as any true-bom
Knglisllwoman. No, sir, i won't allow it, I 'H do what you advise
me, ])rovid«l Mrs. Slocomb agrees," Then, wisliing the mehman-
dar a good morning, he took hiH leave
The mehmanilar lost no time in .sending for Feridun, — fbrthat was
tlie name of the IV-rsian ambassador's dalak, or barber, — that i*, who
performed the offices ot'the hot-baths, trimmed his beard, shaved his
* Pftthkah, au offering.
TWO OF A TBADE.
163
hmtl. And ilyeil his hundti, feet, or hair, as tiich operations became
m-cessary. He WiUt a short, tliick-scl, niuinaUtl Uttltr IVUnw, witli a
lively cxjireuiimi of eye, and cunning painted in evwy I'eature. The
colloquy that took place wa» :u lollows:
*' Selam akkf {Peace be with you !)" «aid the mchmandar.
" Aleltem telam ! (Peace be unto you !}" answered the Persian.
" BumiUah ! (Jbi the aanie of AUoh 1} be Mated," said tlie luch-
mandar.
" Way your shadow never be le»8 !** anawered Feridun.
"I want to know," said the mehmandar, "whether you arc
Bciiuainted with a Frank of the name of Slocomb?"
'■So-ln-com? Ye«," luud the Persian, "I know him; he is a
barber like aiyself."
" I» there anything between you?" said the mehmandar, winking
his riRht eye, — " any business, any takine and ffiving ?"'
"There is nothing," said Feridun, with a most uiUQOved counts*
nance. " He ia ray acquaintance, — my friend."
"Nothine?" said the tnelimandar, "no daughter? no love-play?
no nothing r "
" What daughter? whattove-play ? what nothing?" said the other.
"The little mjui hu.'j got a weak one of a daughter, a )ioor creature,
a tiling of nothing, who RitA in a romer and has no word>- I have
no bu:<iites)> witli her. 1 have no ktiowhxijje of her."
" Man !" &aid the mehmandar, lakJug up a sterner tone, " by the
aoul of the auibabsadur, speak truth! we have heard things."
" JJy your soul! by the salt of the ambassador t by the tomb of
the Prophet ! by the name of the Shah \" exclaimed Feridun in a
breiith, •■■ there i^ nothing. Solocora is not counted amongst men.
lie Wax. got one worn-out daughter, without face or countenance,
who is tmlhiug. \Vhat do you want more ? He " a b«tber» and I
nm a barber ; what is there new in that?"
"Thi» h no child's pUy ! tiiin country i» not Persia <" said the
mehmandar; "these are Knglish people; their laws are strange
laws, and their mam>ers odd manners. The man came Itere this
morning, and asked a great many things. These people are devils
in their own right. If you make play with one of their daughters,
and then leave her in the lurch, they will divide your head into
two bits,' — they will make your soul Hy out of your body."
"What have I done?" exclaimed the barber, beginning to look
alarmed. " I have done nothing, by your own aoul, and by that of
your father and mother ! A man may look at a woman in tins
country of infidels; there is no harm in that: my eyes are like
any other man's eyes."
" What I ha.? there been no lore-play ?" said the mehmandar. " The
man, Slocomb, hna l>cen swearing to me that you go to his house
daily, that all the world knows iliat your heart is all day kissing
his daughter's feet, and that he talks of marriiige, and that the mo-
ment will 30on come when you must ttend the marriage pcuhlieth, or
present."
" It is a lie from beginning to end 1" said Feridun. " I have aa
word to give to bin daughter. I go tn his shop because he it a bar-
ber like me ; and I see soajj, nuors, and towels, and J try to talk kis
language."
"What! have there been no presents?" said the mehmandar. "Have
you not sent a lamb and swcetuicats ?"
1G4
TWO Of A TKADE.
" Wb»t prcacnts. let ine ask? The man does nothing but giv«
me things, and thnll I nut give him thiiign in return r It i« not for
the hotiour of Persia, anil of my nuibauadur, that I ohouli) refrain ;
so [ )iave sent him ,a iniseriible lamb, unt] some tnelanilioly »iigar-
candy. To this there is nothiiif; to say."
*' Difl he givr ymi thiti^t ? Slocomb says he sold them tf> you.
Giving pre»ent« is nol die custom of thi» country ; do you know
what u hiil iiie.ms?"
" Slay the grave of f>il{'s father Iw defiled !" sjiid Feridim. " Wher-
ever I go there is always bill. The man doca not know how to
live; he first gives mc thingi^, and then wants me to pay for them.
Mav the men of such a country have their fathers and mothers
griOing in Jehnnum i"
" In line." !»aid the mehmandar, " let me give you ime piere of ad-
vice. You Jirt B man of underjiUndinf!;,— one word in heller than
two. Oo no more to Mr. Slocomb; never see his daughter again.
Vuu know the ambiusador, and you ulvu know me. Whtit u^e is
there for raying more ? May Khoda take you under bis protection !**
Upon which the mehni.indar disttiinstrd him.
The barber took his leave, and went his way, mnttering within
bis lips, " I '11 bum his father, in6del that h« isl May hit bouse be
ruincdl We Hre Persians; in finsj why sliuuld we eat tlie dirt uf
the«e infidels?"
Days passed on, and no more was heard of Mr. Slocomb, hiadaugh-
ter^ or of Kcridun, until one niomingj on going to see the ambaua-
dor, the mclimimdar found him standing in his dining>room, sur-
rounded by H posse of men and women, a.nd the house in a great state
of commotion. The fir&t person he discovered was Mr. Slocomb,
standing between liis wife and daughter, flourishing a long -slip
of paper; a fat lawyer-looking man, with a blue bag under hia
arm, hail taken np a po.sition in front t Keridnn was standing for-
ward alao, wliiist the interpreter w,ns making explanations Ui the am-
bu&sadur, who looked angry and ai-toni tilled. As soon as tlie nieh-
mandur A|p|>CAr(-d, his excellency turned toward him, and crietl out,
" Utah, Liah, [come, cume,) here is a strange to-do ! wonderl'ul
oehes have fallen upon my head ! these men with ruined houses
have entirely killed me ; I am dead !"
'■■ What news ?" said the na-hmandar.
" This burnt father," uoinliiii; to Feridim, said the ambautador,
"has been gmng about this city of London, marrying one girl after
anotlier, and here they all came to take hint to prison."
" So, is it !'* said the mehmandar.
Upon his app4>arance everybody simultaneously appealed to him,
and the confusion of tongues which ensued may better be imagined
than described. The lawyer put in his word with an utficial, though
serrile accent. Slocomb was inclined to be vociferous; his sharp-
looking .inou-)e threw out n ohrill voice in mo^t aridnUted acrenta ;
the fair ^uni-y looked pjile and lachrymose ; Feridun swore by every
object sacred to Persians; wJiilsi the ambaswidor, bucked by his nu-
merous suite, all talked to i»ch other, bewailing tlieir tirifurtunate
fates at being tto beset by infidels.
" Sir," said the lawyer, " we sue for a breach of promise of mar-
riage."
"Look at tfaii bill," eKclaiined Slocomb^ '*and tell roe if this
I
TWO OF A TAADE.
IBS
loolu like giving ? Who ever p^ve away a dozen and a half of waah-
baJU. and !>ix puiiiidj) ul' Windsor snap ?"
"Calling bimacLt a gi-titU-maii, and a prince tno," squeaked out
Mrt. Slocuml), "all to gcl our N'imc>' from us ! Il's acryitig shame !"
" Hush, motlier t" cried Nitiicy ; " Tor Heuven'e sake, hush !"
"Wulhh ! liiltnh f (by Allah !) they all tell lies 1" exclaimed Feri-
dan, extending his hands to his master. " I hjive dune nothing !
Why do you tre»t me thus in this Foreign land ? Why did jou bring
U here to be reviled by thc»e Franks ?"
" Doynu )>peak thustome, dog?" exclaimed the ambiissador, every
hair in hi' beiird distended, and growing livid with rttge. "Strike
htm on the mouth, snjehim!' he cried with a loud voice to his men,
who rushed forward, and, taking hold of him, pinionetl hia arms
behind his back, whilst otic, pulling off his shoe, advanced, and
inflicted several blows on his mouth with the iron hrct thereof,
Upon Mving this, the mehmandar also rushed forward towards the
ambaaBailor, and exclaimeil,
" Pardon ! pardon \ he is ignorant of our cuntoms. Let him ofT,
and wc will arrange the whole business. Tins threat is pouch, — ia
ftaff and nonsense."
It woa long, however, before any one could gain a hearing. The
lawyer, the perfumer, hh wife and daughter, had not arrived pre-
pared to witness a Persian tumult, and truly it had never before been
tbejr fate to witness t)ie outbreak of passion in -io dreftdful a shape.
Tbey all lecmml to shrink back within themselves, and keep aliK>r
from the barbarian), afraid lest they too might atajid a chance of
losing their front teeth.
As aooii iis the mehmandar had in aome measure calmed the nm-
baaaador, which he did by pernuiiditii^ him to call for hin talian, (<ir
pipe,)— ^i common custom after .^n explosion of rage, — and, having
wen him bend his steps to the drawing-room, he then accosted Tklr.
Socomb, Saying,
**Uow ii t!\i», sir? Did not you assure tne the last time we met
dwt 3^00 would never allow Feridun to enter your doora agniu, and
Aat ftm would send me your bill for all tlie articles yuu had deli-
frrcvi to him f"
** Hi did, sir," said the perfumer, "and so hi would; but my
wife, abc wouldn't hear of It, for she said that one man U as good as
■MCner, and she didn't we why »he was to be done out of .-i husband
for ber daughter, although he was a Persinn, and wore a beard."
** Hold your tongue !" exclaimed the wife to her huvband in an
accrnt more cutting than the east wirMi, "don't make yourself an
«^ ! I 'fc a right to do with my daughter wti»t I likes! it's no-
Iwdy'f buainevt but mine ; but it does not follow that every rascal
chat oomes baa a right to do the same. If that fellow there, has
■ode a pfranise of marriage to my daughter, and refuses to keep it,
let btni pay for it ; — that a the law, isn't it, Air. Sniggs?"
" It can't be denieil," replied the ohsefpiious Snigga.
" Let me inquire^ ma'am," Raid the mehmanfiar, '■ how tliat pro-
mi»e wai made? Your daughter must l>e well advanced in the
kiMwledge of the Persian language, or her lover in that of English,
to be able m soon to make themselvea understood upon so delicate
» •object."
" Oh^ that 'a eaaily done !" Answered Mrs. Slocorab, witb a niofet
TnE UEAVENS AT MIONIGHT.
4
■Mf aail coatemptunitis tos^ nf her head. " I promise vim
:*« Hwn Uoiiv! The tluinb, 1 wjirranc ^oii, woulil undertstAnii
lodMroo that hcid, — let alone n Pertian, and a nice girl, like
"SST.
ask* what did he ny when he propoied f" urged'the meb-
«|^ wr '■' uid Stftcomb, " we ure raii|iht there !"
^ttoUl »uor tomguo, fool f" ahnrjiiy exclaimed Mra. S. "you know
^iiy^illt ahout it. Ho said, ' Ufllif, ttrU^f" which I know means
"'jM*' Hi titeir Unruagfj vrhatever it may mean in ours."
"Obi>!" iaid the mehmnndnr, "then it wns your daughter who
wvi-u-^t^ attd he »aid 'yes ;' that niters the rase very much."
'II whiiA the lawyer dlcpped Torward to prevent Airs. RIocomb
<nM> Mijliuc any thing further, cmleavourinf^ to throw the whole
QflM iatoan official form favourable to hifl clients ; but he only sur-
iWitlwl iu nkiog a second etonn, in which mother, daughter, and
RkthM" teiok tiw principal part, and which ended in the usual violent
t|M%k tff tear*, with the allowed portion of hysterics.
It « ill n*,it l>c necessarv farther to increase our narrative of thla
^Wbwt tu My, that, hy the mehmniidar's timely interference, he
in •rrccning the ambssitador from the desij^ns of the in-
to^, ntev, — who had put the perfumer op to this »clieme, —
^ _ lo Keridun liis freedom and protection from blows, and
^ ■ ! .Mr. Nlncmiib'fl demands upon the inroads that had been
^- . . I his |iru|K:rty.
STANZAS
W< rt>NTEMPI.ATrNf» THE HEAVENS AT MIDNIOHT.
DV HIU. CORNWSLL SAilON Wir.SON.
Tw I nw, yo ItrigliOy-ljorainp orha of nipKt,
Now ■liininp* (loWH on our t«rmtria1 splim,
M tut \wir rc4ihn> ilie vvinii takes its Higtit
wImo II llirows offiu morial coTcrinc hen ? —
Uow U utiP «iiig fitid to the skies ns)iin-,
4|al bMklhi] Ibrtti aonga in hnvgn Iq some melodious lyre >
^tH HMN fair Mnon, that niPit in ictlicr's nince.
A't I*-"* •omc worM, peopleil witli crcutiirrs fnt,
VifVu I'liMifr'il spiriis *Iia[| tnect far« to face,
tW vnl nf jromorlality T—
... Hi'tf know, ev'ii as on etith we're known,
-Wl *i^U AHiMiion clasp heans mado again iu own *
Vtli .»■). «« cloud*, that o'er the aiore heaven
l(« ihe itrcamera of some bridal vl-sI,
i iti* braeie of midnight ye are driTCo,—
. ■ iiiopy some place of reil,
. . 1 Ituurn lo wliich the spirit fliea
''•I lv*i of eanh and r^siiniie iu lies t
Jiuwvr 1 aiKl it in not meet
X i .1 » thwild he iolv'd ui. Why should luaHt
^> . u<> Diid tfavtl'Weiried feet,
\ ! I .\Ic whnt Bn^ds wan
^ . . - - . ■ IjuI dimly.'— lei him bend,'
]u^i^ «te w«« Mtuo not sight can comprehend 1
\
167
EN'OLISH COMFORTS.
PROH THR OEIIMAN OP DR. PRANCtS KOTTRNKAUP.
/«m »«« an Ktiglifiliman who quits hU " blesseil isliind" for tlic
first time, ymi will cvrtninly believe him when lie sdys, that he is
like a fish out of water. If he iaml 8e«-xick nt Hnmburfr, uml they
offer to rover him with a feather-betl, on which he is »ccii»ilonieU
only to lie, he will believe with diHmay that people sleep in Ger-
many, one over another, like packed herrings. Fresh air is <lenie<l
him, fur he CAnnot riu'se up the window uti he is iiccutttomccl to
Jo. Il is with repiigiHince that he treads the scoured floor of
hu room. Iiec;:iii«e it is covcretl with no carpet. He stretches liim-
lelf UDCvmfortably on the sofu, for his eye cannot re!>t npnii dark
Bubogany. At breakfust he tigliii allcr toast ; at dinner die pUtc
i» not poliihed well cuougb, and he lion nut the plcsiiuru of behold-
ing Kn};lii!i plenty and elegance. And tlteii the charming rircsiilc, —
which the Kuf^lisbntJii always associates with the thought of lisppy
(lomc^tic life! — he must, in spite of all inconvenience, constantly
W*ve the door of the stove open in Germany, and now and then cut
a glance at it, — to «ce the fire, as he say*.
But, really, one should not finrl fault with him for this. The
nost sickly hypochondriac in Germany would be unable to resist
ibe domestic conveniences and comfortu of the English, and wouhl
"■ish to acquire by dejjrecs the cheerful tranquillity of the gentle-
man. It ui the same thing with respect to this sensual refinement
of oonveniency, as with English cookery^ of which one may justly
say, a person only learns the value of a palate in Knglnnd ; thouf[h
the ilepraved taste of a Neapolitan ambassador onre found a coun-
try in!4uppnrtable, where tKere arc six hundred kinf!;a, (the members
of the upper house,) and only one sauce (melted butter).
A love of dome*itie life in a prumineni feature in the character of
an northern nations of German origin, but it in more remarkable in
dw English than in oiiy other. Their climate excludes them from
«Mdoor amusements; the individual pride of their choleric tern-
pcnment confmes their social and familiar intercourse within a
ITTOW circle. In tiiverns Engli^hiuen «it behind partitions, to
trmd contact with unknown persons ; in coli'ee>house« and clubs
thay are ncreened by fficantic newspapers; at public amiinenu'nta
(racM, &c.) sociability dijajipears in the crowd ; even at dinner, the
meridian of life, tlie conversation not unfrequently Hags, and enter-
tnnment is sought more from eloquence than discourse. The clubs
vhich, since the beginning of the last century, have superseded the
bvMjueting halls of the Cavaliers and the conventicles of the Puritans,
■id which firom the lieginnin^ of the present century havu also l>e-
eanie more common among the middle classes, present, it is true,
m antidote against proud unsocinbilily. But only bear what some
BnglUhtom aay : " The elubs are injurious to habits of domestic life ;
Act create the shameful, blameable practice of seeking pleasures
abraaJ, in which the family does not share ; promutu a love for
hKury. play, &c."
In short, in every station and circumstance, home is for an Eng*
Klhioao tJlc centre of pleasure and enjoyment. No wonder that am
16S
ENGLISH COMrORTS.
c«Mcentr«ie« ev«rytlunig; that rich«s. art, or uulustry can pi
OiiT, — not for show, but to relax his mind, or fcratify Ins »en»e9.
OHt^inly the imprcwiMi |ir(tt)iiced mi » etruifier, who enter*
MlBnglixh ilweltinft for the first time, must be fiTournble and agr«!«-
abW. As an Rnj^ltshman (lis)ik«s onutment nnd ^udinp<» in his
drMi, he always studies iimnlicity in the Btting up of hi* house,
thuaich ciferything h in the highest degree rrckrrch^. The never-
Okilin^ carpet on the floor, of the finest wool, is interwoven with
plain btit taitteful patterns: the fttmiture, of polished n)ahog;any. Is
of nn eleirant form ; and the cushions, welt dusted, are fine, though
tkot uf a show y ruhiur : the frrate and fire-iront* are «« bright its >
looking-glass and without a singk* sput : thepaintingRor enfrnvingg,
Bus)K'ndetl to the walls, please the eye without beiiiEf so numerDus
as to fatigue it. In everything solidity is combined with fashion:
clocks, plate, tile metal ornaments of the furniture, arc at once mo^
sive and fafthionable ; the latter without the former would be no-
thing more tfian fripp«'ry : nfilher agreeable nor genteel. Disorder
IB, in the opinion of the Kiiglinh, highly uncomfortable; et'erything
ha« it* fixe<l, it* appointed place; order in tlu* proper arrangement
of dif^rcnt form* c rentes an elegant ri/xonA/r, and «hm lhi» lym-
mctry in spoiled, it is as had a* overcharged or tastele«« ornanientJ.
Cleanliness is the liighcnt comfort of all classes, and from the no-
bility down to the farmer or artisan the most extreme care is taken
to secure it. Prince Puckler found, on an eiitate, n henhoiiaeao nicely
fitted up, that there an* many pour people in Ireland, or on the Con-
tinent, who would be very glad to Imve xuch a dwelling.
One may justly envy the English their comforts, for they appear
thereby to acquire a right to ridicule the way of living and ar-
rangements among foreigner*. Thus we remember to have seen
a caricature with the 8ubgcri|)Uon, " Gennan vumjortti." It re-
presented a Oerninn lying at his cas^e on a reather-beti, smoking out
ofa long pipe, and reading a. dirtily printed new!>p3per — the Cor-
respondent of Ilnmburg : and who, for greater convenience, had
placed a utensil near hi* bed, which would frighten a healthy Eng-
lishman, if he perreivpd it in hiu bed-room. The dislike which the
English entertain for the lower clnasek of Irinh \» partly caused by
the f*ct, that they disdain to practise tkeir principal comfort, cl«aiw
lineat.
Ai n matter of course, the comfnrta of a dweUing-ho(i»e vary ac*
cording to rank and the degree of riches. The opidcnt man adorna
the walla of his apartment with works of art, which in general arc
as well choHcn iis dearly paid for, and eflecttiaJly refute an asaertian
furmcrly current, that the English were without taste or talent for
the fnic arts ; the fallacy of which, without speaking of Hogarth, bai
been sufficiently proved by Keynolds, Lawrence, Wilkie, Chantrey.
In the letters of a defunct, — the author of which, owing to his love of
parks and villas, visited the handsomest country seats of the English
nobilityi — we only reiul a description of tlie pictures, which are there
unfortunately concealed from the view of the majority of amateurs;
but we are, liowever, convinced, that it was neither a love of show
uur lud taste, but, on the contrary, discertunent and knowledge, that
|jrtr>ide<l at the choice of these colleriion». The poorer clasne« con-
,*.. kit-elvfA with engravings: with cnpip>i of the works of Wilkie,
Lh, or of the portraha of Lawrenct>, &.v. If ihe.ic be wanting.
ENGLISH COMFORTS.
169
Uw C«i>per6 and kitchen utetiKJU. well Kcoured, uid polwtied a«
farif^t «» a looking-g^Usft, are placed on shelves, where tliey ngree-
•Uy relieve the eye by the contrast they form vrith the white
Nowhere in Europe i» country-life, for all the clas^^es that apply
tlie!D«f}vcs to ^^iciiltiire, more afire*«ble thun in EiigUiiri. Near
that high degree of household cimifon, which mociern indiistry haa
readered accessible even to the poor, is always to be found the art
of onbellishmc; nature, and of profiting by those charming situations
vhich the unmilAiing 8oiI of the huppy itnd fruitful iitlund, traversed
by rangcn of gentle hilU, so frequently offers to heighten rural enjoy-
nrnt. Thus England became the cradle nfan art, which, jt ia true,
has-beeu imitated on the Continent, but never carried to the same
catent and perfevtiun it has tliere attained. TIiu English purk is
t^ handsomest garden ever luid out; fi^r, initlciLd of atieuipting
to imitate nature en c/m, they uim at enibelUshinff it, and pro-
Ittn); by the beauties which already exist. In the pi Ciisu re-ground
of a Hch Kngli-thmnn, this intention iji scarcely perceptible, though
Mery point Ae i;«e \» taken advantage of, to produce an agreeable
irapfeMiun. Attempts lo imitate nature by HmxH gr'ittueM, hilN and
■McrfalU, Grcciitn templei) and ruiiist, appear to John Bull grt-
lucc : he ivould find thi8 ait ridictilouii na a Cockney who, in Run-
^Mv clothes, should attempt to play the gentleman with the aubscr-
ntnt air nf the counter.
Even the little landed proprietor or the farmer will not entirely
ndnile ihU rural cumfiirt mmi his dwelling. If he has not room
nam^ tu lay out a liitle pleaiture-ground, or to plant a grove,
fce hu at least liefore his door the green plot, the pretty well-mowed
bevlinc'green, the grass of wliich ia i^n fresh and luxuriant that
me aelidoui seea any like it on the Continent. The &aveller will
munbcr with pleasure tu have seen many of these well-kept plotn,
■Udi M he drove rapidly along tlic high ruad were pleasing to his
The attachment of the Etiglinh for these rural comforts h nearly
■ uld aa the nation. The feudal lord, in the time of the Plan-
tafcncta, was the more anxious tu find pleasure in liix castle, because
l£ prida maile liim preiVr tu live there, riithtr than At court. The
admed park, though it then servetl priiu-ipally to prenerve game
Md deer, bore uinie reiiemblarice, hy its shady winding pi«tl» and
—HI iiu« 6»h-ponds, to the modem plcaHure-ground. We need
■ly Bi«ittion tne park uf Woudntock, or fair Ri utamutvd'h bower, as
At lajr* of the middle ages and popular songs descnbe it. Coit-
mieocy in the dwelling-house appears then, as far as it was po»-
Adt, to have been attained. At li'ast, one must draw that euuclu-
MM from the dewription Prince Pueklcr givi-s of Warwick Ca.'*tle,
■Wh i* Htill well pretucrved in feudal magnificence. The halU nnd
fce ^miture of the midille agCK there described are far auperiur tu
mnl^iag a( the kind iliat has been preiicrved in Germany or France,
Wihe reader is forcibly reminded of the individual facts cited by
fc hixlorian IlaJIsm tu prove the comforts enjuye<l in those times
• Eoifland. It i> true that it wr-* difTerent with respect to the
Wtb firitofis, or Seot«. j^^nea«. Sylvius wrote in the fitteciUh cen-
tay, " the merchant* at Nurnberg are betttT loilgeil than a king of
'^■Imd '" but in the middle ages the Scotch were quite different
TiiL. rii. »•
170
ENGLISH COMFORTS.
from the Engltsti. Btid strongly ecporated by manners and hustilit}-.
— How it an Engli&hnian Uas itll thviC cuiiilorts cDmbini.-d ill Ilia
dwelling, be enjoys tht: bighext dt-^ree uf pleii^ure, wlieii he sits
round the 6re with his family ; and, even oht>u1d he not i^peuk
a word, it affords him entertainment enough to eee the 6re.
A fircHide is to him tb« kk'jil of plcjisure ; when he pronounct-H that
word, he itnmedintely thtnkx of him fHmily, and the tr»in uf idoua
puts him in k gocid htimour. The Rngllsh are indeed, ^mr escelUnce,
aa they say themselves, the marn/iiig nation ; they, therefore, find as
little fault with the marriajre-hunting of their ladies as they do with
the careless marriagej of thdr idle poor, and even Pitt was ofVen
obliged to submit tn the reproaches of the oppo^tion for his ba-
chelor's life: the Enplish are, besides, by the melancholy tincture
in their tempemment, an much inclined to Henti mentality as to
spleen. Truly, their fiuuily Eife k an hotioumlilu and luniublr iTHiC
in the nutioiial ehuracter. Even the coldest Eni;lib^lmmi> will be-
come cheerful and confiding at the fireside ; pride will nive way to
a well-founded *elF-retpect, heightened by hospitality ; unfeigned
kindness is shown to every one wlio is received into the circle round
the lire, instend of the re«i>rve which custom, fashion, and national
character prescribe in Kocial interco»r«e. In short, Kngli^h humour,
wit, and sense are seen in their proper light by the hloze of the coal
fire, and one may tike it for granted., that strangers who have tra-
velled in England and afterwjirds reviled the nation, never had an
opportunity of lilting round n fire with an Hnglt^h family. For the
reat, thie attachment to rloracstic life offers a stronger guarantee for
morality than the high Anglican church, which tH, in tiome respert?,
ss rotten as the once glorious rotten boroughs.
No wonder that the said fireside Is often a favourite theme with
which novel-writers connect the dciicriptionH of pcrsouH .ind situa-
tions, that have gained »t> much praise for Englttsh literature, though
they may be accuaed »oinetiniea of being too lonfr. Certainly there
is no reader who doe» not experience a pleasurable feeling, on read-
ing Goldsmith's description of his gowl vjcar enthroned near tlie
fireside with his family around him and his little ones on his knee.
It would be udvifable for foreign novel-writers who place the
scene of action in Kngland, not to forget that fireside, wnen they
wish to display their humour, if they be fortunate enough to posscai
any.
The feeling of the most complete security from the aggressions of
policemen or fellow -citizens, as well as a free imcnnfineil will in hi».
nonae, which is granted to the Knglish by the common law, do not
contribute a little to tliia pleui^uri- ; it is indefd not consJdereil as
one of the comfortn. but their undisturbed enjoyment is thereby
assured, and that seU'-respecC which is conmcted with them is aug-
mented or preserved, i^hould he be tormented by creditors, he has
the agreeable prospect of entering the fleet, or some other prison,
and Uius agnintft nit will acquiring the rights of the curporatiou
In the mean time, he may, near his firenide, forget hi? cares and
quietly enjoy his comforts, for nu baililT will dare to enter hit
dwelhng without being let in. If he did so, he might with full righ
treat him as a housebreaker, and^ if he pleased, shoot the unwelcomS
g^est, like a gallant adventurer.
John Oull is not a little proud of the privil^e, " My house i|
I
I
EXGL15H COMPORTS.
171
castle ;" utd it dives him jileasure to boast of it on evenr favoar-
aUe oocRaion. and practically to demonstrate it bernre itll the world.
Wbca fMf Francis Burtiott was to hv uptit to the Tower by order of
the Boufle of Commons, and the officer of parliament, to whom
m^Koatnon could not be refused, had not yet npppiired. there arose a
|Ki|Hilsr tumult before the house, on which occaftion Ctistlereagh
tmoi^t it necmAsry to order some troops out. Sir Franm Burdet^
m bu aide, did himsulf the ulvaeure of placing pieecH of cannon at
(be windows and pointing tJiciu at the troupe, and Custlcrcagh, un
being itifnrroed of this, quietly sdid, '' 7'hey ci>Litd not preveut Sir
Fnmci» Burdett fmni dointr it."
Ciifwrtunalely, the suspicion witb which an Enfflishman views
tvcrtbodT who entvr» hi^ buuie, di?privf« the forei{;n traveller of
mmeb pttjoyment ; for John Bull dof* not wiltinply let anybody croK»
In tlire»hoId who in unknown tn him, or who has not been reconv
■ended to him, or. in fine, who has not busincas to transact with him.
Tbtis, the treasares of art which English wca5th has collected from
ill parts of Europe, are ihut up from the stranger, who is the more
MBUhxecl by the lettcra of Prince Puckler Muskau, whose station
^r* hini access to them. Hut even tlie defunct wafl once in danger
effacing created aa u thief, baTing, to gratify bia curiosity, without
iW knowledge of Lord R , smuggit-d hiuiHi-If intu his purk by
Unng the (fate-keeper. Another time he was even obliged, toi>iiiii-ly
ki^DBMoa for parkA, to climb over the wall like a gallant poacher.
Aoagh in this way the acale of comforts is so tolerably filled that
l4aoouM bear his cloudy days and even the defeat of his party, there
dinnaina a comfort, the want nf which even in the happiest circum-
itaKM would render him very iniconifurtiible, and destroy all bis
PBd-bumour ; namely, a new8])aper with his breakfiut- He would
Wber do without toast with htn tea than be deprived of hiH gigantic
Hnting paper; for a breakfast without a journal is for him an
;dactioo witbout an election dinner, or an Irishman without a bull.
I ithti Bull doeii not, it is true, place such implicit f^ith in that oracle,
'4eprcaa. maJ»y'» Partsnun baditHd, who kept hi-t bed because he read
« the Dewspmers that he bad broken his leg; but, however, he
aula them witn such conscicntiousneiia, that he doca not overlook a
He not only wi^iheti to see his politick opinion reproduced
atbem everv murninj;, but he reads with so much the more plea-
tbe " Chroniijue Scandaleuse" of the town, the less he troubles
■df sboot acandalin society ; the more careful and suspicious h«
^tmetttuttg his property, tl)« more he is amused by accounts of
lies, housebreaking, and swindling ; though he never risks
Ifa iniail 11 in betn, or gives his wife cause to fe:ir tttat he should
task s leg at a fux-hunt, he never misses reading the interest-
HsportiDtf intelligence, comprising accounts of hunts, races, cock-
Mn^ Ae. Neither does he omit the rerscs and the fatal accidenu,
**Ucli rcgul" accounts are sent from the most distant parts of
^UDgdotD, «nd in which the English take so much interest, that
2\fff,tfmm ** tiresome to the stranger as the impurtancv tbey at-
IP the •ucceas nf a favourite racer on the turf.
^HJHHtir** John Bull may have, besides, a particular whim for
le inc&riJual comforts, be will feel himself pretty well off with
te we have de»icribed. There are. indeeo, some secondary
te wantinir, f'J'' instance, a dressing-case for travelling : how^
iw
A DRGAH.
fver, th\» belonfrs rather to tlie dantlir, «nd the real John Bull
can sii well do without it as the army Could diapcnw with those
•tore- waggons, laden with hair-brushc», which the «oldier« of Soult
once captured, but which were probAbly only intended fur a few
regiments of dandie« and exclusive*, such »n the GiisrcU, &c. Now,
almild he feet himself tolerably well off witli all tliuse comforts,
tliough he may long for one or two more, he will Bssume the air of
a philosopher, and think, with Goldsmith,
" Mao wants but little Here Mow,
Nor vnxM that little hag."
A DREAM.
Tim halm of »lwp fell oVr roe, and I (5reamt—
Oh ! 'twas a Aria, and sweet, and hanpy dream !—
I (Irvaml ttial 1 vra» uiricd lo a liuid,
A fair and lovely land, round whirh the SM
Careered in all its wild and lonely grandeur.
'J Jure weie most sweet fttrata and (uery walki,
And tU<ly grnvft^ and toflly purling streww ;
And all ll.iR>u)(Kout ri'Miiinilnd lo the tongs
Of Natun-'s thoriaters. The niEhlio^lr
With ljv<'1v (uirot, the mrci.-t fulUtwied thniih,
And ot\ici foil' innumeroui wngsters.
With ilulcH vlraiiu orminijled |>f>[ilmody
vEolmn, charmed the listening wene — *vvna tweM
Ax if a Setaph nwcpt tJi« harps of heaven.
Around, ihe trees wafed witli their boauieoui fniiU, —
Fean, p«acbef> apricots, and juicy pluou ;
And orange* m aureate clumers hun^.
The air was scented with a fra^nmi btdni,
As If from beds of fronkincense it drew
Sabnan sweetness. And orerheud, the sky
Rolled clattdlctt.
With ecstasy I wandered
Throu|;hout thii lov«ly paradml spoi.
How sw(^ thuughi I, lo dwell in such a place.
Afar from all the noisy haunts of men 1
Andf oh I if there wer« one to dwell wjih me, —
She, the dailing of my hopes I
Scarce the wish
Was uttered, when forth &h« caarn to meet me,
Another Eve, in all her maiden beautjr.
Ob I tiha looked lovely, u her 6ne blue eye
Met mine, and down lier aUl.uilur nuck
tier golden hair in wavy ringUts hung.
" And art thou here, my lo»e, aiidwilt ihou slay?
Oh I never, nerer more we part. The world
To tui i« ootliitiR now. How nweet to luve.
And be beloved ! Here in this place well dwell ; —
Oh, speak 1 thy words arc music lo niui: car."
Her face hun? on my bosom, and her eye —
The angel of her soul^ — picrcud to my heart.
I Atoopcd, and on those dewy lips impressed
A Iwnff, loot! kiss. " Oil ! never more i»« p«rtl"
And as I spoke, all faded from my view ; —
lie golden light of rooming hruku the spell,
And I avroke lo find such happiness-^
A ihadow} uEitubsuniial dmm.
173
r
ARTISTS AND WORKS OF ART IN ENGLAND.
MS DR. WAGBN, DIRSCTOR OP TOB PICTURE OALLBHV IN BRRI.IK.
I
VISIT TO THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND.
IdMtDoti, 20th May, 1835.— At last I have some notion of Uie
dwelling and mode of lil'c of an English diikp.
Pniviileci with two letters of imroduelion by the kindnenn of the
Dnchess of Cumberland and the Princess Louise of Priiasis, I
waited on tlic Uuke of Sutherland, who received me in the most
fiicutUy manner, and conducted me through his palace.
It ia dirtiDguiehed from nil ottiere in London by extent, stately
^rtion, richness of niBterial, and beniity of eituntion. It was
I by the late Duke ol' York, under the superintendence of llic
itect Wyatt, and after hia deatli bouglit and enlarged by the
Marquis of Stafford, the father of the present l>uke of Sutherland.
^ A fin*- prospret is enjoyed from the windows, of the Oreen Park
«» ooe ftide, and on the other of St. James's, with its ntighty trees,
above whoae luxuriant foliage rise the towetsof Westminster Abbey.
The ere tumA, however, willingly to the interior of the a|»irtment»,
■here, besides tlie magnificence of furniture, draperies, and carpetit,
it lindA the nobler enjoyment arising from the contemplation of
varies of art.
Hie marble chimney-piccea are adorned sometimes with antique
ImM tad reliefs, sometimes with cleg.int vaacs, of various rare kinds
tfmomt, af\er the mu«t celebrated antiques.
Tlie finest ornaments of the puUicc, however, are the pictures of
,|Ik Italian, Flemi<ih, Spanish, and modern Englii^h schools; a col-
iKtion which the duke, one ol'the richest men in Kngland, is con-
i^ndj endeavouring to enrich still more.
The gallery, situated in the new story which the present pos-
naor kas added to the original building, is lighu:d tVnm above, and
*U MKin contain all the mu^t valuable uf hiit paintings. The duke
■ bis youth »pent some time nt the Prussian court, and the nume-
Mh portraits of our royal family seem to indicate that he has re-
kHted a lively remembrance of the period. Among them is a marble
■I of our departed queen, by K<iuch, alWr the monument by the
Mae artist at I' harlot tenburg.
I had aflerwanU the honour of being introduced to the duchess,
•bese uncommon beauty, in the true £nglish ityle, is heightened
^ so capreswon of great intelligence and swcetne** of disposition.
I*fTha|M the most imposing part of the mansion ia the sLEureaaew
T^ ra*t space, which passes through every floor in the house, is
ifailrably lighted by a lantern from above, and by it^ excellent pro-
I ■Runia, by ihe colouring of the walls, where iKe giallo artticv has
I &■■ nort happily imitated, and by the balustrade richly ornamented
*afc cOt bronxe, producer a most Matety and im1>osit^; etFect. It
^iiill i1 me in a most lively mnnner of the mighty space so fre-
^mmdf met with in the palaces of Genoa.
X wnl loon write to you more in detail concerning the picture-
pdhij. to which the kindness of the duke has allowed me ' "
174
ARTISTS AND WORKS OP ART IN ENGLAND.
access, and I shall then entlezvour lo give yon some id«a of the in«f-
tiinablv Ircasurrs of art thiit Knj^land has been collcctini;, especi-
ally Worn the time of the French Revolution to the present day.
BALL AT DEVONSUmE IIOISE.
I I«n a party at half-past clwcii o'clock to go to a bait at the Ihikc
of Dcvonahire's, for which 1 had received » canL The line of car-
riages was so lung that a full hour eliipited before I was able to gain
admUiion. The house was uplriididly lighted up, and as I ap*
proached I was greeted with ravishing strains of music. The fimt
apartments were so throngt-d with tliP beau moitde, thst I had aomc
difficulty in making my wiiy tttrough them.
The iluke conv«r8e«i with me a idiort time in the most friendly
manner, mid g.ive me an invitation to a breakfast at his villa at
Chiswick for the 13th.
The quantity ot Ught, almost equalling that of day, and the splcn.
dour of the de^.'or&tions, were worthy of the guests assembled. One
small room, whose walls were covered with rose-coloured drapery
and looking-j^lasit, and in the midst of which were placed a number
of exquisite t)ower«, filling the air with their fragrance, and delight-
ing the eye by their gay variety of hue, was particularly admired.
Itfl charm was completed by the slender sriph-like forms of the
young Englishwomen of thn higher classes whom this fashionable
ball h^A Attracted in unusual numbers.
Although myself no artist. ia\ lung-con tinned familiarity with
their workii has accustomed nic tu view all obji'cts witti an artist's
eye; and a more gloriuus opportunity for contemplations of this
det>cription than this bull HfTonlcd could hardly hiivc iM-tn found. I
wait able to yield myself up to thoni with le»a interruption, at; tlirrc
were but few in tiiis vaat atiseniblage to whom I wn» perMmally
known. I remarked many specimens of distinguished beauty in botli
sexes — many a living Viindyke, with those delicate regular features,
dear, warm, trausjiareiU cuiuplvxion, and fair hair, which he caught
to incomparably well.
Still more striking and piqannt were many faces of quite soutliem
character, with black hair and strongly -marked brows. There may
perhaps be the devcrndnnts of the anaent Britons, for the invading
Baxon and Norman races were fair. There wua one girl whose ex-
qtiisitely graceful head wnuld have enraptured Uuido, and one young
man, wiio appeared to me almost a perfect model of symmetry and
beauty ; tlic dark, deep-»et, dreaming eyen, the beautifully cut
mouth, where a touch of refined sensuality, mingled with a alight
expression of melancholy, would have aflbrdcil to a Grecian artist
the most admirable model for a youthful Bncchus.
As he was very young, and evidently still new to these circles,
there waa as yet no trace of that self-suflicient conscinnsness of
beauty which so powerfully diminishes its impression. His cou»<
tcnance received a new charm when his glances rested for a long
time, with evident pleasure, on a lovely blonde, whose brilliant eyes
shone with all the radiant light of youth and joy.
Perhaps you may feel vome curiosity to hear the names of some
of tliete beauties ; but, for inv mrl, 1 i^hould as soon have tliought
of asking the Latin names oi toe flowers in a garden. I waa too
ARTISTS AND WOUKS Of ART Kt HNCLANS.
175
Itnppy 111 thL' contcmpUtinii of these fulrc&t of die hiimnn flnners
.ttut bloom upon God's earth ; and thi»c blos^onia ore unqucstjnnnbly
"^ UDd in greater prrfectioii in England than in my utlu-r country.
'i« cause of superiority is sufficiently obviouB. In no other rountry
the physical education of children from their birth conductetl in
rntiunal a mannrr, and nowhere have I seen so many children
blooming in all the luxuriance of perfect health. The greate9t
regularity in their mode of lite, the most simple yet nuurishitig diet,
and n constant exercise in the open air, are the chief puintA ; and
the attention to these is unremitting during the whole period of child-
hiHxi and youth. One great ndvRntiiKt- enjoyi-d by children in Eng-
land rtbovf tho«4< (if any other northern country- is, that they are not
kept half the ye»r in overheated rooms, for tne open fires are not
aiiahle to the iiamc objections. The close heat of a stove is apt to
ulTup and bloat the skin of the face: whereas here, as in Italy, the
rms are more decided, without being lets delicate. To all thia
be added, th«t in the better classes there is no fatiguing cra-
ploymcnt and seldom any distiirhing pare to interrupt the tr.inqiiil
dcvi>lopcment of beaulyj or shorten it.i duration. The s.ime plants,
under the tcndencc of a careful gardener, placed in a rich »od, and
cx|>05e-d to all the most beneficent influences of sun and rain,flouriAh
better than when sometimes exposed to the noontide glare, and some-
times beaten by the fury of the ittorm : the same remark applies tu
the delicate blossoms of human beauty.
It is a very remarkable fact, that in particular familie!) the old
type of a ceruin character of beauty haa maintained itself through
t Icing series of family portraits, whilst at the .lame time the greMer
kerdomof the English nobility in the choice of tlieir wives prevents
It fnim degenerating into caricature and dcfonnityr as is w often
seen in other countries.
You will easily imagine that there was no want of costly and ele-
,nt Inilettes ; and I could only regret that I had not your feminine*
nowledge of the subject, Uiat 1 might describe them like a true
connoisseur. I am afraid also I should scarcely do justice In detail to
the costly iliifplay at ttie two bulTets, at one of which was tlie greatttKt
variety of rcfrc^hmcnls, while at the other a hut wper was served by
a numerous and splendid train of attendsntti. The whole J'^tc proved
that tiie Duke of Devonshire has not undeservedly attained his high
Sputation among the nobility of Knglaiul for fashiuu and boapi-
TTie exterior of Devoni«liir« House is unpretending ; but it con-
tains extraordinary treasures of art and literature. Besides a \ery
rich collection of picturen, f saw in one of the sitting-rooms a glass
case containing it remarkably fine collection of cut stones and medals,
five hundred and sixty-four in number. Mv greatest treat, however,
w«i the sight of the renowned " Lihro di Veriln," which the duke
Was kind enough to place in my liand^ and allow me to contemplate
at my leisure. It wan tint* Claude Lorraine denominated a book in
which he bad made drawings of all thc'picturcs he had ever exe-
cuted. Since even in his own day his works had obtained a great
Vcputation, it was found that many inferior artists had punted pic-
' The letter* from which these extracu arc taken arc addrcswd bj- ibe auibor to
his w1f«.
176
ARTISTS AND WORKS OF ART IN ENGLAND.
turn til hi* Ktyle, antl solil them as genuine Claudes ; so that it w;is
found necenuT to prove the authenticity of his paintingB by a n-
fcretice to his " Book of Truth." The drawinjjs r« in number about
two hundred, ami upon the back of the fir»t is a paper parted, with
tbe following; word* in Claude's own handwriting. 1 preserve his
own orthography.
"Audi 10 dagotto IC77. Ce litTt Aupartiena mog que jt fuict ^urtmt
ma vie. CtauJio GUtee Dit /« loratm. A Itumn ix 29. Avt. 1080."
WheD Claude wrote the last date he was leventy-eixht years old,
and he died two years afXerwards. On the hack of everj- drawingis
tbe number, with his monograni, the place for which the picture
was painted, and usually thr ptrrmn by whom it waj) ordered, and
^tlie year; but the "Claudio fecit" is never wanting. According to
bis will, this book was to remain always the property of hiit own
family ; and it was so faithfully kept by hi& imiuediate deitcendanta,
^that all the edorts of the Cardinal d'Estrees, the French ambassador
■ at Home, to procure it were in vain. His later posterity had ito en-
tirely lost all traces of this pious reverence for it, that they sold it
for the trivial price of two hundred scudi to a French jeweller, who
aMin sold tt tn HnlUnd, whence it came into the nossesaion of tlie
Dukes of Devoniihirc, who have preserved it with due honours. The
well-known copies by Barlow, in the work of IJoydcll, give but a
very vague and monotonous representation of thci^e sptetulid dniw.
ines.
The delicacy, ease, and masterly handling of all, from the slighteikt
sketches to tnotue most carefully finished, exceed all description:
the latter proiluce, indeed, all the effect of finished pictures. With
ihe simple material of a pen. and tints of Indijin ink, sepia, or bistre,
with some white to bring out the lights, every characteristic of sun-
shine or «hade, or the '' incense-breathing morn," is perfectly ex-
pressed. Most happily has he employed for this purpose the blue
tinge of the paper and the warm sepia for the glow of evening;.
Some are only drawn with a pen, or the principal formi* are slightly
sketched in pencil, whh the great mn»ses of light broadly thrown in
with white: the iimigtiution easily filU up the rent.
In one ca&e which the duke opened, I saw etately volumes con-
taining engravings of ^larcaiiton and other scarce masters ; but much
M I was temptetl to look at thetu, 1 resisted it, ou the principle I laid
down for raysrtf on coming to England, to wajtte no part of my
limited time in seeing what I could see on the ContinenL
The duke is deeply versed in the old dramatic literature of Cng-
Und ; he sh^iwed me some volumes of hia coUectiuu of old plays,
which is the richest in the world, and is every year increasing. He
is just printing a new cjiUl»(;(ie. How earnr-stly did 1 wish that
Ticck vere with me to revel in these treasures I
WINDSOR CASTLE.
(During Ihe UUe rti^n.)
By eleven o'clock on the following morning, I was with Lord
Howe in his carriage, on our way to Windsor. So many hamlets
and villjiges, formerly nt some distiincc from London, have now be-
come connected witn it, that it was long ere we got free of the
continued line of houses. In laying out the ground in these suburbs^
ARTISTS AND WORKS OP ART IN ENGLAND.
177
the gmtnt possible care is taken ia economise space, so th»t in the
c^iiinry huuseii ttir door is no ]&Tgvr tlinii is just ni.-cc>ssiiry to admit
one perAun ; but the hnuites »re all clexn, «nd iieiUly roofed with
slater. Wherever the Mnalletit ncnip nl'fjrodnd is seen in front, it is
laid out u a little flower-garden ; and where even this is wanting.
cretfing plutts, with their pretty blossom!), are generally trained up
the walls.
The Hppearance of such an English village is very pleasing, and
these little decorations are !iure iiignii of the general proRperity of the
people ; for it is not till the necessaries of life have been secured that
the desire of obtaining some further pleasure arises. Another proof
is allbrdvU by tile swarnia of hatidsuiue, well-fed, roay-t-hteked chil-
dren whom one nvcs everywhere enjoying the " dokt fur nivatc."
This pleading imprenaion wm strengtliened by the flouri»bing ap-
pearance of the country, where bright green meadows and rich com-
ftehls succeed eiich other.
Tbr swift motion of th« well-hung carriage over the smooth road
created a verj' agreeable sensation, increased by the sight of the dis-
tant tuwert of Windsor Castle, among which one wa» ea|)eciBlly con-
spicuous- A* we approached the town, Shakiipeare's " Merry Wivea
rf Windsor" naturally occurred to me; and the remark of I^rd
Howe, that the wood through which we were just driving was the
tmae where Shakaneare ha^i tormented FalstaflT, rendered the in)pre»-
oon fttill more lively.
A( length the carriage i^topped before the entrance to the castle,
sAcr we had driven five German miles in two lioiira. The first ^^i^hc
of this etUGce is really impoNing. From a rocky height commanding
the country round for n vast extent, its g^rcy towers and battlements
vise in picturesque confusion. It is tlic very pLace for the rhival-
roo* king!! of old to have held tlieir courts, and looks like the rcali.
lation of some fantastic dreatrk of the middle ages. A part of it
rcsUr dates back to those times, the gigantic old tower which I rc>
■MrCed from tlie distance having, as it is said, been inhabited by WiU
Uam the Conqueror. I'roin a small watch-tow (.-r, which appears to
grvw out of it, the royal standard of England now waves. The
castle was much altered and extended iu the year 18M, by the ar-
chitect Sir Oeoifry Wyatlville ; .ind is certainly the only residence
worthy of a King of Kngland, — the ruler of more than one hundred
BtilUont of men, if we include the Emtt Indies: for as much as his
power and greatness transcend those of ordiniiry mortals, so d«es the
caaUe exceed the dwellings of the ordinary children of men, which,
in cxmiparison, appear like pigmies. The King and Queen generally
!■«• the greater part of the year here.
A* we entered the caiitle, we met Von Raiimer, who, like my-
self, was waiting to bo presented to the Queen. We had to pass
ihroagb several court-yards before we reached the part of the build-
ing inkabited by their majesties ; and whilitt Lord Howe w«nt in to
aanonnce us, we amused ourselves by examining the stately corridor
vbcre we were standing, which runs round the interior of a court-
Hie celling was of oak, richly wrought in the best style of Gothic
atdlltcctUTe, which attained a high <legree of perfection in KngUnd
about the end of the Eil\eenth century. The walls were adorne«l
wttii luany pictuiev, among which were some of the host of Cana-
176
mf IBlremidn^
.^vpvsans in ko
ite Mflw luaiiuvr
-^ Bttk great who
^mcbty behaviour.
*4t£tl cotnraandn a
1^ sue gliilen first on
vhich ri-^es « fnun-
mimrr of the |>ark, which
m ibmissed us mostgrn.
to accompuiy us round
«id (Iecnrstior« of the
-^ dal Tetrel and gold, — were of
.. mfirc intcrcstc<I in tim Hu
^.> ukI ifit' grand meL-titigK of
^iktlT propoiruoned, and fitted up
•^, of cMved oaJt, itdorned with
_-nuine effect of richness and
. iges. In (Fir sinaller »aloo<n,
it, arc btiHtD of tliree of the
f >,'f'Ison, in hroiirc, and of ■
' , in marble. A<t work* I
•,.( f,iri sii]i.-rabl-e.
.c of Prince Rupert and the wcU.
txr more valunblc, at least to an
;-ds tfiL' Kifht to King Henry the
^'OuM. It is the work of Ben-
'.' iti rich uniameiitA of figures,
':■'•-[ -jM't'iincns existing. It
I i il.i- Jiiu?st shield in thccol-
l.'iii'ortunately, a very thick
. J J, lui'ul of this excellent work
-^ocuUirly attracted ray attention, 18
»i » iiilendcd to serve au s raemorial of
.ii'Tii* which closed with Uie battle of
. .rthe sovereigns and otherreiuark-
n. executed by the celebrated por-
by command of King George the
Viifitriaisplacedon one side, with ■
^m^, and on the left the Emi>eror ■
, f Uardenhcrg and Cardinal Gou-
s lint Nesselrodc and Pone Pius the
^ tiitre is occupied by King George
^^ |>ersonnges arc King William the
, ,y ^V^.aadt'""ljntlgc, the Duke of Wellington,
ft***"^ j44^^* CluirlcB, Prince Schwartzcnberg,
^**'. T^ li%<nwa*' »•"' ^t" "'*• ^uke of Cumberland, M
' zZ-j^ W>* ^' **■* '*''*^ "f^ Bymmetry. ^
^!^}^^ilt» k de'otP'i to tJte reception of a collec-
► •JK^r^y*^ "" I''"'"'^- Wherever the waits
J?:Sit0l^ "T^- ■Mlt**^ f-irms a *trong and disagreeable
••2S**"—- j/ *l«»*»or that appears every wb«ro else.
ARnSTS AKI> WORKS OF ART IN ENGLAND.
179
At «1I events, wiother colour should hove been chosen, u white is
exlreravlj- unfavourable to the effect of the pictures. The works of
onf tiM^ter yciierallj Iiaiig together in oue room, That canttiiuing
twentj'-oiie pictures of Van Dykewas to me one of the moat interevt-
of the whole. A« a portriut^paint*^, he was undoubtedly the
tpCMttat maxter of his time. Hi* conipoHition is almost alwayn a^ee-
jabte, often signitiamt; hit attitudes natural and convenient, the
drawing of the head and hands refitwd, and the keeping excellent.
To theoe merits may be added great cleames* and warmth ofcolour,
and a free yet delicate handling ; *o that hia portrait* are in a hiffh
degree elegant and attractive. As he passed the last ten years of his
life (1631 to 1641) with little interruption in England, there arc no-
where so many of his masterpieces to be met with as in this country.
Another apartment is devoted to Rubens; and there are many
fine pirtiire« of the older German and Italian schools: several arc
said to be by Holbein, with whose name, by the by, they raiske
I -nucl) too free in Kngland. The half-length picture of Henry the
|£ighth, fur inBtaucc, nppears to me extremely doubtful ; though it is
I bung to high that it la difficult to form a decidetl opinion. That
of the young king Edward die Sixth is certainly ton feeble and un-
meaning for Holbein. Even the portrait of his great friend and
patron, Thoma»< Howard Duke of Norfolk, is undoubtedly not ge-
nuine. Among Komo fine pir-tun» uf the Italian school arc Gome
which uppear unwurtliy of a pbce in such a collection as that uf the
King of Jbngland.
• • « • •
As we were rather fatigued with the view of so great a number of
pictures, we were quite ready to do justice to a aejcuner d laj'our-
vftetle; after which. Lord llowe accompanied us to St George's
Chapel, a Gothic structure of the time of Ilemy tlie Seventh ; and
on coming out we found an elegant open carriage, with two small
brown horses, here called ponies, sent by command of the Queen to
take us to a cottage belonging to her, situated near the celebrated
Virginia Water. The varying sunshine and shower, as we drove
swiftly through the noble park, afforded the finest possible variety
I of light. I Bhall never foiget the exquisite green ol the grass and
foliage, as the mmnhine broke over them while they were still wet
from the rain. The eye really revelled in the enchanting beauty of
the colour.
At five o'clock we were again on our return to London ; and as
wc had four beautiful horses, wc soon saw the metropolis lying like
a dark cloud before us. At eleven we went to another* party at
Lord Francis Egerton's, still more numerous and splendid than the
I first. Notwithstanding the spaciousness of the apartments, they
'were more throngeil thnn wb.* agreeable. When the tnmc Tyrolese
raised their wild song, the com|uiny streamed tJ)w»rd<i them, and left
me to enjoy at leisure the contemplation of my beloved pictures.
AInch 05 1 like the sound of these MHigs in their native Alps, they
I alwayM t>eem to mc coarw and screaming in a confined Hpacc, and in
the presence of im elegant town company. At an early hour I re-
turned home and retired to rest, satibficd with Uic cun&cioumess of n
well-spent day.
The factor bad oa a {onaa caasion ei^^oyei bis lordship's Jmspitality.
180
ARTISTS AND WORKS OP AHT IN ENGLAND.
VISIT TO SIR HOBEUT PEEL.
JhiwSI.
Wluit a rich and interesting life 1 lead here ! Not a duy paMes
on whicli my leclings are not excited by the contemplttiiM) of ex-
quijiite worka of art, or by communion with remarkable men.
On leaving Ettslkke's, I drove to Sir Robert Peel's houw. The
Kite is well chosen ; for tlioiif^h utusted in tlte most r»sbi(»inblv part
,of Uh> tovrn, nnd close to the H(i)i»e of Common*, the xci^nc of his
■•chievemi-nts, it has many of the advantages of rural retirement, nnd
enjoys • delightful view of the Thames.
Sir Robert is a stately man, of preposseflsinp; manners, and highly
re5netl and cultivated. Of his refinement anu cultivation I found a
strikiufi proof in his tasteful cnllection of pictures of the Dutch and
Flemish schools, a rtring of faultlcHN pearlR ; with the eye of a con-
firmed connnisfleur, he kmiw-< tiovr tu di)>tiiij;ui)ih in each the peculiar
merits which make it dctierviiip of a place in Kuch a collection. Such
tiictures must be tiL-en twice : for surprise and admiration, on first l>c-
lulding tiiera. are too powerful to allow a tranquil enjoyment.
Through a kind word from the Duke of Cambridge, 1 was a^orded
this second opportunity ; and I will endeavour to give you some idea
of the cnllection. It coniusts of rathi-r mure ttuui sixty pictures ; and
tlie manner in which they are placed shows that the owner does not
look upon Uicm as mere decorations for Ids rooms, as is too IVe-
quenlly the case here, but that he is desirous of enjoying each se-
imratefy, in the true spirit of a lover of the arts.
The room in which this colii*ction is nrrnnged is of an oblong form^
with windows at the two extremities, so that the picUires all enjoy
the advantages of a strong side light. Kvery picture is placed in a
utU3tion to be seen wiUi perfect convenience, none bving hung so
hiuh 09 to remove its beauties from the eye's reach.
r'irxt in the list must be mentioned Ilubcns'a celebrated Chaprau
df Paille. This picture, a balf-Iengtli portrait, repreaenU a young
girt of the Antwerp family of Lunden. Tjie broad brim ofa black
Spanish beaver hat throws a shadow over the face, wliich, however,
\« well seen, owing to the strong sunlight by which the picture is
ilUiminated. TbiH Ims aflVirdcd Rubens an admirable opportunity
of showing his skill in the treatment of the clear obtcurv. The paint*
ing was formerly known in Belgium under the denomination of
" hti Spaansch llofdje," which in later times has been changed into
its present very incorrect name of Chapeatc tie Paille. The head is
painted so con amore, and the expresaion is so beautiful and full of
animation, that I am easily believe the tradition which says, when
Rubens painted the picture he was in love with tlie origina]. He
was so attached to it, tJiat he never could be induced to part with it;
and even Iii^ widow preserved it till her death, when it waa pur-
_ chased by the Lunden family, in whoi«e lionds it remained till lnl7r
Lvhen it was sold for sixty thousand franei<. At the death of the
purchaser it was disposed of by auction to Air. Nieuwenhuys, for
thirty •five thousand nine hundred and seventy Dutch florins. The
purchase waij made on juiut account with two £iiglifth picture-deal-
ers, by one of whom the painting was offered to George tlie Fourth,
but declined. It was then exhibited tn London, and upwards of
twenty Ihousaod persons visited the «shibition. In ItBJ3 it waa
CHEQUERSD LIFE.
ISl
bought hy Sir Kobert Peel, who is said to have n'lren three thou-
sand five huiidrtxl pimndx fur it, — the highest pric«, probably, that
«ver wu paid for x hvlf'tenj^th portrait.
There are two other picturci by Rubens ; one, a B.icchwnil, with
eight figures, equal in passion, ana depth, and clearnciw of cnlniiring,
to a.iiy of his works, hut anrpassinfr any I have ever seen in the
ta«te and decorum with which the subject is treated, and i" the ex.
aoioite beauty of oik- of the nymphs. After the death of Rubens,
lis piiiiitiiig wrtK Ixiught by Carainal Richelieu, and afterwards
rawed into the hands of Lucien Bonaparte. It wa» botight by Sir
Robert Peel for eleven hundred pounds. The (bird Riibfiis in a
slight but spirited sketch of the celebrated Lion Hunt in the Dresden
Gallery.
Sir Robert posBesses likewise two Rembrandts, one a male portrait,
the other a landscape. The former ia one of the few pictures by that
master in which we sec united a correct conception, and a fine feel-
ing of nature, with carelbl indunrv in the execution.
The collection Is jmnicularly rich in pictures of the Dutch school ;
indeed, there is scarcely one of the most eminent masters of nrhom a
specimen ia not found here.
[0r. Wagen gives a critical catalogue of the painting* composing
this beautiful collection, but want of space precludes its insertion
lurre.J
The room in which all these treasures arc preserved is one of
those constantly inhabited by Sir Hubert Peel : so that he and his
rftmily contract a daily itttiinacy witli thene masterpieces, and, in
abedience to the impulse of the moment, may allow their attention
to repose upon ilie picture that more immediately captivates them.
In the room leading to the gallery, Sir Rola-rt called my atten-
tion to several full-length portraits by Sir Thoriiii^ Lawrtnce, one
of whose chief patrons be appears to have been. The Dulte- of
Wellington, Canning, and Hu«kis«on are the most distinculsheti
of the men with whose portmits that of Sir Robert Peel himself
is most worthily aa^iociated. lit every one of the heads vou imme-
diately recognise the work of an excellent portrait-[«unter ; but
in tlie general conception of the pictures there is frequently BOme-
tiuug orerstrained, particularly in that of Canning.
CHEQUERED LIFE.
Alas! how joy and grief are mined
TlirougVi all hfri ■* nhefjuered hours t
How piecciog thoms •av ««vr fut«d
Ben«nih ths laTcliut Huwers !
As to the wildest won)* ot mirth.
The echoes whispei low ;
E'en Ihiu there i* no bUu od etnh
Without its mocking wov.
A
182
MEMOIR OF THE REV. ROBERT HOGG.
PoBTs and philosophers ever have been, and ever will be, perions
of extriiofdinary ap]>eAraiice : an exterior »tamp brands thetn as a
diatinct species, and, in the great laniil^ of man, severs them fVom
the CDtnnifiii herd. A bom poet is expectefl tn W liune, rickety, or
awrv ; and should be luiply possess tlie use of his limbs, same or-
frame defect must act as a euu titer vuihnj^ iiifimiity. and ni-irk him
from the many- Hence, if he be not half blind, he must occa-Kionally
be whole mat] ; or, at least, if He keep caste, be most affect the one
or the otbiT at fit seasons.
PhiloKophers are dilTerent altogether. " Unkempt hair," soiled
tinen, and a cotirtitutioital aversion to soup and wjiter, are the grand
rec)uisite« which characterise tins erudite specie* of the body politic.
No matter to what school Oie individual apperlaineth, a well-shaped
garment is his abomination; and to the thorough-bred sntanl "a
shocking bod hat" is indispensable »m an air>pump.
Generally, poets and philoHophcrs arc, after their kind, good and
jolly souls. They eschew their potations, eat, drink, and get merry,
like ordinary mortals ; and, bating an incurable prolixity and de-
flperate attachment to quotation, in every-day socictj- the men pass
currently enotigh.
Two luminaries of the R.tnie name, but opposite (^iccies, have not
long since paid tJie debt of nature. James Ho^, the shepherd, waa
extetiEivcty known. His native talent, his oddities, and tlie acci-
detttal circuin^tatices whirh threw Iiim among those who elicited
and fostered the rou^-h uncultivated Kparklings of Ins gL-nius, nb.
tained for the Ettrick bard coiiinilcrablc iiuturit.-ty ; wliilc the philo-
•ojiher, sui gcRrris, the more remarkable persoiuige of the tw»in, sank
to the grave " unbonoured and unhung."
Robert, or, as he was more familiarly called, Robin Hogg, was the
son of a dissenting miiutt«T, and educated for the profession of his
father. That he was a man of botli talent and acquirements, his
subsequent appointment to be assistant ottrunomer in the observa-
tory ol Arrnagu, with a small country congregation • short distance
from the same city, would sufliciently establisn. In Cockle Hill, as
his meeting-house was named, his ministry oomroenced and cloaed:
there the noiseless tenor of his way passed on, and to the grare he
carried the respect and aflections of his people.
Robin's outer man was rather remarkable. He was a atout, burly,
plain-looking personage, dressed in black clothes of a very peculiar
cut, with a brood-leafed hat, and silver shoe-buckles of large dimen-
sions. His walk was a angular sort of swing .- his thumbs were
generally inserted in the waistbnnd of his nether hnbiliment, and, as
he rolled along, no stranger would p.isji on without turning to liMve
a second look at the astronomer.
Robin, like his namesake the bard, was nlterly ignorant of the
world. His situation as a man of science frequently introduced him
into the upper ordprs of society; but. from his own confessions,
Hogg always approiidicd thoM! of higher rank with alnrm and dis-
trust, and ever felt a relief when the professional interview had ter-
minated.
HEMOia OF THE RSV. AOBERT BOCG.
183
With «U Hogg's simplicity', lie was, in his way, a wng. He oouM
{■crcave abEurdity iu otliers, and fclyly. and witituut Buapiclun, elicit
a lattgfa at their expeu»e. One very leanted lady, wliuiu he met
Bcddentally at a dinner- party, bored the company for an hour with a
■cicntiGc disquisition touching the virtues of recent discoveries in
nedicinr made by the Frmch rheiTiiitt;^. Hnd more than once appealed
to Robin, to obtun the Hccnnlniit; npiiiioii of tlinl " learncil pundit."
on being hani prcAited, fairly pleaded gcneml igiii)r>iiict!.
Dce I have been a man, my lady, I never taalcd pill nor powder."
Indeed, Mr. Ilogg ! And why, may I nsk, have you this dialike
t> medicior >"
" Why, faith, my l»dy, I got so much from my mother when a
biry. thai I never could abide it afterwards."
** Was her treatment simple, 3Ir. Hogg ?"
"Simple enough, my kdy> HUc liud but two remedies in the
«erid for every disease incident to man: she gave ' llvbin run Uie
Mce* at night, and ' Itog bean' in the morning. One she called ' a
riri£er out,* and the oUier she named ' a sweetener;' and with four
Wr»M in the year which I underwent, no wonder, madam, I dread
^ ^ypcarancc of a drug."
Tbe ludicrous BJmpJicity of Mrs. Hogg"* practice of physic pro-
ceed a general biugh, and the fair empiric never appealed to the
■trapigoer again.
To a Tery odd exterior, tlogg united a nnsal drawl tn speaking,
■d tht most imperturbable gravity of countenance. When all were
■ a roar, Robin never relaxed a muscle. After supper,— his favour-
•e hour for story-telling, — then was he in his richent vein. Gene-
nflj himself the hero of the tnle, the qiialntne<^s of his manner wu
knMtCible ; and his anecdotes had a poignancy which neither efibrt
■r Imitation cnuld produce.
The" earliest event in Hc^g's life which he deemed w»irthy of record
vu his being bent from home to the grammar-school of Armagh.
ffu Cither's income was too narrow to permit ilobin being entered oil
te otabUahment, and board and lodging were taken for him at the
Imk of an elderly spinster. But bib abode lltere was short. On
fe anioiated day he presented himself fur the inspection of Misa
HCallagh, and she wati ple.isi^d to say, that " my benavioiir was ino-
4k and becoming." Dinner came. A huge roast goose smoked
^QO ttie board, and when he had &aid grace, the antiquated virgin
nynlml Hogg to cut the bird up. Through life Robin was gifted
Wb an excellent appetite; and at seventeen, and af^r a six-mile
nil, be must have been a first-rate trencherman. "I helped her,"
rb Rabin, "to a wing, and I took anotliiT nnd a leg myself,
wsa but a poor feedifj and I cut off the other leg, with a shaving
rf the breast. Aliss M'Cullagh would eitt no more, so I finished
ibt was on the breiutt. and then picked the pinions and the back-
hoT- Thia fini-died the got^se, and 1 ruse and returned a blessing.
hardly waited till it was over. " ilobin," says slie, " I wish you
but Gud protect us from such a cormorant! Ketum to your
■, bonrJit man : tell him I would na' t.ik four times your fee and
\j^ "Why, man, if I gave you goose, ynu would eat me out of
^■K and home witliin the quarter ! — And," he continued, "greatly
* Uf mother 'i surpriac, I was back with her that night lur
1S4
MEMOIR OP TDE RBV. ROBERT BOOO.
After finiflhing hi« college coone, Hogg vrm ordainetl, and jiccDptetl
an invitation to visit n brother dit-ine named Dickey. Tliat vifit had
nearly prave<l an nnforttmace one.
" I had been with hiin ihrec days," as Hogg used to narrate (t,
"preached on the Sabbatfa, and my sermon giive great sati»raction.
Well, nAer dinner, aa the evening was long, 3Ir. Dickey proposed,
when we had taken our punch, that wv should ride over to see the
colliery : tu whiuh I unluckily consented. IJc had u bendstruuK
horse, and I a tuiglity bad bridle. Well, we gut on pretty well
going; but on our return, Dickey's horie ran away, and mine ran
after hini. The road home was through the town of BnDycastle ;
and wlivn wf got ih^re, wt- M-cre botli galloping ai if for life and
death. EverybiKly r«n to thr door«, tind, taking it for granted that
we were running » race, the remarks they made were very diitagree-
ablc. The old weemen, (as Hogg alwityfl pronounced the wnrd,)
ronrwl, "Och. man! look at ihc drunken probationer*!" Some
called out. ' Dickey, you're bate !' and others shouted, * Stick him with
the .ipurs, and you 'll ^vjn yet I' We never stopped till we reached
home, and I thought I would have dropped on with vexation. Mr.
Dickey made light of tJie buKiness ; but I was not without my
doubta, — and next Sabbath confirmed them.
" We arrived at the mceting-housc, and there ■were the elders as-
sembled before the door. Dickey turned white a.s a sheet when the
oldest man charged us with being drunk on Sunday, and givini
cautie for Hcanda). by running races, tike merry-andrews. AiW
long lecture, Kc said, that, in ctmsequrnee of our yuutb, the eldersl
bad consented to let ui> uRT with a j'ublic rebuke. To my ^ururise^j
Dickey admitted his ofTcnce, and acquteKoed willingly ; but 1 de-j
clared, that as I wod not of their prc;^bytery, they sliould not [lasa*
censure upon me. They would have insisted on it, but I was deter-
mined ; and it ended in Dickey being rebuked alone. I wondered
at hiB want of spirit, and when worship was over and we were re
turning home, I charged him witli meanness. ' Friend Hobin,"]
says Dickey, ' what yuu my is very right ; and had I been us yuuj
were, I might have rebelled too: but the truth is. Brother ni^g^i
there were four or five wee things against me before; and froui,
having you for a companion, 1 knew I never would get off so cheap.
The rebuke cleared old scores, and all 't off my back, like water off
a wild duck."'
Hogg's ministry seemed never fated to be brilliant. Pulpit elo-j
qucnce was not among his git\s ; and from hia quiet charge at
Cockle Hill, Robin was never called to any other. Upon his preach-
ing tAlenta Hogg did not plume himself; and, with irre.sistible
naivete, he used thus to recount the failure of his powers of per-
suasion.
A congregation in his vicinity had lost their teacher, and differed
touching the selection of a successor. The parties were pretty ccpia],
— tlie dispute waxed desperate. War to the knife was declared, and
at last the C-apulct^ and Montagues would not even listen to any,
probntioner proposed by the other side. The meeting-house became""
aboar-garden : alt was clamour and discord, and the synod resolved
to place the appointment in alieyance. and supply Uwm witli placed
minitiler<i until tlidr pas.4ions might cool down and »ome compromise
be happily effected. Among many others, Hoggwasdeputtnl toassjsi;
MEMOIR or THE ftEV. kOSS&T BOGQ.
IS5
' aad be prep«red ■ tenaam vitfa great e«v« JaeuJatimg duisdm
durity and forbrariincc.
" Wtrll, I preuc]j«d it,'*afl bewvald n^, "mnd, I tkKigbt,«iUi con-
•iderablv eoect. Worship beia^ cBdnL I mtmrud my hone lo
ridt home. Thciv were two b^ hedges I tmi W paaa brtw«tn»
and I vas just ima^ning tiut tbe partita vcs« lewcfled and thrir
call bad bnm onanimoat, wben a iliovn- of ttaot* flew rouod MM
like a fltf;ht of »parrava. 1 faUoped oC; but, qtucLIjr a« 1 w«bC
1 could ovcrfaear that in vbalever elae thtj diSered, so <aie point.
mIohc, each party wa» agreed; tor fnm both aidca of the nedgv
united in the suae aj, ' To b — with Uogg aod bia Chriatian
Huge was niMrried, bat had •• dhBdrai ; md wberettr he watt,
Vm wtw and a ennHttM WfJt wefe alwxyc Ua eaoipndana.
Be sAoi made excmaioni, tfcr nUde aloW'hachcd liMl ar> wilh
a b^pe huDpCT Aafcd with bnBa* bong baaC roatt finrla, moAr at
tmnm, li^uda ia due propo»tioo. He «tB|yed when the tne fir
npaee affWMchcd. and, with pArivdhail ■aipiickjr. abode ifamv
vtfb hia " aerraat and fail hawMiaid.''
Didwfto we hare KtD Hogg «i a pteacfaer awAj, bat a morv
QVMwa denMpenwnt oc bta oiaiscter wtll tpipewt , and praoaUy
the aKwC rental table of he* atngidantie* waa a thaeongh bdBef in
lyf hJiaai He dreaded i^iectrc* oMrtally, and naKhiAK b«l ■qeat
would tetspe hxni to move out after 6tA. Mt Ua ■>»•
caBed bba ftupendj le 4e oker-
boara. Theb«tfog wa aaae dimnee fr^
Ui tfwelBM. and tltt itwl lar tbrwi^ an cMloaed i^irf, ailed
-TW Uafl/ which, eboivfa nuA ftcMented in "rwuIi day,"
«a» Iwl/ and deaertBd mr anaet. Here Robin mgfaK be oe-
bbBt CBCoaalcnd br aaof mdfngnt icicUcrv pvcccoad by bia
Jmmn, cvrrtng an nnmeiMe Uiop. vboK ample leas laag a
af %bc onr tbe riaiimim ; tbe aatnMmcr fcetpfav
cald hf a bofe wrapping coat, aad
wfaile ' maid* who leva tba mooaT
mi. and tbe nuiataieid in alarm
leariac tbe dngoon't love-c^ betftol^wbo
befeae -Sa ilave of the lamp,-
««epa«fiMi.
Ibaa wKotamo
Ratia
expoaed to ikoctaraal
ad icr«7, ' H««g admincd that be new bad a
^ iaccrriew wiuTaagfal -afaadowy and aaieal*
and be aaad tbM to narrate the pvtievlars :—
befiee tbe great cmnec appeared in 1»13. Doctor Ha-
bc^ «ttaMwr, who had beaa far aeaie time m bwl beahb.
If, mA dmd. His eqirmrt bad not beai appiiinwd,
• date efwauk aad ward deratwd, »Mia<i|Mialj,eci
•^CKblelia. At hrt tbe comt* modem **a*.a«l.
Bt^j« *<aKDe meat cacoiilly vpoa Ida
abMrntkiM- Tbat ai^* he waa almw^
Jew-« eye for a wamitwei AU «aa
^ M Ae eavev— ^ Hi a mouae rtirriag ' U««]i'» hcwt beat
^^rf^rdU afdv nmrtii'— brnde bun Ml Ixke a dedgc-
^v ^ ^ ^hO. * Wtel tbooglil of tbe poiT doctor." qi»a«b
^■iB
18G
MRMOIR OP THK REV. ROBBRT UOGO.
Hojiff, " I felt very uneasy : bi» last hours hnd been diiiturbed by
iincprtaintj', and his mind wna mnde very uncomfortible. for he died
in great doubt wlielher the comet's tail was hollow or BoUd." Other
rarcumstances iitt4nidcd tlie atttronomcr'tt c\tt tr»m this earthly ball
which were more than suBpieioiie, and Iiis lavourite tt-'lescope disap-
peared the ver}' night un which he was conimiltetl tu hU kindred
clay.
All the*L' thine* considered, it wiw no wonder that llopf felt
•larmed. He had to ascend to the top of the building: and to do
thi», he must pasa the door of an iipartment constantly occupied by
the definict astronomer. Slowly he mniintL-d the stairs, iiml on
reaching liu- l:indiiig-p!«ci', there, by evi-rjtJiing aidereal, wa* the
dead doctor ittandinf;, in propria pertond, and the raining telescope
snug under hi* arm !
" Gnod-night to vr>u. Ttnhin !" says the ghost. .
•' Ah. then, doctor dear. i\ that you >"
" In troth it i*. Robin." said the spectre,
" 1 'm grently afraid, Doctor Hamilton, you *re not to uy comfort-
able where you are." muttered liogg.
■'As to that. Kobin." suys the ghost. " we'll say nothing one way
or other. I came to tell yon that the tail's boast as a cane: and
mind, Itobin, that I returned the reflector."
" With that," llojfg used to s»y, " Doctor Hamilton vani)ihed ; and
when I lookeal about, tlie lost teltMCope w«» lyinj^ in the corner !"
In general Hokj; wan extremely ohlifliofTr courteouit to strangero
who visited the observntoryj and ready to explain to them the uses
of the various instruments. Biit at tune* his patience was sorely
taxed, and the fair sex, alas! Mere found occaMonally rather trouble-
•Ome, To one lady he gave mortal offence. It was on an occasion
when
" Thi! moist star
Upon wilow influence N+'plumtS em|iire sUiid«,
Was sick almost to doomsday rthh. eclipse."
On the mornint; of tbi^ occurrence it wan intimated to the philooo-
pher that the observatory would be honoured by a visit from the
Primate, accompanied by sundry noble guests, Kobin was conse-
quently in a desperrtte fuss. John brushed his best coat, his wife
gave an extra polish tu tlie Milver shoe-buckles, aiKl oil' he started to
prepare for the receptioTi of the head of the church. Just then, a
maid-«ervant ran after him, bawling, " Mr. Hogg ! Mr. Hogg !"
" I can't stop," returned the astronomer.
"Wait only five minutes." rejoined the spider-br usher, "and my
mistress will go with you to the eclipse."
•• (lo 'long home," replied Robin, " and tell yonr mistress that to-
day I 'II have nothing to aay to weemen, good nor had !"
The mi^wge was literally delivered, and Hogg to the day of hia
deatli remained unforgiveii.
As n public penonagc, the minister of Cockle Hill was equally
eccentric. It so happeneil thnt Hogg was moderntor of the tiynod of
Ulster iu the memorable year when the royal visit to Ireland wai
paid hy Oeorj^e the Fourth ; and in hi* official situation be headed a
deput-ttion frnni the Pre«byteriana oT the North, with a congratula-
tory addreas to "the best-wigg'd prince in Christendom." On thin
important errand he travelled to the metropolis on the old ear, ac-
I
I
MEMUm QV THE KEV. RflUERT UOGO.
187
ued lund provisinnvd iis UTiual ; and hit* unpretending turn-out
WMM *veci nmkmi; it4 way down S»ckvillp-Htreet among h crowd of
splendid i^quipjigeH, while Hojj;(;, his liH pmKtt-, nml hut nmn ex-
prf<se(l tberir npmions on all they saw with a Himplicity that elicited
pc»b of Ltughtor from persons who occAJuoiuilly overheard Ihetr
remarks.
But though the journey hnd been thus tortunattOy nccomp3i*heil,
thv dui^LTrHie portion of the expedition remained to be iichieved.
Dbc travelUrra had esteerowl thtmsplves "wise in their generation"
ta coming pnn-iijiuuvd, us if the capita! hud bec-n declared in a state
nT blockade ; but. unhappily, where they should bestow themselves
«H) their arrival had hittiertQ never C')st a thought, and only on
CTitrring the city did thirt thought iit last obtrude. As they pro-
oerded. obM'ure huteli and houieH of refreshment, under divers ap*
prtlationii, were tried in vain ; and more than one*, from the general
appearance of the party, the iii(|uiry wax iiupi)Ofted an excuse for
Mnister purposes to gain admistion to the hall, and it was plainly
htoied that anv subsequent attempt at cntr>- ahoiild cnsiirr the mo-
derator and his e«tablishmcnt a month's residence on the treadmill,
and Dot cost any of them n sixpence.
Hatters now looked ginnmv ; and, nn evening wsi^ falling fast,
HcCK made a stop at Grexham a. This rh^v was aUo uusitcccKsful ;
bat Robin wa* neither threatened with the treiidmill, nor <lid the por-
trr c«n the police. A group of young getitiemcti were standing ou
tile broad >tep, and oiu' entering freely into cunver^tion with the
minister of Cockle Hill, learned the purpart of his visit.
"AikI »o vou are one of it deputation with an address?" he in-
aturrd. " Pray, is that good-looking lady and yonder gentleman of
Ui« aame party i*"
Mra. Hogg bluHhcd like a ppony.
" That woman," replied Hog;;, " is my wife ;" and he added her
maltlen name for the i^trauger'c satisfaction ; "and the boy* is my
jcrraM John."
"Nothing, sir, could be more fortunate than my nccident»l1y diii-
eovering who yoii arc. You will please to remnrk yonder house,"
and be pointed to Billon's. " That hotiae is set apart for members
of ihe deputations. Tlie front druwing-room wit!i a Iwd-rhamber
behind it are fortunately di_scng.iged ; and if the noise in the street
would not diacoinmude the liuly, she will have tlie best windows in
Dublin from which to view the king's enlrie to-morrow."
" Bln-n yoiir heart !" responded Mrii. Hogg from the car, "once
my bend > down, the worlu i* no trouble to me."
" And as to me," rejoined the H»tTonoiii er, " jirovided the charge*
are moderute, I don't mind noiiie a bnus button."
" Whv," said the stranger, '• at these times lodgings are of course
^ if(h. if'or your apartmenU, fire and liKhts indudeii, thej- will ex-
pect probMbly Three-and-sixpence a day."
•' J»Bver oibhle, Robin dear," interp'oMd the lady frnm the ear.
" We luve our own provisions with us," obsiTved Mr. I logg.
"And all we would want would be a HBUce)tan of polaioei," re*
jdned the lady.
" Voiir fiireMight hn» been truly fortunate," continued the stran-
ger. " Cools are not to be had at any price, and the cooks have en-
la Irotand ■ynanyrooua with Mrraal.
o a
188
MEMOIK OF THE REV. ROBERT BOGO.
trred into & combinfltion : but you, mftdani, arr indt^ptyndcnt of cooVs
iiixl cnflla. Wbon you nrrive at the door," cominued lliis kind ad-
viser, "yon will find it crowded with iiilern: answer no questions,
but remove your lugf:ai;f into tlit hall; and if the lady wouhl just
run up-stairs &ud secure ttiu aparliuciits at oiicc, it would be aU the
better."
Tbty sqmrnted ; and vrhen the attronomer rolled ofT 'with hit
household, the party on GreBham's step burst out into a roar of
laughter, and thou^li dinner wan announced a* ready, they 5troUt*d
down the strevt to witness the result nf Hojig's attemnt on Bilton'ii.
It was priini|>tly made, and soon over. To re-ach tlic *cene of ac-
tion required hut the crosaing of the street ; and in their transit he
of Cockle Hill congrntiilated his helpmate on their jfood fortune, —
who, in return, ble->9«d (iod that " if tlie lodgings were dear, the si-
tuation was excellent, and they should have at least ' gape-need * for
their money."
The hotel was full from the tinivs to the cellar, the street Iwfore
the door crowded with puriu-i^, and the outer hall filled with prooma
and livvry-eervunt!!. Never did hone»t Kobin gnxe mure rapturuuH-
ly on a newly-discovered rtar than on the name of Bilton, att he rt'ad
it emulazoned above the purt-h ; while his lady pointetl out the front
drftwinp-room to tin- attendjint, and intiniNteil that she should oc-
cupy the centre window on the morrow, and thence witness, " pro-
rlainii-d by trllln)^and drum," the advent of the British kitjj;.
The car stopped ; none of the porttT tribe dcipned to notice it,
"Bofg seized on nn old hair-tninlt, now nearly bald from age and hard
usage, in which the personal efl'ects of the triumvirate (as nn Irish-
man would term it) uere combined. John shouldered the hamper ;
■while niadnme, nr^t oblivious of the gentle Htranjter'it admoniiionj
dashed stoutly past groom and lacltey, and, like a leader to a breach,
boldly aBcentlcd the Htaircai^e. None opposeil ; for none dreamed
that a forcible pusseMion was in progreiw. Alas '. like the field of
Waterloo, a miimenlar)' success in the opening operations only ren-
dered the ultimate disconi6ture the more signal I
It may be here proper tu obnerve. that Mrs. Jiofi:g:wa5two feet taller
than that heiftlitwliiL'h it liaiipleaj^dCasiiiva to assign tu Ins celebrated
Venus ; neither did she boart ttie roundneiui of tnrniation with w hich
poetk usually depict ihf favourite CM])btarer of the thunderer. She
wai a thrifty housewife ; she iravclled as prudent travellers ithonld ;
and her best fjemients were ronse<piently deposited in the hairy trunk,
and in the safe cn^tnily of the ai^tronnmer. " Anything," she said,
•' was good enough for the road ;" anil hence her costume was neither
in cut nor colour in strict accordance with the latest of Ackermnnn's
dvsiTns. Flushed with the exercise of the day, ami conscious that to
her had been intrusted the most decisive part of the combined move-
fnents, there was a lofty character in bearing and tuuiUcTiance that
might either indicate heroism or insanity. Alas ! — as the result n ill
prove, the latter construction was utdiappily bestowed upon it.
Safely and unchulleiiged xhe re;iche(l the landing-place, and the
door ot the " great chamber" was belbre her. Voices were heard
within, and of course the room Mas occupied. But a nunnent's con-
aideration jiersiiaded Itlrs. Hogg that thexe revellers were but transi-
tory guesls-~vii Avfnrera induli^ing in a hnrried lunch, and she deter-
minnl to notify lier arrival to them in personj and intimate to th«se
" iirterlopcTB " that " the real Simon Pure " was brinw.
ilEMOlR OF THE REV. KOBERT HOGG.
189
hn])peTipfl thai the familien of C and
^OW it iinfortuni
H had hicalcd themsf lv(^ in tlist suite of apartments which Bil-
Kta'i iirui-flour cmbraicd, and at lliis moment some dojien of "the
noblest of the Und " occijiied the identical driiwin^-room which
Mrs. Hogi; had KclecteJ for her especial accommodation. Dinner
wax wer ; tlie dessert upon the table ; the servants withdrawn ; and,
tbua favoured hy accidental circuuiHlajHi>H, tlie lady of Cockle Hill
found heritclf in undisputed poMsi-<iKiun of the outworks. — namdv, the
landinf[-pUice. The noble earl and hia " fair companie" had drunk
an cnthuHioatic welcome to the Majealy of England ; but, scarce bad
they drainetl their " dratigUts of llhenish down," when the door open-
mi, and in stppped Aim. Hogg, — not, im they fay in Ounnaujtht, with
a " God »ave all here !"— hut a countenance on which a " notice to
quit " seemed luminously impienAed !
Groat was the nutoniiUment of all parties, and the present poMes-
•ors and new cUimainl appeared eijually surprised. The astrono-
mer's lady WAS astounded on discovering the splendid circle into
which she had ushered herself without the form of an introduction ;
while, considering her a maniac who, in the hurry of the royal visitf
bad eluded her lietpers and i-sicaped from an asylum, the ladies
testified their diamav by n wild scream, and the jicnilemcn with
" turn her outs !" The bell ran;; its " loud alarum," and, attracted
by the uproar, a score of meninLi nished to the rescue of their lords,
llurneil tin her advance had been, tlii; descent of the moderator's
helpmate wus infinitely mure rapid ; tmd wjieii she reached Uic ball,
she had liic suLiiifiictiunof witnessinp; the honest astronomer ejected
from tlicduur with an increased velocity from s momentum admi-
nistered by a lacquey's foot; the hairy tiunk and basket bundled
after him ; John in the cui^tody of the police, and already some steps
"eu roMle" to the house of correction ; a tattered mob hoUooing
bvlow ; and, bitterer still, a titled one enjoying this desperate dis-
comfiture— and from tlie very windowt which, five minutes since, in
tile pride of her heart, she '* had fondly called her own."
But the darkest hour of hii evil planet was over, and a deliverer
at hand. A passinR Samaritan fancied that he recogniiied the phi-
losopher, as, with the velocity of a shooting -star, be crossed the loot-
way. He looked again ; the face was Robin's, aml^-confirmatiun
•trong^the silver htickles were idenlifietl. To reivue John from
durance, replace trunk and hamper, remount Airs. Hogg, and ex-
tricate the persecuted group from " tlic common cry of curs," was
n)ce<lily efTectcd. Onco more the astronomer's vehicle was in mo-
Uon. " The world Wiis all before them where to choose ;" and, after
"an awful trial,'*— ^^ J*"'*'" called it, — they obtained a back cham-
ber " two pair np " in PilManc, and *' rested from their labours."
The year in which Hogg wan moderator turned out a season of
no Dommon importance, i'he addre^ to the royal visitor was suc-
ceeded by a general convocation of the clerpy. Heterodoxy hnd been
creeping into the church, and at a meeting of the svnod botli iu
coutes and cure were to he considered by that rc%'erend body. Robin
bad two infirmities that were incurable, — ilmwsiness, and a dread
of thunder. It happened, on the eventful day when Arianism was
imputed and deuied, llint one of the most gified of the ministry was
addressing the crowded meeting. All lisitened in deep attention ex-
cept the worthy moderator, who skte in the pulpit rocking bimcelf
i
to and fro, and pronounciiiK witli a moriotDnous cadence, "Order !
order!" Auiuiycd ut aii interrupt ion so ill-iiincd and unncLVMsary,
the orator Ktopiied suddenly, und retiuesled to know -wba it nii«
w-faoui the moderator tliouf;ht disorderly. " Hoot, man !" respond-
ed Ilog^, " noliody 's disorderly at all ; but if you don't let me My
'Order I order I' I '11 nurely fall anleep."
The liiiaiiieii'* proeeeded ; liiit Rubin wxs not destined to witness
the termination of the diftouswon. A dark elouH ctillected, xnd the
justronomer evinced syniptoinfl of uneasiness. Presently a fliwh of
lightning crossed the windows, succeeded by a peal of thumlei*. Up
sprang; the moderator, and, bounding down tlie putpit otepj), mntfrri
all attempts to nrrert hi?* flishl. lie fled from the nsittembly, and ran
at speed to the inn. To proceed without the controlling member
of the synod was irregular, and two or itirce cf tlli; ministers and
elders w'ere dcwpatched to bring back the refugee. They discover-
ed him cn«cuncvd in the celliir ; but nu inducement or remun^i trance
could coax hitu from his den.
"' What !" said one of the deputation. " would you desert the
pulpit, Brother Hogg, while the great Arian question is debated ?"
" I tell you what, Brother Gowdy," replied the nntronomer from
behind a iieer-ca«k, " if Arius were on one side, and ArminiuB on
the other, I won't quit this cellar till the thunder is over !"
In Robin's death a curioui* coincidence might be traced to.what
he termed " his earliest misfortune." The demolition of Miss M'Cul-
layh's goose produced an eviction from her mannion ; and, indubita-
bly, the !^am« iinhieky bird shortened his mortal span. He wa^i re-
covering ftlowly from severe indii^posiliun when an unlucky cook
tempted him to eat stewed giblets at his supper ! These an ostrich
migiit have digested ; but tney prove<i too much for an a.strnnonier,
and honest Robin died ii uiurlyr to gee)«e f^izxurds and dyspepsia.
He lies in Cockle Hill ; the name slnb covertt htm<telf, his help-
iDftte, ami hi." man Jolm ; and the grave, " that leveller of rank,"
did not separnte a worthy triad, who wended life'e journey in com-
pajiy, and, like contented trasellers, wisely took the rough and
nnootli just as Heaven i>ent them.
June 1, 1837.
CONCERT EXTRAORDINARY,
DmringlhttonJlagratiiMoftie Seyit KxrAaugr, on IMe ICtA of Jtmnvry, IB38.
Tut m«n or DmidwoodS Gre^ngade,
la water to tlicir middles,
Willi Hkill and great |>recisiOn play'd
Un Arthur fktii'a fiddles.
Mr. Iklto's Musiral iDiininiGni Warehouse under ili« North I'luia was one
of llie earliest victiuis to the HamM.
tvttkrfw»ifr>—
■'" /••iVwo^fciA^
W-ia. RK-JWi Il««*T r*'''.!***
NIGHTS AT SEA ;
Or, Sietchei vf yartti Life liuriiiff the fVar.
BX THE OtU SAILOK.
IMtTU AS ILLtSTBATlOX IT OkOHOK CKOIKIUAKK.
>'o. VII.
TUE flUSK— THE DUEl.U>— NAVAL SI'pKTSMEN.
DAVLtnitT brokf upon th^ Ncen« as tlie -Spginkawsy, fast cJosinj; with
ibe iIip|x4ito, ivbs liriiif; Iildnk cartridfrc from her )>i>tr-;jiiii!i, mid the
wue ivtanuDg it from her ^tern-clianLTs. tu l)ie )(re.it ncMiiilal of old
mrige the boatswain, n-lio swore enough that night to serre the Cluiiinul
Fleet for a tiVKlvctnonth.'
The bpBiitifiil glir>v nf a lirij^ht clear morning ! — In what part uf
tile wurlii are the murnings w luvelyas in tht> MecLiterranenn^wlien the
mu cliiirbs nbuve tiie vvrgv uf the hurizun, mill gilds the iJeery dnnilx,
— white, edged with gold, — iiit they M>il through the azure vault of
heaven ? And then to see the rust cities, wMch func]r pictures lu
risinc from the ocean. — turret, dome and minaret, gorgeous palaces,
glowini; in the full efl'tilgencL' of glory, with lh«ir |iuviliun curtains of
pnrple, and critniuui, imd g»id ; the durk-hhie wiilerti doing huinitgc »t
their feci' Oh .' there i» no place lilte the Mediterranean fur wilne»s>
tag a aonrise- The poet baa said,
" Morning ia tKsautiful e«fywlicro,"
But I liare n-itnpssed the first beanm of the gtcirinuK orh ax it seemed
t« emerge front the Atlantic wave, tinging the ocean nnd th^' heavens
with their glowing hues; I hare seen his red aotl hazy light, lifting
bearilr from the waters of the Sautheru Si'u, after tracing bi:« course
Uirvogli tho nit;ht by the- ruya that it]iruiul lhi'ni»i>lve& above the horizoD ;
1 bare xeen hi» earlv radiance reMiiig upon the blue tops of the Andes ;
J have beheld the glist<.'ning rt'Htictton of his dazzling bnlliancy from
the icebergs of the North; but I cnn, from tried txpericjtce, ueclure
thiit nuthui^; iiurixiHse^ (lie sjH-cliicle which in exhibited in lhe«e seaa
when " be cometh forth uit » bridegroom froni hia chamber, and rejoicetL
u « atrong man t4i run a race."
And, aa I hare already Kaid, the morning of which I am writing was
brigbl ami clear. The ktrunger> were tiiade out to be fi French frijiate,
with a large armed ship in company. Up went the national ooloura
of KngUnu at llie SpanLaway's |x>iik, and up went the republican Hog
tJi the HippoJito, as the Britiali frigate was walking up to her aup>
pmed enemy bund over hand.
" Fore-top there I" aliuuted the captJtin ; and as soon on the usual
r«»poDw, "Ay, ay, nir !" was given, his lordship continued, "Away
op and knock the fid out of the fore-to'gall'nt inact. Mr. iSaragv,
•««y away u)H>ri the nioat-ropej air; and when the 6d '• out, lower away
^ndaOHMly."
"Ay, ay, uiy lord," an«ivvred tlie boatswain aloud, and tlien mum-
hlnl to his mattf, " W«ll, Jack, whut cnn you make on it now ^ — we
ahnli have tu knock the chockk away from the bo'spric preaently, and
run iL in fore and aft, like a cutler "
"Bear a hiind there fonid !" shouted his lordiiliip: "leai of tli«
ihark'a bead, if you pleaw. Are you ready aloft y
" All naidy, my lord," aiuwereil tlie man in the forc'topmut crass-
\92
NIGHTS AT SEA.
trees ; " away away 'pon deck — High enough ?" He pulled out the 6i].
" Lower away."
" Lut run the forp-tapsel hnllinrds," cotntnandf d thp captain — " lower
away the t'gall'nt must rouDdly— clear away the lifts and urerlutul
them — let fly the oiarlward foretopsul shtfet-"
'IliK orders wvre jiuiictuiiUy obeyed ; the wiU bung in entire coii-
fuMon, — tht! top-gollaut-uiust ^va» i^triick ; and tlija tu thviiistant thin*
apptrared Uie effects of the Ilipjiolito's shut. They were nearly along-
«ide : the prize rounded to Hnd e«nt her hroadside, and in a few minutva
the henry ririn)' gave notice to the Htrangcn that ■ wvere eDgagratent
hud riiminenced.
" Mr. Savap; !" cried hia lordship, as the veteran ntnod wondering
what it all cuuld mean, though the mereat hoy in the ship bad guessed
the ruse.
" Ay, ay, my lard," returned the man of the Hilver call, walhing aft
to the quarlcr-ilcck in u state bordering ujinn umasKnient. or what
Juck Sheiivehole ealled " a tit uf perplexity."
"Strike tbe niizen topmast, Air. .Savage," Baid bis h>rdship, "and
have all clear for swaying aloft again."
The veteran stared with avtunisliment ; hut be well knew that bis
only duty wus obedience, and in a very ithort tiuie the heel of the
mizeu topmast wn* Iinlf-n-ay down tbe lower mast, the top»ail and top-
gallant-sail Hying in the wind.
" I'he Frencbniitn 'a hove about find standing towards us, sir," hailed
a fiirctopinan from alufl-
" l}(iuhle-shot the fttarhoard guns !" exclaimed his lord&liip; " round
and grape. 3fr. Blueblnzcul sec tliat every gun on the larboard side
ia loaded with shot when I give the word. Seymour!" he hailed.
" Johnny is running Into the trap ; he all ready fur him."
" D — my owld tnrry trowsers ! hut I sees it all now," uttt'reil the
hi>«t>wain, 'slapping his hand vehemently on liis thigh. " Well, Jnek,
it 'a comical as I didn't diskiver it ufurv." Then, turning to Miingo
Pearl, who was rather unceremoniously showing his inirtb befi.re his
superiors, ''Out o' that, you black angel !"said he. " Does tbe skipper
think the nights are not limg eiivugb, hut be must sliip a double
Hllowaiiee u' darknesa to Ktri'tcli 'em out?"
Broadside u{K)n bruudbide rattled from the sbjun combatnnla, till the
Spuiikuwiiy, apparently lirxt itoticing the approecbing reiufurcement of
heropjwneiH, up slick to run sway. The IlippolitOj however, kept close
Cm her, — tbe strangers m.ide more sail to joiu in the affray. Onward
came the French frigate ; not a nail or a npar touched, not a rope-yarn
strained ; and sh« looked beautiful as she glided with her swelling can-
vas through the clear smooth wnter^, the repubUcan enhign floating in
the breeze, and a long pennant gracefully descending from the main-
truck.
The Ifippolito had dropped somewhat astern, and ai the Frencli
ship hailed in pn!>s)ng, thry n*ere so close that their yard-arms nearly
touched. The French captain knew the shin, and was congratulating
himself upon the easy conquest of a British frigate, (for he mnde srire
of jointly capturing the Spntikmvny,) when, to his utter amaKenieitt,
down dropped the nationiil colours, up went an English ensign, and rattle
came a broadside that made him bluguer again ; the misen-masl reeled
for a moment, and then, with its whole weiyht of top hamper, fell over
tire larboard (io.irter, tlie shuttered end comiiig in-buard, and knocking
away a great pait of the wheel. At the same moment the 8punltBnuy
J
THE RUSE.
193
cnmcd hi* bsn'se within excellent range, and poured in n raiting fire
llxil qaite unsettled bis nerves. The icipelus he had gained made him
nipidly Aboi>t a. hvad of t!ie prize without nfturning a «hut.
Innteitd of Andtng twi» to one in liiv fuvmir, he finind thut lie had tviro
tu oae against him. NererthclesH, he tried to redi^em liin error, and
maiuEOTred and fought his ship well : but he had British skUl itnd
Brituh ralour to di.-ul with. Tlie udils ivere feorfii]l)' uiifavourahie:
ike Sponkaway had relicLcfed her mizi'ii topmost and fore-top-gnllunt-
and vras all ataunto. to the extreme murlificutiM]) uf thu uiifortu-
Fivnchtaau. who savre'd evfrylhiug ou inch hiyh, aud was ulti-
awt«ly compelled to haul down his colours.
The armed ship had made nail away; but the Hippolito went to
dnue, and, ufter a three hourH' run, brought her back to share the fate
of ber conworl- Tlit; prisoners were rt-moved : Mr. Sinnitt wiis Kent
with A prtzt^H;^ew tu tiilce charge of the frigate, which jirwved tu be
L'Ethalion, of thirty -eight guns ; and Mr. Winterbottom assumed com-
BEitd of L.1 Gironde, of eighteen gutis, acting su a transport, and luden
jth naval xtores^ '
bold achievement, however, was not ncconipliished without Josa ;
bniTe fvllowa were DD* frum the 8[>iinkaivay 8 biioks, and fifteea
were w.-vcrely wounded; but the sweet craft had dune her share for
thiit cruiae, und, tjkiii)^ the lead, followeil by her prizos, she hauled huf
sriod and stood well out to sea, like a swan with well-fledged cygneU
in her train.
In his cabin Ixy the wounded inEWter, whom the no'ise of the fptnn
and the imell of the powder had brought back tu ainMcionsnesa. Dut^
tog the action he had Ifcen stowed away upon his bedding in the very
hout uf the cuble-tier; hut, now tlie hatlle was fought and tho vic-
tory won, his cot resumed iu M berth, and his friend ihe surgeon utood
•vtrr him, soothing hj-s mind under the niurtiticotion of having been.
absent from the deck diirinj^ the engagement*
"Well, tliB devil's children have the devil's luck !" growled the old
aaati. '^ Another frigute cufrturcd, uud ould Will hnve down, mnyhap
fiir a full due, doctor! — iuive overboard into Davy Jones's ^ucAer, witn
aif chett stove in !"
'* But you must be nenidble, master, that your not being at your
•tatiim Was no fault of yours," nrged tlie Joctur.
'* Why no, me»mutv ; Huil thai '» mhiw gloomy satisfaction too !" re-
sponded the Vtfteriiu mournfully : *' like iUk niarnmid who had her ey»
knocker] out when they were heaving tlie lead, it 'a more my misfortune
than my fanlt."
" Fault ,''■ ottered Lord Kuiitnce as he entered the eahin ; " the term
ifl not applicable to the cose, doctor. l>u you call it a liiult to be laid
upon a bed of honour?"
" And »ith auch a cloriout wound too." muttered the old mtm, oa-
soDting a rueful countenance.
" Hhy, master, you will bo crowned with iaurtli" exclaimed bU
lurdMhip cheerfitllv.
" Aud hure a sick-fio^y in prospect for the rest of my days," rcipond-
cd the veteran, writhing with pain. "1 hope everytbiug is going on
light, my Urd, in my department?"
•• Make your mint! eaxy «ii that score, Mr. Parallel," returned the
Bable teaman ; " evtrj tiling in an it nhould b« : but, to prevent errors,
1 mtut be at my station." He quitttrd the cabin lu rvMiwe his dutiit.
* Diwhnrged dead.
19 (
NIGHTS AT SEA.
And extrrmclr ioipurlaot tljose duties were. The number of pri-
santrTH iii^rly duulilcd iliv cn-w of tlio Hpaokuwu}- ; oud us I^ird Ku»Uce
(ltd ntH like tv ewrche uiueh severity towarda tlicm, there rtqiiired
gnat vjgiJance on Iiis part to keep Lliem in &ul>ji*ctiun.
Tbe captain of L'Ktlinlion was a very dilfereiit sort of a persouflgu
to Monsieur Citix^n Kr^Hutl. The Uttem-ns h fine-lvoking man, wilb
ifmilnr nnd handnnm^ ft-utti re.t ; whereuH the foniu-r wuh a little, idiri-
velled, weazel-faced creflture, with eyes like a hatt-k and a iiuse like bis
heak ; in fact, tho muutli and chin seemed quite superfluous artirLea,
and totally unneecsaan' to complete the eontuur of Iiis cou[iceiuin<.^e.
The fiire purl of his he«d wan Imid ; but he had a devilinh-luukEng long
qui^ue behind, that eiignitwed the whole of Ins hair. His dre^-t ivus a
niixlUFi* of eleffunce uid sanx-cutulinn. Hl* wore silk Jnwe on his
^pindle-shuiik^, mid the lit wu so close that it wws impossible fur him
to pleiid the nejirf/a excuse when he wan told, " .Sambo, you Ve yut a
crooked leg !"-^" No, mnstta, tun little bile yoii please; — neber hub
CTiHiked le;; — all de fault ttb de d — croiiked tockiii|{ !" ]K* wore high-
heeled .ilioeK, with gold buckles ; hnee'breeehe& of a dirty tinge, suoie-
wliat between a sandy-grey russet and a fire-stone drab ; a Mrarlet
satin embroidered waistcoat, Avith sla&lied pockets ; and a uniform coat,
that an English scarecrow would not linve exchanged without a con-
sideration. His cocked-hut was of superlative dimensions, and might
upon an emergency have s'.-rved fur a jolly-boat, — aud the republican
cockade n-aa not the lea^t visible part uUtut it.
" 1>— tny geutility, Jtiek t 1 'm saying, who the blazes does tic call
liim»elf ?" uttered old Savage to hiii veteran mate.
"I'm thinking he's the skipper o' the Cropohs, sir," answered Sbeave-
liole with n grin of contempt. " God A'mighty cut him out for a
monkey, but his mammy wuutd rjg him up for a man — and that makes
faim so d- — iy wanting in bis outfit."
"1 wonder if liis niuclier hitd any more un 'em like him.'" suid Jw)
Ntgbthead, as he wait cuiliug down a rope.
" You may be sure, not," responded old Jack; "for if she'd bad an-
other, she 'd have given both on 'em to the pig*. — Welt, blow me tight !
just sec bow he scrapes ond bows to the governor F 1 'm blessed if it
arn't quite onnatural for a fellow to fliug hix lower eiCiiiicheuas about
arter that fashion."
" Hi.<i father was a professor of music, anybody may see I" exclaimed
Dob Mnrtingal.
"What makes you think so. Bob?" inquired the serjeant of ma-
rines : " how can you make it out i"
" Because the ould chap :is owna him gave him a couple of German
flutes to walk u|wii," antiwered BoU
" And did be walk upon 'em ?" asked Sam Slick, the tailor, io the
innoceiicy of h\% heart.
" Why, look at them there thing* as yon 'd call legs,'' responded
Bob, "and then ax that queation if you can, you lubber!"
This rat.ted the laugh at Sum's expense, nnd an intimation from the
honisn-ain speedily dinmiased him from the forecastle to the waist, bis
allotted HtalioQ.
Twilight came again, and the quarter-deck of the Spanksway was
crowded with offie^-rs of both nations- In the BrititJi service, etiquette
leaves the wealbvt-side to the sole enjoyment of the eaplain and the
lieutenant of tliu w.itcb ; uliilsl the midshipmen puce to tiud fro under
TAB ftPAE. 195
hrrfthefailifrftW»i»tti<«jMa » yj I /'liiini p*-
^fc IB s «tff Incac B« tfce FVrinhiw w^ d» iftiMiiiiMt
amtm, amd iiimi A snutn smM ImU« «
tnn M M t* W Wwd mIt hf ihm infinrfnl ■JJiimi^ wm hv
wiitf IBM raoHnwt, HW pRMBcn bbc bmmm diuraif iM^ftttHitt mt
g»m« wiik the ■•« ¥»lm gwrimhri— , aai the nm, wi(ii(
A« iiiMfc •dvwSTik I JMiiiiiti L IV riiri
>, thw wbl had tke nscb Wmt ; lh»
ihe fBrnr gia ■Mill i» tfce ew.
L«d £■!» Mi Mc Nifot iMiiiim* to |Ke tie
- y«B «S fcvf* piodr «f \unh\U far nw WA Bwr, NanBl,'
iik4 » a W««T ker, - I <W M« »wk Uke tlMK priiiaiii, Kocat ;
6r, if L«*iBcr k to be letieil «pM, ti>«e u« aaMpK t^Mt waae «f
ifce iMril ^ipaato as-<fa<toS Ji ikiiig nnk ^M ever &fnecd b»>
" 1 11 sab wr Efii Bpw I^ntcr, wy kri." iilwul >'api^
mOla^ * Bbk CilOTa dfCM LMBMt Kto my thcMtckal ft^.
nctcr far fM, Xapn
fcwit isto f aae faM^ if '
- Mmj ihMb to yt
t-B
-Ow<
OT«t.Mdfek<
iilili ril J«^ aSkia:^
III i.y^tr
^ Ato wmn^^ltmmmoAA to
ffaltW>^fintoBBtt««fc*b»r. ^
irflRl^; wmA wbM f «J^ toto ' mmb.' I A* it to^!» ««
196
NIGHTS AT SEK,
** One crening we were inviti'd to u gnuxl aiaembiie at Moutleur
Tallevnnd's, at whicli llic CLief CouhuI mid Jost-phinir, wiili iimny wbo
figured in lit Rpvolulion, were to be present. We went, — for
O'Brien accompunied me, — and certainly the party was very splen-
did ; but amidtC tbe affectation of republican uianners it wax im-
possible to avoid tletectiiig thove amliiliouB aspiriii|rH tn excloiive
ariBtocrncy which generally resiiU when tiittinnul entptiiiiis are anb-
niiliiig into Hocia] order. O'llrien was deUfrlited. His otateroDl un-
cle w-aa a general in the French service, whiwe father had left hiit
country, Scotland, through persecution, when young, imd had settled
sotnewliLTC in France, or, I think, in Ciimbray, wiiere the general won
born, and served in the Army of tbe Xorth, in iihich lie rose to be
chef dc division. This bad rendered tbe nephew well kuuwn and ac-
ceptable in tbe bi^^ber eirclet;, uud tbroti{(ti his medium I was intro-
duced tu uiuiiy eijiinent individuals with wko»e hi&tory I was already
well acquainted.
" Dressed in the very extreme of Parisian fashion, and suironnded
l)y a circle of beniity xvhich he wa» deli(;)ittii}; with llie brilliancy of hi»
repartee and the mcine&s of hin wit, wati CitJEen Oiiptaici Lanmrit. I ob-
served him Very narrowly, for O'Brien bad called my atteiuion to him by
several anecdutts, — one of whicli was, that in 1794, having refused to
lay oiudc bis title, he was nenr Iosihl: his bend fur tbe sake of an empty
name ; in fact, they ivere liurryinfl him to the pwillotine, tbe crowd
preying upon encb other in their euf^ertiess when he aniRe in the
tiacru, and. witb perfect self-pL'ssfSHtou and guod-huniuur, advised
tbeui ' to lake their time, and out injure one another, us be was in
no haste, but would M'illingly await iheir leisure.' This ^aved hiin :
tW mub were tickled with Ilie pleaMuntry'uf the tiling, — there was a
clapping of hands, tbe tiacre wits turned nnind, and Liiuiunt escaped.
' Do yuu see yon giant r' said O'Bricu, looking towards a tall, mus-
cular, darlc-lookinp majeslic mnn, (jorgeously itressed in green with
broad gold lace and embroidery, ;iud decorated with Htant uud orders:
he was nearly seven fett high, ^tout in pruporticin, and Ins olive-culiiured
face bad s terrific appenrdnce from his enormous whixken and
moustache. ' That is the i^furquis PJHtszzi,' continued O'ltrien, ' an
Italian, the bully of the salons, a professed dnellisi and — But,
halloo ! what the powers is tlie fellow at •'
" The inarquis had been xtundiug near Lumunt, occaHionalty joining
in tbe conversation, and O'Urieii's escLumatinn wiia caused by seeing
the giant cttcb hold of the little count with one bund and carry him
towards the ivall of tbe apartment, where, bavitig removed a large and
superb timepiece from a lofty briicket, he ijiiickly enthroned Lumvnt
in it* place, leaving him toduiij^ie his heeU, to the gre;it amusement of
the coniptiny, the principal [lurtiun of which, ei>{ieci>iMy tiie femaiei^,
actually screamed with delight: in fact, it wna beyond the power of
human control to refrain from laughing at the ridiculous figure th«
unfortunate Fn-nclimaii cut, whilst on antagonist, throwing his huge
limbs into the attitude of the bolero, imitat^ the rattling uf tbe caa-
taneta with ht» fingera and thiimhs, aa any person would, who wiiitied to
amuse uu infant.
" To my surprise, tbe count retained hi*, position, atvkwardasit was,
with tbe utmoit coidness : indeed, he nonld have hazarded the break-
ing of bia limbs bad he alLeiiipted to Jump down ; but be uttered no
invective, and though there was a Hashine nerceness in his erea, — and,
no douU. Nugent, you bore perceived iio»v very quick and piercing
THE DUELLO.
197
tbey are, — yet be did not give the idightest indication that he was on-
aoved or nluttiK'd, hut rutluT vnti;rcd with some degree of glee into the
cpuTt that he had excited, nud rc-iiiurki;d ti> thu niarc{uis, ' Whjit a
capital old name you would make.' ThiK roused the Iialiiiu'8 ire to
hajr and Beiziiif^ one of the wax-lights, he wii!i nlioiit to applv it tu the
ooant's dre«», wli^n O'ltrieii stepped forward : ' The hi;c bla^g&ord!*
miA hv ; snd, with one fillip of htK imiK), he sent the candle pnctising
Minrni«t<i in its progretu to ihe far end of the ro^m.
" The marqui* turned short round upon the Irishman, and drawing
lua sword, made a furious past at iny friend, which he verr clcveily
■TMikd by stepping aside, and the flittering wt^pun was thrust
tkmugli the loup^e &tiA enortnciiiK hend-ilrexsof an antitiuiLtect dnwnger.
Tbis rendered the fellow siill mure tufuriiited, and hefure he eniild exiri-
ettc bid aword, O'Brieu deMerouhly gripped liini by the wrist iind dis-
anud bim in an instant; hu then diKeii;*jgvd the wcupun and xnnpped
it aerosi his knee, obnerving that ' it wan not lit to truM: wilh u man's
life i' he ni'xt lifted the count from his unpleasant Kituation, and pliiced
him upon hix legs. I I'Xpected, ii« )i mutter of course, thiit nii immediate
rencontre would take plitce ; but, to my »ur{iriw, the little cuuiit bowed
tncak politely to the haughty and enraged Italian, and after n few
plnuantTieii, uttered in the most courteous and agreeable manner, lo
the hidies, recollected lUwithtT engtigement, nnd exprea^ing the deepest
rt^rrei at being compelled to leave them, withdrew.
" ' Bah, the bviccLih!! ! • a coward after all," Baid O'Brien cnntcinptu-
oualy ; ' but the divel may care ! 1 'm in, fur it, Kustsce, and yuu must
Hand Biy friend.' ' .M«nt certainly,' suid 1 ; ' and the siooner this
affwr » amiDged tli« bvtUT, for, if 1 am n<jt very uiuvh rnitt^eu, that
Fellow is of u villunotix disposiitiun. I Imrdty expected the count
vrould have sneaked ufTaH he has ; but he's not worth a thought. Will
you meet the marquis at once ? or shuU we drive to the residence of thu
Kngliftb Embaijsy ^' "No time like time present,' replied O'Brien.
' But Iww « ill you gel him out ?' iuijuired I. ' Och ! Inve thut to me.'
returned O'ltrien ; ' niityhe I won't fetch bim out u' thiit in a tni-
nate!' lie p»«fd the umrquis, Ireuding heavily on hiH loex, aud
aa he walked quii^kly on, he luukcrl uvcr his ^thoutder at his enemv in
a aianMr that was not to be mii^uken. I followed my friend to the
cvriage; nnd jtist before we reiiched it, the Italian wns nt our heels.
The icrrunt kiw us approaching, and opened the door of the carringc;
by one common impuW we drew up on each side of the stept*, and
DiotioRed the nianpiis to enter- He did so without the slightest hesi-
titiun : but he hud scarcely pasted within the vehicle, when iinolher
penwn diirted forward, sprang up the stup« with one bound, and, with-
out uttering a word, pnmiptJy took Jii^ seat fiiving the Italian : it was
Captain LamonI- O'Brien and myself aUv entered. ' What placer
figoor ?' inquired my coni[»imion of the marquis, 'The Hotel dr
Monlmureiici,' replied he. The order was given to the servant, and off
we d^xhed at a rattling pace.
" Not a word w^s spuken till we arrived at the place of onr desti-
■ation, and were usberi-d into a capaciims upartment well lighted
up. The domestics were directed to wilhdniw, and we became aware
iwt a fifth person hnd entered with us, who, on bei[ig questioned an to
bia appeamnce, slated that 'be was present at Alonnieur Talleyrand's
wllfn the unpltiisant nfftiir look place — had noticed our leaving the
nam, and, judging that Man.sieur I« Murquis would require an at-
• Drfonnwl i»»>r»<in— nrrippl*.
198
NIGHTS AT SKA.
tendaat. readily volunteered liis Rervices.' The oflicionsness of tli
gpntlemitu at oiicu hrukc ihe lee, ami O'Hripn stood fiirih an a princi-
pd in tlir tjuflnvl : but tliv couiil, butviiig with tlii* mnut vasy j;ruce, i
•Xvluimed, ' Nun, monsieur ! do yuu think w ini-iiiily of iiiu lU tu bu[>-,i
pose I will aHow another to occupy my ground?" ' Uy tlie powers!"
»aid O'Brieti, ' I thought you were — .' ' Afraid,' utt«red the (Tuunt,
fillin); lip tiiv psiiM; my fiipnd hud tnadC. ' Utd ynu imaginif tbut my
quiet dpinruiirnir m'.-im the olTt|)ririf; nf ft*iir? Vou »rv mtstiiken: I am
no poltroon to Houriali my Kivord Kefure ladie« so lui to ti'rrify lh<-m liy
nsconndc ; I would have endured the murtyrdom that wrclcli dtrsi^ned
for me without a groan, nither thun have ulnrmed the dear creatures. liuC
allonii, monsieur; we have not a mnmeut to lose: Fuuche wus in tho
ruum, and bis mm will sjieedily find n» out. if they are not now upon our
Hack.' He dreu- his&wnrd, lient the yioint with liis huud. threw oir JiIji
coat and sprang out of his shoi-K: i»uit u look round tiie roviti, and
cb(i»e hi* poditiun- A cuntest arose between Liimont and O'JJrjen as
to which should f*ce their terrible opponent ; whilst the hitter, takin)!
up a aword tbut Iny iipr>n a couch, adclreHM^d a few woriU to the
straikger who had tendered hi» ollices an second, and xjemed perfectly
indilTerent as to which he was to encuunter. The Frenchman cer-
tainly bad the priority, and I was not sorry to see it decided on hia
side, fur 1 made n^rtnin of tho imposaihility of his surviving nti^aiast
such a giant, and my friend O'Brien, in the event of the miirnniH be-
coming victoriouji, whicli I did not entertain a doubt of, would have
Mine knowledge of bi» practice previiitis to tlie aet-to.
" But 1 was misukcn ; Ltie cuinhatuHtti took their places an appoint-
ed by tb« BtraoffirfWliu showed himself pcTt'ecUy eoiiveri^ant uith nil
the rute« of tho (luelto. O'Brien wiih M;cond tu the count ; and wbi-n
the principals sUnd oiiposite eucb other, you may form some guess of
the umazing und really ridiculous contrau that was pre&eiitecJ, — the
head of the marquiti towering at legist two feet, if not mure, ubofe that
of the diminutive cjunt. Their »wurds crw!t>ed, und gratetl with tlist
peculi'.ir xoiiiid wliich comen diMtreibiii^Iy upon the ear, cuuionjj; the Hen*
sation styled by the old women us ' injking the blond run cold ;' though
it quickens the pul^eti and clears the !tight of the individuals engaj;ed. ,
In n few seconds the weapons clashed together to di.stract the attention,
and the mnrquis made n rigoroiiH thrust, which would have infiUiritly
terminated the nlfair but for theufituniF>hing(|uickne»!i and itfilily of the
count, who not unly avoided it by a spring like a grds»bopper, — for
panning aguiiist such violence was out of the question, — but actually,-
bounding back again to his position, the moment his feet had touclieil
the floor, he wounded his assailant between ibe rib».
"The fencing was extremely beautiful and auentiftc, and I soon
discovered tbut wlmt was wanting to thv count in altitude and sine
o-as amply atoned for, by skill, coolness, and judgment. Several severe
hits had been exchanged; but, whilst tho»e received by the marquis
served to irritnte and enritge him, the Frenchman, on the other hand,
profited by his, and becninc more cautious and wary. Bhiod was
flowing very freely, still it wn.s imposidhle to form a eurrect idea of the
result ; though I must on-n that I experienced unpleai^unt apprehen-
sions for the ssfi'ty of my little friend.
'' The nuiM* of the fraeoK, as might he expected, excited alarm amongst
the people nf the hotel, who soon assembled with the police iit the door
of the room, which they threatened to burst in, if it were not opened to
them. The combatants were at tliiNtinie eyeing each other with pe-
THE DUELLO.
199
k«enn«ai^BsifTiiitiiife«ting « determination to bring the con-
■ mn twue before thv poliw could intwfrrt. Tli?re whb a item-
in tfarir IiKtkft, :ift tlirir vivonl* cruut^tl nii(] ))t:(iU> cU«)iifil ugniiist
,UMte, pLtiuly bliowiiiK tliiit etch had mwlo hitnwir >t|i for (lUKrltiff.
tnev wfttched with fu^i-r tntfnt, when the mim)iii& made •
to idrow tlw^ count off liis pinrd ; Imt it failed, and tlio latter,
'^km^ imtnMliitte advnnlnge of it, wonM havu nm his Atlantic odvcr-
tbrough the bndy. but liis foot slijijiinfr. the point of \m Rword
intt) the dc^liT part of the inurquit'n tliifsh. The Italiun, n-itb
tasc |;n^n. shurtuni-d ill biH wr-.i|>oii to pve Lamont tlio cut';! Je
' ; but, in lem than n» instant — for it jtiisM>U like a tlush of li^ht-
mimg, — ttie Frenchman liad diH'Uga^eii liiuiwlf — ^tiot by Hpringiog luck,
b*t by boldly rushing in to hi« mun, siitl tenrinji nway his nwurd by
lli«er Dinscular pou'vr »» he darted behind him. Still he did not ps-
-ape witliQUt hurt, for tlii* tnnn|ui(i v-a» not to b» foiled ; nitliough,
In^ppil;, as I HCurcfly nred tetl you, the uonnd wa» not niortul, nnd
•u instantly repaid by a lunj^ in the nlMliHiu-n before the Italian
emM recover bis ^uud. In fact, 1 never silw anything performed
with more intrepidity and clcvcmfss in mv life.
" At ihia moment the door wns burst in: the pendnrmes ran be-
tween and Kepunited the opponents ; wi> were nil diiwrniud, and they
w«re about to convey us uwny iutti safe ciistody. when the stranger
vbo had vt)iciute<l for the umtijuis took the K«rrji-ant it-side, and in
• few minutea O'Urien unil myself were released upnn our pa-
nrfr efAotwewr to iippi-nr the next day- The marmii* and the L-«uiit
Imd tbeir wound<i dretfied, and, uniler the immedinte Kurveillanco of
tlie grndarmea, trere conveyed tu wparate apartments ; the whole
beini; arranged by the stranger, who, O'Brien 6ubKeciuently discover-
ed, itj the mifdium of his uii<;le, wiw » chief aj^ent of police under
Fouclie, wlto had inHtriicted him to follow uk from M. Talleyrand'i,
and, in tbe Chief Cimittirs name, to order the niar4]uin to quit the
Prt-ncb territory within twenly-four honrit. Tbe agent, however, had
Rcrtre*! no directtoiis to prevent their fighting, and, being a Corucan,
hid aided tbe mnrquin.
" What further tramtpired I cannot tell yon, as we heard no more of
tlie matter ; but if yon are eurioiis to ascertain, I make no doubt tbe
CStiiten Captain will alTord you every information ; and bere be ts to
■Uidfy yuu."
The Fresehmsn advanced with a polite bow, and was addresaed by
lua lordship, — ^"'I wan jiwt relating to my young friend here, the cause
of a>ur fir»t interview, monsieur."
*• Ha! ha! c'etait une ufruire tri*»-dr61e, milord," replied be, ahni^
ging bi> ahoulders and laughing.
" And bow did it lerniinate, monsieur f" inquirfd Lord Ktutace.
" I quitted Parin a day or two afterward*-"
"Oh, 'twta mere noting, milord," ana^vered the Frendiman. " De
numiQia was ble»£ to confine to his lit,— vat yon call couch,— no, bed,
^hUi, bed, more for one mont, and den he mnrclies aans tambour for
Italye ; — moi, seulemeni tree wit-li ; den 1 ravinh des dames wid ma
gnlanterie, and come for my fregale: tnidheureuHvnient |KMir nmi ! ne-
TtT mII be mv fre(;ate again .'" and he nigbed henvilv.
'• Nugent," «iiid his lordiJiip, " send down to Mr. I'lumstone to go
roond tbe decks with a guard, and aeo that the priwiners ore all ae-
cure. There niu>tt be a picquot kept np ibroiigbotit the night."
*• Ay, OT, my lord !" responded the lieutenant ; and culling to
MOO
KIOIITS AT SEA.
tjairtcr-mastett bv directed titn to requmt the marine officer's pre-
Mnce upoB deck, wbere the csptaiii's orders were rejieated, und piinc-
tBftUy Meyed.
Ataag we me^s-berthfi were ranjred the watch lielow, intermingled
iritk neorlr four times the number of men who had so InU-lv fought
■euBSt thein, tud who were nuw receiring a rough hut brotherly nlten-
IMHL Jl is true that here and tliere Jack CTed his new mesNiniiti' with
■ lack tli«t iadicated liuspicinn or dislike ; nor, if nhyiiiiijiiinniy ia to be
amMBed aa iadcx to bumau {ias<iion8, were llntsc SvvVni^ uuuie-
ril*d. iiwcfTuink ther^ wltl' sunic vilUinuus i-uuutoimucL-s lu be seen
— nn)jiit the pri«»ners. The convcrsutlonit were carried on in a jargon
■1 b«TKaruus und conTiued as that wliich terminated the biiililing of
fiabel : for the French trit'H to speak i^nglish, and the Kri;ili>h— not
ta be behiodhand in gmtd feeling — trieiJ to tiilk French; whilst at
iUerrRls some ]iretender to lioth lanfrua^eH would attempt a. truuidu-
INB, tad th(>rebr tnnke tnatt<.>rs ten times worse.
Ob the old iipot, just before the foremast on the forecastle, enjoying th*
ddifhtfal freshness of the evening;, were aioemhled the invelerute
TVii-«|unnerB, with a pretty nunierouM auditory collected rouud them.
Bat Mch vf the pcttv officers now huil his cutlujui by his 6ide and a
liCHe of ptstoU ia bistielt by wsv of precaution, nnd the look-out men
were veil iraied. At the weatfier cat-head was our old acqumntaiice
Joe ^tigbtlwad, parading with a ahip'a musket over bin »huulder, ex-
pooed to the jibes of his mesamates who inquired " when he had last
•e«n rorporal Stunt." Joe, however, took it nit with perfect good-
hnmour, — stuck to his lext about " King Uerod/' and " wished he wuh
mkon gWDg a-shooting."
"Ah, yon looks like a sportinp character!" said Bob IMartinj^nl ;
** bat I 'm blow'd if I thinks you could hit a hare — unless you fired at
« wift"
" I remetnWrs, some r<>ars ago," said the enptatn nf the forecastle,
"havine a prime bit o fun in the sporting wnv. I was a fore-lop man
in the Plover Hloop-of-wur as was lilting in Portsmouth harbour, and
had ebam of the jolly-boat. So, one day the purser axes me whether
1*4 g> with him and the master out a-&hooting, jubt to carry the ^nine
ud tmne grub ; — I suppw-es they meant me fur a ]Kiinter. So, in
OMtnie. messmate*, I kavs ' Yes,' and aw^y wv Htnrted ; them with a long
MM Mcb, and I with powder and shot, and a bread>bag with aome bi»-
OliC * fJMC of beef, and a full bottle of rum. Nuw, messmntea, thinks
I* * WWre the devil 's the use of going n-sporting witboiit dogs ^' and
m^ Coisg throTigh Oyster-street, I aees a handy-leg cur as ciime wad-
dliag and barking out of a barber's shop, and I chirps to him IJke a
bird, and thron's him a bit of beef, and I 'm bletised if he didn't fultow
Die OS nwt'ral as a child would it^ duddy, and ko I christens bim
' B«auty ;'andlte twinkles his daylights and wugs his outrijiger abaft,
a* had ounly a short Etump left; and I gives him another piece of
bc«f. and he joins company juxt as rulional as anybody eUv as was
liungT)'. Preueittly afterwards I fills in with a birfrrr hanimal an fvas
caulkins under the lee of a butcher'n shambte ; — 1 thinks he was what
they CiklU the bull breed,^but he was blind of one eyo, and precious tine
in his scantling, seeing as he &howed his ribs through 'em. Sa I pitches
bim a pifceof oeef : for, says I to myself, * It 's t>e.st to have a pair on
'cm, Hsing as maylinp we may go u-huntitig afore we gets into port
agtin,*'— for, Bliipmntes, as all on you knows, thtre 's never *uch a thing
NAVAL SFOKTSHES.
201
■tdKm;«hat in«f torn op when oiuct f on 're In cbm. S(«, u I >aid,
1 pktta him a lump uf twvf, and ' Yo-b-ir V mrs I, ' will you benl
Wwiad sod go aluag wi' lue?' So be picks up tbe beef, and wiiika
ti f>ti kim ; and away be drop! into mj wake alongside u' Ueautr.
JHaiBal'Tal ma lifc>
'And a prvtty fleet thfre ffflft of ua tneMtmnteA, aa we treat sailing
ik^tall ship-)diape, in ihrec dtrifiioiu. Fint, there tra» Muster Gun*
Is, tbe tnkMter, reg'lar Dtitcb build, weighing abuut eifjbteen stone.
mi n full of blublwr as a sp^rmjcity. By bis side ivaa Muster Sloric,
d*|mrwr; as fiit as a match, and bis le^ swelled as thick aa tobacco-
fipb: be was nearly a faihotn in lenj^b, and be locdced for atl the
*iirU as if biH niotber bad stretcbed him out like a tbreud-paper thnt
fa figure mlulit keep tall^ with his name. These twu, wiih their guns
•fv tbeir woulden, formed the wan divisiou. Tlieu Ibcre ivas me,
KQ TbompMHit made the centre divi^ivn ; and the Iwo banimal!i,
Ikaet and Beauty, brought up the rear. So awuy ne goes imo ib»
Md*,— where I Kudn't been fur many a long day~ni>, not »ince I wm
aTwtmlcer mid went hirdft'-nefttin^. Huwsmnvver, away we went, and
r?ery nuw and then the guns went bang ! Init we couldn't never see
aa game wbatsomcver to pick up ; ao I Borcbea alung io the dyke.<), and
At dofTi fiUows me; and, being out uf sight of th« ottic«r.s 1 wrves
■A the rum in fuir drums atwixt myself and the faanimuls, seeing us
«c had most of tbe work to do."
" Yon don't mean to say, Bill, that yuu pave the dogs tbe rum i"
■od tbe sergeant of marines, who Httiod leaning af^alnst tiie ma^t.
" But I dn, tltnagb !" respnnded Bill somewhat angrily. " Do ytm
tbiiik I 'd cheat u messtnate f fur I baled 'em out full mea.sttri^s, And
azeU 'cm to take it, mid if the)' wouldn't, wliy then in gum! riubt t.a
bdangiag to the same mesn, it was mine ; luid ho, every Uuie as I tiiuk
■ aip myself, in course I curved it out to tbem. 1 defy any messmale
aa erer I bad, to say I ever wronged him !"
" 1 *m sati^ried, Bill," said tlie tergeant of marines, laugbiRf; ; " such
aiaaainatea, wbvn tbey pipe to grog, wouid be convenient every day.
—But ga on, mj boy I"
"Well, aliipmutes," continued Bill, " d — the thing could we find,
thongh butb the purser and master swore tbey 'd hit everything tliey 'd
fired at; and, being co»ld, I got liehind a haystack with the bdniniuls,
sod fiell foul uf thelK-ef and bread, whiUt the oHicers were marching tiir
hareSi and rabbits, and phennantii. and ducks, ucid itiirtridges; and a
pradiMU lot on Vm they shot, ounly the crciiturM cuulon't be tuund- At
last tbegrubwus all gone, and we deinptied tbe bottle ; so I made con-
venieot to drop the bag lut we were crossmg some stubble to join the rest
of the fleet ; and then 1 got a blowiua-up for my careleKswf w, and tbey
siaoce I was drunk, — as if one buttle of rum was likely to toaticaie
three on us. But tbey were cowld and hungry, and so wc bcire up fur
a anug village ; where we got into a capital roadstead, and the muster
Ofdered a freiJi supply of provisions, — eggs and liacim. and rooht pork,
I glorious mixing of not flip and nle, and brandy pawney. So the
I mnes by theirsels, in course, in one room ; ana wt — that "s me,
Baney, and Beauty — pipes to dinner in another ; and so 1 make>
oe 'em sit np at table iill mi-ssmate-likc, and sarvea out the grub
^VOL. III. ¥
S0£ KIGIITS AT SKA.
reg'lor iuir »n<] square, and olTers 'cm the suction as I did nfur^, and,
as they "■uuldn'tsluwit away, I was coniprlled lotuke their shnri; and
iny own too. And u jovjul tiitic we Und of it ! we lived like li^litiiii;-
cock*., iind B >ni'y wink'd his one eve iLiid Deuiity u-a^ed his Klunip u
I drank ' Better tiiDes tu us !' and the lubberit in the galley Uughed*
and there wtu » precimis shindy.
" Artera g<»od tnrk-iHit, and h<H«tin^ in a proper allowance o' strong
flip, thf miiftlfT would (III out ■An(\ try iiix luck w\lh the gun i^;ain ; au
away we went: and I'm bleased if I didn't »ee plenty of jfame,-^for
every sparrow looked to me as big as a turkey-cock ; Wt, «»mehow «r
other. tht'T all S^ ^ iiway. At last says Moaler Gunter, sayn he, ' Iloiild
on. Thompson; there '3 n fine hare !' And sure onous:!! there wiia isometie
upon n rid^e near the middle of the lield as lookt-d iverry much like it;
thnnf^h Muster Htoik, tvho wax more nlnfcthan weiswnre it waa no audi
thing. Ilowsumever, the master wimld let fly at it, and j^artiulv he knock-
ed it over between the ridges dead i-uuiigh ; but whilst we were goiug
towards the place, we hears the terriblest rumpuii behind, and I 'm bless-
ed if there wiini't a hull coming ap astnm within a few fathomB of u« !
his spanker-biwtTTi rigged straight out ahaft, and his bow-chaxers [tuinted
towards <)»1d IV[u»ter Ounter. * Run, master, run !' ohuuts the pumer,
making Hail away, and trusting to the len^^th of bin heelit. ' Run, y'>nr
honour !* says I. ' or o!se I "m d — if he don't mean boarding on you !'
And so the ould man titnrt<i, and oirrics on a taut press ; and I tries by
sending n shut iit the haninial to draw him olf the chu^e. Weil, hehuula
his wind for an instant ; but, sei'ing there wur three on us in the cen-
tre and rear division, he U|is stiek again, and cracks on orter the mas-
ter, whu luckily hud got atturt through the diversion 1 hud made, und
reached the hfdge leading into the next field ; Imt be couldn't get
through, fi>r the passage was choked by one uf them yarn-winch stiles,
mid he got jammed hard and fast in the middlu of it ju&t an Ute bull
was coming to close quarters.
" ' Hurrah, messmates V wiy» I to the two dops. ' Hurrah, Bonev I
hurrah, Beauty ! bear down to the rescue '.' And so otf we set, the
hiiiiitnaU under«t:tiidiiig me all the name as iial'raUhnrn C]]n<.tent ; so
that just aa the hull was goiag to sky Muster Ounter up like a ha'pi-n-
ny for heads or tails, Buncy ceizeti him by thi' nu^e and pint him down,
whilst Beauty catches boutd of his neck. ' And that '» my darlings !"
savs I ; ' they're reg'Iar hunters ; niithing cnmes amiss to em, from a
cockroach to a hulTalo !' Well, £hipm.ites, at that very momentum, —
the master stuck hard and fiUit, and the bull repelling the Itourding-par*
ty, — up comes u gang of liberty-boys from the ould Kuttle»nake, as was
Iring ncit hulk to ours, who hud come out for a country -cruise, and we
soon drove the ball off. with the help of Boney and Beauty ; and having
got the master out uf limbo by rousing down the stnncheon, we look'd
Lout for the purser; but, like the jiatne they 'd Rhol, he warn't nowhere
to be seen, till at last we diakivvred a pair of heelH sticking out ofu
hedge, and I'm bluwei] if they wani't Muster Stork's! He'd taken a
run to jump over, flunking the hiinimars horns were in bis atarn :
had made n bit of a slip, and come down head-foremost on to the top of
the hedge, buryinghis bead and shnuldera in the bushes, and jamming hia
annt like Jockaon anas he had no manni>r o' use on 'em: and there
he stuck, with his legtt spread out, looking for all tliu world like the
letter Y, or nure like the Shears beacon in the Swin. — Well, arter a
guild deal o' trouble and niiin>h^indliii|; we roused him out o' that, and
set him ou vend all atauuto, except his hgure-head, which bad got d— ly
L 1
THE THREE DAMSELS.
£08
iiinuletl amoiiKst the brnmUles. But the master ivould go fur tbe bare
he bad shot, and eo we all mEide »iiil along with him tu tbc jiiutM- ; and
when we got there, he Urts it up fruai ntwixt the ridgea — and wbaC d»J
you think it was, sIiipiniitcN f Wi-ll, tb<fn, J 'm bloweil if it warn't the
bread-bitg as 1 A dntpped there afrtre dinner ! imd the Jiot liod knocked
tbf rtim-boltl^ all to shivers, nn tbftt nic and my meftsmateii were savvd
from blame in regard of the Ktuff bcin^; gone."
Agencml Imigb follim-cd tbis utwiuiincemttit, which bronjilit acum-
mana frum tW qimrter-tleck fur " leȣ noiae, and a better luuk-out un
the fokstie !"
"Well, shipmates," contiuuod Bill, ar bcniti as the usual "Aj, ay,
my liml V bad been given, " iiway m-c fiht;rried with the niu.ster'« bare,
sba|iin(; uur course fur the public-bousc ; and if ivu dtdii't buve -a juvial
sbeave-o for the rest of tbe day, then nobody ucTcr had ii jot-ial
sheare-fl in their lives : and Boney and Beauty were treated to the best
the place could sHVird, uml if tliey 're ah've now, they arti't forgot no
mure nor me, the day we went out a-)tb<M»ting."
THE THREE DAMSELS.
Thaie daoMels looked down from die casllv luwvr
Thai frowned o'« llir wiiniin)( v»]f,
Wber«, bcrnc on his »Ued of tnatciileu bn-ed,
Rode ttieir »ire m knighll; inail.
"Anil welcome, Sir Father! and WGlcpme/'djL'y cried,
*' To Uiy dauglilcn. who lone Tot Iby coming have »ii(tiad !
Oh, iay, what gifU dosl thou bring ?*'
« On ihM thy fond father badi llioughl lo-day,
Mj fur girl ID y«U()vv (lirsl ;
For dear to tliy heart is tlic iod«t'> ut.
And jcvreU and k""" |'l«"<e iHee best.
So lake lliou this chuia of ruddy gold ;
I WD& il ill fight from a ^Ibnl liuld.
And ttisu Italian! bold I slew !"
llie damsel hath fluog ll>at Rlitterisg chuin
Her Bwa»-lili« neck NTOund ;
And she soughl out the spot where the gallant stain
All dreticlit^ in li" Kore she found.
"Ob, tliame, that a ktiii{hl bicc a kna^-e should lie
The scocnand ilie KofFof each ruli^i e)cl
Hath my loved one no resling-place ("
And his {hsBtly corpse in her arms *)ie bore
To the KTUund that ilie priesu liad hli^l ;
And she nnnnurcd a prayer as sbt- laid him theie
In dit to«nb wbere nei Cithers rest.
And cloM rotmd her neck the chain alw drew
Till the lail bresdi of life froro her bosocn dew.
And sl>e slumbered by him she loved !
Two damsels looked down from the CMlle tower
Thai frowned o'er the windiusE vale.
Where, borne on bi« steed of miiclilcs* breed,
llode their »ire in kniithdy mad.
'* Ami welcome, Sir Faiher ! and welcome," ihey tried,
" To iliv daughters, who loo^ for iby cutmng have »igh«d I
Ob, siy, wital gid^s d06t tlvou bT\1vj '."
TUB TIIKBB DAMSKLS.
" On lliM thy fond hthtr hath thdujtiit U>-dny,
My fair girl ihui in kitroen art dresl ;
Kor (iMirly ibou Invest to (treeowrood to Strajr,
And tlie chase on joys thee beal,
Tli«Ei tnkr ihou this juvflnii, my venturoui child ;
I won it in fight from ilic hunter wild.
And th«- liunter wild I xlevr I"
Th« jHvelici di« look frcim hi-r Fuihi^r'ii lianit,
Then roamed io the ureenwood awav ;
But ilif lioni ihnt ohc urmini) ptvv a dirg^like muncl,
'Stead of himipr's roundelay :
And »he MW "neiilh a willnvf-trrcN mournful sh«d«
The youtli of her lieail in deep »leflp laid, —
The de«|>, deep sleep of dealli !
" Oh, true tn the failh thiil I nlifijhted, ] come
To our tryoling-Tilacfl, Iov^kI one, to thcc !"
And quick in hft brarl hailt nW buried the dAit,
And sunk her beiiralti the tree.
And o'et the two fond ore* siwmI Dow'teU «|iritig.
And iliu birds of the forn'sl ui summeT'tideaing
Thf loverit' liilluhy !
One damsel looked down from the ca.HtIc lower
That frowned o'er jW winding vnle,
Where, home on hi^ Meed of malchtcM breed,
Rndf h-er sire in knif^htly mAil.
" And welcome, Sir Failier 3 nnd welcome," she dried,
"To thy daugiiler. whn Iohr for lliy com ins hath sighed I
Oh, say, «hai pft dost tliou bring f"
** Na;, think rtot thy sire hath forgotten thee,
My fair f(irl Ibai in white nrt dresl ;
For dearer thnn ^cnn are the »ori Doner* to thee.
And the ^denn e'er joy thee beat.
From the fl;>Tden«r to skilled, for m? darling one,
ThiB flow 'ret, than siU'cr h* fairer, I won,
And the gurdener so iikilied [ slew !"
" And hast ihou then ainin that f^rdeiier m skilled, —
That );aTd«n« so skilled biiil thou >lain 7
My fiowers d id he rear with a Ruber's can—
Jiow iKey never will hloom a^n I
And he swore Io his loved one, no fairer flower
£'er blushed 'midst the hcuuiiM nf Flora's bower
Than the flow 'ret he nurHircd for mc I"
Then next to her boiom so cienile site laid
The flow'rirt her father had guwi ;
And forth to the pirden she dolefully strayed,—
Thut f;ardeii her home and her hearten !
There » umall mound freshly raiited »hr dt-wriid.
And the lilies, like tiioumer«, were drooping beside ;
And she sunk on thai fn-shly-raised mound!
" Oh, could I but do ot my mitn have done,—
Bat div a* my sisten ha^e died I —
But tnv delicate Honer to wound hath no power.
Ana death ot ita bnnd* it denied I*'
Like the ftaw« that shi- pued on, m) wan and pale,
Did sli* brVallie out hrr life to thr pacing fr-ile: —
Like lM:r Dower did ^be fade and die t
Sf05
ONE OF MANY TALES.
BY A NEGLECTED OPERATIVE.
Sir, — It was not until I had ascertained beyond all dispute that
there arc publica lions both ready and able to defend retinng merit,
and to exhibit in tliclr true light all instRRceii of nL-glcct^ and cruelty,
and pcntcculion, which may be properly brought forward, that J re-
solved on sending you a sketeh of my case. You are probably well aware
that in an early number of a popular ni&gazine a full statement will be
given of the proceedings of the Custom>bouse otficer who inftiftted on
nearrhinj; the frmtk of an elephant recently imported, ncu) actually
<\\A turn it in»i(le out, nrgin;^ that he was J'uily uutl)ori»od sO'to do,
nnd waa but acting up to the Uth-r of Iiie iuBtructions. So, however,
it it ; and l\w knowledge of this circnmBlance having reached the
ears of the editor, he has most benevolently determined to expose
the officer, vindicate the beast, and have his disarranged trunk set to
righu, and returned ; and you, sir, will, I am sure, feel sufficienlly
for me, when you have fully perused mt/ knotty Htatement, to bring it
before the notice of a sympathising public>
Talent nnd merit are indeed often allowed to wither in obscurity
for want ol'a discriminating and futitcring putruu : but it is not often
that ail active and unflinching icrvatit of the crown, whose capabili-
ties are known, and wiiuse elitcicnoy hoa been for yeorii exhibited
Slid valued both at home and abroad, is. while in the full vigour of his
powers, led neglected iind unpcnsiuned. The foremost in the light,
the unflinching advocate nf military nnd naval discipline, the irieil
friend, and steady siipporicr, and constant advocate of every officer in
both services, I have tcorhtii my way into notoriety, and have been
invariably looked on with the most {>rofound venerfltioii, though some-
timca it has been my misfortune to fail into rough and unskilful
hand*. But, while I have been contitantly held up aa a most slrt/ttnff
example of all that was required in my situation, — while I have never
been suspected, mucli less accu&ed, of imbecility, of cowardice, of un-
fitoess in any way whatever fur the station I have long occupied,— I
6nd myself day by day more neglected, and called every week of my
existence into ie»H active operatiuii. I am, sir, already little better
than Uid on the shelf- I am spoken of with indiflerenee bordering on
conteni|it, by very muny who I believed would to their dying day
have Ixjme (he most indelible impressions of my exertions on iheir
lielialf; men, sir, who hare received my favours unseen, for wlimn 1
bate laboured when they were unable to tell from whom the henetit
cam^ these very beings are the firRl and Uie most active in the con-
duct of which 1 complain. And this is a hard ca^e; it is, however,
mine. Redress in eonic shape 1 must have I An ample restitution I
can never expect I for even, were Jupiter himself to make a general
auction of Olympus, and pay mc over the proceeds, I doubt greatly
if they would sutisly my claims. 1 have many, very many cutting
tales to bring forward, any one of which would, I am sure, sir, pro-
duce DO your reudcrs llie most sensible efiecis, as tliey already have
done on all who lutve praciicalty perused their startling cnnclusinns.
Will you, sir. devote u few piiges to a hiisty statement <>f some par-
liculara, and a^tsi^^t mc in Uie recovery of that station which 1 Iulvo
S06
ONK OP MANY TALES.
long occupied ; sod wtiJc-ti, M-ithout arrogunce be it written, I am ^et
both uable snd as willing tu 6)1 as in my earlier and liappier days 'i
It wili be sufficient lor me to Htate, that my very earliest recollec-
tions are of bloodslitxl und of warfare ; and, having been inured from
my first exi«tence to scenen such ai ibeiie, I am not reluciaiil lo con-
fe** that I entered on iheni with the greatest readiucss, und never
felt so happy as when in full en7]jloynient. And. sir. be it known to
vou, akhuugh 1 speak of iny«ell' as being yut In full vi^^our, ttiut I
nave fic-eu aB much service both aHoat und ashore us any otic of my
own standing. I was present on bourd tliu adniirar» ship, i)tc ship
of tlie iminurtul NeUon. an tlic nevLT-to-bc-forgotten FirKt nf August,
io the liny of Abcrukir; and during the whole of that daiigeroui
and gloriouH conHtL-t did I remain at my potf, exhibiting no svni-
pinnis of fciir, although at one moment I vas, within a hiiirft broudth
of annihilution, for a ciinnnn-^hiit actually curried away a very long
tail, — and tails were then generally worn by our jolly tars. This, I
felt, could be easily replaced : nnd so it wns, thaiiKs to the boat-
swain ! I was with the Hero of the Nile during the whole of his
cruisifigs ill the Mediterranean : and was by many of the captains
and oflicers on that station contiintiilly pointed out to the men, and
praised ns a most efficient disciplinarian ; and numerous indeed were
the resulu produced by my active nnd powerful operations. Indeed,
during the later years of Nelson's life I was almost invariably on
board Yiis ship ; nor did I quit it until hia remains were brought to
England, and consigned lo their stately and final resting-place amidst
all the pomp, and pride, and ciicumstancc which a ({rntfful and be-
reaved nation could bestow. But, sir, upon this occasion 1 was not
allowed to form a part of the mournful pageant; although olliers
much younger, and of much less experience than myself, were there.
Hut it is not my intention to indict on your readers a wearying
detail of my varied services: it is, however, necessary to slate thai
I went tlirough the whole Peninsular campaign ; und my having been
engaged both aflout and ashore must convince tlic most sceptical
that my services were not held unimportant by the powers of those
days. 1 do not hesitute to appeal to hi» Orace tlie Duke of Wellington
for a confirmation of the truth of my assertion. My interference was
on very tnany orcosions cnmmiindcd by his (irucc personally; and
in no one instance during that lengthened and etirring warfare had
I anv reason lo believe that my duties had been intHicicnlly pcr-
^^H formed. At Vimeira, at Corunna, Talavcra, Fuiaco, Citidad Hoclrigo,
^^^B Badajoz, and \'ittoria. I was in nitendance, and, aa you will believe,
^^^ got my share of rubs and blows. Often, indeed, when in the thick
^L^ of tlie tight, did I tliink and fear that I sliould become so mutilated
^^^B in appearance, and so broken in constitution, as to be rendered unfit
^^^^ fur further service ; but the kind and sympathising watchfulnciU of
^^^H my friends, who viewed me with parental fondness, streoglbening
^^^V my weakness, binding up my fractures, and day by day restoring me
H as my neces»itieK and tlieir abilities prompted, carried me safely
H through these, the nioKt ardtiowf of all the varied scenes in which 1
^^ have hitherto engaged.
^^^H Since the conclusion of thv war, it has pleased the authorities to
^^^B employ mc very considerably at home ; and the various barracks and
^^^^ depdia scuttcrod through the country can each aitd all of them bear
^ , I ^
m
ONE OF MANY TALBB.
■07
testimony to my visitations. 1 Imve, lliorefore, in Mme branch of my
profession bvea for very many years un active servant. Tliirrr la, in*
deed, scarcely an individual iu tlic army or in the navy with whom I
have not in one way or other liuen brought inio contact. Witlt many
my acquaintance baii been intimute, and my connexion hu btas
»«ry close i with more 1 have been rather an ucqouintaiicc of dw
eye than of the hcflrt ; bur. of all with whom t tvcr became familiar,
DO one has y(* turned his back on me without havinj; had tlie miMt
•ctHStle evidences of the temerity of his conclurt. Sow it i<, Mr. tlat
in tlui weak f»piDg time of peace, the servtcec are veniurins to mcak
dnmpeetfally of mc ; they view my operations tut over, and UiereTora
sk aTtbem %faity ; they oidy look to my fbture uwleMneH, hmI
qute oBiniiidfal of my pail efficacy. 1 am, it i« true, at tliis mo-
wrOkout empkmnent, and without pension, — nej-lected : in fact
all from an idte prejudice, a paJtry affecUtton of scd-
ff which ta floddroly i^nused agwost toe, and allowed to oM-
■irip rewa of deputed labour. If you, Kr, have individually beca
braqgfit witlwB the vpbere of my more immediate tppHeaUomi, I Mi
av« lh«,cve* to the prv«<nt dsy.you must bear aboM yod A* matt
Bvdj eii^icfi gf my BymfioBs. Then are, iaJwi, bw ftv «lw
h«ve beat OMkr my oiaoylmc witbovt fgcmiag ibc agM mriUmg
proo& ofHr ptvwaa. Oo tbc y«Mg nd M tbw aU, b cte CMf^
m ibe bmcfc-yard, aad «• the decb,lb»e iimiiHilIy hat»crfto<
iaid mniae; mieaAmd ill by wfaoM aqr Mrviaea !■«« baaa ■*>
cffved, have bane ftr ever after ibe bmk ycnaaMM mtmt^k^^i
Biy iaaeffianca.
It m tmgjtmmame aaa ptawM pnoc aaua neaMn ay aMaanH
dM oere mmdaL Uad I be« awleai, I mi^^ ba»« bw* fmpMtmt
laJte— l^iag- I iT iiaalbaarwilbwfa—|^»efa(,|
Ibe abfevMi Mta wbkb I aM Ariy bMM^ : bw I tea
vyMiHMia.
•?****y
lattMilabr
,lv»w.
'^vf
908
SONNBT IN A CHURCHYARP.
TiduaJly felL He did not, however, stale one fact, whicli will, 1
know, apjicar altogether incredible to nianj' of your rcadtrs, which
16 tliis, — tlmt I Imve at-'tuully been, for u wry long period, firmly
lashed to an uinnowd lo^ ui' wuolI, fruni wliidi it if. utterly impos-
8ibk> for me to get Iree. .Muny liuve shed teurii at the fti^hc of nie :
gome metk have even died in consequence of my huving been brought
into their presence; and one and all wlio have felt the full weight
of my impositiomi have never ceased to think upon me with the most
unequivocal Bensations. Tliere are. also, many, — and it is a debt
of which I must acquit myself, — rlicre are, sir, I say. many, and those
too general officers, to whom I oive my grateful acknowledgments
for the kind feelings with which they have had me taken in hand oc-
casionally; although, even by them, I have been only brought to
the buck of the rank and file: anything is, however, a relief from
my present obscurity. I have long borne my sorrows in silence.
My uYi/cings are not loud, but deep ; hut, through your assi&lnnee,
I hope and exi>ccL relief, for I am now in such a aUle, so worn, »o
.tattered, so forgotten, that I would rather submit even to decima-
'■tioEv than to the prolongation of my preicnl pasBive endurance. Sir,
if 1 had not the qualities of a cat, I hIiouM have been out of being
very long ago.
Under your kind patronage my now hopeless case may possibly
be improved. Your influenliul interference may perchRnce assist
me to my old station; I may once more re-exert my weighty in-
fluence; I may become not only a member of, but really and truly,
the l/nit&i Service Ciuh iWelf; and. should such be the case, be-
lieve me. eir, you shall at all times command the undiiiching ser-
vices, whether required by yourself peraonully, or by any of your
acquaintance, uf Yours, to command,
CA'r-o'-N7NE-TAILS,
SONNET IN A CHURCHYARD.
I KTAXD l>«iid« the grate where ytan long past
The flrsl-hom of my love was lowly laid, —
Beside l)>n Ntone on which in \t:^n wat paid
The iribiiie of my tenderness. IJow {an
Th« luoUi of Tinic hath r:it ihoff words away I ihe loal
Thkl yet sidl linger, formless ami ilecayed,
Tell not Oie name, nor worth, nor how long stayed
I'pon thi» unptr earth, a l>r in^ cfi»t
Id Nature's loveliest mouli) I Slill, still reinaiu
Those reeanl* in ei h«.irt which Time defies,
Who»e sorrow yet \i green: dust will it lum,
Like ihM o'er which it broods, iH-fore ihe chain
Ur memory is broken. Whtn it dies,
0 mfty it miogle in the selfsame um I
Old Nkuol4b.
I
5
309
OLIVER TWIST;
ORi THS PARISH fiOv's FKOGRESS.
BY BOZ.
tlLDSTKATKD BT C E O R G E C B D ■ K S B « X K.
BOOK TRB SECOKD.
CHAITEM THE FOUUril-
IK WBICa A MTSTERtOUS CKIRACTCX APPEAItS VfO* TKC BCEME,
AMD UAKV THINGS IK^EI'ARARLi; mOU THIA niSTORT
ARE t>ONt X\D rERFOKU£I>.
Thr old man had guincci the street corner before he be<
fan to recover the effect of Toby Crackil's intelligence. Ho
Bil relaxed nothing uf hi» unuiiual ^.pi'ed, but whs xlill pre»»-
iog onwurd in the same wild and disordereti oianncr, wheii
the sudden dashing post of a carriage, and a boisterous
cry from the foot-passengera who saw hi» danger, drove htoi
back upoa the pavement. Looking hastily round, as if uncer-
tain whither he had been hurrying, he paused for a few mo-
ments, and turned nwav in quite an opposite direction to
that in which he had before pi-oceeded. Avoiding aa much as
po9Mble all the main streets, and skulking otdy through ihe by-
travs and alleys, he at length emerged on Snow Hill. Here fie
walked even faster than before ; nor did he linger until he had
again turned into a court, when, as if conscious that he was now
in his proper element, he fell into his usual !<l)uH1in^ pace, and
teemed to breathe more freely.
Near to the spot on which Snow Hill and llolt>om Hill meet,
thtre opens, upon the right hand as you come out of the city, m
narrow and dismal alley leitding to Saffron Hill. In its lillhr
fibops are exposed for sale huge bunches of f,econd-hand silk
handkerchiefs of all sizes anil patterns, — for here rcMde the
traders who purchase them from pickpockets. Hundreds of
these handkerchiefs hang dangling from [H'gs outiidc the win-
dows, or flaunting from the door-pofits; and the shelves within
are piled with them. Con6ned as the limits of Field Lane are,
it haji its harlier, itK cufl'ee-shop, ila Ijecr-shop, and its fried-fish
warehouse. It in a commercial colony of itself, the emporium
of petty larceny, visited at early morning and Kctting-iu of dusk
hy ftihiit merchants, who traffic in dark back- par h hi rs, and gn
Oft strangely as ihey came- Here the clothesman, the shoe-
vamper, and the rag-merchant display their goods as sign-
boards to the petty thief: and stores of old iron and booes,
and heaps of mildewy A-agmenis of woollen-stuff and linen, runt
and rot in the grimy ct.-Uar8.
It was into this place that the Jew turned. He was welU
known to the sallow denizens of the lane, for such of them u
VOL- III. Q
sio
OLIVER TWrST.
were on the look-out to liu^ or sell, iiotldiH) familiarly as he
pas8C<l along, lie replied to tliojr salutations in the ^me way,
but bestowed no closer recognition until he reached the further
end of the alley, when he stopped to address a salesman of small
stature, who had stiurczcd as much of his periion into a child's
ch.-ur as the chair would hold> and vras smoking a pipe at his
warehouse- dmir.
'*Why, the si^ht of you, Mister Fngin, would cure the hop-
talniy !" said this respectalile trader, in acknowledgment of the
JewV inquiry after his health.
" The neif^hhourhood was a little ton hot, Lively T said Fa-
gin, elevating his eyebrow», and croi>sing his hand* upon his
iihouIdcr&.
** Well ! I Ve hcerd that complaint of it once or twice before,"
replieil the trader, '* but it soon coolii down again ; don'^t you
find it so?"
Fa^n nodded in the ntfirmativc, and, pointing in the direc-
tion of Safrron Vlill, inquired whether any one waa up yonder
to-night.
"At the C'ripplen?" inquired ihe man.
The Jew nocined.
" Let me see !" pursued Ihe merchant* reflecling. " Yes ;
there's some half-do/xn of 'em gone in, that I knows on. I
don't think your friend "'s there."
" Sikes is not, 1 suppose?" inquired the Jew, with a disap-
poinied countenance.
" .\'oM htwenliis, as the lawyers say," replied the little man,
shaking his head, and looking amazingly sly. " Have you got
anything in my line tonight ?"
*' Nothing to-night," said the Jew, turning away.
*' Arc you going up to the Cripples, Fngin ?" cried the little
man, calling after him. ** Stop ! I don't mind if 1 have a drain
there with you V*
But as the Jew, looking back, waved his hand to intimate
that lie preferred being alone ; and, moreover, as the little man
could not very easily disengage himself from the chair, the sign
of the Cripples was, for a time, bereft of the advantage of Mr.
Lively's prcsenre. By the time he had got upon his legs the
Jew hail disappeared ; so Mr. Lively, after ineffectually standing
on tip-toe, in the hope of catching sight of him, again forced
himself into the little chair, and, exclianging a shake of the head
with a lady in the opposite shop, in which doubt and mistrust
were plainly mingled, resumed his pipe with a grave ilemeunour.
The Three Cripples, or rather the (^ripples, which was the sign
by which the establishment was familiarly known to its patrons,
was the same public-house in which Mr. Sikes and his dog have
already figured. Merely making a sign to a man in the bar,
Fogin walked straight up stairs, and opening the door nf a
foom, and softly insinuating himself into the chamber, looked
OLIVBR TWIST.
SIl
anxiously about, blmding tiU eyes with his haDd, as if in learcti
of some particular person.
Tlie room was ttUiminated hy two gas-lights, the glare of
ik'liicb was prevented, by the barred shutters and clo»ely-iirawn
curtains of faded red, from Wing visiblti outside. The ceiling
was blackened, to prevent its colour being injured by the flaring
of the lamps ; and the place was so full of dense tobacco-smoke,
that at first it was scarcely possible to discern aiiytliing further.
By tlegrpes, however, as some of it cleared away through the
open door, an assemblage of heads, as confused as the DOtses
that greeted the ear, might be made out ; aud, as the eye grew
more accustomed to the scene, the spectator gradually became
aware of the presence of a iiunierous company, male and female,
crowded round a lung table, at the u]([h.t end of which sat a
chairman with a hammer of office in his liand, while a profo*-
•ional gentleman, with a bluish nose, aiid his face tied up for
the benefit of a tooth-ache, presided at a jingling piano in a
remote comer.
As Kagin stepped softly in, the professional gentleman, run-
ning over the keys by way of prelude, occasioned a general cry
of nnler for a song ; which havhig sul>&ided, a young lady pro-
ceeded to enterlain the company with a ballad in four verses,
between each of which the !UMX>nipanyist played the melody all
through as loud as he could. When this was over, the cnair-
nuui gave a sentiment; after which, the professional gentlemen
on the chairman's right and left volunteered a duet, and sang it
with great applause.
It was curious to observe some faces which stood out promi-
nently from among the group. There was the chairman him-
aelf, the landlord of the house : a coarse, rough-, heavy-built
fellow, who, while the songs were proceeding, rolled his eyes
hither and thither, and, seeming to give himself up to joviaiity*
bad an eye for everything that was done, and an ear for every-
[thing that was said, — and sharp ones, too. Near him were the
'■iogerB, receiving with profesMonul Indifference the compliments
of the company, and applying themselves in turn to a dozen
Eroflered glasses of spirits and water tendered by their more
Digteraua admirers, whose countenances, expressive of almost
, every vice in almost every grade, irresistibly attracted the at*
^tention by their very repulsiveueas. Cunning, ferocity, and
drunkenness in all its stages were there in I heir stmngest as|>cct3 ;
and women — some with the last lingering tinge of their early
freshness almost fading as you looked, and others with every
nark and stamp of their sex utterly beaten out, and presenting
but one loathsome blank of profligacy and crime; some iners
rls, others but young women, and none past the prime of life,
■fonned the darkest and saddest portion of this dreary picture.
Fagin, troubled by no grave emotions, looked eagerly from
UiCK to face while these proceedings were in progreat, but appai-
•ftritX TWIST.
* ikal of which he was id aearcL
the uvo of the man who
im slightly, ami left the
I 4» tfur vou, Mr. Fa^iu r^ Hoflly inquired tW
~ hiM out tu the landing. " Won't you yan
^^ X^0ft% W iMichted, every one of *em.
hu lH«d impatiently, and said in a whispn-t
^AMaavtwaofBArney?^ inquired Fagin.
• NtWffv'* lv^lli^^^ till- landlord of the Cripples, for it was he.
**n« «««iS fttir till it 'a all safe. Depend on it that they 're on
IIm- K««t ^kiwn then', and that if he moved be 'd blow upon the
iWkc at unoe< Hr \ all right enough, Harney is ; else I should
Wvf hvard of him. I 'U pound it that Barney "s managing
|W\>|«rtW. 1^1 hiin ttUme f»»r that."
^' Wtll ke Imt here to-night r^ asked the Jew, laying the same
nni^tit on the pronntin as before.
^'Mtmk* do you tnenni^' inquired the landlord, hesitating.
»* Huth I" Mud the Jew. " Ves."
•* Certain," replied the man, drawing a gold watch from hi»
R«b; '*lcx|)ected him liert- hofore now. If you'll wait ten
minutl^s he'll be "
" Ni», no,* Mi3 (he Jew haittily, aft though, howe\er desirous
he might Ix' to see the (K-Tnon in quettion, he was nevertheless
rclicvevl by hi» abitcnee. *' Tell him I rame here to sec him.
Mid that lie musi come to me to-nipht ; no, bay to-morrow-
Aa ht» b not hen*, to-morrow will be lime enough."
•• Oood !" Raid the man. " Nothing more ?"
" Not a word now," xnld the Jew, dtTwending the stairs.
*'' 1 «ayt" Haid the other, looking over the rails, and speaking
in a hoartc whiNinr : *^ what a time thin would be for a sell !
1 Ve got I'hil linrkor here, so drunk, that a boy might take
him."
•■ Aha I Hilt il 'a not I'liil Itarker'a time," said the Jew, look-
ing up. " Phil han somelliing more to do hefort we can afford
to pan with him j no go back lo the company, my dear, and
|«|1 them lo h-ad merry lives — white they iatt. Ha ! ha • ha !*
Thv landloul rwiprix*ated the old man's laugh, and returned
lo hit guvtitK. Till' Jew waR no sooner alone than his counte-
naiKv rv^niuttl tin former expression of anxiety and thought.
After a brief retl*-etioii, he called a hack^ahriolet, and bade the
mau «lrivQ towani* IWlhnal Green. He diBuiisset] him within
■iMiH< qtiarler nf a mile of Mr. Sikes's residence, and p^rfornied
ihr ■h*wl h-mitinder of the distance on foot.
" .Now," mutten\l the Jew as. he knocked at the door, "if
ihcrv i* any vUvp pUy here, 1 shall have it out of you, my girl,
OLIVER TWIST.
SIS
She was in her room, the woman kbIiI ; so Fagin crept raftly
tip-slairs, and entered it without any previous ceremony. The
pirl was alone, lying with her head upon the table, and her
hair strangling over it. " She has been drinking," thought the
Jew coolly, "or perhaps ahe is only miserable'*
The oKi man tuinoil to close the door as be made this reflec-
tion, and the nuise thus occasioned rouseil the girl. She eyed
his crafty face narrowly as she inquired whether there was any
news, and listened to his recital of Toby Crackit's story. AVheo
it was concluded, she sunk into her former attitude, but spoke
not a word. She pushed the cnndle impatiently away, and once
or twice, aa she feverishly changed her position, »huffled her feel
upon the ground ; but this woe all.
During this silence, the Jew looked restlessly about the room,
84 if to a»8ure himself lh«t ihert- were no appearances of Sikes
having covertly returned. Apparently satisfied with Iiis in-
spection, he coughed twice or Itince, and made as many cfTorti;
to open a conversation ; but the girl heeded hiiu no more (huii
if he had been made of stone. At length he made another
attempt, and, rubbing his hands together, said, in bis moat
concihatory lone,
"And where should you think Bill was now, my dear ; eh?"
The girl moaned out some scarcely ititeltigihlc reply, that
the could not tell; and seemed, from the hair-»motherea noiw
that escaped her, to be crying.
"And the boy, too,** said the Jew, straining his eye* to
catch a glimpse of her face. " Po(»r leelle child .'—left in a
ditch, Nance; only think!"
** The child," *aid the girl, suddenly looking up, " is better
where he is, than amttng us: and, if do harm comes to Bill
from it, I hope he lies dead in the ditch, and that his young
bones may rot there."
*' Wliat !" cried the Jew in amazement
" Ay, I do," relumed the girl, meeting his gaze. " I shall
be glad to have him away from my eyes, and to know that
the worst is over. 1 cun't bear to have him about nia : the
nght of hint tunis me against myself and all of you."
" Pooh !" said the Jew scornfully. *' You 're drunk, girl.*'
** Am I ?" cried the girl bitterly. ** It's no fault of yours if
I am not ; you *d never have me anything else if vou had your
■will, except now ! — the hunmur doesn't suit you, jloesn'l it ?**
•■■ No !*' rejoined the Jew furionitly- *' It doe* not I'^
"Change it, then !" re^pondetl the girl with a lau^h.
"Change it!" exclaimed the Jew, exasiicrated lieyond all
bounds by his companion's unexpected ubalmncy and tht^ vexa-
tion of the night, " I will change it ! Listen to uiv, you drab I
listen to me, who with si\ words can strangle Sikes ns surely as
if I had his bulfn throat between my fingers now. If he comes
backj Rud leaves that boy buiiiad him, — if lie gels ott' five, and.
2U
OLIVER TWIST.
dead or alive, fail* to restore him to me, murder him yourself if
you would have hira escape Jack Ktlclj, and do it the moment
he ficis foot ill this room, or, mind me, it will be too late I" ■
" What is all this ?" cried the girl involuntarily.
" What is it !" pursued Fagm, mad with ra^^. " This !
When ihe boy 's worth hundreds of pounds to me, am I to lose ■
what chance threw me in the way of getting ufdy, throughl
tbc whims of a drunken gang that I could whistle away the
lives of, — and me bound, too, to a born devil that only wants
the will, and has got tlw power to, to "
Panting for breath, the old man stammered for a word,
and in that one instant cheeked the torrent of his wrath, and
changed bis whole demeanour. A moment before, his clencbcd
hands had grasfied the air, his eyes had dilated, and his face
grown livid with passion ; but now he shrunk into a chair, and, ,
cowering together, trembled with the ajiprehermion of having'
himself discloBed some hidden villany. After a short silence
be ventured to look round at hh companion, and appeared
somewhat reassured on beholding brr in the sjitne listless at-
titude from which he had 6rst roused her.
" Nancy dear i" croaked the Jew in his usual voice. " Did
yon mind me, dear ?"
"Don't worry m« now, Fagin!" replied the girl, raising
her bead languidly. "If Bill has not done it this time, he
will another: be lias done many a good job for you, and will
do many more when he can ; and when he can't, he w*on't, and
so no more about that."
" Regarding this boy, my dear ?" said the Jew, rubbing the
palms of his hands nervously togclher.
"The boy mn:*t fake his chance with the rest,* interrupted
Nancy hastily ; **8nd I say again, 1 hope he is d«ad, and out
of hann^ way, and out ol'^ yours, — that is, if Bill comes to no
harm ; and, if Toby got clear off, he 's pretty sure to, for ho 's
worth two of him any time."
"And about what I was saying, my dear?'' observed the
Jew, keeping his gli&tening eye Rteadily upon Ikt.
" You must »ay it all over again if ii 'b anything you want
roe to do," rejoined Nancy; **and if it is, you tiad better
wait till to-morrow. You put mc up for a minute, but now I 'm
Ktupid again.""
Fagin put several other questions, all with the same drifk
of ascertaining whether (he girl had i)rofited by his unguarded
hints ; but she answered them sa readily, and was withal so utter-
ly unmoved by bis searching looks, that his original iuiprmsion
of her being more than a trifle in liquor was fully confirmed.
Miss Nancy, indeed, was not exempt from a failing which was
very common among the Jew"*!) female pupils, and in which in
their tefxierer years they were rather encouraged than chi-ckctL
Her disordered appearance, and a wholesome perfume of Ge-
OLIVER TWIST.
215
neva which pervaded the apnrtmetit, afforded strong conlirni-
atory evidence of the justice of ihe .few's supposition ; and
whpn, after indul^ng in the temporary display of vi<ilence
above described, she subsided, first into dullness, and aftt^rwardu
into a compound of feflines under the influence of which she
«he(\ tears one minute, and m the next gave utterance to various
[ exclamations of " Never eay die !" and divers calculations a& to
what might be the itmount of the odds fu> lon^ a-< a lady or gt^n-
leman were happy, Mr. Fagin, who had had considerable i-x-
perience uf such matters in his lime, saw with great satisfaction
that she was very far gone indeed.
Having eased his mind by this discovery, and accompUsbcd
his two-fold abject of imparting to the girl what he had that
night heard, and aurertnining with his own eyes that Hikes hnd
not returned, Mr. Fagin again turned his face homeward, leav-
ing his young friend asleep with ht-r heml uiwn the tabic.
It wajf within an hour of midnight, and the weather being
dark and piercine cold, he had no great temptation to loiter.
The vharp wind that scoured the streets heemcd to have cleared
them of passengers as of dust and mud, for few people were
•broad, and they were lo all apjK'arance hastening fa*t home.
LJt Mew from the right quarter for the* Jew, however: aud straight
"fcefore it he went, trembling and shivering as every fresh gust
drove him rudely on his way.
He had reached the corner of his own street, and was already
fumbling in his pocket for the door-key, when a dark figure
emerged from a projecting entrance which lay in deep shadow,
■nd, crossing the road, glided up to him iinpercdved.
" Fagin !"' whift[jered a voice close to his car.
" Ah !" said the Jew, turning quickly round. ** Is that' "
*' Yes !** interrupted the stranger harshlv. " I have been
lingering here these two hours. Where toe devil have you
been?"
"On your business, mv dear,** replied the Jew, glancing un-
easily at hilt companion, and slackening his pace a^ he spoke.
*'Ou your business all night.'"
** Oh, (if course r said the stranger, with a sneer. "Well;
and what \ come of it ?"
** Nothing good,' said the Jew.
"Nothing Iwul, I hope !" said the stranger, stopping short,
and turning a stirtlrd look upon his companion.
The Jew sliook Ids head, and was about to reply, when the
stranger, interrupting him, motioneil to the house, before which
thpy had by this time arrived, and remarked that he had better
say wimt he had got to say, under cover, for his blood was chill-
ed with standing about bo long, and the wind blew through
him.
Fagin looked B5 if he could have willinply rxcusod him*elf
from taking tiume a visitor at that unseasonable huur, and mui-
115
OUrZK TVUT.
homt facriag no foe; boC Ui
MiiiB^ ki» imu—l m * pcmpptory Butaarr, be antockcd tW
itmt, Md liyufcJ Ihbi to dene it aoAlT, vfadle he ^ « ligbl.
^ it's ■• Mrit ■• the fcnvf," cssd the maa, pafwag Ibrvmid
afcvMcpi. '^MakebMCe; Ihatetfa«r
*-S)Mit tibedoor." wfaispend F«(>ia &«■■ die nxl of tbe pn-
mf^ A» ht ipoie. it doNd vith a load nabr.
** TWf vavt oiT dong," Mid the odHr naa, frdmg tot mr.
" The wmd blew h to, or it khut of its own accord : ooe or the
«Chcr. Look iharp with the light, or I fthall knock nj brains
•■K ryfrr^ aofDetfatnjt io tfaii confoudded bofe."
Fagia Mcahfaily deaomded the kiicheo Main, and, after &
ihatt abteoee, maraed with a Li|^ud candle, and the inidli-
Ipaee that Tubv Crackit was asleip in the back-rooin below, and
the hayi in the front one. Beckootog the other man to fbUov
him, lie led the war up stain.
'* We can say the few words we're got Co ^y, in here, injr
dear," said ihc Jew, throwing open a ckior on ibe first floor ;
** Utd u lh*fTK are holes iu the »hutters, and we nerer show
UriiU tu uur neiirhbuurih we'll tel the candle on the slairs-
TTiert. !-
With iheNe u-urds, the Jew^ stooping down, placed the candle
on an upper flight uf stairs exactly opposile the room dour, and
led the way into the apartment, which was deslilule nfall mov-
■bka tare a broken ariri-chair. and an old coucti or Bofa, without
rovrring, which bio<k1 behind the door. L'pon this piece of fur^
niture the stranger flung himself with the air of a weary man ;
and, the Jew drawing up the arm-chair opposite, they sat face
to face. It was nut t^uitf ilark, for the door was partially open,
and the candle outside threw a fceUe reflection on the oppoMte
wall.
1'hcy conversed for mme time in whispers; and, although no-
thing of the cutiverfatiun was distinguishable beyond a few dis-
jointed wurda here and there, a li.stener might easily have per-
ceived that Fagin appeared to be defending himself against
some reniorks of the stranger, and that the Utter was in a state
of cnnniJerable irritation. They might have been talking thus
for a quarter of an hour or more, when Monks — by which name
the Jew had designaled the strange man nereral times in tlie
course of their colloquy— ^uid, ruihmg his voice a little,
"I tell you again it was badly plannetl. Why not have
kept htm here among the rest, and made a sneaking, snivelling
pickpcK-ket or him at once?"
•' ( »nly heHf him ( ' exclaimed the Jew, shrugging his shoulders.
" Why I do you niejin to wiy v<"i couldn't have diine it if
you hiul chosen?" demanded Monks stcrnlv- *' Haven't you
done it with other b«»y8 scores of limes? If you had had pa-
tience (or a twelvemonth at most, couldn't you have got him
cuiivictod and sent safely uiit of the kingdom, pcrliaps fnr life.''''
OLIVBR TWIST.
tl7
'* WTiose lurn would that have Bcrved, my dear?'* in<|uired
the Jew hunibty.
"Mint?," replied Monks.
** But oot mine." said the Jew submissively. " When there
are two parties to a bargain, it is only reasonable that the inte-
rest of both should be considted ; is it, my good friend ?**
■* What then ?" demanded Monks sulkily.
** I saw it waii nut easy to train him to the business,^' replied
the Jew ; " he was not like other boys in the same circum-
stances.'"
" Curse him, no !" muttered the man, *' or he would have
been a thief long ago.*'
" 1 had no hold upon him to make him worse," pursued the
Jew, anxiously watching the countenance of his companion; "his
hand was not in; I had nothing to frighten him with; which
we always must have in the beginning, or we labour in vain.
WItat could I du P Hend him out with the Du<lger and (.'bar-
ley ? We had enough of that at firtil, my dear; I trembled for
U8 all."
'* That was not my doing," observed Monks.
" No, no, my dear !" renewed the Jew, " and I don't quarrel
with it now ; because, if it had never happened, you might never
have clapped eyes ujion the boy tci notice him, and sii led to the
discovery that it wa-i him you were looking for. Well ; I got
him back for you by iiiean& of the girl, and then »ht begins
to favour him."
"Throttle the girl !" said Monks impatiently-
"Why, we can't afford to do that just now, my dear," re-
plied the Jew, smiling ; *' and, besides, that sort of thing is
not iu our wuy, or one of these days I might be glad to have
it done. I know what these girls are, filonks, well; as soon
as the boy begins to harden, she *ll care no more for him
than for a block of wood. You wuul him made a thief: if he is
alive, I can niuke him one from this lime; and if — if — " said
ihe Jew, drawing nearer to the other, — *' it 's not likely, mind» —
but if the worst comes to the worst, and he is ilead "
" It 's no fault of mine if he is !" interposed the other man
with a look of terror, and clasping the Jew s arm with trembling
handfl. ** Miud ihat, Kagin ! I had no hand in it. Anything
but his death, 1 told you from the 6rst. 1 wuuH »hed blood ;
it's always found out, and haunts a man iK-sides ! If they
shot him dead, 1 was not the caui^e ; do you hear mc ? Fire
this infernal den ! — what 's that ?"
*' What !" cried tbc Jew, gra.sping the cuwnrd round the
body with both arms as he sprung to his feet. " Where ?"
" Yonder !" replied the man, glaring at the oppubite wall.
*^ The shadow — I saw the shadnw of a woman in a cloak and
bonnet pass aluiig the wainscot like a breath !'"
The Jew released hia bold, and they ru»hvd tuoiulluc
SIS
OLIVER TWIST.
fnHB the rtxim. Tbc vaiidle, wasted by the drauffbt, vra& staod-
ittg where it had been places!, and showed ihem the emply stair-
cases, and tlieir uwii while faces. 'J'hey listened inteutl'y, hut
a profiHiiid Kilciice mif^iiLt] liiroii^hout the house.
" It's your fancy," said ihc Jew, taking up the light, and
tumiDf; to his conipaiiion.
** I 'U swear I saw it !" replied Monks, trembling violently,
^* It was bending forward when 1 saw it first, and wheo 1 spoke
it darted away."
The Jew glauced contempt unusly «t the pale face of hts as-
sociate, and, telling him he could follow if he plen<ied, ascended
tbe stairs. They looked into all the rooms; they were cold,
bare^ and empty. They descended to the nassage, and thence
into tht cdlars below. The green damp Imng upon the low
vmlls, and the tracks of the snail and slug glistened in the light,
but all wms still as death.
'•What do you think nnw, my dear?" said the Jew, when
tbey had regaiofd the j>a9S3ge. '^ l5e8ides ourselves, there ''s not
• rrvttlure in ihc house except Toby and the boyis and they ^re
aafir enough. S«e here !"
As • proof of the fact, the Jew drew forth two keys frooi his
packet; and mptained thai when he first went down stairn tie
nd todted th^ in, to prevent any intru^on on the con-
ThbacruniuUlod testimony effectually staggered Mr. Monks.
Hts protestations had gradually become le^s and less vehement
M ibey proceeded in their search without making any discovery ;
■■d now be gave veot to several very grim laughs, and confessed it
could only bitve been his excited imagiimliun. He declined any
rmewal of the ranversatlon however for that night, suddenly
remembering that it was past one o'clock ; and so the amiable
eotiple parted.
cnArren tiik fifth
Aioyu ros nu PuroLttEKUs or a roiiMciL ciiAPTi.it, whicu Di:»r.KTti>
« LAbT UnST L'XCr.BtMOtiKIUSLV.
As it vould be by no means seemly in a humble author
to keep to mighty a personnge ns a beadle waiting with his
h««.-k to a 6rv, and the skirts of his coat gathered up under his
arms until such time as it utight suit his pleasure to relieve
him; and as- it would still less become bin station nr his gal-
lantry' to itivulve in the same neglect a lady on whom thai be.!-
dle had lottketl with an eye of tenderness and affection, and in
whoit ear he bad whispered sweet words, which, coming from
Kich a quarter, might well thrill the bosom of maid or matron
of wlwtMH-ver degree; tlie faithful historian whose pen traces
ihcM' words, trusting that be knows his plare, and entertains a
bciXHoiitg reverence for those upon earth to whom high and im-
OLIVER TWIST.
sig
porUnt autliority is delegated, hastens to pay them that respect
which their position demands, and to treat them with all that
duteous ceremony whjcli their exalted rank and (by conse-
quence) great virtues imperatively claim at his hands. Towards
this end, iudecd, he had purposed to introduce in this place a
dissertation touching the divine right of beadle«, ami elucida-
tive of (he pi)»itiun that a beadle can do no wrong', which
could not fail to have been both pleasurable and pro6iable to the
riglit-inindfd rtader, but which he is unfortunately compelled
by want of time and space to postpone to some more convenient
and fitting opportunity ; on the arrival of which, he will be pre-
pared to show that n befidle properly constituted— that is to
lay, a parochial beadle attached to the parochial workhouse,
and attending in his official capacity the parochial church, — is,
in right and virtue of his office, possessed of all the excellencies
and beit (|ualitie& of humanity ; and thai to Done of those ex-
cellencies can mere companies* beadles, or court-of-Iaw beadles,
or even chapel-of-ett»e beadles (fave the last in a very lowly
and inferior degree), lay the remotest sustainable claim.
Mr. Bumble bad re-counted the tea-spoons, re-weighed the
sugar-tongB, made a closer inspection of the millt-pot, and ascei^
toined to a nicety the exact condition of the furniture down to
the very horse-hair seats of the chairs, and had repeated each
process full half-a-dozen times, before he began to think tliat ft
was time for Mrs. Corney to return. Thinking begets think-
ing ; and, as there were no sounds of Mrs. Corney** approach,
it occurred to Mr. Bumble that it would be an innocent and vir-
tuous way of spending the time, if lie were further to allay Ms
curio<iity by a cursory glance at the interior of Mrs. Corney**
chest of drawers.
Having listened at the key-hole to assure himself that nobody
was approaching the chamber, Mr. Bumble, beginning at the
bottuu), proceeded to moke hiuiiielf acquainted with the cuateuts
of the three long drawers ; which, being tilled with various gar-
ments of good fashion and texture, carefully preserved between
twolayertt of old newspaper hfieckled with dried lavender, seem-
ed to yield bim exceeding satisfaction. Arriving in courK of
time at the right-hand comer drawer (in which was the kej),
ami U-holding therein a »mall padlocked box, which, being
ihaLen, gave forth a pleasant MHind as of the chinking of coin,
Mr. Humble rttumed with a stately walk Co the fire-place, and,
resuming liis old attitude, said, with a grave and determined air,
""I 'U do it r lie followed up this remarkable declaration by
■baking his head in a waggish manner for ten minutes tui
though he were remonstratmg with himself fur lieing such m
pleasant dog; and then toi^ a view of his legs in pro6Ie with
nnich seeming pleasure and interest.
He was still plftcidty engaged in this Utter survey when Mrtm-
Comej, hurrying into the waaif threw herself in a breat' '
220 OLIVER TWIST,
State oil a cliuir by the fire-side, and covering her eves with one
hand, placed the other over her heart, and gasped for breath-
" Mrs. Cornev," said Mr. Biimbl^e, «ti.joping over the ma-
tron, "what is this, ma'am? has anything happened, ma'am?
Prav answer me; I'm on— on — " Mr. Bunilile in liis alarm
could not immediately think of the word '* tenterhooks," so he
said " broken bottlen."
** Oil, Mr. Bumble !" cried the lady, " I have been bo dread-
fully put out !"
" Put out, ma'am 1" exclaimed Mr. Bumble ; " wTio has dared
to — ? I know !" said Mr. Humble, checking himsidf with native
majesty. " this is them wicious paupers !" .
" It's dreadful to think of !" said the ladv, Rhuddcring.
**Then doiit think of it, ma'am," rejoined Mr. Bumble.
" I can't help it," whimpered the lady.
*'Then lake soinetbinf;, ma'am,'' said Mr. Bumble soothing-
ly. *' A little ijf the wine ?"
"Not for the world T replied Mrs. Corncy. ** I couldn't —
oh ! The top shelf in the right-hand comer — oh i" Uttering
these words, the good lady pointed distractedly to the cupboard,
and underwent a convultuon from internal spa&ms. Mr. Bum-
ble rushed lo the closet, and, snatching a pint green-glass hot-
tie from the shelf thus incoherently indicated, filled a tea-cup
with its contents, and held it to the lady's lipt^.
"I'm better now,*" said Mr». Coroey, falling back after
drinkini; half of it.
Mr. Bumble raised his eyc« piously to the ceiling in thank-
fulni^M, and, bringing them down again to the brim of the ciipr
lifted it to his nofic.
"Peppermint,"' explained Mrs. Comcy in a faint voice, smil-
ing gently on the beadle an &he spoke. *'Try it ; there's a
little — a little something else in it."
Mr. Bumble tasted the medicine with a doubtful look ;
smacked his lips, took another taste, and put the cup down
empty.
" It's very comforting," said Mrs. Corney.
*'Very much m> indeed, ma'am," said the beadle. As he
spoke, he drew a chair beside the matron, and tenderly in-
quired what had happened to distress her.
*' Nothing," replied Mrs. Corney. " I am a foolish, excit-
H able, weak creelur."
H *' Nui weak, ma'am," retorted Mr. Bumble, drawing his cliair
H a little closer. *' Are you a weak creelur, Mrs. Corney ?"'
H " We are all weak creelurs," said Mrs. Corney, laying down
H a general principle.
^^—^ " So we are," said the beadle.
^^H Nothing was said on either side for a minute or two after-
^^^ wards; and by the cx]»iration of that time Mr. Bumble had illus-
^^^ traied the position by removing his left arm from the back of
OLIVBR TWIST.
2^1
:Mrs. Corner's cliair, where it had previoiisly restetl, to Mrs.
'Comey's apron-string, round which it gradually t)ccame on-
twined.
" We are all weak creeturs," said Mr. Bumble.
Mra. Corney sighed.
" Don't sign, Mrs. Corney," said Mr. Bumble.
** I can't help it," Kuiil Mrs. Curiiey ; and she sighed again.
** This is a very comfortable room, ma'am," Raid Mr. Bumble,
looking round. " Auottior room and thi», ma'am, would be a
complete tiling."
•' it would be too much for one," murmured the lady.
" But not for two, ma'am," rejoined Mr. Bumble in soft ac-
cents. " Kb, Mrs. Coruey ?"
Mrs. ('orncy drooped her head when the beadle said this, and
the Iwadle druojwd his to get a view of Mr». Corney's face.
Mrs. Corney with great [iropriety turned her head away, and re-
leased her hand to get at her pocket-handkerchief, but insensi-
bly replaced it in that of Mr. Bumblu,
** The board allow you coals, don't they, Mrs Corney ?" af-
fectionately inquired the iK-adle, pressing her hand.
** And candh"*,'' replied Mrs. Corney, slighlly returning the
pressure.
" Coals, candles, and house-rent free," said Mr. Bumble.
•* Oh, Mrs. Corney, what a angel you are !"
The lady was not proof against thia burst of feeling. She
sunk into Mr. Bumble's arms ; and that gentleman, in his agita-
tion, imprinted a passionate kii-s upon htr chaste nose.
*'Such jiomchial perfection !" exclaimed Mr. Bumble raptu-
rously. ** You know that Mr. Slout is worse to-night, my
fascinator ?"
" Yes,^ replied Mrs. Corney bashfully.
*• He can't live a week, the doctor says," pursued Mr. Bumble.
** He IK the master of this establishment : his death will cause a
wacancy ; that vacancy must be filled up. Oh, Mrs. Cornev,
what a prospect this opens ! \Vbat a opportunity for a joining
of hearts and housekeeping t"
Mrs. Corney subbed.
"The little word?" said Mr. Bumble, bending over the bashful
beauty. ** The one little, little, little word, my blessed Corney •"*
" \ c — ye — ye» !" sighed out the nisiron.
" One more," pursued the beadle ; " compose your darling
feelings for only one more. When is it to come off. ^
Mrs. Corney twice essayed to speak, and twice failed. At
length, summoning up courage, she threw her arms round Mr.
Bumble's neck, and said it might be as soon as ever be pleased,
and that he was " a irresistible duck."
Matters being thus amicably and satiftfactorily arranged, the
contract wa^ solemnly ratittt-a in another tea-cu|i-full of the
peppermint mixture, which was remlered the more necessary
faft OLIVER T\TJST.
by tlie flutter and agitatiun of Uil* lady's spirits. While it was
beJD^ disponed of, slie ncquainted Mr. Butntile witli the «ld
woman's decease.
" Very gotxl," said that gentlvinao, sippiuj; liis pepponuint.
" I'll cull at Sowcrberrv's as I ^ home, and lell hiin to send
to-morrow Tnomiiifr. M'as it that as frightened y»u, lovcT*
*' It wasn't anylhinj; particular, dear/' said the lady evasively.
" It must have been somethin;^, love," urged ftlr. Bumbie.
" Won't yon tell your own B. ?"
"Not now," rejoined the lady; "one of these days, — after
we're married, dear."
** After we're tnftrried I"* exclaimed Mr. Bumble. ** It wasn't
any impudence from any of tliem male paupers ait "
*' ISOf no, love !" interposed the lady hastily.
*' If I thought it was," cuntinueti Mr. Bumble, — ** if I
thought any one of 'em had dared to lift his wulgar eyes to that
lovely countenance — "*
"Tliey wouldn't have dared to do it, love," lespondwl the
lady.
'*They had better not!" said Mr. Bumble, cleochiojE his
fist. " lict me see any man, j>orochial or extra-poroehial. as
would presume to do it, and 1 can tell him that he wouldn't do
it A second time !"
Uucmbcllished by any violence of gesticulation, this might
have sounded as no very high compliment to tlic lady's charms ;
but, as Mr. Bumble accompanied the threat with many warhke
gesture!^ she was much touched with this proufuf his devulinn,
and protested with great admiration that he was indeed a dove.
The dove then turned up his coat-cullar, and put on his
awkcd-hat, luid, having fxchaiiged a long and affectionate cm-
brace with his future partner, once again brave<l the cold wind
of the night; merely pausing for a few minutes in the male
f>auptTrs' ward to abuse them a little, with tlie view of satisfying
iimnelf that he could fill the office of workhouse-master with
nefdful acerbity. Assured uf his qualilications, Mr. Bumble
left the building with a light heart, and bright visions of his
future promotion, which served to occupy his mind until he
reached the shop of the undertaker.
Now, Mr. and Mrs. Sowcrberry having gone out to tea and
supper, and Noah Claypole not being at any time disposed to
take upon lumself a greater amount of physical exertion than is
necessary to a convenient performance of the two functions of
eating and drinking, the shop was not closed, although it was
East the usual hour uf shutting-u^. Mr. Bumble tapped with
is cane on the counter several times ; but, attracting no at-
tention, and beholding a light shining through the glass-win-
dow of the titde pariour at the back uf the shop, he made bold
to iH'cp in and see what was going forward ; and, when he
saw wliat was guing forward, he was not a little surprised.
OLIVEa TWIKT.
The ointh was laid (or Buppcr, oiid tlie table was utrewMl with
bread ami butter, plates and -{la^M^, s uortL-r-pot, and a. wine-
iKitllc At the upj)er end of tlic table Mr. Ni^ab Cla^pulc
lolled nepHj(ently in an liasy-chair with bis legs thrown over
one of the arms, an open clasp-knife in one hand, and a tna*»
of bulterL'd bread in the other ; close beside him hUxhI Char-
lotte, opening oysters from a barrel, which Mr. Claypolc con-
descended to swallow with remarkable avidity. A more than
ordittary redness in the region of the young gentlenmn's noee»
and a Vind of fixe<l wink in his right eye, denoted that he
was in a slight degree intnxicitcd ; and these syniptoins were
confirmed by the intense relitih with which he look his oysters,
for which nothing but a strong appreciation of thoir cooling
properties in c«sc9 of internal fever could have sufficic'ntly ac-
counted.
•' Here '3 a delicious fat one, Noah dear !" said Charlotte ;
** try him, do ; only this one."
" What a delicious thing is a oyrter P remarked Mr. Clay-
pole after he had swallowed it. " \Vhat a pity it is a number
of 'em should ever make you feci uncomfortable, isn't it, Char-
lotte ?^
*' It '9 quite a cruelty," said Cliarlotle.
"So it is," acquiesced Mr. Claypole- "Ain't yer fond of
'* Not overmuch," replied Charlotte. " I like to lee you
eat 'em, Noah dear, better than eating ihem myself-"
'* Lor' !" said Noah reflectively ; " how queer !"
" Have another?" said Charloiie. " Hen? 's one with such
ft beautif\il, delicate beard !"
" 1 can^t manage any more.'' said Noah. '* I'm very sorry.
Come here, Charlotte, and I *ll kiw yer."
'•What.'" said Mr. Bumble, bursting into the room. "Say
that again, sir."
Charlotte uttered a Rcrcani, and hid her face in her apron ;
while Mr. Claypole, without making any further change in his
|>osition than Kuflering his legs tu reach the ground, gazed at
the beadle in drLUiken terror.
" Say it again, you vile, owdacious fellow !" said Mr. Bum-
ble. "How dare you mention such u thing, sirP and bow
dare you encourage him, you insolent minx? Kiss her!" ex-
daimed Mr. Bumble in strong indignation. *' Kuugh P
" 1 didn't mean to do it !" ^aid Noah, blubbering. "She's
alvavs a-kisstng of me, whether I like it or not."
^ *' Oh, Noah 1" cried Charlotte reproachfully.
'* Ycr are, yer know yer are f ' retorted Noah. *' She 'a al-
ways a-duing of it, Mr. Bumble, sir; she chucks me under the
chin, please sir, and make* all manner of love !"
'* Silence!" cried Mr. Bumble sternly. "Take yourself
down stairs, ma'un! Noah, you shut up the shop^ and say
ftU
THE POPPr.
another vord till your master comes home at your peril ; and,
when he dops come home, tell him that Mr. Humble said he
was to send a old woman's shell after hreakfast to-morrow
morning. 1>q you hear, sir? Kissing!" cried Mr. Bumble,
holding up his hand». "The sin and wickedness uf ihe luwer
orders in this porochial district is frif!;htful ; if parliament
don't take their abominable courses under consideration, this
country 's ruined, and the character of the peasaiilry gone for
eTcr!" With these words the Iwndle strnde, with a lofty and
I j[loomv air, from the imdertaker's premises.
f Ana now that we have atronipiinied him so far on hia road
home* and have made all necessary preparations for the old
wocnan^ funeral, let us set on foot a few inquiries after young
Oliver Twist, and ascertain whether he be lilill lying in the
ditch where Toby Crackit left him.
THE POPPY.
PROU UHLANU.
Seb where, loft crndlfd by ihc wesUrm windi,
'Mong its brijihl iii»t<», ihe trlootninii; poppy ^Innui !
The filumb'roui flower, whose jrarlaud filly binds
ITie drowsy lemplL's of llw; God uf Drcums:
Now Termcil-lintrlured, as i[ liad beeii (lijjpcd
Amid the plow of day's dcpahing red ;
Now wan and [milnl, ;is it had bceu lipp«d
Willi coloun from the .tickly moonbeam* sh«d.
Tliey lold mo, with the vnicf of warning care,
\Vho«*«r b«?:ir»tli (hp poppy sajik lo sleep
Was borne away to a dim wgion, where
\Va« roijglil MVf tirea-ms— dull, passionless, and deep ; —
Nor did the spell wtch nuking hours depnrc ;
Its chiiins still hung upon the soul, and all
That had hefn near^M, dcarrst lo the ht-an,
Se«tn«d shiouded in a visionary pall.
In my life's morn, unlieedinj of the ]jOur>,
Once lay I, minting many an idle talc,
N«iling unseen nmid fair cluaiering flowcn.
Far down within a solitary vale.
Oil ! 'twas a lime with joy and sw<n.-iiieu rifo I
And, while I tcarcdy ofthc cIibiih* did deem,
A picture seemed the oiuving world uf life,
All real tilings wer« only as a dreacD,
E'ct sitirc that hour, within my bmom furled,
ilus lain the golden rision th«n 1 knew; —
My picture— ii has been my living world.
My dream alone been firmly hnu-d .ind true.
The shapos, thai nxe and float around me now.
Bright as ihu sUrs — the eternal jtwrs— are they !
Oh, poppy! flower ur(>oc«y I do thnu
Amoos my loclu entwine and blnom for aye t
E.N.
££5
SIIAKSPEARR PAPERS^No. VI.
TIMON OF ATHENS.
Tub story of Timnn the MUflnthropc was popular not only in hia
nutivc Innd of Greece, but in the Knglish litcrattirc of the Middle
Agea, CldMicftl readers, who &rc of courtie acquainted with the
lively dinlague of LuciAn, were once apt to look upon the pliiIo«opher
of Simofuiti as affording the original of the piny of Shak^pcArc ; but
I duubt if LiiciaHj though familiar tu the learned, was popularly
known evL'i) at the end of the Mxtvcntli century in Kngland. Shak-
speare was indebted for tlie hint, aiid the prtiieipai incidents of hiA
drama, U> Plutarch, trauHlated from the rreiicU of Ainyut by Sir
Thomas Xorth, aiul to Painter's Palace of Pleasure. Dr. Karmcr.
in his very shallow and pretending " Kssay on the Learnitij^ of
Shxkspeare." announce* this important fact amonj; others equiiUv
important, with much flourish ; and thoce who fei^l inclim-d for siicti
inquirieA, will find sutllcient to satisfy their curioxity in the volu-
minous note* gathered by the industry of SFalone, Steevens, and
Boawdl.
To u&c the phraflc of Dr. Fanner, which immediatety succeeda
his notice of Timon, " were this a proper place fir ttitch a disquisi.
tion," t should have something tu suy, not merely on the learning
of ShakspeHrc, — a point on which I differ exceedingly with the
Ataater of Emanuel, — ^but on the utility of learning tu a dramatist. I
should be prepared to contend, that though tlie greater the store of
knowledge, no matter whence derived, — from books, from observa-
tion, from reflection, — possessed by a writer on any aubjert, and the
larger the field whence an authur of works of imagination can cull
or compare, so much more copious will be hia sources of thought,
illustration, ornament, and allusions ; yet that the dramatist, and
indeed the poet in general, (the exceptions are few, and easily ac-
counted for,) should not travel far out of the ortUnsry and beaten
patli fur the main staple and material of his poem. Witliout im-
mediately referring to the (lucstiun of classical learning, many reasons
exist for thinking that Ricmtnl the Third was not so deformed cither
in mind or body a* he i* repreHented in the two plays in which he
appears in ShakHjMfare, or in the single one into which they are both
■omewhat clumsily rolled for tho ilage ; but popular opinion, and
the ordinary chrontclr* of the times, »o represented him, Northern
antiquaries are generally of opinion that Alacheth was the true king,
and that the blood-stained mnnllc of cruelty and oppression ought
to be shifted to the shoulders of the " gracious Duncan," who was
in reality the usurper. In like manner ue can conceive that if the
■uthoritiea of Haxo-tirammuticus or Oeoffry of ^lonmouth could
be hunted up, a different colouring might be given Co the tales of
Hamlet or Leor. But what is all this to the purpose ? It is no part
of the duty of the dramatist to invade the province of the antiquary
or the critic; and yet, for confining hin»f If to Ins proper deparUnent,
he incurs the cenaur«of Farmer, and other personHofthesarae calibre
of intellect. If Shakspeare had had all the concentrated knowledge
of all tlie antiquarian societies of Denmark, Scotland, Norway, or
Wales, he would have completely forgotten, what it waa utUrly im-
vni,. III. ■
HiB
SHAKSPEARE PAPERS.
possible he eliouM forget, — the fiMt principle* of dramatic artj if he
(lei>icte(l iMiicbcth, Lear, or Hamlet in any other manner than that
which he 1ms chrtsen. He would not have taken the trouble, even
if L-diUuiiH oi' Haxo-<Tr(iinniiiticu9 or Hector HoethiiiR were as
plenty as black bt.Tri«3, tii tiim over a single put?' "f their folios.
lie fuund all that his art wanttil in the hii^turiuMK or romance-writers
ol' the day. — in Hall or II ulitiKhed, or the Tragical Ilietury uniuniblet,
and that, tiw, trannlnteil. not tVom the Lntin of the Danish annuUit,
but from the French of the utorj-.teller Belleforeat- ('oinnion 8en«e
wonld dictate this course ; bnt if the learned languages be wanted to
bupport it, I may quote Horace, who, being eminently the poet of
common sente, speaks for all times and countric».
Recttib Iliacum carmen (It'ilincio in acCtut,
QuutD 51 proferres ipioia imlictuque [iriinus.
Take the tale or the legend as tl is popularly believed for the foun-
dation of your drama, and leave to othtrs the obscure glory ofhuut-
inp after new lights, or unhe.ird-of adventure*.
In his classical plutf> the tame principle holds. In his Antony
and Cle(>patr«, Julinii Cwsar, CoriolanuB. and Tinion of Athens, " it
is nnt»rioii«," to one the word» of l>r. Farmer, " that much of his
matter af fact knowledge i« deduced from Plutarch ; but in what
language he read him, hath yet been the f]uefltion." A more idle
question rould not have been asked. He mi^ht, for anythinj; we
know to the contrary, have rend him in Greek ; but for dramatic
purposes he ustd him in English. Sir Thomas North's translation of
Plutiirch WHS a remarkably popular bonk ; and Shakspenre, writing
not for verbal critirs, anxiously collating the version with the ori-
ginal, and on the look-out to catch slips of the pen or mistakes of
the press,' hut for the ordinary fretjticnters of the theatre, con-
* 8udi u i.jdia for LU/jia., in AntAny and t:|[MpittnL. Aet iii. !n^ G.
majg lier
Of liHOi'tir Syria, Cypnis, l,t)ilitt,
Alijtoliite ijuefii,
U])H>n. oormilns it from the tm o{ PJuurrJi, 8ubatitut«d Libya ; and Dr. Johnson
anil othtfTcomini.'rniaioni nili-|>I<*<l tlir oirrii-iinn Farmer Kiui clu* emit tnoi'il uf
diKruiverinK tln«i the iToril in t.i/-iia in North, whoin Stinkuprarr fnllnwiii. It ivns
a |{re«l ikaiac iitdwd that Iil* liml not n»iii:nl ilievrn>r, anil cifUali'*) ihi; Eojiiisl] vith
the (iri^k '. Ill Uie «ame spirir At laKiu-iniit criiifUm It it remiu-ked. tliat Caviar U
matte to leiiv« tu tlif' Huiiiaii )tt^<]i- >ii»);i>MWitk, &c. ** on IhU liilif Tilipr," whereas
i\ (liould be " on lliat tide Til>Fr,"_ihp iiri([inal bring wi(« vS vtrmiuv. North
tnmiLitn it. han-vivir, " on ihU ndr," and Shakupcare aftain Mlow* liim without
tiiniing tA th« (irvrk. F»rm<T, with ati i^lil rhrtArical uriiliro, Htyi, " 1 oouM fiir>
niah you writh many iiiotd initaiiiia, hut tliew! nrv u ^immI u b diimiand." Ilv
had given Mfw — and I extremely doiilii if he ixiuld linve i^ven thrav ini>r«. He
bids ui ** turn to the trsnolniinn friMn the French of Atn^nt, by Thoni&i Nurtli, (n
toKo. I&36, anil yrtii wil] at mice >« ihr origin ul lli« minUkc. It i> hurJ w »»y
in aliat leuir t'amieT am ihr vwatA "origin;" but ih* mhtakfa originate in
Atnyat. who tno^tii* the formrr pMMge " Royne d'i:(r7ptr, da Cypres d#
Ljfdit," and the Utter " ei ^it'il laiunit au pvnplc dt:* jardloi «t rtrjctrf def la
rivirrr ilu Tylire." 1 a^''" "''^b Fanniir, howvver, in thiiikiiif; chat, ifh«iMiuld
adduoo tbn ibnuum) inmiincM of which h« tpcaliB. hit aririinienl wmitil lir nothiii);
the batter. It wnuM tmty ynve that ShBk*pean<. for tho iniiTwi« of Ki» I'laya.
consulird North In i:ngli»h, and not PlitUrch in Orcek ; a Inct ohirJi mny be
mtdily oonceilcd, wnti, u I hare aatd in the tvxt, oontpleiely juatified go the inM
jvinciplot of lli« ilnuna.
I dc not agrM wiili Upton and oUien in th«ir prviposrd altmtion ot tbfw two
ptaaagta, which, tumerer xhtj mav diffi^r fKim ihr text ot Plutarch, I would aiijler
tn remain m ihej ap|>ef>r in tlie fulio, bocauae I am lura thai 6hak«pcarc to wruttr
I
I
I
TIMON OF ATHENS.
sa:
•ulted t>ie volume of the English kiiighti not that of ttie Btroiiaii
biojB;rspher. If he had been as learned as Isaac Cftsaubon, he wuulil
have sL'ted precisely in the name manner. The muiiite and un-
ceasing rtudy of clii»»ical literature since the day* of Shakapeare has
bani«hcd blundrm frnm our editions and translHtiona, and not
even the miwl cjirelestily etliiCitted m-oiiUI dei-tn il prdantic or mis-
placed in a (Irantatiat tn write with a rrmNlniit reference to the
original, nn matter in what langtin^ic, from which he drew his
story ; but, on the otlier hand, wc should deem him a very duU
critic indeed who wouhl inmist upon it that in n play avowedly
written M\er Hooke. or Gibbon, or Clifford, iu author should verify
cTcry quotation, and take care that their authorities were given with
alt the perfections of the Imt " vditio aliis longe locupletior."
Ben Jonson tuuk atiutiier course, and hisEuccvHs «-asas indifTerent
as that of Hhaki^peare was overwJiclming. His 8cj»nu& ami Cati-
line are treasures of learning. Gifl'urd truly uys u? the Utter, that
" the number of writerR whom Jonson has consulted, and the in-
dustry and care with which he has extracted frora them every cir-
cum><tanc« conducive to the elucidation of his phrt, vm only be con-
ceived by those who hnVe occasion to search alU-r his authorities.
He has availed himself ol" almost every sc*tterc<l hint from the age
of KalluDt to that of KHxaheth for the correct formation of his cha-
racters, and pluccd them before our eyes an thcv appear in the
writings of those who lived and acted with them." Die conse-
quence is, that Catiline is absolutely unbearable on the stage, and
fails to please in the closet, because the knowledge with which it
nhouuds is conveyed in an inappropriate form, [f Jonson had be-
rtowed the same pjiins, and expended the same learning, upon a his-
tory of the Catilinarian conspiracyj he might have produced a histo-
Of tb« third, rBr«rr«d 10 iij Dr. Fanner, 1 am Diit mi cirnr. I n AnioRjT and
, Aet iv, Sf. I. Auirii>lu«, in rr|ily to Aiii(iriy'«cliaIIi!iii,'e, layit
livt the nld nifhan know
I have manv otli^r vayt lu >lie~~mritiitiitii?.
Lauxh at hill chnlirng*.
<* What a fVply is Uiii 1" sap UpUMt : " it is ackni>wlecl^ng b« ibtiuM fall uaitr
iba uwiu^ osoihat. But it vre r«Ml.
Let the olJ ruffian knoir
Ifti haih many alhfr ways to die ' maantiniB,
/ laugk at his chaUengv.
«C have the poifcnaiicy uwi the very rcjMrtM at Cvoar in Plutarch." To diif
nt^ng, which faa» Igtii jp.'"*''jlly ■tloytgd, Dr. Fanner uhjecls thai, thmigh it is(«r-
UioJy so In the Gn*k an<i tli« niiMlern translattDn, " Sbakapraro wna midrd tiy itia
■ohifBity cf thfl old onr." Antoniui Mtnl a^sin to cLall«n|te C»ur to li|{bt hinii
Ut wfatdt Ck*ar an*wrM, " Thai he tiail many lUher w«y» Ia (li«." Tlie Donor
Mif(ht to HavD told lis that th« antbijiiiilv liem pructwdcd fruni Amyiit ; *' Ceaar lUT
St npoiiM!, qu'tf svoit Ifeaucoiip d'autrm iDt>>-eiL> tie maurir qua ratuy-lh;" liut it
Is DM an ambiguiiy nf a very punting kJDd. Il appoan to me that Sliakqieaiii
waald have folloveil hi* tfxi litrrally a* uhmI, and iMrrftwed the wnrd *'Ae." I
am, tbrrafnr*, in fanmr of t'pinn'* nadinji; Mpeoally ai it mondi tha metro,
whidi, in the prcsant tczt> b •onewliai out ur j«lnt.
(;«aar t« Antony. l<et the nld niffian know
I llare manv uiImit ways to die — tneaatimCt
L«u|{h ai bit challenge-
JftfV. C'wur niuRt think, Ac,
TW inpgMA MBdinic •Kiuld make it much nnoothvr.
CMar tu Antony. !«! th» old niSian
Know be hath many other ways w die :
ilaaatini^ I langh at 's challence.
Mmt. Canar must tliink. he.
22»
SHAKSPEARE PAPERS.
ricftl trestifc to be applnuded, instesd of a trngedy to be tit iiio»t dw
tolerated, lliii learning oppressed him. lie whs too full of know*
ledge to borrow his plots, not to siiy from North, but from Plutarch
himself. The inaccuracies of the old story-teller would have cnn-
Btanlly shoekeil his jichol;ir-like mind ; and, iiiKtrad of drawing chn-
ractera or inventing idluationit, he w-onld lutve been in perprtiial
?ueat of authorities to corroborate or contradict his principal text,
lad there been any such thing ns a Plutarchian life of CntiUnc, or
*' a Tragical Iliatory of the bloodv conspiracy of Home, showing how
they swore upon a bowl of blooa to burn tlic town, and murder the
senators; with the particiilara of the execution of gome of the con-
spirators, and the kdling of the rert in a blou<iy battle near nnto the
Italian moiintainB Cfllled the Alpea," the eubjerC might have attract-
ed the atleruiun of Sliakspearc, who would have assuredly looked no
farther. The gossiping biographer ur the prating ballad-monger
would suffice lor his purpose ; and all other authors, from the age of
Sallust to that of Elizabeth, might rest unconauHed in peace. We
should, however, have had characters which, if they were not as
correctly formed, " and placeil before our eyes as they appear in the
irrititig.t of those who lived and acted with them," would have been
plmced bt'forc us a» they ajipeared in the eyes of men thenixlves
who saw them live and net. ITe >vou1d not have dre«aed n»
the dry-bones of history^ skeleton-fashion; but clothed them witii
flesh, and sent upon the stage, not critical abstractions, but actual
men. It is usual to talk of the art of Jonson as something opposed
to the genius of Shakspeare. With deference to those who employ
this language, it is not over-wise. In everything material the pos-
Msaion of genius incbiriea the possession of art ; and in their com-
mon pursuit it would be easy to prove that Jonson was as much in-
ferinr in dramatic art, as it is admitted he was in dramatic genius, to
hia illnsitrinus contemporary. I am much mistaken if I could nnt
support my opinion by the authority of no less a person than Aris-
totle liimHelf, of whom Jonson thought so highly as to write a com-
mentary on his Poetics. 1 do not say this out of any disparagement
of that great writer, whose name, on many accounts, stands emi-
nently high for erudition and geniuN in our own, as it would in any
other literature, and whose memory was shamefully i;»*ed by some
of the Sliak^pearian commentatora of tlie last cetitury ; but I refer
to him because the acknowledged failure of his learned dramas af-
fords, in my mind, a full justification of the course pursued by
Shakapeare, and ought to put an end to the idle gabble as to the
learning of him whom I>r. Farmer so complacently calls " the old
bard.' Hut the full discussion of this qnesiion, with the numberless
incidental disquisitions to which it must give rise, would occupy too
large a space to be ventured ujion in the?e 6eeting essays : and might
make the readers of Hentlcy's Bliscellany set me down, if its editor
were ra-.h enough to iiifiict sucit toil upon them, ass bore of the first
magnitude for intruding my dry criticisms upon his pleasant und
festive pages. I am rather afraid that they are something inclined
CO think ]ne so already, and am unwilling farther to jropardy my re-
putation on that »core. I must confine myself to Timon.
Lucian introduces Timon aOer bin fall from riches, besieging
Jupiter with a storm of epithets, and railing at the dotage into
which the god has fallen, and hIa imbecility in permitting so much
I
TIUON OF ATHENS.
evil ill the world. He reminde him uf \hv furnier times, in
which hid lightning Htid thunder were in constant uccupation ;
when bis sgia wss pprpvlually shaken, his bolts darted like clouds
of arrowit, his linil mttlcl down ns throuffh a ftieve; and how once
on a great i»rca»ion he drowned the world in an universal deluge,
leaving but a »parlc of lite behind in a cack-lKwt Hiranded upon hy~
corea for the propagation of greater wickcdncftn. Alter some genera)
reflections, he comes to his own particular case, and upbraidi* the god
for allowing him to he treated with so much ingrfttitude, especially as
he had so often siicrificcd at the jovial festivals with so much libe-
rality. His clamours tiurceed in arreting the nltenciun of Jupiter,
who had been Reared away fur some time from looking into Athens
by the noisy disjiutes of the philosophers : and, ri-co^niging his claims
on divine attention, he deispatches J^lercury to find Pluius, and bring'
him to Timuii in the desert. The meftsenger of the gods willingly
uudertakes the commission; and a pleasant dialogue between him
and Plutus, on the difficulty of keeping ur retaining wealth, the dif-
ference its possession and its want makes in the humnn character,
and other similar topicx, ensues. Plutus im noun introduced to Ti-
moo, drives away Poverty, and del'emU himself against the accusa-
ti<ifU of the miMiiithro)>e, by referring tn his ovrn reckle*:^ extrava-
gance, iind want of discrimination in the choice of Associates. Recom-
mending Timon to dig vigorously, be departs. The digging ia
abunduntly successful. It turns up gold in countless quantities, and
presently arrive troops of flatterere, nlliired by the mere smell of the
mnal. Some who hud treated him with remarkable ingratitude are
among the number, and Timon resolves on vengeance. As one by
one they approach, — some under pretence that their visits were paid
for the sake of doing him service, others promising him public ho-
noura and dignities, — he u^saulla them w-itli hin spade, and sendi
them home Itattcred und broken- headed. At Invt ihu visitors be-
come too numerous fur this clo^e combat ; and determined, like the
old man :n the story, to try what virtue is in etones, he comiiiL-nces
a battery upon them, which soon compels them to retreat, hut
" not," 18 Timon says in the concluding sentence of the dialogue,
" bloodlesa or unwuunded."
Such ia a hasty sketch of what ia generally looked upon to be one
oftbtmost finished coinpotiitions of Lucian. The style throughout
ia nr and airy, (though somewhat hampered by its mythology,
for Plutu« is made to bear the incompatible characters of the (jod of
Gold, and of gold lUelf, which every now and then comes in
awkwardly,) and the characters are ptraaantly sketcheil. But Lu-
cian nowhere reaches the Height of the comic; and over tragic, or
pathetic, or satire, in its loflier range, he has scarcely any power.
The objects of his ridicule are comprised within a small oompasa.
His reader* may well exclaim with uord Byron, " Oh! thou eter-
nal Homer !" for he con scarcely write two pages without some jeer-
ing reference to tlie Iliad or OJyssey. the spirit of which divine
poems he did not in the »Iiglitest degree comprehend. The wrangiings
of the sophisU among whom he lived, ond to wliicli be attached a
wonderful importance, form another topic of which he is never tired.
Sketches of Athenian manners and »i>ciety abound, ufWn graphic,
but perpetually filled with cuuipUtiitk of the insolence and upstart
]iridv of tlie rich. He i» always on the watch to remind them of the
SlIAKSPEARE PAPERS.
transitory nnture of iheir posReRsionn; and to comlpmn them to in-
sult and (\]f{^T&ce at \he haiicl^ of \he poorer cltLases, whuin thuy liRtl
ircKti-d with hauteur duriiif; Hfe, when they (Ic^cciid to imother
world. He rci>cati! in icvural pluci's tlic cuniparitiuti ul* life to a
tbtatricid ))ruces!>ii>n . hi whii'h msgiiificeiit [mnx are assigned to
some, who pass before the eyes of the spectators clothed in costly
garraentii, and bedecked with jfhttering jewels ; but, the momrnt the
show IB over, arc reduced to their original nothingness, no longer
kings and heroes, but poor players whose hour has b'Cen strutted out.
It gives him wonderful pleni^Hre to call Cra^ujt, and Midn*. and the
other generous prince* of old timen on ihe Asiatic coast, whose
name* are everlnslingly hacked to piece* in the common-place sa-
tires, or squibs, or homilies of the Greeks, wretches and ofl'wouir-
inga; and to exhibit Cyrus, Darius, or Xerxes, occupied in dc]s;rading
tasks ill [he infernal rcciom). These topics, with perpetual sneers at
the tlven tunihlin]* mythology of Paganism, almost excliiMvely oc-
tuny the pages of Luciati.
His reiti of satire was sniutl, and its direction not elevated. It is
easy tu see that petty feelings nf personiil hpite or envy are at the
bottoiu of all lie writes. Hi- was jealous of tlic atleiitiun paid to
wealth, and anxioufi to »how the world its uii»toke in not bestowing
exclusive homage on those far superior persons who could write
witty di.-ili>gue, sparkling persiflngr, or smart reviews. In the
sketch which is callml his Life, lie lets us into the secret. His father
wax anxious to make him a »culptor, and apprenticed him to an
uncle, who had obtained Konie reputation as an artist. Hia uncle
treated liini harshly, and he took a dislike to the business. He
then tells tia of his dream, in which the (jodd«!>Mes of Art and
Kluquence contended for him; and, after hearing the pleadTngsof
both, he decided Jur the hitter. The argument which weighed most
with him, was, the power conferred by a successful career on a
public orator of assuming the port and insolence of the great, I
doubt not that Lucian in his prn^perous circumstanre.'^ — ^ti is saul
that he died Procurator, i.e. Lord Lieutenant, of Egypt — was fully
as arrogant, and as brnsible of all the privileges of liiii position, as the
most Hwt'lling and preiiumiituous of tho»e whom he belabours in his
Dialogues. Swift said that he wrote fur no other reibkun than that
he might be treated as if he were a lord; Lucian's ambition for
literary renown was stimulated by the hope that be might treat
others in what be conceived to be lordly fashion. In other re-
apects the game he pursues is, in general, suihII. Living in the
pestilential atmosphere of a literary town, he thought the squabbling
and quibbling of the p^edagogues by wliuui he was surrounded
things of vital moment. It was, in his eyes, matter well worthy of
all the Malirical powers he po»ke»«ed, to quix the fluvei)ly dress, or
the quack pretcnMona, of a M^t of pmir deviU whose very names
must have been unknown beyond the narrow precincts in which
they bustled, (ircece, in his days, could not boast of any produce
tions of genius; the commentating and criticising age had come;
and the classic* of bygone times were the subject nf everlasting
chatter among sects of reviewers anxious to show off their own wit
and cleverness. The country hati for ages ceatcd to uke any in-
tcrcst in polities; ami nothing remained tu console national vanity
but perpetual deelaniatioiu on Marathon and Salaniis and vapour-
I
TIMON OF ATHENS.
931
in^ about their tkirmishin^ an<l Ifuccaiieering wars sf^iiiH tho
Persians. Philip, and his "goillike son," were, for many reiiAons
which I need not rt*)p to recjipitu Iflte, no favourites with the scrib-
bling tribes of fallen Greece, and in general tltey make their ap-
pCsrance only for sc>rn«- such silly purpose as
To point .1 moml, and adrtm a uilc.
Of the events which occurred in the lour or five centuries which
eLtpsetl from the death of Alexander lo the daysof Lucian,no notice
is taken. We have scarcely » hint, except in one or two estiays of
duluouii authenticity, of the existence and profrress of Chri^tianityj
which was with relentlefls hnnd knocking to picccn those gmls who
were Mt often made the butts of Lucinn's ineffective icsttng. If
there remained to lis nothing but his writinf^, we should be ignorant
almost of the existence of the grent P.omnn empire under which he
lived. His vision is confined to the gossip of Athena; whnt he sees
there, he depicts with a plea:jant and faithtul hand ; hia world h that
of sunhisu and reviewers, and on their i-oncerns he is shrewd, witty,
and tustructivu. Nothing in its style can be better, fur exuniple,
than the Cobbler and the Cuck : but the manners tliere depicted, aud
the foibles satirized, are triiiliig. The Art of writing History is a
perfect model of a review ; but then it is no more tlian a review.
The Auction of Slaves is a capital st^uib ; but notliing more than a
Ki)uib. He has ol\en been compared to Kabt-laiM, who has some-
times borrowv<l largfly from him ; (Epistemon's account of what he
Ukw in the other w<irl<l, for example, is taken not only in conception,
but 19 many of its details, from the Neoyomantia of Lucian ;) but
diose who know how to read the OaCKantua and Pantaj^uel in the
manner recommended by Rabelais himself, in his address to the
" beuveurs trez illustres," and the others to whom he dedicates his
writings, will appreciate the deep difierencr between a light and
Riarkling wit, amusing himself with offhand pleaiuintries on literary
folly or provincial absurdity, and the Inng-pondering old man
fitl^ with omnigenous knowledge, rioting in bittcr-sonlrd buf-
fooni-ry over all that can affeci the inicreHts or agitate the passions
of mankind, (."omparc Lucian 's True Hialory, with the \'oyage of
Panucge in quciit of tlie Holy Rottle. The Greek has the merit of
tbe original idea, which \ms since suggested all other imaginary
mytges, and supplied no few materials to Gulliver himself, and a
pleasant history it must indeed be allowed to be; but what is it
after all, but a ijuiz or parody (often an unfair one) on Herodotus
and Homer? In the other, literature and its concerns hold hut a
trifling place ; but as the vessel, Mteered by Xenoinanes, glide* on-
ward through allegoric IiiiicIh, and prtidigiouH adventures, to its fimil
destination, it leaves untouched no coast where matter is to be found
for reflections cm law, religion, medicine, science, politics, phi-
losophy, in all their ramifications, poured forth from a bosom mled
with unbounded erudition, and a heart perfectly fearless of those
U> whofn it could trace superstition, imposture, quackery, or car-
ruplKtti.
I have dwelt prrliapa too long — certainly longer than I had in-
tended— on Luciuii ; but I wish to point out the inutility of looking
to him, even if he had been at Shaksiteare's elbow, a^ supplying in any
degree elements for the character ot the dramalic Timon of Athens.
he is the more energetic misantbrojie. fie indeed liala mankind.
232
SIlAKSfEAKK PAPKKS.
The Greek is not in earnest. In the depth of hts indignation he
tum» awAy tojcfit upon some trifle of ninnncrii. He can recollect
the ill-breeding and gluttony of the philosonhtT who IicUb up the
rich sunce off the plate with hitt fingers ; and he ran stop to bandy'
jeRts with the hungry purAeite, or the venal uratur. Ilia optniing
addrcsB to Jupiter, cnninienceii with a frolic recupitulution of the
cpittictsaddrcBS'ed to the Olympian rultr by tlie poet£ ; and the tni»-
anlin-upv is to far furgutlcu in the litterateur, tliat he pauses before
entering on bis own culuuiiLiee and wrongs, to hiugh at the brain-
stricken poets who are obliged to >top the gap of a yawning
rhythm, or to prop up a halting metre, by an epithet. This miaaii-
thropy did not very (mouslv affect tht- |i«tifiit; nor are the evil*
of whieh he complains, amounting »» they do tu little more than hi»
being cut hy his uhl acquaintances now that he i» poor, «o dreadful
or extraordinary ak to make him
bid the llmnder-lieaiPi- nhool.
Or tell tales of them to liigb-judh{inG! Jove.
The wrnlli of the Timon uf Shakspeare is conceived in a different
npirit. No jektiog escapes his lips while hi- hurls his hatred on
Athcnu. His witln-ring malediction touches nil tlu- paints on which
we are most sensitive ; many, from the mere conKith-rntinn of which
wc instinctively turn away. He prays for Uie incontinence of ma-
troni, the disobedience of children, the degradation of nobles before
Hlave^ and fools, the foul desecration of virgins beneath the ryes of
their parents, the bursting of all social bonds, the preternatural
cruelty of boyhotHl to age:
Son of sixu-cn,
Phick the lined cruidi ftam lliy uld limping sin:,
And beat his brauH out !
The utter uprooting of all theciviUned instituttnnii, all the charitable
feelinpi, all the honourable or holy thoughts that link mankind to-
gether:
I'itljf acid fear,
KeliRion to the gods, pejice, jusUee, truth,
Doniniic awe, nigbl>r4;»t, and utrijiliboorhood,
liisiruclit^R, manner^ mjsitm-a and tradn,
l>egTees, obscrvnnoi-s, ciis(oin» ^imJ laws,
Jlethm* In j-gur confuuiidiiig coniniiies,
And )ft cnnfu^ioii live.
This is no mock hatred; it is the harrowing language of a roan
thoroughly aronsed to indignation, and deiiperait: against his kind.
Compare it with the parallel passage of Luciuii, and we shall »ii?,
without recurring to any such fonliah inquiry an to what was the
precise quantity of the '• less GrteW" allowed to Shakspeare by Hen
Jonson, that to no other source than that which supplied the male-
dictions of Lear, or Constance, or fllargaret, need we look foe the
bursting im])recatioiis of Timon.
He i« inti-otlucrd, at the conimencfmcnl nf the plav, surrounded
with all the pomp ami circumstance of profuse wealth. The poet,
the painter, the jeweller, await his appearance with the tributes of
the pen, the pencil, and the mine. The noblest nii-n of his city bow
before him, cap in hand ; the humble look up to him tt» their 'eurefel
auy in distress, and none depart dituippuiuted. All wniUtiona and
all minds, the poet says in the florid style.
riWOH 0FA1
S33
As «*el1 of Rlib and Uippary crmliirees" aa
or trravc unci •u^tere qualily, leiidei down
Their sen ice to Lord I'linon. Hia large fortUDe^
Upon Kis good nntl gnLcioui nnture hangiBc,
SuIk]u« ;ind propenies to liis lovr und tenilnnM:
All iorls orhcarW; yva. from the gUis-fuced flalteter,
To A|>eni»ntui, thai Tew thmgi lovci bolter
Than to abhor himself.
His first appearance on the sUge ia lo rdesse m prisoner by pay-
ing the debt ; to give the tloury rrqiiirvd to mnUe two Uivfrs happy
in their utiion; to bestow iHviFti rrroinpense, und, what i* fully ax
dear to the ear of painter or poet, conimcndationa equally lavi^^h on
the productions o^cred to his patronage : to rcci-ivc with aboundtng^
hospitality Alcil>iMdp» and hi.s train; to preside at a magnificent
banquet, heapinjj his ijuesLs witli gil"t.'<, and enterlaining them with
all the splendour that taste and prudic»l expense eni\ command.
Hia own heart, proud and gratified, swetls with a itrong desire to do
•till more:
Melhinks I could dcd kingdoms to my friends.
And n«'Vr be w(ary.
He is happy in being the in.strument of eontributing to the hap.
I^nesa of others. It is his delight — his pleasure — his hobby. Not
to be generous, i« not to bu himself. His profuse itnd libera) habit
blinds him to all suspicionb that the rest of the world is not of th«
Mine temper. 'Hie time comes when he in to be cruelly undeceived,
and when his sincerity in these prufessiunB of universal love and
benevolence ia to be tievercly tested. His wealtii, which he thought
inexhaustible, has taken lo ilsL'lf wings iiiul fled. But even thi^ docs
not make any very deep impresaiun iipun him. He listens with cha-
racteristic impatience to the tale of hi8 ruin told by the di§eonso1ate
I'lavius. He answers in brief and hasty sentences, and tiiHin bidii
bim "sermon no further." He has his own resources left, his own
plans to fall back upon. He reiuerubers his wish when in the height
of imagined prosperity ; he had often desiretl to be poorer, in order
tliat he might come nearer his friends. He had been affected even
to tears when, with overftowtng heart, he thought of the precious
emnfort of having so many persons knit together so closely, that,
like brothers, they commanded each other's fortunes. He reflects
whh a justitiable pride, that his generosity was not directed to un^
vorthy purposes, or called forth by unworthy feelings :
No villanoHS Iwiinty >-et hath pati iny heart ;
Unwisely, not ignobly liave 1 givcu.
Uc will not listen to tlie suggestions of his steward that he can find
any difficulty in borrowing. Kven when he li'arns that the senators,
on whom he had public claims, and from whom h^ expected a large
sum of money for the mere asking, have turned a deaT ear to nppli-
catioim mule in hi« name, be is not diicournged. He utters a slight
cKpresaiou of ipleen, " You gods reward tnem!" and at once bid-
ding Havius look chccrly, proceeds to arcount tor their ingratitude
u an exception to the general rule, arising from the lack of kindly
warmth in cold.blooded age. Elsewhere he is secure of success :
Ne'er speak or think
Tim Timon's fortune* 'mung lii> fncndt can sink.
* SlwukI uut this be " creature," i. : cresUoa t
234
SHAKSPKARB PAPERS.
All these lifipe« are dashed to the ground in a moment. His at-
tciQptj at Imn-nwing are vone thnn unFiica^HKrul ; tlicy make his
diHicultirs noturiouH, snc), instead of afisistin;; his waiitD, caone hh
house to be bt-sicgcd witii clamuriJUH creditors. Shakspeare has
not written the Hceiie in which thf ungratctul refusals of his friends
are cninmunica.ted to hiiu ; but he shuws u* the effect oC the cimi-
iiiunication on Tiii>on'» mind. It Ktrikei^ him with instant nickneM.
" Take it on my soul," says his servant ServiliuB,
Idy lord leuTO wniidrously to dUconterit.
His coRirorinble lemper has foKook. him ;
He IS much mil oflir-iillli, «ii(l kvf|»i Ins chamber.
This i* the cold fit of the ague by which he h ainitten. The hot
fit of fever i* soon at liand. He burst* in controllf^ss rage through
the li]ea of opposing duns; plaiisa whiiTi«tral, but a decisive revenge;
and, having executed it, parts from the crowd of
Smiling, Huooili, deiesied parasites,
CuurtvuuB desUDjun, affable wvlvu, meek bears,
The ftJoh of fortune, Uctii:her-f[ tends, time-flies,
C'iip-iind'kncc sLiVts. vupuurs, iicid iiiitiutv-JaH*,
whose pr<Kligiuiia ingratitude had driven him almost mad, with a
stern rciiolutio'ii riirver more to expose hini»clf to simitar cauica uf
grief aiid indignation, liy herding ag^aUi with mankind.
It is useless to wiy that such a determination was unjust. He
who aSecta to be a misaiithroue, i» a pitiful and troublesome cox-
comb; real misanthropy is madness, ami in the concluding; acts of the
play, Timon U actually insane. He bad no friends, llis money
and iits dinners attracted dependents and gueets in .-.bundauce; but
he ought to have known that they went_^/or tiie money and tlic
dinner, and notJiing el«e. The entert&iner »nd the entertained were
on a level. If they had the pleasure of receiviiiK. he bad the gtury
of giving, and neither party had a right to mmplnin. The eourne
of life he led, was calculated expressly to drive from him all who
were po&se^scd of qualitie* capahlc of imtpirin^ respect and friend-
ship. No honourable or high-minded man would frequent the
house of Timon, to be exposed to the suspicion of going there with
sordid or selfish views. lie gathered around him thrtjngR of people
whom he corrupted into sycophancy, iuid he is unrea».onuble enough
to (.'umplain of the very meunness which was chiefly of his own
creation or encouragement. He set no value on what he Hung
away with lavish hand, and in reality cared as little for thuie to
whom he flung it. While dispensing tiis boundless hospitalities, or
K scattering his roi^^nificent gifte, he had in him, though undeveloped,
H and even by himself unsuspected, the seeds of misanthropy as
H deeply set us when he was bowling against
H All feasts, societies, sad throngs of men,
H in the desert- He consulted merely liis own wliim in giving. He
^1 thought that no profusion couhl exhuu»t his wenlth ; and he thcro-
H fore was profuse, as he imagined, in becurily. If we held the
H purse of rortunatus, or could chain
^^^_ Velalile llennes, and call up tinbound,
^^^H^ Id various fuTliis, old I'rolciu frvni die i&»,
^^^^^^^_ Dranu through a limbeck lo lus uaiitc foria.
TIHON OP ATHENS.
•»
■nd achieve the iHscovery of the philosoplier'a alone, where would
be our uierit in dispciieiiig gold all around ? We give nothing when
we give that which CMts us nothing. We do not see that Timon
mak«s any sacrifice, or puts himsclJ' to any inconvenience; and we
must esteem but lightly that Iiber«titj' which looks forward tu re-
compeoK or return. In his pro«peritv he cherUbed chance com-
jMHions without consideration ; and, with equal want oT considera-
tion, he curses all mankind in hia adversity. The difference be-
tween his feelings in the two cases amounts to no more than this,
that Tiinon, rich, quietly showed his contempt of the ill- cho«en circle
of paraaites with which he hnd unrroundrd himself, by a careless
bounty, showered without d!.stinrtinii on the base »* on the worthy ;
and Timon, poor, clamorously exhibited his hatred of nil mankind,
hastily judging them by the wretched sample with which he had
UCociated, in a strain of general imprecation as reckless and undis-
criminating,
A kvrvile or senaiia] mind would have adopted tlie plan of
Onatho in the EunuHiua, who, aller he had wasted in " riotous
living" whatever property he pub!>u&sed, — after jiatria aKigurierat
iona, — seized on such a gull at ThraEo, and have endeavoured to
live upon others, as others had lived upon Iiiin. A good-natured
or thoughtlesH fellow would have tried to mend his luck, called for
fresh cards, and begun ngain. He, no doubt, would be at first
especially annoyed by the loss of his money, and still more by the
reflection that he had Ik-cii choused and ill-treated by those whom
he took to be hiit friends, and who, at all events, were the partnerit
of hi# (psyer hour*. Bui the fit would soon iiass, the bile would be
got rid of, and (if of Kngliith tongue}, after a few of those national
prayers which hnve obtained u» a celebrated gobriijuet among all the
other people of the earth, liberally diatribtited to alt and sundry, he
would regain his teni|ier, and philosophically sing
Why shoulJ wc quHrrcl for riches,
(ir uUivi sucit ^Imering toys T
A li){hl hnri bnd u lliiii pair of breeches
\V ill gc tlirou^-h tiiv wwrid, ray brave boys \
He would 9trugf;le on, and puxxle it out in one way or another ; and,
if Fortune smiled once more, be as ready as ever to coiiniience the
old game, forgetting and forgiving everything and everybody, imd
as open u* IwlVire to be imposed ti|>oti by those who gave themselves
the trouble to do vo.
But Timon coidd not adopt either of these courses. Too high-
bred, too haughty of thought, he could never have descended to
be a trencher-slave; too scllishly awake to his own importance,
he could never have pardoned ttioM who had hurt hia pride, or
mortified his vanity.
Much conirahU as these, 8hakspearc had no notion of opposing to
him. But he has cliosen the appropriati- contrii»t in Apemantus,
the anarling pliilowpher,* who is niixlt'lled after the cynics, particu-
larly after Diogenes. In Tiuion'x prosperity, be haunts his enter-
* lit it ihu* introduoml at Timon** banquet. ■* Then cooiM, <lrop|>inf[ sftrr
■U, A^enaatus ditountvnMdly, Mli# hiwu*tf." Therf hat Wen smdo dscp cniidsm
on llicW words ; but, ■• UM^y do nwl univry any vrrj tirilliant awanlng, I inriin« la
tltink Uw dir«c\ian was, *■ Than evmcs, droppittg a/ici all, AjioMaittiH iUsoni-
tanictUy, ^ himwlf.''
836 SnAKSPBARB PAPSI
tainmt'nt^ for tlie ptirpone of indulging hin impertinent finmour
mrpiiig at the criin|>»ny he meets there. Like Diogenes hiin<ielf, he
19 no more than an ill-mannered houndj who deserves perprtual kiek-
in^i, antl is lolcmtcd only for his vrit. It is a character easy to
assume and to support, requiring; nothing inore than a sufficient
ktock of cool impudence and effrontery. V'ttnity is nt the 'bDttora.
A desire to briizen out the inconveniences of low breeilin^ and
Hwkwaril manners, and a love of iiotorietyr no matter how obtained,
arc cnoujfh to make a cynic. The well-known repartecH ai I'lato
aud AriisiippuB set the character of Dj<^iies in its true light: we
may be certain that Alexander, in their celebrated dialogue, looked
upon him merely ns a bulfoon, tumbling about for his diversion
in a peculiar fashion ; but he was undoubtedly possessed of much
vrit and humour. The jesting: "*' Apemantus is as pUin-spoken and
ill-naturetl, if not ns jtu^id, as I hat oC the famed Irnnnt of the tub ;
und Tiiiion keeps him at bin table as an uri^infil — a Kurt of lion, M^ho
i;t a* much n p.^rt ol'thc diversion ot" the eveninjif, a* the inasijue of
the Amazons, or the lofty *train of the hautboys. There are some
touches of nature in the fellow, hotrcvcr ; for he aces with rccrct
the approaching duwnfnl of his Hhend host, and wartks him against
the consequences of the course he is pursuing, with a grumbling
kindnet^s.
His cynicism is not mifcantEirupy ; it is of the aame stamp as that
of the hero of a celebrated pUy. which its celebrated author in-
tended as an exhibition of the feelings and prupcn^itlies of u man-
hater, and gave it accordingly the name of Lc Alisantropv. It would
be absurd to offer eulogies to Moliere, but it ij; undeniable iJiat he
ha& made a mistake in the title of hi« play. Alceste is a testy and
fVetful man ; nothing more. There is none of the insane rage, and
consei|uentIy none of tiie poetry, of Uie mJMinthropc about him.
It is hard to say what puts iiim out of humour; and, indeed, he can
hardly tell the reason, except that
Moi, jt rcHX mc ficlier, rl ne rpin poiiil citlcndrc.
When he comes to matters mure specific, we find him repeating the
complaints, almost tFie phniHi-s, ui' Apemantus :
Nun : jg nt puis soufTrir i^Ite liVUe iiiuthoJs
Qu' afl'f:ctei)t la ptupoit de ros cens a-la-modej
El je lie hay rien Unit que Iw cutilorsium
De lous ces gnndi faiseurs de prolesiaiions :
(IT again,
M«s ytox sani Irop bleswi; et la oour *tl la vjlle
Ne m'otfrant neii qu objets ^. mVchauSer la bttc,
jVntre en une humeur uoirc, cii un cI)>);tiii piofond,
(jaand je vois vivre entie tux les homines cwmmc lU fout.
Jc lie irouve par-toii( que Iftclit^ fl^k'rte,
'lju*uijii5tiCf!, intfirtt, inhison, fourherit ;
Je ne puis pLui tenir, j'emage, ei moii deswin
(Isi dc tompnr en vt»i^re h tout le genre humaio.
It was liardly worth while to come to so desperate a determina-
tion for so small a cause. His friend Hhilinte may well say
Je ne voii pas, mo), que le cas toit j'^ndabte.
Even Apemantus is of tiigher strain on the same subject of insincere
politeness:
Achtseonlraci uid stanre )vur nipple jnnis!
ilial ihere should U" small Iwe 'mongsl llie« »»b*i knaves,
IIMON OF ATHENS.
237
And all Ihh courtesy [ I'be stnin of man 's brwl out
Into bftboon and monkey.
Who lives that's not
Ocpnved, and <]r{)nivcs ? wlia diM, lh»l bears
Not one spiirn to tlieit era^i'" o( ttieir frienilB' gift ?
I thould Tnr, those ihnt dunce before tnn tioiv
H'oulJ one dny snimp upon me. Ii biu been done ;
Men shut their iJoors agiiinvt a telling sun.
What a coil'* here !
Serving of becks, nnil juUiiif; out of bums !
I doubt whether th«ir legs be worth the sums
Tltal lire i{iv«n for thfrn. Friendship '» full of dregs ;
Melhink*, false hcarti »bould never have sound Ugi.
Thus honest fool* hiy out ilieir wtnlth on cuunesiei.
nr this strain Auenianlns is consistent thruuclioui, Alceste ia
not. Oronte renus to him a silly sonnet, and le ]Mii>ai)trr>[>e i.i an
careful of the u«age«< of society in conveung his censure, a^ any of
the flatterers he condemn*. IIisdisBp|>rovR| is conveyed indirectlv;
instead of saying at oik-l- that the verses are sad trash, he veils Ilia
criticism under the pretence of its huviiig; been addressed to anotlicr :
Mais, UD jour, i. quelqu'un doni je lairai la nutn,
Jp disois, 8lc
The treatment which the poet experiences from Apemantus is of a
more decisive character. AlcesCe. bettides, so far from havinj; de-
termined to break " en visii-re a tout le genre huiiiain," is in love,
imtl in love with a flirt of the fimt magnitude. He is dcsiit'r.itelr
jealous of his rivals; nnd, instead of supporting his inisantliropical
character, is ready to ilefy them li I'outrance for laughing at him.
A duellist, not a misanthrope, would have said,
far )e mikibleu I messicun, je ne croyois pas Mre
Si ptaisanl que j« sun.
Ue experiences all the usual vicissitudes tif love,— jealou^T> nn^er,
Suarrels, reconciliatioKs, and so forth. If we did not fiml* it in the
lisuiitrope, we should be inclined lo ascribe the following tender
nwr);ritu — and there arc more b«»itle— to as love-»imitten a swain as
ever talked ' softely to his ladye love.'
Alceste says to Celimone ;
Ab I que *ous s^afei bien ici eontre moi-meroe,
Perlide ! voui scn'ir de ma foihtcsvr i-xirtme,
F.i men*4|[Fr («nn vuui l'exc^< prixli|{ieuii
Oe cc fittal ainour, nC Ak ros Irujires ycax !
We find nothing like this, in the misanthrofie drawn by a mor^
vigorous hand. Aloliere himself seems to have a sharp nii«^vtng
as to the consistency of bia character, for he makes Philinte say
with astonishment
I)e rhunwur doni le Ciel a voulu le furener,
Je ne s(ai pas comment il s'avtse d'aiiuer.
He may indeeil be well amcxed ; but it is also not a little to be won-
dered that the some considuration did not induce the autlior tu
choose a difTrrent title for his comedy.
The anarler living in society, and the furious man whrt has (led
from it, meet in the wood. The scene which ensues, is the mas-
ter-piece of the play. The contrast Iwtwecn the hardened prac-
titioner in ratling at mankind, the long-trained romptiund nf impu-
23S
SHAKSPEARB PAPbRft.
dent humorist and sturdy be^injar, who never had fell «n honooT-
ablc or gcnoroin emotiun, and whofte whole career had beer devoted
to prorure, under the cover of philo*oj>hy nnd independence, an
it)f;lnri(ius living in lazy i(IIt;npi)», hy amnainfj thoHO wl)D«e taste lay
that way with scurril ribaldry ; and the man who, born in lofty
rank, hud cnjoyc-d all Uii' luxuries and the hplenilaiirn of life, whu
had the mouths, the toi)|;(ue<!, the eyes, and hearts nf men paying
lioniufte to hiiu, who Iiail never bent for favour, save when be
tlioueht that he did honour to those of whom he iu-ked ii ; and now
deprived of all that had been hia glory and hapninei's, the godtt of
his idolalry ihattered at one blow, his brilliant BKy ouddenly over-
ca»t, and the rich and bri^fht-cuJoured rainbow reduced to its orifp-
nal ml»l and vapour ; — the contratit between the^e, — one content with
his lot, nnd even vain of the ponition into which he ha^ thrust him-
self; the other, torn by all the passions of an^cr and mortification,
— IN finely conceived and admirnblv executed. Apcmantus telU Ti-
mon that his present character sprmgs only from change of fortune ;
that he is a fool to expotie himtielf to the rigour of woods which
have outlived the eagle, M-hile hiti flatterers wear silk, drink wine,
lie ffift, and have Ibrgotten his existence; that his sour cold habit
hapi been put on enforcedly ; that he would again be a courtier, if he
were not a beggar ; and, n» n moral of his discnurse, recommends
him tu iniiUite the practices of those who ruined him, — tu hinge his
knee, crouch, flatter, and betray in turn:
Tis most jujt
Thftt titou turn nscnl ; (lad^l thou wealth again,
lU»cab should have il.
Timon scarcely replies to the railing of the cynic, and utterly dis-
dains to notice the scoundrel advice with which he concludes:
but he retorta on h\h unwelcome visitor, that his character also was
framed by bis circumstances; that he was born a beggar, and bred
a dog ; tiial his nature commenced in sufferance, and that time made
him hard in it; and that, if he had not been from the curliest mo-
ment of his life the most degraded of mankind, be would 1h- a knave
and flatterer. In these mutual censurew there is a mixture of truth
and injustice. That Timon's misanthrojiy w»» forced upon him hy
the downfftl of his fortunes, and the fflithlcssuess of his friends, is
true; but Apemantns does not do him justice when he hhvs. that he
would return to his old mode of life, if he were to regnin his former
wealth. The iron hus entered too deeply into hia soul. Nor has
the cynic proiierly appreciated the character of Timon, when he re-
ctrnimends him to turn rascal. Here he speaks from himself, and
U laid defencelessly open to the |jowerful retort of the tiiUcu gen-
tlemao. " lladst thou," says Timon
Like u», from oui first swath, proceeded
The tvta degre«s iJiat this brief world affords
To such as may the |<a)uir« d rugv of it
FfMly command, Uiou wouldst have plunged tbyivlf .
, Ja geoeni riot ; tnelli?d doum i)iy youth
lo dilcmit beds of lust, and ne«<>r Iru-ned
The icy preccin* of rmpcci ; ba( followed
The lugared i^i<: beran; thee.
The same selfish mood of temper tliat rendered the beggar Ape-
mantus insolent, and denrous of vexing whomsoever he met,
«' always a villain's office, e«r » fool'^" would have made the high-
TIHON OF ATHBNS.
239
hofti Apcmantim pursue such a course u it here describetl l>y
Timon ; «n<I, if he hncl broken down in hie career, there can scarcely
l»e » doubt ttiat hf wmild have followed the servile advice he tenders.
The bej^.ire<l prodij^al would have Iwcome a sycophant. But Ti-
mon, Coo, )« unjust towards Apemniitii* when he aay«.
All villains that do stand Iiy thee are pure :
Tor the cynic had no other >']lUny than iinpudrace and IdleneM.
The fact is, that neither can dft'cnd his own conduct, and each is
driven to take the p-oniid of impugning that of his accuser. Such
■ conversation can have but the one end. It must conclude, aa it
does here, in a torrent of miitunl abu^e ; and thej depart with in-
creaaetl Hcorn and contempt of each other.
With the fourth act, the Shakespearian Timon may be (laid to be-
gin and end. Tht: lirst at*!, cxiiibiting his prodigal extrava^nce;
the second, bis tottering estate ; and the third, Ilia murtiftcatJun and
revenge, are taken from Plutarch ; or. if we must 8peak by the card,
from North. There is nothing remarkable in the character* of a
prodifial host, a confiding friend, or an Irritated Iwnefactor soured
by unlooked-for ingratitude- The fourth act ia Shakspeare'g own.
Alarm h»d made way for rajre ; raffr now bursts into madness un-
controlled. In the other sketrhen of Timon, he i« shown as a sple-
netic wit; and those who visit him in the hour of his returning
wealth are no more than ordinary parasites, plying their welt
understood vocation. In the ftf^h aL*t Shakspcarc dramatizes some
of the old traditionary *torie* of the man-hater, and the force and
energy which he had impnrted to the character are immediately
weakened. The invitation of all Athenians " in the sequence of de-
gree" to hang themselves, is a touch of mere comedy ;• and even hit
answers to the senators, though savage enough, are C\t removed
from the intensity of frenzied hatred exhibited in the fourth act.
There he is indeed the misanl/irufroi who hates mankind. The
poetry of the mtsimthropic feeling is there fully developed. In
Apemantus, his hatred of mankind is a tolerated impertinence, which
* obtains admi&sion to lordly tables, and alTords an opportunity
of railing and carping without being exposed to their proper con-
•e()urnccs. In Atceste, there is in reality no misanthropy at all,
Phtlinte may well call it a folly :
CW une fulie, it nulk auti« >«coiid«,
De vouloir se luilcr de corrigcr lu monde.
In Timon it is absolute maclnesa. He goca not about displaying his
wit or his ill-nature at the ex|>en^ of those whom he meets. He
fties from all society^ and confounds the universal race of man in one
common curse. As for correcting the world, he dreams not of such
foUy. It suits biiD better to pray for its universal ruin and damna-
tioai-
This is the only light in which misanthropy can b« considered
* Sbakipoara, in inuodudiiK il^it uory o( the iroe. iliil uot laku tbs uuubls of
rMoUaotisg that it ia a town suirj, aad not luiied for ihn desert.
1 liBvc • tm. irtiicli grow htt* in tny cJoM,
Tluit mjnp flirn u»« laviles mu to rat Jown,
And I (nuit fell <l>
Ms hanllv ha4 a doM at hU awd, or Indeed a tree af Itii awn^ In the ilearrti whers
b« dwell in • chv« ; Imidr*, br iMid no iieoeMilr for rdliag any pariiralar tnw, ur,
if lie liad, thm twiuinad nuiugh far \hm piirpnsc* he TWOommvBiled.
240
MIAKSPKARB TAPERS.
for the purposps of prtetry. If we do not look upon it a» m»dit«»,it
becomes contemptible. 'Timoii. born to great irstat*', w««te» it in
riotoua living ; anil, when his money is gone, he finds it not quite to
easy to borrow as it Imd been with him to lenii. The case is far
from being uncommon : and it i? borne in different ways, according
to the different temperanients of men. It drives Timon out of hi*
aense*. Gold, and the pompn and vanitiea which it procures, had
been to him everything. Nuture had not supplied him with do-
mestic attachments ; he i* Ariihont wife or children, kindred or relit-
tions, and he has m»de no friend. All that he regarded, vanished
■with hill wealth. His w»iil, like that of the licentiate, Perez (Jarcis,
lay in his purse ; when the purse was lost, he lost his senses too.
In his prosperity we do not find any traces of afTeciioii. honourable
or otherwise, for women. In his curse-s, disrespect fur the femole
MX 18 remarkably conspicuous. The matron is a counterfeit, her
smiling bnbe is spurious ; the virgin is a traitor, there is no chastity
which ia not to be sacrificed for Gold> that
Ever }'oun^, fresh, loved, and detteate wooer,
WIkwi! tiliish doth Diaw ihe «fn»ecraied anow
That lies on Dian'j check ;
and those who do make the sacrifice are instantly converted .into the
pliigiR-s and tormi'nts of miinkind. "There's more gold." he «»yi
to Phryne and Tiinandra. alter a speech of frenzied niving ;
Tin yau dnmn olUen, and let this damn you,—
And dilchei gmce ycu alt 1
Thciie philoKoptiical ladies atisiire liini that they will do luiylhing
for gold, and inank him for his cnmplimenta :
More coutimI »iih more n.oney, bounieousTintonl
lie readily believes them to be no worse than the rest of their sex ;
and, as gold had been hi& alt-in-nll, feeU no scruple in thinking that
its operation ought to be resi&ttess in subverting the honour of
women, »» well as the faith of men. Nothing, I repent, except
insanity, couhl raite such a character from contempt ; but inve>t him .
with madness, and poetry will always be able to rivet our attention,
and excite our sympathies for the mnody pansiomt of the man hated of
the gods, wandering alone over the limitless plain of life without end
or object, devouring hit own heart, and shunning the iiaths of men.
No women nppenr in this play except Phryne and Tinmndra, and
they but in one short scene, when they do not speak, between them,
fifty words. TIuh, of itself, is sufficient to keep the playoff the
stage, for few aclressea will be desirous of .ippearing in snch ch«-
Tnctern. 'fhcy are precisely the descriptinn of women suited to
contimi Tiinon in hia Iiatred of the human race, and hi*! conviction
of the power of money over all. It is unnecesflary to say that ladies
of a different class of 60ul nrc to be found in Shak^pearc, but their
plBC« is not here. Isabels and Imogens, Juliets and Desdemonos,
would have scorned the riot and sycophancy of his proxperous hours,
and would have acared away by thrir unpurchaseable purity the de-
grading visions of his misanthropical fancius in Uie witud. I'lie inis-
tKMes of Alcibiades [the r*'at Aicibiades, I xliould imsKhie, was
much ' better nccommodatcd ' than he apporit to be in this play, J are
Timnn'a patterns of womankind ; ax the parasite train, who infested
his hon», are his patterns of mnnkiml. Vet even he might have
TIMOS OF ATHENS.
!M-I
neva that liis estimate was unjust. The churlifh Apemantusi who
Ate roots while others revelled at hif< overloaded board, Mvek!i luin
in the forest to offer soroethini; better than roots to mend his feiutt.
IIU titewxrd, Klavius, approaches him in Ins calamity with a tender
of his duteous Mcrvire. Alrihindr*, the most honoured of his jiuesta,
and who never had received any favour:* at hia handt, o^ern liim as-
sistance una_<ikcd. These tnuchcs of kindne4i« mi^ht have ab-itrd his
censuri', and made him waver in hia opinion that he shuuld find in
the wooda
The unkindeat beut more kinder than mankind.
But no, ThefevliiiK which war nt the root of hi* madness is ax conspi-
cuous in his reception of these offers, as in all other parts of \m con-
duct. He patronizes to the end. lie is toucliwl by the derotion of
Flavius^ becau>>e he recotriiiKi-N Timon in thtr li;{Iit of a master ; he
decUites tlit* (jold oC Alcibiaile'4, hecaime he wiahefc to show that fie
hoA more gold, aiwl can ^till lavish it ; but Apeniantuit he spumi>.
He will not acce|»t assistance from a beggar, and a bcfi^ar upon
whom it would be no matter of pride to waste his bounty, eren if
the perverse anarlcr would recci%'c it.
Iiuanity. ari^in^ from pride, is the key of the whole character ;
pride indulged, manifesting itself indirectly in insuni* prudigatity, —
pride mortified, directly in insane hatred. Apeinantus was wron^
when he tuld him tliut he was long a mailman,, and tlieii a fool. He
aboutd have revLTKcd iL Timon waa first a fool, and tJien a mad-
Bwn. Alcibiades eves at a glance that
bit wil*
Are drowned and lont in hit calamitin ;
and for such a catastrophe Tinthinf; can he a more unerring prepare
tion than the stublxirn wilt of pride. " AKsuredly," say^ the Liui
reaie, " in most cases, madiieiu is more irequently a diseaite of the
will than of the intellect. When DiabuluH appeared before the town
of Mansoul. and niude his oration to the citizens at Eor^i^te, laird
Will-bc-will was une of the first that was for consenting to hid
words, and letting him into the town." Well may Dr. Souihey con-
clude his speculations on this subject by saying, " In the hu-
morist's course of life, there is a sort €)f d»-fiaiice of the world and
the world's law ; indeed, any man who departs widely from ita
usages, avows this ; and it is, us it ought to be, an unea«y and un-
comfortable fet-ling wherever it is not sustained by s high state of
exciteirient, and that state, if it be lasting, becomes madocss." * The
Laureate in this sentence has written an unconscious commentary
on the Timon of Shakspeare. The aoul-stung Athenian, when he
made Ins everlauiiti; rnnnsion
(Jpoo the beached *ct^ uflhc suit Huol,
called himself a misanthrope: — he was n madnian! W. M.
• " Thr Doetijr." hx. vol. iii. pp. 272 anJ 2*11 .
la stuibuting this wnrk lo Pr. Svaihry.
I bdUirc no aaofM m ^okud
I ng.
%* Tlia textof Tiinoa of AthaasUalkHit tha km« oomipt af tbe Jtlays.
gf*i > Tew alWmlHuui,
An iii. thvita I. laieullus, wt*litn|( to britio Flavins, san, ** l{w« '« threv foA-
^•PM for thi!«." K(«evein dednres ifais coin <«» >« from the mint o( the pact. It ti
mttior**. i- c. tiituu-4'»r, — a pi«oe w)in«l in Frauce hy our llenrv V. ifao Ho-
liaahad, RadiKg, Uucai^-. Ax. Il b mentiuool by HawLut atan ihaii nittw.
VOL. III. a
S4^ THERE 'S NO MISTAKE IN THAT !
Act iv. Scene 3. '^ Raite me thii b^^&r, and denude the lord,
The Maator ihaU bear contempt hereditary.
The beggar native honour.
Read — ** Robe me this beggar," i. «. array the bq^ar in the robes of the sena-
tor, and reduce the wnator to the nakedness of the b^gar, and contempt and ho-
nour will be awarded according to their appearance.
Act iv. Scene 3. Timon, addressing gold, says,
O thou sweet kingJtilier, and dear diroroe
'Twixt natural son and sire !
Read — " kin-killer" i. e, destroyer of all kindred affection. King-killing waa
no crime in Athens, where, as Shakgpeare knew, there was nu king ; and all Ti-
mnn's apostrophes to the wicked power of gold relate not to the artificial laws of
society, but to the violation of natural ties, as between son and sire, husband and
wife.
Same scene.
Thou bright defiler
Of Hymen's purest bed ! thou reliant Man !
Thou erer young, /reth, IovmI, and delicate wooer, Slc.
Perhaps frtih - lived.
THERE 'S NO MISTAKE IN THAT !
" Errors excepted. "~BiU qf Cotti.
tNjpublic life it is most true
That men are wide awake;
In private matters, doubtless, loo.
There now is do mistake.
Whate'er is thought of, said, or done,
Whate'er we would be at,
\\'e all take care of Number One,—
There's no mistake in that I
The f)ut9, now long deprived of place.
Of course tlie Ins oppose:
The Ins rejoice, while, face to face, .
Their " aves " can beat the " noes."
" Voluntas' (ibis their daily song)
" Pro tatione aut ;"
Which means, " We'll go it, right or wrong l"-
There's no mistake in that!
Good I/>uis Philippe feels, 'tis said,
In very doleful plight.
Since Frenchmen practise at his head
With bullets day and night.
For diadems, some play odd tricks;
They 're safer in a hat :
Few crowns are now worth two-and-six, —
There 's no mistake in that I
" No man," (erst said Sir Boyle,) "'tis plain,
Unless a bird were be.
Can be at once in places twain ;"
Of course, mucb less in three.
there's no mistake in that! 243
Ilul, what with railway and balloon,
It would surprise the Pat
In (en at once to see us soon, —
There '« no mistake in that !
But what have I with home aifain,
Or foreign news, to do ?
I 've got enough of private cares,
And woes of deepest hue ;
My laudlbrd just has called to say
(That odious Peter Piatt j)
That Friday last was quarterwiay, —
There 's no miitake in that !
My banker, too, in language bland,
Present) his kind respects,
And gives tne pUin to understand
Tliai I have " do effecis ;"
And then, the matter short to cut.
Proceeds to tell me fiat.
My bill is due, — roost sorry, but—
There's no raistdke in tiuUl
Last month my fiieiidi at Rottingness
(Tliat borough pure and brig!it)
Requested I'd resign, unless
I voted black was white.
To lake the Chiltetn Hundreds let,
Again I never bat. —
The only hundreds 1 shall get I —
There 's no mistake in tlut !
My health of late has suffered much ;
So in came Dr. Grains,
My pulse and fees alike to touch.
And banish all my pains.
(Juoth he, returning watch to fob,
" We must reduce this fat ;
And then, melhinka, we '11 do your job," —
There 's no mistake in that 1
*
My tailor, too, his small account
lias thrice for payment sent ;
I promised him the full amount
When I received my rent.
In anger to and fro he stalked,
And changnl his civil chat.
And soon or Uoe and Hoe he talkeJ,—
There 's no mistake in that !
Twas then I wooed the Widow Stokes,
Who did not say me " nay ."
And, though 1 've found her wealth's a hoax.
Still I must wed to-day I
Ah ! would that 1 had never popped 1
liut Lawyer Latitat
Some hints of " breach of promise " dropped, —
There 's no mistake in that !
TalSTBAU MtURlTHODOin
a9
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VERSAIU.KS.
Tub >luii(!iim at VersaJllea k llic proudest monumpTit t-ver yet
erected to the glory of " la belle Franfe." Never did novcrfifjjn con-
ceive a more iipprupriute ii)ud« of testifying U\* p-Htitude lo the
ficrjple who bestowed upon him his crown, thxii Loui)« Philippe, when
If delrniiinecl to consecrate V'ersuilk-s to the memory of the atiiririfC
deedK xiid dttrin^ spirits recorded >ti tlii- most brilliant passajrcs of his
country 'i* iiniisls. The ide« wm worthy of the monarch of a great
people, and han l«-i-n wniiight »fut in a manner to iJiow that, what-
c\-cr may be the timlts impuublc to Louis Phi3ip|>e as a king, his
heart bents but lor France, and he freU like u pHtriot and a Frencli-
man on the tiubject of his Country's glory.
Should liny whose lot it in«y have Iweii to have paced, tome few
years sinre, through the vast and lonely naloojis of VersiLillc!*, now
chance to retrace their flepft, how j^reatly must they admire " the
conjuraliun, and the mifrhly tna^c," which hiiH summoned up the
illui^triou!!: dead to people once more these ]ong-de»erted halls, and
converted these crumbling ruinj- into « theatre wherein hH the great
events in the history of France are, a« it were, enacted once a^ain !
" I,e palaif fir rermiUci r.tl If paUii* dr soufmir*," njiys a lalc
French writer, and well doe« it deserve that proud and expressive
title ; for within its w-rIU are now aiuiembled the effigies of all
that are dead to tlie nation. No unworthy prejudice*, no mean dis-
tinctions, liave «|>erated to the exclusion of one name or one event
which sheds a lustre over the history of France. Clovis and Charle-
magne ; FniiH'is, the King of Gentlemen ; and Louis Quatnrze, 1e
Grand Honarque hinikflf, — »H are there. Napoleon, and the glories
of his reign, are there, in la galerif df S'apolfou, where all his his-
tory is told in the order of nis battles. Nay, more ; Charles the
Tenth, at the Invitation of his successor, takes his place Binuiigst the
OKsemhled monarch s.
Great must have been the labour, unwearied the researches, ne-
ce)»ary to attain for this national monuttieriit tlie perfection which
it ha* now reached. From the tombs of St. Denis, from Uie vaults
of the Chateau d'Eu, from the mouldering ruins of churclies and of
moDusteries, have tlie half-decaying figures of the monarch* of the
firdt race been restored, to appear with iTowned brow and weptred
hand in the Galleries of Sculpture. Their siicoe-surs are seen ca-
pariioned in ewit of mail and plaited steel ; while tllose of still more
recent timen appear, each of them,
" III ihenmc fignrci lik^ iheking iWsdud."
But thiK care and spirit of research, be it renieuibered, have not been
devoted to kings alone. Warriorn, vtatennieii, sagew, and poets, have
shared the kinme honour* with the wivertigns whom they served ;
and the same hall which dii^)>Uyi< the marble^l effigies o( the kings,
displnys also the form of many a doughty crusader who (might 1m*-
»ide them, and of many a noble dame kneeling in prayer to Heaven
fur a husliand'* safety.
For, amidst the aKcmbled hosts of Hteel-clad warriors and laurelled
bards, tlie eye nee* with delight those fairiT portions of creation,
whose matchless beauty and unwearied intrigue have ever exercised
so great an influence over the manners and spirit of the times in
I
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which thry livpd; snd whose presence in the*? halls i<i x» necessary
to the makinj; of thi* s;Tvnt work " one ciilirr miil prrlVct chryso-
lite," as it i» arcordarit willi the gallant and chivnlroun (W-liiiijit of
the nation. To a general parti ripatinn in these feelings throughout
the whole hody of the French people must he attrtbuteil, in a great
degree, the immctiH* influence which women cxerciM-'d for so long a
period in France over the affairs of «tate. Indeed, until the Revolu-
tion, it may he said to have been alvrnys extremely doubtful whe-
ther the mistrcKH or the minister held more potent swiiy over the
sovereign ; and, if ever a conle.«t for Bupritnac}- did arise between
these powerful rivahi. the policy- of the xtatt'stnan too often uruved
b(tt » very ineffectual weapon ugainet the charms and blandishments
of the ruling beauty. Of no country in the world can it be naid bo
truly as of Fnince,' that there men rule the itate, but women rule
the men.
And what variety and piquancy has Ulii condition of society
served l<» throw over every page of French history ! Whsil inUTPst
doei it impart ev(>n to the museum we are now considering ! What
an additional brtlltnncy does it slieil over the mere ojttalogue of cele>
hrated namet, who^e memories are enshrined in these truly national
galleries! How exciting to us, even as Knglishmen, arc these
mingled names of monnrchs, beauties, wits, statcamen, and warriors,
which Hparkle na we write them ! and how, nt the hare mention of
them, must the French " find their hearts moved more th.in with a
trumiHt," as Sir Philip Sidney, as rare a spirit as any aninngst them*
Mid of the old ludhul of Chevy ChasC 1 Charlemagne and Clovio;
Charles the .Seventh, and .leannp d'Arc; Agnes Sorcl, and the brave
Dunoiti, Le Batard d'Orleann; Francis the Firbt, and Diana oF
Fotctieri ; Bayard, the valiant knight " sans peur ei aant reproc/tc ;"
Henri Quatre, and ^largueritc de NiLvarre ; the Due de Guise, and
tile i^Iontmorenci ; Marie de Medicis ; Sully and Colliert; Cor-
nvilie, and Itichelieu, and Anne of Austria; Louis the Fourteenth,
and La A'allierc; Alontespan, and De JMaintenon ; Itavine, and Mo-
liiTe; liie Kegcnt Orleans; Marie Antoinette; Napoleon and his
SlnrshaU; — all are here. Here, too, the records ofttieir deetU and
of their power, written by those simplest of nil annalints— the sculp-
tor and the painter, vo tluu all who run may read. Le Brun and
Vandermeulen ; David, and Horace Vcrnct, — the true kings at arms,
^lere blazon furtli the stirring actions of the mighty spirits of their
*ge. In short, treasured up Mithin theiie walU, may be found me-
morials of every event and remarkable per'wnnge in the history of
Wrmice, calcidnted to funiish food for the moralist, inturmaliun to
the hl<<toriaii, and models or warnings for tlic patriul ; and which,
taken altogether, constitute a museum illustrative uf the national
history, such as no other country in the world can boa«t. — a uiu-
srum fully deterving of the truuble uf a journey to all ttioee who have
the time and opportunity to visit it:* and justifying to the fullett
* Whea Mationwc ftrand that the mountain waidi) nan oonw to htm, likv n ten*
riUa man a» bs was, MabonM nude at* man to in, but uraight wmt to iha moBn-
taifl Oar reaJcra, wbw luay imn be able rery mnrcnicotly to Ti^our Aur a4rhw la
rUt VvmUlts, may liavo xb» moantaln, — thai in, VwwUm, tu viut ibnn,— in tba
■hap* of a l««utifuUv illoitnMd watk, oonuiuini; oopiw o( all ibv jileiuns, tia>
tuBi, Ac. there tMeeua, publitlted in inimlien, aad entitled "Caterift /HiU-
_HfiMr« ilr VrtMillr*. pvl-Ki fmr mWrr Vti ttai jmr (b. Gnrvrd." faris ; TmilUl
1 Ca^-ilamd'ai ; Kenwt.
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the folldwing ciicoiniiims bestowed upon it and it* royal author by
M. Diipiii, in the (lUcourBC ithich tie delivered to the King upon the
opening of the galleries :
" Une creation qui 8*ulc aulfirait pour illustrer un rejfne, est ctWe
du graml Alnn'C tl<f WMHillex. Aucun mcmiimriit n'olTre iin csu
raciere plu!» ruttionMl ; cVsl Ihifttoire de Prance en action. Lcmi«
XIV, rcYcnant a Ver»ail!es, ne pourruit plus dire, ' L'Etal, c'ftt
vioif Plus fier encore, Ic ;pTind roi, en voy»nt tent dc grand*
hommcs, sVcricrait, * Mfssifurt f tElal, c'rsi nous !' Car a Versailles
toun Irs temps sont rt-unis^ toutes le«) ;;loircs ^ont df'i6t'ea> touted les
Tictotrcs «e 4iiivcnt. he Roi I'n nins^ voulu ; jamKitt histonen ne fut
plus impartial !"
Out the idea of converting the Palace of Versailles into a (Jallery
of Art illustrative of tliu niitiuual hii^tory, does credit tu the good
BCTise aud right fet'lingof Louis Philippe innciothiT rcspuct than that
of erecting it into n iiionuiiient to the glory of hU country, with
which l)i» name must hencel'ciruard be inseparably connected.
Versailles might become a national museum ; it could never more
become a royal residence. It» glory departed From it with the
de«potic spirit of the aiicirn ri'gime. The monarch of VcrBaille*
must bf aut Ctrxar aul uultun, anil not the tnomirch of the Bar-
ricadeit.
LouiA Philippe, even had his known fondness for the enjoymentu
of private life led him to wi(.h it, could not have hoped to recall
Versailles to the unostetntniou* condition in which it appeared as
the simple hunting-seat where Louis the Thirteenth found a refuge
from political cares, and from all thoiie endless troubles and anxieties
with which the monarch is sure to be surrounded in his mate apart-
ments. Still IfSB could the sovereign nf In nmrr/ir France hope to
reinstate it in the i^plendour which it displayed under the direction
of Le Grand Moiiarcjuc hiuuelf.
Napoleon, when at the Kciiith of his glory, anxious to conciliate
the ndmirtrs of the ancient court, and tu invest bis own with the
reflection of that brilliancy which still tthines like u halo round the
recollections of that of Louis Quatorze, conceived the idea of re-
ttorjiig to the deeolate walU of Verxaiiles the splendour which hiid
80 long deserted theui. lie wan at the summit of his power; a*
emperor, invested with authority almost «s despotic as that of
liouis ; and deriuing it, perhaps, no less advantiigeous to bispolitJcjil
views, than flattering to his ambition, he determined to renovate
and inhabit Versailles. But the enormous sum which it would
have required to enable him to carry this resolution into effect,
having caused him to pause for a while, he was induced to consider
the matter more narrowly; and the reaiilt ws^, that, pciceiviug he
could no more bring back Versailles to the rrputation which it en.
joyed under Louis Quutorze, than reduce France to the state of
alinoKt feudal slavery" in which it existed during the reign of that
monarch, he very wisely abandoueil the undertaking.
But when the house of Bourbon re-ascended tlial throne from
which, by the voice of the nation, it had been so long excluded, it
neemwl as if the hour for the restoration nf Vercaille* had arrived.
In fact, Louis the Eighteenth directed lite r.ecessary steps to bo
taken tor the HCconipli^hment of that purpti»e. But fate, and the
Minister of Pinunce, willed it othmnise; and tJie va»t lulls of
247
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VerMilles remainctt as they hdtd done for yews, nient and de-
serted.
Yet, even in tlieir desolation, the KallcriM of Ver^illes formed a
fitting monument to the memory of their foimclcr. They tolil of hia
glory. They were nietnoriul^ of his love of magnificence and t\\»-
play, and tliey told of the extravaf^nre at which that love was gra-
tified ; and they »hiMved to succeeding generations^ what the indif-
ference niatiife»tcd ui his funeral showed to his contemporttries, how
fleeting and unBuhslaiiUal is the popular adtniration of a sovereign
who does nut uiake the end and uiiu of hiii government the happi-
ness of hi? peojile. But they did juftice al»o to the genius of LniiiR,
who, if h« neglected the interests of hig people at home, laboured
hard to make France respected abroad ,- and they »huwed how fur
he. who was " every inch a king," excelled, in talent* and kingly
tastes, those by whom he was succeeded. Versailles is, in fact,
identified with Lcxiin Qu^torze; it was his palace when living, and>
when dead, hi« toinh.
It was, it is true, inhabited by Louis the Fifteenth ; and the death
of that monarch took place within its walls. His successor, and the
charming Marie Antoinette, likewise kept their court here. It wit-
nessed, moreover, some of the most striking events which preceded
the Revolution, some of the most Rtartling scenes of that eventful era.
Vet. after all these changes nnJ vicissitudes, at the mention of Ver-
eaillefi we think of none of these: when that name falls on the ear.
the mind, overlooking all intcrmedintc objects, rushes back at once
to the contemplation of Louis the Fourteenth, and uf the brilliant
court which he had here created around him ; for the interest which
we feel in Versailles is as clotely identifietl with that whicli we
experience for him at whose bidding it aroiie. as naa the progress uf
th).-< proud structure with the varied aspects of its creator's rei[i^.
We H ill just glunce at a few of these ; and then resign the matter
into hands well calculated to deal with a oubject like the present.
which may be said to combine the truth of hixtory with the ima-
giration of romance. i^Ir. James, who has shown in hiit romantic
noveU of " Kichelieu," " Fliilip AugH^ln*," and " De L'Ornie," his
familiarity with the hi>tury oF' France, mure especially at those mo-
ments when itN interests are of the deepest, could not have found a
fitter theme for his well-practised pen than " ToR LiFR and
TiHsa OF Loujs TUB FoLtBTEENTu." The records of such an era,
■bounding in events of the most startling nature, and which called
into activity the moat daring ftpiriis and the profoundrst !ititP!>inen
which that age produced, when chroniclod by a writer so popular
aa Jlr. James, cannot but he welcome to the reading public ; and,
accordingly, to the forthcoming and concluding vuluuirs uf his Iuh-
lory, after bestowing some small ndditioiuil tedium upon our readers,
we shall beg to refer them ftir a more elaborate picture of Versailles
when in its " most high and palmy state."
Versailles may be said to Iiavc had but one master, its fir»t and
greatest. But it witnessed the rise of three mirtresses, — the gentle
La Valliere, the tpirittirlle ;nid imperious 31ontes]>an, mikI, lastly,
the shrewd and anibitiuu» Oe .MHintenon,-~whose several reigns furni
wellf)e5iieil epochs in the history of this princely edifice.
It row when the star of La \ allierc was in the ascendant ; when
Louis, naturally anxious tn csL-n|te tVom the tuo rigid surveillance of
S4S
VERSAlttES.
Anne of Austrin. and to be himself tlie master of his own (ictif»n».
this anxiety streiiKtIiened by his growing but fecret paswion f<tr the
beautiful La Vallicre, Tradition hai asserted thsl tlie cniiM of the
kiiijf's abfiiicloniiig St. Germain, (where he first held his court, in
con»efiuence of Iuk inKujiemble objection to re»i<Ie in the capital, — nn
objection conceived frum the troublpd -trenes which his oliUdhood
had witnessed at Paris,) was a morbid dislike to the sight of the
Abbey of St. Denis, the buri;il-place of his predecessor*, and which
met his eye whenever he l>ooked from tlie winilows of the Palace of
St- Germain. There mny be tiome truth in this Ie;>;end : as also in
another, which attributes to Louis a bplief in the divine origin of
kinga, very different from the metaphoricil sjiirit in whicli that doc-
trine is generally received, and which, if true, M'tjuld elucidate
e«veriil points in the character of this monarch.
Was the ^ight of St. Denis ihe wiuse; or that more reasonable one
alleged by others, and to which ive have already referred, namely,
the king's anxiety to escape from the observation of eyeii more
■watchful than was agreeable to him i*— jt is certain that his earliest
visitit to Versailles, which were almost stolen ones, took place at the
periiKl when hi* tomlnetis for La Vallierc wa» » secret known but
to few. At this time, as at the latest moment of hi.s reign, the fiict
of being invited to join the king at Versailles was the standard of
royal favour.
At length, in the spring of the year IfiO't, Louis announced hii?
iiUeiitinn of giving a grand festival atX'ersjiilles; and this, which was
ostensibly in honour of the queen, but in reality in compliment to
the beaiilifnl and iiminble Louise dc la Valliere, was the iirst event
which betokened the future destiny of this choaen spot. The kin|f
had commanded that this entertainment should exceed in tnagni*
licence all that had preceded ; even the splendid tounvaments which,
two years before, had foJ-med the admiration and delight of all Paris.
The king's commands were faithfully obeyed. The management of
the entertainment was entrusted to the Duke de Saint Aignan : the
]>lan to the Italian, Vicarani ; and the reiiult was an allegoric^d pit-
geant in the ta^le of the times, founded on a scene in Arioslo, and
entitled " LtJr I'liimrK dr Clsk Knchantir." Jn this, Louis, covered
from lieatl ti> f<x>t with Jewels, and surrounded by a <Lix/ltng re-
tinue of heralds, knightu, pageo, and squires, displayed the beauty
and majesty of his person and hi« skill in arms, by entering the
lists, and carrying off no less than four times the victor's pri«e.
It was nt this festival, which is invested on that account with con-
siderable literary imprest, that Louis read the three first acts of the
then unfini<iheci " Tartiiffe."
Krom this time Versailles became the scene nf those gay festivala
with which the king was accustomed, more especially during liis/i(iMo»
with the Duchess de la Valliere, to excite the wonder tuid admira-
tion of hii courtiers, among wimm it now became a matter uf cease-
less anxiety and intrigue to obtain the king's commands to form one
of the royal party, which henceforth yearly took up their abode in
the buildings constantly erecting for their accommodation. The
peace of Aix-la-('hnjie!le was here celebrated, on the I8lh July
If>d8, by a »umptuouB entertainment far surpassing that entitled
" t'I»\f Eiicttnulrr :" and, four yc^ra alter this, we find theac ad-
diiinnal building* so far completei), that Louis found himself en-
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ibt«d to remain nt VerMuU«« with his ministers, and his more tni-
me<liat*r circle, for the greater portion of the year.
Thp chivalrous ipirit, however, which had up to this period, or
Terj' nearly »«, char«cteri«ed the court of Louis, was thortly (iootned
In change. On the 10th April lf>74, LoTii»c dc 1* Vallierc took her
formal deiMirtiire from the ciiiirt, in the chnmher of her ftucceti*riil
rival, SEadame de Alonteapun, in order to enrol herself aa '* .S'rrnr
de ta Miaericorffe" in the CftrmcUte nunnery of the Riic Sl Jatjues,
at Paris ; where, brooding; over her sorrows, and seeking by good
works to atone for thotte errors Into which she had been betrayed
by her own bmuty and a monarch's love, she live<I for ni«ny year*,
to use her own expressive bngiiage, '• hoI happy, but cantrni .'"
The successor of this •• humble viotct," aa she was stylwl by
Madame de tievigne, was La Alarcjuise de Momvspun, who eiijuyed
the aBections of Louis during the inuat briliiNnt part of his reigo.
The dominion of this wittv. spirited, and haughty woman, and the
(mnntory appearance of her sisters, the still more beautiful and
witty Abbess de Fontcvrault, and the captivating and gi(\ed flla-
flame de Thiangeii, form a brilliant era in the hintory of Versailles.
AUdjiine dr .Mnintenon, who eventnidly sitppUiitnl the miKlrcAA wlio
had intr(Kliice<l her to Lniiift, deACriben her as " amuMfi]]; hcrsclTby
allowinf; six dormice, harnessed to a chariot of filagree, to nibble her
Hnger's ends, while she exhibited the king to the ministers as if he
had been %child ; at the same time, knowing alt the most important
affairs of state, and giving very beneficial and very baneful ad-
vice upon thetn, according to the humour in which she happened
to be."
Madame de Montespan wns clever as she was haughty ; and her
raillery — and what raillery is so effective aa that which proceeds
from the month of a pretty woman ? — waa so dreaded by the whole
herd of cnurtiertf, that it is said, there was not one amongst them
who would venture to pass tJu* windows of her apartments at such
timex as they knew tht- presents of the king would enable lier to
point the shafu of her ridicule with increased bitternexs and a»-
sured success; and this lakut contributed greatly to the establish*
mcnt of that rigid system of etiquette by which the whole atfoirs of
Ijouis' court were from this time reRulaled. Tlie elevation of M«-
dninc de .MoiitespAii to the di«tiii^u).*lH-<l poxition wliicb shti enjoyeil
Was a meiiHure pregnant with tlie greatest danger to that vxtrn-
ordinary respect in which Jjuuis had aucceeilcd, as it were, in en-
shrining the throne. Yet the character of the favourite, who held
that it was good to assume u virtue though we bad it not, and
«h(we wit and beauty enableil her to preach this doctrine far mnre
effectually than stonier moralists could have done, combined with
that love of order which T^nis always exacted from those around
htm, to bring to perfection tftot mysterious engine of state policy,
entitled Eticiuette; which, regarding the monarch as its supreme
source or centre, superior to the ordinary observancea of life, sanc-
tioned his violation of the laws of virtue and propriety, without
erecting his conduct into a pattern for imitation. The reign of
31adnme de Monteapan forms the gayest periml in the history of
Versailles ; the court had regularly taken up its residence within
it* wailf, deUined to fi.>nn tJu- inodt-l uf half the palaces of the
contiuoiit, and every court in Kuro|K- resounded with the praise*
950
VERSAILLES.
of those festal displays of ma^ificmec in which Louis so much de-
UghMil.
Hut whilff ftladiime <!e Montcspwn still enjoj-pcl the favour of
Tjoiiii. and even in the iiiidfit nf his transitory pnsi^iun fur the
benutiful Uuchei^sc ilc Kuntanj^es, tliu epirit uf JIudainL- dt' ^laiii-
li-tiuik wuN busily weaving urninul the king tUu^e toils frum wliich
he was duuttutiL never more tu L-xirlc»te himself. At length 6he ob-
tained the object I'ur which ehe h&cl »c> lon^ »itruggled.- — the hnnd as
well as the heart of her royal lover. During the winter following
the death of the queen, which took place in July 1GH3, the " chftrm-
infj" JladameScarron, now transformed into the "cantini; ' MadaniD
de Miiinleiion— (iteader, thi? epitheta Rre W^l pole's, )—wii» secretly
married to Ij(nii>i by the Archbi»hop of Paris, in a private chapel of
the castle, and in the presence of Pi-rc la Chaitie, Hontempa the
king's first chamberlain, and other confidential witneii&ca.
The king now gave her apartments on the same floor which he
himself occupied, and, indeed, immedintely opposite to his; and.
having here e^ttnbtished her throne, this queen, in all but name,
very seldom qviitted it. From thin time she was seen hut little in
public. The king rcreiveil her visits only on the nccajiion of his
initispOHition ; and the Duchess of Burgundy wat) the only one, with
the exception of his majesty, who could l>r>nat of eudi an honour.
These were Uie gli^uiniot days whicli Versailles witnessed during
the long reign of I.e Crund Monart{Ne, notwithstanding they formed
the golden age of the celebrated Oeii tie littiif. The ^alne pood star
which had so long shone briphtly over the destinies of France, had
sunk beneath the jiorizon. Those uble uiini:iter.>< who had »o long
guided her counsels, had dropped one by one into the silent grave,
careely were those wounds healed which the unfortunate war and
fearful winter of 1709 had inflicted upon the people, when death
robbed Louie nf nil his direct and legitimate dfJtcendants, with ibv
excc])tUin of the sickly IJuc d'Anjou- From this moment the king
was rarelv aeeti in the va»t aaluonn of ^'ersaille* except iu the garb
of mournmg.
Nor was it "the inky suit alone" which marked the sorrow
vhich had taken hold upon him, and the change which adversity
and the counsieU of Aladnme de Maintenon had wrought upon his
mind. Louis te Grand, that mighty sovereign, who had dictated
the peace urNiniegucn. formed the Canal nf Langnedoc, and stanc-
tiuned the pcrt'uruiance of '* TartufTe," gradually sunk into a doting
bigot, who transferred the suat of empire to the bedchamber of
Scurron's widow.
" Oil, wlial a fdllinp-off was there, my mnalPM !"
Said we not rightly then, that Versailles saw its gloomiest days
under tiic foundress of St. Cyr?
4
I
S51
ON POPULAR AND NATIONAL POETRY.
BY CBARI.RS UACKAV.
FKANCE.
Bacon did not invest poetry with undue importance when he wrote,
" Give me the writing of Bongi for a people ; let who w ill make tlieir
Uw»." It would he no unintereBtinn or uninstructive study, taking
tlie remark tor n text, to note the influence which song* have exer-
cised upon the fortunes of nstionft, by keepicii; alive IVoin generation
to frenenition the hopex, the fearii, nnd the prejudice" »)f the people,
and ihufl weakening the effect of such laws n» may have been forceil
upon them in spite of either. It is not my object, however, to take
«uch high ground on the present occasion ; hut rntbcr to traverse the
pleasant fields of Enropeiin ifon^, and cull on the way son]e of the
fnirest flowera which may tie indigenou.s to ench pjirlieular soil. In
France " fa chanson " wields a ]niwer M-hich has heen at timea suffi-
cient to make a monarch wince upon hii> throne, and which in the
tiays ol' Louis XIV. and XV. fully juittinud the remark that the go-
vernuicut was an absolute monartFiy " tern per ^e par U's chansuna."
In Germany, Switzerland, Hunji^^ry. ScotliUid, and the Tyrol, the
Hon^^ o( the people are mirrors in which the national mind is vi-
vidly reflected. In England the songs with a few exceptions, pop-
se<t9 a more cosmopolitan character. Our lyrics, beautiful though
lliey be, do not in gemn-al embody the characteristics and aspirations
of our ptYtple. This renmrk applies more particularly to our mo-
dem songs, which have nothing exclusively English about them
except the litngiijige, and might be tr.-inHUted into French, Ger-
man, or Hpaniith, without the lu-iti of a beauty, or the necessity for
explanation, even to a reader totally unacquainted with our history
and present state. But our deficiencies in this respect wil! be ap-
parent if we make a more intimate Acquaintance with the popular
poetry of other countries, especially of those which have sulfered
ihc mo^t from poltticni enures. Among nations, as among indivi-
dual.!, luirrows and triiiU draw out the latent poetr}', which but for
them might have slumbered for ages. Marrow is indee<l the nurse
of song, and inspires more muKtc than joy or triumph.
To begin with France. What a faithful index to the national
mind may be found in the tongs which delight the people ! Ifow
redolent they are ai the land which gave tliem birth I How untrans-
lateable in all their original freshness, and how incomprehensible
in some of their most delicate and touching allusions to the stranger
who is not thoroughly acquainted with the history of the coutitry
and the characteristics of the peu]>Ie ! Songs which cheer the hus-
bnndnien, or are hummed by cottage girls at their rustic labours ;
and the uncultured but still poetic staves sung by the corn-reapers
or the vintagers, in whidi, ever and anon, there recurs a word
full of meaning to the politician who \i acute enough to under-
stand it. There are very fpw songs of this deftcription current
among the French people which can boast of n dnte anterior to the
Revolution, ami these are mostly fragmenta. The old songs of Ron-
»ard, Villon, INron, Marut. Panard, and others, and the still
mure ancient lays of tlie troubadoiirtt, do not come within our mlc-
gory. They wvre songs »uite<l only for Uie atmosphere of court*
S62
ON POPULAR AND NATIONAL POETRY.
and cities, and filled with those amatory nnd bftcrhanalian conceits
which arc derived from the Grecian mytholop;)-, and arc common to
."ill th« nnlioii» of Europe. The sonjfs of the pcii*«ntry are more
valtinhle ; and it is miicJi to be ref^Ptted that maimals so precious
to every historian who wiF>he.« to record manners an well a« events,
thould have been lo!<t in the Lnpsf of agt'B for the want of Dome
industrious culletior. TJie t'runde and the LigHc gave rise to many
ejii^rams and satires, but tu fuw bungs. We must go still further
hack to arrive at the ino$t ancient of the popuhu* lyrics which have
detccnded to niir day.
One of the most interesting had its origin '" the time of Charles V'll.
when .loart of Arc acquired her inimortai relebrity. Tlie langii.igc has
been moilerniited more thmi once, anlherr are several ver*iorin in ex.
istence ; but even in its prcMtit Rjrm it dateit iu far hack &» I.^kIO.
The concludtnj? stanxa contains a boast which every nalion m;ike«
nse of na an incentive against the enemy. " Vug ae nous en vatiU
fptatre!" is but the French version of the common English phrase
nrhich Goldsmith puts into the mouth of his disabled soliJicrf—
" One Knglishraan C4in beat five French at any time I"
" Enire TOus, gents de vilagei
(jiii ainif' Ic roy iTHn^oyi,
Prfn<i Gha(|un bnn cnum^
I'our combatue lei Bn);loy>,
Prea^ cbaqun uno liouo
Phur uiii^ux lent dtiniciner ;
S'ils u« sen voulent alter,
Au mtynK, fnilo Iriir In mode.
Ne cnii?nC' poinl : nll^ hattre
C«» ^(xWnn, pinclie* ii poy» ;
Car unt; de noui en vault quatre,
Au majtis, rn vjuli-il inii*!'*
The second alaniEa of thin riide chaunt id exquisitely characteristic
of the French to thin tiay. Il'they co*ild not externitiiate the Kng-
lish by the "liou<" — which means not only a hoe, but tJiat more
formidable weapon, a flail, — they were at least to make fnces at
them, that they mig'ht see the abhorrence in which they were held (
Something of the same kind took plarc during the occupation of
Paris by the allies in IHIfl, when the Parisians, unable to vent their
detestation by .iny other mode, gave it free scope in caricatures,
lampoons, and puns against the Dukeof Wellini^tonundhis Uuchcss.
In otlier words, they made the move, &* their ancestors had been ad-
vised to do under similar circum&tances.
The death of Francis 1. before Pavia filled the French nation
with grief and indignation ; grief for the fate of the gallant young
monarch, and indignation against those who were accused of having
betrayed and deserted him. Among the many songs made at this
period, the following is one of the few which have been preserved :
" MaiildicU Koieiil Ics (mhistrcs
fin\ I'ont abatulflnn^ I
En fnici <le vill«nio
lit B»Bonl (niijouni monitn^-
<) la raulc«canhille1
<jui ont Ic roi trompc ;
Au poiiil dc la bataille
N ont point voiilii fnj>p£.
FRANCE.
S53
Priiicct I Mi^wura de Frantv,
Kl noblisi chrvMli cm 1
Ayei vQ remembrance
Le* nohin irespMMa,
Ayex en souvemuiioe
he iioblu rojF Fran^oja !"
The riirle Mtrl Mtmple, but wHrin-lieArted inhnliltanta oTBrittAny
have preservwl a number of songs of the olclcn time; and many
ancient crones in the most uufrcqiieiited district* of that province
hatn over snatches of -war and love «ongs which were common
to many other purls of the country four hundred year* a;jo. Matty
of them, nf;atn, iire peculiar to Brittany, and, when heard by a na-
tive of that di:<lrict when wandering on a fori^i^^n ^hore, cxerci'W
npuii him an inHucnce as puwerfnl as the celebrated " Haaz drs
vacAr« "ducb upon the Swiss, or " Lt/cJiuber no vivre" upun tlie Sgot-
tith Highlunder. The nuptial song ut'the pea-saiitv of iiriituny sub-
dues the roughest Breton into tears ; ^nd an insttmce ih related of
a lawless fellow, who quitted his native village for his crimes, and
retired to the backwoods of Lower OanaiU. After roaming about
fur two years in the western world without it winh to revUit the
Hcene* of hiJt cliildho<Ml, he one day arrived by chance ^t ii cottage,
where he heard the daughter of a Canadian »ettler Ringing the well-
rctncrabcred air. He paused, enraptured ; and the very next »un-
rlse aaw htm trudging his weary way towards Montreal, to secure
• MMlge across the Atlantic. In less than three months he was
uae again in his honiettteud, brought back by an old Mmg. which
had awakened within him in a strange land the kindlier feelings
of his nature, and ninde him, if not a good, at leaiit a better man.
The song *»f the reapers of La V'enih-e is no leas dear to the coun-
try people, and has been their delight for generations. Although
"its rhymes are feeble, and iu rfyle is old," it i^ full of grace and
simplicity, and wedded toonairwliich renders it still mure touching.
It runs thus :
" i/« wiic rr^oit tic met UUrn
far I'tiiauctif tit* ciuim^,
Eiie n'cnoyt Ut matu*
Par U ivuignal chanttmt.
Sam satwr Ur' n'ccrirt ,
Nom Motvni t'qui al dedatuz
II J/ a dnbint cet Ultra,
' Aimr mill ; jc I'ttinte titnt !' "
There are few who will not appreciate the Iwauty of the above.
'Hie following paniphrave preserves the idea, although hardly tlie
tinipUcity of tlie original:
"1 wnd a ineMUKC to in^ dear
Each mornini^ by ihv laik,
Add evirry uit;li[ the ni|{btinsale
Gnii)^ auawcr crv the dan.
And, ibough we ncitbvt ruad nor write,
I know, niid wtW knows she,
TtM both tbe lettef and reply
Say,- Imkim: I Uwetie^I"
Madame de StafJ, in her touching ronuince "Dr//»Ai«e," has pre-
•erved tiie ancient bridal chauut of the peasants of Longuedoc, and
054
ON POl'ULAEl AND NATIONAL POETRV.
tleiicri1>«8 in eloquent language the effect it ]>ro«infei» on a fttranj^r
when sung in mil cliorus by tlit- villagers. Her description in,
no duubl, ciilourt^l to tin* hue of her own impaMioneil narrative ;
but t\vt*e who knew thr cHVi-t of their nncient songs upon a simple
but affectionate people, will iml think it greatly exaggcriited. The
fir^t verse h sung by the bride, and is literally ns follows :
Grant me thrn, nrif mother.
For my hutbaiui, mv Unxr^
I iL'iU lave film tew/tTli/
At thou haxf loKtd mi/jitther !
The mother replies in nearly the same worda,
TAj malher gi-antt iJiev
for thy huibanit, ihif heer ;
Tlu'u wilt Unv him Itiuhrtij
At the has l\md tfiy father.
The father then takes up the strain, and to the same air repeats
ily daughler, imitate thg mother I
For tfiji huiband, lake tfii/ loar.
And ekeruh kim Ifitdtrltf,
At the hei chrritbed Ihif father.
I have made no attempt to give a rhymed version of the above,
for fear of deotruyitig its simplicity, but have contt-nied niyiwlf with
renilering it word fur word ami line fur line from the uriginal.
The rcvululiun of lldf^, which swept awav t>o many of the an-
cient jnannLTa of the French people, carried uwuy many snatche*
of old buiifjs; hill it gave riae to score* of others, upon which it
impressed it* own vivid and burning mark. " Ca ira," *• La Car-
viagnole," and '" La MartciUaixe," will be as celebrated in history as
the fierce events from which tbev sprang. Who can say how many
a mind was maddened into poritical frenzy by the first, or how
many of the victories of the Itepublic were lu-lped on by the pa-
triotic eiith»«ia»ni raised in the breaHt of the " citi/en sokdier " by
the iowjHring jioctry and muhic uf iSe Utter? " (^a ira " was the
greater favourite with the mere popuUee.— and many a deed of blood
waa pcrpclrttted while the mob were bellowing forth its revolu-
tionary stanzaji in furious chorus. " I.a Marseillaise " was every
way superior ; and, bottl as regarded the air and the poetry, was
worthy to be considered the hymn nf liberty. There are many
still alive who remember during some of tlie fierce»it outbreaks
of the rcvulutiim, when the people were encamped by thnuunds
all night in the quais and M^uares of Parii*, to have heard long
after midnight, and autid the deep itilence of everything else, the
sudden swell of this national hymn. The ejfeet is tleuTibed as
having been grand and beautiful in tlie extreme. And who can
wonder at it.^ It wax tiie song of the epoch; and, heard at Much
a time, and in »uch a matuier, must have excited a long train of sub-
lime and gloomy reflection!! : mime triuiupliaiit feeling at the awaken-
ing to freedom of a great nation lung euntaveU, mingled with no
sligTit degree of shame and sorrow at the foul deeds which had
stained so fair a cause.
An English prisoner of war who wu in Paris just before the
I
I
I
FRANCE.
X55
I'all of Itobeftpierre, and who only esc8j>etl death hy the death of
the latter, (Ipscribei, in his memoirs the gloomy sensations ex-
citrd in tlic tniniU of the peaceable citizenM whenever the famou*
fn>illotinc Ming wns siin^ hy the rt-votutioiiary bands of the capit-il.
The air, though dritwlinj; Hiid ni<in«il<inou», was grnnd. from tlie
death-like reminUcenceii with which it wa« associated. The words
were something to the following effect :
■* AtettoM tiimi tn oraUon —
Miif! liincueringiin,
])<rnnt ttiintc guiltiitiiKtlc—
MaguingutringKi tic. !"
This jumble of ttnurtds, many of them without meaning, would be
ludicrous in Kngli-ih. But even nonsense may be somctimeH hor«
rible ; and, amid all the absurdity of this wild chorus, there was
one idea which gave it terror. The terms of fondness and endear-
ment lavished upon the guillotine arc utterly loathsome ; and be>
tray, better, pernnps, than any more laboured phraseology could
do, the true character of that dismal period. As the judges o(
ope day lierame tlie criminaU of the neiLt, thisi ttmig was at hiet
Mn|^ OH the scaffold && well as at tlic fout of it ; the poor victims
thus chauntiny fur themselves the same chorus which tJiev bad
ahuutcd for others, and apiilytiig tu the instrument of decapitation
the sdine disgusting and oluioH blasphemous expressions or mock
fotidness.
But a brighter period was at hand. The strong man came at last ;
and, trampling anarchy under his iron heel, diverted the thoughts of
the Frencn into a new channel. Under the despotism of the empire
the French poets hnd leisure to indulge in tlieir favourite satire.
Olory, also, with wliicli they were so dazsled, inspired the muse;
and une poet aroMr pre-eminent to throw tlie mantle of his genius
over the ejK>ch> and embulm in undying verse the memory of the
hopes, the grievances, and the fears of the people. His name has of
Ute years become pretty familiar to the English public ; even to
thousands who do not understand, or who, understanding, do not
appreciate him. This poet was Beranger, whose songs, ho exnutMte
from their truth, their wit, their tendeme.is, and their simplicity,
stand a fairer chance of immortality than anyofthc productions of his
contemporiiries. They are known to hundreds who cannot rciid, and
— sure -sign of long life — they are sung by village gossips to children
in tlic nurHcry. He has conrpletely identified himHclf with the po-
pular mhid ; and to the force and simplicity which always please the
unlettered many, has united the grace and polish which are the ad-
miration of the scholastic fe«'.
.Songs are the most enduring expression of the national feeling
with regard to the events which they celebrate, and lhi>«e of Be-
ranger will be valuable ages hence fur their embodiment of the
pubhc sentiment in France at the close of the career of Napo-
leon. Weariness of his dopotic yoke, mixed up with the moat utt-
bounded admiration of his military glory, filled the popular mind
before the battle of Waterloo. After that event, so painfid to
the self-love of all true Frenchmen, their anger evaporated; and
the people forgave his oppression or forgot it, Iiestowing nn his
tad reverses their deepest pity^ and on his glory, unparalleled in
S56
OS POPDLAR AND NATIOXAL POET«T.
modern time*, an udmiralicm akin to iAdaHrj. AH these feelings
are tmpr«*ted vn the songs of Benuiger, anil soflkacntljr cacplaiD thr
rea*on» of hit imntense po|)ulan^. The Mvig entitled '^ TMe old
Serjeant" is full of the peculiar characteristics of Beranger; and
commanicates, through the dmpte medium of the reminiscvncea of
a diaabled soldier, a patriotiBin which must touch every heart. All
the imager arc plain and natural, and the effect of the whole is nn<
anipmed in French poetry. *' t^ viev-z drapeau," written in lH3ft,
harps upon a similar sLriug, and cxpre^eus tlie wishea of a veteran of
ttic wars of the republic to M.-e tlie ancient Rag, tlie immurtal tri-
cotuur. reslori^d to the head of the French armies, frum whence it
had been ca«t down to make war fvr the white Uamier of the
2k>urbon». This song, so truly national, enjoyed from the lir»t
moment of it* publication the most eKtensive popularity, and
found an echo in every French Ixisom. In the " Broken fiddle " the
poet wa» equally happy in sei^iig a sentiment common to a whole
people, and eniliahning it in language full of truth and poetry. Xo
subject could well be simpler than the indignation of a poor old
fiddler, who«e instrument had been ruthlessly destroyed by the suc-
cessful bvaders of the soil; but this theme is worked up by the
poet M powerfully tlut the woe^ of the fiddler become national. In
another style, but equally happy, i» the song entitled " The Sutler ;"
which, in langua^ appropriate to tlie subject, anil abounding with
tlie expressions, images, and ideas which may be supposed peculiar
to the female follower of a camp, exults over the successes, and
muurus over Uic humiliation, of uie French anut, till, nutwithitsiid-
ing the buiueliuesj »i' the »tyle, and the questJoiuible morality of
tliu speaker, Uie heart warms at her noble pntriotiem and generous
ayniuathy for diaCrcss. " Lex ttctavet Gauhu: " ii in a higher strain,
and 19. without exception, the most beautiful lyric in the French
language. It was written in lt{24, when the foolish Bourbons, dis-
regarding all tlie solemn warnings of the past, were endeavouring to
re-rivet the chainti which « nation had snapped asunder. It repre«-
senlii a party of ancient Gauls in »lavery, brutnlised by misery and
d^radation, breaking open the cellars in the ab»ence of their mas*
ler, and drinking the wine which had formerly l>eloiiged to thcm-
■dve*, and chnunting in full chorus, under its influence, their con-
tempt for freedom. E%'ery line of ihia elo(]uent composition struck
deep into the miuU of French poHtirianB nt that period. The burn-
ing satire worked well; and, altliougli the poet himself suffered fine
and imprUanntent for this, and other ufl'usians as ubnoxious to the
tyrannical government of the day, his name was engraved ou the
hi'arta of tlie French people. The bitter irony of such poetry as
the following, tended to keep up the indignation which burat forth
irreprea&ively in 1^30.
" Savct-vous oil gil riminUe pierrc
Del Kuerriiirs marti iin noire icmpaT
Lit— p)u!i dV-pou»ti till |>ri<.-(i; ;
La — [ilus de fleura, tnJime uu priutcmpet '.
la Ure atiendne
Kc redtt plus Icun noins cffacfi lous.
VntfpK da u\t i]ut meart pinir ta patrk !
JsAiviooi nous \
4
4
PRAXCR.
a>7
I
La Libert^ l^Clnfpire encore
Atcc <ies rvatet tlu vertu ;
Elle nous dil, ' Void V&ototp :
P«u[>l« t toujoun dorrnint'tuT
IWitf «|u'on vanie,
Rccnite uilkurs its marlyn et dcs fou; !
L'or (e <-orrom(>t. la gloin t'^pou vaoie :
Eoivruns noue 1
Oui ! lottt« etp^'mnce ext bannie,
Ne compioiis plui In nuux soufiVrla.
Le nv»n(>aii de In tyrannic
Sur les nutels nn nc<s fers.
All mondc <^^ iiiulle,
Di«ux toul-puitsans, qu«i exetople oifrei-vovis ?
Au char den roii un pri^ira vou* auM1«.
EnivTDDS nout I
Riona des dieux, — nBvaa Ics t»^ ;
Flallon» niH) mullrRs almotu* ;
Doniions-leur nos tils pour uiiiges :
On wC dr. hiintc ; an n'en mturt ptta !
Le pliai.sir nous vEtige :
Sut nwK 'III «un il l^il gliMM let rpupa.
Trainoiii gaiemcnl nofi chainei dans U &n(K.
Enivrons ooiii I"
It would occupy too much space ir I were to attempt to signalise all
the soiijfs, rviiileied national by their wit and truth, wliith iiavc pr*t-
reedetl Irom tiic prolific peti trfthe firti MHijr-writcr uf Kraiit'e; but.
as my subjrct preclu'les me I'rom entering into the conMclL-rntion ul
many Ixaiulitul sonf^s of his which are not itrictlv of this dcrcription,
I may be forgiven for dwelling at erester length upon th<iiE« which
tiTV. If ever poet g^ve the liv to the Hs^erlion tliat the 3Iuse» are
alien to politics, it is IkrnuiKer. It w»uld be hard indeed were
poetry, which HyinpitthiiK^R *o deeply and no truly with »ll that con-
cerns bumuiity, to he di^bHrred from touching on thoiw ^rHiicI quw-
tion« which involve the happiiicoii or misery of nation*, «nii the pro-
j;fre«uve improvements of thf human race. The sublimeat poetry
ia rcHgioiu, but to religion^ politic?, in the nohIe»t and most ex-
trniive aense of the word, inipire-i the grandest concentions to the
tiuc poet. Those who would restruin him from entenng into that
wide field, can have no correct idea, of the importance of his mtsnon.
The aong entitled "The Holy Alliance of Nations," written in IHIH.
in commemoration of the evacuation of the French lerrilory by the
allied armien, is a fine specimen of the union of the highe<it p>litic8
with tbe highest poetry. The following paraphrase may give the
Englinh reader some idea of this nobW sonc. which bu drawn
down the approbation of pbilosophtrs and critics, not only in
France, but in every country where French literature w cultivated.
THE UOLY ALUANCE OF NATIONS.
** I saw from lunveo draceiid the tersph Fnce,
To cIm«t the world, ton lon^ by discord lorn ;
Ttm m was calm, as, bidding warfare cvatc,
- She fluD|{ BTvand hpr, flow«r* luid ean of com.
III.
2SS
OH POFOLAm A50 KATTOSAL tOETKY.
' Ofc, hBM r wiJ At, ' Jmiatiul uwHtm, Ww I
Ei^lM nd FicMk, wd a eMan4M« hods,
Feoi M ilhiTf. Mr aid mmc,
Aaljani.jimlM^I
, — lp»Brli1tof ■HI""*'?— '*^
>pai jM cjci, wd be n» loMer bind ;
IT i*Bwld |c nfe Md Aid MM olWrV blood,
Mcaasc m MMMeh AUa Ui natat ouofued ! —
Wkr whoi W bmbIi kis chviot, abosU je rhcer,
J^M dbai^ te Wt «fccdt cmfa the obvwM luda f-
FflCB Ml ilHaarr^ mOmf add nstfK,
ABdjokuiahiH^I
Le 1 'moeg iIm con, now br«ned sdiI tnaipled down,
Tm ftcMMd ■Oldien breMlMd iheir djtng Kraans;
Aad « «ch bcwdv fcft nd fmiMf town
Ite bsMB aotl nom tieli with tmnu boM* I
Iklarid ^u-mak, bbxinf bt Md near,
B« fiW wiib hmr >a dw aoSering iHdi.
F«m as lUiiBec, bolr ud metn,
Aad join, jois taou !
Sbovld nnlliocK 6>ll in tbrtr uahelf strife.
SiiJi ■uwtto thbk dieir butln chouily wob ;
Wbat Aa dwy cn« far waning butnan Uie 1—
llw; *?• niiwd a pranncei and ibt Aing it doot I
Tbao «p to Woao lhe>r haughty baadi Ifcejr rear,
Aad poM «f glcwy to Uw UeediBf bikdi.
Fona an tlliance, b^Y and 9idcct«,
And jocD, join bands !
Wbj thoold their ^ory, foanded on jroar woe,
Uatde jrour ajm and yoke jroo to tbcir car F —
An yc dte gainea tnr tbeic pomp and abov,
FooU tbat T« '•« been, «bcn-«tghud tbai jre are I
Why sbonld Hicae tjitaata Iroabk ihoa y«ir spbcre.
And with thtir quanab dtcinua jmtr Uow?
Fofn an alli»m:e, boW and iinociv,
* And join, join hands I
Yea! tnt and hapf^, let the worid repoM ;
Stieub«d be (he girard. and be the cannon danb :
Aifl let the memory of yoot fanner woea
Make j-ou the wiMr (or the dajrt to come I
TImo ahall ripe coni-ficlds al] your laboun cfaeer.
And the red Tiniag* gladdtn all the lands. —
Vona on allijince, kolv and nncere,
Ai»d Join, join huMal'
Thiia U> the nationi ipoke the senph Peace :
'Dm *intaf[e ripened, and the good com grew ;
Meu toxic their i»u|;sl«i and dmenvoiu cra&e,
And youlhi mid niaidcna danced uiwn the dew !
Ttien hrar, je nalivDn ! hear, ye i>«o|il«. bnri
FrredoiQ and wealth shall gladden all jour lands,
When this alliaoce, holy and siacvrr,
Ilai joined all hand^il
The other poets who were insjiircd by the spirit of this agf arc
few and iiiiimportsnt. .Scribe wrol* muii^k for the theiiin-*s ; atid
CMimir DeUvtpw^ « poet far superior, followed bis example. None
ON POPULAR AND POPUtAR PORTRY.
950
of tlir^e hatl the xliitnp of iiniiiiTiKlity u)>mi them : aiHl tlip songf
of Ber«ngcr rontintte<1 alone to be extensively popular. Thev Iti'pt
up with their eternal refrains the hatred A^ainnt the elder bratich
of the Bourbons. Evfry act of tyranny anrl perversity into which
tbey blundered was aligmati^eil in sonffs. Thrse being invuriably
adapteil to some old am) favourite melmly, were speeuily sung in
ever)- corner of the kingdom. At last the moment came whtn the
nation could submit to ttie lash no lonrar ; and, in thiit moment of
indignation, the old cchoi-s of the Tuilcrics were startled by the
deep tones of the well -remembered MurjeUlaixt:. The new sonfja
for a time gave way to the old one; and ever and uuoii, during
the three dnys, «mia the thunders of the artillery, the ears of the
absolutist* were alarmed and offended by the swelling chorus of this
popular anthem. Tli« rfFtct of uiuwc upon the mind in moments-
of difficulty and dnuger has l>cen often, dwelt vipon. The inspiring
sounds of martial music are constantly employed to lead the soldier
to victory ; and the populace of the three days instinctively cheered
and supported each other behind their barricndcs by the same
means. After the carnage was over, and when the people had leisure
COKBson upon theirtriumph, a poet conceived the idea that another
IwtioaBt sung waa wanting to celebrate the victory, and JM.Cdsimir
Delavigne wrote the Parisirmir ; Auber compoHiid the music, and
ill lesN than three months from ita first publication there was hardly
any thing else in the way of music to be heard in Fr&nec. Kven
Belgium' and Germany caught up the strun, till every street min-
atrel gave up bis own favourite chxunts to make way for the one
which liad ao suddenly captivated the mind^ of the populace. There
is not much in the poetry ofthis song ; and the music i« but n rijaci-
mrnlo of some of the finest passages of ita great predecessor, the
MartciUaUe. It is light and graceful, willi a dash of joyousness
befitting a song of victorj'.
Since the revolution of 1830, the French poets have in some de-
gree lost tlinr national characteristicti. Luuis Philippe gives thvm
nothing to sio]; about. Heranger has re.tsed to warble^ and the re-
mainder are Hinitten with the love of JJyron or Goethe, and waste
themselves nwsy in servile imitations of these model*. Victor
Hugo and Atphonsc de la Afartine are exceptinni, and. it must be
owned, illiutrious ones, to this accusation ; but they do not sing
for Frnnre. Their poetrj- is the poetry of the drawing-room, and
their names and works arc alike unknown bcyo»d the circle of the
educated claases. In the next article upon this subject we hope
to stray witli the reader over the girden of German and Swiss
poetry, and make ncquatntance with such of their songs aa are
strictly the song» of the people; and which, like the French songs
already quoted, are characteristic of the country, or were in«iiired
by events of naUonal importance. C. M.
T a
SCO
THK GRAND JUKOR;
OR. SBBVIKO Mr COUKTBV IN ORASD rTTLK.
" A rRiNTKD papn" !" »tdii I ; " what can it W ubout ?"
" Why. it ■* a unmmons, to be sure !" replied my wife.
"A sumiiionitt" I re{)eat«d ; and I luiclecl, in order to give a re-
e))<?ctable fini^ih to niv HjieccU. " very odil this !""
Hut, tliout^fi I Kiiid it viWi odd, 1 ttiuuglit it was unplejtMiit.
and wen malicious ; and fur a moment J vax (ti)<}M»M.*tl to cnier-
tain a very unfavourable opinion of Air. Selvetlge the lineu-dra-
per, Mr. Oiblet the pmiUerer, Ulr. Barrett gf the Black Lion, ami
fi few other 7ieiii;hlK>ura from whom we take short credit, to itave
the Tiectssity of wriling a cheque for everv Iriflinji sum,
']'he pwper wim brought to me, and I then found that it was
indeed a nummon^, but not ainch a one as I hiitL suppooed, inas-
much a.4 it required mc, not to attend before the commiKNioners
of the court of coniirit-nce, but to serve on the grand jury for the
cniinty of Surrey at the assizes about to be hulden at Uorumuii-
ger-lane.
I was a little disconcerted at this, us if I wish to be thought an
excellent member of society, I have no objection to allow others
to perform Uiuhc duties which occupy some time, occB&ion trouble
and exjH-Tiiic, and bring no profit.
Sufli being my taste, I felt no dissatisfaction when I discovered
tlmt there was a mistake in the spelling of my name, which is Gos-
lin^on ; but it w^k here made to appear Guzlinglon.
Tliia defect, though I had no doubt in the world that the snm-
mons was intended for me, would, I thought, fully excuse me from
Attending to it at wll ; itiiil indeed I consiilered thiit it ought to
be received a" a perfect juKtitieation of my Ltmduct in .ibsenting uiv-
aclf if 1 »tnt.ed that from the spcDing I Iiad supposed it must have
been inteniled for tome other person.
But my w^fc decided that it would be better that I should at-
teud at the time menlinnud in tiie summnn». To explain thi-t niattmr ;
oCherwiae 1 might be fined, which she remarked " would be a Jine
bu»ine«-"
I concurred with ner in th« ; and accordingly went to the ue*-
iinns-houM on llie appointed day, mixed in the crowd, and waited
till the names of the persoiu caUetl upon to serve, an I had been,
ircTf read over.
When the officer got to the word " Guxlington," I thought the
time wa5 come for getting off from the dioagreeable task, and re-
^mriy stepped forward, tletcrrained to make it known that tJiey
ImA wa right to detain me ther*-.
TW name '>f fluzlingtoti was repeated. I heard the quemion
^|„i_«|ghehere?"
lMh«»«»U«l f"*- "1^1—" But. not being in "the habit of
^yyi( M^^iOf." as the phrase is, I conid not get any further.
^W^^JMTttOt ancwer," Maid the officer.
*lfa^- I (JW o»t ; " I— 1~-
^j^ 'tev't" cried H grubby-faced man on my left hand, whom
IB of tliL' pariiiLi constables.
THE GRAND JUfHlK.
361
I
I
" Oh, he nnswcTA '." I hraril the clerk any, uid I saw htm about
Uj write sonu-tliinj;.
'■ I wish lo exniBin/'BaitI }, "that my name U not Oujelington."
" Then what (lid you answer to it for? You called out ' here* !"
raid the clerk.
" I was luld to do so."
" You were lolid to do so I" L'cliocd the clerk, te«towing un me «
>[tancu of oflicial contempt. " 1 sufipo^e you know your oWti nume
when you hear it, and undersUind that you are nut to speak fur an-
other."
" I wish to explain," said I ; and then, determined to finish this
btislnes.4 out of hnnd, I went on: "a nolife has been Ie)1 nt my
hoiur, addrenseil lo Mr. Ou/.lington; but that," I abided, proudly-
drawing myself up, " is no name of mine."
" What is your name?"
"Not (Jujilington, but" — and now I thought the matter would
be tattled in a moment, — " but," I repeiited, " Gosling — "
"Very well,— that will dti!" he replie*l, and wrote in hi;tbook.
The busiue^.H vax xettle^l (juite as ."ioon as I expected it would
be, but in a diiferent manner: for the Testament wsh instantly
handed to me, and 1 was sworn to serve as a grand juror.
I was rather vexed at this rcKult, as 1 knew it would cause my
eloquence to be very disparuKingly spoken of at hutiie. However
there was no help for it ; and atVr a fipeech had been delivered by
the chairman for the purpose of intitructing us in our duty, which,
from the noise that prevailed, none of us could hear, we were c»n-
durted to the room reserved for tiie deliberations of the (jrand jury.
Tile first thing 1 saw wlien I got there wjw a bill of fare, which
•omcof my fellow jurors proceeded immediatelv to take irib> their
most aerioua conMidcnitiun. I wiis favoured with a pcruiud of it;
and I really fell a g<KMl de«l consoled for my recent failure while
going over thiit ducunient. Sjihnon, sole», fowls, tongue, saddle of
■uitton, custard-puddinji:, and tarls all set forth in poodly array,
■eemud to promise a very ctmsidernble aniHinratinii of the duties
which t had to perform. — for I took it fnr granted that the public
was to pay for all; but my datisfartion was ctpusideraldy ubuted
when I got to the end, and found it dir^tini-ily stateil that seren
and lixpencc was lu be charged to each individual.
The names were now cidled over by the gentleman who had been
named our foreman. When he reached what was supposed to be
my patronymic, and which had been bo carefully currecte<I in open
court, I found that the officer there lia<l conitiderjibly improved on
the original blunder, and, instead of OoHting havinf^ l>een subsli-
tuled for OuxliiiKi the latter word wa« prtfijccd to my proper name,
which accordingly appeared from this list to be Guzling Goslington !
I riarted with indignation at finding myitetf thus described, and
aninMdverted with comtiderable severity on the hurry and negligent
manner in which the business ot the cflunty was {lerformed by some
of it4 officers, who were but too well paid. 1 doubted whether I -
could be compellwl to rcmnin, bring thus in)pro[ierlv described ;
but my next-door neighlwur, Mr. Kneller the undertaker, remark-
ed that I had been sworn, and hoped that they should not low die
pl«ajiure of my coni{tany in conNCijuence of a fo<d)sh mistake, — for
•uch he and all the otli'vr jurors thought it ; and lliey laughed at
I
tbrrefare rtrj heartily, or «Ue — but I ha«« no •erioai reaaaa for
ftOMiecting that — the}' Uuf^hnl at me.
leventually t](^cid«l to «tar ; for. beades hang Bontevhatin doubt
that the inaccuracj vhich 1 haTc mentioned vould not be a legti
justification for then abaentin^ myself, t thought mi to act ntigbt
be conKidered uluikhj, and I did not like Ui be thought meanly of
for mrvea and rixpence.
So my real name, Tristram, was inserted in the list. I inaisted
on Ifaia reparation ; and I took my teat at the table viih the rest of
the company.
And now began a very important proceeding indeed. It ma
Def:eMarir to know exactly how many gentlemen proposed to dine
there. 1 permitted my friend Kneller to name me for one, and im-
mediately ailer this the foreman called upon me for a guinea.
I <lid nut clearly understand this ; but, at Mr. KneUer told me il
wan unmil, I thought it won Ix-tter to comply with a good grace
tlmn ^l rink being RUBpecled of meanness or of poverty- Nearly
all the gentlemen present put down the same sum. The chairman
remarked that we hurl thus got a snug little funti, which, the un-
dertaker nddect, he hoi>ed would keep us alive.
I now cnnrluileil that the most ditiagreeable part of the day's wm-k
waa over, — for it in not pleasant to be taxed atui laughed at ; when
my friend, Kiii'IUt. very gi>ud'naturei]ly obficrveil, tlial it was the
Hmt time he had liuil the hcippinecf of seeing me tJieru, and he be-
lieved I hut! never served on tlae grand jury before.
I uiTswered, with great alacrity, that he was right on both points.
" Tlirn, Mr. Foremnn," said the imdert^iker, with ull the grave
MiigKcry jieeuliar tu the mirthful fraternity of which he is a mero-
her. " my iVtend here is a coil."
" llless met" said the foreman, in the tone of one w!io had es>
CNped no common danger, "I had nearly t'urgotteu to look afler
Ihe tvUour* f"
And Inrn, that this momentous part of his duty might not again be
jt|Hiic«l lo oniifcsion from his negligence, he proceeded to call o»er
^hr names jn'r'mtim, and to ask the owner of each if he had ever
MTVed t«> the grnml jury before.
Three bt-aides me onKWcred as I had done, and each waa reqaired
t,t pat t4'n an<l itixneiu'e fur being a colt"
The Due was rather nii^MiUuibte U> a man of my economical turn.
Aivd I dill not feel very gmtcfal to Mr. Kneller fur hie servicea on
Ik* nttoaiii^n. However, I put down the money with as good a
■nn ** I eould, and, while doing so, attempted to be facetious ; re-
vnarkdm that " I suffered for being a coft, while many ol'my netgb-
huM* 1^*^' nothing tit pav on account of their being /'uU-gmem
V^lfalt tiuportant matters had hardly been arranged when a nes-
^^tt MM* ^*' "* ^''"^ ^^^ Ctmrt waited, and could do nuthiitg till we
^JLyi ttavc »pnt up some biiU ; ujkhi which Mr. Wiggs, the diair-
™V^j^ wv mu«t prtKTeil to buwnr>* without loss of time. He
ibirt the be*t ci>ur«e would be, to take the ctaes of ccr-
vWich were complained of by thctt twighbdur*, as npoii
f, there would be little diuerenre of opiiuon. We all
a very good idea ; and to it «e went against tboae
ifcuiltr '--^--*- «rre stated, witli all the imlitpenaafaW
THE GRAND JDROK.
xes
rigtnsrde of law, to have ufTeiiclcd "aeninst our Lord the Kin^,
his Crown, and dignity," (our Lady the Qucfii bviug thcu out ol' tlic
question.) The jury were not lung in diaposiiiK of them. In tho
couTBe of half .in hour we hatl a good handful ofbillv ready. All, I
believe, felt hh I did, that acting thus we had rendered good Ftrvice
lo the moraU of the nation ; but, in the course of the next twelve
tnonthSj I had some doubtsoti the subject. Tliough the parties pre-
•ented were convicted, they were let off scot-free, except that they
were obliged to ftbate tlie nuiMuiee, which was siuppofted to be <lone
by their removal. But, as three <>r four of the onendern were in-
habitflnta of the same street, fill they did was to change houses,
and their trade went on without interruption as usual. The county,
however, h.id to pay the coiiittables and witnesses, and also for the
drawing «f the indictment and other legal charges. To ine it an.
peored that the chnracier of the neighbourhooil was not inaterially
improved; but hUII 1 mii.>*t in candour own, that, as it put money
into the pockets of the officf-Tii and variouii individuals uonnectea
with the proBCCUlion, tho main object of the indictmeot was fuUy
annwer ed-
it would hardly be doing jut*lice to the parties engaged to for-
ward the atlminist ration of justice if I were not here to mention that
Ihey really make considerable exertions to diRCOumge vtte and immo-
rality. That was clearly ctdablinhed by nil the evidence given re-
specting nncturtml disturbancr* »t pu1>lic-hou»e». gaming- shops, and
other place* of diK«ipatiiin. The oliicerit certainly did not go the
extreme length of compelling the keepers of such establishments
to cloae their doom at eleven or twelve o'clock at night, which I had
previously understood to be their duty ; but they subjected tlie
owners to so heavy an impost on keeping open, — I mean, they de-
matided such large sums as " hush-money, ' — thai it really amounted
to « very dreadful penalty, which, connected with the inflexible
determination (unchangeable as the law of the Medes and Persians)
to punish without mercy those who were so shockingly irregular
iu their habits as not lo keen up regularly their payments to the
police inspectors and parish funciionaric*, must have the effect of
deterring many from entering on that course of life, while it holds
out a strong inducement fur otherii to leave it. In this way the
magistrates of the county, (who touch no per-ccntage on the tax,)
as it constantly works the parties in question, are unanimously of
opinion that "the law works well."
We went vn with the calendar, which somewhat disappointed
me, and, I believe, the wlinle of the jurors. "There is nothing
at all inte renting," was the general remark ; and some of us were
inclined |utthelically to deplore that no spirit-stirring murder, no
ttirtling assault on man or woman, and no burglary of import-
ance, appeared on our Ust. In the absence of these we were obliged
to nut up with the meagre fare of street-rows, begging-leltcr writerii
ann stealers of pewter-pots.
Our lot was hard, but we resolved not to suffer alone; and, as
"one atory is always good till another is told," we bravely i>enl
all whose misdeeds were brought before us to answer for their con-
duct eUcwbere.
Labour so arduous soon made ut all feel that sandwiches and
■twrry were absolutely necessary to go on, and theee were occc
S64
THK GRAND JUROR.
iogly introi1uc»1. At k ImUt hour in the dfty a very ffood dinner
-WM servet) up. A true bill was aaan found aj^xinat that ; and it wu
not only Iritd, but cj^eculed with prniscworthy despatch. Consi-
dering the toil we had undergone, nnd the iwlemn chiirticter of the
duties we hnd to perform, we were in pretty good spirits, fllr.
Kneller especially neetned lo feel himself quite at home, and could
not have been more jolly at a funeral.
The cloth removed, not to appear too feitivc, wc determined that
only two bottU'it of wine tshuuld remain on the table while we con-
tinued our inquiries, which we hoped to bring to a clow that day;
but that — though, as we proceeded, the witnes&es called in b^ame
fewer and fewer, and the examinations ihorter and shorter, — we could
not accomplish, and in the end wC were obliged to a<ljourn to the
following moniing.
On asM>iiil)lin^ in the ^and'jury room on the second day, the
first inquiries of the chairman and Mr. Kncllcr were naturally di-
rected towards dinner. I had paid my guinea on our first mectinc,
rather than look mean, with a toleral>ly good ^acc; but I hardly
cared to subscribe a necond, nnd such, 1 perceived, waa tlie feeling
of at leaitt half the company. It produced a Heries aC rery gen-
teel excuses, and ap»l(>gies of the mo^t touching character. One
gentlemun was oblicfd to deny himself the eiijoyiiiciit of our so-
ciety, as the Lord Aluyor on tlic preceding diiy liiid post|K)ned a
party solely oit his account. Mr. Felt, the hatter, could not be
with us, as he had n public duty to perform, having to carry a pe-
tition to Mr. Quackly the member, which must be presented that
very evening. Another juror begged to be excused, as his mother
(a lady who, as he was at least ^ixty-tive, roust have been some-
what ailvanced in years,) was dangerously ill ; and a cadaverous
little man, with a tiini-up nuse and crooked k'tis, w.ts most anxious
to be at home, as his lady was on the point of bein^ confined. Air.
Kneller, who was appointed treasurer the day before, and who
in that character had been most active in collt'Ctinc subsrriuiions,
received these excuses, and half a dozen others, with aa nnucn good
will oil this occasion as he had done the guineas upon that; ond
whispered to mc with a friendly wink that "he by no means wish-
ed those to stay who desired to be absent, as h« for his part had
no taste for scremng tlornu."
I held this to be very liberal on his part ; but to show that I did
not value money more than he did, and having never been in such
a scene before, i dttermined to see it out. Our task wa« not very
severe; and early in the afternoon we found ourselves so near the
end of imr liibour, that the president considered we had leisure to
see the prison, and acctinliiigly sent a message to the cliairmail of the
sessions, rcqueatiiig his periniHsiun to do so.
Our suit was granted ; and, preceded by a man with a wand, who
had on both days been in attendance, we all inarched to the gaoh I
beheld, with mingled feelings of satisfaction and sorrow, the com-
modious but formidable iron-guarded area appropriated to the va-
rious classes of prisoners then awaiting their trial. One circum-
stance struck me rather forcibly: where the iiit-n were confined,
several sad. anxinus-louking females appe/ired, who opproaclied, as
closely as the grating woulil pierniit. the objects of their solicitude,
evidently deairous uf coatributiDg all the sol&ce that af}'cctinnBti< syni'
I
J
KftAND JURJ
9S5
I
pAtliy Cotild stipplj- ; but, when I looked to the yard in which the
women w«re d«tAined, ni> iitAti wax to Iw seen lurMng thi' same kindly
part bj- them. *• Oh, woman!" I mpntwlly encUimed, "wliilf man
■ft happv, shy, timid, and retiring, you «re Taitht'til to him in ndver-
sity ana dUgrace !
' When Hem affliction wrin(^ the brow,
A miiusierimg xa^ thou I'
But he who eagerly, impetuously piirmv« you when ease and com-
tort Burrouiitl you, coldly Ivravex you in the hour c>r yuur humili-
atjon and ditlreas, to pine and «i):!h, and, it may l>e, tu die alone !"
[ wished to see more — to explore the interior — to examine the
cells; but no order to that effect had been given, and, instead, we
were allowed to walk round the jrovernur'ti garden, which, the
strawberries then being ripe, was plcnsant ennngh. We returned
tn the, grand jury room, wnere a report, setting forth ihnt we had
minutely inspected the prixon, and were highly gratified with the
cleanliness, ortler, &c. which everywhere prevailed, was tvndcred to
us tor bigitature. Uf cuurse wu all put uur ntiiiK's tu it; tliuugh of
tlie uenvral econuoiy ufUie gaol, as may be collected from what has
just ueen stated, we knew no more than we did belbre Waving our
apartment, or than might have been indited with equal propriety
from Camberwell Grove or London Bridge. I do not mean to say
that I felt this was exactly right ; but then, I thought to myself, it
wa« no u«e one going against the rest of the jury, and I did not like
to make myself couiipiruoufi. To do no might have olTended aome
very pleasant gentlemanly people with whom I had been on excel-
lent terms for a day and a half, and for what ?— to abate the mijtery
of a hundred or two of wretches whom I liatl never seen. The
thing would not bear thinking of.
Our last bill presented, with the report aboTe mentioned, we sat
down to dinner. The fare waa excellent, — so excellent that occa-
sionally I had what, under some circumatances, might have been
called a pre^'ntiiuent on the subject of what was to follow in that
thrilling moment when,
^ " ibe banquet o'er,
Tbe tcckoiiing comes, and iben locn smile no more."
Mr. Kncller called our attention to this important matter. My
tnind was a good deal relieved at hearing him say we should not
have more than half a guinea each additional to pay. All present,
I thought, .seemed cheered by the intelligence ; but what language
can aileipiately paint, as an eloquently descriptive writer would say,
the transport experienced when, in the next nmmunt, he added,
"Tlie fact is, gentlemen, we have funds hullicieni to cover every-
thing, and three bottles of wine to come in."
Oil ncenes of extraordinary felicity it is generally thought unwise
to dwell. At the tlieatre, managers drop the curtain the moment
all iwrtJes are seen happy. Proud to imiUite an example mt illustri-
oua, I stop not here to tell how we acknowledge<I the uble and im-
partial cunductof our chairman,and the wonderful virtunof his vice,
*' Scimo feeliini are to mortals given
With less or urth in ibem than heaven,"
Mr. Kneller the undertaker taid In a "neat and impressive
speech," it being hia way tu go from " gay to grart," white returning
26G ODE TO MR. HUfiPHY.
thiuikfl on his health bein^ drunk with three times three. He ex-
plained the cause of our present happiness to have partly grown on
the readiness with which he had admitted the shirking excuses of
about half our body, who would, it was more than probable, — ao he
said, and so I thought, — have forgotten tlie Lord Mayor, the House
of Commons, the dying mother, and the lying-in-wife, had they
been aware Uiat they could have found in the grand jury room a.
superior dinner, plenty of wine, and nothing to pay.
H. T.
ODE TO MR. MURPHY.
Hail to thee, Murphu ! sage prognosticator \
With "tueaftSo- eye"
Scanning the sk^.
Hiou art no commen-iator !
No mere harum-scarum
" Vox stellarmn,"
But the great $h/-Lavoter .'
Go, FraDcis Moore I all-wiae physician !
Thy " more or less
(A mere old woman's guess)
Proves thee to be, unlilce our Murphy, vo magidan I
Tis plain.
Frost, tliunder, wind, and lain,
All follow at thi/ bidding 1 Not in vain
Thou scann'st tlie stais.
Venus or Mars
May smile or frown ;
Or the "Gnat Bear,"
Or the " man in the moon," may stare.
And try to put thee down :
Thou carest not a button for them ! so,
Tis all" no gw"/
Great Murphy ! thou rt in everybody's mouth
From north to south :
The passing salutation
Throughout the nation
Is daily now " Good morning ! —
Murphy 's right !"
Or else, " Good night !
I 've book'd a place for Sunday by the mail, —
The nextjiw aay, as Murphy gives us warning 1"
" When do you sail?"
'* Not till the 25th, becmae I/ear the gale .'"
Tis very strange.
But every man on " 'Change "
Grows learned ! talking much of " meteoric.
Galvanic, and magnetic powers," " caloric,''
And all the secret causes strange combin'd,
Obscure to all lave Murphy't mighty mind;
Expressing oft their wonder
What damage will be done nejt autumn by the thunder !
Murphy, adieu ! beware I
The public sometimes " change,'* which is not "foir."
Long may you reign, a hale old man q( metal.
Great prophet ! 'till the tnowt of ^ shall settle
Around thy brow !
Farewell 1 and now
(Though not a glutioo)
Enjoy your " heavy-wet " and wether-mutton ! W. E. S.
967
lONOSANU^MR. KLONCHCNBRUCH.
" Cmiiin, T tliink tlicu srt cnamuured
UpMii lii* riillirt ; >i«ver did I bt«r
Of (LDT princv, k mid, »i liberiy !"
flenff IV. Ptift t.
'* My piiliw B« yonni doth Monperai*!;- kwp timv,
Auil muknt a» livullliful oiuaic : it ii not madnec^ !"
Jlamltt.
In. JiTLitTs Shkmpknpri.t Hackrrman Smith Kltixcrun-
CB «a< an EngliHlixnan, in spite of himself, and in spite of his
l«, (selected 88 compliments to friendfl and customers,) which
might have »ent him hnine to his parish in more countries than
one. His father had been a (Jerninn ; had localised in Englnnd as
a purveyor of German, French, and Italian goods ; had opened ■
shop in early Uayii in a guud quiet ailuation at the West-end of
London, — showiu^ dark, ^(luabby bottles, full of rough, emcrald-
ctilourffd liule tilings in vinegsr, liki* children's gaiigreuc fingers
in spirits, — hangint; out at the sides of the door-posts tDuminy-
looking tongues, and lumps of brown dirt in strings, called tlHm-
bro' beef; not to mention constables' staves dotted with while
spots, which were prnclaiiiied to be real Bologna sHii!iages,^-and
tri-cornered lumps of dlngj- fat, which bore tl»e inlerfsling title of
pigs' chops. Thts, though an unpicturesq oe, was a thriving trade,
— driving, however, upon the terms on which every trade is only
thriving, viz. by a strict attention to buainei>s from the hour t>f
■even in the morning to eleven at night ; a parsiinoniouH regard
to the (Vugalitie» of the home department ; no ambitious heavi-
ness or SHellingiie»s in the weights and mensures used in the trade
department ; an anchorite'^ abstinence from scenes of pleasure in
the leisure hours ; careful book -keeping, with no want of nig-
gBrdneas of 6gures to thum.- wliu are on credit; an arrangement of
old goods fur thoM* who are ill on the boohs ; anil, if possible, n pa-
rochial situation as overseer or tax-;:rnthereT (the last, the best,] to
extend the trade into the business and bosoms of men.
Old Mr. Kliinchunbriich was a very careful man, — an extremely
careful man. He was to Ikt seen at the early hour when his boy
—the usual chenp parocbiid martyr, who had, by the consent of
church wjirden-, .ibiindoned fur no coni>iideration the muHin-cap and
Uie Itnet^less leather breeches, for the eternal counter and the bed
under it, — took down the shutters, and let in the morning lif^bt,
the only London romance of his life. The old gentleman stood at
the door to see this ceremony, tying on the apron of the day bts-
fure, speaking a courteous word to the clumsy -liipped Welsh wo-
man, whn made inaudible the kindness by the martial mode with
which she gitmniled ike arms of her milt-paiU ; nnd looked at the
sky altcniaiely with the shop-window, as though he were divided
in interest between fleeting clouds and Gorgona anchovies, the bluo
fky and split peas, India sov and sunrise. The fact is, this excel-
lent tradeHmnii wiu) — as idf Germans are — most ticnsitively alive
to " the skyey influence's " as well as to the influences of trade ; and
if any weatlier-wist:' perHiti would have tiikrn tlie trouble to have
gone by his shop at seven o'clock tit the tuurning invari«Mv and
aea
tONOSANIA.
to haw luukcj into thoae mIciud oIcI grey barometers — liiit t^-es — ^he
would with a. modi-rale intellect have anccrtairied whetlier wntt
winds or We.'ttphalia bams were likely to look up, ur whether IruMt
or girkins woiilt) prevail. He had peeulinr eye^t. of a colour I had
never yet seen, — lileak brown, stained while, faded green ; an ex-
nreuion, tii tihort, something hetwi-cn that of pickled onions and
French olives. Thi* is a nice distinction of colour, unknown to
8tanlield, and artietd who pretend to know what colour it. Dear
«ld man ! he stood at his door a concentrated huniun emblem of bi»
trade, — a cod's-tiounds eoniplKxiun, potte<i-fhar person, knap>wroral
lege ; and. certainly, with a fniukcd tongue for general nue, as he
could nut divc-vt hiniM-'if of hJs Gerniuii idiomit, making their way
over the tobacco-tiavonrcd ii{>H in odorous twang to h]» Knulish pur-
chafers. He wam civil before breakfabt, civit after breukfaHt, (tliat
men) being a very alight partition between the two civlliiii-ij) ; civil
before dinner, civil al'ier dinnt^r, (the partition ditto an to slight-
nes4) ; extremely civil in the litlle Imck-ryoni behind the shop over
a very cuuibrout* Hwiirthyold pipe, which I could iirvrr help think-
ing he Binokcd (so earnestly, so patiently, no |ier)*everingly he did
it,) with an eye to hams, tongues, aau^nfieM, beef, hung ditto, piga'
cheeks, and other dintortions of smoke, bhU, and red muscle. Having
mentiimed thene great faculties, it »eems trtriini; witli the niceties uf
biogniphy U> mention thai he wore powder, h:i<l hi* hair in ii queue,
and was mnrried. !!« found & lady at the German cha|iel who bore a
very long, aolcmn, and severe ogling, and who with mulled lendernesH,
liked a autcessful and attentive tradesman, and did not dislike gar-
lic and sauerkraut ; and aAcr a severe acquaintance, the two darling
slowneasca became one, mixed (to use the language of the trade)
their two mild vinegars of aflectinns — the eschalot and the Chili
—together, and made a very reipeebible mixed ])ickle of human
married life.
There is no event in the life of old Mr. K liinch iinbriich to warrant
me in having been so minute as to take an inventory of hia exiat-
enee. His wife was as himself, only liner in t[iudity, — pearl Imrley
to common barley: the refincmeni oidy on the common German
dish. They scarcely bad a life: they scetned tu vegetate, perhnps
with a proffssional eye, — flo innocent and so hurniless were their
lityx and thoughts, — to a pretervittg of a higher nature than this
world held out to them. They saved money ; aud iu due, orderly,
German time, were purveyed to another world-
In the impetuosity into which a biographer is naturally hurried
in writing the life of a Uerman. 1 had almost forgotten to recur to
llie hero of my tale : come I to the »<m. 1 have mentioned that Mr.
and Mrs. K liinch iinbriich were blessed with a iK>n : the name, Uiere-
fore, could not die. Oils, vinegars, sauces, mustards, Hnlts, pickles,
sausages, cheeses, apices, the whole genera of the immortal ahop
i*eeme<l to have centred in and imtpired the son; — he was all tlu-Hc.
At tiineji he had the German ^olciiinitv and solidity of the father
and mother; and at times be had the wicked, un trades man like plea-
santry of an Rnglifth boy. The fact is, he ran in and out of the
door in a pinafore all the early days, when the memurins of chil-
dren are " wax to receive and marble to retain," between imperinl
prunes and seven o'clock in the morning, between Italian niceties
and London cries, between Rgs nnd fine air, Cogliart )>aste and duat-
^hOnbhuch;
969
men, India nirrj'-powiler and chick-wewl and ffmumUrll, JIalh-
brk-ks Mm) tapiocH, till he pnrUiok o( tlie in-door traile and the
oui-<l4inr tradp ; th*- GiTm«n turinnliH was sublimnted bv the iiiry
Rngli.ih cIcMlrr, and htr tmintht^ hiniKelf from the ht^avy durk of his
own parents into the active tide of London existence. Air. Kliineh-
unbriich, jun, saw his respectable relatives at the ]>r«per times
(for Germans take their time, and do these thin^rs properly.) int<i
their joined home; carried a white handkerchief for the aUottiMl
number of hours, and wore n crape for an nllotlefl nunil>er of
months; van convulsed at a crinis, and wanted no holding;; tried to
find teoTH wlien he gut home, and was out of the article; bore hia
suit of cables witli a ciieerful cuumenuiico for tlie uoiial period;
declared he could never hold hJs head up for the remainder of his
life, and made a Buccee^l'ul speculation in captiicmn? ; drcwped at the
time betVire the boy in the shop over Dutch herrines, but recovered
his i>]iirits miraculously over a lucky importation of IVench pre-
ierved truffle*.
Mr. KluncliiJiibruch, jun. I grieve to say — it brenks my heart to
«ay— but I ninwt be a granite- hearted Gibbon, an iron Hume — 1
must tell the fact ; — Mr. K. jun. unlike hiit strajj^ht-forwiird father
and straight-forward mother, who hiul brought him up in the xlowect
and moHt precise of wavs. wan a speculator! Immediatciv after
their denths, he wils irapresoed with a notion that a fortune waa to
be got, and not saved ; that a coup dc main wa8 to be made in trade
at) well a^ at the ^amblinf^-table. 1 nay in trade ; but he thought
that the OMtfi wa« to be tnaile out of trade ; inspired by the advice
uid peculiar information of a neitfhbuuring tradraman that a day in
the fundi or on the turf would bring wealth in a Hood — like the
overflowing of the Kbine, and enable him to nend all the curinnH
tilings, "purveyed to her Majesty and the loyal family ," purveyed
to the devil. I do nut think I am the besc historian, or rather bin-
erapher in the world, for Klundiunbriivh, jun- bad married — and
1 have hitherto omitted to mention it — an Kngliah lady, the daughter
of an Apothecary; and she bad produced to her enter pricing breath-
ing moiety an annual little piekle, which Fate invariably t<K)k it
into her hea«I to prrtene. There were six little noiitv he anil sUe
KliinchunbruchH always to be fed, a perfect Jnr of them, up in s
•quart unfurnished room which was called the nursery ; and our
ipeculativc vender of piccalili, having his quiver m extremely full,
waa only the more anxious to make an extempore fortune either
iD-doors or out, by deliberate or dashing means.
Mr. Kliinchiinbriich with the buneh of oiirnames, engaged an extra
whSsae apron with a ^im, young, fawning figure behind it ; from
wludt,Btthe end-HoftH'oarm8 that looked like twolong-aixet, blushed
a pair of tomata-coloured hands ; and on the top of which figure
was a head amoothed all over with very black Khitiy hair, eteeped, it
would seem, every morning in Flomice, Lucca, neat'^-fout. linseed,
furniture, spemiaceti, or some other essential oil. Witli oil in man-
ner, hair, and discourse, was this living apron marked. The youni;,
glowing specimen of H fureman was very respectful to the eustomers,
very attentive to Mr. and Mrs. Klunchiinbriich, devotedly fond
of all the six children one after the other, partial at evenmgs to
the housemaid, and an occasional play-goer at half-price to the
minor tJieatres. The worst of this auistancc was tliat Mr. K
270
M0N09ANIA.
unbriich conceived he was at liberty to nbsent bimeclf with safirly
from his morning shop ; aivl to seek, througli thf iiitfrventiim tii'
tl>e stock-broker, tiiat iminettiate introduction to Fortune wbich his
own plodding r«t;«il trade would never afford liim. He left the
Spnnisii luxuries of Ids own eatablisbment for the more expensive
Spanisli ditto of the city ; he abandoned Capot's capers lor Capel,
Dutch herrings Ibr Durmnt ! The con^ecguence of thcM- travels
thruuich Teinple-bar was, that the freedom of the city was conferred
upon his ready cash. All went wrong. Mn. Kliinchiinbrucb p'»y-
eu Rotsini, Donizetti, and Bellini, very much out of tune, all the
moniing over the «hoi>, and did not liK>k after the foreman ; the
foreman looked with all possible zeal and attention after the servant-
maid; and the servant-maid looked out of the aecond-fioor window
with a« much regard for her curiosity as the weather and the atten-
tive foreman would permit. The six little Kliinchunbruchif got
up minor performances of music nnd mischief of their own ; and
the whole house, owing to the calamitous turn for sudden fortune
in the master, seemed to progress towards irregidnrity and disaster
with a rapidity bcatinfi that of the march of mind, which i« now
allowed to be goinR; at such rapid strides !
Luckily for the K.'s, the situation of sccretarj- to tlic We«t London
Female fteforming Orphan PenitciHinry hat! been, in the bright
days of the Dutch .Kmoked-sahnon Jobber, conferred upon him. And
so Btrnng and beautiful was the effect — the romnntic effect — of kcep-
inR Virtue's aceuunts. of the combined bpauty and power of the
peculiarly elevated end of tlit- jiiirtropolis. the sex, the rescue of
youth, and the narentlevs destitution nf tlnit youth, on the really
good hcHrt of Kiiinchiinbriich, that on this duty nothing disttirbed
or cuuLd dinturb hie method, hiu precise zeal, his quiet industry, and
onnifBed correctness I lu Threiulneedlc-iftrcet, or the Rotunda, or
the Alley, he might be distracted, flighty, excited ; at home lie
might be abnent over little vendings of alkanet root or French
tammy, or excited and impatient at six little tungues all going aC
once up stairs and not ouc going in the Bhop ! But, let the hour
ootnefor the recording, in hit buck parlour, the incomings and 001-
^goings of this excellent charity, and he wit down (to u»e a figure)
with his pen in hand, like a lamb, and his line* and account-" were
precision itM-lf. His house then remindetl you of Blair's Sermon
on Order. Mrs. Kliinehunbruch was inspired with uniiccountablc
»we when thetf books were brought out ; and the foreman, if he
entered the room, asked in whispers about the isinglass and vanilla.
And all the little children were snubbed, winked at, and silenced,
whilst the columns — ^the Doric columns— relating to this West Lon-
don Female Reforming Orphan Penitentiary were looked solemnly
■t, cast up and cast down, and proved. Two and two are four,
and three are seven, and seven are fourteen, &c. &c. through a line
of ^ure« as formal anil ordinary ax the Coldstream in St. James's
Park at half-past ten in the morning, were worked with all the
solemnity of a Protestant at prayer, or a Catholic at confeaaon.
His finger went up, accompanied by his eye-brow, and Ins eye-
, brow accompanied by his eye, as though he were going up the Duke
of York's column ; and he Ret down nought and carried one with
the air of an old accountant who had been respectfully called upon
to lay the first stmie of a temple^ sacred to the memory of Cocker !
INCHON BRl
S71
All the iced correctness and phle^rniatic calranes? of the GermiBi
in this his responsible occupation, CAine over him. Accounts beCUttS
his country ! He wait tlie patriot of pounds, MhillintEH, and pence !
He at once stoictsed into a Ciita, enibetkled in partnassn, ivory-
blark, and tamarinds !
One line mornini;, — for I must leave book-keeping for hioffraphy^
Mr. Kliinchiinbriich, after giving six faint kisses to his children,
and a upanker to Mrs. K. over the overture to Tancrcdi, and after de-
Biringthe oily-headed foreman to be attentive [obusinesi in the ahop,
departed for the city, elevated by the prophetic alacrity which at-
tended his conviction that the HpaniKh, of which he won a larf^
purchaser for the account, and wiiich was only at 60, would be
at KO. He walked ms thutifi^h the Strand were paved with air,
and "hia feet feathwed like Jlr. Hamlet's Mr. Mercury. He com-
pliuientcd himsfli" liiKhly, though mutely, in his own mind at hia
acute aptness at Hiiiflinf; a rise ; and he ran over a hurried, but
vivid, sketch of his own retirement to a snug box at Ctapham,
■with three stone steps, two poplarK, two parlours, two drawing-
rooms, two bedrooms (one for a best one), and two attics wains-
cotted into four. He tiad & visinn of a buggy ; and a little boy,
in a pepper^ntl-salt livery, to clean the home, and reminri you
that he had cleaned him while he waited at table. These dreams
— aweet aa airy agreeable dreams always are — occupied him until
he reached the little dingy alleys iLb<mt the then Rttyal Exchange ;
and, with the gavest of hands, inspirod by the gayest of hearts,
did the ethereal iilr. KUinclilinbriicti open the thin door with win-
dova, gaitered with white paint half up the glnsSi and enter that
co«l-cefiarupon earth, the office of hia civil and active stock-brokers,
Mea<r«. Gobole, Bubble, Jones, and CJolightly.
"Well, Mr. Bubble, how 'a — ^" Here the inspired spendator
paused, for he could ju»t ascertain that the gloum of the four
squue feet room was not haunted by the presence of any one of
the four partners. The firm, to be »ure, never cowW be in the
office together for want of space! A c«m»uniptive counter hod a
dirty-brown closed book upon it ; and against the wall pale forma
of transfer tickets, and stock and dividend warrants, were sus-
pended, like gig;uitic ghosts of pallid inilk-tallieH and dead ace*
uf diaiooiid«. There was a small desk elevated over onp, and
perhaps the ubxcurest, comer of the counter, which waj> ascend-
able by three straight, tall steps ; and it curved, in foggr-coloured
wamscot, in front of a brown window, that let in brown light upon
worse than brown blotting-paper. This desk looked like the
moiety of a country bridge over a burnt-umlter piece of staf^nmt
voter. The dreary colour of thi<i place, however, had no effect
upon our Hpanish ambaasador; to hini it was a fairy palace tinted
whh uUra-marine, carpeted with crimson, — Fortune's city retreat !
Ht called out, holding the white-g altered door still in nis hand,
" Bobble ! — Jones t — Golightly ! — well ! — eh I — where ! — what !"
Mr. Golightly lookeil down heavily ovrr the broken arch of his
desk, poked his spectacles up over trie rugged furrows of two ex-
tremely uneven eye-brows, in ortler the more clearly to distinguish
bis visitor ; sighed, closed a book over which he was engaged, took
of hia hat, (for stock-brokers show their hilarity or their serious^
Beta by the conduct of their hata,) then took olT his spectacles, then
«7a
MONOSANIA.
gave an important hem ! that miglu have rt^ad the port of a i
fpA down frtim a very hi{;li moo) ; aud thi.-ii Mr. Kliiiichuiibruch be-
held a very luii); pair ut'dmb guiter* crawl down into the ufficc like
a daddy luiiK-tegs, and tlie lurge old spider of a stock-broker lookn)
silently at the poor treacled fiy that was imme^hed in the dirty web
of his office. The very silence of solemn ^Ir. GoHshtly cast the
flhadow of ii wry awful truth over the mind of Mr. Kltinchtinbriich ;
nn efiect similar to ttiat produced hy the gentleman who " drew
Pnam'M curtttins in the dead nf ni/^lit," and looked the burning of
Troy without the aid of the tongue, — ^the latter, howevefj an ar-
ticle more in the way of Mr. Kliinchiinbriich than of Mr. Goljf^htly.
Kliinchiinbriich plucked up a spirit ; and. after a slight gaap, to
clear the passaf^e up a contracted tnront, spake !
" Well 1— Eighty ?— Eh ?— Seventy at least!— How 'a Jones?—
How "s Bubble ? — How 'a thingH ? — How *s Gobble ?'"
Mr. OoH^htly bowed, plai»;u tliu speetadee, which he had held in
hiH hand on tni: counter; rubbed those hands very much after
the &shiun of Lady Macbeth to get the blood out. and bruke nlence.
" Happy to see Mr. Kliinchunbriicfa ! Let me see. How do you
stand in Spaiiitth ? — a bull, or a bearP"
"Oh! a prodigious bear !"
"Hemt— «h !^-oh ! — ah!" And theiie nxmosyllabirs fell upon
the heart of the poor pickle-dealer like the knell of a city bell
tolling for stimething departed !
Mr. Golightly continued: "Jones is well. Consols are steady.
Bubble is only gone to Ladbrokc'a, and will be back in a few mi-
nute). There '* a panic in the rooms. Gobble dines out at $narc»-
brook. Our clerk, Mr. Sncakington, is on the Old Ualley jury ; and
Spanish "
"What of Spanish?" half sighed and half stairiniered poor Kltin-
cbunbriich.
*' Spanish i.i at /wfnti/'six .'"
The victim supported himself by the nieagre counter.
** Sellers [" added the unsparing Gulightly. " SelK-rii !" the word
disposed ut' every particle of breath which the astounded upeculator
had for the last five minutes only jw&seeiied in remnants; and he
faded into the uidy chuir in the nii^ernble uHice, ns though every
muscle had been skilfully an<itoiniM-d out of his body by the opera-
tive skill and decided exaclneH!* of this Liitonian i^toek-brokcr.
Mr- Goli>[litly pau«:<l, hung over the sufferer with a mixture of
the t*llne«« of the poplar with the »adncss of the willow He mut-
tered something about " fetching water, — calling a coach, — sending
for a policeman, — bearing up like a man, — hnlnncc of account,—
family, — severe loss, — hark-cah, — and Jones, Gobble, and Bubble!"
The ruined Italian-cream man mi. huddled up in despnir and
silence. Rlr. Golightly fL-ll the lead at hia heart. He imreated ;
he looked at the accounts during the sunken helplessness of his
principal. He looked like a city U^olino, and went to the door.
Mr. Bubble came in with a banker's book a« big iis a Bath
cheese, which he invariably carried to and fro up to the t/oor of Lad-
brokes, during the busy hours of the day, to give a look of con-
firmed account and solidity.
Mr. Bubble looked at Mr. Kliincluinbruch, and went to the
door; and, by dint of some ingenuity, and handing up the banker's
4
MR. KLUNCIlONBRtJCH.
273
hp
book to the half-bridge ileitk Tto make room), gnt Mr. Goliglit-
\y back into the ndicet and tlie two stock-brukt-rs held a comiuiuee
ovrr the fallen victim.
He hail iii>t riiint4.-d : Germans, uiid men of German deKrent,
never faint. lie wan ^eiiselenti : imd Germ«nii, perchance, like other
people, may be so. Miii head had fallen on his handit; his hands
had fallen over the counter, lie vra-i n loop of than har\ff up, tiu»-
pcnded, as it were, by the merest chance-hitch upon the rim of the
counter. Me was, like his frtl],— disordered, faHeta, atarchless. lie
did not weep ; he did nut start ; he did not nu»an. The Spaniith
question put bis ca^e out of all question. In the sixtieth of n mo-
nicnt he saw — bought at (iO, price 2(1! — fallen — t>ix children — nne
wife — two a^isi^cca — madiiUES — Htonc-bliiid as a statue — despair ! —
ami he vanished iutu the weak, hdplctis inanity, on the one chair,
which I have described, or atlemptvu to pourtray.
Bubble, hall'.shocked and half-saddened at th« picture before
him, advised his sombre partner to watch that he, the ruined man,
did not fall from his chair, or — run away! whJUt h« felclied a
porter, and .itopped an uiiinibus going^ to the Wc4t-end.
Xow thiA wiM extremely htimnne in h »tock-brokcr, who»e chance
of loss miG:ht be rtiinouit in iUielf. Bubble wtis not a ble&k-naturcil
man; Golighth*, too, woj> sternly kind; Gobble would also have
been kind had lie been present,— for he was a member of the scfe
ciety for preventing cruelty to animals ; but Jones would have been
the severest of the firm, — for he wa« fl midille.af;ed married man,
of a selfii^k turn of mind, witli one child, — was expenbivc, and yet,
stran|;e to say, very parbinionious at the same time !
Mr. fiolichtly, who had fetched some water, the moment that
Air, Bubble had secured a conveyance fnr the ruined invalid, pro-
ceeded to touch the insensible man M-itli a wet forefnif^er uii the
tip of his nose, each angle of the forehead, each fat little lump
on the ear, and the point of the chin ; and, KlUnchiinbriich aroee,
after a sigh,
" So piteous nnd profound
As it did Hem lo shaUer all his bulk,
AihI end his beint; : thai dgnu, Uc Irts 'nm bo ;
And, with his head ov^-r his khouMer tum'd,
He Kem'd to 6iid bis way withaut bis eyes.
For out o' doors he went without tbeir lielpi I"
The meaning of thU passage in prose as applicable to our poor
Spanish refugee bein)*. (for we have no right, in s[>eaking of a Ger-
man tradesman, to leave hix character dependent ujion poetry,)
that he really sighed one of those long sighs wliich seemed to be the
full, candid history of a sorrow ; that his frame wa» shaken into life
by it; that he rose without the aid of the two «tf>fk. brokers, who,
Bke • couple of Curnliill Chesterfields, would, when they saw him
likely to rise, " encumber him with help ;" that his eyes were opeii«
though their sense was shut ; tliat he assumed the virtue of ■
calmness, though he had it not ; and that, with a terrible plaridiiy,
he left the black-hole of his ruin, his hat being .lUurhed down
upon his eyebrows, and, without a word cither to Bubble or Gu-
Ughtlv, he iunk into hack-cab No. l'U>2, and again druoiivd, await-
ing his departure !
Bubble bcrkuned tliu driver up tu the door, at which he and Go-
lightly stood in double file, — not a-bruast, for that was on imposs'-
rou III. u
«T4
MANOSANtA.
bility ; nntl hflving (flvm dirertiona for the deposit of the fare, «c-
comfuinicc) by an inHmation that he iihouU) quickly ToUow, the young
gentJcnmn with a ragged coat of no immciliate colour, shiny pilot-hat,
and fthort but extremely fat whip, mounted himself upon the roof of «
vehicle th&t looked sumething like an omnibus !)hiit up imernally,
opcTH-glass fashion ; and with a keen whiatle, a. rhenip, anil a de-
ciiledly heavy full nf iJie same fut whip upon tlie titeHming pidea of a
vrretcliinl quudruptxl thiit hud but just eet down u fare from Kiiights-
bridcc, away ebuok the triplc-conipountt of mitt-ry in man, brute,
and horse.
Bubble, lis he saw No. 1302 whiz awny, immediately turned bis
rejections upon No. I, and hia feelings became at once roused to
what the iirm alwayn called " the main object :'' he delivered himself
aUn of a cood trade ngli ; and Gulightly, being a taller mnn, sighed
»Jtnn sigh directly over hi* dhoulder ; and the dliirmetl two wheeled
lo the right-about, and filed into iheir own officp. The brief, Im-
portant sikncc of ihe pair was eloquent of apprehended loss. Go-
h'ghtly looked at Bubble, fetched the books, replaced his specta-
cles, and nn inspection vras immeiliateiy carried on with an enrnest-
ne«8 worthy of two watchers at « nii:;ht-t(IegTaph during a time of
war. The balance was great which the Principnl wa« liable to pay;
be was a man of honour, but he wae evidently very much affected.
The firm liad a difticuU part to play. IluweviT, it was arrungcd tlist
Bubble ftbuuld make the best of bis way to the WeBl-emJ of the
town with an exact statement of the nccuuiit between tlie high con-
tracting parties ; and that he should, ifposkible, get a cheque fur the
amount ti> be paid, or something like a security to protect the firm.
However, to the aftlict»l, it was agreed nein.con. that "Gobble,
Bubble, Jones, and Oolightly " felt like a man I
H'c have been perhaps a little too minute in describing this city
scene, and the characters connected with it; but, as the rt-sult of it
wa'iiofthe deepest and most fatal importance to the hero of oar
story, we could not resixt being more precise in our details than
perhaps we ought to have been. We shall endeavour now to puah
our biography on at a better pace.
No. 1302 hunted his horse severely home to the destined house ; —
cabs have no time to .«pare. The driver cast the reins on the back
of the .inimnl recklessly, swung himself down safely on to the pave-
ment by means of three slippery biti of iron, mnile a resprdfui ap-
pearance at tlie back door of hia vehicle, and found his fare in pre-
cieelv the same drooping situution he had seen him in the last time
he didn't part with him at C'ornbill. The " Now, em I" startled
KSiinchtJiilnvich u little out of his lethargy, and he sauntered out of
the cxb with fixed eyes, but with the air of a man of ease; parsed
across the footway, assumed a more resolute manner as he walked
through his own shop, found no one in the parlour, and relapsed
into his arm-chair,^a lost man !
From this dreadful day, ruin,
*' The paltied hand of ruin, was upon the bous« !*"
The firm of Gobble, Bubble, Jones, and Oolightly obtained from
the bewildered man all (he means in money and security upon whieh
he could lay his hands. The wife and children found tJiemselvea
unexpectedly dependenta on the father of the wife, — who, poor
■
I
I
i
1
>Leu
wed
rom ■
J
WR.
mCHl-NBRt'CH.
soul ! little thoug;ht he huJ iiivcst«il hU daughter in a iiiuniicr to brin?
kill! ill such com|i<>uni) interest in the wny of jrranil-ila'jghliTii ana
grtuiMon», The buHne^i went to wrack. The uily-Etewded furc-
man >et himself up at the corner of a cokirl (ippusite tu the house <if
bis maxtiT, and made in hi« small window am) at hiK dour a displujr
of «rttcU'>i [Minfully like tJiose which had »o lung danj^lvd at the
door nr re>t«'d in the ithop of hU master: ami t!uit nuster, stunned
by thcfltidtlen and rri|{htfid Mow upon a mind which had riiten ujton
the clastic spring; of hope to receix-e it halt* way, of course with
double wcijiht and aeverity, became a forlorn, weak, placid creature
that felt nothing about his childrcD. aorrowcd nothing about his
wife, but wandered around the hou^e of his Asther-iri-law, accompa-
nied by the most watchful of shabbily dresxed men. — ii careful in-
truduclicm on the part of Dr. Warburtan.
" By decrees,
The mini) sank slowly to infacitine ose,
To playful folly, and to cauneleai joy ;
Speech without nini, and, without eod, etoploy.
• ■ • • a
iUrmlcfs ai kuBtli die untiappjr man was found,
Tlie sptril Milled, but tlic reaaoii dniwn'd ;
And all tliv dreadful tempest died away
Tn die dull utillneu of Uic- mixly day I '
For weeks and weeks did tiiis misty day remain upon the mind
of the unfortunate Kliinchiinbruch ; and there were of cour»c not
wantinj; friend* tn i«sue that circular, callcil a secret, respecting the
clouded state of his mind and the tUI'ipidated condition of his for-
tunes. If he had been confused in iiis intellect, and yet at the same
time pri><>j>eronH in lit« finaiici's, he would have been, as we invari-
ably find it in this blessed world, the fittest of all men to perform
the duties of the situation to which he bad originally been appninted.
But he was a dependent now upon the bounty and pity of relatives ;
«nd a« the only relief tu thn^e rehitives was derived from the small
aolary attendant upon his -vprretaryfliiip to the West London Female
RBfbrming Orphan Penitentiary, it was a natural vontieqiience that
he was prunouiiLed by most of liis scquuintnnee and friends to be
totally inadet|UJitL* fur further employ, and an active canvass took
place for the next vacancy, — every tetter deeply liuueating the cmiue
which occasioned such vacancy, and with a smcenty (cut out of tbe
same piece of cloth) pletlging to the most unremitting and earnest
exertions in tbe cause of the inestimable charity, to the secretary-
ship of* whicli the appointment was respectfully, humbly, but conti-
dently entreated. Then followed "grateful servants," and "obe-
dient servants," and " having the honours to be," and " very re«j>cct-
ful and most humble servants," and in fact all the burlesque and
farcery of scrvantry whicb invariably bring up the masquerade coa-
cliMion of a letter.
The canvus, as I have stated, went on actively for some time. — at
6r9t, like the progress of in^iidious fire, in s smothered slate ; but nt
lengUt the flamr-i broke out witliitut disguise, and it appeared i|uite
certain tlut nuthitif; cuuld save the ruin. Tbe governors hod each
his favourite candidate. Five of the-sir candidates were, by a fccleet
precioua private committee, to be chosen out of tbe sixty-eigut for the
t contest. Gutdiy's testinionials were considered undeniable ; but
270
M0NO9AS
Binglcy wos backed by a bishop and two rectors, and was ■et down st
B daiigeruuD tiian. lloberU, a very resjxK^t.-ible p^H-er, relied upcm
the 8tren(itli of his mixed tea, his eerious lixbits, ami llie eloquence
of his circular, whirb had bet'ii writU^n by the Rev. Mr. Skmi, of
£Iiei)exer Ch:i])el, and which circiilnr was pronininccd by several uh)
hi<lie4 of the congregation to he forcible about female virtue. All, in
fact, were looking forward to the election, and the hulf-ycarly general
meeting was pradually approaching. Poor KtiinchiinbriJch mutt
therefore soon subtnit to that iinmiitnble destiny which would send
him into the end privacy of a withered life, to be a burden to ihoM
who s/hmU have been the happiest bnrthen to him, anil to look to
rclutio)iR-in-law for those common charities which Lear has bo pa-
thetiralty described ni three words, "raiment, bed, and fowl !"
Puur KliiMcliiJnbrucli! — mini 1 to? — nut ^opuor ! An thedav of his
dutii'b approMcia-'J, reuHon np[>eareil l'> npprwiih with it, — faintly, and
Iikea»hiidow, it mu»lbeconfe*i»ed. The Jir»t symptoms of the dawn-
ing of his sen»e of the djiy was a simple restlesBness afler books and
papers. His wife, too, for whom he had hitherto shown no sym<
patby, anil yet who watched hicn with a tenderness of which only
trouble httd shown her to lie capable, seemed, by her attenttoiu or
her voice, occa»ionally to vibrate tipon his memory.
" Kindly she chides his boyish f!igkt», while he
Will (or a mcrineni fixed ^ui pcnjiive he;
Ami, ai »he trenihhit^j speaks, his lively vyes
Ki|ilore liov iuoks ; he li^li-iis la licr sigliS.
Cliann'd by tier voice, il>' Imrmoaious sound* tiivade
llii ulouOcd iiiiiid, and fur a time peiiuade:
Like a pic.is'd ii)fant, wlio lias newly cau>;hl
I'luni iHr mali^mnl ^laticv a ^Ivuni uf tli(iui;ltt,
lie sianda campt, ttie half-known voice lo liear ;
And ;t(.irU, liull coiiHciuui, at tlir falling Ifarl"
Again and again he spoke of books; he called hJs wife by her
Christian name; he patted the headu of bin children ; he was runous
as to the perwui who waji su conliinially in hi« society ; he became
anxious about the uth of July (tlie <lay ''■) i and he at length was un-
ea«y utctil he had hia pro]ier books and documents before him rela-
tive to the charity ; and when they were before him, he sat down lo
them with the sjime remarkable interest and solemnity which wc
have helore noticed ; ca-^t up, corrected, and proved the accounts with
precisely hia original serious aeal ; seemed to advance, as it were, into
the dayfifiht ofthe mind ; prepared e%'erything for what he tilled the
board ; and, bating the picKle-»liop and all its duties, and tlie Funds
and all its distraciionfl, he bcemeu to be again the great secretary,
and in " his habit as he lived." The famify around him wondered
at, but encutiraged. this retuning ofa mind which hud hithertu ap-
parently been so utterly unstrung. They, from pure heart, lunged
to encourage a reaction of the intellect.
The great half-yearly day of the Wert London Female Reforming
Orphan Penitentiary at length arrive*!. The five fortunate holders
of tile lucky chances, having made coniiiderable outlay in cards and
lettcm, were in attendance in an ante-room. A large round deal table
in the board-room, covered with vorv coarse green Uiise, furnished
with twelve clean pieces of very red "blolling-papcr, twelve sheets of
fiiohcap, twelve extremely new pens, and six leaden inksLands placed
'
above the centre between each two or the pieces of blotting-paper,
&c. hnil uverst very protruding waistcoats thrust ugaiitst its etlge, and
several waistcoats not of the corporation were pluced at certain varied
distance a from the edge; audi in fact, mixing new ]>ena, foolscap,
tiowdert'd heads, leaden inkstaiicls, variously. filled Maistctiats, and
)lottiiif;'p.-ipi'r into one mass, you have before yuu the committee of
llie M'e»t Lundon Kcmale Kcfurmins Omhan Penitcntinric.
Just licfurc the chairman, tJie Rev. l>r. PI limping; ton, the nwy,
wclI-powdcrcd rector of had taken his seat, — a little plethoric,
but very Hcriou«, — he stood convcrsin;^ with members of tlic com-
niiltei' previously to its opening, whi-n the meeting was struck with
"most admired disorder" by the calm but bu»iness-likc entry of n
seriate apparition, in the form of Sir. Kliinchvinbriich, with bmiks
and docunicnts under hi.f nnn and in his hand, dre-'^^ted as uuatly aa
upon the iinjiurUiit uccaKioii of every former day, hii> eye placid and
expressive of a sense of duty, his manner cuuipobedly affable, yet
ronnally respectful : he bowed from govenior to governor, — cer-
tainly, a thought lower to the chairman : arranged his books and papers
at his appointed place as secretary, and prepare*! for the procet-dings
of the audit with a serenity so akin to that of the previous half-yearly
flay of meeting, that his intermediate apathy seemed to be all in-
ventive calumny ; and the gn^-crnors felt that all the secretary, and
all the accountant, and all the man of buaineas, reduced to their usual
half-yearly essence, was now befure them !
The Rev. Dr. Plumpinglon took his jieat amidst a vast deal of
recovering couf^hing among his circular eleven. There wa-t a bniiz,
■ good deal nf fat-whispering bcl-wecri double-chins, pods, silent ad-
Buuions, pahns pressed against palms, and elevation of eyebrows,
when Mr. Kliinchunhriich, with a quiet manner thitt was perfectly
irresistible, laid the minutes of the Inst meeting before the Hev,
Chiitrmnn. What was to be done ? The proceedings proceeded in-
(^ontrollably ; the secretary read the necessary accounts, vourh«l
tliem, took the proper minutes for the nest half-yearly mcetinj^, si-
lenced every report that had been prejudicial to his favour without
■ breMth of explanation, and was congraluluied upon his good looks
and the correctness with which he kept the chanty accounts. The
election wu never touched upon in the presence of the secretary,
or openly at the board; and the five stewed-down candidateji went
home in a more bewildered stJite even tliaii tlio secretary, carryhiff
with them several large bundles of cards an«l circulars, which could
now but serve as playthings for the children and squill* for the
wives.
Home in a ensch, with all his books and documents, (unattended.)
went Mr. Secretary Kliinchunbriieh. His guardian man walcherl
him, — himself unwatched! The nutounding luinily of this day aU
moit made his family insane. Alas ! his return after this strange,
yet to him nccu^tonied attention tobnsiness. was a return to a severer
apathy. The mind, overstrung lo an uiinatumt tension, had not a
string that was not relaxed and liKisened. lie took to his betl -, his
childiKhncH^, hi»i estrangement, his insanity returned ii|)on him in a
deeper mistiness (or months. "Oh I what an accountant's mind was
here o'crthrown !'*
nic terrible results of this exertion of a day were colouri-d, cir-
ciiUtetl, esaggernied by the "friends, ctmntrj'men, and lovers" cf
278
THE TWO SISTBItS.
the whole diHtrtct. Rut although it was canfidptitly belierttl tJial
on the Bub8ci}ucnt, and indeed on many subsequent occasiuns, the
electiun must ofBltt-cr and hitler necessity occur, — the day of eli-ctioii
kas not _i/ei arrived f Kliinchunbriich has, with a mind like a half-
yearly aloe, invariably bloomed, expanded into action on the es-
sentrsl day, gone steadily through his duties, and sunk into an in-
crcjiscd stall' of jirostrntion the moment the day was over!
Poor, poor Kliincluinbriirh ! — liiine has been « hwd fate; — to be
'con.^idcred to hove but tvru day^* of Mtnity in the yeitr, and by those
who assume to have three hundred nitd sixty-five inch days, and have
none I — to have a oensc of duty in thee nigh enough to rise over
wrecked fortune and happiness, and yet to enjoy but two days in
the twelve months worthy of thy true and liibourin/j spirit ! Thou
livest Eitill — (for in the mnin incidents this sketch is foundetl on rea-
lity,)—and solnnjc as tliy .lecoiints arc not railed from thee on earth,
I verilr believe tlicrc is a vitality in thy sense nf this world's duty
that w;ll protract a call to thy more solemn and fmol audit.
J. U. R.
TIIK TWO SISTERS.
No wonder that the areal lyric poet should have given the epithet
of " wid/eWrt" to "pUmta," or that the Romans CTecte<l temple* to
the goddrNs Tusu8. Roth prove that tlie famed cHmc of Italy wa«
not proof, even in ancient times, against the moHt deadly of nta-
lodied.
There in an importunate iniest, who comes unhidden ; first knocks
jfently nt the dour, then with more assurance, alWr a time will admit
oi'no denial, and at last makes the house her home- Shall I draw
her portrait ? It is not a prepostiessing one. Site is a " death in
life," an »/;e in youth; her face is " white an leprosy ;" her eyes
are lustrniiq and 'glassy ; her breath, of fire ; her step inaudible, 3-rl
sure.
She delif^ta in the keen blasts of the wintry wind, the bleak and
unsheltered mountain, a uide extent of coast open to all the fury
of the north-east, the autumnal nowls witlt their fallen and decay-
ing leaves, the ttagnant und weed-overpn«»n pool, the putrid waste
of tremulous niarshen : thetn- are some of htr haunts !
Vet does ithe not disdain the resort of man. Go to the gas-lit
theatre, lingrr in the draught of itii corridors ; enter the crowded and
unventilatwl ball-room; kneel in the vaulted aisle of atonic church,
felfoining putrefaction : she is there, in her multiplicity of form,
ATiA ubi(]uity of evil.
Yes ! in all and each of these places she is to be found.
Uh ! the vulture that she is. To use the words of the Greek
draniatisl, "The scent of human prey sends up n jiratrfid odour
10 make glad her nostrils, as laughter does ilie heart ;" and, like the
bloodhounds of Orcbtcs, she never loses sight of her prey till she
lut> tracketl it to earth.
She is no rtspecter of person*, has no predilection for dresses:
bouittimes she clotlics heru-U' in th« rube of pride and sometimes
THK TWO SISTKRS,
2i9
I
I
I
I
ik uta in rags, Sh« pretends to be the must tifTectiotuite ofbridw;
telln her lover " Be happy i" wIdcIa him in her chill)' xrtus, amlj
writhe as lie may, he cannot escape from her hellitih cmbrxceti.
You shitll be acquainted presently with her name: may you
only hear it I Be etriingers Co each other, butavoid her a^you woiil<t
a pestilence i
1 will let you into the secret of those whom sJie loves bmt.
liistcn !
If there is a father who has an only sun, the last scion of his
stuck, the stall' of hit) tlcclining years, his idol, the object of hh
worship, one uu whom he guxes tilt he shed^ tears of lendervat Ue-
lifiht, m yoiitb " the ubt^rved ufatl observers," who has ennobled bis
mind, cultivated bin talents, and purified hiH adections,— it is on him
she casta her longing eye, she bri*atlieij un him with her breath of
flame. The artist at his e:)i!t-l, the student in his closet, the. author
in his garret, the moiuifacturer at hU loom, — these arc the ubjecta
of her fond reganl. But for the bloated epicure, the hnlf-»1«rved
miser, the ^'''p'liK "j^urer, the painted hnrrldan, — thene, with a sin-
gular caprice, she posses by unobserved ; whilst from youth and
beauty — youth, crc it comes to its prime ; not as it displays it-
self in the muscular vigour of limb, the roseate bloum on the un-
changing cheek, or ebmic vigour of tlie utep ; no! no I — like an
unwusonnbte frost, she chooses to cut off the faireA flowers, and nip
the tenderest cihootA.
She is called CuHsumptUm. Yet comes bhe not alone. DisvKse,
Oesolaliun, und Despair. — ibetc arc her lumilisr«, she brings them
with her in her iiujRTijd train: they thrust themselves into the
chariot, they uccompnuy her to the public gardens, tliey intrude on
the secluded walk, they seut tliemselves at the table, drug tlie wine
with gall, mix poison in the viands, haunt the couch of ret^tlex^-
oesa, and quit not their victims till the cup of bitterness is full, —
till they have found a refuge fruui pitin, sorroiv, regrett in that last
restiiig'place of the wretched, the grave.
Sucli were my reflections uk in March, ninny, many years ago,
X was lounging leiturely in the " Invalid*!' Walk" at Tvrbay- It is
the Nice or Pi«a of Kngland, and the great refuge of consumptive
patients from all parts of the tliree kingdoms. This famed spot i« pro*
tectcdlVom the north-easterly winds by range behind range of hills:
here, carpeted with turf of eternal verdure; and there, lunnounleil
by tors covered with plantjitionn to their Irms, or showing, de>
nuded of the slightest vestii^e of vegetation, their b«dd scalps, of the
most fantaMic forms, and rich in colour as ihoM of the liikes of
(*u til her land or Killamcy. Ho that Torbuy is not only the nrnti
picturesque, but the most defiruble renidciice un the coast of De-
vocuhire. But if the cnviions are beautiful, what shnll I uy of
tbe place itself, with its basin, like a small sea-port scooped out of
the rock, artificially formed by means of two pieri or moles, the
miniature of those of Oenoa ; terrace above terrace, its buildings
and villas of the niu»t elegant conKtrtictioii, with their verandas and
balconies commanding a view of Torbay, seen from between two
ri%-al wooded cone*, uliere many a thatched cottage pcepv like a
bird's nest out uf the thick foliage oS evergreens that embower
them i I have culled Torluy a u inter residence ; no ! winter tbcire
Is none: »u mild is the climate, that the ilex, the arbutus, and th«
S80
THE TWO «ISTER$.
philan^a, Hctc crow to a alzc that they never elsevrhtrc attain. The
myrtle U seen clnmbering over the winilowii ; and the Chinii rose hU|
throughout the year, ii constant siiccession of bmis ami flowers.
The; grou}! thai (;avc orca&icm to my ttombre apostrophe consisted
ofu lallier uitil his two Uauglitcrs, whom I had met ibr some time
in my rambles, mid with whom I nfterwuidK became acc|Ufiiiited.
Would I had null fur the Intter were duotued wiihiii n few months,
to become victiiiit to an hereditary malady thai had proved fatal
to their mother.
The father, at least sixty years of a^, in hi» gait and air bore the
np]jearanco of whnt he had been- — a soldier. He had M>rvi'd in the
Eiist Indies; and it might be perceived that, in common with other
long reMidrnts in that country, he had not escipod the effects of iu
destructive climate, but that his constitution waa much impaired.
Some deep sorrow seemed imprinted on his fine and noble fentnrea,
which had lately taken a still deeper fthude, from u presentiment
of evil, — a conviction that a prematurr fate raennced tlieiive^nfthow
dearer to him e\'cn than his own; that it hung BUBpcnded, like
a sword by a single thread, over the heads of liis daughters. I'hey
wurc drawn in chairs of a light niid fragile form, which, as they eate,
giivc a peculiar cLeganee and grace tu their attitude; being Kuch aa
Cuiiova, modvUing from the antique, has chosen for one of his
statues. The general was walking between them, and his eye
turned occjitionally from one to the other: neither spoke; his heart
was too full to give utterance to his feelings; and to them, the effort
would have been painful, even had they been pi-rmitted by their
pliysitiaii, to converse in the open air. They held at times their
handkerchiefs — one was, I perceived, spotted with blood, — to their
mootliH, as though the atrauxphere respired was too keen f<n- their
lacemtetl lungs. Now and then lliey interchange<l ghtnce*. which
aeeined to be mutually under«tuud ; and 1 thought 1 could read in
their countenances a sense of the loveliness of the scenery around
them, a pleasure tinged with melancholy, whenever a ray of sunshine
through some opening in the trees smiled on them. Then, too,
they smiled; l»it it was a faint smile, like that of the March sun,—
a mockery of joy.
Julia, the ehlcst, was a bruitctte : her figure was above the com-
m<m height; and lier liair, which »heworein long depending ringlcu
on each side of her face, wjut, like her eyes, black as jet.
Caroline, the youngest, in no way resembled her sinter; and the
singular contratit between them, a foil to the beauty of each, gained
them the appellation uf the Celestial and Terrestrial Hemispheres.
Caroline had just attained that critical period u\' life when the girl
gives place to the woman ; nhe was in her neventecnth year. Like tlie
shiKit uf some parasite plant that is scarcely able to Miip]Mirt itnelf,
thin, tall, and delicate wait her form. For Mjnic months che had
been unir<|unl to walking, even fur a few yards, without fatigue ; and
her father always carried in his hand a cumi>-seat, on which, when-
ever she had crawled out on the jettee, or to the strand, at every twenty
or thirty yards she was obligp<l tn rest ; whilst Julio leant affec-
tionately over her, and watcheil every turn of hrr atster's changing
countenance, her own sweet and angelic aa that of some divine
messenger sent to comfort a dying martyr. No murmur or com-
pUint ever escaped Caroline't lipi ; notbing could be tuure affecting
I
4
THE TWO SISTERS.
£81
than to see the cITort slic niBdc to tliBguise her sufTeringii. in order
to quiet tbe appreliensiuiis ul' ttiusv bt-iuge whose livea liuiig upon
I have said the was beautiful: what words can Uescrihi; her love-
lineftfl !— it was that of an embodied spirit. In a portrait, surh a
complexiun would have BeemetJ the flattery of the art ; enamel
could give n Taint iden of its cleHriios, its brilliaDcy, its trans-
parency. It -wriw pure as hemelf, the reflex of licr soul without a
taint of curth. Her eyes were what the Span'mrds call adurmi-
tUliot ; an epithet the most endearing end significant, mtd which,
for want of a diminiitivo in our language, admits of no synonyme.
To make it inti-lligible by a pnrnpnra»o, I should say they were
eves which, under the veil of their long silken InsheR^ express, not
that the soul is asleep, hut dreaming of love, — divine rather than
huraan love, for who wua worthy of inKpiringtt? Rut when she
raised those dark blue urbH, liicv thunc uitli the light of j^enius,
ibe fire of intelligence ; and yet toere wuk, at times, in Uiem an un-
natural lualru, like that of a lump that burns the brighter as it is
about to lose its vivifying oil. In proportion as the malady became
mote inveteriite, her Kpirits increa««i ; nnd the pure emanation of her
piind peemed to throw a halo about her, inakiTig her look like an
angel — with all, ttave wings, for heaven.
I saw, with a regret a» if she had been my own Mster, Death ap-
proach with stealthy pace, and foresaw that she would at Lint sink
into his arms, calmly and peaceably at. & child is hushed to *lum-
bcr on its nurse's breast. And yet every day did her check nsiunie
a livelier hectic : und a common observer would have fancied he
observed symptora<t nf convaleftcence ; like the gala-day in the Kast,
it wai only a ilattering revelation.
This context between mind and matter, this strife between the
powers nf life and death, reminded mt of a picture of GHidoa,* re-
presenting a rosy infant lying on a winding-sluH-'t, and playing with a
ukullj or rather, of two paintings in otie of the* colleciionB at Bo-
logna, the same that coivtidns the Ecce Homo of Correggio; but I
have forgotten the name of the gallery, nor is it im|>orbuit. The
cufttude himself, though familiarity might have blunted his feelings,
shrunk from it in disgust ; for my»elf, it not only made b deep im-
pression on me at the time, but ban never recurred to me since with-
out causing me to shudder. (>ii niie side of a double case is a large
miniature in oil, representing a girl : she is in the very lenith of life,
and youth, and health, and radiant with all the rich glow of auutbern
beauty. She died, it appears, shortly after sitting for this portrait.
Now for the reverse. The father, with a strange caprice, long after
she wa^ conveye<l to the family vault, had her disinterred, and em-
ployed the same artist to draw her then likeness. The work of
putrefaction luis begun, the lips arc purple, the eyes sunken, the
worm is at its revels ; und yet, horrible to say, there is !>ulficient simi^
litude between the two faces to eH(abli^h their identity. O jwor mor-
tality t niuMi Caroline soon come to Uiisr Yes, her hour was nigh !
^fliL-Iuid an extraordinary talent for music ; and composed, the even-
ing before ihe died, an air that expressed, better thun word» could do,
the peculiar state of her mind, her regret at being about to (|uit, »o
ft young, this beautiful world, which she had almost worshipped.
H * In di« caliitifi nt' 3t. Schaaip*, at Uh«gu
I
I
TUB TWO SISTBaS.
It was «i apotheosis of nnture * a fsrewell to the universe ! It )■
prubiilvle that, feeling her end s|ipn>!ich, she had gone down into
the breakfast- roiim early in the muniing lu \i\ay this pathetic dirgv;
for she was found in a larf^c arm-chair, her fingers extended, as
tliuugh in the act uf tuuebini; the piano. Tho^e who discovered her
thus, supposed frUe ulept ; tor the pleasure of the music, and the
thouKhts that had inspired the air, yet lingered on her countenance,
and lit it up with a faint smile. Half hoping, yet fearing to awaken
her, Ihey might, with Lear, have nppIiM a mirror to her mouth to
see whether her breuth would clt;n itit Iti^tre. No! thdt aluntber
waa lier U»t ; her spirit liaiJ Hed to Him who gave It.
In losing her siHtcr, Julin had lost all the ohjeet.4 of life. To
whom could she now communicate her most secret thoughts ; make
them intelligible even nithout words, comprehended by a glance?
The books they uacd to read together, — she could not open then
without finding ttomc pas!ingc one had marked to show the other.
The instrument, — she could not bear its tones ; the duets they had
played, the lurslhey had iiing, all the inanimate things in tlic room,
ttie vaemit chair, the uiifini^hed (Embroidery, her own sketch etiU
lingering in the gloss, where it was Caroline's habit to put wlutevcr
last had pleased ner, so as to have it constantly before her eyes, re-
called to her remorseless memory the recollection of ber irreparable
ll>«!t.
Kven the face of nnture seemed ehaiiged: those views on which
she had gazeil with rapture had loHt nil their cliarm. The little
garden which CnruHne had Inid out; the flower« she had planted,
and watered ; the whispering among the leaves, the ripple of the
waves on tlie Hea-ithore, the fong of the birds, were all associated
with her, and did but nourish her grief, aiid make her solitude more
lonely.
Oh ! let one who would seek to extinguish unavailing recollcctionn
By from the scenes of fttrmt-r happiness '. Two mouths elapsed, and
the general and his surviving dnughtcr had changed their abode for
a villa at Tor. Time, that heals .ill bnt compunctious vialtings o*"
eon^ricncc, htul begun to pour its opiate on the soul of Julia. Sighs
and tewrs are the gafeiy-valres of nature; they are the balm of the
wounded 8|^)irit, like the tenderness of a mother, or tlio sympathy
of an aflectiunate friend. Her health, too, hutl begun to improve,
aiid all the worst of her symptoms to disappear, when there arrived at
Torbay oneof tbu^e missionaries, those disciples of the new Whit-
field, who, under the mask of adherence to the rites of the esta-
blished church, preach the desolating doctrines of elei:tton and
place — doctrines that overthrew the intellect, and poisoned the life,
of one of the most aminbte, beneficent, and virtuous uf mankind,
the infatuated Cowpcr, This mi(>i<ionary was a man of fifty, with a face
in whose hard and strongly marked features were vioihW the traces
, j^jrly pa*s>o'itr *he violence of which might have driven him into
Ac coWD'**'"" '*'' ""y '^•''oi'': — passions that had been smothered,
mC fxtingo'*''*^*'' by the cold and calccdatiug dictates of worldly
^jjjjpj. The inward conicioameM of his own sinful nature
r^j^^him contx'ive that alt the imaginations of the heart are evil,
•""j^urt* *'*' '"'I of cnncupiscence and the long catalogue of
"^ ivtubbtl'^ Apohllecimmcnitcs, (Vmtinual mortilication and
mi the exercise of prayer, had made him mistake habit
THE TWO 8I8TBIIS.
S8d
I
I
I
I
I
I
tor faith, and bclit^f for conviction; I will acquit him of th« hy-
pocrisy of the Phapiiie*. He was no Tartuffe, such as MoHi-re has
drawn, for hi a zeiil nnd fanaticiBm were alike IndispiiUble : a zeal
far adding to his little Hock ; and n fanaticism that, leading him
rtfp by step to cnnatrue to the strict letter, and torture to hii own
internretation, tlic parable of the porter's vessel, and a few texta
Uuit nad a gcncrid appUcutiun in var]y days of Chritttianity, made him
implicitly believe liiut, with the partiality of a father for one child
over another, the GcmI by ivhom he was called to the tniuiHtry to
preach, had pre-ord»ineu and nelccleil hiniitelf, and a chotieii few, to
complete the number of the elect, whilst all the rett of niniikind
were irrevocably and iminediably removed out of the pale of itaU
vstion.
Such i* the human mind, that by intense application and ab-
Btractiun, by continually brooding on one subject, it can place blind
crrdencft in any doctrine, however absurd.
It waig not long before, witti a spirit of prosclytinn, he found out
Julia.
It is uid that the heart i» never more disposed for a new attach-
ment than at the ninment when the object on which it doted is
gone for ever, and that the pmve is not one of the affections ; Lady
Jane Grey ia a satire on the bl-x — a liliel on wfHnan. This deso-
lating sentiment h only cnterUiincd by those who have never felt
the Hscred power of love, who have mistaken passion fur affection,
(be joy a of the senses for the mv»tical union of »ou1h. But when
all earthly things fail to »upp1y the void in hearts that have
once beat with love or aflcction, thev took for cunsolatioo in the
ibonghta of heaven; they seek for things above the earth rather
than of it. Never was there a being in an apter state to imbibe
the poison which the tempter wa* bent on instilling than the de-
Tuted Julia.
As soon «« he became a guest of the house, one selfieli feeling
•walloweil up the rest; religious enthuftiasm took poimession of her;
distracting doubts destroyed the wrenity of her souL At their
first conA-rcnces, he expressed himself shocked at her utter iffno>
ranoe of all the tenets of the true faith — at the heathen course ot her
life ; told her «thc wns a Etray lamb gone out of the way, that her
malady was « juAt inflietiun of Providence for rins of omit^nion or
cootmiaaion, tlmt she should cnnsidcr it as a salutary ordeal through
which she should gain the road to salvation. In order to fit her for
another world, he enjoined her to wean her aAectiouft fruni all tJiat
this contained, to seclude herself from all intercourse with her fel-
lows, and renounce the bocirty of her friends. The love of nature
he considered idolatry ; her elegant pursuits frivolous, and unwur-
tliy a can(b<I)ite for heaven ; he Miid tlint by prayer and prostration
tiw aliould struggle to receive grace divine, and to ubtmin tlie cuii-
victioit that her calling ami election were sure.
Such were the doctrines that served lo embitter and diMurb the
retauning houri of thi« victim of bigotry.
•• La mort" soys a French writer, *' rencontre un puUtant aiuUiairt
tiani U moral, ijuand il se trauve graiemenl attire." ThiiH licr diseoM
now mjite a rapid progress ; the worm that preyetl on her vitmls
daily made grenu-r inroads on her constitution, and it was clear tlut
I few weeks would Ujr her by the aide of her ftivter.
284
ANACREONTIC.
She had till now, in the presntce of her fntlicr, axsumml a cheer-
fulnesv, even if she ielt it not, and grrrtwl him with a vmile of re-
turning li«p]>it)««s ; and, liowcver painful the elTiirt it coDt, had at>
tended to the nHiLirx uf his house)iiil<l. But a change came over her
ftpirit.
During the laiit viiiit I paid her, nhc looked tnnrc Hke the "Mug-
dalen of Ouido than the Mndonna of Itaphscl. Her eyes were red
with weeping ; over the natural pnlcnci»i of her cheek was spread
a fliinh, less of bodily disease than the fever of her mind. She ap-
penred lost in a self-nbstrartion that eclipsed all extermd objects,
itnd discovered no lipht within; siith as. the funjitii: in the exal-
tatinn of hh fervour flnds, to compensate for the lost brightnes.'j of
the world.
For Eumti days bL-furc her death, she abode in perfect darkness,
and would not cvi-n see her I'litber: she refused all »ortj( of nut-
tenunce, or to take her accustomed medicine; and with feeble voice,
tliat inanition rendered more like a murmur or & mund, was heard
at intervals muttering accents of despair.
This could not last long- She was found with Irt h.-inds clasped
in the iittitude of supplicnlioii, in which she died- tier head was
bent back on the pillow^ and her eye* were raiseil to hi-aven.
At these Histera were unitetl in their lives, mi far were they in tlte
itinnner of their death that no one received their last aigh.
These details have little that is dramatic in them. Ihcy are M'enc*
that hove rvuthing to recommend them but tht.>ir fidelity ; yet they
tire not without a moral le«:<on. I have lately made n pilgrimage
to the graves of the Two Sifters, and have thought that tftey should
not perish without «ome humble record to save their memurica from
oblivion. I remembered (he word* of a great poet, and said with
a »igh( when two biich spirits pass away,
" Ttie world M-vma «ii«il'U'i>f a change:
Tlicy icait behind ;.i puld Ir.t!i<]tii1hly,
Ueiilh and iht {;rave, iknt an: not as they trcrc I"
I
ANACREONTIC.
Eroi, god of love, 1 'II bring
To thy slirin* no offcrini; ;
I will only bi'iid the knct,
Uaecliui, gud of wine, lo thee.
Where's the eye that shines as cloir
As these niby ipurklrw tiiri; f
Where *a a hp so swcel as this
Crystal gflbltit't Uiat 1 Itiss t
Ktos, god or low, I 'II briujf
To ihy shrine no ortitriiiic,
FoT h\ llua rich draut;!)! I row,
Uoy, I am thinn e^uni imw I
M.L.
986
THE T>OCK.YAnD OfTOST.
BY RIOHARD JOIINB.
If was .1 (lull and rainy afternoon in a dreary sea-port town ; the
Terjr waves came in Bluj[giF>hly. as if they found it too mncli trouble
to wash the shores ; wliik- tlie idle u inda wantonly pliiyecl with their
ripplii)}; curU, inatend vf Iduwin^ them up for neglect of duty- I
do not mean to nay that the huroiigh uf UockHrtcn wan ii dirty town,
and wanted more purification than nther communiliex of men ; for
b« it from mc to make so unkind an asAertimii : but Air. Mnu«cribc'M
Ouide to the beauties of " thii ancient port and its neijihbaurhood"
tnakpfl particular mention thnl it^ ahorcs arc " waiihcd by the bound-
Icsx deep," and I am old soldier enough to require contracts to be
{iroperly performed. The eventful day the incident occurred which
lat matle mc turn scribbler, was in the autumn of III — , not many
years atU'r the close of that ever-to-be-rememljcred Kuropean war
which covered England with national glury and national debt, and
entitled her to that continental gratitude wliicli, 1 am inclined to
think, was incontinently forgotxen. The town I refer to, had greatly
flourished during the struggle of kingdoms ; for it possesses. a» Mr.
Mouscril>c has it, " b dock-yard where the giant oak of England in
hollowed and Miuared, and fashioned to stem the heaving tide, and
go forth the mignty bulwark nf ournative land." Doekarton in the
war-time was contequentl}' a bustling sea-port, and had n large gar-
rison of veterans and mililiii, together witli n goodly population of
sailors and »Lo{>-<ieilerfl, innkeepers and outlitters, pinipH, crimps, and
priae-agcnts, tailor*, hatters, wine, brandy, and ])rovi«iun merchants
among the sterner sex ; while the ladies boasted a miscellanenus as-
semblage, which, for the most part, had better be imagined than de-
scribed. Peace arrived, and in a short time grass yrta actually
discovered growing in the streets. Hhips were no longer launched, and
but rarely commissionol or paid off; Jack now .seldom came "caper-
ing on shore" with money in both pctckcla ; the Jews' watches were at
a diftcuuut, as it wun no longer the fu^hiun to buy them by the half-
duaen ; and when k tive-pound note was cashed for a new hut, it
hill GGBseU to be u^uai to '* d ~ the change !" Tailors now were loo
bniily engaged looking after oUI bills to entertain old customers with
champagne luncheons; hotels were shutting up, or dwindling into
pot-houses i ami »hops unce aUmdonetl by their tenants reroaineti
unoccupied. Change followed up*in change ; even the veter.ins and
militia ilepnrted, and in their pl.ice his ^liijesty'a ^ regiment <ltd
duty on the diomnntled lines, silent saluting-uatteries, but still noisy
dockyard of Uockarton. The reader will now understand why I
called this a dreary town. I believe it has since, in some degriH?,
recovered firmn the sudden effects of the peace; hut stupid enough
it was when Knsign Augustus S looked from the windows of
the King's Head Inn at the drizxling rain which begreased the
pavements of the princi[)al street in Dockartun. Bitterly he cursed
the shuwera which hatl converted a fine niurning into • wet after-
ncxin, and prevented a certain daniM'l with whom he was de>p«Tately
nutmuureil. from keening an apiHtintiuent duly made in a mceting-
luiUK the •Suiulay bei<;re. '
286
DOCK.YARD GHOST.
The fair "Mtry Ciillcil herself a niirscry-govMneBs, Rnd it it ceflun
Ac govcmecl the nurit*-ry of a family in the vicinity : but though
" Mnsler Bobby " and " Slisa Emma"* were too old to mrry, tliey
were yet rather young to IcJirn ; anil, not npenking tlicir nativr
tongue vi'iHi flueiK-y, it is probable they did not trouble their pro-
tectress by entering into the coniponfiii partJi of tliu language. Be
this as it may. it pleiiscd the nurse ry-miiid to attpire to the dignity
of f^orerness ; anu Ei»ign Augustus cared not to oppose or contra-
dict her, a», clad in luutti, he would stroll beside hii invaviorala and
her young charf^e, when the weather and her miotreM permitteil
thiFtn to take the air. On the present occasion the pretty nlnry wai
prevented from meeting her lover by the min ; and the en»i)[n wAi
coniicquently out of temper with himflelf, with her, with the whole
world, and everybody in it.
Af^er hAvin^ pro{»o»ed other terms of capitulation In rain, he Hod
just determined on a tnesaUlance with Miss Marvi i" sovereign con-
tempt for the prpjudices of his/bre/if ur*, who had made it tlietr cuii-
tom to marry ]n their own station of life ; and the moonerhe informed
his gentle enslaver, the sooner Enitign Augiistuti thought hix heart
would be at rest. The only way of iirihurthening his mind wss to
embody hio huuoiirablc proposal in s letter; but this seemed a plan
of proceeding which, with a latent dread of u possible action for
breach of promise of marria£;e, he hesil;ited to adopt. Brooding
over his disappointment, he finished hi« sherry and sandwich ; saun-
tered to a billiard -room, where he made two or three foolish bets,
losing his money with a »till greater profusion of his temper; and
from tlience lounged to his quarters. Jlere we will leave him
plnying Itobin Adolr, Dulce, Dulce Domuni, with other heart-in-
thnilliii); airs, on bis German flute, whiling nway tedious moments
till the mcsH-hour ,- and transport ourselves to the royal dock-yard
of Uockarton. It is the evening of the same day, eventful in the re-
cords of the — regiment, to which our gallant friend belonged, and
Tom Mnson, a full private in the ensign's own company, is on
sentry in a retired part of the " Yard."
It was still *• very dubcrsome weather," as Tom rcmarfcod to him-
self us he walked to and fro before his box. The rain had ceased,
ami the mooit seemed making up her mind to shine, as if in attempt
to dry the wet- blanket- looking cltiudn that hung around her heaven-
built hall. Not A soul was stirring in the dock-yard^nt least not
totheeyeof Tom JIason — except a brother sentry on a disuuit Jetty,
when the clock chimed the half-hour past eight- Twenty bells now
took up the sound as they were set going by the hand.-) of the civil
watch — wtirlhy old men I — showing that they were not yet gone lo
»Wp< whatever might hapjwn ; while sentinel answered to sentinel.
^a^ watchman to watchman, tn one long miitinuous cry of "All 'l
^flll" which, echoing in the distance, died into silence.
I luve said Tom's post was in a very retired part of the " Yard,"
mJI WvC further to mention that the place was "banned witJi an
^^ iNWe." Whether some " Jack the Painter's"" wandering ghost
^^•jli ^ttlted " the glimpses of the moon" in that porticular quarter,
h . ^tf^J liske on me to say ; but certain it is that several soldiers
*i ibtpy hfid beheld n figure pass them that would give neither
4
4
4
I
^^(tUlry liiwwn I>y tlint nnmr, uxceawd, a^out tlie year XIIH, tor Srio;
287
}
the "parole" nor " tiiimWr." To purtme thi»t appnritinn, whalcvrr
it might be, would take them from their prntttt, iind be contrnry to
orders ; vhilc to fire nt everybody they could not otherwise secure,
Bunposing thrir challenge to be unanswered, — their strict line of duty
— Iiail mi a late occusion, fatal to the intruder, though ludicrous to the
tliouglulpjii) soldiery, culled forth n CHUtioii from the conimismioneT
of the dock-yard not to be too prrcipilnte itith their mu^ketn. A
•entry had one dark night shouted " WKo goes there?" till he vrna
bo«r»e — fired — alarmed the guard. "Why did you shout him?"
Mid the Berj«*nt.— " Why did iiol the jackaaa answer, tlien ?" cried
the sentinel. "Who have 1 shol?" — "Jackass, indeed," rejoined
the noD'CommigMoned officer, Ta.\sma the head of the dead body,
at)d letting the light of his lantern fall on tlie long visage and leaden
eye of the deceased. — It was the commissioner's donkey !
Rut, to return to Tom M^son. Se;ircel;' hnd the dock-yard re-
lapsed into KJlence when a black (ig^iirc, huUlit);; whut appearetl n
ktnall white fln^ or handkerchief in ita hand, paoAcd along a range of
timher-shcds about fifty virtU from Tom's ]Kist, And then came to a
dead halt. Our sentry <iuly challenged, though, it must be confess-
ed, with ■ trembling heart; for he had notthelen^T doubt he be-
held the ghost. The dark form answered not. but slowly waved Its
Bar. With a ln*t effort nf despairing courage Tom challenped again ;
■au the apjKirition, uttering a faint BcreJim, seemed to sink into the
earth. Thin wa>i too much for mortnl man to tiupport ; at lc«<^t
so thought Tom 3I;LHon as he took to Ins heels, and never rested
till he had reached iJie opposite jetty, where, holdiuji; by ihe arm of
hia astonished comrade, he once more looked in tlie direction of tlie
i;liost-walk he luid quitted.
" There it is again !" exclaimed he, pulling at the shoulder of Dick
Cumining«, who, being no believer in ^irits except those sold at the
canteen, most provokinglv declined to take an old anchor-stock in
the distance bedaubed with a patch of white paint, for a supema-
tund viailant : Tom's fears having by this time anpointed a deputy
ghost to do duty in the absence of the late appnrition.
" Vou are a fool, Tom Ma»on," austvered nls comrade, with that
eaay address dislinguiNhing a rnmiliarity which, if it does not al-
ways breed contciii|rt, in fruitful of blaek eyes.
'• If ever I »aw » ghoit in my life, that 's one !" obstinately contj-
naed Tom.
**Very liketv ; and yet that's the old anchor-stock you and I
paaaed three times to-day when the reliefs went round," dryly
answered his brother Mildicr. '■ An*t you a pretty fellow to stand
lentry } AVhy. Paddy O'Brien's story of the black and white gha»C
— that pe|)f>cr-uml-^lt bit of the devil's cookery — has fooled the
wita out of you !"
"Well, well!" said Turn, taking a long breath, "I believe you
are right as to the anchor ; but the thing I challenged just now
walked, and waved a white Rag after the same fashion that Paddy
told us of, and screamed, and sank into the ground, which is more
than Ar ever saw *"
Without seeing any thing further to alarm him, Tbm Mnsno,
soon after nine o'clock, was relieved by the very Paddy O'Brien
who bail »trengthened the superstitions of the garrison as to the
dock-yard being haunted, by roundly asserting that he had *een the
J»S
TDB DOCK-YARD OBOST.
apparition. In a few miiiutM mor4^, Diok Cumminf;* aIm ha«l ve-
ftif[iR'd his po«t to iinother, and wns marching be«u1o Tom tn the
guard-room. \Vhati'vpr might have Iwen the intention ot'ovir ghost-
ridden sentinel, — ■whether to r€T>c»rt whut hn hnd beheld, or keep the
5ecret to hitiiself, in the hope of ('iiinmin^s not betrnyinj' him to
the ridicule ofhi!^e^}itipaniuiii>, — littli- titnewau iJluwed hhii fur deli-
beratiun ere Dick tauntingly Jinked if he hud '' seen the devil again."
Angry words arose; blows were exchanped ; and the whole affair
WAS, in consequence, referred to the officer on duty, who happen-
ed to be no other than uiir friend, Ensign Augustus, he having
been disturbed at mess to fill the pocttion of « brother subaltern
taken suddenly unwell ud guard.
The pugnacious eoldiera were reprimanded, and reserved for re-
Kort to the higher authorities on the morrow ; and the ensign, who
ftd a small touch of romance in his composition, sallied fortli alone
to investigate the mystery of the haunted jelty. Here he found
Paddy O'Brien— « hiijje specimen of the grenadier company— -<]uile
on the alert, challenging at the top of his voice, and cUnhing hia
anua ax he brought his mu<>ket across his chent to the port, with a
noise enough tu frighten any ghost happening in the days of its
body to have tasted cold steel.
" Paddy," said Kiiitign Augustus, " wh«t i* this story of yours
about the black and while apparition? Tom Masun siiya he saw
it and spoke to it iust now."
"Oht the devil he did, sir!" cried O Brien, with a start that
brought the chin-stay of his grenadier's cap across his mouth, while
the l>earskin itself stuck mit at rtght-anglea vrith hih back. " Oh !
the devit, thin, what n mistake V
"Mistake!" repeated the ensign, in no little surprise at the aci>-
Iry's exclamation. 'M\Tin made a mistake? — answer me, sirrah !"
"She, sir! — he, sir! — the ghost, 1 mane ! Oh! bloodimd 'oandst
what will I do, anyhow ?"
" Walk your post, sir," said the ensign angrily, " while I get
behind your sentry-box; and wf'U see if this ghost of youra payi
you a visit."
" Oh I don't air, don't !" cried the twldier, now in evident and ui>-
diHguiited trepidation ; " 'twill be the ruin of me !" This was ad-
dressed to Ensign Augustus aa that gentleman stepped behind tlie
box ; and what answer so curious an appeal might have elicited it
is impossible to say, for just at that inunient the young officer
caught sight of a black figure coming towards the jetty.
" Challenge it !" exclaimed the ensign, putting nis head out from
bis concvalmenL
" I won't !" shouted Paddy, in an agony of desperation ; adding
in A pareiitlu'tical cry, vrliich resembled the huul of a whipped dug,
*' Oh ! 1>1o(m1 and 'minds! she'll know the sound of my voice and
come up to me !"
" Oh ! iriU she ?" answered Ensign Augustus from behind. " Is
i/iat your fun, O'Brien f Ch.itlenge, you scoundrel ! or I 'II pink
you !" at the same time giving Paddy the sHgUtcst possible taste
of the point of his sword, m the rear.
"Who goes there?" roared the ncntry, from habitual subordina-
tion no longer resisting his little officer. The npparition waved its
handkerchief, but remained silenL On it came, though witli an
I'tIK DOCK-YARD ClIUST.
^89
tiiuletermineil naxt. as if not perfectly xatiiifieil u to tbe reception it
nii);ht expect.
** Tell it to advance, yiwi ruHcal V whiatperetl the ensifpi.
'* Oh ! pray t'xctiM^ inc, sir t For love and honour's itake fxcuae
me, sir!" cri«! O'Brien, now turning round on his pPrMcutor. " It
19 the commi39ionCT''s daughter ! she '» comini; to spend an htiur will
me." Imnul«ea arc strange things ; had it hren possible to have be-
lieved Paddy's appeal to his generosity, — had the ghost been declaretl
to be the comintssitinpr'H cook, or the housemaid.— our cnKign might
not have so rudely interfennl witji the Irishman'!^ iininur ; but the
commiiisinner'tt daughter wa.*! too good a joke. He in an iuHUuit
dashed past the Iwwildered sentry, and gave chase tn thu appurilioni
whidi lied before him ; leaving the forlorn grenadier sUuiiping iu
ilc»|mir at his post, his musket at his t'ect, his cap flung to the earth,
as now shouting after his officer, and now apostrophising hiouelf,
he exclaimed,
"•Stop, sir! stop, sir! Let the poor crater run, if there '0 anj
mercy in ye. Oh I what will I do ? The old commissioner will be the
dentil of her ! and she to fond of me! and what a swatv pretty crater
she in, and the five thousand pounds to her fortin ! Oh ! Paddy
O'Brien ! why did ye till her the wrong relief, and let Tom Mason
nit sight of her^" While Paddy was thus lamenting his sad fate,
the enaign was fast gaining on hii« " chase ;" an unlucky log of
timber was in her way, down came the mysterious fugitive, and by
the aid of the mischievous moon Ensign Augustus S fixed
hU astonished ga/e on the well-known features of his faithless
Mary, the pretty nursery -maid. That young lady, of course, e**
aayed to make all proper explanations; but without effect, a» " her
Augustus" would not be convinced tJiat it wa« at) a ini*take, aitd
a. moonlight walk to mediuite on hi* alFection. The cruel ensign
escortctl the weeping damsel to the house of her mistress, the wife
lef a dock-yard dignitary, whose abode was within the walls. He
' even most inhuman!}* informed the said dignitary of the strange
Itredicament she had placed herself in. Miss Slary consequently
08t her place, nor did she, I believe, gain a husband ; Ensign Au-
gustus, about a twelvemonth al\er that eventful night, making A
most determined sacrifice to the prejudices of society, actualty
married a gentlewoman ; and Paddy O'Brien, when he discoverea
tliat hia beloved was uut the commissioner's daughter, declined her
lalUanoe. There tJi a report that the parish authorities found it ul-
timately nccetaary tn induce the Irish grenadier to make an Iionest
woman of hia ghostly comforter during the watches of the night ;
this is, no doubt, a piet-c of Iwirrack scimdal, but " I tell the uTe as
'twas told to lue" ou the "Wain Dock Guard" of Dockarton.
VOL. III.
2fM)
MARTHA MITES, •• WHO CARED FOR HERSELF.'
Orbat truths nctitl few worila ! anil we will conlcnt oursvlTrs with
laving heibrc our reAder»(i>lioiiltl any be found raith enough) oiie nr
the greatest truths in the fewest syllables. •' woman i» a rithilc !"
So thought Simon Plumb, as, disippoiiitec) in his hopes of a wife, hf
returned to hh stuip, Maf^'lj' Iraprt-iiacd with the line of Cungreve,
ttint "wunwn is the rcKectiuii of heaven in a pund, auit he thatloap*
at her in sunk." Now, although Simon Plumb luiil, iii the dayt> of
his Touth, jumped at and caui^ht cherries, he knew not bow ini-
pusEible it wait to catch a woman twenty-four hourji in the vume
mind ; Simon 6lap|)ed himself into a chair, and row^d never to
think again of Maxtlia Alites t
MarUia was an only ehikl ; her father lived by what killed othera,
— phytic. He u' us nit apvtiiecnry in one of our ancient eitieo ; and, aa
the people in llial pxrticuUr city had failli in an :ipi)theuiry, John
fijites became a man of money : truly it might be laiil of him, tus
pills were gilt.
Martha waa a fiwtunate child, for her father left her fifteen thou-
sand pounds; with thi* sura sJie might have lived a life of plenty,
but plenty was to her one of the seven deadly sins ; and a» in her
childhood »h« had picket! and pilfered fnmi her school -fel Iowa cake9
and ]K-iice, so now she, on a larger scale, lived ii|>on her neighbours.
The teas she drank, the dinners she ate, at tlie expense of other*,
were innumerable ; and, as it wan observed by her opposite neigh-
bours that not A crumb was ever seen to enter her doors, it w»ft
wiaely speculated that the gentle Martha Mitea lived upon tile
crumbs she got elsewhere.
Martha received an invitation to London, which she accepted.
The waggon conveyed this exemplary young woman by easy ntaf^
to her favoured friend ; and luxuriating on two or three hard egfn,
and hitd of bread, Mies .Mites, whose drink was water, lived liiie
a princess. Arrived at her destination, and being worth fifteen thou-
sand pounds, and the mistress of the house having a son withmit as
many pence, Alartha wa» the diamond of the dwelling, and, as tlie
ladj' justly observed, Aliss Alitee was worth gold to any man I
It is now nearly a century ajifo, when Simon Plumb, a grocer of
no mean wealth, and luxuriatin)^ in the title of Capuin in one of the
City Train-bands, — those bruve defenders of our country's peace. —
honoured the company at a Lord Mayor's ball witii the light of
his presence. The lady Martha was visiting was known to Grocer
Plumb, — she bad her sugar from him, — and Simon was introduced to
Martha Mites : uoed us he was to sweets, and up to his eyes in bar-
ley-sugar, Simon looked and hinged for the apothecary's daughter,
— iiay, he even went so far aa to m:ike her an ofler of marriiige upon
the spot : but Alarthn, who had open eye* to her own interest, nad
no wish to marry a man of figs t
Simon was con«tani in his visits, and, as he brought her presents,
Martha wka anything but shy, — for, as long as ahe could get any-
thing, Kfariha was always civd ; nnd thus for mimlhs she kept him
at bay, receiving his presents, but refusing, though often preA»e<l, to
name the day of marriage ; for she wisely thought, that if she married,
MARTHA MITES.
fi91
I
I
the motley would Dot br, sa it were, under her own inime<liAte
tliumb.
On the day thAt Simon Plumb cntf re<l hj» «linn, rliMppointed snd in
vrrnth, Kfartha hail under^fonc an nlncbirtion. SKe ft-A nmt with hopes
MilonK, that hope* had ceased toimiirish; and. with true mi'itary ar-
dour, Simon rtsolved upon a forcible earrying-off. He enticed her
into a conch under prctimce of bjaiint, and, accompnnieiL by a brother
officer — Tiot a slienlTs — ilrove to the Fleet, where marriiigeit wero
then letrnlly performed. M.nrtbn, its Boon as Bhe wiw the "cross-
bands" over the door-way, shouted at the pitch of her voice ten
thousand murders; but Capt^iin Plumb w.tx not a man to be
daunted by a womuu, whatever he might he by one of his own tex,
and carried hu-r kicking in bis arms before the roan of marriages.
AlartJia broke windows, screamed, and hallooed ; the parson, with hia
book in hand, began mumbling words, simple in themsvlvcs, but dead-
\y in their e9*ects ; and in a few minutes more, he would have added
another sin to his soul, and a marriage to his list. — for niarriaees are
only pardonable when they are made in heaven ! When Martha'*
screams became louder, some butchers who were passing, finding
what was going on, an<l being themselves married men, burst open
the doors, and resrueil the iLair fr<im the jaws of matrimony. They
could have killed sheep with pleasure, but they had more charity
than to let a marriage be performed ; and yet 'tis said butchers have
no feeling!
Had Simon breakfasted upon pod pepper, he couldn't have looked
redder in the face. But Alnrtna. like an injured excellence, re-
turned weeping homo, ihut herself in her bed-room, and for an hour
and a half wat nb^rbed in lookiiig at the presents lihe had received
from 8imon Plumb, who, for the next month had no tongue for
treacle, or tante for tea, but sat wTapped in sentiment and Jlartha
Alitea.
Martha, " who cared for herself," learni'd a golden lesson from
the page of Simon '« courtship, — that a lover is worth something !
and. to do her justice, she was not slow in profiting by iu Baited
with fifteen thousand pounds, Martha hooked more gudgeons and
more presents than we have space to enumerate; and on her return
to her native city, she spread her nets so well »% to cheat one to
whom cheating was second nature, to wit, a lawyer, who delight-
ed in lite name of Octavius Lixard.
Octavius Liiard was an attorney of no small practice ; and it was
the wonder of many how a lawyer, who knew «o well what deceit
was, could ever be deceived ; but truth is sometimes strange, and the
attorney wasoutwittctl. Marthii h.\d fifteen thuuiuind )mhiihIk ; Lixard,
a goot) practice, n large house, ami whs be»ide a bachelor.
Lixard was anient in his suit, and Martha willing — ^to take any-
thing she could get. One day OetnviuH — for the lawyer would show
itself^ — obt^iinrd her consent, and n bond of forfeiture to the amount
of live hundred poan<U on the event of her after-refuMl.
Lei nut M.irtha be censured as shallow in allowing Lixard so
ttrong ■ hold upon her ; it was the depth of cunning .- the lawyer
WM lo ber ■ noclcet-glu«s, that &he could see through without sLrnin-
ing brr ejresight, and she could squeeze him as she could a lemon.
Krum that huur the houHe of the attorney became " a Iioum; uf call,"
for she gave him not only ber bond, but the sweets of her iKKiety :
3C 2
£92
MARTHA MITES.
ahn WAS subject tu litii or ii-alouf^y, which 6ts came upon her rcvu-
1»rly (lirue Uuii's a day. Never did Octuvi'us sit down tu brraUtuut,
liut JMnrtbu, seizcil wiili lit the first, came in for her share ; his
chops no longer were in couples, for Alurtha at his dinner-hour
wa» jealous tor the second time, and chopped with him; tea, that
meal of filop and scandal, never passed but Marths came for the
third time, and xippc-d the cupn of comfort ! Shyhick's bond wAk a
pbiythiiijS to thi.'i — a pound of fle^h ! Lizardn was for a rib !
Now Ootxvius -wnn a lawyer, and, as such, waa in the habit of
piekin;^ otlicra ; to ic picked was contrarj- to ^iracticc. Still he
Knew not how to complain, as love was the occasion of thi^ tender
Milieitu<le upon fier part, and the cost upon Aw; but then 'twna odd
her fm were ever hungry, imd always came at mejd-times. Slioutd he
deny himself to her f should he — ? no ! fd^een thousand pounds were
nut to be ofieiided. and Lizard gulped hi:H chops and tea. He pressed
her U> natac u day : Martlm blushed, ut least she ^id au ; but Xiixard,
though be had often made black white, cuutdn't metamorphose a
dull yellow into red. Martha, hopelesj of living longer upon truft,
promised to become Mrs. Octavius Lizard that day month. The
month was passed, as many other months had been, in fattening at
liis expense. The day was at hand, Lizard procured a licence- and a
suit uf chithes. The inoniin^ came : Mitrthn was dressed; Lizard,
even to his shoe-tie, looked the bride|^onm. 8he called him " naughty
mun," and hinted at his want of confidence in havluf; " asked her for
a bond." Uc, all excuses, unlocked his iron chest, and selected from
a hca-ft of harmless papers her mnrriage promise. The lawyer made
an effort to kneel ; but, being Btiff-knce'd, preferred shuffling, — ut he
often did.^^nd presented her with her hood. He was despatched to
the church to sec that things were as they should be ; she was to
follow. The parson stood ready for his task af comfort, for his
words were plums, and every one a mouthful. The guests — aa
j;uests .ilways are — were open-mouthed, and Lixard open-eyed; he
looked, ami looked : Martha was dressed when he left her, and now
two hours l>ehiiid the time .' Minute followed minute, and wonder
came with wonder; but Martha never came at all : for months she
had had three meals a day. — one was her usual fore, — and Octavius
was outwitted. lie stoodhvid amid the jeers of the standers-by ; hi*
fil\een thousand pounds had vanished iti a wtilH'; he had been libvnd,
and. what was worst of all, got nothing by it ; he felt it as a pro-
fessional afl'nnit ; and Lizard never after named the name of Alar-
llia Mites.
Some thirty years bad passed since the last>recorded ]>criod in the
history of Martha fllites, when an object of some curiosity attracted
the eyes and fooutej)s of the worthy inhabitants of the city of
The window* were full of eyes, and heads thrust forth in all direc-
tions ; the streets were thronged, And many little boy.4 stood yelping
ill the kennels, as hitle boys will do. An old broken coach, of some
century and a half old, stood in the centre of the High-strecl. The
paint of by-gone years was yet visible in blemished patches; the
Iunels, worm-eaten and bare, liorc here and there a trace of what
lad once been vnrniiih, and a curious urchin counted no less ttian
three differutit spots, which beyond question had once been gilt; —
the mortal remains of a coat of arms. And there it creaked upott the
wheels that now, alasl moved not, for the horse bad droppe«l down
dead ! And tbera it lay u]K)n the ground, ■ curious study tu the
I
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e na- fl
MARTHA MITE8.
SB3
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turalist Uiut it Ehould huve breatlied its lant mi hour bincc, wlien to
h11 u|iuc3riiiice it liad been the aiiatumy of » hur^e lor fitly years;
Erofitwi* to all but the bone-bumer, tor the hide wi* vvm into
ales, and no dog had the vanity tu ima^ne there was a dinner to be
had from the wholL- carcass. An old man, dre»*ed in a strange li-
very, sat tnutiuiiii'ibt uiioii th<> hnx ; the nnns, two pieces of rope,
hung in his handn, iind lie hitiked at the dead benHt us thouffh he "aw
the shillingii it had been worth turned into lead I The only faculty
left him was fti^ht, and that he fastened ii^unn the skin of boncH
before hiin, deaf and senseless! — deaf hemuict have been not to hft*e
heard the accents nddressed to him, and iti no penny-whittle voice,
by a head thriutt out t'roni what hnd once been a wiitdow of the
coach. The head had a bonnet on it. said to have been found nine-
teen yearn before upon n diingliill ; and the tiirc lonked — ycN, it wiu
that of Martha Alitci:, arid in a vuiee »f gentle admonition she ^hniit-
vd to tlic rt:vcrvnil njuiiiiom on the box, •■ Adam, ymi brute ! why
don't you go uti.^" Martha huirtunibK'dfrMiii thecuacJi, — Hteps there
were none. — and with a shrivk convinced the jieople how keenly she
felt the lo*s of her favourite steed ! Martha looked, and for the ncM
ten minutes, like Adtiin, lived in alnbaster !
The chief merit of an historian is diittinclness, and we fear we
»hall not be entitled to assume that credit tu ourselves without ex-
Elaining how Martha Mites, Adam Thornton, and the deiid Imrse,
iipi>ened to be in the HiKh-Mtrcet.
The termination of Octjivius LiK9rd'« coiirtithip ])ut an end to
the like 5olicitAtions from others, and Martha now more than ever
" caretl for herself." Many are the tales told of her penuriouH
habiu, and the eyes of Simon Plumb would doubtleM have been de-
l^hted to hare seen the dress he gave her thirty years before, now
Ingina in tatters upon her [)erson. 80 wretched was her appear-
■Bcr, that numberless were the pence offered by way of chanty to
the " poor woman ;" but Startlia had a soul above piry, and on one
occasion only, was known to accept of it. In her journey to London
in the waggon, the waggoner, a jMHir man with eiglil children,
struck witii her miHerahlc' look, j-efusttl his fare, anil said, •' Pmir
»oul! yon want it even more than I do;" JMarthu left him, and an
K hour atU-rwurds purchased five thousand ])ounds worth of Ntock.
H Her avarice grew so much upon her, as to cause her to deny her-
H self the necesisariea of life. The streets supplied her with fuel, and
V Martlia might be seen witJi an old rag in one hand and a stick in
tlir other, searching up and down fur hits of wikhI. The crumbs
shaken from a table-cloth never feasted the sparrouii v. hen Martha
saw Ihcm lull, and Nj)^irro\vs were not the only thingH she rohbeti ;
wherever slie went, something was missed, — threads, needtes, hits of
Upe, nothing wan beneath the notice of her acquiring mind.
ft wttA at this time that Martha fell in with old Adam Thornton,
a prototype of herself, a wretched being; in fact a man Martha
Mites * lie had wealth ; hi<i money-liagHj were to him, wife, friends,
children t and with tliene he held cumiuunion lui with a secoml self.
His wife the great smiter hud cut off but n few years bark :
and Adam was left a widower with an only child, a ton, — a noble.
DMily creature, in one word, the opposite of his Muntcil sire. His
ISttlier su<^<UtilY dead, and with her his means of suhriBtence, the
pen become his refuge, and s garret, of course, his abode.
1294
.MAKTHA KITES.
Martha Mites mrt with Adnm TSorninn ; they hiul but oiip bduI,
though perhaps thnt is too large nn allowance: one room wiUahekcr
two, one candle iifiht two, — and should they, who knew so well what
cancUes cost, bum two? No! from Uiat hour they burut bul one.
Ailnii) Thomlon had an old house in the outskirts uf the town, and
there they lived topethtr. Here was a sop in the pan for SdUtdal!
but we beg to aaaure our readers the rciiort* were Hnfoundecl. The
house was in ruins ; the doors were without hinges, the frames with-
out glaaa, and, u Adam liked a free circulation of air, the roof re-
mained unrepftired, but with a wise economy its use* were two.fold,
for the well had no bucket, and buckets cost money ! The boya
who brougiit the water, iisked a penny for « tubful. Adam was
opposed to all extortion**, mid, like his predeceiuor of the same
ntime, trusted to Heaven for his wants, the hole* in the roof sup-
plied them with water for drink ; and it was evident they never
applied it to any other purpose. The flours were rotted, the walU
bare, nndthewhrtlc dwelling — if dwelling it might b« called — ^liioked
desolate nnd waste ! And her<^ they lived, but not in idleness ; for
they buried themselves in rearing cabhagea, both for sale and liome
ronttiimptinn. A patient slave, he trod the path she pointed out,
for with all her faults Adam worshipped her ; her fuoistepa t^eemed
as very lipht, for elie hatl opened to his eyes llic doors of many
saving ways, and they loved each otlier, not perhaps for common
virtues, bul unconinioii KCantinvss; and they lived wrapt in each
other, delighting in the emulation which cuuld live upon the Idift,
but Jlarlha always bore the palm. One day she kindled with a
bright thought — -a thought to pave the way to cosy riches- Adam
had a coach, a reUc of his grandfather; true, it was the wor»e for
wear, but still on wheels ; and wisely did Martha think that by
purchasing a. horse it Cuuld ply for hire as a fly. It was a gaining
thoualit ; and a horse, blind of both eyes, was purchased from a
neiKhbouriiig nacker's for the worth ot as many pounds of dogs-
incau A coachman was only wanting to complete this gorgeous
etiuipage, and Adam, drcHiicd for the occasion, mounted the box;
hi« upper man w-n squeezed into the fiided trnppinc of a drummer-
boyS coat, the trimmings hung in threads about nim. and Adam
looked as if he had been a drummer-boy all his life, with only one
coat. His lower person, after making nUnwunec for n century's
change uf fashion, wear, and motlts, looked respectable, though in
want I Adam mounted the box ; but Martha had u jealous eye. for
Adam as a coucLiman might, us other coacluneii do, peculate in
aixpences. Seiited itii>idc, Martha could tell to u fraction the com-
ing in. Thus tlirn lliey plied; but how ill is industry rewarded,
nut once did they obtain a job ! Bob, the horse, was a little
feetler, and so wan IMartha, and Bob's allowance was cabbage-stalks
and weeds. A week passed in patient endurance of the jeers of the
more fortunate fly-drivers, when, on going up the High-street, the
horse, unmindful of what they luid paid for liim, had the ingratitude
Co drop down dead !
Bob again became the property of the nacker ; and Martha re-
turned with Adam thouglitfoUy home. They had lost shilbngs by
their bargain, for the horse weighc<l pounds less than when the
nacker sold it. nnd Martha justly Umente<1 that so much good food
had been thrown away. Adam'e ciwt, I<»o, had been purchased
I
I
MARTHA MITES.
Sd5
I
I
\
i
I rag-shop ; and, what was worse, they refused to Like it
buck .' Distrt-ssvs Ml thick upon them, and they returned saddened
home. The-ir 8iirpri«tr may l>v im»gtned when, on tltvlr near »]i-
proach, they saw hinoke ixsue from their chimney: Adnni rubbed
his eyes, and JIartha thutif^lit it «ii ojitical deltisioii ; but no, ftintitce
— real smokt.' curled from their rJumney-tOf>, — a phenomenon scarcely
to be bflieved. Martha hastened home, threw the door open, and
titarted back aa she saw the ligurc of a youn;; man intently occupied
in cooking some mtittun-chops! AlLttton-cho|is!^Miirtha hadn't
tBfted tbem for years ; and to si-c her hearth desecrated, and a fire in
the grzie huge enough to have cooked a joint by. — a whole year's
luel crackling iintler two mutton-chops! Human nature was out-
raged, and Martha burst into the ro<tm. What damage she might
have done either tu herself or the stranger, it is u&elesui to deteruuiie ;
for, rising; from his occupation, the yuuiig man turned as the door
0[>ened, and, spite of the drummer's coat, Sydney recofinised his
father. Uut Adam taw nothing but the chops ; the sight of food
iipun his table had overcome him, and he Htooil rapt and wondering.
Sydnej' Thornton had, by !-oine strange good I'ortunc, obtained a
few poundsi fur what had coat him months of application and .itudy;
and a vitiit to hi^ father was his (iret thuu|;hl. He knew the old
man's ways of old ; hut ^till, though miserly, Adam was not bad-
hi^arteil. and at any other time wouhl have been glad to see his sun,
but Martha lud reformed him from the ways of weakness. Sydney
traced his way to the old house, and entered ita doors; they were
not even hitcned, fur they kept nothing worth stenling: the grate
was black, but not with smoke; and Sydney, hungered with hiR
ride, and anxious to see his ftither on his return home, purrhaseil
meat and comnience<l the task of cooking. He wa.-i an author, and
knew what chops were too well to slight theni ! With pjitiont in-
dustry he lit a tire from a h<mp of nticka piled in a earner, and com-
mence\l broiling Uieni upon a ruaty pair of tongs. His task uas
nearly done, and so were the chups, wnen Martha entered the room,
and Uraked her horror of the deed full in the gtuitou's face.
Little importance as our readers umy be dinpoeed to attribute to
Sydiiry's cooking mutton-chops, he had better have thrust his hand
into the fire tlial bruiletl them ; for by so doing he laid the first
stooe of a ruin that fell and crushed him.
The few «Uy« he stayed benealh his tattier'e roof, Alartha fas-
tened upon Ailam's ^kirt*, fearing the old man might yearn towurda
bis son.^^i Hon, as Martha thought, bitten by the vice of waste ; and
gining money to bis like, was jiouring water in a pitcher that was
cracked.
Sydney Thornton returned to town, where, wc grieve to relate,
be marriiil. Up fell — not into a ditch, but worse — in love with a
benutiiul and gentle being, and, like mott thing.'* beautiful, iVogile a*
■he wju fair. Sydney married; and Adam from that day writ him
duwn a.« uaiit rcuemption.
Old Adam full sick ; the uckneaa of waned strength came upon
him, for tlie oil of his life wu dry, and bis existence flickered like a
wasted lamp, there he lay upon his hard bed witliout nouri&h-
itKMit, witliuut those soothing comforts wliich are tu the fick what
the sick "Illy know. His days were riuniberetl. his will was made,
and Martha Mites led sole executor. Alas I where was Sydney ?
S96
MARTHA U1TE8.
Martha was uut, and Atlain lay sick^-dying in his bed. His son I
his own and only son !• — the old nian'» brovr grew heavy, and his eyes
filled. Foolish Martha J^Iites to le&ve »a ricli a man while ]if« was in
him ! Rich men should never be left to dit alone ; they »eldoni
arr, for luving hdrx arv always crowding round the couch, to
viiio<ith the pilluw. or to hold the head: hut Afarth^^s
She was returning home, had reached indeed tlie threshold, when
the door opened, and a little old man dressed in black luinti- out;
their eyes met, the Httle man in the kindeH mannw possible told
her that Adam v/at dying. Martha entered his darkened rixmi, and
there he lay fraxpiiin lor breath, his mouth wide open, and the rat-
tles workinf; within his throat ; his hands, bony and dry, clutched
np the clothes ; his eyes glased as they stared upon ncr with ■
peculiar meaning, and they had a meaning; and he sank back— «
corpse !
Adam was buried, and at the least posiible expense ; ATartha, m
mourning coats money, made her countenance answer a double pur-
pnae, " and decketl her face in decent sorrow." The dead man's
will was to lie read ; tlic room was full of anxious relatives, and
others who " expected." A ull pale-faced young man, dre^ed in
deep mourning, stood within the room : it was Sydney Thornton !
The will was rend ; Adam died worth lif^y thmcsand poundf, and he
bequeathed to his loving son, Sydney Thornton, tlie Bura of — he
stood breathlesti with suspense — one shilling! To Alartlia Mitea,
all beside ; and Sydney was disinherited I His ImndK wure clasped
upon his rurehead, his clothes were thrown open, his pale face now
looked ghastly; he had fainted away: Marttia. who delighted
in BCi« oi' charity, gave him a basin of water ! Here was the conse-
quence of eating miilton-chopa!
• • • • #
Mouths have passed, and it is winter when we resume the thread
of our history, and we find Martha still in the old house, lying in bed
two-thirds uf the day to save firing ; the rest she passed at a cobbler"*
shed, where, over a pan of co<uIs, she warmed her blue hands, BDd
munched the crust she had picked up in her way thither. But it
was astonishing the friends she acquireu ! — many, very many families,
and of tile first consequence in the town, pleased, no doubt, with the
singularity of her conduct, innted her to their table, — she was to pe-
culiar. And only to think of their condescension ! — they would even
call upon her, sit by turns upon a threc-Ieftged stool, chat with her,
and g^vc her varioua trirtes. At^er this, who xiiall say people of coti-
acquence arc proud? we ask our readers, in the simplicity of truth,
was tkh a proof of pride ?
With the pen for his caterer, Sydney Thornton found his viands
scanty, and hismenU irregular. 11 he boasted produce of the brain —
bread and cheese, failed him in his need ; and he, with his sickly wife,
often dined wilhimt the latter luxury. Fortune looked dark ujMin
him, and he relurned to his native town, where he set up «t:hool-.
master. But some, do what they will, plant only to gallier weeds :
so it proved with Sydney ; nnd he saw nis wife, pale, hollow^yed,
and shortly to be a mollicr, sinking duy bv day without comjdaint,
without ft sigh for hit* hearing, — but the (Wkcncd eye and sunken
cheek told him a tale of death. Maddened, he knocked at the door
that he had grown beneath, now the dwelling of another; it was
UAKTHA MITES.
S97
opened, antl Sydney lliornton stood before Alartha Mites. Hiit
wife wu d^inff. Sydney Tliuniton knelt — knelt to ^Manha Mtu^8,
and with tearful eyes surd for Iter aid: it was refused, and he wiu
tcld to do M shu hat) tlutie; " liiit he was a spendthrift, and wasted
where he might make; and now waste on, but not witJi hers!"
Paasion subdued hi» ^ief, as risiiiu from the icrouud he icized
her by the arms, taxed her with uie evils she had wrought on
him and his, and la-shed by his feeling of desolauuri. and the know-
leilgv, that through her he had been disinherited, liia anger might
have hurried him to a deed of violence, when the door of the
apArtment opened, and the same little man 3Iartha had seen leav-
ing the house on the d.-iy nl' Adam 'a death entered the room:
Sydney threw her from him, mid nank ujxm a scat I
The little man entered the room, and xj^ain hi» eyes aiul Mattlia's
met. There was a feeling of dislike between them, ba instinctive as
bttweeo a dog and cat. There was a paune of a few minutes, during
which Sydney sat with his hands clenched upon his brow, mad hia
breaA heaving. Alartha fidgeted about the room, and the little
man in black said nothing ; but his eyes, small, black, and piercing.
watched Slartha, as a snue watches the thing it darts at. Sydney
rote to dcfwirt,
" Sydney Thornton," said he of the black sint, in a voice that
«11-wise Nature had pronortione<l to his sixe, — "Sydney Thorn-
ton, if you are he, stay wncrc you are." Then turning, with sudden
recollection^ to Martha, added, "■with this good lady's permission."
" Neither he nor you I" was her courteous reply. " My honitc is
no highway for beggars to swarm in ; you *11 get nothing licre, I can
tell you.'*
""No matter : we must to business first, and fatten after."
" Buainesal what business?" and Martha waxetl imperntire.
" A little," was the patient reply; "you are, or I mistAkc, the heir
of Adam Thornton ?"
" And this is my house, and the sooner you prate out of it the
bttter," added Martha.
'* I always sjieak within doors;" said the little man, litUog down
upon a stool.
Martha had the will, but lacked the strength ; or the poor little
fellow would have been thrown from the window, (juietly turn-
liflg to Sydney, he resumed, " And you were disinherited ?"
'* Ay," cried Sydney; " and, with u dying wife, 1 now want bread
to gi»e her I"
" Bread is but a poor oomfurt to 8 weakly stumach ; will yon not
give him something better?" said he in black, looking like a note of
interrogation at MarUis Mites.
" A stick to beat you henre 1"
" Nay. Sticks are for the master's hand to beat intruders ; Itave
NOW one?" and the small gentleman looked at Sydney.
Sydney paused. Martha siiid nothing, but Hdgctcd, aa though
eumelhing were at work which she couldn't understand.
" Yestyiw.'" said the stranger, laying an emphasis upon the word.
** You would be muster if you had your father's will."
"It's false!" yelled Martha; and she hurried to the old lable, from
the false bottom of which aht- drew out Adam's will, and cried,
*• Look at ihisl"
J
»9fl
MARTHA MITES
" And look at this >" — the little man took a parcltment froi
coat, and, with a lau^i. uildcd, " Adnm niude it an hour betbre he
died, aijd Sydney Thornton is not disinherited I"
Martha spoke not, but gasped as for a lost breath: a mntncnt, and
ithe darted at him with uic spring of a wild cat; and, hiit for (lie
timely prevention of Sydney, we fear the little man would have been
cut short in his days, for the knuckles of Martha fastened at hit
thront. She whs forced back, and Sydney read himself the heir to
his father's wealth [ Adam had repentecl in his last moments, and,
when Martha was absent, made another will, by which his son inhe-
rited his all. The careful little Mr. Drip was summctmed lo hi» bedside,
and Adam signed the parchment but a few minutes before he died.
The little man had kept it a secret from a whim ; and, seeing Sydney
enter the house, followed him. Here, then, was the raeuinng of
Adam's last loolt : Murtlia cursed him as she remembered it: — ^}-csI
it /ucd a meaning I
Wuuld tEiut uur pen might ccuse its labour without recording the
huart-strieken grief of Sydney Tliornioii, wlio, cu lii» return to hie poor
dwelling, so lately without peni:e. now ihv heir orthuu&unJ&, found his
wife dead ! I-W muntli^ alterwards he might be seen wandering as a
shade by the grave of his buried wife. 11^ lived in solitude, and
from ibc haunts of men ; and Sydney Thornton died a misanthrope.
For days after the diBcovery of anoliicr will, Martha whh possessed
as by a ncnd: she raved, stormed, howled, und Adnm, lucky Adam,
wus in his coffin, happy in a peaceful death. But us death comes to
ai\, so came it to Martha Mitcx, and in a pigeon-pie.
The liouse no longer hers, Martha lived in a garret, and bitter
tvas the panjj with which slie p^aid lier rent — a tritle, but to her the
wealth of worlds ! One day a parcel, directed to " i^li^s Mites.*' was
brought to liur ; and as the carriage was paid, Martha tooic it in, and
there discovered a pigeon-pie I The milk and lioncy of our forefathers
was notJiing to this, and Martha gloated upon it with her eyes, as in it
she siiw a month's provision ; for Martha wus no glutton, and well ahe
was not, for, after a very sparing dinner, she was seized with sick-
ness, violent and painful ! Mearing her groans, the people of the
house sent for u doctor, who gave her an emetic, and discovered, to
the horror of ull present, that the pigoun-pie was seasoued^not with
suit, but arsenic I Now, had Martha been a feeder of any preten;£ioii>s
her death had followed her meul ; but she ate so little that it only
made her sick, and in a fvw days, though weak, she was sufficiently
recovered lo hunger after food. The doctor had said that the season-
ing ofthv pie was poisoned, but Llic erust was good ! The pie was taken
from its dark corner-cupboard, and Murtliu looked upon il a.'i a friend ;
with careluL lingers she removed uU taint of seasoning, and with eager
hand itte the crust: und such a crust! the like had never passed the
lips nf mortal ! Hunger, that sweetener of fat bacon, was gnawing
heft bihI she smacked her tips, and blessed the Providence that had
M her to think of the crust! In a short time site was seized with
MM. And fticknesH, all the symptoms of poison ; she grew livid with
Vht (4>¥* of death, and an hour after Mudliii was a (Mrpse '.
K ««• ihc cruit tluit had been ]>oi»oned, and not the stasiutuiy.
H. Hoj,!..
I
I
Ji99
FAMILY STORIES— No. IX. THE NUKSES STORY,
r Br THOMAS iHcomsBr.
^ THE HAND OF GLOUY.
' *■ M»lefic» iiuivdani :iiiif>ii>ainx in An^1■l^ fiitc, i|tiiiiu Oifiniiim Imriiliilitt^' «x-
iuuriUiti el impununin mpcr uciuuni lorribiltin, per tturtt ra|iueniDt. Cliunor-
lerribilM (nt fcmntj per <|ii«tikor tortni milinritt auditbanuir."
iVurrntA. Chum.
<)m Uie Ibiie bleak moor,
At tW miduiiihi Uour.
n«neitili Ihi- (lalliiwx Tree,
lluud in huiid
'rill- Mii«ler«ir» ^tund
By one. by two, by ihree I
And cW McKm lliul niglit
Willi a (Tcy, cold lislit
lia^h linUfiil objftcl li(is;
One half (if lier form
Is ie«n lliroi^);li tW !<t(>nn,
The otIu-T hulf '» tiici in F.<:lip.<e 1
And tli« cold \Vimt lionls,
And the Tliondt-r growlii,
Aud the Lit{htniiJK is brci^d and bright ;
And aitogfthcr
It's very liad weather,
And ati unpleiiiiuiiL m>ti of a Night.
" Now mount who list,
Aiid close by ibe wn»t
S«Ter me quickly the Uvad Man's &st I —
Now climb who dare
Where lie swinga in air,
And pluck nie fivalueka ofibc Dead Man'a Itnir.'"
• • • • ■
There '» an Old Woman dwells upon Tappiat;ion Moor,
Sfae liath yearn on her ba>ck ai the ledst founcvni,
And ionic pcopli> fancy u grt^t many more;
ikr uQVi it is book.'d|
Ilor back it it crook'd,
Her eye» blear and red :
On Ihe top of her hrad
Is ii inutcti, otid on that
A shocking bad liat,
Extingui^er -shaped, tliv bnm lurtow and flat:
Then, My Graciousl her beard 1 — it would »a<lly |icrpl«x
A sp«ctulor at first to distinguish her »n ;
Nor, 1 'U veiiluie to sjy, iTillioul icruliiiy toii'tl lie
Fronouncc her, olT-haadcd, a Punch or a Judy.
Did you M« liec, in »hor1, (hnl iiiud-Iiuv<;l wiUiiii,
With her knees to her nose, ami her nuu to her chtti,
I,ceTiiig up wi(h lluit c|iirer, indescribable grin.
You M lift UT) your hands in amaumcnt, and cry,
' — Wvll 1 I nevar tUd jut >ucIi 4 reyjutiir Ouy!*'
And now before
Tliat Old Woman's door,
soo
FAMILY STORIES.
Where nouglii ihai'« good may be,
ll»iiil in hand
lliG Muidercis stand,
By on(f, bjr two, by tliret- 1
Oh 1 % B bcrrible li^hl to view
In ihit horrible horel that borriblc rnvi.
By ilie Uijkk blue glare oritiM Akkcniig fluue,
Uoing toe deed thai ha^ never a name 1
T» awful lo hear
Those words of fear !
Tbe priiy'rniutti.'r*d buckwardv, aiid nld with ft tneerl
(Malitiew Ilonlitni liimscir has asftUT«d us thai nben
A ^^'jlch a)s Wi prsy'ni, ihc begins wiUi Ameu) —
'Tu awful to nee
On ilial Old Wuiiian'g knee
Tbedead, shrivell'd hattd, u Mie cIm|» it willi gleet
AikI how, Willi care.
Hie five lacks of bair
Krotn lli« fekull of tlie tienileman dAn^Iing ujUbvic,
U'il)i ibi- i^Ty-iuw and Ibc fit
Of ablackToraCal
She liiuicus to mix,
And lo iwist iiilo wicks.
And iitiff on tlic thumb, und t:arh linger lo lu.^
^For imather recsijit the same chum to preptkra^
Coniult Mr. AinawonJi* und PttU Albert.)
"Now open lock
To Ihc Dead Man's knock 1
Fly boll, and bar, and bB,nd !
Nor iiiov«, nor $w«r«e.
Joint, tnuscte, or nerve,
At iIkc stwil of Oie Ucad Mim'i hftrid !
Sleep all who sleep ! — Wake all who wake! — "
Hut Lh; sm llie Dead fur iliu LHad Man'* Ktke ! !"
• « • • •
All is ^eni I all U atill
Sav« the cea»«lrM n>onn of the bubbliiit; rill
As it w<ells fiom the busom nfTupiiingiiHi llill;
And in 'i'apjiini^oii ilail
<!reat and Soiall,
Gentle and Simpli:, Suuire and Groom,
Facli one liatli suuight tits sepunie room,
And fikiep her dun mantle liaib o'er tliein ea>l,
For tlw midnight hour hatti long bccti post I
All U darksome in earth and tky,
littre, from you cawnieni tiitrrow and higli,
A quivcnng beftm
On the liny aiream
riays, like »onic tapers lilful gleam
By one ttial u, waicliing wturily.
Within that rjuement nartxivr and hi(;h,
Id Ills secret Uir, «liere nunc may spy,
Sits one whoM brow i* wnnkltd with care,
■ Vi<]p Hnnkwitm], \W uiotl k|)lrit«d and original ftunuuieu of Uie day ; Standard
THE HANI) UF GLORY.
'And tbe thin gny look* of his Ihiling linir
llftv« left hid litUc b&ld pale all bare ;
For liii fulUbgiiotii'd wig
lliini;s bushy and big
Od ihe lop of liis okl-iiuliiuticd, hi^h- backed chair.
Unbraced are bis clntticn,
UBKai'in''d liia how,
Ili.i gown i« bediieiicd with tuli|i and nnt,
Flowets or rrtnarkable size iind hue,
Flower? nudi iu Edcii ti«rcr kn^w ;
And there, by many > eparkliitg henp
Of the good red gold,
The ule ii told,
What powerful »p«ll avads to ke*n
That cure-worn man from his needful sleep.
Haply, be drain* do eye cut see
As rte gloats on his m-^jiure i^reedilyy—
The shilling store
Of glilU-rin^ ok.
The fair Rose-Noble, tiie bright Moidore,
And the broad Douhk' Jiir frcim uyonl the sea, —
But there 'b ooe that natches as well u he ;
for, wak(>ful and sly.
In aclfiflet hiird by.
On his truckle-bed lieth a little I'ogt-pifce,
A boy who's uTseommonly shaqi of bis uge,
Like youDK Master tiorner,
\Vho crsl in a comer
Sat ealiii^ i Christmai pye ;
And, while ihal uld GetillemaiL s counting his hoards,
Lililc Hugh pi-eps tliroujfh a crack in the boards.
« • « • »
There '» & roioe in the air.
Then 's a step on the stair,
The old man starts in his cane-backed chair ;
At the (list faint sound
He piTi's around.
And holds up his dii> of sixteen to the pound.
Then naif arose
From beside his toea
His little pu(;-dog with his little put; aose.
But, ere he can vent otie inquisitive anifT,
'lliat litdc puR dog standi iiarlc and siilT,
For low, yet dear.
Now Tali on ihcmr,
— Where once pronounC'cd for ever ihey dwell —
The unlioly words of tbe Dead Mao's spelt !
"Open lock
To like Dead Man's ktkock !
Fly bolt, and bar, and baad I
Nor move, nor swerve,
Joint, muscle, or nerve.
At the spell of tlie Dead Man's hand I
Sleep all who sleep ! — Wake al I who wake ! —
But be ai the Dead for the Deail Man's sake ! '"
Now lock, nor bolt, nor bar avails,
Nor itoui (nk panel ihick-tiudded with nili-
901
FAftflLY STOniES.
Heary and harali iko liitiRea crrak,
Though they had been oifd iu ihe course of »l» w«k ;
The door opens wide b» wide may be,
And ibere iliey stanO,
Thai mil rdfTnus hand,
Led by the li^bt of ibe Glouiovs HakDi
Uy one, by Iwo, by three !
Th<9 have rau'd llirou^li lh« porch, they have pass'd throagh the lialt,
Whera the Porter sat snoring afrninst the wall ;
The very snore froie
In his very soub nose,
You 'd have verily deem d ho bad tuored his laat
Uhvn tlic CtoECorii Hakti by the side of htm panl
lE'en the little wcc mouse, (ts it mi o'er the mat
At the lop of its speed to escape from the cat.
Though b&irdnid with alTright,
Pau.i'd in its Hiiibt ;
And the cat, that was chasing thai little wee thiiiii.
Lay GTOucb'H as a Status in art to iipilng !
And now they are there,
On the head of (lie st-iir.
And the long crooked Trhitlle is gleaming and bare!
— I really don't think any money would bribe
Me the horrible scene thai eQ<niMl to describe,
Or the wild, wild (ibire *
Of that old roan's eye,
Uis dumb despair
And deep tgoiiy. ■
The kid from the pen, and (he Inmb from tlie fold,
Uumov'd inuy iho blade of the butrhcr behold ;
They lireum not— aii, bappicr Iht-y 1 — thai llw knife,
Thoiii^h uplifted, can mcnnco their innoeenl life :
It fall" i 111" frjil Ihn-ad of their hving is riven.
Yet they drend tioi, suspGct not Ihe hlnw till 'tis given.
Ijiit, oh! what u thicif] tit to sec and to know
That the hare knife is Tais'd in the hand of ibe foe,
Wiihoul ho|nj to rpjirl or to ward ofl" the blow !
P.noiifih ! 1ft 's pass over as faax as we can
The fate of iliat grey, that unhappy old man I
But fancy pool Hugh,
Aghast at the view,
Pow'ricss alike lo speiJt or lo do!
In vain doth he Ity
To open the eye
Thtt ia shut, or elose that which is dnpt lo (he chink.
Though he A pi« all the world lo be able lo wink !
No ! — for all that this world can pive or refme,
I would not be now in that little boy's shoes.
Or indeed any garment at all that is Hugh's !
lis lucky for htm tliat the chink in the wall
He baa peep'd through so long, is so narrow and small !
Wailing voices, sounds uf woe
Such as follow drpunitii; friends,
Tliat fatal aiu,hi round Tappinglun ^,
Ii< lon^-drawn roofs and its ^ble-endf ;
THE HAND OF GLORY.
Ethemi S)iirit5, gpntle atid pmi.
Aye w«ep :iniL Inmpiil u'«r a d^ed oruiood.
• • ■ • •
T» early dawn — tbe aiorn a grey,
Aixl thr cloud* uud ttie lenip^I hkv« {Mua'd a«ray,
Ai»] all iliinp livtukcn a very fine day :
Tint, white the Lark liet carol i* lingiav;.
Shrieks aud scrvams are ilirougli Tap{)]n^n liD^in^)
l.'()»tartin^' all.
Great arid SihaII,
T!mJi one who '* found within Tappin^on Hall,
Gentle or Simple, Squire or Groom.
All M«k at once llml old Orntlemaii's room ;
And therf on the floor,
Hrvnch'd in ita gom,
A ghastly corpse lies einos'd to the view,
CoiroUd tintl jugulnr botfi cut lliiuugfi ;
And there by its side,
'Mid tiie critnwn tide,
Koeets a little Fool-pige of lenderest jreui ;
Adown his pal« cbeek tli« (asl-folling Ims
Are counirvg each other round and big.
And he 's Maiinchin|[ ihe blood «ilh a rull-bottOiD'd wig !
Alas ! and aliick for hi« itaiinchiiig ', 'tis pliiin,
As analoinirts lell us, lliat newer Sf^^in
Shall life rerisit the foully slam,
When once they *vc be«n cut dtrough the jugular vein !
• • ■ • •
Tilde's a hue and a cry through the County of Kent,
And in obuv of the cui-throat> n Coniiabic 's seni,
But IK> one can tell ihe man which vv.iy t^iev vretil.
Tlwf* '» a liillo Fool-page witli that ComtaulQ goes.
And a little pug-dog with a little pug nose.
In llochester town,
Al the sign of the Crown,
Three shabby-icenteel roeu are just sitting down
To a bi »tijbblc-80oae, with tmuttoes done brown,
Wleti a little r'oot-page
Rushes in, in a rage,
ttpsellinz tbe apple-eauce, ooionsi and sane.
Th4t liillc I'oot-paf^ takes the first by the thrrMi,
Aud a HiUe puB-do^ takes the next by the eoai.
And a Constable seises the one more temoie;
And fair tow-ooblei, aod brood moidofes,
The Waller pulli out of their pockets by scores,
And Ihe Eloots and die Cliuaucnnaids run in utd ttara ;
And Ihe Conalable say-s, with a digailied air,
"You're wanlea, GrolentH, one and all.
For thai 'ere precious laik al Tappmj^n Mall '."
There 'a a bhok gibbet rniwui upon Tappiiigton Moor,
Where a former black gibbet has (lowu d before;
it is as black as black may be.
And nurdercn there
Are dangling in air,
By one, by two, by three !
There '• a horrid old Hag in a »teeple -crown "d liat,
Itound her neck they have lied (o a hempen craval
A 1)«!k1 Min'i liani], and a Hr^il Tom Cat.
.w.-;
80i THE DEVIL.
Tliev bare tied up lict thumbs, thejr lisv« tied up her toes,
litev have tif-i] up Wr cvM, thejr have lied tip Her limbt.
Into 'TappiDglou milUOaiu souse flit: 'pKS,
With a -wlioup and a halluo t — *' Slit swims !— She twims V
Thev have dract'd bcr to Uad,
Ana every i>ne » bund
Is gmpicig a faggot, a billet, or brand,
Whn A quel' Mo liking lioMrmiin, Amt all in Iil^4ck,
Cilcbea up lliot old harridan just like a sack
To the crupper hirhind him, puts xpunt to liis liAck,
Mokes a diuh through the crowd, and is off in a cn(J: 1
No one can tell.
Though thfiy guess pretty well,
Which way that giim ndpr and old woman go,
For all nee he's a sort of inremal Ducrow;
And site lereain'd so, and died,
Wc may lairly decide
That ibe old womau did uoi mucli letish her ride 1
This tnicat of Ktorie* confinn* licyund douht
That truest of adages — " Murder will out I"
In vamtnay the D I ood-spi lie r " doable " and fly.
In vain even witchcraft and soroeiy try :
Although for a timo h» may 'acapa, br-and-by
He 'II be niie to be caught by a Hu{h aiid a Cry !
TuoMu I^ooLosBr.
TdppiHgl6UfFth.24.
THE DEVIL.
The scene, like the day, was a feir:
Tile liejicM wcrv all in htgli ii|)iril« ;
The pQppei-plays, jMgs, and the bear,
^V era applauded to turn tor their locrits.
Thimbleng, aud a thousand such thm^,
Occupied die grovn>-up folks' attentkm ;
RoundaSoutt pleased the children, and iwingt ;
And all was delight beyond nentioa.
"Dw only exception to iLit
Was a mouTiu-bank come frant a distmcc ;
Xhmc Fortune to tiim wiu rnniw,
Not a Mul seemed to want his usistance.
" Walk up I** be. in agony, cried :
" 1 brine you good news from Verana ;
A wflodcrnil wonder "s inside.
The devil in projiri' ptrwmi .'*'
Ilis platfonu was soon filled with folk.
For sixpence a-bead tbey came slap oa it ; —
Uc dkcn OKW a pane from his poke,
And showed tKen then was not a rap in it
** no* you ncVr saw kit worship before,
Yoitli adtnii. all, thai this is the devil! — E— "
" TV devil II M r was the loar.
And tbey 'd trcaied hun ruber UDcinllr.
Tohts paaran tkey &in wdoM have sent him.
For uieir ra|t« was faneatiag *' like bndu ;"
But be bolud. and tbey *d lo ccMent '«tn
By piidiinj hi* platK>nn lo Styr f
Ixvit. Gmr.
- ' ^^£f^ ^yi^ci^ '^^^tm^ jeJ^.
Lcm|M» HKMM IMllJJ. M.
rAWN G<
305
fit THE LITTLE GREV MAN OF"
TIi£ DAIRIES.
wnn kx iiLVSTnaTjoK bt ohoxoe ovimiiajek.
" This niitbt it i* (nir fleaiurc tti pA ilmnk !
Arid tliia our Quwu sliiUt bv B^ druuk w nv-"
" Wfll, boy*, what is it I 'ni to {rive yc ?" raid my uncle Neil,
faddreisiiig ii groti]> of Tieij^tibours who hnci siseiiibted round my
fatTivr'fl cheerful heurth to discuss the merit* of a fre^h riiimiiig at
polltm,) kncKking the a»hp» out oC his pipe, and exlinguitthjng llic
remuninj; ember* with the little liii);«'r of hii right liand. " I sup-
pcMe, Rs it '» come tu my turn, [ miifttirt Up worM nor anotlier."
" Ned, nohorm I teil us the story of Pmidieen Hwee, that danced «
biiC^ with the fiuad jtrople for s y»r ati' a day withotit rening," said
my pretty rouain Peftgy. Mapping fur an instant the rapid- moveoient
of her knittin/^-noedleit.
" No I — Unkey Ned, icll all about the prrey bull and hU «vrti
calves," exclaimed little Shawnren, a cnrly-headrd urchin, scram-
bling up his knee^. and laying hie head a^rnet bin uncle's 1)oHom :
"won't 'ee, uncle Ned?" and his full blue eyea were turned rnax-
liij^ly uti hia face.
" Whist, yc iitile houchal d/iauna !" aaJd ray fatlier : " leave Ned
to hia own fancy ; I 'II be bail it 'II be something jileiu-ant."
" Troth, and maybe it 'ud bo nothing to brag of id^licr all," r«>
tilled my uncle. "Any how, if I c^n, 1 'II rape up an ould story I
lard at !^yl RooiKy's wake, when I was a gossoon ; it'a about the
Ciifugh an far dhlott, aa they call the big rock that lies ncraas the
sthrame below at the stepping-stone: it was wnnt>t,~but that's
long agonv, — in the an&hent times of all, stuck up atop of that other
great corng that stands close by, like two of Fian fll'Cool't jack-
stones ; but it was baTnniiil on with so much curusity, that, though
tbia child on my knee could turn it as any as a quem-ilone, it never
budged an inch, but stud there for many's the long day, playing
tfaiJi/Jiitctftf With every idler that kfrni the way."
" Stop, Ned I" said my lather, interrupting him ; " it 'a dhry work
talking, — to^ite a drop of this, just to wet ver whistle ;** and, filling
■ capacious measure of mountain dew. he handed it to hin brother,
with, "Come, Ned, honey ! aiirra dti^h na skeat!"
" Hweet waa your fifX, Briney, jewel !" »aid my uncle, extending
liis haml for the prufTered beverage. " Slainlha chvd vghtAa ! anil
Peggy, ma cailUew>s:^, here 's t'wards your incUnaltotti, soon au
Buutlent !" and, winking knowingly on the blushing object of his
jest, he emplieit the noggin at a single breath.
** Musha, Ned, ma boHchut ! but it 'ud Iw a thousand murdhers to
soMU you, an' you sich bji ihgaiit fine draught {draj}) intirely,"
said liiJl Connor, tiie parish wag.
"Truth and you may soy that, Bill, aivtirntxn ! but that'* by
reMon thxt I never got a rrmgti.rider upon mv ftaek yet, praise be
toOod!" and he looked full ut poor Ilill, mKo was notorioua for
having a tittle futnlum wife at home, who froirtd u)K>n the top>rooU.
OfcourM-, ttie gatliering laugh which Bill's witticism had engen-
dered, burttt with inerea»cd momentum on his own head ; but my
uncle, who nought only the harmless triumph uf retorting succeu-
voi.. tii. T
^ '.
30^
SUAWN OOW AND THB
tltlfy Ml the tic^naod jeater. relieved lus eonfueion bj recontmenctng
" Well. iM-isWwiirs. a^! I sai<l, the Chtigh an far iliihtjt stud un-
UMtuTl>«tl out of the memory of man; for there was nn ould tuiytng
^ImI tt wan A haunt of the tairiuM. and that who^^vtr 'tid meddle iir
Wakff with it. some mecravgh 'ud be sure tu beful either biini^elf or
Muuur one bel(mj;ing to bim.
" At mny rate, ihiTe lived once u]>on the Lung Bog one Jack
HiMrdoa. ur, as be was chilled, Hhotrtt tjvjr, in the regard of bis fol-
toving the accipation of a blacksmith; and it's he that was cbe
WOntln of the country all out for strength, for he'd think notJuDff
in lift of working two slitljj^r'hHmint'rs lor the Wngth of a summer •
dav ; tnU he flug^fed tli4? divil nt pitchin' a bar, lifting weiffhts, and
•winginft an anvit betune his tt^eth. Itiit, though lie was the bully
at such dtvartiions, he was paiceable as a lamb, und wouldn't milest
a Hv. let alotie a Christian ; and it was this made muiy an upset-
ling »jMil|>een, that he didn't value a scraudern, think he hadn't the
rale itpiink in him: and' it was so by Corney I-Taherty, the little
waiver, who, having a drop ofdhrink in him one day, b<^un ag>
■nyating and gibing 8liHwn, telling him he wa^ no more nor an
gMMTOwn Kly-clob. (for Curncy wuh a gre»t i>clmllard.) and. bv
gor ! he wii;t on, tat in the long run he riz Shawn's temper »o. that
Ee Rripped the waiver by the collar, with a hoult likt his own vice;
but, loth tu hurt the dawney crather, that be could have ett out of
a face, lie only doubled a bar of iron that lay in the forge round
hi-4 sliiulher throat, and knotting it iligantly afore, in the nntbur
of a iraravat, he left poor Corney, like a pig with a neck-yoke, to be
laughed at by all the boys in the parish ; and it waan't untal he
went down upon his bare birnded knees to beg his pardon, tliat
Shawn 'ud take otVliia new-faHhioned n«:kUcF.
" Well, it hajjpened that Slwwn (jow was one evening at the
ehristnin' of a neighbour's child, where there was no scarcity of the
best of good ating and dhrinking, — white bread, eggs, and the dint
of Int belly bacon, lashins and leaving, with ceaj miUv J'aiUliagh.
There wiisn't any potteen in them times, for the poor ignorant
uauboguea in these parU hadn't the knowle<ige of making it then ;
but there was pliiity of strong invadth and heath beer, and sich
«• the otihl Danes afore Brian Borhoo's time used to dhrink— divil'a
vure to thcin ! At any rate, what with luiiglnng, and singing, and
looking at the other Iwys dhrinking. bad cess to the one but ^liawn
gul ft little onreg'lar, — not much the worse of the liquor to be no-
UCtfd, only a Utile hearty-like ; and, when all the fun wns over, he
wd out along with some m-iglibnurs 1x9 pleasant as larks, d.ineing,
and «crevching, and culling capers along the road, tal they kern to
^n ulepping-stimes, when one of the boys, to take a ri»e out of
lilwwu, Mys to him, ' I '11 bould you liafe a gallon of the best,' uyi
ln), ■ Hliawii Gow, that, for all your bragging, you 're not the man
\ iiiti,!i the Ciuugk an /ar MiUat into the rtrame there.* — 'Done!'
'i »M u, for his blood was lip, and he waim't to be cowed by any-
aiul, with the help of God, IMike, you '11 pay nie this liqtior,
.• irtie as the thrate I won off you on the hisid of litUng
lUiylf, Iwots, spurs, i^iwip, and all, into his saddle with one
lltil when the thieves ww hiin jnitting hi» shoulder lo the
. ^tiuvat, aitd thit it was alreMly tottering before his powerful
I
I
•
«
LITTLE ORET 5fAN OF THE FAIRIES.
307
I
I
k
ftrength, the divil a toe one uf ttieni would stop near tlic place, but
belter-skelter away tbey run, kh i{ nl] the &/u-rrgrK an' ciuricttunf in
the barony wac aftlier theiu, without wuiisl loukiriv back to see how
Sbawn was getting on with hin work. And a haru job he hnd of it,
«ure t^mich ; for, though the stone was quite a!iy at first, rtill lie
couldn't hotft it off M-alI-at-;il], until, grttitiji a set with hin Iwck
utxlher it, he fitirly liftfd it off iu bed, hikI df)vrn it whop[>etl with
a noise like tundher into the brook. Immedialely the water bilcd
like a pot of praticfi, and riz up as if there was a mountain swell in
the river; and a kind of thick fog curled and gothcr over the spot
where the stone sunk. Shawn, be coorse, got terribly f'ritene<l ;
the courage of the liquor wont clane off, and he didn't think his life
worth a rush<peelliig. But, if he was staggered afore, he was
twicet a.4 bad when he pursnved, coining t'wards him out of the
mist, s little weazend ould man, dreBsetl quite grand, with a broad-
Icafcd hat and a cock's feather in it ; a long grey coat with shining
buttons, kneC'brveclies, and white stockings. Looking mighty wickeu
at Shawn, he stepped up with the air oi'a guint (i^iaiit), though be
was scarce the hoith ofa iiotigfilaun ; and, clapping his arms a-kimbo,
says he, 'Shawn Gow, ye dhrunken baste, had ye no regard for
yourself or your dacent family, that yv kem here, like a big-boned
fiml aa you are, to throw down the stone that took nic tifty lung
years to get up there? Was it tirt-d of your life ye were?' — ' Please
your nnner/ says Shawn, taking ofl' his bit of a caubcrn, and making
a aubmtsiiion to him, ' I 'm at yer onner's marey intlrely, and I beg
God's pardon, and yours bkcwi^f^, air; and sure if I thought that
it was on the head of my pitching off that tlirifle v of a pebble
there *
" * Pebhie !' roared the little man ; « d 'ye call that rock a pebble, or
U it game you *re making of me?'
" ' Well it 'ud becnme the likes of roe,' eays the blarneying thief
Shawn, 'to make game nf a rale jintlemnn like j-er nnner, and ona
that wouldn't llnnk it worth his whilu tn hurt or harm a pnor divil
like myself, that gut a little overtaken with the dhrink— bad hick
to it ! fur it '« like to be my ruination at last. Ogh ! Molly atthore
ma cotUen, it's little yuu 're dhraming in your snug <e(//e what a nii»-
fortinet end I 'ra come to ! and, my poor childer, how will they lire
at-all-at-all .' — and \ed JIayeit' horse not shod yet. Ogh! wirm,
wirra 1 won't yer uuner take pity o\\ me in no ways?' and th«
literem let on tc» wipe his eyes with the tail of his coat.
" ' What sarvice will you do nie, Shawn?' says the little tnanneen,
if [ let you oinVee?'
"'8«rvicc, sir? Ogh, thin, anything undhcr the heavens this
blessed night 1 'II do for your worship ; and sure it '■ myself that '11
pray for long life and a merry wake tu your rivrrence,'
" * Why, thin, Shawn Oow, you 're not all out unrasonable ; so
1 11 not be hard with ye, and all I '11 uc is for ye to shoe my black
mare.'
" ' Mushs, thin, if myself doesn't put as purty a set of irons undhvr
her feet aa ever cut the daiiiies, may 1 never strike metal again 1
But, if I may make bould to ax yer oniier, where 's the baxtc ?
" 'You'll see her time enough, my fine fellow,' says die little
chap ; and, pulling out a snuff-box, he took a pincb himself as
grand aa a lord, tic then offered the box to Shawn ; but, though
L
808
SHAWN GOW AND THE
he didn't like to have any dftlin^ with the like!) or him, he roulchit
mnke littie of his civllitudc, io he jist took a dt-eshy tMte lie-
tune hill fingers, and amellnd to it : but, by Aad ! it w-aa the inift>
chief's own snuff intircly, for it hardly touched hi« nose tal he gave
three ^eat sneezes that rnti'd henr oo the top of Kilworth moim-
tnin ; and when he kem to n bit, he peraaveu that he wasn't new
the Ckmgh an Jar dhiost at-ali Rt-all, but in a strangle place, all alone
with the Grey Man, and a little black mare tied tu a tUree.
"■There's your job, Shawn, — ehoe that mare afore 1 let you
go; for that'e our burgaiii, yuu. knuw,' ssvii the Far dkUist.
"'Maslui! thin, tut*-an-ottniKs ! bir, ii^ii't it « quarc thing to
ax B DUD to shoe a bute without the la^-te convatnience fur tlie
work?' aavB Shawn, quite vexed, bekase be thought he was made
a fool of; but the worda were hardly out of his mouth, when all at
wanst a compUte forge startpd up by his *ide. The little chap
jumped up, and worked away st the betlowH like a tbraaher: and
though there wasn't a «punk of lire on the hearth, the irott heated
quite n>g'lar, and Shawn, you may l>e aartin, wasn't lonf; about
making an iligant set of shoea: but when he kem to put them on
the innre, if he wa> to drive fifty naiU in, sorra one of them would
stick. • Sweet bad-luck to yez !' saya Shawn undi-r his tooth, afther
nearly working himself into an oil ; ' what am I to do now ?' Just
then It came acran hiH mind that he had » few ould nails in his
breeches pockcU ' It '11 be no harm to thrj- them, anyhow,' thinks
he ; and — would ynu b'licvc } — the very fir^it o»e he druv, the four
ithoes fastened on of themu-lvcH. When the ould fellow mw the
job complalp, he lookeil urifuninioii aiigrj-, and never a word wna
inhinJAw tal Shawn wafi tiltnginf; on his cnat; and thin saya he,
' Shawn Gow, I 'm thinking il'K a liurning b'hanie you have nothing
better tfldhrink nor that wake stuff you 're useil to; here's a houlc
of somethiug good ; tiike it with ye, and as long as you keep it, 'twill
be always full. But mind what 1 Miy, or ye '11 rue it: don't dare
open it tal all your friends are preaent, an* let cbeni have ahare of
your good fortune.'
" ' i thank yer onner mosit kindly: it's yourself is the clever
dacent jintleman, to give such an iligant present to a pi>or bny ; an'
more beauty to yuur purty face !' says the rogue Shaun, taking tho
bottle aad putting his tongue into his opjKwtte cheek.
*' 'Now, shut yuur eyes, and turn round wanst.' whispered lh«
Grey Man. Shawn did as he was de>;ircd ; but, when he looked
about, he was struck all of a hape to find hiniM'lf standing in bis
own bawn, and the bottle in his fifX, without man or mortial near
liim ; only he thought he hard a kind of gibing laugh fleeting away
upon the wind : but th(-n, snre, that might be only the cackle of a
flock of wild-geese flying over hti head into the bog. The next
morning, at cock -shout, there were mefwengers sent to Murn all tlic
Kenrdons, his own relations, and the Donovans, hia wife 's people,
not to fail, but to come tu the Long Hog that evening ; and, to be
sure, there never was seen afore sich a faction in one place. There
they kem by hundri-ds on homebMck an' »-foot, the woiuen on pit-
lions and in cargt, aiKl the men riding or walking ; hapci of claoe
active boys with shillelaghs in their lists, blue friexe-coat» on their
shoulders, and rale silk kneckrrchers upon them : an' lliin the col-
leens I — it '» they that "ud ilaxxle your eyes, and make the heart leap
I
LITTLE GREY UAN OP THB FAIRIBS.
300
i
I
'm your buzKum with their Uughin|^ rye* and rosy ch«e)ca, brightn-
iKir the red scarlet ribbons in their capt- Ogli I it 's no u«e in
tiilkinff ; it 's Hoidom any of ub '11 ha%c the lucli to see nicli b sight.
" U ell, when thej* were uU gothtr together, well become* Shawn
but be ups and tell« his itory, and then uncorked the bottle: be
rooFBe he took the first dhrop hims4-ir, ani! sure enough it wm
aolbin' else but rale fine patleeJi ; but he didn't know what ihe
dickens it was — how could lief He then handed a cniiskeen of it
Xo the rest of the <'om)uiiiy ; and thoug-h the; thought it was tfas
mcM beautiful diiriiik in the world, E>orra one of them ever taited
the likes of it afure- Iiuws'e^'er, when tlic bottle went round wanst
Or twicet. the boys begun to grow very pleiLsant, and nothin' "uda
Mfve them but they should aend for a piper to have a dajice afore
the Aoar with their sweethearts ; and though the tttuddy outd folks
^C|ft their sates, they began to sing songs, and thake hands, an' kisi
etch other eyer so loving. But the poor innocent people wamt
Hsed to the strong spent); the rrathurit hadn't no heaos to bear it
at all, not all as one as us that it'* as nathral to as mother's milk ;
and so afthcr a while the bad blood begun to stir, and some of the
blackguards were casting up onld spites and grudges in eaehtither's
faces: this maybe 'ud breed a little scrimmage, and no Hooner 'ud
it be quelled by the paceable people nor another row 'ud start up
somewhere el%e. The yoimi; men now begun to take part in the
disputes, the dancing stoppeil, and the ahilldagfas were flourishing aa
ill sides. A few handy blows were exchanged at first, that broaght
the blood out of f uuie hot heads ; tliis set the women <)rreechiT^ and
the men .<diiinting, and in five minutes there wag as reg'Ur a ruction
locked up as Tou 'd wish to see. UiidcE. brothers, cousins, and re-
liriBBa were whacking each other fur the bare life; for by this time
they were all tearing mod dhrunk, an' nothing could stand afure
them. Cliairs, tables, stooh, and crockery-ware were knocked to
nnilhrrreiu. — not a pot or kettle encaued ; and while tome were
'hnihing away inside, the rest were lighting it out fairly in the
ba«By — more glory to them .' Hut the best of it all was. when it got
too dark altogether lor them to ttee each other, a gallows bird chip-
ped a coal of Bre in one of the Curn-stackf, and M-t it all ofablase;
and sure enough it was a bright thought, fur it would have been
■ighty ontxjfiv anient, you know, to be utrikiog in the dark.
^ Ax length the |K>wer of the blows, or maybe the strength of the
whiskey-, strrtcheil the who]« faction, ould and young, bleedinp atop
of ooc anotbcT, and snoring like p^ in a sty, tal next morning :
aa' it waa broad daylight afore Shawn onened his ryes ; an<l then,
hv the power* ! he could only see throngn one of them, in respect of
tat other being dacently cloaed up by a nate polthogue over bis left
eye.bruw: but what he did nee put him in no kind of nperits at all,
tat there was nochin' bot rack and ruin around him; bis bits of
Mbonu all brack to sma%h, an' his hat^artl one hape of asbcs,
UmtM lying at his aw in tlie ducks' lough, iuid the piper'* carcase
aoraM Yam. But what kilt him worse nor all. was, the ught ut' the
OoU On; UjB flitting upon a stone among the tmuking corn, taktiw
aniocb of Hwf quite iligant, winkin' an' noddin*, an* ktUin' bimsMt
wofaAe langfchi' at JUiawn. Flesh ami blood cuuldnt stand rieh
vma/t^ for aon It was all on account of the fitiry liquor he gave him.
rtfl JiilMi M tM ihrr*'' tiUatthe contintion was bred among bhxid-
S10
1.IFR.
relationfi at »1L ; bo Shuwn up with thi? hotHc that lie t^till had a fut
(Trip of, and threw it uilb a wiek«d aim ut the little man, who
jumped u|> as suiurt as a cuek at a bliickberrv. an* cotch it an it was
coiuiiig t'wards hiin ; then, tucking it undlier his arm, he made
Stiawn a tow bow, vanished away with a loud Uugli, an' was never
seen or hard tell of siuce in thi» coiintrj-. Al'ther a while, tha»e
tliat wi-re able to crawl, stoK* home, »ore and sorry for their nport;
hut it wa« innny a long day atore all the heH(l» and friendships
broken »t Shnwn Gow'o were haleil. Shawn himself worked in his
forge tal he \t.i.t an ould man, thouf^h it niver ytm his luck to come
ncrasH a clurif/trtn's bottle, or to taste ttoUceit again; but, if he liad
lived from that day to this, he eouldn t have met such rale ehuicf:
Huff* as what we're dlirinking at this present meny meetiu'."
IJFK.
LiPR has been compared to an many tbin^, tliat it was held, at
a late meeting of the " Nothing New Under the Sun Society," to be
impoMible to institute a new simile uii the suhject. The preudeiit
declared it tu he utterly exhausted ; and the vice delivered his opi-
iiiun to the eH'eet that any attempt to meet the demand for a novelty
must be hojjeless. The secretary, the treasurer, the bottle-holder,
and the common members, chimed in with this opinion. They had
forgottrn the inventive jtenius of the individual who had formerly
Murnrised them, at a meeting in the 8un Tavern, by roa*ting bunrhet
of llainburgh grapes, hung before a great 6re by a worsted thread,
with a (.-jiptain'if biecuit tu catch the drippinj,'^, and which waa ac-
knowledged tu be an entirely new difth! The^anie person now ttood
up, and said, " LiFH ih likk a Wbkk."
" Like a week !" exclaimed the chair. — " Like a week !" squeaked
the vice. — "Like a week!" aaid the secretary.— " Like a week!"
whispereil the tre.iiurer. — " Like a week !" b»wle«l the bottle-holder.
■ — ■'* Like a week r" int€rrog« lively asked the mminon nicmWra. —
" How the d — I can life be like a week?" gabbled they alL "It
may ho like a day, like a piay, like a Mash of light, like a shitde oT
niglit, like a dream, like a stream, like stubble, like a bubble, like a
vomit, like a comet, like a ravel, like a travel, like a rattle, like a
battle, tike n joy, like a toy, like a flame, like a game, like a road,
like a load, like quicksilver in a trough, like a musket going off, like
a beast, like a feast, hke a fib, like a equib, like a viol played upon,
like H tritil hardly on, like a potion, like a motion, Uke a mght, like
a hglit, like the sen, like a tree, like a chase, like a race, like a crip-
ple, hke a tipple, like a trance, like a glance, like a muddle, like a
puddle, like a vane, like a lane, like a whistle, Uke a buatlc, like a
mstch, like a watch, like a riddle, like a fiddle, hke a reel, Hke a
wheel, like a bother, like another, Uko a tub, like a ' Nothing New
Under the Sun Club \' but like a week ? — there can be no resem-
blance!" Nevertheless, life is like a week.
Monday.- — We know not exactly how it Iwginii ; but on Monday,
itii first (lay, only luok around, and you will sec the general pursuit
of human kind \a suction. It is called Saint Monday, — u Gtund con-
genial appellation with the holy innoccney of childhood. At this
early stage in ihe divisliMi of time the othcIc of truth is listened tu
I «t fl
LIFE.
S11
with attention as at the sacred « ell of Rabelais, and Cuthfulljr obcj.
etl in hi» admonition to "trine, trine, trine!" Naturr ti pliant and
pliable : stubbormwH of churacter baa not superseded instinct ; and,
thiiu^h neither man nor child can walk akinr, thev are doc too proud
to receive aid ami support in their helpless cooditioa.
TuefUijf.-^Thr leadinfT-atrir^ and rue king-chair are gme. We
can not only wxlk, bnt we can ran. Oreen are the fieU* beneasfa
our feet, clear i* the firmament above oar beads ; and, lo '. the but-
terflies of spring are dancing and careering before us in the light-
■ome air. Thui is our day to give them chase. Mo«t escape; but
aome are caught, of fragile Irame and erancscent hoes. We hug and
admire our treasures, — our firA rictorirs in life, the bright rewards
of (mr first exertion und persererance. The flies are onr own. Pity 'tis
tliat the moment of their seixQre is tfae moment of their de^tmetimi.
fi'tdnetila^. — Ah, how different is tbe pur<<uit lo-dar^ yet how
much the umc! and bow Utile hare wc learnt by tlie lesaon of
yesierdar ! Love has •prviig up in the boe4jm, and woman is the
objfect of our dciire. The purple light of poHiian enshrines the
rikible world with a baxe, a colour tnat imparu at once a depth
and ■ ^ow altering the form and aspect of all things- From one
grand and ptrrrading idea within the heart emanates that Mraage
medium which encumpaueth whatever the rye beholds, ortbesdues
endeavour to appreciate. In love, by lore, with love, throng love,
Ae MBveraion u cnmpWe; and the mid-day of life'* week is a
wODilcrfnl phenomenon. But, al^s ! as on tbe preceding day, there
are many diaappointmenu. Alas ! stiD more ; in some instancea tbe
triomph is attained. Soon does the porple light becoate grey, and
the visible world return to its own plain and sombre shapes. The
b«tter£ic* have mouldered into dust ; aitd their succesaors— ^ But
lei OS proeeedlo
Tkur»dag, — Ambition fits the sool. Tbe Iclhsl strife of war;
the sirwggie for pre-eminrnee wfaeiesoeTer the mind and toogue of
nuui may be eiwaged in ioteUectsal copflict : the fierce conteotion
for supetior weuih, or power, or £uiie ; tbe etnulatjan for a place
for Mdf. however small in ralmC, and Kttle in advance; aach are
tbe darker eflbrta of tbe seooad mid-day. There is yet a («ir in the
blood, an rxritement in the itor^^ ffsme, a glory tn the final sac-
veea- If we are not happy, we ere bosy : if ve hare no time for
en}oyment, we have M limt time fir ifaccrtmL TW fires of hope,
■a lar &oca being ewJMiiihed. em*inae to bore, petfaaue mere
■teaaily ihmibefae; ■pdtaa eod yli aims, nA cbacnn and expce-
ladea, mA bakan aad scimmbn, pme em Tbersdiy hastily away.
Ml^.— Avarkc. cnld, bbirtcd, end aeUbh. soccorIs to the sole
ceoimend. Tbe ffreedr is marenvcoms i tbe miser sMwe ooMCwal ;
the liberal. iMMiim ; nd the verr prodigal, sanBg. OoU u
the mIoI of tbia period ; the droaa wkkb cannac smooCfa, hot mabcs
the bed of nckncaa m vatmf bed of eare. tbovgh ic nuy gild the
Body co&n, azkd plume the sImwv bearab The vaeee of wisdom
bM oeMcd to have the sUgblert itO^maa over tfae miad ef fcrmnej
men. Ilemapa with the greater caergy at wfaat Is tbe meee eadma,
as he mu>tleeveicassoeBa*d«tefaed. Tbe limgingarfMoaday, of
Tacsday. of Wcdneaday, of Tbwraday. be«* all aacw arsnbUnfy «f
rcaaod* and seme racrwmmiJerinn Km' the bMmen race ; bat the mt-
did and cfii^HV vretdi wbe •« tkta stage of csistcDce tiva acdy to
312
SPRCIMEN OP ALLlTCKAtlON.
opprcsH antl grind his ffttow-crcAturca is n monster to be sblinm^I,
Mild iii'ilht-r jiitied among the weakiii-«i*n?», nor oxcuKed among ihe
tollies, nor pttrdoneil amonfi the errors of niaiikinti.
Saturday. — We are tirwl with the long-continued Iiibour. Our
Btiflened limbs have forgotten the buoyant activitj- of the butterfly
hunt ; our over-laden meniorii-^, the nine) nnd dnxxling feehngt) of the
8tict*e<;(ling chjtve; our wenrietl N|iiritN the agiUting impulsew of oar
nnibitiouM day ; Riid our stricken conscience* «rr«y in dn-Bcl before
UK the perdition of our worldly guilt. Whitt neek we now hut nv
poDc ; to return to childhood ngain, to he quiet, to be Au5taiRed,'to
be nursed and upheld, to be troubled no more?
Tltc Sahbat/i. — Life and the Week arc over. The Sabbiith of the
f^ave and of rest is ours. Obhvion has Allien npon the past, with all
that has charmed or afflicted, Hoothet) or embittered, blest or wrong;,
ed its fleetinp houTB. Oh that looking back therenn may encourage
UH trt look forward vith humble conRdence I and that we may be
nble to comfort nuri<elve« with the thuupht tliat during this week of
life we have done our best to make the paths of our brother-su-
iourners piitlis ofjieace and joy! Did men but do so, how much
brighter wuutd be the days. aiiJ how much calmer the nights, of all
the iu-dwtllcrs of the earth !
As it i», we are only aware of the prevalence of such disporitions,
and such n system of conduct, in the president, vice, secretary, trea-
surer, and common members of the "(Nothing?) New Under the Sun
Society;" who have unanimously agreed that this paper iVa novelty,
and worthy of Betitley's Mi»rellnny, which, being only a year old,
is deserving of being deemed another.
Tkdtha.
Si'EClJIEN OP ALLITERATION.
SIEGE OF BELGRADE.
An Auitrian anny, awfullf arrayed,
Boldly bybft'tory besieged Itr^mde;
Ooawck Cdmmajxlrn cannoniidiiiie come,
]>Kiling destrarljr.D'a df'vaiinLting doom.
BvtTv tmiit^ttiiir rni^iitvrt essay
yor bme, for fomme,— liirhiing, furious fray ;
QeueraU 'gaiiit.itiMicnt1i grapple- gracious God!
Slow honours Heaven heroic iiardiliood !
XiifiiHure, iniliMrrimiiiale in ilt,
Xrinsrarn kill kinsmen,— IcinsHien kindred kill I
Xmbour low Uvfl* luftint, louge^t lives ;
Ken iD!UY;h mid mounds, 'mid moles, 'miJ murderous itliMS.
Mow noi«y, uoxious numbers notice nouglit
Of ouiwsrd obsidrlet oppoiiiikf uuglii ;
Foor pftlrKjts, panly purchased, pardy preMed,
Qnite quahin^, qmckly cjuarter, quartur qoesl.
Rf'-tsioo nHums, religtoiu rijihi redouuds,
Suwarrnw »iom >ucIi sanguinary sounds :
Tnjty w d»e« Turkey— In umph Co ihv mini
tfnjuil, niinise, tmmercirul L'kniine!
V-inish vain vicloiyl nini»li victory vainr
Wlir wish we wArLrr t Wheicforp welcome we
Xerxrf) Ximi-ues, Xauibm, Xavierpt
HvA-i, y« yoiitbs f ye jeomeii, yiflJ your vdl I
X«no\ l^arpaiut', l^orouicr's teal.
And all altru-ting— arms againu a|>i>eBl.
919
OLIVER TWIST;
OB, TKB PAHI81I BOYS PIIDORCSS.
BY BOZ.
ILLDSTRATBB n T O E O R 6 K C » IT 1 It > II A X X.
BOOK TIIK SECOND.
CHAITCB THB SIXTH.
LOOXS APTKR OUVCft, AKD PftOC£tDft WITU Htft ADVUiTVBES.
WnLVRs t*«r your Umjats f" inuttorod Sikes, grinding his
teeth; ** 1 Viiih I was aiuoug some uf you; you''d huwl the
hoarser for it."
As Sikrs i;rowlecl forth this imprecation «ith the Rio»t dntpe-
rate ferocity that his desperate nature vim capable of-, he rested
the bodv uf the wutindetl boy aerass his bended knt-c, and lumviJ
his head for an insrant to look back al his pursuers.
There was little to be made out in the iiii^l and darkiiefts ;
but the toud shouting of men vibrated thruugli the air, and the
barkinj; of the neighbouring; dogs, roused hy ihc sound of the
alarm bell, resouuded in every direction.
" Stop, you white-livered hound i'' cried the robber^ ehouting
after Toby Crackit who, making the best use of his long l«g«i
was already ahead, — " slop !"
The repetition of the word hroiight Toby tn a dc-ad ntand-
&till, for he was not unite Katis6cd ihal he was beyond the range
of piftol vfaot, and Sikett wue in no mood to be played with.
" Bear a hand with the Ixiy," roared Sikes, beckoning furi*
oitsly to his confederate. " Come back !"
Toby made a show of returuiiig, but veulured in a low voice,
broken for want of hrrmth, to intimate coiiiuderahle reluuUuice as
he came slowly along.
** Quicker !" cried Sikes, laying the boy in a dry ditch at his
feet, and drawing a pistol from ois pocket. " Don't play the
booby with me."
At this moment the noise grew louder, and Sike« again look-
ing round, could diM:em thut the men who had given cha»e
were already climbing the gate of the field in which he stood,
and that a couple of dogs were some pHces in advance of ihem.
•* 1 1 's all up, Hill," cried 'J'oby, " drop tlie kid and sliow V-ro
your heels." With this parting advice, Mr. Crackit^ preferring
the chance of being fthot by hi* friend to the certainty of being
taken by his vneuiies, fairlv tunied tail, and darted oH' a( full
speed. Sikes clenched his livth, took one ItKik round, threw
over the prostrate form of Oliver the cape in which he ha<l been
hurriedly mullled, rati along the front of the hfdge a\ if to dis-
tract the attention of those behind, from the spot where the boy
vou ni. X
HH
OLIVER TWIST.
lay, paused for a eecond before another hedge which met it at
right angles, and whirling his pistol high into the air, cleared it
at a bound and was gone.
** Ho, ho, there !" cried a tremulous voice in the rear.
** Pinchcr, Neptune, come here, come here !"
The tlogs, which in common with their mastcrB, seemed to have
no iiarlicular reljhh for the »[x>rt in wliich they were engaged,
readily answered to this command : and three men, who had by
this time advuncMl some distance into the Ueld, stopped to take
counsel together.
" My advice, or leastways I should say, my orders is," said
the fattest man of the parly, ** that we 'mediately go home
again."
" I am agreeable to anything which is agreeable to Mr. Giles,"
ftnid a shorter man, who was by no means of a slim figure, and
who was very pale in the face, and very polite, as frightened
men frequently are.
'* I fihouldn t wfeh to appear ill-mannered, gentlemen," said
the third, who had called the dogs back, " Mr. Giles ought to
inow."
'* Certainly," replied the shorter man ; '* and whatever Mr.
Giles says, it i»n't our place to contradict him. No, no, I
know my sitiwation, — thank my stars 1 know my Riiiwation."
To tell the truth, the little man did seem to know his situation,
and to know perfectly well that it was by no means a desirable
one, for htn teeth chattered in his head as he spoke.
*' You are afraid, Rrittles,** said Mr. Giles.
" 1 ain't," wild Itritties.
" You oiv," said Giles.
" You're a falsehood, Mr. Giles," said Brittle*.
" You're a lie, Brittles." said Mr. Giles.
Now, these four retorts aroHc fmm Mr, Giles's taunt, anr
Mr. Giles's taunt had arisen from his indimmtion at having the
responsibility of going honiL* again im^iuseu upon himstrlf under
cover of a cumpliment. The third man bruughl the dispute to
a close most philosophically.
" I'll tell you what it is, gentlemen," said he, *' weVe all
afraid."
** Speak for yourself, sir,"* said Mr. Giles, who was the palest
of the party.
^* So I do," replied the man. " It^s natural and proper to
be afraid, under such circumstances : / am."
" So am I,"* said Brittle*, *' oiily there's no call to tell a man
he is, so bounceably."
The^e frank admissions softened Mr. Giles, who at once
owned that he was afraid ; upon which they all three faced about
and ran back again with the complelest unanimity, till Mr.
Giles (who had ihp shortest wind of the |iartv. and was encum-
bered with a pitchfork) motil handmniely insisted upon stopping
to make an apology for his haMlnes« of speech.
OLIVER TWKT.
Il5
•* But it 's wonJerful," laid Mr. Giles, -when he had explained,
'* what a man will do when his blood is up. I should have
committed murder, I know I should, if weM caught one of the
rascals.*'
As the other two were impressed with a wmilar presentimenti
and their blood, like his, had all goac down again, M)iue bjuvu-
lation ensued upon the cause of tin's sudden change in their
temperament.
'* I know what it was," said Mr. Giles ; " it was the gate.**
" I shouldn't wonder if it was," exclaimed Brittles, catching
at the idea.
" You may depend upon it," said Giles, '* that that gotc
stopped the now of the excitement. I felt all mine suddenly
going away as I was climbing over it."
By a remarkable coincidence the other two bad been visited
with the same unpleasant sensation at that precise moment; bo
that it was quite conclusive that it was the gate, especially as
there was no doubt regarding the time at which the cliange had
takeo place, because all three remembered that itiey had come
in sight of the robbers at the very instant of its occurrence.
Tills dialogue was held between the two men who had sur-
prised the burglars, and a travelling tinker, who had been sleep-
ing in an nuthouse, and who had been roused, together with his
two mongrel curs, to join in the pursuit. Mr- Giles acted in
(he double capacity of butler and steward to the old latly of the
mantiion, and Brittles was a Ind of all work, wlin having enlerc<l
her service a mere child, was treated as a pronii&ing young boy
still, though he was something post thirty.
Encouraging each other with such converse as this, but keep-
ing very close together notwithstanding, and looking apprebea-
aively round wlicnever a fresh gust rattled through the boughs,
the throe men hurried hack to a tree, behind which they had
left their lantern, lust its light ehuuld inform the thieves in
what direction to (ire. Catcliing up the light, they made the best
of their way homo at a good round trot ; and long after their
dusky forms had ceased to be discernible, it might have been
Men twinkling and dancing in the distance, like some exhalation
of the damp and gloomy atmosphere through which it was
swiFlly bunie.
The air grew colder as day came slowly on, and the mist
rolled along the ground tike a dense cloud of smoke; the graas
was wet, the pathways and low places were all mire and water,
•nd the damp breath of an unwhulewme wind went languidly
by with a hollow moaning. Still Oliver lay motionless and in-
sensible on the !i|)oi where Sikea had left him.
Morning drew oii apace; the air became more sharp and
Eiercing us its first dull hue— the death of night rather than the
irth of dav — glimmered faintlv in the sky. The nbjccls which
had looked dim and terrible in tlu- darkness grew more and more
2 2
316
OUV£& TWIST.
defined, and f^raduallv resolved into their familiar shapes. The
rain came down tliicfc nnd fast, and paUt-rc-d noisilv anion {f the
leaflfJis l(U>litf8. But (_)liver fell it not, as it Wal against iiini,
for he stiU lay stretched, helpless and uneunscious, on his bt-d
ol'clay.
At length a low cry of pain hrokc the stillness that prevailed,
|«nJ utterin;; it, the hov awiiko. His UTt arm, rudely bandaged
tn a Rhawl, hung heavy atid u^*lc5s at his !iide« and the l>andage
wait saturated w-itli blood. He was »o weak that he could
rwarcelv rui^e hiniwlf into a silting posture, aiid when he had
done so, he looked fwbly round for help and jjroaned with pain.
Trembting in every joint from cold and exhauiilion, he inaue an
effort to stand upright, but bhuddcriog frura head to fixji, fell
prostrate on the ground.
After a ('hurt return of the »lupor iu which he had been so
long phingiil. Oliver, urged by a creeping &ickncss at liis heart,
which scctiied to warn him that if he lay there he must surely
die, gut u|)ou )iis feet and essayed to walk. Hi» head was dizzy,
and he staggered to and fro like a drunken man ; but he kept
up nevertheless, and, with his head drooping languidly on hli
brea}>t, went stumbling onward he knew not whither.
And now, hosts of bewildering and conTused ideas came crowd-
ing on hi» mind. He seemed to be still walking between Sikea
and Crackit, who were angrily disputing, for the very words
they said sounded in hiit ears : and when he caught his own
attention, as it were, by making some viuleiit eflorl to save him-
ftelf from falling, he found that he was talking to iheni. Then
be was alone with Sikes plodding on as they had done the pre-
vious day, and as shadowy people |iAs>etl theni by, he felt the
robber's grasp upon his wrist. Suddenly he siarled Imck iil the
report of fin-arms, and there rose into the air loud criee and
ihouts ; lights gleamed before his eye», and all was noiae and
tumult as some unseen hand bore him hurriedly oway.
Through all these rapid visions there ran an undefined, uneasy,
conscioufineas of pain which wearied and tormented llim in-
cessantly.
Thus he staggered on, creeping almost mechanically between
the bars of gates, or through hedge-gaps as they came in his
way, until he reached a road ; and here the rain began to fall so
heavily that it roused him.
He looked about, and caw that at no great distance there was
a house, which perhaps he could rt-aeh. freeing his condition
tliey might have compa5»>ion un him, and if they did nut, it would
be uellL-r, he thought, to die near human beings than in the
lonely open fields. He summoned up all his strength for one
last trial, and bent his faltering steps towards it.
As he drew nearer to this house, a feeling (uime over him that
he had setJi it before. He remembered nothing of its details,
but the shape and Obpect of the building seemed familiar to him.
OLIVER TWI8T.
That garden wall ! On the prasa inside he had fallen on his
kiiws last night, and prayed the two men's mercy. It was the
very same house they had attempted to roh.
Oliver felt such foar come over him when he recojjnised (he
place, that for the instant he furgut the a^my of his wound, and
lliought only of 8ij;lit. Flight ! He could scarcL-ly stand : and
if he were in full po!iKes»ion of all the best powers of his flight
and youthful frame, where could he fly to? He pushed against
the garden gate ; it was unlocked and swunft open on its hinges.
He tottered across the lawn, climbed the steps, knocked faintly
at the door, and his whule strength failing him, »unk down
against one of the pillars of the little portico.
Jt happened that iiboiit this time Mr. Gdes, Brittles, and the
tinker were recruiting themselves after the fatigues and terrors
of the night, with tea and sundries in the kitchen. Not that it
was Mr. Giles's hahit to admit to too g^eat familiarity the hum-
bler servants, towards whom it was rather his wunl to deport
himself with a lofty affability, which, while it gratifted, cuuld
not fail to remind them of his superior position in society. But
Heath, fires, and burglary make sll men equals; and Mr. Giles
rat with hi» legs siretchi>d utit bi-fure the kitclien fender, leaning
his left arm on the table, while with his right he illustrated a
circiimatantial and minute account of the robbery, to which his
hearers (but es)]ivially the cook and houatuiaid, who were of the
parly) liiitcned with breathlew, inttrest.
** It was about half-past two,*" said Mr. Giles, " or I wouldn't
swear that it mightn't have been a little nearer three, when I
woke up, and turning round in my bed, as it might be so, (here
Mr. Giles turned round in his chair, and pulled the corner of
the rablo-cloth over him to imitate Wd-clothes,) I fancied I bevrd
a mHse,"
At this |ioinl of the narrative the cook turned pale, and asked
the housenrnid to •^liul the dcmr, who asked Itiittles, wlui asked
the tinker, who pretended not to hear.
•* Heerd a noise," continued .Mr. Giles. '* I says at first,
' this is illusion ;' and was compobing myself oiT to sleep when
I heerd the noise again, dlNlinct."
" What sort of a noiw?" asked the cook.
** A kind of a busting noise," replied Mr. Giles, looking
round him.
** More tike the noiine of powdering a iron bar on a nutmeg-
grater," suggesteil Brittles.
** It was. whenyow heerd it, sir," rejoined Mr. Giles; '* hut
at this lime it had a busting sound. I turned down the clothes,"
cuntinued (jiles, rolling back the table-cloth, " Hat up in bed,
and liHtenitl."
The couk and housemaid simultaneously ejaculated, *' Lor !**
and drew their chairs closer together.
" I heerd it now, ipiite apparent,*^ resumed Mr. Giles.
818
OLIVER TWIST.
* Somebwly,* I Mjrs, * is forcing of a door or window, what's
to be dune t I '11 call up that poor lad, Brittles, and save him
from being murdered in his bed ; or his throat,' I &avs ' may
be cut from bis right ear tu his left, without his ever knowing it.' "
Here all eyes were turned U|iun Brittles, who fixed his upon
the speaker, and stared at him with his mouth wide open, and
his face expressive of the most uniniligated horror.
" 1 tossed off the clothes," said Giles, throwing away the
tablecloth, and looking very bard at the cook and housemaid,
** got Koftlv out of bed, drew on a pair of — ^
'* Ladies present, Mr. Giles," nmriimred the tinker.
" — Of sAoea, sir," said Giles, turning upon hitn, and laying
great empham on the word, " seized the loaded pistol that
always goes up stairs with the plate-bafikct, and walked on tip-
toes to his room. * Briitles,' 1 says, when I had woke him,
• don't be frightened !' "
** So you did," observed Urittles, in a low voice.
" * We 're dead men, I think, Brittles, I say V continued
Giles, " ' but don't be under any alarm.' **
** Was he frighleoed?" asked the cook.
•' Not a bit of it," replietl Mr. Giles. ** He was as 6rm —
ah ! pretty near as firm as I was."
'* I should have died at once, I'm sure, if it had been me^"
observed the housemaid.
*' You *re a woman," retorted Brittles, plucking up a little.
" Brittles is right," said Mr. Giles, nodding his head approv.
ingly ; *' from a woman nothing else was to be expected. But
we, being men, took a dark lantern that was slanding cm Brit-
tlcs's hoi), and groped our way down stairs in the pitch dark» —
as it might be so."
Mr. Giles had risen from his scat and taken two steps with bis
eyes shut to accompany his description with appropriate action,
when he starled violently in common with the rest of the com-
pany, and hurried back to his choir. The cook and housiiiuaid
screamed.
" It was a knock," said Mr. Giles, oKsuming perfect serenity ;
*' open the door, somebody."
Nobody moved.
" It seems a strange sort of thing, a knock coming at such a
time in the morning," enid Mr. Giles, surveying the pale faces
which aurroimded him, and looking very blank himsijf ; ** but
the door must be opened. Do you hear, somelKKly ?"
Mr. Giles, as he spoke, looked at Brittles; but that young
imaD being naturally modest, probably considered himseu
[nobody, and so held that the inquiry could not have any appU*
cation to him. At nil events he tendered no reply. Mr. Giles
directed an appealing glance at the tinker, but he'had suddenly
fallen asleep. The women were out of the qui-stiun.
" If Brittles would rather open the door in the prenencv of
OLIVBE TW»T.
SI9
witneeses," said Mr. Giles, after a ghort litencct " I oni ready to
make one."
" So am 1," said the tiuker, waking up as suddenly aa he
had faUeii asleep.
Brittle^ capitulated on these terms; and the party being
somewhat re-assured by the discovery (made on throwing opcD
the Hhuttere) thuL it was now brcmd day, took tlieir way up
stairs with the dogs in front, and thL* two women, who were
afraid to stop helow, bringing up the rear. By the advice of
Mr. Oites they all talked very luud, tu warn any cvil-dtspuned per-
son outside that they were strung in numbers ; and by a mostet^
stroke of policy, originating tn the brain of the same ingenious
gentleman, the dog''s tails wen; well pinched in thu ball lu make
tUeui hark savagely.
These preaiutiuns having been taken, Mr. Giles helii on fast
by the tinker's arm, (to prevent his running awuy^ as he i)U'a>
Minlly said), and gave the word of command to open the door.
Brittles obeved, and the group peeping titnorouslv over each
other's shoulder, beheld no more formidable object than noor
little Oliver Twist, speechless ami exhausted, who raisea his
heavy eyes, and mutely solicited their ooinpa-tsion.
*' A boy !" exclaimed Mr. Giles, valiantly pushing the tinker
into the bnckgmund. *' What's the luatier with the — eh? —
Why-— Brittle^— look here— don't you know .*""
Brittle^, who had got behind the door to open it, no sooner
aaw Oliver, than he uttered a loud cry of recognition. Mr.
Giles Sfizing the lH>y by one leg anil one arm — fortunately not
the broken limb — lugged him straight into the hall, and deixuiiled
him at full length on the tinor thereof. '* Here he is !" Iwiwled
Giles, calling in a great state of excitement up the stairca^;
" here's one of the thieves, ma^am ! Here's a thief. mi«s —
wounded, miss! I shot him, mis-sand Brittles held the light."
** In a lantern, mi.-«s,'' cried BrittLt-N, applying onv liand to
the Hide of his mouth, so that his voice miglit travel (he better.
The (WO womtMi scrvDntaran up sluirti to carry the intelligence
thai Mr. Giles had capturc<l a robber; and the tinker buried
himself in endeavouring to restore Oliver, lest lie should die be-
fore he could be hung. In the mid&t of all this noise and ann-
motion there was heard a sweet female voice which quelled it in
an instant.
*' Giles !" whiK|>cred the voice from the stairhead.
" I 'm here, miss," replied, Mr. OileR. " Don't be fright-
vued, niies ; 1 ain't much injured. He didn't ninke a very de»-
perate resistance, miss; 1 was soon too many for him."
*' Hush !" replied the young lady ; ** you frighten my aiinl
almost as much as the thieved did. Is the poor creature nevrrely
hurt ?"
E ** Wnundeil desperate, miss," replied Giles, with indesrribahle
320
OtlVfiR TWIST.
** He looks as if he was a-j^iof;, miss," bowled Brittles, m
llic same manner n« brffirc. " Wouldn't you like lo come and
luok Ht him, miss, in case he should — ?^
" Hiiah, pray, there's a good nmti T rejoined the young lady.
** Wait quietly one inslAUt while 1 speak to aunt."
With a footstep a? soft and fjentle as tlic voice, the speaker
tripped away, mid hmhi riMuriii-d with the direction that the
wounded pcraon was to he carried carcfidly up stairs to Mr.
(jilesV room, mid that Brittles wa;: tu naddke the pony and be-
take liinnself iiifitaiitly tu CUerlsi'v, from which place he was to
despatch with all speed a consiahfc and doctor.
•* Bui won> you take one look at him first, niiw?" said
Oik's with us much pride as if Oliver were some bird of rare
jtlumagc that he had skilfully brought down. *' Not one little
peep, uii»«."
*' Nut now for the world," replied the yowug ladv. ** Poor
fellow ! oh ! treat l)im kindly, Giles, if it is only for my sake!*
The old servant looked up at the Bpeaker, as slie turned away,
with a glance as proud and admirinf; as if nhe Imd l>een hi? own
child. Then bending over Oliver, he hclpt-d to carry him up
flairs with the care and solicitude of a woman.
I
CUAPTfUt THK SEVENTH
BA» AK IKTHODVCTOBT ACCOUKt OF TKE IKUATtS OF "rat DOl'SE TO WMICa
OiaVZR REtOKnCDj AND ttUttLh WHAI ijii:t tbqudht or MIK.
In 8 handsome room — though it» furniture had rather the air
of old-fashiuned comfort, than of modern eleganre — there sat
two ladies at a well-spread breakfast tnble. Mr. Giles, dressed
with scrupulous care in a full suit of black, was in attend«i>ce
upon them. He had taken his station some half-way between
the sideUiiard and the break fast- table, and with his body drawn
up to itii full height, hh head thrown back and inclined the
merest inQv on one ^ide. his left leg advanced, and hie right
hand tlirust into his waistcoat, while bis left hun^ down by his
eide grasping n waiier, looked lilte one who laboured under
a very agreeable sense of his own merils and iu)[Kirtance-
Of the two ladies, one was well advanced in years, but the
high-backed oaken chair in which she snt waa not more upright
than i^lie. Dressed with the utmost niit-ly and precision in a
quaint mixture of by(;«He costume, with some slight concessions
to the prevailing tastL-, wtiicb rather served to point the old style
p)i.>as»nlly than to impair its eflV-ct, she «at in a st.ttelv niau-
ner with her hands folded on the table before her, and her eyes,
tif which age had dimmed but little of their brightness, atten-
lively fixed upon her V"ung companion.
The vuunger lady was in the lovely bloom and spriug-time of
womanhiHid : at that age wbcn^ if ever augela lie fur Goirs S""^
I
I
OLIVBR TWIST.
SSI
I
pitrpbaes enlhroTied in mortsl forins, they may be withottl im-
pietv supposed to abitle in such as tiers.
8l)e was not past seventeen. Cast in so slight and exquisite a
mould, so mild and genlle, so pure and beautiful, lliat earth
seemed not her element, nor its rouch creatures her 6t com-
panions, 'i'iie very intelli^nce that shone in her deep blue eye
and was fitam|K-d upon her noble head, spemed M-ari;cIy of tier a^
orof the 1^'orld, and yet tlie changing expreHsion of -tweetneM and
good hiunnur, tlie thousand lights that playt'ti al>uut tliu face
and left no shadow there; above all, the sndle — the cheerful
happy smile — were entwined with the be»t sympathies and affec-
tions of i)ur nature.
She was busily engaj^ed in the little offices of the table, and
chancing to raise her eyen as the elder lady was regarding ber,
playfully put baek her hair, which was simply braided on her
forehead, and threw into one beaming look tiuch a gush of aflcc-
tion and artlew loveliness, that blessed spirit» might have smiled
to look upon her.
The elder lady smiled ; but Iter heurt wa.s full» and she brushed
away n tear n«4 she did so.
*' And Brittles bajs been gone upwards of an hour, has he?"
asked the old lady after a pause.
*• An hour and twelve minutes, ma'am ;" replied Mr. Giles,
referring to a silver watch which be drew forth by a black
ribbon.
" He is always slow," remarked the old lady.
•' Briitles always was a slow Iwy, ma'am." repUed the attend-
ant. And seeing, by-tlie-by, that Brittles had been a slow Iwy
for upwards of thirty years, there appeared no great probability
of his ever being a fast one.
" He gets worse instead of belter, I ihink," said the elder
lady.
'* It is very inexcunable in him if lie stops to play with any
other hoya,'^ said the young lady, smiling.
Mr. Giifs was apparently considering the propriety of in-
dulging in a re8]>ectful suiile himself, when a gig drove up to
the garden-gate, out of which there jumped a fat genlleniaD,
who ran straight up to the door, and getting quickly into the
houw by oume nivnu-riuus proceas, bur>t into the room, and
nearly overturned Mr. titles and the breakfast table together.
" 1 never heard of such a thing !' exclaimed the fat gentle-
man. •* My dear Mrs. MayUe — bles* iny «oul — in the Mience of
oipbt too— I ftei'rr heard of such a thing !"
With these expres^nons of eoiululeiice, the fat gentleman
*ho«>k hands with Itoth ladies, and drawing up a chair, inquired
)w they fuund theniwlveH.
'* You ought to Im- dead — positively dead with the fright,"
»aid the fat gentleman. " Why didn't you send? Bless me.
OLIVBR TWIST.
o^ man should have come in a ininute« or I in3?setr and voj
assistatit would have been delighted, or anyI>ody : 1 'ni sure,
K^dar such circumstances; dear, dear — to unexpected — in Uic
«I«we of night too !"
The doctfw seemed especially troubled by the fAct of the rob-
bery having been unexpected, and attempted in the night time,
a« if it were the eslablishrd cuKlom of gentlemen In the house-
bronking way to trannoet busini'ss at noon, and to make an Np>
pointraent by the twapeiiny post a day or two previous.
*' And you, Mm Ru&e*" said thu doctor, turning to the
young lady, " I "
" Oh ! very much so, indeed," said Rose, interrupting him ;
** but there U a pour creature up fttairs whum aunt wishes you
to see."
•' Ah ! to be sure," reph'cd the dcwrtor, *' so there is. That
was yuur handy-work, Giles, I uudcniland."
Mr. Giles, who had been feveriahly putting the tea-cups to
rights, blushed very red, and said that ne bad had that honour.
** Honour, eh ?" said the doctor ; " well, 1 don't know, per-
haps it 's as honournble to hit a thief in a back kitchen, as to hit
your man at twelve paces. Fancy that he firt-J in the air, and
youVe fought a duel. Oiles."
Mr. Giles, who thought this light treatment of the matter an
unjust attempt at diminishing his glory, an»wcred respectfully,
that it was not fur the like of him to judge about that, but ne
rather thought it was no joke to the opposite party.
" 'Ciad, that's true!" m\d the doctor. " Wheru is he?
Show me the way. I '11 look in again as I conic down, Mrs.
Maylie. That's the little window that }ie got in at, eh? Well,
I couldn't have believed it." Talking all the way, he followed
Mr. Giles up stairs ; and while he is going up stairs the reader
may be informed, that Mr. liOHberne, a surgeon, in thenejghbour-
huoil, known through a circuit of ten miles round as " the
doctor," had grown fat more fioni good humour than from good
living, and was as kind and hearty, and withal as eccentnc an
old bachelor as will be found in five times that space by any
expbrer alive.
The doctor was absent much longer than either he or the
ladies had anticipated. A large flat box was fetched out of
the gig, and a Ijed-room bell was rung very ufteu, and the sei^
vants ran up and down stairs |)erpetually, from which tcikeOH it
was justly concluded that something important wa.< going on
above. At length he returned ; and in reply to an anxious in-
3uiry after his patient, looked very uiysterioua, and eluded tiie
oor carefully.
*' This is a very extraordinary thing, Mrs, Maylie," said the
doctor, standing with his back to tlie door as if to keep It shut.
*' He is not m danger, 1 hope?" said the old lady.
" Why, that would not be an extraordinary thing, under the
I
I
circumstances." replied the doctor, " though I don't thiok he
is. Have you seen this thief?"
•* No," rejoined the old lady.
" Nor heard anythiog ftbout him ?"
** I b«g your patron, ma*am,'' interrwged Mr. Giles; *' but I
was going to tell you about him when iitocCor Losberne came in."
The fact was^ that Mr. Giles had not at 6rst bran able to bring
his mind to the avowal ihat he had only shot a Ixiy. Such
commendations had b««n bestowed upon his bravery^ that he
could not for the life of him help postponing the explanation for
a few delicious minutes during which he had flourished in the
very zenith of a brief reputation for undaunttnl courage.
" Kose wished to set: the man," said Mrs. Maylie, " but I
wouldn't hear of it."
*' Uuoiph !"" rejoined the doctor. "There's nothing very
alarming in his appearance. Have you any objectiun to see him
in my presence?'
" If it be necesaary," replied the old lady, *' certainly not."
" Then I think it is oecejaary," said the doctor ; " at all
events I sm quite sure that you would deeply regret not having
done so, if you postponed it- He is perfectly quiet and com-
fortable now. Allow me — Miss Rose, will you permit me? not
the slightest fear, I pledge you my bonour-"*
With many more loquacious asEurances that they would be
agnvably surprised in the aHpect of the criminal, the doctor
drew the young ladv'i) ami through one of his, and offering his
disengaged hand to Mrs. Maylie, led them with much ceremony
and statcliness up slaira.
** Now," said the doctor in a whisper as he softly turned the
handle of a bed-room door, " Jet us hear what you think of him.
He has not Ik-cii shave<l very recently, but he noeHn't look at all
ferocious notwithstanding. Stop, though : let me see that he is
IQ visiting order tir&t."
Stepping before them, he looked into the room, and motion-
ing them to advance, closed the door when they had entered,
and gently drew back the curtains of the betl. Upon it, in lieu
of the dogged, black-visaged rutlian they bad expected lo b<v
Itold, there lay a mere child, worn with {>ain and exhauittion and
tunk into a deep sleep. Hia wounded arm, bound and spbut-
ered up, was crossed upon his breast, and his head reclined upon
the other, which was half hidden by his long hair as it streamed
over the pillow.
The honest gentleman held the curtain in his liand, and looked
on for a minute or so, in silence. Whilst he was watching the
patient thus, tht- voungcr lady glided softly past, and seating
herself in a chair by the bedside gathered Oliver's hair from his
Cnd as she stooped over him, her tears fell upon hjx forehead.
' boy stirred and smiled in his sleep, as though tlieee marks
I
324
OLTVKR TWIST.
of pity and compassion had awakened some plwisant dream of a
love and nflection he had never known: «^ a (itrain of gentle
inti*ic, or the rippling of water in a silent place, or ihe odour of
a flower, or even the mention of a familiar word, will tmmetinies
call up sudden dim remembrances of scenes that never were, ia
this life, which vanish like a breath, and whit-h some brief
meoiorj' of a hapjjier existence long gone by, would neem to
have awakened, lor no power of the human mind can ever r«cal
them.
*' What can this mean !"* exclaimed the elder lady. ** TTiJt
poor child can never have bi*n the pupil of robbers,"
" Vice," sighed the surgeon, replacing the curtain, *' takes
up her abotle in many temples, and who can say that a fair out-
side ^l1all not tiislirinc her ?""
" Bin at so early an age.'" urged Rose.
" My dear young lady," rejoint-d the surgeon, mournfully
shaking his head* '* crime* like death, is not ctmfined to the
old and withered alone. The youngest and fairest are too often
its chosen victims."
" But, can you — oh, sir ! can you, really bt-licve that this
delicate buy has been the voluntarv associate of the worst out-
casts of society ?'" «Aid Rose anxiously.
The surgeon shook bis hend in a manner which intimated
that he feared it was very possible; and observing that they
might disturb tbt patient, led the way into an adjoining
apartment.
" But even if he has been wicked," pursued Rose, *• think
how young he is; tliink that he may uever have known a
mother's love, or even the comfort of a home, and timt ill-usage
and blows, or the want of bread, may have driven him to herd
with Ihe men who have forced him to guilt. Aunt, dear aunt,
for mercy's sake think of this before you let them drag this
sick child to a prison, which in any case must be the grave of all
his chances of anicndniont. Ob ! as you love me, and know
that I have never felt the want of parents in your goodness and
affection, but that I might have done so, and might have been
equally helpkfis and unprotected with this pimr child, have
pity upon him before it is too late."
*' My dear love!" said the elder lady, as she folded the weep-
ing girl to her bosom ; "do you think 1 would harm a hair of
his head ?"
" Oh, nn t" replied Rose, eagerly, *' not you, aunt, not you !"
" No ;■" said the old lady with a trembling lip, *' my dayi
are drawing to their close, and may mercy Ik* shown to uie as I
show it to others. What can I do to save him, sir?"
" Let me think, ma'am," said the doctor, " let me think."
Mr. Losberne thrust his hands into his pockels and took seve-
ral turns up and down the room, often stopping and bnlancing
himself on Ids toes and frowning frightfully. After various ex-
I
OLIVER TWJ&T.
3»5
I
I
I
cUmations of " I Ve got it now," and " no, I bavn't," and as
roaii^' reiH-wals of the walking and frowning, he at Itiigth made
a dtitd halt, and spoke an follows: —
" I think if you ^ive me a full and unlimited commission to
bully Giles and that little boy, Britlles, I can manajfe it. He
-is a faithful ftllow and an old servant, I know; but you can
make it up to him in a thouhand ways, and reward him for
being such a pood shot besides. You don't object to that ?"
"Unless there is some other way of preserving llie child,"
replied Mrs. Maylie.
•• There ii no other," said the doctor. " No other, lake my
word for it."
*' Then aunl iiirests you with full power," said Rose, smiling
through her tears; " hut prav don't he harder upon the ixxjr
fellows than in indi&iwnsahly necessary."
" Vou seem to think," retorted the dtn-Lor, " that everybody
ii< disposed to he hard-heiirtcd tiwtay cKC'cpt yourself. 1 only
hope, for the sake of the risinj^ uitile sex generaUy, that you may
be found in as vulnerable and t*oft-hearted a uiuud by the Tcry
first cli)(iblc young fellow who appeals to your compoa^ion ; and
] wiah / were a young fellow tlut I might avail iny^lf on tlic
spot uf i^ueh a favourable upportuoity fur doing w, as the
present."
•* You are as great a boy as poor Itriitles himself," relumed
Rose, blushing.
** Well," uid the doctor, laughing heartily, *' that ia no very
difficult matter. Bui to return to thi» boy : the great point of
our Hgrevnicnl ih yet to come. He will wake in an hour or so,
I dare uiy ; and although 1 have told that thick-hea<Ietl consta-
ble fellow down stairb that he niusn't be moved or bpoken to,
on peril of his life, I think we may converse with him without
danger. Now, 1 make this stipulation — that I shall examine
bim in your presence, ami that if from what he 'Bay»^ we judge,
and 1 can show to the satisfaction uf your cool reaton, thai he ia
a real and thorough bad one, (which h more than pos<tihlc,) he
shall be left to his fate* without any furtl>er interference ou my
part, at all events."
" Oh, no, aunl !" entreated Rose.
" Oh, yes, aunt !" said the doctor. " Is it a bargain ? "
** He cunuot be hardened in vice," said liose; *' it is impoa*
Bible."
"Very good," retorted the doctor; "then so much th«
more reason for acceding to my proposition."
Finally the treaty wa^ entered into, and the (lartiea thereto
sat down to wait with some impatience until Oliver should
wake.
Tlie patience of the two ladies was destined lo umlergti a
T trial than Mr. I^insberne had led ihem to expect, for hour
hour passed on, aud still Oliver alumbned hMvily. It was
OLIVER TWIST.
CTening, indeed, before' the kind-hearlcd doctor brought thwn
the iiitettigeiice that he had at leneth rousud sutlidt-ntty to be
spoken to. The bov was very ill, he said, aiid weak from the
]o!u of blood ; but bis mind was so troubled with anxiety to dis-
close something, that he deemed it better to give him the oppor^
tunity than tu insist upon his remaining quiet until next morn-
infj, which he should otherwise have done.
The conference was « long one, for Oliver told them all his
simple history, and was often compelled to stop by pain and want
of Btrenglh. It was a solemn thing to hear, in the darkened
room, the feeble voice of the sick child recoimtinu a weary cata-
lof^ue of evils and calamities which hard men had brought upoo
him. Oh ! if, when we oppress and grind our fellow-crcjiturcs, we
bestowed but one thought on the dark evidences of human error,
which, like dense and heavy clouds are rising slowly, it i» true,
but not lesa surely, to heaven, lo pmir iheJr aflei^ vengeance un
ntir head<i — if wc heard but one infttant in imagination the deep
testimony of dead men's roices, which no power can stifle and no
pride shut out, where would lie the injury antl injustict, the
BuFering, misery, cruelty, and wrong, that each day's life brings
with it !
Oliver's pillow was smoothed by woman's bauds that night,
and loveliness and virtue watched him as be slept. He felt
calm and happy, and could have died without a murmur.
The tnooicntuus iiiterv'iew w.im no B<K>ner concluded, ami
Oliver composed to rent again, than the doctor, after wiping his
eves and condemning them in the usual phrase for being weak
all at once, betook liinisclf down stairs to open upon Mr. Giles.
And finding nobody about the parlours, it occurred to him that
he could perhaps originate tite proceediugH with better effect ill
tlie kitchen; so into the kitchen nc went.
There were assembled in that lower house of the domestic
parliament, the women servants, Mr. Briltles, Mr. Giles, the
linker, (who had received a special invitation to regale himself
for the remainder of the day in consideration of his services,)
and the constable. The latter gentleman had a large staff, a
laree head, large features, and large half-boots, and looked as if
he liad been taking a proportionate allowance of ale, us indeed
be had.
The adventuren of the previous night were still under discus-
sion, for Mr. Giles wai c\]>atiating iiiKm his pre-senrc of mind
when the doctor entered ; and Mr. Rnltles, with a mug of ale
in his hand, was corroborating everything before bin superior
uid it.
*' Sit still," said the doetor, waving his hand.
"Thank you, sir," said Mr. Uiles. " .Misses uished some
ale to Iw given out, sir, ami as I felt nowayH inclined for my
own little room, dir, and disposed for company, 1 am taking
initMf among Vm here."
4
I
OLIVER TWTST.
•s headed a low murmur by which the ladies and gen-
gcDerally. were understood to express the erati6cation
lerived from Mr. Giles's condescension ; and Mr. Giles
1 round with a patronising air, as murh aa to say, that so
i\b they behaved properly. Tie would never desert them.
How is the patient to-iiight, sir ?" asked OtteR.
So-so;" returne<l the doctor. *' I am afraid you have got
turself into a scrape there, Mr. Giles."
" 1 hope yiiu don't mean to sny, sir," said Mr. Giles, trem-
aling, *' that he's going to die. If I thought it, I should never
be happy again. I wouldn't cut a boy off, no, not even Britllee
here, not for all thi:> plati> in the country, bin''
'* Thnt'a not the point," said the doctor mysteriously. " Mr.
Giles, are you u Protestant ?"
'* Yes, sir, 1 hope taC faltered Mr. Giles, who had turned
fery pole.
" And what are you, boy P" said the doctor, turning sharply
upon Brit ties.
** Lord bless me, sir !" replied Briltles, starling violently ;
" I'm the same as Mr. Giles, sir."
'* Then tell me this," said the doctor fiercely, ** both of you —
both of you ; are you going to take upon yourselves to swear
that that boy up stairs is the hoy that was put through the
little window last niglii ! Out with it ! Come ; we are prepared
foryou.*
The doctor, who was universally considered one of the best-
tempered creatures on earth, made this demand in surli a dread-
ful tone of anger, that GileK and Brittlcs, who were considerahly
muddled by ale and excitement, stared at each other in a state
of stupefaction.
" Pay attention to the reply, constable, will you," said thv
doctor, shaking his forefinger with great solemnity of manner,
and tapping the bri<lge of his nose with it, to bespeak the ex-
ercise of that worlhy'rt utmost acuteness. *' Something may
come of this before long."
The Lxmslable lookeuas wise as he could, and took up bis staff
of ofUce which hatl been reclining indolently in the chimney-
corner.
'^It'sa simple question of identity, you will observe,*' said the
doctor.
" Thai's what it is, sir," replied the constable, coughing with
great violence ; for he had fmished bis ale in a hurry, and some
of it had gone the wrong way.
** Here 's a house broken into," said the doctor, ** and a
couple of men catch one moment's glimpee of u boy iu the mi<Ut
of gunpowder smoke, and in all trie distraction of alarm and
darknesH. Here's a lv>y "mics to that very same house next
raoming, and lKvau.se he happens to have his arm tied up, those
men lay violent hands uiwn him — by doing which, tliey plv
OLIVER TWIST.
))U lifL' in greftt dflnger — and swear he is the thief. NowT'f
itutmiuti is, whether those men are justified by the fact, and if
nut, whar situiitinn do they place themselves in f"
Tho cons.tal))e noddcH profoundly, and said thai if that wasii*t
law, be should be glad to know what wa».
" I ask you again," lh»inU;red the clodor, ** are you on your
solemn ontns ahle to icleniifv ihat bov r"
Ltrittleb looked douhtfiilly at Mr. Giles, Mr. Oile« looked
iJDuhtfulIy at BriLtlen; the eoustable put his huml bohind his ear
to catch the rc[>ly ; the two women and the tinker leant furword
to listen ; and the doctor ^'Innced keenly round, when a ring
was heai'd at the gate, and at the same uioiuuut the sound of
wheels.
" It's the- runner* !** cried Brittles, to all appearance much
relieved.
" The what !" exclaimed the doctor, aghast in his turn.
"The Bow-street officers sir," replied Hnltle«, taking up a
candle, '* me and Mr. Giles sent for 'em this morning.^
*' What !" cried the doctor.
'* Yes," replied Ilrittles, '• I sent a tnessajje up by the coach-
man, and 1 only wonder they weren't here before, sir,"
*' You did, did yiiu. Then confounil and damn your
alow coaches down here; that's all," &aid the doctor, walking
■way.
ON WITNESSING MR. M.\CREADY-S PERFOKMANCK OF
CLAUDE MELNOTTE IN "THE LADY OF LYONS."
IIv«H ibr thick bn^th, — ind dill ihe throbbing liwrf I
Siu not lo bretlc the de«p, vci ilinlling trance ;
And call not chit thr w;tuf'« lii)vling purt,
ViHion of poesy nnd y«ung romance !
Tti« bri^iu 4-rculiwiii ol the pwrl'f ihottulit.
In irulh and |jr«, with thee Marrcndv dwell;
]iy Hell and kimlml gemut, only lau^l
To cast o'er ui the M>ul-«nthralliiig spell.
I cannot spenk — the orer-^utlilng h«irt
Bitratti into numbers : — dull perchance and cold.
Would I could hoati the »ubik polished &n
And G^owinR woids to ]Ktun perieciion's noukl.
Actor and bin'd — your inin}>led triunipb liike—
Stem niniilioud, tve«, wipes llio (eat away —
For yours the chords of sympathy lo wake.
And old and youti|{. Hk cnchajilct'ti will o\ity !
Match 13lh, 1&9Q. C. T.
JSS9
A MODEHN ECIXHiUK.
' Null tu in triviit, iiuJocU), volebtM
TCU., III.
Stridsnti miseram idpuli diiperdera curraefl i
ViBo. Eel. a.
Ok « itout boncli, ihat faced "The Fig tad Friar,"
Sat Jeoimy Doubleioucli aatl Pal Ma^uire:
Long Cub«s of clay, with dark Virginian w««d,
Crovin'd [he rude board to serve thdr present need ;
\Vhite, pbced by Tapps, ihe han, hi-lwp^n «ach m&D
tiesi doul>li<-s[aut o'crflow'd the polisti'd can.
And who were Pat and Jemmy J moio will cry :
" Arcados ambo," is our suge reply, —
" Cantare pftru," and if not too wviiry,
Or «I»e too drunk, " panti respondere."
In tiC.l, thry both were rliAunt«r5— tip and down —
Highway; and byways — nounlry and in Wwn —
Travertcd ibr liind while lowl ihoif diilies rung,
And oft composed the s;mii(.-t9 which they suni; ;
And now by chnnc# liat^ mpl beneath the thade
TliRt Thoma.i Tapps' w id istp rising beech-tree made.
Whni gl««s were iroll'd, how many clouds were blown,
What cai)« were fiW'd and emptied, is not litiown,
(Save by the host,) unlil, as time flew past,
Thmigh tricnds at first, they had a tiff at last,
And oti tliis poim tu niiKer tooi> ilieir stand—
Viho in his CTdift was di?cm(>d the belter hand.
" I '11 bet," <)umh DoubK-ioudi, " four quarU i>f stout
To utie of punch, (but «tiff,) I *ll serve you ouL
But, hark f my daisy, nothing cild won 1 do :
So mind your xlom, ami strike up mniiiiat miiw."
" Agreed !" says Paddy : " Done I" cries Jem, " that s ftai !
Bui for a jud^ (—here '» Tupjis— now go it. Pal !"
rat.
Och ! whisky 's the life and the sowl ofa man,
So I '11 sing its pnbe first, and as long as I can :
If th« ugi were made of it— Rood luck to the siftht !
It'a I07*elf 'ud be twimmin' from mornin' tdl nighL
Ob ! Kit ii the stair that will make a dog jolly.
Wot cures tbem is sick and is got melaocnoly :
It runs through our nmmul than <]uick»ilTer (luickarr —
I 'n blw'd if it ain't the most phmest orttcker I
St. Patrick'n tlie boy that could turn lopay-tnrty
Great Uiitaiu and Scotlaod — so says Father !tfurphy ;
He bothen the world with hia divtt-inBy>care, O !
St. Patrick for iver, the comical Kara f
Jemmjf.
And wltcre is ibe chap for St. Geor^ that won't cbeier
Nor swijj in his honour a gallon of beer T
St. Geuriiy '* the ona a* a body may brag on ;
Hurrah for the f^ilkir u wallop'd tlte dtagoo 1
Pat.
I '11 lint; DMt of pralees tlw boMl of ould Erin
What dainty, cooiiared wid 'em, '• worth a red berrin' 1
3a
SSO A MODERN ECLOGUE.
You may walk rrom Coleraiiie to that plttc* tficy call Hayli,
h-Afi luck to the tbiDg yon will lind llkt: a pnil; .
Janrntft
Let ilie MouDseer go boast of his soup mndc of herte, —
or his garlic ilic Don, vicli lome ttomachs disiuriw;
I knows »i)t is vot, aiid I 'm wRsily mistaken
If they 're equal to utbbugv, whtiu biled with good bacoo.
Pat.
Was ihere Iver u buy od the 'anii or ibv uir
Who's nnltiajicttd a jij; at i^rcat Dotuiybrook Kair?
The blissed remiiabniticc e'co tiow oiakca mt frisXy, —
Such crackin' of hatdi, and »uc)i lashiu's of whisky !
Vot « light 8« i» Barllu'roy !— not any pari in
Of Engltnd collected sich venders for sariiu'.
Here's the man a» willdwallowa swotd, if Uc'« let :
Vot I hungiy old com, and uncominon sharp-setl
Pat.
In love I 'm oil uver wld Kaiiy O'Fluinagliu),
For a glance of whote eye orLen back have 1 ran again !
Aisy death to me then, but she botes human tiulur,
llie 4wale little, natc little, iliK&nt craturl
Jmmy.
Uh ! dear Molly Muggint, rot lov« js between ua !
You 're a rej^ibi, no-mistake, oul-niid-out ^Vciiiu '
Sich beauty to pieces would lalher tlie world.
When y«ur hitir 'i out of paper und dapperly «urled.
Put.
Och, ini»ha I then sure it 's mytelf thai must pity
The vpalpeen thai nevet saw dear Dublin city.
They mayialk of their Conslhaniinople — sliool aisy ! —
Whooo ! we could buie them with Uallinacnay.
Jemmy,
Fail ! I.uiinon '» a town vol is dr^tjicrate fine.
And liroin &U otliiei vities will take out lliv shine.
There 's the srcai Leaden Hall, and an Acre vol's long,
And the Paflismeut Uou» where tliey dmSa it so sirong.
Pat.
By this and by thai, but a wager I 'd liowld,
No plant 'i like tbe Sliamro^ue, so purty and bowld,
Which stuck in our bau ou our Saint's day is seen, —
But we siftpe it, jour sowl I all the nigbl iu polteeu.
Janriiy.
YooT Sawney may chatter and boait of liis Thistle,
Taffy talk ofhas Leek^but 1 care not a whistle, —
Odd ral it! what fellor in country <ir town
As would not give a cbtcr for the Kose— and tlie Crown t
" Uold, hold, my masteni 1" Tnppt exclaioi'd, " ha»e dooe •
I Uiinlu ns how both beta are faitly won ;
For botlt have chaunli.ll prime and come it strong.
Jemmy, the punch is your'n for thai 'ere song :
To you I juagM, Pal, four (juarii of stout,
Aticl, if you plenae. will help to drink it out;
So now to work :— but trre \qu ^or* awray,
Gemmen, I hopes you won i fat]^i lo nay."
Tki«tim MeRKTTUovonT/
331
A LOVE STORY IN THREE CHAPTERS.
CHAfm 1.
— Whence spring* thi« A«^ d(«f>aJr f
From siicii u <uum> u ftllK mini.- cyr* with learn.
And »tof% my vetnfae, trbllt! bnun it drnwu'd in Ckm.
//ffwy tA0 AirfA. Third Pmrt, Act iii. Sc. 3.
I BAD not Reen Russell Tor many yeart: — nearly a dozen. We
were contemporarie-i in college, but many events Kept us asunder.
I «pent ■ con^uU-rabte time wi tlie tJontinent; and wlw-n I returned,
it so rh^nced that my vWiU to Lmulon were »>hurt mid far between.
1 hcatd of him occiuionwlly, hut witK no minute uarticulnn «■ to his
career. It wm merf^ly known to me that he had been called to
the har, and that the expected succession to a tolerably handsiime
inheritAncc, by the death of an uncle some few years earlier than
it ha<l been culcuiated upon^ made him at firrt indifferent to hi* pro-
fession, and shortly estranged him from it altogether in everytning
but name, tn fact. I knew scarcely anything about him. and for
aomo fuur or five yt>ar.i had hardly heard hi« name mentioned.
Buitinetis with wtiirh it is needless to trouble any one but tboae
immediately eu[ii:i!rned, rendered it necessary that I should pass
llirough Londuii, laist month, on my way to America. I had uuly
four or five day* to remain iti town, Mnd these were busily occupied.
On the day before my departure, however, it so happened that all I
had to do was got over at an early hour, and I lounged somewhat
easily through the streets, diverting myself with their various
wonders, when I was saluted by a friendly slap on the shoulder.
Taming round, I recognised ray old friend HusseU- He was not
much altc^red duriiijj the twelve yexrs I had not neen him, — much
less, in tact, than meti usually jUtrr,— and his maimer and style of
address were as good-humoured and good-natured a» ever.
Alter the usual wonderments, and mutual applauses of our mar-
vellous good looks, wc fell into such conversation as might be ex-
pected between old acquaintances meeting ntler a long period of nb-
•enca. Jack This was dead, Tom T'other was married ; Will .Smith
had got on in the world, Joe Brown had been unlucky. Bright-
eyed Miss A. was now aober-eyed Mrs. B. with half a dozen
daughters, cine to come nut this season; brighter-eyed Lady
C. the reigning belle of our early circle, was still unmarried. Then
there wua th.n shucking story of Mrs. D. and the itad fate of poor
Sir Richard K. and so on until we got through the alphabet of our old
friends chatting in thiti manner, as- we Miuntered along, not earing
where. The evening began to set in, and Russell asked me if I
was engaged to dine. 1 answered in the ui^ative, and he therefore
made it a point tJiat 1 should dim' with him.
" 3Iuat I dr«*»i'" said I ; " for, as 1 start for Liver]>ool in the
morning, my luggage is all packed up ; so if there be the least cere>
.mony, 1 must decline."
" Not the least — you may come precisely ai you stand, and we
are not very far distant fVom our destination."
I accompanied him. and a few minutet brought us to hia houaa.
3 a2
332
STORY IN thrbb chapters.
H is Mtuatcd in one of the good strccti near Cavendish Square, and
Among the most epncious of ita ncighbourhoo<l. We arnved there
about six o'clock. He npologUpd for leaving me for a moment, and I
found myself alone in an elegantly-furnished drawing-room. It is
hard to say what it 13 that reveals the pre.ience of a lady in a house,
and yet yuu caimut enter one in which she dwclU without being at
once convinced of female superintendence. It is not merely order
and care, for in tlie well-arrouged hou'se of a wealthy bachelor
tJiese may be attained with a« much scrupulous rigour as in any
vKnage superintended by a lady. Nor is it necessary thai the in-
explicable array of those matters in which female ta«te, nr what
they arc pleased to call industry, should be met with on the tiny
tables tliey "o much Inve, for theoe we do not always meet with ; but
the triaemhie of a rocwn inhabited by a Indy has an air strikingly dif-
forcnt from that which is the result of the carelessness of a master
or the anxiety of a servant. Such was the air impressed an me by
my first glnnce round Russell's drawing-room.
Is he married ? I thought. Perhaps. — I never heard bo. But then
we have been so much asunder. — Would he not have said some-
thing about it? But then he might have taken for granted that I
knew of his marriage, but nothing of his tadv.
My doubts were sooit resolved. Ru^eell returned with some
Blight alteration of dress.
" You are a man of the world/" he said, " George, — and, in short,
have you any objection to meet to-day at dinner a l»dy to whom I
give my name, but who — who, in fact — never consulted the church
about our union? 1 could not, of course, introduce her to Lady
Herbert ; but to you- — "
" Never niinci me," eaid I, "it is a matter of no conw-
quence^ I have leen tt>i> many strange things in my travels to start
at so ordinary a trifle. Mrs. Kussell shall be accepted by me aa you
introduce her."
His eye gleamed with satisfaction, and murmuring, " Poor Jane !"
he diverted the cnnvera-ition to some common-pUce topics. In a
few minutes diiuier was announced; and on proceeding to the
dining-room, I found that the lady wa.i there before ns.
She was tall and dark, with hair as black as the skies at mid-
night, and eyes as Ha^hing as the brightest meteors that ever flitted
acroiis them. Her features were handsome and lultv, but, 1 thought,
marked by a varying expression of iiicluncholy ami sleriiiiesB. This
might be no more than mere fancy, occasioned by my knowledge of
the unliiipplneHs ot'her position. She was dressed in black velvet,
which admirably set oil" her majestic and symmetrical figure, Il«r
geiiturea and iiiaiiiier were of the highest order of grace and dignity,
and the few words of greeting with which she addrensed me were
marked by a sweetnerii!i of tone, and au elegance of style, which
acts like a masiinic sign to introduce on the instant to each other
persons who belong to what Burke calls tlie Corinthian capital of
society. She is indeed a splendid woman. Her age may be about
thirty, nr, rather, a year or two less.
During dinner, our conversation was of the ordinary kind; ber
share in it wan sufficient, however, to prove that she had mingled in
good society, had read much, and had thought more, Russell's coo-
duct towanla her appeared tu mc to be studiously tender — nay.
A LOVB STORY IN THRBE CHAPTERS.
S3S
gallant. Iii hvr behaviour she seemed fiTixious to please him in
every manner, but without far n moment bending from the state-
lineu wtiich was evidently her ordinary charnct<.'ri.sti('. I playeil
Tay part aa if I bad iiu Htistpiciun that ^Ir. and AJr& KuhscU were not
united by the most orthodoxul veremunies uf the rubrie.
We had talked ourselves into high spirits, when, almost imme-
mediately after dinner, a servant brought a note to Ruisseil. He
evidently knew the writing of the address, for, making me a slight
apology, he lore open the envelope with a look of the utmost cha-
grin. Glancin/f hi:i eye over the conletits with the rapidity of a
moment, he looked first at Mrs. Ru»sell, and said, " It is what we
expected: it must be attended to at once." She turned deadly
pale, and made no reply. " Herbert," said he, " 1 really must beg
vour pardon. Here is a cursed law buaincss — a csjnsultation, which
I miut attend. The chnmbeK of the lawyers are not very far off,
and I shall drive there as last as I can. 1 hope that I need not be ab-
•etiian hour. Will you excuse me? Take] care of the claret on
the table, and 1 am sure Mth. Russell will eulcrtain you in my
absence. Rut I must so for an hour."
" 1 am sure," said 1, *' you leave mc in good hand»: 3!rB. Ru«-
•ell, without the chiret, would be u mure than sulficient induce-
nient to stay."
He laughed. She looked at me, and I returned the look I do
not know how tl was, but the equivocal nature of her situation — or,
rather, as it waa known to me, its uncquivocil nxtu re— confused
mc under her gknce : 1 suppose 1 lookeil somewhat puzxled. She
coloured. It was clear the secret was known to us iKilh- In a few
f minutes the wheels of Kussetl's cab were heard in rapid whirl bear-
ing him otTto his destinatioQ.
I began pUying with the walnuta 1>efare me, thinking of a topic
to commence upon ; but I was speedily saved the trouble.
" Sir George." said the tady, fixing her dark eyea upon me,
*• you know what I am here."
I paused.
" Vou know that I am not the wife of Arthur Russell — say iL
Your looks have said so already ; it is Icas sorrow to be stigmatised
by the tongue, tlian pitied or deitpiitcd by the eye."
" StiginatiMKJ ! Alrii. Rusjell." I exclaimed; " who stigmatises
you ? I am sure I do not."
" You know hj then, from Arthur? perhaps — but no matter.
He had a right to put you on your guard against what you would
hare heurd less kindly from all the world. Vet I know ifou will not
judge of me hardly."
" Mrs, RuNsell ^'•
" No ! I know i/(m will not. There was a kindness and a good-
nature in your lone about women liwlay at dinner, — alas ! wa.s it
Itoconsole rac? It may be so, How can 1 help it, if it wen (
that were the only hypocrisy in the world, how little tthuuld I
bave cause to feel so Keenly ka t dn now !"
" I spoke, Mr*. Ru«.'te!l, ns I tliought, without reference to snar-
ling beyond tlie subject on which we were talking. Do not agi-
tate yourself to no purpose : I am incapable, I hope, of offering
the insolence either of uffrunt or patrutiage to any lady in thv
world."
334
A LOl
" I do not know. You ■eem Ititid, at all events. Do not deipitr
me utterly."
'■ I do not demise you at all. Why, dear Mrs. Ruswll '*
" Give nie a glaaa of wine ; the lit is pnsxing. I wns almost over-
l>oweredjuHt now: but I am calm Bt present, — calm — palm — quite
calm." AihI she bent her bead upon ber hand and wept aloud.
CHAPTER II.
I«rc h*r in h*r c«ar«, und ilried not ore erf tliem with bin rtimfmt ; *WKno
IlU vows wKolc • " "in fi-w boivwod on hor, ber own lameiiuilion, wliicfa yet
•he irctin for Kl« take.
nil unjual uiikiuiliiiris.
That in nil rviuon vhoiiiii hare qij«iii.'lL'd her love,
Ilaih, like lui iiupcdinicnt in iho currnit, mult.' il
More vident iind unruly.
Meiuurt/oT Bteamrt. Act Eli. So. I.
" You have known RDisetl lonjr ?" she raid, recovering herself.
" Almost from his boyliood. Circumstances have oepHruted us,
but we were most intimate frieiuU in youth,"
" I have heard him mention your name with frreat affection ;
and in Mome things which I hare heard of you from others, know
you acted like a gentleman and a man of honour. Do you care
much about Russell ?"
" It IS an odd question/' I anevi'ered. " I have already told yon
that he was a frieml of my youth ; and though years have elapsed
since 1 laist saw him before to-day, I do not think my original feel-
ings towards him are in the •lightest degree altered. He wa.i when
I knew him, and I am sure he lit Btill, an honourable, high-minded,
noble, and gciUTOUH Fellow, full of kindly diqxiflitiann, and pos-
sessed of the accotnpltahmcntH which ornamtnt the »olid merita of
life."
" He 19," she said, — " he is all — all — all that you say. If you
knew him as I know him, you would tay more. lie is tl)e most
uuu-llish of men. He has made sacrifices that few men would make
—what no man whotn I have ever met would make; and he haa
made them fur me — for me, the deg^'aded woman you see before
you !"
" Niiy, Mrs. Rus!ieU, do not use such "
** 5Irs. R«9.*ell !— God forgive me! Am I Mriu Rus»ell — I, Mrs.
Russell ? Oh ! Sir George, Sir George ! you know that the name
is in itAcIf an insult. Nay, do not apologise; I know ynu meant
none. Is it nut another mark of kindneas 1 do not de-ierve, that
even the small respect of that thin-veiled covering of disgrace is
granted me by him ? Good Arthur ! honourable Arthur ! kind Ar-
Uiur ! dear Arthur ! O thai to those words of unfeigned affectiuu 1
could add, beloved Arthur!"
" And why not?"
" Why not? Oh, sir, ask me not the question! I know not.
There is rwt a uuble quality which I Khould not as willingly, as
truly concede, — tliuugh concetle is not the word — tliat J should not
blaxon forth, a* the merit of lljat man. lie is a handsome man,
too, and fit to win a lady'* love. But how little there is in that !
.^hr was not handaome."
A LOVK STOnV IN THRBE CHAPTERS.
.-3.35
"Who?"
" No matter For a name," the uud with • ahudder. " I wu
talking of Ilunsell. I was saying that all you, his old friend, could
adviniL'e in his praise, was nothing to what I know of hb goodness;
but — I Io%'e him not."
1 felt it wa? far too delicate a matter for rae to interfere aliout,
anil I therefore held my tongue, looking as mysterious an I could.
In the dilemma I took ajiuther {clots of claret, and cracked a fillwrt.
She. too, was silent for a short space ; but she wu again the lirHt to
speak.
" It i* odd why 1 should say this — this to a gentleman whom 1
have never s«en before, who tells me that to-morrow is his la«t day
in Knglnnd, and whom, in all probability, I shall never see a^ain.
I say to you, who knuw nothing of me, who 8e« me only in this me-
laiichiily and fallen xituation — I say that which must make you
de<)])i«e me for my faithlesflness, at least of hean, and my apparent
treachery to your old friend who introduced ynu. But I luvc
another."
Her tears fell fart, and I remained i>ilent and embarrassed.
" I love another, sir," she continued ; " as unlike your tViend, as
darkness to day, as biisene»i to honour, as falsehood to truth. Bear
with me for a moment. I thought DOlliing more of Ruftsell, some
fiReen years ago, than that he was a pretty buy, when I wa^, as they
toM me, a pretty girl. \Vc arc about the sanie ai^c — he is but two
or three years uld<-r ; and aa our fathers dwelt in the same netgh-
bourhoou, we had played together in chiJdhtiod ; but the intercourse
between our families was slight. When I first knew hiui, we had
no notiou that there were any such things as hearts to lo»e ; and,
God knows, I tittle dreamt of the horrid fate for which I was
destined ! There was, however, one — a gentleman he was, and he ia
in the eyes of the world, — he was a cuuvin of my own I must
take nnother gtasa of wine- Air. RuhvcII is away, sir, and you are
Dot doing as you would have done if he were here: take some
more wine.
" It is no use in dwelling on the story, lie persuaded me to
leave ray fathers house: I left it, I am of good family — nay, I may
sav, I am of high family. Sir Geoi^e, and I left my father's house
with Aim. It is a shameful thing to tell : I was wrong— oh .' how
wrong f and how was I rejiaid ! Smooth and elegant of manner,
cruelty and .lelfishness alone t<waycd him : he sought but his own
gratification, and for a passing whim would sacrilice aU the stock
of happiness of another. I ao nut think he ever eeriously cared
about mc — I once thought he did. But, for some reason — maybe he
was tired of me, though scarce tliat, for I was not much mure than
seventeen, and it was but three months since he had taken nie from
my father's house ; — maybe he had other ladies in view, and that I
do tJiink, his present uiarria^- is most unhappy, and, flod forgive
me! I am not Christian enough at heart to be sorry for it; — for
some reason, no matter to me what, he left me ontt morning in
famished lotlgingN in I^ondon, telling me he would return to dinner.
Fifteen years have pasted, and, save in one or two casual glimpses,
I have not seen bim since. He \tl\ me ruined of tiame, exiled
from my family, with scarcely a farthing in my pocket, a stranger,
■ be-ggar, and a word of scorn !"
336
A LOVB STORY IN THRKE CHAPTERS.
" He was a scoundrel 1" said I.
" So saiil uij brother — my ooly brother, and he ii no more !"
A still bilterijr fluud ul' tejirs followed these wordt. I shall not
uttvmpt to rcpvat iLte broken and scarcely intelligible conversation
uliich imiiiediiitely succeeded. I learned enough to know that her
brother had chnlleiiged her seducer, and had been shot dejid on the
s|M)t in the duel whidi Jollowe<i ; her father had inexorahly resolv-
ed on rot 6eeinf{ her ; the man who war the cause ol" all this sorrow
shortly after married a Homi^whnt elderly lady ol' larjje fortune ; and
my new confidante was, at the age? uf less than eif^htccn, flung upon
Iter own resources in the tnnat pitiable condition of helplessness.
CBAFTGB Itr.
Oiie eye yet luoks on (lieo ;
Kilt with my Int^ri iho ocli«r evo ilutli »ee.
All I puor our tnc ! diii TauU in us I flud,
Tbe i>rror of niir eve tlirn-.u onr tniuil r
HTiat errur IcniJ* muK pit.
Tnilu* and Crtuiila-
Act ». Sc J.
Aptkr a while, she continued, in a more compoied utrain—
_ " I knew not what to do. My brotbur's death, iiccisioncd by nie
~^Dd so occasioned, almoat drove me mad. I do not know why 1
should say almost — 1 think I was quite mad. The people of the
house in wlitch 1 was abandoned, were civil — nay, kind ; but I felt that
I could not remain much longer. Where to go I knew not The
Serpentine was rising every moment in my thoughts; one plunge,
and ihLii adieu to my tni&tortunes for ever. A atiU more dreadful
suggestion arose; for one of the servants, who wa-i not deceived aa
To my situation, hintfd plainly eTir>i)«h that I might live by in>
t'aiuy. Oh, sir ! not even in that time of horror and deapair,
shunieful as you may think — aa indeed ymi must fi-el my presenc
mode of life to he, not even In thought came I to thuil
" But OS I wandered, one day — destitute of all ; poverty and despe-
ration suggesting the evil thoughts of nt-lf- inflicted death, or t«r-
turing me with dreaded antieipalions of »elf-inllictcd shame — to-
wards the river, mere chaiicu threw your friend Arthur Kii»»ell
in my v/tty. He knew all my melancholy — all my wicked *tory,
and his heart melted. He brought me back to my apartments, he
put an end at once to my pecuniary diflirulliea. I accepted these
favours from him, an from tlie lad who liad been the playfellow of my
childhood, without *crupie. He interested himself with my angry
father, but in vain. He endeavoured to arouse the feelings and
armpathiea of my false lover, but in vain. He tried everything
tliHt the most teaimis and the most honourable friend could do to litt
van from my sunken position, but in vain. Just then his uncle
died. Hi- uHiTcd mean asylum in hin house. God forgive me! I
accf-pied it. How il is thai we arc thus living, 1 hardly know — nor
does hti. We likeit one another's society, and our connexion be-
came daily more and more intimate ulmoet without our observing
iu progress. I have bt-en a sad impediment to him in his onward
course in life ; but he loves me. Often and often has he pressed me
to marry him. Ohl Arthur, Arthur I I ciiinot, 1 cannot !"
" Why notr " 1 asked: " if he wishes ttj it may be easily ma-
naged. Aa for society "
A LOVE STORY IN THREE CHAPTERS.
S3T
I
I
"Society!" she anid, flashing her du-k and fierce eyes npon me, —
" Society ! do you think I care for that phiuitom or folly ? Let me
be in or out »f it, it is nothing to me. — But, tur — Sir George, [Kirilon
M wmnun'g weakness < your I'riend Arthur Kussell is all ttmt 1 can
praise, — what he lias done for me, what he haa offerctl to do for me,
»h>ill never be erased from my eoul ; Ac — ^he, niy seducer, has de-
ceived me, cheated me, dishuiiuured me. robbed me, insulted me!
by him my father's grey hoira have been, indirectly, brought tu the
tomb earlier than ruiture would have demanded ; directly by his
hnnd fell my only brother, — but then A« exposed himself in (hat, life
against life; he haa done to me all tliat can hurt or grieve the
heart, all th»t can humble or crush the fuehng of womun ; and
rtill I love him I I love him. Sir George, a« I loved him the
first day I confeued it under the winning lustre of his false, false
eyes."
.She wepL I could not re«train my tears, though I made a strong
effort.
" And yet," she continued, " I tried to check bU recollections of
my love ; and in part I succeeded. I was beginning to be reconciled
to my lot, such as it is, and to forget— «h, no ! hiit not to think of
what had been. Hut now the wound is opened afresh, and my
heart h torn agsin from itji neet of quietude. L tnld you he was my
coaiin: it go liappeited that, in the days of my duluvion, I guvc him
an intere»t in buiue estates of which 1 was to be mistreea when 1
came of age. How 1 had the right to do so, or how he had the
[K(wer of converting tluit right, whatever it might have been, into
money, I do not know — 1 cu> not care. If it lud been my heart's
bloud, I lihould then have given it him. Why do I say Men ? I
feel ] should do it noiv: ay I after all — after all, I should do it
again ! — iJut my I'atiier died, leaving hi^ prop^rrty in such a manner a«
to come into the liands of the lawyers, and it is ubsulutely necessary
that I iihould ap[>ear. O that tlie cstiite wa» sunk at the bottom
of the sea ,' I care nothing about it, I loathe its very name ! I have
not thought of it for many a long year. And now, I must meet
Aim — ay ! and alone."
" You distress yourself," I said, " without much reason, dear
Mrs. Ruksell. If you meet this gentleman, it is on business. There
will be attorneys, and barnstert, and all the regular people of the
law."
" No, no! it is quite necessary, on account of one thing in my
fitther's will that no pertion should be present at first, but our-
■elven. It is a mutter that none out of the paU- of the family must
know."
" Even so, still it is business. V'ou will talk of family aJTairs,
deeds, wills, bonds, stamps, obligations, and so fortll, with allthetech-
nicftlities of law. Tliere need nirt be any reference to other events."
" O, sir, sir, liir! that I could think it I I alone with him — 1
under the glance, within the influence of tlie magic of that voice,
and talk of nottiing else but the technical matters of the law 1 O
that 1 could I"
" Why, Mrs. Russell, you should muster a lady's pride. With-
out wishing to speak more harahiy of him than you have spoken,
I think the gentlvutan's conduct to you has been such as to call up any
otlter feelings than those of regard or respect, far leu love. If a
338
A LOVE STORY IN TURGB CUAM'KKS.
inan had beliuvci3 to me witli so much insolence, potting all other
nuttera otit of the qunstion, I Khuiild Int far mure iiicliiitt] to kick
him tlowii stairs ihjiii to receive him with even •►rOitiary civility."
•' You never lovetl. Sir Georjte,— you never loved as a woman. I
have mustered that lady-pride of which you gpeak ; I have thought
of all the «*ronf];s I have suffered, — I have thotight of the flight
with which he insulted me, the ehame he has M-roiight me, — I
have thou);ht of hi» meantieiu even in this matter of the money,
— I have thought on my dead brother and on uiy broken fa-
mily ; — I have thought on the unutterable kindness, goodness, gen-
tleness, generosity, the unwwincd love, the sclf-sacriticing devotion,
of this dear, dear gentttmnn with whom I live. I have contrasted
it with the cold and calculating ttelii^h hdrtlesiniettj of the other;
— 1 have summoned pride, anger, rantempt, disdain, revenge, re-
morse, to my asmtance ; — and, God pity me .' I feel assured that all
will be defeated by one perjury -brcatliing accent, one soi^ened look
of practised falsehood. Well shall I know that they nre perjury
and fal»«hood ; but can I retiisc theiu, when I know thai they are as-
sumed for nie^"
" He in unworthy," said I. " of each affection ; he is "
*' Hu^h !" ^he said ; " that is Kusi<eir8 knock. 1 muxt clear my
eyea. Da not say anything to him of my ^trajigc dlscourHC. It was
on that business he went — to have the impcrs ready for llic lawycrji;
he is himself, you know, nt the bar. It should have been done on
the first day of term,- — it is now the fifteenlh, — but f put it off
day by day. O thnt the morning appointed for my meeting him
—it must come fcoon, peihaj)* to-morrow, — 1> tJiat that morning
found me dead J"
She left the room. Russell retuninl in good humour. " It wan
a troublesome job," »aid he, "about which 1 went ; but I think I
have smoothed it. The matter is not worth talking alxtut, nor
would you know anything of the parties if I told you. However,
I think yon will be glad in general to hear that a great scoundrel, and
a most heartless scoundrel to boot, will get « trouncing, if some
people's scruples can be got over. And 1 am pretty sure, loo, that
even without exposing those feelings to ptiin, it can be done. He is
a ruined man to-morrow, as sure as fate!"
'• Who?" I asked.
" A person," said Russell, darkening, " of whom you know no-
thing; but a scoundrel. A month cannot pats over, without his
being driven to the pistol, as an escape from the hangman. But
where is Jane?"
" She left the room only as ynn came in."
" Pardon me — 1 must see her."
In a few minutes she returned, paler than Carrara marble, in
company witll RurbcH. She cast her eyes on me as if to say,
" Forget our conversation," and, nt Ruitsell's request, sate down
to the piano, to sing, with sweet and unfaltering voice, the romantic
ballads and melodies of which he is fond, as if there were iio-
tliing in the world to agitate or distretui but the poetic sorrows
sung in tlie melting notes tliai thrilled from her melodious tongue.
Wati-ac.
339
MY NIECES ALBUM._No. 1.
MYTHOLOGY MADE EASY!
DkaB Minti]', miiiL' is but > mu«tjr old MiUF,
And knows noihio^ graceful or fiuc>
Such «« flows From tlir <oft Senyih quills of Sky blues
In the Gem or the Annual Line.
If you wish for a tale of a hont with five legs,
(.)r a dolphin in boots and coc'k'd hat,
A J«w boil d sliTc, or a doM thai laid eggs,
I could hit it ofi rather mote pal.
Or, supposing w« iry a short touch at the lore
t>f the bearded old Itornani and Grwks }
Then nuister your nerves fot the horrors in store.
And iina|jii)(> ihul llvrculca speak*.
" SiiiK row-de-dow dow-de-dow, dub-a-dub-dub,
Tol-de-rel lol-de-Tol-loI !
Here 1 i,'oiae with my club, Eome diagou to dnib,
ToWe-rol lol-de-rol-lol !
Wh*ii, a baby in nrmj, I racnc first to the scnilcBi,
With die snakes who albck'd me in bed,
The bit«ni were bit, and met more than their maich.
For t throttled and pitch'd them out dcsd.
My vciicR in* like ihunikr, my fiit was like sleet.
And tlie nurses all dtradcd my ^pe,
If lliey crilib'd hut a ^niiu from my iufiintinc njcal,
A pcck-loaf and a bushel of tripe.
I have made my leeth meet thmiigh an o«ken join&ttool
In my peis, as a two.year-old boy ;
At four, I was cock of the county ^x:c-»chool,
Bui learDiQ^f was never my Joy,
So I grew up a youth ofa practical taste.
And rery «uuii felt iti the uiitid
To knock down the monsters who laid the land waste.
And llie Ogns tliul gobbled mankind.
The NemieaD lion mnde havoc and rout.
Eating shepherds and sheep f^r ind «vide ;
Dul I Krippu him, and tqueez'd his tough chilicrlings oui,
And tanu'd me a coat M his hide.
Tbe bear, Kryinatitliian, — 'twas precious tough work
To bring him to bay in ibu wood :
Bui I Sluck pi^Ky-wiiigy, und turn'd him to pork.
And his aauu^ei — tm I they were good I
And Cerfoemi also, the ihree-beftdcd brute !-■
Who was house-dog and pet lo <Hd Nick, —
I unkennell'd and whark'd nim, and tamed him lo boot,
And lattghl him lo carry my sliek.
340 MY niece's album.
I twisted the tail of the mad bull of Crete,
Jump'd astride him, and gallop'd him dead ;
I trapp d the famed stag with the gold horns and feet.
Ana show'd him for sixpence a head.
I clean'd out Augeas's yard, a rile slough
Wliereio his best cows had got stuck;
But the hunks never paid me a farthing, I tow.
Pretending I wasted his muck.
X spiain'd both my wrists, and was half stunk to death,
And was cheated at last by my friend,
But I leam'd, what I 'U hold with my nry last brtath.
Dirty work never pays in the end !
I bagg'd the great Rocs upon Stymphalus' coast.
Who could swallow a mammoth for lunch ;
Tniss'd a couple and tried them by way of a roast,
But I found them too stringy to munch.
The Tluacian King, Diomed, also I threw
For a feed to his cannibal stud ;
And Geryon the bandit, 1 settled him too,
Who would laugh aa he suck'd up your blood»
My nerve was most tried by the Hydn, a brute
The most singular under the sun ;
For, as fast as you cut off its heads, they would shoot
At the rate of a dozen to one.
lolaus, my tiger, — a stauach little trump, —
As I dock'd off each head in the lot.
Made it hiss a new tune while he sear'd the raw stump
With a frying-pan heated red-hot
The Amazon Queen, (for young girls will be rash,)
Of all men, must needs challenge me :
I whipt off the girdle that held all her cash.
And gpank'd her well over my knee.
I hocuss'd the Dragon, so watchful and grim.
Who slept with one eye wide awake ;
No use were gold apples to dragons like him,
And vrtiat a prime swag they did make I
I now could afford to get settled in life
As a squire, and gainsay it who durst;
So I laid in my cellar, and married a wife.
But 1 had to fight hard for her first
This was well, and I ought to have ** let well alone,"
But as bigamy then was not reckon'd
A legal offence, in a whim of my own
I married one day wife the second.
Young men, be advised, and don't envy a Turk, —
At least, I '11 be shot if I do :
One spouse was no tai, but 'twas wearisome work
WiUi the quarrels and freaks of the two.
Hcsic IS sweet!
At lul, «el Qti fir* by a plio«pborus ihin,
By way of a ronju^l jcal,
like a tQckvt I Hew up lo t)«av'D at oDe spirl.
And ihere ^ot a qutcl night's lesl.
DiToTccd by the ciitumsiaiifo, — fortune be praised! —
1 forgot niy sad rci>cnt ruisluf),
And «3poiisvd pr«lly HuK-, thi: Jay sbo vna raised
To be barmaid of Fathfr Sove'% Vip,
Now I buDl aHcr land and sea-monsleis no more,
Thuigh from liabit 1 curry l>rul>dni^on.
And «njoy myself much iu the veleriin corps,
For ilebe neVr sliuto my full Hagon.
At any spue time, to ivoid setting fill
And ke«p up my npmtitv^s edge,
I mt ■gunH^Mar9, wliom I floor nitli a pat.
Or gi«« Vulcan a lum vtiih the sledge.
By the way, a right Imni^t good fdlorr is that.
The comforl and joy of my life.
Each ntghi tiu-a-tttt wc cnrouM>, smoke, and chat.
Out Llebe sha'n'l visit bis wife.
I could tfll you much more thai befel me befor«
I was ftnally laid on tlie sliclf:
fiut I 'm one of few ivordi, and long yan» an a bore,
Esi)ecially Uilei of ooc's-ielf."
Thus spoke a good fellow, ihe stoutest of men :
If you wish loconliouu ttiu »tavc.
Take, Minny, your |>rn, und consult brother N.
Thai Grecian eii|>erieDced and grave.
WhateVr you may liglii on in Lcmpriere's patte*
You may thus with smatJ trouble condente,
And inscribe your joint <*or^ lo the rising youog vfgt.
As " MyLbolo^ made Common Sense."
3H
MUSIC IS SWKETt
BV MItS. CORMWBLL B4B0N WILMN.
Mti»ie is street, at oeninp's clo«.
When pale mists skitn tlie aiure sky,
In somo lnn»t spot, wiierc to rcpo*C
It hymns the DayN soft lulUiby '■
Music IS »«f el ! when surs shiiic brishi,
Like angel eyes, llirough heavenN nine screen,-
Wheo pearly dvws weep leais of light.
As &?pbyr sighs, the k-aTes between '.
Mosic is sweet !— when friends throng round.
It iidds new charm* to Pleajure's •P«t'^
When kindred links the haut ha« ^^'
KdA yoong Hope rings Life's bml«l bell I
Bui, oh I mott swMl, when lire's »ft wojue
Bmtbe* ditough ils cotes tlie msgic wo«li
Like &bled harp by Houn stxiing,
By biased spinU only heard I
• AUimUd« w a Mahomo*ui iupwilitlon.
342
THE SNUFF-BOX.
A TALK or ITALBft.
Of &11 the inhabitants of our i«le«, — and there are still many di»-
tiDct tribes whow Celtic, Gallic, Danish, SiLxon, and Normnn dis
M;ent can be traced in a moment, — there are none more peculiar in
character than the Wplih, or Ancient Britons. You may j[ull a
Cockney, rob a Damnunian, cheat a Vark»hircn]aii, or out-Jew s
Scut; but a Welshman is not to be done: m natural and inborn
■cutenenut protects him from the deepest itratajfcm*, and a leek
ought certainly to be the aymbol of the Goddess of Wisdom.
Thia ia a brief preface to the brief historj' of a lour of pleasure made
by a very accamp1ii>hed Kni^lish gentleman into Wales; the interest-
ing mining operutiutin of which country he was desirous to investi-
gate, not only for the promotion of n great scheme in which he
was himseU' enlaced, but for the patriotic purpnne of rendering
tlicni more extensively uteful, und disseminating their products of
wealth more diffusely over the empire.
Mr. GeorgL' llampdcn was a man who, yet in the early prime of
life, — for he wa* little more than thirty, — had seen a great deal of
the world. His fund of infornnition was prodiji^ious; yet so sim|ile
■waa he in speech and manners, anr) sa readily did he lend his ear to
what (ithers might truly think the in»ij;iiilicaiice of common-place
intelligence, that no one could suspect hU depth, or fancv that he
wM ought above those easy, good-humourod listeners wlio, desti-
tute of any precise object of their own, are readily aeduced into a
paauuK interest in the concerns of the ct^nniunicative who ch<Kwe to
make everybody that cornea nenr them a confidant in their bosoms*
business and secrets. Quiet, unobtrusive, gentlemanly, and withal
food-louking, such was the hero of our tale, Mr.George Ilampleii.
le had trAvrllctI far, as we have hinted ; but so modest was bis
nature, that he never intruded the rtrcnmstances of his journeys
upon society. He had ainpl« materials fur the publication of a tour;
but lie never wrote one.
With the views to which we have alluded, he proceeded by the
Quicksilver coach to Kxeter ; and thence, by the brmieli, to Truro,
^here he began hi* explorations of the rich mines, which, cince the
days when the Cart hagini ana uaed to trade with the'nalivea at
Market Jew, atiat Mararion, were never examined with more philo-
sophical acumen and sagacity. From Falmouth to the Land's-End,
and from the Lflnd's-Knd whither nubo<ly could tell, he descended
vvery shaft, and tried every lo<le. A doxen of hampers filled with
arranged specimens, and a dozen of bags containing the more recent
diwoverics vouched for the diligence of his labour, and the extent
«f his research. He had seen more veins than Air. llenwoud, col-
Iprted more minerals than llr. Carne, and examined more mines
\\\M\ Mr, Taylor, He hnd lend fVom Llangynog, quarts from Kt4]yr
KlMyry. rhiorilc from Diilfrwynng, copper from Old Crinnis, silver
|y%HU TuU-arne, tin from Wheal Vor, fliior from Wheal Gorlsnd,
(urV l*^* from Laiiescol, zinc from Fenstruthal, gosaan from Gwennnp,
If^MMl IViwn St. Austell, capel from .^nglesea, iron from Vniscedwin,
kVltllv* {\'om Trnavean, blende from Uolcoath, gold from Glen
TB£ SNDFF-BOX.
'Mi
Tnrretf ihale from Drwysot'd, sulphur from Brynfellin, Aticcnn from
AUifneit ktlliM trom Lluiidiiliio, elvuii fruiii Polgunth, plutntiago
from Cutd-v-Crae ; beiitles cobalt, lelspur, talc, calc, serpentine,
cvunitv. lepidolite, prehnite, laumonite, zeolite, zuidiic, wavcHitc,
ciiryMjlite, treiitolite, hspmatite, syenite, titanite, chlorite, actyiit*-
lite, lucultite, augite, antlirscitc, gypsum. tr«p, mica, zircon, iuitt-
mqny, alum, calcedoiiy, jaupcr, cchorl, niJingKnenp, nickel, and a hun-
dred other Hen and 8]uirM, nil Ubelled in the most precise and cu>
rious manner; ku th«t no one rouM tor n niotniriit doubt his prodi*
gtoua acquirements in the sciences of mineralogy xnd fie<]loj;y, at
connecteci with the grand operations of mining. Sedgwick's) ham-
nier was but an idle toy compared to his: he could have tauf^ht
Lyell, Phillips, and Murchison, more than they knew.
Thus laden and accomplished, Mr. Hampden at length treached
Swansea, where he took up bin quarters for a season, to observe the
nature of the valuable ores which are stamped and aotd there, from
erery quarter of the fi^lobu, — from Chili and from Norway, Oipiapo
and Tretowelh, West Cork ami Oobre, Bttllymiirtagh and f'uba,
Carn Brea and Valparaiso. With his usual mudcbty be took genteel
and moderate lodging)), nnd by no meant> pressed liitubvlf upon pub-
lic notice. He wutclifnily attended the mart, to be »ure : and, like
any uther common stranger, pretty constantly frequented llie newa-
Tootu. Here, by degrees, he grew into a slight and partial acquaint-
ance with that cla»s of the inhabitants whose habits led them to a Hi-
milar mode o( passing the time; and, in a few weeks, conversation
produced invitation, and he was asked to dine with several of the
rMpectable citiiens of the place. Simple in his manners, well-in-
formed and unosteTktatious, he n;>se into general favour ; and, as fami-
liarity increased, he gradually let out a portion of his private hi»-
tory and present views. One day after dinner, at Mr. I)obl>e»', lie
first exhibited the snulT-box which givea a title to our tale, and upon
which hinged an event very importflnt to hie future destiny. It waa
indeed a splendid article, ahaped like a chest ; it was of the finest
gold, and »o richly chased that the eye would have delighted in
tracing the fanciful arabesque-s which, as it were, flowed over the
ahining metal, had it nut I>et;n prevented by the daxzling enrichment
of precious stones which nearly covered the ample surl«"«. On the
lid, a very hank of large diamonds vai surmounted by a regal
crown, where i^apphireti, amethy»ts, emeralds, and rubies, ufatniost
iuestiniable *.'i?.e and value, alternated round the coronet; whilst the
centre-tO[> di»played a chrysolite hardly to be matched among the
royal JewcU of Europe. The touch, by the pressure of which the
box opened, waj> a turquoise of nearly e<|ual rarity ; and beluw it,
m» if forming part of a kick, wait a pearl of price. From this, all
about the e<lge ran a wavy circlet of gems ; and the bottom waa
embellished in a vimilar manner, only that the broad wreath of
diaiiiurids round the brilliant initial letters, " 0. 11." were let in, and
embedded more deeply in the golden matrix. To say that no one
in Swanaea had ever seen Buch a box, is to say nothing ; we question
that Huiidell and Ilridge ever set eyes on its fellow, or that the
Queen of EngLind could have such a treasure made for her from
all the jewels belonging to her bright inheritance: that which the
Pasha of Kgypt gave to Sir Ddvid Baird, and which Ujuly I
presented to Theodore Ilouk for bis excellent biography o
344
THE SMUPP-BOX.
tieroir liuRbaiid. is a mrre bauble to Jt. No woii«ler thiit it
greatlv aJmircd, Miid tluit cariosity wu excited us lu wliai might be
its probable -worth. To questions of this kind 31r. Uampden an>
Bwcred carelewly, that it had been rttliied in Lond<Hi al uiylil tliou-
sand guinea* ; but that, in fact, it -was unique. Bursts of wonder
how he could risk such a prnpertj- by ourying it about wiih him
naturally foUawnl: but our hero coolly declared that be bad no
feant on that head ; that he seldom took it tVom its saTe repontonr ;
that he had only removed tt to-day^ as he purpotwd attending tne
town-ball on the morrow evening; and that, after all, he prized it
more a^ a testimony of rovol fHendship than as a thing of intrinsic
value, however considerable it really was in that sordid point of view.
The spring was now touched, and the lid axcended, as if moved
by a gentle lever. 3f r. Hampden had the kindness to hand it to Mr.
J}obbe8 for inspection ; and tlie following inRcription on the inside
was read by him, and all the gucsu at table :
pFBWDted
by his Majes^, Louis the Fini,
King of Bavaria,
to
George UaiBpdfii, Esquire,
io gnlefol coosideration of his vxttaordutBry semces : —
This token,
togadwr n-ilh the sum nf 20,000 flonus,
(the nine to be paid to him annunlljr for erer.)
will raoaain to him ai>d hts poitent; as a pmot of the high esteem of his
Ihlajes^, and of his royal gntitnde for the discorefy of the
inethaustiblG Silver Mine of Kiupuhl, Uw prosperuas working of wbieb,
cocDmeuc«d A- D. 1837, promises a rerenue of iocakuUble
macTiiiude lo the Gararian ThroDe.
Having amused thctnaelres with the indifferent English in which
the King of Bavaria had expressed himself, which, however, seemed
to add a personal interest to the giA, the cain]>sny gathered from
Mr. Hampden that the intcriptiou was really compo.sed bv his Ma-
jesty himself; and, that when the box was presented to turn in full
coart> it was accompanied by a deed from tne chancery, conveying
to him and his heirs for ever a well-secured annuity of 20.(XX) llorins,
which indeed might easily b« paid, since the Kitspuhl mine had,
within the first three months, produced more pure silver than the
Veta Madre of Guanaxuato, the Real fU-l Monte, the Bolaoos, the
Dolores, the Gallcga, and the Zacatecns, the richest mines in Mexico
and Peru, had yielded altogether within the compass of a whole
year. Mr. Hampilen farthrr evplained that his present tour and so-
journ in Swansea were connertcd with this nionicutous subject ; and
th.1t, from the experience he had now aei[uired, he diil nut doubt
but that his royal patron wuuld be enabled to double or quadruple
his immense reiwurces by pursuing siiniUr measures at tJit; Wenzcl
fai Furstcnherg, which he had by his advice purchased fruui the pro-
prietors-
From this period, it is needless to state that Mr. Hampden became
on object of peculiar attentiou to the good people of Swansea. Al
the ball to woicb we have alluded he dnnccil with Miss Mary Fat-
ten, .Alias Greenfield, and M'n* itetty Bolthoie, the three richest
heiresses in the county ; and the Utter, in particular, being nlresdy
4
TBE SNDPF-BOX.
S4ff
I
I
»
iwneroT* lion's share in the fHiaous black tin minea of Oharles-
, bendes ■ fair slice in the com>er of Kiiockmahnn. Chnncc
re Mr. Hanipden the happiness of liandiiig tliis fair Welsh lady to
le supper-room, and placed hini l>v her »ide at the refectiun. Among
ther topics for that the snuff-box was not forgotten ; anil Misa
Bolthuse WKK ^raliftcd with an inspection of th« gorgeous, but well-
defterved, Rnvarinii present. Nhe »a* enchanted by its beauty, and
Dot leas pleased by observing that it« owner appearcfd to be mightily
struck with hers. Yet ahe could not be called beatilirul ; for, tiuiugh
her feature were tolerably regular, her complexion wna rather of a
coppery colour, and her dark cy«s had a dullish cast, not very un-
like that of black tin, It wns strange that her fortune, certainly not
short of thiny thou!uind pounds, hail not propelled hor tnto matri-
mony ; but the truth wak, that old Bolthofte, her father, wa.i of a
my miserly disposition, and had thrown cold wnter on all the
»uitors who had aspired lo his daughter's person and purse. ThuR
she was still in single blessedness at the age of twenty-scvL'n, when
our hero was introduced to her notice. We will not dwell on the
ordinary matters which ensued, — on the moming-call after the
danc«-. or the intimacy that speedily followed. Sufficr it to say, that
Mr. Hampden contrived to make himself so agreeable to the lady,
and to all parties concertied in her dii4f)Oftal, that, within three weeks
af^er the ball, he wa* daily r«ceive<l at Tincroft House lU the accept-
ed lover of its fair mistress. Like a skilful miner, he blew up the
furnace of her affections, and struck while the iron was hot. The
ahaft had reached hor heart, and the ore was malleable : in Jine, they
were united in the parish church of Swansea ; and itliss Bolthost?
became Mrs. George Hampden, the wife of the wealthy discoverer
of KitKpuhl, and thus p^irt-proprietnr of the royal box, as he was of
lier handsome dower of tliirty thousand pounds.
Fetes and fcaating attended the auspicious union, and a happier
couple were never tasting honey-moon, when a trifling, but unlucky
accident happened to Jar the harmony and interrupt the felicity of
the »cene. Mr. and Mrs. Hnninden, a week after their marriage,
were giving a small party to their most intimate friends, th« Dobbes',
Fattens, Greenfields, and a few others, (some of the females not be-
ing uver-juyful at the triumpli of their late coni|>«nion,) and the
wine and glee were contagious of good-humour. Winka, and nod«,
and wreallied flmileH played round the social board ; and the box
of boxea passed from hand to hand. At this moment a rude and
vulgar fellow burst abruptly into the room ; and immediately behind
him tollowed a still dirtier and more disreputable -looking rascal.
MThat VM the astonishment of the company when they aaw the for-
mer march up to Mr. Hampden, and, slapping him on the Uiuulder,
heard him exclaim,
" Aha, Master Smith ! so I Ve nabbetl you at last I"
The bridegroom was almost convulsed with confusion, while the
mtSan ran on,
— " And, my eyes! I say, Jem, if tliere i*i»'t the werry box too!
Vrll, my trump ! 1 hope you can pay for it now ; but, ni order to
make sure, you vill allow me to pocket it far the tneanwhile," which
■aying, he gTabl>e<l the King of Bavaria's diamond crown, ju«t as if
it had been Birmingham or Sheffield. And, not to keep our reader*
anj longer in suspense, it was of that sort. The gold was motait
roL. III. • S a
846
THB HARINBRS DREABI.
the rtones were Bristol. Ilie niAiiiifncmre LnniJon, the imcripdon
Mr. Hanipcifn's. ilia mininjr was of the sort culletl Undertnin-
ing; hh tbreifpi travel hud Weil amimf! the kutif^arooA; and his
£ resent most Hiicce^sful pursuit "a» etiljrcly the plot which nude
wwisea hiB rwiing-pUce, and the Welsh heiress of Charlestown,
Ktiuvkuiahun, and Tiiicrod Ilou»e, hi» bluoiuiiig hride. It was a
bsd business ; but what was to be done f " Of a had barf^ain," says
the song, " make the bent" It wns an easy matter to tettle with tne
bailiffs, a« the arrr»t was only for eighty guineas, being nothing else
than the price of the itnufT-box to a Jew trader in Bc Mary Axe :
but then canie the morlificatinn and dingnire of such a connexion t
MiH» Patten tittered, and AI it>fi Greenfield Uughed at the dtiumrmfni ;
and poor Mrs. Hampden was obliged to be salikfied with bis ■»-
Burance that her lord and [na.npr would turn honest man, and beharc
like A gentleman. — which, if he dop*, will be a wonderful change,
and worthy of award more real than the fine Bavarian royal box.
THE MARINER'S DREAftl ;
Oa, TnS KTORIf-nRHOX.
]<ODD nmn the bla»i
O'er the foatn-cresied ocean -.
'Ilie ruad na^n are dancing
III liuL-rietl corninotion ;
The wntrr.»pout liunli, —
lu dark eoliimn iiprearing,
Like a spirit nfdcatli
(>*M the billow* careering ]
The beaveni arc all flame ;
The bt&ck cloud ** rent a«iiiid«r ;
The Stom-I>rmon comas
In hii cSanolofthuDdarl
Sjiirila,— dark spiriu, —
His lurtinions obejing.
Now trooping around hem.
Their homage are DUjiug.
Ilnrk I hark t how tncy Uugli
As the lirmppit is telling
Hill triumphs aln^,
To tlw wild music inelliogl
"Up. spirito! awayl
uVr the Bane-creMad ocean,*'
The &torm-Danon cries,
*' Wake your wildest rommotion !"
Now, ihrauded in weeds.
From tlieir watery pillowa,
Ohosis ofdrownM mariners
FloMio'er the billow*!
Tlie p1iautorn«(hip bounds,
Tbi' loud tempest ilcf/ing,
CroHdiit]^ nail, and away
O'CT the mad wnlers Bying!
Tlie pair, ehasdy crew, —
How dieir eyes roll with woodtr!
And wild is ilivlr shriek
Ai Uioy phinge 'aid (he ihaoder!
W. E. S.
347
I
THE CONVEYANCR COMPANY.
AN UI>D IXCIDBNT.
BT niCUARl} JOUNfl.
" I-r is very odd !" «*id I to myself, running brcflthleiifily up to «
Conveyancr Company'ii omnibus that stood before the NightrogKle,
a wctUknown public-house near the Edgewatc-road.
The reader may ask what was odd ; and very kind it will be so to
do. It in the man of drum and paiidean pipes out of doors, who
elicits from Mr. Hunch hi? best aayingK. I do not pretetid tu be
such a wag as the waodE>ii Ruscius, but I will tetl tliu obliging
peru»cr of tliiti nkctcii iVura real life, what waa odd. Number one ap-
peared un each side the door, where lately I had beheld a -{• to
signify that the amuibus ran rtast the site of the ancient village of
Charing — (I love to do a little bit of antiquari.-iniBm when it bavm
one from tautolojfy). Did I see straight i* — Vvs [ what waa to
prevent me? We hnd only a magntim <i-piece at my frietKl'a of St.
John's Wood, and a few (xld glasses of whi»kcy-toddy.
" It is very odd !'* »ttid I, throwing my&clf into the farther comer
of thecuthiona clad in the liame plush material which people's arms
seem to entitle their servants' legs to wear. " Why does not the
cad take care of number one?" Well, that wan no ufTair of mine:
M I stuck out my elbows, and squared my legs, to see how much
room I could po»ttibly occupy, to my own comfort and the incon-
venience of otherii, when the conveyance got crowded ; and well was
it I did so, for, one by one, passengers dropped in, till there waa
no lack of occupanU. It was very odd ; but I seemed to be ac-
ritnted witii all these personage*, though they knew not mc. Not
t ihcy were public characters whom everybody tidies the pri-
rUege of staring at when present ; and criticiaing, — uiind, body, and
inexpressibles, — -when absent. No ! thew; were people whom I seem-
ed to know by intuition. I understood their birth, parentage, and
education ; together with their secret history, iaterapersed with
cliaracteristic anecdotes. It was very udd. ]$ut tu commence ; nur,
like a Vii«ty gimlet, content niyineif with my jienetration, without
thinking <^1 conting out for the benefit of others.
The first who entered was a stoutly built, elderly gentleman, with
ft red face, redundant of obstiiucy and apoplexy, attended by a slim
yoath of «ome fifteen years' 8tanaitif;> rhese were father and son,
and I set them down at once for an odd pair, — a designation in
ttaelf curious enough. Thu old man was a perfect original, and
the boy was roming on; promi&ing fair to e<]tuii his father when
he was out of his time, fur he seeined to htvc a regular apprenttctv
shiptohis resjiected parent. Air. Hurley Buskin, and his sun Timi,
hnu the greatest AtTection for each other : and the old saying of
" what one says, the other will swear to," was in them beautiiully
exemplified. I was perfectly aware of nil the pceuliarities of Sir.
Buskin senior. He notl seen much of the wudd, luid been many
years abroad,— <OMset|t)ently was at home on every subject. In
nini, the traveller's liceiiceto entertain all listeners with the wonders
that earth, air, and water could be made to produce through tlie me-
dium of a magnifying lens, was about as far exceeded as magisterial
authority for muiic and dancing, granted to Uie Cat and Fiddle at
•2 B a
THE
nJVEYi
Hoiimlsditch. ia outraged by llie performance of Bpectacle, opCT»»
tight-rope, firc-catiiig, tumbling, hornpipe in fetters, and thelrgiti-
male draoiB. Mi>rt wonder-tellers are content with having sren
stroiige itights, and taken a moderate share in extraordinary ndvm-
tures ; but Mr. Burley Buskin wn« always the strange sij(ht him-
self in all hi« storiif Mt Inimc or abroad, — the nctor of all work in
erery scene on ths worlcrs wide stage. A patent did not even se-
cure an invention from his claiming it ; he had originated the idf«
yeu^s before the thing was made public. — in fiict, hud mentioned it
to some one who knew another person who wat^ ncquainteil M-ith
the supposed inventor; and Air. Burley Buskin had good renson
to believe his plan had been conveyed to the patentee, who ought,
■t least, to have iicknowledgtsi the fact, and (riven credit where cre-
dit was due. Son Tom accompanied his lather's wonis, «rf(o focf,
in a Mirt of running cuminciititry ; wittiuut waiting for the old man
to ceutte speaking, lie managed tu vouch for fact after fact u they
■were announced, thuugh dated some twenty yeara before his birth;
and when his worthy parent actually came to a full stop, to allow
of the liHteners' notes of admiration, he invariably wound up his
portion of the entertainment by throwing his heHil on one side,
take a glance lit hix original prof^enitor, and exclaiming in a nfaril
voice, " Just a« father says ! father 's right '."
" Talking of Bengal tigers," sflid Mr. Burley Bu&kin one day at
&mily party, — " when I was in Bengal, I tniined two large anim.
of that species to draw Mr^t. Buskin's open carriage : und the go-'
vernor-generul was kind enough to allow two sepoys constantly to
attend her when she drove out, to shoot the beaiits if they were ii^
clined to be dnngeroiis,=a proper precaution you will allow: bu'
Mrs. B. was not at all alarmed ; and no accident ever occurred, except
in the end, when during the night one of the beasts ate the other up,
and was found dead the next morning in hia stable from repletion. I
believe Mr. Davii's idea of representing Cybele, goddess of the earth,
asi drawn by lions, in his picture at the exhibition, was taken (rota
Mrs- U. and her tigers: the young man was ut New South Wales
at the time, and the "Attracan" sailed tlirect for Sidney, while
all Bengal was talking about tny tigers. I usulerstand the fellow
mentions taking hia subject from nn imcient lueilal ; but I know
better, 'twas from Mrs. U. and her tigers; and a verj' goo«l n^itiun
it was, but he might have honestly owned where he got it-"
"Just as father says I" trebled young Tom ; "father 'a right!
Don't ynu remember that story (ibout our cat and the ducks?"
" GwkI, Tinn, good I Did yon never hear that ?" said Mr. Burley
Buskin, turning with un inexpressibly Bclf^natisfied smile towaras
his silent and asttHUKhed auditory. " Caught a wild cat in my bam
in Devonshire : taraed it c-ompletely by shutting her up, and feeding
her on bran and barley-wnter ; could do anv thing with tlint cat;
why, she seemed to teach every other animal to adopt her mode
of thinking, and to dwell st peace with all living kind. Got toge-
ther in a large cage owls, mice, rats, rabbits, terriers, ferrets, and
canary birds ; kept them on bran and barley-water, and putpuM in
with them. IIhl\ a little trouble at fn-nl ; but, in the end, notbina
could be more amicable than the whole lot. As to that cat, — drownca
A litter of her kittens, and gave her six young ducks to rear : suckled
them all : and they imbibed so much of her ruiture. that 1 remarked.
aw
his
rilM
<a]9
a
THE COW
349
when they were in high nk'e in th« ^ttrr, they could not quack for
purrinpf By-lhe-by, the man that Imikwi aftrr my farm at that
time I »<>«>n after di:ichar^(N) for nrcdiiniinjf to smy that my new
machine for cutting chaff was hij invention ; he now niaketi a ()e->
cent livelihood by showing some of the dpscendants of the very
animola I taught to forget their nature ; and the fellow swears hie
never knew me, and that the conciliation of animals was his own
discovery."
" It 'e. jutit what father nnya 1 father 'a right !" Raid Tom.
Mr. JJurley Buekin had a very pretty taste for zoology ; and, if
he bad nut actually csUblished them aa facu, had certainly put forth
•ome tfxtraordiiinry piirticulars respecting the class quaururoaua.
But thi» WHS a bitter subject to roy worthy acquaintance, when
much irritated at the ingrratitude of the world in attributing the
many benefits he hud conferred on society to other pcrwons. Getting
very red in t)ie face, and »triktrii; hin cniie on the ground with »
noise which Kcemetl to warrant the ide» thiit the ferule wa» a de-
tonatin;;; cap, he would exclaim,
" And that Mr. Mackintosh ! how has he made his money? Did
not I tell his mother year^i ago that we always knew when the rainy
teuM>n WAN coming on in South America by the monkey!) tearing th«
hark of the caoutchouc trees to rub themRelvea wiih the sap ? I
don't mind the fortune he has made; but he might have owned
where he got the idea."
" Like ilic Bear in Piccadilly, I am the original !" seemed fur
ever descending from Mr. Burluy Bti&kin's mouth ; whilst »du Turn,
his Jackal, WIS ever ready to instigate, applaud, and, afVer hi*
fashion, to say, " That 's the ticket !"
1 had hardly made theRe verj' acute observation*, when my attention
was diverted from the Ituskiniv by perceiving that a thin, anxiou»>
loatuiig, middle-aged man bad taken uu«wi)»ii>n of the seat tmmedi-
atelv ojjptMiite me- There wa» a quick twinkle about hin eye, and
an unpalient rubbing of lii» hand, aa though he were mightily in-
clined to be actively em]>loyed ; if only about trifles, still he must
be doing. My newly and strangely acquired penetration into mat-
ters of character, availed me with resjtect to Mr. >Va»telesH Haverley.
I HW at a glance he was odd. He had come into the omnibus
quite nut of breath, and no wonder ; he had been very busy all
uay. PosHCfssed of a gentlemanly competence, good health, a wife
that did nut contradict him, a family tliat gave him no trouble,
friends that did not want tu borrow luuney uf him ; a houae tJuit
wa« in every way convenient, guiltless of a single Muoky chimney ;
and n garden that boai<ted the finest fruit, in a neighbourhood the
buys of which, strange to say, were not given to peculation ; who
wo happy a* Mr. Wasteless Saverley ? Ah ! gentle reader, that was
a very natural conclusion furyuu to arrive at. but he had a peculiar-
ity which, if it did not actually make him unliappy, brvugbt a host
of cares in it« train, lie coulu not bear to have anything wasted.
•* Vm what yoi) like, but waste nothing >" — this was the maxim in
Saverley's Iioumi; and a very good maxim it is in moderation, but
not as ray ftieiid, through excess or liking, abused It. I mean
not tliat abuse which is said to be often begot of love, na cxem-
[dified in nutrimoniol dispulea and love quarrels ; hut it wa« the
iQvrdinatc u»c of a maxim, good in itself, which made Mr. Waste-
THE CONVEYANCE COMPATtY.
lea* Saverley full of trouble*. He was not peniiriouB. but he com-
mined a thousand ineannefnes. Wlien at home, he. wan a running
MDtry between the Htable, Ktnre<roon), lieer-celUr, aiit) even the
pantry : the kitchen he had tried ; but ''cook," who luul been long
m the family, was nut to be trifled with in her ovro domain. Here
he could oulv look in now aiid then, by bringing a head of game
from the |iouiterer'a : thus armed, he could sometimes get a rapid
survey by walking carelessly in by the back-door to deposit his
burthen on the dresser ; then, with a single glance, be would pick up
enough informatJoti to read a lecture on his favourite maxim to the
whole house. At table, abroad or at home, Mr. Saverley never
innde a selection till he saw which dish wa« motit deJipiscd by others.
*■ It niuitt not be waiited," thought the anxiou* man; he con*e-
■cjucntly dined off the neglected viand, though he might find it un-
palatable. He once wore a livcrj-^coat, that would not fit a new
groom, inotcad of a dressing-gown, " that it might not be wasted ;"
and got Iii9 ears boxed in misuke, by hi« drunken coachman, for
not bediling down the horses. Such were the inconveniences he
Kubjcctcd himself to, in piir.iuit of his darling pauitm.
His amusements were ciguidly peculiar. His conversions were as
curious, and far more numerous than Joatma Southcote's. Broken
tumblers became kitchen saltcellars ; decanters were cut down into
»ugar-basin$, ifonly broken conveniently for the change ; and woe
betide any luckless wtglit who smashed an article beyond thr power*
of his master's ingenuity! It wns even asserted, that a greyhound
having broken bin leg, he had tried to cut him down to a turnspit ;
but this piece of information having be«n traced to Mr. Burley
Buskin, I would rather not vouch fur the truth of it.
Many were the benefactions of Air \VaKle]e«a Saverley to the
neighbburing poor, in consequence of the death of some cow in
whom vaccination could not prevent dit>ease, or the discovery that
a pig had sickened with the measles. But, it must be honestly cmi-
fessed, that Sir. Saverley would willingly have consumcil these
daintier at home, could he have persuaded his family to have aided
in preventing tUcir bcinc waalca.
The day of our meeting had been an eventful one to my new
friend ; he hod been poiiitively nssurcd by his spouae that an un*
lucky hare, which, by-the-by, had gained him a glance at the
kitchen a week before, would not keep a day longer.
"Well, well, my dear !" said Sir. Wasteless Savwley ; "aurtly
you can have it dressed for the servants at once: you know X can I
bear to have anything waited I"
" That is iuiil why I menlioned it," rejoined the lady. " We have
more meat m the house than will Uat us a week, and the hare must
be spoilt."
"Never !" exclaimed mv careful acquaintance most emphatically.
" Sooner than that, I will myiflf take it to my friend Willuns, «t
Walworth."
Armed with this determination, and hare in hand, he put hiroaelf
on a suge. which, rapidly proceeding to town, «et him down at the
corner of Oraceehurch-street.
" I 'II walk to Walwurth," said Mr. Saverley to himself.
•' Carry It for you, sir ? Poor boy, sir ! Do it for throejwnocr
crie<) a sijuaJid stripling, whom our sEurt-singe Iravcller thought UN
4
4
4
4
THE CaNVBYANCK CUMPANY.
S6I
rag^d to be trusted. " Keep dose to you, ur t Take it any-
wheres you likes!"
" Oft atung with you, will you !" Mid Mr. WisteJess Savurlcy,
hurrying onward.
The buy desisted from his importunity, and turned avriy : had he
been employed, Mr. Wilkins of Walworth mijjht have dined off the
hare, if he liked high (ctiiDe. Friend Saverley liad reached King
WilliflJTi-Htreet, when he felt m tug nt poor putts; niul in a second a
fellow darted before him, and <liuhed avray in the direction of the
bridf^. flfr. Wasteless Saverlcy was at all times a bad runner;
and hrst then he had on a pair of his eldest son's boots, which that
youth having di^arded as not being well made, hie father, though
tliey were a sixe too ^innll for him, could nut allow to be wasted.
Taking the»e things into cmisi deration, it is not surpriaing, though
each ran his iK'st, that the hare-hunt wa^ a short one. Atr. f^vcrley
did not ciiU out " Stop tliief !" He did not like to waste his breatli;
though it was nut much worth saving, since tt failud him just as Uiu
robber darted down the steps beside Uie dry urirh of London-bridge,
and in n moment mure was sciuiiperiiig through Thames-street.
Now, what did Mr. Wasteless Saverley i lie had lost his hare,— of
that he was certain : but a new anxiety had taken possession of his
bre»st. .Staggering to the parapet, be roared after the thief, in a
tone which might have belonged to :i crying Urobdignag baby,
" You scoundrel ! you scoundrel ! If you don't dress that hare
lo-daif, it will l)e waAte<l !"
Several other pa-isengera had now crowded into the conveyance,
which commenced its rumbling course ; and, as the light of the in-
side lamp fell on their countenances, my intuitive perception of who
they were, and all about them, was actively engaged. I particular-
ly remarked a woutd-be-youthful gentleman of fifty, the love-lock
curia of whoae wig concealed those markei where time had been
scratching at his eye-i till their lustre was somewhat bleared. But
Mr. Lulharin Lacklove knew not that the tight of his eye^ had de-
ported. Life was yet before him, ever new ; and yet the lajfl thirty-
Dve years of his existence had been pa9»ed in unfortunate attacn-
mCDU. " The course of true lore never did run smooth ;" this has
been th« lament of thousands, but few have experienced the bitter
verity of the adage to such an extent as my new acuuainlance.
Mr. Lacklove's position in society was not particularly inimical to
his forming a happy alliance : a gentleman by birth and educa-
tion, a little travel, a lundiwme person, a good voice, a knowledge of
the guitar, and an unencumbered income of four hundred a-year.
These qualifications for sucrcHsfuI wocMUg might not only have found
many amiable girls sensible of his merits ; but even mammas and
papas, who hjid not ifry ambitious viewn for thetr daughters, access-
ible to his proposals. But, no ! by some strange fatality, Mr. Lack-
love never felt the least affection for any young Isdy who had not on
obstinately cross father ur guardian, aii ininiense iortunc, an exclu*
sive mother ; or who was ho far above him in position, that nothing
iftit an unfortunate attachment could ensue. From such apparently
impracticable fair ones would Lothario elect damsel aAer damsel tu
be the ouecn of his affections; one unfortunate attachment rapidly
succeeibng snother, till Mr. Lacklove's heart must have lallcM a vii»
Um to coinpouud iractures, had not self-conceit, like Don Quixote's
THB CONVEYANCE COMPANY.
balsam, cured a\\ wounds. In yearn gone by, Extthario must hnvt*
done much mificliict'as a Indy-killcr, and many mu»t have been the
" scenes" in which he had tAkeii apart. The gurden-wall scaled.
reckless of sprinfr-puiis and man-traps. The stolen meeting in the
green-hotiee, sn<l the alarmed f)i};ht amid the erash of f^lass and
geraniums; *' Slen of Hoss," "Fair Kllens," and "Comm»nder*-in-
Chief," sharing in the general ruin. The iwlemn inten'iew in the
fatiier'e iibrary ; " Vou vtuxl be awmre, sir. tliat your attentions to
my daughter are dit^ agreeable to me \ I must retiueat, sir. that you
vrill not repeat Uieni ! Ynu will favour me, sir, by discontinuing
your visits to my house ! John, «how the gentleman down stairs V
Such might nave been among the n^rrMenj of hi^ earlier days ;
but good looks CBiinot la§t for ever. Continental travellers are now
more in number than hedge-sparrows. Even a man's voice, strange
to say, after a while ceates to be in his own favour ; and who, now-
a-<1ays, can keep four hundred a-year unencumliered ? Mr. T^ck-
love, before he was fifty, had long found that it wan rather difBcult
to excite reciprocal unfortunate attachments; but the habit he had
so long indulged continued strong in him, and it was not to be put
down by change of circumstances. The higher a young lailv'«
rank in society, 00 he had but hare access to the circle in which ma
inaamorata moved, the more likely was Lothario incontinently to be-
come devoted to her; while every new crack his heart received
seemefl now, by some strange process, transferred to his head. Kven
royalty did not escape him: he lived bis; weeks iu Lisbon, a few
ycora back, trying to sigh and ogle, each in her tuni, the three
priiice<iHes of the house of Jlraganza into unfortunate attachoients ;
and came home in n frnnlic rage when, after having particuUrly
distinguished the youngest of the royal sisters, that lady bad the bad
Cute to marry a Portuguese iiiHrquis.
He had l»ecomo deaperatc. He gazed on the long list of hia re-
jections with dismay.^ Like an angler, when his fish at one bite
makes off with the bait, nor affords him even play for his loss, so re-
fusal came upon refusal, not only from mamma »nd papa, — auch he
was always used to,— but the young ladies too, who now invariably
preferred consulting their parenta' wishea. Not a single love-scene
coidd he get up.
He had even formed a romantic attachment for the pig-faced
lady; but she declined favouring him with an interview. Since his
jtdventures in Portugal, some ten years had flown over Mr. Lothario
Lacklove; but they had not brought him wisdom, — their flight had
only made him more flighty.
That very morning had he been standing, as had been hia woni
for days before, contemplating the many windows which enlighten
the royal palace at Pimlico.
" HerhapB she is even now gaaing at me .'"cried Mr, Lacklove.
"Oh, thui I could tell from irhicb casement those blue and melting
eyes, in pitying softness, regard the devotion of my unwearied love-
watch ! But yerterday she smiled, and bowed to me, when I raised
my hot from off my maddening temples ! Not a soul was near me
BS the carriage passed, save some poor shouting wretches! — idiou!
boors i Perhaps they tonk that look of beaming beauty to them-
selves ! No ! it is treasured here ! *Twas mine nionc V
Thus murmured Lothario u be walked before the Qaeen'c palace ;
4
the; conveyance company.
sss
now pregting hia hand to hU heart ; now pauniiif;, miil wftvin^r a
white handkerchief in the direction of the rflyal dwelling;. Sudden-
ly, to his inexpressible delight, a gentleman, who had a ahort time
before lufi a side-door of the palace, Hpprodched him.
" Good Heavens .' there "s n mesBaffe for me !" exclaimed LothnHo,
in the greatest perttirbation of spirit, as he thrust his handkerchief
into his breast, and hastened to meet tlie fancied messenger of
love.
The court etaissary bad a blue cloak on. which, thrown back on
llm shuulderti, discovered a coat-coUar much oriiiiiiieiited with silver
lace.
"You may ufely trust me," said Mr. lixcklove. colouring up to
his eye», which np^irkled with delight : " I am the gentleman !"
"I know yau are!" rejoined the cloaketl stranger, prwlucing ■
silver baton, niid beckoning to three of hiit followers. Alaa ! for
Lucklove, they were new-policemen ! " We have been on the look-
oat for you. You would have thrown a nose!;ay into the Queen's
carriage yesterday, only tt fell in the mud. I 'vc got the Bowers ;
and now I 've got von, ray gentleman !"
The astonished Lacklove was for n while speechleHS : when he did
make utterance, it was first lo demand if tin* <lignitapy of police
realljf bad authority for uhnt he wan doing, and then to bescccfi tluit
be might not be exposed in a certain puhlic-uflice at Uueeii-Ki|uarc;
but to this awful tribunal Uc was conveyed, and only discharged by
the intervention of a friend ai Su John's Wood, who became answer-
able for his good behaviour. Lacklove had dined with this obliging
person, and, quite cured of hie excessive loyalty to our sovereign
lady Queen Victoria, was now evidently trying if chance and an
umnibus bad not happily thrown him in contact with a fair damsel
who might supply the recentlv-fornie<i hiatus in his affections.
Thin drew my attentioti towards two other ]utsaenger«, who had
taken po««es!>ion uf gteati by my *ide, and were consequently the
via~^-vis of Mr. Lacklove. An elderly matron, of large proportions,
clad in the many folds of a plum-coloured silk dress, beshawU
rd with scarlet English cachemire, her brown curly wig entrust-
ed to the care of a black uttin bonnet, there slept, unconitcious of
the rumbling conveyance. Deep as were her slumbers, the old lady
Imagined herself watchful for the especial guardiansiiip of her
daughUT, a very pretty and expensively -dressed brunette, who, as
if confiding in mamma's protecting eye, had ttemingly resigned her-
self to the influence uf Somnus ; but, in reatily, was as wide-awake
as his cousin Alercury.
"I could a tale unfold" of Mrs. Browne t Nu ! let the old
Woman sleep ; I will not tell tales of her. But how luis Mr. Lack-
love made his insidious advances to the acquaintance of Miss Ara-
bellA Rruwne? Kveu through the medium nl' bis pliant fuut;
which, with gentle ])ressure, carefised the natin slipper of ihatyouUg
lady, whose full haael orbs now opened to acknowledge the soli
asaautt. One glance waa enough. Miss Arabella looked so ex-
eeuively marriageable that Lothario waa alarmed at his imprudence.
L" 1 b^ you a thoainnd pardons, ma'um !" exclaimed he.
LacuMS Hr. Lacklove ! iu his hurry to retreat from the advancca
lO faicautiuuHly made, he at that minneiit drew the bharji uile uf his
shoe acroan the shiu uf the slumbering mamma I
I
I
254
THE CONVEYANCE COMPANV.
" 'EtvKt liave merpy un me! Whtt's cut my leg?" KreniDetl
Mm. Browne as the bounced from h«- sleep. " Ig it you, itir i" and
site Itxed her angry gaze on Lothario.
" I beg i) tiioussnet pardons!" reiterated that gentleman, quite ap-
palled.
" What 'a the une of begf^ng pardon ? will that mend my leg ?"
"Very true, ma'am," intemipted Mr. BurVey Buskin; "in St.
Domingo it is made capital to rup a luittve over the nhina. Puni«h>
ed with death, ma'am ! The negro can't stand it, ma'am !"
*' Put mc down ! put me down !" said Mr, Waatdetw Savcrley ;
and the omnibus stopped.
TJiere wa« a dispute about a bad sixpence.
"Wiiat am I to do witli it, Uieii?" remiinHtrated Sir. Savcrley.
"Do w'itJiit!" shouted the cad. "Why, chuck it in iho mud,
but don't K^tnasU it ujioii me !"
The disappointed experimentalist produced the required legal
coin of the realm. It waa very annoying to bis feelings; he had
gone a mile out of his way home, on ditcovering that be had a
bad dixpence, to pass it un the omnibus cad, that it might not b«
wasted!
" Why Jo yoti not drive on ?" cried 1 to the conductor, who w»»
impudently staring in at the door.
"Drive on! that '« a pretty go, ain't it?" gneeicd the fcJlow.
"Where should I drive to?"
" V'ou are nn impertinent scoundrel !" said I in a rage ; " and I ap-
peal to these bulies and gentlemen !" I looked for my late compa-
nions, but they bad flown ; and mine own position waa suHiciently
curiouB. r was regiilnrly embedded in the straw under the lamp
at the extreme end of the omnibus I
"Come, come, old gen'lnian! don't be calling namea [ Come
out ol* that, or 1 'II fetch you ] You di-sarve three months on it
for this, you do! It's a rcg'lur act o' parl'amint tluit nobody 's to
steep in the hopen hair ; so don't be 'buMve ! i 'm not to be gam-
moned I"
The cad eeemed preparing to draw me, as a terrier dniwa a
batlccT ; so, in spite of ray wonderment, I gathered myself up, and
walked forth into open daylight.
" Wasn't this the hut omnibus?" said I.
" It 't the last you comed out on !" grinned the cad most maUci-
ousty ; " and one that I 'm a going to clean for Jemmy Green to
drive to the Elephant at eight o'clock. Why, bless your heArtl
it's been standing here all night. I see your honour 's come to
yourself now. Half-a-rrown won't be much for a night's lodging I"
I gave the fellow hiH demand, and made the best of my way
down the street. Happy was I when tile laughlt-r and jeer» pour-
ed alter me by the niorning loungers at the door of the Nightingale
were lust in the distance 1 It was very odd 1 What strange visions
my head had teemed with, when 1 was " in the straw," unconsci-
ously making my bed in a "Conveyance Company's" omnibus !
355
THE ^'ABBATIVE OF JOHN WAKD GIBSON.
COJITTBR til.
(Continued from piLge 353, \o\. i\. and una void ably postponed in conMqiience
of lliu Auiliur's iuditposLliou.)
Whbn I recall to memory live cirrumntance!) of that terrible
nijlht, I wonder tliat I did not, dthcr by wonl or action, betrAy my-
aelf. I do nut know — I'ur I am no sdept at the aulutiun of moral
qitifttioiib-^wlRHlier men ure equally provided by nature with what
is termed con»cience ; but I am certain that there are some who can
not only cgnceal, but supprew it. It was not until many years
afWvrards, that I was made fully con»cious of the enormity of my
critne ; and then conscience Came tiK> late, »» it always does.
The child aiiil myMelf were resfcuecl from the btirning rtiini with-
[Out having iftistained any very serious injury; but JMrii. 8tciner was
to frightfully disfigured a« to leave nmall hope of her recovery, and
none of her ever rcfjaininp her former appearanro. She was con-
veyed, in a state of insonttibility, to the house of a nnghbour, who
had iifTered Bromley and his family a temporary anyium ; and, when
the fire was at length got under, I returned to my own lodging with
the gratifying c-cinviction that the chief portion of tlic most valuable
proijcrty was dentrnyed.
It is indeed true, that far from feeling any compunction for the
•ia I had committed. 1 gloried in its consummation. They who had
\ to oftco sneered at my dependent condition, who had made their
superiority of circuniittAnces a ground for the aHsunii>tion of supe-
riority in all other points, — -to have brought them at last to ray own
level, it was xomcthing. Whilst I confess this, 1 must, in justice to
myself, mention that 1 was not at the time aware of the dangerous
Condition of Mrs. Steioer, but conclutled that in a few days abe
would be restored. 1 was, at leart, wiUing to believe so.
Jtut when tlie si'iiw; of 8ati»fied vengeance began to, abate,
a feeling of considerable anxiety with regard to myself, and the
icaikduct I ought tu pursue, occupied iu place. Was it likely — waa
^t posfibic that they would auspect me? there was no evidence— or
ratncTj was there any? — that could convict me. It now ocrurre<l to
niF that I had not taken all such precautions against detection aa,
the act once committed, my feara pointed out sa necessary. And
yet, hitherto, I had shown mrsclf a proficient in the duplicity which
they had tuuglit me to practise. Rut now, a comfortable reflection
presented itself; I waa even mod eiiougU to imagine that I taw the
immediate agency of Providence in the accident which had pre-
v«i)l«d Mrs. Sterner and the child from leaving London on that
evening. The exertions I had made to save Uiem must furnish, at
once, conclusive testimony of my innocence: I had notlitiig tu fear
fVom Calumny or malicious conjecture. In that certainty I hugf[ecl
myself, and towards daybreak fi^ll into a aound and refreshing sleep,
ftom which I did not awake until noon.
And yet, notwithiUduliog the state of composure to which I had
ftncreeded in bringing myiielC I fflt tliat it would be necessary to
'fltUrh myself to Uroniley as cluMily as possible; leA, during my
-•bwnce, his own thoughu, or the whispered surmises of others,
SSfi
TUB NARRATIVE OF JOHN WARD UIBSON.
should breed nuspicions af^ainst mc. I arose, thtrefore, uid pro-
ceeded to hia tenipomn' lodging.
I fouTid him, as I expected, surrounded by his neighbours and
friends, the mitjority of whom very liberally offered the old man
such aesiittunce us in to be extracted from advice. Far Irutu seixing
the opportumty, when « e were alone, of indulging a vulgar iriuinpli
at his expenae, I endcavourtsl to soollie and lo console him, to cheer
him and to raise Ins spirits: reminding him (I could not forbear that
one luxury) that there was no situation in Hte that honest industry
could not render respectable ; that, although this CJiIamity had be.
fallen him, he might yet, late as it wa», recover hini«eir, and evento-
allv raise up for iiini»plf kind and attached friends — as I had ttoiitr.
I utteretl these 1il!>4 M-nrdft in a Muflieiently marked and emphatic
mnnner ; and yet Jlroinley felt them not, or did not apjicar to heed
them. Indeed, he seemed, as vet, hardly conBciotia of the extetiC of
hia misfortune ; merely cxpressmg great anxiety for Steincr's return,
at though that event were the only matter to be thought about.
His manner to me was as cold, distant, and nuperciliouH as before.
I knew, however, that this iijuithy could not last long, — that tlic
truth niiiHt noon find ita level ; and I wma perfectly uonient to wait
till it did do eo.
Li' 1 had nut. long ago, acquired an ingenuity in forging palliations
and excuse* upon my own heart, I should have been overwhelmed
with remorse and horror when the dreadful situation of Mr». SteJner
was made known to me. As it was, I felt deeply shocked ; but liol
nuire so, I endeavoured to innke myself believL', than I should have
been, had she buffered in other circumstances: 1 was innocent of
tiiis — 1 strove to tliink so; because I Ujid not contemplated it. I
■argtied the cm*: too much with niy own niind to have been right-
However thi^ might be, I wait much relievetl to he-ir, about a
muntli atterwxrdfl, that Hhe wajt out nf danger ; but it waa added, she
was so shockingly altered that I should not recognise her. I wns
not much concerned at this: I had no wish to perpetuate the me>
mory of ii face that had »o often looked upon me with undeserved
contempt anil ecom ; and t hnd ceased tn feel the slightest interest
in the fate of a person who, owing probably her own life and that
of the child to my exertions, had nut even repaid me by the oom-
mon gratitude of acknowledgment. But to return.
During three days that succeeded tlie hre. I was almost coiutontly
employed in Bromley's business; by which time, a tolerable estimate
wu» completed of the extent of his misfortune. The intervotfi of my
leisure were occupied with the old man ; and many occasions were
afforded me of watching the gradual operation of the truth, «» it
siltintly and surely made its way lo Iii» heart. At first, the melan-
choly state of Im daughter wa^ his chief, if not sole affiiction ; next,
the absence of Steiner waa deplored ; until, at length, the one cala-
mity, the irreparable loss, extending over the future, lay clearly be-
fore him. I, too, could see a» clearly that my vengeance had been
amply fulfilled ; and I wa« »atislied.
Oh! it was a humiliating apectaclp to witJies* the abject creature
lamenting the downfal of the base image he had set up, and craving
pity on a plea whose validity he had «i oftirn denied. He wua once
more to become one of those who " prey upon the middle clasoes," —
it vra< Ida favourite vxprestion, — for he had iio longer " a capital ;"
THK NARRATIVE OF JOHN WARD CiBSON.
SM
•omething whidi, in hi* opinion, inelutlwl all the cardinal virtues,
■nd religion into the bar(rain. I ituRpect thrre is a very Urge ivct
in this country, holding the same faith.
I had bi-en too much occupied with Drmnley'K uffiiira, on the
fourth day, to call upon him before the afternoon. At I enlertd the
room, he srose nnd met me hnlfway.
" Gil]<ton,*' Raid he hnrriedly, an<l in M>ine a^tation. " you had
'better come afj^ain in .ui honr or fwo : but, 8t»y ; I don't know what
tn sav — " he pauEi-d ; " what in best to be done ?"
" What is the luiitterr" I inquired.
" Mr. Stuiner is returned ;" and lie pointed to a door which com-
muDicuted with nn adjoining chamber.
" Well, ur, I am fftad of it, for your take. You have been
anxious for his return."
Bromley looked perplexed, but presently motioned me to take ii
•eat. " You may a» well see him at once, perhaps," he remarked.
I bowed. " I shnll be very glad to see him."
At thia moment Sleiner, who, J think, had been linteninff, opened
the door, and, flinginy^ it after him, strode into the middle of the
room. There was a kind of white calmneM in his face, which I
knew well how to interpret.
" Well, this is a very pretty piece of buiinens ; indeed, is it !" luud
he; " what dotfou think. j\lr. Gibnon ?"
" It is a very sad one," I .mswered.
" Have you no conce|)tion how it originated ?" he inquired.
" None whatever."
" Uii you mean to mv." he retiuniecl with <|uickne8S, " that you
do not know how the fire waa caused, — by what — by whom ?"
" I do."
Steiner look Bromley aside, and bef^nn to talk to him in a low
tone. It was a relief to me, hlK doing so at that moment. A audden
faintnC88, a deaerliun uf the vital powers, had in an instant reduced
roe to the helplcMness of a child; 1 dreaded the interview which
1 foresaw waa about to cake place. He suspected me, that was cer-
tain; perhaps had obtained some clue — wnne witness H^inst me. I
lelt that I could not confront him like an innocent man, I had nut
even strength to rndenvour to do mu.
" Had yuu not better be Hented ?" said Steiner, turning towards
me, for I had remained standing motionless.
Steiner sat for a while absorbed in thought, with his eye* fixed
upon the ground ; but, at length, I could perceive his glance slowly
^Uealing upward from my feet, until it settled itself u|>nn my face.
T eould not bear the immovnble gaze with wliicli he regarded roe:
in vain did I attempt to withdraw my eye^ from his, some horrible
fascination con^tMined me ; I could feel that there wu not a thought
of my soul hidden from him, — that my crime wsale^bly written on
my countenance, — end I was nlmoMt tempted to shnek out the cun-
t'eesion winch was struggling in my throat.
" A» there is a Ood iti heaven !" cried Steiner, striking hi* knee
with one hand, and pointing towanU me with triunipliunl malig-
nity, " that man set nre to the premises. l.->«ik at liim !" he added,
■eizing Bromley by the arm ; " would not that face alone convict
him in a court of justice ?"
Bromley. 1 think, arose, and laid hold upon Steiner.
THE NAKRATIVP. OF JOHN WARD 0IB9OK.
" Pot nMven'« mfce V' uid he ; " do not be so violent. You ilon"t
know that, — we rfim't know it yet. Speak, Gtlwrn; what do jon
My ? Yoii ahull be heard ; what answer have you to make to this?"
None. I mftde an effort to speak, — to say I know not what, — but
I could not utter u ^ylUble. How I got out of the i-oom I f»nDot
remember. I must have slunk out, like a benten hound.
When I recovered iny.'ieir, I found that I hod sunk upon a win-
dow-seat on the firtit biniling of the stairs There was a slight
noifle above, ijteiner had attempted tu follow me, but was pr^
vented by Bromluy. My [ircsciice of uiind returned to roe of ■
gudden, and I siiruug from the wat. Of what unmanly, paltry
weakness had I been t^nilty ! what cau»e could they have of sua-
picioa ? what rigfil had they to »u»pect me ? Yes ; they knew their
Eersecution of me: they fcU that they had earned this reprisal at ray
undB, — that 1 was jutititted in returtiiiig; evil fur evil. And they had
extorted a tacit coiifexMon, at least, of the justice of their accusation.
No— no, I was not tii be over-reached quite an eaiiily ; that must not
be. The blood boiled through my veins, and pressed upon my
brain with a dreadful weight I rushed up stairs, and flung open
the door.
I cannot describe the feelings that possessed me at the raoment-
I had almost brought myself to the belief that t waa an injured man,
and yet I wrb aware of the neccBuity of counterfeiting- a violence of
resentment which ehouIJ satisfy my accuRers that I was bo. Ac all
events, there was that in my face, as I slowly approached' Steiner,
which appalkcd liim. ; fur he retreated some paces. I Run^ my open
hand from me, imd beized hiui by the cullur. I ircuibled violently,
but my words came clearly and distinctly from me,
•' Steiner '." sud I, " you have said that I act ilri! to the houae;
you have accused me of it ; yoLi shall prove it — I wilt make you at-
tempt to prove it !"
Here Bromley rushed between, and besought me to '* exercise
more temper." Z cajst him violently from rae.
" And you." I wiid, turning towards hira, — " you, who in con-
Junction, l«iK«ied with thin villain, have been diligent^ have set your
poor wits to work, to make my life, at^r it hu* been drvottu to
you, a curse to myself; you wish, at length, tu compjus mv death :
but I shall baffle you; I defy yon both^ aa much — I cjin tmy'ivu more
-^ I despise you."
Steiner, as I said thia, rolen-tecl himself from my grasp, and en-
desroured to a.uumc a threatening aspect^ which, Kowever, failed of
its intended eifcct.
" I have accuited you. Gibson/' said he ; " and I mil prove it."
I smiled xcurnfully at hiiu. He waa perplexed, and would have
appealed to Bromley.
" Did you not see him when I sold sor" he exclaimed.
Bromley made no reply, but raised his hatida, aa though un-
willing to take further part in the business.
" Is it n'lt »traui|re," resumed 8teiuer, addressing me, " that the
fire shuuUI have coniuienced in the shop— that it should have made
luch progress before it was discovered — ^that nothing whatever of
value should have l>een preserved.*"
I turned from him, and approached Bromley.
*' Tell him," I said calmly, " for you know it, the lie he has this
moment uttered; your daughter, and his child, were preserved by
4
TUB KAHRATIVE of JOHN WARD GIBSON.
359
I
I
I
me, and at the hazard of mjr life: the thanliBjroa owe me« you may
pay — when you pay your other tit-bu."
Bromley was tfiiitrcsdcd : I could tcv that, but I vaa in no humour
to bate a jut of the advaaUigc 1 hud gained. " You and your ac-
com|)licL-," I continued, " know where I am to bu found : 1 shall
be fortlicoming, I [jromise you. Good morning to you!"
It was now no time for aupinenesf, or frullleHs mtxlitation. I
took advant^e of H\« opportunity they hxd afTorded me, and in-
foroKtl the mrighlwurhtHtd of the aci'iiMtion they had laundied
against mc, and of the stL-pi* they intended to lalte. That was wisely
done. Who could believe me guilty of this act, who wiw tlie Urtit
to promulgate the charge ? I suborned a favouralile verdict before
my enemies commencou operations.
Steiner was as good m his word. He obtained a warrant against
me, and I was brought before a magistrate. But what could this
avail* He had no evidence: not the nlightest symptom of guilt was
observable upon my face. Aly worst enemy, even Steiner himself,
could extract — could infer nothing unfavourable from my manners or
demeanour. I wai conscious innocence: and when I collectedly,
and with a nuuiifest desire that the circumstances aliould be mi-
nutely related, constrained Bromley to testify to the efforts I had
niad^ — the successful efTorts to preserve his daughter and her child,
a monnur of indignant horror at the baseneM of Steiner and him-
self pervaded the justice-room. I was dischar^eil, not only without
a stain upon my character, but with mnny compliments upon my
heroic conduct ; and, a« I left the office, the ailmiring plnudits of the
multitude, and the yells without with which they n^isailcd my pcr-
Kccutors, symctioned the justice of the magistrate 'm decision.
I need hardly liay that I went on my way rejoicing. I had not
proceeded tafj however, before Steiner overtook me. He tapped
roe on the shoulder ; I was not sorry that he had followed me : I
was glad of the opportunity of enjoying my triumph tn the full.
" You have escaped," said he, " for the present ; but you shall
not escape me. W c shall yet," and he »hook his fiat in my (Mt,
— " we shall yet be loo much for you."
How exquisitely I enjoyed the empty menace I " Steiner," I re-
plied, " do you intend me a personal outrage? if you do, 1 11 have
you taken into custody forthwith. Here !" and I beckoned to some
men who were already collected on the otiier »ide of the street.
lie was daunted. " 1 shall not lose sight of you," he muttered.
" I mean what I have said — I sliall see you again !"
" Yuu shall, indeed," I said calmly ; " and that very shortly.
Vou owe me, I recollect, six montlis' salarv — nearly a humlred
pound* : I hope, when I call upini you, it will be convenient to you
to pay it,'*
Steiner had not expected this. He was dumb. It waa an incon-
venient circumstance.
*• Ho ! ho !" I said, with a smile of contempt ; " I have, it seems,
Cfoped your malice, and tliis had escaped your memory-. Vou may
ke^ it. I hope, Steiner, you may live tu wont iL This one hope
uf mine I thinic likely tu be fulfilled."
CBATTRB IV.
Wdisn morntists purpofo to deter you from vice, they tell you
bow insidious it ia; how it ■trengthens by encouragement ; how v
360
TilR NARRATIVE OF JOHN WARD GIBSON.
po8siMe It is, -when it has ontx taken root, to eradicate it : vlim
the^- <lc«iro to reclaim vou from it, they nay how easy it ii ta. fulfil a
good rcsohition : " tlirou' liut a stone, the giant dies ;" one conqoest
gained makes way for jumthcr. &c. Convenient nJOraltBU!
Perhap.t I uns not originally ibrmcd of such BtiilT as Raints are
made cif ; ur, perliH])H, the dtH'd 1 had done, and its results, threw me
into a frame of mind in which vice coninieiitb itself most cosily to
one's adupLion ; for nn sooner had t left Bromley and Ids partner,
as I believed, for ever, than I chiinged my lod^^iig, and, neglecting
the opportunitifs which had biren pr*-i)ented to me, Hurrendered my-
self to a coursi* of the loMent nnd most depravcrd dissipation, until
the money I hud been years in navtnfr was expended, and the per-
emptory coniliitions of existence were once more offered to my
acceptance. At this time, the thouf^ht of committing suicide en-
tered my mind ; but, although I did not encourage it, I take no
credit for any religious scruples that withheld me. It is no less tnie,
that the habitual practice of vice unfitii a man for death, than that
it renders him afraid to die. We all look forward to some amend-
ment of onr condition ; many place Hwir faith in the world to come,
many rely upon their chalices iti lliis. 1 was uiie of the latter
class.
At length, in the loit extremity, I applied to Mr. Taylor, of whom
1 have before spoken, lie receivea me kindly enough, sympa-
thised with my misfortunes, was indignant at the treatment I had
experienced from my former masters. But it is one thing to sue,
and .-mother to be sought. He would by no means renew the flat-
tering oiTcrs lie had previously made rae. " Wliat & pity it was," he
aaid, " that I liad not come to him immediiitcly I left Dromley.
And then, although the accuKuticni iiguiiiHt me bad so entirely fallen to
the ground, the world was fi<i cenMsrioun — mi uni'lmritable! In a
worn, however base the world might be, I found iMr. Taylor tho-
roughly ft man of it ; and accordingly, like others who drive hard
bargains, he thought the most likely way of getting me cheaply,
was to depreciate me.
During the two years I remained with Mr. Taylor, I saw neithn-
Bromley nor 8teiner. I was aware that they left the neighbour-
hood shortly al\er their parting with iiie. and I knew that neither
of them liad re^tumed buMiiesit. I concluded, therefore, that, having
settled their involved affairs, they had proceeded to Uermany,
where, 1 had often heard lum srfy, Steiner had many rich and in-
fluential connexions. I endeavoured to exclude the remembrance of
them ; nnd had begun to look back upon the fire as a calamity
which, morally conHidered, had probably operated with salutary
efficacy upon all the parties concerned, except myself- And yet the
memory would intrude itself upon me sometimes, nor was 1 able to
dismiss it.
Tajinr and myself were mutually disappointed in each other. I
found htm a low grovelling person, who had originally sought to
procure my services, not more to forward hh own interest than to
pursue an ohi enmity Ixtwcen himself and Bromley, of whom, con-
ceiving that he hail «.'ciired ii rrsily listener when I first entereil
his seivice, he wiis alwavft (Speaking in terms of bitter hostility.
On the other hand, I believe he had eonie reason to complain uf
Die. I had lost all alacrity, 1 evinced no zeal for busiuees. It hail
I
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ss. It bau ^j
THE NARRATIVE OF JOHN WARD OIBSON.
361
not only become irkeomc to me, but I began to wonder how I could
possibl)' luve taken an interc&t m it at any time.
I had been with Taylor two years, when an event fell out that,
in a moment, entirely changed the whole aspect of my future life.
I wa», WW evening reading the newspaper, when hu advertJMrment
caught my eye. It wh« to this effect: — " Thnt if any reUtion of
Luke Adam*, of Luton in Beflfcirdxhire, were in existence, and he
would apply tn certain Rolicitoria in Austin Friars, he would hear of
something greatly to his advantage." I remembered instantly, that
Adams was my mother's uncle, to whom she hud written, at my
father's death, requesting eome tripling assistance. N'ot to dwell
upon this part of my narrative : I waited upon these gcntlenien in
the city, and after consiileriible delay, and no small difficulty tn
proving my own identity, was acknowledged sole licir to his very
coiiiiiderable property, and I took poi^scssion accordingly.
I do not think that this sudden cliiuiKe of my condition produced
any great mural altcrniioii in me, whether tor better or worse. It
must be remembered that « man may be virtuous, as the world goes,
at a very cheap rate, but vice is an expensive luxury ; and to expend
money liberally is of itself considered a species of virtue, especially
by tliose who receive it. Witliout any love of vice for it* own sake,
or for the sake of any delight it afforded, 1 plunged once more
into diksipation, and pursued the same idle and proHtleas pleasures
with which most men, without other resources than money, are fain
to content tliemselvea. That I was not happy, perhaps t need not
say; I became more and more conscious every day (1 had not felt
it HO much when I vas poor, and compelled to earn my living,) of
the grievous wrong I had done to Bromley. Bitterly to repent an
injury inflicted upon another in a torment that knows no alle-
viation— that no time will mitigate. Dut, although conscious of the
wrong, 1 could not repent it until reparation was made to me:
that reparation came at last, and repentance followed, and misery
Iwneeforward abided with me for ever.
One day I hud taken shelter, under a gateway, from a heavy
ahower of rain. I had not been standing tiiere many minutes, when
a woman, meanly clad, entered hastily, and perceiving me, started
back, and involuntarily pruoounced my name. I should not have
rcncmbered the face — the mvagr of l/ml lig/il had made a fearful,
a hideous change,— but the voiir« vrsa familiar to me.
" Mrs. Steiner !" I exclaimed; but she hud turnetl from me. The
tone in which she had uttervd my name was the tone of former
years, and my heart was touched. I approached her.
" Will you not speak to your servant, madam ?" I said.
■' Oh ! do not say so, sir," ahe answered ; " I am very glad to KC
you." She trembled, but offered me her hand.
Tliere ia nu sight in nature mure pitiable, more humiliating than
that of sclf-ab«8«d poverty. I could not witness it unmoved ; I
took her hand and prewed it warmly: 1 inquired ofler Bromley,
whether he was yet Uving; and aaked it ihetf ttill resided with
him.
" / live with him;" she answered, " Mr. Steiner U not with u*
at prevent."
"I should very much wish to ice Mr. Bromley again," I said
•amestly.
TOb. 111. So
TBB NAHKATIVB OF JOHN WARD GTBSON.
Her cres brighlen«il for a rnomwil. " Should yoa ?" she replied.
" but perhaps—" Ac paused.
'• lie woiiU) not cmrt to we me. Did you mean that? I know hU
nr«jiitlit'C a^unsl me,"
- Thjit, sir. Gibson, hu breo lon^ ago dispelled. It would
lUAke him happy to see yon once more, before he diet, fie haa laiH
ta often, but ne is «sham«l and afraid to meet you."
I prevailed upon her to allow roe to conduct her home. She
made many excuse*, and at length, with a raltering voice mur-
mured soincthing about the meanneM of the lodfpng. Drawing
her arm between mine, we proceeded on our way in »ilence, (my
heart was too lull to »pejik,) towards a narrow street in Westminster.
" We live here," she saidj with a deprecating blush, a* she
knocked at the door of a miserable dwelling. " If ^ou will wait be-
low for a ntoment, I will prepare toy father to receive you."
I waa dhown into a small room, ^rantily fumii^hed, on the second
Boor. When I entered, Bromlej- came forward to meet me, — but
rery feebly ; anil, placing his lund upon my shuulder, he gaied
long aund earnestly nt me, whilst the tears rolled down his face.
"And you have cunic at last to see me, Mr. Gibson?" be Hid
tremulously ; " I do iutt deserve this kindness from you. Oh ! boy,
I have wrmiged you, — but, listen, — that villain !' he looked around,
but Mrs. Steiner lu>d left the room, " that villain, Stciner, set u*
against voii — iKilh of us ; he did — he did !'*
I placer! (liK ifid niiin in his chair, inid sat down by his side. He
was verti'i'S uixni *rt-und childhood, but I fTAlhereil from him enough
to know lliut I hiul tieen the instrument of ruin, of m!*«ry, of des-
tiluticri, iitiil "f )ii* prt-sent helpleu and piteous condition. Steiner
had long itiJo abandoned his wife and child, having converted into
money i-verything he could lay his hands upon, and they had
neither ai-eii nor heard fVom him for years,
I could wish to nvoid thU part nf my confession — I mn hardly
bear to tliink upuii It even now. Alorc awful circumstances do not
•o disturb me, as the remembrance of that day. I staved with them
for some hours. We talked of by-gone days — my Jays of happi-
ness,— but we spoke of ihcm sadly, mournfully, and with regret.
At length I iiift>rmed tliem of my unexpected possession of a for-
tune, and abruptly — for I could do it in no otner way, expressed
my determination of providing for Broinley and his daughter, and
of t;iking the child, who was now grown a fine boy. under my pro*
tection.
Icanncvcrrecal to memory, withoutagony, theold man, as hetot-
lareii from the room, chuckhng as he went, to tell the woman of the
house, below, that he wa.4 a made man again, and tlul Gibson had
brought him back hts property; and 1 grnaned in %-ery anguish
when Mrs. Steiiier fell at my feet, bathing my hand with her tcar^
and callnl upon the child to kneel before me, and hies; their bene-
factor. 'Hiey could not have dc\l»ed a more dreadful vengeance
upon me.
I, tim, when I returned home on that night, went upon my knees,
not for forgiveness of my crime, but that ne would direct me bow
to atone for it iiv this world. And 1 arose, perhaps, a better, if not
II hap|uer man.
Peace it, however, preferable to happiness ; if it be not in it$ best
THE NARRATIVE OP JOHN WARD GIBSON. 365
tease the miiiv tiling, and if an exemption From extenial influencef
ma_v be cnlled peace, I enjoyed it for six years ai\«r my interview
with Bromley wid hit daugliter.
Wliat I ha<l promised to do for them was done, and done prampt-
Ir- 1 settled an annuity uptHi tliem, which was continued to Mrs.
Steiner after the death of her father, and I sent the boy to a Uoard-
ing-school in the vicinity of London, intending to realise fnr him
the proanecta which had been designed for me by my early pro-
tector, Mr. Ward.
The world fimU it very difficult in many cases to draw the line,
and in some even to distinguish, between crime and niii^fortune. I
am about to enter upon a circumstance in my life whtdi diiefly par-
takes of the latter. I cannot bring my^lf to think otlwrwisv. But
it will be iiect.-sHBry tu state in a few wordn how matters stoud when
thit circumstance occurred.
I had been living fur the ii|Mice of ax years a »ecluded and an in-
oflTenBive life. I occupied u siiuill ilctnchcd house at ('het^ea, and re-
tided alone ; the woman who attended upon nae coming every morn-
ing, and returning to her own home at night The boy opent the
chief portion of his Imlidays with me; but at other tinieit, with the
exception of an owanitMial visit to and from Mr*. Steiner, I neither
went to fcee nor received into my bouae any human being. I had
no friends.
My early attachment for the boy had been renewed, and he re-
turned my aflectiun. He was dow thirteen yearK of age; and, at
the time of which I am about to qieak, at achooL
CUAPTED V.
I bad been expecting a letter from Mrn. Steiner, which she had
promised to «ena mv in tlie evening. It was a letter for her son. to
which I wished to add a few lines. It was growing late ; my >er-
vant had lef\ me, and I was about to retire to bed, when a Knock
auniiQoned me to the door. Late as it was I concluded that some
person had brought the letter- On opening tlie door a tall, muscu-
lar man, with a fur cap on his bead, and enretiiped in a rough great
coat, stoixl before me.
"Is Mr. Oibson within?" he inquired.
** He l»: my name 'u Gibs»on."
" Ynu don't remember me, I perceive," said the man.
" I do not."
" Ay r he continued ; " times arc changed since wc la«t met :
with you for the better ; for the worse with nic. My mate la
8l«iner."
I stept back in aatoni^ihuient.
"You won't know me now, 1 suppose?" resumed Steiner, "and
I believe you have no reason to care much about me; but I have
aaffered mtsfortunes since then."
This WAS spoken in a tone of humility, which almost affected me.
" Nay, Steiner," said I, " I have long ago forgotten and forgiTeti
the past."
"Have you?" he replied quickly. "Mr. Gibson, you havp •
good heart, and I always thought so ; though I didn't always act
M if I thnnght so. But, won't you let me step \nf I iiavo a &-
vfmr tn beg of you ; and I won't detain you long."
ScS
SGi
THE NARRATIVE OP JOHN WARD CIBSOK.
I Il'J tJi« wuv into the parlour, aiid hv sal down. Ab lie toalc
otf his cap. im^ threw back tiie great-coat, I at once recoj|pii«vd mj*
old enemy. Time hud contributed hi» usual share to the idteration
I detected in Inm ; but sordid wants, and recourse to miterable
shifts and expedients, will breed care, even in the most callcms bosom ;
and its dftTta wrre observable upon his face. He looked il)> wim,
and exhaiiflted.
"Will you not take wrnie refreihroent ?" 1 said: "you appear
fiiint." ^11—
" I am BO," he rpplied. '* Vou are very kind. I will take aom^
thing. I have not touched a morsel to-day."
I went down Ht/iir5, and procured what the pantry contained^
which I laid before him.
" Vou had butter take Bome wine," 1 said, placing it upon the
tabic.
I watched him in silence as he despatched Im meal, wonderini
inwardly how he bad obtained a clue to my place of ubode, and
what retjueit he was about to make to me. He thrust the tray
from him, and helped himself to a glass of wine, which vtu pre*
gtntly followed by another.
" You i»o«m to have a pirasnnt place her*, Oibion," tnid he.
"Well, thin iM A strange world ! Who could have Nuppoaed lifteen
years aj^ that you and I would have been situated oa we are now;
— but you don't drink."
I took a glass of wine. "It has pleased fortune to bestow ha
favours upon me," said I ; "but, after all, fortune "
"Ah! well; I 'm glad of it!" he cried, interrupting me. "I^
glad of it ; you deserve it. Here '» your health, old boy !"
" T was sompwhnt startled at this sudden fiimiliarity. I had nerer
admired Swinrr in his gayer mood, CijiEcially whun it had bem
induced by drink. I knew it of old as the prelude tu an ebullition
of a totally opposite nature.
" Will you let me know how I can be of service to yoa, Mr.
Steiner," I said abruptly ; "it is growing late."
"So late? not so very latel" returned Steiner.
truth is, I am poor, very poor, and I w;int money !"
" You are in want, you say f Well, I can, perhaps, "
"Perhaps!" aaid he. "Certainly,! should think. Come, more
wine : I see you have some on the sideboard."
" Another glass," I answereil, producing with reluctance a second
bottle, " and we part. Do you mean to say, sir, you are in positive
distress ?"
" I do," he returned ; " I have nothing left in the world,— no-
thing? Yes, thift. Do you remember it?" and he produced from
hiii pocket a dagger, the sheath of which v-aa curiouitly chased,
and which had ornamented Ilroudey's shop from my earliest re-
membrance. " I have kept it by nie for years," he continued, "in
case it might be wanted." He threw it upon the table, and seised
the decanter.
I could see in his eye at that moment the man I had lost sight of
for yearn ; the man who had threatened me when 1 lart saw him.
But I had no wish to quarrel with him.
" Have ynu seen Mrs. Steiner since your return to England ?' I
inquired.
■ii-^ *^
I
I
"Why, the
THE NARRATIVE OF JOHN WARD GIBSON.
3G6
" No. I h«ve not «cen Mrs. Strincr since iny return to Rng-
Und," sjiid he. " I called at my former lodgings, and they uifunu-
ed me of cv«ything. Tliey tuld me where I might Hud jou, and
I
I iireCerreil ciilUng upon you first"
" Well, Steiner," '
it grows very late."
"Well, Steiner," said I, rising, "I am sorry to hasten you, but
"Ha! ha!" cried he, not hewlinj; jne ; "I hear yon have done
•oniething tor tUt* buy, and pruvidvd for Loui»a. Welt, it 's gene-
rous of you; I will say that. She's altered, eh! not quite so
handsmne f But you always liked her, you dog I 1 knew thnt."
I sat down, in utter and mute Burprise at the man's iNisenefts.
"And old Bromley 's gone too," he rCTumed. "Well, we must
all go ! The law of nature they Call it."
" I must beg you to defer your bu»ineA9 till to-morrow TOorning,"
said I in dingust. " I will not be kept np any longer!"
" No, no," returned he dccisivclv ; " I can't do tnat. If Bromley
oould have deferred his death tilf to<morrow he would have done
so, I dare say ; but he couldn't. I enn't defer my buttiness !"
" What do you want ? " said I peremptorily.
"Money!" answered Sicini-r. "Come, GibKon; I know you're
a goud-natured fellow. I want a hundred )iound&."
"A hundred pounds !"' and 1 drew I»at'k in surprise.
"No noni^eiise, my gentleman!" cried Steiner, tajiping the table
with the hilt of the dodger. " You know, and I know that yen set
(ire to that houae in Wurdour-ntreet Vou ruined us. Yuu reduced
u« to beggary. I mu.-it liave this money ! — I must — mur! t"
The old feeling entered into me which I had years ago encouraged,
and bv whose power 1 had sueceHsfully wrought out my vengeance.
"Alust?" said I; "must, Mr. tileiuer? that ia a word 1 never
obeyed in my life!"
"Time you began!" said Bteiner with n sneer. " Come, OibtOdf
you are no match for nic ; you knuw iL You tried me once, and
you were wanting. Vou are alone in the houae. I have you in
my power !'*
"What Ho you mean?" said I, but I waa not alarmed. "What
do you piirpoae?"
"This!" cried he, and he unsheathed the dagger.
" Your life," said I promptly, " your life, Steiner. will answer
it!"
"What is it to me?" he returned. "What ia yours to you ia
the question ! Will you let we have the money i"
" tio \"
-Vou will not?"
" No !" I thundered. " Steiner, I shall sell my life dearly ! Never
shall a Ixrast like yourself extort money from ine by force — by in-
timidation !"
I said more, but I know not what; »nd grappled with him. He
was ■ powerful man, but lisd become enervated by excess. I
learnt that aflerwards. And the wine he had taken, although it
hail aiimnlitnl his brutal nature, had deprived him of that advan.
tage which is derived from quickness of eye and directness of aim.
I, uw, had grown stronger since we were last opposed to each
other.
lie had woundct) me in the arm hefnrr 1 cIoRcd with him, and
806
^HB nriNO CltltlK.
wrested the tiagfjer from hin hund. The «tni|re1e was thra chort.
coiuprcswHl, ami deadly- We fell to the *'*rth t<»^elh«rr. Stetner'i
bold upon me seemed to relax:, — a faintne»« overcame me, — xht
TCHim appeared to fo round rapidly, — and I sank into inM^n^biI■ty.
When I recovered my senses, and aros«, — which I dul with
difficulty, I found the candles burnt out, and the daylijrht utreain-
Ing through the shutters. Why was I here ? What had happen*
ed ? It was a hideous dream ! 1 nude an effort to approacli ibe
window, hut I stumbled over sometliinf; mi the floor. It yrai Steuier,
— llie lifdifsi. body, — the coq>te of Steiner ! I had killed him ! Hia
neckcloth told me that 1 bad strangled him !
THE DYING CinLD.
" Shall I med tttee ftf^ain, my child — my child i
^ukW I meei ihcc again, my child,
RooiniEiS along l>y ihc liill sjile fieei
Bounding away nitb boyish glee
In lite e^'eiiiD)! lunWuin mild T
Oh ! down by Ihe flood, in the tufted vood.
Shall I mteK lb«e agun, my child 1"
" Mother, no; t)ir mountain path
No longer i.1 mine to see ;
And tha glow of thp ■ummor aunbeaiD hxlh
No warmth or joy for me 1
Olil neveragun by ch(f or gieD
Shall my footstep wander free 1"
* And shall [ not meet thee again, my child,
Not meei <h«e again, my child,
Where the haXhf berriei all red and bright,
Doni) by lh« copt^wood wild J
Where (he nested bird in its joy i* heard.
Oil I bIisJI I not meet ihee, my child J"
" Mother, no ; ihc yoonf; bird's song
No longer is mine to bear ;
Aud the muiic slrmm as it lollt alon;;
No bnsror will catch miuc «r ;
And the cTimson bouj^h oflhe bally qow
MuiC Uouom over ciy bier 1"
*' Thou gopst to lle^aven, my child, my child I
Tlmu goesi to Heaven, my cLtId !
And thine cy« is gUred whilv the spring soft
Bii^teni Iha path wht'rc so o.n and ah
Thy chenib-Ups have smilEd ;
And ahe.'idy ihey «eep oV r thy dTeamleis sleep.
My loved and my sainted cliild !
" But, oil ! wiien the hoiotn* of all funift.
And the lieanh rin^s a^in with glee,
Tlivn, llirn, will mine acJiing lida be wet,
My gallant chdd, for thee 1
When simini«r with flowers and fniits shall come.
And all are in mirth and joy ;
Oh 1 ibm, in ihe t^id^t (if the tiir earth's btooin,
1 '11 kiss thee, ny dartinc; boy !"
N. F. D.
367
THE CUISINK MAIGBE.
I
I
ThkHR are in th*" Itcnutitul cabinet of Srunweur SoTiampd nl
Ghent two pictured bv .lean Stein, oneof those masters whose workit
abow not only that he was a huninriftt, bat a close obaerver of
nmiiikinil.
ni» favourite Htmlies were the lowest bdngs in the acjile of ex-
istence, and his .nubjecls generally taken from the paingelfc or the
eahiiref. His bours have a eharacler of tlieir own, and »huw in every
t'cMture the conovc|ueueL'S uf habitual debauchery and obscenity. He is
no great colourist, like most of tJie Uutch or Flenii«h school, and
wetna to have cared little about the finish or minulue of his art.
Ilia ])rinf:ipa] nim and acconiuli!>hiiient being effect, and truth to
nature; plain, unadulterated, disgusting, degraded nature, without
caricature or exaggeration; struck oS" at once, and left ajt struck
off. Ab b morali^it he xiMuetimea remindo u» of our Hogarth; and
to me one of hii; interiors, with their hard-outlined figures, sketches
as they are, is worth more than the mellowest Ostade, or a Teniers
witli all itH iiilveriness.
Uut to return lo the pictures of which I am 8|>eaking. They
are called in the catalogue, "The Cuisine grois," and ** The Cuisine
inatgre."
It in to the latter only T mean to confine my remarks. Such
wa» the impression it made on me, tlut I seeui nut only to have it
before my eyes, but ti> have been present at the spot whence it
was taken.
In a dilapidated grrnier, with a ralXered roof, ia a Ncenc such
aa we have only to go to Manchester, or one of our manufacturing
towns to parallel. All the furniture the room contains U w>ine
wooden benches and a table. Over this table lean*, at the further
extremity, an emaciated tall woman, whose age it would be difll-
cult to clelermiiie, — fur mitery Ilis no age, — the wretched mother
of a numerous wretched offBpring. She has jurt been anemptinc
to suckle an infant ; but, from the ap]>carance of her breasta, which
hang down like the dugtt of some wild forett beast, and the face
of the child, who is evidently crying for food, attempting it in vain.
The husband, sealed on the bench, a man of forty, in squalid-
ness and rags, mutelieji well with his helpmate. HIh countenance
expresaeg none of the deformity of vice, or emariation of drunken-
ness, usually seen in Jean Stein's picturett ; but is marked by the
griping hand of penury and deslilutiun. We may trace in his fine,
manly form aiid features that he has seen better days ; llial he haa
been retluccd to what he is, by the pressure of circumstances, hy
the force of some overwhelming destiny, rather than by extrava*
gaiicc or di»sipation. It is no temporary misfurtune that has fallen
upon IlJm ; but for years and years he has been familiar with every
exueme of human ill, — with cold, nakcdnesa, hunger, and degra-
dation.
The woman has juit handod to him, in an earthen vessel, a diah
of muacles; which he is sharing among the half-famished groupe
that encircle him.
These facca bear a strong resemblance to hia, and ore, M it were.
368
THE CUISINE MAIGRE.
the reflex of hi« own. They are feces «iich lu I remember at Pcrf,
ami other of the Neapolitan mountain villager. Children whu bid
never been younp. dwarfish, hurtl- featured, capable of any crime,
exhibiting a premuture decrepit tide, counterparts of those ire ftoine-
times see titAnding shivenng about the purlieus of 8t. Giles'a, or
perched ucainst snn\e wall opposite to a ga«>1ight in one of the
crowdeil thorough fares of the metropolis. Mendicancy^ baa been
long their only resource' and employment; and it appeara pK)ba-
blu that the meal they are about to partake, Kcanty as it la, htt
biini purehosed with the eariiin^g of the day. No ingenuity could
posailJly have conceived any dish Ie«» satisfactory — leso calculated
to uHsu*)ffe hunger,— than tfie one before them,
The father's right hand is immcrBL-d among the muscles, and
he is continuing what be has already beguiij the distribution of their
truly ciiisinr maiere.
In front wtandV erect a boy of perhaps thirteen, and roars at the
top of his voice, which, doubtleiis, is shrill and piercing. It struck
me that he was not to be served ; perhaps as a punishment, he
having brought no alms home with him. — for heje.iloudly even the
portion that hiia just been distributed to his opposite brother, whose
back being towards uh, we eaniiot see him devour it. Another,
with tears iti his eyes, is rcprcEented stretchitig out bis skinny
hands— more like taluiu thiui bauds— for his pittance, with all tfc
cugeniesi) of a hawk about to pounce upon its prey. A third wolfiA-
looking child, with long stniig)' hair trailing over his face, cuts
savage glances at his brotherEi, as though he were euual to any ex-
cess) in order to appease the giiawingii of hunger, whilst the os-
seous profile of an old hag, doubtle&s Oie grandam, — a match for
one of iMichael Aiigelo's Futea, — peeps from under the arm of the
mother- Whe is watching intently the process of distributioo ; but
without :iiiy hope ur expectation (if ptirticipating in the meal.
Between the table and the chimney, are lying on tlie Hoor two
children, a boy and a jiirl in tattered weedi, who have got between
them, and arc quarrelling and fighting over ttie pot in which the
shell-fish have been boiled. One is sucking the fingers of her
right hnnd, and dipping the other in the half tumed-up vessel ; as
the brotherj brerrhleHs, — an urchin of five or sis, — brandishes high
the wooden ladle, which is ubuut to di-scend on the head of bu
taster us n reward for her imputed greediness.
To complete the scene. Over the a»h«it of the hearth — fiir
there is no fire — I observed, croucihing on hi& knees, a sixth boy,
the eldest of the party, who may sugge&t the fate of the rest. liis
head is enwrapped in a lumdkercliief ; he is evidently pining with
nekness, — perhaps in the laHt t^tufre of consuinptioit, — and now
loathes the food tor which the rest arc craving.
Prom this picture it would not be difficult to make » tale, and
bow true and common a tale let Htatesmen and politicians gufwa.
T. Mbdwim,,
I
I
I
969
I
m uunff
THE RECONCILIATION;
OR, TRB DBRUf.
A STORY FROM IBAL LtTS.
SV OLD NlceOLAS.
" WiLl. yoQ give me a peony, sir?" stud a litUr ragged bojr, u 1
pasted the step uf a door on which he wa» HRing,
There wu something 90 unbeggarly in the tone and manner of
the fupplicant, that I stopped.
" V'e<f." said I, and I took one fmm nijrpocltei.
I lookrd the child in the face ; there was a degree of intelligence
that rnnimanded attention ; an expreuion, too, that far a moment I
fancied I had »efn before.
As I put the money into hti hand I asked htm where be lived.
" Id a court over the bridge," he replied.
" With voiir mother?"
*' Yes, sir ; and father and Bisters."
I beckoned him from the main Elrcet to learn more. In » fVw
minutm I heard enough to dctrrmiue mv ou accompanying him
borne. We cros-cd Blaekfriars" UriilKC. and, after winding through
•everal courts aiid alleys, on the Surrey side, and close by the river,
we stopped at a sruaU hovel, which appeared lit only for tlie abode
of wretchedness and misery.
The child pushed the door open, and we entered. In tlie centre
of the floor, upon what appeared to be the remains of a piece of
matting, sat a young woman of ap]>arently five or six and twenty.
In ber arms was sn infant of very tettder age; two or three little
one* were huddled together in a comer, whoae crying my appear*
anoe partially hu«hed.
Their mother raised her head from the baby as I approached her.
I apologised for the liberty I had taken in intruding upon her
■orrowa. She answered not, but burst hito tears. I offered her my
arm to raise her frnm the floor, and looked round, but in vain, for a
ehair or stool, — the walls were bare. She was too weak to stand.
I itcppcil into the adjoining tenement — cottage I cannot call it, —
and putiini^ down hslf-o-erown on the table, begged the loan of an
old cKair, that was the only furniture of one side of the apartment.
When the poor creature was seated, I asked in what way I
could best serve her.
" Oh, sir !" she replied, " food— food for my poor ItUle ones T
I gave the little fellow who had been my conductor money, and
hade him get xmie meat and bread. In an instant he was out of
aiglit. I comforted as well ».i I w«s able the apparently dying
woman ; told her the accident that had brooght me to her. aiKl pro>
ndacd the little assistance that might be in my power. Rhe would
have spoken her thankn. but her streneth was exhauMed with the
few words she had already uttered. The children, encouraged by
the kind tone of voice in which I spoke, now one by one stole from
their comer, and came rmind me. They would hare been fine.
healthy crt«tures, if misery hod not "marked them for ber own ;"
but the cheek was hollow, the eye sunken, the lip thin and livid.
Uiuiger was fait consuming them. As I looked upon them mv
370
ECCOKCIUATIOS.
hart nafc witka ae,
farceJihwiiliMiBlo
I cmU
:^^
T^faB.
■rik
1 WSB I
the achffs;
■* An wm haaigrw, dr, tavf
Ptaor (kid ! wiifc her.hiyi had ever h
tkci^bi of them Ht dM oMKicB iM» her
-fiS?i«AI; -I i> ■« h»p7; ha
hsML-
•■Aad ai?"— "Aad ac^— "A^ ar?
thv na dkkaiBf a thrj
« Yi% J[el>rr I
8MB thK U am dsp«d. ad a^ iliiai iflj
I fjn tayaCiaal / fi» thcj aaHlea aorva
thtt wonls. I ■iml to the doa Id Im^ ftr li
7>lcin|[ ■ ftw stape vp tlkf cutut^ I aval aa lariiiig ■Bumk ta
wall, aod C7i*V hitterly: on ae^g ae he hid hi* {mat to hi»
■■ What k the aMttr?" ind I ; «■»< vhae H die nunc; I |[an
year
» Fstber aw a«, aod took k jssf.* ahhad be. " jast a 1 «w
oaac into the bekei'e ibiaL'
^^Wherc b vow frthar I afad.
"Orer h the pnbiir-hwae,' he maliiaiiil. "^w; and, faecua
I cried, be hat ae f aad berv tbe |war EOfe Imam, pottisig devo
Ut haode, ahowed ae hia e;e nnrt fivhlMly ot.
Mr ftnt impala «u to go over to me pohfic-boaw ; but, reflect-
iag ui m itvUnt oa the ■tste oTthea Ibadjait left. 1 jipfiitiBlriy
wcDt a jr*elf Bod purchaad each leedr Jitaul fcod a 1 tlMiBpl|l
waald tutBtx fm- a good aaal ; and tkcs, hani^ had the chiw*
vovod yruprT\y altcodrd to, I retonwd to <a^ the laxat; of
•cnng lata tLMrwvt^ baQjr compwaiively hajjpj aod coafortabtr.
M'hen I took mjr d^atture I left whet tnoorr I had about tut,
and proaiad to renew mj riiil before it fthonldbe exhaustnL
It wu mj intention to have gone in a daj a two ; but the lol-
loving circumaiana prarcnu-d my dmng ki for a wbotie week.
Od ibc next momiDg earh I waa umt (or hj an old genilcman vi A
whea I wu on ternu of great intinucj-, atefaoa^ oar acquaintance
wa not of lon^ standing. lie wu extremdy tU, and wished to
make « (li>|jotiuon of his property. I took a pai, and waited far
hi* iiiolructitm*.
■' 1 (jirc and bequeatli," aaitl the invalid, "all monies, bouses,
laiitU, ami whaUoever tUe I may die possessed of, to—" lie pauied,
na If eniitidtrring. Suddcnl}- hi* cuuntirnance indicated a »trons ill-
terimt •triiigfle, aa if bitter recollection* came upon him, which br
HMc iltficriiiini-d t» diacard. I put down my pen.
" Ou on, atr 1 go on i" aaid lie, hurriedly. " To— to Heury 3Us-
Urra— "
I auruul with uloniahnient It wu my own name.
*' Vtnt lAiitifA mean this, nr t" said I. " I have do claim upon jron
to aoi'h «'" < »irnl. 1 — "
"To Jli'iiry Alttstcrt," he repeated dowly and diAinctl^*.
1 npproarlu-d liis piltuw. " 3Iy dear friund, I have hvard that
you have a uliild. Ought uut — "
I
I
I
THE RECONCILIATIOM.
3T1
He put his hand upou my u-m. "Child I Oh, yes! I know
it ; but 1 had forgotten it uiiltl this hour. For years I have fur-
gotten it ! Why tmnk of it now ? I will not think of it !"* he ex-
claimed riolrntly ; then falling back, xad exerting extruordiuary
■elf-control, he agun repeated more dedaively than before, " to
Henry Master*."
I could not bexr to writ4^ down worda that would shut out a
child for ever without another elTort: I commenced in a persunxive
tnantier; but he instantly interrupted me; and hii look and tone I
shall not readilv forget.
" 8ir," said he, " I made up my mind on the most important part
of thi^ matter years ago, when I had health, and strength, and
intellect about me. It in not honest to try and make me waver noir
that I am an tmbccile old uian."
I uould say no more. He again repeated hiis iuelructiuns, aud
I reluctantly obeyed them.
For some days I was his constant attendant ; indeed I scarcely
ever left his bed-side. OccaMonallv bin mind wandered, and then
his muttering^— fur tliey were little better^lia*! evidently connection
with ht8 last rational cttnver»ction- — the diapositton of his property.
Bitter exclamations about hia child — hit daughter, plainly uliowed
that, though dittowncd, fthe was not, and could not be forgotten. Once
or twice he became calm and perfectly collcctwl, and on each op-
portunity I endeavoured to bring him to a reconsideration of the
step he had taken; but in vnin. It was the onlv tiubject upon
which he would not he-^r me. I learned from the physician in
attendance that his recovery was perfectly hopeless ; but that be
might linger some little time. I longed to see my poor dependants
ag.iin, and, one morning when my patient hail fHlleu into a deep
iluniher, I took my hat, and, uuictly stealing from the chamber,
directed my footsteps to their abode. The fiuidly were in a rtato
little better than wnen I first aaw tliem. The woouin's husband, a
reckles»( and inveterate drunkard, judging from the food he found
at home that from some ([uarter or other, assistance had been
given, forced the fact from his trembling partner, and then nearly
the whole of the little money I had let^ bi-hiiiil ; since wliich violence
he had not returned. Again I •iiip|ilied the i>oor creatures with re-
freshment, and attempted to soothe the only one whom food could
not alone sittiitfv — the heart-broken mother.
She briefly told me her Mory. It was indeed a piteoui one.
She was well connected ; anil, at the time nf her marriage, living
with her parenLi in ccmifort and aiflutmcc in Xew V'orli. They
wished her to connect licriielf with a man with whom she felt she
never could he happy, and she ri-lused. She wus secretly plighteil
U> another, — secretly, fur he was forbidden even her lather's bousa!
Her father coinniiuided, her mother pereujuled ; but it was in vain.
ller's was a passion that neither threat nor argument could weaken.
She married, and was renounced, they told her, for ever I She
turned to the chos«n of her heart ; and, tliough the daughter wept,
the wife triumphed t Rut, alasl the leant upon » broken reed.
Her love hiul glossed over fault*— nay, viccs^which calmer judge*
■ hajl dv^tected, and she had fancied perfection where all was frail. Her
H husband cruelly neglected her: she was n married widow ! Chil-
H dren came about her : they were fatlierleu ! Iler mother tctulerty
I
S72
THE RECONCILIATION.
loved her, and this MretcbednesB broke her heart I Her fiilhtr
w»» of Btemer rtiifF, lii the low of his own partner, he Miid, i
murdf-r hnd been commiltetl, «nd he doubly steeled himself iguuri
it* unnatiirftl Hiithor. Then it was th«t in utter dr^pAir she left
her eountry, long urRed to the step by her huBbanil t*hrt Mud he
could get employment here ; and who solemnly promised ih»t in i
new Iflnd he would lead another liTe ; and that, once removed from
hi* haunts of ruin and dissipation, he would forswear tbero for
erer, and strive to keep holy that cwred vow which bound iam
to " forsake all otherfi, and cling only unto her."
On Ills arrival in England hu (>ucccediil in ubtatninj^ a lucratiTe
situation, and for a brief' period all was well ; but soon the demoB,
Drunkenness, aj^ain laid hold upon him, and he was lo«t fur ever.
Friendless, and alone, she struggled against the stream of ad-
versity ; her health and stren|[th soon failed her, and she fell inw
utter destitution, — in utter deHtitution I had indeed found her!
Thin was a slight outline of her xad hiitory. At its conctuston
she burst into a violent paroxysm of tears. In such moments words
of consolation are but ciiustics, keeping open wounds they cannsC
cure : I attempted tliem not. The violence of this fit had in some
degree exhausted itself, and I was about to ^euk of doing itome-
thmg for her children, when a knocking at the door, accompanied
by several voices talking in a flupprntified tone, made nic start frotn
my seat, t undid the latch, and tnree men entered, bearing' in tbdr
arms a fourth in a oenselcss state.
Tliey laid their burden on the floor with but little cerrmoay,
Uid would have departed without a word.
" Stay r said I, seixing the arm of one of the party, " Wbft is
ibiB? and what is the matter?"
" It is my huxbaiid ! my poor hu^bnnd !" exclaimed the wretched
wife, springing forward.
" Ves ; and drunk as unual !'' added the man id a brutal niBtmer
as he slammed the dour after him.
I cast but one look nt the face of the lost being at my feet- It
was enough : disttirtiun was in every feature !
" For GikI'n sake '." said I, pursuing and coming np with the
party who had just left us, "fetch me a medical man. Here i»
money ; ami I will pay you belter by and by."
Money made them Samarititn^ — ^thoy hurried off to obey me. I
returned. (>n the floor, and in a state of insennibiHty, lay stretched
the long- neglecting, depraded husband ; and, hanging over him
in all the agony of doubt and fear, liic neglected, long^enduriog
wife. It was a picture that touched me to the quick.
"Henry! Henry I" she shrieked. "Ohl speuk to me! speak!
but one word!" But, he spoke not; his mouth was frightjully
distorted ; his lips livid and frothy.
" I^ook at me I" she continued, pressing bis hand ; " look at me I"
and she spoke with a winning affection of tune and niamier, tint
consciousness could not have withstood ; but his ears were aeded,
and his eye» full and fixed.
A surgeon now came in ; he looked at him, and, having tmtde
some inquiries as to tlie length of time he had been in the state be
saw, at once pronounced his fears for the very worsL He inime-
ilialely bled him in the arm, and as quickly as possible cupped
I
I
I
I
cupped ■
THK RECONCILIATION.
S7S
him freely in thr neck. During the latter operation hia patient
showed for an in»tflitt some signs of returning Iveliiig, atid this,
by the look with which he gaxtnl upon his agonised wife. To at-
tempt to (ic»crihe that look would he attempting that to which no
langUA^e is equal. I think no pencil could have ever done it,
mnch leas a pen. It wah one which tuld that the vinion of hia
pait life, concentred, fla-thed suddenly before him ; a life during
which abe who was bis ministering angel had been a victim to
cruelty and neglect: there wtis an intensity of gaze, too, as if
he felt that he was lookine hia last It was a lingering spark of
affectinn struggling iiiLu ligut through the dark horrors of remorse.
Again and agaiu she breathed cortil'art and reconciliation into h\*
ear. I know not whether her words readied his hearU 1 fear that
with the exception of that one momentary glt-am of reality, there
wu a pro«tration of power and intelleci wHiich denied him such
a blewing. I need not, will not go into fuller detail. He died
the aame atlernoon, some few houra afWr he had been brought
home.
I hired a person to perform the necessary duties to the departed,
ami to remain with the corpse until I could give orders for its in-
terment. The widow ,ind children I reiolvea to place with a re-
lative of my own until the funeral shonld have taken place. I did
!». Before taking leave, I begged the heart-broken woman to
tell me her family name, that I might write to her fricnda in Ame-
rica on her behalf.
" Friends," said she, " 1 have none. Aly mother wad my only
friend, and she is gone !"
" But you have a father ?" said I.
"I know not/' she continued; "I have not known for year*.
Most likely he is gone too !"
" At any rate I will write — "
" Not to America,"' she replied ; " for when my poor mother
died he left it, 1 know, never to return."
" And hilt name }" said I, leading her to the point upon which 1
wished information. " His name was — "
" Jackstm." said the mourner.
Why did 1 start at this single word ? Why did my words hurry
rapidly on one another us I questioned her as to the Christian
name^ and why, when I learnt it was Adam — Adam Jacksott—
did my frame tremble, my countenance change its hue, my heart
beat audibly? "Oh, God!" said I, inwardly, "if it should be to*.''—
• • • • • •
I sent for a coach ; and, handing in my Mill weeping compa-
nion, and the little fellow whom I hod fir.it seen, deiiired tJir man
to drive to Mortimer-streel. It was the residence of my dying
friend. Showing the mother and her child into a room below, I
hurried up stain to hia bed-chamber. 1 had already been absent
several hours longer than 1 had intended. When 1 drew aside
tbc curtain, the old man turned his ejes towards me ; tliey war«
deep, sunken, and glassy; his features, angular and emaciated
u they had long been, were now prrfectly ghastly. I was pain-
fhlly struck with the advances which death had made towanls his
Tictim.
My friend lookeil steadfastly at me for some minutes without
374
THE RECONCILIATION.
Any token or ni^ of recognition. I Hpoke, and my voice udiii]!
perhxpfl his faiHt-fuiUng' mrmury, called mc ti> bis rccoUcctiun. He
fi^asped my iutnd with a convulsive torce, eo great tliac hia bcaj
GngcTs actually gave me pain.
"I thounht." 8«i() he, striving, but ineifectually, to mive hin-
(leif in bed, " that you bad neglected — )ei\ tnc, left me in my Urt
trial, 8it down, and come rlo«e to me. I have bad n alc^p— •
lon^, lon^r Hleep, and a dream m horrible, so real, that w»kiii;,
though it he to <lit', in happineM .' Ckwne closer," he continued,
" and I will tell you all. I thought that I saw my long-departed
wife; she came to me in sorrow, for our lost, discarded daughter
was on her arm. She strove to speak, but could not ; s^ain and
again she strove, but hitter grief choked her utterance. She took
our child by the hand, and led her towards uie ; but I turned
from them. The penitent fell at niy feet. I apurned bcr away.
1 steeled my heart ; but could not close ray ears to bcr supplica-
tion*. They were the outpouringi of a contrite heart; but tbej
touched me not. She spoke in sngiiisih of her little one* — her
helpless little ones! and I laughed — laughed at hermiwry. Still
«h« prayed on ; she bathed my feet with tenrs ; she lifXed her
hands, and would have touched me, but I shrunk from her ad-
vances, and heartlessly commanded her to be gone ! Her voice
was suddenly stilled: 1 heard no sob. no sigh! I listened; but
could not even detect the heavy hreathinKs of sorrow. For an
instant 1 remnined wrapped in gloomy and unrelenting anger. I
tamed to grntifv once more the devil th.it wns in me ; but gbe was
guiie! I sought for and called aloud upon my wife; but tbe
ton had depsned !"
Here the old man pauwd ; then placing hts hand upon my shouU
der, so as to bring my lialf-avcrtcd face towards him, " You trem-
ble !" said he, "you tremble, and turn pale !"
It was so ; in spite of every effort to appear composed, I could
not command my feelings. J waa about to »peak. Ue put his
finger on his lips as enjoining silence, and continued.
" Vou are already affected ; you will shudder when you have
heard me out. I thought that immediately on being left alone I
waa seized with an icy chillnena, which I Itnew was the touch of
death. I looked around for help; but could 6nd none. I prayed
for some hsnd to assist, some voice to comfort me in my dying
hour: but I prayed in\-(iin. I heard but the echo of my own lameo-
tations ; and was left to go down to the grave unheedeid and alone.'"
Ag»in he paused ; and so grent were his excitement and agi-
tation, that I little expected he had strength to resume; but, a(ier
some minutca ht: did so, and in thc»e words: —
" I awoke; but in another world, or rather, when this world had
passed away. As I rose from the tomb, but one thought, one
feeling possessed roe; / trat goin^ to he jtidgrd ! Every thought,
word, and action of my life had snared my reiiurrectiun, and stood
^uilpably embodied before mc — a living picture. My last inter-
view with mv child wan the darkest Kpot ttiere. I shudderetl a« 1
beheld it. I strove, but *>h ! how vainly, to blot it out! Au all-
coniiiming tire was already lighted up within me, in the horrible con-
victiun that this, even in its naked self, would endanger my sal-
"^ '^~ ' Suddenly a sound such as oMrtal ear had never
mdon for cvet!
I
I
I
I
THE ftRCOJJPlLIATION.
875
I
I
hrartl before, burst on tht tDMiiMnig myrindi nrouni). It was a
Hound tfiat fillwl mH rrentinn, culling nil thowe who had Cvrr been
to be Again, «nri to wait thr word that should blem*. or «»ei*n ihrni
into endletift perdition. Millions upon millions had paswtf on in
judf^fnt ; and I thoiiRht thnt IremuHngly I (ipproachcd the throne
of grace! Mercy smiled upon me! and I looked with straining
eyes after those iorgiven npirita wlin had gone before. I was about
to follow, when a witnesH came againet roe, at whose presence,
conscience i^tricken, I fell prostrate in dcspuir! AIv daughter '. my
Hpumed and pirsecuied daughter ! No voice of acciiaatinn wns
heard ! No look of reproach from her ! Yet silent and mulion-
les», dejected nnd wan, as when I had last beheld her, she told of
ibe early orphanage into which she was stricken by my unnnttiral
desertion ! the destitution which my savage vengeance had en-
tailed 1 ] trembled under the weight of the«e awful charges. I
tried to lift my eyes to my child to win her inleruession; but 1
had no power to move them from myself, I tried tn speak ; my
tmifriie clove to my mouth. How — how could / plead for mercy
who had yielded none? Pressed on by thronpng crowd.* yet be-
hind, I advanced as if to enter that blesited path which the happy
trod; but suildenly it was barred against me! An angel with
fVnwninfr a^ipect waved nic aside, among a countless herd as wretch-
ed as niy.ielt. A cloud passed over us ; our souU sank within us:
it shut us out for ever from even the gliiiimerings of hone. I
Uiought that we fell, and fell deeper, and yet deeper, galberiiig
in numbers »<* we fell ! Groans and blasphemies were in my
ear; impenetrable darkness above, and hell below! I shrieked
madly ! I was answered but by shrieks ! A thouttond times I
grasped at objects to stay my fall : J clutched them, but they yield-
ed, and helped me nut ! Hopeless and eternal perdition was be-
fore me! One plunge more, and a lake whose waves were of fire
— Rre inextinguishable, would engulph me for ever! Myriads be-
held it too; and now one universal ftcrcam of horror, enough to
rend twenty worlds, burst upon me!"
Here the old man was so excited with the recital of these imaginary-
horrors, that I could with ditltrulty hold him in my arm*. His
frame cjuivercd, hi.i eye glared with unnatural power and brightneM.
I spoke and sootlieil him.
'* The euund is now in my ears!" he exclnimed wildly. Almost
tttstaiitly after, he added, as calmly. " I awoke! 1 am awake!" and
dai|iing his withered hands together, and raising his ejes to henven,
"he said fervently, " I thmik lliee, Ood I it was a dream !"
Almost immediately afterwards he fell back on his pillow, per-
fectly cxhinmted. Anxious as I was to speak to him once nmre, to
ask biin but one question— to satisfy my more than surmises, I cuiild
not— dared not do it, as he then wa^i. I watched, oh ! how eagerly, to
see bii eyes open, hii lips move, that I might address myself to him,
hot he lay in a "itnte of complete stupor : I trembled as I ga^fd, lert
he might never move again. After some little time paimNi in this
atate of painful su-spense, and still no sign of returning conscioua.
nesa, I grew more alarmed, lest when he did recover. It might be
bnt for a moment, as I knew to be a not uiiftrqucnt case, and that
I might have no time to inquire into the striking coincidence, to
•ay the least of it, that bad bo extraordinarily presented itftelf to mi!.
THE KECOVCOUI
Wiihdusfiear mm wn mimd, I
dowBjtfiin, ■idaKiirfjiiic aywlf m
WhcB I CBlcrad Uk nmm is vUi
hercUil, I bod tlw IbvMr anii«
to brr hmdi Ihi boy w« at kv
iW 1
with ^ief and
when am I? WIhw fewe is tll»^
tW trfilr, ahe wrtinowl. "tin book — ihM iU
tlxr'i; it WB Ina iwb hSbitl Bo* w Ui a*
pofl br B17 own band.' And taminc la the
«M JMoibed - Adam Jadtmn. Ne« Tack,' d
MdKM
rfr-
_ iitfct i^riiiai tte kd
that I karv Dat «b^ mhr la Mfcc I ftarai
thai Ae «as mkr krfi^cr'a raoC tkc ikr
caidd Mot ba eradv^ fir bar whola bong aeCBad to hi
waited for.
aa bawudavi^
to tcB kv M a»
Mk:I
rertjuad br bt nl^Kr, afaa snacd dit wriit ▼ioleni^ ^ti n-
~ ' wildad hm^»
^sbtVP
ptwtti kt a load and aeaada^ toae. «hOe her wild
look betokened iwo'pienl iimlmai. ** Wbow boaw ia lki»?~
" It 19 tbe boiur,' and I mildly, " of Adun JsckMau"
"My&thBrrihcitoetcdhytq-wany.andfrllwMthjiatl
Alter ci)«Mid<riMc £ScnltT 1 raturgd ber to companciTe cai*-
BOM ; I wai tbea cwaptOed to expUui to brr the fnaiTJtfi «f bit
parent witoovt dMipUMr tot, at fint, she uopei ati*clj noitid aa
■■aing bim- AAer tliit, cbe aaiond me ihm wouUl be gnyafed W
■^ wiabei^ I led her to the aick chamber. A* we entered I peioM
to « chair br the beJi^ade, and the tottered towards it. The rfi^
noM we nude iHituTbed the old nun, and in a Cuni voice be oMti
me b^ my oame. I carcfallj pliocd mvA^ between him and lii
efafld.
" M J d«ar, dear fiiend T be began, " I hare been aame time
dymf , bat I feel tbe strac^ is DceoiT orer."
At the sottitd of bo- SSm^s roice, the tremblinfc crtatitre bv mj
aide sprang ftam ber war. Ae would hare nulwd into bis inns, —
tbe curtain wi« between them, and be was tligbtly tamed froo
her. 10 that the moreiiient aras iineeca ; with ooe luutd 1 forciUj
rcitraimd ber.
She unfc down, bat a half-Fuppressed and choking tob, tbjL
might have broken her heut, escaped her. fl[
" Do not grieve," said hr, advctioiiatelj: pressing mjr hi^P
" rather join me in thankful prayn- to the Almightv that I haie
lived thus long — long moogh to renounce as I now do, the deadly
tin of unrelenting anger against a fellow creature; a sin which I
madiv hugged even on the brink of tbe grave !~
" t)o you understand me ?" he continued, speaking with diffltcal^-
" My cbild ! my daughter '. God — GmI bless ! as I forgire her !**
Had I wished to have delsved longer the meeting between father
and child, I could not ha\-e done it. With the grr atp« difficult
I had, up to this moment, restrained tlw racking impalienca «f
sn
m. I
0«l
vlw.'
.fewi
nka^dEvTar. 1 tnMbM lor tlw
k» dn^i apsK, ar he fnci fab losfcs toward* farr.
rill fivjps Ae «gMf «r ibM sMnkCBl !
Be tMJ m if a^B id adAcM ne. She, wtnn
M^ he Wd |mI Utmed, and who vm pn>lU% ai
afayea af his ihoaghw, sto.id in life, if
Ib^ hmie Ub! His hair-<:ltM«d «]r«
gaxcd G\nilj but wildly ;
rtxd bnn in the «tteiiipt.
ihnwt, ss if he strove to
'mg voice, whtdi Metnri to
tatapai die power that wnt
jedL ** This U no drr.-kin ! it
tmging open his MXmt,, she.
r-. I
I hevd a raCtiiii^ in
aosld aat: Aam io a pic
ii far erer. be
iB^hi ■jdMJ^tetr
6«ei hn tnnce, ^mng forward and fell upoD hit
WHhiD a frw MOtw aAcr thii toadiiiig Kvne, I was called to
the door of the timmhet; X Ibnnd it wu the pfaj-udan : I took him
a»d« asd huiiiaJy cxpboncd to Um the ereots of the la»t few
hoon. We thcB approaAeJ die bed : the old man wiu dead < hii
arm* were i rli'adi il acnae bit diiU, wboac &oe wa» buried in the
piUow. On rmmwg her ap, a itrcain of blood rushed from her
OMBdl ; a Toad had bcca raptaied ! la la» than half an hour her
ipBi^ too^ had &cfMVDa.
THE WELCOUE BACK.
Oa ! nett M the hoar daa bnap lu hoBM^
Wiw aS wA afiainv la aen Bi ;
m«K hndi aie Mntaig at w« cone
To be tW im to pcei us.
Wla DM wafM hai •ami m tmmpt md wmh.
AadCMilHeaMdypea^ ^
T« Hoa lo ba>« tiw lonsc naik.
Aad ia4 a fa««de Uatq 1
Oh! >DyM]r dear is ^ bootewwd tnck.
If «c ae bat MK «r a wdoMae UcL !
WIm do w* radt on ■ dnatj- wij>,
fhoa^ taadjr and henig^biail.
If w« Iem« iWe as* lips to
Aad CTCi Atf wA heMi, love
Wlac b Ibe wOTih af
Todto
Whde
WcbmaheiHlVdiM
Ob ! ><7l«D7 4ow is fti
If wevtbttMKafa
*9.
• fa* wena ac your wanaoe
he ibaec ite i^a pkasa,
*• weeds dot wrieoM bad
r
III.
37H
KICHTS AT SEA;
Or, Sk^ckes cf Saval JJfe during tkt Wtu.
AY THB OLD SAILOR.
No. VHI.
Wim AN ILLVnS&TlOK SY CEO&CK CRVIEUi&VK.
THE BATTLE OP THE NILE— THE DYING PRISONKU.
If L^ird Eustace had felt gratified at hiiviiii; captured one frigate,
how muclt greater were Uie ple&tiure and pride oi his heart when he
beheld two fine frigates anu aii armed transport gracing lii* tri-
umph I Vet, the greAtest cxiise of HBti»factioii to his iiobW mliid
arcMe from a conviction tliat two of his U^utenHntx would be ntjule
commander*, mid the same number of paused midithipmen would
»hip the white lapelles, whilst hi* i)rave fellow* would receive a
very handitome sum as head and prize- money.
It was 8 line, cleiir night, with warm weather, and smooth water,
and the vcstela moved but slowly tlirough it l*ord Eustace wa»
too anxious for the security of his »bip to turu in, %o he wrapped
himself in hiA boat-cloak, and took an occasional shOTt snooxe upon
the lofa, visiting the deck at every interval, to make sare tliat a
Btrict look-out waa kept upon the prisoners- Nugent was equally on
the alert; for, though he could not expect present promotion, yet
the captures they had made would, he was well aware, tell h.ind-
somcly in his favour on some future occasion ; bendes, notwith-
standing his boaated appliances to book-ii)skin|*, and hating what
Spurzheim would have called "da bomp of consheit vera large." be
was a good officer, attentive to his duty, and obe<lient to the routine
nfthc SLTvict'. The purser and the doctor, tliough only civilians,
found plenty to do; the former in attending to the French oKiwrs,
the latter in looking after tJie wounded. Meanwhile Plumstone and
Peabody, the marines, kept watch and watch, visiting the prisoners,
and manifeatiug to tliem that all attempts at rising would be met
with condign punifthmeuC. Nur were tliose noscgaiit* of the navy—
the warrant olhcers — less diligent in their stations. The gunner, with
his assistants, was down in the magazine tilling cartridges. The
carpenter and his crew actively employeil themselves in debating
upon the best mode of plugging a shot-hole ; whlbt old Savage lean-
ed over his picture-gallery, looking into the blue depths of the
ocean, and praying for the gitt of Glendower to "coU spirits from
the vasty dee])," — for the boatswain's bottle waa empty, and he
longed for a " Aanh of lightning " to titillate his tliroat. Ry his side
stood Jack Sheiivehole, wondering what bis superior could be think-
ing on, although giving a shrewd guess at the cause which induced
him to rMmiiiate so ardently.
It was near four bells in the middle watch (two o'clock in the
morning), when old Savage turned round to his subordinate, uid
* Ctlled " Nosfignjn " from I<Anl Alclvtllc having pn>oo»ii«ed tbem tli« TWy
fifteen of tiM urnoa.
SEA,
txclninird, "Then I "11 tell you what it is. Jack ; when a ftllow 'a
linni up it *» <1 — d onlucky. and that '9 all about it"
The Jixioin just suited honest Jack's ideas, wid ihc mathematical
preciftion with which it was uttered,— a precision enforced with ail
tbc «L-)mina of a firut-rate learned proftiuior in the tcience, exactly
lAllicd with ohl Slieavrhole'fl notions of tiling* in ^neral, and he
had only to clench it with his Q. E. D. (more properly Q, I. D.).
" And, 'cause why, your honour," lutd he, whiliit tne iKmttwain's ears
tingled at "your hononr," — "if a poor devil am*t got no 'bacca, he
can't have no chaw !"
" And if his bottle '9 empty," resumed the boatswain, in accenu
half indignant, hnlf sorrowful —
" It stands in Rood reason that he arn't never got a toothful of stuff
to bless his<>elf with," aaid his mate, finishing the (sentence his supe-
rior had cutnmc-nccd.
" Well then. Jack." nturncd the boatswain with energy, '* that *i
just my predickU-ment, and I'm if my inside isn't going round
■ml round, like a spuii-yaru winch, and twisting my integrals into
foxes .'"
"That's almost ss bsd ai« a stark calm in the w^ind>pipe," «Aid
Jark, comniistf rating the situation of hix olHctr; " but I 'm tninking.
Master S«vage, there '» ituine good stuff in Uie prir.es !"
*'No dmtbt on it, Jack ; no doubt on it," responded the boaU
swain ; *' and I wi^h I had a gallon or two here ; you should have •
stiff 'un to cheer the cockles of your heart. Jack ; for urtcr alt, I IVels
more for others than 1 does for myself. My bowels of compassion
yams for — "
"A glass of grog, and some bincuits and cheese, on the capstan-
head, Mr, Savage, with the captain's compliments," said his lord-
ship's servant, ^dressing the old man. " It is brought up for all tlie
officers ; are there any more on the forecastle ?"
"Can't say/ retume<l old Savage; "it's quite enough to look
out for number one, eh. Jack?" ami the veteran walked aSl.
" Ah, there he goes, with his boweU of com passion, which 1 takes
to be all nddle-strings !" uttered Sheaveholc in an undcr-tone to Bob
Martingal. " Well. 1 won't be envious, though 1 should like to — "
"f^piicc xhii mriin-brace, boatswain's male !" ^hvutetl Mr. Nugent
from the quarter-deck.
"Ay, ay, sir !" responded Jack, shaking tlie dust out of his call.
" He 's just hit it. Bub. Twhit! twliit ! Splice muiii-brace, a-
hoy !"
Never was summons more cheerfully obeyed. An allowance of
ftuff was served out to all handi, "that," «.^ Lord Ktistacc sud,
"ereryaool fore and aft might be tarred with the same brush."
Again the yarn-spinners lusembled nn the old spot liefiire the
foremast, and once more they commenced their tuugb 'uns: their
tongues beiiw oiled with the lubricating liquor.
" I say, Bc3> !" exclaimeil Joe Nightliead, " then I 'm blewed if we
ahiin't cut the shine out o' all the sancy frigates on the station ; and
they may get itp agtngerbread battle at the theatre, with the throsh-
*em-all Hpunkaway and her prises!"
" I \io\tc it nil be a better consam than I once fell foul on in a
place they called ' Bart'lemy Fair,'" said the captain of the fore-
castle. "Well, I m blow'd ifit warn'toiiUsnd-ool gammon ! D'y*
k
S D 2
380
NIGHTS AT SEA.
mind, I wu in the owld Ooliah stvciity-fuur, in Ninety- eif;ht,
Nile ; ami k'd into the nttiuti. ultiiuiigh lluod in the Zvalvui tried
d — liard (or it; but our nkijuper, Captain Foley, wam't th« boy lo
Wt liiiu do the trick, for the Goliah hm the heetit of the Zealou*, aM
we pM>ed a-head of her, inside the enetny'tt line, every gun double*
•hotted: ' llecau»e,' «ays our ekipper, *ay» he, "we'll take Vm on
the iti-»hore side, a» the I'hance is they '11 not expect iix there, and
thtit hroniUiile wmi 1 he titantied ;' which in course was all riebc
eniiii>:h, and jotii an vre found it. Well then, I 'm blessed if it didn't
look funny to run so close to 'em thm you mif^t have seen a mo*-
kito wink hia eye. We tried first for the French Oorear, but slip>
ped past him to the Conkernnt. 'caune the best bover hung in the
stopper arter they 'd ffot-the cable out abaft. Ilowsoinever, J am'l
ffoin}^ to light the battle over a^tiin ; owiily at the peace we got long
leave, and, Jiaving lots of prize-money, J thought 1 *d go up Co Ltin-
iiuii, just to see what eort of a place it wa«, as I 'd beard my ship-
mates in their watch overhaul a good deal about it. Well, my boys,
I just t«kes a berth 'pon deck in one o' your fly.by-nigbt wehidcs
from Portsmouth ; but, as to what sort of a passage we had, 1 don't
much disrrmember about it, seeing as 1 'd had more plu<>h that day
than any cook u* the raess in the aarvice. Howiwmever, next morn-
ing, t tinds myself all Huut;, rJdini^ it out in a four-masted thiiig-'em-
he, as they calls a po.°it bed along shore, and the c:in%-ti!t was hanging
in the brails ; and there was chairs, and a table, and a looking-gias*.
and t' other thing, all ship-shune : and I 'm blow'd if there wani't a
beauty alongside o'me: ' Yo-hoy !" says 1, 'what ship, my dar-
ling ?' — ■ The Goliah, to lie sure.' iiays she ; ' dnn't you know tliatf
■ — .'I'm blow'd,' says I, *if you arn't more like a cousin than an
acquaintance. How came you in my hammock?' says I. — 'You
was groggy last night,' saya she, laughing like a tickled ^VeRus,
'and 8C! I WHS afeard you 'd rowl out." — 'All right, my precious!'
says I; 'but, where's the shot, my darling?' — 'All safe in the
locker,' says sbe; and so it was, shipmates, every bit of it, not a
stiver missing. 'That's my tight 'unl' says I; and, in course.
Bob, we consorts together, and that artemoon we hauled our wind
for what she called, 'showing me the city ;' but I 'm bless'd, ship-
matei), if I could »ee anything fur the houses till we got to a place as
I said afore was nnineil ' Ritrt'lemy Fair.' Now, in regard u' Sal's
kindness, d' ye mind, I 'd rigf^ed her out fore-and>aft, from the keel
to the truck, with a spick-and-span new suit o' nails ; and, »» far
colours, then I 'm if she hadn't hn ensign and pennant as long
as that 'ere craft as swept all ihe sheep off the Isle of Wight going
down Channel. Her gnwnd waft covered with flowers, every one on
'em as big as a cabbage ; and her bonnet would have sheltered the
frigate'^ marl ties in a snow-storm. Then she'd pink silk :stockings
upun her legti, as wiirii't like ycr kickHliaw-s|iiiidlc-dh»nk bliding-
guiiter ladieit', but u reg'lar pair of good. «tout lower-deek ^talldleon8.
as 'ud howld up stiif in a squalL She wanted boot» ; but I thought
it 'ud be a sin and a shame to hide such hand&ume and proper con*
sarns in leatlier -casings, so I stepped her hetU into pink long-ijuar-*
teretl puiup^i with blue x-mtUU, in regard o' Ihe colour o' tiie jacket.
Then t>he 'd a broad red Iwntl round her waist, with a fatJiom and a
half of the same towing over her starn, and when the wind caught
it, why it blow'd out like a pennant A-om the peak as a signal for go*
THE BATTLE OF THE NILE.
sai
\
iiig to churcTi. She 'd blup at thp main, and a banging; gold watch
huiigin^ a cockbih undor one ot' her ciit-hrnds ; and n smarter-look-
ing frigate — ownly she waa pimpled a little about the nme with
groii bliMSums — I never set eyes an.
" Well, shipmate)!, su she said she 'd show nie Lunnun ; hut. Lord
love yer hearts ! 1 couldn't never make out iiulbing but a big tliurch
an thry called Saiit Pnul'c, booming up in tlie air so, ns you couldn't
see anybody in the top*. At last we got to Bart'lemy fair, and then
there wati som'ut to look at. for I 'm blow'd if they hadn't turn'd the
handu up to akylnrk, or mtlier to mischief I There was Hueh a haU
loo-bulloo, and »ame of the liibber^i began to overhaul their jawing
gear so as tn pay nut the slack of their gammon, that I should have
been dead flabbergasted if it hadn't been for Sal, who pitched it at
'em again, sometimes sending a long shot a<head, and then giving
'em round and grape from her stam-chaserft. As for the snows I
well then, I 'm bte^tA'd if there wam't a little som'ut of every thing !
At last I spie« outride one of the booths ' The Ilnttle of the Nile to
be seen hi.>re !' with «ime mure lingo about machinical figures and
touiniytuiiH : but. ' Blow me tight. Sal !' say» 1, ' that 'ere 's just what
J must see. in regard o' the owld (jolinh and Lord Nelson.' So I
tips the blunt to a fellow in a box and walks in, with Hal atongvjde
of me, and a woman comes round with a basket ot'orniiges, and axea
me to buy. Well, shipmates, seeing as 1 'd plenty o' dumps, I buys
the whole car;;o, and carves 'em out to all hMUtU, young «nd old,
whilst the fiddlr« Htruck up ' Jxck '« wlive !' and presently they niana
the fore-clew garnets, buiitlings. and Icrehlins, and up went the
fciresel in a crack, and the music changed to ' Come cheer up, my
lads !' nml says I to Sal, ' Then 1 'm if I don't, owld gaJ, and
to here goes!' and I took a precious nip from n bottle orum she'd
stnwe<l awav in her ridicule. And there vm the sea all pretty and
picter-like, and the shore beyond; but the devil a bit rnnld'l see
m the French fleet at anchor, or a craft of any build or rig, till
there was a flash o' priming, and then in Mlla a ship under Brili.sh
colourH, and fires u gun ; and tJien, in comes another, and another,
till there wur the whole of Nclsan's K4|iiailrun. though they were no
more like line o' battlers than Mungo Pearl is tike the Archbishop
of Canterbury. Still, shipmates. I tmya nothing; for 'Atayhap/
tbioka i to myself, ■ jt may do all very well for them know-nothinga
aa DCTer seed a aeventy-four in their lives.' But, presently, whea
they 'd uU hove in sight, in comes the French fleet arter them, just
aa if for all the world Nelson had run awKy, and owld Brewy was tn
cbaae. ' D-^ my prei-iuus limbii!' says I tn myself, 'but that's
coming it pretty strong V nnd I shies a orange at the French admiral
ukI capsizes him, so that he went down directly- ' Who threw that
'ere.^' ihimta a man, poking; his head up right in the middle of the
aea, like a grampus coming up to blow. * It was I. and be d — d
to you !' says I. shicing another at him, that took him right in his
bridle port. * V'ou lubberly Hon of a nca-coiite!' says I, "when
did Nelscm ever run from the enemy, you wagabone^ And her«
goes again!' says I; for, shipmates, my blowl was tip, and 1 atapa
■uother shot at a Frenchuion, and sunk him in ati instant' Hal hail-
ed me to sit atill, HiuL everybody shouted, and the fellow Iwbs hfs
bead down uiuler the aea again : ' Battle of the NileV sav" I, 'and
lite one of the owld (iuliahs, fis had young Mu^cr I>avies killed alon|^
MIQBTS AT SEA.
side o' me ! Make (be French run. uid be d— d to you f si ,
'heave about, and Btrike yuur colours! That arnt the battle of
the Nile, yer tinkering tailor« !' But, finding that they were slack in
stays, and that the French fleet were pursuing the English, I couldn't
bear it any longer, shipmates; so up I jumpi, and board* the stage,
and putx two or three of the French liners into my pocket, when the
same I'ellow ruuMfs out agxin right through the water, and pitchei
into mc right and left ; and I lets fly at him again, till a parcel
of pollift-oflicem came in, and there I was grabbed, and brought up
all standing. Ilowsomcver, as they axed me very purlitely to go
with *m, why io course 1 did. carrying my prises and Sal along with
me, afore aotne of tlie big-wigs, and ' Yo-bay, yer hom)iir» !' nys I.
making my sakanis in ail due civility. 'I'm coioo to have justice
done me un that 'ere gandcr-faccd chap as pretends to fight the lialtit
o' tlie^'ile. and oieoneuf tbeowldOuliahs!' — * Your worships.' says
the luan, hu ' 'salted me. and ' 'salted my ships.' — - ' And rn-etty pickle
you *ve made ofit, you lubber !' Miys I. And then the big -wig* axed
what it was all about, and the man upv and tells 'em about the fleet),
and my shieing the oranges, and hitting him in the i.'ye, and the
whole coniiam, even to my having the Frenchmen stowed away in
my 1ocker«. And the big-vrigii litughe<l ; and one on 'em says to
me, Days he, ■ Now, sailor, let un hear what you 've got to Mr for the
defence' — 'The Defence, yer honours?" nays I. glad to find they
know'd som'ut about the squadron; 'the Defence,' says I; 'why,
yer honours^ sh« came np a-6tam o' the Minnytaw, though she ar-
terwords took her station a-head fif her, and engnged the Fr«nkUii
French eighty — ' — 'All very gwoil,' Bays the geiiclman ; 'but we
want to know what you've got to mv for yourself?' — 'Well, yer
honour/ says I, * tt arn't altugethcr ship-nhape for a fellow to blow
hta awn trumpet, but 1 was stationed the lifih gun from rhork aft on
the lower-deck, and I liopes I did my duty.'—* We *vc no doubt on
it, my man,' says another of *em ; ' but how come too to attack this
man's expaOiioH ?' — • Oh, yer honoum, if it "s owniy an expedition,"
says I, ' then I got nothing to say again it, ownly nc 'd chalked up
that it was the battle o' the Nile, and there warn't one of the Frencti
Heet at anchor, but all under way. and giving cha»e to the English.'
— ' He mistakes, yer worship,' say» ttie man ; '1 brought the Eng-
lish fleet on first, out of compUmeut to 'em.' — ' And a pretty compli-
ment, too, yc lubber, to make 'em be running away !' says I. — ' But,
you have done wrong, sailor, in mi&lcsting him,' says one of the b^-
wig». * Let us sec the ve-9«eU you have taken.' So, shipmate*. I
hauls 'em out of my pocket; and I 'm hlcs&cd if tl>ey wur anything
more nor painted pasteboard as went upon wheels, and ' Here '» the
prizes, yer honours!' says I, handing 'em over; 'it's ensy enough
to sec tliL' wagabone's u cheat.' — 'Still he's entitle<l to his expedi-
tion,' says the ma^''irtrate ; 'and I'm sure one of Nelson's tars
wouldn't wibh to mjure a fellow-countryman I' — 'Lord love vet
honour's heart 1 no. to be sure I wouldn't.' says I, ' and so he may
have the prizes back again.' — ' But you have doiw him suroe daraagc,
my man ; and you 're too honest not to pay for it,' says he. — ' All
fight, yer honour !' sayo I, • in course I "11 pay. HTiat 's the damBge^.
owld chap?' So the fellow pulled a long face ; and at last tlie big-
wigs axed him whether ten shillings would satisfy him? and he
makca a low bow. as much as to say ' Ves.'-^' All square,' «ays I.
I
f
I
I
I
I
THE ItATTLfi OF TUB NILE.
S8S
I pltdieB a guinen on the Uble. ' Take ft out o' that !' rays I ;
:l, yrr hoiiaurii, be inriy kcpp tlii; whole on it it' he 'II let mc go
have uiiuthtT shy at tht- Freiicli.' But the genelmeii buighed me
out of it, luid the lubber bud hi^ U'li shiUiiigs; utitl HaI and I made
sail for a tAvcrii, wliiTC wc gut all haup^, oud tlieit bawled home
to the cabin ol' a coach, singing ' Kule Juntannia.' "
" Ah, you man-hsndled 'em like a Briton !'* eaid old Jack. Sheave-
hole. " There 'b nothing like a shot or two to bring the lubbers
to reaMon."
" Trim haiIs n-hoy I" went the pipe of the second boatswain'a male
from abaft, and every ftoul waa inittantJy on the alert, flie breeze
frcfihenetl from the northward ; canvas* waa packed ujwn the frigate
and her prizes, and away they danced cheerily orcr the waters,
making n goodly ahow.
" Everything favours us, Nugent," said his lordship. "I ihould
like to fall in with the admiral, as I make no doubt he would be for
keeping the two frigates up the Htridts if thi're watt any ]K)9sibi-
lily of getting them manned, and I am certain hist bc^t efforts would
not be wanting to gel ftlr. Seymour appointed to one nf them. We
must luok out for anuUicr chance fur you, Nugent."
"Your lordship is very considerate," returned the lieutenant;
" and I hope 1 bhall not be found unworthy of your kindness."
"Well, doctor, and how d'ye find the muster?" inquired Lord
Eartace, as the surgeon made his appearance on the quarter-deck.
"Much better than I could have expected, my lord," relumed
the physical functionary, " I hope to set him on his Icc5 again
in a week or two. But, my lord, I am here u an ambassador from
one of the prisoners who u wounded — niort-illy wounded, and he
eame-stly entreats peraiusiun to speak to your lordship before be
dies."
"Certainly— certainly," taid Lord Eustace, "Poor fellow ! per-
Iiapn some request to make. Where is he, doctor? The coloura
should make no distinction after an enemy has ctruck. Pray
where is he ?"
" He is in the forc-cockptt, my lord," returned the inrgeon.
" Shall one of the young gentlemen get a lamcm?"
" No — no," said his Inrdship. " I can find my way well enough.
The sentry has a light, I supjjose?"
" There are plenty of liijhla, my lord," responded the surgeon;
and his lordship having IciV strict orders for a good look-out to be
kept on deck, descended on his errand of mercy.
The number of wounded, and the crowded Btiite of the frigate, ren-
dered it necessary that some pl.ice shonld be entirely appropriated
to the former, and here they laid, extendetl upon hammocks, Hpread
carefully for the purpose, and blocked up in such a niaimrr as to
prevent their fetching way, nhould the ship have nny cinisiderable
motion. Some of the pour fcUows were writhing and groiming with
pain; others were venting impracations in impotent wrath at being
maimed ; and a few were uttering prayers, as tlic certainty of dnilh
brought with it a stronger conviction of the necessity of intphiring
imrdon for past offences. Every now and then a shout arow; of " I'ite
la Satioa!' "Vive la liepubUijue Francis !" which was reapmideil
to, by Mjmc Briiish tar with ■■ How Id btill, ye lubber, do! ami don't
distarb them as wants to be quiet !" Wlulst one more cxeiteil ex-
J»
SIGHTS AT
font wtBnij
fMA
i«reA:
Oewgifarerq-!
It vai a moomfnl qMBUda t* I
Aad, M Ukc n J* froa die Untcms firJl opca mMBf a gfantljr
tenanw, wbcre the •nnkcn tjt* were fiui MCliiig in * '
heart of bmiMni^ eoold not annd deep ft*K»gi of
Ob, tAM ■ ii»rib1r thing u w ! an iin^lr monMcr. crer ife-
BMMlhtt hnaMi wciifae 1 a ijoch, at wbaw ifarine the only tC
AAmmUmA IJwal tihioil! By wfaM. a d%fat teaara do thi
■■■■■I Mil theaoUitr bold custanca! I^^ tbr lbrBR'6 b tha
Hwat fecariooi, baviny nuay tmemia ta ooMcDd againai, vbibt
the fatter bai only one! What a tfaeoe for noralixij^ daa ibe
dMk of baxUc nr the 6eM of cam^a^ aKird t Wbo hat ever
looked upon tlw boodreds of fLnn, as thr; lay id the attitude of
^oncl r«po«e, or -wen dcmblrd op in all tbe tddeoos cooturtioo cf a
covmlsire diwolutioo, but ha* ihaddeml at the ttTmngt niyricry
wfaicb «epiratri the still lining spirit from the dntd cwporcal frame I
One hour strong, active, fall of energr. OQ'l hif;h chiTalric hodoor;
the tunt m mangled, deserted coffpar, frocn which we turn away widi
loatbinff and diafrost !
Lord Eurtace looked round unon the woondcd and dyioe, and tat
manly brran experimred all those aenaabons of »yniapthv whidi
are i-v^r the conpanioafc of true cooran. Sevml of his own
pliant frllcnrs recognised sod endearoured to greet their truly noble
Mnunandcr with a cheer, and the latest, fait lint»ering breath ol' one
escaped his Gps for ev«r> bearing an bone>t but faint greecine ta
the esri of the captain, as following the surgeon, he sought the ned
of the npirin|f seaman wbo hod su ramcslly rcquestnl an inter-
view with his binbbip.
He was apparently s young man of some frve-and-twenty years of
«ge ; the upper part of his per»)n was naked, and his gigantic anni
and broAd cbett evidenced that iw bad poMeswd herculean powers ;
yet, there be Uy, helpless an infancy, bis pbyucal strength wisted
by the loss of the vital current that supplies the fguntain of Ulc.
The lineamenti uf bi^ face marked him as one tf[ iirderkt pasrifltWi
whether for gi>Qd or evil, thoogh, by the shade of derp remorse
that clouded hi* brow, an ittference might be drawn that tlie Utter
hfld predominated. Still there were the rrmains of great maacuiiw
beauty, and every feature bore ample witness that, though weak in
body, nnd, prrhspii, feeling but little pAin, his mind remained still
■Irong to ituSer, Htill mighty to endure. A faint .iniile, tike a gleam
of suuahine bursting uiruugb ilie dense cloud of a stormy skyi
ligbtiiicd up his features for an instant sa he beheld the captain ap-
proach him ; but the opening fruni hia heart tfiruugh which that
ray of seeming pleasure had emanated was xoon closed ngain, ami
all waft as steni and as gloomy before.
" Voici, moniieiir le capiiaine," said the surgeon in the best
French he could muster. " Dites done, mon ami."
•■ Qui 4ue vduit wiyez, je ferai tout pour vous obliger," uttered
Lord Kustace, bending down over the dying mnii.
«■ I^ibun l<.:..A. •' <;xclaimed the prisoner, waving
Laissez, laisiez,'
^ DYING PKISONBR.
886
the sttemlanU to aUnd buck, whicli, nt hi* lorilNhip's Higj(f9tinn,
they iinmedintely otievet), Mid the two were left nf^arly nlotic. The
priBioiier remained without uttering a word for a minute or two,
whiUt heavy groans and iU.rcpre«»cd sobs shook every limb of hi^
enieeblod body. At length be grew sonicu-hut more composed, and
by a desperate effort raised hnnaclf so that the light might fall
•Uvngly upon hi.i pate hageard face.
" Do you nut know me, Kii^tace ?" naid he in perfect English, and
in a manner that made lus lordship, tliough nut given to nervoiiH-
ness, suddenly start. "Am 1 ko altered?" cuntinued the prisoner
deprecnlingly, and then added. " I have nut seen my face fur many
noDtha, and perhaps it may be «o, for such was the brand of re-
morte on the first murderer, and perhaps the approach of death — "
he paused and shuddered.
" You arc Kngli)<h tlien, or, I would hope, American^" said his
lordship, eyeing the individual with MmmtioiiK in which iltilig-
nation and diitgust ^trugj^led agaimtt pity. " Am I ipeaking to a
traitor ?"
"And a murderer! both — both, my lord!"' returned the pri-
soner failing back. " Yes, a traitor and a murderer! I stained my
hands with human gore! the blood iif one who fondly. Fervently
loved me. I fled my country — l)e<'arae a wandtrer, an ouicatt, seek*
ing for death, which conntanlly avoided me till the prcxeiit moment ;
but, oh I I little expected. Kustace, Uiat you would be the avenger!"
The noble commander of the t'riguU' ga^cd with intense eagerness
upon tile pruotrate man, who)i« face wa« again thrown into tthnde,
and it was evident, by the working of every feature, that the brave
Engliiihiniin was greatly agitated. " Can it be pu*iiible?" he mur-
mured with a hisDing sound between his comprewsed teeth ; " is
it ? I hardly dare even think of the name, associated as it ii
with ever}' bitter curse my heart has ever vented. Yes ; I ik)W
see — I now feel you are "
" Maurice Delaney," groaned the man ; " your playmate in child-
hutnl, your relative, my lord ; think of that, and tp^ire the blood of
kindred ! Yes, Kustace, fur I will atil) call you »u, though you
may spurn mo for it: our early days were |Mi»scd in infantile en-
dearment ; nuriied in the lap of luxury together, we grew up as boys
who hMl but one heart and *"
" Villain ! dcte<)tab1r villain 1" exclaimed Lord RuKtace, whoiie
miiul was apparently occupied by uric single thought which stung
him to the tiuick. and jiuisoiied alt tlic bi-lter feelings of his nature,
for it prompted him to deadly revenge upuii u fallen and a dyinjf
enemy >
" Oh God !" ejaculated the prisoner with anguish, ju he clutched
his lingers together and cunvulsivc)y wrung liis hands, " X have
denied thy beiu^ ; but no power but that which is Almighty could
inflict the piingN I xufl'tr in this hour nf retribution. 1 have sCoffKt
at the mediation of Him who dietl fur man's transgreasiona, and
tKnr^K>h ! no, no ! the unrepented murderer can find no rednuptioo
here, no prospect o( salvation hcrealYer. I have laughed at the idea
of future rewards and punifJimenUi, but, oh ! I feel that hell has
already begun to seize upon my never-dying soul !" He stopped,
overpowered by afony crt* spirit, Imi in a few secoiub proceeded.
*' Buatace ! my lord ! »ay that you forgive me ; uh ! let nie bear tho
pvdon of one fdlow-cmtare tfatt I have deeply injam
■KMnce of my Atitker ; it may plead for me at tite bar of EtnaiJ
Jtutice — fitcmBl Justice ! — ay ! that u it, mad there- ta no xnadutj
in tlw words. It u £temal Joatice, aoA there u — there can br »
hope of mercy for me 1"
So birrrible, so excruciatiiu; appeared ibe mental sttfiningi of iht
unhappy man, that Iford Eustace felt his indignation rwax, and
frrrently offering a humble petition for the gift of fiiilliamii i . bxi
mind gradually •oftencd down to the chastened Ume of Christum
charity and brnevoleiice. " Maurice," aaid be, mini his voice be-
came tTf muloun with emotion ; " cruelly as you have injured me, y«t
in thi» hour uf dixftolution it is no time to cherish malice or rrvragr.
Slaiirice, may the Ciod of Heaven forgive you, as freely as I fac|gi«c
you !"
•' Your hand, Eustace, my lord, your Hand!" uttered the dying
man ; but his lordship could not avoid a shuddering repugnance
that deterred him from compliance. The jtrisoner was inittandy
aware of it. " You will nut forgive me, then? the words are fVmn
yoor Upa, and not the honcRt effuidan of your heart :" he folded his
arms across his bn-ast. " Well, 1 merit it ; tsruwell, Kustace ! I
wti>bed to have spoken to you of my parents — of her mother,
but "
The young nobleman extended his hand and grasped that of his
traitor captive ; the touch neemed almost electric Lord JBuitaO
sprang from his kneeling position ; he looked around and became
aware that he was the observed of mfiiiy ryes, ami motioning lo the
surgeon, lie hastily ascended to the deck, whilst the prisoner ia
accents of wild supplication, itaplorcd him to return. ^H
" Doctor," said the captain, when they had reached the m^H
deck ; " you tiave been witness to •> melaiirholy scene. I loved biin
once as a bmther loven a brutiier, but the viper neitlled in my af-
fections but to i»tin|^ me!" he ceased for a minute as a silent prayer
was brcatlied for strength to stay the vindictive risings of impetuous
paaaioii. " Doctor," he continued, " will you kindly oblige me by
having him removed to my cabin. Is he able to bear it 'f can it
accomplished t"
•' His end is not for distant, my lord," returned the surgeon, mt
affected with his commander's camcsuirs^ after the spectacle he had
witnessed ; " but 1 do not think it will be hastened by removal ; an
the contrary, it is more tikely to be rapid by remaining as he is;
for. hark ! my lord," — the sound of the unhappy prisoner's voice was
distinctly heard up the hatchway a» he raved for pardon, — " his cries
will soon destroy him." ma
"Ue quick, toen, my worthy friend," said his lordship; "bear^H
luuid and have hiio conveyed alt in a cot- I will go and order the
steward to mukt; every necessary preparation;" and the officers
parted.
The dying prisoner grew more tranquil And comjMsed when the
surgeon informed him of his intended removal to the cabJn, where,
in a very few minutes afterwords, he was carefully deposited on fl
cnpacioiii) couch with a ttmall bi^ he hod brougiit with him, and
wliii;h he seemed to clutch with a tenacity as if it were the only
iliiu}* in life he wished to cling to. " &f.iy (lod reward yoit,
KusUice," uttered he in a low and scarcely audible voice; " 1 1
roy
TUB DYING PRISONER.
887
|>«Hfij7 fiut ! 6«y once more Uint you forgive me ; it ib like an opiale
to my ItTTor-Rtricken conBciem-e ; I know tliat it will be unavailing
to KBVf me irova i^teriiiil conclemniition, but "
" Alauricc, I du Ibrfpve you," rctunit^il hie lurdsliip, its the tears
•tood treuibliog in his eves ; " I will Uiink, if 1 can, o( eirly yearn
alone^ But your time ih spceiiiug away. Do not tlivii lut<c one
moment in imploring Divine pardon. Pray — IVrvently pray !"
" Pray .'" shrieked the detpiiiring man. " To whom muet 1
pray r To UiM whom I have for years denied? Pray I to the
JttKtNo wlioin I made it my atudy to deride f Oh '. no, no, Ruttace,
Have you turgottcn the words ' I will mock at ttieir calamity, and
laiigh when their fear cometh f The peritxl has nirivnt ; the 8con>er
ia rebuked in hiw affliction, not pitied ; ihe acofTer is d(-«ipi»ed in hia
last momenta, and never can he pardonol."
" Do not tliufl throw your only hojw away," said the surgeon, as
he iimoothed the pillow of the dying man, and gently elevated hfa
head.
" I tell yon it in tiselesK !" retumeii the prisoner, his breathing be-
oomiug every instant more and more irregular. " The future is even
now o{>i.tung before me ; 1 we the t>ar before wlndi I must §hurily
appear, and there stands the aecutiing angel ready to bear witness
againrt nie. Eustace! my mother! lell me — oh! my lord — tell mc
of my inotlier ! for years have passed since I last beard of any of my
i'amily."
" Your mother, Maurice," replied the kind-hearted nobleman,
deeply affected, " in now amongst the >tpirit» of the blcs-ietl."
" We shall never meet again !" groaned Dclaney, as he sobbed
convulsively. " Yet, Eustace— dear Hn»tMce, may she nut plead
foe me — me her unhappy, guilty son i*" — his thoughtx wamWred,
" Will she not dtssuude Slaria from nppeartng againut me before Ihe
Judge ? I am going, KuKtace !— there tlicre are the terrible ageiita
of divine wrath ! I xre them waiting for me, and there is no poui-
bility of escii)>t; I Chains and a dungeon would be paradise to the
place of cndle»!i torment ; dry bread and water woula be sumptuous
five, compared with the burning drought where no drop of moisture
will ever cool the parched tongue!" He raiseil himself a little.
" Eurtacc, dear Eustace, hold me — if only for a few minutes, hold
me fju^t ! every moment gained in time, in snatched from an eternity
of never-rcaemg pain !" Hiii lordship took hiif exteiidi'd hand, and
the surgeon udmmistrred a little weak glimulant that rfvivud liini ;
'* 1 have nut an instant to throw away, Eustace," continued be more
calmly; "in this bag you will find my brief history, penned by
snatches and at intervals ; it uaii the only consolation that my henit
knew; do what you will with it. I have BuSi°Ted — ay! dreadfully
mflvred, and now — . The priests have told me, 'Ceux qui pechent
contre Dieu seul, doivent etre punis dans rwutn* monde ; mois ceux
(|ui prctient conlre les honimes, doivent I'etre danK celui-ci :' but I
have hiniied against both tiod and man, and a> 1 have been j>unished
in this world, m> shall I alxo be punished in the next. And yet,
Eustace, I wouUt iWm hear you pray for me — we once mingled our
Voices togetlter in supplication to the tlirone of Omni[)otence. and
though it can never be >o again, yet, Enitaee, it would I'nim my last
moments to hear you, my much-abu<cd and injured friend, inter*
cette for me."
388
NIGHTS AT SEA.
" Man's intercvi'siuti i& but wt^ak," retiirned bin 1()rd«>hip ; " but,
Afauricc. why will >'0u iiuC luuk tu tliat nhich has never failed?
The expiring tliiet' found luercy and |jardt>u uii Uii.- cru^."
" You are mocking me," said Delamey, bin wurdi; becoming itm
articulate and di&tinct. "Am I not a renegade tu the faitb of my
fiitlierM, H traitor to the country of my birth, a base assai^^n, and a
murderer? An age <if repentiiiicc would not suffice to make atone-
ment for the jMisl ; and I — there art- but a few minutea between me
and eternity. Eu»tace, i» my father living ?"
" lie was, j^laurice, when I last heard from England," an«wered
his lordship ; " and in good health."
" Never let hitn know my fearful end, my lord/' uttered the
dying man ; " do not bring down his grey hairs with sorrow to the
grave. And I would a^k "
" She is the same heartlesa being »k ever," responded his lordship,
anticipating the question. " But, Maitrice^ let me entreat yoit to
forget the affairs of this world"
"Will you then pray for me?" implored Delaney. "Speak
race and comfort to my mind — lull me into fancied security, that
may enjoy a few moments* ceosation from agony l>efore 1 enter
upon evcrlaBtiinJ ages of endlcBji raiwry."
Lord Kujttaci- retniested the I'tewarri to bring him the Btble, and
he commenced rpaibng one of the penitential pAalmK. The prisoner
lay perfectly atill, and apparently tranquil, as the noble chief pro-
cccded ; once, and once only, a spuamwlic shivering shook hia frame.
and when the Pwilm was ended, a deep silence prevailed for several
minutes ; the surgeon was the first to break it ; he laid bia hand upon
the face of the captive; it was still warm, though cinmmy with the
dews of death : he shifted his hand to the sent of life, but tJiere wa«
no throb, no pulsation. The spirit had fled.
" His days are ended, my Inrd," .Mud the aurgeon mournfully ;
•' hia earthly auficringG are over."
Lord Eustace iihuddereil as the thought crossed fait mind, that
probably the desperate dinner had entered upon a more seveM
ordeal. IJe looked upon the corpse of his eurly nIaymBte and
friend, and the lapse of years Mas forgotten as ola aMociationt
and old remembrances rose up before him, presenting in the sun*
shine of boyhood a picture "i endearing enjoyment, glowing with
tho«e bright tints that colour life but once. Tht-nce the pro-
grew to an after perio<l became natural and easy, and the noble
captain turned awny 8>i a burning Sush of indignation, Mhicb he
could neither suppress nor control, glowed upon bis countenance.
" Doctor," Buid his lordship; " I but little thought, when yoa
requested my attendunce uiion a dying prisoner, to lind in that un-
happy man a relative, ami one who inflicted upon my heart the
bitterest pang it ever knew. Yet mi it is ; the niysterious eventi '
nf real llle far surpass the imaginary narrations of romantic fiction.
He was a cruel enemy : hut, peace tn hia aoul I for once 1 loved him
as ardently at youth ever loved a highlv-prieed companion. The
retributive hand of justice buti overlaketi liim E
Then in a Providence that shapes our ends,
Rou^h hew tlitrnt an ng rnay I
He spoke of bis hi&tory in that bag. Shall I peruse it, and tear
I
I
I
I
I
PRISONER.
S80
open afr«sli the woundii which tiiTii> nnil ik'tiTiiiimition werr heal-
ing? Would it not Iw better to connin" them with his body to the
tieej)? And jet there arr tlnnyn wwl »»ccHm'nt'e« which I ]ori;( to
learn ; thy nmj- clciir uii tiiurh that 'm now involvml in obnciirily ;
and thall 1 shrink from tiie trinl ? It muU he dour, hul not now —
no '. not now ! 1 have more important duliea to perlorm." Ilia
lord&hip released the baj; I'rom the drAwii<u]i fingers and paralvHrd
hand of the dead and deposited it in a drawer, which he lucked.
"Doctor, you must know by your own feelings, what mv winhet
are, and I am fuHy 8en.sible that I enn rely upon your diocrrtion.
Hteward, let the body remain for th(,> preHent. ' and Lord KtiNtncu
hastily ascended to the qunrU-r-deck . whilst the Hur|{eon went for-
ward to visit hia patienu in the corkjiit.
The breeze was delightfully rcfreihiiig, the sky vfu beautifully
dear, the moon, leiteeiiin;; in iln dutnieter, shed its pale silvery lunlre
upon the ocean, whilst daybreak, with it* first orient tints, was co-
loorin^ over with fairer lights the intense blue that darkened the
fiasteni horixon. The st4>p of I/ord Kustacr, aa he paced fore-and-
aft, was St the outM-t rapid and iiiipatient ; hi* ihoualits were ab-
aorbcd ia oac alI-engros&in(r aubject ; he scarcely noticed the nfTiror of
mu ilH s. ai with a respectful ulute he announced " All '».well."
Hogmt, also, uw that aomething had ruffled him, and kept aloof,
Ao«gh be wuhod to report pfogress.
Bat vfca has ever gasea upon the lovely face of Nature and
■M cnerieneed a hofy calm within hin breart? >Siicli was the
OMT wKb Lord Eaatace Dash: the ro!>eate tints of opening day,
hltmSam with the pale chaatencu of the moon's crystalline light,
MOscUa hai attentim ; be Mood with folded arms alone, near the
the sweet influences of the Bcene, the golden castles
with their burnished pinnBcles and ^lining roofs,
1 brii^ vennUion, on tlic horizon ; the traitquillity uf
I abvre, the nunouring music of the waters below, ini-
sink koD fron his reverie of sadness, and a toothing
I af diii||bt atid admiratKNi softened tbe asperity of his ferU
. 9W9WJ puc was peaces
mtme be dcaeoioed to the cabin, and there in the dubious
£^jr be seen the outline of tlie corpM, as the white
k straag tr>oery over the vari<nii paru of the human
e aafale aeanaa looltcd upon it long aiMJ ardentU ; big
• IsAawcd eadi adMt dann his dk«ekt, and the' unre-
^ bam fraM hi* bcart ; the Tietar was sad — the eon.
■ bt dw Etbalion. and it was whb no
laee aMertained from the FVndi o^
t haaMe ■oMBai, hii rskdvc wat an
r, M tte Rcp^ficM Ann. aod Bsefa
tf CooaaL Pcariog. in bs aCcial ca-
hc had, wbcn tba frigitr
' the diagviac of a forcaaast-flsan,
t haaltac dtfwn, tlisZ be received
deprived bin of ettateoce.
■a be a* «Av Aaa br apymuL he had been amed
r mitk^ «f *e ^aifcswT. where a«idei1 cavvcvad W
ble iitoafc Witlesw*
390
" BE QUfBT — DO ! t *I.L CAM. MY UOTHBR !
nwmi^nt's he«itRtlutt lie vntrcnU-d Ote surfr&m to IntercMle for ui
U-n-iew, aiul the rtsull liae uire&cty been shown,
A glorious dawn cuiue btrcunung thruugh the cabin-windows, ind
the earliest beam» of the rising sun pUycd npon tlie sheet tbit
covered the cold and lifeLeto corpse. Lord Kuslace opened Uu
drawer which contained the prisoner's bog ; be drew it turth^ ad
emptying its contents, found a thick but small book of memo-
randumti, the vellum covert of which were fastened by silvBT cImm;
he took it with eager hiutc, and seating himself on the 9tdk abaft,
tuntn) over the lenves with consideiable mpidity, occMionally stop-
ping to penine some particular paiwigc which caught his eve, idl
mustering a firmer resolution, he commenced at the lieginning, and
the emotion and agitation he evinced as he proce«detl plaiiily in-
dicated the deep impression erery word made upon hia mind.
"BE QUIET— 1)0: I 'LL CALL MY MOTHER r
[LesT the author of tlie followim; should he aecuMd of [tlwiarisni, i»e thinks il
right tv stale lUal in the secood volume of the Parmaue an Dantea, thei* b i
•onR, the buntfn of which is, " Tatez uoa» tai, j'apoeUenu mo niir. It i»,
howev«f, too gioM for irensUtion. and iwihiiig of it fias bt«n preserted in ll»
preienl hncs, cxcq)! the njfraiii.]
As I «u siltine ia a modi
Untl<:r an oaK-tree'l iMfv cOfCTf
Musing in pleaKtnl Boliluoe,
Who khould come liy, but John, my lover!
Hepfe»»ed iny (ami, and ktwed my cheek ;
Tnan warmer growtng, kiocd ihe oihct ;
While I c«claimi,-d, and siroTe lo shriek,
" Be qHiel — doS t 'U fall my tnatktrf"
tl.
lie saw my ao^er was sincere,
And loviiiRly bfg-aii to chide me ;
And, wiping from niy check the tear,
lie sat him ou tlie ^rass beside m«.
He fetmiied tucli prrtty, nmotoui woe,
Urcaihcd such "wcei vows oue after other,
I could but smile wl>tl(> wlnipcrinK low.
**Btquict—iial I'UtuUtiy mother r
HE.
fie tallced so long, and ulkwl so well.
And swore lie meunl not to deceive me;
f fell mure grief than I can tell.
When wiOi a kiss he rose to lca*e me.
" 01\, John !' mill I, " ;iiiil mu« ihou gi> f
1 lore thee bctior than all other !
TTierc i* no netd to hurry so,
/ txver meant to call my mother f
CM.
THE UPS AND DOWNS OP LIFE.
■r TOST ALMPV.
'* Prohotion," we learn from irrefVigable nuthority, " onmetli
neith<^r from the East mir from the West, nor vet from th<^ South:"
nor yet (since the time when the great Lorii North wielded his
pen of office ill Downing Street,) from the North. Promotion,
like n Will-o'-tbe-Wtsp. whisks about hitlier and thither, — here
to-day, and gone to-morrow, — no one knows why, — no other
gueHscs wherefore. History hespti up her volumes on uur shelve;),
to instruct u* why people are born great ; but by what miigtc penple
hiive greatnetis thrust u]>on them, or ncbieTe grpatne)»s, is one of the
granu mysteries of life. Bislmps have bren promoted to lawn
sleeves for their dexterity in ahuming the curds at tho royal rubber ;
Welsh IJaroneti h«ve been translatcfl Irish Peers, to silence their
importunity for a key of the royal parks ; and Rnglish Squire*
have been belorded and belanded for the judiciously>aj)propriated
hoapiulities of their country-«eat5. We have seen 3iirtillo pre-
ferred to an under- secretarj-sliip, not that hia pen is that of a rea<]y
writer, but becau.se Mirtillo hath, ' upon mv lift, a very pretty wife !'
In short, it is impUKsible to determine by nny vulgar form of
augury, rvhicff of our sooa may riEe to be chief justice, which re.
main a briefless barrister. Hang over the cradles of your progeny
as long as you will, and the wooden tpouii or stiver Iwlle which
the wise women of Brentford pretend to bo bom in their mouths,
is wholly ami absolutely undiscoverable.
Ned Ormoiiii was my scliool fellow, an ugty dog, an ignorant dog.
but a tnorri'ig dog : every possible caninizauon wiu beHtowefl upon
Ned, except that of being " u stupid hound !" He was •• up to
tnuff," but always at the bottom of hie class. We were dunces of
neither Harrow, Kton, nor We»tmin"ti.T; it was our fate to be
Hogged up the hill of learning aluiig « le»s distiitguisheU path. Our
short-sighted parents thought more uf making; Urirek verses than
Knglisb connexions; and at fourteen, we quilted our hu^e red'brick
house of correction at Chiswick, knowing nothing — not even a lord.
Unfortunately, I had {larents alive— and alive to my deficiencies ;
for having, in family council, ToCetl me a dunce of the first magni-
tude, they despatched me to Edinburgh for the completion of my
education, under the cross-grained vigilance of an old uncle occu*
pying a professor's chair, who fur four eii&uing years crammed me
with knowledge, and crammed me with nought beside. My kins,
man spared everything but instructioo ; and 1 aceurdingly grew np
H *pve a3 he was sparing : till I was starved into juekey-weight
of neih, and Johnsonian ponderosity of Ivaming. I quitteil Edin-
burgh at two-and*twenty, as pramising a young sprig of a pedant
w ever emanate*) from its humanities.
Ned Urmond, meanwhile, who wa«an orphan, bullied his giiardian
I into trending him to Cnmbridge. The txpenw of such n step wm
alomiing, lor his fortune smountetl only to six thuuvnml poundB;
but Ned represented, and with conHa'uiance de camr, that there was
DO getting on in life witliout a college education.
I
I
I
I
393
THE UPS AND DOWNS OP LIFE.
Oil! niiasrt, th(^ f^uurdiin, who ilreaily. in his mind's eye, bdieU
hia promiiriiig ward pUyinf; Fjirin iii »n Hcadt-mic gowu, making
option between tlie naked chamiB of " tlic three black graces. Law,
Physic, and Uivinity," confessed that there was some Beii»e in tbe
lad'a assortiun, and it was oiiiy when, aitcr being ru^ticated Tor hU
irrvKiiliifilies, Ned Ormund escaped expulsion by prudently with-
drawing hit n^iinv J'runi the university books, that the old gentle-
man repented his acuuiencence.
" You are a ruinea ntan I" cried Russet in a fury.
*' I am a made inaii !" retorted Ned with perfect coolneaa.
" Your proeprctm are fjone."'
" Biy realities have c^imnienced."
" Henceforward you vrill do nothinfr for youwelf."
" It is A task I mean to leave to other people."
" You know nothing!"
** I know the world."
" 1 hoped you would become a steady young man I"
'* 1 always intended to be a rising one."
" Vou have lost the three best years of your life."
" I have gained three hundred desirubW acquaintaucea."
" You huve tlirowu away your lime and money."
" I have picked up time and money 8 worth."
" That remain" to be proved," quoth Kusset.
" 1 wish you may live to see it," whs the rejoinder of his ho|
ward ; and it wa* shortly after this ciillmpiy bftwn.*n them that we
were launched into our several r^ireers of life; NVd l<« become a
man about town, I, to be a wanderer over the workl. Having
taken my decree as B.A., I was to commence my liratilac career as
bear-leader to a yoiinj^ tiobleffian, puAtLeatiing immense [witronage in
the church. Appoinleil to preside over his lord>hip'a travelliiif;-
morality, I was comiwlled to be, if not a field-prtachcr, at leant a
road-preacl)cr, against the temptations of tlic vorld and the flesh ;
with A vipw of intttalling myself hereafter, preacher to the poor ol'
hJH lordship's pflrish, against the temptations of the devil.
We got on admirably together. Ilia noble practice throve UDdn
my ignoble preaching. My axioms seemed indeed to iiouesaa sort
of negative attraction ; for whatever the pedagogue interdicted, the
pupil onatched to his bosom. Day aller day wits 1 insulted, quixxed,
Koaxed, and defied. There woultl have been no living through it
all, but fur the living which lay, like a land of Canaan beyond the
wilderness, at the end of the prospect. I knew timt sufferance was
the biidge uf all my tribe, .tnd subnntted without a murmur.
Three long yeari^ did I pipe to tJie dancing of my lordly bear ;
ill France, Italy, Germany, Rufcsia, and Spain ; now frozen to
death, now stewed alive, now diluted with soupf-meigre, now
ttufied like a turkey with trulhes and mouU ; the hercest extremes
of "weather and diet were inflicted without remorse upon the poor
bear-led hear-leader of a tutor ! At length, ns the period of my re-
lea.>ie was appra.i{-hing, and I telt that in reqintal for the purgatory
I hail burii4: so patiently, his lordship could du nu less than conduct
me into the Paradise of (iranglebe, my noble tormentor was
knocked on the hewl by the morning star of a Drontheim watch-
man ; when my applicniion for preferment to the distant cousin
succeeding to the e;<rldom, wa» answered by a haughty hint that 1
I
I
THE UPS AND DOWNS OP LIFE.
393
I
I
ought to have taken better carv of my pupil j anil ihat the family
wished lo hear no fiirtlier mention of my nviie.
A (lve|>er hiiiiiiliAtiim ^onii Ml tm my profesBiotuil cnrvvr tlinn
even that of t tondyini; tntoriihip. One ilny, haTing beuii idle
enough to attend a meeiirtf; of tlie Geofrraplijcsl Society, I woa
pitched upon by n miUant Captain Unrenll, with vhnm I had n)aile
acquaintance at Malta, to accompany him in an expeilitioD of
African discovcrr. My meek forbearing countenance in&pire<1 him
with interest. He swore I was the man for his morcy ; promised
that I should shiire his glory — nbare his gains ; baptize toe whole
kingdom of Dahomey, throw iluwn the idola of half a continent,
and write a qnartiir of his own quarto. The captain wag a bold
man. He talkcil with plausibility, — I Itstcued with enthusiasm.
Having secured the necessary fu-uians. and a sjiecilJc againitt the
plague and the cholera, we embarked with a cargo of blue beads,
tin-tacks, caoutchouc-sheets, oilsilk parasols, and a patent frcexing-
apparatus ; ami in the course o( three years from our landin^r, con-
fronted stripes, imprisonments, the cheating of consuls, and bar-
barity of brys, fniir fevers, two dy»ent<.*ries, one roup'ffriutteil, ami
a variety of cutaneous abomination*, tun tedious to enumerate ;
all the plagues of Pharaoh, and, in short, a hundred more! Not,
howi^ver, to dwell too painfully on my excruciations, Huffice it that
in the sequel I returned sole snrvivor of the c:icpe<lition ; having,
as I have since been assured, eaten the surgeon of the partv bake<l
in a Hottentot anthill, and leaving all that the musquitoA had lct>
of the gallant captain, inhumed in the Kandx of Willah-mallah-assi-
boo, two thousand miles beyond Timbuctoo ! Nothing remained
to me on my nrrivnl in town, but the ragge<l shirt whereon, with
a pin and lampblack. 1 had inscribed the note* of my African di»-
coveries ; which, when transferreil to hfitpretis, the world derided aa
lies and impositions. The frontispiece to my work, rennfienting
ihf favourite idul of the King of Daliomey, the Quarterly Keii-iew
held up to ghanie, as a satire upon th« Right Honourable the Lady
Helena O'Dunoghue.
Jllcanwhile, as I scudded along the by-waya of tJie metroj>o!is,
bearing my inky dishonours thick upon lue, I was one day splashed
by a fluhionable cab, and hailed by it* owner.
" Hollo! Delphic, nir fnie fellow !" cried a most dandifiefl edition
of my old cbum, Netl ^nnond ; " where have you been m.iking it
out fur the last hundred years? — Can't talk to you in this cursed
placr, — get in. We've a couple of miles between thia and Belxravf
Sip I are."
I obeyed ; and with the perspicdous hrevitjt attained by having
had to condem>e my tale of woe into one or more memorials to
government, I related my strange eventfvl faiitory.
"Sad business indeed '." replied Ned, aa we claabad along. "CleAned
out, turned out, kicked about the world, like fwtune's football.
But never mind ! the tables are turning ! / 'U see what I ran do
for you. / 'U speak To the itiNird of Control. / 'U mentinn yon to
the Colonial Office. They 're always wanting a liisltop for'indiaj
or a Governor for fiierra-IJeone."
"Thankye, thankye!" cried 1, " 1 have had enough of elephantine
etimates. [ should prefer the merest trifle at home; the romancr
of life is over. Mrs. C^ntlivre the dramatist, you know, who eloped
VOL. III. ii E
394 THE UPS AND DOWNS OF LIFE.
with a poet at sixteen, eapouded at sii-and-thirty the head cook of
Queen Anne! Couldn't joii recommend mt, my deur Ormtind, u
cbapliiin to the Lord Mayor ?"
" To be sure I could ; tut/ interest is universal. You have no
notion how I have got on in the world, since we parted.''
" You have had an increase of fortune?"
" Not a (Stiver !"
" Hut how do you manage to keep up such appearances on an
income of three hundred s year?*'
" By living at the rate ol" three thousand."
" And running in debt?"
" Pho, pho, pho !"
'* You must have taken up money?"
*' Laid it down, you mean."
" Vou have positively borrowed nothinjj?"
" Not 1 1 1 know better ! -l/y plan to get on in the world in by
(fading, I began, you know, with six thousand )}ounds. Four
thousand arc nt this moment lodged in my banker a haiid«, otie
thoii»iind of which will he transferred to-morrow morning, to the
account of my friend, the Duke of Outatelbows, at Coutts'a, as I
»ui now on my road to inform him."
" And the remaining two thousand are lost to you for ever ?'*
" By no means! 1 have good Bccurity for every guinea: bills or
I. O. U. from Bome of Uie Bret fellowK in town. Aly |>npulnrity u
immense. Kvery uiun of a certain i^umding knows tne to liave at
my command a Boating ^um in ready money. It haii been my for-
tune to save the credit of many a fine fellow, hard up after a fteavy
settling-day. It was I who he|m-<l young Sir W'innnm Scamp to
carry off his heire«i< ; it was I wno lent old Hiirbottle the twenty-
pound note with which he won hi* (jualerne in the French lottery :
I assiHted !^ir John to buy the winner of the St, Leger; I enabled
Lord William tu prenent that omnipotent pair of diamond ear-rings
to Zcphyrine; in ^horl, 1 am the universal friend in need. What
follows? That I have dinner invitationt) for every day in the season,
and half a dozen balls per night! I am on the lint of four pa-
trune^»e!i for Almsok's ; and it rains opern-tieket^t on my head.
More haunches of venison crona my threshold than that of Birch ;
and I might stock the Clarendon and Albion with game. My li-
brary-table groans with Annuals nnd presentation copies ; ray din-
ner-table with cards, far more to the purpose. So much for Lon-
don ! hut when the country-season seta in, show me the county in
England in which I may not quarler myself for six weeks, in ac-
ce|)taiice of pressing inviutions 1 Du kvn, marquises, earU, vioctmnts
lords, and comuions, are my obligateen ; and burning to throw otT
the obligation, load me with hospitalities. A single thoui^nd
pounds of mine uncc changed hands so many times in the cour!>e of
a year, that I conceive it has ever since returned me, in value, an
income of two hundred a year. Ko, no! my dear DclphicI talk
no more oi' /ir>mtuin^ a* ii source of prosperity. Trust rue, that one
of the best tr.tdes goiiig in tlic fnthioniible w^rld, is that of a ju-
diciou:« lertiUr. Such is the charm which haa uiude my ugly face
beautiful in the eyes of society, my pertnc»N jmlm* for wit, ray vul-
g.iritv. for the frankness of a good fellow. Don't offend Nc^ Or-
mona." they say, ** he 's such a devilish u^ful acquaintance."
THB Vfl.LAOR BRIDP/9 PARRWELL.
Ormond is always ready at a pinch;" "Ortnond 's n friend in
need."
I aighed a deep sigh in rcspou» ; for we had just utuined the
lordly purlieus ul' Udgrave Square. In passing TatU-rsatl's, I had
teen the hands of half the sporting peerage kiBsi-'d tu Ned ; and, in
taking off the Stanhope angle of the park, perceived the hats of all
the double-lacqueyed ladysnip chariots, doned to his cab. Thanks
to his notea, he had lifcome a man of note ; thanks to hia guineaa,
he had won gulden opinions from all sorts of men and women. A
gold- beater could not have hammered out tii« Hubttance to cover ■
greater extent of popularity ; a wire-drawer could not have drawn
out fincTj hia means and appliances. Instead of being worshipped
as was once the Golden Ball, he wa^ worshipped as ihrff golden
balls. Nevertheless, I was ashamed of him. I fancied that "Money
Lent" was inscribed on the front of his cab ; and murmuring be-
tween my teeth
" Nstilicc a boriower iivi a k-iider be,"
1 took leave of my thriving friend ; and mounted cheerfully to mv
attic, to earn the price of a dinner by dedicating to the public this
brief sketch of the money-lender and his friend.
TH£ VILLAGE BRIDE'S FAREWELL I
Mt village liome I my village THends ! Eftrewell !—
I'or proud domains I quit your lowly bow'rs ;
But, oh t I feel lh«l memory will dwell
Upon tlie *cenea where pus'd my childhood's hours!
The flowery wreath Uat here so oA I 've wvro
A> (Jucc-n oi May, is ohaag'd for cosily peari : —
1 Icaye nuy walks to be in cvriage borne,
itut Mill I am tlie tintple cottage {irl 1
I know aot hnw 1 cam* to be allied
To oni; of wealth and proudcjt dimity ; —
He mitjbt have found a. ncln^r, fvirei bride,^
But where could I &nd such a lore as lla '
He sav'd my life, when no one fUe wuuld liare
To watch mc from the rude warea' stormy whitl^
And ia it stEange that I his heart should ihaie,
Thodgh I was but a simple couage girl ^
Mjf mother dear I my faiber's soul aha** \
My little listers, y*t loo younp lo know
The easy change from KtBtuudo lo lore,
Come kisa me all, and bless roc 'ere I ^ 1
t)h '. think aot 'tis for grandaur tluu I leave,
To be tJie lady of a lordly eart ;—
Tis for die nches his dear beati can p«e—
For still I am the simple roltage giri.
W.
i Kt
39G
CRITIQUR.S ON CIUTIC8;
Oa, A WOBD TO THB WOl'IJ>-»B aUCH.
Kptr^c: Judgx.
In turning over tlic teiivcs of luiy old lexicon, we cannot but br
sirtick by the auuimlivs tUat exist between our modern, ttcgcne*
rate, and luose application of tiuuiy wurds baid tu have lieen adopt-
ed from tbe Ancients, and the purely timplu and dtijcripti?e mean^
iiigs they cnrried in the time of those worthies. For inHtancf : —
no profe»Hion or calling was more honoured foriDerly ihnn that nf
school niaxter ; and deKrv«-dly »o : for he to whom was iitlriisted
not only the intellectual but the moral instruction of youth, must
of necessity have been a jierMMi entitled to esteem and re«peet.
" Hfnce 'iwiu ft mu>ta Id Uiokc aiicicnl day*,
Wtwii meo sougtit knoaiaige firsl, and by itpnitc,
' Was a thing ftiTl of reircnnce, profit, lamv ;
FatMtr itself wu but a ucoiid name J"
fio Bitid CdttXEY. Now-a-days we alliterate "poor pedagogue'
with pity or contempt
Tybant, too, is another terra that has fallen from lis " Iiiph e§-
taie ;" fur, insLend of being applied to Kalher Jupiter himself, as
ff old, it serves at present only to designate a despot or a viliaiD
in either public or private life. 1 could mention many more ; but,
above all, (to come to my point at once,) there is no word so much
Abused by its modern application as that of cuitjc : which, at
the motto to thie paper tgioweth, i$, or ought to be, synonymous
with jvugk! Kheu! how many critioi do we now «ve, and how
very few juilji^ej) ! Kvery publication, fmni a momtHg to a auarm
lerfif, teems with the ini^hty fiat of wb in praise ur censure of
something or other which they, in nine cases out of ten, do not
understand. Poetry, painting, maftic, and the pretonsionK of their
professors, are treated with the grafi«c«l familiarity by critics who
know nnt the difFerenre between prnae and metre, daubing and
colouring, nnine nnd harmany ;^-«r, if hy chance they should he
so far discriminating, they are not aware how a great artist may
occasionidly eubsiilute n little of one for the other, and produce
the happiest effects by hitt whim .' But, the worst of it in, that
the niighty WK, al\er all, generally cnnt^i»t8 in nothing more than
some dinnnutive I — by whom were the aforeimid ,/(Vf/ iittiuetl, not
one for every hundred that now fear and respect would be found
to regard at all. Were a man in a public room (where moitl of
iheite eplienieral criticisniH arc written) to read aloud the dictato-
rial opiiiionM of liift pen, it is a million to ij that they would be
rejected as impertinent ami egotihliciil assumptions. But the mo-
ment they appear in print they arc* treated with blind idnlatry.
Tom Snooks is ready to qunrrel over a glass of grog with his
friend, Jim Dobbs, about itome vital affnir of the nation.
•' Voti *re wrong, my dear fellnw !" says Snookfl. "I read [t, as I
state it to yoH, at full length in tlie .Morning Paper,"
*' Iti the Morning Paper?" quoth Dobbs chuckling; "In the
ITIUUKS ON CRITICS.
397
llominf^ Paper, forsooth ! \V1iy, I wrote Uip article niywlf ; all in
tlic way of busiarss. you know ; but, whut '« that to do with the
l>Uiii irulh?" Snoiiks iihakps his hcnd^ doubts his friend, nnd still
slick* lu ihi' pritil !
A few iiuitations of tJie modern critical style may not be amiss
here.
"COVENT-tJAIlDEN.
"On Jlondsy night a new opera, an tlie billii announced, was
produced at this iheutrc; authur and vampoaer (! .') unknown to the
pubh'c and to fame alKu, as iv£ ^lall prirsi-itily thuw. The plots of
opCTM iiow-a'dity«i are Kiicb abotlionb that we will not fatigue our
readers with a detail of the present attempt ; ^ofiice it to say, that it
contoinit no incident or development of character worthy of notice.
There i«, to be sure, the usual dinpUy of expenuve cuattiine, scrnery,
tVc. ; hut a moMt 'plentiful lack' of drama, in the true Ken«e of
thrtt almost forjjolten word. One of the »ong», however, plea^ied
ii». We insert it for its touching simplicity.
" Mule anJ jguinJIes* it lier harp,
Cold and ffoicn efcry finger
Thai had 5uc1i j>ow'r o'et flsi aud >liui>.
And did accord 90 well with siDg«r:
" MotioDlns is ihal nwt«t roicc.
Silent are her auburn ire«ies;
NolKing can tny hoarl rejoice,
Ur iraJre it till il i!fq>t witli Ueuy's!"
" As to the mnitr, the first cottjtd'archet by the miliiari/ band be-
hind the curtain convinced us that the overture was not ori{:;inal :
one of 3Iuz:irt'8 ayinplumies (wb think, to Prometheus) terminating
with the same chord, if we except a sharp 4 which is introduced by
the aspirant a^ a cover for bis plagiary. The iireat drum and trian-
gle were as usual oul of tune, time, and, we may add. place ; and,
ranreovcr, as we seated ourselves rftwe to the orchestra that we
miffht }iear every thing to tliv hf:sl at! vantiijie, whut whs our iuto-
ni»hmeiit to find the cl-trioiietls playiuK in a key oite trhtJe lane above
Ihe Te$t of the hnml ! This fact we can Mifely as«rrt, inasmuch aa
the overture was in E Hut, ami Ihr^ tcere in F, onejinl .» \Vr advi»e
Mr. C. to look to this, and ' reform it aliojtcther.' The 0|)ora con-
tains MHne pretty bits here and there : but vk must decidedly set
our faces against that prerulent vice of foiHting in old lavourites of
otiicr pieces as novelties in new oneo. Wr havp heard at Icut two
mor^aujt of thi-i opem upwards of twenty timei in (.'iiid(>rella. Thia
ia at) iiitiult upon public confidence, und Miuuld meet with unquali-
fied cvtisure.
" tjince writinj; the uIkiyc, we have learned that the ojiem is a ver-
mn of Rossini's celebrated Armida, from the nblc pen of .Mr, Hvnjn-
min Borrow -brains, who surpriest-s all hi* conti-mpor-nrien in the Urt
and judgment with which lie adapts the productioiiH of foreign au-
lilors to the Enttlifih stage. The picc€, nu doubt, will imprwr on
further acnuaiiiLinte."
fiomuch for the criticjtj acumen (centrally fpeaking) of those who
attainpt to rnview niunical pruduclioiia. Now for a nam pie a taste
(jf tlicir quality whuiie businew it is ti> give n brief notice of the
398
CfUTigUES ON CRITICS.
Iiul new trsftetly ; und let the reader bv gooci enough to lupposf
tAat lu be one of Sh*k»peare'», — mj- OTitRi:.L0 !
"DRUHY-LANE.
" Litrt niffht a new trtgedy, (bleu the mark <) in five acts, was
muditceil at this theatre, entitled Othrllo ; or Ike Moor of Venter!
The plot may be bricfty told. An old black general (Othelltt) in the
Venetian service contnveii to win the afTcctlons of a romaiiiir young
lady {^DesHftnona), who is so bent upon having a husband that she
is nolvicfla a thatlc, and secretly ninrries him. This givee a splen-
did opijortunily to la^o (u ruffian officer under Uic general) to re-
venge a jealousy wliicli he huu conccivetl aguiiut the venerable aoJ
black Adotiis, on account uf sunie indelicate attempts of the latter
against the_/oir progeny of hi« wife {EmUia). He contrives, by the
means of a handkerchief (1) — a magic one, by-the-by -^ to make
OlhtlUf jealous, in his turn, of one Coxxio, a silly •brained rellow, who
is made apecixlly drunk for the occasion. Othrllo at first doubts his
wife's guilt ; but soon falls into the artful snare of his falsie friecu):
frets awhile in great nnguish of spirit, but ultimately makes up his
mind to tukc the law into his own hunds. He acconlingly accusu
Orsdemonn of infidelity ; tuma a deaf car to all her protestations
of innoet'ucc : tells her to «ay her last prayers, and then most diexte-
rously smothers her with a pillow j This murder is scarcely over
when he finds reason to becomeyWo-rfe-jK', on learning that his wlie
was perfectly chaste and true ; whereupon he suddenly feels the
propriety of letting out hin own soul at dagger's point, — no doubt
to overtake her's with nn ample apology for his cruelly and rash-
neh*. Thp other characters have tragical ju-itire done to them, anil
thus ends the piece. The language throughout is intolerably com-
mon-place and indelicate. Wk rectimmenil the author to atake his
exit from dnunnlic composition, and ■ sin no mure.' In candour we
must say that the house was crowded to excess (no doubt by the
fVieiids of the niamiK^'' '"id scribe), and the piece announced for
repetition every night till furtlier notice amidst the cheers of boxes,
pit, and galleries."
Oh, Snakspeare! immortal Shaks])eHre! thus might thy noUesI
work be turned into ridicule by the flippant and Mir-assurcd pen of
a nn-Mlem evcry-day critic !
In [minting, too, their smattering is very amusing. A florid vo<
cabulary, in the firnt place, is deemed essential. Nothing produces
a finer efleci in their uiitid ttian tlie frequent use of compi^und e|u<
thets; overiiice people, like OoUUniiLli, may call them bombastic;
but. nevertheless, they are not only thought elegant, but highly ne-
cesaary. M'hat can be more toucUiiig or descriptive tlian the fol-
lowing }
" Wk are glad to perceive that Air. A. has profited by our sugges-
tiuns of lust yeiu*. lie has limi-d down his dufancet into such sweet
silvery-softness that the eye is lost in their liijuid lran>i)arency ; no
longer have we to complam of his rupged deiiiarcations : his middle
tints, however, should be more wnrnily glowing, and fus f'oregrounfl
depths more intense and brownly umbrageous.
"The 'Cat and .Snufltrs,' by Mr. B., is evidently a copy after
(icrard Dow, but, nevertheless, evinces cotibidcrable genius and ori-
ginality. The silent, stealing inquisiliveness of Grimalkin beauli*
CRITIQURS ON CRITICS.
309
I
I
fully contrasts witli tlic repose ol" tlic »ilvt.T>giIt sniiRbr'! ; while Uw
Binuke ur the hulf'-^xttiiguiKlic-O wick iuuing frum its fivmi-clowd
JMWB, gives a CVau(/e-Uke mistiness to the picture, whivb is quite re>
Irv-sliing.
" Mr, C. continues rapidly to improve. There is a f^renter hrtatith
and freedom ofdeitijtn, with h more correct lumdhMg both in colour-
ing ond (Irawinff, in his ■ Dish of opened oj-xters/ than we have oIv>
serveil hitherto. T^et him not, at the .■uitiie time. triiH tn the (|i>
vemty of pigments upon his palette, but to the judicious f^kicini;
of his picture. Sir Joshua Reynolds used to paint in with simple
black and white, and al\erwBrda g/nce ,* with what yre know not,
but WR recommend Indian vellow.
" VV'b liave not a-t yet viniteil the sciilpture-room ; hut are in-
formed that it cmitflins (>everal beautiful TurMt by living srtials,
olW titc manner of the ancients."
But tu be EcriuuB. •S'r^raia (as <juoted by Drvdcn) Iiax distin-
guished the readers of poetry (every one of whom reUl criticise
after his own fu»hion,) into three classes. In the lowest form be
places those whom he calls Ics petils esprit*; such tiling w arc
our upper-gallery audience in a playhouee, who like nothing but
the hdiik and rind of wit ; prefer » quibble, a conceit, mm i-pigram,
brfore solid vense and ileganl expression. These iire mol> rt-Hders,
und thniiigh their ignomnt criticitms create « «hoal of authiiri o^ the
HaiTie level.
There is a middle »ort of readers and critics ; such oa have a
farther insight than the former, yet have not the capacity of judging
rightly. "\ »pe»k not," continues he, "of those who are bribed
by a party, and know better, if they were not corrupted; but I
mean a company of warm young men who are not yet arrived ao
far hi to di»oerii the difference betwixt fustian, or oetenuiiuna sen-
tences, aiul the true sublime. I need nut say that tkeir authors
(the mushroom, hut sickly tribe, dependent upon their iTitieul pa-
tronage) are of the &sme taste with tlieir admirers. They anecl
KKBineM in all they write ; but it is a bladdered greaCneu, like
that ot the vain man whom Senecu describes: an ill babit of body,
full id'humuur:), and .swelled with dropsy."
Thus far with regard to two sort? of jodee* ; who, in my opinion,
are answerable for nine-tenths of the fu«ili)>h performances we every
day see exhibited, not only in poetry, but aUo in the sister arts.
Thev are the nmck ^Urcmases of our time, who are followed by ao
many pltantum i'ir^iU .'
Let US now turn to the third class — tlic really judicious: critics
of the highest rank and truest understanding. Thetie, alas ! are
few in number; but still, there arc some, and, "Whoever" (uya
our great translator,) " is so liappy as tn gain Mrir approbation can
never lose it, because they never give it blindly."
Rnt here, it mny be asked, wliat constitutes n true critic? What
are bis diagnostics? How is he to l>e known? In answer to
this, I shall briefly set down what 1 conceive to be rvquisites of a
good critic; fenrless ofoO'eiiding the Mflf-love of tliose who fondly
think they daily labour in the vocation.
In the first place, a gowl crilic has in all age« been looked upon
as a great rarity. Tliis i" not to Iw wondered at if we reflect a
mtmient upon toe many and various qualities necessary to form
lus charsctf'r.
L.
«W tf<> Ml. cvrroNS eesionation.
Bv MHrt fciii ■ mamA ttmatd tot the ready apprehciuioa of all
that i> hMalifal, iwC Mri ri|Hbr in art ana nature; but, at the
MHs tkasb aver wsKn^ to Min its mcrity of judgmrnt iu favour
ttrntmaai onrioe, at lutewti— ■! ccssentricity, wliertrin no vioU-
IMB m pwyM't^ is coauuittrd. uid the common ends of inteUeo-
taal RVBtDMs atfanncd W cirrottoas but nleuant deriations. Ilf
•hoald br -wedded 1o no ytandud of rxo«Ucnrc already c<!tabtuhcd
bjr othera, but rather incline to doubt of any such having; betrn
a« yrt discovered ; and, ctuueqaently, be sccastomed to wpif^h
the prrtcnuiona of evi^ry nev comct in the arena of invention, with
the HtrictMt impArtialtty and eimm^MCtmi. This Utter quality
depenil* In n Krcat meaHure upon the rtace of hiit moral feelings,
which ahoulil be iii* pure and generouR as his natural enduwntcnts
«n «truiif[ and cultivated. He bboald be the frieud of no party
vtcejit tho tiMiri of merit ttruggUng id sn uqcuubI strife with ad-
vermty wr npiinuaitm ; to whom be should hold out the virtue* of
|»at)riicc and |HT«rvTr*nce »a the tutelary guardians of Ills pil-
flrimaitt', «lid endeavour to excite him by uie kindest assurances
lu liellevc that, wtuiier or Inter, thcj- nerer fail to conduct true de-
iCrl to the objrrt of its legitimate ambition ! Lastly, he should
petmm n large ktui-k of general learning to enable him to reason
dtadyand EoUalcraily an moat thing*, and on the subject or matter
ht UOotrtakes to CRiTiciiiK he munt, above all, be pro/cwMdiy akiUcdl
Pbpv'i ltd vice.
" Drink deep, or lasie oot ihe Picrinn sprinj?,*'
b acnrrcly so applicable to pocu as to critics. But these, indeed,
wbvn Seiiuine, are so nearly allied that it would not be worth whilr
M mute distinct rules for them. Johniton has beautifully drscrib'
rd llu'ir relationship when he astigna to criticism the office of hacd*
nwid to the Mumts, and makes it one of her duties to beat tiine
lu ihfir chorus, nnd re»lrain their M'ild dnnce by the meuure of
hw watchful rh3rthm ! How haa she loet her place?
ON DR. COTTON'S RESIGNATION OF THE OFFICE
OF ORDINARY OF NEWGATE.
CvnoK wiibdra«6, ami rw;kl«n »oii* of slaiijj
Say, u lai* now so rarrly life rnn loucii,
The ouiVi must be, siooe uiicvrs tm [ungtr lung,
Ue could not lately get a lirvp too muck.
All vortUd rogues n fricDil in Cctttm ios«^
And oone itic sad impressioa can resist,
Tlwi they will find who brave lUe fetal noose
No pleasant lubsunite for Cotton ticiti.
fWi KTcrcnd sage I wilJi fond regret, perhaps,
.V.WK"''" renicirl.«red. in thj liower or tftoi
\V iH »>I1 rt.'dl llip rlraiu*, tmllii, [>lairuifn% ca[i»,
\*tl tS\ (lie tftis Ihat bound llifc lo Uiai i\^y !
401
ADVENTURES IN PARIS^Na lil.
Cr TOBY ALLSPy.
TIIF. MANSARDE.
" W hy *buuld our tlumci lie all nriaUcrUiA t
BUr, litMLMt muacs aiul ting oi llt« tmck iiuc."
Pori;, 1, Vurivnm prfi/,)
NoTHiNO can be more HUtinctive of the difTercnce of mrtraU unci
manners lietweeti England and the Continent, than the discropAticy
between joiir EnjfUsh garret and your foreign maiisarde. Alike ele-
vated in their views, alike "commercing with the ("ktoe," — the
English fTarret i« racred to the priestesses o( dnmcBtic drudjfery,
huusemuids. conk maid h, lady's maid!), empty tnmks, broken band-
boxen, foul linen, decsyecl (iirnilure, younjf master's old rocking-
hor«e tunipd nut to p'as-i, a Kmokc-drivU patent vlium, a bira-
orf^n waiitinj; a handle, and otlier luiiibir; which, liaving Bcr\-cd
the caprice uf the hour, would be thrown or giveu away but for
that avaricious tenacity of human egotisin which decrees that
"oysters would be deuced good eating, if the shelUcould be hashed
for the wrvants" hall."
Still, amid all the htjOfglnly-pig^ledy of a fiomtun garret floor,
there predominates a homely cbaraeter of order and decency. It
rioeth with the lark ; it rooAteth with other household Inrds; tta
curlew is rung (as reganleth it* long-aixes, for lire-places it hath
none,) isomewhere about ten of the clock; and it closeth Jta tssic
of scrubbing, lying, picking and stealing for the day, with tlM
brief devotion of a |>atL-mo3iier.
Par different the mansartie! Though !)o much nearer heaven
that it occupies the seventh or eighth, rather than the (iflh door of
the house, it-i morality is nf a more dubiou9 description. L'nen-
cumher«l by lumber, living or dead, (for e%'ery story is bound to
give shelter to its own meniflla and empty trunks,) it is swept
and garnished aimoi>t aii decently ns the rest of the mansion. But^
being let in single chaniberii to fingle men and women, the re*
spectability attendant upon double-bodietl individuality is unhap>
pily wanting. I do remember me of having located in one of
the first hofltcU in Vienna, vhereof (he ground-floor was occu-
pied by cofl'ee-rooms, aj»i a ball-mtim for the masquerades of the
camivnl ; tlie second wtis the li.-ibitation nf no less a person-
age tluiii Don JMigiiel ; the thir<l (odds ducatu and dollars!) th«
coimling-house an<l domicile nf llaron Rothachitd ; the fourth>
a heleriigcneoua domicile of tailora, mantUA-niakera, Jew'brokers,
and picture-dealers ; while the lif^h wai a notorious den of thieves I
This villanous propinquity between "honourable men," such ai
your Rothschilds and Don MigueU, and a gang of robl>ers and
brokem, could nerer have existed in srientifir England, which dia*
tingnishea its human classes aa accurately as Liiinirus his *egriable
tribes.
Now the attic story, or vtntfsarde, of the mansion of the Bnule-
vards .M ontmartrc, if occupiiil by ^ca^lpe• of a leits notorious infamy
than thoM! of the It K , had (as luiglit be inferred IVoa Um
402
ADVENTURES IN PARIS.
frequent oriitiotii* of Alndnmc OrSgoir*, tlw port*reM, in hooour
of tlip " partinilarity " of the l^ndlunl,) little to lioast in the w«y
of cxcliiwivencas. Divided into two section*, h« is utxiai in tuch aU
tituile-s by a long nitrrow paii«age, redeemed from utter darkoew
by small single panes of glass inserted at rare intf^rvala into tbe
rooff each liaving a dark j^e*n bull's rye in the centre, the b«tt«-
to exclude tlie light ; the flooring consi^ed of Hexagonal tilex, nrigi-
nalty reddened and polished, but now jnundiced to a yellow tinf^,
and looac iu their bockcts, tm the patent mineral miutieators of
Alademuii^clle Bertltc-. Alung this corridor wa^ ranged a succcssimi
of dirty aiid crazy-luoking duorii, bearing nuineraU from No. 47 to
No. tJ2, and, consequently, giving access to filUvu lodgem of either
6CX. J3y the aide oC one or two were suspended harcVfoot bell-
|lulU, beftide others httTidlcleiis and scarcely handleable woollen
cord» ; some boA»te<l only a ]Hicktliread, others a bare wire, octicrs
nothing. For evert the mnnxartle pretends to degrees and distiuo-
tion« among its " thrones, potentates, dominions, princedooH,
powers ;" uAd the front attic, looking, or rather peeping, down upon
the Boulevards, inhabited by MBdcmoisellc Toinctte, ourrii-re modute,
rlahlic pour son compfe ft (Uins sfs meuLltt, regarded with becoming
disdain No. 61, n dark closet, borrowed out of the eloping of the
roof, and approprintnl to the truckle-bed of puor Ougu-sie, the
foot-boy. lietween this major and minimus of the i^tttge were three
rooms, "Rmiill by dcgrccB. and beautifully less;" the first a con-
demned blue cliambcr adjoiuing the milliner's, understood in the
house tobe])aiU for by Itlouiiivtir Buucu'ur, ibe de^mty. as a lumber-
room for the nnsigh[liiie».)ic>> iil' his L'l^tablishinent, but which no
human being was ever wen to appruach during the day, though
footsteps were ueca&iuiially heard there during the night; the se-
cond, a room of capeciiil order and triume&ii, Inhidiited by Alodame
Tio%x\ii, " n rL'tired public functionary, living ou her means." tliat is,
ex-bux-upcner of the Ambi^ Comique, having a peuaion f^om
the theatre of one hundred and lil\y francs, or six pounds jwr an-
num : and thirdly, the le«« trimly, but lar more ornate, pied-ti-lem
(if Alademoisclie Isoline, tlie dtfputy-double of the general utility
fenne premiire of the minor theatre called the Funarobules. The
rest of the romni were occupied by clerks belonging to shops or
counting-bouses in the commercial quarter of the Hoiirti>e; a young
law-^tude^t, who drHpihing the lone and atmosphere of tbe" Pays
Latin, chose to Irudge three miles per morning to the endurance
of Ilia profeuional dutich ; a deeayed old genileiiian, whose family
having risen in the world, had t>en!>ioned him off, and compelled
him to rise aliio lo « deit in an ntlic Ktory ; ami a young vtrmfilUut
(if thi; Uoulcvard*. whose doily means vnabkvl liim to indulge in
a cup of A"«<'/^'"« itiitliimtmt for hrenkfiut, an ice and wafer «l Tor-
loni's for dinner, tenpeniiy worth of fashion and fine-artaat .Mueord'e
concerts, a cuul and waistcoat from iiUn, and an astounding pair
of whiiikerii. Such wan tlie population of tbe place; and the ele-
ment* of this chaos, forty feet itquure, duly considered, the decency
and decorum o( its legislation, were truly wonderful. No noise, no
riot, no confusion, no smftshing of windows, or calbng of names,
jtt when in Kngland such jarring atoms of humanity meet and fer-
ment togt-liicr. The familiarities of the upper region proceeded no
farther thuii siilutalioiis cif " Bon Junr, mon vouia 1" " Bqh juur, om
w^^^l
THE MAMSARDE.
405
eJiarmaHie voisine!" " Ca va bicnf" "Quel chtcH de tempt f" "A
revoir !"
B^^tween No. 49, the residence of the eA-vHvrrum:, and No. 61,
the hiibitation of thp actretia, a sort of profeesional acquainunccahip,
however, was kept up, in jargon de ruulisscs nimost incomprchcn*
Hible to people beliingiiig to the world of actiisliticH. One even-
ing, shortly afUT tlie coiuii)cii<:eini-ut of Kcquuiiitancu between the
finiC and third Hours, Madunie Dosne weis iteuted beside the slen-
derly-sujjplied hearth of JVIademoiselle isoline, having cuiuidcrately
brought with her the classical old chanffrHtr of iron in it» walnut-
wood case, which, in Iter palmy dnys of box-opening was nightly iu-
stalled under her carpet ehocK during tlie interx'ula of her busy vo-
cation. On the table between tlieni stood two of Uia»e diminutive
glasses purporting tti contain potables, which being more pernicious
liuii wine, arc allowed to poison mankind in minuter pruportiutu ;
At the bottom of which was a highly .or umatic sediment, tlie lees of
cognac, cura<,-oa, absinthe, opium, or some other patent medicine ad-
minifttering to Ailments of the hiimfin mind or body. Beside Afadame
Dosne lay her horn spectacles, and a crumpled copy of the Entr'acte,
or universal gnaselte of playbills for the ])recpding night ; beside
Aladenioitetle Isoline the copy of her part in the mcltHlraina of" Inez
de Cafltro/' of which a general rebettrsol was to take place at the
Funanibules tbu foUowit^; evening, iiut, as is ever the ui&c where
females sit down to study in cou^des, the labours of the brain were
grievously interrupted by those ol the tongue.
"Of course, ray dear child," observed the pucker-faced lady to
one who might have been coUed young, had her hve-und-twenty years
have passed in any less corrupt atmosphere or calling than the he-
lotism of a sixth-rate theatre, — "of course, mom cm/(jii/, nothing can
be more praisewortiiy than your deteruii nation to abstain from equi-
vocal society, and yoor reMjIvc to be seen no more xt the balls of
Im Chaupuere, or other 8tmday resorts, pleasant but wrong. Otdy
I must permit myself to observe that if these sage projecta hitppen
to originate in the hope affixing the affections of ^(onsieur Kric, cr
\ trugcttien ijki hc detHeadrn/amaU fraud, who (^ ftar partiHlhete)
famously hissed the other night at the Belleville theatre, in the
part of SyllR, I fairly warn you that your pains are pleiuures, u
well as labour, lost."
" ^[onsieur Kric ! Aloiisieur Eric ! Will your bruni never run on
any other topic than Monsieur Eric.^" cried Mademaiaelle Isoline,
pushing from ht-r the dog's-eared tlieatrical manuscript, indited upon
paper the colour and consistency of the cvmcls, which conveyed from
the lubaccoitjst Xa> the hand of her venerable neighbour her weekly
livepennywortli of Macouba. " Ever since the d:iy tliat It grof tragi'
did bribed you with a pound ul' ctiocviat nmj p'uttn:htK to convey to
me one of his stupid uilUls-ilaux, (for tlie wretch writes in prose,
without a word to say for himself worth consideration,) you have
chosen to surmise that my feelings are influenced by a snuffling,
phthisicky hobhUdegu, for whom it would l>e charitable in tJie adtni-
nistration to provide a set of caoutchouc lungs, whenever he ha* |o
get tlirough a live-octave, five-act, heroic part of Victor Hugo's ur
Alexandre Dumaa'k."
'■ I had rather surmise as much, mem cHjamt, than fancy you were
•MH
ADV£NTDRE£ IN PAUIS.
tlirnwing sway your afTvctioiis oil s Lailur'E UymBR, Kuril m»
cicur If Clu-'valier liftlor de Gobeuiouchc, Uie Iud|n!r at -IS, whs
hongs bis cambric handkercbiefa and dickies \o dry out of the wm-
dovr adjoining mine, — an iDdecwiim which nearly co«t me a brtoe
of favourite canarirfi by a catarrh last season at breeding-ti toe." S
" Moiivifur l« Chrvalier will nevvr attract any other atteittiun jimn ^1
his own in the looking-glaM !" intfrruptcd Mademoiaelle Isolioe in a
tone of Contempt
" Pardi f it can be no other, then, than Monaietir Kugene, tbe
medica] student, who ftent you the tino bouquei n( cameUia» and mi-
mosa the night of your benefit ?" cried Madame Dosne, allowing no
opportunity to the young deputy-double to defend herself. "Ah,
in* i-hild ! what a falling-ofT from the rich marc/iand dt comfMiihUt
M the Palais Koyal, on whom yoii had bestowetl your affectiona
when I had lirst the pleasure of E«eing you perform one of the Ze-
phyr« ill the t'l^le de Hure in a sky-blue petticoNi edged with silveTj
m which, dangling I'rura a cord, with bluc-ligbts clmroiingly thrown
on you from beluw. you looki>d like something truly angelic t You
were then icarc«Iy lixtcen, men hvliiK, a pretty, docile^ littli
creature."
"A miaerable dupe and idiot I" cried the actress, shrugging her
shoulders while a xlight blush romr to her face at the recullectioii,
" During the nine ensuing ye^r«, my child," pursued the cunning
Madame l)o«ne, looking wistfully at the cmply i>«]iieiir-glajs by way
of hint for rpnlpiiinhment, "you have had tipnottunitieji of putting
by a comfortable provifsifin for winter times ! lluinph ! Thf young
milord, who broke hi« neck in a hurdle<race in the Bois de Boulogne,
wa* not sparing of hi« giiineaa."
" Poor soul ! he was the beat of good creature* t" said laoUne
gravely. " I burn a taper for his soul every ToHsiaiut in the cfaurdi
of Notre Dame do Lorcttc.'*
"The favourite temple of the arti !" ejaculated Aladame Dome.
" It is tliere, that the talented JClsslcr has her prie-diru ! But, aa I
was saying, ma IclU; you have had many good opportunities of
writing your name in the ledger of che loigi-e d'cpar^ms. Humph !"
" Would 10 heaven 1 had prnlitcd by thctn ! " cried the young »c-
tress, with a look of desnair vhich rendered the defeatures of her
haggard countenance only more painfully apparent. "For, mtre
nuns, Ma'nte Do^sne, 1 have not a five franc piece befure me ; and, su
far from rising in public estimation to warrant hopi-s uf an increase
of sidary, 1 was all but bisswi lawt week in my favourite part oi
Puctjiiita; and hencet'orw;U'd au jilii/siquc taut i/u'an moral, I am no
longer worth a sol."
" Vou Tnu«t have been a tiad and wasteful prodigal, then, in your
time I" replied Madame Dosne, taking a pinch of itnutf with a highly-
reprehenwve air, and contracting IiOT already narrow brows.
" I don't say no," replied Iwoiine. " It hjui ever been my maaiin
to taki' with one hand, end give with the other."
■• Siii/iintffr with the other, you mean J" perntsted the old woman
tnoJiciuusly.
" Not altAgetlirr. I ran scarce rail the money /irn'jni/rrn/ which
fur five ynira went to pay a hniidrrd francs ii luontli fur my old fa-
ther'n hoard in tliv Iliiapicc de Si. A!e4lan.l down at my fta^/s yondtr
ill Jlurguiidy. I can acarcc cull llie luuitey nfMandtrrti wliicli Mved
THE MAKSAUDB.
405
my pour cuUHin ami piayinnte, JacqueS) (wp were promlKtl in our
childhood bi-forc 1 was m.'id eitough to niii awny from my appren-
ticeship to the liitgrrv at Uijuii with a cart itt'strollt^r*,} when he had
the hick nf u bUick niimbfr tor the cuiuicriplioiv Neither do I call
money iquandered which went to take my {xxir aunt'a I'umtture and
the couverls out of pledge ^ehen— •"
*' Why, what have you to ik(in> for it all?" demanded the phleg-
matic Afadame Dosnc. " Tell mc that ?"
" I have something to J'eel ; sonielliing that keeps me from freez-
ing theiie long winter nights, when I have only a couple of couver->
lures, and the embers of the morning's log, to keep out the froHt,"
replied IsoUne cheerfully.
'* But, what bugjiicse have you to have fallen to low in the world
■s to two blanket!) unil a li^? I repeat that you have had fine o\y-
portunities ; and wc owe iiu account lo Providence, my dear child,
of the talents committed to our charge V aaid the rj--o«r»rr«»r »ancti-
raoniously. "For example, what can exceed the wastefulneH of
pinning that splendid cachemiro shawl op to the window by way
of curtain? I warrant me it did not cost less than three thoiiimnd
franca ?"
" I hung it up only when you talked of spending the evening with
me," replied Isoline f;ood.humourcdly ; " lor one of the panes has
a hole in it as big asa<tixlivre piece, where that Mucy jackanapes op.
iHMite, Monsieur Ernest, thought proper to throw in an orange, try-
ing to hit me as I stood curling my liair at my looktng-gUja«. It was
out of r^ard for your rheumatism, Ala'nie Dosne, that I pinned up
my poor shawl."
" A couple of yards of serge would have served the purpose as well."
" I don't happen to have a couple of yards of serge," replied Imline,
carelessly.
"ICyou choose to disencumber yourself of the bhawl, (I know a
rich banker'a ludy in the Rue de Provence who is always looking uiiE
for I'fjckemiret doccasKtn, which she passes olF as new to her fa'inion-
alile friends,) you might luruisli yourself with creditable mohair
curtains, and the odd blanket you »eeiu in wnot of; besides putting
threvor four hundred francs into your pur*c as a nest-eieg."
" I don't chu<M« tu part with the shawl," baid Isoline coldly :
" 'twaa given me by my poor milnrd."
"And will your poor miiord be the wiser, pray, in his fine tomb
up at Perc I^chaise, for your having made yourself comfortable
Ibis cold winter?"
"'Tijlhe onlygif^I have left ofhia," aaid Isoline. " The diamond
ear-rings went to procure poor .lacqiics's subsliKiie at the time uf
the conacription. I won't tlirow away the last token of a deceased
" You arc not going tu play sentiment, I trust, ma belli- ?" said the
old ouvrnue with a hideous sneer. " Keep lAat, ma itauvrr fniliue,
tot the Funambules!"
" I sliall, — I do ! and my shawl for a comfort to my old sboiddrri
ten years hence."
" If /Art/ be your nearest need for it, child," persevered tile rapa-
cious ot<l womiin, (who hoped to come in for a luck-penny on the
bargain,) "why not leave it tn fitU-nilunf witit the udminulralivn?
1 know alicenseil comniitiioncr of the Mont de Pit-te who wonhl od-
406
ADVKfmTS^S IN PARK.
vance ymi a liundreil crowns on the shavl, and keep It till better
times."
"As if I would insult Alilnrd Greenhorn's memory by pending his
gift tu sir dishonouring a placir, or demean myHell* by wearing it af-
terwutb !" cried IsuUtie, ulmort angry. " Astez U-aeiftui ! I mean
to keep both my temper and my shawl ; so let 'i talk of something
else 1"
"I see how it is! Yon will come to die in an hospital!" ex-
clainu-d Mndnmc Doeiie. shrugging her shoulUcri!. " However, my
dear cliild, 1 shall always feel comfortud by the reflection that you
were not lost for want of good advice. And now, good nicht I for
you have your part to study, and my eyes are drawing stmw« already."
" Won't you hear me rejieat it before you go, Ma'me Dome ?"
cried Mademoiselle Isoline, snatching up the dog's-eared manu-
script, and appealing earnestly to the old hjig, whoxe ioJadrice ahc
well knew had been the ori^^n of all lier indiscretions, and half her
misery.
"^o^ to-night, ma helte, not to-night!" replied the onvreuie, who
had a plan for dropping down a story, in the hope of a glaat of
somethmg warm -with her kinswoman, Afademoi»elle Bertlie. " Tis
nine o'clock, child ; and ray neighbour, old Monsieur Dufosac, would
be raising n sciuKlal in the house if he hearcl me out of my chitm-
bcr at such an unHeemly hour !"
And having obtained leave to fill her chauff'itilc with the few re-
maining embers of her poor hostess, away hobbled the public func-
tionary living on her means, leaving IsMuie to her studies and her
meditations.
The hearth soon waxed cold; and a Dcce'mber wind, whistling
ovcnr the roofs of the houses, blew through the aperture in the win-
dow, sharp and Htraight as a discharge from one of Perkins's steam-
guus. The young actress at h^ngth dragged down the much-dis-
cussed cachemire, aiid flung it over hn head and shoulders, as the
best mode of self-preservation from Oie intemperance of the s«a$on.
She cast a wistful glance around the uiansarde ; on tlie dirty and
distempered walls o( which, flickered the uncertain liRht of a bougie
tie Cltvilc stuck in an empty bottle. Percheil on n gilt ball of the
cracked gUsa of her toilet, was the silver lot/ue and featlicr* sent by
her dresser for npprobatiun, from tlic 'theatre, preparatory to the
rehearsal of the following night ; and on the dirty marble slab be-
low, lay scattered a glittering chain and buckle of crysocol or rao-
Muc gold, a pair of paste car -rings entangled in a bunch of false
ringlets, » rouge-pot m a pasteboard-box wanting a cover, a stick of
pomatum, a pair of fleHli-culuured gauze stockings, four two-sous
pieces, and a tionfionnierr fdled with stale palf dr guimauMf^ On the
wall hung, on one side the rouni, a highly -coloured print of Tag-
lioni in the Sylphide, the Scottish farmer kneeling at her af^ria)
feet, having a bird of Paradise feather stuck knowingly in his bon-
net ; on the nttter, a row oi pegs, whence depended sundry dirty
peignoirs, a mock Ikik, and a splendid satin dreM, of the newest
fashion. There was nothing encouraging in the survey ! Still less,
when, on crossing the room to ascertain whether there was so much
aa a crust left of her breakfast in the hujfti, to serve for a frugal
8uj)per, Isoline discovered nothing within that nnaavoury cupboard,
but a few chipped nUte* of ifrrf de pipe, a dirty miistard-pot, and
a half-em|Ply salt-!=jilveT.
I
I
I
TUB MANSARDB. 407
On returning to her KM ^m this tVnitless royage of discovery,
the diKappninted actrpii« caught it glimpse of her own rueful coun-
tenance in the cracked toilet-glass, and lauglicd outright at it^ <lo>
loroua expression. Rut after a >>econd clance at ihe cart-worn luce,
to which n complexion, seared br tlie high luibitual painting of the
sl^ge, black-dyeil eyebrou«, hollow cheeks, and, above all, a pair
of deejv&et eyes, to which habits of din^ipation had imi>arted that
iudL-fcribable expresHion which touches tlic brink of all we hate,
Isoliiii.' fdl aImo><tliorror-strieken. The puor. cold, hungry creature
read there tlie announcement lliat, miserable a» were her fortunw,
tliere was a lower grade to which the was inevitably falling. ]I«r
youth was deserting her ! Aud to what had that youth been de-
voted?
jjuinelhing almost amounting to a tear arose in her eyc». But )t
wan nut in IsoUor's nature to be sad. Throwing herself back in her
:ttraw chair, »he cast aside her cares for a time, by rtniolutely taking
up thr part in which she was to be i>erfect by the morrow, and
after the laptie of a few ininuteH, was humming the air of a f^y
vauilenilit\ For more than an h<mr afterwarda did she stultify her
muter* tan ding by pondering over the incoherent phr4i«c» of a far-
rago of what is called fine writing ; till at lengtii, benumbed by cold
and weariiie*)!, she watt on the point of falling asleep.
" If I were to ley another priit tcrtrY" mused Isoline, ittarting
up and glancing towards the Inittlc that stood on the buffet ; "I
think there must be one glass left. But no ! 'tis a detestable
habit in a wnninn 1 and a thing he hates and despises I" And rul>-
bing her chilly hands together, to restore circulation, she betook her-
self nnce more, courageouslv to her Btudies. At length, the candle
scctned to d-inre before her Tieavy eyes, the hook fell from her hands,
and the piwr sltivering actress dropped u»leep.
It was inipoBailile to guess wliat space of time had elapsed when
Aladeiuoiaellu Isoline, rou!^ hy a nuiiie in tlic corridor, started up
to find herself almost frozen with cold, with the candle burning low
in the bottle.
'* I may as well sleep in bed as hrre," w.is her reflection; and
i'urthwith she began to prepare herself for her hard pillow.
Tiic stained and rumpled silk gown was soun unhooked at the
waist, and appended to ita peg ; when, just m Isoline vma ou the
point of tying upon her head the Aliiilrus handkerchief which served
for nightcajt, it occurre<l to her that she hwl not yet tried on tiie
silver /('^uf in which she was to figure the following night as Inez
de Castro; and having hastily assumed the ringlets and rur-rings
indispensable to giw effect to tbc cuiffnrr, the pUiitie« of which al-
ready nodded over her brow, xhe was so thf^iattHfied with her hag-
gard and wretched a.4pect, as to seixe tlie harei>faot, and restore by
A patch of rouge the false brilliancy wanting to complete the toiUt
of an actress, — when lo I just aa the professional daub lind been ad-
miuisteretl to her icy cheek, a haaty tap at tlie door claimed her aU
tcntioit.
" Be off" with you, Monsieur Eugene!" cried the actress. *' Yoii
know I have told you fifty times, that if you persist in insulting me
by these dlfiturbances, [ will complain to the proprietor and Ma-
dame Gregoirc."
To her great surprise, however, iiutead of the whispered ren
408
AbVRNTUAKS IN PAIIIS.
atr«nce« she was accustomed to receive in itniiwer to her hftran^ufii
low, gentle, remnlc vmcc woa heard, entreating aclmitt*nce. R*-
gardless of her bare shouliier* and glittering toijue, IsoUnc JDStuitlf
hauened to the door; on undouDg which, she discovrred bj the
lieht of the candle in her hand, th« sliglit ftgure and |>slli[l tare of
Afsdemoiinellp de Coureron lennini; a^in^t the wall. InstinctJTclTi
the child uf perdition felt heri<e)f to he in the prei>cnce of one of the
childron of light ; and tnecttnniually smitdiinf off the ^udy bead*
dress, ahe retreatwl into the room tu cover liersclf decently wiih
the memonible ahaul. ere she proceeded to uujuire " what there «»
for the lervice of mademoiselle?"
" Pardon, pardon! I fancy I have made a tnistake," cried Clairr,
retrenting in her turn, in utter consternation, " 1 fancied this wa»
AlntlemoiaeUe Toinette'M apartment. I c«m« to beg « little braise to
Hj^ht my fire.*' *
" Mademoiselle had better knock at the door of Afadame Dotne,''
said I«o1inCj courteously. " MA'msclle ToJnette is wldmn at home
at this hour."
" AIas ! I have already applied to hcr>" faltered AtadeiniHselle de
Couraon. ■< But ctlie would nut even open the door, and bade me
get about my business ! It ih such a dreadful ni^ht, and tnainma
ig very ill I 1 almost fcur, Gcd help me ! that she U <iying !"
" l>ying! Step in a moment!" cried iHuHne, who had often n<»-
ticed, on the stairs, tlie ititercsliiif^ cuuntirnancv^ of Claire und her
mother, for whom she felt the iirupressiblu respect wh><di vice enter-
tains for virtue. " Perhaps, with a tittle patience, we nuiy be able
to rekindle n few embern on my heitrlh."
And iti a moment she uas down on her knees, puffing awav with
the utmost aid of a miserable pair of bellows, till a few kindly
sparks amonjr the ashes began to glow and redden.
'* It WM very wrong of the garde to let a sick person's fire go
out on such a. night an this ]' miid the actreu, ns she proceeded
eagerly with her task.
" My poor mother has no nurse but myself," faltered. Mademoi-
Belle de Courson. " She had fallen asleep with my hand in hers,
and 1 dared not disturb her to attend to the fire. I tremble to
leave her alone for even the few niinutea necessary to come up
hither."
" No nurse ?" cried Isnline. " At jfQur age venture to be alone
with an invalid in danger of her life. Is not this very rash ?"
" It iH inevitable." rt-plicd Claire, moved by the kindness of the
actress, yet unable wholly to tlivest herself of tlio re[)iignance with
whirh she hud been inspired by her mother, on some occasion, when
the 6nunting attire of Mademoiitellu Isoline had attracted in the
entry the attention of iMadame de Courson.
" But consider, my dear young lady, what your aitiiation would
be, should anything actually occur to madame ? You Diight be un-
able to summon nesislance \"
"I know it I" faltered CItiirc, shuddering, partly with cold,
partly with terror, and scarcely able to repress lier tears. " But we
nave not the means of hiring proper attendance^"
" If it would not be taking a liberlv," said Isolinc, in spite of her
professional hardihood, almost intimiilattd by the aspect of this holy
TKK MANSAILbBT
40S
I
I
I
I
>e bappy to at up with you fnr the ranainder of
the night ?"
" Woultl yiHi indeed? tt wottld be nii net uf stj^al luervjr !
V'et what right li«vc 1 to Rc<.'«pt such a service from » Htraiigcr. —
destitute as I nm ot'thi^ Miuille^t power of mnrkiiiff my gratitude!"
Cfiod Chure, correcting her first eager acceptance.
"Say nut a word of gratimdc. Mutual service is a debt we
poor creature* of clay owe cucli uiher iii a ivorld of trouble ! ' cried
Isoline. " I am not unhandy in a sick cliBiubvi' : niitl since yuu will
allow me tg assist }o\i, return at once tu the invalid, and I will fol-
low you iiiAtantly with the shovel-full of ember*."
With repeated thaiikB. Muiieraoiselle de Courson accepted tJie
offers and advice uf her new acquaintance; and the moment she
had fioitted the room, Uoline hastened tu " wuxh the lilthy wttnP4;i
from her face ;" and hnving ansumed the most decent of her eap>)
and p^^Hftirs, and enveloped herself anew in her shawl, hurried
dowii stairs, on charitable thought* intent.
From the length of time' tliat elapsed ere the door was opened,
a(\er ^lie liiid rung the hell, the actreA^ wa& half inclined Ut fear
tlut the poor young hidy repented having accepted the ufTen t>f a
neighbour of such indifferent reputation ; but wlien at length *il-
rtiittance waa grantetl, the .ogiuied manner in which Claire an-
nounce<l tliat alie had fouiul her mother in a fainting state. i«ttaf»etl
her that the delay wa^ untiitvutiunal. vVdvaiicing hastily to the bed,
die only article of furniture in tlie denuded chamber into w tiich she
was introduced, the good .Saninritan pioceoiled to feel the hands of
the sufferer, und found tliem cold as death.
" What have vuu dune for her ? what medicines has »he token f
what are yau about to give ber ?" cried Iwiline. alarmed in her
turn.
" Notliing [ alas, alas ! ebe cau no longer swallow 1" cried Made-
moiielle Courson, wringing her liands ; siiil in a moment, lioline
snatched the light from the table, and behel«l u|K)n tlie counte.
nance of the poor »uflerer those lilac streaku and nting dew«
which ap{>car to I>e the preciirNor* of death. Still, the nctresa had
§ten in*tanceit where similar aptteiirunces were produced aolely hy
the fsintnc«s arising from exhaustion.
" Give me the eau-ito-CoIugnc!" cried she.
■' I have none '." replied Mademoiselle dc Courson.
" Ea»wle-vie, then."
" Atafl! there is nothing of the kind at hand."
" liieu de diett ! what restoratives, then, have you been using?"
-■ Tliis JinivN af aalu ' I can have nu further tli^guisea with you !
We IiAve exhausted cverytliing ! We are destitute of even the ne-
oeuarie« of life!"
" Blow up a little fire as well as vou can whh tliow embers, and
Kut on some water ; 1 will be back in a moment !" cried Isotine, on
earing this alarming announcement- And long before her com-
panion h'td succeeded in raising the requisite floine, the actremr re-
turned, bringing with her the fortuiiat«ly »]Mirod bottle o( cofcnac.
A few tlrops adminiBtcred iti a tefl-it|>oon to the motionless invalid,
ind at inlervnU renewed, at lengtli caused a heavy Mgh to burst
from her lip*, and »■ her eyes unclosed for n moment, she faltcrefl
vnf,. lit. 9
m vnt
410
ADVENTURES IN PAKIS.
with yearning tt-ndemt'SB the imiiie al' her daughter. A time
cruchoti, filled willi boiliiijj water, was next [ilaceil at her feci ; and
\\y the time Aladaine de Courson was able to express herseli' id in-
tellipble wurds, ]!>oline was ready with n cup ofrteaming br«ttd p»-
uoda, the only aliment the burp cupboards of either of the tittle ne-
cessitous houiehnldii could at that moment supply. For the actrea*
had guessed rightly ; the poor lady wu ainliing only for want of
food.
" Don't mention ray name, let madame take me for a hired
nurse," whispered iRoline, conjecturing that her respectable neigh-
bour might entCTtnin ttcruples nt finding her daughter in faroDiar
companion ship with a person of her c1n!<s; and Claire, without un*
der»tanding tier object, silently pressed her hand in token of as-
sent. " A kind neighbour, dearest mother, is come to assint me in
nnrHinz you," was all the explanation tiecee^ary to be given to Ma
dame dc Coursou.
" Wiie is very good. Don't li;t Ijcr fatigue herself," laurmureU the
Hufierer ; and at once revived and overcome by the food and iti-
mulantH «he had imbibed, t«be reclosed her eyes and sank into a
tranquil sleep very different from her previous insen!<ibi!ity.
" Rely upon it, she will now rest comfortably," said IsoUne,
drawing the curtain.
" I scarcely hope it!" refilled the young girl mournfully. "Thi«
i* the fifth night I have sat tip with maniina, and «he never «leep9
more than ten minutes at n time. Her nerves are miserably shaken.
She starts up, fattrying jR-oplc are in the room, come to take her
to prison."
" Have you no physician ?"' incjuircd the actre«ft.
•• We haft one ; but liiiding that he was not regularly paid, he ceased
to visit us," replied Claire. " You. whof« cnarity has caused you
to Ik! introduced here, «o aa to view the nakedness of the land,
must perceive at once the rnndttion to which we are reduced.
Since mamnm's illness, I have lM.M.'n unable to take in work. All
our property is gone; and unlcbS I should receive a favourable
Answer to an application I made yesterday, Madaiiie Gregoire hai
given us warning to quit, and my dearest mother can only be re-
moved to a public ho^ital. We have seen better days. My mo-
ther is — but no matter f She must die I 1 feel — I feel that she must
die in an hottpitall"
All thi» W.-LS uttered without tears; but broken by sobbing lighs,
such aa burnt from the bosom of a child afler a oevere fil of weeping.
A tear meanwhile fell from the hollow eye of the actress, but it fell
in silence.
" How much do you owe to the proprietor?" she inquired with-
mit apoloify of Mademoiselle de Courson.
" Nearly seventy francs, Iwsides five to the portress !"
" Is there any oilier pressing demand that niArms yon ?" resumed
Isoline.
" There is the baker," said the young la<ly, hhiflhing deeply as
Jihe glanced towards n wofnlcn tally tivat lay on the chimney-piece.
" And the milkman asketl yesterday for the four fVanca we owe
him ; but Ar, I ivaxKy, might still be induced to trust u« !"
" lie comforted, then," cried the actress. " If this be the worst
of the case, I shall mystelf be able to asiiist you; and to-aiorrow
4
I
4
n
JUI ■ WW^H
THE MANSAADE.
411
shall be no further wiuit uf tbud, fuel, or advice. Xo thankf,
ma chirr dcinoiiirUe ! It i& something that you deign to accept the
aiwiMtance of such a one as I \ And now, lay yourself quietly
(Itiwii nX the foot of your mother's bed, and take wnne rent, i shall
be im the ifui-vive ; and if she calls, will be sure to wake you to
attend upon her."
Claire suffcret) henelf to be t>erfiua(l(Hlj for, in truth, the poor girl
WAS scarcely able to siCanH. She rested her aching head bcnidc her
motjier'a feet; and the light of a grey winter sunrise wa* gteflm-
ing into the room, when again ahe opened her eyes to the sorrows
of life.
" The good lady has stirred but once, and after taking souie
warm I'uaunc IVom my hand, mi^itnking it fur yours, soon dropped
off to sleep again," said laoUne, replying tu her cunipauion'H looks uf
terrified iinpiiry. And on exninining the room. Mademoiselle de
CottTKHi founil with surprise and gratitude, that her new friend
had swept up the hearth, set on the bwithiif, filled the pitchers
with filtered water from the fountain on the /^n/i^r, ami tidied up the
place. Their one tea-spoon stood in a bright tmnsparent tumbler,
the tntps were rinsed, the curtains neatly arranged ; everything waa
in order.
" And now 1 nni!«l Irave you, for I have urgent business on
hand," said Isnitne, gond-huraouredly. " But in an hour or two
I fthall be here ; till when, ma bonne demouflU. keep up your spirits."
It WHS that very morning, of all the days in the year, that Mon-
^dtur le Che^'BJier Hector de Gobemouche.'aa he was seething in hia
^ovolate-pot an unctuous compound of honey, olive-oil. and ptmt-
madf tie cuHcombret, intended to restore whiteness and snioothnesa
In his chapped hands, at a more convenient cost than the emollients
furnished for such purposes by Mcsincurs Lubin and Co., overheard
through the thin wainscot of his room the following discourse be-
tween his neighbour, Alodamc Dosne, and a voice which be did not
immediately reeognifte.
" An't you ashamed of yourself, for having denied your door last
utght to a poor fellow •creature in distress?" said the namelcsa
■gteaker
" .V« J'tM .' if one were to open one's doors to all one's fellow-
creatures in ditttreiis," repUeil the outrcuse, " one must lodge in the
Parais Notre Uanie !"
" There came hut o«e poor soul, and you refused her. But no
matter ! I come to ask you a service. You offered to dispose of my
shawl for me. Have you any objection to take it to tlie armmii-
aionaairf you spoke of?"
" Far better sell it outright to the banker's lady," mumbled the
old woman, who had a better chance of profit in an ad li/'itum sale.
" It docs not suit me! According to your account, 1 shall obtain
ftvm the Mont de Fii-te the sum of which 1 stand in present need ;
■m1 Hun the shawl may be redeemed and come back to luy hajuls
again, some sunshiny day."
" 1 can't be troubled tlu» momtng. This is my nxtking-day.
I liave mv pol'ttu-j'ti to mind," »iaid Madame Uosne, doggedly, tot
incliiie«l to vote for the amendment.
" But (Ar'rr Ma'iur Ihnui- ! if I nromtse to watch the soup white
you are gotH- ^ I would go myself, only I have still this
•2 r
*\it
ADVeHTORES TN PARIS.
Em of Inez to haiuuicr into my head ; and I could lit by ymcr
emrth and cim it over."
" YeK ; and tufTer tlie broth to spoil Ibr want of skimming '."
" Perhaps you fancy that I think of giving you this trouble for
nothing ?" remonstrated Isoline. " But pray undrntxnd that there
will be a crown of bonne main fur yoo, it' you make a good bar*
gain."
" A crown indeeil ! I used to makt as much when I was a box-
opetier by every f»inting-H[, nnd nothing furiUBhed for the money
but a few civil words and a gluw of spring w«u*r ! Whereas, if I
trudge out this wretched morning in the mud, there vrill be, in the first
place, twenty cfulimet to the iUcroUetir for cleaning my ahocs, be-
sides the prohahility of catching cold."
" Make vour fee a five fnmr piece, then, and f;et you gone, or I
will go myself!" cried the indi(niant Isoline, eiifurcing her tlireat
by au outh more iiKelligiblc to A«r t-ars smd thoKe of the oufrrutr,
than it would have been to the pure-minded Claire de Cour»on.
Whereupon Madame Dosrie. by no means witihing to We the job,
attempted to Hoothe her, by exclaiming, with .i chuckling laugh,
" Come come, ma beUe enfant! not »o hasty with your old fHend !
1 'II juKt on with my cloak. Fold up your shawl neatly in paper ;
or stay, — bot piiiwi a hot iron over it, lo take out the creaics and
make it look like new ; ami if I ilmi't brinf; you back fifty crowns
within an hour, my name'ii not Agripriinn Dmne !"
" V'ou must bnng me back a huntlrcd, or nothing," said Isoline,
firmly. '■ If I can't get that much for it on pledge, I "11 lake it at
once to our manager's wife, who has ot\en onered to purchase it of
me for thirty Napoleons."
" I '11 do my best, I can but do my best !" cried lh« hag, shufRing
on her fuMy old merino cloak.
" Itememher ! f Arre hundred francs or nothing !" cried Isoline.
aa htr ambassadress quitted the room- And, on finding heraelf
alone, she drew fortli once more from the pocket of her Jmtiard
apron, the cu|)y of her luckless part of Ineis de Castro ; and, sitting
down beside the fire, witli the Bkimming Udic across her knee, and
her eyes occa^ionrilly directed towards the eanlun jar, in which
simmered a piece of lean beef, tied up wilh packthread, amiil au
odoriferous mixture of leeks, celery, carrots, turnips, and buntt
onions, iilie began to recite aloud with becoming emnliasis, " O lei*
objet de tail tie iwrij/ Tui .' itoni la leadrcsse rtmouwe r»curt le
cteur nn/aH/i tie tii plus iHnUn-iiretise det J'cmmex ! Toi .'" The
floating scum upon tlie sinmiering st«w-pot here claimed the u-
sistance of the nuuimrcf) lir^t rmivrr, rn^M» encore, »r^wi* — .
•' Now what on earth will l>ecijme of me!" exclaimed poor Isoline,
interrupting herself. " The nmre I strive to drive this tiresome
stuff into my brains tlic more my thoughts wander to that un-
liiijipy daufjhicr and mother on the third floor! If it was
poetry, I could learn it in five minutes ; mtiu la proae, c'rtt embttante
txtmmc tout .'"
m
COUWT CASKO'WHISKY AND HIS THREE HOUSES.
A TRMl'KHANCK BALLAD.
Tmebe u a. demon in the land,
A deciton fitrrcc and frisky.
Who sl*a)s ihe ioiiU uf mortal m«(i,
Hia nunc is Ciuko'vrhisky.
I^ 1 tTJOUDtfd an • titry st«»d,
il« rides through lown and village.
And cilU the norkitinn from iiis shop.
The farmer from liii lillaje.
Clulohol in liis lanky red righi hand
He hulds a iiti)ihty bicker,*
Whose |M)1ishe(l miles run dnily o'er,
With 6o<k)e of buniiii^ liquor.
Around him press ibe clumoroiu crowdi.
To VttK bis liquor greedy ;
Bat chdly come the poor and SKd —
Tile sanvriag and tne needy.
Ail tbuie opprened by grief and debts
Tilt iliitcilittr— llir laiy,
Diaggle-t^il'ii sliiU, anri iihiriless men,
Aod young girb lewd and crety.
•* Gite ! give 1" tlicy cry, " give, gi'e ui drii»li I
Give us your buruiiig liquor,
We 'LI empty &sl na you can fill
Your fine cajiacioui bicker.
" Cm t give us drink to drowni our care,
And make ii* ligl>t and frmky,
Give ! give I and we will bless ttiy twnie
'lliou good Count Cajko'whiiky ?"
And when the demon he«r» them vry,
Rieiil merrily he laugheth.
And Twid* hti bicker out to all.
And L'ach poor idiot qtnlTetli.
lite lint <lrof warms ihcir sbinering slcin*.
And dnvLi a^ay their sadiiot,
Tlw tccrind h^bts ihcir sunkm ey«s
Aad ftlh their touli with gladooH.
■ Tht authnriuM am agMOM ma ia ibo use of th!t word. Dr. JohiiMn bat ii
ifmkfr, a l'ti|> w'tb a bmM ur spiMit. In ttw nortli uf EnglaDiJ aad tlia Kialb of
feMHland bielur mama m bowl, wldiout any re&reiuv to iha btmk. 1 ineUna la
il>» Iwltef that Joboaaa U attofethcr wmnir, and UuU lb« trtie d«nrmtl<fli of iIm
wiicU i* fram tJ» TcDlunic httker, a ilrinklni; nt)i. Ilovrver, my rliyino
miium tl tobcfiicfcrr,— M tiick<<r 1«i ji Iw, aa furu the pmmt liallail UoooMmed.
Ha rhyiBtfr uui give a non lutaiMiory anawat Uuu) tlit exipuciet of his rliytiwh
414
COUNT CASKO WHISKY
Th« third diup makes Uiciu shout and roir,
Aad play vuc1i furious aniiu.
Tb« fouith (trap boiU iteir very blood,
Tbe atth drop driv» thvm Trulic !
And itill ihcy drink the burning dRUi|]ii,
Till old Count CukoVhnky
IIoldK his bluff side* with iLiugtiier fierce,
To vee ihem all so thsky.
** Nvro 1 more !" ihey cry, " cnav givu ui marc !
MoK of that riKlil Kood liquur 1
rill u[), old buy, lliiil wc may drain
Down lu the dregs your bicker '."
The demon ^p-un hi* fi«ry steed.
And Uugbi) a laugh %n hollon',
Th«n waves hi* bick«r in ibr air,
Aod beckons tht-m to follow.
On ! on I he ridet, and ouwardt rush,
Tbe lieedleKi tliousdnds nfttr.
While on-r hill anil valley *id^,
Kvwunds tis tiiniillil;e laugtitur.
On I on ! lliey rush tItrouEh mud and mire.
On I on I they rush, exclaim inR,
" O Casko" whisky, give us more.
More of thy liquor HamiRij !'*
Al liut he slops bis foatning stetd,
Beside i> nisbiiig nvtrr,
Whuiu naicn to the palntc aweci,
Arv poiouii la the liver.
" nrtff) !" B»ya the demon, «' driak your fill—
Drink oftheu wsien mellow.
They '11 make your brigtil iryes blear and dull,
And mm your while skim yellow,
aud hil.
" I'hry 'II All ynur homes with rare and grief^
And clothe your bucks mth talters,
Thf-y *tl fdl your hKirB with ciit thoughts, —
iJui never roiudl — what matters!
** Tliougti virtue sink, and reason fiiil.
And Mjciol tics diiiever,
I 'II be your friend m hour of need.
And And you Itomcs for ever I
" For I bare built iLrcc tn-iu«ionf ''■s's
Thiw strong Rnd poodly bmises,
To lodpe al l^nl t-juh j<>ll,v Koul
^Vlto all bis lils caiousu .'
Ji
ITb THREE UOVSKS.
" Tlw fim it ii t goodly Iioum,
Black are its iniit, and high.
And Ml «f dungeons deep and ^t.
Where deatb-doornctl Worn )i«.
" The serofM] ii a taiai>houie,
Rank, f<nid, and unholy ;'
Where, fellercd by diseam Ibul,
And hopeless mcUncholy,
" The victims of poUtioiu deep
Fine on their ooocb of sadneH ;
Some calling dMOli (o end their pain,
Aud mine imploring maHiiMs.
" The third house ii a spaciouA housp.
To all but sot) apfr.illing ;
Wliere, by Ibo parish bounty fed.
Vile, in ihe !>uiit)mii- ctawiitig,
** Tlio KOTD-out drtinkard ends liia days,
And cats the dole iif oihcn,
A plague aud burtlien to himself,
Aq eye-«or« to hu brothen !
" So drink l)i« vraters of this ttreani,
Drink dwp the cup of rum !
Uni>li, and like lten>e« madly roib
£B«b man to his undoing !
" One of ray manMons high and strong,
One of my goodly houses,
1* »ure lo lodge each jolly soul
Wlio lo the dregs caroutea !"
Imo the Mrrnm his courser plunged.
And all the crowd plunged after |
Willie over hill Etnd valley wide
iUwninded peals oflauuhier
For well he knew Uiis demon old,
How »ain was all hu pnitching ;
TliK raiised crew tbu rouod bim ttochcd
Were too far gone for leaching.
K>en as ihey wallow in the atmm
Tlwy cry aloud quite frisky,
" Uere's to thy health, them Itest offrtendal
Kind, generous Caako'whisky t
" We care iwt for thy bousee three.
We live but for the preaent.
And rovrry will nta make il yet.
And quaff these waters pleasaoll*
Loud laughs the Acnd (o Itear thetn speak,
And lifts hi» bnmmiRS bkker,
•• Drink, fools I" nuoth he, " you "11 pay your s«« ;
1 II have your h>uU fur liquor !"
CM.
rilB MKKTINR.
THE MEETING.
«rT£llTUI. UAXMCR Ol' tUOWia OHLiHB,
Once 1 1^ beiide a fcHimaJnt
Ltill'd me with its (jjeotle aon)-.
And my ihoughlit o'er dalr &n() mountain,
\\ ilh the clouds wf re bonic alonf .
Tlic-ni 1 saw o)d csatles Hinging
Shadotty ^1eam« on morclen wu ;
Saw gigantic Toresla swio^D|>
To and fro wcttiimt n brwn ;
And in du«ky «M«y9strarin|!
Manjr a aiant *hapt of pewet ;
Troops ofiijinphs m sunshine playiog.
Singing, dancing, hour on hoar.
I, loo, trode ihwe plains F.lyiiun,
Hcaid iheir dcar-loned notes or mirth;
But u brii(htpr, fairer vision,
Called me back agftin lo eartli.
From the forest shitde ndvanf ing.
See, there coioe» » lontly Mtjr.
The di-w-like gems before her glincing
As she bruises it awa/.
StTxight I n»e, >r)d ran to meet ln-r,
Seiied her tiand ; ihehuiivciily blu»
Of her bright eyes smiled brighter, iw««ter,
As she isked me " Who tre yau ?"
To this <]'ue3lJon rame anotlior —
What il<i aim I ililil roust doubt —
And she a^ked me " liuw 's your mother?
Dotri she know that you »r« ont V
" No ! tny mother does not know it,
Deanleotu, liviivrn-desceiided Mok !"
" Thnri olfnc >aU) my haixlsonio poet.
And say I not you with the news."
E.N.
•-1
417
I
OLIVER TWIST;
0R( THB I'ARIHIt BOV'S PROGKRhS.
BY BUZ.
ItLV&TliaTID »V OBOXOI CBIIIK!tHAIiK.
BOOK THB SECOKU.
CHAITSB THB filCHTH.
IKVOLVKS A cnrTtCAL rOSITIOM.
•' Who's ihul ?■' inquired Britlles, opening tlio door a little
way with tin- chain up, and |KH->piuj{ i>ul, tiliadin^ tho candle
with his hand.
"Open tlwdoor,"* replied a man outside: "itV the officera
from Bow-ftlrtit that vras ticnt to, to-day.""
Much comforted by this assurance, Bnttles opened the door
lo its full width, and confronted s portly man in a great coal,
who walked in wiiliuut laying anyfliing more, and wip«d hia
shues on the mat as cmilly as if he lived there.
'* Just send somelwdy out to relieve my mate, will yoii, young
man .'^ said the utTicer . "he's in the gig minding the prad.
Have you got a eoaeh'us here that you could put it up in fur
five or tea minutes f"
Brittkra, replying in the offimiative, and pointing out the
building, the portly man stepped back to the garden gate, and
helpeii his cuin[)aiiiun to put up the gig, wliile Hrillles lighted
them in a 8tate of great admiration. This done, they returned
to the hou.se, and, being shown into a parlour, took off their
great-coati and hatu, and ithowed like what they were. The
man who had knocked at the door was a stout personage of
middle height, aged about fifty, with shiny black hair, cropped
prttty close, lm!f whi)»ker», a round face, and sharp eyes. The
utlit;r was a red-headed bony man, in tup-boot.s with a rather
ill-favoured countenance, and a luriied-iip sinister-looking nose
" Tell vour guvt-rnor that Ulathers and Duff in here, will
you i^ Kaid the stouter man, smoothing down his hair, and lay-
ing a pair of handcuffs on the table. " Oh ! Good evening.
master. Can I have a word or two with you in private, if you
pleasu P"
Thifi wad addressed to Mr. lyosbeme, who now made his ap-
pearance; and that gentleman, motioning Brittle, to retire,
oruught in the two ladies and shut the door.
** This i» the lady of the huuae," said Mr. Ijoaberne, mo-
tionJng towards Mm. Maytic.
Mr. Blathers made a Low, aud» being desired lo tit down*
put hia hat u|K)n the Bnor, and, taking a chair, motioned Duff
to do the same. The latter geotlemnnt who did not ap|)ear
VOL. 111. i r.
418
OLIVBR TWIST.
4
I
quite so much accufttomed to f^votl Bocit^tVt or qtiitc so much
lits ease in it, one of the two. st-ali-d liimself. after undergmnj:
neveral tniiscutnr nflections of the limbs, and forced the head of ^M
his Alick into hi.« mouth with »omc einbarraMmcnt. ^M
" Now, with regard to this hci-e robbery, tDaster," said Bla-
thers. " What arc the circumstances?" ^^
Mr. liosbeme, who appeared desirous of gntning time, re-^H
counted them at great lenf^tb and with mvich circundocution : ^H
Messrs. Kiathers and Dufl' looking very knowing meanwhile,
and occasionally exchanginjr a nod.
" 1 can't say for certain till I see the place, of course," said
Blathers ; " but my opinion at once ia, — I don't mind commit-
ting myself to that ext«zit,^that this wasn't done by a yokel —
eh, DuiTf"
*' Cerliiiniy not," replied Duff.
*' And, translating the word yokel for the benefit of the
ladi^a, 1 apprehend your meaning to be that this attempt was
not made by a. countryman ?" said Mr. Losberne with a smile.
"That's it, master," replied Blathers. *' This is all about
the robbery, is it ?"
" All," replied the doctor.
" Now, what h this alwut this here boy that the servanta are
talking of P*" said Blathers.
"Nnthing at all,'' replied the doctor. "One of (he fright-
ened serw-ints chnse to lake it into his lu-ad that he had some-
thing to do with this attempt to break into the bouse; but it^s
nonsense — .Hlicer nljsurditv."
»• Wery easy dispused "tif it is," remarked Duff.
" What he .says ib quite correct,'' obwrvcd Blulbers, no*ldiny
his head in a con^rmatory way, and i>layin}< carcle^ly with the
handcuffs, as if they were a pair of^ castanet.H. "Who is the
boy.' What accouut does lie give of bimtcif ? Where did he^^
come from f He didn't drop out of the clouds, did he, master ^*^|
•* Of course not," replied the doctor with a nervous glance at^^
the two ladies. " I know hi» whole hidlory ;— Imt we can talk
about thut presently. Vou would like to see the place where
the thieves made their attempt, first, 1 suppose ?" ^i
"Certainly," rejoined Mr. Blathers, "We had better in-^l
spect the premises ffrat. and examine the servants arlerwards.^^
Thot's the usual way of doing business."
Lights were then procuretl, and Messrs. Blathers and Thiff,
attendeti by the native constable, Brittlcs, Cities, and everybody
else in short, went into the little room at the end of the passage,
and looked out at the window, and afterwards went round by
way of the lawn, and looked in at the window, and after that
bad a candle banded out to inspect the Khutter with, and after
that a l.-iulfrn to trace (he footsteps with, and aAer that a pitch-
fork (o jjoke the bushes with. This done amidst the breathless
interest t>f all behohters, they came in again, and Kir. (iile^
OLIVER Twirr.
419
Brhtles were put throuf;li a inelo-dramaiic represenlalion of
their iduTe in the previouft night's ndventuri's, whicli tht-v [N>r<
fcmied some six times over, contradictinf; each other m iH>t
imiru than one itnportant respect the first time, and in not mure
than a dozen the Im^t. This canHummation being arrived al,
Blathers and DulF cleared the room, and held a tong council
together, compared with which, fur 8e<.'rpcy and solemnity, a
consuliaiinn of great doctors on the knottiest point in medicine
would lie mere child's play.
Meanwhile the doctor walked up and down the next room in
n very uneany sute, and Mrs. Maylte and Rose looked on with
anxious faces.
*' Upon my word," he Bsid, making a hall after a great
number of very rapid turns, " I hardly know what to do."
" Surely," itaid Rose, " the poor child's story, faithfully r^
peated tn these men, will be Kufiicient to e\nneruie him.'"
" I doubt it, my dear young lady," said the doctor, shaking
his head. " I don't think it would exontrate liiin, either with
them or with legal functionaries of a higher grade. What
is he, after all, they would say — a runaway- Judged by mere
worldly cousi<teratiou$ and probabtlitiet., his story is a very
doubtful one."
" You credit it, nurely ?* interrupted Rose in haste.
"/belie^'e it, strange as it i», and perhaps may b« an old
fiMil fur lining fio," rejoined the doctor: "'butldon't think It
u exactly the tale fur a practiced police officer, nevcrlheless."
" Why not ?" demancled Rose.
'* Recausje, my prctiv cross -examiner ,*• n'plicd the doctor,
'* because, viewed with their eyes, there arc so many ugly points
about it; he can only prove the parts that look bud, and none
of thoBe that hMik well. Confound ihc fellows, they will have
the why and the wherefore, and take nothing for granted. On
bis own showing, you t>ee, he has been the couipaniun of thievtrs
for some time paat ; he has been carried tu a police-olTIce on a
charge of picking a gentleman's pocket, and is taken away
forcibly from that gentleman's house to a place »hich he cannot
describe or point out, and of the situation of which he has nut
the remotest idea. He is brought down to Chertscy by men
who Bcem to have taken a violent fancy to him, whether lie
vtill or no, and put ihnnigli a window tu rub a bouse, and then,
juBt at tlw very moment when he i» going to alarm the inmates,
and so do the very thing that would wt nim all to rights, there
rasbra into the way that blundering dog of a bairbred butler
and s>hout4 him, aa if on purpose to prevent his doing any good
for himself. l>uu't you tee all this ?
'* 1 see it, of eourw," replied Hose, smiling at the doctor's im-
petuofiity ; *' but alill 1 do not see anything in it lii rriminale
tbe poor child."
'* No," replied the doctor ; ** of course not ! Itlew the bright
420
OLIVER TWIST,
eyes of your sex ! Tliuy never sec, whether for gooil or l>afl
more than one sidu of any ()UV6tit>i) ; aiiil that is, iiivuriably,
the one which first ppesenti itself to them."
Having given vent to this result of experience, the doctor
put his haoda into his pockets, and walked up and down the
room with even greater rapidity than hcforc.
*' The more I think of it," said die doctor, " the more I »ee
that it will occattion endless trouble and difficulty to put these
men into possession of the boy's real atory. 1 am certain it will
not be believed ; and, even if they can do nothing to him in the
end, still the dragiring it forward, and giving publicity to all
the doubts that will be cast upon it, must interfere materially
>vith your benevolent plan of rcwuing him from misery."
" Oh ! what is to be done ?" cried Hose. " Dear, dear ! why
did they send for tliese people?*
*' Whv, indeed !" exclaiined Mrs. Maylie. " I would not
have baa them here for the world !"
" All I know is," said Mr. Losbeme at last, sitting down
with a kimi of desperate calmness, ** that we must try and carry
it off with a bold face, that ^s all ! The object is a good one,
and that must be llie l'X.cum:-. I'lie hoy has strong symptoms
of fever upon him, and is in no condition to be taJked to any
more; that's one comfort. We must make tJie best of it we
can ; and, if bad "*» the bctit, it 's nu fault of ours. Come in."
" Well, master,'' said Blathers, entering the room, fallowed
by his colleague, and making the dour fast before he haid any
more. "This warn't a put-up thing."
" And what the devil 's a put-up thing !'' demanded the doc-
tor jmpalieutly.
*' \\ e call i( a put-up robbery, ladies" said Blathers, turning
Co them, as if he compassioncd their ignorance, hut bad a con-
tempt for the doctor's " when the servants is in il."
"Nobody susjiected them in this caai,',"said Mrs. Maylie.
" Wery likely not, ma'am," replied Blathers, " but they
miglit have been in it, fur all that.'"
" More likely on that wery account," said Duff.
** We find it was a town hand," said Blathera, continuing liis
report ; " for the style of work i» first-rate."
" Wery pretty indeed, it is," remarked Puff in an under
tone.
" There was two of 'em in it," continued Blathers, " and they
hod a boy with 'em ; that's plain, from the size of ihe window.
That's all to be said at present. We'll sec tlii» lad that ^
got up stairs at once, if you please."
*' Perhaps they will take something to drink first, Mrs. May-
lie ?" said the doctor, his face brightening up as if some new
thought bad occurred to him.
" Oh .' To be sure !" exclaimed Koee eagerly,
have it immediately^ if you will."
" You shall
4
OLIVER TWIST
lani
you, Mii>ft!" Mtii] niathcrs, drawing hiA coal-
sleeve across his mouth; "it's dry work this sort of duty.
Anything that 's handy, Minn ; don t put yourself out of the
way on our account*."
•' What shall it he ?" asked the doctor, following the young
lady to ihp sidelKwird.
" A little drop of spiritB, master, if it 's all the same,** replied
Blathers. "It's a cold ride from London, ma'am, and I al-
ways Hnd that spirits comes home warmer to the feelings."
Thi-t interesttng communication was addressed to Mrs. May-
lie, who received it very graciously. While it was being cotl-
veyetl to her, the dot-tor slipped out of the room.
** Ah !" said Mr. Blathers, not holding his wine-glass hy the
stem, hot grasping the bottom Ijctween the thumh and fore-
finger uf his left hand, and placing it in front of hia chest.
" I have seen a good many pieces of business like this in my
time, ladies."
"That ernok down in the hack lane at Edmonton, Blathers,*'
said Mr. DuiT, assisting his colleague's memory.
'* That was sonifthing in this way, warn't it ?" rejoined Mr.
Blathers ; " that was done by Conkey Chickweed, that was."
'* You always gave that to him," replied Duff. " It was the
Family Pet, I tell you, and Conkey hsdn'i any more to do with
it than I had."
"Get out!" retorted Mr. Blathers; "I know better. Do
you mind that time ('unkev was robbed of his money, though P
What a start that was! bcticr than any novcl-buok I ever
sec
t"
** What was tbal F^ inquired Rose, anxious to encourage any
symptoms of gtiod humour in the unwelcome visitors.
" It was a roblu-ry. Miss, that hardly anybody would have
been down upon," aaid Blathers. "This here Conkey Chick-
weed — -"
"Conkey means Nosey, ma'am," interposed Duff.
" Of course the lady knows that, don't she ?" demanded Mr.
Blathers. ** Always mterrupting you are, partner. This here
Conkey Chiokweed, Btliss, kept n puhlichouse over Battle-bridge
waVi and had a cellar where a good many young lordp went to SM
cockfighling, and badger-ilrawing, and that; and a wery in-
lellertual manner the sports was conducted in, for I 'vc seen 'cm
off 'en. He warn't one of the family at that time ; and one night
he was rubbed of three hundred and twenty-seven guineas in ■
cunva>>.hag, that was stole out of his bedroom in the dead of
niglit hy a tall man with a black patch over his ey, who had
concealed liimself under the bed, and. after committing the rob-
bery, jum|ied slap out of window, which was only n story high.
LHc wa.<t wery quick about it. But Conkey wa» <[uick, too. for
he was woke by the noise, and, darting out of IhiI, tired a blun-
derbuss arter him, and roused the neighbourbfx>d. TItey set
OLIVER TWIST.
up a hue-and-cry directly, und, when they came to look about
Vm, found that Conkpy had hit the robber; for thi-ra was traces
of blood all the way to some pntinr^ft a gond dintancp ofT, atui
thLTC they lost Vm. However he had made off uith the blutit,
and> consequentiyt the name of Mr. Chickweed» licensed witteri
appeared in the fiazctte among the olhrr bankrupts ; and all
manner of benefits and subscriptions, and I don't know what
all» wns got up for the poor man, nrho wan in a uery low slate
of mind abovit his loss and went np and down the streets for
three or four days, pulling his hair off* in such a desperate man-
ner that many f>eopV was afraid he might Ite going to make
away with himself. One day he come up to ihc ofhce atl in a
hurry, and had a private interview with the magistrate, who,
after a go<Kl deal of talk, ringn (he bell, and order» Jem l^pyers
in, (Jem waft a active nllioer,) and tells him to go and assist
Mr. Chickweed in apprehending tlie man that robbed his house-
*I sec liim, Spyers,' said Chit-kweed, * pass my house yestenlay
morning.* — *Why didn't you up, and collar him?' says Spyers.
— * I was so struck all of a heap that you might have fractured
ray i^kuU with a toothpick,' says the i»Hir man; 'but we're
sure to have Mm, for between ten and eleven o'clock at night he
pa5»«d again.' Spyers no MX>ner iK'ard lids, than l»e put some
clean linen and a c-onib in his pocket, in case he hhould have to
stop a day or two ; and away he goes, and sets himself doom at
one of the public-hou!« windows behind a little red curtain,
with his hat on, all ready to bolt at a moment's notice. He waa
smoking his pipe here late at night, when all of a sudden Chick-
weed roars out — ' Here he is I Stop thief f Murder!' Jem
Spyers da^thcd nut ; and there he sees Chickweed tearing down
the street full-cry. .\ way goes Spyers; on keeps Chickweed ;
round turn the iieople; everybody roars out ' Thieves f and
Chickweed lumtielf keeps on shouting all the time like mad.
Spyers loses sight of him a minute as he turns a comer, —
shoots round — sees a little crowd — dives in. 'Which is the
man T — * I> — me V says Chickweed, * I 've loat him again !'
*' It wBH n remarkable occurrence, but he warn't to be seen
nowhere, so ihey went back to the public house, and next
morning .Spyers took hia old place, and looked out from behind
the curtain for a tail man with a black patch over his eye, till
his own two cye» ached again. At last he couldn't help shut-
ling Vm lo vuKv *em a minute, and (he very moment he <Iid so,
Ih- bears Chickweed roaring out, ' Here he is !' Off he etarta
onre intire, with Chickweed half way down the streel ahead of
him : niul, after twice a& long a run as the yesterday's one, the
men's Intt again I This was done once or twice mure, till one
half ihe luighboursgave out that Mr. Chickweed had been rub-
bed by the dcvU who wa.s playing tricks with him arlerwards,
and the other half that poor Mr. Chickweed had gone mad with
grief."
** What did Jem Spyers say P" inquired the doctor, who had
ULIVBR TWIST.
i8S
\
I
I
I
retunied to the room shortly artcr the cornmcncpment of the
story.
*' JcnkSpycrs," resumed the officer, " for a long time said no*
thin;;; at all, and listened to everything; without seeming to^
which showed lie undemtood his buBtnc»s. }tut one muniing lie
walked into tlie har, and, taking out his saulT-box, Hatd, * Chirk-
we«|, I 've found out who 's done this here rohbcry.' — * Have
you ?' aaid Chickweed. ' Oh, my dear Spyers, only let me
have wcD'a-ance, and I shall die conU-nted ! Oh, uiy dear
Snyc-rs, where is the villain ?' — ' Come !' said Spyers, oftering
him A pineh of »nuff, * none of that gammon ! Vnu did it
ourscli.^ So he had, and a good bit of money he had niadi;
ly it, too; and nobody would ever hove found it out if lie
hadn't been so prrciouM anxious to ke«p up appearances, ihut^s
more!" said Mr. Blathers, putting down bis win(.-glass> and
clinking the hnndcnff's together.
*• Very curious, indeed," observed the doctor. •* Now, if
you ^easc, you can walk up stairs."
**l! you please, Mr," returned Mr. Blathers And, closely
following Mr. I-oslx-rne, the two officers ascended to Oliver's
bedroom, Mr. Giles preceding the party with a lighte<l caudle.
Oliver had been dozing, but lookeil worRC, and wa» more fever-
ish than he had appearea yet. Doing assisted by the doctor, he
managed to sit up in bed for a minute or so, and looked at tlie
strangers without at all understanding what was going forward,
and, ill fact, without seeming to recollect where he was, or what
had been passing.
** This," snid Mr. Losbcme, speaking softly, but with great
vehemence notwithstanding, ** this is the lad, who, being acci-
dentally wounded bv a spring-gun in some boyish trespass on
Mr. \Vhat-d'yp-call-him's grounds at the back here, comes lo
the hon!i« for assistance this morning, and i* immediately Uid
bold of, and maltreated by that ingenious gentleniati with the
candle in his hand, who has placetl hts life in considerable dan-
ger, as I can professionally certify."
Messrs. Blulheis and Duff looked at Mr. CHles as he was thus
rvoommended to their notice, and the bcwilderetl butler gazed
from them towards Oliver, and from Oliver tovartls Mr. Ijov
beme, with a most ludicrous mixture of fear and perplexity.
"You don't mean to deny tliat, 1 suppose^'" said the doctor,
laying Oliver gently down agaio.
" it was uU done for the — for the best, sir I" answered Ulles.
** I am sure 1 thought it was the boy, or 1 wouldn't have med-
dled with him. 1 am not of an inhuman disposition, sir."
*' Thought it was what boy r" iu<iuired the senior officer.
"The housebreaker's Iwy, sir V replied (iilcs. "They — they
certoiidv had a boy."
" Well, do you think so now 'f"* inrjuired Blathers.
"Think what, nuwr" replted iiiics, looking vacantly at bis
questioner.
4«4
OLIVKR TWIiST.
" Think it 's tlie Miine boy, stupid-head P" rejoined Mr.
ISUtliers imnnliently.
** I (Juii'i Know ; I really don't kiintr/* gaid Giles, witJi a rue-
ful countenance. '* I cnuldn't swear to him."
•' What di>you think?" asked Mr. Blathers.
" I don't know what to think," replied poor Giles. '* I don't
think it is the boy ; indeed I 'm almost certain thai it isn't.
You know it can*( be,"
** Has this man been a-drinking, sir?" inquired Blathers
turning to the doctor.
"What a predout* muddle-headed chap you arc !** aaid Duff,
addressio)^ Mr. Giles with supreme contempt.
Mr. Losbcrne had been feeling the patient's pulse during this
short dialogue; btit he now rose from the cimir by the bedside^
and remarked, that if the oHicers had any doubts upon the suH-
ject thvy would perhaps tike to step into ihc next room, and
nave Brittlps before them.
Acting upon this suggestion, they accordingly adjourned to s
neiglilwuring aparimwit, where Mr. Briltles being called in. in-
volved himself and his respected superior in such a wonderful
maze of freeh contradictions and iiiipoKKJbilities as tended to
tlimw no particular light upon anvthiiig mve the fact of his own
strong mystification; except, inJeod, his declarations that he
shouldn''t know the real boy if he were put before liim that in-
stant; that he had only taken Oliver to be he becaum? Mr.
Giles had sa.\A he was khiI that Mr. Giles Iiad five minutes pre-
viou<ily admitted in the kitchen that lie began to be very much
afraid be had been a little too hasty.
Among other ingenious surmises, the question was then raised
whether Mr. Giles bad really bit auyhody, and upon examina-
tion of the fellow pistol to that which he had fired, it turned nut
to have no more destructive loading than gunpowder and brown
paper : — a discovery which made a comsiderable impresaioo on
everylKHEy but the doctor, who bad drawn the ball about ten
minutes before. Upon no one, however, did it make a greater
impression than on Mr. Giles himself, who, after labouring for
some hours under the fear of having mortally wounded a
fellow- creature, eagerly caught at this new idea, and favoured
it to the utmost. Finally, the officers, without troubling them-
Belves very much about Oliver, left the Chertscv constable in
the house, and took up their re.it for that night in the town,
promising to return next morning.
With the next morning there came a rumour that two men
and u boy were in the «ige at Kingston, who had been appre-
hended over-nigbt under suspicious circumstances; and to
Kingston Me»rs. Hlulhers and DuC journeyed accordingly.
The suspicious circunislunce», however, resolving themselves,
on investigation, into the one fact thai tlicy had bcx-n discovered
Bleeping under a liayfttack, which, although a great crime, U
OLIVKR TWIST.
4ii5
only )>unisliable by imprisonment, and is, in the merciful eye
of the Kn^Iisli law, and its comprehensive love of all the Kinjj's
■ubjccts, held to be no satisfnctory proof in the absence of all
othvr evidence, that tlie sleeper or sleepers have committed bur*
glary accumixanieii with violence, and liave therefore rendered
themselves liable to the punishment of death, — Messrs- Blathers
and Duff* came back ugam as wise as they went.
In short, after some more examination, and a fjreat deal more
convi>riation, a neighbnnrinft magistrate was readily induced to
take (he joint bail of Mrs. Maylie and Mr. Losberne for Oliver's
ap{}caranco if he should ever be railed u)K)n : and Blathers
and Duff, bein^ rewarded with a couple of guineas, returned to
town with divided opinions on tlie subject of their expedition:
the latter gentleman, on a mature omsideralinn of all the cir-
cumstances, inclining to the belief that the burglarious attempt
had originated with the Family Pet, and the former being
equally dispoKed to concede the full merit of it Co the great Mr.
Cunkey Chtckwced.
Meanwhile Oliver gradually throve atid prospered under the
united care of Mrs. Maylie, Kow, and the kind-hearted Mr.
Losberne. if fervent prayers gushing from hearts overcharged
with gratitude be heard in heaven, — and if they In- not, what
prayer* are ? — the blesangs which the orphan child called down
upon them, sunk into their souLsj diffusing peace and happiness.
CRArTBR THB KINTH.
OP THE IIArrv LIFB OLIVXK IIUIAV TD LKAD Wrm VIS KIKO raiKUD*.
Ouvek's ailings were neither slight nor few. In addition to
the pain ami delav attendant upon a broken limb, his exposure
lo the wet and cotd had brought on fever and ague, which hung
about him for many weeks, and reduced him sadly. But at
length he liegan by ftlow degrees to get better, and to be able to
say sometimes, in a few tearful words, how deeply he felt tlie
gotMlnesH of the two liweet ladies, and bow ardently he hoped
that when he grew strong and well again he could do something
to sliow bis gratitude ; only sontettiing which would let them
see the love and duty with which his breast was full ; some-
thing, however slight, which would prove to them that their
gentle kiadnt^-s had not been vnnt away, but that the pour boy,
whom their charity had rescued from misery or death, waa eager
and anxious to serve them with all his heart and »)ul.
" Poor fellow ["^ said Itose, when Oliver had been one day
feebly endeavouring to utter the words of thankfuUicM thai rcrse
to his pale lips. ** You shall liave many op|Nirt unities of ■erV'-
ing us if you will. We arc going into the country, and my
aunt intends that you !>hall accompany u"- The quiet place,
the pure air, and all the pleasures and beauties uf spring.
4ttii
OMVEK TWIST.
vill restore you in a few days, and we will otnploy you in a
hundred vtay^ when }'DU can bear the trouble.^
"Tlie tniiihlf !" cried Oliver. **Oh! dc«r Udy, if I could
but work for yoii.^f 1 could only give you pleasure by water-
ing your flowers, or watcbing your birtU, or running up and
down liic wliolu day long to make you happy, what would 1
give to do it r
" You shall give nothing at oll,^ said Miss Maylie NniliDg:
" for, an I told you before, we shall employ you in a hundred
ways; and if you only tnke bnlf the trouble to please u« ibat
you promiBe now, you will make nic very happy indeed."
"Happy, ma'^am r* cried Oliver: "oh, liow kind of you to
say sol'
** You will make me happier than I can tell you*^ replied the
youDg lady. ""To think that my dear good aunt should liare
been the means of reacuing any one from guch sad niinery at
you have describe<] to us woidd be an unspeakable pleasure to
me ; but to know that the object of lier goodness and compas-
sion was sincerely grateful and attached id consecjuence, would
delight Die more than you can well imagine. l)o you under-
stand me?'' she inquirL-d, watching Oliver^s thoughtful face
*' Oh, yes, ma'am, yes !" repliea Oliver eagwly ; " but I was
thinking that I am ungrateful now.*^
•* To whom ?" inquired the young lady.
" To the kind genlleman and the dear old nurse who took so
much care of me before," rejoined Oliver. ** If they knew how
happy I am, they would bp pleased, I am sure."
"1 am eurc they would," rejoined Oliver's benefactress;
"and Mr. Losberne has already l>ecn kind enough to promise
that when you are well enough to bear tlie Journey be will carry
you to sec them."
" Has he, ma'am !" cried Oliver, his face brightening with
pleasure. *' I don't know what 1 shall do for joy when I sec
their kind face^ once again !"
In a short time Oliver wa* sufficiently recovered to undergo
the fatigue of this expedition ; and one morning he and Mr.
Iiosbeme set out accordingly in a little carnage which belonged
to Mrs. Maylie. Wht>n they came to Chertsey Bridge, Oliver
turned very pale, and uttered a loud exclamation.
" What 's the matter with the boy !" cried the ibctnr, as
usual all in a bustle. "Do you see anything — hear anything^
feel aiivthing— eh.^"
" Tfiat, sir," cried Oliver, pointing out of the carriage win-
dow. " That house !"
'•Yes; well, what of it? Stop, coachman. Pull up her*,"
cried the doctor. " What of the nouse, my man — eh ?*"
" The thieves — the house they took me to," whispered Oliver.
" The devil it is I" crietl the doeLor. " Halloa, there ! let me
out !** But before the cuachoun could disoiount from his box
OLIVER TWIST
427
be haH tumMeH out of the coacIi by Rome means or other, nnd,
ruituiiii; down to the deserted tenement, begao kicking at thv
Jour like a ni»dnian.
** Halloa !" said a little ngl^r hump-backed man, opening the
door so suddenly that the doctor, from the Tery inipelus of hit
last kick, nearly fell forward into the passage. " What'tt the
matter here ?"
*' Matter '"exclaimed the other, collaring him without a mo-
ment's reflection, •* A gooil dral. Hnhliery is the matter."
*' There 11 be murder too," replied the hump-backed man
coolly, " if you don't take your bands off. l>o you hear me ?"
*' 1 hear you*" said tltc duclur, giving bin captive a hearty
shake. " Where 's — confound the fellow, what 's hia ra.4cally
name — Sikes — that ''5 it. Where'* Sikes, you thief?"
The hump-hncked man Blared as if in ex(!esA of amazement
and indignation ; and, twisting himself dexterously from the
doctor^s grasp, growled forth a volley of horrid oathi, and re-
tired into the house. Before he cnuld shut the door, however,
the doctor had paused into the parlour without a word of parley.
He looki.>d anxiiJUiily round : not an article of furniture, not a
vestige of Roything, animate or inanimate, nut even (he position
of the cupboards, answered Oliver's description !
** Now," said the hump-backed roan, who had watched bim
liccnly, ** what do you mean by coming into my house in Uiis
violent way? Do you wont to rob me, or to murder nie?
—which is it ?-
" IHtl v"" ever know a man come nut to do either in n chariot
and pair, you ridtculouH olil vampire f" said the irritable doctor.
** What do vou want then ?" demanded the hunchback fiercely.
'* Will you lake yourself off before I do you a miachief ? curw
you !"
" As soon as I think proper," said Mr. Losberne, looking into
the other parlour, which, like the first, bore nu reMMnblanve
whatever to Oliver's account of it. *' I shall find you out lume
day, my friend."
•* Will you ?" uneered the ilbfavoured crippla " If you ever
want me, I 'ro here. I haven't lived here mad, end all alone,
for five-and-twenty years, to be »carcd by you. Vou shall pay
for this; you shall (lay for this.'" And so uvin^, the mis-
shapen little demon set up a hideous yell, and danced upon the
ground as if frantic with rage.
" Stupid enough, tbiV muttered tbe doctor to himself: *' the
boy mmt have made a tntstakb There ; put that in your
pocket, and shut yourself up again." With these words be
'flung the hunchbai'k a piece of money, and relurned to tbe
carriage.
The man followed to the chariot door, uttering tbe wildest
imprecations and curses all tbe wav : but qh Mr. Losberne
turned to speak to the driver, be lookeil ioiu the cnrriiige, and
OUVEK TWIST.
Wf^A Oimr for an tBStant with s glaiin.' so sharp and fierce, and
«K tW same time ao furious and nndictive, that, waking ar
■tuning, be could not forg«t it for months afti-raards. He con-
liBued Co utter the must fearful imprvcatiuns until tliu driver had
T<«umed his »eat, and when tbcy were once more on their way,
tbev could see him some distance behind, beating hi^ feel upon
the' ground, and tcuring his hair in transports of freu:Kied rage.
" I am an a&s !" said the doctor after a long silence. ** Did
vou know that before, Oliver ?"
* "No, Mr."
" Then don't forget it another lime."
** An ass," said the doctor again after a further silence of
tome minutes. " Kven if it had been the right place, and the
right ffllows had been there, what could 1 have done single-
handed 'f And if I had had awtstance, I see no good that I
should have done except leading to nv own exposure, and an
unavoidable statement of the manner in which I have Imshed up
this business. That would have served me right, though. 1
am always ioTolviDg mvself in some scrape or other bj acting
upon these impnIspH, and it might have done me good."
Now the fact was, that the excellent doctor had never acted
upon atiytliiii;.' l'Ul- but imptilse all through his Ufe ; and it waa
no bad comjjliirniit tc» the nature of the impulses which governed
him, that so fur fntm being involved in any peculiar troubles or
misfortunes, lie bad the warmest resjtect and esteem of all who
knew him. If the truth must be told, he was a little out of
temper fur a minute or two at being di^ppointed in procuring
corroborative evidence of Oliver's story on the verv first occa-
sion on which he had a chance of obtaining any. y(e soon came
round again, however, and finding ihat Oliver'* replies to hia
auestiuns were still as struight-furwurd and consistent, and slill
elivered with as much apparent sincerity and truth, as they had
ever been, he made up his mind to attach full credence to them
from that time forth.
As Oliver knew the name of the street in which Mr. Brown-
low resided, they were enabled to drive straight thither. When
the coach turned into it, his heart beat so violently that he
could scarcely draw hh breath.
•' Now, my boy, which house is it ?" inquired Mr. Losbeme.
"Thai, that !" replied Oliver, pointing eagerly out of the
window. '* The white house. Oh! make haste.' Pray make
baste ! I feel as if I should die: it makes me tremble so."
*^ Come, come !'* said the good doctor, patting liim on the
^^ulder. ** You will m% them directly, and they will be over-
joved to find you safe and well.**
'"()hl I hope so !" cried Oliver.
1^ ; lo very, very good to me, sir."
The coAch rolled on. It ntoppeil.
)^^w>> 'I'he next door. It went on
"They were so good to
No; that was tlie wrong
a few faces, and stopped
OLIV&K TWIST.
4S9
afjain. Oliver looked up at t?»c windows with tears of bappy
fxpcctation coursing down his (ace.
Alas ! the while house was empty, and there was a bill in the
window—" To Let."
"Knock at the next door," cried Mr. txi:«berne, taking Oliver**
arm in hie. *' What has become of Mr. Brownlow, who used to
live in the adjoininj^ house, do you know?"
Tiic servnni did not know; but would go and potjuire.
She presently returned, and said that Mr. Urownlow had sold
off bi3 i^iKids, and gone to the West Indies six weeks before.
Olifer clasped his hand*, and sank feebly backwards.
** Has his housekeeper gone too?" inquired Mr. Losbeme,
after a moment's pause.
" Yes, sir ;" replied the servant. *' The old gentleman, the
housekeeper, and a gentleman, a friend of Mr. Brownlow's, all
went together."
** Then turn towards home again," said Mr. TjOisberne to the
driver, *' and donH stop to bait the horie till you get out of this
confounded Lnndoti !"
*• The Iwok-stall keeper, sir ?" said Oliver. " I know the way
there. See him, |)ray sir ! Do koe him !"
** My jMNir boy. this is disappnintinent enough fur one day,"
said the doctor. ** (Juitc enou^^h for both uf us. If wc go to
the buok-slall keeper's we xball certainly Bod that he is dead, or
lias set his house on lire, or run away. No ; home again
straight '." AnJ, in obedience to the doctor's first impulse,
home they went.
Tliis bitter disapnointnient caused Oliver much sorrow and
grief even in the niiiiHt of hiit happine^a ; for be liad ptetised him-
lelf many times during bis illness with thinking of ail that Mr.
Brownlow and Mrs. Bedwin would say to him, and what de-
light it would be lo tell them how many long days and nights
be had passed in redvctiiig u[ion uliat they had done for him,
id bewailing their cruel se^mrutiun. The hu|ie of eventually
'riearing himself with them, too, and explaining hnw he had
been forctffl awuy, had buoyed him up and sustained him under
many of his recent trials; and now the idea that they should
have gone so far, and carried with them the belief that he was
an impostor and robber, — a belief which might remain uncon-
iradiciL'd to his dying day, — was almost more than be could
bear.
The circumstance occasioned no alteration, however, in the
ifaefaaviour of bis benefactors. After another fortnight, when
the fine warm weather bad fairly begim, and every tree and
flower was putting forth its young leave.') and rich blossoms, they
.made preparations for quitting the house ut Cbert^y fur some
'months. Sending ihc plale which had so excited the Jew's cu-
pidity to the hanker'f, and leaving fiiU-t, and another »ervnnt
in care of tbc house, they departed for a cottage some distance
in the country, and took Oliver with them.
4S0
OLIVKK TWIST.
iml dplight, the
of
Who con describe tlie pleasii
mind and soft tranquillity, whidi the sicklv bo_v (At in the
bnlmv air, and among the ^ecn hilU and ricli wixitls of an in-
land villaye I Who can tell how scenes of pracc nnd quietude'
sink into the minds of pain-worn dwellers in cIok and noisy
places, and carry their own frcnhnns di-ep into their jaded
licarts? Men who have lived in crowded pent-up streets,
through whole li^es uf toil, and never wiHhed for change; men
to whom custom ha.<i indeed Ikc^n second nature, and who have
come almost to love each hrick and stone that formed the nar-
row boundaries of their daily walkei — even tliey with the hAod
of death upon them, have hcen known to yearn at last for one
short glimpse of Nature's face, and carried far from the scenea
of their old pnins and pleaKureR, liavc seenie<l tn |)3^<i at once into
a new »talc of lM*inp:, and crawlinjj furth from flay today to some
green sunny «pot, liave had sucli nieniuries uiikeiied up within
them by thcnii-rc sight of t^kv, and hill, and plain, andglititeninE;
water, that a furcto&to of Heaven ilscif has soothed their quirk
decline^ and they have sunk into their tombs as peacefully as (he
sun, whose setting tliey watched from their lonely chaml)er window
but a few hour;* before, fadetl from their dim mid feeble sight !
The memories which peaceful ctmntry scenes cull up, are not of
this world, or of its thoughts or hopes. Their gentle influence
may teach us to weave fresh garlands fur the graves of those we
loved, may purify our thoughts, and bear down Ircfore it old
enmity and hatred; but, beneath all this there lingers in the
least n-Hectivc niiiid a vague and hair-rurni(.*d consciousness of
having held t^ueh ftvlings lung before in nonie remote and distant
time, which calls up solemn thoughts of distant times to come,
and bends down pride and wurldliiiess beneath it.
1 1 was a lovely spot to which they repaired, and Oliver, whose
davs had lieen spent among Mjualid crowds, and in the midst of
ncnse and brawhng, seemuu to enter upon a new existence there.
The rose nnd honey-suckle clung to the cottage walls, the ivy
crept round the trunks of the trees, and the gardei>-flower» tier-
funied the air with delicious odours. Hard by, was a kttte
churchyard : not crowded with tall, unsightly gravestones, but
full of humble mounds covered with fresli turf and moss, be-
neath which the old people of the village lay at rest. Oliver
often wandered here, and, thinking of the wretched grave in
which bis molher lay, would sonietimeh &il him dowo and sob nn-
ieen ; but, as he raisetl his eyes to ihe deep sky overhead, he
would cease to think of her as lying in the ground, and weep for
her sadly, but without pain.
It was a happy time. The days were peaceful and serene,
and the nights brought with them no (e&r or care, no languish-
ing in a wretched prison, or associating with wretched men :
nothing but pleasant and happv thoughts. Kvery morning he
went to a wliite-headtrd old gentleman, who lived near the little
OLIVER TWIST.
431
clitircli, «ffio taught him to rcail IvL-lter antl to write, nnci spoke so
kitidlviaiKl took such |iain*i, thot Oliver could nevcrtry enough
to please tiim. Then he would walk with Mrs. Mavlieand Hose*
and liear tliem talk uf books, or fK>rhu|M) sit near tlicm in Mime
flhady pincc, and listen whilst the young lady read, which he
could have done till it grew too dark to see the letters. Then
hu hail his own k'ssini for the next day to prL'paru, and at thin
he would work hard in a little room which looked into the gar-
den, till evening came slowly on, when the ladles would walk
out again, and he with thirni : listening with such pleasure to all
they said, snd so happy if they wanted a flower that be could
climb to reach, or had forgotten anything he could run to fetch,
that he could ucrcr be quick enough about it. When it become
3uite dark, and they returned home, the Vf^ung lady would ut
own to the piano, and play some melancholy air, or sing in a
low and gentle voice bouie old sung which it ploascd her aunt tu
hear. There would be no candles at such times as these, and
Oliver would sit by one of the windows, listening to the sweet
music, while tears of tranquil joy stole down his face.
And, when Sunday came, now differently the day was spent
from any manner in which he had ever «)K-nt it yet ! and how
happily, too, Uke all the other days in that most happy time !
There was the little church in the morning, with tne green
leaves fluttering at the windows, the birds ringing without, and
the sweet -smelling air stealing in at the low porch, and filling
the homely building with its fragrance. The poor people were
so uent and clt-an, and knelt m> reverently in prayer, that it
seemed a pleasure, imt a tedious duty, their aist-mbting there to-
gether ; and, though the singing might be rude, it was renl, and
sounded more musical (toOUver'^ ears at least) than nny he had
ever heard in church before. Then there were the walks as
usual, and many calls at the clean houses of the labouring men :
end at night Oliver read a chapter or two from the Uible, which
he had been studying all the week, and in the performance of
which duty he felt mure proud and pleased than if he had been
the clergyman himself.
In the morning Oliver would be a-foot by six o'clock, roaming
the fields and surveying the hedges far and wide, for nosegays
of wild flowers, with which he would return laden home, and
which it took great care and consitleration to arrange tu the best
advantage fur the embellitihment of the breakfast-table. There
was fresh groundsel, too, fur MUn Maylie's birds, with which
Oliver, — who had been studying the subject under the able
tuition of the village clerk, — would deawate the cages in the
moat ap]>roved ta«te. When the birds were made all spruce
and smart fur the day, there was UHually souiu little commission
'Of charity to execute in the village, or failing ttiat, there was al-
ways ftompthing to do in the garden, or iiltout the plants, to
which Oliver — who had studicu tbu scienctr oliu under the same
4SS
THE WREATH.
master, who was n gardeniT by trade, — a{)plied himself with
hearty pood-wiH till Miss RoM* made hor appearance, when
there were a thoui^and comtnendatioDs to be bestowed upon alt
he had done, for which one of thosL' light-hearted beautiful
smiles wan an ample m-omprnsc.
So three months glided away ; three months which, in tlw
life of the most bleswil and favoured of mortals, would have been
iinmixiNl happiness ; hut which, in Oliver's trouhlMl and cloud-
ed dawn, were felicity indeed. AVith the purest and most ami-
able gi-nernsity on one ddc, and the truest, aiitl warmest, and
most soul-felt j;;ralitude on the other, it is no wonder thai, by the
end of that short time, Oliver Twist had !)ecome completely do-
mesticated with the old lady and her niece, and that the fervent
attachment of his young and sensitive heart was repaid by their
pride in, and attachment to, himself.
THE W R K A T H.
FROM CHI.A;^D.
Tbtae went a maid, and jiUifiked the flow«n,
That Kfpw u)>on a. tunny l«i ;
A l(td)t: from ibe greeowood came,
Mcst lieauliM lo see.
Slie mei ihe laaidtn wiili a smile,
Nhfe twined a wreatli into her hair,
" II blcwmt ool ytii, but it will bloom,
Oh ! wear it ever liietv !**
And u the m&idea ^nvt, vii] ronnM'd
Ueneuh Ihe moon so pale and wan,
And ttara fell rroni her, Mkd »nd ■wwl.
The wnatli to bud began.
And when a jo>-atu bride she lay
I'por her fAillirul letiiuiS breaxt.
Then smiUiiif hloKoiiis bunt the folds
Ol'llicir enf^ircliiig t««l.
Soon, cradled gently in her lap,
The mother held a blooming child ;
Then many a f^olden fruil ftoin out
Thu lecify cliuplei soiiled.
And whfii, alack ! hi-r love had tnok
Into (lie dark acid rluiiky grave.
In ber dishevelled huir a sere
Dry leaf wiu tow* to wave.
Soon she too titeiv be<id« hjin lay,
Bui still her i)ear4ai>ed wreail) sW wore ;
And it— oh I wondrous sight to KC,-^
Both frail and blovom ttore.
ILH.
433
WALTER CHILDE.
■' My ouwMr'i tnention of imaU bevr. in i-ulfv parUncr unipirt, rrmindi in« a(
OU Tom orOxford'ft ' AffortionWe orhndoUinrr with UW) iilirit' notne rtan ngo.*****"
1 riHtimt the Oxford ^tiriit l» Mrc^t tbr Kuiiniiicr of iiiv liiftli aiiiiiJmitian kod
Itood-witI : I shak« haiidi with him mvtitally mid conlinlly, urxd vnirNt him w
write mure tongi. nich a& ^laddca the hearu ot uws Knulithmvn."
7ho Daetor, ro(. jr. p, 383.
Doctor,— or im I privilej^ to ii«
A fTfcnUsr, and a more tftmiliu* namp ? —
I bavv no trusted secret tv abuse ;
And w for my nrmisea, they 're the aame
As the whole world'* : — but I Ve no time to Ium
In vain oonJMturM, and my prriwnt aim
N to i^ive pmof lliat I «*teem aright
The Jiattfring honour of your kind iavite.
" Lauduri a laudatia,"— well you know
1 he pnivM-h— hii« imp^'H'd me to a Uile ;
And, if thu reader finihi it but so-au,
1 can but ahmii. and {Mint to yoti as bail.
1 pive my Rrst to AlHckwood yuurv ufto,—
A sort of thiniT to chaitnt o'er home>hrflw'd tAt ;
" Th« One Horse Chay."— 'tiraH father'd, I halieve,
On him who cJi<i>h) to >in([ it, poor •'ubn Kiwve.
A friend, too, (to (ti)r^^M, and bout, and cackle, ore
The ri(rht8oMVhistlecraf''s irreisuW whuol,^
Told me [iii «mr*e. I ricem'd thn ffirt oracular,)
lli< f'xiiid hiti (tfirman courier on a ttool,
SinKtnsi that hung,, to tearh our tonjpie vernarulur
To liir French maid; but. though 1 cliiim a rtile
Til c^aiae a bit, I miifit not nroar.
]>o44vr, you *ro «aid the woru, attd ao here k<kw-
TlIE LEGEND OF WALTER CHILDE.
1 LovK old County Btoriea.^'f the which
Our fair Went Coiintrv hath a diri'nl titiare, —
8ome tijucliiiifr laivv iinil levupier, yhmt and witch,
Altered well enuuifh Ut make vou Ntare ;
Some ill hriNid Durii: lirriKiiv. mid liumour rich ;
But all dead letter, till Hmie wtxard rsiv
i^luili a stray idintd of 8cutt'» lintad mantle dahn.
And give our Cuddies body, ithape, and fame.
But, good maleriala in themieJvea are nought.
Luve'a labour, forming plaaaor* out of toil,
Familinr intemrt, from rntith'a earlieat thought
Idmiifyin^ hctart with niitivo «uil :
The pride, by old bnr«3>trul deed* weU>)>o»ght,
OTbta uwD acuhihiHm, acathM in Border broil ;
All theae oonbio'd in S<i»lt, th» man inimitable,
With muter^tact, and puwen uelt-nlgb illimitable.
VOL. II).
'i II
4A4 THE LEGEND OP WALTBE CHILDE.
Then. t«o, tli' enlnrjr'il, th« randiil, niRTily sjiirit !
The upright, downri^Eht, hv^trt-of-unk acuinen,
So truly Dritiitli, uliirh he did inhpric
Ak » bum-^ent-U'iiutn,— wliich mndp htm view men
Aa their (>m) form'd them, K»d embody merit
Even in ihif pliiin>^t liunililtKt fn^dif nf tnie men.
He lov'd hin) kind ; felt wliut he noMy timitht ;
" Niiii« «rt'«-i*th hiK gratt MiJti'r'fi AJuup fur iiought/*
Than the liright Siin, (hnt true rnHmopiilite,
Whii'h wanriM and li^hU uji »]1 thin^ in his kerir
Smllinic, an 'twere fn.ni hi« Kiinrrior height.
On the tNniall feiida and frenkii of fr^fiil men,
Attmrt« Mill f^lorifiiw Kith I'auilmw light
Drops from enfli vUlajjB broiik, nr lowly fen,
Ak fnim the lordly lakf^; nrid colouring inrm
Untu the nieatie&i thing that breatliai nnd live*.
Speak ye, who knew how his frHtik nature car'd
For alt he met urith, " body, Wiuit, and bairn ;"
Ye who hia luisuro waIkH, like me, liavf nhnr*d
Fn>ni Melrnw ttiwer np lu th« wild «waa'ii turn.
If I preBumc, u uumelew bunnet-laird,
Tn cawt one pehhie on vnr rhieftiiin'i raim,
Ttd but to «ay, *' 'lliib tnhute, nile-hty Scott,
From one who knew thee, and fi>rg*t8 thee iiot!"
But U> the |itir)i<Mc. irhen I xponk of Wemex,
Honour'tJ uf yore liy Alfreil's birth and nwny,
1 don't tJeiire<:inte Yorfctthire, Ki'ut. and Essex,
\^'llich nave their charmn in murJi the self-satne way
As reKurdx inwit in thv ktcM or \vm Kex,
Soeiety. parks, turnpikes, riorn, anH h«v :
But, iwrnehdw, at the jirt^eiit timv iind tide,
I 'n> for that tHaic old thing, pnivinciitl pride.
Our ^VykehamistH feel this. Went r/iuntry folk
In gi'iH-nil, and men of wiirth undicnonledge.—
ThnuKh, us old fiirihivnii nmr urn liirn'd to joke,
Town-i-olerie-wit. wilh it* leaxinp small edge,
May rut thi'm up fi»r'l ;— hajdv. were truth Mpoke,
\Vc had Bome sjiice of il (it (Vifl <'oile({e,
In Oriel's |iiiliny davit ; aixl noiii' niuld Ahitn- it
{klore tlian our guide and friend, our k^cq and pwl ,
He of the* well-knuwn atork of ^ent]<> Mnnd,
Ak old )H Oevoii'x Iiillii, wliit-Ji Ih' ncjii^e i|unint
Dtends with the wil, and tipeaks their lineajre n^od,
|jun|f mv- the dnys nf Norrtian king nnd iiaint.
If hy " out-colle^ mem " not undertttond,
1 KliidI nut mure |iurtiuul»rly jmint
Him I was pruud to enll my friend nnd Mentnr:
Su tltuoe who chooie may guea him nt a venture.
Thin eaniB provincial pride the Frenrh well knetr,
FoHter'd etftrit de nrnxi, wltrti c'li)lh'd in wurdx,
And Ctliuugh tliuy lough'd at its excess, 'tis tme,
111 Monnieur I ourreHugine on the "tagv boardii,)
Would animate with extra lighting jri>tff
Their old crack regiments, brave an their own swordn.
" See ttM Deronihire prnvo-h itf iIm tlirrr faniflieii whom
•' Whea the Coni(uaror oum ho found at tumc."
.LBOEND OP WALTER CRILDR.
495
I
' DinphlrW- 1— Bourgo^e, ■ moi I
i Ib mitrialle !— Vive le Rui '"
w, I 'm told. hav« set St. Aliband
~ St DeniB' pLue; do noiisht for onu|^t,
Dw and tlivn Mwnrinnle. tu hIiqw
■0« vpU the suliject'a privilr^P it tauf^ht.
.whether l^ui« <^uiiit«, or Mirnbeau,
'^(nuoftU alike) thi!i noble nMi»n broui^Lt
To flach a (litcoii* I'a**. i* >'«* " myrtprj'
' Whirii th^ muot hj^t out «l theW of history.
Our Utiliitft. w ho labonr to extend
The empire of their* uiou*fr-hole, the oldf Mountain,
Cn", " Ye provinciiilit, Iienr us. and amend ;
Central izatiun is Imtirovenient'ii fountain."
True; hut they just mmmence at thdrronf^ end,
(Such Hli)jhl mUtakes not entering their account in,)
And, M thn«« u«M to tht^n expect of course,
ExartJy put the cart before the borve-
Man'i armuatliicifl tint nidiate frum his Lam
To old familiar faces ciirly known.
Thence to hia townsmen ; {" coaigteguiXut ftrm
Cum paribUB," a* Cic«-ro trell h&th ahovu :)
Each brnther-lund thus liuk'd, (heir mutual care h
1*heir i-oimnon Father-land, and in tlir throaa
Centerintf at laaC, thoTC local ravH of loyalty
Bleutl, rainlwir.Uke, in th' Ortflunme of royaltjr.
TheWelsh »r« nrnud, hut thi'it Uieir twif-reipecl
la hns'A on •■ Live and let liye." " gire and take,"
Btiridx for the jmhich, which one ini|it)it half expect
That tHilistfi would prize fur rheapneM* imkfl.
Tliev i)f the Marciieii, hif;h and low, affwl
'niiH nhok'wnH! practiiN],— nay, a buninMi DiakCf —
To spell, withuiit one letter** wroni; ndmixtur^^
Such naJufM ii» they I'steem u cuuDty-fixture>
Give Dad of l-^ge's ntrname a third D,
llalff.'heidiire would W put in an alurum :
Leifh nnkx Ihe I, and Williams Wvnn tlii! K,
From motives whldt their friends reapiH-t, and share 'cm.
Pryxe of Gwurddaii Hbuna both I and C :
And ihoufd you dare »pell Saluabury like New Sarum,
Sir John the Strong and the old Cavuiemt
Would riw up from their ({ravea to cuff your eara.
* f Parturiuui itUinlM, nxKetur ridlnUua moa."
t " La Hoatague."
t See Pennant's Wales, vol. ii. The rrpeewiiiariTe. by maternal Mitod. of tlw
Mar branch of thl» familv, (by whncu ihv puory ot i'Mrmeliu* wm fMinilod at
lanfaifk In the reifcn oT Ueiirv 111. ) ii the preHiiil Lord C<vub«nn««v. The w-
Bod fc«r«BM, Sir Tboniai, of Ueweni Uall. gnndson of Sir John the ttnunjt, waa
.dlKiagaished caralirr in the dril wars, and a man of literary talent. In IMO,
>eiibigh Castle wa* |[itIUni)y Mieaded for four nonlhi aniDtt Oenani Hytton'i
IBiUamencar)- anny, l»- CoIomI Sahwlnuy of Badtyaibyd, mntaonly eaUsd Ho-
anan Oleition, or Blue Stocklaft, and nirrendered ea honeurable oondltloiu,
the present baranei, sir Chades fialiubary of Uanwam, HMinteuthshire, la of a
rounger branch, fannerly setlled at Baehygnig Uoase, near Oenbi|^. aboot the
imv t4 the Rcfwmation . of which was Mrs, Plotii, the friend uf Dr. JiAiiaatt.
2 II S
436 THR tROEND OP WAITER CHILDK.
The Vmughans of Nant»u. H»rk, yon tlmndfring noUe !
Hither it ralU, aU rattlp. smoke, anil Htcam,
The looomutivi; I (icnny-printer-boyB
C\iag thete by ahonlit, nnd shout the parrot theme.
" Knowledice is' power !" Awake, aiid twrtc new joy*,
Tbnt beat Ocoana'« UtopiMi drpniii.
Ye ruBtim ; nib up your dull minds, and niromafte 'cm,
To suit this ^Id-And-iron Hgo of Bnimma^m!"
Well ; (rratiU'd jiteam and railroads mnv nrrARire our
Ii'auilitieH, and iflut May-Fair »iili nienty, 'Cii
In my tnind to he fcar'd an a fclrj^ht danger,
That we may ruli off nil our i>ld identitiw,
And, jumliled in one hodc;o-podfri'r rack -and -man^r.
And hdttr-i-keltcr, sink to mere non-«nUtiifii,
Like Kons of thiit hijrh Geminri family,
Who 're not baptiz'd, Imt number'd, one, lwo, thrfte.
Not that I mean to hint the least restriction
On ttii; gn'M Man -Mitendii mixing plnn ;
"Twerc prejudice, and \a\c of cmitradirtion.
80 agitate ! print! ventraliie ! nnd ban
Old tandmark, proverb, mw, nnd pioiiK Miction ;
Reform and ransack every thintf you can:
Consolidnte nil fund* of school nnd rnllrpe.
And leach with " half-.'i- croon's worth of cheap knowledge."*
Make England one ffrcat factory, black and leafless,
Hich, Hmoke-beKrim'd, and biintlin^. — watcb'd and cway'd
By or^i^ni^'d bniuiHutK of thi> BricJlesK:
1 've sons, and want to tiiid them all a trade,
L^it iomu curs'd chanci^ nhould Ichvc them brt>Hd-and-beefle«
Uoirn with Kniiid juries, and the Great Unpaid !
Whate'er tcmU riaihin^ n)u<4 be guod for Duujcht.
None will work ffrMn «ho»c time '^ worth <l grout.
1 must distinctly sar that my arena
I-t not pnliticnl ; 1 would not kIom over
Old Tory fnulu; nor, like a wild hyxnsi
Orniatl bull, run amuck to fforc and U11* over
Your M'hi^liiii;, wbu ia, tliuutfh Uflute nnd keen, A
Tbinp I hold" no ^e^t Ah^ces" a-i a phlluttojiher,
And wioh it had, to grat^- offidid Ktnlton,
Bume commuD SL-nse, and homely observation.
" Hold! auch Mmy pifla can't clearly he dt'fin'd,
TTiereforc cxirt not." True, I liad forgot :
Well then, accelerate both steam and mind
tfp to three hnndred ! go It hard and hot !
Pert, pvddlinKl'oddinKtuDiacis, unranftn'd,
Shall fAlt in (ileoHure'ii aid to boil the pot,
Vend bubble- shitreB onud Siberian ujiow.
And teach the Ht>tt«ntot« to jump Jim Crow.
Our landlordd, too, ami workini; County men, if It
Be f.ict that they \irov mwai^vA at hnme.
And HpoiU for social intercourse, »ill IwHefit
^Vliea ktript of onerous duties ; and may room
StCflm-borne, and xhiittlecuck il off in any fit
Of iid£eU. from St. Pelt-rxburvh to lUinic,
Bohhinft and j«rking over land and orcaii
Like clouds of gnat* that sway iu endleta notion.
* For a glorioiu ilio^rinc np of the Iwic^nny pmt, Me f nwfr'i March nuiabwr.
.TUE LEOISND OP WALTBR CIIILDB.
But, <ili ! i{re»t H'hi|; an<l factory-Iordc ! whrn you go
Our ctrvuil, duoiu nut SUinvli«n||Ce bv dwree
To mond the umAh ; dun't ticket^ on we new (;o,
A" ■• NuiiiluT (.'iiv, find MCtioii. CVmimon* Cj"
lh» b(Hi«e ut' Wyndh&n) ; «pnn the fine wrugo
Ot ri-lUv, M hich ii* riouclit tu yuu or tne,
Delight Li!tk Uotrlci), and the fair n}-in|iha uf CavUly.
60 ne'«r niBy yvvr grwt dyiuuty die oNfttily.
If all our fullin be not yrt «urrnU'd
By vnur prufuodily, vouchaafe tu know
Sucu i'lsiTiin.-s art) iiric-tivitrc], aiid yet [)rtjc't].
By folk.t of the old school, who lotif n^u
Pii'k'd up liii-ir whiiiifi, livwever lll-a(lvi«*d.
Like old (_'nrfe Cartle, on the mind they ifTOw,
(Or Dure biird by) wlwii every day at band.
Or Glaston'a pile, the prld« of \t'Mt«rD land.
Dear land of Wewwx ! but tb? wi^ht an vm ia
Who votit§ hiti lucal prejudice too crudely ;
I will mit ^ny it uctunlly auquas^ea
All Kn^luii'l, tbuiit(b 1 may luspect it iihr«wdly.
But we ha*« boiunl men, and lovely Imus,
Oaks twb'd with nwei ; i>ad I jurt pea nidoly
A «l<etch, to abow that comers here ar« found
MaUbing tlie vlamc vpota of Border gruuiid.
For instance — in a kind uf daylight dream
I »trull from thixild omkcn-panvril iHMikery,
And watch the tnml shuat down the rapid stream*
Skirtenjij; the tvied clmi of my huarve rookery ;
Then rlinib yon upland, where the aunwt'a gle*m
Li^ht* tJin luii« idieiihcnrii hut in mimm Uiu^ luwkcfj'
IU<-h in fern, goldrn broum, and lichen 'd thorn.
And hi-aiitbifr, whiub wild Cheviot need not scorn,
Hilfh on yon timber 'd kncll — a brscsr spot, —
Von round tuwt- n •iU>iiUy bexr thetr weight of yvsn ;
Aad acarr'rl, not humbled by tho Rnundhead's ahiit.
Record the atidMiit fiiitb uf Cavnlierv,
Htirb hearts and true, wkuM fame ahall perisli not.
fisstwsrd the Ktey old manor-houw appeara
Of my own kinHmati, which <uin also tell
ItA tjtle of Aj^bt and lei^ucr known right well.
Then. i;Lanein^ westward down yon wootly d«tl,
With no projectinc point to interrupt
The twiro-fiiu^ht lii'M krhero n>ibl<t Falkland fell,
1 mind me that tlie quartern wh*?re hv sleirt
Were at my hurras aoeestor's, if well
The recurds uf <nir net)thbouritm town .ire kept :
Far Routhwsrd a hold niitiine shuts the view :
Tia Hnnpahiro'* border-hilU, the firvt I knew.
In the fure-trrouud stood Chaucer's old oak trM
Fifty yean since; but who tun trace, alack !
The mlnstrsl's lootsteps now ? Albeit to me
There is » spell in the ioiacined triuk :
I ludf wfath, if Ngsin 1 cross the tea
For a lon^ term, may bomclit ihaw nie bark :
Onw la « way see Flurenm, Niiplei, Koine,
But Uoger nut. Remeatber " lloine u lluue !**
437
488 THE LEGEND OF WALTER CBILDE.
WoaM not this scene itir Mnrr Mitford'a iniife ?
None el** in llerk»]itre woiiftt stand any chanoff
Tluit U, if Ifinire wrVM her. and «he choose
To Tillietudlrrti u« in « romnnce ;
I 've rend C<wir>ne, and ww irnt with the Blu«t
Who laud tlie crotchets of Almnirif nr Frnnfe;
But give me. Englishwoincn horn and brt-tl.
With sound oM-faabion'd heart, and Attic h<«d.
We'll talk thew matter* over, when ere lonjf
She come* to pmr« my roof, an honouT'd gueat :
MMntime, as ] 've tepn i-xll d 'in fiir a aong
By Doctor Dnniel Dove, 1 '11 do my beet:
To n fritnd's nwit the l^ijend dulh liflong
Somfl miJra to Ih' partward, where I Ve crack'd my jwrt,
And iipt the cri<nm of hos)>itable chtvr : —
You 'II know it by it 'a oaks, and elutcly deer.
I tell the storv frmn the heat hnnay ;
And, if I K(ld Home tourhm of a nature
To me pxtremely [jrobaWp, I pray.
Call ii»t my jientle M'i«<p a 'y'^K faitour.
But erant Rome i<ma)l indulfcenn', euch as " Mail
8*il no' it [ijw vrnl, i! mt-riti' liicn dt- 1' Mr* ;"
And BO we ehaJl jog onnard, my i^ood fricnib,
In mutual (xinfidvorti, till thi« tnl^ etida.
YoTjni!; Walter Child* »aw nMTifP by the lode
Of a\» idain father, ere eighteen yeara old :
ThuK wpr* bin ptirtu and nnirain' mirJy trii-d ;
And, though not strictly ofihe IVerter mould.
Which our Bweet AnnuaU would eoiUirine with pridv,
Aa a mule " Flturor" or " fiem,"he was, I 'm told,
A lad ofUtl) and limb, and dauntlew tipirit.
With Komc giHiA look*, and murh more sterling merit.
Evil and gaoA had mingled in hiii fate.
The civil wars, which left him fntJiurlMS,
Had ew«pt in iieq»estnitiiin the estati!
Which he was born to, rrtt the ronsciousneM
Of heirship turn'd and maptfoliz'd hin pate.
Bold, hnrdy, ■tiidiouii, hi.- inifflit hope aacoecs
In mnst departmontB link'd with penr« nr war,
But for bin own goud rcaxius cliiiw thi* Bar.
" My sword,*' aaid be,*' shall rust ere atrilce a stroke
For the rank hv^crites who bear the sway :
^Tfae Spaniiih Mam— but if yon Btranger q>ok«
With truth, fuul deeds are dono there aow-a-dny.
The Bur— yes, there, by PfitTona{[e'a yoke
UovJiackled, I might hope to win my way:
A doused purpoM naatcn power and «bill,
Aud uuwH ail obstaelee to Mrerulgn will."
Taming his martial tamper down perforce,
Habit, hn found, createn at laut new joys.
Which weak minds know not : carbini', sword, and burt«.
To him, (lod wot, had not been giitt^ring toy*
For idle show, — a holiday reeouree
Mui ii 4?ovfted in UL-ttCti by pamper 'd boya ;
But lath he uft had wielded m ((XKid earnest,
Ei-dear'd by sAddenli^ UioiighU of strife the atmwsl.
THft LEGbND OS WALTER CHILOB.
Urac'd eurijr by Advarstty's keen fnict.
Our Childc'H hiffh outmi|r<i b»rtf bim w<^ll klong;
A uilUnc«, wr'd fnm wreck, jut^t |>im<1 bU cost ;
Hia w«nla tteie r«v, bi» resolution stnuig :
N»)j>lewiiri- t'lmuer'tl wilL. no m'lmtiitt Im*;
Tiu>u;;h (MM'd t<*ikt lejr*) rinfht And moriJ rranf,
He uft siintiiij'd ihut law. uyni ditwection,
Ww not quit« huiniin reMOo'* Iwt perfeett4tci.
la Icpitl fictions, and fttalc* repetitions,
Hi!> Niiw ji inkM curilriv'd Ut |iIim:4> uwiy
To %-ul^i(r iyeA (i¥Aa, doctrinism, and |K»atioiis ;
And weary cut the soepUc who would pry
Into the m><-r('t of the Uw'a omnincit'nce :
Ho >uiw ttiat cliuaccry-ffuita, m nouv deny.
An hebl intlictiotia uf hfov'n'a spMlal ire.
OuUHeroding bli^lil, mumin, flood, and fir«.
Ni>t that be i^ud^d » grain of toil expeadtd.
Or let^Micb shrewd surniiHti abftke liM palJenccj
•* When'l'ro Cliief Jimtice. ihiimhall be umpnded,"
QuotJ) h^ iinil back*d ^ncb b<>ii<>Mt ikflirniittiuiu
With n Btray leaguer -^mtb. 'T wah wt-ll iiit«iid«d ;
Hut. pride of Art. aeiiair'd »KU(>rtitti(>Ds,
And uli(|uette'a free-niKtvnry, will bind,
AU in due tinte, tbr moet ingenuooa miod.
Well, the point 'h not whut be mi^bl one day doj
But what be did at our chief comttr town,
Th' eventful morn wlwn fimt the joy« be knew
Of a dear tnnideii brief, and duun'd bi* ^wa
Ijike (.'inwr'a niuntto, bupinR f»' bi» due
Of limir- ex petted coikiulhi and renown ;
Me deeni'd aumv " lidf in th« ttSairn of nieo "
Set in Ut turn bis le^iul mill just tben-
It cJi«iK'd the client on the adverte tide
Wa« an astute old Anahaptist lawyer,
A ninn of weigbl nnd terrilomi pridi).
Who roue from nought by nwindlin^ b'a employer ;
And u"w. fur party Ber^-ieelt Iwik tried,
nul'd Wbifi f(iniinilte«a. and waa vile enjoyer
Of many ■ fair »eque«trat»il po«a««'>aa.
The present was a ca««e of gnm opfrtmao.
(hir bero, when he evidently mw
The Judfte waa iilaiw'd, and the jury pack'd,
Cbaf 'd like a war-fiune touch 'd u|>oa tJte i»w.
Ably he dtnl precedent and iicX ;
H ia speech hiul pith and Are, wa* sound in Uv,
But wrvti^bedly devoid of prudent tact.
For he awintt'd WMUidly in ki« p«rantlan
The man of infliieaee and ooDiiauiding atatioin*
He hook'd tk« great Leviathan, and tore
[lis rvveouaa jaw» in mch uncpariog tort
Ai tickled the mugfa clovaa to their beart't oar«.
llirice cheek *d, and menae'd for onitmnpt of court.
Hi* bliHtd MNA ruiin'd ; defiwwe. »■ of y»re
On tbu pitch'd field, tpokt in his Imik aa«l port ;
The bricbt eyes fix'd on nini, the rruwd'e a|t|Jj|ua0
H« nuuK'd nut, for hia heart wa» in the cbum.
439
440 TIIK LBGEND til-' WAM'BR CHILUE.
He lost his verdict^ rs wm w«1I roroKdo
Ity the initiate c1ii|u«, the itelf'OiiDOUDo'd
Ah " w(LEt«ni upon I'ruvidencc." wfioM uImd
StuHK to the qiiicJt, predicted him well trounc'd.
"!' wKi evta p\tun to hut pcrMption keen.
He wiut look'd ahy on ny hia caate ; Aenoanc'A
As a mark'd ntftn, who had cuntriv'd to mar,
Ai th« times went, his pro«|iMts st the hitr.
Farde. hiH brat friend, otha iiln>-4>*« took his pitrt,
Silt with a UiDg face, lookini; vex'il niid Morrieil>
And «ut five pen* to stum]tii in gn^f oi' heurt-
His client's ywn ultorney, red and flurried
At bia diaplay ofCirrruninn itrt,
I'lilVd him ntiide, and wiih wi accent hurried, ^
" CiDod Heav'n, air, think what yim have dune I"' hu wiid,
" Kun fruin my strict in»LrMctinn« ; rifJw'd my hr«a<l !
" 1 took thin Kurkwiiril cAUxe fram pure good will,
Socuriiiff first, of courMi, my nwn L-xuencex;
Censur'd l wan fur it hx thhIi ; liut atill
I nlniixft pU-dif'd yuu to avoid uffcnoea
Vroaa and uncali'd fur- 'twUl take all my skill
Tu clear triyi»cir; and the prufes^lvn'M aeuw ia
1 should he ruin'd, sir. paiit all relief,
Uy ever oAisring you auuther brief."
T WM Hnmewhnt gullinjr to our Chi]d«, to find
He rink'd the cherished end of seven yearn' toilp
fiut thii) he reck'd of leiM ; w when entwin'd
The wiM »taff struggles in the bon'e coil,
Hit) soul *weirJ, hilt eve (1««h'd, to wc fomhin'd
Itapint* and frnud to wu^te hia native toil.
And jiifttioe bnrtor'd. 'T was past human hearing :
IJe wisfa'd — but he had aome ycarti left off aweurin);.
Now, had this hanpen'd in the present day.
Our friend bnd iratii'il htH cniiae, unA HpoUt avy etory ;
For, ua to tttatc uiTain', whatever may
Bo my convictions as a tMimlry Tory,
Our yeoman Jurica, in th^ir pluin army
And dear rou^h judgment, lire the nation's ^lory;
Take, too. thoae juaxes I have aecn the mutt of.
Fair samples of a bench we well may boast of,
Keen A j uhoa« cver>" glance dPclarM
The Senior Wraairler; hooeat Sir John G ,
Ho of the falcon beuk, u-hnae pinnh no aciure*
A shuffling or incompetent attorney ;
C , with whom a rhat on hy-^ne year*
Were alwnyw worth a lonn iirand jury journey,
Itetaining all the traits of well-spent youth.
The calm, fine temper, and tha soul of truth.
The court c]os*d ; at his inn, in muaina mood,
Wat oy'd ubRtractedly hiK UDtoueh'd steak.
(Bar-dinners and full toa^t^ his oMaiw eachaw'd,)
And pondered inly what next courm to take.
A prospect lay before him bleak ami rtide ;
But aye he quell'd hh heart'a rebellious ache
With the sure solace of some wilful men ;
*' My cviiKience mj-i, I 'd do the *«ine affsin.
TUB LEGBND OP WALTER CUlbDE.
441
" Come, Surtttm e»ria ! aa our rJuipIaIn «aiil
M'iirii retinw fiUl'd lie in tital fieek's hArd fnrat :
At ckfcht<ADd<tweiit]r » l>»ld lii>art «nd head
May will fuir furtuni! »□ kudiv funritiu ouast-
— Liv'd there a monarth like IJanlavcs dfad —
But, coura^v ! iiuue sliull ta,y my «t)>niach'« lo»t.
(Some wtn^, Uiere, my kind b<is(ea»1) k*X and dhiik ;
TtMliiy keep up vur uearls ; lo-morrov think.
" CJU apllol good miiUon this of thine,)
Better, perhaim, had I beitun it hot ;
(1 'm not «> iJcill'd n jud?e of ihv ^ood wine,) —
^Wfaen did I t^iiite H ine last ? 1 've clean forgut :—
The next mny he perhnim on the fnr Rhine,
Or — hxtX whut hiwrt* to scan my future lot ?
(Here, tike nwny Ij the ftiolish iiunic '" xuhdued.
Thank l>u>l for a lijtht heart and wholeaome focMl!
" "Vn glttfir, friend Waller, in the civil line.
While tlieso Lliiu)r> l-»>t thim 'rL luid iijiun the thelf.
(Ni>, uu. I can't tat mure, ^mA bdv mine :
lltrre 'a to tliy health ; liiii^h Iht^'fla-k tliyaelf.)
Hut what. Id trulh, chouM be life't) main dviti^n ?
— For old camiiatfcnen have unall newl of pelf—
M'hy, t« «crve Ood. and fill sume awful »uiion.
Where justtoe and likir play are «lill the foAhion.
" 1 have it now — New KukIiukI i« my name.
What '« >]ohauk, Cherokee, or (.Atahaw,
To the«e rank knHvea } I speak it tn their ahame :
Our culoiiistd may priee sound Engtiflh law:
In any eaw, my once unerring aim
May save friend K))hniiiii from a panther** daw.
They re good men, too, und kind ; and I respect
And love the f^ood mid true of every tect."
Thus pitnder'd Walter CMlde. the train pumiin^
of HN-eet iind bitter thotif[hts, and bark-wood viaioBa-,
" ll'ippy '• the tTo«iM|{ Ihnt'K not Uins a-doing,"
S) Mtyti the adH^e : and our friend s derisions,
Thougli tiuiKt timeo acted on, nerp not l«it|C hrewini;.
And brook'd few nt^er-thnughts, and no reviiduoH.
Ilisaecret »a« — I ii|)eiik it hero ajiMrt —
Small care of self, sound head, and single heart.
" Now for this boll," aooth he, " though, i-icweil aright,
Seemti il not Inrk'd like a faotactic forix' on
To a deep trn^it- drnma i Sinee the niftht
i pray'a with thiit poor hind cundemn'd for anion.
I Ve aeen the ciiikf>m in a dilfi-rfiit ll^ht.
— Uod re«t hin voul ) — 1 'm but a vorrv parmn,
Htit mi'ant well. Come, ju»t now I want variety ;
Beaide«, must take my leave of good •ociety.''
END OP CAWTO t.
'• WIIY DID MAJOR MUFFIN KEEP A PARROT?"
r
BT B. BOLL, AVTHOB OP " BIDDY TIBS," " MARTBA MITKB," KTO.
Thb Mjing hjith it, " Never soeak before children !" for children,
not« itfastanthnjc the wise exnmnle set by their fathers ind mothers,
will tpeak the truth, i'flrrnts. like children, are of an imiutive lUid
truth- loving; nature ; -.ind in lar^ tettero we vrrite upon thi» pa^A .
the fuUowing taut ion i^Ncrer »]i«rak before parrots !
Msjnr MuSin — why did he keep a parrot r' — lived next door to
Alias PriM-htpe Crab. He vra« a in.tn of lurtal ! She was a woman
aim of nioUilic influence, only of a diflereiu quality. The Major,
tnonntcd with braM. was lined, aUs! with cop)>eT; -while Penelope,
a linen-faced, had ^Iden pockets — pockets which, in the eye» of
ufitt, held mines of wealth ! 9Iis9 Penelope Crab was the only
tUughter of A fish salennan, who dyine a widower at a good old age,
lr<M>er ibe miscms of hertelf and his fortune. She waa now able
to buy anrthiiig ibe fancied, and ahe thought of a hudiand.
M^^ lldGn bad aeen service, and was now living upon hii
|HMMMU~-aiid balf-p>y. Bung a military man, he bwore, of course,
rumfcnpr on the contrary, was devout-minded, and. being a lady,
«w«M INK,— exceut wbeu nXiv cundemncd the euuU uf the profane,
which ibe did al itatu ■ dozen timet a-ijay. Haviug now performed
tbU Miiy of poliu wcicty, atid introduced to our readers Major
Muffin and Miss Pendopc Crab, we bequeath tliem lo their merciei,
vhiW we amuse oarsdves by a chat with their liervaiita.
o Tbat master of yoars swears enough to frighten a house down V
Sttch « aa the confidential eommaiucatiun conveyed by Deborah—
for PrtW'lope'ii maid had a holy name — over the area rails to Molly,
tbe SI)ijor"« abijiail. •' And as for his parrot "
Here .1 loud chuckling voice tuld her to be — wlut nobody wishes
|g bc^^nd compared hvr Ht the ume time toa dog. Deborah lotted
npt and there »aw Major Jluffin'a grey parrot mounted on the out-
udf- of his cage, whialing and shouting fruro the balcony.
" I should like to wring that brute's neck !" uid Detmrah, as ahe
ipive her m«»p "H energetic twirL The parrot returned the favour
by ealliiiR hrr — what fhe itth\ »he wasn't — wc think so too ; hut ttie
major* parrot had a »ay of calling ladie.4 in the street names they
miildn't help thinking personal, and Ecimetime^ to tamiliarly, they
thought it must be Eomebody who knew them.
.. liiwk nt miwun's parrot," cried Deborah ; " he "» a dove of ■
poll, »nd sings iwalms like a Christian ; but tiiat Bob of your*" —
Mich *■■ '*" "•il»'*"'"*l"*g name of the major's parrtrt — " swears aa
|wd *» '"" mMtrr or the — " and Deborah coughed ; *' there ain't
nv pio" »" 'hoow between them." And bang went her mat
j».«i the "I"""'* •'"''*'■ «'"' ""t flew a cloud of dust, which envdoped
tf^\*l» vliTk. who was passing, like a blanket. As soon as this
«M (n^HHUpUshetl. Deborah vented a fresh shower of abuse
iL.i. ^»a B fresh chapter of praise wan lavislicd upon the vir-
-■» Poll " If ever a parrot was a >iunl,her missus'*
,..;t bv name— " wa« one!" And no wonder, for Pe-
. wt.4 him under her cloak to church, where, strange
"WHY DID UAJOK MUFFIN KBBP A PARROT?** 44A
I
I
to say, he never wimt to sleep, not even during the nermon ! " Rot
that nAsty swearing brute of a bird," — and she ^hook hcr fist at Bob,
vho WAS qutetlv cleaning his naiis, — " he ought to have his hiaa
twi<itnl otT!" Al'illy, on the contrarr. cantended thut Bob waa a
gaod-nutured Poll, siul tAme »s a chit'ken. She confessed to the
swearing ; but that, she said, watt tlie fault of his " broughtage up."
But then he never bit anybody ; while Jeremiah, though a saint,
was r^uite us suiteful, and wouhl bite bis best friend to the bone.
And as for mischief, though a parrot, tlicre never was a monkey
tike him : fur he did more harm in on hour than Bub would in a
year, who hopped nbout the house, phiyed with the cat, and behaved
liimHelf like a gentleman, as be was I
The maids, as they could not agree, — and servant maids do not
always agree,— began to toss their heads, and call c«rh other
" ma'am," and in the end di*scmde(l their area st^s in a hufl".
As Major Jttuffin had no other dependence tlian hi;> half-pay, he
could not very well be called a rich man. He was forty, and a
bachelor. Penelope was wealthy, and a spinster ; while her age
might be what a bountiful Providence pleased, for Muffin did not
care. Now, strange to wy, the Major had taken, we know not why,
a mortal dislike to the lady next dnor,- — albeit he had only aeen her
once or twice, and thitt in perspective^ at the window, — but still he
disliked her. Her name sounded of a ten years' courtship; white
her surname. Crab, though a heavenly sign, seemed to him a sign of
going backwards. But tJien her money ! Kcjiort had trumpeted
the thuusaiiiis she was worth into his ear, and, alter Nome natural
Sualms uf venturing upon matrimony. AluUin determined to lay
OM- siege to his ncxt>door neiglibour.
Miss Penelope Crab sat in her drawing-room ; her pious Poll
stood meekly in his cage, and blinking his eyes, looked as if thinking
of a nap. Penelope laid down her book, " Watts's hynms, " and
leant back in her cnair. Were her thoughts of Major Mullin? He
was certainly not a bad-looking man; and, being a mibliirr man,
and a major, not a bud catch for a fishmonger's daughter. She had
often •|>eculated upon tin* bleuing of l>eing married ; yet, strange to
say, she had never been aoked. Thin undoubtedly argued a want of
taste in the gentlemen. Could it be that they thought her too lean,
too old, or loo holy for their earthly hopes? — For Penelope waa
pious, and her sanctitv '*f*» deep as a well ! In fact, Penelope was a
walking Evangelical SSfjigntine ; and, as she sat in her chair, would
have made a "splendid illuntralion" to that most excellent work ;
for her dark, dull, unmpsning conntennnce looknl — lu an evange-
lical portrait always looks — n face of clay mouldi'd with the Hngersl
Major Muffin was hcr next door nrigEil>our, and she could not help
thinking that she shouh) have uo objection to biTomu Mrs. Major
Muffin. But then they were utter Mrangers, — llicy luut not so
much IIS spoken to eiich other! And then a^ain Penelope felt un-
easy, when nhe rcincrabered Deborah vowed Uiat 31ullin, though a
major, swore like a common trooper. She shudderol, and taking
up the book, which the tiioughts ol' Muffin had made her put a«idef
was soon out of sight of earthly tilings, and high in the clouds of
L pious irrottration ; yet, strange to say, the words kept jumping
about, and, spite uf herself, spelt nothing but " Alajnr Muffin.** Sbo
shut her eyes, and looked again, and as she looked saw '• marriage **
%H
WHV DID MAJOR. MUFFIN
In vtfio^ writtm backwards ! It certunly was very strange ; and
irUi^ tfalEn
A IhmI knock At the clot>r hiirrie<1 her acroiis Uie room to lUten at
%^ dsar. " l» 31 i&s Crab at home •" -was Bskcd. oiiU in a gentleman's
intoi Penehipe shut. tl)c bouk. and threw Dr. Wutu upun the safa.
]>etMnh climbed up stairs, atid luuked as if the clouds were coming
down.
•* Who '» that, Deborah ?" inquired her mistress.
Ucboruh't mouth opened hKe an oyster as she mid, " Major
Muffin r
■' Major Muffin !" There was a pAU»e of more than a minute —
each stood open-eyed and <i|>en'iin>tithe(l. At length Penrlop«'a
shut, as she ailded, " Show ihc major un."
" Yes, ma'am," — and Debornh went slowly down the stairs.
There was a ercakinc of boots along the passage, a hem or two.
and PcncVope Ifft. the door for a chair, where she sat as though she
hadn't moved. The door opened, and Deborah once more announced
" Major Muffin." Penelope was a full yard s^cvter as she curtsied.
The major made his liest bow, and Deborah listened at the key-
hole.
" I am sorry, ma'am, if I have intruded ;** and SIufGn waited aa
those who »ay "they are sorry if they have intruded" always do.
Fenek'pt- said as usual.
•' Don't mention it, Major Muffin. Pray take a chair,"
Muffin felt ba»hful to a degree. This may perhaps sound sin-
Bular, as the major wa* in the wrmy ; but summoning hie courage,
he began by " hopine Mm Crab waa in good healtfa." Her answer
deliglited him by tnfortniiig liim fihe was "quite, thank you." And
after travelling through the miiny iiitricacicfi of a sell -introduction,
and that to a lady, the m^jur "begged to assure hcT of the great
resiieet he had always entertained for Aliss Penelope Crab." He
had condemned that virtuous lady to the Satinic domains a hun-
dred times, and Afuffin hera'd, or rather grunted. His cravat was
tight, perhaps, but nevertheless he expressed hi« sorrow, "that,
neighbours as they were, they were not better acquainted ; and if
Miss Crab — " here Aluffin made a dead atop, and Penelope, scarlet
with confusion, rang the bell. Deborah, like a prudent maid as
•be was, moved on tiptoe from the key-hole, and, creeping dovm
the firxt Hight of stairs, walked heavily up again into the room, as
though she had just come from the kitchen.
She was told to hand Major Aluffin a glass of wine.
The conversation now proceeded more glibly ; the gentleman
ceased to stammer, and the lady gave over blushing as a bad job,
whilst Mtifliii btrgaii to think her a much nicer woman tluui he nad
ever belieceil it in her nature to be. Penelupe felt as she hadn't felt
fur venrk. Could it be possible she was f»led to be Mrs. Majof
Muffin!
The wise in society, if they wish to ingratiate themselves in the
uwkI graces of the mother, always begin by extolling thuae of ber
(hubby brat ; — the female heart opens as to a magic key at every
I IViih ihower of" sweet little creature!" and "how like its mother*''
I Thv umjor, aa a man of the world, began by praising, not Miss Crab,
IJlllt- Crab—that was n plra-turc to come — but her parrot! Penfr-
Iwi^. iVli the compliment, and cumincoced enlarging upon his meritl.
*
'AttROT?'
4«
nnd Aluffin was mnde KCnsiblc tliitt the parrot was n vn-y |foocl parrot,
for tir NAid {>r«yeTS like n Chriftti«ri m he wait, niul waa nn full of
good aentencea ka « pincuahiun ia of pina, in the advent r>f " a little
atwtnger." Tn fnct Penelope"* Poll wa* a bird of character ; h«
» whistled HalleluiaS tike an orgnn, and couid say the Lord's Prayer
aa well as an arcnbinhop ! The |Mrrut, evidently aware he was the
subject of conversation, »moothed hiFi fenthers, nnd fixed his bUck
eye like a gtmblet upon AInjor Miitlin, who, taking a chair beside
the cage, delighted Penelope by asking Poll "' What it wns o'clock ?"
Poll wan as correct aa a eun-dtal, and then, whistling a hymn, con-
vinced Muffin of his powers.
" Some ptiuple," and Paivlope looked at the majur, "teach their
parrots to swear. She never iru«te<l her Poll even into the baU
cony, for fear," as she »aid, " his moralti slionld be corru]iLed. Some
people, she hiiil heiird," and she emphasised the word, " were not so
particular."
The Major'* cravat was again inconreniently tight Feeling
himaelf slightly pulled, Muflin turniil his head, and saw, to his
horror, the p.irrot quietly amosinj; himM^If by biting sundry holes in
the Liil of his coat, new on that day ! Penelope fttarteil up as if she
hud been shot at hearing the major d — n so good a bird, ntt he tried
to cxti-ioate his coat. But Poll fastened on it with his claws and
beak, end fed upon it as if making a meal. A sudden jerk iVeetl
the coat, while Poll in a passion shouted aeveral sentences of acrip.
tara] condemnations against the m.ijor's bouI, as with hts wings out-
ipread. he fluttered along the perch, and HCreamml up and down the
tides of his cage. Penelope cried, " Ah, you nflu;jhty bird !" while
the major eyeil him with a look of death, and talked of " wringing
necks," as lie inspected the damhge done tn his coat. But Muffin
was under an evil star, for as his hand incautiously strayed near the
wires of the cage, the parrot darted on it, and, seising one of the
fingers in his beak, made the ends meet at the bone. M uffin slinuted
ten thuuMand deaths, and dragged the cage half ocrutis the room, for
J>retty Pull held by his fleiah hke a vice before he could get away,
lad Penelofre not rushed as she did between the major luid his
wrath, we fear Jeremiah would have met a bird's death. His neck,
however, remained untwisted, and Muffin's 6nger was bound up in
s piece of rag.
The cunversatiun having continued M>me short time further. Major
Aluffin rove to depart, a*«uring Mi»s Cral>, a^ he did so. and, as he
said, " from the bottiun of his heart." that she hiul made him feci a
happy man. " Vna will be sure and come," continued the major ;
"Mul perfaapa you will bring vour parrot with you :"^4te looked as
if he could have eaten it. " Pretty fellow ! he will be a conpanim
lor my Bob." Penelope hinted something about "evil couimuni-
oationa;" but Muffin maintained the report to be unfounded, and
declared Bob to be the be^'natured creature under the sun, atid
never bit anything but his food. Here tht- major rublied his finger.
Penelope, al\er the usual number of " good morning)t " had pasted,
opened the drawing-room door; Deborah atood ready at the street
one ; and Major Aluffin, aAer saying he " should expect her at five,"
made his bow and his exit, and, as he went down the steps, fi'lt satis-
fied that be had mule an impression upon his ncxt-doM- Dcighbuur.
Now, Deborah and Molly had tiffed in the rooming, wnile dls*
446
" WHY DID UAJOR MUFFIN
cussing the rclHtivc inrnts of the rival parrots; but as tbey wflK
fi'tctuDj? the beer for dinner, it mi hxppened the^ each arrived at
their trpapatpii iit the name momrnt. When a M-onuui hu n secret
to tell, she forcelii ev«n her dii^like ; and Uvbornh beckoned myste-
riausly to MuUy willt her fiitgur. Now, Molly was still BwdUng
with ber fureiiouu'H indignatiuii ; but at Debumlt hud niudp the
" ovtemlr hoHonibff," Khe swallowed her pride, as she had uf\eo door
other things, «itd wiited, jug in hand, to hear Deborah i coauDuni-
cntion.
"Mollf," — Deborah looked like a propheteM as she added, "who'd
a* thought it ?"
Mtilly pn-pared herselPfor the intelligence by a long drauEht oF
beer. The other had Hpa only for her secret, us she said, " Who do
you think has been to sec misnu thi« morning?" Molly looked, a»
the really was, — ^ignorant.
Deborah, at\er sundry telegraphic signals, whiipered in her ear,
'■ fllsjor Mnffin !"'
" ^faster !" and Molly, who was naturally of » quiet dispasition,
stood su villi astoni&hini'iiL
" And what do you think i" said the other ; *• he asked her to go
to tea r
" Miss Crab coming to tea !" Mullv Z'^z&X with uubelief.
'■ And her parrot '« going as well. I see what it will end in," and
Deborah bobbed her head with a most meaning bob. " There'll be
a Mrs- Major Mufiin bfforo lone;, I 'm thinking. You should have
seen how they looked nt one another, and how minuB blashed!"
'* Blushed 1 — how could you see i" asked the intjuiring Molly.
"How did I see?" and Deborali felt surprised that any servant
should .isk such a question ; " why, through the key-bole I"
The belU of both kitchens, idler having lieen rHtig several times,
becatne at length violeiitlv communicative, and the M^rvant maids
ran down tboir area stt-'ps, big with the fate, not of Cato, hut of their
master and mimsus. - ■ • • ■
The clock was striking five, when Miss Penelope Crab knocked
at the door of her nejtt-door neighbour. Deborah stood on the top
step with the cage in her Jiand. The parrot, like a good bird, sat
meekly on his perch, und eecmcd conscious he wai> going to pay
a visit. The door was opened, and the lady was shown up-
stairs. AlufFJn himself met them at the top, handed her a chair,
and sat, like n gentleiiian should, clo^e by her t>ide. Molly, profiting
by their example, placed Jeremiah in his cage, side by side with
Itob, shut the uoor, and proved herself a much better servant tlian
Deborah hud supposed her to be, for she listened most attentively on
the outside.
The parrntA, as parrot* always do, hmked suspiciously at one
another with their beail-like eyes, but remained (|uiet on tbrir
perches.
Now, Muffin, although no Jaaon, saw in perspective a ** golden
fleece;" for that Penelope kart gold there was no question: he had
f\illy satisfied himself of thai fact, and the vapours of his dislike
meltetl as before a ruing Kun, that looked upon his poverty, and
turned it into wealth! Gold, that true phihiaopher's stone, which
all seek for, — thut fruit alt ho|H> to gather, ni.ide him turn his ejret
upon Penelope Crab, who, dowerless, might have livetl next dfK>r for
A PARROT?*'
+♦7
mgn, and unsotif^ht of Aluffin ; hut, ladvn with a freight of thoa-
funds, the man of war hnpt-d to !<ul in tier company upon the sea of
AratriiuonV' But there were hidden rocks he dresint Dot of— why
did Jlajor Mutlin keep it purrot ?
P»melo]>e herself could not be cslled ^hy upon (he question. She
was fHly ; and wished — as every reuwmable wonuin uishes — to be
married ; atx), if the gentlcnian should propnoe, Penelope felt she
must say ye*. Of mie thini; she was certain, that she rfiould not My
no. And Major Muffin, irhv — why did he keep a parrot?
Tea -wa* brought in ; Penelope did the honour*. The"raiVd"
was plentifully shovelled from the caddy ; and the major was acnoi-
ble of the delicate attention when Penelope disdained the toast, and
fastened on the muffins. He looked upon it as a f^ood omen; and
hoped ere lonp to be himwlf as well biHtered ! Tea was pniired
out, and milked hy her own hand to hi.i tikin;* ; while he returned
the cniiipltnient by HUffnrini; hers, which he did to a degree of nicety
»carcL-ly to ht- believed; for she looked and smiled, and looketl and
blushed, " and smiled B^ain." While llie major, like a Kkilfut (j;^
nera], attacked the enemy in the wvukeiil part; and with uetl-di-
rected volleys of mouth-fliittery aimed directly at her heart! AVIiile
she.— what woman could do otherwise, — she looked as if she mufit
({ive in, for the major pressed liis attacks with so much vigour, and
the tea was m nice, thai Penelope, icy virgin as she was, bej^an to
melt Ijeforc the warmth of the gentleman's (ifTection ! The longest
winter, though wrappetl in xttmnx and frown«, mnilr.'i at length at
the vonnB-Ieafod summer, mid Penelope Crab, who had so long
nuraed her»elf in maidenhood, felt overjoyed at the pro«pect of be-
coming a wife, perhaps a mother ! The thought of a little Major
Huffin grafted on a Crab, m.tde her heart bound like a shultl<?cock,
and turned her — what we aMsure our readers she never was — topsy-
turvy.
The parrots — for parrots are wise birds, — seeing what was going
on at the other end of the room between the ma«er and mistresi,
began moving with a sidelong look over their cage<t, and every now
and then muttered indiRlinrt ehatterings, a^ if deairoua of a little
more familiarity, hut neither liking to begin : unlike the m/ijur, who
iresMd Peneln|>e with all the eloquence he was master of, to take
umither cup of tea."
" I 'd rather not, thank you, i^tajor Jluffin."
Penelope had alrciidy dcspatchetl fuur cups, and vowed *' die
couldn't drink niiv more."
" Another hit of muHtu f" and the major handed the plate.
This was an offer ihe knew not how to resiat; *he couldn't find it
in her heart to refuse muflin. fjeerini! in his face, she luuked wiiat
;ehe apoke, that " she couldn't refuse fifajor Muffin."
He drew his chair a little nearer, and look her hand. Penelope
employed the other with a spoon. The major, heaving a nigh like a
pavior, declarei) himself to be an " unfortunate man '." and he shook
Ilia head. Penelope also aighed, and rndeavoured tn fancy herself
what wn are sure she was not — " an unfortunatr wonuin I"
" Yes." cried the major," I am an unfortunate wretch ; for I harp
trifled with my affections until they have left me a man withnut a
heart." Penelope felt she did not know how. The major continued,
'* Ym, Feaolofie, I am a man witliout n heart." md he sqacFactl
MS "WHY niU MAJOR MUFFIN KERf A PARBOT ?*
her lianil. Tlie otiier -wan actively cngagcil with the iwispoon.
** This Iianil," and he gave it another squecne, "this hand is to roe
as good a« gold !" and Muffin looked as though he had spnkcHi a
truth. "Yes, Penelope, future peace and ]ircs<?nt joy an; written
in the lino^ of thi« little palm !" BAving which the major — our pen
trembles as we record tlio fact — ravished a klsa ! PctiL-lupe was no
doubt thinking of sometliiiig eUe, or she would have snatched it
away ; but her mind dwelt on the spoon, which moved in mystic
circles over the tea>board, and doubtless drowned the noise of the
kiss, though Aiolly affirms to this day that she heard it outside ihe
doorl
A skilful general watches witli a hawk's eye fur a fdctuDate
chance. Thv inujur ought to have been promoted to Held marshal ;
for never did man lake better advantage of '' the weak invention
of the enemy." And, as for a fortunate chance, Penelope, with her
wreath of red roses, was to him fortune itself. With one arm gen-
tly roving round her waist, he pressed the yielding damsel to his
breast, and whimpered soil persuasions in her willing ear, " Would
she? — would she? — oh ! would Bhe?"
"Would I what?" and Penelope looked bashful.
"I dare not ask." cried the ma^i»r like a hero of romance. " Bui,
if — ," her white dress crushed like tissue-paper as he drew her to
his side. " if I might venture to propose — " Penelope held the spoon
quite quiet, while Muflin looked as much like a Koineo a» any man
of forty in a blue surtont and brs$s buttons could, as he added,
" dart- I venture ?^-dare I ?— may I ?"
Penelope looked in his lace as much as to say, " be might," drop-
ped her eyes upon the ground, and reroained silent.
Silence we all know gives coiieenL Muttin evidently thought so ;
and, sinking up«)n one knee, initinuated in his wottest tones, " Ok,
Penelope, will you be mine? Say yes! — only yes.' — only —
only — "
" Ve — ^" The "a" was only wanting to complete the happy
word as Penelupe wax turning tu embrace him ; when the major's
parrot, in a long, loud chuckle, ahouted out, evidently in imiution
of his ma«ter's voice, " I wish that damn'd old woman next tloor
was dead !" which Miss Crab's Jeremiah seconded by saying, " we
beseech thee to hear us, good Lord !"
Penelope started up as if cut out of wood. Her own parrot, the
sainted Jeremiah, in pray for such a wish ! And the major's par-
rot, who had no doubt rpjwnted whnt he hnd often heard, he to wish
Iter not only dead, but the other thing I and ju«t as he had " popped
the question," and she was going to say "yes." Wood I — she was
stone !
Major Muffin — yes, 3Iajor Mufrm knt-li, and ueemed as he could
never rise ; but his fault did ; he lui»ked upon his error, and saw it
written, " Never spenk before parrots !"
The end of this [ale may easily be conceived. The parrots once
started, vied with each other which could speak the fasttest. Bob
made over the old — wc omit the word — next door, not only over to
death, but to the dominions of a gentleman who shall be namclcHs,
with an accompaniment of all oaths thut are pronounceable. While
Penelope's Jereiuioh, her sweet Poll, swore at the other, only in a
different style — his were orthodox condemnations! And thus a
EPISTLE KXPOSTUI-ATORV.
M»
vnllcy orBcrefltiis and clmckling abuse was kept up bciwern the twn
bird«, who rlappcd tlicir viin^s, and »)mutcd as if taking part witli
their masU-r and miKtrcss.
Penelupe — tioC to be outdone by her Poll — bestowed upon ^lajor
MufTin the fruits of ber displeasure ; and, af^er callitig fiim " base
wretch.'" " villain T' "monster I** "brute!" and sundry other epi-
thets which female* pronounce bo gHbl y, left the room with n bounce,
and lilt.- house with n bang, leavinj* the mnjor atill on his knee
in a oloiid of wojuIc r, r*ge, and disappointment.
Thc^ tea-thinf^)! Rew about the room; and hiti old favourite Poll,
the innocent atu»c of no much mischief, had a narrow escape ; for
the poker, aimed with a deadly aim, whirled across the room to the
damage of sundry wires of the cace, but not of Poll ; who to this
day repeatis tlie daily lessons !^et by ni» bachelor master, and chuckles
out, " I wUh that d — d old woman nent door was dead !"
Mi-sR Penelope Crab, with twenty thousand pounds, died as the
had lived, a virgin.
" Why did Major Muffin keep a parrot f"
EPISTLE KXPO8TULAT0RY
TO A DEAR FRIEND,
Wka hat hem o/ien kicked, and r^tatrdljf honaetiif^ird.
Deak Matt, — II is willi deep concern
That I, this morning, " live and leani *'
You have conthvcd lomcbow lo caru
A new hotwwtiippinc t
IiMJeed, 1 hear now every week
That, cither from revenge or pique,
Your very bones are made to squvak :
The list of sfaippiitg,
T1>e price of ktllowit and tobacoM,
And rine rums, mn from the Canceas.
And who at Darby are oul-back«n.
An hardly more
Poitpd, anil known, and regular,
7^1 the aorounu of where you are,
And what oool Coloiwt Bogg d you there,
Whdsi jrou kepi score t
TOL. II r.
Why, d — n it, man ! od*« looks 1 od't loundi t
It puEtlea me — eonfates— coofounda! —
You pocket blows as lh«y wct« poundsi
And never piy
One back again upon demand,
'Dioujih Thompson lias your note of hand
(He who your Windtot whippii« plann'd.)
Thai, some odd day.
9i
4M
EPISTLE BXPOSTULATORY
You woulJ repBjr.wiitiuut cviuiion,
The trouble be, on llial ocrioion.
Took 10 pro\iilv liiHt sure probatioD,
With inttn^:—
What is the coiii)c<]Ucnce t The fellQiv,
^Though lianiili'ii<t as » taouM',) when mellow,
Stvcsn that he 'II b^at )ou blue and ^ellowl
Is tlinl a jest I
Your courage ww « »ioui at Acrtt' ;
Bat either you have join'd ihc l juaken,
Ur dso ilai Yukec stct. the Shaken,
If I may judge ;
Aod you, wbo ODM (Untd louk at Nero,*
Imp«rtioPDCe's Sfanuicheril lieru,
'ZouikIs I where 's yout couiagc now ? At ttrv.
And Kill not hutlga '
Tis strange that men who resd their Qtbtes,
And loro 10 laugli at others' foibles,
Should hold in ku<.-h avenion libels,
Whoie sole oflence
Is mrrely stabbing iheir good name,—
Which is vith Boioef a son of fame; —
Tbcy kick at it like cocks call'd {tfime.
And p«ibaii9 dispense
Svdi blows about your biosdent buck,
(£uh one n iiraBf bed-beuer's thwack,)
As Icftvc you refy bnuMd uid black,
Aod somewliat tan ;
And ftfler tbey hare doiie this nell.
You stare at tbcm— tncapablc
Of wiikiiig tlicRi in hea« «3i or h — II,
Uut glad 'tis o'er !
Oh, Matt I d«Br Matt I what are you ai?
Art thou become a street-door Alatx,
On which nice tnen their boots so pat
Wipe clean nlico dirty ?
0» wliioh their Iriah ««mnt'» cane
Orv ahowers hard blows — a I>fating nin, —
Labonr of lov«, but Io»c in »aio,
It dcn-s not hurt *ee!
AiitJ, Mrhaps, you like 11 ? Ii propels
Your blood, tlial idles in its cell*,
And gins a current to tV- wells
Which All yonr veirui I
True i but the kick tliat stirt jour hloo<l
May send you sprawling in ihr> mini.
Or shoot you plump, from nliere jcu ^tood,
Through thrc« largi: )nnes :
On which out darts John Smith io liasl«.
Who has 00 notioD of your lasto.
And, ere you can •xplain, you *re placed
In durance vile I
* Croat's tfrtv, an Itomt's. ■ murb Ins rMprrtnMe animal.
tit
A DEAR FKTRND.
_ tihWt the j;emlem™ii po rtout,
I gave the kicik (liat caused Ihts roiil,
I goue his buiinew about.
And walk'd t Eslle !
Oat grows witb a^ leu scniitive.
1 kuovr some men— »ay, four or fiif»^
Who'rs lione-whipp'd Iwk'e a we«lc, and ihrivCf
Atu] iwag|rer tool
Tou cut and .ikuh, and cufTand ktck*
It) nin— ihHr liid« '% no ihre^soI«d thick.
You might as soon hurt wall of bnck 1
You iplil yoursboe.
But jar not ihcir philosophy,—'
A brulr iadifTrrence, wlitcb I
Might de|>Kiate, but will not try ;
Ueu iHati, do you ?
I 'm sure you odea do, and niidi :
And ytt you take (yaut sirength i« surii t)
A> much toutid li»Atin({ as your Uuli-h
Obdutau! creatn,
\Vhi]« nlow fiubdiiinii down to buiier,
'Km you can be enComrd to muttci
How you difltke it, or to utier
A cravea scrDsm !
In shoit, you are as great a slutton
In tliumps Ba Johnton inn in mutton.
What nJlous annoiir have you [vui on 1
A coat of mail f
No, maJt if vhal you periupt ihould wear,
i'Of 'til uiimalely thus lo bear
Bdoic kickin^i than can br your share.
If you ketp tailte.
A little kickiiiB's v«y w«Jl ;
But whea you mnt to " bear the bell."
And t&ke tnoie kicks Uiao you ean tell,
Tia limtr thai I,
Your tender, fervent, faithful f/iend,
Should counwl you lo put an ciul
To tliii ambiiivfi, and amend
ItUMlly!
PVKCB.
* But aaoM) mm liara Mxmdy •roaibilityeaiNwh to know wlian tb«y am k{dt«i ;
•ad oiber^du n.it unilnrstaud dwly what akldtJnit BHajtswheB tbeyaee It sAW-
«d. A Tery politi' FraBcbman, OT«f km, wiinMsJng. for lbs fifU \iam, •> an af-
fair of Unituur " itt thii wrt. <ra* ntiifhlily pttnlMl as lA iu tn>|k(irt. ** Vu is daa
you Aii|[li>ti play wtd," be a»krd il>i> nuthnr, •* vn« one gvntllbnnune tak« anoder
iio tcmtilhonune by de cidUr vi liii n?«t, snd be von'i let bbn -, and den de oo*
^ntilhinnaiie hit ile odor no KeatiUMMntnt? rery liani hehliwl rid bis fonu till be sav
* D— n ill' anil ron away ; and den do iceoulhomnie jxila iluwn liJi fooli. and call
a/ier de oder veniilhomine d«t ran away to Hop a bit nnd beta Harip more, rikI he
ma't }" " That is a kicking. Motiaioari" «'»■ ibe autbor't reply ; but Moiuicur,
my friend, did not uudemand it tban.
8 If
4r>«
POK'l'RAIT GALLERY— No. VI.
THE CANNONS' ADVENTUBtS IN BOULOGNE.
Whkn formerly vegetating M Wick Ilfcll, Mrs. Cannun and tlic
MisMTfi Cannon would have been agonUed to their fingers* eiida had
the old gt'ntlcmun or one of tlR'ir brothers fruffered from a mere
whitlow; yet. now their natural gtutrdinni) and protecturi^ were in
peri] of their lives; the lailif.') were — Da not rnm|M;l mc to relate
it — let it remafn in Eitencc. Tht- Misses Cunnoii arc spinsters, and
I inipht miir iheir )>rue|icct» in ihc tuatrimouiul hurizou ; yet, aa a
failtiful liisturiun, tlie truth must out. The ladies were firouped
before their lookinp-(flflS5oa, preparing to take a itroll upon the Part
witli u Frencii cavidier they had met with in the hotel, — a IMonnieur
de la Ulai^ue,— an amiable, interesting young raan, with long Unkf
black hair, sliurt curly niustachios, a. fascinHting imptriaic or chin-
luck, — in fact, a type of the middle a^es, although he waa but
a youth ; hi« net-k bored, to display the whitened* of hia skin,
ccintra«ling with his whiskers hke dott on a domino, was not
encumhertxl with a bolstering cravat or a stiff stock, but might
have ^ivcn a lesson of prudence to the young ladies, by displaying
that eminence in the throat of man commonly called Adam's aypte,
—no doubt from the very probable tradition that Eve's temptation
stuck in our first parent's gulkt. Rut whether Monjiieur Ic Cheva-
lier dc la BU(;uc did or did not di-iphiy his thyroid g:laud fur thia
moral purpi>se, ur to du the Apollu or the Antinuus, I do nut pre-
tend to affirm. He looked interesting — he iro* interesting — as inte-
resting US any novel in three volumes post octavo. His language
and Ills con ver tuition were also suited to his ap]H>ar.ince. He had
interested tliv ladies with u tale <if mittrrv, aiul e\cited both their
compufisiun and their generutiity iu the behalf of a sad child of woe,
for whose relief he was collecting all the miles he could. The tale
of sorrow was as follows: unfortunately it was a fiction \
A poor foreign woman, without friends or money, had impru-
dently taken puss^ige on a steamer nt JPover to visit France ; but,
bIuh ! she had not taken out a passport ! Atler having been tossed
about in all the hurrom uf itea-sickne»>« for six mortal hours, the ODly
clothes she had on her b.ick drenclie<l through, she arrived at Bou-
logne. Her passport was demanded, — she had nonet »he was loo
veracious to !av she had lo.>it what she never had possened. The
^uiiauiera and the }i(Ake were inflexible; tliey would not allow her
tn land. In vain she supplicated and entreated — they were callous
to her prayers, and she was obliged to remain on board, helpleaa
and penniless,— -terms justly and truly synonymous. Thus she had
uo other resuuree than tu return to England ; hut there, alas ! (Vesh
tribulatiotis awaited her. Her outlandish dress, her unintelligible
language, and her gip«y complexion gave her all the apiiearance of
a Bohemian wanderer. In vain khe endeavoured tu prove that site
had but recently left the shore* of Britain. The custom-officers
eworeshe was an alien, and, with the same merciless resolution to
ful6l their dutteti, prevented her frnm laiuliug. Thus had she been
kept for six week* rolling about Iwtween France aiid England,—
tusM^d like a shuttlecock from Dover to Boulogne, and Boulogne lo
Dover,— 4iot allowed to set foot on shores and dreaded and abhorre<l
ADVCMl/RES IN BOULOGNE.
io3
' on Imartl, as tlie Eujtcriitilious tailors swore that the wns nn evil
gi-ntus, mil* of.MotlHT <.'iiri.*y'B iiiip«, l)w cmiK- of foul wpnlher and
runlrary wiiitU, which even the hor»e-ah(if luulctl to their mast
could not avert. Without any oth«r nourishment Uuiii whai ocm-
sioiial charity afforded, she nl\pn was delighted to Ijcar tlie sailors
ta)kii>f{ of hi'uvin^ hrr overlmanl for it witch.
Sudi was the pitiful iil>je<:t fur whteh Alniiitieiir de la Blague wait
'iRiakinjit a clviritiible colk-ction, tmtil an order xliould arrive from
PiirLi to l)l>crAte the itiifortnnate victim of international laws. The
application was not unavailing ; the pur«eH of at) the Udie» weru
un»trung, and each of thorn placed a uapoleon in the handii of the
generous atlvocate of mfTering humanity !
This philosophic action was worthy of a reward. The ladies
congcnt«l to a promfnoHe. mr ie Port ; and Aln*. Cannon and Misn
Lucy Cannon, leaning on the arm uf tlieir new aci|iiaii]taiice. and
followed, now in double file, and now in " rank entire," hy the other
young ladiefl, the party iti stntely gait proceeded to tlie gteaC centre
of attraction.
No Jioraina, or psnoramu. or neorania, or any other rama, enn
[display as ^rval a variety of motley j;ro(ip» as the Port of Bou-
llogne, more especially when a cargo of fresh importation* arrives.
A chain of cuHtomhouse-oificers is formed to separate the new
comers from the old utagers, the pure from the impure, the pro-
llane from the elect. No quarantine laws in plague or cholera
'could fix a more posilivL- line of fleniamlioii «itd circle of action,
— to which all and every IiMinper blocked or rushed with as much
avidity as thou^'h the great Mo;!til, or Aome far-famed plcnipo-
lentinry, vts\« abiiut lantling. Scmie, recogniited old acipinintsuces,
welcome or unwelcome ; utherfi, sought for new ncquaiiitancrs ; mo-
thers pushed forward their daughters, in tlic hope of a catch at a
first^sight love ; younger ions of younger brothers pushed forward
to catch the eye of some lady, who^ splendid peliue or tippet,
whcue liveried folluwerit or half-dead page, Wspoke rank or for-
tune ; while general prnctitioners joined in the rush to ratch the
eye of %nme poor, sickly, yellow, infirm, half-dead traveller, in
search of foreign health and five-lVanc doctors, who were ready to
roar oot. •• Physic ! physic! physic! — who wants physic! — wn
wanta phoe-«ck ?" — in conjunction with the commutumHoiret who
were thrutttlng their unwelcome hotel cards in the trembling hands
of the painengers bellowing out, " 1 lotel dc I'Europe, — du Xord, —
^des Itains — tlAngleterre." — the last ejaculation sent grafiRg to the
^tars of many, since the iiamc dignified title had been conTcrred upon
the town jail.
And then »otne colonist, returned to his friends, would shake liands
with diKloeating cordiality, exclaiming, " How do ! — What news? —
any el<i|M-inent ? — any ima^h .^■— who 's cleaned out? — who 'a done
brown .''—how g<»^i on immortal tcarle f—n\\ right as a trivet t"
" Well, how does Lunnun look?" rrpUed tJie re<<tilent; " gay as
ever^" And then a reluctant sigh miglit have been heard.
" [<ondon ! — d— <1 stupid — all the world out of town ; hut a vaU
number Inquiring about you, I assure you — liaF lis! bit!"
" Elow are all my firiends?" anxiously asked tax ociilial of '
«]>ectrc with a green f<\Mv\v over his cye«.
" Your frlencls !" replied the utiu-r, in a sinister tone of vt»
*' Btiny of them, I asaure you, would be drligtited to <ce you agal
4M
PORTRAIT GALLRRY.
And th«i anothw kind friend sWppeil up tn a fat mallv English-
man, who was trutitllin(» alnnp » thin. BjKirp. elderly Udy. ni« worthy
apoiisiv jan nrrived in time tu visit their daii^htur at a boartlinfi;-
flchool, and with nome hesitation t«ld thinn, " I iim snxic
ixioiiu to prt-
pare you for an iinplraiiunC hit of news, my dear Mr. Sluffin."
"Wliiit's the matter? Is Molly sicli— got the ir.ea»le»!- «x-
clairaed papa.
'i*he niamnia wa« gilcnt. perhaps from (ome secret forebuding*.
" Xolhtny very particular," replied the kind firiend; " it \* only
fcporteil that she jumped out of tJie ichool window."
" And broke her leg ! Oh dear ! oh dear !"
" No, — but broke her Jali in the arm* of Alonslenr Ronfiait, the
melodramnttc actrir."
" How kind 1" exclaimed the naother. " The French are eo pet-
lite !"
"So Misi Molly thought," rejoined the kind friend; "for ihe
hfts remained in hii arms ever sinee."
" Oh, JVfrfl. Muffin '." ejaculated the old citizen, " I told you how
'twould bo! Hut I will have satisfaction! — I'll apply to our am-
bflfwadoT '. — Parlijiment shall take it up !"
And n:>w JVIrs. Muffin fell into hysterics in the arms of the rom-
missiimnaire of one nf the hotels, -ivhn hod thti<« iict*idenUilly secured
her. Hnon a busy crowd of all sortt waa collected round the discwi-
gulite foiiple, following thcui iis they proceeded up street, lament-
ing their misliaiia, to the great oniUGement uf the French amsteun
of Hritish scaniJa't.
" Knfancr lafam'dle des Mouffint ,'" cried one.
" Fameux!" exclaimed aitother.
" {"est potirtant Cadet ftotifiarl, eelm-fS tjvijme hs tifrana danx la
petjitnmitnfS qui a fait ce coup In," tittered a third.
The enngrcpiition were now dispersing, and Slonaeiir de U
Bla^e and the ladies continued tlicir «alk towards the whhIh. Wm
Liijeune France making luve ? Strange to eay, no — at least directly
— but he wttf liiunching his amorous skiff on the troubled ocean of
intrigue with a side-wind. The conversjition naturally fell upon
the danger that the gentlemen were then exposed to; 6ut the B«y
cavalier allayed the ladies' apprehensions by repreitentint; his dear
friend Le Comte dvs Oripeaux as a very yEgiilium of protection aiiJ
•afety.
" The count," he added, " ia one of my ileareat friend*, and I
may say that, without exception, he in the ftrari of French noliiUly.
Courted by men, sought after by women, he i« justly considered
the ttvjuflucfif, the whooping-cough of the ladies, and the terror nf
hia rivals. Already has he refuoed the band of the most di-iiin-
(Tuished beauties, — beauties who have driven all Pnri« to despair!
He has unfortuijatelr one fault — such, at least, it is conHdered by
Frenchmen, though I am far from agreeing with them. He fanriea
that hia countrywomen arc coquettes, — all made up like oar dishes ;
whereas he deUghta in your KngHsh ladies, which, like your cook-
ing, is all av nalurei ; — and be therefore haa sworn on his sword and
his crosi of honour, that an English girl alone can make him bappr*
Fortune he desipises, At the death of an uncle, the Marquis ae
Saiisterre, be will be a niiUioanaire ; but all the treasure that he c<n'rla
it a lovely Anglairr, with tranii|iarnit skiii, that allows the hue of
i
ADVENTIHIES IN BODLOGNB.
453
K tiniid blush to carnation her cheelt, whose blue cyeKtJnduM en
amandes, ' sptit like ui almond,' (he added, by way of translation*)
boptak their national timidity, cuiubined with rumantic love."
All Uiix wiut i-xprvsst^d in broken EnKliHh, which made the hatid-
■ome caviiUer still mure interestin^r, n» Indief are ever prompted by
their natural good nature to nisiiit tho!ie who ihkv ^nn difficulty in
their Iant;uage ; a. reeiprotal feeling which the trench most fully
appreciate- Oh ! how the hearts of nil the iadie* were beating and
pNlpitating I A doctor with a Ktetho)(C<ijK- would instantly have
discovered Cupid dancing and waltzing jii their boMHn*. But Slon-
aieur tie I* Blague's looks were fixed upon Lucy t^nnon's golden
ringlets and axnre eyes, which corresponde<) with his enthuhiantic
DOtkntii of English l>cauty, — though now and then he atolc back a
look for her mother, — who^e right arm he occasionally prcsMd
■gainst hia side, while Lucy's hand he ever and anon drew gcntlv
and cautiously upon what nnatomi!<t« call his rardinc region, i. r. Alt
heart, which, by dint of keeping in hi.i brenth and accelerating hit
renpiration, he *et going like the pendulum of a clock.
ThU delightful conversation was unfortunately interrupted by a
busy throng gathering like a snow-ball round one of Ikmlcvno's
newsmongerE, who, out of breath, ant] wipine thu dew-drops oJT his
brow, was communicating tu the anxJuus tliroiig sume iraportatit
intelligence. Mts. Cannon, whose presentiments seemed to anltci-
pate evil, trembled from head to foot. Lucy accom]}anied her, and
all the younti ladies exclaimed, "Dear, tr^U can the ftttittrr be !" a»
they hurried towards the crowd, when their ears, pricked up tn
ajiKJouit expectation, heard the following astounding sentences.
"Yes; the old gentleman dlMrovered the intrigue, and, like «
prime old cock, he called out the fellow,"
This the Indies thought alluded to Mr. Muffin ; but, alas I tbey
were soon undeoeive<l.
" The parties went out — they fired — the old gentleman fell mor-
tally wounded through the abdomen. Hui son, a brave lad, in-
stantly rushed forward and shot the Frenchman's head off. Th*
|M>ltcc and the gendarmes interfered ; the young gentleman's brother
and their servant fired upon them ; two gendarmes were killed, and
four wounded ; and the whole boil of them «re coming into town,
stretched upon doom and window-shutters."
In a moment the group dispersed. (Jentle reader, if you hav«
ever sctm truant urchins breaking up school, or a mob dispersed by
policemen's staves, or u hue-and-cry aAer u pickixK'ket, or a scam-
licring before a goaded bullock, or a race on the tulltng of a nuddi-n
shower, or a run from breaking ice on the frozen Ser]>entine. or a
devil- take-thc-htndmost to see a man hanged, or a hcller'Skelter to
bebokl the Sovereign openiiifi Parliament, or — or — what more can I
■ay ? — you may imagine the Brttifli population uf B^mlogne running
pell-mell to see the casiialtitt of an amorous intrigue brought in
upon a door, dead or dying.
M. de la Dlaguc hurrietl on the ladies, as promptly as their fal-
tering steps could take ttiem, to the sci-nc of dismay and uproar.
For, although until this moment the eloquence of their companion
had made them forget husband, father, and brother, the horrors of
their aituation was now exaggerate<l to a cenlifold degree at this
fou^l intelligence.
'156
PORTRAIT CALLER V.
Aliu ! I feel that ray mode of relating these events may have add*
«1 to the mischief ; fur, while I have been conducting my render in
the hasy port, ami dwelling on idle chiuchnt, I left my conibntAtiti
bleeding on the field, nerhiipB to death, or to a syncope I
We have aeen that \n the diselurge uf ('ornelius Caitnon and bis
antagonist's pistols, Air. Cuinm<Klii» Csiinuii ojid Cornelius rif-a-vu
hnd fallen. How was thlti? Cumtuuduti had received a gun-sbvl
wound in liia gtriftrus ma^imiit, a& the surgeoiu call it : uid M. de
I la Bii&tringue hud a few uf hiit citrtHjt bone^^pruhably p-'U't of some
' pietactirpfil une« — bluwn away. That 's no answer. How was this ?
I'll tell you. It may he recollected thjt the French saj>rttr, indif;>
nant at tne sristocratic bonst of Cornelius regarding his " Egg'»," hiid
proudly loaded hi« own rusty weapon, and chared it with the name
unpetiio»ty »« he verhiilly dimchar^ed hia -wrath; deeming that
Sawder, like words, cannot lie too abtindant in av<.'nging wrongs as
ire as thotie he h.id received. Now, under the influence of unruly
passion it U as difficult to restrain tlie current of language as that of
a powder-horn ; and, while the enraged Frenchman wa6 expending
his vocabulnry, he wait loading his pit^tol beyond all " proof" or
prudence- The con«iequence was that the Ivarrel parted company
with it« stock, hut with such reluctance that it Hew into various and
sundry l'ni):meniH and bpUnttTi,, w hich Hew into vurluue and feuudry
purliunii of iKe bodies of tiie contending powers.
Nuw all this luight have been coiuidered "fair play," — a jewel
which every country should appreciate. This was not the cue iq
the present instance- The Frenchman having roared out that he was
auasiinated, fortliwith rolled upon the grass, twisting and writlting
like nn eel! and the gendarmes, who had hurried to the spot, on
seeing tUeir countryman thus ill used, proceeded to apprehend Corne-
lius Catinuii, and might possibly have laid violent lundii on his father,
only the old gentleman was cutting as many cajvers on the j^round
as hi" r^>\'* antagoni*t. Satn Surly would incontinently have
bfought his blunderbusb into play to atrttle matter;), had he not been
also taken up oa a ftertttrhateur ti cotnpfke of a base murder. In
the midht of this horrible confusion, trie gendarmes, accustomed in
former wars to bear ufl* wounded, and w itkhing to return to Bonl<^;:ne
in a picturesque manner^ hud unhinged the doors of a neighbouring
cottage, despite the loud remonstranced of ill proprietors, who
were silenced by the authoritative words, " Pesptct atix I^is el a la
\ farce arm^e f" for, although they might not have cared a button for
tlie lir«t part of the injunction, they knew better than to dispute
the latter argument ; and the wounded Krcnchnian and Commodus
Cunnon being pru|)erly and conifurtably strt-tched upon the said
doors, borne by various volunteer;), were carrie<l into Uoulognc, ac-
companied by a numerous and variegated cortege, preceded by Cur-
iiey Cannon, duly led a prisoner, guarded by four gendarmes with
drawn Mwords.
t'oHuiiodus was thus carried to bis hotel. Corncy to prison, and
the wounded Frenchman to the hospital.
Scarcely had the old gentlrmmi been put to bed by his disconso-
late i'limily, whom the Couitedes()ri|ic-au.\ and the I'hevalivr de la
i Blague etuleavoured to console by all uuseible means, when the
•eOHimiiaaire de poUcf, attended by the ffrrffier, and on nffkicr tie aoMlf,
arrived lu draw uut ti j^ioci* terixi/. \Vhtn the.kdies beheld ihJl
ADVENTURES IN BOULOGNE.
457
public functionary, with his white null and vnormous ccKked hat,
'eBcorted by four »crje»nM, they fancied thai he was at least the pub-
llic execLitinncr.
The oRictal commenced opcrationa by informing old Cannon, that
rwhen stran^crR thought propiT to vi«it foreign cMuntriew they be-
1 came subject to the laws of the land ; and he added, thnt metsieurt
[Its Anghtis were a moat lawless RPt of people. lie then drew out
twritinj} materials, mid ordered tlie surgeon to report professionnlly
\fn\ tlic nutute of Le Sif^ir fltf Cannons wound, and the itffider »4f
[jarajlc procee<]ed fonhwilh to probe the same, malgri the atrociouft
rin^ of the pnticnt, the lametitationn of the Indies, the curses of
lis tiona, and the expustuUtiuus of their Freucli friendx.
After half an hour's ])uking it was decided that /^ Sieur dct Can^
\norui had received a gun-shot wound by rictxhct, that had Uccrated
[the integuiiieni«. unci injured the ght<ttu muximus, witliin three
J fingers ul" its tendinous and aponeurotic inncrtion in Uic o* Kicnim,
faniT the ({fficier de Mute was further of opinion tiiat the &.iid wound
liad been iutlicied by some firc-iirra, to the which tiie aforesaid Sieur
des Cannons had In all prob^bditv- turned his back iiutead of his
1 liront ; a», in the latter case, by the direction of the nroieetile, instead
Xpi wounding the (jluttrtit tiMJ-itaus, it would in all hkelihoud have
njured tJie Sieur des Cannons' y^wAw.
Tills wise conclusion hnving been delivered stcundum artem, the
tiConiiiiisiuiire dictated hiv/^rrxrjtr^rAn/ nearly in the following terms: —
" Attrwlu qut ie Strnr Camtiunle fin Cunntw-g, ^nUiJtoniiHe, iiatifdc
AindrtB, AitglehrTfjUeiMtrtrmeHt de Vcsutiiiffrr, t\itl most grievously and
PWanlonly insult and outrage Le Mieur de fa lia^inttyue, dit Lti TuHf/fie,
liiitaire, by pulHng his beard, and endeavouring to deffrotle hitii by
heoie defait in every possible manner ; that, instead of giving the Mtid
\tnititaire the satifuctJon of a brare, he had deputed hia son to meet
lim, with a destructive weapon of foreign manufacture, bearing the
foutwaid appearance of a piittol, but being in reality a fire-nrm of a
IDust diabolical nature, loaded with innumerable balls, bullets, slogs,
And pellets, whereby the said Sieur de la Bastringue had bad nis
cartMjf and Mtlaatrpal bones singly and severally shattered, battered,
and blown off; thereby incapacitating him for evermore from serving
tile state in the capacity of a soldier, or earning a livelihood by the
Kerciae of his former profeflsinn of cirfi'ife fn chrreux. And, atlt^ndu
ipie the suid Le naittringue having received this dp*|)erate injury at
the very moment he wan pulling the trigger of his pistol, the weapon
being struck, took a wronc direction, and the ball muot have hit a
ane, or a tree, or some other bard and resisling Btibstanre, whence
had been rertecunl by rintc/iet, to the injury of the said Irf; Sieur
^omnHMle du Cannon's gluteus mujimux, within two fingers of ita
tendinous inncrtion in the os urtrnim ; but. vu, that the Hud Sieur
Cannon, and his son, Coniey Cannon, pleaded ignorance of tbe five
cotles, it was reromiuended that this alTair might be Mittled witliuut
reference to the Inbuiiul de jx^irt correctionnfUe ; for the which it was
necessary, yrimo d'a/f</r*i, that l/cs Sieurs Cannon, yxre ei fit*, shouUl
procure a substitute fur the said Sieur de la Baslringue. Swundo
eHtvile, that uftcHtion alimentuire ahould be settled upon him durine
bis natural life, but transmissible to his heirs natural or unnatuiw.
Tertio iiftrvi, that all the expenses incurred by the •iirgical trratincnt
of the wounds received by the said f>icur de Biutringue, should be
458
TUB PORTRAIT GALLEBV.
defray^tl by M«t«]cur8 Cannon, pert et^. And, qvarta enjin, thit
all costs "f proceedings shuU be aImo borne by them."
In vxin wa!ii[repre!i«nted that LeSieiir de Bn^tringue had blown
otrhiHOwn fingers, — that old Cannon had been wounded by a splinter
of hU pJBtol— that the piatol of Cannon _/fi* was a lawful and pro|«T
■weapon. The eommissaire replied, that if the matter went before
the tribunauT, the parties would in all 1ike1ihof>d be sentenced to the
" Trftvaux forces a perpctfiit6," or hard labour for life; as, in nddi-
lion to the said offtnccs, the said Sicur Cannon /wre had been guilty
of an attentat eonirt Its bonnes nHmm, by appearing in the yard of hts
hotel in a cnstume inde^tnl. Vu ijh'U ^latt en ehemite, et attatdu qu€,
the hotel gate having been thrown open, the etmr became a vae
pfibliqnc ; and he further added that he would forego further pro-
ceedings, taking into consideration the circuni,<itance of llic oSenuiog
parties being foreigners, whom it was tlie wish of the French go-
vernroentto treat with the utmost ho^Tiitality and favour, bearing in
view at the same time the interestij and protection of a Pren^ citixen.
Slcpsicuri dcs Onpeaux and Da la Blague ventured to expostu-
late ; but the commiiiiKairc, with a most significimt wink, told them
that it would be mure wise in them to mind their own alfaire.
However, they took the ofticial aside, and soon after returned, in-
forming i!dr. Cannon that for five hundred franc* the whole matter
might l>e arrangi'd ; and this amic-ihSe atljustmcnt, which tliey
strongly recommended, terminated this mighty affair. In the evening
Corneliiit ioini'd the family at a merry »upi«T, during which their
new French ncqiiaintances were actually (in the eyes of the Lmdirs At
least) coruscations of wit
It has been observed that misfortunes and adventures are like
showers, and that it never rains but it i>ourii ; such lecmed to be the
destinies of our peregrinators. Moreover, it haa been remarked bjr
learned philosophers that climate has a singular influence on thie
moral and the physical characteristics of men and nations; and
that, under various circumstances, longitude will prompt people to
assume a greater latitude in their behaviour. The ingenious Mon-
tesqnieu, in his disquisitions on this head, haa unfortuiuuety fallen
somewhat short in his lUusirationH to prove that we are the crea-
tures of cliinme. Had he lived ut Boulogne-aur-AIer, in the pre-
sent ngc, be might hnve witnessed various proofs of the correctnese
of his doctrine. For its atmosphere, like that of Paplios, most un-
questionably IK favournble to amorous emotions ; nay, capable of
inspiring the most frigid and rigid nncboritc witli melting feelings.
Some physiologixtn have endeavoured to attribute these circum-
atarces to the keeime-ti of the air, to the use of finh, which occa-
sion» weak si^rht ;tnd impaired di^jt-xtion, and consequent optical
delusions, in which the patient nometimes takes another man's wile
for his own. Ilowbeit, this investigation is foreign to the busincM
of this veracious history.
Sam Surly was a man, who, when in his native country, waa a
perfect strjinger to the tender passion. If ever this morbid state
of vision visited him, it was in regard to horses, but never when
in presence of the fairaei ; although for various motives, which we
have nu business to inquire into, he did oecnsionally pay much at-
tention to Sukey Simper; whom, an the reader may recollect, be
hid kindly wrapped up in n blanket, aud carried off in safety, when
the alarm of fire di<turiK*d the hotel.
4
I
4
ADVBNTURBS IN DOULOONE.
459
I
I
I
low far this freltng m-s» or was not loundml on love, platonic
friemlAhip, or wliM is c&lird fupho«r<) affrrtion, i« Agun a matter
forfifin to the purptwiv. However, for the fir«t time perhaps in
hix life, he now felt an inclination to perpetrate nii inlitlelity.
There lo();fe<l in the nanie hotel a sickly Utiy, with lier hnxhand,
■who were attended hy a buxnm laas from Normandy, whnne silrer-
tissue grenadier cap greatly enhanced natural beautiea that had smit*
ten our YorkHhireman. Marian was truly a handsome wenrh. By
no metns of a romantic disposition, she had a joke and a slap for
every merry inniAte of the house ; and as possibly she fancictl there
might be siome variety with forei^ers, she by no means discoun-
tenanced the pantomimic advances of >Ham ; who, as far no gestures.
and a few Woken words of French went, endeavoured, chough
9oniewhat rudclv, to express his growing aflcciion. This amour
afforded no ismall -thare of amuH^mcnt to Marian and the French
servants, although it might have been le^s entertaining to Sukcy Sira-
per, hnd she not, perhaps in a moment of pettiith jealousy, encou-
raged the addresses of a green-coated nnd green- feathered German
c&axxeur.
Wise folks carry on love in n discreet manner, bat wise folks
contrive to make each other well understood. This was not an easy
matter with Sam and Al;irian ; and it wan in con«e<|«ence nf a sad
raiaund era tending that the whole hotel was once more thrown Into a
horrible upronr, more terrific, if possible, than the iailjrams of the
beard.
51. de U Blnguc was assisting the fond v\ew» of M. des Ori-
peaux ; and the comte rendering him a recipwK-al service with the
Indies by detailing wondrous feats of counige that would have done
honour to Amadi«i, Kolanit, and Trislani, in days of ehivalric glo-
rtet, eat-h pretending to be " quite baahfu) ** at hearing his immortal
exploits detailed ; and their warlike stories were of course followed
by troubiidour romances, in which the minstrels fondly dwelt
on the tender rhymca of r»V, nmic, amours, tor/Jottrit^ nfisemf,
fxijteitce, supplier iind delicc, when the party were init-rrupted by
the moat polyglot row that could ever have broken outamongsit the
hod-bearers of Bahcl's lower ; the vocal sounds Iwinc accompanied
by the loud time-keeping of desperate blows, inflicted by some
strange^snunding weapon of offence or deOnct. The porty stjirted
up with terror, when Sam Surly rushed in, roAring murder, and
purciied by n spectre en chemue, with a red night-cap on liis head.
wielding a warming-pan, wiili which he unmercifully battered .Sam'a
head, while he fervently roared out, " Pommv cnile — pmiimrctUtt"
AHglici — roast apples — roast apples !
A host of servants and travellers were following the comlratdnta ;
it cannot l>e supposed that a Vorkkhirenian would tamely sulmiit
to such a treatment ; ami to e»ch blow of the brass we.ipon, RAtn
returned a trallup of a pewter vessel, which he whirled and twirled
about with singular agility and effect ; since, if blood was rtreatn-
ing from his skuU, his antagonist's nose and mouth were ponring
forth a congenial and sympathetic purple stream, interrupting the
wards " Vamiaf culte — pomme cuUc !" With much difficulty the
lrellig(>rents were separated. The Frenchman being naturally taken
for a maniiR-, as no one prcwnt could ancociate the idea of bitking
appltfl with breaking a nuui's head with a warming>pu».
A appltfl 1
460
THE PORTRAIT GALL&RT.
Yet wc should iif VLT be- priTipitalt- in forming cnnduMoiH :
tlieru may be tcueuns in ruuNliiif;; uppk-t' as well aii in rousting p^^ ;
and i'urllier expiniiiiliyii* unU'red liilo by \he parlies, afliirdpd proofs
of tlie canity ol him i>f the warii)in);-]ian. The I'ict was aa follofrfi.
The dcene of Sjim'ii amorous declaration to the maid Mariati wu
the kitchen, when surrounded bv the uhurI k''*"'P 'hat coitgrvgaln
around tin* Mivoury lienrth, revolving in tlieir minds future gairtra-
timiiic enjoynienU an the hfiivy-Uden ^ptt turned roond, and lickin,
their lips a* thp cook or the #ctiUion btiHteit the wid browning ji>iDV
(lippinj; his hidlc in the leche-fritc, or dripping-pan, Sum's conver-
sation and iMarinn'fl merriment became the Miui-ce of much hilarity,
occasioned by his con'«tant mi&uppliCAtion of the moKCuline and femi-
nine nrticlcit, htuI various othtT misCakc!). Sam on those occaaions
would look volume.^ nC wrath,— an encychmcdia of indignation, and
most probably wouhl have used more sinking ar/itimenta, but for
tUcguud humour of his rustic belle. At last an opportune moment
ujfered : he met Marian uloni* on the Ktair«. He gave her a »itver
thimble ; — she accepted it. lie gave litr a kiss; ahe could not de-
cently return it, although the f^iftmighi have been uunclcome. At
Ijwt he asked for a remlezvous, where uninterrupted he might
declare his passion. He told her he loved herjitrt btuHaiup, aud went
»u far an to propose a »upper in her room when all werea»leep. which
he ex]ire»<Hd by iayiiifj his \wai\ on the palm of his hand, and
•noring an loiiilly as an upoplectic- Then with a deep sigh he »aid,
*' Vuii>, — inofilrt Z'luni, rhtimbrt ;" then again he snoreij, and then be
endeavoured to ank her what »he \iou)d like for supper, «hen A[a-
rian told him that ponimrs ciiitci wptp her delight. This intelh-
gence rejoiced S,iiii. In tlif. t\rnt place he also liked them, and in
the second place he could not have hit upon a treat more ectnto*
inical. This matter settled, he once more begged to know her cham-
ber, which Marian, in tits of laughter, pointed out.
Sam, as night approached, waa prepjiring for thii momentau« in-
terview. He drank more wine thnn usiinl, aided it* effects with a
few glasses of brandy, purchased the (ineiit apples he could procure,
ruhlieil them, and polished them with his coat-Meeve again and
again, fumlly CDmpnnng the blushing iVuit to Marian's rosy cheek ;
and tlieii he pricked them with a skewer, opprehcnKivc tlwt a steel
fork might spoil their llavour ; and tlten he put them before tlie fire,
a tittle corner of which he cUimed in so determined a luanuur. that
no one seemed disposed to dispute its posses^ioii. And a!^ the apples
cracked, and friezled, and spat their foamy juices, and he turned
them Httd returned them, blowing off the ashes, white his heart
was glowing willi »s keen a lire, he anxiou«ly waited for the hour
of twelve, tlie appointed moment, when, as he had antict{>ated,
the kitchen inmates dropped off one by one, leaving him in the sol*
enjoyment of fireside and apples.
And now the apples were done, pOBSiWy « little too brown, and,
with a heart beating with anxious expectation, he took in haiid th«
apple-roaater, and proceeded to the rrttdfifottji.
But who could nave thought that so simple a girl a* Marian.-Hi
Norman peasant, — could have been as deeply verted in the science
or the art nf roybtification as any Parisian or London coquette ! lliat
she coidd have returned the impassioned rxpre5.sions of a plain
honest Yorkfrhireman, which, however deficient thry might have
4
4
4
^URES IX
461'
I
I
I
k
heen in gruDBUr, w*rtr pcrfeclly intelligiblp in spirit, — by the
bn»r«t, the vilett tmcti«rj-, *ni\, hI\vt entatitcling him in hrr wiles,
seek Ut entrap him in a mt»l fc-hrM toil • It can ticuro^ly ''^ cre-
(tiled — but siirh wa» t)ie fart — thiil inHtend of her nwn ohanilwr, *he
haj dirt-ctcd the nnliicky Sam to the ronm in which her sick mi«-
tress and her irascible master slept. Sam well remembered the si-
tuation and number. The accident of the heard had warned him.
Alnrian toht him the door would be on the latch.
Sam Surly ascended with stealthy steps, his shoes off, on tip-toe,
holding hiH brenth, for fear of a discovery ; hin pinitig-hot apples in
band. He urrivcd at tJic door: with a gentle motion it opened — nil
was silent. A niKht-lainu whh emitting a feeble light, by which he
perceived a curtained bed, the drapery half drawn aside. With a
fluttering heart he approached the couch — be heard a gentle muaii.
"Is it pocsible," thought he, " that at a moment like this she can
sleep !" lie beheld her fii«t on her pillow : — he would have awak-
ened her with a ki»», but he thought the announcement of supper
would be quite as efTectuol, and he whi>ipered in her ear, in tone* an
amorous as a man accustomed to converse with hordes and kitchen-
m«ids Could maitter,
" P€>ni tptil, pom f/U't, pom tpiU .'"
The voice must have been ascending in the scale, for the lart pom
quit awoke the ulecpiiig laily, who gave a toml shriek, which was
followed by the imprecation of a stentorian voice, " Au voieurf an
voteur f"
The terrified lover inntinctivcly thrust the baked applea in tlie fiici*
of the affriglited lady, wliase husband, who had been lying by her
side, now jiimi>ed out of bed, and seized the first instrument oH re-
venge he could liiid, a warming-pan, while Sam, foreseeing danger,
grasped a pewter vessel which he rtiimbled over, and commeuced his
retreat, closely pursued by the indignant Frenchman.
Lnughfiblc as the adventure wsa, nothing could appease the furious
husltand ; he foamed and d,inced almut the room, exclaiming that a
tc^lerat, a vile ravitteur, bod hrokeii through the iduml>er<i of his
b^Oime, al\er taking a /M>/if7H rotmaitte and auodirtr ; that to oBer
roasted apples to a woman of her fomIiIwh was to take her for aj'cmme
t/r mauvauc i;iV,
In vain his countrymen represented to him that it was a mistake,
retjuested him to return to his lohoHur, an he was nm in a mije (/A
emle, being en chtmixe, and tAat, moreover, of short dimensions, and
torn to ribands in the fray. Scarcely could four pertums restrain
him from milking what he allied a heattombe and a caUtnmtbc of Sam,
who, squaring himself for a regular set-to. woa exclaiming, " If
yuu 've the pluck of a man about you, you blooily-minded foreigner,
come on. Come on, you d — d parlcy-voo, — come on, and 1 '11 sarre
you out !"
But what irritateil tlie poor fellow more than the blows he had re-
ceived wait the *i(rlit of Marian at tliedoor, her arms a-kimbo, and in
fits of loud laughter, in which every one joined, with tlw exception
of the parties immefliatcly concerned, while the sick luly iip-stairs
bad rushed to the window, alnnning the whole town with tihrieka
and yells after inos mari — meat ptiit — utom pam^rc hammf—an rolatr I
rf r OS tn 3 UH.
ilar fmnrrf hommr nt last was persuaded to witlidraw, Sam bim*
THE rOftntAIT GALLBflT.
nAtnc tbe Uud of hi» bushy bewl, vuuld not help
■S the aSvcnturr, klthoqgb he was ofU-a irriuted at tlir
rf Pamame Cmir, wliidi erer after rtock to hira.
^B t*^ *!■«** fMor Air. CimwiwIm Csuiiuo, wbo, as Solotntm
e«MiT Mid, «mt Dot able to " UKey9Mr-wn% for a week," v^u lurniiii:
^ti mmdimg m fak bed, while hU busy tbougbtt were in a «iniilau-
fesiai^aBad. He mold now and tibaifi|^ heavily, am) think at
Vkk Ha and oompaf* tbr opprcHivc bwt of Kn^'lnml with thoM
^ Ac bad of fivedea whidi be dow had ristted, while daily, nay.
Wairiv ifc ■laiiili upon his pur»e, wfaidi nccenitated constant draltj
^M n bsikrr, tnovimwa him that a PreBch hotel is as expensive
i» a ttaaly as any English establUfament of the kind, without nny
^it» ociiiifi>rta}iIe enjoymenta. In Shro[Mliirc he had been EOme-
tlai^, ahhoogh lately eclipsed by a brighter and more attractive
ttm- What «u he in Fntnce ? Less than nothing, in a land where
i^tMngnfM alone is sought after, lie would wilUnglT have re>
ttwed nb steps, but, like many other pereoni wbo ilo tooUth things,
ka was ashamed to avow hiii folly.
Sadk were not the fediiijcs of the ladie*. They were encliantcd
with their new ucquaJHtaiices. wlio gave tlictu Icicons iik French,
romaace, singing, aud guitar, and t-carii playing. It may be easily
■nnitcd that our two eAemiifn had alri-ady selected two of the
jroaiig ladies, under the impre^Biou (|)iTha(j<i) of tiieir being entitled
la a bandaome fortune. The Couite dea Uripeaux not only trusted
IB Ms gcKKl luck, but toued up vilh his companion for the first at-
tempt to M>curi> the (rirl'n aflvctions. Tho die was in his favour, and
he act to work the following momitig.
He propoHcil to lake a ride with Alolly Cannon, to which sheasseut-
ed, w bile Lucy accepted, a aimlliir ofler from M- dv U Blague. They
were to procure home:*. A dealer of tlieir acqv:aintaJii:e was upplied
to, and a conNultation waa held, wlicn it ur« deciiletl tliMt Mit»
Molly fhould be accommodatt^ with u stumbling animal, which,
although he might keep his lej^ at a Kallu)>, was kure to come down
at a trot. The following niurning tlie |Hirty set out. Whether it
was that Molly Cannon rnde tolerably well, or held her miserable
jade tight in liand, the hea£t tpmitd not come down. But Dcs Oripeaux
perceived that. accuHtorocd to welLtrained horses, it was necessary
to try her iikill on a kicking Uosinante; and therefore, under nre-
trnce of tightening a. girth and settling n crupper, he did soroenow
or other contrive to put the animal under the absolute iicce&sity of
kicking ad libitum. The strata^^em liad the dejurt'd cffL-ct ; tlte galled
ttea&t begtin wincing and sntHting, and iinatly plnyed so many
pranks, that a rough-rider would have found it dinicult to keep bis
teat. Molly roared, the horEC snorted, and at last set off at the top
of bis speed, until horse and rider rolled in a ditch. The Count,
galloped .-ifter them ; and having Eucceedcd in seizing Molly Can-
non's reins, tumblrd oiT hiu own horse after her, accidentalltj bitting
his howl »gain»t a stoue, and covering his tcrrifie<l companion with
hit generous blood *» he rolled over her, while AI. De lu Blague
«U »Bai»ling them off the ground, exclaiming, " Oh, AltnUmtMKlk
it vM* ff ■^""''^ '" "''•" -And ko thought Molly Cannon, and M
thought Lucy Cannon, who, perceiving that her siHter had only bmn
sbn^^b' bruised, wished in her henrt that her horse had played hcq*
ihe snmc trick.
I
NUTMnOS F0& NIC1ITINGAI.B8.
46S
Mids Molly '« horse was jjone, the Lord knows wberr. To tp-
tum on foot wrb out of the question. A cottage was nigh. McJIy
was faintiiiff with fear. Lt- Comt<*, supporting Iter in Ilia mrmn, called
HpeaMot, who wn«/o/>^tonin to town as fnstns he coiildfnracnrrix^e,
wnile a wink and a five-fnmk piece, which, strictly xpeakini;, wun
part of the charitilile donation to the shuttlecock alien, intimated
to the bumpkin that he wait to move as slowly aa poMihle. KIim
Molly recovered from her fright, beheld the blood flowing frotn the
generous Krenchmnn, andj with becoming Kentimentit of ^ympathT.
could not help »inking on his tx>«om. when he swore that he should
luve been proud to have shed the last drop f>f his vital Btreani to
rescue her irom danger.
M, I>e la Blague, who deemed it neccasary to look for the run-
away hofbe, endeavoured tu iiersunde Lucy to accompany hira in
Chestiarch; but she, from various motives, that 1 shall not presume
to question, remained with her sitter.
NUTMEGS FOn NIGUTIXGALES I
BY DICK DtancH.
No. I.— SUERIDAN KNOWLtS.
Fiu,, flit up a bumper 1 no twilig^tl, no, no I
J^t IiNits, now or never, und pobl«u o'erllow I
Apulia cuiuinumls llial me driuk, atid ihe NiiKf
A gciiciuu* ii|»nt io gvncruui win«.
TliK loiK uRitrlh iu swtct Call it wliai name you will ;
1 he ri^ht lioiifHl h«it i» an honeit heart atilt ;
Can wc find a tnicr lo garnish our l>owlg
Tbun SlieriJui, !SheTr]r, or prime Fdildjr Kiiowle* }
The ban], in a bumper ! beWd, lo ihe brim
They riM, the yay ipirila of poesy — wliim '.
Around av'ry {[lius titt-y a i^iitUnd eatwine,
Urspriga from the laurel, und travcs from the vine.
A bunper ! dw hard who, in eloquence bold,
Uf two noble fothers the story has told ;
Whit pangs heave the bosom, what tews dim die eyes,
\^'beD the dBg(;er u sped, and ibo arrow it flies.
The baid, in u bumper ! Is fancy bis dteme f
Tis «porli*c ami light as a fiury-Und drenm;
l>oes love tune his liarp ? 'tis devoitd and pure ;
Or fricndahip ? 'lis that which shall always eDdure.
Ye tmnpleis on libeiiy, tremble ai him ;
His MDj; IS your kiicil, aiMl the slavv'i moniing hymn I
His froliclcivmc humour b buxom and bland.
And briijbt a* tlie goblet 1 Hold iii my ItSiid.
Tbe bard t bcira your ([laises ; a bumper ! a cheer t
LoO(t may be lire in i^od fellovrsliip hen.
Shame lo tJ)e«. Britain, if ever be roam.
To si^ wilh the uranger a (nend and a Itone I
ICVTMECS FOE NICBTrSOALEf.
Gnw be h>» wiMv, wofc «w <■ htt farov ;
Cwea « the «MBlk thtf cadRlM ii aew 1
Arf tnrt fan $Md bcBkb M W taili Jwm the htD ;
b fowa hi *t Idt ID b^iad U^ by CoI» 1
B« W ««•> iMwe Whad him Mitfaar PU Knowk* !
Wo. n^HOURS TIIERE AEE TO MEMTIY DEARER.
floan th«re an Co i»eB*rf dearer
Ibnihc BUK('*haHdid pctf:
Hoc* &cetio«tH qunicr, qoeenr,
'nam Grtnldi-aoe hMMdft
Nodiiof now an croA ar wroa^ go,
Bbn'd «hh such & far'no^ gtie ;
Tbott an pMg'd id cup* of conco,
I ia dnaghu of Barieo lie I
AttheGooMsadTbtoiblt.Gntawich, Flceung vatoiu ^ drauns dstnsm I
Chormnc Lrdn ! boey d«db ; Wha I thoaght my Lrdu won ;
Wbeo««dra*donluDh9iMl«>imgt, "Offow covrtiBC wtut «thc Qse. if
LitfniBgleAoaeeKaugbells* I (she whispered) wed but oae *
Twti I iboaglM ««r wwd BMbor'd Tibbs Timocbets. top of X'efe-Strc«i,
tn lore's baiteut afe and aound ; He, bold jotHh, hu bowl'd you oul.'
Tboa, the tacnp ; [. the tankard ; AD my tnp» are now in (juensStrwi,
SoUy aigfaing, passing round '. All my sputts ap tb« *po«u
No. Ul.— THAT ROMAN NOSE.
Thzt Roman noae ! that Roman dom ' I walk die streets, ti>a allejra, rows;
Hai robb'd my boaom of reptue ; 1 look at all the Jemi and Joe* ;
For when in sleep my erelKU doKi, And old u>d imtng, and (rintds mid torn, <
II haunts me still, that lloman umc ! Dot cannot find a Roman hOH !
Rclwera two ty«9 as black as sloes
'Hie bright and Bamii^ ruby glows;
Thai IComan nose I that Roman nose!
And beats tbe biush of damask roae.
Ttwn blevwd he titc day 1 choae
That ouaH beauty of my beati's;
And when at IasI to heafen I poet,
I hope ID spy hb Roman agse!
No. IV.— TELL ME, GENTLE LAURA, WHY.
Tell me, gentle Laura, why.
When a drop i» in my eye,
1 could laii^i, and I could cry,
I don't know how, I can't tell why?
When my blood flow* hottvr, quicker.
Is it love f or is ii liquor f
To decide the pi>iut I 'm lolh :
One ot t' other 'tis, or both I
Whan my pecpen wink like winkin',
After tnymj loU of Jrtnli in.
tiorrly I^nra, nymph dif ine '.
Is it Mgu'b mug, or thine!
When my muizy brains becin
Like n humming-tof) to spin,
And I carry too mudi sail.
Are i/mt liummiitg, or (he al« T
Now I know what mnkc4 me queAr*
Vou are spruce, and so 's the beer;
You are fair; lh« stout is brown ;
Thai is upt and / am down !
IG5
I
rONSIDKRED AS ONE OF THE
FINE ARTS.
CoMiNJHiTiON (in Literature) U a metaphor prnbnMr Iwrrowed'
from the printing-office, and, (as the etynmlogy of the word implies)
corijiat!! in the " cnmposin!!," or arranging of certiin inteilec-
ttiAl materials, (Imvetl eilher from the mimU of other men, or
fVnm n nian'n own — either ahxtnicteil by the memory, or separatetl
by the scisnorK. Buokcr»i*t, therefore, iii to n certain extent to be
ennsidered an one of the manual arts ; and the productive InditRtry
of the country during the last half century, in tJiu article of boahii,
has probably no parallel, except in the article of cotton goods. An
extmordinary iiujietus has recently been given to the book manu-
facture, l>y the larK<^ consumption of that class of goods denomi-
nated " Penny Publicationti," which are got up with little labour,
made of old and coarse materialti, and have a rapid and estendva.
Mie, producing a quick return of the nnall capital employed.
The object of the following pAgeA i.t to render bnok-iniiking ea:
to the meanent capacity ; to lay down Mich rules and prim-iples
the art, as will increase the productive industry of a numerous, and
somewhat despised class of men — a class that (with the exception
of the hnnd'lanin weavers) mav be tonitidered as the most indu^
Iriouji niul ill-pniil of (he worknig claswK — 1 mean the journeymen
book-maker*; and I tru!<t that the prment CAsiiy will be thuu;;ht
worthy of being reprinted and nrculate<l by the •• Society for the
DifTiision ofL'sel'iil Knowledge,"
In the practical consideration of our subject, our attention will be
first directed to the miirket : for it will be necessary first to ascertain
the eommotlity required, and then the best and cheapest mode of
producing it. |
Now, the home-consamption of modern books ta principally cotk^
fined to the lighter kinds of goods, and, for some years, the run baa
been chiefly u|>on pamphlets, travels, novels, and above oU, minia-
ture books of science.
The composition of a pamphlet is one of the most simple processes
in the art of iKMik-making. I have known an adiuirable [lainphlvt
on " Capital Punixhtoentt " " nta<lc" at^er supper out of a tile of
" Aforning IJcratds," with no other assistance tlian a few e^jtletives
and a pair of scissors ! The recent publication of a valuable work
railed the *- Statistical Journal," baa greatly facilitated the " composi-
tion ■* of |>amphlets by fiiminhlnp, with tolerable correetnesi, ihoM im-
posing rows of figures which form Ml indispcnsafileapartof thestock*
tn-lrade of a pamphleteer. The immense number of Parliamentary
Reports on various subjects now accessible to the public, furnish
also a rich vein uf maUTials for tliix kind of \^ritiug. There is i
class of writers that feed almost entirely on this kind of literary
ofTal. Some of these {>eutle[iien like their game " /I'gft," and luny be
seen cpccasiorially In the manuscript-ruom in the 13ritish Musenin, with
their white head* hanging over the «tate parchniciits, like tooth* oi
damn garment ! At sunset, these indusLriouo creatures (like btim<
ward-bound bees,) return, lailen with the sweets of centuries,
their garreu, to toil through the night at tlic work of reproductic
rou lit. 12 K
WG
CONSIDERED
" Wliilitl o'er tlieir hookt i)ieir eym bvgiit to roll,
Id plca»iii^ mt^niory of all lh« ilcde,
Hovr berc they imped — how tni-n \Ucy plunilvrcd ftiug.
And tacked all cj'er, like an induMnotu Itu^; !"
Yniir •' pttii Littralevr" ift indwci, essentially, n benst of prey — he
i», tnoreover. a ^(ws feeder, and deridedly omniverouii.
A f^vc mctH])hyncian of this cla&A will occaaionally plunder a
thought from Byron'« " Cain," and a hunfjTy dmall-bew poet will
somelimca snatch a mouthful fVom the " Philosopher of Mnltnes-
bury." I hove known u whig-doctor quiirtly appVopriale a lewlioj;
nrticlp from the ■* Stnndanl," and n tory parMni lay violent hjmdg
upon a whole rhnpter of Jeremy Ilentliam. It if a^toiuHhiiig how
literary materiuU chiitige and improve under the band& uf a skilful
workman. The rude old hiack-lc-tter hallad is jwlistied into an
elegant modern lyric, and the stern religious tracts of the grim old
puritanic, are sul^ened down to the sweet and unctuous manuals of
their modern reprffcntatives.
I now come tu tlie bvok of irapch, which may appear, nt UnK
sight, to be out of the reach of tJic journeymim book-maker ; but
let it be remembered that the luoitt beautiful defecriptioiiii of Italian
scenery (those of ilrs, Hdtclitlc) were coiDuosed by a writer who
was never in Italy. How great a latitude of (iescri}ttion may be in-
dulged in by a writer, who discourses of tlie sources of the Nile and
Niger, and the manners and customs of Copt» and .^^thiopijma I
Who shall gainsay him if he describe an island in the South 8ea>,
ihe male inhabitants of which lie <i-b«-d and drink cawdic at tlie
" accouchement" of their wives, and who iii tun«« of dearth piciU
their grandfathers to presertt theinsvlves?
As to home tourii, (a» they may be callwl) — ^Trips to Paris, Ram-
bles in Spnin, t^xcursionw in Itjily, or Wanderings in Switzerland.
these may be " thrown off" in a fortnight «-piece, (by any one con-
reraant with the most jiopular modcU) with the help of a guide-
book R]id a French vocabulary.
It is not my tnti>ntion to nay much on the composition of " tJi»
novel.' The moilcls of this kind nf writing »re an numerous, and
yet »o uniform, «mi the nuiterials out of which they may he worked so
abundant, as to render any remarks almost unncce**«ry. I would,
however, briefly observe in reference to the mnnufacture of wluK \i
called the " fashionable novel," that the writer should have an ac-
curate and extL-nsive knowledge of the names and dwellingo of
fashionable tnulesmi-n. such as pastrycooks, pprfumcrs, CfMchmakers,
&c. Sic, and a speaking acquaintance, at leaiit, with the uupce
nervanLi at a few great hnnsns. The moHi es'ieiiiial " ointerial' foe
this kind of writing is tlie tlialngur, and great care must be taken to
observe the nicest proprieties m address i/et»een personr of rank, for
nothing is su fatal m the clumsy laying on of tins ytari of the ma-
terial, which should only be used with great discrimination, ami at
the proper intervaU. A great advantage may be derived by the
writer from a severe and critical study uf the " Cuurt Journal," and
other rcpositnricfl of fiahionable learning: and he should also stu<ly
nature, ticcaaitmidly, frimi tlic pit of tlie Opcrn-llouse, if he has no
culrrr to the boxes.
The miniature book of science (which may be considered as one
of the moAeTn noveUieft of the trade) is, like the pamphlet, prin-
AS OHB OP THE nMR ARTS.
4g:
dpallj "' vrorhed up" out of nlrl m«t«ria1ii witli the lu^ialnnoe of the
■dasoTi. It is usiutUy publuhed in the catechetical form .irxt in
smwll octavo, bound in silk or canvo&s, (but of this hcrcarter) ; and
if well done (that is if the titOHglUi without the language of the
plundered original be preserved], it hu a rapid and extensive
liali:.
1 httve studiounly uvnidnd saying anvtJiing in this rHsuy on the
keavivr productiuns uf llie buok-lrade, Wcauw the consumption is
M> unall u to render this branch uf the tradu liurdly worth engaging'
in, and the little trade there is, is principally confined to Scotlunu.
Alison's " Modern Euro|>e*" belongs to this claw ; a work of un-
doubted merit, but somewhat too heavy for the market. Little OT
nothing " is doing" in poetry beyond song-writing for the Alnga-
zines. "Hie piHrtry-market, indeed, appeared to " look up" n few
veara since, on the publication of the " Omnipresence of the Deity,**
but anddenly " fell" again on the nnblic-ition of " Oxford." It ik
now remarkably " dull," and only enlivened by an occasional
•' aupply" from the Lake*, or a " spirt" from I*. E. h.
One of the curiosities of modem literature is what are called
mnnnsrript sermons. Judgln;; friiiii the nunieroiiM advertisements of
Ihiii article, I should imagine there are an many handa employed in
Kngland in transcribing the old Uivinen, as there are in 'lurkey in
copying the Koran ! I liavo myself seen a copy of ilH- sermons
wliich had a cunHiderable run amongst the " hedge-[>iirBons" in Nor-
folk mid Lincoln. tUm were "composed" (by n little boy who kee|»
a buok-ntoll in Holywell Street,) out of n volume of sermoniau-
ilreased to " Charles the First when Prince." The usual fomu of
" advertiifini;" are as follows : — " To the clergy — fifty-two MS. aer-
mfliiB of a Ute divine, (ailapted to every Sunday in the year), may
be had on reasonable tenn» by applying, &c. &c. 8tc." " The widow
of a deceased clergyman, D.U., is anxious to dispose of a i|u3n-
tity of .US. sermons belonging to her late huiilwuid. The sermons
■re written in ele^.(iit languHge, and are quite kound in doctrine."
But there are other considerations connected with the book-trudc,
besides the manufacture uf the commodity, which it may not be out
of place to di>iCuM in this essay ; this 1 shall do under the hauls
" title," " type," and " binding," " puffing,"* &c.
The title of a book is, undoubtedly, of considerable importance
tn itf; KuccCAs. 3Iany a book has fallen still-burn from the preas,
soluly from having a had name. Never give a dog,' or a book, a bad
lumo — you know the rest. Who do you suppose (unlcM it were
some romantic housemaid) wuuld read a book now-a-daye entitled
" The Uleeding Nun." " The Knight of the White Bnniier," •• The
K|>«ctre Bridegroom," or " Tlie Victim of Si-ntnuenU" Ironginc a
raijpous work published under the title ot' " A H«ire of Slilte* for
the Low in Christ," or " lientley's Miscellany" edited by ■* Bare-
bones" instead of" Ijojt \"
Again, as to type an<t binding. If a pleasant countenance is " a
letter of recommendation" in any case, it is doubly ao in the case of
a book. It would be a curious and valuable inquiry In the " ttiu
tistjcs" of " book-making," to axcertain how many gucceatirul books
have been ushered into the world. " hound in silk and gilt-letternl !"
lu no case can it be said that " fine feathers make tine birtls" ho
truly as in the mystery of bookrral\. Who do yim suppose
'in ^
•OOK-MAKINO CONSIDERED.
IW Biak. of Beksty" (unlns it were MHne love-flisk boy, or
- wMMrMfffM" tot the ukc of tlic picture*,) bound in " rough
^llSr ^ 'TW ]>nwu!^.TO(ai Scrap-book" in ahccp-fkiu? You
M|r ■» wQ CBpect a Udy la adhaat vuu to )ht boudoir in cor-
4lHPV***dlH*h^*"'>l>»**taflm an' ill-bound or ilUpriDted book
WfflA hmt tablaw Vkmk wafcin tmo oAm urglvi-t the " drapery " of
iMr *" vonpoikHai,* fren «■ naotdiaMc vamty about the " fipire ;"
Wl tiNT ibo«U itnaoabtr iIbi baalt* arc not always ordered to b«
HmL b«t (Hke tbe PetitioQ oT iW Glasgow Weavers,) " to /if
TW haC subject to which I wo«Iil call tbe attention of the craft.
ia the proct^ of " puffing." Wben a book t* nearly ruady for
u«blication, the. " diaceminjj" public n prepared for it by this most
\UBportant procen ; tome of the common foniu of which I transcribe
thxa memory (for tbe benefit of the trade) not of tbe doily papers.
" We understand that the talented author of haa m the
prcu a mart startling; work of fiction, tbe leading incidents of which
are said to be founded on the domestic ckfimuKances of a cvrtain
noble family, residing not a hundred miles frwa 8t James's Square."
Or thus: —
" Tbe uovcl of , shortly about to be poblisbed, it U said,
will contain chnracter^ that will be recogniwd m certiiin high circlet
a» drawn froia the life ; uitd tlist amongst ollwr portraits will be
found tlinve of the once famous Colonel , Lord II O ,
and a celebrated rfirorctV of high rank."
If the book is to be published unonytnously, certain dark hints
may be thrown oul, as to its probable author, in mauwr and form
following : —
" It is rumoured," in the Clubs, " that the novel of shortly
about to be piibliitbed, is from the pen of a certain noble Lord, hold-
ing a high office in the present goverument;" or leu suspiciously,
thus: —
" We are authorized to state that the novel of is hoI from
the pen of a certain noble lord, a member of the cabinet."
In laying; down the foregoing rulen und principles of the art of
book-makinft, I trust I have contributed in some degree to the
stock of " UBeful Knowledge," and in theKe utilit-irian limes my
efl'orW will, no doubt, la- duly appreciated. I feel I have by no
means done juuice to my Hubjert; but if I have Bucceedeu in
merely suggesting the possibility of elevating book-making to the
rank and dignity of a science, my end is fully answered ; and i
leave it to abjer writers to carry out tbeprinciplt-s I have Ifuddown.
Perhjipt, by ^ipplying the principle of the " division of labour"
to this interetiting braiuli of tliv nationnl industry, the next gene-
ration may nee book* " coinposed," printed, bound, iuid published,
by the hitnda now employed upon a pin, a saddle, or a watch t
P. J. F.
I
i
uss
T H E K A V E N. Bv G. F. W.
IIaxk! hatkt nhut ii iliac doleful (ou»d
Thul 't echoed by Uie woodi atound ?
Ah I 'lis Uial taveu's hullow croik.
As lie niti upon yan witfaer'd oak-
It BQunds so drear
In the wildemns here.
As though the voice of a dcmoD spoltc t
The raven u a djeaded bird,
The olonicst quail when his voice is heard ;
For when, 'u» taid, hi« ditrual cry
Rends thrLc« the miiquil a2ure *kf,
Ti) tlie token
Surely apc^en
lliut ravenuuf dotih ii hov'riD^ nigh.
Tlie childrpn nn the %-il1agv gnen.
When his liatml rarro is seai,
C«iiM * ttMe ihrir harmluB [AKy,
And nuch with ftxt liis winged wny.
I'nlil he '■ *eeEi
In the tky serene.
Like a ipeck in the (listaDc« far away.
The timid maiden in alarm
Mure tiuiiily clotpi her lover's arm ;
The old man, loo, whoM form ippean
Bowed and broken down with yews.
Usteiu trilh awe
To ihe taven's caw,
Aa though (ho ■ommont of death liv livar*.
The sulTFrer, too, whose i;hastly cheek
Dolh the approach of death bt*p«*l(,
When this omen tneeti his ear,
Slill more pallid lunu with Tear;
I''or ii Mcuii to ny,
•' Prepare to-day !
The ftlrugfile of death i« drawing Dearl"
He Ments the rarpw« of the ftlain
That ilivw the gviy battle phiin ;
And where dead warriors nMnijkd l>e,
The pride and ftowei of chivalry*
Thiltiff will go
This bird of woe
To hold his tiornd revelry.
And then again he lovee to be
Sitting upon th« gibbat*liw,
Where the felon's booea hava hm^
Beaton by winds <utd tempests lonig ;
For dainty food,
Right rich and good.
Is the mouldering deih for his gluttonoiu loapie
Dui (hougii tite servant of deatli ha it.
The harbtiiifef of miscnea.
To lei I th« approach of the Aua) Uuw
That lays the very giaal low ;
Not even he
FriMn death {* fne —
TImi motutcr spares nd frienl or foe*
SHAK8PEARE PAPKRH. No. Vri.
POLONIUS.
This i* a chara«'ter which few actors like to perrurm. Cuatom
cxnct* thnt it niu*t be reprvMiitetl as a comic piirt, and yd it wants
the MimuUnt!) which chrer a coinediait. There arc no Mtiiationti or
reflections to call forth ]>eal3i of laughter, or even fill thp auilienre
with uriLinory merriment. He is pbiyed as a htiRuon ; but tlic text
tloes not afibnl the Mljuncti of buffoonery ; and, in or<li>r to supply
zltnl
their place, antic f^esture and p-imucc are resorted to by the puszl
irerroriner. It is imUwd no wonder that h« should be puzzledj for
lie is ciideavuuriiig to do wluit the author never iiitendea. It wnuld
not be mure- impottsiblc — if we be allowetl to fancy degrees of itn-
{msttibility — to pcrfurm Uic pant<iTniniir PantAlnon seriously hi ttie
nmniier of Kinc Lear, than to make the improuiioii which Shak-
Hpeare desired tnat Puloniue should ninkv, if he be exhibited ia the
(■tylc'of the dotard of Spanish or Italian cvuiedy, or the ^ganarelle
whom Aloliere has borrowed from them. Tliere in some resem-
blance in Lord Oglcby ; but we cannot persundp ourwlvea to think
that George Colman, cider or younger, could have written any part
in Hamlet I doubt not that butli thought their own Coniediei^ far
8unerior.
Polonius is a ceremonious courtier ; and no more ridicule flitachcs
to him than whnt attaches to lords of the bt-dcluuiil>er, or chamber>
lains, or other f\ivU fumiture of a court in general. It is deemed
neceasary that kiiige )>hou)d be hedge<l not only by the divinity of
their regal honours, but by the more corporal cntri'iichnient'* of
ofRcers of state. In fact it muxt be so; and in every history of the
World -we find the»e functionHries, ditii-ring only in name. We know
not the internal arrangemrnts of the palaces of the kings that
reigned in the land of Edom before there reigned any king over the
chiUlrrn of Israel ;* but we may be sure that Bela the son of Bear,
and Hadad the snn of Bedad, who i^niote Midiuii in the 6eld of
Muttb, and Kaul of RchobutJi bv the rirer, and Hadar, whose city
was Pan, and whose wife wan Motred. the daughter of Mvzabab,
and the other princes of the house of Esau, who appear for a brief
moment in the eiirlics.t record of human alTaics in the book of the
world* generation, but to die and make wny for others to rrlgn in
their nlnxl. had onirtiers around tliem, to whom were allotted
dulirN in fnxtiiiiu dilTerent, in spirit the snme as those which wrre
periomiftd by the courtly oHiciuls of the Byxantium emperors, Uic
togaed eomilcH of the Ctf.-*ftr*i, the ruffled aiwl jtcriwigyid gras de la
caur of the Oiaud Monarque, or the gold sticks and silver sticks ol
(jiieen Victoria ; — and performed, no doubt, for the &nme reason —
for that con-si-de-ra-ti-on, which, whether in tJie shape of flocks
and h^rds, or land and beeves, or the more easily managed conuno-
dity of shekels and sovereigns, when the aerret of " a circulating
medium" was discoveretl, lins ever been the stimulants of tlic
general herd attracted lo a courL It would be indeed travelling far
I
I
I
• ftoi. ujcvi. ai~ SU.
POLONTUS.
ym llic purpose of these puper* to talk moriOs or polidcs on euch
a subject ; but there cad be no harm in raying that, in tiineft of
difficulty or danger, vhen " uneasy is the heat) that wears a crown,"
it i^ not to them it« wearer muU look for zprI or awtstance. Tlic
dog toveti the mnRter — the cat Inven the hnime. The nobter nnimal
who cuuelit^ not in the dm wing-room, and is not cnrcEsed and
puiupvri'd witli oouthiiig and officious hand, but who jtuards the
dwellinj;, and folluwe to the field, miiy, if treated with kfndness, be
depended npon to the last. He will die at the feet of a maater
returning in the twentieth year — will couch upon his grave — will
Mfiie his murderer by the throat. The mere domestic crenture, fol-
lowing her instinct, will cling to the house through every change of
dynasty, ready to welcome with gnitulatiiry purr whatever hand
may rub down her flossy cimt, and »upply her with customary food,
even if that hand ahouul be re«>kinfr with the blood of the fallen
owner of the mansion in which Bhe had l»ecn reared. Bui the cat is
not to be blamed. She acts as nature tnnmt her to act; and what
nature is to a cat, habit is to a courtier. Nothinj; can be more im-
probable than thai the Queen should bother herself— I lalk Hibcr-
nically — with reading these p'lperR ; — nothing is more certain than
that, if she doca, »he will not l>elieve a word of what 1 am Miyiiig.
Yet if she livua to the age of the great lady in whose diiys the
creator of Poloniua nourished. — and may she so live, ctiually glorious
in her charitcter of Queen, and far "happier in her characti-r of
woman ! — she may be inclined to think that I am right, and titnt the
profession of etiquette, well calculated as it may be to<li(inii~y the
ceremonial of state, ia not to be confounded with the loyally which
ins|)ires
" The tnanly hearU to (tuard a Ihrone^"
But it is perfectly natural that the profeiisors of the science ithould
net a high value upon iu The chamberlain who gave up the mo-
narchy as lo8t wheu he saw M. Roland enter the presence of the
king with ribbons in his shoes* was perfectly «iucere. It was no
Iiart of his bueim.-«s to inquire farther than what he s:iw K-furc him ;
IV liAtl nut to ask into tlw riHuoter causes which gavt^ AI. HiiUnd the
eouragr or tlie prrBUuiptJon to viitUte the laws uf court decorum,
which the stafT^beiirer had throughout his hfe comtidL-rcd to be as
steadfast as the hiws that regulated the motions of the earth, if '
indeed he ever comlesci-nded to think on «uch uncourtly trifles. It
is easy to Inngh at this chamberlain ; but he wnii iiub.iUntially right.
The Kingdom of the doomed Louin did not depend upon stockings
or buckles; but it depended upon the belief thai the person of the
king wo^t inviolate, and the breach of decorum was hut the first irten
leading to the Hcaffold. The clown, who troubloi not hiini>elf wttli
astronomical, nieteurulogical, or chemical studies, knows well that
harvest is to follow ftccd-ttiiic, and prognosticates with unerring cer-
tainty that the grain which he is scattering in tlie ground is to ripen
into a golden ear; so our court functionary, wholiail never dreamt
of iNilitical speculations, never Consulted any philoMtphicul obsvrvrrs
^-looketl not beyond the circle of the Tuilleries, and w uuld not |tav«>
iindrrstiMid a single word of Mr. Carlyle'a eloquent thcoric
I this one grain of (hsrcspcct the coming crop of destructiun.
HoUml tke Jiim witti riUiana in kia ihocs."
vm
SlUKSPKAKE t'APKBS.
nothing of his after histm-y — |>erh«ps In- rmifn^t*^ with atbrr*
Wis order ; bitl if he did not nri^iinnllv coTnniit 1 hnt fal w »tcp, — and 1
hi)|)(; lor llic honour of so shrewd an observer that he did not — rfor
M'hat had At- to do w iih chivalry fl — I have httle doubt that he fourul
hi« fittifif; placo umung the gohl-laced suite of the Eni|x>ror. — wel-
comed with welt-iriiined bows the return of Loui-i the Kighteenth, —
served (Miarles the Tenth with Appropriate ceremony, — and is, I
truat, uuw in hii< old sgc disciis^iti^ the )rlori<-R of the powderMl and
rupirrcd circle of Louis QuiiiKe, bcnenlJi the approving smile of
Louis I'hiUppe.
or this ratx* was PoloniuK. Let nut the uhstraeted bage ur the
smug Riii't-rer iiungine that it u*n« a race ui' f'uoU. In euch courts as
those which 8hak»pcare contemplated tbey were fur IVum it indeed.
They had been bred in camps and colleges — fPoloniu* had been at
the universilv, where in the dramatic entertainments, usual in the
■«aU of learning in Siiaks|ieare's time, he was selected to pertVrm no
lew a part than tliat of Julius Cu-uirJ — had acquired the polish t^
courto, if, indeed, uc shouhl not rather say they created il^iuinf^led
habitually among the great and the witty, the frmceCul and the
vise ; — but, from pt^jietually confininf; themwlve;! to one clan of
aociety, and that thv iixut artiflcial of all chiAies, and deeming all
other interests depending uiion thflt of their masters, as they saw all
other persons bowinp in subMTvience before them, it is no wonder
tliftt their world wafi hounded by the precincts of a paUee, and ibtir
wisdom or ability exerted, us everylKidya ability or wi»loni is
exertefl, to ithinc or thrive by the una which contributed to tnake
way in the world wlit-ieiu Uieir lot was cast. Their sphere of
courtly duty made them appear to be frivolous ; — it does not fallow
thiit they were so in life elsewhere.
This 'distinction i» ailmirabiy kept up in Poloniua. In the pre-
M-»ee he U at! ceremony and etitjuettc. lie will not open the buai-
m-M of Jlnuilet'* addresses to hii> daughter, while the ambaasadon
from Norway arc wailing an audience.
"(live f*nx admittance to (lie hiiiIiii^miIouts,
Thy new» shall be die fmit or that great feait-"
Who could be better qualified to introduce them with due honoured
'J'hc king appoints him to the duty at once : —
"Thjsflf tlo gritce lo them, antl brittij ilietn in."
lie performs his courtly mission, and waits il» TOncIusioti befotc he
(Tommcnces to speak on what concern* his daughter.
"Tliin buiioes* i» well eiidtxl ;"
Hid now for a speech.
" My liege, auil madam, lo expostulate
( wW majesty should be, what duty is,
Why day is day, night nighl, and tunc is time.
Were nothing but lo waste night, day, and time."
Tliii is the exordium. Wc now proceed to the propositlu.
•* Therefore, since brevity u Uk- s«uI of wit.
And tcdiousur»4 iJie limbs bikI oulMutd lloumh».
I will he bnef; Vour ncble son is miid."
fhc n»i«Uo ihouU follow ; but a paremliclicul remark cauuol be
K11.0MIJ8.
473
" Mad call 1 iL"
You uiubt take it uii m^ aBwrtion—
*' For to derioe true madacM,
Whai u 't bui to be DuUiing dK but mail !
But let that GO."
Tile i|ueen agrees with the orator that it might an we)] be let gu, —
for she desirvJi '• more matter," with less art. Her chain bcrliiiil, of
course, like alt rhetoriciaoa, diaciaims the empluymenl of rlictorical
artifice,—
" Madam, 1 swear, I use oo ait at all."
and proceeds to the nnrratio, which is again stopped for a niuiueiit
by a trick of the art which he cieniro thiit he in tising.
" Ttut be i» hmhI, 'li» Iruc ; 'tiB true, 'li« piljr ;
And pity 'tia, 'tis (rue : a fooliih figure ;
lti)( Rirewdl it, for I -will UM> no art.
Mad let us zrant him llicn : and nnw remalni
lliat we find out Die cauM of (his etr«cl ;
Ut. rather my, ihc ctDie of ihu defect;
Tor (hii efr«C(. defective, comes of rause."
QThe argument i» strictly logical. It being granted that be id
mad, we iini»t find ihe cause of what lo^iriAiin cnl! i-fTcct — whicli in
cunimuii parlanre, as Applied to the madneMj (if Hamlet, would be
CAlird a defect, — we must find it, I say ; because whatever an effect
may be, detective or not, it must arise from a cause.]]
" lYiua it remalm, and ihe remainder (hus perpend.*
] have a daughter," &c.
In due ctiur«e of reasoning he exhibits his proofs — Hamlet's verses
and letter, and Ophelia's confessions. In equally strict order follows
the argument, cotiMsting of an elaborately arranged vnuiucrution of
the circumstances attendant on Hamlet's madneu :
" Aod III.-, itpulscd, (a »l)or( tale 1o make)
Felt into a sadneis ; thctif e into a fatt ;
Tlivcice (0 a wau-lt ; [iitd] (bence iiiio a weakiicaas
Thence 'o a lif^htneHs ; and, by (hii declension.
Into the madnesi wherein now he ravw,
And all we mourn fnr."
Ac this period of the speerh, if it were delivered in the Houae of
Cooinions, there would be loud cries of" Hear, hear," and the right
hoaourablc gentlenmn would W oblige^l to pause for several luinules.
If he were a rising nii-mber, all his friends would come up to con-
gratulate him on his success, and the impre&tnon he hod obviously
mwie; if an established speaker, the friirndH of hia party would
exclaim. " How admirable!" — " I'oloniui surpasses himself to-night"
— " Did you ever hear anythint; so fine, so dose, so logical," Sic &c.
H The opposite side would be obliged to look candid, and say that it
B certainly was clever.
H All chat remainn is the |>eroratio. Cheereil by the success of his
H arguments, he proceeds triumphantly in gratnlatioD of liia own
H sagacity.
m - Ti
I
This Use is unnatural. The nrtrt.- wimlrf bt right, aati the tach
tt tlw aiyle inurr tit rliuractcr if wa read,
Tliiii It rcin^ini : rmiaiiwlw (hu* iwrjmMl.
474
SHAKSPEARE PAPBaS.
" Ihth ttiere been iucli a time (I 'd fain know that)
lliul 1 >i4vi' jKifitivrly K.iiil, 'Pis *u,
WlicH il proved iuher«'isi' *"
VSHt king ujrg, " Not tlwl I know " — which i» equivalent
" cbeen from the ministerial benches."
"Take tbts Trom Out, if tins be oihenvUv,"
I^TIiis ia s sample otgcslut. He points to his head and shoulder^
" ircircumtlaiicu Fead i»e, I will tlnil
Wbi^rc truth is hif!, though it were hid indeed
Wjtliin ilie ceiitic."
The speech is over, complete in al! its parts. There Is scarcely'
an orstoricai ligure wliicli is omitted, and it might »ervc as an
uDequHllcd nindel for mKny n crack *peech " elsewhere." Who is
there that hns not heJird promises of brevity made preludes to
tedioiiiiness, and disclatnicrs of art vehicles oF rhetorical Nourish?
What figure more used tlian nmpli ficatioii such as that, — ^{irefaced,
AS usual in such cjiscs, by a declaration that the tale will be short.
' — in which Polonius employs half a dozen lines to detail thede^ees
of the madnenn of Hnmlet? — and what practice more common than
pasainnHtc appeals to the pofit conduct of ttie .speaker 06 guarantees
for the wisdrim and uprightness of the courM* which on the present
oceasiini he is about to pursue? The fipeeeb of PuloniuR translated
into Ciceronian Latin would be wortliy ol' Cicero hiinpelf ; — ex*
panded into three columns of a newspaper report, would be the
topic of conversation tlie i(!ny after its delivery in all the clubs,
and the welcome theme of applause ur confutation by the leadtng-
article-mnnufacturers of both sides of the question.
Here Polonius was in his character of courtier and privy-CCMin*
cillor. He had the e.-ir wf tlie King, and he held it fast. Ilig 3I»>
je»ty and his royal consort duly appreciated the merits of the uM
orator; but, as ui^ua) in courts, he dot?s not win the e^une favour in
the eyes of Ilamlft. The ministers of the existing prince arc sel-
dom favourites with his hetr-.ipparent — his immediate Camarilla
never. Youth also generally thinks itself wiser than ajje; itnd wa
wonder not to find in the next scene that Hamlet treats Polonius its
a driveller. The old gentlenuni bears conrteouHly with the ii>civi-
litiea of one whom he coiijfidcrs to be either n mere madman or
a prankish jcater, and, recurring to the days of his youth. excu»ie«
the ])rineeJbr imtulging in feelings which lead tu derangement of
iiiens. Even the recollections, however, of the davs when, like bis
coiilemponiry tlie gravetiiggcr, " lie did love, (fid love." cannot
overcome liim to the degree of confewiing that he was actuollv mad.
He suffered much extremity ; but, after all, he was only " very near
mndncK!*.""
■ l> itoL (liis dinlft^ii; in lilnnk rene. ? Thi« »peodi of Poloatu* cvrtainJy ja,
^■' Slj'll Imr^iiK uii
My liaiifthier 1 Yi?t be knew me not at fim.
Uti saiil. I was a Bdnnonger. Be is
Kir i;"iir. f^r ptni-; utiH inily. in nijf yoilUi
1 kulfercd ami'h psirwnily for lire*:
Very near thii. 1 'II sjwiik to bini nffulii."
I raawinciid nil fmnro ediiari of Uamlet to ri'BUiTi- ihu ariginal rradiiig uf
pinnap liiniiinlinnlji jirmMling, —
*■ F<ir if ilic (UII brvnf tnitf^uUi in it drad dng,
UriiiB a ypwf-itbsiag tarrioa. UaveTmi ailauKbtvr?"
tOLONlUS.
475
When th« plnyers arc inlrodticcd, it U onlr becoming thiit he
wild laui sa long known what was tlif mode MhuuiU be their principal
critic,— and lus crtticimiis urciii the iiitMt approred style of polite*K.
ill ipiw of Wurburt'in'i Riiniilicvrii cvmiDvnt. wkick, lenrdUw to •luliaton, teu
tlM critid on a ievA witti ilio author. •* Tho Illuira putku) ICor]," tKjw tin
Uahe^ "•hows UiF ipnlipr l<> be rcaMminf; [rum MiinMhliip be had Mid before *
what liiBl vu w«1ieamln [Imm wordn, ' To £« httmH, lu /AU iMfUysM, It to te«M#
fidcad 9»t nfl«n lAoatand.' Uaving uid tlii*. Uiu chain vf Mmi Im liitD to rafact
upon lb« •rgfiimROt which lib«rtiim briiif; agmiiui Pruvidr.ncv from the dn-tim*
aUinr« af abouniiuig toil. In tlic next tpecrh, (liervfurr, tie miJi^iiviHirii tu uaaircr
tliM objectiuii, Hiti) vtmUnte Providenre *vvii un a •iipurMitioti o{ tlio fact that al.
MNl kU mcH nTff wkknl. His vypmeni m tbe two litim in <iuenioD ii tu ihii
MnpOM. But loAy nr^tf uw wtniitr mi Mu afo»Mrf<n^ ^*«Ij9 F>r, t/ M4T ran
ar«n< maggalt in a dead dug, icktch titcmgh a gad, ftl thttUiug it* Jltat aad in/lu-
MKw N^WM mrrion. Het« be suiya ihort, iMt, ulkictt tuu ninat>qacaii>Ily, tlw
benrer ]iiJ(;ht luiipvct liia inadUHa to \m Mgaei, — Bud h> turru Udi off IrotD the
uibjKt by iiii|iiiiintf o( hi* <U»ffht«r. Dut th« iiifrrriniv which ho iutriidMl to
malw via m ir«y iMtbU enw, and to thia pnrpoao : If lhi> 1 nya ha) tm tha eaa»,
tbM ih* «ffwct fullow* tW thing vpontad upou [MrWvn], and ujt lb« tUra op»-
niinf ^a^odj^wbjr need we wander tbu tlMSupnrocl'auM urall tlilnp rtlBudnf
lu lilflaNO^ on inaiikiiHl. whoii a* it vrtrc a d«ad carrioii, dcnd iu original siu, —
IMn, iiutmd of a pro|<vr reluni of duiv, iihniild lirooil onlir mmiptinn mid vit'n ?
Thu b the arfunieiit at hinpii, and is n imbh) a uit« in nxhalf of pruviJvnce as
«ouUl owne fram the ncHooI* of divinity. But Ihb wanderftd nun bud an art not
an\j o{ nc<iitaiiit>nK Ll"^ atidiimOB with wbu hi* ncton My. l>ul with wluu tht-y
Ikink. The •Piiiitnent, too, it allt^ilirr iti dwractM' : fur Hanilpt 1* |wi'p«-IUAUy
mutmlixin^. and hii drcuiniiunnv rnftlio this nrdvctioii v«ry twiunL"
KiiMiy never bf fore or titu-nwiuiaiivpiKirilhlivfl f>anirJp,/«r, prened tODCTform
auchhanldnty. If fJaiiilct ludnrit/all tlint bis tbcoltigiual oDmmenUtornMkeahnn
think, PoUm^> wvuld bav* let Um down aa mad, bryood all hoM of neonvy '
tuive tifiai ih«ifi:bi, while mdiD( tlui mne, thn h wu s piiy Wulninnn had bM
wntiei) s iinninciiliu'y on the pimiliap of ilu> Lunl irf ItaiwL-iil and hu aiit«||pMtiat
\wtafm Pautagniel, and 011 tb* judgniMii dtJivernl in lIh' mso liy that rviMiwufii
Eiiim. If he duarrered aii ruoy on arifinal HO in ihJa lUatiTOMrtkle^r, he
wijhU aMiin^hr hare due up A whole Corfttia TheologicniB in tho law-vgnmmta
in KaUilai*. The tic of Xyttleton, wfaidi coawred ao nndi BMkninit tu the mind
ot Coke, la not to be ooopuvd with the /or of Warbnnun. He changed tbe nU
readii^t " a jTM^kining curion," into **ai*n'kUr{iif nrrion."
11m maaning of the ymtngt ia thia. Hamlet tuspecti tbu Ptdoniui know* of liii
lv<r« Cnr Ouhel^ and that he inteitdi ui " Iuom hi> iLiuiibter tu bin." Iln itiam-
fan odla uiu a flihmotiger, i. t. a purveytir of looM Sib. 1 1 would not be Wes-
•Ua b pegCi which miut (aU into tba hands of the Touag and fair to follow op the
aUkiaian. F'lluniio intcrprvta the word litcnJIf, ana ia inatantly aaaiirvd thiit tlie
'^—■"pf arc iim tluiutand tu one If be 1* aa bonaat aa the met* Indaanuti nlio tmWt
actual fith. I )ie prince. In hi* affectatkn of craalMai, pmeedt M hhit tJiai tba
oi>iiM)>|ueoc» of ejtpoaing a yoan^; lady to tba ttnptacioiu at pccaoM bi Ugfa rank
or uf wans bUiud may be dangcrwiu, and ooudIm the mitrt aaaertion that tbe uiu
can brood tuag^u with a rafecaooe to PoUmnu'a daugbiar. IM h^r not waU in
tht fHM. Let her not put henelf la the peculiar danger to wlUcb I allude, and to
whii-lt her fkiha*! perfonnliifr A* pan of fttbounfir nay lead. The tun ia a
^•lOMl.kitaiiigcarrMn — [ftaf^px— it it a wntd which tiaewhert oCCTira ia Shabaiwara.
t^uii'lily, in the Merry Wives of Wtnd»ar, ia oaBad a oinioa, dco.)— a haggs^ce
food u( kiMitif:> In Hvury IV. Priitce Hal cotn^iam iW *un to a fair hot wench
in llaine-CDJ<Mired laiTeta ; and if Uie tuu can bread ntagguts in a dead du^t who
kuuwa what may happen elMwhcn ?
Then- it a trnubieaoine w(inl in King Ikwt. of which I have norer lean a atlii-
fuiory iuiarprcution. In ihe Monn ^ abuatvo epitbeU wklcb Eant pouia u|iaa
the aivward, he aUa him " a barber-CMncM." Tbe guenea at tba meaning ar*
all inautident. Pcrba|n it abouU read ** bar lw/>nMn(rr,"— that ia, fi*hn»in)tn- in
» pecvUar lanae. 1 thraw oat my conjeanro to M njoctad at [ilaiuiire. I m»ft
remark, howovvr. that tlioae who are piaaled bytlia meaning of a "bundrMl-
IKjiind knave" nvty run! it in RabeUit or Sir TluMitaa Ur^tibari. It la a wi>nl of
(vpniadi wldnwrd to ibe heavy pomlnffjuiulrf Uvmaua. it oooirs lu Tlrklle-
guu«r'» funiouBaiDry of ihepuf(iMauuaUa»<»niaibeaunpat8todtbolm. Wr Jahn
+7fi
SUAKSPBARt PAPERS.
let iiH
When Ilonilrt speaks bis part of the tragedy, of coure« Pulofil
C'imip)imi.-iiu him fur the Kood xccent and good discretion with
which he has spoken it. When the plnyrr delivers the reinitinder
of the speech, uie critic fintU it too long. R*'b»ikf(l by the prince
for his censuro, he Ukes the earliest opportunity of declitririg that
an affected phrai*-, which »tnrtle« Hamlei somewhat, to tlecWe that
it in good. In the end, when the player display* ari emotion rotuird
by hiji art, Poloniuo, according to the rules of goil/, desires that an
end nhoulcl be put to the pcrforminu'e. When the phiy is actually
performed before the king, etimiette keeps him silent until he sees
tltAt there in something in it ai&pl(!a.4ing " in a high quarter." wtad
then the shrewd courtier stops it at once. It \b his voice which
directs that tliey should " give o'er the play." He is throughout
the ceremoniouA but sagacious atlachi of a palace : and the king and
queen accordingly treut hiiu with the utmost deference, and consult
him in tlitir mo»t critical enicrgencJes. He dies in their i«rvice,
fitly practising a slratagem in perfect accordance with the muralt of
the circle in which he has always moved, and in which he has
engaged to show his wi»dom, devotion, and addre**.* Hamlet well
charactrrizes the chiM of men to which the slain courtier belonged
in his farewell to the body.
" Thou busy, mh, iiiirudniK fool, farewell ;
I look Ihee for lliy l>ett«T,— take thy furtune.
TfiDu fintlvsl 10 be too buty is some dan^r."
But Polonius i)i no fixil, though he is so called here. Hamlet
annoyed bv his meddling and ofRciousneiis, and therefore ap|ilii-» the
epithet, fle murks his sense of his general respect for the old man,
even when he in mott pestered by his interference. In a peevish
exclamation be styles him a " tedious old fool ;" but when lie am
that the players are inclined to follow hi* own example, he checks
them by an authoritative command, ^^
" Follow ibat lord, and look you mock bim doL" ^^|
If be calls him to Roftencrftntx and Guiltlenstern " a great baby, not ^^
yet out of his swaddling clonta," and Jeers hira in their presence, it
IS partly to nhow that he is but ma<l north-north-vest, and can
know a hawk from u hsnd-saw when the wind is southerly, and .
partly to mark that he has diiteuvered the conspiracy against lum,,^H
and to display his contempt for alt engaged in it. ^H
AbBtracted from his courtier- character, I'oloiiius is a man of pro-
found aen»ie, and of strict and affectionate attention to fais duties. A
man whom his children love can nevi'r be contemptible. No one, it
is said, can be a hero to his valet dc chambre, becau»« he sees all the
Uavkias, in hi» abmird lifv of Dr. JohnHtn, JmaitinM diat it is a mrd iovetued bj
Un|iih&n. witit n» man umniiL^than Oii> urdiniLry tUngwonU of tbaday.
In tlip rnncIiMioii "f Uip t^eut bi-twri-u lliutilet and Pdonlus. the formrr »•
claim*. " TliKM i«()iuui old fimli !" Would \\ uot be bMter, " Than udioos uU
fool l"~fiir it ia pUiii tkni. [lsi&l«t Is thinking only of tb« iroublwome old
who hai bean postarinff him,
• " BehiniJ llir smw I 'II ranvey oiyMlf,
To bear titm prorml ; I II warrant mm *tl tax hun bnma.
And, u you aid, and vritrly uan It mid,
'Til iDsn that some more aiMli«iic« than a inoilier.
Since nature inakr« ihrm pHrtiHl, alioul^l nVrlidal
Tlip apecclt (if vjititHf,'L-. Fare you urll, my lim(c.
I 'tl call upon you *ri> you go u> heit,
And mU )im what I knew."
439
petty phy^inil wants and moral dpf«rts of his master. How much
imire (lilfifTult ti» hv »1ie oliject of^^tpi-ni ami il«viiliiiii in th*- fye-t of
tliii^e who Imvc tiirneil thfir eyrs ii)k>ii u» frtini chililltixHl. Natiiru)
alTcction will, of courw, i\a niurh ; but the buffoon of iht r*tagc
never could have inspired the t'eclinff* exhibited by his (.-hildren,
who must hare been perpetually grieved and disgriiced by antic
buffoonery, of which they, from their connexion with the rourt^
tnust hnve been conitant witneeses. Laertes, a fine high-imirile«l
young gentleman, and Ophelin> the rose of May, the (frscc and orna-
ment of the rircle in which she moved, conlu nut have »u deeply
reverenced and tui bitterly deplored their fatlivr, if he had been
indeed a great baby Ktitl in his Kwaddliiip clouts. The dovhU of Vmit-
taloonr whom we &C'C tuiubliito- abuut in Drury Lane or Covent
Garden, would not have roused the blowl of Laertes to fury, still
leM led him to juittify a-<i8a9«i nation in aveii){ing his fall ; nor would
bill death have driven Ophelia to madness. Such a father might be
dead and gone,
" And at ha head a ;ras»-f(reen turr,
And tH ]iis hvcU a ilouc,"
according to the inflexible laws of mortality ; but his ion would
soon wipe the natural tears he might drop, and let him lie in hia
gravu witliout any complaijil ui'
h
*' His obscure funeral ;
No trophy, sword, norhaldiment o'er his bones;
No noble rite, nor formnl oticnutioa."
Nor Mould bin dau^rhter, in her brrilten-heATteil inn.-init^', huve iiita-
E'ned that at his death violets, the Hweetest fluwem of the spring,
,d universally withered. Let me observe, that by this remArk I
mean no disre^neat to our actors, many of the most eminent of whom
have perforraert the part. They yield to lonB-e<(tab]ished custom,
and, as the part it not of the same importance m the play as Shytork
in the Merchant of Venice, it is not probable that any Klacktin
will ari&L>to rescue him from bufluonery. ne&ides, as it is occessary
that he should in one part of the play designedly act up to the foUiea
of Hamlet, it would be difficult to make the distinction between the
•MOBed and the natural character; and yet perhaps it ought to be
attempted, for, as it is played at present, it is perhaps the least at-
tractive of the prominent dramalu pcrtvna of Saakspeare.
Even ill the very part to which I have just alluded, where he ia
fooling Hamlet to tne top of Ui* bent, he cannot avoid displaying
f(lance« of his h.ibitual shrewdness, lie >>u»[>t-ctii the reality of the
ma<hieas from the besinning. The insulting taunts addressed to him
at second hand from Juvenal only call Ibrtli the rcHi-ctioii that there is
method in the m»dnes«. In the end he plainly considers it aa n»>
thing more than a prank. He bidii the Queen
" Tell him )iis ptaiiks have bceti loo broad lo b^ar wiili.
And Uiut your gnue hath tcrefned and txood boiwi-fn
MucIj lies) aud hitn."
Neither Luertea nor OphelJA are present while he is engaged in
lundying folly against fully, and he therefore docs nut such before
Utoae by whom he mu«t desires to be res|>ec-teil. When alone wit*
478
SBAKSPEARE PAPERS-
tbenir his true chsrncter appears; — and what can Iw more sciisibl
Hi* CHUiiM>l(i to his ton have never btf ii I'ur worldly wisdiwii »«rf
paaMxl. The ten preccpU nf Lurd llurleich. adilre fwet] tu his sd
Robert, on wliicli it ■» generally ftiippoaetl the :i|>oplithe);i*i» ut'l'oM
niui are baBcd, are perhaps i--([ual in shrewtlnew, but they want tl
pithiD^u and condertHation ol' vcne. Neither are tliey u* philnw
phical, being drawn, to talk logically, a fxulfriori, wliilr tlituw (
Sh»k»pe«ri.' are deduced r'l priori. Take, Car eKantpIr, LxMrd B«ll
leigh's tifth maxim on borrowing and IciKiitifc money :^
'■ IVware nf suretyithip lor thy be*t friend*. He that payd
another mnn'a debt* oeeketh hift nwn decay. iJiit if thou conat lui
otherwise chaose, rather lend thy money thyself upon Kuod bcMKb
although thou borrow it; so shalt thou secure thyself, and plea«uf
a tVtend. Neither borrow money ol' a neip;hbour or a frien<l, but 4
a stranger, where, paying for it, thon shalt henrnomnre of it, oth
wise thou ahalt eclipiie thy cretlit, looae thy freedom, and pay
dear a^ to another. Itut in borrowing of money be prccioua uf th,
word, for he that takes csre of keeping payment is lord at' aaat
man'H purse."
Full of priiclieid c^ori sense, no doubt, as indeed h everythi
that " wise Kurleigh «poke:" but it mi^ht occur tn minds nf smclla
calibre than that of the I«ord High Treasurer. Poluiiius takei
higher ground.
*' Neftlier a bamnrar nor a landsr be ;
For knn oft loM* bolb iUetf and (iriend ;
AnA Itorrowiiig dulls the edge of huabandiy."
Lord Burleigh givea us but the pet^ details, — in Sliaktpcare wi
find tlie principle.
A^aiii, hid* Lnrdship's ninth precept ia : —
" Tnist nnt any man with thy life, creiUt, or estate; for it b
mere foltv for a min to enthrall himself to a friend, ns though, 00
cusion bein^ nlfered, he should nut care to become thine enemy."
It is joud ad%'ice; biit how much better done by Pulonius !
"Tl»ia1>o*<^ oil- To lliin« owit Mrlfbe true,
Atitl it must fulluw, (IS tiic uit^lil tin day,
I'hoa cxmt imiI tln-n be fjUc to iiny uaa."
A comparison of nil the precepts of the poet and the etite«mail
would yield a )kiniil.ir result. And yet nobody ever thought of ex-
hibiting Burleigh, inferior aa he i» in dramatical wiMloni, as an obJ
jcct of merriment upon the Atage for many a ye.ir after he had beea
gathered to his fathers, until it ]ileased the sntiior of the Critic to
put him forward to make hia oracular nod. There is no u»e it|
moralizing, but we cannot help reflecting that Sherid.tn would hav«
done better in life if he coulcl have followed the prudential ndvic*
of the great minister whom he morked. It is certain that if he had
avoideti mimicking him at humble distance elsewhere, and never
thought of playing at Parliament, — ^if, cqntent with winning dnw
matic honouri* only second to those of Molicre, he had eschcwe*!
throwing himself into paths where the half-nods of the less than
tenth-rate Burl cighs are of more weight than aU the wit and genius
of the School for Scandal, there wotud not have been any nercMity
that his death nhoiild be neglected ami his funeral honoured, with
a contempt and a sympathy equally characteristic of those whom
SONfl.
479
I
I
1 1nn1«hip mil* " the plow-^nnii*, I mcnn purMitM and sjcfiphant*,
who will ffivi ami fnwn iipnn tliee in tlie Kuiiiiner uf prosperity, but
in atlrcrsc siorma they will shelter thee no more thnn an arbour in
winter."
Hut the nuitterfr Lord Ili^h Trcn^urcr mi^ht have been the mark
for the covert wil of the dramatist, — covert indeed^ for in hU time,
or in that which immediately »uccee«Ied it, there wan no safety in
making unseemly jeiits too ojienly nbovit him. — ii> hi/rhly prfibalile ;
and tJle eiHTny of Khsux .ind Knlcij^h* uould not be an object of
adDuratioit in the eyes uf StiakBpeare. Lord Jturld^h. in his courtly
demeanour, was us ubsvrvunt uf etiquette aa Polouius and aa ready
in using indirections to find thereby dtrectiuiK out. The Queen wni
fond both of ceremony and stjitecraft: but I doubt much that the
old gentleman in Hamlet is intended for anything more than a ge-
neral personification of ceremonious courtiers. If Lord Chesterfield
hail deiiigiicd to write a coninieiilJiry upon PoloiiiuH, lie could not
have more crmipk-tely succwded tbiin by writing hi* famous letters
to ht« tioit. His Lordship, like every man of ta»te and virtue, and
what Pope han comprchendol in the expressive term of "all that,"
in hid time utterly despised Khakitpeare. There is nothing to blame
in this. What can we talk on but of what we know? One of the
grandest of the herd, Horace Walpule, wrote thcSIysierioHniloilier,
and therefore he hjul a right (had he not?) to offer an opinion on
Macbeth, and Ui pronounce MiiLiummer'fi Night's Dream a bundle
of rubbish, far more ridiculous than the most absunl Italian opem.
Lord Chetiterfield wrote nulhiiig, that 1 know of. to give liim a name
as an author, except bis letters. Of cotir».> he wnite dematchea,
protocols, and other such ware, worthy, no doubt, of the ttetl Ta-
pery of which he wiu so cminenta member.
* Hvto in ihett prempu hia lordship c&niiot krold a « eird" u thnse lemaric-
aUa mm whuMi wKOuplishuieiiU werv, tiuw rvt-r, nxicb man likely to |i1iiim' yt<rt»
tad adraniurtn tbau subw •uuwmatn. Wr kaatr huw SppiuBr ininiur(.>li«r« %\w
Sbaphard of die OBana, and vhh wbiit ponip of vvnv '* the pnvntl of <iur Rr>ci»*n
muftnm" » inlnNlDMd klinont l>y niuae in the rlionik nT Henry V. MuUtftpMrf's
mt»( iwU'iiul plav, w u Cnabjmofvonif^ntoa wriUi tiie iMruuf AxiiMMmr hmNlf.
la Lurd BiirleiKn iliey only apptv w tiiiwUt examplw lo poini tbv nonl nf »
iDBxim. " Vet I adviw ihee not tn aAect or wifliict |>ofNilarity too mtidi. Sttk
n«( to 6* £fs«jr — «At(M to (<f Itakigk,"
80N0.
Wr.LL, lie it so, we rimI tio morel
I cannot orizc so coltl a bcwi ;
And, «jni:<' Lure's dreamy lifr ii oVr,
Tis better dial we ihuv mould \mt\.
I do not ask thy Io«f ii)puii.
Thy falsehood mtc* too keai a paio.
"Hiey told me ihou could'rt orrer be
Lonacontinnt lu one itlol'^sliiinc ;
Bat I had lovrd ihee — only thro.
And knew how inie I waa lu miu* :
I did not deem ihat one so Wt
Could be as falw as odisn urcte.
THK LEG.
A TALK PKOBt TOE GBKUAN.
In tJic autumn of 17B2 the surgeon, Louis Thevenct, of Calais,
received an ai)onyniou!i letter, requirini^ his attendnnet- on the Cn\-
lowing diiy at n certain house not tur tVom the town, and requcst]ni>
him to bring with hJni tJir ni-ccuary imtriimenlE for anipuUitine a
limb. Thfvrni-t wmt, Ht thnl period, renownetl fur nnd wide for rtii
skill, and it wm* liy no ineann nnrommon for patients to send for
him from Kiigland, in order to be guided by hia jiidp^ent in cajp«
of more thin ordinary importance. lie had been long jittarhrd to
the army, and, though of somewhat uncouth TnRnTier,waa univerullr
bclovetl on nccount of the kindness of hl.s disposition.
Thevenet puxr.1e<l n long time over the nnonymnus eommiinica-
tjon. Both time and place were indi'Cated with the greatest exact-
ness ; At such an Imur, and at such a spot, would he he exptrcted ;
hut, as before observed, the letter bore uo signature. " A hoait, in
all probability," was the conclusion he arrived at, and he remlved <
nut to uo.
Three day* afterwards he received a similar invitation, thnagh
couched in more pressing terms, with the announcement that a
carriage would be at his door at nine the next morning, to coDTey
him to the appointed spot.
Scnrcely had the clock Gni&bed Gtrlking the hour of nine, on the
following morning, tlian a baiuNome open carriage drove to the
surgeon's diM>r ; he made no furllier heMtation, but entered it. A«
he got ill, he inquired of the coachman whither lie was going to
drive him, and the man replied in the Engli))h language, " I do not
meddle with things that are no business of mine,"
'* O ho! flo I have to do with an Englishman, you aurly dog,"
replied Thevenet.
The coach arrived at length nt the appointed house, " Who an
I tn 3ee, — who lives here, — who is ill ?'" a»ked Thevenet of the coach-
man as he left the carriage. The man rupeateil his former answer,
and was thanked fur Iiih civility in terms very mucli resembling
those above quoted.
He vBfi received at the door by ■ handsome young man, abont
twenty-eight years old, who conducted him up a ctsircue In i
large room. His accent betrayeil him to be a native of Great
Britain. ' Tlievenet addressed turn in Knglish, and was replied to
with much politeiietut.
" Yop deittred my attendance," said the kurgeon.
" I am very grateful for tlie trouble you luve taken to visit me.
Pray rest yourself; here are refreiihiiient« of all kinds, if you wish
anything before performing the operation."
" Fir»l of all, sir, let me *ec and exunine the patient ; pouibly it
may not be necessary to proceed to amputation,'*
" It will be necessary, Slnntiieur Thevenet. I>et me entreat yoii
to be Bcated. 1 have the fuilcxt coiilidenee in you — listen to me.
Here is a pur«c containing n hundred guineas, they are yours when
THE LEO.
481
I
the operation it> over. Irt the result be what it may. If. on the con-
trary, you refuse tu fulfil my w)»he»— -you see this lomii.tl pisto), —
you arc in my power, and, at sure as God i« in heaven, I «noot you
dead on the spot."
" Sir. your pistol does not in the lra«l HlMrm me- What is it you
require? Tell me at once, without further preface, for what pur-
pose have I been suniinoneO here?"
" You must cut off my right leg."
" With all my heart, sir, and your head as well, if you please:
but, if I am not mistaken, your leg appears perfectly loimd. You
sprang up the staircase just now, with all the agility of n
dancer. What is the matter with your leg?"
rope-
■' Nothing whatsoever, only off it must come."
" Sir, you are a fool !"
" That, AIonBieur Thevenct, is nu business uf yourf)."
'' What sin has chat well-sbapen limb of yuur's committed?"
" None; but have you made up yuur mind to ukc it off?"
" Sir, you are a stranger to me, and 1 should like to have proors
of your being of sound mind."
" Monsieur Thevenet, will you grant my request?"
" First, sir, give me some sufficimt reason for inflicting bo wanton
a mutilation on you."
" I cannut disclose the truth to you at present, I may, perhaps,
within a ye.ir ; but I wilt L>y ynii any wager, xir, that you your-
self will, At the expiration of the twelvemonth, allow that my rea.
Mtnn for desiring to be freed of my leg were most satisfactory and
praiseworthy."
" I make no bet with you, unless you inform me of your name,
your residence, your family, and profession."
" All this shall be duly communicated to you, but not at present.
Allow me to aak if you consider me a man or honour ?"
*' A man of honour does not present a pistol at his sui^eon'a
bead. I have duties to perform even towards you. who are a total
stranger to me. Without it lie strictly necessary, i will nut consent
to mutilate yuu. If you are bent on becoming the assauio uf aii
innocent fatlier of u family — fire I"
" 'Tis welt. Monsieur Thevenet," answered the £nglishman,
taking up the pistol: " I will not be your murderer, but I will still
compel you to remove my leg. What my entrratiei have failed to
obtain ; what neither the nope of reword nor the fear of death have
succeeded in extorting from yon, I wiU owe to your compassion-"
" How so, sir?'
" 1 will lodge it ball in my leg, here before your very eyes."
The young man sat down, and deliberately placed the mutsle
immediately above his knee. MonKicur Thevenet niflhe<l towards
him in hopes of preventing him from effecting his mad design.
" Stir from your seat!" excbiimed the Kngliiihman: " and I pull
Uie trigger. Answer me once mnrr, uill you put me to nemllesa
itain^will you, by your refusal, cumpd me to increase Uie suffer-
Jiig I have to endure ?"
■ " Kir, uTirc more you are a fool, but he it as you wish, — 1 consent
H to take off that cursed leg of yours."
H The necesNiry pre|)arAtions were soon made. Just before the
H VOL. III. 3 t.
48f
THE LEO.
incision, ihe Kn^liithmui lighted his pipe, and iwore it should not
go out. Truf! to hia word, he smoked on till hiti leg ]ny on ibe
ground beforL- him. no longer hi» own exclusive property.
Miiniiivur Thevvnet fehoued all his wonted skUl, and, in s tole-
rably short space of time, the patient vra* restored lo hunlth. Hegave
bis surgeon n munificent fee, and iVIt his esteem for him increaw
each day. With tears ofgratitnde in hi» eye:* he thanked him for
relieving him of bis limb^ and sailed for England duly equipped
with a wooden leg.
About eighteen months after these events, Monsieur Therenet
received a letter from England, to the following effect:
" Enclosed ia an order on Monsieur Panchaud of Pafis, for two
hundred and fift^' guineas, which I beg you to accept in token of
my heartfelt gmtitude. Bv depriving me of « limb which formed
the sole obstacle to my earCnly bliss, you liave rendered me the hap-
piest of mortals!
" Bent of men t At length ehull you be made acquainted with
the real j^roundfi of what you were pleased to term uiy mad whim.
Yi)u piTfriutud ill maiuuining that no rntioniU cause could pobsibly
warratit the KL-lt'-muiilation I have undergone. Well fcv you thM
you refused to accept the wager I offered.
*• Shortly after my last return from the East Indies, I became
acquainted with perfectiun, in the person of Emily Harley ; I fell
deiperately in love with her. Her M'ealth and family connexions,
made my relations as eager for the match as my.self, thniigh I &aw
but her beauty and angelic dEiq>oj;ition. I yoked myself to the car
of her admirers. AIuh ! my dear Thevenet, I was fortunate enough
to become the moi>t unfortunate ot* all my rivals; she loved me^
and me only ; she avowed her affection, and — rejected me I In vain
did I press my suit, in vain did her parents and IViends intercede
for me, — she remaine<l inenorable.
" For a long time did I fail to discover the cause of her refosid
to become mine: — to make one happy whom she owned to loving ttt
distraction. At length, one of her sisters revealed tlic mystery.
AliHH Harley was u marvel of beauty, but, Fitrange to relate, was
born but with one leg, and this blemish rendered her averse to be«
coming my wife, as she feared 1 might look on her with aver-
sion.
" My rcHolution was voon formed. I determined tliere ehoald be
no disjNu-ity between us, and, thanks to you, worthy Thevenet, it
exii«ts no longer.
" I returned to London with my wooden-t^, and at once betook
myself to M'im Harley. The report had circulated (set on foot by
a letter I had previously despatched to England), that I had in-
jured my leg by a fall from my horse, and that amputation was
found necessary ; I becnme the object of universal pity. Emily
fainted away at our first meeting She remained for a long time
incunnolable. but nt length ronsented to our marriage. On the day
afivr our union di<i I, fnr tlic iirst time, disclose to her the sacrifice
I had matle to gain licr hand. Her love for me became even yet
more tender. 0, Thevenet I to obtain my Emily, I would lose ten
more legs, without tlie Iea.Ht compunction.
" My gratitude towards you can only end with my life. Coow
I
I
4
I
4
THE LEO.
4S3
I
I
to Loniloii aod pay iia a vieitt aiiO when once yau have wen my
Biigcl-wilv, 1 ilcty you to say ogiu'ii tlut J am a fottl !"
*' CUABLBS TkhPI-P.."
Monsieur Tlieverwt shuwed the tfltcr to liis friojuU, after having
related nit the precediiifi circuiobiaiices, aiid Jic never told the
story without a burnt of laughter, aft he wound it up with: " IIu is
as much a foul as ever !"
The following was his answer to tlie above.
" Sir,
" I am ohligeid to you for your munificent preitent, for nich
tnunt I term a sum, so much I'xcenlJng the value of iny humble ter>
vices.
" I conf^-atuUte you on your marriage with your accomplished
countrywoman. True, a It-g is a heavy price to pay for the po».
session of a fair und virtuous wife; ycl not too heavy, if the renult
prove in favour of the change. It cost Adnm a rib from his body
to be btciscd with Eve ; many uther men, since him, have lost
tfadr ribs for their fair ones, some even have furfeiteil their he^ds.
'* Notwithstjmdiug your protestations, you muBt allow me Xa re-
tain my nriginnl opinion. Very probably you arc right at present,
fur you are still in all the rapture of the honeymoon. I am right,
too, but with this difrcrvnce, that it requires time to be coiivineeU
of the justice of uiy opinion : for it is ever long ere we arc wilUiig
to admit the truth of ideas that cWh with our own.
" Have a care, air, for I strongly suspect, that ere two years are
flown, vou will begin to wish that the amputation had been per*
formed (k&m> the knee-joint. In Uiree years it will strike you that
you might very well have compoundwl for the loss of tli« foot only.
In four years you will think that the Kacritice of your greut tutr might
have very well sufficed, and before the expiration of the fiHh year,
you will grudge even your little toe. Alter nix years, I am afraid
the paring of your nails wdl seem to you all that was necessary.
" I have »aid all this without prejudice to your wife's mcrtta.
Beauty and virtue arc nut m> fleeting lu the judgment of man. In
my youth I would have laid down my life for the beloved one, hut
I never would ha%-e lost my leg for her ; the loss of the one 1 shMild
never have repented, but earn day I should have re^neil over the
sacriflcc of the other. Had I ever consented to such aacrtBcc,
I should say : ' Tlicvetict, you were a fool !' and herewith 1
have the honour, kc. &c.
" O. Thevenet."
In the rear 1780, during the Reign of Terror, Monsieur Thevenet,
who bad iwen denounced as an aristocrat by some aspiring member
of hia profeasioo, fleil to London in order to escape the equaliaing
propensities of the guillotine. When there, deiiiriitg to incrcjiw Ilia
acnuntntancc, he inquired for the reititleuce of Sir Charles Temple.
He WHS dirccte<l to hi« mansion, and was announced to it*
master. Seated on an eauy chair by the fireside, a foaming Unkard
of porter at his elbow, and twenty newspapers strewed about him,
appeared a portly gentleman whose uic would scarce allow him
_ to quit his cliair.
A at.9
4M
SPHIKO.
" Ha! riglit wck'unic, Alonsieur Ttiovctict!" cxclatmed the portly
gemlcniun, whu was nu other than Sir Cburlcs Tiinple; " do not w
o^ended wich me it' I resume my neat, but my curbed wooden leg i»
alway* in my way. In all probid^ility, my worthy frtciid, you are
come to ascertjiin if my hour of conviction has orrit'ed ?"
" r am here «» a fugitive from my native land, and cWm your
jmitection."
" You mult take up your abode with me, for. of a verity, yoa
are a wife man. ity tnia time, Thcvenet, I shouhl have been AdniJ-
rnl of the Bhie, if this infernal wooden 1c-|; had not incnpiacilalMl
me from serving my country. Here am I reading in the papen.
news of the most stirring kind, and cursing my stara that I can
take no part in all that is ^ing on. Come, My something consoling
to me." 11
" Yuur excellent lady is far better adapted than I to play the^|
comforter." ^H^
" Don't mention her. Her wooden leg hinders her from dancing.
Ro she has devoted herself to card* and scandal ; there is no pat-
' sible dealing with her: but »he is a good enough woman in her
way." ^
" Then after all, I was right ?" ^M
" Moat indubitably no, rov dear Thevenel; but enough of that. 1 ^^
committed an egrefpoua btunder. Had I but my leg back again.
not a nail-paring of it would I part with. Between ourselves, be
it said, I was a fool ; but keep this piece of truth to yourwlf."
8PBING.
Oh. joyous %pna^ '. thou hail broughl onec more
Beauty and iniilh unto x» and »)iore;
The free W»t wave*, ami tlic slrnims reJoic«
To hear ihc sound of iliy jdad sueei voice :
The lovcttesl »kiM ore oVi thcc spread.
The moss-lurf brightens beueatli thy trend ;
And tlie yftiing flowers ihpir incense hnng
To gieei Uiy rcturo, oh, jovoujt sjwing I
llenld nf ^iimmcrt tliou cutnL-st forth
A blrxnnu fruiu llvav'n unto ibe earth !
The glorinus lifflit of thy ^unny sky
llilh btighl>^)'il tli« inoiiTii«r's laiisuid ejc.
With ihe soft breaiU ol'thy firsi-bom flowers,
Awak).- sweet dreanm of life's nioniiriK houn.
.!oy is amund ihee I Rach living ihinj^
Is glad in thy pmence, oii, torely ipringl
Alas ! dtcre are hecirls which tiever more
Thy besuly and fraginni:^ may fctlore ;
There are fye%, which even lliy sun-lieams briglil
No more shall kindle with Joy and lijthl ;
Bui not for the dead well mourn. Thy bloom
Shall flu>h with glndnen llw silent tomb ;
OVr il lliy fairest flowers we 'II flmst
Emblpinii of hoi>R, nnd a brtt;liter spKngI
J. A. Browm t.
ms
ON POPULAR AND NATIONAL POETRY.-No. II.
SWITZERLAND.
BY CHABLBS MACIUy.
Tus naliveii of an extensive plain, however ^t.'Jkt their loi c for
the land uFilicir birtli, and their respect for its laws, seldom cherish
towards il that iiileiiHC afTection, which 19 t'ett by those who are bifrn
iimid the more luagiiificent tii-enery of mnuntaiii and valley. Tlie
natives of the tonuer arc more attached to ihe iiietitutioii» and the
nwn, U)e Utter to the soil of their country. Thus the Switzer, who
ha« »o little nationality, who lends hiiiiMlf out to fight for the highe»t
bidder, and who docs not know patriotism in its mott rational sente,
loves hi* native hilU with a fervour of enthusiasm wliich neither
rime nor rirci]nutanc*>H tan destroy.
This chiiracter t«i inipre»»ed upon all ihe popular minstrelsy of
Switzerland. There is little or no poetry of Swiss birth which ex-
presses any attachment to Switzerland from political causes: their
eongB do not curse or satirise the oppressor ; they do not even exult
in the f^lory of their illustrious countrymen. While in Scotland the
honoured names of Bruce, Wnllucc, or John Knox, creatt? a glow
even in the heart of a cow-bny or a pig-driver, the Switzer of the
same rank kiiowii little of tlie triorious dcedii of William Tell ;
ind if he has heard the name nf CHlvin, he Iloh never inciuircd whe-
ther he were n AwLia or a Tartar. The Scotcli ploughman knows
the locality of Bannockburn : hut the SwisM drover euiiuot tell iti
what canton h the lleld of Griitli. But to make amends for thia
indifference to the great men of hi^ country, the Swiss pcaiant doats
upon every inch of the ground of his own village, and celebrates in
simple and touchii^ songs the delights of his mountains, hii glens,
and his lakes. Nearly all the popular poetry of Switxerland is of
this pastoral character, descriptive vi' uaturJ scenery, rural occu-
pation, and the loves of the peasantry.
Among these the Kii/ireihm stand in the first rank, and claim the
first notice. The French call them Ran: drt Vaches, and in Kngllsh
(hey may be called " cow-songs," although the derivation of the
phrase, l>uth in French and German, seems to l>c from the words
'■ Reihen." stu\ " tang," — a rank, or dro%-e, — making the littTal trans-
lation ■■ CofF-ranit." The cheese and butter of Switzerland are the
greatest sources nf its wealth, at least as fur aii the iJCiisiiiitrv are
concerned, and the cow is regarded by them with peculiar fontlncas.
Their be»c songs are sung in its prai>>«, and their finest niu»ic is era-
ploved to call together the herd M:'iittere<l upon the hilU- Such tra-
vellers as have not journeyed in the beaten highway of English
tourists, but have turned into the by-ways «nd villages to make ac-
quaintance with the manners of tJie people, deacribe aa a most
plesMing scene the return of the raws in the evening from their
mountain piuture. The cow-henl, witli his long Alpine horn, seated
Ufwn a conimaiulini; s|>ot among the hilU, sounds tne pUintive tofr*
lady of the kukreiim, uid the animals, obedient to the summons,
idowly leave their |>asture, gracing as they come, and marshalling
OW POPULAR AND NATIONAL VOETRY.
themselves around him, are led down to the villa^a. The mtuic
<if nil the tHJirei/im h nveex anil idi-IhiicIiuIv, and the tunes uf the hum.
re-echoing from erag to crag, aiid I'rmn hollow to hollow, are well
mlculated Lo incrcafc the plcsiiunibte cFcct ol* the mcloily. Every
district has its il« peculiar kuhreiAen. Thus there are the " Kik-
reihcH of ObtrhuxUr;' of " Sicbelhal," of " EmtuHhal," of " Emili.
hack," of " AppenzeU," of " Cngg'uberg," and of " ZnUigcr," in the
Germui distncts : while in the French districts there are the Romz
de> Fachrx of the " Oriiwi«t/^," the " Ranz dr Jotal," the " Ranx q/"
Mount Pilate," the " Han: of Ihe Grrtyirr Alps," and one or twn
others. There are also two which are common to nearly all P"*^
«if Switzerland, the " Kuhretheii turn Aufzug auf die Alp tm Friik'
liitfi," or the call of the cows to the hills in spring ; and tlie " KiiA-
rdhen mr AbJ'akrt tan dtr Alp im Hcrlvl," or tKe farewell to the
mountain in autumn. Besides these, there are several others, the
airs of which, not being emptied to call home tlie cows, Aa not
come under the appellation of liihreihcn, but which, being con-
nected with the cow, may be clashed under tlie Knglisli term of
cow-song^ Most of theae describe the pleatiures of a drover's
life, and hii^ t'ourtship witli the milk-mBiua on the lulls. Others
again are eulculiitcd for female Hiiigers ; fur the lass of many lovers,
and for her, more fiilthful, wbu hu» but unc ; but all bearing some
reference ti> the cow. No niarriave is ever contemplated without
takin;! the favourite animal into the calculation. The effect pro-
duced on the minds of the Swiss by these songs, when they are
far ^from home in a foreign land, is so powerful as to bring on a
deep melancholy, which nothing can remove but the sight of their
native gleni*. It is well known that in Napoleon's army, wb<*e
many Swi)>» were serving, he was obliged to iswue strict ordern thai
the iiait^ des Vacha should not be played by the regimental bands.
Although they were gt>od soldiers, the thoughts of home, inspireil
by the niutiic of their childhood, took such an cHcct upon them, that
they de^rtetl by scores, and went home to Switzerland. No punish*
ment could restrain them ; the fear of an ignominious death hail
li-'Bs terrors for them than the prospect of long Danish ment fromlheir
beluvfd Switzerland. If they had been %hting in delcncc of their
country, the music would doubiless have nerved their arms to deeds
of heroitim; but lliey were fighting fur hire only, in the service of
a foreign power, and the recolU'cUon of home, being dearer than
ihe hope of reward, they forsook their colours without remorse.
'J'lie ranz which thus unmaimed them was the " lianz dcs t'achefdet
Alp» de Giyiifcre," or of Uie canton of Fribourg. The words aire in
the Frencli pnUtii of tlie district, and. as tlie reader may think on«
verse curious as a specimen, I Hubjoin the lirst, together with a
translation of the whole ballad. It runs tl]u»:
" Li x'urmaillu de Colvmbettu
Dt Urn owUiM tc Mui lelui ;
Ua.' ah! Ha! aJit
Lioba .' Lioba ! par tarw .'
The cllurus repeated at the end of every BtanEa it
I'mide loiif
lUimtt' (t nerV ;
■SWITZERLAND.
48T
ttadyet motdUf
Dnmtnn' et otrvt
tfeio OH IscAinOf
io it w i'ario,
Deso Ok treinblio ;
lo i'e trtintto !
tAAa I Lioba ! por t'aria !
Lioha .' Lwta } por t'uria .'"
]t may be necessary to remark that the words Lioba ! IJo^ ! which
recur »o frequently In the fblluwing, are u»ed ai a tenn of emiear*
ment to th« cuws. Being altogether untmnnlateable, I have* preserveil
the original word. It U pronounced in two syllables, and in Mtme
districts of Switzerland is written iMfia.
lUNZ DES VACIIES OP THE GRUYfiUE ALPS.
" Tlie cow-boys of tlie Colombetta,
Arose one mom nc hrttk of day.
Hal alil Ha! alii
LJoba t Lioba '. your milk to dnn !
lUOHV*.
Under the oak tree
SuiuIb tbe pail ;
Hatittr ye mlcb-kim,
Down the dale ;
Black nnd brindlHl,
11<KLD and grey.
Bis and Ittllc,
Hute, away I
Lioba I Liolia t haste, away !
HutL-, away 1
Liuba! Lioba I basic, away!
When they came to (Ite Tale, aim I
The walen w«ra out, and they cuuld not paw,
Hal ah! Hal obi
Lioba I Lioba I your milk to draw !
' The witen deep we can't gel through —
Ob, wbal on wrti ar* we lo do '
lUlahl Hal ill 1
Uoba ! lioba I your milk lo draw !' —
■ llie panan h%i hrlped us oft befiirc ;
Let ua knock at the uartou's door I
Hal ah! Ha! ah!
lioba ! Liob* I yout milk i" draw 1*—
' 1 know he II aid us if lie can ;
Bni what ibiUl we nv to the Kood old nun ;
Hi I nh I Ha! ah I
lioba I Uobal your milk lo draw C—
Parhaps be 11 lell us, if we would pus,
Thai we mual batf a solemn man; —
Hatahl Hil ahl
Uoba ! Lioba I your milk to draw !'
Tliey went and knocked ai the pataoo'B door,
His kind aadHinw to ifflplon,
. Ual ahl Hal aht
Uoba I Lwba ! your milk lo draw !
4S8
ON POPULAR AND NATIONAL* POETKY.
' Oh, reverend tatlier 1 ay a mass,
"nat me nuy safe throu^ the water* mu !
UnUh! H&! ah!
Liolnl Liobal jrourmilk ludnw 1' —
Then acewered thetn that holy tiuui :
'111 tell you what i*ihe wne« plan.
Ha! ah! l/al ah!
XJoba ! Lioba ! yaor milk to draw !
' Smd ma a weighty, fine fat chccw.
And Toa sbaU paai whene'er you pleaw.
Ha I Hh ! Ha ! ak r
tJobal lioba I your mifk todrawl* —
' If you wnd us down your »CT*aTii laaa.
We *Ll give you a ch«Mc thai we mar pau.
Ha ! al> ! Ua ! ah !
Lioba 1 liobal your milk to draw !'—
* Mr urranl latis I cannot spare ;
I war you 'd keep het ihe ts to fair i
Ha! ah! Hal aht
l^oba ! Lioba [ your milk (a draw 1'-—
* Oh, never fear, thou paraon good I
We would iioi stisd bcr if we could !
Ita! ahl Ha! ah!
Lioba I Lioba ! youi milk to draw !
' For, if to WiM her we were driven,
Robbing tlie church iii ne'er forgiven !
lUI ail! Hal ah I
Liobal Liobal your milk to diavr!
' So fear not far your pretty hus,
We ni givit lier a cheine thut wi' may p«at,
Hal ah I Ha] ah!
Lioba 1 Lioba ! yotir milk to draw 1' —
* Ah, well I ah, well !' said the holy maii,
' I 'm sure 1 'U aid you if I can.
Ha! abl Hal ah!
Lioba ! Lioba I your milk lo draw t
* Au avc for yoH I will toy ;
So remember the cheese when you pau this way,
Ha 1 ah I iia I ah !
Lioba 1 Lioba I your milk to draw 1' —
That holy man he told tbetn true,
For .lure enough they passed rif^hl throuEh,
Da! ah! Ha! ah!
Lioba! Lioba 1 your milk lo draw t
CBO&V!).
Under the oak tree
Stands the pail ;
Uaate, ye milcli-kine,
Down the dole-.
Black and brindled,
Roan and grey.
Big and Uitle,
Haste, away !
Liobal Lioba! haitc^away)
Haste, away !
Uoba I Lioba I haste, away !''
SWITZERLAND.
480
I
The ori^na], having no pmen^ions to elpc^HHce, but bdng valtmhlp
merely because it i^ a sons of the olden time, compodod tor and by
the peupio, the reader wiiriioC cumiilain tlut the translation 'n rough
and unpiilUhed. It has been ri'tidcrod as closely from the original
as the difTerence of idiuni and the extguncica of the rhyme would
allow. After all, the " Eincoura," as the Kwitis oC FribuurK call the
curate, ii afraid to truM hit pretty serviint with the druver;!, but
prefers tu wait for bis cheese till they pass that way again. The
siyi quiet satire is about the bitterest in popular Swi^s poetry ; a
fact which would seem to show that the Hwiss peasaatry have but
little gall in tfaem.
The Kuhreikrn of Oberhaslcr is a very lengtby composition, ex-
tettding to about forty irregular Ntanzas, or two hundred and aixty
line*. The timt stanza is the cji1l to the cows, and enumerates the
whole herd by diflercnt epithets borrowed from their colour or qua-
lities ; the black, the white, the brindled, the scant of milk, the full
of milk, the frisky, the staid, the curly-horned, the strong-boned,
the joung, the old, the big, the little, those who rub against the
bedgea,.and those who are always moving their tails! The second
stania refers tu a totally diRl-rcnt matter, and ii! &ung to a variation
of the same air, which, like moEt of the kuhreihen, is sweet and
plaintive. The third staii:zu, oguin, takes up tlie call to the cows,
and the fifth, seventh, ninth, eleventh, and everv alternate «tanza to
the end, uontiimett the subject, and describes the duties of a cow-
boy, die passage of the herd to the'hills in spring, and their return
to the farms when the cold weather sets in. The iutermudiate
stanzas are upon all subjects : some of them are proverbs in rhyme,
and others, snatches of old sungs, dovetailed in, for no other appa-
rent reason than that they suit the mrasure of the kuhreikeH, The
main subject, which is continued regularly in the alternate stanzas,
is thus broken up by these constantly-recurring fragments. Some
pf the latter are exceedingly graceful. Others, again, by tbtnr sud-
den introduction, and total want of conr>cCtion, appear nbsurd. One
of them Literally translated is.
" In tHmmer time 'lit ttetei lo roam
Aimong ihr k'dU to i/utct,
Tafyj'ar atcofffrom wife and hral$.
And alt thnr luiur ami riot .'**
This is evidently the groan of an unhappy husband. The follow-
ing appears to be the wish of a philosopher in a small way :
*^ Sir MiaiAtd AtUan in my lack.
And two ttore cOkm apon the Mtt,
And I 'like iunipy ill day bng.
And eat and drink, anJ takt my fill t
But. no ! what '* life without good tnufff
Owe "w W«rf, too, and I've owt^ 7"
The next ia a lover's wish.
" Oh, 'lu iwert i« /**■ atmmer time.
Up im the high teitd hUta la tUmh,
'lotil iiiain tkr f'lnh fifrtn gram,
And talk to Ibee, my ^ rr/ff Um t"
400 ON POPULAR AND NATIONAL POETRY.
The Kiifarethm of the BmmentKal Is in ^ ghape of a tUaloga«
between a young drover, whose shoe pinches hun, aiid u )'o»u>g
maiden, who kindiv lends him « pair of suppers to ease ium- Talk-
ing of BlipptT* leaJe to a remark on the pretty feel which bad worn
them, and, by an obvious train of thought, to the praise of othw
charms. The charmH produce love, love an offer of marriage, and
marriage, once mentioned, becomes a 4uegtion uf cows. Without a
Ifoud Nlock of these ihi- union would be an imprudent one-
The next class of songs most popular among the Swiwi are tho«
expresaive of their attachment to their itative hills, and of their
melancholy or " Aomc-frw" when away from them. The foUowiofL
b^inniDg "Hrrz mya Herz," is the most graceful and natural of
these Bong», and the most admired. Ooetbe has imitated the ftM
line in a song beginning,
" Hen ! m«in lien I was sol! dai Oeben ?"
and the query has become a great favourite with German aong*
writers of iuferior note. The tomans In fact lay claim to the enUre
fong : but there is no doubt that it is pure Swiss. That in the
Bernese diilect is the mo«l popular in Switaerland, and appear* to
have been the original. It begins,
" Uen ! my$ Hert I tMi-wn m tnaig,
Umi leat tall tiat Acit n Well f
8*1*130 icAi/n in frumdr Lande,
Jfcri : myt Hrr.- ,' ictujfJUt drr mfh ?"
Several English paraphrases of this tender little .song have already
appeared, but they introduce thoughts and expressions « hich are not
to be found in the original, and omit some of the colouring which
renders it bo national. The following is a clowr translation.
SWISS UOME.WOE.
'* Heart I taj heart 1 why so dejected *
And what uieau* Oiy cunxlant wo« ?
Is 't Do\ Ur in forcigii rsgions f
Heart > uiy hesui I what grieves thee so ?
What doth grieve me f— all suound aw ;
Quiw forsalici] here I roam ;
True, 'lis Titir in forvigu regions,
Bui I 'm piaing for my home t
Oil, my hotnel for ihec I languish;
WuulJ t>ial I could l>teaUte tluae airl
Si'u my bther, sec my mother.
Sea tijy hilU and valleys fair !
Oh, to »e^ tli« mautitain summits,
Down whose aide the larrenU rani
Craj(s, Lhat truil l>y diainvis only.
Scorn the font of morLtl man !
Oh, to bear the aweei bell* linlding
M ibe drgver mouats ihe liiil ;
Willi his kine aiul Luubkiiii brownii^.
Oi dbpoftiug u their wdl I
SWITZERLAND. 401
'Oh, to Mt my Rali*<; vilUgv,
undemeaili ihe monDUiiis l>lue ;
With iti gnwi) anti flowery meadowt,
And its lake u clear lu dew ;
And its iDany-<»l(»ired tKMMs;
Ob, Id »n th«tD all ooM morel
And (o gntu the friendLy nHifhboun,
Excb nisn siandiag at hi* door !
No ont Awn w Aerr, or ihoiba w
TKdra tmd kindiy ty tht kaitd ;
IMtte chiiibru mitU nvt mt vs,
Ai at home in SwUterland J
Oh, I pin« 10 BM the homesieiidt
Where my happvyoutb Qe'« by:
Vp, my limba, and bear me thither J
Bear me ihiUi«r, ere 1 dit !"
The allusion in the seventh stanza to the " fiUHle htUt" or " iiHiny*
colciured houses," will be readily understood by the traveUer who
remembers the t'fti^lon so common in Switzerland, Belgium, and
some pttrts oTGennnny, of w»»hing the cement on tlic outer walli of
different colours; one house being green^ the next perhaps rod,
another white, and another yellow.
The stanza in iulica is exceedingly beautiful and umple in the
ori^nal. Tboue wJiu have known wlutt it is to be utterly alone in
m strange land, — who have come, prrha)}s. from distant parta to
mi^ty London, without knowing on« face nut oTthu million and a
half that throng its streets, will feel its force, and acknowledge ita
truth to nature. It is a poem in itself.
Another very popular soog is called the Ueimiehr, or the return
home. It is without rhyme in the original, a peculiarity which I
have imitated in the following translation.
THE RETUaN.
" la Aarjiau were two lovers.
Who loved each other well \
And li]«) yuune man 's gone lo battle :
When will be cotnc aguuf
lie 11 cone agaiu in smmner,
When foteMi Isara are ^<ntn ;
lie 'tl come igain to Anna,
la hopes lo find her tnM.
lie came again to Anna,
When fonnt leave* were graeo ;
' I'm ccfme^* said he, • wy tteut oh<,
I kc^ (Ami tiTt^tt nc tiiil.'
*0k, Bof said Anna, smiling,
" / '« got atothtr mm ;
J 4d>uiaiMnc (iN>/ « ricA inie,
To buy mrjevcUJiitt.'
the yotiiig man tunK-d, Hud left Im-i,
W itliuui 4uoihef word ;
but bilUii VTkU litB »unow,
And sorely Iw did we«|h
40S ON POPULAR AND NATIONAL POKTKT.
* Oh, my tan!' tiiid liis nioltitirt
' Whi vsfepett Hum to kitv?'^
' tt'/io could refrain from vxemttg i
I 't<e lost my liarling Ann J'
' It imxs yon right for roaming!'
Replied liis nother ihni ;
* Ytm 'it nvt fiare tvU yimr Anua,
Ij'^tiu bad itoid at Aomc '*
The followinjf i» a 1ove-8ong of m difTprent description. The
original ia in the BemetM* ilialeot, And i» very popular in all the runl
districts where German is understood. A lover, knocking at his
tnisCress'B door, says,
" Good evening to thee, Brennelte,
Ami My horn hctt llum brru t
I've mtuh to ttUthte, Bmuulie,
So ritt and (ci me in"
There are, it would appear, jieople in the house whom Bretinelie
wishes U> keep in the dark relative to her love-meetings, and she
calls out ill a loud voice, so tliat every uitc may bear,
*' Go. gtt you from iny door, tir ;
I '« fti)(( ■/ in t/otir/act ;
Or let ow poodle ut you,
To drive ytmjrom the place!"
Lcht the lover should mieiiudcrstaiid, and believe her wrath tu be
genuine, she adds in a low vuii-e. that he alone can hear,
" Cmae hark again at midnight,
'ITtaii 'Itjind the bott girt vnty !
Come bitck again lU mwiwAf,
/ irt// not toy thte nuy?"
Many favourite songi are written upon the subject of the " Abe-
telzc," or daily gathering of friends and neij^hbuurn around the fire^
side ut evening. There are ilUo several extant relative to those
rural festivals once common to most European nations, instituted in
honour of the spring-time, or the harvest. The stern, hard-featured
lace of modem civilization has been ^adually paring away fVoni
among us hII the»e relics of ancient manners. The may-songs which
used to be so merry in England, are now but poor aflairs indeed.
Instead of the jolly ]>eafuuu UcU and lHSfte», a few hliickguard chim-
ney-sweeps alone celebrate the ndvi-nt of the month of HuwerH, lock-
ing like the grim ghosts of the hearty festivities of yore. The same
effect ia produced hy the same causes in Switzerland ; but as civi-
lisation, with her steam-engines, factories, and gas-works, does not
penetrate so easily on to the mountains as into the plain, the Swiss
peanuintry, puritiiiiig their old occupations, «till cherivh umny ancient
customs which have become obsolete elsewhere. On the Ut of May
the youths and children of the villages deck themselves out in tlleir
best attire, and bcAring in their hands branches of trees hung with
tnany-cotoured ribands, they go about from house to house, offering
^gs to the inhabitanu, and t<mging in full chorus,
" Der Al^m itch kommen u dan itthja vxhr !"
ANACRCONTIC.
I
I
I
^.^■ong in praise of May is very old. Uul h.-if» little except itt an-
liijSny to rfcuinniend it. At its conrtuNinii, tlie ungfrx receive pre>
sents ftoDi the peaple ; af\t- r which they aiig a supplementary verse*
by way of thouks. It is literally a£ luliuwi) :
" God thauk yo«i, friendly people nil 1
Cod help yon in lili hcavi-tilj kingdom I
In heaven ihere is a ^ol<len uble,
WJterv lit tAe angfls htatiti^ and trfti.
In heaven ttiere is a vrold«ii ihroi^e.
God pre you all an ctfroul reward !"
Many Ciermaii poets havt written songs in praise of Switxerland in
choice Teutonic; but these, nlthough in some intctances extremely
beautiful, are " drawing-room poetry." and, as such, do not come
within the limits of our subject. The songB of the people, which
we have been cnnsidering, aru the cHuhiuiis of nniuvlciis ami forgot*
ten poetk, — in all proUability of drovers and nn]kmaid<;; the more
%-a1uabIe on that accuiiiit, because so much the more likely to give
a true description of the manner* and feeling* of a class of society
upon whom depends, in a great measure, the welfsre of a country.
Like to daisies, ijnnw-drops, blue-bells, ftirget-me-nots, crocuses,
and hedfjr-roses, which the child may pluck as it runs past, and
the labourer plant in his bosom, are the fraf^enta of old nijn|{« that
dclicht the people. They grow, like them, w-ilJloul culture, in corn-
fields and shee|>-walks, and are as precious in the sight of the true
lover of nature a* the rare and costly exotics of the rich man's con-
servatory. On another occasion [Bo7 volente] we propose to pre-
sent the reader with a wreatli of such wild flowers gathered on
German soil.
C M.
ANACREONTIC.
Fiti mc, boy, a bowl on I— up!
Till the wine o'erflom ine cup.
Fresher flowers for me braid,
These I wear too soon wiH We.
Fill, boy, fill tKff bowl agnn I
Tor, wiih every dringht I drain,
Bfighier dreams ny nncy sees ;
Sk«p htdi no suck phanusias.
Fill, boy, fill I My bumins soul
Asks aooiher nDamliuiE bowr;
Dnm il to ll>e utmoil, boy I
lla! Iia! ImI I'm oiad with joy!
M. U
A LAY OP ST. NICHOLAS. 405
" Fiiends would wliisp*r, awl foe« trauld Tmwn,
^itl) Uiou arL a Cliurchman of liich (Ipffree,
Aud ill mote it mnli^h willt Ihy fair renown
That a Kwaderiiig damsel dtoe with iheel
" There is Simon tlip Deacon bath pulic in store.
With htiua Jitiid lc.-lli]ces fair to m« ;
His leDteo fare now 1e( me shon-,
I pny thpc, I^rd Abbot, in charitie!"
— " Though Simon the Dencon h«»« pnlse in vtore.
To OUT putron Saint foul sJiame il were
SEioulil way-worn ^vnt with toil opiwnl
Meet in his abbey such churlish mn.
" Tlierc 19 Peter the Prior, and Francis thn Friar,
And Roger lliv Monk Hhall our convivet be;
SmuU scandal I ween oHall then be bmo ;
Tlioy are a goodly companie I"
llie Abbot halii donn'd liii miCr* and riii([.
His rich dalmaitc, and inaninic finr :
And the chomten sing as the Uy-brothen bring
Tu the board a inagnificcut tutkey and chine.
The lurhcy and chine ibey were ditne to a nlcMy ;
Lintr, and gi/iurd, nnil all were ihere :
No'er mote Lord Abbot pronounce BfnniidU
Q««r marc luscious or delicate fare.
nut no pious stave he, no Potfr or Ane,
Pronouncid, at he fpae^ on that maiden's fue ;
8b* allied him for ilnliin^, she »]ied liim For fnrjt
And ghoanl ; but never ouc« a^ed htm for Orao« (
Then f^i1y the Lord Abbol smiled and |>real.
And the blood-rad wine In the winc-cu|i fijl'd;
And lie hrlp'd his ^ueil to a bit of the brea>t.
And he sent tlic dmniBticks down to be grill'd.
Tlivrc was tia lack of old Sticrris nek.
Of ilippocnis fine, or of Malmwy liriglit ;
And aye^ as he dmmcd off his cup with a stnack,
He gr«w ieac ptoos and more [joliic.
She pledged him onre, and sbe pledged iiim Iwiee,
And sm- drunk as a Lady ought tioi to drink ;
And Iw preitnt her hand 'ni^lb Iht- table tlirict,
And he winked as an Abbot ought not to wink.
And Peter the Prior, and Francis (be Frur,
Siftl each wi4h a uapkm under his chin ;
But HoKer the Monk cnt cxf-'CtBively drunk.
So ihcy put Iiim tobwl, and tlicy lock'd him inl
Tbc hy-hiother* i^ui'd on >>acb oilier, amat'd ;
And Simon the ]>eacon, with grief awl lurprisv,
As he peep'd throutth the key-hole could icarce fancy t««l
The scene he beheld, or believe hii own eyes.
Jn his ear wu ringinf tbe Lord Abbot itnging, —
He coald not dudnaaish llw wotd* rery plain.
But 'twas all abont "Cole," and "jollv old Soul,"
And ** Fiddlers," and " Punch," and things <^uite ii» profai>ft>
llid Imili mvA Kinlatt'd k
— Bui, Iwrfc '- -'lU ■ wiuihI Trma ite
A tlatiliof •■nintl rtum ■ tmwtrtfal faloML
WIm hii'wki «• Ulw r— II H liiir KfWt ciiifei
ny t)w chnik, Htxl III* rlo«k *• tt* mma^
Ktnt, [iprhaitt, Itml tiirli limil ilmihli imim
Itaim tiniril In ht NlrlioUi' AUipy bobic;
Atl OKirMl " ll Witk •ItorlLihD Ip Iwvp pCOfle
Uui iiuiitj Kcfiiri) tiirlinMllo <*iMwetlltt
Now B lmii]iii litiLK ilirotigli Uic clai*(«n rw«.
Anil ihc ^utc fill lU liiiiKr» wii|« open flew;
And uJI were awar* of ■ Pttlmcr itmw,
Wiih liis cockle. Itni, lUfl. and htf ludal aboe.
Mnny a furrow, «iid many a frown.
By toil itnd tim« oa hit brow werr Iractd -,
And his lanfc looie fown woa of |iii)i,'i.t brown.
Anil his roMry dandled Imlow Itm waiat
Now Mldom. I ween, ii lucli cMtume imii.
Except at »ts«gf-p!»y or inMqueriiilp ;
But who doOi not know it vtni rnhnr iltego
Wiih Pilgrims and SniaU id ilicKcond Cnisnde?
With noiielM* airide did lltnt Pglmcr glide
AcTOM the oikeo floor :
And h« mkde them all jump, h« gave nidi k thump
Agvo»t the Itdiicrory door I
Wide open it flew, und plain lo ilu- *iew
Tllf Lorri Abbot iticy all mote tee ;
In hii hand wan a cup, and hf lifted it up,
'• Here's lli« Pope t good health with liircell*'
Itiing in their ean ihrw; deafeuing cheers,
"llutis! liuxzaJ huEza!"
Ar>d on^r of the |Hur1y mid, ■■ Co it, my hearty I"
When out sftka thu Pilj^rim gn-j —
i ■[
VOL.
A LAY OF ST. NICHOLAS.
" A boon, l^rd Abbot I a boon 1 a boon )
Worn ii my foot, ttiid vmpiy mjr nnp ;
And nolhinx lo fpeak t>( sincv yattrdiy noon
Of food. Lord Abbol, baili passed mjr lip.
" And I itni Komv fruii) ;i Ear cotmlrec,
And havf vi«it«<l mauy a tmtjr shrioe;
And \om bare I irutJ the sacnd lod
Where the Saints do rest in Pakaline !" —
" An ihou art come fTom a far counlre*,
Ami if tliou in Pajnim lands hast beuti.
Now ledt^ Tnc anghl ibe nnit •rondnful stghlt
lliou Palmer gny, that ifaiDe ejea hare avf n.
" Arede me ariglit tlic most wonderful sight,
Grey I'nlmerj (hat ever thine eyes did sm,
Aud a niai)vli«tltt of breud, and a good warm bed.
And a ctip O* the bat >hall (hy gueidon be I" —
"Oh I I ha*e beeu ratt, and 1 hare Nm west.
And 1 liavc wen tnaoy a wonderful sight :
Out narcr to me did it hHfiprra lo see
A wonder Like that wliicb 1 see this nigbl!
" To tee a Lord Abbot in rochet and stole,
Wjib I'ncr and Kriar,— a slmnge inar-Tellfi 1^
O'er a jolly full bofrl. sitting cheek by jowl.
And liolxiobbing away with a Devil from Hell f*
He felt in hi* fcown of f^inuer brown,
And be puUM out a flask frnm beneilh ;
It was rather tough work to f^vl out the cork.
But be drew it ai latt with his teeth.
O'er a pint and a quarter of holy water
He made tbe sacred sign ;
Aad be dftsb'd the whole on the lo^itante daogltier
Of old I'lanlagenei's linel
Oh I then did she reek, and squeak, and shriek.
With a wild unearthly srrcAm ;
And 6zil«d and hist'd, and produced such a tnisti
Tbcy were all liatr-diok'd by the »ieftin.
Her dove-like eyes tum'd lo coals of ftre,
Her beavitifut nose to a horrible snout.
Her hanJt lo paws with nasty grvat claws.
And ber bosom weut in, and ber tail came oat.
On her chin there appear'd a bog Nanny-goat's beard.
And her tusks and her teeth no mao inoie tell ;
Aud her horns nod ber boo& gave infallible proof*
T was a fnghl/ul Piend from the RCthermosl Hell '
The Palmer threw down his ginger gown,
His Irni and bis cockle ; and, plain lo sigbi.
Stood St. Nicholas' self, aud his sltaven rrown
Had a gluw.wurm halo of beaT'nIy light.
Tlie Fimd made a grasp, the Abbot to clup ;
Bat St. Nkhotas lifted his holy to«.
And, Just in Uie nirk, let fly »uch a kick
On his etdcrly Namoiakv, he made him let go-
III.
407
In escaping he tumbled, and fractured his hip.
And bis left leg was Sorter thenceforth than his riBht I
« • » • «
On the banka of the Rhine, aa he 's stopping to dine,
From a certain Inn-window the traveller is shown
Some picturesque ruins, the scene of these doings,
A few miles up the river, south-east of Colc^e.
And, while " taar knaU " she sells you, the Landlady tell:
That there, in those walls, now all rooSess and tnre.
One Simon, a Deacon, from a lean grew a sleek one,
Un filling a ^i-devant Abbot's slate chair.
How a fi-devant Abbot, all clothed in drab, but
or texture the coarsest, hair shirt, and no shoes,
(His mitre and ring, and all that son of thing
Laid aside,) in yon Cave liv'd a pious recluse ;
How he rose with the sun, limping *' dot and go one "
To yon rill of the mountain, in all sorts of weather.
Where a Prior and a Friar, who liv'd somewhat higher
Up the rock, used to come and eat cresses together ;
How a thirsty old codger the neighbours call'd Roger, '
With them drank cold water in lieu of old wine !
What its quality wanted he made up in quanti^,
Swiping as though he 'd fain empty the Rhine E
And how, as their bodily strength fail'd, the mental man
Gain'd tenfold vigour and force in all four :
And how, to the day of their death, the " Old Gentleman
Never attempted to kidnap tfaem more.
And how, when at lensth in the odour of sanctity,
All of them died without grief or complaint ;
the Monks of St. Nicholas said 'twa? ridiculous
Not to suppose every one was a Saint
And how, in Oie Abbey no one was so shabby
Ah nat tn mv vearlv fniir inn««M n hpail.
I
I
I
THOArAS NODDV. ESQUIRE.
TtiR Noddyi ire a verv nnmt-rous Uid ancient family. Outer
derived Sir Anthony Notfdy, who wm »cn<.-«chal to the Duke of
Buckinjchnm, truip Ttic. III., from Kitif; or Duke N'od, jgreaX-^t&rtd-
»on to Phut, ruler of the lend o1 Xod, and who i«Irpt with hi»
fathers, after giving his nainp to the country, in the firth |Tr>ncrAtion
from the XoBchic Deluge. Cl/trencieux could not, however, trace
the race higher thnn to (iiiy Noddie of No<l()ine;tonj Beds, one of
the first two kni;rlitti returned to Parliament far ihut county a. d,
124x1. Iliii ^(;at' grand Hon, Ned Ntxldy, accompanied Eclwnrd the
Third in his invasiim uf Hcoilanil, A. ii. VMS, and on the retreat nf
that munordi was left, at. tile genealuftical Ixw stutcii, " wmindeil
iH'hind;" mcanit)^ thereby that he was leA behind, wounded, and
without any disparagement of hit conduct or courage. This SvA
Xoiidv settled jn Ayrshire, and waa the founder of the Scutch
hrnncn of the family, upon whom was written that lunoui toiig by
King Janiea the Fourth,
** KnA wp 're a* noddta,
Nid, nid, iioddin,
We're ■' noddin
At ouK houae at hane."
This branch became extinct in Sandy Noddy of that ilk, who de-
ceased about the lime of the Union, having >tu()'fri-d lung and much
from the musical disorder of the country, (which he used to iday to
the foregoing tune,) and died without any other issue. Of the
Noddvs of Irrland liltic in known, except that a small sept of them
settle() on the edge of the Fuil, or Pale, and, aXieT giving their name
to a sort of carriage peculiar to the nation, aaaumed an Irish title
with a great O in front of it, and became, by living In Irish air, very
restless and dirtiiiguished agitators.
The genealogy of Thomas JN'oddy, Esquire, is thus limited to the
Kngli«h pedigree, and we find it rich in characters, of worth and
dignity. Abbot Ntxidy was the celebrated churchman fur whom
Cimabue painted hia famous picture of Aoranui, son of Krebus and
Nox (not now in the National Gallery); and Prior Noddy vtaM dit-
fiomtesited by Henry the Eighth of the Priory of Sleepsley, ¥*•
ued at the time of it« dtsM>lution by that dissolute monarch at
the annual sum of thirteen pound* four shtllingB and threp|>encc.
In the cultivation of science the Noddy h were equally renowned.
Notwititstanding the ridirulouH claims of Alesmer, liarun Dupotet,
and Dr. Elliot«on, it is well known thai Professor Noddy wm the
reid di^corere^ of animul magnetism ; the idea of sunmatnbuliani
having occurred to him on witnessing the effect* produced, when
preaching, by his futlicr, Bi.shoii Noddy.* The manuscript rcvelS'
tion and proof of this fjict may be referred to in the British Museum.
fier CoTTOK, Lib. JuL Ctts. .Vo. ///. 4K*- Dr. Noddy, author of
the " Treatise on Laudanum, with remiu-ks on the cognatr ({ualitiea
of Poppies and Lettuce," wxa another ornament ot the house of
Noddy. He was the fimt afler Esculapiua to introduce compoaing
* It w>* fram thU hnly maa aiiJ pJoiu divine tliat SMcnUisa ef the ■'•W *«r*
MvM Sy-iMKl».— Tidtf JLrclivolofia, vol. {. II. 1.
ff»2
THOMAS NODDY, ESQDIRE.
dniughU into the aystein of phytic, and it Is confeMied that no
BTcMt-r improvement has nince boett madt^. Of the Nod<Iya who
fiave dhone in the legal profession, we shall only montioo Justice
Noddy, the immediate progenitor of Tliomas, thiin whom a more
respectable judge never sat upon the bench. He lived to a very old
nge; and his suong opinion, ju»t before he died, against Mr.
Wak-Iey, the present AI.P. for Finsbury, had f^eat influence in
decidinfi^ the famous cause in which he was pbuntiC His only* aon.
Ralph Noddy, who held the ainccurc office of Clerk of the Peace,
having been previously cut off by apoplexy, he was miccecded by
his grandson ThnmuSj only child of the Mud Ralph, by Margery La-
xenby, daughter of Theodogius La%enby, of Laxenby Hall, Line,
who thuH became heir not only lu the estate of Noddy -cum-Slum-
berfl, but co-heir to Laaenby i' the Fcna.
Our bcru was at thii> period twentv-Lhree vears of age, and, but
for an accident which happened to him in his inrancy, might pro*
bably have been n marvellous proper man. But it seems (as we
have it from his nuri^e) that shortly after her cunHncmeiit Mrs,
Noddy took the baby out with her for n drive in the pmiy-chaise,
when, uufortuiiately falling asleep in Uie heat uf the sun, ahc dropt
her poor little eon Totn uut of the caiTJog^e, and one of the p^^nys
trampled upon his neck just before a wheel ran over his body. The
child lived, but the consequences wvre distressing. His hi-ad WM
twisted awry, so that whenever he did or said a silly tliinjg, jocular
people pronounced it to be turned ; and it was besides so oddly and
looHely confirmed ujMin his neck, that he ever and anon, as it were,
juvoluntnrily jerked it down with a wink of his eye, the movt
unmeaning meaning that ever wnh seen. (>n the demise of his
grandfather he took poii»eiii>ion of the fine mansion built by him on
the river Mole, near Dorking, (originally Dftrking.^-sec Doomsday
Book,) and resided there during the ensuing summer and autumn.
In September nnd October he attempted the sports of the field ; but
bis exploits in the shooting line were particularly unsuccessful. It
i* true that when bir<l» ro*e he i>hut one of his eyes, and nresenteil
his piece in their direction ; but the unlucky twist generally occur-
ring at the some instant, though he sometimes hit a tree, a turnip,
or a gamekeeper, he never hit a hare, a partridge, or a pheasant, in
fishing he was a little more prosperous; for if the twitch happened
til coincide with theriiiingof the trout, the contemporaneous motion
hookeil him to a certainty, and Mr. Noddy hnd the p1ea.<ture of
landing some twu or three dozen of finny captives from tlic Mole
and the Thames.
But the rural season closed, and the town season opened. Squire
Noddy, like other squires, removed tu Lundun, and located liiuiKcll*
in Dover Street Henceforward notliing but misfortunes betel blni.
Hifl unhappy peculiarity brought him mto endless troublcii ; and,
blest with youtl), ubunduiice, and the faire^-t of prospects, ultimately
made hira the hero of our tnle as tlic lust of tlie Noddys 1
It is neces^ry for us to recount a few of the incidents and adven-
tures which led to this melancholy issue.
The first public act in which, owing to this cause, he figured, wiB
on the debut of Mr. Otway iMarlowe in the arduous part of Ilainlct.
The pnbUc having I>een excited into due curiosity and expectation
by preliminary puffs and paragraphs, Mr. Nuddy was but too locky
THOMAS NODDY, ESQUIRE.
Ml
in being able to secure a front-scat in tho itagc-bo'^ for the occasion,
paving Mr. Miinchauiten, llie lessee, a guinea iherefor. And the
price was Hiirely niodemte. when it iit considered what an excellent
son Mr. Otway Marlowe was, and, on that account, how likelv to be
unparalleled in wriii^ng hie mother's heart and avenging his tuther's
murder as the Prince of Denmark. Alas ! he was never destined to
r«ach those f^and points in tlie ploy : he was damned by Mr, Noddy
in the very second scene with the ghost At that interesting mo-
ment all eyes were turned towards the stage, and, of course, the
atajte-bnx, where sat our hero in his conspicuous poMtion. By a
deplorable coincidence, the Ohcwt stocxl dir»?ctly between htm and
Hamlet, who apostrophizing the solid ohadow of hi* haplcM papa, in
the agony of his grief, and directing his tooki* alike to Ghost and
Noddy, exclaimed, " Why, ay, all, ah — '
' Jflhou catisi nod, speak lool"^
The ludicrous effect was instantaneous, and roars of laughter
shook the theatre. It wa« impossible to restore a trngic sympathy,
nnd poor Mr. Otway Marlowe was the victim of a few unintentional
no<Is and winks. The fufui, complaints, and ruw of next morning
may l>e conrcive<l by all who are acquainted with thoatrical matters.
Mr. Noddy was glad to compromise the affair by the iwyment of
one thousand pounds, of which the les»C4- pocketed eight hundred
for the lu«i incurred by the theatre, and Mr. ^farlowe two hundred
for the damage he had Hustuined ; and all the newHpapcrs rang with
varied accuunta uf Uic malignant and unprincipled conduct of aa
unknown assassin, no doubt employed by the rival manogeuietiL
Less serious, but li&rdly less unpleasant, circumntauces attended
Air. Noddy's every-day life. When at dinner with a company,
three-fourths of whom were absolute strangers to him, he would find
himself drinking wine with persons to whom he had never spoken,
interfering as a third party between each two who were endeavour-
ing to perform the same social ceremony, and interchanging cour*
tesies of the most intrusive uid impertinent kind with every person
It the table. It was a noil here, and a wink there. " Shall 1 have
the pleasure of wine with you ?" oHid with a tender voice by a lover-
looking gi-ntlemon opponite to a beautiful girl by his aide, would be
met by u willing recugnition from Mr. Noddy, and his head inter-
jMJscd would meet the jidver«e glance, and eclipse the fair one's
countenance from the prnffcred compliment. He was obliged to
eat of every dish olfercci to him ; for, atway.i appearing to give his
assent, the plates were loaded and handed to him by the servunti, —
astonished in their turn at the extraordinary politeneos of the guest
to theiniieWe&
One day Mr. Noddy strolled into Harry PbUtipf* mmns in Bond
Street, whilst that astute auctioneer was selling a Taluable nii>>cel-
laneous collection of china, jewellery, pictures, and plate- From
some previous business at Noddy tirove, on the Mole, hiH person,
though not his habit, happened to be known to Mr. Phillips; and
when he began bidding like fury for every article put up, it re*
joiced the heart of the seller. Competition was vain. Salesmen,
brokers, and •lews, gave up in despair. The hammer descended on
lot aAer lot; till, Gtially, two lovely 6gur«s of Chinese Mandarins
* TIm writer hopes la ti* fofgirta for inaklii( a llamkt of Don Juan, ar
SOS
THOMAS NODDY, ESQUIRE.
were cxhibiteii, and as Mr. Nwddy, iHslikinH their appearance and
ACLioit, qiiitteil llie room, tltvj' vevrv knucked down to hi« last nod,
for twenty guineas. Next day the wsi;:j;nn-lotd delivered at Dover
Street, utonished his nervanU, who, in the absence of their master.
took in and arranfted the cliina, and the pictures, and the plate, and
the jewtls, in the best manner they cotild ; bat tbeir astonishment
was nothing to his own when be cliscovrretl thai he had purchased
these bftTftffins to Uie amount of two thouaand three hundred ponndi
and five half crowns.
Shortly afler tliift Mr. Noddy viaited the Sarrey Zoological Gar-
dens, to witness an eruption of Mount Vcsuviii*. In the early part
«f the eveninf; he walked about nodding at the monkeys, who
iiudiled at hira in return, and winking at the owls, who very gra-
ciously shut and opened their eyes in reciprocraling the salutation.
Home of the animals Icnpt more nimbly frum nlde to side in tJu-ir
cages, as he gazed upon and twitched at them : whilst the cock-
atoos on their pegn set up their rreist£ and Kcreecheil as Irightfally
Ha if they had hcen perrhed on thr top of tlie burning mountain.
But the worot of all took place t%i Mr. >«iiddy was wending his way
homewanl. Bv an oversight, not altogether nnprvi-cdentcd in
London, an opening to lay down gas-pipes had been leli unwatched
and unliglited in the street through which he was piixsin^. No
wonder that, with n very sidelong nod, he fell into the hole, to
M-hich his erica speedily brought the aid of the police. He was ex-
tricated in an almost seniieless condition, when these active and skil-
ful persons, observing the twist of his neck, immediately concluded
that it was out of joint, and began to pull it straight with all their
might and main. The torture of the unfortunate gentleman was
extreme, but he had to endure many a lug by the ears ere he could
mjike his benevolent persecutors understand that they were en-
deavouring to rectify nature, and not accident. He was confined to
his bed for a month.
On his recovery Mr. Noddy attended a levee. IFe was presented
to her Mtajentv by the vice-cliumbertiiin, and gare her such a nod
and such a wuik, as she hud not received since her accession, nor
will perhaps meet with ag.iin during the whole of her reign. What
would Lord Melbourne give to be allowed a like privilege? The
Court Newsman was spreiiiHy eiijoine<l not to report the circum-
stance ; but it was the goMip of the maids of honour attendant
upon tlie queen at night, tbnt she could not have been angry with
Blr. Noddy, as, in truth her majesty herself, on being put to bed,
both winked and nodded after the very fashion of that loyal subject.
In the balUroom, it must be aeknowledged, Mr. Noddy did not
shine. There was a heaviness in his demeanour and a gravhy
which did not accord well with movements on tlic light fantastic
toe. To Almacks, arcnrdingly, he only went once; and wa» re-
warded for hia intrusion by tlie witty Lady ■ " • ', at whom he
winked, observing thai the alecpy-headed fool was fit for nothing
but doze-a-dotc.
Going down Regent Street one aAemoon, our IViend met a good-
looking *toul lady on the arm of a wel!-dre9fie<i man. who was
evincing his perfect independence by smoking a cigar. The fkihion
of the former, and the superior breeding nf the latter, could not re-
strain Mr. Noddy from his usual trick. A stare at the damsel was
TtlOMAS NODDT, BSQDIRB.
I
I
I
quickly followed by a wickeil closure of the left eye and « know.
inff inclination of the head. A toss of the lady's was the retort.
The game was repeated, and a crack over the offending caput from
tlic cane of the smoking bravo was the instant retribution. Mr.
Noddy was spread upon the pavement, and his offence being ex-
plained tn the crowd that soon assembled, the insulted pair walked
off in triumph, and he got from the ground to a hackney cab amid
the hootiiigs and sneers of the judiciouH mob.
As be puniJi-rcd on thiji. Air. Noddy felt coustderable surprise at
the difference existing between different part* of the town. Even
•o near us theQuudr»nt, he hud winki-d (iiid nodded ut every female
he met ; and lo far from being osMulted by a nod<3t-ed stick for it,
he bad been greeted in return Dv winks, and nods, and smiles from
thrm all. Liston having cured ni« broken pate in less time than he
rtiluci-d Farley's none to the true Grecian mould> he resumed the
tenor (if hi* luckli:s<i career.
Ills last adventure, indwd, approached : the knock down in
Regent Street wa« the nhadow before of the coming event. Mr.
Noddy was lounging in Hyde Park, when a lovely girl and a mi-
litary-looking person approached him in deep, low-whispered, ami
earnest conversation. Attracted by their appearance, he contrived
to tip the young lady one of his most powerful winks, and as aig-
ntticant as he hod bestowed upon the throned Victoria. A blush
waa the result; and the wink wa? re-enacted with the accompani-
iBGQt of an equally significant motion of the head. Again and again
WBl the affront committefl, till the fair one's cunfuHion could no
longer be conccHled,and her friend wasmnde aware of the annoyance
she had suffiTcd. The epithet of insolent sroundrel and a blow
was the immediate retaliation, whilst the frightened girl sank
fainting on the griis<4. The spirit of Mr. Noddy was awukenetl, and
the abusive epithet and the blow were returned. A scuffle ensued,
and before the unconscious beauty Man rewlored to sense, the cju-ds
of the enraged combataiiU bud been exchanged with menaces of
future vengeance.
As a gentleniitn, it now became Mr. Noddy's task to seek out a
second, who Mhould wc talisf'aclion given tor the winking, uiHUUng,
wincing, and ilrubbing, which had taken phut!. Plaviug laid hit
^^ before his third cousin, I'eter Luxenby nf the Mpaniith Service,
who, by the by, stood to him in the reintiun!>hi|i of next of kin arul
heir-apparent, that worthy undertook the office with the mo«t
friendly alacrity. Caj>tain Mttcficrccdall of the DIues having ap-
pointed his next on the li»t. Lieutenant PierceAeld, to a similar
trust, it was arranged that the meeting should " come off" at day-
break next morning, on the grounds of the Hippodrome, Just where
the private path is di.<q>uted.
ITpun this race-course the chance was taken whose race should be
run. Captain AlocfirrceduU and Lieutenant Picrcelield yrnre not
earlier in their attendance than were Thomas Noddy and Peter
tJ«axenby, iCtK|iiires. Nu attempt was made at explanation or con-
ciliation. The distance was sulkily and shortly measured, and the
Combatants, plrtol in hand, placed in their positioiin. They were
lo fire lo^vther by signal : the word was given and they fir»-il. Vayt-
tain Aluclit-rcedufl missed his opponent ; but goe of hi* twinges oc>
curring just as Mr. Noddy pulled the trigger, he gave a tuthksn tui
504
THE POSfMAWT
round and wounded tus lerond »evprely in the shoulder. In tpite
of this misadvcnlure, so snxious was he (ur the honour of his prin-
cipal, he agKin prepared his pistol for a second shot, and retirinjf a
reasonable way farther one of the jMisiiible range of the bail, once
more gave the signal to fire Two fliubea were visible, and a curl
of smoke mounted over the per«oDft of the duelli»t«, AlacfieroHlall
and Noddy. But, alaa ! the person of the first was still erect: the
body of his adversary vra« stretched bleeding on the earth. He was
shot through the heaid ; and with one wink at the Captain, and one
nod at hi» cousin, he breathed forth hia spirit uu ttic cuute»ted fooC-
Eath. The Captain took the hint, and in three minutes waa, with
is second, en route for Culain. Nor was Lazenby long behind him.
BaviiiK deposited the body of Mr. Noddy in Dover Street, he alva
embarked tor the Continent till the stonn blew over. A ceremo-
nial trial at the Old Bally concluded the fatal bu«>nrss, and it was
clearly shown by the counsel that the defunct Thomas Noddy,
Ksquirei was aloue to blame thraujjhuut tlie whole tran»action. The
jury rvtumed a verdict of jusliliable homicide, and the judge who
tried the cau8e, *» well a« tJie aldermen who Hat near him in the
Court, nodded their entire approbation before they went up stairs
to dinner. The remains of poor Tom Nc^ddy, with the bullet in his
noddle, were buried al Noddy-cum-SIumberB; and Peter Laaenby,
Kvquire, ituccveded to Ijindi-d property in Beds. Line, and Surrey,
of no legs rental than eight thuuaand a year.
Having wound up the narrative, it is time that I should conclude,
which I the more willingly do since the scribbling has kept mc up
till long post midnight, and I have been nodding, myself, during the
last hour and a half. Of one of my prcdeccxsors who wrote with like
credit to himself, and much fame, it mas said " nunquam domii>
tat;" and, finishing this my epic, I need not be ashamed to allow
that, as Homer sometintes nodaed, so at thi4 epoch do 1.
Tbutha.
THE POSTMAN.
BY Iin. MCOPISLD.
Hi9 portrait is an cvery-day picture of life, and ytt not easy to
paint. He \» the very incarnation of alacrity, the embixlied spirit
of regularity un<l prt^ctxion. Day by day, hour by hour, he x* to be
seen traversing with rapid step the limits of his own narrow district.
The heavens may smile, or fro«Ti. lU-volutions may shake the land j
or peace and prosperity gladden its children. Disease may wave its
pestilent torch ; or sadden calamity sweep nway its victims. But
the postman is utill at his jtaxl. A diurnal dispenser of news. A
kind of HOPE in the Queen's livery, visiting every nnc in turn, ami
welcomed by alt. A mcsaengcr of life and of death ; of gratified
Bmhition, or disappointed desire; of gracious acceptance, or harsh
refusal. He is still welcome, for bis presence, and that which he
brings at least, puts an end to the most cruel of human sufferings^
uncertainty.
He is the chief link which unites the past to the present, the
present to the future. The my.itcrious voice which whispers its se-
crets in every ear, and touches every heart. Like Fortune he is
STUAN.
506
II nt-onHciously pleasure or pain.
I li by his iK'xUt nn^cr and tliunib
:ii tvt'rv heart. All doors an- open ta
' ii. KncD ear h on the ulcn tu Imni fur
And, ■feniutiuu cutnes wkh him, it
' «* him. And if to-day he brings de>-
•-•( the empire, full of little pu»«)onfi, little
< tries, to-morrow this universal plenipoten-
iiiiir and space, may be the bearer of morr
t iiig iiitrUigeiice, waited on post-office pinions
1- ol" the earth.
' iL- Tnopenn t/.jtoatmATt are usaally clothed with a
■iiT than those of his colleague, the General pott-
. . may bring tiie news of distant battle and of death;
jfl by ^hipvreck, or c;ntned by suceeonful enterprise.
jI' the former consists chiefly in beinp the bearer of the
lief which cnnstitute the business of ordinary life ; — in-
Ihc ball and concert ; notes of congratulation and in*
foMX, culeur tie rose, perfumed willi the sweet brestli
Ided into faniastic forms, and «»led with devices which
fieeret they try to confine. But t>til] the twopenny post-
same smart, asuiduoue, and steady character, a# he of the
"lo labour is too heavy for him, the letter of the mer-
rnring a bank order of large amount, is as light aa the letter
Eelcrk, full of love and protestation. Like the general post-
is the master of every secret, without knowing anything of
terv himself- He has all our private afTairs in his keeping,
iiirver betrays them. He reads by iiistinct the rharactrr of a
without opening it. Hv witnesiie»— nay, i* a party to.-^very
le, every emotion, every paiaion of life; but is so discreet and
: that he never allude* to the one or the other. lie is ct^ually
die bearer of the request and the reply ; causes the wound, and cure*
El; rarriea at the same time consolation and despair, and is nccom-
I>anied in hin progress by n clamorous concert of complainti, prayers,
pralsea, and entreaties ; which, however, do not in Xne slightest de-
gree disturb his et(uanimity.
The postman is nlso a man of general information. He knows
precisely our standing in society, aecortling as we are rich or pour,
celcbrateil or unknown, wise or otherwise. He finds all this imaged
HI our correspondence ; and in the same clear mirror beholds re-
flected the extent of our influence, and the character of our under-
Ktandiiig, until we are laid bare to his observation in all our native
beauty or deformity. Such is the drama of life — so interesting, so
striking, so profound. — which is played by the [KMtiuan every day ;
and si^erward* complicated and renewed at each succeeding turn of
duty.
We may finish the portrait of the postman in a few words. He ia
■letive and merry; for he has no lime to he idle and sad. He ia
honest and trtiAtworlhy ; for his reputaiion, and that uf bin de|)art-
ment, dei>end upon these qualities. He is civil and iJiIigiitg; for
the new year must needa come round, with it* gratuities and re-
wards ; and, to crown all, he is faithful and true ; for, though cn-
uusied, aa we have seen, with alt the aecrets of tlie town, he nr
dreoius of divulging ihcm.
^6
A LITTLE LOT FOR MR. GEORGE ROBINS!
BV JOTCB JOCUHIl.
lUiL, Mr. Robinsl first ofauctwDe«nl
No entiout jeen.
Wo rival's cliwrKiiir,
Can reii^cf impotent yoar poteut hammer ;
W(iid> knocks aown
(As quickly ta your nrguniL-nis do fallaciM) ;
"TUfc SOIXMK TCMPt.CS, AKP TBF. r>OnCSOU& TALACSS t'
Noubilit can withsUnd
Your ptxctiMd hind.
From peasant's coUbk^S) to
" Faihv BowruN,"
Vn^ea needy folic expectant heir* are ridding-
Of" Ouop r^rAH-S.*"
Oil • it i» awt-iH tlte vhilt
To lunrk yoai Etnilc,
And wali:h your keen eye loukinti oul^^'' HJiHtig f
"lilM MaJ»TT IUE (jl'tEK "
Mif^t seek tu purcha.te xucli
**A STLVAX ^CCKC"
As you desciibc, wiili pen of
"Wiziito's TOUCH,"
TrariAfumiino; in n Ince
Desolate tracts into
"A FI.K»tCT FARflOISE!"
With all yoDT lattdJcapM, picturesquely ibowing
"MCAVPEflINC KTSllANS"
llirou^h gTMo i-nlct Dowing
Ad4 "ijOT»"of '* WArEft-MiiLs, for e«M " ^tfing /
O'erliung by
"A Mjijlstiv wood,"
In shnclows iturk ;
Somt^tliiu^ofa
*■ Olatk i-orest"
Neitilibourlioodi
A sort of
"MOiOO pARir
1 ntk you, in all courtesy, ofeaunw.
Have you not, Mr. Uobiri^ vrer
Contrived to trace on pApcr, aonw
"Broad rivek.
Which likfl
"Tar. NiLK."
Hiui but n qutfttiotiablc taurcef
And are uol iiiHDy
*'MlKfelO*iS,"
Country one*, and town.
But well *' puffed up," lo be aa well " knocked down " t
And tliongl) most cIl-vcHj yoit ciiiivy
The world with icmptini; aflm, xuch a» tb«c.
Friend Robint, don t jcm think now thai yourlrtei
Ilcmind one v.'uily of
"Tpa oiiovu or BLAIINEY?"
507
BABIOGRAPHV:
OEIHQ A 0IS5EBTATI0N VPUS BABl-'ilON8T£KS.
" Et orii famlomm," &c
I AM inclined to believe that the next ^nerntinn will bp distin-
jfiiished fibove nil thnt have pri-ccdpJ it, by an extrAordinary deve-
lopemerit of intclkctual cncrjiy arising from the iiitrodiic-tion of
iutJmt schnolii into KngUnd- i hujtpon at the |ircseiit time tu lie
aci|uaint«l (iti u viry limited circle) with at least s hundred juvenile
CriclUuna und infiuit prodi^es, who promise to adorn uhiiutt every
station in life, — the church, the senate, and the bnr, — the court, iho
camp, and the counting-houGe. I hnve in my mind's eye at thii
firesent writing an embryo Lord Chancellnr just breeched, — n bluff
ittle Wellington staggering about in >i go-cart, — and an indubitable
JJyron just put into the " at iti pr/rtenti." It is astonishing that
iithey has not noticed thi» remarkable feature of the age in di»<
CiiuinfE the " Proii|>ect« of Society," or Bulwer in discoursing of the
" Intellectual Spirit of the Timea." When I consider the prfi»ent
state of infant education, I lia%-e little doubt that, when the Fining
generation shall have " put^hed us from our stools," delighted
audiences will listen to limning lectures on politicnl economy, vreep
over the pathos of pigmy AiacreadyA. and laugh at tiliputian tiistons.
In our nurseries, " Tom Thumb" will give way to Karon's Essays,
and " Blue Beard" be superseded by Jeremy Bentham ; the hoy-
den, who is now ignnminionsly employed in licking chalk and
craunching Mate- pencil, will be transfortned into a Jnanna Baillie, a
Jamieaon, or n >Iartineau: wringing the heart with tragic fiction,
delighting with graceful and delicate criticism, or puzsling with
Muya on pojiulation.
I oave Iveen led into these reflections from having lately had an
opportunity of observing the habits, temper«, and talents ol three or
four of these baby-monsters in a Hingle family, and who, to my
immortal honour, call me by the endearing name of uncle. I am a
middle-aged man, of a reserved and sumewhol nervous temperament,
■crupulously regular in my liabitfl, and critically neat in my ap-
parel. I am exceetlingly fond of children, when one is secured
from the violence of their affectionate plavfulniis by an abte^boilird
nursemaid ; though I must confes* I sfiould prefer them if tliey
eoulft be exhibited io « glass case, like the beautiful insects in the
Uritish Museum.
It was during the laat winter that I was invited to spend a few
jt with a married sister iu the country, who haji for many yrara
ten in the habit of prctH-nting siuiually to her "adoring" husband,
one or more of the " little responMbilities" of which lam oboot ••
(tiaeourw!. On entering the drawing-room, I found my rister I)
on the sofa, (for she had just been making one of her annutl [
aentatiuns,) surrounded by her young and interesting familjr. I i
a fine opportunity of observing the animal beauty of their peno:
from the various postures and attitudes in which tbcy were d.a
played. Some were climbing the barks uf chairs, mme were tnm-
MiDg and " spread-eagling " on the Hoor, and otbcra were cxhi
508
BA BIOGRAPHY.
biting (as my sUter observed) the original state of human natitrr.
(which, (tccordiiig to the " Philosojiher of Maliucsbury," !■ a " state
of wfirfare.") by pulling Cfluh other's hair. On my appearance the
little rt'bela all crowded round llicir iiiollicr, and reminded me of
Lord Byron 'a bcKutiful simile of "cherub* round an altar-piece;'
though, from ibcir screams nnd vociferutionu on the present occasion,
1 could only think of that class of " cherubim" of which it ia writ-
ten that they " continually do cry."
When our first wiluLitiona were over, my jiister hastened to inform
ine of all tho»c intererting and important matterjt that so afTectingly
a^tate the mnternid mind. IJob hnd a flight touch of the hooping-
cough ; Augustii!) (for Bynco]je Gutty) was just going to be vacci-
natcKl ; little Emma, it was feared, had caught tne measles ; " the
baby" was to be christened next wccli ; and n tall pale girl, in a
pinalbre and cnrl-pnpcrft, was about to be confirmed. It was then
remrmbered that I had not st-en " the baby," and Bob was directed
lo ring for it. I confess 1 felt considerable nervousne»a whilst
awaiting its arrival. In all probability 1 should be requested to
take it in my arms — I am very ehort-idghted — I might take hold of
the fvruHg end — 1 might let it fall — it might — . But it wad uselen
to baraes oneself with these dihlressing anticipations whilrt the
" enetuy wus at the gate." I am nut aware that the little stranger
(which sure enough was put into my arms) di^ered in any important
fiarticular from the usual specimens of infant humanity. It hail a
ittlc, puckered, kitten-face, of a pale brick-^lust colour, and »fvinced,
on handling, that excess of " radical heat and radical moiature,"
which I nm told is the universal characteristic of early babyhood. I
felt cun^iderably relieved when it was Temo*-ed, though I had
suffered no farther inconvenience than « slight derangement of my
dreM», the little creature having \til round my neck a part of ita
apuurel, which [ have vince learnt ia technically called " a bib."
I cannot tell how long I might have been indulged with the play-
ful gambols of my young relatives, had not Bob (who had climbed
up the back of ray chair, and waa amusing himself with the innocent
recreation of tugg;ing my hair, and poking a pair of scissors into my
ear) at this moment fallen squat upon the carpet, with a sound
similar tn the Hab of a young rook tumbling from the nesc. The
little barbarian stared about htm for a moment, just to collect his
vnergiea. and then set up a roar that wuuld Imve roused the Seven
Sleepers : it was deemed advisable that the interesting sufferer should
be removed. Shortly afterwards the room was cleared, (after a brisk
and spirited resistance on the part of the rebeU,) by the united
nrowess of a footman of six-feet-two, and a ratfigonian nursemaid.
So console me, however, for the loss of their lively society, my
atRtcr promised me an exhibition of their various talents, which the
assured me were of the highest order, nn the morniw.
On the following day I was requested to iittrnd a morning con-
cert, to be performed by the baby, in ousters in the school-room.
The lean giri in the pinafore and curl-pnjiers presided at the piano.
Bob, on being called upon, pcrl'urni*^ a. sulo on a penny trumpet.
which his mother assured me had been considfred by competent
judges as promising to rival the best performances of Harper.
** Gutty," who was about four years old, delighted us with a lao-
taaia on th* Juwe'-harp, and afterwards with a very cUiborate per-
I
BABrOCRAPHY. 509
fonnance on the trais-vici1, wliicli. oomtMerinij the ilifficultics ander
whicli be laboured, (the irmtrumpnt being twice as bi^ n« ibe per-
rormer,) wan rertiinly a* wonderful as tlic sin[;lc>string AorcmcN of
Paganini. IvniRM, who had just cut her hst tooth, wan " in fine
voice," and favoured us with aereral exquisite little »tongs, amongrt
which we were especially ploaaed with " Little Jack Horner,'* and
" I had a little husband no bipper than my thumb." Of course the
baby could not be expected to lake any prominent part in the per-
fdrmniiceN ; but her mother called my attention to the lingular f»ct
of her screaming in iimt; which kIic jueUy considered as indicating a
stroit^ bias inwards " the joyous sdeucf."
When Uic mu»ci] jjcrlormftnccs were over, the two male Inbv-
monstera had a " set-to" with the foiU, whilst the young lady in
the pinafore and curl-papers executed a waltx with her little siater,
— the two exhibition)! unfortunately ending in Bob getting a pokt
in the eye with the foil, which sent him iK-ilowing from tiie room,
and h'ttle Emma being gracefully whirled into the fire*place. These
Caauatties put an end to the exhibition* ; but 1 had seen enough to
convince me that my sister had ftrrmed a very accurate estimate of
the talents of her ofl'ipring in reference to cxtcnul accomplish menta,
and I was >oon convinced that 9he liad formed an equally accurate
estimate of their mental powers. Before I \ei\ the country I siir-
priitcd little Emma one day, deop in a dog-eared copy of one of
aliii Alnrtincjiu's stories. Bob I found daily alworbed in the study
of entomology ; he had already made a valuable rollcotion of
spiders, blue-l>nttle.i, and beetles ; and such was hin devotion to the
cause of science, tluit lie had twice fallen into the fish-pond in a
chivntroun attempt to rapture b dragon-fly, and hod once flattened
his nose against a wnll when in eager purenit of a rnriouii butterfly.
Gutty had manifested uriec|uivocal symptoms of a talent for poetry,
and I was indulged, under u solemn promise of secrecy, with the
tight of several suunctf. written in rt>und hand, and addresaed to
Carlo the pointer, Dicky the canary-bird, and nn uld srrubby pony
called Peter. In consideration of these poetical manifestations, his
mother had arrayed the young Petrarch in a huit of black velvet,
and hod already decided that he should pn«s through tlie world
without a neckcloth. I take no farther notice of the young lady in
the pinafore and curl-papers, who was bom before the great era of
infant education I am deM:ribing. Indenl tihe had imbil^ many of
the vices ot* the old system of instruction, and WMted much of her
time in watering the t)owers, feeding the pi*ultry, durning stockinn^
marking linen, and other menial and servile employment*, now hap*
pitv confined to houM-mnids and humhle eompanioos.
I cannot conclude thid brief sketch without expressing a hop«
tliat I may have drawn the attention of my readers to a very inte-
rciiting Kubjert. There is, ] repeat it, in this happy country an
hnmense fund of infant learning daily increasing. The itateanian,
the philosopher, and tlie philanthropist are equally interekleil in pro-
mutmg its developemi-nt. Towards this great end, 1 would pro|Ni«e
the immediate evtablt«hnient of a baby-college, in connection with the
great scheme of national educjtita now in prugresn. As a necessary
pan of the discipline to he adopted, 1 would suggeht tlie brtal sup-
prearion of all games am) pastimes which tend to divert tlte \n(nut
mind from the serious pursuit of plulotuphy and sciunce. In tliis
I
filO
THE COSTttAST.
there would be no hftrdnhip, inumuch as a statute ia «til] in
ence restraininjif the undcr-gracluato mcmbcra of ihe UniveTfitvrf'^
Osford from tlic comparatively venial rctrreation of marbles, Pn>.
fcssors might W procured without difficulty from the various infxnt
■cbools throughout the kingdom, nnd their appointment .ihould be
Tttted in the crown. Proposals !<lH)uld be published for the crcetion
of a suitflhie buildioj;, whiclt should contain within its walla *
nursery and a dairy, together with suitable HCcnmmodation» for vet
and dry nurses. When the scheme Hlmll come into full operation, it
vill be necessary farther to establitih a Society for the Diffuttion of
Infant Kuowk-due, which shitll supply the infant public with cheap
and popular works iu the catechetical fonu. Uut perhaps, anterior
to nny steps being taken, it might be advisable, in eonforuiity with
the general practice in such cases, to issue a coniatitsioH, empowering
any number not exceeding teo asad gentlewomen, (to be nomi Dated by
the Crown,) to examine on oath all nurses and others emplo^'ed in
the care of children, and report their proceedings to ParUament. I
would suggest that the salaries of the comniinsioners should not
exceed three guineas a-wc«k, with their travelling expenses, and
half a pound of gunpowder ten.
There arc, I ndmit, some objections to the system I am proposing,
owing to a cerUiin eccentricity in infant genius. The most highly-
cultivnted b1oi<.!ioins will not always hear fruit. lie who is a voung
Ehilosopher at four, will at six frequently return to peg-top and mai^
!ck ; mid the melanehuly picture is exhibited of the intellects of
one's children progressing iu uu inverse ratio to their bodily stature,
which makes
" the philosophical l>e^oMei
Sigh for ihcir wkcs ihcy crc-r iliould grow older."
T have known several instances of the most promising monsters at
three or four ye.ir.<> old gradually become <lutler and duller, until at
ten they have sunk into a state of morbid obesity and mental stupor.
Worse than thu fat boy iu " Pickwick." There is, I fancy, at the
present time a stout gcnttemnn walking about town, undistinguished
in the crowd, whose childhood was fed with the ineeuu: of applaud-
ing theatres, and who rejoiced in the flattering title of the " Infant
R- s." I say nothing of the uu-lancholv situation of a fat middle-
aged man being doomed to bear through life the horribly -ludicrous
zoubri(|uet of Mr InJ'aul, when perhaps at the sume tirae he may be
puird'idly c(in«cl»us of having a wife and ten small children, and of
weighing lilteen stone! These cases, however, are to be looked
upon as exceptions to a rule, and by no means as representing the
infant mind of England in the nineteenth century.
I trust I have now fairly and honestly, however immrfectly,
stated my case, which I submit with confidence to '* on emightened
and discerning public."
F, J. H.
THE CONTRAST,
OvH rvrlor in his cliariot rolls,
Because he has " Itie can of souls;"
Our doctor wsllcs, the cause is, suie,
Because he liu no soul lo-^utv /
Juves JW.USP.
r>ii
I
THE UIARY OF A MANUSCRIPT HUNTER,
" Aa I do live, my honoured lord, 'tis true'"
(UHttT.
Thk fiillowirifi narrative is drawn from the papers of the Knfilish
rcsidrnt at the cuurt of France during the reign of Henry the Fourth,
and if the reader entertains any aiiEpicions of itn truth, he may sa-
tisfy htB doubts by comparing it with the despatches uf tlie laraB
persDD, still preserved among Secretary WuiwoiHi's [Mipeni.
I.
HENRY THE POURTII AND THE PRINCESS OF CONDfe.
Henry the Fourth of Franee was a prince comparable to any, in
the eniinency of tun p^ilitical virtues and the splendid successes of
his life. In this he did partake, in a great measure, of Ciesar's eon-
stcllation. whom, as he resemWed in courage, in constancy, in for-
tune, in wisdom and clemrncy, and in the suddenness of a violent
death, so, above all, wa« he like the noble Roman in the variety and
errancy of hiR afTni^ctiona.
His marriage at an early age with the sister of Charles the Ninth
was solemnized by the massacre at Paris, and the murder of his
fViends and family, who had been invited for this purpose to be
pnwtit at the colcbrntinn of his nuptials. Detained in a jealans
nmrt, not by the strength of walls and fetters, but by the corruption
of his servants, by un espionage on his words, connienance, and ac-
tions, he abandoned himself to the love of women, not from incli-
nation only, but from industry-, that, under the mask of carelessness
and pleajjirre, he might calm the jealnustea of the state, and soothe
the argus-eyca of those who daily thn.'atened his safety. The con-
duct of Henry the Third, and the wantonness of the Queen of Na-
varre, furnished him not only with an excuse, but even a plausibi-
lity for his conduct ; and when, after an interval of three years, he
escaped from imprisonment, to become the head of the Hugonots,
his ancient partisans and allies, the lenons which he tiad learned in
impri»Dnment, he practised with less affectation and publicity, but
with more efficacy, and no less assiduity. His wife lent henwlf a
sedulous instrument to his intrigue*, as much to colour and excuse
her own, a^ to gain unlimited authority over htm: and when her
mother, Catharine dc Medici, came to visit Henry upon public bu-
tineas, she failed not to take with her the choicest heniities Af
France, for whom, in the day of his captivity, he had declared his af-
fections- Thus his licenlioiifiness was encouraged not only hy natu-
ral proncnsitv, hut likewise by habit and appetite. — by vanity and
political intrigue. Nor could the bitter Lnunts of die assembly at
Hochelle about his mistrcases and their children produce any
other effect upun him than a distate to themselves ; as a Uttle water
cast upon a strong fire increases ita intensity atler a moderate
inten-al.
In the distraction of the timet which followed the death of his
predecessor, neither the greatness of his hopcn, nor the intricacy of
(lis ailairs, could prevail u|Kin htm to change his course ; true to his
51 S
TDE DURV OK
fonner rharactrr, thmc whom lie loved in his retsfortunes he ron-
tinucil to love when wealth and honour wcru ut liis disposal, and
even pinecd them nrouni! Iiim as the chief ufficcr* and oriiunents of
his court. Such ivas Gnbrielle d'Extreos, nflerwardtt Duchess ot
Benufort, renowned for her sin^fular beauty, and the exquisite sweet-
ness of h«r temper, who g^vemetl his aficctions with absolute domi-
nion ; yet, though nhe brmight him three diihlren, whom he dearly
loved, hud not di-atii prevented iier marriage with him, she hjul
cau«ed a new division in His party.
The hap|iiiicds of his second marriage prevented him not from en-
tertaining in the interim the Demoiselle d'Estracus, aftervards
Marchioness of Veurveil; and, unable to resist the importunacy
oF his dcMres, he lia<l entangled himcelf in some slippery promises
(ifmarri^e- The haughtine&ti of the lady, ami the petulance of
ber tongue, c(nii]>elled him to redeem his proiniseii by proceeding
capitally againtit her and her father ; and yet, though she never to
ber dying day forgave him, nor failed to demand the performance
of tlie ho|>ca she nad once conceived, he not only continued his
viriu to her, treating her with the utmnrt condescension and at-
tention, but seetned to hear with patience, approaching to delight,
the freetloiti nml bittemefs of her wit. Alter this lady he fixed his
atfectioDii upon the Coiinteftn of Kforet la Hay, and a hundred others,
too tediou<) and impertinent to mention. We, therefore, pacing on
to the occasion of our prew^nt narrative, intend to take a view of
him only in the last years of his life, when he had reached the age
of fifty-eight (160!)).
At this time he was, for his years, of a strong and sound com-
Clexion ; a hardy education, continued evercise in peace and war,
ad seasoned him to laltoiir and endurance : ifubjecc to no indi>po«U
tion but Buehasan amorouH appetite mi^ht produce, and some slight
fits of the gout; of a moderate stature, a shape well-formed ami
compact, deficient nmhcr in titrength nor agility, nor in beauty of
feature, or complexion ; of an aspect most agreeable beyond belief,
especially when he spoke or moved. For promptitude in his actions,
readiness in hif< answers and retorts, he was inimitable: though
sometimes over lavisJi in hia speech, to his own prejudice, but of.
tener to the prejudice of truth — ^yet hia convcrtntion was not defi-
cient in Qiajcbty and awe, tempered with sweetness, ei|i)ulling him-
self to the level of the meanest ; und yet, when it suited him, ei-
jiressing such majesty and dignity towards the greatest as made
theui tremble at bis words, and even at hi)i countenance. lie btill
retained, even after his conversion to the Roman Catholic faith, so
much of the refurrued religion as to place the principal exercise i>r
his devotion in private prayer. He wa» a xe^lous attendant at the
public exerciNes of the Romi>h Chuich ; but failed not to express
impatience at any symptoms of hypotrrisy or anVctation of extraor-
dinary zeal.
Thus stood matters when, in tbe summer of the year 1609, aotne
overtures of marriage took place between the Prince of Conde and
Marguerite de AFuntmorency, youngest daughter of the Constable uf
Ft ance. The Duche«s d'Angonleme, the maiden's aunt, a lady much
respected by the king, undertook to communicate with him upon
the subject, and to introduce the young lady at court for that pur-
pose. The intended bride was in the morning of her age, nut fully
J
A MANUSCRIPT UUXTRR.
&]S
I
I
L
vixtcen, of an exquisite shiipo miuI beauty ; her behaviouraiitl sppccli
»o excellemly u-moeretl between the confi(lei>ce of her uwii %'aiue
Rtid iiinocence, uiil tlie uiocletty of lier youth ami education, that iii
nil company where fihe CAiae she brcxthrtl nn air of sweetneM am)
(leliflht, like ■ choice flower v,-hrt*e (lincloninj; beauticA draw the
eye^ of the beholders, and sheda itti beauty and fragrance around.
Henry, who was fcrown weary of hi« mercenary miHtresHen, fait kings
have the continuHl dioiuitiiirHction of never beinf; certain mat they
•re loved fi>r thera*elve*,) waa instantly set on fire by her presence :
and those considerations which should have kept him back, — regard
for his repuution, his greatness, his years, — ser*'ed but to betray
him, and to flatter and encourage the vehemency of his pa^aions. He
at once grew impatient of every little abaence, omitted no occasion
to court and entertain her ; and, when interrupted by otlier circum-
stanoes, ceaiied not to pursue her witlj such intent and devouring
looks as if hia whole »oul had bv«ii teatetl in liiit eyes. The cour-
tier*, curious Cu observe the iiliKhtest motions of princes, were pre-
sently full of whispers on the subject, which buoy rumour scattered
abroad with increased intensity. The f«r Marguerite, whether
prompted by her own vanity, or the craft of those about her, failed
not to ca«t a melting and relenting eve upim liim ; snd her friends,
wbo at hrr jirst introduction anticipBte<l ii ditRctilt and tJiorriy iiefjo-
tiation for her ntorringr witli the prince, now found their prnpOMls
accepted with rheerfulnes!) and welcome.
The Prince of Cond<>, until the king's second marriage, had always
been brought up in expccution of aucceedii^ to the crown : and, fur
greater security, those about him had taken especial care to instil
into him a pertinacious hatred of the reformed religion. Mc wa*
quick and prompt in apprehension, eloquent nf speech ; but in sta-
ture little, and of so bad an aspect an though nature had prema-
turely BUniped upon him an evidence of iJiose vices he had not yet
had time to evince. He was now about the age of twenty-two, still
retaining ^mme swelling thoughts of his family's ancient greatneas and
blighti^d irxpcctations ; but his fortunes were miserable, for his father
bav tng been the head of a party, all hid lands and estates were engaged
for the jNi) uient of his father'!) debts, and himseir and his mother
compelled to depend u(>on an ill-paid pcniion from the king fur a
scanty and prt'carioub Bubsistencc. The king despised and suspected
tbrra both ; and though divers propo-ilion* had been made for the
Eritice's uiarri'tgv, twinie with ^reat advantage to his fortunes, the
ing, not de»irou>« to see princes of the blood increaMt too fm\,
had ever found means to break them off. Ilut thia motion was be-
S;un under so propitious a star that it was eagerly admitted, ami
bund a rapid conclusion, and the dowry of one hundred thousand
crowns, which the father gave with her, was employed in clearing
tlie prince's estate. The king promised them his countenance and
mpport, nettling upon them for the present a pension of twelve
tbouaand pounds sterling.
I pftss over the ceremonies of the affiance and marriaffe ; it
raflicctii to tay. all things were concluded as the young lady de>
sired, by whose will the king's heart was absolutely steered.
The court made short and frequent removes, sometimes to Paris,
sometimes to places in the neighbourhtmd, (as men in fevers are im-
patient of the same posture,) hut the king stirred nowhere without
vol.. 111. 3 X
514
DIARV OP
thl
the compsny of the queen, that he might thus have an occuion oi
enjoying the prcBence of the young princess; anil nhererer %]
came, as if it had Iwen the joiirney of Bacchus into Inrlin, aU w
feasting, and music and aong, ode« and et«ei«x, tiltin;; iind runnin
at the ring, above all, duncing, in which the lady i-xceedinely d
lighted, and ^ve a far greater dpli[;ht to alt behntdtM^. In t*^
paatime the ninbitJouii courtiers did lend unlo the king's pass!
not their experiBc only and their bravery, but thrir youth, an,
beauty, and wit, and lie vat highly saiiffiud who could*by any in
Tention favour the king's pretences, or flatter his hopes, or eaak^
tome ingenious report of the Prince of Condt^'a fears and |
loDsiea.
The prince at first laughed heartily to see the king's unrcaso<
able passion, the alacrity with which he received the notion of tna
riage and other pretciicw, so contrary to his foriner experience; n
was bis eariic^tncM fur the nn^tinls in xny degree abated, u eon
dent that the king's xffectinn would rather above himsplf than fri
Aim ; yet, when the mnrriage had been concluded, xnd the whisui
of tbokc who would in-'iituate them«etv«s into his grace*, and th
more open remarks which the wrtrld made upon the violence of
king's passions, srouwd his fu4picion«, he b^^gan to be very tpoo
blesome with his cunipl^iints to hi« wile'H friends, inipoituning h
to retire into the coontry, though, olherwiw, he whs no Yery g;
adorer of women. At last, when all excuses had been exhaus
when such a feast, or such a marriage, (occasions of delay, inter-
posed Bometimei by the entreaty of others, or the more abM>1u
motion of the king,) when these and other pretences served na
longer, the prince, in the eod, canied her away to mis of hit
casUes in Picardy.
The king, who had as yet reaped neither fruit nor blnwaoms front
the seeds of his bitter passion, other than what might be attributed
to respect, or at most to vanity, was yet so pleaaeri with the objcol
of his delight, that whilst he enjoyed her presence and converse
tion, he wa« kept floating on the waves of his own de:#ires; and lh«
he«t of his affection resembling the vigour of youth, infnsed jof ami
brightness into his eyes and countenance ; as the saving is, the'tooth
of desire bites sweetly. But now that she wa^ gone, without any tix«4,
time being nppointed for her return, he luink at once into aadneaa ;
his ioy and pVasantnc&s were fled. Ho entirely w«.s hii soul occupied
witii hift passion, tlial there was no business, of never so serioua m
consequence, but if it came to any long debute, he wnuld draw the
mentitm of the Conde into it, thoutjh it were with tlie most grave
and silent of his council. In those rooms where he had enjoyed her
preaeoce and conversation, be lingered with a manifest yet in-
effbctual pleasure, which was no sooner perceived by his assiduoa*
courtier?, than, anxious to anticipate bis wishes, they set about un-
dertaking pilgrimages to viul her. in procuring lettcni from, or re-
Eorts about her, in making feasts and balls to divert the king's so.
tudc. Puet& likewise did expose their abilities in songs and eleg{ei
commemorative of her departure, and the king seeioed to take a re-
Uith in them, contrary to his wonted inclinati<m.
It icems that men who have been successful in the world have a
certain period in their prosperity at which, when they have arrived,
their felicity ruins itself for want of opposition. Besides, when
A MANUSCRIPT HUNTER.
outwanl oppQtition faileth, in it* place »uccee<l enry. hatred, ca-
liimnjr, and secret practices for tneir ruin- Such wd) the Cfi*v
with till* kinj;, who to his fsc<f wait exquiiitcly soothed in hii p«fr-
Bion, yet evrrywlicre eliw traduced beyond the truth— his lecret
actions, words, and very thought*, reprritented in a multiplying
glass to the nrinre, by those whiim he least *usi>ected.
On the 24th of October, the kin^ came suddenly fi-oni St. Oer-
maino to Paris^ and the next day disparted by three o'clock in the
ninrninf;, leaving directions for some of his guarda to come afler
him to Fontflinbleau. There they stayed three days without hear-
ing any news of him, til) at length he arrived at Fontain-
bleau, and thence returned to Paria. The trutli is, he took with
bim his natural son, Dv Vcndamc, and four or five other niiniaters
of hin pleatures, such as he had IWuicrly t^nipluyed in thesu pur-
suits, uioguifed like merchants, intending tu visit the Princess of
Coiide at her own hot)!«e, taking the opportunity of her hubband'a
ab»ence, who had appointed to be at a solemn meeting of the gentry
at Picardy, in memory of Ht- Hubert. Yet, notwithxtandiiig the
auddeiineta and secrecy of this resolution, tlie prince had received
an
\ti intimatiLiii of it, and h«d circuiatol a retxirt tlmt some persona,
liaguiMd, ha<l coine upon an evil de)>i);n. This, ad^lrd to a c[Marre]
which had arisen between two of the chief personii in that pro.
vinoe, made a great alarm among the gentry, and messengers were
ported up and down to assemble friends and discover the persons so
disguised. When the king arrived, he found all in a disturbance and
uproar, and was compelled to retire without any fruits of hit Ad-
venture. But upon nis return to Pariit, every house and every
asaeinbly was full of the strangeness of this action, which was every-
where related with different, and generally with lalse and malicious,
circumstances.
A nuther occurrence happened at this time^ which gave occadoQ to
men's wonder and astonishment.
8ign»r Koscarini, the \'enctian Ambassadnr, who bod formed
an intimacy with the Prince of Candt% took occasion to address
the following words to tlie king: '*fiirc, all the world doth ac-
knowledge of bow infinite importance your life is to the well*
iM-iiig and quiet of Christendom, and bow much your health, and
i:iinsc(]uently your life, is concerned in tl)e disquiet you receive by
the absence of the Princess of Conde- If your majenty will be
pleuned lu make use of my service, I am ronlident tliat there is no
man in France can so soon prevail with the Prince ofCondc, and
persuade bim to bring his wife to Paris, as I can." The king was
at first abashed by so monstrous a proposition ; but suddenly re-
collecting liimself, he said witi) a jeer, " My Lord Ambassador, cir-
cumftances are by no means such as you imagine , but I must beware
of you, who, being an ambassador to me from a foreign state, have
got so great an interest with the princes of my blood."
Upon the universal murmur wbicti arose at tliis strange adven-
ture of the king, the Prince of Coiidr, by these and ouier
plaints, lud induced the Duke of Montmorenci. his father-ii
to write and expostulate with the king, which he did in mai
rHpecti'ul terms, yet ^eniibly enough tu give las son-in-Uv
bidon, and to set before the king's eyes the scandal whi
world mtertained at hit proceedings ; but a» bodies cormp
516
THE MISFORTUNES ANO CONSOLATIONS
peccant humours turn nil tlint is nutriment into a contrary quality,
so tlid tile king mnke use of these compinint* to ieed his pnMion ;
writing to llie Princt* of Condc, and jesting at the idle cimipljiinU
and almdows'or liiK sick iinaginutiun, and in the end commanding
him to return to Paris, where he should receint Mli»fiictioD for
these unfounded npprehen^tons.
THE fillSKORTUNES AND C0NSOI.ATI0.NS OF
PEKKGRkVE TWEEZLE.
Mr friend Tweezle has, through lire, been the most unfortif
oate, and yet tht- most fortunate, of men. Every species of ca-
lamity Hhh btrfalten him, iind yet lie has never once been un-
huppy> Slisforliine and he have ever been st war: she darting
her miHst]t>N at him ; and he throwing them hjick at her, or
r.-i>8ing lip baMions, behind which he has ensconced himself, and
ItLiighed the malicious judc to 8Com- Lucky has it been for him
that he has been made of such " impenetrnble stuff;" lucky
for him that be hnit bad a thick head and a tough hide; and that,
like the tortoise, whidi, encased in its hard shell, lela the ponderous
waggon-wlieel pass over it withtmt flinching, he also has be«n able
to li't the heavy car of Fate drive right over his back without hai ing
a single hone broken by the pressure. Some men, when under the
lash of misfurtunf, i-iidiloiily iniiigine that they might to be religioui,
and take to jiriiying most vehemtiiilv while the danger lasts; others ^
again arc optimists, and, uhen the ithue pinches t)ii*m, cunsole them* ^|
aclvcs by quoting the hackneyed line of the poet, " whatever u, is ^^
right ;" wh^le others — poor wcok-mioded creatures ! — fly to tJie bottle
for solace, and make beasla of themselves, because Kate baa proved
unkind. Tweexle, howevi>r, cundemm; all theE« tnethods. Mid C€0-
fiolrs bimitelf in a manner |ieculinrly his own. Whenever any
t'cowliog, ill-favoured fiend, of the many that follow in the train of
misfortune, stares him in the face, my friend Tweexle sits himself
c;«]n)ly down ami looks at him. He quietly takes the measure ol'
bis deformity ; and, if the fiend have by chance any good parlH ab«)ut
him, he treaAures tliem in his remembrance. Then he sbutk hi»
eyes, and gives loose rein to hU imagination ; which, finding itMlf
at liberty to disport, B|iecdily dcpicw the monster as ten times more
hideous than he really is. At this creation of hi* fancy Tweezle
shudders, bis hair htand^ on end, and he thinks himself indeed an
unfortunate inaiv, to be in tiie jirescncc of a misfortune so great and
so menacing. This, however, only Usls for a momentt and Tweexle
opens his eyes again. The monster is still there. " Ha i ha !*' saya
Iweezle, pretending to be agreciibly surprised, "is that you?
Lord love you I I thought you were a great deal uglier ; really, yo«
are nut Imlf nu imil »k you might have been. Your face ia rridlr
pleasant, and your behaviour actually courteous, in comparison witfc
the one I took yon for. What » lucky fellow 1 am that Fate has sent
me, in your peT3fin, a mixfortune that 1 can put op with. Ha ! my good
fellow I there is comfort in store yet ! " »ml Twcizie, rhapRodizing i
1
OP PF.REGR1NE TWEEZLB.
this stmin, nctunlly rejntct's that n little misrortunc hu come upon
him, bfcjiusie a ^renter might, with ns much jtistice, have b^ldllcn
hiin.
Tweezlc and I wrrc KrhonirellowB, ami one trait of hin eiaXy cha-
rucler will exemplify his peculinr philosophy. Peregrine, hem^ so
easy and good-natured, tjuirn) Uie t'liit of all easy I'olks, aiid was
always put upon, and became, in fact, the scapegoat of the whole
ffchuol. If any riotous urchin had committed a fault, — broken a
window, knocked down a pie-woman, or drawn a caricature of our
pedagogue upon the wull, — Perefirine was pointed out aa the delin'
uuent. Straightway the awful ferula waa put into requisition, and
TwecKlc and itii thongs became mure iiitimat«')y ucquainted than
waa at all «f{reexb1e to ihe former. Tweexle wao at this lime but
tieven yean old ; but hi* ruling maxim had even then penetrated
into his brain, and become the guide of hi« conduct and hi« conM>>
Ution in distress. Our pedagogue, Mr. Thump'emwell, had a wife,
who had a very inortUnate notion of her own excellence, both men-
tal and corporeal, and a very supreme contempt fcr her husband In
both refpects. ThumpVrawell, if rumour spoke truly, now and then
experienced from this afTcctionate partner a few prooffi uf her supe-
riority, which iihe mntiifeftcd by imprinting upon his cheek'* the
inarka of her delicate fingers, and by letting fall u|Km his eyes the
All) weight of her dainty fi»t. One uidueky morning, some satirical
rogue — iU-natured, as satirists always are,— drew with chalk upon the
wall a very tolerable representation of one of the striking scenes
above alluded to, which had on the previous n-ening agreeably re-
lieved the dull monotony of the schoolmaster's life. When Thump*
'cmwcll came down in the morning, his eyes rested immedialely
upon this sketch of his connubial felicity. He gazed upon it tors
rninute in awful silence ; ami then his eyes sparkled with fury, and
fStis face grew so red, and the veins of his forehead so swullen, that
Ive thought he would luive kutfocated. Cl^nching his h^tnd, and
•Iriking it agitiuNt his de^k, upsetting at the same time an inkstand
all over his nankeen nether garments, he, with a still small voice,
ordered us all to stand up. The dread summons was obeyetl, and
we itood in a line across the room. Thump'emwell was always in
a tremendous fury whenever he spoke low and blandly, and we ac-
cordingly prepare4l ourselves for an explosion.
'• Now, my dear children," said Thump'emwell, " yon know I
love you sincerely/' and the hypocritical wretch seized bold of his
feruLi as he spoke: " and I slitiuld die witli grief, if one of you ever
came to the gallows. Do you hear i
- " Now," continued he, after a pause. " I was telling you tltnl 1
loved you all dearly ; and, as 1 love you, I mual ttive rou (Vom <b»
gallows. Now, the little atrocious vagabond who made thn
ing is sure to be hanged : nothing can osve him iVum it,
find him out and flog him, and confine him fur three fla
breaxi and water. You see, therefore, my dear children," ot
he, still in the same bland voice, " that my nlfeclioii rompet
punish the ulFendor. Therefore I ask you who did itf"
No rvply.
" Tell me, or I will flog ever)' soul of \ou, from t)ie biggrst t
Irasr. Who is the atrocious little reptile ihut had tlic audadl
do it ?"
518
THK MtSFORTUNKS AMD COKSOLATI0K8
Still tliere wail no reply ; anrl Thnmp'emweU lifted his rod, uiil
bruidialii'd it in ur, pofising* the Hugera of Ins left baud lovingly
throuifh the tbungs as it dusceiidcd.
Still a general silence prevailed : every one looked innocent ; and
the reul culprit, certainly the niost innocent of all.
Again the question wus asked, «nd all eyes were directed towarda
poor Twecjile, who, though guiltless as the babe unborn, stood
trembling &t the bottom of the lile. Ilis countenance trai pale, liia
eyes were downcast, and hJii knrcs knticked t<^ether. As the fierce
look of the pedftgogue wn* turned towards him, my poor friend
thought thitt he mij>ht as well hjive been guilty, since he was sure to
bear the puntuhmcnt.
" It wea you, was it. Ton incorrigible rascal?" said Thump'oa*
well, seizing the unlucky Peregrine by tlic nape of the neck.
" Now go, «.ir, and rub it off."
Twecgle did ns he was deiirctl.
" Now, my dear little boy," sjiid Thump'emwell, " come here !**
TwerzU: knew it wnuld he of no nite to resiiit, nnd he went.
In a minute al\rrward^ the instrument of torture ascended and
descended in rapid Eueci.'tsion, and the screams of the unhappy sa£-
ferer resounded tlirough the upurtuirut.
" I '11 teach vou, you imp, to make sport of your superiors," aaid
Thump'emwell, after he had flogseiJ nim till his arm was tinxL
" And now," he added, " come with mel"
'i'weezle still bellowing, as if he hnd had the lungs often urchins,
was dragged by Xhump'emwell to a little dark, du^y room, used-as
the prison for juvenile delinquents, and there locked up. We all of
us heard tiini roaring for about live minutes, when the noise gradn-
ally subsided, and in a »tiort lime he was as quiet as if he bail drop-
ped n»leen. Feeling acutely lor his sufTerincs, and indit^iant that
ne hHoiiIcI have undergone such severe punishnirnt (or »n offence of
which he wrk guiltless, I seized an opportuniiy to fle»\ away to
condole with him upon his wrongs. Tapping gently at the door of
his prison, I announced myself, and straightway tVom the outside
beg,in to console him under the pressure of his evil fortune,
"Oh, I am quite comlbrtable ! ' said Tweczle, stopping me short
in the midst of my IjimentationR.
" What !" B.iid I, surprised, •• after such a beating ai that inlenial
Thnmp'cmwcll gave you ?"
" Yes," said Tweezle.
"And three whole days yet to be locked up here, and condemned
to bread and water. Comlortiible did you say?"
'* Ves, quite comfortable," said Tweesle ; " one thing only irou-
blee me."
"And what is that?"
" That 1 was not guilty ; however, I intend to become so u sooo
as J get out, nixl there's comfurt in that!"
" Well done, Tweer.Ie ! I admire you for that I But is it not cmel,
nevertheless, that you should be conflne<l here fur tliree days? Is it
not disgraceful ?"
"It it rather," replied Tweezle ; "but I dun't mind it. Three
dayn will poKS sooner than a week. It might have b<:en wor*e !"
And with thi:* small grain of comfort — that hi» punishment mioht
4
I
4
OP PBRSORTNE TWRRZLR.
S19
Tiave hetn more Mvere — ^Tireezle pitaaed the term of his Impriaon-
ment in chcerfiilne*» ! Happy Twecitlc I
Thii WAS one of the troublei of his carlv life : and in manhood he
hat not been more fortunate. Ill-luck has always followed him.
HchasbeeninlDvc, and been tilted ; he has played, and been plucked ;
he hu confided, and been ileccived : but still, the more that Far-
tune hns frowned, the more stublnirn ha» he been in his defiance of
her, and the mare eager to c<)naole himself, even in Fate's darkest
day, by reflecting "that it niiuht have been worse."
Another adventure in which he was cuncvrncd will show bit turn
of mind. The Hon. Major Fitzfigfrins. a gentleman who rejoiced in
a great atock of auuranoe, a tolerably handDome person, and a very
Bcoommodating conacience, took it into his head to pay some very
marked attentions to Miss JuUettA Blossom, a youiif; Udy to whom
Tweezle wu «n|^ged. Those )<aIIantrieB of the major towards the
fair Juliettn were, of course, imt very pleatiinf; to my friend Pere-
grine ; and it may be inferred that no tftent portion of good*will sub-
sisted between him end the major. Perefinne, being an easy, good.
natured man, would never have inaulteil Major Fitxfig^ins ; but the
latter, being an ovcrbearino; puppy, thought lit to apply an epi-
thet towards Mr. Peregrine Tweezfe, which, as a gentleman, Mr.
Peregrine Tweeaile could not do otherwioe thnn resent. I was in
consequence commiasioned to bear an invitation to the Hon. Ma-
jor Fitsfiggins to ukc a walk to Cha1k<Fiirm on tiie following
morning, where he would find a certain perHon whu would be mott
happy to exchan;;e the politcnefiH of a shot with him. Major Fitz-
figgins wan too much of a gentleman to reject so courteous an offer,
and next morning, accordingly, the meeting took place.
"Sad rascal that Fitzfiggins!" said Tweexle to me aj we ar-
rived upon tile ground.
"And a good shot!" said I, like a Job's comforter aa I waa.
" I 'm glad of it !" said Twe^ale,
I was about to uk him why, when the Hon. Major Fitzfig-
fcins arrived un the field, accompanied by his second. The cus-
tomary cold and furmal civilitieR pxsHeil between the belligerents;
the ground was measured by the seconds, and the principals took
their places. There was an tiwfiil pause. Each man fired, and
each man fell I 3Iy friend Twcezle was severely wounded in the
right arm. I knelt down, and began to bantlage up his wound »»
well as I was able, when the second of Major Filsfiggins came up
to me. Alarm and anxiety were imprinted on hi.s Rnuntrn.in>re.
•• For flod's sake !" said he, in a hurried tone, " genllemcn,— loae
no lime— fly, fly — .Major Fitzfiggitw is, 1 fear, mortally wounded."
"(lood (Jt)d !" said I, *' 1 hope not!"
" I fear ho," answered the second, shaking his head dolefully ns he
turned to render that nnsistance which bis friend so imperatively
needed. To my unsophisticated mind the aspect of affairs was dis-
agreeable enough. Tweezle saw that 1 thought so; and, looking
earnestly in my face, whispered in a con&ding tune, " // might Aave
t/rcM tForsrl"
•• How ?" replied 1 mechanically, for I was thinking whither wa
should proceed till the disagreeable business had blown over.
•' I might have misted bun t" said Tweeale; and he fainted from
loss of blood.
5S0
CONUNDRUM.
I carried him in m^arms to a hackni'y'Cnach that was in wail-
ing, and we drove a-way rapidly. Three n-rckit ailerwards Me heard
that Major Fitzfi^sing tir»% itlowly recovering from hi» wound, and
that no lorther fear* were entertained for hi* *jitety. Not so, how*
ever, with poor Tweczle. Hi» wound had proved excce<]ingly dit
ficult of cure ; and at the end of a month he lay tn a very prec*-
rious atate. To add to this vexfitiou, newM bIao reached u* thai
the heart of the intereitting and romantic AliiM Julictta Blossom
had been touclied by the dangers whirl) the gallant major bad un*
dergone for her sake. Rumour addnt — and rumour for once spoke
the M-hnle trutli, — that the gentle fair one had, ai\er a nhort »iepe.
yielded her heart, and fixed u day when )>lic would yield her hand
to lliu ca}jUvaliiig soldier. Tliis iie»ft 1 thought wuuld prove ra-
ther tou much even fur the comfurCnble pbtlusophr of my friend.
and I hesitated about communicating it to him. By some mcaiii.
however, it came to hi» knowledge.
"What's your opinion of my wound, air?" Mid he to me one
day, after I hud returned from a suhtary saunter through Boulogne-
" Bad enough," :>iaid I ; "but you will recover in tliree or four
months."
" I doubt it," replied Twecxle ; " but still it might have been
worse !"
" If he had killed you uatright," said I, gncaaing hia meaning.
"Precisely »a." replied Tweezle, smiling, and looking quite
happy to tKink he had escaped with life, and had only receiveil a
wonnd which would confine nim fur mx months to his bed.
*' And what do you think nf womankind in general," said Twee-
ale again, " and of Hiss Julietta Rlos^om in particular ?"
" They arc faUc in general]" said I, " and &Ii»s Julietta BloMom
is false in particular."
"All!" said Tweexle, chuckling, "I am a happy man !"
'* I wish you a long cunuuuance of your happinejsi'," replied I.
Tweezle looked serious for n moment, and then heaved a d«ep
fiigh. " I have Wt Iier [" sivid he.
"Miss BIoBsoDi?" inquired I.
"Yen! and a t»weel creature the was! rich, beautiful, and well
bnrn ! and I— I 've lo!<t ber!" Tweexle made an effort to look sad.
" But if wiigitl tiave Iteen a'orse!"ht added, brightening up.
For my part, I was glad to see him so cheerful : but I ccmld not
well sec what reasons he had for being so, and 1 therefore B*ked
him.
" I might have married her !" said Twee»le.
Happy, happy Peregrine !
4
CONUNDRUM.
As a skaiter was aporting his elcgnni make
tu the Ite^eiit'* Vikik, lut wai uk'd llns con. :
Why U ibis sheci of ice like a Cuiuln \»kt 1
Cine il up ?"~" IktauM! it '» llie lake i/imi 'rr on (Huron).''
11:=.
OLIVEK TWIST:
OR, THE fARISH BOV's rSOCnESS.
BY BOZ.
ILLDSTRATRS BT OKOHOE C R 0 1 K < II A V H.
I
I
BOOK THB SECOND.
CUlKTKlt THE TKNTK.
WMSXKIX TIIX nAmMEM or OIJVKR AKD ttllt raiKNM. tXftUKKrSf
A SVbDEN CUECX.
SpRtNc flew Kwirtly by, and summer came ; and if tlio village
had been iHraiitifiil at lirst, it was now in the full glow and lux-
uriance of it* richness. The ^rent trees, vhich had looked
shrunken and Imrv iu the earlier mnnthn, had now bnr»t into
strong life and health, and, sLretching forth their green arms
over the thirdly ground, converted open and naketl ^jmts into
choice nooks, where was a deep and pleasant sh.idc from which
to took upon the wide prospect, steeped in siins^hinc, whicli lav
stretched out bevond. The earth had donned her mantle of
brightest green, and shed her richest perfumes abroad. It was
the prime and vigour of the year, and all things were glad and
flourishing.
Still the same quiet life went on at the little cottage, and the
some cheerful serenity prevailed among its inmates. Oliver had
long since grown stout and healthv; but health or sickness
made no diflVreuce in his warm feelings to those about htm«
(though they do in the feelings of a great many people.) and he
waR still the same gentle, attached, affectionate creature, that he
bad been when pain and suffering had wasted his strength, and
he was dependent for every slight attention and comfort oo
ihMe who tended him.
One beautiful night they had taken a longer walk than was
customary with them, for the day bad been uiiusuallv warm,
and there wait a brilliant moon, and atliglit wind haJ sprung
up, which was unusually refreshing. Rose hatl lieen in high
spirits too, and they hatl walked on in merry convvrsation un-
td they had far exreethtl their ordinary Itoundn. Mrs. Maylie
was fatigued, and they returned more 5.1i»mIv homr. The young
lady, miTcIy throwing ofi* her simple bonnet, »al down to tlia
piano as uiiual ; after running abstractedly over the keys for
a few minutes, she fell into a low and very soli-mn air, and as
she played it they heard her sob as if slie were weeping.
** lioac, my dear ?'* said the elder Indy.
KoK made no reply, hut played a little ctuieker, as lliough
the sound had roused her from bome {loiuful thoughts.
VOL, III. S r>
■ VOL, III
sn
IILIVKK TWIST.
" Rose, my love!" cried Mr«. Maylie, rising hastily, aiii
IkiiiUi)^ ifVt-r luT. ** What is this? Your fat^ is bathed in
Icnrs. My Jear cliiW, what (lislres^es ymi ?"
"Nothing, aunt, — notbiug." replied iJie young lady. ** I
don't kuovr what it Is; 1 can't deM-rihe it ; bul 1 feel bo low lf>-
night, and — "
"Not ill, my love ?" interpoM^ Mrs. Maylie.
" No, no ! Oh, nut ill l" replied Hnse. Hhiiddertn^ as though
Kuine deadly chillnoss were p&^»ing over her while she spoke ;
"at least, I shall be better presently. Close the window,
prav."
Oliver hastened to comply with the request ; and the young
lady, making an effort to recover her cheerfuliiess, strove to
play some livelier tntie. But her fingers dropjied powerless on
llie keys, uiiil, eoviTing her face with Ikt hand*, she sank upon
a 9ufn, and gave vent to the tears which she was now unable lo
repress.
" My child T said the elder lady, folding ber arms about her.
** I never saw you thus before."
** I would not alnnn yoti if I could avoid ll," rejoined Rose :
" but indeed I have tried very hard, and cannot help thi», 1
fear I aut ill, aunt."
She was, indeed ; for, when candles wi>re brought, they saw
that in the very short time which had elapsed since their return
home, the hue of her countenance had changed to a marble
whiteness.' Its expression hnd lost nothing of its beauty, but
yet it was chnnget), and there was nn anxious haggard look
about that gentle face which it had never worn before. Another
minute, and it whk suffiiited with a crimson flush, and a heavy
wildness cime over the soft blue eye ; again this disappeared
like the eiliadow thrown by a poLssing cloud, and she was once
more deadly pale.
Oliver, who watclied the old lady anxiously, observed that
she was alarmed by these appearances, and so, in truth, was
he ; hut, seeing that rthc affected to m:tke hght of thcin, he en-
deavoured to do the same, and they so far succeeded that when
Horn; was |iersuaded by her aunt to retire for the night, she was
in better spirits, and upjK^ared even in lietter health, and assured
them that she felt certain she would wake in the morning quite
*' I hope, ma'am," said Oliver when Mrs. Maylie returned,
" that nolhnig serious is the matter. Miss Maylie doesn't look
well to-night, but "
The old lady motioned him not to speak, and» utting herself
down in a dark corner of the room, remained silent for aome
time. At leugtb hhe said, in a trembling voice,—
" I hope not, Oliver. I have Inen very happy with her for
soine years — too happy, perhaps, and it may l>e thiie that I
should mwt with some misforttme; but 1 hope it is not thjy."
OLIVER TWIST.
" Whflt misftwtune, ma'am ?" jnauirvd Oliver.
** The heavy blow," said the »la lady alinosC inarticulately,
" of losing the dear girl who has so long been my comfort and
happinens."
" Oil ! God forbid !" excloiraed Oliver bastilr.
" Amen to thal> my child !" said the old lady, wringing her
hand .4.
" Surely there is no dooser of anything so dreadful J** said
Oliver. " Two hours ago she was quite well."
"She is very ill now," rejoined Mrs. Maylie, "and will be
worse, I am sure. My dear, dear Rose I ()h, what should I
do without her !"
The lady sanlc beneath her desponding thoughts, and gave
Way to such great grief that Oliver, suppressing his own emo-
tion, ventured to remonstrate with l»er, and lo beg earnestly
that for the sake of the dear young lady herself she would lie
more calm.
'* And consider, mn'am," said Oliver, as the tears forced them-
selves into hi» eyes despite his elTortu lo the contrary; "oh!
consider how young and good she is, and what pleasure and
comfort she gives to all about her. I am sure — certain — outte
certain — that for your sake, who are so good yourself, and for
lier own, and for the sake of all »be makes so liappy, abe will
not die. (iod will never let her die yet."
'* HubU !'' said Mrs. Maylie. laying her hand on Oliver's
head. "You think like a child, poor boy: and although wliat
you say may be natural, it is wrong. But you t^ach me my
duty, notwithstanding. I hud forgotten it for a moment,
Oliver, and I hope I may be pardoned, for I am old, and have
seen enough of illneiis and death to know the pain they leave to
those behind. I have seen enough, too, lo know that it is not
always the youngest and best who are spared tu those that love
them ; but this should give us comfort rather than sorrow, for
Heaven is just, and such things leach us impressively that there
is a far brighter world than this, and that the passage to it is
speedy, tiod's will lie done! but I love Iwr, and He alone
knows how well !"
Oliver was surprised to see that as Mrs, Maylie said these
words she checked her lamentations as (hough by one sinig-
gle, and, drawing herself up a» ithe spoke, became quile com-
posed and firm. He was still more astonished to lind that
this firmness lasted, and that under all the care and watching
which ensued, Mrs. Maylie wa« ever ready and collected, fxr-
forming all the duties which devolvL-d upon her steadily, iind,
lo all external appenraiu-c, even ctu-i-rfully. But he waa yuu»g,
and did not knuw what Kirong mind« are capable of under try-
ing drcumslances. UuW should he, indeed, when Uieir poft*
SMBDrs so seldom know themselves P
An anvious night ensued, ami when muniing came Mrs. May-
^0*2
H An
594
lie's predictions were but too well verified. Rose was in the firtt
Btage of a high and riaiigerniis fever
We
useless
must be active, Oliver, and not give way
grief," said Mrs. Maylie. laying lier fiiigcr oa ber lip as she
kuked steadily into hi? face; " this letter muiit be sunt with all
poKi^iblc expeilition to Mr. Ivosbeme, It must be carried to the
market-town, which is not more th.in four miles off by the foot-
palli acrots i)ie fields, and rheiur cli"i|Mttrhed by an express on
norsebnck straight to Chertsey. The people at the inn will un-
dertake to do this, and 1 can trust j'ou to see it done, I know.'
Oliver cuuhl make no reply* liut looked his anxiety to be
gone at once.
" Here is another letter,"" Raid Mrs. Maybe, pauMng to re-
ject; *'but whether to I'end it now, or wait until I s«e bo»
Kose goes on, I !<icarccly know. I would not forward il unless
I feared the worst."
" Is it for Chertjwy, loo, ma'am ?" inquired Oliver, impatient
to execute his commission^ and holding out his trembling hand
for the letter.
" No," replied the old lady, giving it him mechanically.
Oliver glanml at it, and saw that it was directed to Uarry
Mnylie Esquire, at some lord's Ihiuse in the country; where,
he could not make out
** Shall it go, ma'am ?" asked Oliver, looking up impntienily.
" I think not," reiilied Mrs. Maylie, taking it back. *' I will
wait till to-morrow.
With those words she gave Oliver her purse, and he started
off without more deluy at the greatest speed he could muster.
Swiftly he ran across the fields, and down the little laoes
which sometimes divided ihcm, now almo-tt hidden by the high
corn on either side, and now emerging into an open field where
the mowers und haymakers were busy at their work ; nor did he
stop once, save now and then for a few seconds to recover
breath, until he emerfjed in a great heat, and covered with dust,
on the bttle market-place of tlie market-town.
Here he paused, and looked about for the inn. There was
a white bank, and a red brewery, and a yellow town-hall;
and in one corner u large house with ail the wood about it
painlerl gri-en, l>efore which was the sign of *' The George," to
which he ha<iten«l directly it caught his eye.
Oliver spoke to a postboy who was dozing under the gate-
way, and who, after bearing wlial he wanted, referred hitn
to the hostler ; who, after hearing all he bad to say again, r^
ferreU bim to the landlord, who was a tall gentleman in a blue
neckcloth, a white hat, drab breeches, and boots with tops to
match, and was leaning against a pump by the stable-door,
picking his teetli with 3 silver tootb-pick.
This gentloman walked with mucn delit>cratinn to the bar to
make out the bill, which took a lone time
cmg
OMVKH TWIST.
sss~
I
it was rcatly, anti )taitl, a horse had (o be saddled, and a ninD to
be dn.'s5e<l, which took up ten good minutek more ; oiuauwhile
OlivLT wan ill such a desperate stale of impatience and anxiety
that he frit a<i if he coulci have jumped upon the horse hiiii<telf,
and galloped away full tear to the next stage. At ivn^th ull
was really, and ihi: little |MurcL'l having l>ecn hniulcd up, with
many injunctions and entreaties for its speedy deliverv, the ninn
set spurs to liis horM-, and, rattling over the uneven paving of
the market-place, was out uf the luwn, and galloping along the
turnpike-road iu a couple uf minutes.
It was something to feel certain that assistance was sent for,
and that no time Imd been lust. Oliver hurried up thu inn-
ynrd with a somewhat litjhtor heart, and was turning out of the
gateway when he acciilentally »tumbled against a tall man
vrapped in a cloak, who was that moment coming out at the
inn-door.
" Hah !" cried the man, fixing his eyes on Oliver, and sud-
denly recoiling. " What the devil 's this .'"
"I beg your pardon, sir," ^id Oliver; '• I was in a great
hurry to get home, and didn't see you were coming."
*' Death r muttureil the man to himself, glaring at the boy
with his large dark eyes. *' Who'd have thought it i Grind
him to ashe« ! he'd start up from a marble ootfia to come in my
wayr
" I am sorry, sir," stammered Oliver, confuMsl by the strango
man's wild look. " I hope 1 have nut hurt you .^"
" Rot his iKines!" murmured the man in a horrible |>asuoa
between his clcnchetl Icoth, '* if I had only hod the courage tosay
the word, I tmght have bevu free o( him in a night. Curse»
light up4m your head, and black death upon your heart, you
imp ! What are you doing here ?"
Tlie man shook his list, and gnatthed his teeth, as he uttered
these words ineolierentlv, and advancing lowartis Oliver an if
with the intention of aiming a blow at him, fell violently on the
ground, writhing and foaming, in a tit.
'Oliver ganteil for a niuoKiit at the fearful struggles of the
madman, (for such he siipposetl him to he.) am) then darleal into
the house for help. Having »*vn him safely tarrie<i into (he hotel,
be turned liis face homewards, running as fast an he could to
make up for Utst time, and recalling, wiiii a great doal ofasto-
ninhnient and some fear, the extraordinary behaviour of the
{lerMm from whom he hail just partetl.
The circumstance did not dwell in his recollection long, how-
ever; for when he reached the cottagi- ihi-n.- was enough lo (k^
cupy his mind, mid to drive all considemlious of self conipktely
from hih memory.
Rose Maylie had rapidly grown wor«c, and before midnight
wax delirious. A medical practitioner, wlio rvnided on the f>put,
wa>< in constant attendance u|H)ti her, and, after fir^t !<eeiiig thu
■ wa>< m t
588
OLIVER TWI8T.
patient, he liad ttikvn Mr». Maylit* atule, ant! pronoimccil ber
disorder Ui be oik" of a most alarming natiiR'. " In fact,"
he said, " il would be little short of a miracle if she re-
covered."
How often did Oliver start from his bed that night, and,
stealing out with noiseless footstep to the staircase, listen for
the fah^htcst sound from the sick chamber .' How often did
a tremble ithake his frame, and cold drops of terror start uiun
his brow, tvhen a sudden lmm])ling of feet caused him to fear
that something too dreadful to think of had even then occurred.
And what had been the fervency of all the prayers he had ever
uttered, compared with those he poured forth now, in the agony
and passiua of his Eupplication, for the life and health of the
gentle creature who was tottering on the deep grave's rer^ge !
The 9U«pen^, the fearful acute 8u»pen»e, of standing idlr
by while the life of one we dearly love is trembling in the bal-
ance^ the racking thoughts that crowd upon the mind, and
make the heart beat violently, and the breath come thick, hj
the force of the images they conjure up before it — the despe-
rate anxiety to be doing somelhing to relieve the pain, or lessen
the danger which we have no power to alleviate; and the
sinking of soul and spirit which the sad remcnibrance of our
helplessness produces, — what tortures can equal these, and
what reflections or ^orts caD> in the full tide and fever of the
time, allay them !
Moruing came ; and the little cottage was lonely and stiJ.
People spoke in whit«|K'rs ; anxious faces apjK^ared at the gate
from time to time, ond women and children went away in tears.
All the livelong day, and fur hours after it had grown dark,
Oliver paced softly up and down the garden, raising his eyes
every instant to the »ick-chanil>cr, and shuddering to sec the
darkened window looking as if death lay stretched inside. Ijate
at night Mr. Losbcme arrived. "It is hard," said the good
doctor, turning away as he spoke, '* so young — so much b^
loved^but there is very little hope."
Another morning the sun shone brightly, — as brightly as If
it looked upon no misery or care; and, with every leaf and flower
in full bloom about her, — with life, and health, and sounds and
Plights of joy surrounding her on every side, the fair young
creature lay wasting fast. Oliver crept uway to the old church-
yard, and, sitting down on one of the green mounds, wept for
her in silence.
There was such peace and beauty in the scene, go much of
brightness and mirth in the sunny landscape, such bhihesomc
music in the songs of the summer birds, such freedom in the
rapid flight of the rook careering ovurhead, so much of life and
JoyouMiesM iu all, that when the boy raised his aching eyes, and
l(Ktke<l about, t\te thought instinctively occurred to him that
this was not a time for death ; that Rose could surely never die
OLIVER TWIST.
«7.
I
when humbler things were all so glad nml gay : that graves
were for cold nnd cheerless winter, not for sunlight and fra-
grance. He slmost thought that shrouds were for the old and
i>hrunken, and never wrapped the young and graceful form
within their ghostlv folds.
A knell from the church-bell broke harshly on these youthful
ihouglits. Another — again! It was tolling for the funeral
service. A group of humhle mourners entered tlic gate, and
they wore white favours, for the corpse was young, They
stood, uncovered, by a grave; and there waK a motht-r — u nii»-
ther once — among the weeping train. But thcsuu shone bright-
ly, ami the birds sang on.
Oliver iiuiieil hnniewanls, thinking on the many kindnesses
he had received fmni the young ladv, and wishing ilint the time
could come over again, that he mignt never cea^e sliowing her
how grateful and attached he was. He had no cause for helf-
reproBch on the score of neglect or wont of thought, for he had
b»en devoted to her service ; and yet a hundred little occasions
rose up lK>fore him on which he fancied lie miglit have been
more zealous and more earnest, nnd wished he had been. We
need be careful how we deal with tliose about us, fur every
death carries with it to some ttmoll circle of survivors thoughts
of BO much omitted, and so little done ; of so many things for>
gotten, and so many more which might have been repaired,
that such recollect inns are among the I)itlerest we can have.
There is no remorse so deep ns that which Is unavailing ; if
we would be spared its tortures let us remember this in time-
When he reached home Mrs. Maylie wn^i sitting in the
little parlour, diverts heart sank at mght of her, for she had
never left the bedside of her niece, and he trembled to think
what change could have <|riven her away. He learnt that she
had fallen into a deep sleep, from which she would waken again
either to recovery and life, or to bid theui farewell, an<l die.
They mii, listening, and afraid to speak, fur hours. The un-
tosted meal was removed ; and, with looks which shoved that
their thoughts were elsewhere, they watched the sun as he sank
lower and lower, and at length chaI over sky and earth those
brilliant hues which herald his departure. Their quick ears
caught the sound of an approaching footstep, and they both in-
voluntarily darted towarils ihi* iloor as Mr. I^tshena- entered.
" What of Kose ?" cried the old lady. " Tell me at once. 1
can bear it ; anything but suspense. Ob, tell mc t itt the nan)e
of Heaven !"
*' You must compose yourself," said the doctor, supporting
her. " lie calm, my dear ma'am, pray.**
" Let me gtj, in God's name !" gasped Mrs. Maylie. *' My
dear child ! She is dead ! 8he is dying !"
" No !" cried the doctor pnsMonitely. " As He is good and
merciful, she will hve to Mch$ us all fur vciirs to come. '
sxs
OLIVER TWI8T.
The lady Ml uj»o» lier Vnev^, nnd trie<J to fold lier hand* to-
gether; liut the energy whioli bad supportetl her so long fled lo
HeaTcn with hor firtit thanksgiving, and she &unk back into the
friendly arma which were cxu-ndcd to receive her.
CnAPTCR THE S1.CV8NTH.
COKTAtRS fiUHB IKTRODUtTORT PAKTICCLAK9 KEtJiTIVE tO * VOCXO OI**
1LFM*9I WnO KOW aRIIIVIS OPOS TDt SCEXC, AM> 1 KCW AfiVKKTVU
WRICU lUPl-EAtU TO OLIVttt.
It was almost too much happiness to bear. Oliver felc
Btunned and »tupified by the unexpected intelligence; he could
not weep, or speak, or rest. He had scarcely the power of
undi-rstandiDg anything that had passed, until after a long
randilc in the quiet evening air a burst of te«r& came to hi&
relief, and he seemed to awaken all at once to a full f^nse of the
i'oyful change that had occurretl, ami the almost insupportable
oad uf anguish which had been taken from his breast.
The night was fast closiug in when be returned homewards,
laden with flowers which he had culled with peculiar care for
the adornment of the sick chamber. As he walked hriskly
along the road, be heard behind bint the noise uf »onie vehicle
approaching at a furious |)ace. I,uoking round, he saw that
it W.1S a post-chaise driven at great jipeed ; and an the honcft
were galloping, and the road was narrow, he stood leaning
against a gate until it should have passed him by.
As it dashed on, Oliver cavight a glimpse of a mau in a
white nightcap, whose face seemed familiar tu hio), allhoiigh
his view was so brief that he could not identify the person.
]u another second or two the nightcap was thrust out of lbs
chaise window, and a stentorian voice bellowed to the driver to
stop, which he did as soon as he could pull up his hordes, when
the nightcap once again appeared, ami the same voicv called
Oliver by his name.
" Here !" cried the voice. ** Master Oliver, what '» the news?
Mis» Hose — Master O-li-ver.*
" Is it you, Giles .^" cried Oliver, runniog up to the clioue
door.
Giles popped out his nightcnp again, preparatory to ntakiog
some reply, when he waa Middenly pulk-il buck by a ycMmg
gi'ntleman who occupit-il the other corner of the chaise, and
who eagerly demand<xl what was the news.
" In a word," cried the gentleman, ** better or worse?"
" Belter — much better,'^ replied Oliver hastily.
" Thank Heaven 1" exclaimed the gcutleuian. ** You mre
Hire r
" Quite, sir," replied Oliver ; " the change took place only a
few imurs ago, and Mr. Losberne uys that all danger is «t «u
end.""
OUVBR TWIST.
I
I
The gentleman aaid not another word, but Miening the
chaise-door leaped out, uiid, tjJtiiig Oliver buniedly hy the arm,
led him aside.
" Thu is quite certain ?— there is no possibility of any mis.
take on your part, my boy, is there?** demanded ttie gentleman
in a tremulous voice. '* rray do not deceive me by awakt-ning
any hnp<»i that are not to be fulfilled."
" 1 would not for the world, sir," replied Oliver. '* Indeed
you may believe me. Mr, Lusberne's words were, that she
would live to bless us all for many years to come. 1 beard him
say 80."
The team stood in Oliver's eyes as be recalled the Bcene
which was the beginninn; of so much happiness, and the gentle-
man turned his face away, and remainetl silent for rame nimutes.
Oliver thou^rht he liisrd tiim soh more than once, but he feared
to interrupt him by any farther remark, — for he could well
guess what hi» feelings were, — and so stood apart, feigning to
be occupied witli liis nosegay.
All this time Mr. Giles, with the white nightcap on, had been
fitting u|X)n the stepn of the chai»e, supporting an cUmjw on each
knee, and wipiii<; his eyes with a blue cotton pocket-handker-
chief dotted with while spots. That the honest fellow had not
been feigning emotion was abundantly dcnionslrated by the very
red eyes with which ha regurdi-d the young gentleman, when lie
turn»l round and addressed him.
*' 1 think you had belter gt> on to my mother's in the chaise*
OilfTi," Naid he. " 1 would ratlier walk slowly on, so as to
gain a little time before I see her. You can say I am coming."
" 1 beg your pardon, Mr. Harry," said Uiles, giving a
final |K)li8li to liin ruffled couiiU--nanoe with the handkerchief,
" but if you would leave the postlmv to say that, 1 slmuld l>e
very much obliged tti you. It wuulJn'l Iw proper for the maids
lu see nic in tliis state, sir ; I slionld never have any more
authority with tht-m if they did."
'* Well," rejoined Harry Maybe, smiling, " you can do as
you like. liCt him go on with tbe |Kirtmanleaus, if you wish it,
and do you follow with us. Oidy tirst exchange that nightcap
for some more appropriate covering, or we shall be taken tor
madmen."
Mr. Giles, reminded of hts unhf^coming costume, snatched off
ami pocketed his nightcap, and suLntiluted a luit of grave and
sober shape which he took out of the chaise. This done, the
postboy drove off, and Giles, Mr. Maylic, and Oliver followed
at their leisure.
As they walked along, Oliver gljinccd from time to lime with
much interest and curiosity nt the new-comer. He seemed
about 6ve^nd.twenty years uf age, and wa^ of the middle
height ; his countenance va*. frnnk ami liaiidsonu-, and bis
demeanour singularly easy and preposiiessing. Notwitb»tandiog
590
OLIVER TWIST.
the (liffV'rpnces between youlli and uj^i; he bore mi strong a
likeness to the old Udy, that Oliver would hare had no great
JillicuUy ill iuiarpniitg their relationship, even if be baa oat
already spoken of her as his mother.
Mrs. Mnylie vas anxtouslv waiting to receive her son when
he reached the cottage, anil the meeting did not take place
without great emotion on both sidc-K.
" Oh, mother," whispered the young man, " why did you
not write before f"
"I did write," replied Mrs. Maylie; "but, on reflection, 1
determined to keep tjack the letter until I had heard Mr. Lov
berae's opiaion."
" Kut why," said the younj; man, ** why run the chance of
that occurring which so nearly happened ? If Rose had — I can-
not utter that word now — if this illness had terminated difiVr^
ently, how could you ever have forgiven yourself, or 1 becii
happy again ?"
" if that had been the case, Harry," said Mrs. Maylie, ** I
fear your happiness would have been eflecluully blighted, and
that your urrival here a day soouer or a day later would have
been of very, very little import."
** And who can wonder if it he »«, mother ?" rejoined (he
voung man ; " or why should I say if? — It u — it is— you know
11, mother — you must know it."
*' I know that slie well deserves the bcit and purest luvc that
the heart of nmn can olfcr,"" »aid Mrs. Maylie; " 1 kntiw that
the devotion and atfoction of her nature require no ordinary
return, but untr thut shall be deep uiid lasting. If I did not fm
this, and know, besides, that a changed liehaviour in one she
loved would break her heart, I should not feel my task so diffi-
cult of performance, or have tu encounter to many struggles in
my own bosom, when I take what seems to me to be tlie strict
line of duty."
" This is unkind, niulher," said Harry. " Do you still sup-
pose that I am so much a buy as not to know my own mind, or
to mistake the impulses of my own soul ?"
** I think, my dear fellow," returned Mrs. Maylie, laying her
hand upon his shoulder, " that youth has cnany generous im-
Eulses which do nut lust, and that among tliem are &ume which*
ring gratified, become imly the more Heeting. Above all, I
think," said the lady, fixing her eyes on her son's face, •* that if
an enthusiastic, ardent, ambitious young man has a wife on
whose name is a stain, which, though it originate in no fault of
hers, may be visited by cold and sordid people npou her, and
upon his children aleo, and, in exact proportion to his success in
the world, be cast in his teeth, and made the subject of sneers
against him, he may — oo matter how generous and good his
nature— one day repent of tlie connection he formetl iu early
life, and she may have the pain and torture of knowing that he
docs w."
OtlVfiR TWIST.
5»1
" Mother," said the young man impntieotly. " he would be a
mere selfisli brute, unworthy alike of tlit- name of man and of
ihe woman you describe, who acted thus."
" You think so now, Harry," replied his mother.
*' And ever will," said the young man. *' The mental agony
I have suffered during the last two days wrings from mc the
undiBguiKd avowal to you of a passion which, a» you well
know, is not one of yesterday, nor one I have lightly formed.
On Rose, sweet gentle girl, my heart is act as firmly as ever
heart of man was set on woman. I have do thought, or view,
or hope in life bevond her ; and if you oppose me in this great
Make, you take my peace and happiness in your hands and cast
them to the wind. Mother, think better of this, and of me, and
do not disregard tlie warm feelings of which you »ecm to think
so little."
** Harry," said Mrs. Maylie, *' it is because I think so much
of warm and sensitive hearts that I would spare them from
being wounded. But we have said enough, and more than
enough, on this matter just now."
" Let it rest with Rose, then," inter|MJse(l Harry- " You
will not prc-iu thet«e overstrained opinions of yours so far as to
throw any obstacle in my way ?'
" I will not,*" rejoijiea Mrs. Maylie ; ** but I would have you
consider **
** I have considered,'" was the impatient reply,—*' 1 have con-
ddered for yeurs,-»cunsidered almost since I have been capable
of serious reflection. My feelings remain unchanged, as they
ever will ; and why should 1 suffer the pain of a delay in giving
them vent, which can be productive of no earthly good ? No.
Before I leave this place Ruse shall hear me.^
" She shall," said Mrs. Maylie.
*' There is something in your manner which would almost
imply that she will hear me coldly, mother," said the young
man anxiously.
" Not colmy," rejoined the old lady ; " far from it.*
•* How then ?" urged the young man. ** She has formed no
other attachment ?"
" Xo, indeed," replied bis mother. '* You have, or I mi».
take, too strong a hold on her affections already."
" What I would say," resumetl the old lady, stopping her son
ft« be was about to speak, '* is this. Before you stake your all
on this chance, — before you suffer yourself to be cnrrJnt to the
faigbeet point of hope, reflect for a few moments, my dear child,
on Rose's history, and consider what effect the knowledge uf her
doubtful birth may have on her decision, — devotetl as she is to
us with all the intennily of her noble mind, and that perfect
Kacri6ce of self which in all matters, great or triflingi has always
been her characteristic."
** What do you mcwi ?"
fiSS
ULIVBK TWIST.
** That I leave to y«>i '« discover," replied Mrs. Maylie. " I
must go hack to Knse. Hod bleu yuu T'
** I shall sec you agaiu to-nij^ht r'** said tlic young man
eagerly.
" By and by," replied the lady, " wlieu 1 luave Kosir."
" Ytm will l(*ll her I am here ?" said Hurry.
" Of ciiurse," replied Mrs. Maylie.
" And say how anxious 1 have been, and how much I have
suffereti, and how I k>ng to sec lier — you will not refuse to do
this, mother ?"
'' No," said the old lady, '* 1 will tell tier that C and, press-
ing her son^s band aHectionately, ehe hastened from the rnom.
Mr, Loftberne and Oliver had remained at another end of the
apartment while this hurried conversation was proeeeding. The
former now held out his hand to Harry Mavlie, and hearty
salutations were exehauged between them. The doctor then
communieated, in reply to multifarious questions from his
young friend, a preci.se account of hiH patient's situation, wlueb
was quite as consolatory and full of promise as Oliver^s state-
ment had ■encouraged him to hope, and to the whole of which
Mr. Giles, who affected to be bu.-iy about the luggage, listened
with greedy ears.
" Have you shot anything particular lately, tiilw?" inquired
the doctor, when he had concluded.
" Nothing particular, sir," replied Hr. Giles, ootouring np to
the eyes.
" Nor calcliing any thieves, nor identifying any house-
breakers ?" baid the doctor maliciously.
'* None at all, sir," replied Mr. Giles with much gravity.
" Well," said the dot^tor, " I am sorry to hear it, l>ecail«e
you do that sort of thing so well. Pray, now is Brittleaf^
" The boy is very well, sir," said Mr Giles, recovering bit
usual tone of patronage, " and sends his respectful duty, sir."
" That *s well," Kaid the tloctor. " Seeing you here, reminds
me, Mr. Giles, that on the day before that on which I was
called away so hurriedly, I executed, at the request of your
good mistress, a small cummis^on in your favour. Just step
into this corner a moment, will you ?* <
Mr. Giles walked into the comer with much importance and
some wonder, and was homiured with a short wlii.-ipering con-
ference with the doctor, on the tcniiinalion of which he made a
great many buw6, and retired with steps of unut^ual stuteUiiess.
The subject matt<T of this conference was not di»clo$4.>d in the
}>arlour, but the kitchen wa« B]>eedily enlightened concerning it;
or Mr. Giles walkeil straight thither, and having cidled for a
mug of n)e, announced, with an air of majeftljc my-'^tery which
was highly eireetivt^, that it had pleased his mistress, in consi-
deration of his gullant liehaviuiir on the occasion of lltnt at-
templed robbery, to deposit in the local savings hunk the sum
OLIVBR TWIST.
sss
of Iwenty-fivc pounds for liis solu use and Iicnefii. At this the
two women servants liftu.1 up their haud!< and eyes, uniX sup-
posed that Mr. Oiks wouUl begin to \k quito proud now ;
whercunio Mr. Giles, pulling out his Bhirt-frill, replied, " No,
no"^and that if they obierved »l any ^ime that he wh» at all
haughty to his iiiferiors he would thank iIilmd to tell hiui no.
And then he made a jrreat many other remarks, no lotw illustra*
tire of his humility, which wore receivt*d with equal favour and
applause, and were withal aa orijipnQl aud us much to the pur-
pose OS the remarks of pvat men commonly ore.
Above »tair», ihi- remainder of the evening passed cheerfully
away, for the doctor was in high spirits, and howuver fatigued
or thoughtful Harry Maylie mi^ht have been at Hnt, he was
nut pniof against the worthy gentleman's r«mx1 humour, which
displayed it^lf in a great variety of aalUes and professional
recollections, and nn abundance of SBi&ll joke^, which struck
Oliver as being the drollest things he had ever heard, and
caused him to laugh proportionately, to the evident satii^faction
<jf the doctor, who liiughed iminoderalely at himself, and made
Harry laugh almost as heartily by the very force of sympathy.
So they were a;; pleasant a party as, under the drcumstdoce*,
thev could well have been, and it was late before they retired,
with light and thankful hearts, to take that rest of which, after
the douht and suspense they had recently undergoni;, they stood
so much in need.
Oliver rme next morning in belter heart, and went about his
u&ual early occupations with more hope and pleasure than he
had known for many days. The birds were once more hung
out to sing in their old places, and the sweetest wild flowers
that could be found were once more gathered to gladden Rose
with their beauty and fragrance. The melancholy which had
seemed to the sau ey^s of the anxious boy (o hang fur dny^ past
over every object, benuliful as they all were, was dispelled as
though by magic. The dew seemed to sparkle more brightly
on the green leaves, the air to rustle among them with a sweeter
music, and the sky itself to look more blue and bright. Such
is the influence which the condition of our own thoughts exer-
cises even over the Hppi>arance of external objects. Men who
look on nature and their fellow men. and cry that all is dark
and gloomy, an> in the riglit ; but the nombre coloart are reBc^
tions from tlioir own jaundiced eyes and hearts- The real hues
■re delicate, and require a clearer vision.
It is worthy of remark, and Oliver did not f^l tn nntr at
the time, that his morning expeditions were no longer made
alone. Harry .Maylie. after tlie very first morninc when he
met Oliver cuniiug laden lu>mc, was seized with sucii a paairinm
for flowers, and displaved such a taste in tlicir arrangenumt, m%
left his young companion far behind. If Oliver were bebind-
hani) in tlii'serccpevits, iKiwever, hr knew where the best
534
OLIVEK TWIST.
Ik found, and morning after morning they scoured tbe country
together, and brought home thi? fuiri'st that blo&)inm«d. The
wiodow of the young lacly*a chamber was opened now, for she
loved to feel ihc rich Eumoier air t-tream in and revive her with
its fre<ihncss; but there always stood in water. Just inside iIk*
lattice, one particular little bunch which was made up with
great cjire every morning. Oliver could not help iioticiog that
the withered flowers were iievt^r thrown away, although the little
vase was rugularly replenished ; nor could he help observing
that whenever the doctor came into the garden he invariably
cast his eyes up to that particular corner, and nmldeil bis Iiemd
most expressivelv as he set forth on his morning's walk. Peod-
ing these observations, the days were flying by, and Rose was
rapidly and surely recovering.
Nor did Oliver's time liang heavy upon his hands, although
tbe young ladv bad not yet left her chamber, and there were no
cveuing walks, savi* now and then for a short distance with Mrs.
Maylie. Reapplied himself with rcdoubled.assiduitv to the in-
structions of the white-headed old gentleman, and laboured to
hard tliat hh i]nick pnigress surprised even himself. It wis
while he was engaged in this pursuit that he was greatly
startled and distresned by a nn«t unexpected occurrence.
The little rmiin in M-hich he was accustomed to sit when bufy
at bis books was on the ground-floor, at the back of the house.
It was quite a cottage-room, with a lattice-window, around which
were clusters of jeRsamine and lioney- suckle, that crept over the
casement, and filled the place witi) tht^ir delicious perfume. It
looked into a garden, whence a wicket-gate opened into a email
pad<]ock ; all bevond was fine meadiiw-land and wotKl. There
was no other dwelling near, in tliat direction, and the prospect it
commanded was very extensive.
One beautiful evening, when the first shades of twilight were
beginning to settle upon the earth, Oliver sat ot this window
intent upon his books. He had bi-en poring over them for some
time; and as the day had ticen uncommonly sultry and he hod
exerted hiin^elf a great deal, it is no disparagement to the
authors, whoever they may have been, to say that gradually
and by slow degrees he fell asleep.
There is a kind of sleep that steals upon us sometimes which,
while it holds the body prisoner, dues not free the mind from a
aense of things about it, and enable it to ramble as tt pleanes.
So far as an overpowering heaviness, a prostration of strength,
and an utter inability to control our thoughts or power of
motion can be called sleep, this is it ; and yet we have a con-
sciousness of all that is going on about us, and even if we
dream, words which are really spoken, or sounds which really
exist at the moment, accommodate themselves with surprising
readinesii to our visions, until reality and inm^nation bet-ome
BO strangely blended that it is afterwards nlmo),! a matter of
impossibility to se|mrnte the two. Nor is this the most striking
I
I
LOVE, 1[0PB» AND JOT.
535
\
I
nlionoim'ntin incidental lo such a fltatc. It is an ascertained
fact, that nlthmijfh our seniles of touch and sight be for the time
dead, yet our sleepiog thouglil-i, and the vi^ionarj- scenes that
pass before tis, will be influenced, and inaierinllv influenced, by
the' mere sitfnt presence of some external object which may not
have bi-en near us when we clu».ed our eyes and of wboM
vicinity we have hail no waking consciousness.
Oliver knew perfectly well that lie was in his own little room,
that his iKwks were lym^ on (liu table before him, and that the
swci't air was stirring among the creejiiug plants outside, —and
yet he was asleep. Suddenly the scene changed, the air became
close and confinetl, and he thought with a glow of terror that he
was in the Jew's house again. There sat the hideous old man
in his accustomed corner pointing at Mm, and whispering to
another man witli his face averted, who sat iH'sidtr him.
" Hush, my dear !" he thought he heard tlic Jew say ; " it is
him, sure enough. Come away."
" He !" thi? other man seemed to answer ; " could I mistake
him, think you ? If a crowd of devils were to put thcnihelveg
into his exact shape, and he stood amongst them, there is some-
thing that would tirll me how to [xtiul him nut. If you buried
him fifty feet deep, and ti>ok me across his grave, I should know,
if there woNn't a ninrk above it, that ne lay buried there.
Wither his flesh, I should P
The man seemetl to say this with such dreadful hatred, that
Oliver awoke with the fear and started up.
Good God ! what was lluit which stmt ibc blooti tingling to
his heart, and deprived him of voice or )K>WL-r to move ! There
— there — at the window — cli>jie before him — so close, that he
could have almost touchtxl hiui before he started back — with ht>
eyts fwering into the room, and meeting his — there stood the
Jew ! — and Iwside him, white with rage, or fear, or both, were
the scowling fi'alures of the very mau who had accosted him at
the inn yard !
It was but an instant, a glance, a flash before his eyes, and
they were gone. But they had recogtiiBed him, and he them,
anil their look wa^i as firmly iniprciift-d u)>on his memurv as if it
had been deeply enrved in stone, and set before him irnm his
birth. He stood transfixed for a moment, and then, leaping
from the window into the garden, called loudly for help.
LOVE, HOPE. AND JOY,
Ixi«c Hope, and Joy, tog«th«i bum,
SwcetolHprin^ora hesTCuljr l>irili,
Forsook tlic akm t»w rosy mom.
To wander for a vhile on ranh.
Lo*e was a bir and {icntle boy,
Aud Hope a bricla and lia)<)iy iliinc,
Aai, gay as sunUgBt, langlnn; Joy
Olanotd liy Ibvm oii hit rrcfckiLt wing,
5SG
LOVE, nOI>£, AND JOY.
They pass'd ihrongh intny a sonny icene,
Uy fb>ii>( nni) vnUcv, glen and (cnve.
And ereiy spot look'J luorw sua-nv
Where wiLnder*d Joy, and Hope, and IjOt».
Rut en tlie three Itad nmblcd fiir,
They inirt jroiuis Ueauiy on the way,
Wit]) eye u bright as though it star
DtBMibred to iotm it* every ray.
Oh 1 with what glowing bovoni Love
Drank rapture from thove orin of light ?
The woTld around, tbfl ttars abore,
All save hfr smile lo him were night; —
Bui Beauty heeded not thv boy,
^Vhose every feeling was hfr own :
She g«ve faer hout lo launhmg Joy,
And left poor tiapleii Lore alone.
Not yet &h>ne — Hope stayed a whilR,
And whi»pvr*d l)ira »oine future day
Would bring him back dear Beauty's smile}
But soon tin- laUe Que flew away.
Ah 1 iheu ha wat indofd alone.
With weary heart and leaifiil eye ;
The sunihine of his day wan ^pnw—
He would — but no, he could not die.
Though pTcu'd by sorrow't heavy load,
AiS bendint; with the weight of ill.
His buwm ycl uU fondly glow'd.
And told he wai immonal still.
He droup'd a while— but Memory came,
Immoniil too, with magic glast,
Within whose itraoM and witard ftamc
He saw each vuiish'd *ecne rvposs.
There still was Beauty, young and £iir,
At finii site met his raptured view;
Each byKoue feelioK linger^ thcw
That mirror, .it the least, was tne :
And on it, as a holy shrine,
Hit eA)(er gai« for ever luiti'd,—
Whik' in his heart ihe ray divine
Which Beauty kiudled brightly burn'd.
But sad waj poor young Qmuty's Aite,
For Joy was fickle as the wind ;
And soon, alas ! but, ah, too late,
She wvpt for l«Te she left behiud.
Her smiles do longer beam'd around.
Her eheek'i faint blush bad lost iu tmHf
llrr »ti-|i fiii^iil its gladsome bound,
And, ah ! her hMR «u brealttng too !
She died. Lore heard hei early doom-
lie heard it, and wilfa scarce a stRh —
He nw her placed within the tomb,
Bui knew ber spirit dwelt or high.
And tlien, al length, hit wing he (um'd
Back to his own immortal sphere i
And I,ove no mnre fnnaken mourn 'd,
For BeiiuCy saided to bless him there.
B J. M.
537
WALTER CIIILDE.
Camto U.
■ '>(^'^>H"llAHi9>tl>» >>*'■• > '"ear.
'Wilh tliTltrnwiTmctiuM of CromreU'a court ;
i)ul ii'>w wu're ill toe country, and *tii fair
To tl^tm that Noll, who {lUroTiml good sport,
(Id fact he boiitflil liiv fomout Coffin murp.)
And u'ct his wine play'djotcM orniti^hei>C sort
On hi* pet wunt*, to vcdI hi« co»ert (£'*•»
Wiiik'4 hftrd ml wbot ho wua not forc'd to SM.
B«nd««, M hit authority wu new,
'T ir« meet to throw the whal« a tub just Iben,
And br con>ce«ioD buy, aa waa hia cue.
Guidon <i]vinions fr<itn nil wrt« uf mon ;
S<i, ):k«> the de«)mt vf Ihe Lfdian crew,
(Aa stands recorded by iiome cIiumc ym,)
" Lit tbfliD dum OQ," aaid he ; '* 't will ktvji tbvm f|uiel ;
I 'tc gain'd ny poiot, and why provoke a riut?"
It «ftem9 to me, who vastly prrfw rhvme
To politico, in which 1 um a svciitic.
That power and iilnc* mav work th' effect in time
Of ^enerou* diel und pilia analeptic.
No doubt tbAt in the Trruurf'B foi1«ring dime
" The T&il'a " most niBrhni; little wiir dyxpppUe
Mifcht ffraii quite hUnd knd jolly in due m-hmh].
And BweU hU hide out like a new-boU'd niiiun.
But we plain ruMtirj, who hiive nought to fpun
By party btrifv, and tome snail alalte to loee.
Some yeara ofettA in entranre-feea iuaitain
n'heo Ont Jack-^ntry lill tbeir U'tten' ahon,—
We 'vt Jii4t oburv'd enough to aee quite pl^in
'lltat patnotifiin, though a niooaKnil ruiw
To gull the breerfalsM, raeana , in modem (ense.
Hoot, leve£*, brit«chlcaNi, plate, aod coasequencv.
JEaop, although more pLiyful than ceaaonoiia,
Wa« a iry wac, who knew a thing or two i
Hill fnblir or the Fox und (iiiaU in giorioui,
And puta Con»«rvati»n in itM true view.
" I^oave my old friend*," mid I'ug : " that twarm uproarious.
Hovering aloft, would auck me black and blue
If once Ih^ found itn upi>ninK : tboao 70U ioe
Are sleek sad well-behav'd, and os'd to ne."
And thuH old Noll, though in hia up-hill day
A moat munitigated knave, I fear,
M'hen once ertaui*h'd Ann in regal away,
Wmit on improvintr still from year to year:
A gentlrmiin by birth, he ahew*d no trait
Of Ihw"' "poll horseback'* mad r«reer ;
Being (auhouifh hia skull b now OxutiJAn.)
A ('luitah, anil no Brumnuigwn Besonian.
VOL. III. i p
5S6
fm or ViLTCB CniLDG.
^ Utfrii M bcco wrought,
mIm^^ ■ «M wid faction,
1^ «1 «■« Wt at Dou^t.
ta*llt«lMde tnnnetion,
.^■fl Ar wklch thef fou^t,
t lis ihqr fint Mt ou t,
^Kanft mui to pent.
. m* averae
r>vt ktcJt'd down;
. 4o4 be pervene,
I aiiAidiUniic rntwn.
. aa ftill naptne
■sf Sw, tlie Crown
t«Kll tie kail-roam'* din,
1 U> begin.
lUittal
mt hii mind
^^B I lA v*)*^ S)>]>ea]
^^Mai|>et«nt and kind.
^<ittf, or a reel,—
^^^ uw are y»u Indin'd :
■'^fc.fcJir— ! did nd doubt K;
^, iMii'tgec on trithout it.
_^- If I nniRt Ml}' more,
'■f wliidi murt nppal.
; atgnetiz'd " rappoH '*
^•^^ gtavJae tkuUt of Ndl
_j ^aiwlnilin come o'w
4 ^ mjrttify you alL
^ tha deril '« in it ;
Mt wait anollier mi nuta.
.Tut, while I try
Wtitr; oil no matter what ;
^ ifcat four company
^ ■ ^dence they ought nvt
^^: call R JiK, gavott*.
^^yia, or bulimi,
1 ^ my lost hero.
^^^^ waits! I 'm mAiter here.—
^ tligk Dutch aliominittioti%
'^^fc^.— No, no. my dear,
*" ^« a moment'* puUence ;
' 111^11'"" *t'* f leiir ;
^^, and such innorationa
_^fifc i* * kindred strain,
"^jl CharlenV ribald reign.
^^Imt in the frrent hull,
• ^oa** ''''^1}' winking
-'^litfc***"' tl'c l»all
'* ^ iD hour of earnnt thinking.
^^ •«• ditjCPBted all
^^^mig, aiiH men drinking;
►^^^ ^ OBC* enauinjT,
'* ^ ^uile ** '""^ how-d'jr*-'*'''"!!-''
TlfE LEGEND OF WALTER CII1LD1!.
Tlir room fill'd, u bis nounlin^ fiincv iipecl
0>r th# brand main, and Ihp rre«< ^oivwt'a space ;
Ha felt him to a new exiMtrnnt we<l.
A giitnt, btint.eil for » •even-lemni'd race;
Buoyant in air, he almiMit fear'd to tr«ad
On th<* pfMir crowd, bound thrii)l« of home and place.
And half lor^ve Whig juries in his henrt,
"S-t. GeurgA, nnd wrKtwRrd, ho! full blillie wd part.
" Tim wrjennt here? I 'm in for'!, hUm'd, ron»ord,
And lau^h'd at in ht« niefve. I 'II make him stare
For tlii» mum's bailing.*' — Ills design oiire tnld,
The buu went round ; what men call a " white besr "
Hreak* the utilT ire of purtnerK dull and cold,
>V'hen ii;iv*n with " onction," and an earnest air;
The Aulijoct htid nut otherwiM been heeded,
Out iiiierei>tiii(; BmoU-talk wis tore ncetled.
It chanc'd the !M>n. too, ofhia mDminir'a Tictim
MacTi: nil ii iruiintr-Tnan bin fimt dfhtit.
His iire, too much entn't^a'd to contradict him,
f)r curb him in hi* rhildhnod, 'gan to rtie
His past ne^-lect. but feHriiiK lo nntricl htm,
(Which (trohably mi^bt make but w«ir*e ensue
From a bad temper, arrogant and mulish)
Fretted at home, predirting sonietbinj; fuotiah.
YounfT Hopeful! Ii[)p'd the bnililTN Prejich CTOVn,
(A ffift 'jnuHual. and for him pn>fus«,)
^^'lii] hniutcht th' Hiirh Slienff'n miminoiiit from the tuwa.
He never dreamt of jHtrryin^ with ekcu«e
A duty whtrh mi|th( fpvp bt» part« renown.
The jiid|re'fi trumpet really fir'd the ^oom
With luAv rtKioiiii -, and with nridu complete,
In the grand jury room he tuolc his seat.
He topp'd hi* freshman 'a pAft ; put pompona queationa
To draw out petty facta jut4 told oefore,
Delay'd each bill while Mitering with aufi^etliom
The dolour-suff'erii^ roreman o'er and o'er,
And havinit spoilt ^and-jurvmen's ditreitionR,
Who ctirs'd him as their ('uture standing bor«,
Vsunted, when answering tf> his father's health.
The old knave's public tservjces aiid wealth.
This Don Ma^ifico, with hu|re deaire
To wind up welt hi* •elf'lriumphant Awf^
And sweeleu the bad odour of his sire,
Enlpr'd the b«ll-roora, bent on mortal fray,
And made no »ort of secnt of his ire,
Threateninir (I ^ve the wonk he Hiom to mj)
To (each a skip-jack, bardljr worth • I—,
How to molifrn the honour of his house.
He fronted Thilde, determin'd to adhere
To hi« iivow'il and tnimlent denifni ;
"Sir!" hut be batted in hi* full career,
For a hitrb IVn wiM«)ieiihinf[: — " I3on't deeUn«;
Consider, Wat, we meet but ouce a year;
No help fur 't ? come at leaot to feitre and dine ;
Shirley and Head look for their promui'd sport
With the first ■wordamaa ia the luru of rourt."
540 THE LEGEND OF WALTER CHILDE.
" Poyntz, WBB not that the boo ? old Barebone's pet ?"
— " Confound him, yea; the fool that kept iis waiting
During your speech ; the foreman on the fret."
— " Strange I he etood doae to ue as I was stating
My forc'd excuse ; turn'd short, and off he set ;
'Sir!' he said just before, andeeeni'd debating
On something for my ear." — " Can't tell, I vow ;
But Parker may ; be talk'd with him just now.
" Frank, can you solve this mystery ? come here."'
Young Parker's patience had been in revolt
• At the pot-valiant boasts pour'd in his ear
Five mortal minutes by an angry dolt.
His commentary, making all things dear.
Hit the true version of the sudden bolt,
Prim'd with the stoiy, the two county wit«
Soon put their cotene in laughter-fits.
Oh, it was glorious ! Stilt in open view
Stood the creat-fall'n, while round the whispers ran ;
All watch'd th' effects which plainly did ensue
Upon hie outward and hb inward man.
But then occurred the rational question, " Who
Is this young Crichton, bit with his mad plan,
The timely hint of whose gymnastic fame
Smote the lout's ear like Demogorgon'a name?"
Poyntz no great pressing on this head requir'd.
*' A first-rate fellow, — talented — decided —
As open as the day — but so retir'd
That you must go out of your way, as 1 did,
To know him well ; he spoke like one inspir'd
You say ; but I foresaw how things were guided
By the old clique ; disgusted with the law.
He means to colonize, and wed a squaw.
" 'Tis a sad case; the leading counsel, Forde,
Dedares his head ia form'd for state employ ;
They say he 's ouite unrivall'd with the sword.
And fought abreast with Rupert when a boy.
I argued with him, urg'd him, nay, implor'd
To change his hair-brain'd purjpose ; 'twould annoy
My soul to see him throw himself away.
Cromwell ere long will give the law fair play."
Our ChUde, grown quite a lion, a monstrosity,
Wander'd unconsciously 'mid that gay crew ;
He car'd not for the Bocial reciprocity
Call'd ball-room gossip ; hia few friends, who knew
His most peculiar lack of curiositv
In trifles, ne'e^ inform'd him who was who,
And had quite dropt their often-proffer'd duties
Of introducing him to county beauties.
Some cautious triflers can act well-bred lies,
And fan, or quench at will, their sofi sensations ;
But he, not quite so prematurely wise.
Prone at his heart to conjugal temptations.
Had made, like Job, a covenant with nis eyes.
And hopiog one day to attain the patience.
In all things, of that much-enduring saint.
Kept his own headlong temper in restraint.
)F WALTER
iitDsr
£41
Tip now Tnus'd tliii^. — " H'iim in ttit> vrnodn I tlwell,
Kollowiiifc. like iill nnmiid inu. Adun's triulc.
Some htithp hi^-mclttcd lass nliojuit rsn ft|H>ll,
Stfmx.' briirtit-ey'd. iDvintr.lieitrted millL'r's tiiMid,
Mnv prJM my faith, nnd grncfi vay wi^wnm well.
Von dninty toyn, mp niirtur'd. <k> arrnr'd.
Kit hrl|>nint«)t they to mnk n bitmn'n huinp.
And ilitih it on a rouj(]i-liewn ma)iIeH(tuin)i t
Hark ! — his own name, itnt] c(iii]ilH «rith a eiierr !
A ^eM hall pillnr rhanc'd to intervene
Uetu'een him and the ■]>«U(er<, but IiIk car,
Tntin'd pri'motur^y, wns nwake nnil keen
A* the wild Ifidiim's. which a Imft-'an henr
IlijMtlinir fjkr <ilf amid the fitn^ crtMMi.
" You heurd him, l»o|ilp f* know hitn then bj si^ht f
— An m/nnt perdu— a tile montie, ijuite."
" I heard hitn— hcanl thu n<»lile> rjuitifpit inn
He gave that wretch, u( whwrn Gilew flvpireadi
Witrc » fulnt type l—DrnrVtrr., dioiqird ii fWiion
U'hidi, truat me, beet were hunour'd in the breiu-h.
I liMilhv the French court-cnnt ; liijth Ktiirl)*)> pnimiaii
'Iliey tnveetie. becanso ihcy cuniiot reui-h.
His |»ruji<<^'it wild, Imt ttpejika no (-niiimon miin :
Cromwell himself was bcut ou the snmc plan."
— " TJicy say he 'c here : ootncs he, as it »Jioti1d teen,
S4IIIIII' Iterkiihirp ilam«el*err)iHt'K r»iLh t<> try.
Ai«d lurw to join him on his wilii-gouM whenie?"
— " Kate, if I knew and lov'd him. thnt would I,"
— " How ! this from Isolde Kenrirk * surf> I dreAm—
You, whom our |;all»ititH call «> i>>hl and khy ?"
— '• l-rt them : my heart is dee]ior th.iM my Wltet,
M'hich iiriy sinijiletim might lUral nii<l (Kicket.
" Kate, I don't know or like j-ou, luvf, lo>ni|fht ;
Yoli 're not yoiirself." — " ^V ell then, ihc truth to sa^,
"I* wa« rotitnuiii'tidii, with a K|i:re of *|ii(t>.
Poyiitz, whose liifch noM tiirnH up til viil|>xr Hay.
MhiIc quite a >))ee«li on thin hi* fiivourM knitiht.
ThiriK oHiim warniMi and narrii-d ijiiite away,
Ilia dry, lat^onic S|iAniJt riiiirtHhi|i I he
Whit ne'er tuuehMifm u <^*m|diiiM;nt to ine !'
—"Oh, Katel"— •• Well, well, ho U>v^ me. 1 belieM."
(Here Walter's ronwiem-e half wlvi^'d a mova }
" Hit frieml, on whnee aJihirn allow nxt leave
To any, you 're stniDSrly eorioiin thrown, my love,
Uu«t be like you — {Isolde, I w<m't deceive,)
A bighHyer, with hiii head in cloud* abuvif,
Juat oae of your own worlil-defytng school ;
lu fact, a noldv creature,— am) a foul.
" Heaveo«, what a look '. why all the ('ynnr hliio^
Mimnta to your dieek.— dw 1 prtni«iim-e it rijihl t
^tr,\ngv, that thre« cmttirie* of oair air and food
81i(Hild not have danip'd the wild H'eUh spirit i|<iiLc.
Now, be a i["i»l pnrl — I nay, toii 'rv always Kood,)
And I will Hift thill denr old t'r>ftle lo-niifbt,
The only one who kikofn loo Itl-tory hi>re.
' Tia wliisiier'd, lia waa a known ('■vmlMtr."
54^
TllR LEUBND OP WALTER CHaOE.
— " Nay, deftrert, ktndMt, yoit mlrtake hit driti.*'
— " No ; WB iOl call vou a contirni'd «ld maid
Of three-Jind.twenty.' — " Well, hut dont Miy • aift ;'
Whttt atii til' )'« to me ? yet 6un.' twine aid —
Our «>iisiii Bliindfll— liiffnidiby— It shift
hy Ibeir )ii};li intere^ surely qiitiht be tnfide :
Tlien I'uynix, m miu'b look'd itp to, «o sincere—
But he 'it too proud Ui stir ■ ilvp, I fur.
** Kate, do yon understand mf nnw. or not ?"
— *• ]M>lde.— I know you mean whiiteVr roni •ay."
— " Oh, when nc aim at gO(Ml, no matter wliui.
Our ux's awkwnrdueH stands in our way.
Smile if yon plMM : but tliink, the hopelesa lol
Of Hortli and tnl«nt cru«h'd by thi« foul play.
And doDtn'd to wither in Ihoite iiavage clime* I
One *fl mad ennugk already with the timet,
"* No moiTu ; hure come my tormeot*." ^l' altar now
Made a flank muvement from hi« former place ;
He thou((ht at last to realize, aomehow.
Hi* fiivourtl« ShHk«p<^ar« modi>l« of all gnc»i
To miitch with hlKh-Huul'd Beairice'b brow,
And Kiiudind's fine funn and spvakiriit^ factt,
Tbo dear, deep muKic of that voice, rcveulin^,
(So Fancy augur'd) iU-e|ter tluiught and {ttlmg.
" I »ee hvr now ; the livtena to young ScropVi
Th' Ili^h Sheriff's hrir. iin ICuphuist fantnstcic:-^
How the fop fumble* with hi* pluni'd hut '4 loop !
He rt'ddcnt! ; he divines her smile sarciutii: —
Bowa hiiiiKcir ufT- Now olhen K«ell Ihts group.
And bait her wilh their c<>iti[»linienti> butiiluUtic ;
Her cjitni, fix'd look of putiL-ncu anys. * 1 prny,
Proceed, fail' gentles, and bay out your aay.'
" Ha ! Korcle limpa up to ber. Ay, wit and worth
Dwelt in my poor fnend'a form, unamth and Iwiw. —
She aiisweni— nhiit » look uf c«>rdJal mirth
Js there ' the calm, otill statue '> not the same :
Sure nought so Qytnph*likc trvade on thU dull earlb.
Her eyes — I ne'er admir'd them, soft and tame —
Have all the woul and fire uf the )iny South.
And what a beautifully trell-cut muulb !
*'Forde catches now my rye— my name spun !
I know hix kiuilne»i| hut fur my own peace
I 've heurd mul ncen too much, tvhich must remain
Link'd uiih oU future thuught till life aboU ceoic.
Could nhe— but penury tmd hupeleu pain
Are in thii land my portiun. — ^Vhy incresM
Mv ill« p«rt c«r<^? Tii-morrow, tiicn, I ((o;
Hold fa»t, Resolve I St. Ueoi^e I and we^tw&rd, bo I"
Be l*jni'd abruptly, seokine some excuse
To nhun all that he feari\ M»d loiific'd for moat.
" H'yld, keep the book I lent, 't will prove of use : —
Don! aCBO Die, tny dear felluu, like a ghott."
Pale us the deud, iu troth, ho )rlided looM
From hLg astounded friend ; the Stuic boaat
Of proud JtidiiTcrcneo, which fiUBtain'd our hem
Not hair an hour at^o, nob down at icoro.
A PLAIN CASE. 513
" Alice, U 't thou ? plague on 't 1 my good old dams,
I grieve to think 1 kept thee up awake." —
" Lord bless ye ! 'tis my custom all the same ;
Now, dear younff man, what will ye please to take ?
The flask you left is fresh ; there 'b chine and ffame."
" Nothing, dear Alice." — " Not a slice of cake ?" -
— " No, nothing, thank ye, nothing ; never mind it
Nothing but rest; (would I knew how to find it!")
He threw him — no, 't was his habitual use
To do things rationally — went to bed.
And thought o'er hie lov'd Shakgpeare, to induce
Some train of thought to calm his feverish head.
The very worda betray'd him. — " Idiot ! Goose \
Seeking ' Bome bright particular star to wed,'
My reason 's like ' bells jangled out of tune,'
And I a baby, crying for the moon."
Then Beatrice, and Rosalind, and she,
Gentler, but with like singleness of heart,
Devoted Imogen, too pointedly
Brought to his mind their fancied counterpart.
He turn'd to childhood's home, the chesnut-tree,
The fielda where once be stray'd ; but like a dart
At once the searching question smote him, " How
Wsa 't I ne'er reck'd of loss of lands till now f
" Well, fifty years hence, and 't will all be past :
I'his fever'd frame will rest a tranquil clod
In cooling Delaware's savannahs vast.
By the lone hunter's kindred footsteps trod.'*
He stretch'd him as in death ; the thought at last
Of flowing streams, and his long home's green sod.
Brought a good hour of sleep's unrivall'd balm.
The early morning found him risen, and calm.
END OF CANTO II.
A PLAIN CASE.
OV HSAKIKO TBAT THE VAIH AHD COLT LADT IKTEDDED GOINO
TO TBS CALEDOMIAM BALL AS " HABT QUEIH OP SCOTS !''
What I Scotland's benty, ftail as AurT
She cannot cotmtauaue that character I
Sure modesty must make her roe it ;
I 'm certain $he Mai not the face to do it!
Louisa H. SKERinAN.
£44
FICTIONS OF THE MIDDLK AGEa
TIIE PROFESSOR OF TOLEDO.
Upon ihe sides of a steep acclivity, suiTouiided by lofty mountain*,
itands the renowned Toledo ; in days of yore as much celebrated for
its school of magic, as it has since become for it» m«nuf«clory of sword-
bladeB. At one angle of the city, built ujKin the point of an abrupt
and rocky sunimif. comniiiriding an extensive prospect, is the Alca-
itar, live hundred feel below which the river Tagus angjily dashes alonf(
between rugged precipices, and then foIIh away throiig^h neighbour-
ing valleys, fertilizing and fructifying the green meadows on its
banks. In the Alcaznr is u grand public square called the Fkza
Mayor, or Socodover, where the inhabitants of the town used to
rendezvous and promenade, under stately colonnades and fanciful
baicunii-s. There thu proud higli-blooucd noble and the luaty
merry-hearted muleteer unconcernedly elbowed uaeh other, and the
young and lovely wife, attcuded by her connUmt and jealous Cortejo,
f^a/ed with the greater froidenr ot her superannuated hosband;
but, when evening yieldetl the world to night, then began the scene
of bustle and romance,— ^h en the gay and amorous cnvaliero, im-
bibing maddening draught? of love from his gentle sefiora, poured
out his soul of song to the tinkling of his light guitar.
On the night of the l»t of April 1208, the moon then shining in
brilliant splendour upon the lofty towers of the Alcasar. two oiTft-
litTos, concealed in the ample fofda of their cloaka, were in earneit
conversation in one of the most retired walks of the Socodover.
" U'uuld yuii have me break my oath, Ilermano, and, by olTending
nty uncle, lose his estates and wealth } Know you not that he has
awnm at the shrine of the IToly Virgin, if I ever entered the Pro-
ftrsHor'a Tnwcr he would disinherit mer"
" I would be the biat man in Toledo," answered Hermann, " to
counsel Don Alberto to act agniuHt his coiisciencf; ; but if he have
received a shall fVoiii the frailest and solU-.'^t thini; in nature, —
woman's eye, it behoves him to get the wound speedily cured, or it
will fester into frenzy."
" It has done that already," replied Alberto; " yet must 1 bear
it ; for he that wars, hunts, and loves is subject to a thousand Bor«
rows for every plea*ure,"
" Nay, nay," interrupted Hermano, " tho^e are fearful ixhN. My
experience ways, one sorrow to a thousand pleasures, — and that, I
thmk, is ample payment, — at least it fully satisfies me; but those
who conjure up evils, and play the lover, poet, or lunatic, — for tbey
are all one, — must suffer the penalty of their absurdity and temerity.
I have gener.i!ly observed tnat n love-shaft pierce* through nine
hundred and ninety-nine hearts at onee, and, beinj; spent, lodges
harmless in the tliousandth, in the pmitiun of which 1 always con-
trive, if possible, to place my own. Rut. to be serious, and recar
aain to this self-same profcsbor, who is not one of your upstart
venturers, no needy fortune-teller and threadbare juggler, but one
who, by his intercourse with spirits of the invisible world, can
control the eternal order of the planets, and extort from reluctant
demons the secrets of futurity — lie can extinguish and recall life,
blaat creation's fairest works, and cither inflame or subdue the
strongest passion."
THE PROFESSOR OP TOLBOO.
MS
" I doubt not that lie is a wonderAil And fearful man ; but I
hate," said Albrrto, interrupting him, " your pbiltres and amornuv
potions, and tiiich like buitR and Irickn, to force nfTifticm, turn men'l
brainH, and (Hrrvert their juilfrmFnLs. llciiiileii, hnvp I not told you
that the girl htTself is not insutisible to my passion, but rptunu itt
"I'h her cur»t-U father and rt'ligiuii that atauif in my way,"
" \VkI\ — what of tliat? Go to the profe»or," said Hennano,
" and iC he do not devise Hmie mixle of fulfilling, ay. and exceeding
lot), youT utmost de^irpH, oil) me dotard, or any other naine you
plejiNr. liv«idi-<», what harm c«n liBtciiing to his project do you?
Uepend upon it, Alberto, Dame Nature had some «i>te end in view
in traniing ear* without thow coverts she htK^. placed upun the eye*
and tonfjue. After nil, you need nut follnw hid advice ; fur, by
Santiago, that is an article oltener required than adopted."
" Then you sincerely advise nic to go, notwithgtanding my unrle'a
vow. whatever be tJic conwquence ?"
" I vrmg never more sincere in my life," answered Hcrmano.
" I will go, tlien," «iid Alberto. •• be the renult what it may."
" And your curseH rest upon my head," retunicd llermano, " if
yuu repent your resolution."
The friends cnibraceil. — Ilcrmanu hastened to Ids tliree-deep
usiftnations, and Alberto slowly mid sadly {UMed through the
couru and echoing galleries that led to the tower in which the Pru>
fessor practised his mysterious ]>owers of %\w\h and incsntatiooi.
Little aid Alberto dream that the man whom he wa." ftoing to coa<
suit wn9 no lesN a pirrson th.in Ktxleric Xinicncs, archbishop of To-
ledo, bis reputed maternal uncle, (pope«, and other difcuitaries of
the Kuroish Church, never acknowledging children,} who, by his
nubtle learning in the occult science*, li»d niiteil him»c1f from com-
parative indigence to t)ic high office he then enjoyed. He hui) been
educated, under tlie name itf AH'onNo Ka]H»H), in the celebrated
school ofm^igic in Tule<lo, where he Itccame such a jtroliciciit in tJie
mystic rolls of fate, that he never failed to predict correctly tlie
earthly chances that would befall those who consulted him. So
j(reat wa« his fame, that his sovereign, Alonxo the Eighth, found it
his interest to avail himself of Alfonao'fl advice, and gave the magi,
eian apartments in the AtcaKar, where he wielded his w.ind over the
(Uadnus of the kingA of neighbouring utates, and employed bin sya-
tem of unhallowed machinations tolKild iti complete subjugiition the
suhjecu of bis master and jMiiron. The sovereign ami the magician
being thus leagued together in a dark conspiracy to deceive and
enslave their efiecies.— lui a reward for Ins valuable Bcrvice* rendered
to the former, Alfonso was by bis influence elevaied to the highest
ecclesiastical dignity in Spain ; but, in order that the Christian
world should not be »canuali;!ed by the Hrxife*«i>r Alfonwi KapiMo
being enthroned, he ebangrd bis n^me to Ituderic ilc Xiraenew. It
Win, huwever, one of the conditiona of his appuintmciit, thai he
kliuulil Htill hold the tower in the Alcaxar, and once a-weck during
the reign of AUinzu, or whenever llw;re was occasion, exerciM his
iupemniurul influence over the people ; for well did both pontiff
and sovereign know that a magician in those ilnys had the means of
penetrating into more of public and private intrigue tlian tlic most
dexterous and insidious system of espionage, and tlut many things
would be revealed in a magician's cabinet tiuit would be cunomlt
«4«
PICTIOKS OP THE UIDDLE AOES.
even in the confessional. Tlius King Alonio and Archbithi^ Ro-
dcric, favoured by the igtiorance of the times, became acquauited
with the tDuat trivial occurrences in public and domestic life.
To return to Don Alberto. lie came at length Co a vaultrtl cor-
ridor, which conducted him to a winding staircase, where there was
just RufScicnt li|;hl to make the gloom more than ordinarily im>
posins'' Descending the Mtair«, he arrived at a duor of higbl^-po-
lished braM, carved and embosted with cabJilisticat and hieroglypbi-
cal figures. Albertn gave a gentle and irresolute tap ; but, grntle
an it was, it must have been instantly beard within, (ttr the door
flew suddenly opett with a noise like thunder, and drew buth him
and the floor upon which he was standing into a place of incon-
ceivable obortirity.
•• Powers nf Darkness!" exclaimed Alberto, " whither are yoo
conducling mc^"
" Into the presence ofliim whom yoa seek," was the reply of in
invisible sjpeaker; nud Alberto iustantly fclc himself gently raised,
with the floor under him, towards the ceilioi;. After he hod as-
cended about forty feet, his bead lifted up « trap-door in the ceiling,
and he stood in a circular vaulted room of dazzling 1-gfat before xm
Professor of Toledo, who reclined upon a crimson velvet ottoman,
of oriental shape, from which a stream of supernal melody seemed
to flow. Upon a tublc, lying confusedly together, appeared various
aorolls of parchment inhcrihed with cabalistic and mystic ligurea,
Instruments of quaint forms, booka of science, gla.4sefi, retorts, alem-
bics. In the room were twelve crystal lamps Allrd with fragrant oil,
which, whilst they delighted the eye with a radiance like the tem>
pered light of day, gratified the olfactory neni'es with a delicious
perfnrae.
" What brines the sombre melancholic Don Alberto to the Cham-
ber of the Vatf.s?" inquired the professor, without rising from his
recumbent pfisiurc.
Alberto started at the sound of his name. " Nay, start not,"
continued the profeiiAur, " at the bare mention of your name. Think
you, seignior, tlist mortal man con enter my labontory and I not
know him i"
" As you know my penon," answered Albert, " perfaapi you also
know my business, and can save me the trouble of explaining it."
" It is the custom for the sick to tell their ailments to the leech,
and he prescribe* a remedy," replied the professor. " Yours must
be a desperate case, which puts in jeopardy your chance of becoming
heir to your uncle's vast estates ami wealth. Knows he of your
coming hither, seignior?"
" Truly, »r," said Alberto, biting his lip, artd inwardly cursing
his frienid Ilermano for sending him thither, " I perceive you are
familiiar with my circumistances, which puzitlcs me. However, I
came not here to talk of my chances of inheritance, but "
" Surely not for a lave-chArm, Seignior Alberto ! " interrupted the
profeswr, " to nhilter and bewitch some fickle-minded maiden, —
nor for an oblivious baneful draught to dose a successful rival who
dims the lustre of your smiles. Nay, seignior, frown not; for it
Avails you as tittle as do your nervous nail-nihblings."
" A truce with vour binter," said Alberto ; " though 1 deserve it
for being such an idiot as to come here."
*
THE PROFESSOR OP TOLEDO.
5i7
lied the professor, " need not the leech'i aid, but
I
" Tbf sane,'' rep
tboRe who arc »icK.
" I am not sick," snid Alberto indi^nntly-
" Then why come to me?" a^kcd the prafesftor>
" To seek thy nid,*' dulicnly replied Alberto.
" As othiTs do," returned the prufesBor, " who. guided by the
magnetic influence of hope, that healing medieuincnt for the miser-
able, come here to eeek it amidst the anxieties und mysteries of
science; and I, ber officiating priest, dispense to tbe hopeless and
despairing that only batm their case requires. But to tbe point —
yoa love the Jew Mordecai's daughter," continued tbe professor,
casting a searching gtance itt Albrtto's face, " and come to me far
advice in your unchri»t ianlike devotion."
Alberto, thunderstructt at the professor's apparent preacience, re-
plied, " Thou hast truly named the object of my de^ttre, to procure
whom I sought thee in my desperation. IJer father wishes to extort
ft vow from Tier never to see me more, and bolts and bars administer
to bis wiiL"
" And, by the powers I fierve," answered the professor, rising
from his seat, and angrily pacing the room, " 1 will admini.stpr to
My will, Don Alberto ! Tuou rhslt have that Jew's daughter for
thy mistress, slave, or aught besides — his usurious heart shall break
at thy success I Me has crossed my patli, spurned my otTvra, laughed
■t roy spells, and bet my power at defiance !"
" Can your mysterious powers and spells gain me admission into
his house?" inquired Alberto; "'tis all J want."
" Ay — there, or anywhere," answered the professor, impatiently
tapping his Kn^rs on his forehead. " Here, take this reed, ana
introduce one end of it into tbe Jew's window ; then, speaking
through it, tell him to proceed at once to the house of Rabbi Alonaa-
seh, where be will find Henrique*, who owes him twenty thousand
dobleros, preparing to decamp at dawn of day. The door once
open, the prise is your own."
" And will your scheme open his door?" inquired Alberto-
" The greatest works are of^en effected with the meanest aid,"
answered the professor. " Ilaate thee away — it wants but one liour
•fmidttigbt."
Alberto warmly thanked the profesaor, and hastened to try the
Incy of the reed in gaining him admittance to the presence of the
ol or his soul. Aa he p»K»ed down the CoIIp dc la Campinera, he
his frirnd Ilermano with a chagrined countenance quitting the
"ence nf the p.irish rfMifi-j^sor.
'* Hollon !" saiil Alberto, " who would have thought of seeing the
volatile Hermann coming out of the Padre's door at this huur of
Fnight? Have your sins sate so heavily on your shoulders, that you
. need a midnight shriving f"
" The hare often starts out of a bush where we Wast dreamt of
her sitting; and then, pondering and doubting on what oturse she
had best pursue to avoid the fierce and bloodthirsty crew that
seek her life, she flies from brake to brake, and visits all her well-
known haunts to gain strcurity ; but," continued Hermano, " to
ipcak less »))ortinKly. I have been with the avaricious pric*t, endea-
vouring to raiite another «um to stop the rlunours of the cursed duni
that hourly beset me."
£Wt
FICTIONS OF TUB MIPULK AOKS.
"Ami have vou succwdcd ?"a6ke<l Alberto,
" Not iH-yoiul a prumUe," flnswpred HermnTin. " The sum is too
litrjje, and must be nnd from A1orc]i?riu, that Jewish dng-"
" WhAtevCT be the sum you rcijuire to mi*ft your prwent exi-
gencies a!hai\ be in your possesHion before noon to-morrow^" said
Alberto.
•■ Thou art h peneraus fcoul, Alberto '" sgid Ilermano, embracing
his friend, " nnd I ii melnncholy sptrndlhrift,"
"Tut, tut, tut! — my generosity is like that of most lenderB,"
answercil Alberto, " holtoracil upon wiLutiiie something in prtum."
Alberto then related to bis I'riend what Dad belullen him ut the
prufeseor*s tower ; and, HerDinno affreeing to assist him, by sjicakin^
ui a feigned voice through the reed, they proceeded together to the
dwellinf; of Mordecni. There, the reed having been introduced into
tlie window, Ilennnno applied his mouth to it, and exclaimed —
•' O. Jlordecai, thou sun of Haniun ! jjet tliee up. nnd procevd
instnntly to the houM; of Itabbi Mannsyeh, where thou wilt find
Henriaue«, thy subtle debtor, about to decamp with ihy money.
Ari»e, I nay, arite !"
At the very first sound that issued from the reed, Mordecai started
from his »i\eep, and raising himielf from his pallet of straw, listcDvd
with terrjfietl soul to the prophetic warning;.
" W^hat in it th«t. 1 he«r!" he excLtimed. " Henriques, my prin-
cipal debtor, thst dog of n merchant, about to decamp in my henry
■debt? Nay — it cannot be — 1 have been dreaming — my ibouvhts
are but the forgeries of sleep, I saw him here this noon— tnrre
wa<] no ^lilty intention in his eye. Bui did he not say at portilli;,
* ]<*arcwell, until we meet again i' There was meaning in tbooe
words. [lark ! — that »ound again !"
" Dort thou hear the voice of thy guardian angel, Mordecai, and
yet tarriest in thy bed,* Up, Mordecai I — up!— ihake off sleep —
the sixth part of dcatli— or tiieday will wake you instead of your
waking it !"
" I rise. I rise, O spirits of Abraham nnd Klijah '." said Mordec«i»
suiting the action to the word ; and he ha^^tily washed his hantln,
and hurrieil on bin rlothe-R ; accortling to the prescribed rule of the
Jews, rinspcl bin moutli, put on bis tcphilin, and ttien pronounced
the name of Ktuhiui.
Deborah, who slejtt in tJic adjoining room lo her father, hearing
hiiu getting up nt such an unseasonable hour, hastily drcMed lierseir,
and came into hif: aimrtnient juM as he was leaving it.
" What ails thee, chUd r" said the Jew ; " got thee buck to thy
beiL The night was made for sleep, and not for waking curiosity ;
get ther to sleep again ;" and, so paying, he hurrie<l out of liia hoa«t>,
enrefully locking and double-locking theduor after him. ^o swjner
had lie ttirnetl the comer of the Mrcet, and gone fairly out of sight
and he:iriiig, than Alberto and liLTuiinio comiiig from Uic place of
their concealment, knocked loudly at the Jew's door, Deborah, think-
ing that some accident had bclallen her father, ran to the window
bi ascertain what it was ; for she knew that the door was double-
locked, an4l the key in his pocket.
" Light of my soul !" said Alberto, as she appeared at the cafe-
iiwiit, ■' if you love me but half a* much as you have oiten twoni
you do, Hy with luc thi« iiiKtant — not .1 moiurnl must be lost. I will
THE PROPKSSOH OF TOLKDO.
sii>
expUin everything tn ymi when we arv anCely beyrmd the rcAch of
pursuit."
" Oh, Albvrtnl what wuuld you Jiavc nic do? Do not iii^c me
to nbuiiiluu my lather's rout' in a manner sii ubrupl. and lu put my
nmiic iiiitl reputiitiuii upon the faithleu bidauccH uf backbiting and
detracting tonguea."
" 1 would root out the mendaciauK tongue tluit should ]>rofane thy
nRTnc with lawU-Hi ribahlry !" paasiunately exclaimed Alberto ; " but
wr hitv4- now no limf fur woixU: stay not here, I implore thee,
wanting the precious moment* that hive ha« granted ii«. Ilnrk ! I
hear the trea«l of feet— they come thi» way !^-the window Ih not far
trom the gruimd — there is no darker — jump! and my longing arnia
shall receive thee."
Scarcely knowtnf; vhiit she did, Deborah half jumped half fell
into the arms of Alberto, and, followed hy Ilermano, they hastened
to Alberto's houite, where, for the present, wc must leave them.
Meanwhile, witli a hurried and nervous step, Mordei'ai pro*
cceded to the house of Itabbi Manasiteh, where Iwing arrived, his
htaxt rcdponded against his uie^rc ribti t4> the luHty and decisive
knocks wliich he gave at the itabbi'e door, so quick aiKl so loud
WLTC those noisy appeilc, that tJie whole strevl ecboetl aiid re-echoed
with the toundi). The rabbi being a godly man, and uf consider-
able im|>ortance in the sanhedrim, — for he was well skilled in iJie
sacred mysteries of the cabali, mishna, and gemera, — thought (es|)e-
cially US be duly estimated hinn>elf] that such an anthurilative de-
mand of admittance could proceed fnrm no one lr<M thnn the prophet
Elijah,* in one of hia nocturnal ramble*. Somewhat elated at the
idea of »o signal and unexpectetl a favour, the rabbi, witliout even
waiting to put on his garments, ru«lied frtrni hin beil to receive his
veoerablc viititar. The surprise, diigust, mortification, aitd anger lie
evinced upon ojiening the street door, and seeing the disturbed aiul
anxious Jew, can be better imagined than expresMd.
" Am I in timc.^" ejaculated the unhappy Mordceai with an air
ordtBtraction; •' U he off yet? — Ilenritiues, with my twenty thou-
sand doblerofl ?— « large sum, rabbi, to trust a CbrisUon with, with-
out a bond !"
Justly exasperated, and perluipi the more s*) from his disappoint-
ment in regard of the prophet Klijiih, the rabbi excljumed, —
" Thou malignant and nocturnal sprite '. what dost thou uieun
by thii unaeuofiable interruption f" — and, without another word,
nn ceremoniously slammed the door in ^lordecai's face, then with ■
ferocious inward oath he hurried back to his chamber.
As Alordecai could fancy nothing else, from the rabbi's strange
and uncouth bebuviour, but that he was in league with, and
affording pnrtertion to Henriques, he wrought himself into a (Im-
Krate and ungovernable rage, and renewed hia knocking mor*
isterously, if possible, than before; head, hands, and feet were all
employed in the otHce of battering-rnm against the patient, but
ateodily. resisting door. The rabbi was nnarcustomed to bear with
meekness such intolerable insolence and presumption ; he therefore
opened his window, and dincharged without remorse tbe contents of
* TIm Jaws bttUerv that Kl^lab Is alvart waadaring alHMi itio wwM as sn un>
haMoJor ol Oud, and visiuog Ui« moal hal» uul virtnotu tabbi*.
MO
FICTIONS OF TUB MIDDLE AGES.
a capacious utenul upon the offending h«ad of his bearded betiegtf.
At U*tif;th th« noise occaiionrd by the borabardmeDt, as earnevt as
that of Titus againat JeruHlem, mingled with the itngry vocifera-
tions of Mordecfli, disturbinj; the whole neigbbourhood, brought
the algunails to the KCfne of action, who, lik« most others invested
with petty authority, not stopping to inquire into the mertt'* of the
case, Cell upon the disconcerted and enraged ftrordccai, and Mon^
with handcuff* and fistycnffs, silenced the thunder of his artillery,
and led him away captive by the collar to prison. More mercifully
and tenderly doett nn eagle bear away the timid hare in his sharp
talons, than did thone xprigs of brief authority carry off the poor
Jew. They pinched, kicked, and pulled him, 6rst this way and
then that, in order that they might the more conveniently and
unau^pcctcdly ea«c hia pocket of its contents.
In tilt- moriiinK he was brought before the alcady, who, being an
unprejudiced judge, instead of sentencing the miferablv 3lordecai
to death, merely condemned him to pay an exorbitant sum for mid-
night brawling, — an additional sum because the offender was a Jew,
— a farther sum, because he hated the Jews, — and a still farther sum,
because the offender was rich, and ought to pay ; for it was not
ofbrn that he dared to condemn a pprsoii that could afford to pay.
In failure of paying these varioitx fines within twelve hours, the Jew
was to be sent to the galleys for ten years, and at the expiration of
that term to be brought back to priMMi, and hanged the following
morning at sunrise.
With this mild and merciful sentence Mordecai had nothing to
do but comply ; and Mordecai was one of those philosophers who
think it better to be regarded as a patient ass than an iniputent lion ;
though the payment of such large sums was worse to him than
even the loss of his life-blood, yet he knew that in Toledo it was
oteless to kick against the pricks, for whntever sentence the alcady
pronounced was unalterable. The poor Jew was conducted to btt
house by alguaails suHicient in number to keep in awe at least ten
robust obstreperous clowns. What was his horror, what his distrac-
tion on arriving there, to find his home deserted, his daughter dcd !
-He plucked his hnir from his beard, he smote his breast, he stamped
his feet ; but to no other purpose than the amusement of his gentle
and benevolent guardians, who laiighed at his sorrows, and aeemcd
to enjoy his agony.
Mordecai now remembered the harsh treatment to which he bid
subjected hJn daughter, .ind was stung to the tjuick by remorse of
conscience. " Where is my daughter," he cried aloud, "for whom
I have broken my sleep with anxious thoughts, loaded my soul with
usurious crimes, and let^ myself without a friend f Give me my
child, sirs, and you shall have your money without interest — without
a sigh ! Oh ! some bloodthirsty Christian has kidnapped and mur-
dered her! Give me my child, or you will lash me into madness .'"
The ravings of the Jew and the merriment it occationed to hta
guardians soon collected s crowd round the hnnw; and as even
among the Jews, whatever the Cliri*iian may think to xlw contrary,
there are kind-hearted Samaritans who pour oil into the bleeding
bosom, and assuage the griefs of the sorrowful, some of those hu>
mane persons, upon hearing the state of matters from the alguaails,
undertook to supply the mulcts inflicted upon their distreaeed
4
4
THE MtOFESSOR OF TOLEDO.
551
I
I
I
I
m, and in a short tJnio cletrfd his hou«c of the mercenary
crew hy handing iheni over the money : leaving poor Mordecai to
the condolence of his friends, who protTiFred their auifiunce to lind
hit daughter. WTiat wa» the effect of their kindnesf will shortly
appew.
It waa Easter Sunday, and the Climtian inhabitants of Toledo
were a»enibled in ih<r magniticfnt cathedra) to hfMr hi|;h mau per-
forzned by the arc 1 1 bishop. Among the catechuin«»4 present was a
maiden prnMlyte of surpatHin^ Ii4>niily, uhriK larj^e black cnrruficsnt
eye darted into the coldest hearts the flames that sjftarkleil in its orb.
She was a convert from the Jewish to the Cbristtan faith, and had
been the day before* publiciv baptised in tJic presence of the whole
congreeation. She M-as now devoutly kneeling at the altar, and
■eemed nbrarbed in sincere and hnmble oriwng to the throne of
grace, where eren the solitary prayer of a contrite heart in more
acceptable than ttie united formal prayers of the fullest congr^a*
tion collected by mere duty, custota, or necessity.
High mass was completed, and the archblHbop in the very act of
exposing the host to the veneration of the faithful, all upon their
koees, whilst the anthem. " O sacrum convivium," was being
chanted, when all wnn suddenly interrupted by a violent uproar
occasioned by the rush of upwards of fifty Jews up the aisle of the
cathedral towards the high altar, and upon whuw entr-inoe a sudden
dnrknews overnpread the biiihlinj*. At thi* sCranp[e and unceremo-
nious intru«inii each imlividunl looked aghast at his neighbour,
the anthem censrd, — the prie<<ts and acolyte* were dismayed, — all
was confusion. The archbishop alone remained undaunted, though
■omewhat surprised, his deep>set hacel eye flashing liquid fire,
aa in his sonorous vnice he peremptorily demanded the cause of
that unholy and sacrilegious interruption of the worship of God,
npon a day pre-eminent amongst the festivals of the Church. The
Jewish proselyte, alarmed at the noise, was roused from her pious
reverie. She looked up, and beheld her father ; for it was Mordefni
himself that headed the Hebrew rabble. Slie uttered a wdd and
piercing shriek, and fell scnsi-less into tlie arms of a ricfaly-attirsd
cavalero who was kneeling beitide her.
The mouth of Murdecai, as if in the act of speaking, began now
to open and shut, " like that of a crow gaping in hot weather ,"+ and
ao did the mouths of nil the Jewish intruders, but not one sound
isaued therefrom. The archbishop, thinking tlint the Jews were
mocking him and the service of the church, ordered tlum all to be
instantly seised, bastinudoed, and ejected from the rathetlral ; but
the congregation, meu. women, and children, arose •imnltaneouslr.
as if by nn irreflistible impuW, and massacred the U'hnlc of the
unbelieving curs at the foot of the altar. Frin^htfnl was the
slaughter, and heart-rending ought tn have been the dying groans,
die goaahing of teeth, and the moanci of the poor Jews, who were
umble to utter one word of explanation or complaint, for by a
miracle they had all become dumb. No Fotiiier, Jiowevee, were the
last gasp fur breath and the laH death-rattle heard in tlieir throata,
' A <Ut peculiarly approptisied u> tba baptism of JowMi aomns, than sod
(inra.
t Tha vorda of the MotanipoTkry writof aff* '* None on |iatulo, nan cam '
sinris ■•dlnis nnn ■porimt)!."
552
A CJl.RAM OF THE PAST.
thmi the unnatural olxtcurity which had ovei-spread the place tm
tlieir entrance, vaniHlicil ; the whole iuicr«l vdifice glittnred w itii llir
brightncsi. of ti^litning, and n henvenly choir wajt h«Mird tivf^infr.
The supcmftl ttrains as th^y died awav vere siircoftled by tho
howlings uid barking of b1oo<]hoiind.i, wno (either aCtracted by the
carnal smell of Jewish bltaid. nr perhaps mtrAcnlmisly Rent by the
saint presidinft «ivfr the catliedral ol'Tolwlo) ye1)M.-«I into the chtirrh,
and made a gory banquet of the remains of the unfortunate unbe-
liever*.
Twelve nionlhR after this memorable plaughter of fifVy Jews in
the r/ilhedral of Toledo, that hi'inp the earliest period which deerncy
permitted, the iiujitinlH uf Don Alhertu de XiinpncR and Chrititiana
(fur DeboraJi at her buptiem had dropped her Jewish name, and
usuiiied a new one more apjiropriatc to hur adopted belief) were
celebrated with greiit pomp and Hulendour, oti the very spot where
Alordecai had been slaughtered. The archbishun, on the conclusion
of the ceremony, delivered a long inflatc<l monitory on the subject
of dteolwdience, the necessity and sacred obligatiuit of keeping pru-
mi«««. vows, and ro furtli, and wound up bv declaiming' againat the
wickedness and intDTenw; absurdity of a beli«f' in the bitiuk art and
occult sciences.
Don Alberto felt the full force of hit uncle'a orstion, every won!
of which came home to his heart, for he liad oBended in all the par-
ticulars about which hit uncle had preaclu-d ; but it wa» not until
forty year* »l1erwArd», whpn the archbijihop waa unfortunately
drowned in the Rhone, diat he lesnit the truth of the factw «Uted in
this liitic narrative. Dblta.
A GLEAM OF THE PAST.
I ftuarr, and o'er my wuid'ring wnwa rame
A scene or cittldhood, beauurul aiid bri&hl ;
MeitiougKl 1 rushed amn wiih joyous t>oiind
To Rreet ilie cuuiiiigj; of the u«w.l»orn day.
And Instc her manv-sccnlcd od'roni bieulb.
lair Nature spixau a ricb and boundless store
To cliarm my sighl ; tbp ruinbuw-iinUTcl flowV
t'ncluwd bei virfjiti beauty to ibe sua,
Courting hi; tninnl smiles and coldcn branii ;
And irtld-iiMS tairied on ilieir lazy Ri(^ts
To iteal with Diuitnured lou^ the hisnous spoil ;
Again 1 looked upoti ihcr smiling wave.
And tract^d ii& Uiry ^uinbul* on the d^i,
Leaping to ^ranton music of the breeze.
Wearied at leiigdi, mediotight I fuuud my t&t
In the soft haven ofa mother's arm* :
Jjyv'wi ami Ic^-od, I biiski-d within the^OEC
CM ercr-waichfui eye, tilt iniuy gh-ama
Stole o'er my brow, and pictured to my view
Those visions ofa for and di>Unl land
That sliiler in an an^|.reve)iT.
Conld I but tasle that blisHful dmin at-ain,
1'l'ouKhllt-!3 or clioiiiiCt and recklew of the flonn,
Tbui slumbco in lh« (-loud of woe to coioe I
JfUAS.
J53
I
P
TIIK WIDOW CURED, OR MORH THAN THE DOCTOR
AT FAULT.
Ir wa« in the year — . but no matter, I have the most trencher*
Otis memory ima^piiable for dates ; when Qiiarz was at Iterlin, — ^yoiif
of course, know wlioQtiarz wm, — if you do not, I'll tcII you. Ho
was the cclpbrntcil miisirHt composer and musician nl the court of
Frederick the Oreat, and, by the way, tautcht him the flute. Quari
wiu th* pujiil of the famous counterpointi^l. Oiisiiarini ; Quarz, Jn
short, wa« tne m.m who, as he was leavini; thfi ortiicrtre one night,
heanl a hall whittle in Ms ear, ticketed for him by the Spanish
Ambassador, who was in love with a certain raarchiones*. I can
auure you the aim was a good one, and the maestro might well bob
lua head, and wink his eyes.
At the time of which I was speaking before I got into these pa-
rentheses, Quarx was forty -one: tall, and well made in his person,
and of a noble and ckarsctertiitic countenance, which, joinml to a
talent whose fiuurriority no one could dispute, gave him free access to
all societies, miu caused him to be well received everywhere. He was,
among othurs, particularly intimate with one Schindlcr, a friend of
his youth, who itad followed the same studies — almost with the tame
success — what a blessing wax such a friend I In his hou<e. arter the
fatigues and adulations that every cuminj,; day brought with it,
Quurz passed his evenings. At Achimlicr's he 8ou([ht for a balm
to the wounds of envy and jealouay, fiirtilie<l hi^ mind against the
caprices of the great, and, above nil, from Scllindlcr be was sure to
incvt with a tribute due to his genius, and pruses that came from
tile tienrt.
But deatl) laid his cold and pitiless hand on Schiniller, nnd with
his terrible scythe cut that knot, which only he could sever.
No record of the time remains to tell us whether Madame Schin-
dlcr " lamented him sore," There are some sorrows orer which we
are forced to throw a veil. Perliaps nhe did, perhaps she <lid not,
shed a tear — perhaps a Roml of tears. Habit and long intimacy are
tnighty and powerful things.
Yet, though Kchindler was no more. Quart aIII rantimiefl his
visits: whether from long custom, or particular affection for his
lost friend, does not appear, and the young widow continued to
receive him with her accustomed welcome.
For a considerable time no particular occurrence happened to
interrupt their intervicwn, the motive of which seemed to be a
mutual consolation. It is only by looking closely, and examin-
ing evetits with attention, that we can discover any diminution
of their aflVctiona for poor Schindler, but by degrees he laded from
their memory. They now and then spoke of nim, it is true, but
Ins and less, till at last they ceased to speak of him at all. Schin-
dler was allowed to slumber peaceably m his case of wood, " was
quietly inumed." reqttietcelat in paer.
Far myself, I can perfectly understand all this. I can see no
necessity for remaining inconsolable at an irrcpiirable loss, and can
conceive no folly greater than his or hers had they Amtme-^
selves to eternal regret*.
Whilst the lamp bums, if ever so feebly, nonriib the
roL. III.
554
THE WIDOW CURED-
mestu ; but wlien once it ia extinguished, it is a WMte of tine
cuiiiiuon seiue to trim or supply it with oil. There ii an old French
Dong than ruiu thus: —
" Quand en est mort, c'est pour long tciiip^.*"
Thus, as I «iid, Madame Scliindler had given up weeping, and
as every one shouhl have Komc occupation or other, she bethought
herself of getting a new husband in lieu of the old. The idea was
not a bad one. I« it not so f With thin view she emploved herself
in repairing the dimirder of her toilette — in amiling on her vi«itors
— in coqiieting with them n little. And who can hiame her ? If ynu
know mankind as well as I do, you must be aware that thcs« things,
much as we may despise them, go a great way in the world. Depend
on it, that if a woman is simple in her manners, and plain in her tlre^s.
and without what most people term affectation or coquetry, no one
will tiike the trouble of looking at her twice.
Aladame Hchindlcr's house underwent a nimilar metainorphosts
to her own. The Venetians, that had for a whole year been care-
fully cloHL'd, began tu let in the day, and were drapcricd with more
care and elegiince than ever. The very furniture seemed Co assume
a new life. Her doors opened almost of themselves to her former
friends or new acquaintances, and more than one gue«t at a time
took his seat at her dinner-table.
Qiiarz waa, as may be MUppiMted, always welcome; and he had
thiJt Rdvaritage, that came when he might she wan at home to him.
Nothing leas could be expected from so old a friend, and no one
could posaihty find fault witn her for that, you will allow.
One day, in the iuid«t of an animated conversation wttli her amU
able favourite, Madame Schindler all at once burst into tears, com*
plaining of a pain in her side, and a violent headache. Quan waa
" aujr petit noiiii," and did and said all that might have been ex-
pected of him in such a case.
Madame flchindler went to bed, and sent for a physician.
Well, you will say, what is there extraordinary in that ? YesWN
day I had a stitch in my side and a liuadache, and what can they
have to do with your anecd(fte }
Don't be impatient — much. As you ahall hear.
Quarx was seated by her bedside when the doctor entered. He
felt her pulse, and his lips expressed, by a slight but Mgnificant
contraction, th^t he entertaint-d no very lavounible opinion of her
symptoms ; whilst Quarz kept hts eye constantly fixed on her pale
countenance, where the finger of death seemed to have set its tatal
aeal. He was sad and motionless, and iiwaited in silence the stern
decrees of Heaven. But the patient had perceived the evil augury
of the physician's eye.
" I aet," said she with a feeble voice, " I see, alas ! that I am
doomed to die. Doctor, I am grateful to you. I had rather know
the worst, than flatter myself with a vain delusion."
•' Well," said he, " since I mnst — since all the aid of medicine ia
vain, I leave you, madam." He cast a melancholy gUnce at Quari.
who was now really alTccted.
The patient expressed a wish to be alone, and Quore and the
doctor retiriKl to an adjoining chamber.
Some minuter afterwards, they were again aummuned.
" Joachim," said the dying lady, addressing Quarx ; " you per-
ceive that I am about to leave you. But before J quit this world —
«
I
4
4
DARKNESS.
;>dd
before I lake my eCertial resL, 1 have one fuvuiir to beg of yon —
oiie only — say, will you refuse it on my deuth-bctl?"
You may imngiiic the reply ; Quarz did wbui you or I would
have done in bis place. He promiied, whatever it might be, to
comply with it.
" I hoped it would be •o," aaid the widow, with a voice still fee-
bler ; " but dared not rely on it. It U — that before I die, you nliould
make me yourv. Call me but your wife. I ahall then be the bup-
pie^it of u'omen, and have nothing further to with for."
The request whh a sintrulxr one, but Qiiaric hnd proiUMiiI, and
really the cngAj^emcnt bound him to nothing, lor, in a few moment-s
the tie would be broken by the divorce of death.
He therefore conBcntcd with a good erace, and sent for n notary-
public. Tlie deed wm drawn up in due form. He signed it. The
doctor signed it as a witne^-i. The widow, with a trembling hand,
affixed her signature to the paper ; and all wan over.
But all wan not over.
" Doctor !" crie<l Mm. Quarx, jutupiiig nimbly, and completely
dresaed, out of bed. " I am not bo near the point of death as you
imagine, and have every incUoation to live long for uiy huelKind."
Now look upon the tublfan. The aitoni^hnient of the two wit-
neMe* — the notary, wiping hi* spectacle*, thinking his eyes de-
ceived him — the doctor biting hi.<i naiU at being deceiredi W
well as the rest. Only tliink of a doctor being taken in I
Quars, who was well pleased with the advciiUire, said smilingly
aside,
" A good actress, 'faith I If I were an author I would write ■
part for her."
The curtain fell, Madame Schindler was young and pretty, and
rich besides.
DARKNESS.
DtaKHCMhsth bound
All luiure around,
Aod the nighi-qu«en summons her pcady tnia,
l.tghiing each star
To lis watch (tdid aAr,
U'eri world ofviMou aoddrewns again.
Liiiled to ils limp
la lh« ntifhiy deep,
Aad hush«d thi> lament of iis glulton wavt i
But (alie the smile,
As a d«fno«*t guilff.
Thai iporU on its bosom, and bde* in lU grave.
Trutt not llw rail
Of a traitor- brtrasi,
BiHow* now slumb'niia thall wake, and Iw fre<^ ;
Their syrea cnatn
Shall lliey bunt aguin,
And the stomwfiad call them lo liberty.
Soon tie (trey daws
Shall uiher Ihc mom
Wfih a laic of woe for her sainted bmtli ;
Night wtndi shall rush,
TemnU shall t(U*h
O'er ih* msriMr'* brow in its oceMi.dMlh. Jc-Liuti
2 q S
55G
UR. BCGtilNS.
Et ^ui>roni i>ar» mn^a fiii.
Oncb upon ft time, an old English gciitlenmn or that reapccttUb
grailc, wliich, conuile Plunco, tised to keep IiouikI* and :»lt fur tbr
county, good.nat II redly, or, to use a nearly svnonyniouf tenn.
weakly, yielded to the importumties of hie wife and daughter, atKl
consented " to jjo abroad."
The la<lip« were tired to death of Bath nnd Cheltenham ; Mr*.
FoxcoUf declared that no decent young men were ever In be
Ht such places, and nlBrroed, that p<ior Emily had not the slight
chance of getting properly married, inafmnich ni her obdurate pa
would not hear of giving her a season in town.
If poor Emily did not 8ay the same thin;;, she thought it.
the nice young men in her county went to Eton, and IlHrrow,
Oxford, and Cambridge, and then tra%-elleil, or Meltonizrd, m
lived about town for a few years, to get rid of their superfluous cash
and cnnslilutiun, and linally returned to settle on Uieir palernil
acreH, liaving provided themselves with wives at Almack'a, an thai
hw sole choice lay betwist the fox-hunUTB and the curates. Her
personal beauty and probable fortune, euliiled her to aspire some-
what higher than to be the wife of a poor curate ; and as for marry-
ing a man who roile at\er a fox six days in the week, and talkrd
about him to the purson between churcnes and after dinner on the
seventli. the vcrv thought of such a thing put her hair out of curl.
Mr. Foxcole liad himself beun a man about town in hia younger
days, nnd very aenaibly reflected, that, although he was a great man.
and in the very bent society in hit own remote county, he might
very possibly find himself' a very small m»n, and in no society at
all, if he revisited London al^cr so long an absence; and that the
Duchess of Twingleby, who was so gracious to Sirs. Poxcote, «i
«o fond of Kmily, at the Twingleby archery meetings and electi
balls, might find neither time nor inclination to extend her
tronage .ind aRectinn tn lliem in town: like a wise man, honev
he buried tlie-se bitter reflections in his own bosom, declined giv
Emily ■ sewton in town on the less mortifying plea of ex
and eventually compromised for a summer trip up the Rhine i
Switxerland.
Excessive was the delight of Sirs. Foxeote, Emily, and Slubb4
tlieir uinid, at this prospect of foreign travel ; yet their joy was IWC
wholly unmixed with A|iprvhenBion: they knew not how smooth "~
the beaten trucks of Europe have been worn by constant attriti
how vigilant nre the police, how steady the post-boys, how extensi
the progress of Alacadainixation ; vid visious of bewiskereil l>and(i
.ind prccipitou-i roads suggested themselves occiuonally to
hentetl imaginations. Tom Muorc had however song, and
had read, that
" The rareM. tleatesl, flowers of l>lit«,
Are pjock'd oa danger's precipice;"
»he therefore sootlicd her mother and scolded Stubbt to the brst of
ler xbilitirs, and thfy aII (hr«e ultimately (lecl«re<l that they hud
in^le up thfir nimdH to put up with every thing. Hi>w far lh«v ad-
hered to this liiiidablc resolve, will lie seen in the coune ot this
short talc.
Mr. Koxcotc was by no means equally channe«l at settSnf; out on
his travels. He spoke no Iane;ii8/>e mvp hi^ native tongue, was
strnrtf^ly addicted to fioiind, ftdl-bodied piirt, and did not much relish
exchaiif^ins his coirirortablc home, his InrnkH, hit) horHej), and hia
dogs, fur the miestionable delights ufa continvutal (our ; hut having}
in au uiiguarutid moment. prutuiM-d, he Mi bimsvir bound tnper-
Corin ; and ibe whole party, alter due preparation, di-parted from
Foxcote Manor. They delaj'ed h feM- days in London lo enssge h
travelling servant, providethemselve* with circularnote*, and toe laat
editiono of Air;!. Starke, Lord Byron, Sir V, Head, ;ind such like in-
diit]H-n«Ab1e literary tiailr-mtvtims ; and having Kuccemled in securing
the nervitfi-9 oCa smalt, fikinny, brown, polyglot edition of an Italian
courier, who nevcrthelen* cut a very uiagniflccnt figure when clad
in hia profesAioTial uniforra, and mounted on an animal whose ei|ui-
vocal name disconcerted the modest IVtisa Stubbs whenever she
heard it uttered, our travellers crossed to Calais, passed the fronlieri
of Belgium, were exquisitely shocked at an immoral tittle fountain at
Brussels, bought tuts of eau-de-Cologne at the unsavoury town of that
name, reiid Lord Byron on ■■ tlie HanKs of the Khiiie," and Sir Francis
Head at " the Brunnene of Na.'t.viu," and al'^er fewer adventurf^ and
mishaps tlian they had unticipntcd, came lo an anchor oi\e tine day
at the ])retty Utile Ari^lo-Swiss village of Intcrlaken.
Intertaken i^ a pleasant place — a very pleasant place ; I usetl ta
delight in it when I was young, gay, and healthy, and even no'
it has its charms fur a treacherouK, gouty old man, who can
silent and obHervant- Still, as the life led by most of its frequentv
is somewhat peculiar, it does not do for people to come pott bute
from Cornwall or Vorkaltire, and rush in maliai re.r at once; they
should be gradually broken in, at the more seriate tierman Spas, he-
fore they participate in the lew rejitrained delights of its society;
otherwise the chances are, that being ignorant of the iiuiocence io-
fuse<l into the mo!<t vitiated systenis by Alpine atrawherries and
Swiss air, they may depart. astoun<lcd al the frecdota and easineat
of the place, and carry with them erroneous and unfiivourablc im-
pretsioDB of the manners and mornlH of IId frequenters,
I will endeavour lo give you a slight sketch of it.
ft is situated in a lovely Httlo plain, surrounded by the ibmK
picturesque mountains and lakes in Kwitzerlnnd.
The village i.i entirely composed of eslablii-huients culled Pension.*,
wberr trnvcliers are fed, lodged, lighted, and provided with stK-iety,
fur the very moderate sum of 6ve francs per diem. Thc>e huge
buildings arc constructed entirely of wood, and usually cimtain from
fifty to a hundred small cells, &tted up na donnitorivs with monaMic
simplicity, and a couple of large uloons. one of which is furnished
with a long deal table and chairs as a dining-roocn, the other with
n jingbng piano and some settees as a $4ttan dr socte/r.
The bea-rooms, tbotitfh ealcuUted to hold only one bed, aro
sociable denx enough ; Itetng built of half-inch plank, unpaintcd and
ill-joined, the traveller Mion necessarily liecomes as r •trd
with his right and left hand neighbours' peculiaritJt
I
58B
MIU BUGGINS.
teeth, dunning hia tight boou, and scolding his wife, u he poa^
can be with hia awn conrluct in aiirh rrspccts.
At nine in the mortiin^ the penx'wnnaireM usueuible iu the tali* m
tftnn^rr to breskfa.'rt, where coarse tea, and indifTereni breui, milk,
and butUT, are scarcely coinpenfcated for by eiceilcnt strawberries.
honry, and dead tlioi in profusion. At three " on dine," %'eal in
Vkriout fftiise^ funning ihe prominent feature nf the entcrt^nmcnt,
occasionally varied by joints of gnat, Iravettu en chumoit ; beef and
mutton arc known at Jnterlakeii merely by namv. In tlic evening,
tea, fitr&wlMrries, honey^ and flien arc a^aiii ocrved up.
The SQciely ia mainly composed of English, attracted by the
beauty and cheapiies; of the place : by iheir numbers and be-
haviour they have rendered viritors of other nations le»B numeroui ;
there are generally, however, some ueifclte Carlist funiliet, who
come to learn Kngtish; and a uprinklitig of Gvrmanif, Poles, and
Russians.
Tlie £)nglish are either excessively reserved, or sodable in the
opposite extreme. In the talout tie loeicte, young ladie* are to be
found from morning till night, ready and anxious to talk, walk,
ting, play, or waltK with the tirst adventurous pedestrian who,.
Alpenstock in hand and knapsnck on back, penetrates into thifi
happy valley. They astonish their less Kuropeanixcd coitiitrymen
by miirvelltiuK talen of the attention they have received from Prince
Slax, or of the despair of the rejected Duke Vincenzino di Cartel ■
Cicognara, The Polish Prince-t^es and Bavarian Oountesaes cnrry '
their heads high, remain verv incog, indeed, {which it is per-
haps as well for all parlies t)iat they should do,) and patroniae
an Eiii^lisb girl or two. The French look quietly on, and keep a
bright look out after their daughter*, if they happen to have any.
As for the English pa|Mis and mammas, they are excellent
people ; they look neither to the right nor to the lell ; don't believe
one word of the ill-natured stories circulated recpccting the Indies
in " izy" and " aki," who are sn kind to their dauf^ters ; go to bed
at ten o'clock, leaving the junior branches of their families to enjoy^]
themselves, and never know anything of the moonlit walks, priilt]
soHpfm, and other midsummer pranks, which render the place soi
pleaaant to young people. If they did, I am sure they would be]
extremely shocked, hut fortunately thev don't.
A number of wuiidrously whibkcrcil Englishmen, — -no prophets in
tlieir own country, but inniieuse j-weils al I nterlaken, — anil two or
three foreign (U-gans, are generally the only stationsr)* cavaliera;
but a rapid succession of Knglish collegians, German tailors, and
French counts, walk in and walk out of the Pensions doily, m«l(ing
wild work with the susceptible hearts of my fair CDuntrywomcii,
who are no vMnJarouchii, knowing from experience, thai unleas, to
«»c a KadeliUian phrase, they can " hurry into one evening the
cveulH of a life," tiieir ephemeral amours would never be brought
to anything like a »Htii>fiietory concluMon, seeing dial the capti-
vating tnuRpers are here to-day and gone to-morrow, playing the
Lothario one evening at Interlaken, and sleeping three in a bed on
the top of the Fauihorn the next.
At Iiitrrlaken, then, did the Foxcotes halt, and having been
fslabtished by the brown gentleman in the moat caimcions cells pro-
curable, were informed hy him that their best plan would l>e \a
join the tabU d'hote at mcHl-time.
HR. BUGCINS.
559
When Mr. Foxcote van mude to Ctiiu]>rchcnd that the uid table
d'hMe was neither more nor lesa than a public ordinary, where every
one, capable of paying tliri-« francs for hi» dinner may take a
seat, he waxt-d wrutti at the bare idea nf niich promiscuous inter-
course; and Mrs. Fuxcote, Klarieiiip Bigiiificantly at Emily's pretty
face, declared that 6uch a thin^; wai iiui lu hv tliought of.
Dinner was, therefore, unwillinf^ly served to them in their bed-
room, through the influence and e\ertiong of the courier, who was
a great man in his small way, and when it was served was execra*
bie : thi- next day it wai<, if possible, worse.
On the third morning, Airs. FoKcute, who had heard through her
' maid great things respecting the lahle d'hote, — that there were Ger-
man potentates without number, and French Counta iu prufuHion,
I'ftnd lots of respectable English families besides, to be %een there
•-daily, — began to discourse very sensibly on the folly of not adapting*
one's self to the customs of the country one happens to be in, and of
[the propriety of doing at Rome as people do at Itome, and at hist
['proposed plump to Sir. Foxcote that they should just give the
liable d'hote one trial, adding, that by placing Kinily i>etweeii them
t-at dinner, no po«aible evil could bcfal her, and that if they did uut
\ approve of the sort of thing, they need not dine there again.
Hunger tames the moot SMvage beasta. Mr. Foxcote, uncon-
rincL'd, but ravenous, tSift his Inte meagre diet, capitulated from
sheer starvation, and piignificd his intention to hi!« courier, who forth-
with directed the Kellner to tilt up thrft> chairs for his fimily in
the iiaUe d utaaf^er, where covers were laid for one hundred and
fifty guests.
Dinner-time came. The Foxcotcs entered the room, blushing
and looking as if they felt they were about to do something rather
■pleasant, but extremely wrong, — tehere they ought not to be — or as a
'Quaker family would look, if they were introduced into the omiiibus-
Dnx when Duvemay is dancing tJie Cnchuca, at the elderly lords then
and there asnemblMl. Thej* nevertheless took the scats secured for
them, ate an excellent dinner, and retired to their rooms^ congratu-
lating themselres on huving made such a satisfactory espehnient.
The following day they dined there again, and actually made an
acquaintance or two; and, by the end of a week, they had insen-
elbly adapted themselves to that very mode of life which had
shocked their prejudiced miufln so much at first view.
(hie afleriinon their nieata was broken in upon by the noise of an
arrival, an event which invariably causes a great teiiiuition amungst
the idlers at a Pennon.
Crfick, criick, criick — whSck, whSck, whack- — cr3ck, crSck —
whfck. whiick — crack — whack, whiick, critck — cvm. lar., — a neat
green English-built brit&chka rolled easily uu to the door ; it con-
tained a gentleman and his valet. The gentleman was young and
handsome, wore copious moustaches, and was arrayed in a tasty
btauK and a highly melo-ilrainatic straw hat ; the valet was wonder-
fully hirsute, — a regular Esau, — his jacket was of velvet, his vest and
can glittered with gold; in short, be was a very brigand ish-looking
fellow indeed.
I leave my readers to imaqpne what a scramble thtre was that
evening for the " Femden Buck," and how disappointed all Uie
young ladies in general, and uty young lady in particular, were to
£60
»n. BUGGINS.
find thflt the handsome stranger, with the- hairr valet, had entered
himKclf neither as Krneat dr Uexulteii, or Hubert <)e rilaltravcrs,
but aimpiy as Bug^ins, Rentice, and suite — the Kuite cumpriKJiig the
ftfurexiud valet, and a fat, well-fthorn aristocrat of a poodle, ax hot-
lookinf; and ne»r1y at) hairy as the valet, and not unlike him in fare
and feature. There was one redeeming point indeed — Buggins' fond
parents hnd eiidcnvoured to compeniuite for the vile Dame which be
nnd inherited from \ui (incestors — a long line of dry-soltera — by con-
siderately conferring on him at the bnptiflinul font the euphonious
prefix of Percy de la Poer; but, alas! the appendage uf Buggins
went far to ainiiliilale the jircxtige attached to the Nomum appeU&-
tions which preceded it.
The new arrival did not tnhow in the fahn that evening, but un
the rnorrovr, when the ptnsionnaire^ met at breakfast, Airs. Foicote
being the penultimate arrival, found herself neated, according to Ibe
rule* of Ibe Pension, next to P. de la P. Buggins. She felt rather
confuted at her contiguity to the luindsome stranger ; but he, evi-
dently a man of the world. Boon put her at her ease. lie oflered her
the dilTerent di»lie» as they came round, with a tort of careleas ci-
vility, remained silent until her hunger was appeased, and then gra-
dually entered into conversation on such subjects as she was likely
to be acquainted with. The old ladv's heart ex]>unded as she cx-
p.itiAted feelin^ily on the duplicity ufnmkeeperfc and the rc^tiveoNt
of poKters, and she began to think tiiat her new friend was a very
nice young mnn.
lie made no advances to the rc«t of the party ; indeed he could
unt hee Kmily's fare on aecoutit of tlie large Umiiet which idie
wore; but both she and her father heard cverj* word of his eon-
vcrsatiun with Airs. Kuxcuie, and curdiully coincided in her optniun
of him.
Meeting that at meal-dmet, the travellers became gradnaUy
more intimate; Percy and his poodle generally joined the FoxcotM
in tbeir walka, when he was wont to delight ana instruct them, l^
hi« practical information respecting all y&rts of the habitable globe
known to tourists.
lie wa* converMnt with the merita of every hotel and cook on every
aarrozzabile road in Pranee, Italy, and Magna Ora-eia (aa the elderly
Starke hath it), and could make love and awear at protilliont in
seven languages: some persons might have deemed his vocabulary
rather limited for the former purpose, but he declared that he aeU
dom failed of succeift. One waii, to be ^iire, less surprisetl at hit
fiimnet Jortunrt, when one took into consideration hit physical ad-
vantagct and the heat of the eiimalcB in M'hich he had .inared.
His courier he dexcribed as being as great a phenomenon an himself,
in liis subordinate i^phere ; cnnully successful in making love, and as
eminently endued with tlie g\ii of tongues ; on a^tonibhing proiieller
uf porithorses, and a regular cordon bleu be^idet). PitrbTeu, ilarail
fail set fpreurei, — he h»d ndden ]>u:>t in Ave days from Timbuctoo to
Paris, jumping al] the turnpike gates on iJic way to save lime, com-
bining expedition w ith economy ; and on hie arrival, though slightly
t'ntigue<l, Iiad, to spite curemc and oblige Percy, cooked a diplomatic
dinner for his friend, the WelsJi AmlraiMndur, etc he divested hiin-
self of hii jack boots.
The poodle was an equal genius in hia way ; if he dttl not s]ieak
*
•
*
I
AG1
seven liuigim^es as flavntly ni his miutpr, he undrrttood them ulniiHt
«» well, and waa, btsidt-*, beeinninfi In hlMnhemr vrrv di^tinctl)' tti
Knglisli ; and m for niJikii)^ love, Corpo di yetirre f thr U'ss 1 t.ay on
that BCorc the better, for the tcpiiUtitm of half the travelling ]»p-
<lof;« in Ktirope.
It will not, I think, appear surprising that, endowed with snch
fihyiiica) and moral advantages, Percy ue la Pocr Buggins nhnuld
lave made his waj* with Mr. and Mrs. Pnxcote, and even with the
timid KmiWt who had eliciteil a good deal nf his private hiilory
throuffh Mis9 Stiibbs, with whom liueginit' <'richton of a courier
hail forthvitli fiutned a IVimdahip on Platonic principtes. He soon
tiecamc Kimty'a cunatunt attendant in her moniing rambles, and,
i lament to suy, that the old people relaxed »> far as to allow him
to Bit next her at table, waits with her when the eveninii!; M-ere
dark, and teach her a little astronomy (for Buggin*, like the hero
of a modern romance, wnd omniscient, — a dab at everylhing. froia
pitch and toss to animal mnKnetiimi, from rat-catching to the use of
the globi-s). On all >>uch occasions Prrcy made the best use of bin
time, — whiipered soft nothings in her car, «que«a:e<l her hand, aiul
of^led her with unerring skill. Kmily took it all in good part,
doubting not that his .ittentions were " pour /c hon wati/'r his
valet had affirmed that hi« master, if not actually a tailor, was as
rich a* one ; that hi«t father wati an Almannti, and Percy iin only
soil, Thin^A therefore went on to everybody'* utlsfoction ; the old
people were pleased, tlie young onea were happy In each other's
society ; the brigand volet looked more triumphant, and Alisa Stubba
more nentimental, every day.
Mrs. Poxcotc could not help lamunting bitterly the time they
hod, in her opinion, absolutely wasted at auch pl-iceft ju Bath and
Cheltenham, which might have been spent so much more profitably
in foreign ports, where everything was so much cheaper, everybody
so much more »ociable, where there was to little constraint ami ce-
remony to confine people within Uieir chilling bounds; in short, she
declared that she was pt-rTectly amazed that any reoMm less com-
pulsory th»n a writ of " AV rxeal regno," could keep a soul in such
a stupid pluru as old England.
Time " moved on;" the excuntioni which Intrrtakeii admita bf
had l}een exhausted ; every green spot in tiie nrt^hbouring Alps,
every shady landing-place in the sister lakes of Thun and Bricnz,
had become unromonticized by the dehrit of chickens and chom-
pa|^ bottles ; the Iteichenhacn ami the Htaubbach had been duly
compared ; the Wengern Alp scaled ; Lord Byron had be<en Judici-
oiiidy quoted, and Kwry individual of the party had peruioally af-
forded a rich rrpattt to the industrious fleas of Urindelwaldt, when
on one weurifeouiK uflernoiiii, when even the Sungfrau thought fit
to veil tier chaMe beauties in a manile uf mist, an adjournment waa
moved. ( am not quite sure who condewended to l>e the Brothrn*
ton of the party, but the motion was carried without n division ;
and away tliey went, Mr. and flirs. Fnxcote, and Kmily, and
Htiibba, and UioacchiiKi ; their t;iil being further elongated, hy the
triple joint of Percy, his MaHwnMii, and his poodle. (Juidrd bv
a utaer of rogues attired in the blue frocks of Ei
with Huggint ever at the stirrup of Kmily, and til
imconccd ill the rude thtir A hancM which coiit*}
=ai
5&i
MR. BDQOINS.
her trsvel-stained bandboxes, they wound their way at 1
through scenery, us RousHejtii well remarks, for too go«xl for iu in<
habitants, to the befiutiful eity of Geneva.
In thoiie days that vn^t municipal speculation, the wide and com*
fortle99 barrack, which is now the fashionable hotel there, had
not rearinl its gazalM to the skies, and it was at the Kcu that oar
fricnile lialti'd; a very cuniforuble hostetric, uotwithntanrling' it«
glijuuiy situaliuu, aud it« salle d tnaugcr, Kwaruiiug witli flies and
Cockneys.
It wan edifying to hear them talk over the dangers they had en>
countered ; they had heard four avalanches; had lunciieil at a chalet
where a wolf had been set- n the year bet'ore ; had passed « lake where
a drunken boatman had nearly bt-en drowned the preceding wiuter.
Their Aiiccefl»lul and xoctable escapeft had wanned their hearts to-
wardit each other, and the loves oi fiuggins and Rmily were now
evident to the inobservant and dtiitractcd cyea of the Pere Koxcote,
even without tlie promptings of his gratified and lidxetty »pouBe.
Every one of the mrty had unlearnt their prejudices, and no^^
more objected to feeding In public, than do the partakers of nhin^^l
of beef and plum buna at the Surrey Zoological Gardens. 'I'ahiti^^
(fhdte bad now entirely ceased to be objects of arersion to their
casmopolitan souU. One eventful day, they luid estabUahed llieni*
Helves at the weU-cuvcred board of the Kcu. The old people were
intent upon their. diiiueri>, as were must uflhe ulJicr guestH; people*!
appetites were savEige, as they ulwuys are fur the (irst ciuarter of an
hour al\er sitting down tu dinner ; not a sound was to be heard, save
the clattenng &f plates and tlie scampering of waiters. I'ercy
was u'hispering words, such lu women love to hear, into Kmily's
pretty little ear, from which depended a new and beautiful dmp of
Mr. Beatte'sj the gill of him who spoke. Wlint tho«e words were
I never exactly nscertained, but tliere was a blush on her yonnc
cheek, and a tt^ar in her soli eye, which told of proud and gratiRed
feelingH. Their interetfting conference was suddenly interruptei) by
a lottd and hearty voice from the other end of the table. The
i^eaker was no leas a person than Lord Appleby, the M.P. for their
county, the son of the Duchess of Twingleby.
Kmily was, of course, rather disconcerted at this inopportune
cognition, though glad to meet with such a reputable acquaintanc
whose good-humoured attentions had, in by-gone days, made hi
the object of many a young dream. But Perry de la Pocr— he
grows pale — he fainte — lliere is a scuffle anmnd him, — a commi»eral>
ing neighbour jMiure a caraj'un of wattT down hia Iwick, the Kellrter
deluges him in the hurry of the moment with a bottle of viu Je
Nmc/iafei, which he hoi jut^t prceence of mind enough to clmrge in
his bill, and Mrs. Foxcote anxiously chafes his temples Kith the
contents of a cruet of llarwy, " for game, for steaks, for tlab, or
wild fowl," sovereign, — but not, alas ! (or unhappy Buggins.
There wiis but one smiling face in the room, and even that one.
Lord Appleby's, wjm qtialilieD by an expression of annoyance. The
lalleii hero waa borne away amidst tlie tears of Eniily and the
anxiouN solicitude of her paretilA. vVfter dinner, Lord Appleby
sought dir. Koxcote out, and the fatal di^lusure look place, —
Bufieitu iriu Au t/tUor, and his lordship bad arrived just in time to<
apuiT a most excellent job for him.
ice.H
lira ~
PAAGKENT.
563
I lubwqoently heard ttom the landlord, tJutt there lisd been «
luoet difltreiniig scene up stairs ; that the young Indy hnd been taken
verj' ill. and tliat, as soon no abo bad recovered a little, Mr. Foxeote
had bullied out to inuuirt for Percy, and Kcctned much disappointed
on Imrniii); " i/ie Mtlor fluggins rl tttiir etaienl partis en posic pour
I'/ialir." M. Kurenacht, who ffavc me this information, added, that
the old gentlemiin seemed con»iderably agitated, aiid Irant heavily on
D thick »tick, which he wa« not generally iu the habit ut' currying.
Ii 19 curious to observe how suddenly, totally, and unaccountably,
people 9 idens alter. Mr. Foxcote had all along, in his own heart,
decidtfd that there was no place like home; but Aire. Foxcote had
been inTsriably profuse in her admiration of the manners, mode of
life, and taus gfnr of continental society.
Now, sin^lar us it may seem, after the event which I have just
describet), not a word more was uttered b}' that good lady on this
her favourite topic ; and when Mr. Foxcote proposed that they
should return to Foxcote Manor, no opposition was made to his
witihtht, neither was the ticcompliihed P. die U P. Uuggina ever more
ulhided to by any of the party.
Shortly alter they rearlied England, Mim Sttibht was led to the
altjir by a one-eyetl groom, whofec hand she had acomfuDy rejected
before nettinc; out on this disastrous tour.
I regret that I have also to record, that on the Morning of Mias
Stubbs' nuptials, Mr. Foxcote's spaniel produced, to the excessive
disgust of the gamekeeper, a litter of line puppies, less remarkable
for the purity of their breed, than for a strung resemblance to the
blaspheinous poodle whoae acipiaintanee she made at Inlerlaken.
And poor Emily — after some years of wearisome single blesseil'
nesa, she has lately taken to confer a good deal nn religious pubjcds
with the curate of the parish ; he is a lanky, pale, learned youth,
well connected, and, unlike curatea in generid, is not yet, I believe,
ogogcd to be marrie<l. It is impossible yet to tell what results may
«ri.se from this new friendship — &he mignt certainly stand out with
reason fur a better match ; but perhap!) the sad denmianeal of her
affair with the seductive Percy, may nave taught her to " cut her
{petti) coBt according to her cloth."
FRAGMENT.
UxK gtance alooe 1 and yet mr lieart
Welcomed tbe boney-poisonea t'srt ;
Une smile I sikI yet bow fondly gir'ti.
Warn as ibe sunbeam firooi its Ikcai'n.
0»e si^h I yet wafted on tliit breath,
1 low bli»>ful Mere ibe lover's death I
tine love-kiss ! yd 'twas tntnc, I knrw,
llie lifv-bh>ud of th puUc Uow true .'
JULIAH.
THE BIDLIOPIIILIST.
Barcklona U « hAitdiiome and rich city of Catalonia- The M-
pitxl of that province, it contains many splrndiil buildings; among
which thr i^upofh hotel of the VJccrors. (mm- named Captains geae-
tal,) the Exchange, and the Ciist«»m- house near tlie port, are retnark-
obh- for the beauty of their rtnirture. It is a place of coiisidcrnblc
inide, and the indiititriouc! iceal of its inhahitaiits hm lung bii-n cited
ns a contrast to tJie generally indolent habits of their countryiuen,
Kred to the uccu|Nitiun5 of active life, this indefatigable population is
not \vt^ distinguished by it« attention to the laws, than by it" moral
good conduct. Crime in of rare occurrence. A nuhle eniuUtion
to provide for their families, constmit employment, «nd a coiitcnl«l
spirit, render them little acce»»iblc to temptation, ami tmlxlue ihoM
Mneful passions which unginatr in avarice, porcrtr, and idtenesa.
Tlierc ia, however, no rule without exceptions. Willi all tbraw
tlftims to general esteem and admiration for the morality of its iik-
liabitantft, the town of Barcelona became lately the stage on which
R continuatian of the most ntrociouB crimes were perpetrated, with<
out any clue being nfTurded to detect tlie Mtiirce Irom whence they
sprung. Individuals suddenly disappeared, and no tidingn were
heard of them again by their uHlicted relatiuni); bodies were found
murdered, and secreted in various places, while the finger of suspi-
cion wu unable lu point at any individual who could have been in-
fluenced, by niutives ul' interest or resentment, to eununit such san-
guinary deedii. These awful truiii^rc»)>ions of the law succeeded
each other, too, with such alarminfffrequencyi that the whole ^lopu.
loCioi) of Barcelona was struck with a panic ; and w hat %t'a« the most
surprising feature in the ca&e, — what bullied all conjectures, aud
misled every one as to the motives of these crimes, was, that in no
one instance had the unhappy victims been despoiled of their per-
sonal property. The people saw with dikinny » mysterious eoiupj-
racy organised in the midst of them, to which every man felt tliat
his own life might at any time fall a sacrifice, while the »en)*e uf
danger wais daily increased by the Continued impumty of the «l^
linqueots.
The legal authorities were indignant at this open violation of all
laws, both human and divine; the corregidor received the strictcat
orders to redouble his vigilance, and, though hitherto foiled in all
his attemjHs to discover the crimiiuds, he increased the patrols in
every direction, and used the most vigorous ciTorts in his denart-
ment to detect a source of iniquity, the continuance of which rcw
fleeted so much disgrace un the efliciency of the police.
We must now go back in our recital to a short period previous to
this interesting crisis. It may be as well to give a more succinct
account uf the events wliich created so much sensation in the town
o( Barcelunju
The Arcades, which line the nortlwwest side uf the great square,
and whidi gu by the name of the pilLirs c/r luj ffuafiirs, are eatirely
occupied by the shopft of brokers oJid hucksters, tt ho deal in second-
hand articles of every description. There we to he found the prin-
cipal dealers in tiltf hcxtks and prints, who attend all tlie imblic
1
THE BIBLlOPHrUST.
S&S
«ft)««, and live l>y the ipoila of tho«e lihrnrics which the iieceBsities
of the owner* bring to the hammer. Auffustin Patxot hail rniidcd
for many year* in this quarter, cnrryingon the trade of a bookKeller,
which, though far from a hicmtive profession, enabled him to f^ain
nn honen livelihood. He vtut a good ncholar himself, nnd intimately
acquainted with the vnlue of all publications, both ancient nnd mo-
dem ; his opinion was considered of great weight by the amHteurs
In literature ; but their number is become very confined in the pn*-
sent day, when a sword or a carbine is considered of more value
than the cleverest book or the most prerious manuBcri|it. The pro*
ietaorit of the university were hin conHlant cusioniers : but, ala* !
they had little money to tparej and the book trade appeared to be
ill a falling ntMe.
As the old proverb says, " There is no ill without producing .wme
good." the pillage of the oonveiits, and the abulition of numerou*
orders of monks, driven from their pioun avocatton.t, much ngnitiRt
their will, to mix with the world, brought to light a mirat valuable
collection of ancient manuscripts, illuminated missals, and curious
records, which bad long lulu hid in their dusty coverings on the
shelvea of the wealthy bretlircu. These treasures of literature were
sold publicly in the tno«t eiipeditious manner: and, as their value
at the Arst was little appreciated by the multitude, men like FaLKot,
who were on the alert to make a good bargain, availed themselves
of their knowledge and experience to Gil their vtalU at a low price
with the spoils of the monkish libraries. Tlus influx of valuable
books into the market revived the taste and spirit of specutatiuii
among the bibliophiUsts ; and, as it increased ttie number of pur-
chusers, its natural eSeet was to bring more rival dealers into the
general competition. Among tho»e who came to enUiblish them-
aelves with thiH intention in the neighbourhood of Patxot, waa n
man who, though he wore the secular dress, and conformed to the
usual customs of the world, was easily recognized as having for-
merly belonged to one of the late religious orders. His stern fea-
ture*, his dictatorial air, and his ungainly manner, procliimetl a life
pnH:ied in secluMon, and little arcu«tomed to the eaay habits of mo-
dern society. He was in fact the Father l>on Vincente, from the
Convent of Poblct. Bitterly had the poor raonk deplored the dis-
asters which caused the ruin and fall of h!^ monnxtery. It wms not
that he regretted the ease and indolence of his past life, t)ie wealth
and influence of hia order, or the thirty livres of Catalonia which
the good peaiiant.1 of Hoblct paid as a yearly tjix to the holy fathers
for permission to diiiposc of their daughten^ in marriage to whom
they pleased. None of lliese objects presented such galling recol-
lections to the mind of Don Vincente o^ the loss uf that magnificent
library, which one of the last kings of Arrogon, in lime» gone bv,
had presented to his convent.
Disintere.'ited indeed wils tills feeling, as he had s-eldom or never
stiidiedbimsolftlietiv sacred reliques; but his eye had been accus-
tomed from day to day iu his rctivat to gaze with inexpres.'^ible de-
light on these numerous manuKrripts, ranged in symmetnral order
on their polished ebony shelves, and he knew, at leitst by hcarsar.
that they contained treasures of science and literature wliich ivere
of inestimable value. " Alas !" would he exclaiui to himself, " prer
since the last fatal war, when Uiv orcliives of Soragoau and the
sm
TIIK HIBMOPIIIMST.
sanctuary uf S»n Jimn de In Vena wpre burnt by tlie «n«iny, it Wftk
in our coiivpnt alone th»t authentic documents fur the compitAH'on
of our earlj' history could really have b<*n fount). Who knows but
among those veaerable manuscriptii mi^ht have been diarovered the
writings of that Amaldu dc Brescia who founded the heroiies of
the Albiffcnies ? There, withont « doubt, were cautiously preacrved
nil the detAiU of thiit intereHUnfr vkt, in which uur king, Don
Pedro, performefl &uch wonderful exploits, till he rtaa at last slatn
by Montfort, his brother-in-law, under the walls of the Castle of
Murat. There the future historian might have found the long-last
memoirs of Don Pelagio, or of the interminable struggle between
Don .Sanchez and his Moorinh enemies. Holy Virgin !" repeated
the dci^ponding friar, " wliat a heart-rending idea to think that such
invaluable papers should eventually have served to make cartridgca 1
that not a prince should Imve bLvn found in all Christendom euffi-
cientty enlightened to rescue from deiftruction those precious relica
of former iige«. All, all have perished in one common fate!"
It is not quite clear whether theRe irreparable losses bad slightly
deranged the intellect of Don Vincente, or whether the painful
■hock which he had undergone in witnessing the pillage and sack-
ing of his convent had exasperated a ])assion, ur ratJier a mania,
which hill always prvviou^ly existed ; but such Ik the fact, that he
now absolutely raved of nothing but book». He never read as a
I matter of study, but his life was spent in turning over leaves, ex-
^vnining title-pages, collating dates, and Mzrutinizing editions, till
at last he arrived at a wonderful degree of knowledge and experi-
ence in the art of estimating the works of nncient writers. He had
on inconceivable talent for appreciating the value of an old mana-
Bcript at first sight ; and, being seldom mistaken in his judgment, it
was always received with great <leference by his brethren in the
trade. In order to indulge this extraordinnry mania, he adopted
the profession of a bookwller, and his shop was certainly stored with
■n unrivalled collection of the best authors. Ill-natured people as-
■erted, that while the plunder cf his monastery was going on, Don
Vincente himself was not idle; but that, seeing every man oc-
cupied in seining that which came fir>t to his hand, he had readily
follfiwe<l the example, and had not been unfortunate in the se-
lections which he made. This, however, was mere suspicion, and
had never been circumstantially prove<l ; one fact alone was beyond
denial, that his trade Hourished, and that he was very vuccessful in
■Kractina customers to his shop. He even pretended to study their
tastes and political opinions, onering to their notice as they passed
his door those publicntinns which he conceived most likely to suit
the one or flatter the other. For example, if he observed among
the strollers in the Arcade one of the malcontents of the present
day, one of thoH- who are iU-afli-cted towards the government of our
innocent and gracious queen, he Mould address him with, " Por
dios! mi senor," — walk in, I pray you, — "I have something here
which you will read with great interest: buy thi« chronicle of the
reign uf Johanna the First, of Naples, with this motto fW>m a poet
of that period, * InterUva regtii eti a mulirrf regi.' Or, if vou prefer
it, here is an imitjition of Casti, in the »hnpe ^ a painphfet, headed
by • quotation from dial author, —
THB BIRL10PHILI8T.
S^
,an(l live by the ipoiU of thme libraries which the nccessiticii
' uwiierii bring to liw huuiiiier. Aiiguntin Putxot had resided
for many yewrs in thi* quarter, carrying on the trade of a bookseller.
which, though tar from ii lucrative profeHion, enabled bim to gain
an honest livelJhocKl. He wax a H^mmI M'hiiliir hiniftvlf, and intimately
acquainted with the value of nil puhliration:*, both ancient and mu-
deni ; his opinion wii« conjtidererf of f^reat weight by the amateurs
in literature ; but their number is become very confined in the pre-
sent day, when A sword or a carbine ii conBidercd of more value
than the cleverest book or the m«*t precious manuscript. The pro-
fessors of the university were his constunt customer*; but, alaa !
they had little money to spare, and tlie book tra<le appeared to be
in a falling stiite.
As tile old proverb aays, "There is no ill without produdngsome
good," the pilhigc of the convents, and the abolition uf iiunierous
orders uf munka, driven from their pious avocations, much against
their will, t'j mix with the world, brought to light n must valuable
collection oC ancient nianuscriptn. illuminated missals, and curious
recordn, which had long lain hid in their dusty coverings on the
shelves of the wealthy brethren. ThcHc treasures of literature were
sold publicly in tlie motit exj>editious manner; and, a» their vnlue
at the first was little appreciated by the multitude, men like Patxot,
who were on the alert to make a good bargain, availed themselves
of their knowledge and experience to fill their stalls at a low price
with the spoils of the monkish libraries, This influx of valuable
books into the market rerived the taste and spirit of speculation
among the bibtiophilists; and, as it increased tne number of pur-
chaicrs, its natural efiect was to bring more rival doders into the
general competition. Among those who came to establish them<
selves with this intention in the neigh Iviur hood of Patxot, was a
man who, though he wore the secular dress, and conformed to the
usual customs of the world, was easily recognized as liaving for-
merly l)elongcd to one of the late religious orders. His stem fea-
tures, his diciatoriul air, and his ungainly manner, proclaimed a hfc
poaaed in seclusion, and little accustomed to the easy habits of mo-
aem society. He was in fact the Father Dun Vincente, from the
convent of PobleU Bitterly had the poor monk deplored the dis-
asters which caused lh« ruin and fall of his monnslerv. It was not
thill he regretted the riise and indolence of his past fife, the wealth
and influent-e of hi* order, or the thirty livres of Catalonia whieli
the Kuod peasants of Poblct paid as a yearly tax to the holy tatherv
for |>rrmisiion to dispose uf their daughters in marriage to whom
they pleoaed. None of these objects preaented mch galling recol-
lections to the mind of Don Vincente as the loM of that magnificent
library, which one of the Inst kings of Arragnn, in times gone by,
had prevnte<l to hin convent.
Disintere-ited indeed was this feeling, as he had aeldom or never
studied himself these sacred reli<|ues ; but his eye hari been accui-
lomeil from day to day in his retreat to gaie witn incxpres<iible d».
light on these numerous manuscripts, ranged in synrnietricol ardtr j
an their polished ebony shelves, and he knew, at least by heorsa^i
that they contained treasures of science ;ind literature which were '
of inestimable %-nlue. " Abis !" would be exriatm to himself, « ever
since the last fatal war, when the archives of Haragossa and th"
0fi8
TIIK BIBLIOPHILIST.
by auction to award a premium to the Ust bidder but one, calcu-
lated Oft the value of the lot which he was diMippointcd in obtain-
ing; this remuneration is CAlled lor rrales dr eonsolacioit ; and m*
Vincente was nlwnys left in this predicament, no words can express
hit fury nt the constant repetition of this disgusting present. Front
this period may be dated tlie unquali6ed hatred which he bore to
all the othinr dealers, as they were no longer guided by a spirit of
fair emulation, but attempted by such un^vorthy practices to foil
all hi!) exertions; and Patxot, being at the head of the junta^ was
of course the object of hiii more particular indignation.
It is about four months ago tliat the library of an old lawyer,
who bad been a great amateur and collector of curious bookn, wax
after his death put up to public sale. There was a numerous
attendance of all the trade, and great expectation^ were furtneil of
the result. The object which most peculiarly attracted the atten-
tion of Don Vincente was a very scarce edition of an old work,
colled " Furs e ordlnac'wn, Jetet per ha glorwsm Itei/t de Aragu ah
regnicoh del regHf de Falaitia." It was the first eUitioit, pubuithed
in 14B2 by Lambert Palmart, who introduced the art of printing
into Spaing The literary world supposed that no other copy ofthi*
edition w«j now cxtouU
The emulation among the bidders was very strong and animated.
Don Vincente seemed determined this time to dely all opposition ;
he increased his offers every instant ; no sooner was one sum named
than he instantly surpasted it ; the buyers began to waver, as the
lot jtppenred to have gonv beyond its real value; and when Vin-
cente, m an agitated voice, uanicd the coimderablc sum of four thou-
sand five hundred and fifty-five reales de Artlitex,* there was a dead
pause in the room : be looked aiixioimly at the auctioneer, and saw
the uplifted hammer ready to !ieal the contract ; one minute more,
and the treasure was liis own. " Will no one advance on the hut
bidding?" said the man. "Goitie — -going, for the last time," when
the well-known voice of Aogustm Patxot was heard, pronouncing
deliberately the sum of five hundred and fifty-seven livrvs of Cata-
lania.t V'incente ga\'e a deep griwin as the lot was knocked down
to his enemy. Muttering threats and curses to himself, he rushetl
out of the sale-room ; some of the bystanders even asserted that tltcy
overheard him predict that Patxot should not long retain his new
acquisition.
Vincente, after this disappointment, abut himself up in his house,
and became invisible to his neighbours for two or three days ; he
then reappeared in his shop, and attended to his busine-<)s. appa-
rently restored to his usual composure. He was even more than
usually cheerful in his address to the passing strangers whose cus-
tom he wished to solicit: he attacked thctn with olil Latin qtioia-
tions to put them in good humour, ^ume of which were not quitir
in char.icter with the serious profei»«ioii of his former life. He
made no alhi^ion to the transiictionit in the auction room, no re|>e-
tiiion of bis mensceH, and s^veiiied to hnve quite forgotten his late
eagerness to inissess the editiuu of tauibcrt Palmart.
It was rather more than a week alWr those circiunsLooces bad
occurred; that one night, about eleven o'clock^ the peaceful inha-
* About fifty-three pounds Engliili.
t About fiOy-ihree pounds twelve ^ilhn^ EogUstt.
THE BlBtlOPIIlI.IRT.
569
bitants oC Barcelona were arniiied Cram their sleep by ihc cry of
firt". A crowd spt-etlily ayscmblcd in the great square, wlicre vtt.
lumcs ofsinoke and flnmc issued from a house in the norlh-westem
Arcade, which seemed to bum with such fury that it ihreuuiied
to spread in every direction. The drums be«t an altirni, the guards
from the harbour and from the «-u«tam'houe«, both of which posts
were near adjoining to die spot, soon made their appearance, and
united tht-ir ellurts to iIiom: of tlic firemen in attempts to extin^iidi
the flanien. whieU it was ucertiined had broken out in tlie wurehuusc
and dw-ellipf; of the bookseller Patxot- It wus luiifj Uef-tre they
eould succeed in arresting the progress of the devouring element, or
force an entrance into the burning ruins, without coiiiiderable per-
sonal danger; but they at UhI uuide Uieir way into the private
■partnient of Patxot, where, amidrt Uie embers of bis tialf •consumed
property, they discovered the lifeless body of the unfortunat* tradea-
nun, but so disfigured and mutilated by the action of the fire, that
no possibility exined of certifying whether he had been the victim
of any previous violence. The idea of a crime did not, however,
in this in«tance suggest itself to tlie mind of any one, us a cotuide-
rable sum of money which Patxot had received on the preceding
evening was found untouched on a marble tabic near to his bedside.
The fire had evidently originated in this room, and it was concluded
that the ill-faied man had fallen asleep while he war smoking ; tliat
a spark from liin cigar had dropiietl on the cotton countCT)»uie,
which frum thence had communicated with the Indian straw, of
which bis tuaitrebses were made, and then it became easy to account
for tlie real of the misfortune. There remained only a general
feeling of ])iiy fur liis deHolute family, who had thus been deprived
by one faul accident, not only ol* an afTeciionate parent, but almost
of the means of subsistence.
Nearly about this time some fishermen employed in the harbour
found tlieir nets entangled with some heavy substance, which they
hail great diHiculty in drawing to tlie land : their suqtrise may well
be conceived when it proves! to be u human body, stabbed in va>
rious places by some pointed instrument, probably » dagger. The
officers of justice interfered, and it soon came to tight that the
corpse was that of a young Genimn student residing in the town,
who was well known for his love of the arts, and for his literary
acqiiirements.
These two concurrent circumstances produced an alarming sen-
sation in a town where the traiicguil habits of the people were seldom
or never di3turl>ed by such exciting incidents; they were the sub-
ject of genernl conversation in all circles, and, lieing luindicd abtnit
from one to anotliL-r, were retailed with all the exaggerated cui^|cc-
ttfrcs which fL-ar, and a luve of the marvellous, could invent to
bnghten the de»cri])tion.
This state of public anxiety soon asoumed a much more aeriinu
character, when a third event occurred of the same distressing aa-
ture, and attended with the same utifathimi«l>lc mystery.
Some peasants loitering <me moriiinjf early, near tb« Ataratantu,
which i« the t;rrnt cannon foundry in that province, stumbled u|>uii
a niurder«<l body which liad lieeii thrown carelessly into a diteli.
and barely cuvernl by some dead leaves raked U^ether in
It proved to be ttie curate of a neighbouring village, wb
TOt.. ttr. Si
570
TilE BIBLlOPntUST.
cstioTis frfqurntly cnllnt him to the town, where he hatl ieTe>ftl'
rrirnd-i anil rclHiinii». He was a miin tiiiiver^AUy respected for bis
piety, and it secined quiic incredible tluiL kucU a peaceful mofren!<'ive
rharactcr cuuld have iocurred the wrath of a secret and so unre-
lenting an enemy.
The mischief did not stop even here ; week after week some new
victim wag discnverett. who Itad been doomeil to death bv these
insatiable aflaaBsins ; aiid their peisuvLTanct* ill the^e cold-bluufled
atroeities did not appear lei's a«toiu»liiiig thaii the mystery in which
they were sliroudfd, and the impunity which they enjoyed. At
one time a body wan found in the harbour ; at another it was con-
cealed under a neap of rubbish ; in one or two instances the ilUfated
individuaU had been lef^ expoved in name unfrM]ueiited lane or
allev, a» if their monlerera had either not had time, or reckltmalv
diMlained, to take any precautions for masking their crimes. All
seeinetl to have perished in the same manner, and probably by tbv
same hands.
The public consternation increased to a dc^ee beyond all human
tok-rancc. There wad one extraordinarv feature in these deeds of
horror (to which we have alr«idy alluded in the commencement,)
which entirely nennrateil ihrm from all ordinary case* of the Mme
doiintgnency, and proved lieyond a doubt that the authors were
f^uided by other motives than those which in gentTiit stimulate tr>
such crimes. In every instance, without exception, the vtctitufi,
whatever might have been their Mtuiition in life, were neither plun-
dered nor robbed ; tl\eir clothes, however valuable, were untouched j
their money, watches, and ornaments, however costly, were nlwajrc
left to share the late of the miserable IkhIv to which they apper-
tained. This of itself tended more and more to embarrass public
opinion, and render all conjectures as to the origin of this scoargc
more vague and more nugatory.
There were no grounds to euppoAc it was the result of vengeance,
orjealotiav, or any private ill-will, as, in the first place, so many
incfividuak had been doomed to suffer ; and, in the second^ nil were
men of such quiet inoffensive characters, that they could never have
renderetl themselves obnoxious to feelings nf that nature. Not
one was known to have had a pergonal enemy ; not one conld
luLve hud the opportunity, much less the inclination, to vitally in-
jure another. Again, it was impossible that these men could nave
fallen a prey to political rancour. Among the numerous victims
might be reckoned Carlii^u, Christinos, and Exaicados: — one sole
diNiinction seemed to have characterised these unfortunate indivi-
duals,— a lov« of literature. Men only of laborious habits, and
generally known by tlieir application to scientific pursuits, vecntetl
to fnll under the b»ii of this formidable proscription. And what
could men of science have done to draw upon thet^^elveB Huch un-
extinguishable hatred f The mure this horrid enigma was discussed,
the more diffirult apjieared to be the solution.
irthc minds of the citieens were alarmingly engrosted and per-
plexed by the repetition of such tVarfiil crimes, it may be supposed
that the vigilanetr and ex«a]>eratioii of the police were not )e*s ex-
cited at this open defiance of their power. TIte mngisitrates were
indignant, and issued the atrictett orders to the subaltern officers of
justice to parade the strceu at all houm of the night with nn armed
force; but, in spite of their exertions, not a clue could be found tu
xnr mitT.iopHrLisT.
571
trace nut the offi-ndcrc. Nine imlivulunls hail Iwcn pucccbsivcIv tli'»-
covfrtnl Imrliarously miirderpil ; anionji^t tlic&c was i>im Pablo
Rafai'l de N , «i honorary alcalde of tlie first tala, or crtmiiial
court, in the province of (.'atalonis ; he was a ItmrtietL mnii, and
known in the literary wurhl as the author of some very curiouH re-
KOarclieH, which he had published, on the empire ofihe Vfuruiciant tn
Spain before the Roman Coittfuest : his body was found in a cirtem
nenr the grent iiquare, which po much exciteil the horror of the
neif;hboiirB that they never could again b^ indnced Uj ilniw water
from it. Another victim was an nlcalfle mnyor in the tiiwn. whoar
death the rcgi<lore8 liad boun<l t]iem«elve» wcretly by a solemn oath
to avcnfre, in cjuc they Khrmid stirceed in discovcrinj; the author.
80 grent wa« the general irritation, that every one threatened to in-
flict summary vengeance on the unknown criminals whenever they
tariiriit be found.
When all «iirmise« had proved fniitlesa, the pnblic mind began to
speculate in another direction ; hints were thrown out o*' secret tri-
iHinalR. whose afRlinteil members, bound by tremendouii vowa of un-
qunlilieU obedience, executed the sentence of iheir NupeHorE, even on
tneir own and dearest friends. All the ray rterie* of German I'rce-
masonry, with thedflffgersof the Frcy ilrrren, were recited overauain
to account for the desolation which reiffne<l within the walla of Bar-
celona. Others ventured to assert that cUndestine attempts had been
made to re-establish the Hyly Office, in defiance of all the hiwa
■which had passed in the Cortes for its exnuluon ; that the Jesuits,
emboldeneil by the success of Don Carloa, ha<l re-assembled the fu-
miliara of the Inquisition; and that these nocturnal murders were
the first-fruits of that abominable By»tem which thej' were about to
revive in Spain.
When everything is doubt aiul uncertainty, men cling with eager-
Ttesa to any conjecture which may seem to throw a light on tlieir
ilarkncas; and, improbable as it was, this idea ofihe Inquisition was
taken up with much more eredulity than good smae. Kejiurta were
spread through the town that the emissaries of the Holy URirc were
at work ; and the priests, but more particularly those who had for-
merly belonged to the monkish orders, were watchnl with n jealnus
and susnicious eye. If any of these men were eem communing to-
gether m the streets, or meeting in a private bottae for the most
common purnosea, they were immediately arretted ; and, though
nothing could be elicited by ttieir examination, which could eonfirm
the prejudice, it still .neeined rooted in the breasts, not only of the
people, but of the government.
Among those who stood in this predicament, though his solitary
mode of life did nut often bring him l>rfure the public, was Don Vin-
oente. Hi* fonner profeasion of monk in the convent of Poblct
Was generally known; and the aseetic habit* which he still retained
amid his dusty records and black-letter editions, pointed him out
as a man well inclined to the old system of absolutism, and ready to
concur in any plot for bringing back his old sapprinrt to their for-
mer po«ition.
If, then, the suKpirinnn were correct that the Jesuits were labour-
ing to introduce the Holy Oflire once more into Spain, and had al-
reaily bejrun to effevl their object wcretly in Uarcelona, it was be
yond a doubt that Vincente aitt»t be in cominunication with the
6T5
BIBLIOPilll.IST.
I
members of the ortler, .tiul in possewion nrjommmis whidi mif,
be exceedingly u<4-tnl in ilctrrtiii^ the con&pimcy. No othir cur
pisint wB« mnilr n^inst him, but the public becsme cLunurutu
Henouncidf; hnn ni* » socrct ajjcnt of the haled Inquisidon. Vinccni
heflrd these ai'CU'>ations whispt-n-d hImui with great inciifTcrmcc;
tisfird of thdr futility, ho uuA little trniiblp in denying them ; uid. '
when bewa^ nppnK(-(l thm the government, yielding to the rlMinour,
hflfl nrdered donuciliary viflitH to he inndehy the oilirers orjuHticv lo
all the ptTMiTiii who wne cunsidereil as accessaries to the ptut, bff
raciaved the com^idur ut his liuuev with tbcDtmo&t LriULquiUitj; and
composure.
When this oRtcer had fignified the object of hit mi»i<n). he re-^^
quented that the keys, not only of the ware-rooma, but of the dwell-^B
ing-house, should lie deliveretl up. Accompanied by hie archer*, ^^
he strictly examined every corner, and "Crutinined the library Iwlow
an well as the apartment above. Their investigMtionx proveai. as
might he Mip|xt«ed, entirely fruitle:(»; not a trace vtm found of
any connexion with the pitrtixaiN of the Holy Inqtiisitioi]. There
were many curinu* books of my«teriotiH import, which were unin- I
telligible to the comprchenftion of the corregidor and his sateU
lite« ; but, as their titles furnishrtl no clue to the object of their
aearch, iliey were pfljttKtl over withotil comment. Vincente, who
was anxioiH to give them every f;icility. occasionally stepped for-
ward to Iran^ilalp the I^^tin title of some ancient manuEmpl, or ex-
plain tJie calialirtic mmnlng of certain works which became objecta ^^
of eiixpicion to their ignorant inspcctore. ^M
The premises of Vincente were not Rpartous; the ground floor, ^B
which wa« enterc<l by a <loor from the arcade, was lined with
8helve>, and filled with botiks fur the purpu^ett ot' trade. A small
BtaircaM> led from thence to an entresol above, which comprised the
chamber of the owner, and b anuiU clutet adapted to the purposes of
his toilette.
The corre^dor, then, having strictly examined these nparUnenls,
was on the point of talking bis departure, with those feelings of die- 1
a})pointnicnt and leuilion uhicli men in uDice generally ex|MTienc«|
when lliey have trenched upon the liberty of the subject without
gaining any information on the object whieii they have in view. lie
was going to descend the staircase when the idea struck him that thi*
closet had never been opened. It contaim-d nothing, on examination, .
calculated to awaken i)u«picion; there were no caskets to harbour
secret papcm, no bureau <jr writing-desk which might betray a irea-
aonable correspondence ; a wai>hing><itand and pitcher were its sole
ornaments, aave and except a hanging sliclf, on which were care-
lessly arrayed a few old musty books according to all npjiearaDce
the refuse ufthe owner's collcctiun. The eurregidor cuat an uncon-
cerned glance ut iheise relics, when it huppened by chance that hi)
eye lighte<l upon tlie title of an o<ld volume, which at ouce called to
hts mind the object of his viHt. It waa a small octavo edition
oi' " Dirrctorium iHtjuisitorium," by the Dominican Eymeric da ,
Oironne.
He thought he ha<i obtidned a great prixe, a sure key to fotmd an
accusation. lie eagerly comiiiaii<led his clerk to take po«)e«i>)on of
this important tlocument, who, following the impulse of hi» chitf^*,
seiaed it so roughly that he pulled down with it the book which was
I
1
1
TIIR BIRMontlLIST.
51$
plACOtI next on the m\te\C. To' thi- M.>tt>i)iiihinent' of iht' (-nrrt^iitor
iin<l hiA siiit^, this hitok proved to be the identic^ work piilili.->ht-il by
Palma^t in I4A2, which had created so much noiae in the town
b^ the singular conipclition excit<.-(l at the mIc, and the unusually
high price at which it had been purcha4e<l.
Thrir firot impulsw was to question Vincenteas to the manner in
which he had become possessed of this valuable book : it wa.s I'resll
in every one's memory how slreniiausly he had wislied to make the
ncuuisitiuii. and nut less, how publicly l)cron.' tiic world tfiose wiahe«
hack been thwarted by the pcrlinucity ut' his upponents. Vineente
resolutely preteiMled that the work had been re-i>oUl to him alter the
■MK^ion. Thin was deemeil not only improbable, but inipo^t-ible.
The detennined hostility with which the IxHikiellers (jenerally were
lea)[ued ngainiit him put it out of the ijuestion that they shuuUl alter-
wards have ceded to hiiu that which they had previoii«ly purchaaed
nt such an exorbitant rate in order t<i deprive him of iu
The corrcfcidor wait divided between two opinions; but, seeing
ample scope for aecusatioii against Don Viiicentc from botli sources,
thought it most advisable to arrcit htm on the first count as an ad-
herent nf the Jesuits ; satisfied that if any room for indirtment could
be de<hiced from the book found in his possession, it would be very
easy oiterwanls to follow up the matter. Notwithstanding all his
rvmuiiHLraiiccs, and unavailing protestations of innocence, tnimeiliate
orders were given lo convey V'tncenlc to prison. He humbly im-
plored for a few hours' respite, to make sume arrangement of his pri-
vate affairs ; but the retiuest being deemed inadmisMble, the seids
were put upon hia premues, and the regidarea escorted him to the
public gaol.
Un the following day an akalde matfor proceeded to Vincente'a
warehouse, and drew up a formal inventory of all his book». When
this catalogue was made public it gave rise to the luost horrible in-
ferencrs, and furnished at once a clue to the inyjtterious erinieA
which had to lately tilled tlie city with ti-rror and alarm. The fir»t
proof of the nefarious sy^^tem which had been carrie<l on by the euU
prit was the discovery in his possession c^a work on tlu* Anlii{oities
of fl|Min and Africa, with marginal notes In the aulogmph writing
of [leniardo Aldrete. It was attested that thi^ valuable book hud
been purchased of Vincente hy Don PaVilo lUifnel N only a few
davH iiefore his death. Several other worki, equally precious, wiyv
detected as forming part nf hia library, which it was known, or
ratlier now recollected, had Imwh djspoaed of by hint ui various per-
sona, who had uJU'rwardfi been aaswsiiuitefl.
The convictions were now so atrong that denial was in vtun. Don
V'iiicente, after repeated attempts to controvert the evidence, and re-it-
ing his caseM)le)y on Datcontradictiua, was at last forced to yield, and
acknow1e<lge the crimes imputoJ to him. He was furtlier tiuluccO
ti> enter into more ample confeksioiis by the pruiiiise that his library,
whirh »eemetl to be the sole object of his idolatry, should be pre-
served entire, and kept »» a uiunumt-nt of literature (ur fitlurft
agi-s.
The rest of this extraordinary drama will be best explained hy a
ralivc of the triAl, which took place in 1(130, at the Sala He tot
iMliiu det crimen, lirld at Oarcolons, the cflpiMl of Catidiinia.
Don Vincente was a man of fthort stature, Rtoutly built, but of
a ttllow complexion -, his air was uncn)barra«acd, and he n*plii;d tii
ff7i
TBB BIBLIOmiLIST.
all the qandons put to him by tbe authorititfs in a Krm torn _
out any bvsitatiuD.
The court was crowdnl to cxci-m, as the thrilling interest excited
by the late imirdn-s had wound up the public mind to An extraor-
dinary ferment : every one w*» eager to behold the author, and bear
till- deUiU uf evenu which far the last few months hjut filled hi*
mind with constant ter»ir and Apprehension. An soon as the alcaUe
goverrtador, at chief judge, had taken his seal on the bencli, utenc*
was proclaimed, and the prisoner, escorted by * JPOty of regidorei,
WAS brought into court, and placed at the bar. The numerous wiv-
ncAses on this trial con»iHte<l, first, of those who had bvcu present at
the discovery of the murdered bwli&<i; secondly, tbuM; who could
iilentify ihdr persons; and, lastly, those who cuuld identify the
books which the unforluuatc men had purchased of Vincente pre-
vious to their death : these latter were jiriucipally men in the trade, or
Iriends of the ileceused. They formed toother a train of conclusire
evidence, sufficient to satisfy the most sceptical hearer ; but, had it
not been so, every doubt vanished when the prisoner, being called
on for his defence, addres&ed the court without emotion in the fal<
lowing terms, having 6rBt made the sign of the crou on his lips aikd
on his breast, in token of his veracity.
" I have proinise<) to k|ieak. the truth, and I stand here deter*
mined to make a full confession. I only beg to premise, that if I
nm guilty, I have been solely influenced by motives whicb are in
theinsclvet creditable and praiseworthy. The ctmvuUions wtiich
ngiute Spain at this moment, the devastation of Uic oiMivents, and
the dispersion of the valuable libraries contained within their
walls, hiive given a death-blow to the oiltivntion of literature. It
has been my sole object to promote the neglected interest* of sci-
Biico, and preserve for |)ost<rity those inestimable treasures which
the Vandalism of the present age ia daily eevking to destroy. — trea-
sures which, once lost, can never be replaced. If I have acted Ul, if
I have committed crimes with a view to this laudable end, let me
then pay the penidty of the taw. I ask no favour for myself, but
spare my books; they indeed are guiltless. With what justice can
you punish the t>addle for the faults which the umW may have
committed f
" It was sorely against my inclination that I consented to sell that
valuable work to the im|M)rtunate curate ; I was hardly pressed for
money, and my poverty prevailed ; but I call the holy St. Jobo
(that patron of authors) to witness all the efforts which I nArrward!!
made to disgust the reverend futher with hit purchase. I told him
that the type was faulty, that a page was missing, but he paid no
attention to my remarks ; he counted down the price that was
asked, and lcl\ my shop. No 304in(.-r had he got to the end of the
arcade thon I found myaelf beset wiili an irresistible desire to re-
cover the book which he had carried away. The purchai>er bail pro-
ceeded down the Callv matfvr. I ran afUr him with all speed, and
overtook him near to die Atorasanas ; tliere again I renewed ny
entreuties to cancel our bargain. ' Here,* said 1, * here is your
money ; restore to me the book ; 1 have a particular wish not to part
with it!' All wai in vain; he obstinately persisted in his refusal.
I followed him itill, as he walked, urging niin by every argument in
my power lo grant my rt-qucit, without producing the idightest ef-
fect We had arrived at an unfrequented spot, and were quite
•
THE BlBLIOPUILtST.
575
■U>n«. I
that
he»r
Mw that no hope was leA of brinftine liini to lie»r reaton .
he «vrn vecuieil to «xuU in his obstinacy- Thi» ntBtle ntr angry ; I
drew out m; knife, and nUibbcd liim in the throat: he fell tu the
ground, voniitine blood at his mouth. I then took out my breviary,
and f^ve him trie sbiolution im extrcmia; alter that Another stab,
and he was tiead.
" I manAged to throvr the body into a ditch, and covcrwi U over
with dead leaves, — a precaution which 1 have not olwayn been in iJie
hjibit of taking. 1 brought away my book; here it is; (and tlie
priuoner pointed it out among thoae whieb were rangtsl on a tabic
iu the court lu) evideoice for the pro!iecution.) It is an exceedingly
curious work," fuiid be, " 'yigilitg moriuomm nxttudum c/iorum eccl^
tiar MaguntiHie,' in quarto gotJiic, in red and black character, with-
out cypiier, but with Uie catchword."
Judos. — " Out it would opiiear that tins is nut tbu uiily murder
that you have committed wiih a similur object?"
ViNCBNTs. — " Certainly not. You may have obterved that my
library was well ittocked as well aa select. As the proverb Haya —
' A'u» le gano zamora en in vra,' Zamora was not gaintd in on
hour."
JirnoK. — " Explain then to the court in wliat manner you Hasw-
unated the other victtmK."
ViNCKMTK. — " By the Holy Virgin, and all the units in Parodiiie !
nothing could be more simple than the means which I employed.
In the 6rst place, when I remarked that a customer was intent upon
having any particular book which I hail nu inclination to port with,
and ue price he offered wa^ 6mc\\ aa I could nut rel'uie without
injury to my trado, I took care, previous to the delivery, to cut out one
or two pages, which 1 laid by carefully in a private drawer. Little
time would elapse before the buyer would return to complain of the
faulty edition I hod Hold him ; and, when I had got the book
in my luind as if tii examine it. I could evily draw an utisut'pecting
man into my rloitet, where the neYtr-failing knife, and a stout arm,
soon solved all difficulties, and lef\ me again in uomcmjod of tile
coveted prize. When the night came I waited till nil were asleep, and
then, taking the corpse on my shoulders, I carried it nut wherever
my fancy suggested, sometimes in une direction, sometimes in an-
oUier ; but seldom, us you may have rnmu-ked, taking any Iruuble to
•ecrcte it"
JuDOB. — "tjhocked n* every one must be at your reciul, let me
auk you a ijue»tiun. Hid your cuinu'ience never smite you at the
idea of titling your murderous hand agoin&t your fellow -creaturea,
made alter the image of your God ?"
V'lNCBNTi'. — " Man is mortal : a little MMincr, or a little later, GimI
colls thcni to hinL-ielf, and life is gone. But .•tciemific iMxikn must be
preserved above everything; their value is inappreciable. <>n that
ocrount I have always carefully replaced the |)agc<i wliicli I hud cut
out for my own purpofles, that no n*«[ionjUbiUty of Uiat nature might
rest with nie."
Jl'duk. — ■■ V'ou comniitleil. then, all these assassinatiuiiB from no
oilier motive tlian to secure tlie possession of these books/"
VijtcBNTR — "Books! books! What eke could it be? B* la
}gh>ria de Dioi t It is the ijlory of 0«d !**
JctiOK. — " Tlierc is cvidrnce to prove that you were BCCrswory '
the death uf Augustia Paljiol: do you plead guilty to till* cliorg
.Hi- tTiie. I roulfl Dot •tkrw ■
II *Ji« world ofLstDbevt
. yon manai^ to gun
^.M. [Mor of Uiv iitpbif"
Mil by the utnduw over bis
oty vben he had left it opvn on aoeaMK of cfar
- Jjad at thAt time. I uiadtr mjr kmj Id k>> bed-
ita fttC salecp ; I clipped a nipc. wUdi I Ind
tbv paqMMC, muiul his neck, then twigtadlt
Mm hitd reniied u* exist. My nut otjtct w
•« wtx^, of whidi he had to unhaodwwnrij d»-
Aft«T all, he wns a gmid »arl of man. poor
»4k h* ImcI used tnc scun'tly, I bore bim bo mtBet
Aa Man M he was dead, I took off the rap^ and
^1
ijv lou, who profess such extreme rencrabflB ftr
. vu«k Boake op your mind thu5 to conmh ihewholr
< 4 bookseller indincri minutely to the flamea?**
Oh ! as for that, lie liad mine that were of aiKh
..vra KWaj the only buaks which were of any impact'
■vMiMat k was necenary to my plot that the praaim
>Hil« gArrwiae, if the loss of xuch a wurk had MB n-
.rtt-"— vaiibt have ariseD which Mould have drfcatnl all
4 WT •atrrpriKe. It wait absolutely lequiule lor my
.((unK which wm misoing should be aui^Msed to
'.he in."
jKi yvu leave all the money on Patxot's table ui-
-'•^ Me 1 I take money ! Do you think then I am ■
S:
, «a.plkil confessions, the t«»k of llie counsel for the
«M attended with no difficulty ; the crimes were bo rab-
h« bad no hesitation in requiring a verdict of guilty.
Am- the defence then rose, and in a very ingenious
dW magistrates on the bench not to be biaaaed by
--'^firtitnts of his client, who hud no right in the eye of
:*jlc himself. There are instnnces, he remarked,
^^ J* uMcbid feelings, nearly approaching to melanchotr
,^WiC*U*^ f"' death, and, though unwilling to commit sui-
.1 iccuse themselve.s of any Crimea, to which they are
IT the sole purpose of mcL-ling with tJial fate which
,; 'Nijuld try to avoid. The very circumiflflDce of a
. .^wn condemnation should render bis judges very
'.Tt^ lo such unnatural revelatiuus, much le»8 should
.fuciuunce him guilty on such grounds. This maxim
vl, und thin principle e-Btablithed, he maintained
.<xl to criminate bin clirtit. The bouks which bad
' iiiLvnte's pfMseKtiiou, might have iM-en easily ob-
.'•mt channels tlmn those detailed in llir indictment.
. the opposing Counsel ol>iterved that it was mAtter
, »i) literary characters that only one copy of the
\4ii2 by Lfunbert Palmnrt was now led Id
ui-Lilied in that asscrtjonj" said Vuiccotc'i
rHB QOBRN OP S^
577
Crnin*«l to his oppoiuiil, " l]iat I mn prove the contrary. Ilvre is the
CHt»lo(;u(* of M booktwller in Paris, M-hich ctxitxinx Hnntht^r cupy of
tlml <ilitti>n ; Riit), if there already exist a itecond, we miiy argue on
the prnbiihility of finding a third- "
Trils spcciea of deftmcc seemed to have vety little wei^^ht wilh the
nteatdf-i on the bench ; they tiwik a short time to ronuder the CAse,
and unanimously condemned \'inrente to the f>Allow9. During the
pleadings of hifi own c»uiim.-I, Vincente had hitherto prescrveu the
frreatc^ firmnesn and composure ; but, when thin alluMon was miide
to the copy in Parix, he wu ttud<lenly ei-en tu exhibit »!giis of in-
ward pain and vtriutiuD ; in fact, he lost all command over himself
and burst into tear)!.
The aU-atde eiA'trnador, pleased with this late symptum of repent-
ance. Mid to him in a soothing tone, " At length, then, Vincente,
you begin to understand the full enormity of your crime."
ViNCKNTK. — "AU»! Sei'ior Alcalde, my error has indeed been
u n )t.t r doi in ble."
Ai.rAi.nR. — " It is still witliin your power to implore the cle-
mency of our grafious Queen Kegcnt."
VmcKSTK. — "Ah ! if you could hut know how nusernble 1 feel,"
Alcalde. — " If the jut«tire of men is inftexible, there i* nmrther
justice which is tempered with mercy, to which the truly re]>entant
sinner may always hx>k for jiardon,"
Vim:rntb. — "Ah I Sefior Alcalde, then, after all, mine U not the
oidy copy ?"
T!IK QUKKN OP SPRINC.
)Iail to the queen !— the queen of >pritig!
She lialh jouriiey'il licr« on Um sephyr** wlitf ;
Ijrkn > ymu^ oomwtM, sb* hath lingn-'d m ■rliile,
Ttiai we nay Mjoita In bw mu and iinU* !
Biic m know Ae has antic, for otr perfiunxl bnaih
Ilkth awak«ii'il tbv earth from iu M«iiiing datb.
She hu ipnJcain dip wnnl, hihI the iiMua<!iif[i-r bmcao
Has whtsiwr'd bcr will to \hv »l.ivcriiif tm« ;
Thfir pal« )(rMn Imvm tbey haw nil unfiiri'il.
AimI tiM ifinl ^f yantk ii ahrOMi in Umi worU ■
Hail Ut tli» qitMU !— llu! queen nf *)>riiiK '.
That hu Jmimey'd lien> on tht> i«|ilii<r'* uiai;.
Lee IU twiue hut ■ wreath from Hiv ^iiniiy Iwwrn
f >r tlv rl«l#t (•liic nnil yuuiig irikl flnwren,
Atid ihe r>lb>y*« lilr inai ffn^w* limidv.
And alway* liMitu tiVe the rloln'* brtile.
Itiii Mv t— bitri' »r« nun a* ulilwu snuw,
Tbeyarr littiuf[ la bind au \\m fair yiiuiiK Unrn .
Ana tMr ilM^glawiit^ tidrrm, trlxiw* hum Hni liayua
Kmm a bliuh at the prutn ihrlr ktveHitir*" ■""ii i
Wki'le llii! Sim vritlk H*nn kiMi*. in whitj^Tt the air.
Still tM thm tmatettiiTy, and hl4d ilia liluuli llirrw!
Uiit dtp ni*r* an- mniB ! — ihr mii*t ItMim Birny,
Or th« $o>nktm »vrU irlll numni for l»«r atay I
1 hi the icphyr'a iriB|f sbv ii wilinn ixrw— .
Sht hu many a kWHr Iv amt. yr hatiir.
Fof lirr car *!■« hath takm a <r>inli brif{ht bean.
And is fadinir away Hke a tia|i|iy dnaai.
The *un ndM hi>.-li ia the hearent afatn.
Tho fluwm Ixivr liiint frxin llx-ir uarmhl chain |
tin thoir Wauliliil ra\fr, Utr ijuwii id Spr>iij[,
Uor SMpin has |Hu*'d lu the ttunuDcr Kinx-
t'ajjiLLA TodU
THE BHNKDiCT CLUB.
BT aiCRAJUt JWJfc
Tuft whole town wu in an upro«r. Ifo. Clack«a had anrprtu-^
rMii«l7 told 3trt. CUckett thai the for— tioo of a dub-faouae wu
(iMTmionl on b; the principal gentkita af Breborough ; the
lulie^. ultl and young, were cunscquendj ap {■ mam,
" Then there 's an end to domestic bauaiMM V wud. tSn. Bum.
tiilea, with a despairing agh. when tittle Jbi. OMkctK pre htr this
iliniiiiiii^ infonnatiuii. " fiunuide) will oerwg bv at honw. Many
»f— pua we have nofr about liis staying oot ■> late M n^ht. He
shall «rf be a member, or he must cbuoae batwtca te> and the rile
dab. I have money in my own right — b* aoMj take fai> boy, and I
thv girl r^«id thus did Mn. Dumudes settle Ac raerally diSadi
quertioa of feparation and alimoDy in ooe long Bfffstb, after the
before-mentioned *igh.
■■ Y»u are »urf ly not »enout !*' cxcUtmed Mr*. Green, looking to
■HTcttinKly into )>nor Mrs. CUclcett's imall eyes, that they wuJud
aod watered under the infliction.
-' But I am, my dear/' said the circulating "frd'^im of R«rebo>
nnigh intelligence, who was now one stage farther oo her momb^a^
r«)und ; " and, as I told Mrs, Bumsidcs five minutes ago, I like
plan aoiaxtngly. What '• the uae of making a fuM about it? Alen''
will be men, and like to meet each other ; and CUckett wtU be
KCreiary, and able to tell me everything that is gmng on. it wiQ
bu quite delightful !"
" Men will be men, and like to meet each other," sud Mrs. Grc«o,
with a suppressed snh. " I 'm glad you are pleased with such
ilfaaiing a cambric handkerchief from hiT black satin bag; " do-
i^Bg has ao much annoyed me for a long time."
■■Oh! my dear, make no stranger of me; I was this moment
MJM> 1 assure you," said the town go»ip. •• I had no idea yon
^^iji^ hare taken tlie thing to heart w — I have several visits to
j^ , ■ «k! Hway trotted Mr«. Clackett, while her afflicted friend
|kt(w bv>^lf on a sota, and soblwd aloud.
" Oh» tireen! Oreen! cruel man! — is thia what a loving wife
^*1||. DM purpose to make assignations with that creature the
•yjrtaw ^man, that he is going to support this club."
^<. «ay they will have two or tnree entrances to the houae,
' 'lever know where he is." ^^
\^>ws dare to get up a club in Knrchorough !" exclaime4^|
Minniken with vvliumcnt Hurprise, when Sirs. Clackctt^^
.4 iif Uu- morning. " Of course the ladies nre to have
>'. rs given tu them, and archery meetings, and all thai
THE BBMEUICT CLUC
579
I
I
I
" No, my dear," said her IihIc informant; " Clackett teUa me 'tis
to be conducted in London style. There i« no mention of the Indiei
— it is on\y for genilemeii. Everybody is to Iil* balloted for — one
black bull to exclude; servants in white and acarlet; old Mr.
ThompAon's bouHS in High Street to be biken for the present, and
the committee will build immediately. No friends admitted at
meal timeH ; every one pays fur bis own ilinner ; can dine tu< low u
Gftevn pence, Mr. Clackett taye, bread, and cliecae, and table-ale
included. Ae tu wine«, there will be a Katnple of each aurt in die
cellar, but only Marsala for jteneral consumption."
" IJa ! ha ! ba [" lauf^hed Mrs. Manly Minniken, at the tup of ■
voice whose very piano »eeraed to have a forty-woman power ; " and
Minniken has become a member of this precious club, you sny f
Well, ire shall see. 1 hope Mr- Clackett doesn't quite depend oq
bim? Perhaps he may chanf^e his mind, you know;" and Mrs.
ATanly Minniken, as if accidentally, Kliinced at a whip wbicfa, with
her ri(iini>-hat Knd ginveft, lay bciiiile her.
" f)h ] I 'm sure you won't let Jhfr. Minniken diutnf>nint my bus-
hand^I 'm sure you won't over-persuade Mr. Minnitcen."
" But I 'm not quite so sure of that cis ifoti seem to be," remarked
Mrs. Manly, u-ith asignificAnt compression of the Up.
MrR. Clnckett wouhi not believe her ; — it would be siich a pity to
oppose tNck a nice arrangement ; — the gentlemen would bring them
liume alt the newn stirring, — and sway hurried the busy little woaMD
tu .Mr§. Dawdle Damlcy.
" La! you don't say so. my dear !" drawleil out tlie lackadaiiical
loily, when our indefatigable friend hnd, (or the twentieth time that
morning, announced the formation of the new club. " What am I
to do {or Harry Dawdle to drive me out. when he is at the nasty
club? He shall take me with bim, I do declare, if 1 stay at the door
iu tbe phaeton while he goes in to read the papers."
" But it is not only reading tlie papers, my dear," said fllri,
Clackett ; " they will tUne at the club much ol\ener titan at borne.
— Uiat yuu mu»t make up your mind to, like a sensible woman ; and
tlien tliry will have billiards in the morning, and cards in tlie even-
log ; and Clackett doft think they will be able to get up a little
hazard. It will be quite in fashionable style, I do axsure you."
" Then Harry sha'n't go," whined out Airs. Dawdle, with the
petulance ot'a spoilt child. " If he does, I'll cry my eyes out. I
dun't pretend to be a sensible woman, and he knows it. I 'd rather
not have your vinits, Mrs. ('laekett, if you come to Cell me that
Horry is going to belong to this club. It's all your fault and your
husband's."
" Bless my heart!" exclaimed the astonished little newsmcniger;
" what have i got to do with it? Mr. Dawdle Daruley run surely
act for himself — I only came to tell you what was going on ; but tf
my Company is not agreeable, I can go where it is more esteemed."
Jtlrs. Clnckett rose from her chair in a pet ; and no wonder, for
Mrs. D. Damlcy would not take Uie trouble to make an apology, but
merely remarked,
" How Hiigry you are, to be sure I La ! what have 1 said f Dear
me ! won't you wait till I ring the bell, that tbe door may bv opeovd
for you f
But her visitor hod found ber way dowu stoira ere the ttect
£80
THE BBNEIUCT CLUB.
<i|)erati<in was perrnrmeH on the bcll-handlp : anil then Slra. Dawdle
DnrnleV) aauntermft to the windHw, l<Ntk«l aiit. fxrlHiiiiing,
" Tbnt tireiwimf Hnrry ! I wish he wouki cuuil- back. How I
H'ill MTuld litm, if he lias anylirnif; to do with tlmt horrid club !"
Hut Harry wiis a loitf; liuie tierure he <iii/ come back, an he wiu
juttl tlien in solemn c-oiiclave with nuiny other iiuignate» of the town
at the Grar^ niul Dra^oii. He wim on the committee for the
establiabmcnt of the HeiiMlict Club.
•' We tbeii perfftlly mnltrBlniid i-acb oilier," said Mr. Ilitrnaides,
n larg(.--sized. red, ))utterii-culico-priiiter. who hud kindly taken the
chuir on that momentous occasion : he was abont to wind up a bril-
liant haranftue of twenty-three minutes' duration, by Dawdle Dam-
ley'd repe«ter. " Whatever occum tn this room is never to be men-
tioned out of it/' vonci uded the clinirman ; " aud having establ isbt^
it a« a standini; rule that no member, except t)ie ori^inul tbiiiidm,
be »driiitte<t that ciuinot «how juat cau»e why be doeit nut 5nd hi*
home agreeable, we will now proceed to hear the claima of pro|Kiae(|
caiulidates tiom gentlemen of the conimittec wbo wish their friend*
to be nominated. The Ktricteat imiMrtiality will be shown ; but it
ii) necensary to make it clear to the teniHlc part of the cnmraunily
inimical to chibx, thai no man i» hI1owl'<1 e\'en to be balloted for by
the Henediet Chib wbove home is rendiTed comfortable."
The worthy Mr. IliimnidcH aat down amid much cheering and
Mr. Green got immediately on hU legs (not Mr. Bumsidcs) to pro-
pose Mr. Harrass at a 6t and proper memlx^r of the chib.
" This gentleman," remarked his proposer, a tall, thin, care-worn
man, " has very ^oiind reasons for occasionally wighin;jr not to be
ill home. Well knowing, as our worthy chairman has so ab\y
explained, all that may be spoken here is under the pled^ of
eeerecy, I have no heflitjitinn in -saying that Mra. Harrass is jealous !
It' her htinband venture to look at a woman, she imaj^nes he baa
an aye upon her for an improper purpose. Not tu put temptation
in the way of Mr. Harra^, she has surrounded him with a huem of
fforgona. The house-maid squints, the nursery-maiil i« seamed with
the small-pox, and the cook is an old crooked woman ■ but tttill Mrs.
Harrasa ib luieaAy at having so many females in the house. She
talkx of the cook sleeping out; and has actually given liie nuroe
warning, being distressed at her conntantly cocking her eye at her
master. Nor is it only tJie abigails who make thi» anxious wife
fearful of losing her pnigierty in iJie alt'eclioiis of her husband. 8he
has cpiarrelled or cut with every preity woman of her acipiaintance.
Jf Mr. ilarrass ulTera to see a laay visitor home of an evening, his
spouse looks daggers at him, and then, with a painful elTurl at a
smile, turns to the maid, wife, or widow, as the caee may be, and
blandly rein.irks, that ' if tlie expected servant dtte* not come, tiitrir
man can atxompany Iter : but she im quite kure her de.tr friend will
not take Mr. H. out, when he h anything but well.' In vain Mr.
Harrass ranhjy declares that he never was better in his life, and that
lie should like to stretch his legs after supper ; the guest is hurried
itw.ty, and, ob ! the wigging Mrs. tlarrass gives her tliooghllc^s
husband ! • Str»-tch your legs, indeed, you cruel man !' — sob, sob,
soil — ' you like any woman better than your ujfe!' — aolv^' you '11
brenk my heart, you will, by your infidelities !'— sob, aob, sob, ad
iH/iHitum. Mrs. HarraAsgouH into hy^tcricfl, nor will she be [MciEed
THB BBNFDICT Cl.VH.
\
I
till her imhnppy huHliand kIioiiu at ihc pilrlt of hh voice apaiii and
af^HJii. ' Da Jn-'!tr iva&oM ! — tlo be f«iinpos4;ii ! — J U*ll vou lliat 1 never
ttHloB'Kr Ut MM- uiiybixiy huuic again, nut even Aunt Delfurali!* <Such
Hceiie« are nut of uiilVequeiit uecurrcnce in my friend's haiifc," cuti-
ciuded Air. Green, " clearly proving Mr< Harra»B a fit cundidate for
the Benedict Club."
He wan accordinj^ly balloted for, and not a sinj;le black ball fur*
bidding IiIh receiving tliat coinfort which the nociety of brotlier* in
affliction murt ever afford, Rlr. Clackett, the secretary, entereil him
'■ duly elected."
" Aa the matter h fairly in banc)," said Atr. Bunuide^, the worthy
prendent, riaing like the sun in n fojr, — for the committee were
amoking, — " 1 shall take on nivMi^lf to propoae Mr. Angcri^team as a
member of the club. This genllcninn, my (>ien<l9," continued Mr.
Hurnnideii metaphoricnily, " has unfortunnu^ly lieen unable, even
aAer several years' ex|ierience, to dovetail his di^jMmtion into the
pctulinritica of his wife, so as to prevent division in thu cabinet.
Mr. An^crsteuni cunfettset. he is puasionate; but then he decliircH liia
passion V hmoix over, if hi» wife does nut commence a species uf
aggravatioD which perfectly infuriates him. Mr. Anger«t«un g«(s
in » rage if he be kept wtiiting nt the door ; but Mra. Angertteun
will cry out to the Bervantu, ' Never mind — it '■ only your tnaater I
Let bim knock till yoii 've taken awny the supper-tray.' In cotnet
the huKbaiid mightily incensed,—' Why was I kept wl■itin^ at the
door P— and where i!> my Ruiiper? I won't put up witii it*'—' You
must put up without iL I nave told the servants to go to b««l,' re~
marks the l»ty, hflping hentelf to a g\nt» of wine ; ' 1 was not g<nng'
to keep the tray for you, when you were in no hurry to avail your-
self of it until you reached the door, and thnnderetl at the knocker.
I wish your Uncers had been under it !' — ' Madam, you 're an imper-
tinent woman 1' — ' Mr. Angersteam, you had better irtrike ntc —
jrou would do it, if you were not afmid ;' — and, by wav itf encou-
raging her spouHc to enter into hoHUlitie»<. this wortfiy hetpmatr
pushes a decanter of mild port from her with u vehciiirnre which
dmpatcbi^s a greiit porticm of its contents, together with some few
iVu|rment« of broken glass, into Mr. Angersieain's boMim."
Mr. JiuriiKides couMderntely drew a veil over the concluMon of n
scene, which he had only touched on to show that his friend, though
not perfectly faultless himself, had gocxl reason to retjuire occanimial
relaxHtion troiu family jars. The bidlot-t>ox pasted round, but a
black ball wa« discovered. Mr. BuniMidea, getting extra red in the
face, utirniiited in good round terniM tliat tliere muftt Iw a mistake-
The candidate consequently acain underwent the ordeal, and whs
tilia time duly elected ; Air. Klinniken remarking, in hut peculiarly
gentle way, that he was alVaid just now he bad got into uic wronK
box.
Thin knotty point bein^ decided, Mr. Dawdle Damley begged to
propuae hi.4 friend Mir Kelix Fondle, Knight, a candidate who had a
peculiar claim on tlie sympathy of the club, he having a wife bo
desperately enamoured of him, that if wmc asylum were mrt open
for bis accuniniudation, nuch as would be affordcil in *- Tlie llenr.
diet," the unfirrtunate gentleman must die the death of a lHi>-dog in
being killed by kinditeas. Lady Fondle could nut bear tu have Sir
Felix out of her sight. His accidental disappearniice for i
■ reus oi
ffSS
THE BBNRDICT TI,
m
would fill the hcniw with fond inqtiinrx as reiterated, if tt6l tt
giwmjve, Bc tli« blewtinpi of a lamh aAcr tl» diim. — " Felix, dttr'
ir Felix ! ha« any one teen Sir Felix ? Where can hp be?" — Aorf
then tlie rapture of a reunion after nek a DeparaCion — " Oh,
truant ! where Aarv you been ? Why did you go away froni
Einnift? Cmnc, you sha'n'l leave mc again for the whole day.
want you to read to mc while I work, and then you shall drive vat
in the pony phneton ; and then we will hare a nice tSle-iUt^e din-
ner ; and you won't f^ to that disn^eeslde Mr. Howard JohnRfMiCt
with bis ' wiu c>r the age,' ns he calLi theiTi — stupid fellows ! who
can do nothing but write books. You '11 i^tay with yuur own wire,
and we will play rcarie, — won't we. Ft'Hx dear?" Lady FoadJf
bad [HTvuiuled her husband to give up London entirely, mnd Csfcc ,
a villa in the neighbourhood of Rareborough, in order thai, accofding
to her own Bweet turn of expression, she might have " dear Fdix all
to her own self." Unlesi »onie relief were nfiVirded his haple^t friend,
Mr. D.irnley believed, on his honour, Nir Kelix'K Keniirs could not lait I
through the onauing Mummvr. Kuch a xtate of thiitfjs wa« really
terrible, nnd Mr. Djirnley h«ving wrung a reluctant conMent fro«ii
Sir Felix to be nominated for the Beneclict Club, the former genllf-
man ho)>ed his friend would l>e clertetl, as no individual could be
more benefited by occa&ional absence from home than Sir Feiix
Fondle.
The worthy knight wis balloted for, and Mr. Bumsidcs, on
amiittmcing his election, took occanion to remark, that, *' so fer ^^j|
the committee had proceeded in their pleasing task, a prou<] reful^^|
tionwoidd be afforded to any ungencrmis observations from the ladi^^
of Rarehorough; ohaiTvationn which the Benedicts mnet ^hare in
common with all club-foundeni ; but he felt it must be a great aatj«-
faetion to tlie gentlemen present to hear, lliat in no case which had
come under thdr notice the richt* of domesticity had been outragnl
by the lurt tliey had acted. The Benedict Club, ao far fVom build-
ing itself on the ruin of private hearths, or, if he might be allowed
so figurative on expression, raising its structure with hearth-vtonet,
was highly calculated to remedy many evils of domestic life. Mem*
ber* who really retjviircd to be occosioniilly from home, would, when
they did go home, find that their absence had amended much that
was wrong. Lxdiea could ni>t hcoIiI their husbands so uf^en, if they
aaw tesn of them ; and would be glad to moke them comfortable nt
home, if only out of opposition to the club. Wives would eeaiw lo
be jealous, as they would generally know where to find their hus-
bands, or get tired of looking after them ; and over-fond spouse*
become accustomed to temporary separation, whole-iomtly tending
to try the sincerity of aturhmcntfl never Iwfore subjeeicd to that
most severe of all ordeals, which, lo the discredit of human nature,
had given rise to the nruvcrb, ' out of sight, out of mind.' "
Air. Burnaides sal down amid more R]>)dnuse than ever. Having
talked himself out of breath, he now expressed himself " witlinf:
hear any other gentleman who had a friend to propose."
Mr. Minniken was not long in accepting tbe courteous invitiitit
He WHS « weawlly-luoking little man, with » constant habit of
glancing over his right shoulder, as though he were expecting a box
aa his ears.
" I am not going to detain you many minutes^" said Mr. Mint
Tnft BENEDICT CLOB.
I
ken , " I should only like to propose n^y friend Mr. Mooseley as «
member of the club. Mrs. Jlousclcy does not acx a kind part by
him ; and if he were now and then JVom home, I think lie would
tike it mnch. She is not violent in temper, but what one may call
n strong, loud, and determined kind of womnn ; in abort, gentlemen,
what I have heard denominated a masculine womiin, a ^entlemnn-
like lady, gentlemen, — though I take tlua to be a eurt of libel on
our set, — for I cannot see what need there is tlwt a aiati bbuuld be
rough and overbearing."
At this moment the meeting wa« suddenly disturbed b}' a spirited
▼ocal performance, combining the effect* of many voices, mounting
higher and higher on the staircase. The lady patronesAeK of the
Itareborough aMemblieH were expending a torrent of eloquence on
Mr. Boniface, the landlord of the George and Draj;on, who was in
vain begging to be dllowed a hearing. Little Alinniken trembled,
grew white as a cauliflower, and held on by the t>ack of his chair ;
for one familiar voice waa there pre-eminent above ell the rest-
" Show us into a room, Mr. Boniface. I suppose you have
another besides that which the gentlemen are in? The balls will
be discontinued at this house, you may depend upon it !"
" The whole committee of ladies are here !" exclaimed Mrs. A[anly
Minniken, " and we will make a point of rGCOHunending all our
friends to The Angel."
" What liavc 1 dime, ma'am?" responded the BHtc)nti:hcd landlord,
— " how have 1 offended, ladius?"
" Never mind, never mind," trebled half a dozen ladies at ooce ;
*• we shall all patronifc The Angel in future-*'
" Oh! t/irre they are!" forcibly enunciated Mrs. Manly, as with
her bevy of desperate dames she swept by the commiuee-roum of
the Benedict Club; " I bear the fellows talking — much good may
it do them '." — and the opposition committee took poswRsion of on
adjoining ajuirtment.
Then Boniface was sent down stairs, and rung up again, and
snubbed, and sneered at, nnd scolded, and bis accountK examineil,
and di)ipute<), and at length paid:-^he landlord having, by sundry
hint* and inuendoa, discovered thxt he had been guilty of Ute
majetfr against the aovcreign authority of woman, in allowing the
Benedict Club to have a comniitteC'room in his house.
But did th.it conclave act ? — that concUve. the aasembly of which
had caused such direful wrath in the unite<1 female bosom of Kare-
IfoTOUgh.^ Reader, we are SAhamed to state. Moat of ilie gentlemen
present, in common with Air. Alinniben, Imd heard the voice?i of their
Delpmates mingling in that^^ouJ of harmony, which, against all the
principles of hydraulics, had lucendod the staircase, and filled the
adjoinmg room. The individuals comprising the committee of the
Benedict Club looked Qrom one to the other, and wished tliemMlv«s
at home.
" Our resolutions are all passed," said Sir. Bumsides, with a yotce
irhich WA« rnther husky, and consequently nut so loud m» it had
been during the proceedinga of the allemoon ; " theic ia nothing to
prevent our adjourning?" continued the chatrm'iii, appcililig to
about thirteen gentlemen with their hata in their bands.
" Nothing! — nothing!" ro!i|Kind«d several cunitnittce-men,
" Nothing r said Mr. Minnikcn, who had been to the duor, and
OLn UObNTAIN DKW.
Mcertutinl tbal the apartment in whidi the Ladies were
was brtiuT up the puMj^, and tJtat « rvtreal by tbe siaircaie <
thai secuTvtl to the Urnt^ictM.
No one hinted to hi» ncighboiir what familiar bouaeboU tom
had met bia iodividual ear ; but, with aa liltJe fronfunon and «■
little fornnlity a> poMible, the cnmniitie« diuwil vecl. Some mootlH
hav« elap*e<l, but no farther meeting of thr club memlM-r^ has takoi
placr. Old &fr. Thompson's hi)u<« in Ili^h Street contiitu(-<> unt»-
cupin). And the *' Benedict Club" has not yet been cstabliibed la
RarcborDugb.
OLI> MOUN'TAIX DKW.
Br CUIKLBS MACKJkY,
AwAT «<ith your \ton and your fiiw-ftaroar'd Asnj,
And fill up wilh toA6y as hifth ai you pican ;
We men of tK- Nvrthtand &)ivuld knowouneJras bdler
Titan pledge her in liquon ao paluy ai tho* !
Id wbtaker, peKiimcd by Uw pcut of tht beotber.
We 11 aiink to Ihe Und of tbe kind and the tra«, —
l'nsulli«d in honour.
Our blciisiDt;^ upon \tl !
ScotUuid (or tter*. an<l old mntiniain di^w !
Nei^ I nei»h ! ii«isht hutrat
■
Kfoiinaro dew I etmr a« a S«it'a undeTsuiulin^r
Purf as hi* conscieace whererer lie goei,
ir<w-H as hiH heart lo the friend lie Im5 rtiotcn,
iU'vng as hb arm mben lie fictiu wiib liis foes I
Ii> liquor like Uus should old Scotland In: toasted ;
So III up again, and Uie pledge we 11 renew—
Ijaitf^ Bourish the honour
Her cliildreii have won her—
Scodaod for erer 1 aod old mounlaia dew !
Ncbh ! oeitli I neish ! hum !
May bcr wonh, like hot lowland strcami, roll on noccasiiw,-
Her fame, like her hifchlaiid tulb, laxl evermorr, —
And tbe cold of her glena be oonfii>ed lo tbe d>inM«,
Kor etiU'f till- tiearl, though it cmcp through the door I
And never may we, while we love aud i«vere bar.
As long as we 're bruvc, and warm-faemnedf and tni«.
Want rraauii to boast her,
(>r whiskey to (aatf ber —
Scotland for cviti ! aud old momitain dew !
Nciah 1 neisli 1 ncisii I hum !
. >
NIGHTS AT SEA;
Or, SkeiehfJ i^ NavaS lAfe dwriruf the Wax.
BT THE OI.U SAtLOR.
wmi *K iLLDSTftA-rtoK »r oxoaos cbbiksbaiir.
No. IX.
^THE BURIAL AT SEA.-St,INO THE MONKEY.— TUB
PI KATE CRAFT.
Mr lait left the p;.-instit atii) iiuMr comnuinder of the SpanksvAjr
aittinfc in hia cabin at eHrly morniiift, with no other companion
than the corpse of his assonatc and friend in boyhood, and perusing
the mannscript book which had been ra iCrangely be(|ueAth(?<l to
llini. Powerful emotions shook hi« frame ns many an cx;ciirrence
^m» revived in his mind by the narration, which was not written in
« fuinnected form, but ncemed to ha%'e been compiled at dilTereut
times, and under variou^i feelings, for tlie UiiLcuuue evidently en-
preucd and tnanifciited the ruling passion at the moment of com-
mittinft the record to pitpcr. Had tUc volume fallen into any other
hands than thD»e of Lord Eustace, the whole would have been un-
intelligible, and the reader would bnve considered it as the uncurbed
denioiiotrationa of vome romantic enthuiiast, or the production of an
tinfortunatp individual labourinff under thv horrom of inwmity.
A great portion was occupied with abstruae reaaoning to prove
there was no ht>re«fliT — no judpc of quirk and dead — no future
itAt« of reward or puniihment- And wa« the reasoning conclusive ?
No! it only betrayed the inceNunt HtrujfK'*''' of hia mind to cruHh a
belief which w&N ever itresent to his conscience; it evidenced the
futility of the creature warring againat the aoul- impressing power
of the Creator. He hod read the works of Paine, and fancied him-
self convinced of their truth ; but there was a still small voice whis-
pering ever in his heart that overturned the fallacies of the inHdel ;
and thouffh the never-dying soul waa strong in bcUevitig, the pride
of periahiug human nature set iuelfupin array agai nut the spirit,
and it was not till the immortal esaencc was about to return to liim
who gave it, that mortality vieldcil up the pnlm of victory, and in
expiring agonies confe8*«d tlie existence of the Deity, though with
the same foolliardiness it rejected the hopes of hit divincst attribute
—mercy.
And now there Uy the frail body, cold, and rijfid, and senscleaa ;
the heart could no more say, " I am faint," nor tlie head that " I
am sick ;" ]>ain and grief, trouble i>r remorse, wound or dii^ease,
would never again produce corporejd siifTering; the inanimate dead
would return to duat as it waa, and the spirit
The removal of the dying prisoner to the captain's cabin had
very anon become the subject of converiiation fnrc and aft, and v»-
rioua indeed were the conjectures and reports which prevailed,
though in une thing all agreed, vie. that in the periton of tlw captive
LonrBuBUce had diacovercd a near relation. Amongst the inve-
vot. III. *l%
586
NIGHTS
teriitr yarn-spinncrs the most fertile esAggcntiunt were quickly
multiplied ; luid iiitire than one oi- two pretendetl ibat ihey " hail
fathoinril the whole affair, and were in pwnewion of nndintialtlc
tacu. which, however, tlie^ loeaxit to keep to tbemselveB," whilst at
the same time tfaey just let out aufficient to doubly mystify tlie
thin);
The heat vl' battle no longer raced, and the dead — which, had
they expired on the deck during uie fury of couu-«t, would have
been launched out at the port — were now quietly extended side by
■ide, and their remains covered over with the flags of their respeo
tive nations. But tlie body of Delnney remaim-d in the cabin, and
trequently durinj; the day did Lord Buotace Mtand over it> and ua^e
long, and immetimco wUdly, upon feHtutea that hxd never been
foTgotten. ^J
Oh I there i* a tad and enthusiastic feeling, to M>leinn, so my^^^H
terinui, kd undefinable, in looking upon some wdl-remembered
countennnce that can never smile again, aa in the ashy paleiies* of
decaying nature, every muscle is rigid and filed, and no breath, no
iound of breathing, PM-npeB from the pallid lips. Oh ! what art
thou, Dpflth, that destroys the pride of strength in the vig^our of
manhood, and strikes down the warrior in liis might? Youth and
beauty, old age nnd decrepitude, are alike to thee, and thy leaden
linger is remorselessly laid on the bright orb beaming with juy
unspeakable, and never-dying love, as well aa the dim and •iiinkea
eye whose feeble vision can no longer behold the works of creation.
The evening approachLtl.— a lovely auttimnnl evening, and in
that part of the worhl redolent witli glory ; the sun was rapidly ^^
descending wef^ward, and throwing around him a mantle of bright- ^H
nets aa he entered his pavilion of gorgeous clouda, whose tints have ^^%
ever Imfflwl the painter'i art ana the writcr'a skill to describe.
Hark 1 there ia the tolling of the ship's bell, and every voice ia
hushed into n whieper ; the ensign and pennant are hoisted half*
mast, and the prizes follow the example ; a gun is heard booming
nn the waterti, and at the expiration of a minute another, to show thai
nn officer of rank is about tu be consitn>cd to his lost home. The
seamen, arrayed in their white OuernMrv frocks and duck trousers.
duster ti^etner, and seriously mourning for departed shipmates^
each has his anecdote to lell of Jack's worth. Bill's integrity, or
Jem's drollery, and frequently the anpiration rose, " Ood rest tbdr
BouU!" Such were the Kngliah tara.
The F'rench also iisseinhied together in groups, but their somrvf
came by sudden (ni»hes, and was violent only whiUt the fit lasted.
But there was one — a veteran of many years, who sat at the bead
of Delaney'g corpse — silent, and solitar;-, and sad. No change of
countenance betrsx-ed any internal struggle, — not a sigh, not a
look, gave evidence that the man had feeling; but there was a.
sterriuess on hi* hrow as, resting his t-lbow im his knee, with
hia chin buried in the palm of his hand, his eyes were intently
filed upon the deceased — it was the major's confidential servant.
The bell continued to toll, the minute-gun at its stated period
sent forth its hollow moan, and the sun seemed to hasten its deacent
as it apnro«ched the verge of the horizon. T*he officers, both Eng-
lish and French, mixed promiccuuiisly together; but amongst the
THE BtmrAI. AT SKA.
liar
whole none niAnifestetl .1 finer -tense of the rnilemn ncouion than
the ci-derant Count ()e Arilleflniir, nnw degeneratt'd into Citizen
Cnpuin Ltttnont. Indepd nature appeared to haw eiidowi-tL him
with every noble quality of mind, to alone for the egregious de-
formity of his person ; for he wa& tnily brnve, strictly honourable,
amiably benevolent, and eCrong in hi* [Viend«hipf. And now he
stood with a moistene^l eye and a saftened heart, contemplatinfp
the havoc of war, and mourning to part from his gallant countrymen
who«e la«t battle was over.
The !itin wa« near the verg^ of the horizon, and the western «ky
blended with the ocean in its crimson, and purple, and gold ; whilst
to the eastward the sombre shades were gathering on the rear of
the retreating conf|ueror, to throw their dark array over the plains
of heaven as soon as he had departed and once more claim the Wctory-
It was at this moment that Lord EuMaee ucendcd tn the deck,
and every head was uncovered witii more than unial etiquetts.
All rcver<><l the noble chief, all respected Iiih Rorrowi!. And there
Hwm deep traces of the latter upon his eouiitciiaiice. in defiance of
hu eBbrts to appear tranquil ; a powerful contest had been going
on in his mind as to whetiier the remains of hie once beloved re-
lative should be treated as thu^ of a traitor, or allowed the honours
which would have been hi» due had he been in reality a French-
man of the same rnnk. He was still debating the question with
himself, when four French soldicra came to carry the bod)' to the
quarter-<leck. They were all fine-looking fellows; and the careful
manner in which they raiited the corpse, as well as the stem grief
vhich was manifest in their deportment, showed that the tnajur
had been valued and esteemed by hi* men.
Still Lord Eustace was undetermined, when the first minute-gun
was heard, and his lordship was happy to find that Nugent bad
aettled the question for him ; for the young lieutenant, not wishing
to trouble his commander on every uccnsion, and at the same time
deairouii of showing that he knew and coiit<l |>errorm his duties,—
there might aUn be, and probably was, a shrewd guess at the di-
lemma in which his lordship waa placed,— liad therefore, amongst
his other arrangements for the funeral, prepared that every honour
thuuld be shown to the victims of national strife. The gratinj^a
were laid upon, the gsngwayi covered over with the English and
French jacks united, the quarter-masters stood ready, and lii« lord-
ship, having laid his )mt upon tlie capitan-bead, advanced to the
spot with tlie open prayer-book in his hand. In an instant every
hat was removed, and the rival seamen mingled together in solemn
silence, no other thought pervading their minds than connected
with the mournful ceremony in which they were engaged.
A corpse was laid upon the grating. Lord Eustace read the ser-
vice, and at the words " we commit his body to the deep," the
inner end of the grating was raised so aa u to form an inclined
^uie outwards, the inanimate remains mnvefl slowly from their
poddon* feet foremotit ; there was a sullen plunge, the dark
eddies gureled and foamed over the sinking mass, and then re-
sumed their smonthness, scarcely ruffled by the brevse. .Another
and another succeeilcd. till the whole, except Delanry, were buried
in their ocean grave, and Lord Eustace resigned the prayer-botik
2t9
588
1CIITS AT SEA.
to the fargwrtt, who, an <u>nn as the major was MtPOilrd on his naval
bier, rrcomnipncetl the btirial .lervire, anil nt the ihua) wnr<^« he
WHS crtirri^cd tn the drep, deep aea, at tlie very moment that i\u^
upper limb ofthe snii di-nppcarr»I below the horizon, Nugent and
Citizen Captain Lnniuiit »ti>ud at the heacl of the f^iratinff, and as
the wiiveii closed over the body, the marines fired three vollej'S, the
settmen slowly retrealnl from the Fpot, tbe f^angwny was cleared^
and everything retiumed its ordinary routine.
[I mif^ht here enter on a memoir of Major Oelnney, and give a
biogmphival sketch of the life vf Lord Eustace, but I prefer reserv-
ing them for a future occasion.]
" Well," Hnid old Jack Sheavehole, as the usual group took tin
their accuBtomed pufrition on the forecastle for yarn-rpinning, •• well,
there 'BMmo on 'em drafted into t'other world, and knowK a little
more about the consani nor we do. shipin»teB, HowsomeTer, may
tht? Lord A'miKhly upon 'em, and muster all hands alofl without a
ttnf[le R among 'cm."
" ! hope we shan't have to send any more the Anme wwy. Jack,"
said Bob Martinfcalc ; " 1 don't mean to He^tvcn, but over the stand-
ing part of the foresheet. There'll be two or three, if nut half a
doxen, get (vreenige, and be laid up in ordinary for the rest of their
days."
" And a pretty sprinkling o' cook's warrant*, if Lord Youstitch
can have his way," chimed in Joe Ni^hthcad: "I'm blefift'd jf 1
should mind getting one nt the ^.tme price."
" What, the lo»8 o* yer precious limb, Joe?'' exclaimed old Jack
in horror. " Well, then, you get your greasy comraiaiion, and let
me keep ray timbers."
" Why, what 'h the harm of an ammunition leg f" said Joe. " Lord
love your heart 1 you should see the wooden ptn.i as they have
piiefl up in ticn; at (ireenige, my buy ! I had, and hopes I have
still, an ould uncle in the college, a jolly rnmpagerant ould blade
as loves a toothfull o' stuff, and a half-ounce chaw o' pigtail as well
as ever he did. He loRt both his legs on the HmX o' June, and now
he travels^ about upon a couple of wooden conttarns, hopping the
twigs as blithe as a lark. 1 went to sec liini about a yejir ago. and
lo wc gut to rambling about auiuiij; the tree« in the park, .ind one
and anuthcr juiued con»ort, and ould Nunky was the life uf the whole
on 'era, and ' Fine sports you have aboard, Joe,' says he ; ' none o'
yer keelhauling and running the gantline, as tliere was in my time.'
— 'Not none in the leaBt.oulil boy,' says J, 'barring that ere cat as
has got as ninny tails as she ban liveo, and that's nine, But a fel-
low hnx ounly to do hiH duty, and the cat's taiU may lay :md grow
till the fur cornea as long as a badfjer'it. Hut ] aay, ould 'un, did
you ever play tUug the tnonkfff ?'• — ■ Indeed have I,' »ayi» be laugh-
ing ; ' and J t houldn't mind having another do at it now, purvided it
warn't for my legs.' — * Oh, d — n your l«^ !' says I, for I thought he
' 8ling thti monkey ii a r&roiirite |uuitiiQe aiauiig>t Maroen. A tnpm irlih a
nnote in i)iv lower enti i* »ittip(>n(led fniin tnie uf tite ]^>nli, llie maiu or ton i
tbe "mnnkpy" paiMs the nuine ruuiiil hii FhkI)- below liii afm-plu, anil tuiDtiiDnt
slM-k i* k-fl from alotl for tlie nioiikey^ to rhns* bin lornieniorm M-ho p>(lM>r n>uti4
him villi knotted bsndkerctiiefR. jiiwn (if rnae, \r. irhii'h ihii)- ilci not f.til 11.1 lay
<m preiiy unanly at vtny oiiixtnuimy. liie vnly deJcnci; wf div innnliey ta a
piece of clialk, and if he can mark any of his aMaiZaiiU iridi It, ibey lu-c imnw*
8LINO THE MONKBY.
389
I
I
mennt them as hud cut hi» ncqiinintance un the lirst of June ; ' the
■wwtiden ptnn "ull do well pnoiii;h, and a rope over the outrigger o'
this here tree, with the soft swt-et grass undfrncsth. where there's
nut no danger whatsomever in a tumble. What do you My. my
heartifs, — who's lor a game of ilitg the tnonkviff Well, I'm
blesi'd if there warn't more nur twenty on 'em all niati for it : «cnie
had one leg, some two, ciirrie<l away; ever so many liad lost an
arm ; and there was a flourishing o' three-cornered truck*, and a
rattling among the wootlen pins, and 'Who'll get a rtij>e?* waa
shouted B.* they duncetl about the ground. 80, A 'ye »ee, ahipraAtes,
^8"^ * S*^^ scope 4ir two ami half inch, and passes one end over
the arm of thi* tree, thnt wan rigged out like a lower yard, and
Diake.i a bowline noose all ship-shafte below, and gets a piece o* chalk,
and tile outd 'utis makes up their hnnJkcrchies into kmrti, and at It
we got like fighting- cocks. v\t lant ould Nuiiky gets to be monkey,
and I 'tu Uluw'd if I didn't warm hiH ^tsrn fur him, anyhow. And
ever so many nobs corned to look at us, and ho we got 'em to cbime
in, imd one HpioUle-.sh&nk, sliding, guntcr-luuking ch^ip was cotch'd,
and 1 *m a tinker if he didn't stiell out 11 guinea tu get ofT, and the
rent o' the gentry giv'd us souie mure money ; so that arter the
f[ame was out we had a jolly »heaveo. and I 'm blesa'd, shipmates,
f we didn't Hliiig tlie monkey in fine style, and treating the Jandlud
into the bargain."
"I Wonder if they playc at sling the monkey in t'other world,"
Miid Sam Slick, in the tnnuccncy of his heart, and with the utmoal
gravilv of coinitenj*nce.
" M hy, you lubber, to be sure tliey ilo," responded Bob Martin-
gale, " or elite what 'u<l such an we have tu amu«e ourselves with,
aiHl be d — to you. I ounly wish I inay catch you there, that's
In a few dnys. without meeting any obstruction or adventure
worth recording, the Spanknway and her priiies were safe at anchor
in Fort Mahon, where beveral of the dashing frigatex were then
Iving, and the r:iptains, with a commendable generoHily, yielded up
the palm to Lord Kustace. The prisuners were lauded, and Lord
NeUun arriving soon afterwards, the two French frigates were
taken into the service. The largest war given to a favourite post-
caiitain, wbo was superceded by a master and commander in the
ahip he had left. Seymour was made acting post inl«> the mduU
frigate, and Sinnttt took the sloop-ol'-war which hai.1 breo vacated;
and thus Lord Eustace hud (he de»ireH of hio hexrt gratified us it
respectt^l his two senior officers; nnd, as a matter uf course, lieu-
tenants being wanted for the new purchases, his two oldest mid-
shipmen, wbo had passed their eXiuninalion, shipped the while
lapelles.
It was a few days subsequent to this that a small putv dined
with I<nrd Eustace, and, tu his great pleasure, ohl U ill Parallel,
the master, was enabled once more to sit at hts lordship's table to
lUstdy tmr.alansd to iIm Jidk*. The gntttMi huimmr or Uia (puna it itiat tlta
HUMikvy, in lbs SSKV p«irs»it of M* tav, tmrv frv^ucntly Iomn aiglii uf ^Uacnitian,
sod rans widi su«b spcod u 10 thruv himwlf entinly oil his hdaaos, (lbs rtrf*
Mag Mwly pcrpctulimlsr, atid nBariing iMit lilUe ckdck.) lit- swings u|i, si>i>
tlisa oucDOS iMilUy duwn sKaiii, whtn lie gets a tnmwiMhiu* buBirtliiig fnioi tbe
rm
NIGHTS AT SEA.
meet mi oltl mMmnate in thu person of Chptain Hawser. Atia
the repast, whiUl the wiiic wan going briekly rouiKl, the acene* and
events of former days were auiplj discuw-ed, and ultiniilelv old
Andrew Nipper, or, as be was more generally culled, Andy Xippcr,
a veteran quartemi aster of the Spftnlcaway, was, at Captain Haw-
f>er'» request, Bumnioned to have a fninaa of (rrog ; for he had been
IIfiw»er'» nautical l»thrr lummuck-nuin and drudKC when thegalUnl
captain lir«[ entered ttie >>ervice as a volunteer of the euperior gnife.
" Well, Andy," «aid Hawser, "and how doea the world uw jrou
now, old boy .**'
The veteran drank off his ffrog at a draught, with a look which
, apoke, u plainly us look could ttpeak, " Never make two bites at
a ripe cherry." •' I 'm thinking, your honour,'* said old Andy,
"I 'm tliinking of the times when I was with your honour in the
ould Clinkeni. eight-aud-twenly, in the West Ingees, and we bad
that bit of a do in tlic boaU urter that devil's own half pirate, half
■mufEgler, the Thundercloud «:hooner, coranian<Ktl by a picaroon-
iog wafcabone as they used to uy wa» a nat'rnl-born legepitunaie
child of uuld fielzebub, and the nigtC^-rs used to frighten the chil-
dren to uleep by ounly naming the niime of Captain Bluebbuet."
"What was it, Andy P" »aid Iiord Eustace, who greatly esteemed
the veteran. " Put the uld boy a chair at the fiidc-tablc. and gnt
him another glaas of grog. Let's have the Btorj- : and, Nugent,
keep your ears open ; everj'thing tclU in book -making."
'i he cfjmniAiidii were promptly attended to ; the old man broogk
himself conirurtably to nn anchor, with a riire ^titf nor'-wester beOxe
him ; and then, turning to t^ijilaiii Hawser, lie commenced, "Your
honour 'uU iiiiud the time, I 'm tliinking."
"Why, yes, Andy, I do rtiiieuiber Komething of what you we
alluding' to," returned liie officer; "but you know I was only *
youngster then, had jut,t served iny time, and was waiting to past,
and IVom wjnie cause or other, 1 forget what, I was not with the
boats on that occasion."
" No; good reaaou not, your honour," responded Andy- "I "•
luenibera it well ; you were hove down in your hammock, nnd«
yellow Jack, and Mu«tcr llandeail had the large cutter— the llil^
master's mate, you'il recollect, a tall young roan with broad fu-
tures and precious comical cyc^'-"
■• Whv, ay, Andy, your description brings him to my mind,"
asiented Hawser; "we were messmatea two years: 1 beliCTe l»
squinted."
" No, your honour," cxplaineti the veteran, "it ware'! a sqoiifc
nor cro'jaok brace fashion, nor yet u Jeer, nor rross-iichied, but
I 'm bletB'd if I usedn't to think biaeyeg were knork-knee'tl— I eouW
make nothing else on 'em. Well, Aluuter Haiidsail had the IsTjl*
culler ; Mubter Cocktail, a follower o" Uie c-apmin's, had the bid*!'
cutter : and Bluster Shauginscu, the second IftUnaiit, another Iri<li-
mail, took command in the pinnace, with » twelve-iioundcr luoonttd
on a slide in the bows, and away we w^nt arter tins here w»g>lx*«
of a Thundercloud, right up one of them there narrow creek* «
the island of Cuba. D'ye mind we'd chained Iwr lor six hoon
abnost within gun-shot, and wmetimea throwing the water upde«
m her broail wake ; but, like a d— deceitful two-laced craft ai **"
was, no sooner did %ve begin to overhaul Iter, and cjtpcct to grl ha
5^
NIGHTS AT SEA.
after we led the Spaniard and hi« bit^ u' ebony, v/c *«t to wvik
with a will to puU out af^ain ; Itiit what with the jitren^h of the
current, ami the shatterMl oar-blades, wc made but little bea/tmj'.
■nd got l#rribly out in our reckoning, in the matter o' there beii^
8 little thoiiMind creeks and channels running into one another,
and we couldn't sec cither to starboard or port for the biitih, so u
to f(ct any marks on to guide us out of tliis infarnat hole ; and bv-
and'bv it came cm toward:* dark, and a tliick Uiuc prew up, and
we nil took to shivering and shakinj!; like — a-tiem ! — like a UUt'i
Up-do{i in a snow-stonu. Well, at last we had dark night — not a
Btar to be seen,^ — every buuI tin us chatlerinR with the a^i^iie, till the
very bout seemed to have caujtht it tou, for the quivered all the
Bame as if she'd been a right artie»t Christiiin, — and there we was,
happy-go-lucky, without a drop o' comfort, ar«c-time ov»t. andnri
one on uti knew one minute where we «hotil(l Miove otir nose* the
next. ' By ihf p«iwer»,' wiys Muster Handsail, 'it's in the centre
of a bubble we are, anyhow, and it'it mesclf as is bothered entirety
which wny we'll pet out of it- If it was a bit of a bog, now, Andy,
and I 'd a ta*te or two of whiskey, 'twould be all clear enough ; but
here we are like wild geese on a hernng-pond, anil dothering with
the could in a fog as thick as ould Father Bjillvgannon'a ni^hl-cap.'
^' Don't be talking there in that boat V shoutcJ Alustcr Shangincca;
' they 'II be alWr hearing vou presently.' — ' Kaith, and it 'a ounly me
teeth, sir,' aaid Muster liandsail in rvply : 'il'a ounly me teeth
chathcring in regard o' the ague, sir.' Well, your honour, the
furder we pulled, the deeper we seemed to get into difficulty;
sometimes we got a rattling current in our favour, and then we bad
it like a sluice dead again us; every two or three minutes we
were in aniou^ the trees, and the numpe scrubbing our bottom, and
then we were fouling each other in trytnc to get out again, so that
we were reg'lar bu^h-rangers, and I 'm blessed if any on us could
tell at last what courw.* we were on."
" It t* rulhcr surpri^iug tliat Mr. O'Shaughncisy didn't come to a
grapnel," remarked Captain Scud^ "or make fast to the trees UQ It
cleared up."
" Why, your honour, he did think o' doing on't," usxcrted Andy ;
" but then he said that was next kin to nothmg, and by keeping in
motion we should be sure to find ourselves somewhere ; so we kept
our small-arnifl dry in case of falling in with anything ; and Dilr.
Shauginsen tould us it was best tn he in exercise, an then we should
keep our bluud in free skrimmigation."
*' He was right," observeil Captain Hawser shivering, although
the weatJier was extremely warm. " I well remember the deatDy
chills of those horrible swamps ; the very thought of them makei
my blood ruu cold."
" Well, your honours, it didn't last very long," continued Nipper,
"for just as we rounded a point as sharp as a wincb, slap we ran
stem un to a schouii«r-rigg'd craA, and in an instant, without wail-
ing for any word, we juaipe<l aboard; and the first thing I twigg'd
was the long gun, and the next moment I got a crack on the head
that filled my cyei* with a general illumination, and brought a noise
in my ears just like a Alerry-Andrcw beuting a tattoo on the lid ofa
gunner's s.ilul>ox ; but I didn't go down, (or Muster Handsat
cotclicd huld on ine. ' Kouse and bitt, Andy I' says he ; and »» I
4
4
THE PIRATE CRAPT.
>U3
rallied again, and the SpanUrdt gave u> Buch ■ wMrm rfrrption
that it soon took th« chill off, snd at it we went lutmnKT mid long*,
the pirnten lighting lik<: tIeviU, seeing nti they ''I been ciropp'd on im-
awnrM, and lu lUkvage a-i binxes, 'c»\'*e their owner hadn't time to
tTMnmngrify her again, — for I am &artin that it was the same rralt
we had overhauled in the artemoon, laying in just the Mtne place at
the turn of the point,
" At ii we went, ht>w9iwnever ; »ml, as nil mir party gnt fair foot-
ing on the Thundercloud's deck, why Jack Spaniard Bullied art, and
in about five minutes, or mayhap it warn't quite so long, we 'd
driven 'cm all, holus-bulus, ovL-rbtuird from the taBVel and ijuarterN,
and lliey were Bwimminc away for the »>hore. Noneon us expected
such a cunsarn, for we u give up all thoughts of the Bcboonvr, and
the action wai all the plea»anter for being touch-and-go. ' By the
hooky, Andy,* says Muster Handiail, ' but this )< quare work any-
how ! Out o' the fog into the Tliunderclpud ; iinu, by the pipers,
there '» h flash o' lightning for us !' Hnd rattW come* a whole »hoal of
sninll-fthot from the fthore, ripping find rending, and thud-thnd they
went into the *chaoner's planking, and whinht-whi^t part our ears
as if they 'd coax a fellow out o' the world with a whistle! We got
f;ood sight o' the Aiish, though, just astam; so we slued round the
ling gun, and sent it« contents right in the direction., and we heard a
rntiling and n screaming as if we'd pitched the iron into someut,
and made the splinters fjy. * (live 'cm amither tarte u' the metal !*
Kays Muoter Khauginiies. 'else the fellows 'II think we're playing
witli "em ! Lay the gun well, and lire when you 're ready !' Slap
they had it attain, your honors, round and grape, and I in bless'd
but there wus a pretty crnitliing and Hplitting, though what it was
that the vhou tould on nobody could gueM, ijome thought it was a
craft, others would have it to be a house, and many said it waa
ounly the branches of the trees; but then, you know, your honors,
them dumb things couldn't screech out. Howsomvver, we soon got
Hd of the ague ; and some on 'em as had been overhauling the
lockers below, found a breaker of ruin, so we spliced the main-
brace, and felt all square again. But the f^wniards warn't idlv;
they kept up a running fire, and presently I heard a little voice
alongside o' me say, 'Andy! Andy! they 've knocked dnylight
through me! I'm off, uuM boy!' 80 I hrnks cm the deck, and
there lay the poor young gentleman, Muster Cocktail, on hi* bennw
ends. ' Where 'a Handaail P' says he. 80 I gave i^luHter Handsail
a hail ; but lie was pointing the long gun, and ' Never mind, Andy,'
tava the child, — for he warn't more nor eleven yearit of age, — ' never
nund. He promised to hide nie with the cuult, but 1 shall chest
him this time. Ob Ooil, Andy !' uttered he in agony, * this is dread-
ful ! but it will 60on be over. Fut your band to my Irack, Andy;
it is splitting in two .' Ub, my poor mother ! this II breiik her
heart !' — ' Who s hurt h«T«?' aaked AIu*ter .Shaugin»ca, nnniiig up.
— ' It'd ounly Uttle Cocktail,' said the youngitter. * I 'in going, »jr;
1 fei'l 1 'ni guing!' The leftenant stooped down, «nd took the lad's
hand. <I hope not, youngster,' said he in a voice of kindness;
' come, come, let me rai*eyouup!' — ' Xo, no.^irl exclaimed the
young gentleman; 'my back's broke, Mr. 8hnugin»ca. 1 shall
never »i-e home again ! hut, will you tell the captain, sir, — will you
tell him that I did my duty, aiid — •' A hfiasm stopped his uttcrmocs
for a minute or two, m Muster HancUail iigun aeot Ihc contcn(i-<
the lung gun at the Spaniard) ; and, whvn tbe tioiK> of the rrpcri
died Bway, ' Cheer up, youngster !' My» Aluctrr I^haufptiHS, 'ytm'n
not «o much hurt as you think for V But, your tumor*, h« spolu lo
a curp«el ' lli« cable 's parted, Andy !' My»lhe leftenant. Laying him
gently on the dcrJi, ' but this i« do time for snirelling, you a- — cTouU
fool !' Now, vour honom, I wam't a-&nivclliiig, thou^ 1 mufi on
I felt Bomeut like spray in my eyes; but the Ictlcnant K-a« AniveUmg
like a child ffor uc all lorcd the boy), and «o He blow'd me op
'cause I nhouidn't take any notice on it. ■ Alan your boat, Andy,'
nvB he, for I was coxsen of the Urpe cutter, ' and take four marina
with you, and be all ready for i^hoving off.' — 'Ay, ay, sir,' aaya I-
So I gets the four jollies and th^ cutu-r's crew all ahip-isbape, wbcn
I 'm bleH;i«d if a large row-boat didn't clap uie alongside afore erei I
an^l a Boul nigh hand; and unc on 'fdi — that's the pirate's, your
honor — catches me hould by the nape o' the neck to grapple wjth
me. ' Si Higtior,' says I, ' not these ten days !' and I wbipt ■ ball
through his skull, aa cured him for e>'er of the headache ; but he
held on his death-grip, and souse hr had me overboard. 1 felt hi*
IfUit struggle. I heard the grinding of hh teeth. He let go hts
hould ; and 1 'd juat time to swim to the schooner's ruddcr-chaiiu i*
1 got clear on him, or else I must have gone astam, and mayhap
lieriahed. The noise of the Bring put Sir. Shauginsea up to the
trick, and the boat was beat ofl'; but five or uz others tried to
board, some on the bowa, and some on the quarter ; but our brave
lads druv 'em away, thoui^h they laid off at a short distance, and
peppered ua with llieir ^mall arms, but without doing much execu-
tion, in the regard o' the dnrknens of the night.
" Well, there: was a bit of a breexe ftprnng up, and it blownl a tioU
in the fog alNift, and they cotclied Right of a row-bonl puiitng up
astarn. Now 8ome u' the boyo, by Muster Shauginsea's orders, haa
run out a couple o' canimnadoH from the starn ports, and they made
such a devil of a hulhibiiloo over my hnid a» I held on by the rudder
chains that they couldn't hear me hoi! for a rope till all was silent
just afore they were going to fire, and then the U-ftenant looks over.
* It's rac! Andy, your honor!' says I. — ■ Andy !' says he, ' what, doI
gone down ? They tould me you 'd walked ufT lu-m-in-arm with the
Spaniard.' — 'They tould ynur honour a <1— .<! He, thenVaays 1,
savingyour presence, gentlemen. ' Will you let some o' the lubbers
heave me a rope, sir ?' — ' Hould on, Andy,* savs he quietly, ' we
arn't gat time now. Lay that gun wellj boy ! — iteady - — Fire I' and
bang went bnth cannonadcfi tofrethcr. Sly eyes ! but there was a
scattering o' chips, and a screeching out, and ' She *b going down f
Hurrah, buys! toad away!' shouted the lef^enant. — 'Hand u8 the
etad of a rope, and be u— ~d to some on you !' says I ; but they
■eenied to have foruut mc in their hurry to load again, and ' Away,
forud, boys,' cries Alunicr Shuu^^iisea ; * the thieves ore boarding u>
on the bows,' Well, your honors, I fell quite tlubbergastrd to think
there was lighting going on, where every man's arm would tell, and
there was I, Andrew Nipper, floundering round the rudder-chain*,
of no maimer o' use whulsompver ; so I tries lu scrunble u]>, but it
was a hopeleiM consarii, and ' D — the dog that bit tlie barber,' says
I, ' if this arn't a rum go, anyhow !'^' Vou 're right, shipmate !' my*
a Toice just close aalarn o me ; and when I felt the hot breath OB
THE PIRATE CKAFT.
595
my nrck I 'm blesccd \f 1 didn't tliink it wot Davy Junes. ' Yt>-hoy f
wy* I, quite cuiiatrupt-ruubly ; ' wtiu lUv iltM-il iiia^v you be ?' — ' Ex-
nctly 90.' says the voicv, aild a haitd laid huuld 0' my shoulder. —
' Murder,' tninks I, ' if it should be the ould tinner arter all come
to Have his crat\, why then, Andy, it's all up with you V — ' What
cheer ? what cheer ?' says he, »boving u}j alongside o' me, and f;*'*'^
bintf houtd o' the rudder-chnins. ' l mv. brother, this is a decent
ntf^ht to Uike a could bath in ! Why, whiil the h — ore you looking
for ? rudder Hah f — ' It 's no u)*e l>einf; dnjinted,' thinks I, And, ' d —
his black muzzle, I never did him any spite!' ' It's not the likes o'
you I 'in locking for,' says I, 'that 's neither fish, flesh, nor fowl — '
— ' Nor eood red herrinf;,' be chimM in ; ' but, don't be ungry, ahip-
uiate. i ou am't one o' tbe itchooners, I take it? There, ude out
tor a bend, and give iis room to ittvin^.' — 'It 's just what I'd
wiih,' says I ; ' but I 'm thinking swinging 's too good for you, whe-
ther picaroon or devil.' — ' Come, 1 like tlut I* says he, laughing quite
unconsarned. ' Hut, I say, brother, what ship may you belong to ?' —
' Wily, that '« a civil qufbiiuii,' says I. ' oiiu nobody shiill niv I ever
giveu an oncivil a»»wer when properly spoken to, though Davy
Jones himself was to ax me. I belongs to the ould CUnkeoi, twenty-
eight — * — ' Commanded by Captain Killcrack,' says he. — ' The same/
•ays I, struck into a 6t of the doldrutna to find he knew the ei-afl ao
well, and still dubersonie in my mind whcthir it wurn't Davy Jones
nner all. ■ Do you know ihe Hooker?' axed l.-^' Vc^, brother, I
di>. well,' aaj-s he ; ' but I wiiJi they 'd throw us a rope.' — ' They 're
better engaged,' says I, quite bould, — for lying alongside of him bad
spirited me up,—' they 're better eng-iged, as yoa may hear ; unlcu,
indeed, they could drop a running Ixjwline, or a hangman's nooie
round your neck, for, I ukcit, you're no better than you should be,
or else you wouldn't be here.' — 'At all evenla I 've a companion,*
bays be quite softly and good-humoured. — ' And so/ thinks 1 to my-
f«ir. ' if it is the devil he doesn't mean me any harm by his fun.' —
' We 're overboard together, brother,' says he, ' and houlding on by
a Thundercloud, which is nest kin to hanging by the eye-lid». Natur
piaya us ntxange freaks, brutiier. at timc»; here we are safe and snug
from all danger, unless, indeed, an ugly customer of a abark should
be cruifing in the neighbourhood. I 'm saying, we 're secure whilst
there'» bloody work going on above, and many a poor fellow will
lose the number of lus mess. But, how came you uverbuurd?' —
' It wam't to look for my grog, kid,' ssjb I ; ' but, since you axes so
many qiiextions. pray wliat brought you a-«wimming to-iUffhtP' for
I thought I 'd try and find him out. — ' Revenge !' said he, — indeed
be almost screeched, — ' and, if I could ounly lay hould of a rope,
I il put Muster ShaujiinH^a up to a move or two.' Well, your no-
nori4. I fett quite conltu»tercaied when I heard him name the lefte-
nant'sname; but I 'm blessed if he didn't heave my ideas right «lan
abock when he adds, quite easy and insinivating, ' Why. I declare, if
It isn't Andy Nipper. You must excuse nie fur nut minding you
abre, in the regard o' thin being a rather out-of-tlie-way place to
nwHt one's friends." — 'Avast, ycr reverence I" says 1, • no mend o'
yuura, if yvu please, »e«ing as I defy you and all your works !' —
* Why, who the devil do you take ine for, Andy ?' says he, laughing
with as much glee as if it was a gtxHl joke. — ' Who do I take you
lor,'* says I, ' why. Davy Joma, to be sure!'— 'Capital!' says he, 'a
606
MIGHTS AT S£A.
most excellent ^eas ; and ain't you afeard f — ' Not a bit of it I' mv>
I. for I thougnt it be»l to speak out without fear, favour, or jiflVc-
tion ; ' not a bit of it, if your holiness will uunly ju«t ^ive m« s
■wider berth,' for he got scrtiMginj; agxin me »« if lie wranled to
ix)ui!e mc out o' tliot- 'Well, Aiidy.* »*iy« he, ' be as quiet am a
aurkiiii; biiliby ; iniiifartune* iiiitke uh actjuainted with str^tigc bed-
fellows," and he shouted, ' 'Pon deck, there ! give us ii rojic over the
itarn !' but the uproar of the firing and the fighting prrventc-d any-
body henring, and it struck me romical to think if it really waa
Davy, why he didn't whi*k up without » rii]>e- 'TiVell, Andy,' aays
hr, jiiNt a-4 MOdoth a« vaniish, ' there 'h nothing like patience in thi*
worl<l ; it raven a man from many vexations, and a vast expenditure
of animal spirits, as you miffht have proved, Andy, if, instead of
flying in a patwion with j^fanima Juno at Black-town, when she
robbed you of your ticker, you 'd taken it all easy.'—* Well. I 'm
bleu'd !' aays I ; ' but your excellency xeenis to know all about it.
anyhow, tliouf(h it putxles mycdccation to make out M-hyyou ttoiM
here, when you 've nunly to catch bould o' the lafTrcl. and jump nn
deck!' — *Do you think so, Andy ?* aays lie. 'Why, then, fiottd
b'yc !' and I 'm blcKscd if be didn't rise up out o' the water without
hardly a heffert, ounly he claps his thievi tig-hooks upon my shoul-
ders in goin^ ftloft, nnd shoves me undtr. When I tube, and shook
the spray clear u' my ilaylights, be was gone; but he 'd thrown s
rope's ^cend over, and in lees than no time I wa» in ihe middle of luy
sliipmiite». liut lighting had made sad havoc uinuiig 'eiu. Some of
my oulde«t nicssuiates laid bleeding on the deck, and the dead and
the dying everywhere met the eye. Mr. Shnuginsea stood leaninj;
against the conipanion-hatcb. liitt bead ilrooping down, and his
sword banging loosely in bis hand ; he was severely wounded, and
seemed partly onsensible to what was going on ; the poor little mid-
i>hiptnan was lying at his feet- JMuster Huiidsail wss at tlie long
gun, and by hiti side whs a tjiieer- looking genius uuinling it in a
new direclioii. ' Ha, Andy I' says he ; nnd I knew it was my cum-
punion of the rudder-chains. ' Here I am, you see. hard at iU Mus-
ter all bands, my boy, and get ready to jump in the boats T ] sup-
posed it was all right, seeing as he whs alongside of the officer.
' Bear a-hand, Nipper, my boy T says .Muster Ilandffiil ; and 'Ay,
ay, «ir!' says I, — for I know'd obedience to orders is best, let the
devil himself be the spoke«inan. No offence meant, your honniira.**
" Well, Andy, and pray who was the gentleman after all ?" in-
quired Mr. Parallel. " You 've been working a long rt^ckoning ; it
iH time we should know something; of the bearingis and distance."
"All in good time, ."(irj all in good time," returned Andy;
" pleaw let me spin my yarn my own way, unless your honours arc
tired on 'L"
" Oh no, Andy, heave a-hcad, my boy I" exclaimed Ccptun
Hawser, in which he was joined by the rest; " we won't intemipc
you ; steer your own course."
"■Thankee, — thxnkee, your honors!" said the veteran seaman,
Sulling out hifl " "bttcui"-bo»;, and repleni/ihirg bin quid. "Well,
' ye &ce, I mustered all b.-iiids ; but, out of forty, wt; could only
number five-and-i wenty efleciive, with Uirue or four not so badly
wounded but they might 'lend the schouner ; ao, arter firing the lou^
gun, down jumps Muster Ilaudsoil aud the stranger into the buata.
ri
4
I
4
THE PIHATE CRAFT.
897
I
I
■m! away we stretcheil out for the t-hnre. « hero, as we atiprrwched, I
»aw looming; in the hn7.r a lar^ liiiiltlinp like a barrackii, and then
1 Buppowcl we were coinff to Niomi it. The stranger took the pin-
nace, but Muster UaniJsail stuck by the cuitvr, and ' Be ready tn
board in the nmoke.* saye he. — ' If 1 may be to bould u» to ax, sir,'
uys I. ' pray, who is the HtTAnKe gentleman in the pinnace?*' — 'What,
don't you know him, Andy ?' sayg he j ' why, he '« the very devil !'
— ' That just tallte* with my idea on him. Muster Hanilfail,' uiya I,
more nor ever confurmed that it wh* uuld Davy.—' Howsomever,'
says I, 'it's no matter to me, itir, aa long as you're Mtiftfied/ —
' Huah, Andy !' saya he. ■ Keep in hi> wake, and nhove her note in
c1o«e to the pinnace as soon as she touches. By the powers, but
there's a few of 'cm waitinc for us '.' and, sure enough, the landing-
place twemed to be crowded. ' Keadv f shouted the stranger in the
pinnace. — ' All ready,' says Muster I^andiuii]. * Men, handle your
arms — Fire !' the thing was done in n moment. The Spaniards
gave a straggling volley in return; but, when the smoke had cleared
away, we run on to the bank, furiueil in an instant, ami Liiled on for
the building : but tliere was nu one tu siup uur prugret>s. The place
was deserted, and so we soon set it in a blaze.
"Well, while this wa§ going on, the strantter disappears; but
when the light began to fliire up, he shows himself almost in the
middle of it, shouting out for us to extinguish the Hames, for he
wam't by wlien they set it on Gre. Butf Lord love you ! he might
just as well have tould us to clap an extinguisher on the xun as to put
out the conAagaration, the place 1>eing buih of thin, dry womi, that
htased, and crackled, and burnt like fury. ' What can he be doing
there?' said Aluater Ilsndsail, 'some devil's trick or other.* — 'No
doubt on it, sir,' says I ; ' at alt events he 's more in hia nat'rat Iwle-
ment now than when he was floundering undcrthe schooner's counter,
and be d— to htm !' — ' Andy !' says a voice whispering close to my
ear, and m> I turns -short round, and couldn't see nobody. ' Andy !'
it came ajrain, 'show yourself a man if you have a heart, and follow
me! — 'Rather not, your reverence,' sars I, without turning my
heail, as I know'd him.- — ■' Plenty of rum,' aiiys he. — ' Can't touch it/
says I, paying out as big a lie as ever I tould. — ' 1 shall score you
one for that,' says he, and then it Ktiuck me how useless it waa to
think to cheat uuld BeUebub. — 'Come, nonsense, Andy !* says he,
' I want tu catch that wagabone tluef. Uluebloaes: bring three luinds
with you, and I II see you get the rewanl. Follow me, Andy !' —
' What 's the use »' U-ing afcard ?' thinks 1 t" inywif- ' Who knuwi
but the ould chap niity BUnd my frit-nd u|Km a |iinoh.' and so I
Oiafceit sail arter him. — ' Where '• the other hand*?' axrs he ; 'but,
never mind, %*alk silently, and keep clo«e to me.' So wr giies mumi
tu the rear of the buililing, where the bu«h was prMty thick,
and dived down right underground intn a dark passage. ' Stay
here, Andy,' says he, 'and if anybody ofT^-rs to come out, take hira
alive if you cati ; and, if he shows fight, shinrt hira. And now,* add.
r<i he very solemnly, 'May Und Almighty assist my aenrcht' —
' Then you am't tht* ilevil?' savs 1, quite gleeaome to hear him t
nnunce the great Name, which none «' ihem infurnal genius a
utter. ' Xo. Andv,' says he; 'but I haven't time to talk tn y
now. HjUoo I who goes there?' and he daahed onwards, and
heard the footsteps of two persons running. Now the passage worn .
KUtBTS AT 8EA>
i-
to
■)mat Mwett ker|i
the
dnnks I ts
and tfaen I cfaalt
gtttvu. 9o 1 fokmayhtad oat o' the miA,
md irrtfl my badr hdf-wsr ap. Eke ■ TeUow ertKpiag thnrnf^ lab-
ks'* hck. and foofcs at am firr. which was biasing away iiMn%,
^ri I HH ri||4it in the miildle of it a tst of large vquare towvr, thtf
look'd »omr'ut like ■ dlhablj, eaniy it ww so big ; and prrcnttT
two hatnui bdngf ismed tram the very lop of it, frrspplinK wit^
cedi other, and ■trugglinfr foe the lailii i. Our on 'cm J mno
diaktvered to be mr irurty of tbr raddcr-^nn*. *nd the other wu
drcM'd in « Kptuiiin drpm, verr dtrtr «od torn- Ft was an Awfa)
^■ectaclp, yotir hrmnr*, to tre thrm. w^uljt the destmcttvc b^emem
«M ntttittf; all arniind, and the Aftnief aMppfag like coach-whipi
right in their vrry fncea : I 'm nrin^- it «*§ an awfal spertarlr to
aee 'rm itrlving to uke each ocbn's life. Vint oae, and then the
other, wiw lieni heck over the baiaany adie% as Uieir armt wen
twinrd tof^ethtT whh n convaharc dMdi that nothing but deaA
could looMii, «iid wich nltenutdjT oblaiMd eihrBDti^. Their face*
were imniml with hlnod and powder, and the; louked fearfulljr
terrific u thry wrcetleil upon thai anall debated spot, hanging be
twixt lif'r mid drnth. 'He's no Dwry June*, thjrt 's for wrtb,'
thought 1. 'and yon he's oontcndiiig with niua be the skipper of
the RctwHiner, who they tay it one of Davy's nat'ral child^r. At all
event« I 'II try whether he '« fle»h and blood if I can but Rct a goad
aim.' ft(t I cliipfillic butt of my mu»ket to my shoaUer. ftteadies the
burrcl iiixm thi- mirth, juiti junnts the muzsle at the object. Two or
three time* I §lijfht]y prc-Kse*! the trigger, a» I thoojfht I 'd corered
bim ; but tlio MtriingiT boUbrd in the- way, and happily the trigger
wan a uliff 'un. At la«t tlie »lranger. by a •hift of the hand as uuick
as lightning, s«iited Hlueblaxes by hifl *>haggy hair, and bent his bead
back over the flanies. It was a captital mark, with a strong dear
light bchinfl it ; and, though the heads wam't more nor nx tnchet
apurt, I lets fly, and there was a wild wreech that I didnt ore
about, but it was followed by a laugh—oh, to horrible that it made
my blood run could 1 and then there was a hearty cheer from all
hands t' other m\e of the liitilding. 'You Ve dune Bume'ut, Andy.'
saTH I to mvteir. ' Mnyhnp aimed «t ould Nick, and hit the paraon.
Well, I did it for the beivt.' So, when the smoke cleared away, I
louked at the chinihlv ; but there wss nobody there. Both on 'em
was gone ; and, whifBt 1 was a-thinking about it, I beard two per'
wns (for they were talking) coming alung the paeuge. * Tben iJ
didn't hit him at laMt?' Kiiys I, and, dropping mv muitket, 1 oidtlf
(HI* of my pistols, and stretched myself out on the long grass juM
by the hole, so as to command a good sight of it ; and the next
ihitig E hears the stranger's voice calling, 'Andyt Andy I wh(
are you. my boy ?' and out he comes. ' It 's here I am," says I, ris
up,' 'Where's Blueblazcs ?' — ' The villain !' screeched he; ' I 're
been revenged; both his soul and his body are in the flames; and.
ooulit 1 tell who it was that fired that shot, a hundred guineas should
k. liU r. wjird." — ' Hand it over, then,' says I, ' for it was sweet-lIfB
iiting to my musket, ' that never sent a ball ontme. Bat,
t hit htm r' says I. — 'Can this be true, Andy?' saya hr.
^ '^1 vou or any one else whataoniever ever know'd me Id
^^^^ -^ „v r — ■ 'iljr reward shall be yours. Andy,' says he. — • Obm*
THE PIRATE CRAFT.
599
tnon!' thinks I, 'you don't seem to be worth tiippenw.' — 'Come
farth, my lovp,' says lli-*, looking down the umlergniiirKl runnel ; nnit
I 'm blessed il'ttKTc warn'l » beautiful young crcatiir Ptrctehinff out
her hands to fiiiu I'ur u help up, and »o hv gives her a lil\, and catches
h«r in his arms : imd, my ryes, but he sarved out the kiEsve in grand
fltyle ! But she couldn't tpexk a word ot'Kngli^h, being of t'oreign
build ; — I think she was French."
" She was, Andy," said Captain Hawser, " and as lovely a girl »a
ever led a pour oevil into a xcrnp^'. Hhe was a native of Frnncei
located at ot. Domingo; hut I won't heave a-head of your story,
Andy— tell it your own way."
" Well, your honours, we bore up for t'other «de of the build-
ing," continued the narrator, " and then the stranger aayii to
Muster Ilandsail, snyi he, ' The lads have done wrong to fire the
building. — it will draw enemies fVom all parts; though, JfKiltcrack
8ee« it, and I make no doubt he doen, we shall hnve more assistance
from the frigate. But come, bear a hand, my boya : let 'a man the
boata, and flee afVer Air. Shauginsva and the schooner ' This devil's
nest is destroyed, however, and the sooner we're off ilie hetier.' —
' Which boat will your lorxlship have?' axed Muster HaiHWit. quite
reapectfuUy. And • Wheew !* whistle<l I. • here "s a pretty kellle o'
f»h I 've made of it ! but I 'm blessed if I mayn't log down tny hun-
derd guineas as safe enough, anyhow I' And so I goei> up close to
him, and looks hard in bis fac« as the blading light fell broad upon
it, and, thcmgh I hadn't awn him i*incc he was a midshipman, I 'ni
blowed if I didn't know him directly — it was I^rd C— ford. ' I
■hall go in the cutter with Andy,' My« he. And ' God bless your
lordship!' says J, * to go for to thnik I Hhould take you for — '
' Never mind, Amiy,' «»y« he; ' get your boat rt-ady, my Iwy, and
do your l>est for the laoy.' — ' That 1 wuU, my lord," says I ; * but
ounly think — ' ' Hear a hand, Andy,' says be; and then he tuma
to Muster Ilandsail, ' Take the pinnace, young gentleman, and
•hove off for the schooner.' Well, your honors, in a few minuica
we were all afloat again, and pulling up in shore ; but the tide had
changed, and so we stood Imuldly off, and we found poor Aluster
Shauginsea stretched on the deck alongside of the youngster, and
■we got him into the pinnace, and M-t the schooner on fire fore and
afl; anil I'm bleit^ed if the burning didn't drive out a couple a
Spaniards tliat had stowed themselves down in the run, and we
made prisoners on 'em. ' Put one on "em in the pinnace,' aays his
lordship, * and, young gentleman, make him pilot you out. If he
rsAlfet, or plays you tmicheruuftly, shoot him like a dog. Andy,
clap the other in the cutter, and leave me alone to manage him.' So
he speaks to them in KjMiiish, and shows 'em hi* pistols, and then
they were handed into the boats, and their arms braced slap attack ;
to, being all ready, and the flames climbing iin the schooni-r's inaNts
and rigging, we gave three cheers, and snored off. Now, I *d
picked up aome spare duds n' jacketa on the deck of the craft,
and mode a nice comfortable seat for the latly, and his lordship
paaaed his arm round her waist, and she laid her head on hia
shoulder, and they looked as happy as two cherrybums. We'd tlie
tide in our favour now, and in a very rhort time we iUnce<l out into
the o|M>ii sea, and tliere laid the frigate at anchor with brr lighta up ;
for the fug hod quite cleared away, and the moon was stepping out
V>VSWT.
U-.
ajBuitick* >t»U there «« a foir pleMHoC warm brettc * Sm
. itatt ihr pittnacr, mj mcoi,' ■»« hts liirdafa;^ w
iDt) bi- roq*«i^ iiuT a!] r^vd}- foT thc woundM tkc ■
..> . my Udi.. * >* Aad I 'm bleMcd if m
.111(1 MM* 1>*'^^ i inn*e«> wbejg we co«ld kMi
< tfrooftifii;. and wr wrnmt ^MHf ^noutcs in |cnH(
1,...J C lord ran opAe |b«»k«bj> aad prnendrlv
r i-mme amd 'intAi* mvr. jod tlicre «■• oram fir'^
' Never namA.' tmn kw laiiahi|i : ' JaKft can get ifaaHd
Uinj{k :' and to be «mhs Anrb into tbr fcaac. and with btfh
iiiotiiiu the ndr^i^a, and Rta *m lisck likea ''^JUf-
I SluiuftiiHcta ^Hctaff tinw in danfcr, aod at 1mI«b
';iii<.-; liui I ft 1WMI InM MDce ihf. wkao be wsiCm
■■: N rnit«tr ttwi toid «at at DeptfiK<d ; bat lie dM
Tlir pnoe hnl* MiAAaiawn waa bvried w«tb miliwy
^'orl Uojal. and die dead aramcv (ror we broo^taw^
utd woutwleil) were «ewed up in their hanUBOckf* tmt
■-<> ilie deep. Mr ete* ! bet we 'd plenty of |r^ tfc<
:m> wntcb ; and I got tax hunderd jxuinesa as snug at ■
There, your hunors. is a bit frf" a ymra ; and no*.
I>uin Hawser will tail on to it, and tdl yoa bow hit
priK
hoiS
^ Miie to be there.'
" With All the plca-siirc in life." said the captain clicerAiIIj, " pnK
vMf.! that it is a|;n.t-sblc to all haods."
V -L^v «kJK-iit wi» given.
Mui \ luy, Nipper," exclainked Mr. Parallel, who in all
«^ & lurt uf matter-of-fact man, " ] uy, you haven't told ui
Mf !ar>Uhip went aloft from the nidder-cbains tn the utTraiL"
" Su tuore I arn't." returned Andy : " but 1 can, sir. for I axed
hit lurtlnJup. and he uid wmebody threw it, ur eomchow or other a
Tvpe came over tlie >tam — ^it was the eend of the boom-aheet ; and
».- ' ; ■ 1 WHS thinking uf sonieut eUe, and was rather bothered
k'< ^ >, JmieH, he urnha huiild without my seetttg it, and acMuef
nhiUt he went up hand over liand, and when he was oo
KJi it down Again for me."
.;(hhI, An<ly, — very good," rejoined the master; "and
u- '. ..liu IlawMrr, if you'll pica&e to favour us, I'm %n at-
t«l>LlMII,'*
80NNKT TO
Wnilk fonning o'er the Uyi of oMmi time,
I rtod or forms in poesy rcliearsed ;
UMortptioni. bom of love, by piMioai nuned.
And l»eaiity. sliadOM'd fonh in iclowing rhyme, —
'I'krM- lil'ir-^ik).- t'htirnis invoked in lliouf^hii Mihtime,
t'.iul>u«d with such inliMtse bui holy tire.
\Au<v, 10 my iict*|tUr I'Ciuan, jiiciumj iben
At lo^-e-lorn riivin);? of the poet's lyw,
ijt 'Mpriice* 100 jnirr for rwilal koD.
', ' Jislxliri'of ihf poetic <]uire1
iiu dT doubt ! — dirtruM of nature's skill,
< <i,:ni hiivt-ra|it my veiM viiion atdl,
tUk II 1HH wakeu'd on thai nar-gemnt'd ni^ht.
^Ikah niv hnglit hranlji bum upon ony Kight.— -W. 11. W.
001
GRIFFON E,
A TALB OV Tan PSNIHSOLA.
I
I
I
ClIAITEK THE FIRST.
IDT.-COLONRI. MAPIBR, AtrTHOR OP TOR UIBTOHV OP '
"TIIK PKNIN5lrl,AK WAtl."
At a short dixtiince from Celorico, and higli up on ifif »tecp
«ide of a nioutitain which curves in such a msiiner as tii fomi Jt
profound basin, stands the village of l>es Iras, which is the
most heaulifid iti the world.
The houses, better built than the generality of PortUKiiwe
hahitntions, do not stand contiguous to each other, but arc cast
in groups most picturesque without ami clean und cool within.
A spring of water, large enough for the head uf a river, gushes
out of a rock just above the villngc^ and pours through till the
streets in clear gurgling streams one or two feet deep even in
•ummer ; uad thev are so full in winter, that the doors of the
houses open upon pathways rnised six, and. in some places a*
much as ten feet high, to protect the villagtTR fntm the frusheK.
Vines* trained on slender rods which btretch from rixif to riKif
Bcrowlhestreetf fomi an awning of the richest hues, and, besideii
the beauty and pleasure of the fruit, which hanging in heavy and
richly-tinted cltii^ters tempts the hand to gather and the mouth
to taste, this many-coloured covering keep^ out the sun^ and
softens the fierce climate to a delicious teai|x-rature.
Here and there, alM>, arc open spaces adorned with natural
fountains, and waterfalls, and archways, and groltoes, woni
through huge masses of a porphyry-coloured satidstone by the
never-cc-asine streams. In fine the whole village is a labyrinth
of vine^ and trees, and houses, and fantastir rocks, with every-
thing that is )>relty and fretJi, and everything that i» sublime
in form, to delight the eye: to excite the imagination, and lo
cost the mind into a state of vohipiuous sensibihty. All around
are objeclu of pleasure to meet the Right. Stately cork-trees,
giant chestnuts, and pnlriarch oaks abound ; and amidst grapes,
and oranges, and mitll>erries ntid pomegranates, and irregular
niasM.-s of houses diH)KHie<l in the most delightrnl inantK-r, the
pretty peasant girls are lo be seen, dreM^cd ni bright blue and
red, or yellow, after the numner of the country, now saunlering
with a slow pace along the windings and wooded |MithwiiyH, now
Mopping to converse in groups, or gathering round the fotitf
tains in graceful attitudes to wash or spread their linen, while
the air rei«ounds with the warbling of birds ami with the clear
musical voices of the girls singing, — sometitneti »ingly, and
■onietimea in chorus.
Tx)ok down the mountain, and the eve faiU to pierce the da
abyw; but sli^t silvery streaks uf light mark the course
the waters ns they wind and Inmble througli the ihirk-Htatidti
VUL^ III. '2 T
COS
GRIFFON B.
chccLiiut and ilex trees, winch hang in heary umhragnius masMs
on tlie sides at tlie basil), the rirh green and broirn tiois of rheir
foliaM deepening into liUckness oa they descend, until dtj
itself is lost in tbt' gulf below, from which, howcrcr, on afrreeoUe
huiOt u if from Ken tliou^ntl swarms of bees, comes u^ wttli «
sootlitiijT sound.
IamV. up, and the eye encounters enormous f;rev slate rocki,
peering alwve the tops of the Irifiit*t trees, while, Aij^b orcr *U,
the huge Kfltrella peak thnuf^h %rcral miles distant appetn
a purt of the mountain on which the village stands, and to nif^
that it would seem an iiutstretclwd hand might take snow fnxD
itti hoary head.
Ttii* i? the Talley of " Dm /rn*," which means the Valley
of Wrath.
U is so called lirciinse formerly a wizard, being uflended
vith the baroD of the valley, foretold a violent death, at a cer-
luiii Iwur, for the lord's son. To evade this prophecy, tlir
babe WHS put by itx parents into a tower without doors, ^n^^
yarded with the utmost care; but it was nevcTthele«« kille^H
at the fated tiniu by the malignant wizard, who, changed into^^
serpent, wont up in a basket of provisions, and thus fulfilled
his own prophocv. 1'he lord went mud and disappeared, the
lady died of grief, ami the tower was thrown to the grnund bj
a thiimlerbolt. Nunc know what became of the wizard, but
was said be o>ul<I never recover his human shape again,
that he glides perpetually in the gloomy hitllowii of the
below. And ever since tliat time a " (hijhtie,'" supposed to he
the lord, comes every fourth year to the valley of Des Iras, and
remaios for one month. He generally sit.s upon a large branch
of one enormous tree ; lie is very stately to look at, and very ro
lancholy, but at certain periods of the night he sails slowly oki
the dark basin will) ut-ontinual moaning, and finally, horerir
for a time over the place where the lower stood, givt-s two lou(
shrill, threatening cries, and returns to his tree. He is a fierce
enemy tu »" snakes, pouncing upon and tearing thcui to pit
mtd he carries a ring of gold upon his right leg, with an in«crif
liou purpnrling thai he had Ivcen once caught at Constantinople
Whi'lhiT he escaped from confinement, or was purposely Uh«^
l^ttxl, is not known ; but he conies every fourth year without
^ |^« llie valley to sail over the gulf, and to make Jiis moon.
Iv the year 1810, just before Massena's array entered For.
^IgtfX A" V'tigiish otiiccr, who had been wounded in the batde
^^ i'tui, was Fent to this beautiful and retired village to re<
.^health, and while there a lively Portuguese boy tdd
»iory of the wizaidand the lower, and said hvhadlu9-
t« "( Iriffmte" who would certaiidy come again in a inoaUl*
.t,tt the fourth year had now arrived. Being laughed
, i(\>t very angry, and, n-peating his assertion, drew a
, ^fliflin such as they have them on the coach-panda
a, ine
tid bji^
huiM
I. aodH
ban^
o he
and
uxh
ove^l
'^'^fl^l
ouOfjH
ercc
iece«^^
<npH
■opleH
Uh^
ORtPPONB.
in Ty>mlon. ITr said that wan the shnpc and msnnc-r of the
bird whicli he had wen, and that the officer should &ee it oImj.
if he wuuM wail for a month in the valley. He knew a vul-
turc* he natHt and an eoglo, — and well he inif^ht, for there were
thotisands of them in that neigh buurhood, — but they were not
like " Grifone."
The invailin^ French army came up so eoon aftpnrardu, that
the officer never bow this wonderful oird ; yel he did not the
IcM prove in hia own person that the time fur strangL- adven-
tures in the valley of^ wrath had not yet possed away. Hi«
wound was in the hip, and, as it was still npeii, he was unable
to walk much, and used, for want of othet- empluymenl, to
fiasfl many hourit sitting on one nf the natural benches of stone
istoning lu the Miund of the fountnin» around him, and either
admiring the extreme beauty oi the place, or pondering in his
memory the many talcs of love and danf^ which he bad
rend in Spanish romances and of which his uell-»tored memory
was very tenaciou*. It was moreover his habit so to abittraet his
mind on such occasions, that he nctuallv at times believed
himself engnm'd in Mich adventures, and was nt-arlv as mud as
Don Quixote himself. Indeed everythinf; that coutd excite a
young imagination worked in Mk brain. At one moment, intent
upon the war then raging, he saw nothing but French grena-
diers, with their fiery eyea, large niustachios, and r«I lasselted
shacos; at another the beautiful scene before him was tilled
with genii and nymphs, .tnd knights and fairies, with whom he
loved to converse, while the material world vanished altogether.
One day, being deeply immersed in reveries of thin nature,
he was startled by a half-siippre«aed laugh, and lix>king up,
beheld the arches and o|ienings in the rocks around filleuwith
female faces, all lightctl up with «niles, and sparkling eyes,
fuch as he h:<d in his waking <lreams given to imagitiarv
nymphs. For a moment he thought it an illusion: but (he
laugh repeated on all aides convibced him that it was a
charming realitVi ind he sprang forward from his seat to lake
a nearer view of thew joyous beings of the grottoes. Aliis !
hit wound broke with the exertion, a stream of blooti flowed
down his hide, the «udden pain deprived him of power, and
he sunk down again ut the foot of the seat he had so Imstily
quitted. A cry of fear and pity was immediately raised by
tne beings who had thus so strangely and suddetdy ap|K-ar>
ed. Olid the next instant he was surrounded by eijfiil ur nine
lovely Portuguese girls, from thirteen io seventeen years of
age, and, by their ore**, evidently not peasants. Their heads
were crowdeil about him ; their long tretwes, ewnpiiig from con-
finement, fell upon hi& arms and sboulders; their eager luiads
helped him up; their large dark eyes glistened with umri, and
Iheir musical voices continually uttered words of condulencu
and sorrow, such as, ** Aitttta tritte" — " CoUadinho,*' — "/*oAfr-
;/«Ao,"— " AVrt ferithr—*" Senltor Caikj," — " Caboano* &c.
2 T 3
6M
GBlFFo^e.
That ia to my, " verr sorry," — " piK>r tliiiifr,'" — " tlt*ar little fvl-
low," — "be is woundefir^'SMr. (_'orp<iral," — " ]>i>or little cor-
poral."
While thus supported, the officer, who shall he henceforth
colled Guillclino, had no desire to a]>(>ear ntronKi-r thsii lie realty
wiu, and he Kaiit-d mid m-Hiied with all pt>sMbtu languor U|>ua
thnr assisting arms ; but his military pndc wan hurt at beiii^
called a " Huic corpomi^* for he was (all ; and, beinj; at that
time unacquainted with Napoleon's cugnouifn, rulher einpho-
lically assured the ^rls that lie wai> a explain. 7'hey* linwever*
would not believe him, for his wardrobe was but ill furnished,
his epaulrtleN werv not un, and his clothes, being the atone he
had worn in the action where he received his wound, were
fttun«d in various places with blood.
"J./) .' j\h3, nai ! ^0 sta capitao, — Sia cabociiw; — SlaJ^erido*
No captain : lie is a little curptiral. Puur little corptiral .' —
he is wounded r they all exclaimed at once; and half in
earnest, half in froltC) tltey supported biin to his quarters^
which were close by, and then, biudinp adieu to ** Senhor Cabo*
citio" they left liitn.
That night the ulTiecr slept little, and when he did sleep
lie thought he heurd voices at times re|)eating the words •*Caio,
caiMcino,'^ which he vainly endea%-oured to turn into capitao.
The next raomiuc ho put on his epaulettes very osteDtatiuualy
and r(>paired to his haunt near the fountains, hoping that he-
luoked pale and inlercstin^r enough to attract the nymphs again.
But none of the wavward ereaiurcs apfH'ared ; and us lie was
unable to walk much be got upon bis horse, a little 6ery clie^t-
uut barb full of fun and wickedness, and who took a strange
delight in running open>niuuthcd after all the ducks, and gwee^
and hens which happened to cross his |}ath. This propensity,
it is true, luid been encouraged and fostered by his rider, wlio
wa5 et]ually fond of throwing the jerced, that is to say the lonjf
cxne uf tlie country, at the screaming feathered bipeds. Bui
the horse tuuk tii the sport kindly; and with a sure foot, and
bU signs of gladness, would dart at full speed along the narrow
winding root-tangled paths of the mountain, suorting, and
champing, and turning', and jumping, and prancing, on tJie
edge of the most abrupt declivities, in a way that to anybody
unuctjuaiuCed with bis temper and agility, would »een) very
dangerous.
Mounted on this little fiery animal, the officer felt certain
that he should quickly dtseover his fair laughing acquaintances,
and had little doubt that he should eaitily persuade bis intel-
ligent hor»e to hunt petticoats as eagerly as hens. The tir«t
day, however, he failed entirely ; and on his return, a new od-
Teiiture cha^etl the reniembrance of the old one cleaii out of
his head,— 'for hitherto it had gone no further or deej»er.
When he had dismounted and entered his quarters, he was
surprised to find his servant, an eccentric Irishman, sitting
605
down in the entrance-room, coverinj^ his face with his hnnds,
nnd r|uitc sfleol. After Mfvoral questions as to the caiiH> of
this unusual mode of behaviour bod beeo put vithout beincf
aDswcreil, the oHicer took him by the shoulder, and demanded
rather muchly what he meant. Whereupon Fagan, such was
his name, lifting up a countenance ail bruinnl and bloody, said,
*'lfyou ehuuse to let the padret murder niej how i:an I an-
swer you ?"
"What do you meanT
" Why. I atn hilt by the padres .'"
Now, thcflc padres, as ho called them, And as they shall con-
tinue to be called, were three brothers, apparently the masters
ufthehiitiw. The eldest was, however, a soi-<iisaiit ca.\Ha\n of
militia, and generally wore a larfje old brass-hillvd sword, and
n huge cocked hat. The second brother called himself a padre
cura, or jiarish priest. The third was a mendicant friar. 'I'hey
had Ikx'n all three especially civil and attentive to the officer ;
but their li>uks, and some accidental circums lancet, had con-
vinced the latter that they were ferwioua, passionate men. He
had therefore avoided intercourse with them as much as polite-
neT>5 and decorum towards his ho^ts would permit, ana they
in return had shown no inclinatinn for greater intimacy.
It appeared that the Sieur Fagan, naving, like his master,
a taste lor conversing with nymphs, and not l>eing so fastidious
as to require fountains and f^rotloes for accompaniment't, had
been paying soft coniplimetits to the kitchen-nuiid, not more,
however, than custom, and the rules of the service, — which good
soldiers, (and be was a very good one,) never neglect,— de-
manded. But the M>ldier\ notions of etiquette did not at all
square with that of the padret^ and they had oonsL-(|ucntly
faJlen upon Fagan. The captain and the prient held him, while
the friar beat his Iwad with a garden-hoe.
When the utiicer hearti this talc of outrage, and saw proofs
of part of the accusation in the bruised fice o{ his servant,
who was a vury good ft-llow, he became indignant: moreover
his temwr was a little crossed by the bad success of hts
chaae after the nymjihs, and he had alno b itecrel sym{)Athy
with Kogan, upon whom it was evident the beating reallv
weighed little in compari^JU of the bad (tgiire he had made
in the eyes of the kilchcn-muid. The onirer, 1 say, hiding
a rapid traiti of associations under cover uf a just anger,
walked abruptly into a parlour where the padres were at
dinner, there leaning on the high liack o{ an old oak diair,
demanded, in bad I'drhiKUCM", why they hail 111-ukxI bin ner-
vanu All three rose, and with that violent gcstieulBtton and
vociferation which are uommnn to their uountrvmen, Inrgor •••
justify tlK'mselves; l>ut whether from {msmou or ea;;eriie*
their language and manners made the ollicer thiuk ihej
to tnaidt him, rather than riinkc amcntU fur their previc
rage ; whcrefure be ra»hly menaced them.
606
GBIFFONE.
In an instant the utiguvernecl ferocity of their tempers
(leveluficd with astounding vioitna;. 'l"he ca{>tain jumped for-
ward and seized his great bmss-hilted sword, nrriving vainly
to draw forth the rusty blade; the priest swore vehemeutly ;
tiic friar, who was on the farthest side t>f tht.* table, snatched
up a carving-knife, and rushing round came close in to the
cinciT's side, and without a word endeavoured to »tab him.
Fortunately the latter had his eye fixe<l u\toi\ the ligcr-lilm
nwtiuns of the enemy, and lifting up the oak chair upon which
he was leaning, felled the Mvage with a blow ; the crash
was great, for Hie old chair tlcw into a ihuuKand pieces, with a,
luud crackling noise and much dust ; and the friar swore gal-
lantly as he went down.
Tl'ie officer was now in some danger, for be had no weapon,
and his wound would not lot him move with the activity tiece:^
sary to avoid the assault of »o many furious vnemtvs : but at
that moment tlie indignant Fagan and hiscolleague the batman,
the latter a lorgc-handcd long-armed Yorkshiremao, jumped
into the n;oni and restored the equilibrium. A brilliant
charge against the padrrs took place, and the eldest brother'is
sword was beaten out of hiit grasp ; but he got hold uf an uld
gun which was hauging upon the wall, and, jiresenting it at
the b&tman, drew the trigger. Fortunately it mi»5cd tire;
whereupon, exclaiming, ** tSo sta bom,*' — It is not good, — he
very deliberately commenced hammering the flint with a key
which he took out of his pocket. Before he could readjust
his piece, the Yorkshireman knocked him down, and took the
gun away. NcvLTthcless the Ixittle still raged, for the mendi-
cant friar had recovered him.sclf, and though the Engli»h
fought stoutly, according to their wont, the otiicer^s wound and
weakness rendered him nearly useless after the first blow ;
and the padres, being strong lusty fellows, full of courage*
were likely enough to win the day; there was also danger of
succour coming io them from without; — in short the prospect
was not cheering.
Happily, the village contained few or no male inhabitants ;
the whole of the men had been called out on service, either as
militia or ordenuncatt or to aid the commissioners in conveying
provisions. And fortune, strange to say, being for once more
favourable to the army than to the church, brought ut this
criticid uiuuietit a. foraging party of soldiers near the house.
The screams of women wilhoul, the yells and swearing of men
within, together with the clatter uf the tight, soon attracted their
attention : and their appearance at once put an end to the battle.
The padrct jumped out of the windows, and with surprising
agility scaling a garden wall ut ttrast twelve feet high dis-
appeared in the woods behind. Nu pursuit took place, and
the officer, having first entreated of thcM^reauiiug womai nt the
door (ajuoug&t whom, alas \ he could not discern his nymphs,)
UHIPl'ONH.
fi07
lo difpente. as no fartlicr iighti'ug was likely to take place*
commenced lucking up hJa baggage, not thinking it either ^fe
or decorous to contioue his lodgement in the house after having
bealeu the owners.
His preparations were completed, his Ita^age-nuilos brought
round to the door, and he was moving off in ofl'ended dignity,
when three ladies, the eldest not more than tweaty. none of whom
he had ever before seen, suddenly came out of a Hide room
and saluted him with formal Portuguese poHlencjis, They
nsked if he were hurt or tired, and showed an earneslneas bf
manner and an interet^t in his proceedings, fur whieh it puz-
zled him to account. The next mstant obcetTing his baggage^
they hoped that he was not going awav. He answered, " Not
from the village, only from the house.'^
"And why from the house, smhor?" said the youngest of
the three. " Is there anything here that ofl'ends you ?"
'^ Nothing now, certainly ; yet it would not Ik* right to stay
in the house of persons with whom I have been 6ghting.''
** But you will not do so: this is my bouse, and you are my
deliverer."
" How is tlial, scnhora?"
" No matter Iiow ; but it is so."
** Are you then a relation of tlic men with whimi we have
been quarrelling ?"
** No, scnhur, no relation, but their victim. This house is
mine, — these ladies are my cousins. We were alone, without
protection, when those accursed and false men, taking advantage
of the times, came here, got possession of our house, and made
us prisoners. You have driven I hem awav, and 1 am grateful,
and earnestly desire you to stop here. 'This liouse is yours.
It is yours in justice as an English officer wounded in defence
of my country, and it is more especially yours as uiy juuticulBr
deliverer and the restorer of ray rights.*'
Seeing that the officer smiled rather iricredulouslv, her beau-
tiful face f]u<>hed, her eyes sparkled with anger, and she eagerly
exclaimed, '^ It is true. I say it, and it is so ! Yes ; this i»
my house, and it is yours. Order your baggage back, and do
nic the honour to sup with mo this evening. Then 1 will bring
some of my neighbours to meet you, who will testify that what
1 say is true."
To refuse <iuch an invitation woa impossible; Don <ii)il-
lelino, although he was still incredulous, and thought it unwii>i.-
to stop in the bouse, could not for^^o the pleasure of pursuing
the adventure. Wherefore, accepting the invitation to the
supper, he at the same time declared his residulion to change
bit quarters, at least for the pn>sen1 , excusing the ungallaiit
decision on the ground of giving the ladies time to arrange
their affairs after the flight of the pndres.
" iiut, Svnbor Cspilao,"— fvr, unlike the nymphs of the
tiws, Bhe did not mistake him fur a corporal, " the enemy wiU
return if nobody remains to proU'ct ur."
Her »miU> wils enchanting ; but the officer replied with af-
fected coldnesK, " No> Mrnbora, — tii>, Bcnhura, be nut alarmed ;
1 will remain in tlic vicinity and do myself the honour of visit-
ing yon every day. Yea, yes, be assured you shall be pro-
tectcd."
She wa;) not pleased : but Don Guillelmo had still a lurkinj^
suspicion that l)>e wbule affair was a ruse of the padres. And he
was reKolved to pmceed cautiotihly. A few hours aftertrardl
he was informed that supjier was ready for him, and he waa
ready for the supper ; fur having considered that three hand-
some young ladicH ini^ht W even more dangerous to meet than
three wicked parfr«, he carried with him two very young giib-
alterns of his company, who. being quartered at a neighbouring
village, had heard of ihc fight with the usurpers, and came juit
in time to mix in the advcnfiiic. Thus accompanied, he went
to the lady, who received him and his friend vtry cordially and
politely. All this was neither very gallant nor romantic : but
then Outllelmo was not yet in luve, the story was sutipicious, the
affair had begun seriously, and war occupied his thouglitfc at
least as much as gallantry. The subtlety and re\*engeful pa*-
sions of the Portugue^ were well known to him, and he liad
no desire to run the risk 6f being assassinated, or perhaps en-
tanglcil in such a manner that n. charge of outrage made si
head^juarlers could only be rebutted before a court martial <
and, in the least disagreeable of tliCHe supiiuseit cases, the dan-
gers and the glories of the coming campaign would have been
lost to him.
The sup]H?r was not only well, but elegantly gni up: there
was abundance of the wines of the country, and even of chani-
{wigne, and olhi-r delicacies which couhl ^urarcely have heco
procured in a large town. How these were obtained, or whence
tliey came, it was hard to say, but the Portuguese had cu-
rious hiding-places. Several very agrei'able women had l>eea
invited, aniF tlic ladies of the house, now as cautious and pru-
dent as the officer, had also brought the padre cura of the next
village, a venerable and good old lively man, to preside over the
festi\*ity. The wine moved briskly, the conversation was plea-
liant and animated; but the two younger ulGcers, not believing
one word that the captain had told them, conclu(le<l all was meant
for the display of his bonne fori utie^ and mindful of the intent for
wluch they theniselves had come, made love so earnestly to the
two cousins, that the venerable padre cura^ although hin)s<>tf
innocently gay and debuuu'tr both by nature and from the
effect of the wine, frowned once or twice upon them. This
was, however, not altogether for decorum's sake. One of the
ofTitxTfi had, in the absence of other amwseniunt, diverted him-
self the day before, with tlirowing his jcereed at the |uidre*s
I
I
600
larfjc hat without con»idtrring that the good man's head wai
ill it »t the litiiv, ami l)ie ufFnttit was scarcely par<luiied.
The old gentleman's frowns and rebukes, as might he ex-
pected, made little impreuion. The gaiety of the society in-
cn'as4^» tlu- lights weru brilliant, the air warm and balmy, the
doors and windows open, the peasant women outside danced,
and the rattling of one ur two |Hiir of castanets disturbed
the birdH, who twittered and chir|i<.-il ineefthantly, while the
Kurgling of the fountain streams, and the more slow and
heavy sound of distant waters tumbling in the abyss below,
and mingling with the voices of the company aruurid, formed a
strange but pleasing harmony. The moon, nigh and full, shone
on tlie lofty iH'aks of snow above the woodetl belt of the moun-
tain, and caHl fantastic shadows and flickering fairy lights upon
the trees and rocks of the village. Now and then, too, some
notes from the guitar of the youngest lady were heard, and
altogether the scene appeared to be an enchantment of the an-
cient wizard of the vnilcy ; the stately, dark-winged, melan-
choly " Grijfone" alone was wanting, to soar over the deep
gull*, and to utter his waiting moans and threatening cry.
When the lady had played sereral pretty Portuguese airs,
»he liegge<] that one of tne young officers would i^iiig ; and he,
vrho&e thoughts were chiefly of war, answered her call with the
following camp composition, which he called
THE BIVOUAC.
The chilly dawn, the waning dune,
TUe bill mulv'a mvagi. crjr,
TIte sullen bude's blast procUim
Tb« bmit of Aanli u mgli.
Siaiul, Hand 10 snni I
But thick the nixi ii rolling,
Look ool altMig itie lull.
And send sooi* men psitrotlins
To yonder rum'd milt.
Stand, sund in ams f
Now all the camp ia Mirring,
The day bpglii" lo clwir.
Hard, hsid ihe suifarc spumog,
Tlie enemy u am.
Sand, luad lo arms I
1 leo hi* honemen tweeping,
JuM wktf« llw pR-qael siuod ;
I aee dw gKy gobu crw|>ii>g
Along uwt oopM of wood.
Stand, atand lo annj f
Bn);hi arc tiu: havoneu gleaming.
Load b lite irumpetV oall,
A tounbal'* itir is Iteaming
Difhiml joit coitajju wall.
Sivndj btaiid ia nrnia !
610
GUJFFON&.
Ay, now a singft modcci rinf^s,
^wih comet l)ie lii»»iiii; IcjiJ.
I SCO iht: silver «agl«'» Miufpi
Above the coluinn tprcad.
SUnd, Ktand to arm* !
The PortugucfM? guwts, with the habitual politeness oftben
nation, praised thiB ru^ed performance ; yet to show bov
their 6iiur taste was ruffled by such rough tnuMc, they imme*
diatcly entreated the youngest lady of the house to scrampuiT
Iter guitar with her voice- She appeared at first emharrsMMJ,
and ticld down her head as if in dee|) thought, but in a lilUe
lime assented, and, taking up heriuslrumont, sung tlie follnwioff
impromptu with ttHies of thrilling »twfetness :
Oh I pale is the LusiuEa'*" cbr«fc ;
T6a wnmdcr >aa.y not seek
With wag U) iCHithr het reKllewi steep ;
Her downcast ejc is &x'd lo weep.
The iDviidei** spear sleam'd o'er the ladd^
Ucr brother fell by Blancia'ft branil,
lier (klher divd in K*uni's lij^tii.
Her mothcT fled to the aajcli bhgliu
AimI liic LusiuoK liv«d a thrall
To the robber priest withio bei boll.
Ob ! [nle U the I.AnlaIia*s cheek ;
The serenader nav not t««li
With wDg to soouie her restltn ilecp ;
Her downcast ejrc Ji lU'd to weep.
The lady ceased for a moment, and then, casting a
glance at Ouillelniu, continued her song, but with a more hur-
ried strain uf initsic.
Dut, lo I the Er))(Ush waniors caow,
WitL hearts of pride ud tjtt of flu
On Coa's hanks ihdr ihouu aroM,
By C(w's stream llii-y slew oar foea.
Thai light huth wtti aveu^ed our datd,
And now the robber priest has fled ;
Tlif Lusitufiiao girl can jmiV,
Uer sadnrss now she may beguile.
Gone is the palcoena frura hf r chouk.
The Mranode she lovo to seek ;
Gone is the LusitaSa'i jmin,
If the English strui^r will remain.
As the last words trembled on her lips, the lady's eyes
met Ouillelmo's; but apparently disappointed at their ex-
pi-essioD, she turned her head away, and, touching a few low
QotiS) changed her niea.sure, and sung the following lines :
Thb is the valley of wrath and wrrow,
Hrre no pleitsurea await the morrow;
Cnflbnp, Gnffone wu% on high,
Aod gneralteods bis moomrul cty.
• M|f B tkM narkad fa Ucald.
. A MM* Htm M OaoanJ Latwai by th« PonocuMB aiuaU7 peopb.
TUU WINDSOR BALL OP THS LATEST FA8U10N.
CI I
I
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I
When th« EAlryllu'o siiowy li«ighl.
Seen by ibe umpnt's SlTul U^l,
Seem) lo Uii^h witU drtTiidfiil glee
Ainidu the stormy miDhirelsy,
WhiW down iu udvt, irilh foain nnil ipny,
The mad'ning torrma leap tnd play,
Then GnfToDe lo*CB to roBin
Rflund ibe ihundn-sh&ken done.
Ills vridpHpreid wingi «p]>nr lo *leep,
As slo-wly u'er tbe ubysi t)iey svrvepa
But his vye ■) tcurrliing lli« gulf baow,
When (tides in secret bis lerpeni km.
The mtard iiuki^ whoae ratal powtr
Itcndend vain the lofty tower,
AniJ in that hour, so sad and wild,
FulflU'd the spelt, and *l«w the child.
This it the valley of pain and sorrow;
Here no pl«uurci await t]» noirow.
THE WINDSOR BALL OP THE LATEST FASHION.
Wbkk this a i'Bshioiiable periodical, readen would of co-one ex~
p€Ct itiHt iiur boll was a roiirt-ball, something in honour of the
(ju(!eii V'icluria, ur ofthv birliiJay of any guy and (lallaiU aristocrat
ju8l entering ujion thi* Ikrce of life ; but, as uur aims arc of higher
Right, we beg leave to intimate that the present paper is of n nub-
lime, philosophical, and moral character. Ait a picture of maniierA it
is, no doubt, unique ; and our uiily hope is that it will be found to
be worlhtf of the age.
It is impouible that anybod}> can have forgotten Che announce-
ment in the newspapers that there dwelt in one house, situated Jn
the New Head, Windsor, a party, consisting of two females and two
niatea, whoMe uniteil ag«« amounted to two hundred and niiirty-two
years ; and that tliey were about to give their friends «ii entertain-
ment upon the occasion ,^-4 he occasion of their aggregate beatinv the
grand climacteric by ten yearn. Of that entertainment, of which,
lltnBgfi to say ! no mention has ever hten made in the Morning
Poit, Court Journal, Morning Adofrtuer, or United Service Gauite,
we are the historians.
Cordfl having been i^viued in due form to all the alti friends of the
partiM in the ncighboitrhoo<l, and even so far off an London ; the
Jirincifiol rtiom — lluit c»ll(>d the Methusalera chamber — wns ta^te-
uliy fitted up with evergreens as a ball-room. The time-piece over
the mantel was stopped, so that there might he no hint or sound to
hurry people awav at hours too early for the tini^ed riles of ho«pi-
taUty : and two beRUtiful plaster hgures, bought fVom n passing
Italian urtist, were disposed at each end of the saloon, supporting
candelabra in the most graceful manner, The first was a Cupid, d»>
conited by the fair hoiKls of the two ladies with a girdle of fig-IenvM,
formed of green silk, and fVinged with a lighter shade of primroa«
trimming; the other a Terpsichore, about whom was moat fanci-
fully arranged by the two gentletnen a highland kilt, at once em-
bleraatioU of-her modesty and dancing propensities.
Thus was the scene prepared by these etdertv nfrmnnm: and,
though the young imil giddy may laugh at their do *«
bnt little diflerciice between the follies of srvmty ai
6If
THE WIKDSOa BALL
as a fine old writer layetfa of tlie world, common to us all, " What
is all t)u9 worldc ? It is nought else but a stage, where vxery one
acts hta jwrt, and then makes iin eternid retreate witlioutcn returne.
Ileuvfn')! eiK'IoiettrrcHi ^Kiwers broken doune, and they *ee »]| the
dulll'ul traf>e4li«8 of unrecAlteiL time, and niarke the unitpe^tkable
wickednc&He of mankind. How many follies are acted upon tlie
Mage ! For the moste parte plays the bnfibon, and ill their life is
but a pleaMnt comedy ; imd with the Kthnick they crye note- ' JCiif,
hihf, dormr : patl mtnrUm uiiUti txJuptan. 13ut when all men have acted
their parte on this univeriwl stage, then comes all-Commanding
dcith, and swiftly erycs to every one, *Awayel gettc you ffone!
your parte is played !' So, with his imperiali dart he streakeot alt
ktndes of creatures withoiiicn respectc, and then with his ruthleaa
hand he draweth the dorke curtaiyne of the grave over the pale body
of mankinde."
Sensible of the truth ofthia writing of the moral and snTnetrhat
lachrymose Orahame, the inmates of New Road ctiuld not hut feel
that their time to eat, drink, and sleep oti^ht to suffer no po&tpone*
ment, and :iouth to say, the majority of their invited friends were
much in tlie Aiime predicament ; and tlie belief that there were no
jMut murtem pleH^iureR, was with them n strong inducement to seise
tJie present (ia})py moment for gaiety and enjoyment.
The company was select- Belonging to tlie navy there were a
yellow admiral, a commodon; with only une wooden leg, and a re*
tired capUiin, a shy and baabful junior of sixty-four. The army fur«
nished a more ninnerous quoUi of Major and tiricadier Geueral^
Lieutenant-Colonel* and AI.ijor», on half-jiay for the last thirty years,
since before the Peniiisular war and Waterloo. A superannuated ek-rk
or two, who had Irelonged to public oftices, and \et\ on good allow-
ances, an ancient physician, and a variety of other perHnuges of
the male sex, made up thnt divisiun of the party. Of the fair were
widows with excellent jtiiiitiireii~l>i(!;hly-iti»urcd life annuitants— a
clanji who, it ii» well known, never die. The former wore i>encra)ly
flaxen wigs, and looked as much us possible in their prime: the
latter had darker ringleta, and. though of the eame standing, npjKared
rather older. There were maiden-aunts, whose grand-nieces were
beginning to think of the c^nveniency of husbands, and in sliort,
connidering the iiumlierK present, there were as much false hair, aa
many false teeth, as many points derived frovn the mantua and dress-
maker, as many deceitful busts and bustles, (not to mention the
Ciilves on the genttemcu's side,) as could be found in any three
rooms of equal si«e within her mujeirty's dominions. But dresji nut
being a theme with which we nre intimately acquainted, we shall
agwn take leave to borrow the opinions of the quaint and worthy au-
thor already quoted, which may l>e read with benefit by tbe be-whi>«
kered dandies, ohi or young, of the present.
"A man is to be commendcd^if he be cleanly, and chieHy in his
linens ; his hairc f i. a if he have anv, and of which few of this com*
panv had anv large assortment] — fiis hairc well drwacd, his beard
wetf-brui<he(l, nnd always fais upper Hp well curled with a fretaJo
ujuifarl, aa if every haire would ihreftten to pull out hia eyes ; for if
he chance to kisse a geiillewoman, some rebellious haim may hoppeu
to st;irtlc in her nose, and make her t>neexe, to by this nieaiics he
applicK both phyHic and courtcsie at one time. Then he may freely
say ' God bless you, lady :' receiving buck ihc chirping eclio of > I
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OP THB LATEST FASHION.
613
thanks yon, sir.' " How kind and cordial were these ancient mannen ;
uf wliit'li the Uit-'st remains were witnL-ssed at our Windsor Ball 1 1
Aa our sketch tnuttt of nece»»ity ndopt a desultory forni, we shall
merely state that as the company iirrived, and \efi hats, rlnnkn,
sbawU, and f^oluahea in the lithhy, the extra waiter hire«l for the oc.
cusion, wittily remarked to ^Inrtha the churwtJinan ditto, tliat she
Jieed nut uiru- wIktc or huw she dispuKcd of these articles. a» they
were all old enuuch tu take care of themselves; which jest being
quite new at Windsor, gave Murtha a fit of laushter and couahing.
Tea and coffee were handed round, and tne most beauish and
gallant of the visitors had opportunities to display their several ac-
complishments and qualifieations. Nothing, it is true, can be more
absurd than a coxcomb beyond youthfiJ years, who fancies that
he is not only acce|ilable, but a conqueror and heart-breaker arafmg
girla in their teens, and acta accordingly ; but it is not quite «o ridi-
culous when your girU are nexagenarians ; and. sAcr all, the man who
really love;*, does not leave off, cither naturally or of necessity, its glow-
ing colours, warm feelings, and romance, at fiAy or at sixty either.
But to our grunps: hi one corner you might see Doctor Pulse
gravely chatting; with the Widow Tancred. whobe weeds were itot
six mondiH old. nor heri«e1f much above half a century ; in another,
reclining un a &ufa, the Keverend Hector of Slow, and the fair Lady
Rougemuiit, one of the wealtliJest of the annuitants alluded to ; and
in a third, with Jiis timber-toe furcinost, " the gouty old commo-
dore "entertaining R circle nitli his seii-jokes and allies. Let us
overhear their converstation.
Wiiiuw Tanciikd.* — " Itly eyes are sadly ill, doctor ; horribly ill,
aince my cruel Joss. I have hardly ceased from weeping ; ami, in-
deed, aufler so much that 1 am sure I could not describe all my dia*
vrdcTS to you. No appetite; no sle«.^p, doctor."
Dit.Pui.aB (touching her wrist-) — "VourpuUe is notbad, however.
Widow T. — " AIm ! alas! perhapci it is g«M«d. It is much nj^t-
tated when I speak uf tliis aubject. Since I had the niiAfurtune to
lose my beloved huhband my health has gradually declined. Nor is
it to be wondered at ; my life is so changed, so altered I He was
younger than me, my dear George was, and we were so fond of each
other. 1 must confess that he was much given to cmitradict nie, and
put himself into fitt of passion about Blmo.it everything. But our
daily quorreU were soon made up, for his heart was ao good ! and h»
was sometimes so tender ! Oh, I shall never, never ae« him more I
Since the hour of his death my health has been altogether deranged.
I am devoured by sorrow and euriui. 1 have no relii^li fur any-
thing on earth. 1 fear 1 never shall be what 1 was again. What
TODld you advise?"
Dr. P.~-" Dear madam, do not distress yourself. Yourcumplnints
are not incurable. Solitude is not proper for you. Vou might to
make an eflurt, and not think of Hying from the world and social
pleasures. Why, even marrying again (added the doctor sigui^
cantly, for he wux m wi«lower) would b« preferable to suffering id
this manner."
" Mbh. T. — " It is strange ; but, do you know, I liave really been
thinkins of that myself."
Dh. p. — •■ And perfectly right."
Mia. T^— " In sliurt, my esteemed friend, the tat
* Caadoar abtigrc us to uv that ws tktnk vr tiarr niAan
t/t ^laktipie tttmy Mane Krcncb anthor, but wha we fargrt.
61-1-
THE WINDSOR BALL
but my limi; widowhood (fix months!) has ruined my hrnltb.
hmvi' )a«t my rmhonpoinf. and become quite thin. I wiiin to rrgWI
little of my former iippe»riuicr. A tliin widow ! Ym eomnnbnl '
me, doctor! I don't like to have the luolts ofa sick and ainiigptt*
ton. I detnre only tu recover some of n>y former freshotPM ad
pWrnpncfl^ There is surely something wronjt in my system?"
I>ii. P. (with rympUnnt of irritation). — "Yes — ye*. ma*am, tbot
is evident w(»knns about yoa ; but, if you seek r^ular ndricc, I
»m ready tu iiOord it."
Mrs. T.— " And do you think you could make me quite well?"
Dh. p.— "No doubt iif it."
3iK9. T. — "And the re«imm, doctor* and the regimen ?"
Dk. p. — " Good nourishing food, ma*Rro. Stnall !«ii])per-ptrt>eL
Lenve nflf Mghing ; it occa^ons pains in the breast. You mmtt oAm
your mind upon the affair you mention ; and, to prevent agitatioa.
It Would he quite as well to brinf; it to a speedy conclusion."
Mr8. T. — " Oh, sir ! I nm infinitely indebted to you. I wooU
not hurry such a matter for the univeree ; but now t)iHt you think
it so essential to my health, I may tell you, between ourselves and
the pait, that it tannut take place till tlie week after next !"
And what is the rector descanting on so oratorically ? By Jupiter,
the subject is love ! and his reverence is more eloquent thui ever be
was in the pulpit, though he is n celebrated preacher.
Uenrken how- he disMTtates like a necond Coleridge.
"\t^y should wc not rr'tjir everj- rational and innocent happiDcnin
our power? Why let our pl)>»surr!i glide wway like the i^aiias in the
hour-gburi, softly, imperceptibly, ^aiti after grain, till nil are gtmr.
and Dtdy a v;icuuni is there? In life, dear Lady Koagcrooni, we
€»nuDt turn up the jjIum."
A gentle *igh from the lady.
"And what is tliere in life to be compared with those dellc^htt
vrhich are shared with lovely and faithful woman ? I, a divine,
fl|>cak from a volume of pure divinity. Woman is the chierorrre^
tion. ' AfUm,' Heale tells us in hi<t Anatnmie, ■ Adam waa mould
out of ihediisty clay of the earth. Eve was formed of the piirifi'
body of man. Neither was she made oat of the lowest piarts, that fo
»he might seem his inferior ; nor out of the higtwst, that therein she
might challenge superiority ; but out of tlic middle of bis body, of
a rib of his side, that thereby hhe might appear hin etpial, and be
taken fur his fellow-helper. Of a rib also of his left i^ide, w here the
heart as in his privy cliamber reateth itself, and wliich the ano
of his beloved darling naturally embraceth. Adutn lost, as fur as
we read, but a bare bone: he received it again branched into maor
bones, bi'wrapped up in tender flesh, twisted on curious ji>intB, fujl
of lively spirits, flowing with varm blootl, characterised 'M-ith nsure
veins, lu proportiuu absolute, beautiful in colour, lovely to l>e Keen,
lovely to be talked withal, like in all things.' " No Hamlet that ever
graced the sUge, delivered the famous soliloquy on the perfectiam
of man in so touching a toiM, sod so impreuive a manner, as tile
rector poured this his borrowed eulogy on woman into the lady's
listeninK ear. Again and a^in she sighed, and he went on most
tenteutiously to finish his quotation.
" ' For nn a jirinceits preparing to comc into her imptTial rit
hath her hnrbin^ern sent before, lier hou^c jidorned, her court
pLenished. her attendants ready, and all things for her entertainni'
prepju-cd; so it wax convenient that before the queen of the
ie^B
OP THB LATBST FASHION.
615
WW crentpd, t^e world fthoiilil first be perfircted ; pAmiHse, the m<v
troiMiIitJin fity of her rewilence. be finished, ami all thin|*« eUe
reaily-lumislieil to her hands.* The rectory of Slow," continued the
revL-rviid yvtititnuiti, " its bcjiutifully situated ; no villa nn the
Thanm can surpass it ; the (rrounui arr ein-ctly laid nut; and
its occupier, aiasl is alone. Were it the purathM.' dcHcribud, it
could be no paradise to him. For him Sleraory, like a chemist,
extracts poifton frotn the faireat flower*," — Here a very handsome
cambric nandkrrchiff ^tiflrd i\vt Mpe-iker's voice, but did not impe<]e
hi« hearinj;. whil^ hin ear ws8 gratified by the dccpurt suspirstiOTl
that hi* fair auditor yet had uttered.
" Never married, never trill !" exclaimed the nM Commodore,
"for what is marriage but an agreement between a man and a wo-
man to make each other tired of each other > I have always aeen it
so ; and I believe it always is so — I do."
" Vmi 've seen a great deal in your time, Commodore ?"
" Whv. yes ; I guesf 1 have. A much more than twenty doxen
of your land-1 libber* who have spent their lives asleep aabore. Yet I
uevcr could tell a right and fit ynrn of what I 've witnessed' Do
ye know, 1 aniofopinioQ tiiaCu fellow may have seen and known too
much of the world and of life to be able to describe it well. At
leaat that seems to be my c:xw. Seems to me as if all I could re-
member of past years was, that they were made for nothing else
V>ut, as the Mounseers wiy, ' ywnr patxrr /r Irmpt' "
" Then yuu have had few troubles, CuinTniHloref"
" Few troubles ? By jingo ! I 've had my xhare. Iliit, wlwt
then ? If life be a sea o| troublet, is not Hope a cork-jacket to ke«p
one up above the waves i and I never was tne chap to be choked by
a trifle of spray."
"Ilravo!"
" No. no, my boya ! I enjoyed what was good. I saw people
•crape cash together, clnp it into the funds, and draw their dividends
quarterly. Uut I invested my pay and priEe-money in turtle, and
venison, and wine, and something eUe perhaps; and get my divi-
dends pretty regularly through my toe, for the gout often makes
this fellow, kicking hia flesh and wooden leg together, "just na
shc^r a hulk as this other. Every man to his mind. I wy :"
■Sue)) were tlie colluipiicd ut tliis ancient festival ; while some
plajed at cards, bttDd-bookey, ttc. ftc. ami at last the dance was
wojpoaed, and led off by the Coniniodnre in despite of his limba.
There were no quadrilles nor flirUtionH, though flirutiona, it moat
be acknowledged, were carried on under other auspices, — no wattxeat
no gallopps, A minuet or two were ujilkrd, and a country danre
or two were done- Li(|ueurs, compounded of Old Tom, wrre hand-
ed round in profuoion ; and after supper, when the djiiicing was
rosumtxl, the intrth and fun grew fast and furious, and all was life
and jollity.
At this, the very witching time of night, a scent of sickening
odour suddenly invaded the room, and a pale blue flickering lu(ht
glimmered at every aperture. The donr wn> thrown open witb a
crash, and a hideous ngure presented itself to every terrified eye.
It is almoat impossible to paint the monster. It was an Imp about
thrae feet in height. The feet were large enmigh for n giant, h
ously splayed, and peaked up in front, with Inng clay-e
poinu. The lumU rescntblc^l the talons uf a vulture. On t
616 THE WINDSOR DALL OP THE LATEST FASHION.
was ■ hunch, which, if titles were given in prupurtiuQ to «di
tub«ranci», would liavc made the bearer a dtikc rutber thmn « MM
lord. The filthy abdotucii hutig down oIukmC to its kne«fl, pwmchf
and difigUBttug. The knce« met in overlnpping closeness^ and, whs
tUe creature walked, knocked one against the othrr. TSr ttm
were of PictisK and unhuinan length, TUe head was of the tiK if
H kettle-<lruni, and much of that shape, the face being- <m ihe cnnwt
side. And such a vi»ag« undn* the matted hair.' C^ulaveroui inil
unearthly — no French pawport could (ic«crib<^ it. fhe erej wm
raw Hn<t j^lcaming; the noie u broken ace of clubs; the laaatk
wide, cavernous, and giet with three or four black stumps of treth;
the ear» so long that they flapped the cheeks, — altogecher so obotm-
luble a wretch never entered to shock a polite assembly. Bat it
was not its appearance alone that appalled the guesta lu it advanced
into the centre of the apartment. The bad be^an, yet worse re-
mained behind, for on it«i hark becoming perceptible, horror lOK
o» horror, as the affrighted guests read in letters uf flames «f la^
as on puff placard, ihe terrible name of " Influbnza."
To paint the dread and contusion that ensued i» iniposflblr.
Every heart wax otruck with the idea of late hours and convequeat
maladies ; of infection, of diceaw, and of death. They stood net
upon the order of their going, but fled as if pursued by the ft
fiend, whilst the demon itself grinned ghastly on tbc disorder
had created.
The Commodore broke his leg (the wnnden one) in the hiirrj'
his Htght, and the doctor had tn bring Mrt*. Tancred out of* fai
ing fit in his arms. The Rector of Slow, in escorting lady Rou^
mont home, delivered a iiiiigiiificent appltcilion to the aubject fn
St. Chrysostom, and the elTect whh nucIi, that the lady cotiM-tit
with a <igh, to Console tlte solitude of the Iwautiful rectory. T
they may not be lost to mankind or womankind either, wc re-peat tba
worthy clergyman'* rofleciioDS. " Why, if we are to die," said his
reverence, " 19 not death the end of all? How finely is it written by
one of the greatest of our .saints,' Sweete is the end of the hibouriT
when he shall restefrnm his lahour<>. The wearied Lravcller longeth
for his night's lodgings, and the stnrme.hcHti-n Khip t^ckcth up fi
shore; the hireling oiV questioncth when his yeares will finish «n_
come out ; the woman grete with child will often mu8c and siudie
upon her delivery (a short sigh from the lady listener) ; and he
that perfitly knoweth that tiia life is but a way to death, will, with
the poore prisoner, sit in the doore threshold, and expect wbun
jaylor shall open,*"
VVith this It i« fit that we thould close ; and it is only needful
expound the mystery of ibis vile apparition. He was the creature
of certain Wag* of Windjor, who, bearing of tlw entertainment in
ciue«tion, resolved to hs%'e a lark at midnight. For this purpose
tney got a dcfonncd dwarf, and perked him out in tlic way we an
descriibed, precetled by smells from the druggist's shop, an<t
Companied by blue fires from the rhemist's. lie enacted his
to perfection ; and it ix the sole pleasure we have to record, that
very bad conseqnence-s resulted from the impudent frolic. The four
ancients of tlic New Koad still reside in harmnny together. an(t i
what if the cuuid was overthrown and broken to pieces; cannd^H
they get a new love, of plaster. Car the enduring gratification of a^^l
placid and doniertic a quartette, whose united age» have now reached
to Imv hundred und ninriy-cig/ii i/eort ! Tbutiia,
617
A CHAPTER OS CLOWNS,
ANU Burn LIKK COmaALITlKS.
nv iriLLiAM J. moMn.
Wb must leavp tlie subject o( iloniMtic (otA-i And jtitcr^ for fu-
ture coii^iderutiuii, nnd confiDL' our^^lvvii, in the t'ultuwiii^ brief |>a|>cr,
entirel}r to the clowns of the mcKlerii pHntoniimes, which peculiar
specii» of cntertaiiimotit, he it ubMjrveu in paHHitig, is sunptwed by
a learned unttquary to be derived frum the old dumb aliuns IVir-
merly o\hibilvd al furs and iiiux, iu which tlie fuol was ^nernlly
enf^ged. ill a struggle with Death, aud which it diitinctly alluded
to by Shakspeare in bis " ^leiuure for Measure."*
To trace the gradual transrormation of this dumb chow into ilic
splendid pageants now annually provided for the amusement of
cnihhen of all ages by the metrojiolitaii theatres would be a matter
ol'UboriouM research, while the results would probably be far rn>m
aadsfactory. " Vou nhall iteek all day ere ynu find it, nnd wlu-ti you
have it, it is not worth your acarclt." .The character of Harlef|uiii
alone haa formed matter for weighty didcuAsiona among theatrical
historiana; and so ^-aricil have been the proposed derivations of hi«
name, a to juatify to the fullest the antirist, who describtid etymolo-
gy a.<( erudUiu ad libitum.
The Kngii.^h stage ii undoubtedly indebted to the Italian for
Harlequin, as Italy is again to the lively Xeapolitant, among whom
the majority of what are styled pantomimic character* have astii-
redly lind their ri<)e. The Harlequin of the Italian Mage does not,
however, brjir any very Htroiiff rescmblaiire to the agile and parti-
colmired gentleman who figures in our Christmas drolleries as tlie
a«*iduou8 lover of the gvittle Cohimbine, and the untiring lur-
mentor of tlie Clown. In Italy he is at the preM>nt redolent of
satire, full of snurtive raillery, and jocow in the extreme. What be
was formerly, let Addison describe.
" Harlequin's [>art is made up of blunderi and absanlities: he U
to mistake one name for onuther, to forget his erratids, tu stumble
over queens, and to run his head against every puat Uiat coine» iu
his way. This ih nil attended witli something so cotuicul in the
voice and gesture*, ttiat a man who is •enaihic of the lolly of the
part can hiirdly forbear to be pleased witli it."
Dominico, whose wittieiims huve been collected into a volume,
under the title of " Arlequiniana," was one of tlie earlicrt nnd moit
celebrated performers of this periiliar rJiararter. Dnminico was a
great favaoritc of Louis the yourlecntli, and obtained by a welU
cimed juke permisMon for tlie lulian cumjiany tu perfurm tVeoch
playv in Puris. He it wa« wliu, goiiii^ to itoe that nioniirch at supper,
fixeil his eyes so intcntlv on a diih of parlriilgci, that Loiii*, who
was very (and of hiti acting, said to one of his atten<lants, " (jivc
mrrvlv, tbmi wt Dratk't /o<il ,
Var hlin ilim tiuoiir'st Inr ihy (lifclit lu ilttin,
Atid jrn mn'rt towanl him iilU."
9tttu<tnr /or Meiumtt, MX 3, »£•
(iis
A CHAPTER ON CLOWNS.
that difth to Dominico." — " And the |iJ»rtT)fI|(c<i too, sire ?" wm Uw
shrewd inquiry of the Hnrloqiiin. Louis, p^-nftrating his art, mii,
" And the partridges too." T/ir iiish tras gtUd.
Thotnassin was nnother disdnf^iiinhetl jH'rrdrinn* in this line;, Bal
the grealesc pprhiqi!'. that ever exihletl was Rertinnxxt, genenOj
called Carlin, or C'arliiio. CnrliiH) uirv iierhapH be known to somt
of our readers, by Home 8up])(>sitiliotii! letters w Iiich bnve been pub-
lifilied, purportiug lo have bet'ii ii)terclwiip«l bevwccn this actor and
Pope (iati^atielli. lie was il native of Turin, and Che ton vt u
officer in the Sardinian service. lie originally followed the profit
sion of his father, on whose death, however, he devoted himself fo
the dramn. The Ilarletiuin of the HoIo^ha company havini; «u<
deiily tiiken his dejMirlure, to avoid the iiiipfirtunity o(* hi» credi
Bertinaxxi, to relieve the manager"!! embrtrra>nitient, undertook
character nnhesitatinf^ly, and this vrith so mueh yrnccen^, t
owing to his mask and costume, it wai some days before the pn
suspected the change. In 1"41, he vifnted Paris as the ancce^sof
Thotnassin, whose 1o«8 the Parisians most deeply resetted ;
though he ruine before them with great di».idvaiitnge9, Carlino,
such wn* the name he now adopted, inirtimtlv commanded tl.__
ndmiratinn. From diis time forui, for a penod of nearly fcnty
years, during winch he not only enacted Arlfquin, Inil wrote vm
witty arlcquinades in which lo ucT, he enjoyed the iiiiflimini-ihGa
favour of the good people of Pari i^. He was a man ofjrreat probity.
and so universally esteemed birth for his professional talents and
private virtues, that it u Miid the whole city were iinaiiiuiuus as to
the truth of two lines in his epitaph, —
" Toute sa TIC il a fail rire;
II il (Utt plpurer a, si mtirt."*
There is, vrc believe, no decided evidence as to the exact time
when panlomime:* wore firM introduced upon the Englinh stage;
but the thcitre in Lincoln'ti Inn Fields has been supposed entiti
to the exchisive hnnnur of firrt bringing them forward. The
tpiinades which tlie manager prndiicrd there in 1723 wein to
Iwcn so successful UH to have cscitwl the envy of his brethren
of Drury Lane, who endeavoured cither to ridicule or erlipse
K.-rfiirmiinces bv tlie introduction of a piece culled Blind Mi
ufF, ^tipporteci by tUc ^frcaka of ri^kl AatUquins. The WeeL.,
.Journal, speaking of it, sfiyft, " The thing was so ridiculous, there
was no music to be heard but hissing."
In n pantomiinic performance founded on the old atory of Dr.
Faiistiis, written by Monsieur Thurmond, with music by the cele-
brated Galliard, protluced at Lincoln's Inn theatre iu the JOeceniber
of thi» same year, and which waa so aiiccexful, that on the first
night of its performance the receipts of the hou>e amounted to twf
hundred and sixty pounds, " Punch, Scjiromouch, and Pierro enUr
in scholars* gowns and caps;" but though the publications of the
doy take repeated notice of it, and dt-t-m the piece so wonderful a*
to deserve a full account of the plot, no mention is made of IJar.
lemiin.
In a rapid but clever sketch of the sute of theatrical atnuMUMlit
between the years J 700 and 17(^, communicated to the London Cbfo-
• Kncf/i-lf/M'^w Oei Cent du Mimdt, Toneiv.
nr
»i«ge;
ntitlM^
haiM
3 h4^^^
hren
A CUAPTBR ON CLOWSS.
619
nicle, vol. XV, by a writer BigniiiK biinsi'IfTiiL-atricus,* we ar« lold, —
" Pantomime first tLtwiietl in ttie war ITC^ ul Drurv Lmi'. in an
entertainment callwl Tfif Tavern iiUktrt. It died Ine fillli night
It wa4 invciitt-d by Weaver, a (lancing master at Hhrewcburvi who,
IVoni the ei)cmirHKi''nent of the nobility, invented a secontf, called
The Aorcr <if Mart and Vtaus, pertoriued itt the Knxnv tlieatre in tli*
year I7l<>, with va.t succt*»>» ; which tjcciwiont-d Sir Rich-ird Steele
to write the lullow-ing line* on the back ul* one of* the pUy<t>ilU at
Button's CoSeehousc, —
' Weaver, cormplor of lliis pre*piit aje,
Wlio tint Uugnt silot «ni U)k)ii tlie staje.*
It waB about this time that the taate of the town became vitiatril.
One remarkable instance 1 cannot forget. In January I'JXTtVSOM
dancers arrived from Prance, and with them one Swurtz, a Germin.
This iiiiui brought over two dogs, wlium he had taught to dance the
louvre and minuet. TJwy were immediately cnf^nf^ciX by lltch at
ten pounds |>er night, and brought a1>ovc twenty ^ood hoiutes, when
the Othello of Booth, the Witdair of Wilks, and the Foppinj^uu of
Cibbcr wi*rc neglected, and did not bring charges."
The popularity of these performances aeemt to have outlived tlie
{latience of the admirers of the legitimiite dramn ; and ttie result
was a riot in the yeiir i'iA^, in which the philotumhrr of Strawberry
Hill Hccidenially fissured as a ringleatlcr, who tclU the Ktory in hil
own odmimltle and lively «ttylc in a letter to Jloracc Mann.
" It cust^ uie nothing, so 1 sliall write on and tell you au adven-
ture of my own. The town has Iteeii trying all the winter to beat
pantomimes off the atagc very boisterously, fur it is the way here
to make even an nfi'air oi taute and senne a mauer of riot and arms.
Fleetwood, the master of Drury Lane, lias omitted nothing to nip.
port them, as they supported his house. About ten days ago be wl
into the pit great numbers of bear-garden bntUtrs (that is the term)
to knock down everybody that hissed. The pit nillied their furcei
and drove them out; I was sitting very quietly in the sidtsboxes,
contemptatiiig all this. On a sudden the curtain Hew up and
diccovered the whole stage filled with blackguardH armed with
bludgeons and clubs to menace the audience. Thitt raiued the
greatest uproar, and amongst the rest, who flew intoapaision but your
friend the philoso|iher ? In short, one of the acton, advancing to
the front of the stage, to make an ap^Oogy for the manager ; he had
scarce b^^un to My, ' Mr. FieetwcKxl — ' when your friend, with a
moet audible voice and dignity of anger, called out, ' He ii* an im-
pudent rascal !' The whole pit husxaed and repeated the words ; only
think of my being a popular orator! UuL what waa still better,
while my shadow of a pereon waa diluting to the consistence of a
hero, one of the chief ritigteaderis uf tlie riot, coining under the box
where I sat, and puUing otT hi» hat, said, ' Mr. H'alpole, what would
you please to have ui« do next?' It is impossible to de»<.Tihe to you
the confusion into which this apostrophe threw me. I »ank down
into the box, and have never oince venturetl to set my foot into the
playhouse. The m-xt night the upronr was repeated with grciiler
violence, and nutliing was heard but voices calling out, ' Where's
Mr. Wal|>ule? where 'a Mr. Walpole^' In than, the wbol* lov—
* Makutm'a " Aauc^atas at London in the KiKkumili Ccnlury, niL U. r- 1
6SiO
hu been entertained wit)i tuy prowcva, and Mr. Conway ha* giwi
tnc the name of Wnt Tyler." •
But, hc'iiih prento! novr for the Cirtwn, nnd be is KketchrH Jnifc*
words by the pencil of* niMler, " roimd-faced, BrtRiiti-.eyed, knock*
kneed, but Ajiilr to a degree nf the dislocntcd, with « RT^^t *ni«<r
rrom his mouth, and ■ can on his hc«d, half fool's, and half cuukV
No one ncfd «»k from whose hand the picture is. There t* Leigft j
Hunt in every touch. Nor whn sat for the likcii<>s<i, for there ii .
Joe Griraftldi in evcr^' feature. Before, however, diiu;our§ing upcn
how pregnant -with humour wltc thoge features, we must, aa »e
have paid harlequin the rumplimeiit of inquiring incn his family
historVt do the Jiame by liis merrier plavmaxe. And this., loo. if for
no other reason, at least for that which induced Lurd 'e fat-
dener to put hie unufiendinj;; eon into the stocks by the side of the
boy whom he caught pilfering apples, " jurt, ye see, for the »ake o
unlfurmity !"
But this snme family history is as intricate, IT not as dry. ai t
Peerage case in the House of Lords. The Clown of the present diy
ia indubitably descended from one common »tock, the Vice of the
earlier drama, with Mr. Punch, whose history haa been collectetl wU^
great indmttry »nd ability by ^Ir. Payne Collier, and ill uatr4tr<l hy^^l
magic graver of George Cruiksliank. Indeed, so lately as theyrar I80l^^
the character of Punch was subnitnted for that of the Clown in the
|iantomimc of " Harleantn Amulet, or the Alagie of Alona." 7*bosc
too, who had the gvor) fortune to witneiis Maiturier's admirable per-
foromnce nf Punch at Covcnt Garden Theatre, some few years since,
will see the truth of this pruiwutiuti.
Again, our clown can undoubtedly rail cousins with Scaramouche,
a character invented by Tibcrio Finrilli, whose extraordinary abi>
litiea ni.iy lie judged of from one couplet uf the verses sulMcribed
beneath hia portrait:
** II fill le mnilrc de Moltcre,
El h nature fui le siea.'*
4
Lbaii^^
His life published by Constantini, who himself invented the eh»-
racter of Mer«etin, and was ennobletl for his tnleiits by tlic Kinjf of
Poland, is a curious little volume, to which further reference wfll
miide upon some future occasion.
The more immediate relative, however, of the modem clown,
the Pierrot, a character now very rarely introduced u|ion the
Pierrot, who was in the Italian pantomimes nothing more thai
simple-minded servant, had hi,* intellects ao sharpened upon the
Frencli stage, us tu rival in wit, mischief, and malice the other
heroes uf harloquinade. Pierrot still figures occasionallv Ul
maiiqiicrade scenes, where he may be caaily recognised by his flow-
iog white dre»», and the extreme length of hiii Klcevei-. A Pierrot
was very properly produced in that scene of the little piece Mitillpri
* The reader wlm woM wish for farUisr iiiranaadoa on tlia (Mnoaaiinkal
fhttxacttn, is reTcrred to the clmpier so entitled in D*lu«eU'« CurioaitisB nf U-
teniure, when lie will find ahuDdaim of maUriab miUkumI upon dir subJsA.
Hm Mr. U'If.ra«li n<n-er M«ri Mr. t>>llier'> otnerrBiioas on die npte de htft Mm
tUrit, rivvn hy Pantu])^ to Tiihoullct. (ses I'liurh aod ivAy, pa^ IS,) that ■•
4tlbi'r nUiiiimi li miHle lo ihe " lit;tii sunnl of liArloijina, which IimI Itithcrla Iwiflid
hi» mmi |>,iiiirul rrM-Hiflipg, " than thkt Mr. t.'brk« had diftrarircd it ammigkt die
dark uiVMiinin of Ani;i«nl MviJiuIn^' }
4
X niAPTKH
'NS.
621
" Onp hour, or the Carnival Ball," in which Charles Aliithewi
daiic*»i tlic TfirMitt'llii «» cleverly ; and nnnther xUmdeil a» Ciown
at an exhibition of ropc-ilnncing, some two or three yeiim since, at
A»tley'».
The Clown of the present ilav seems pradually to have nppro-
priutcil to himself the peciiliaritie.'< of theite three characters, for-
merly so distinct, and which we have .ilreiidy seen ti^rin^ together
in Monsieur Thunnond's paiitciinime of Doctor Faueitus.
The first attempt at this incorporatifin was probably made hy
FuUct, whose i>erfnrmanve of the Clown was bo hif^hly relished by
Ui'orpe tlic Third, Uiut that monarch i» said to have visited tliu
lliiiHtnt rv|)vatedly, for the purpose of witnessing one of FoUet'a
moft celebrated tricks, namely, liis swallowing a carrot, and which
we may reasonably suppose, from its attraction, to faftve been a
very ludicrous piece of acting.
Signor Delpini, who has been celebrated by Miles Peter An-
drcwes,
*' I 'ni all for fun aod frolic, whim and glee,
Si^iior Di;lpiiii is the man for me,"
was the contemporary of PoUet. Originally an actor of Pierrot, be
verj' frequently played pantalonn to old Hulogna's clown ; this he
did in the year IWI in Ilarlcquin Almanack, in which young Bo-
Ingna played harlequin, and the well-known Mrs. Wybrow, co-
lumbine. He docfl not appear to have adopted the character uf the
t" lean and slippered pantaloon" in liis old age only, inasmuch as we
find him showing his antics as clown in " Harlequin Teague, or the
Oiajif* Causeway," produced in 1782, and in the following year
playing pantaloon to old Grimaldi'a clown in "Harlequin's Wed-
ding."
Dclpini, who wan indicted, in 17^^. for introducing speaking
without musical accomjumiments, and threatened with
" VV'ttifit aiM] bread for calling out ' Roail Beef!' "
roast beef! being litentlly the offending words, was a great f*-
vourite with Oeorge the Fourth when Prince of Wales. The Prince
generally patronised hia benefit ; and indired it would luivc been
difficult for any reasonably good-natured man to have resisted so
droll an Appeal as Dclpini used to make to him upon the oc<-a«ion.
" All. Mister Prince, you please come to my benefit. If you no
come, I must go live inside your papa's big house!" The King's
Bench has had many names bestowed upon h, buC none more
strictly correct than " your pnpa'a big house."
Laurent^ whose graceful performance of serious pantomime — a
species of theatricm entcrt&mmcnt now rarely produceil — was the
admiration of the play-going public at the commencement of the
present cciiturv. was also a very clever Clown. He has had the
credit awarded to him of having given to the character lu present
stiapc, or, as it is said, of having Anglkitcd the PierroU But it
would seem that this had been previously attempted, and with con-
siderable success, by FoUet.
Laurent was a very accomplished fencer, and an accident which he
once met with in a fencing bout, is so remHrknblv a* to (lr»rrve
t'*p«-ciaL mention. It waH during tlie performance of a neriout pon-
tuuiiinc, when, in the business of the »tage, be was engaged In a
ft»
A CHArTEU. ON CUOWNS.
combat wiih smsll awords. IIU adversarjr's fool wiippbag •« ht vm
making 3 |ia«s, hi« Toil suuclt Laurent on the cJieeh-bone •ofisdyK
an to fiiiap utr the buttun and a imall portion uf the foil. appM^ttr
inflicLiiig no other injurjr upon him tlun a &li(^t icrmtch hj the w
uF uue of his eyes, which hsd tlte cfTect. bowerer. uf tumiaf^ Ifaf
cye-h«ll on one side- Tiic broken pirceofthe fml could nowbenbc
Ibund, altbough the button of it hsuX been picked up on tbr ipat;
and it was not until after the Upate of a wedc or two, that I aw ml.
finding himseU' diioppointcd in hia hopes of the e;c^-tlall ffcfanoif
its natural position 'u-ithout ftui^ical assistance, eonsaltcd an ocvlkt
upon the case, «-hcn the missing rrognumt was, npon -» i ijii !■■.
diftcovercd to one corner of the eye, from vbence it waa ■!■■»-
diatcly removed with as little pun aa bad beca felt at ju intu^
iluctiim.
AnioHjt tlie Cluwns of the preiicnt century, BnuUrarr, PauUv Md
Soiitlihy ori; purhapB, next to Orimoldi. the moat remarkable.
Bradbury's Clowii was distinguished more bj violenee of artwa
than by that greateat of all requisites, humour. Hn le^M were of
afilouii^hinK hvight and extent, and his performance albifretlier vss
cbiiructerised by a daring luid reckless displaj of animal pawn
little likely to b«- frequently rivalled. One of Jlrndbnry'klcap^ teek-
nically culled the Lion's leap, used to bring down thuniJerM of Ip-
plaiifle in Dublin, where it was he alone oouhl perform it. Bat if
IS sAJd that « certain clever musician, whose lave of fun and pan ia
well known, and who was then in the orchestra of the UubUo
theatre, took up the character of clown at the terminatioo of Brad-
bury'« engagement, and perftu-med the whole of it !
Kean, it is well known, was tin admirable harlequin ; and ihv
gentleman above alluded to is saifl, in the «'erv same season in whicfc
he played in pantomime, to have displayed a versatility of talent
which few can boaat of. He was leader ol the band, and composer
of muxic. He produced a successful farce. At the termination of
Braham's engagement, when Dublin was all for operas, he quitted
the orchestra for the stage, and played all Braham's p.irts with con-
siderable eflect ; and finally, as if to show that he could be every
thing by turn?, and that to him might he applied what Johnson
engraveil upon the munument of hi« countryman. "Nihil tetigk
quid non ornavit !" he took Bradbury's characler of Clown, and with
it t))c Lion's leap, to the unbounded deUght of die Dublin auHience.
Bradbury is dead, and so is Paulo, who&e Clown, if more huntiv
rou* ihaii Bradbury's, was spoiled by that besetting sin, vulgarity.
From this fault fjouthby's iiedbrmance of the character was re-
markably free. He wa«, we believe, a pupil of Lnurent'a; at aD
events hi« perforinance bore »trong marks of that neatness and finish
(or which Laurent's clowii was distioguivhed. Stmthby was prin-
cipally engaged at Astley's, but has now, we believe, quittett tfal^H
stage, and devotes hiniKlf solely to his pyrotechnical pursuit^^^
Inntead of starring it in the provinces, he now stars it at Vauxhall.
where hif labours throw a very brilliant light unon that somewhat
obscure passage in the Critic, tn which the nutiior speaks of " two
revolving suns and three revolving moons." Southby Dcats Shcrii
hollow, for he will show a doscn revolving suns and moons u
any night of the week on which Messrs. Oyc will commusian
to do KO.
Th« equestrian Clown at Astlcy's, as t Alerryman wbe
two
n
A CHAPTER ON CLOWNS.
6S3
I
attends till' hnrsernanHhtp st tlint theatre i^ profcHsionally ilusignatei!,
lias, us llie rvatler liuii bclbn- now nu iluubt jiainrully L'spL-rit-ncPil, a
nruin Mrie« of »un<iard jukes, which Imvv rL'timined uiicliuiigcd aiiy
time thefe twenty ye*T». It h, perh[ip». not gcnern)l\ known that
thesv jnkej were tor the niof-t part coined riri|rnft1iy by the Weftiuin-
■ter HchoUr*. The fuci ts so, however. The jokei were made hy the
WcMni in stent, xtid broupht out at Artley'n, wFiere the Clfiwn, hnvinjj
Ix-en l'ev\\ mid jiroperty iimtrucled how to pi-r|iftraie tht-m, tt^nl to
fire thciM ; the rival niAkcm )i«tenin;r with the (;re«te»'t anticty trt
ttAcertJiin which toM best. Tho»«- which were most successlul be-
came of course fftock jokes.
What Boswdl did for Johnson haA Jioz mett t\an^ for Grimaldi.
The book which oontaina his Biograpbyt edited by Mr. Dieken«,
is a good one; there in no iitraining after effect, no seekinf; to
elerate the aubject into a hero, hut it tells with kindly ft'elin/r
the varied story of ii chequered life, and pfllntH very vividly the
ho])es Hnd disappuintnicnu, the histrionic j^lnrieR and painful realities
which fell to ihc luc of one of the nimplext-mindc^ and hmicstest
men wlioever won the fjir favour of the j>ublic.
Alas, poor Yorick ! lie wn^ indeed a lellow of infinite jeot. How
iiurely was every one of his hearty grins re-echoetl by a thoiijand.
What magic wa* there in his quiet mirth, making age and care
throw off for awhile all thonghtt that overbiirtheiied them. Hid
Cflurt^htps so Reductive who could rrttist! Petty larcmy with him
were priMty larceny. He did apprnpriate unto himself purtiea,
tlringa of lutiiHgef, and all such unconaidered trifte* a« fell in hi»
way, with • p-acfr which would Iiare made the Lord Chief Ju«tJce
himnelf sum up for hi« acquittal. And n* fur gluy.ing and flutttrr-
ing, noble lord* now-a^ay« need not quarrel for kujteriority in this
respect, for Joe Grimaldi could outgloze them all. If his drollery
had at time* a fcmock of vulgarity, a breadth of colouring, the
amallest epice, b* It were, of that ruder mirth in which our grand-
fathers delighted, he did so v.irniah it over with hi:» irreiifitiblc
httmour, that the verieat pnide looked on and laughed, without
once deeming it essential to hide her enjoyment l>ehind her fan.
In none of his performance* was this rare quality, which mi dta-
tinguinhed (irininldi from all other ('lowns, mure clearly manifested
than in the puntinnime of Harlequin Gulliver, which, to the bef>t
of our jtiil(;ment, vas one of hi» maoterpieces. Cruik*thnnk has im-
mortuli/rd the IlrolKlignagiani> of this piece in one of the admi-
rable bketchcH with which he has illustrated Grtmatdi*s life; but
this pantomime nlonu would hate furniHhe*! him with «ubjectif for a
doxen such. There wa» the Uniltdigiiagian t'rinci*M Ulnmilulditch in
a gu-cart with, if we recollect rightly, puur Joe as her doll. Then,
again, there was the gigantic canary, which Grimaldi pronciunt-<-4l,
in his unctinus voice, to be a " Caaao-wa-ry," and with which he sung
the duet beginning,
" Say, little, fboUih, fttitteniiR Ihini;,
If you 're a oock-bird, why uoi siiiij f"*
he being all the time quietly seated on a Brnbdignogion quartern
loaf, into which he might have eaten hla way like a mouse into a
ebeesc.
Then who but Cniikshonk could paint tlir ineimveni races pnor
Joe enduretl from the bayuneta of the Liliputian •oldiitry u« thry
Gi24
A CHAPTBR ON CLOWNS.
marched throaj^ti the pnlocc frate which he was beirtritlmft?
show how, when the King al'Liliput's palace wan in flames, be plied
the Liliputian cneintB, and cxtiiij^uiahcd the Are in a way whic'
would have dclifrhted Swift? and yet "without any offence in'
only in jest." aft Hamlet says.
We ought not, perh&pfi, to insist ho stror^ly on Grimtildi's ni?rit»
in Iiar1(;(iuiii <>iilliver, a» we never !=aw him in Mntlicr Goose, in
which iu- tirht e^Uibliblicd lii» reputation. The Kuropean Alagatine
tor Jauiiury 1BU7. (^peaking of Hut piece, asys, "Urimaldi. whon
we always believed to poMCtt talents that were not Hufficimttjr
called into exercise at iftury Lane, made his first appearance »t
Covent (rorden as the clown in thi» piece; and his performance
antoni^hed us by the variety of his tricks, and the neatneaa and^^H
promptitude wiUi wliicii ihey wen- executed." ^H
From this critici^tm we iimy juiitly infer that Orimaldi'a humour.
like good wine, melloweil with ape ; for it wii*> Ion;; nfter this periud
that old Chapman, who was regarded an the beat theatriail tmcber uf
his day, and the finest judge of acting, wu heard to declare tliat ibe
greate-st enjoyment he knew at the theatre woa to go in front, and
see (irimaldi in n new pantomime ! Thi?> was a cotnplimetit to Gri-
maldi's geniuH, which w»s not even siirpnit^ed by that paid to it bjt
John Kcmblc ; who, ntanding at the wings one night, watehinr
with great delight Joe's drullcric}', excluimed tn his ronsical and
measured pliTHse, — " My tiiiter never did any thing fimtr iu her Is
Ulan thnt man is doing now, in his way — iu his way !"
We have »tid thjit Grimaldi's humour got richer uid racier as bt
grew older. It \va.» eo: but, alas ! while the i^pirita mellowed, tlw
vessel that contained thero was rapidly decaying; and, for some nra-
sons befure lie (juitted the stage, he whose nimble wit and ready
drollery drew roars of laughter from all who witnenfted iiis per-
fonnaiices, sunk as he left tlie Kt«gi; into a decrepid and enfeebled
man.
And now fiirewell, Joe Griir.aldil We had tliougUt to have to
a tale or two which were once current touching your encomiten
witli those who isuuglit to dcspoit you. How, after being robbed ud*
night, in thosf limes when there were watchmen irpon ihe fic* "f
the eurlh, thou didst follow the spoiler upon hands and knee* untd
he came tn hiH box, reasftuuied his great-coat and lantern, and walk-
ed forth, like iinv other guardian of the night, to look alter big-
ger rogueH thnn liimbelf i How, on another occasion, in the neigh-
bmirhood of Bagiiige Wcllti, thou didst escape the fang-i of two
footpiuls. who »>itiiultaneously clapped thee on cither shoulder, b^
falling suddenly to the ground, and letting thy foes fall with thee,,
and how thou did>t then esciipe from them hy throwing a souiersct*
while they rightly swore thou muat be either the devil or Joe
Orimaldi.
But, as thou ha.st made nn record of theae tales, we must reject
them AS apocryphal, and substitute in lieu thereof a quatrain, which
we would fain pass off for
JOE CIKIMALDI'S EPITAPH.
G^eAl onre in A-iilt ^etne*, in » grat<
He cloth now sttEDiion craTe ;
for. since ileatli look Joe (inmaliii,
Wliu can dgnbi but wi- men all die 1
led
I
i.
W.J. T.
625
INDEX
TO THE THIRD VOLUME.
A.
Ailveotiiru in Faiii, No. III. The Msd-
sarde, 401.
'* Adveoturca of >a Irish Gentlemkn,"
Portnil Gall«i7 by the author of, 150.
Alembert, d', his altachmeot (o Made-
moiselle I'Esiiinasse, 26.
AlliteratioD, Siege of Belgrade a speci-
roen of, 312.
AlUpy, Toby, The Ups and Downs of
Life, and Adventures in Paris, ^by,
3<>1.401.
" All '• well that ends well !" (not Shak-
speare'm ) 72.
Anacreootlcs, 284. 493.
Andermalt, iuDkeeper of, 143.
Angler's Advyse, Ye, a poem, 134.
Artists and Works of Alt in Kngland,
173.
B.
Babiography, a DissertalioD upon Baby-
Monsters, 507.
Dallads— The Passage of the Sebeto,
30; Count Caska'wbtsky and his Three
Houses, 413.
Ball at Devonshire House, 174.
Barcelona, description of, 564.
Battle of the Nile, te€ Nighu ai Sea.
lieoedict Club, the, account of the at-
tempt to establish ii, 579.
Be quiet— Do ! 1 '11 call m
song, 390.
Beranger, M. populari^ of his fongs in
t' ranee. 256. 259.
Bibliophilist, the, story of, 564.
Bird of Paradise, lines on the, 90.
Bivouac, the, a song, 609.
Book-making considered as one of the
Fioe Aru, 465.
Bonomye the Usurer, a^ryof, ue Fictumi
nf ih't MidtlU Agti.
BoBuet, Abb^, (aftenvarda Bishop of
Meaui,) notice of bis Sennon on the
death of the Duchess of Orleans, 128 n.
-liot," Oliver Twist by, 1. 105. 209.
313.417.521.
Ilradbury, the clown, remaika od, 622.
Briggs, Richard, 72.
Buggins, Mr. story of, 556.
Cannon Family, adventures of, in Bou-
logDe,150. 452.
<'arltno, the Harlequin, account of, 61S.
(.'askn' whisky. Count, and hia Thm
Huubes, a (eniperaiKe ballad, 413.
Chapter on ikals, 78.
my Mother, a
Chapter on Life, 310.
Chequered Life, lines on, 181.
Childe, Walter, legend of, 433. 537
Churchyard, sonnet in a, 208.
Clowns, chapter on, 617.
Concert Eitraordinaiy, during the fire at
the Royal Exchange, 190.
Cond£, Prince of, remarks respecting, 51 2.
Prioress of, ttt Mtrntoiartucy,
" Confessions of an lllderly Gentleman,"
Night of Terror by the author of, 33.
" Comet Club," Shawn Gow and tho
Little Grey Man of the Paries by a
member of the, 305-
CoDtrasI, the, 510.
Conundrum, 520.
Conveyance Company, the, an odd in*
ddent, 347.
Critics, critiques on, or, a word to tli«
would-be such, 396.
Cuiune Maigre, remarks on Jean Stein's
piclureof the, 367.
Cupid and the Rose, 65.
D.
'* Dalton," a tale of Graromarye by, 91.
Dance, U. Madrigal of the Seasons by,
62 i the Laurel, the Rose, and tk«
Vine, a poem by, 120.
Darkness, lines on, 555.
Deriant. Maniuisedu, character and ac-
count of, 21 ; extract from her letters
to Horace Walpole, 23 ; remarks on
her death, 24.
Delphini, Signor, the clown, anecdote
of, 621.
Delta, Fictions of Middle Ages by, 44.
Devil, verses on the, 304.
Devonshire House, remarksoo ball at, 174.
■ -, Duke of, his collection of
medals, 175; in possession of Claude
Lomine'a " Libra di Verita," 176.
Diarv of a Manuscript- hunter ; Henry
IV. and the Princess of Conde, 51 1.
Distich, Dick, Nutmegs for Nigliliugales
by, 463.
Dock-yard Ghost, story of the, 28,'">.
Dominico, the Harlequin, anucdole of,
617. '
Dream, a, 181.
Duello, the, ut Nlghlt at Sea,
Dying Child, the, a poem, 366.
Dying Prisoner, the, tte Nights at Sea.
Drary-Lanc Thealie, account of a riut
in, 619.
096
INDEX.
E.
Eelocw, & nuxlini, 329.
" FJocri; GanilcmaD," tkr, a Loro Sloiy
in ThtEc (.'bapWra by. 331.
En^Ubil, Aitists and Wwit of Art tn,
U3.
3-^rliiti Comtorti. froa Iba G«nnkB at
Ut. Fcmncn KoUenkjunp, 161.
£pi»tl« ExpoitaUlory lo a dur Fncnl,
E^MMCt StadMDoinllc I*, uken niMkr
ibe pKileaion of Klulame da Uelinnt.
33 ; account of, '2Zt ; citiacU Irom bw
leucn to Uw Cosile de Ouibctt, 28.
F.
Familjr Dmm&licak, 63.
Slorici. No. \iri. Dr. IngoU-
b>'« Storv. il5 i No- IX. tlic Mutm's
Stor}-, tlio llMid ofGloty. 299.
FcDialo WoltDD, linrt no ih«, 13fi.
Ficliouanftbi: Middle Akc», No.ll. l{o>
noiu)« lite llturei, 44 ; No. III. The
ProftiMt of ToIwId, 544.
Follct, tbit ci«wn, itatwks oa bU pu-
fomiBoeca. 621.
FngDueat, K, 563.
FraDcv, otxcrvalian* on the Female Ik-
flociice in tbu GoveraiiMiDt of, 17 ; Po-
pulAi iiul NaiionnI I'oct/y trf. ^1 ;
po[iii.1inlj a( llcrangd** muiz* in, 256.
Fnscli Liuvarj' Lmlio, l>y Oeocg« Ho-
^nh, 17.
Fntudidiip, •unnoi to, 158.
U.
G«offriB, Uidii<nc, iLccouni of, 19.
Ghost, uaty at lite Uocij-aiJ, «m UmJI.
Viir'lt
Gilnnn, .Ii>hn W^rd, nanatiw of. 36^.
CImju urUui Put, ^2.
(iolden Legend. Ute, a lay of Su I4iclto-
U», I** Lay.
Crammaryi. atiilr of, 91.
Grand Juior, lli«, or :><ftviDg my CouD-
Uy in Ginml Stylo. •2m.
GrifI^>o«. a ulc of ttic I'cmatula, 601.
Griinaldt, Joe. Uio 'clown, notice of hii
bioEcu|iby, ti'23 ; niuiailis on bu pn-
formnnces, tl>,
Cuil>r-ii. roinie ilc. letter* lA, ffoni Mn-
deiiiiJiiBlli: I'fLipiijiu&e, '211.
Cuiclic, Count de, i-lutarlvi of, 122.
Jl.
Hampden, Mr.Georvc, cloty of bitSnulS.
box, 342.
Iluid of Glory, i^if FauiUti Slvrlu,
IJul«quin, Rinarki oo the chuicUr, 6tB.
" Headloiif llitU" New \tit tiy Ijis
oulliur of, 104.
ll«or|r III. kiain ofKnglutd, hn pcrMcu-
tioQ uf liie ,lewh. 44.
lloory IV.afFnnoe, end thel'riimMof
Cond^, trom tliu Diaij of a Uiiuii>
•cnpt-lmntpr, .'ill.
Heaiiettu Muiv, Quocu of Enfihud,
fronton of (. hntteA l.j weLi refuse Jn
France, 121.
Hi|[lil«tiJ*, Upotling RaiabUt ut titty 137.
Ilopnb, Gmrcc. French Liunuy
aitd tlie PoiiiDDcn of tJM S*ve
CoMirj, In-, 17. 121.
Hoa, H«v. Kobeit. tDcmoira of, 192.
lloll. 11. ilMiiM MilM. and, Whj M
Major ftUfis k«» ■ farrot T by, 29V.
44'i.
Haani tlicre ur to tneiaoni drom. X
tMgi fo( Nightingale*, no. 11. *6*.
In^oUlibjr, Dr. tUury of. 95.
. . HuHUM. Fanilv Stone*
95. 299 ; a Lay of St. NicboUt , ihc
Goldrn LcfteuiC 494.
"Invbibk Ccntleinaa,'* iIm, wnei m
llie UcrU hy, 304.
Jerdao, WillUa, Clmpier sb Life; iW
SnulT-box , 'I'liotnaa NoJdy* Ejq. ;
llie Windsor ball of ike Ncmcu f
khion. bv, 310. 342. 499.011.
Je*r«, oondilion of, in the reiffn of
111. 44.
Jocuoii. JoTce. "All '« tien Au
wclir* Q IJtlleLotforMr.ti.
and the Contnui, br, 72. 506. 510,
Jobnt. Lieuieoaat, i^e Doek-ywl G
bf. 285.
■ Richard, the Conrej&noe Cam-
nany by, 347.
Jonaaoa, JU«n, criticjinic apoa, 337.
Jvlita, a Gleam of ihe J'lit i liatf M
Darineu ) and a FrMfowni tnr,
555. 563.
KliiDchuiibnich, &lr. Julius giniMpMij
fcldl Hackennan tknith, tuny
iog hiin, 561}.
Knoiwlo, bberidan, T«r«ei no, 463.
Koiteokamp. Uc, Fraocu, KugliiJi Corn*
foitk, fiMD tlie Geioun of. li>7.
1-
Laurcni, M. hi* i&IgoU u a oloinit 331.
Lbi' o( St. N itibolai. the liotdeu Lnead
No. I. «4.
UgnoJ*— Waller Ch'ilde, 433. 537 ^ lla
Golden L«Mod, 424.
t4 Gnw, J U. Pauase of Sebeto by. 39.
I.i:f . Rluty of ibc. fiom tba Cerauao. 480.
Leuion, iMait, Iniellittaty of the Wedg-
wood lliEt<;sl)ph by, 61,
- Libra de Vthta." (Book ef Trvih.t of
Clnudc l.oriaier, tJ»«iiption of. 17B.
Life, 3 cbapiw oa, 310 ; 0 W ataj llowm
of. 391.
Liai;s— To . 77; ao Uh Bud ef
i'and.w;. 'iri , ciu Uic Ncn Ymu. 1(H)
on Chci^ucml Life, IHl; on ttiincv-
inc Mr. MuRwdy'* pvrforniaiwe of
Cuedu ftlolnoiir, ^211; on Spring. 4M.
Litohiicld. Ut. ilic Pa«tvuia by. .^4.
" Lolbiih." till-, llin Giand Juiut bj ibo
aaibM of, 2tiU.
LtfrTaioc. ('bev.itii-r de, liii atccikla
o«e[ lite DuUufOdcon*, 136.
Lurriiini!. ('laudc, wHDunt at hb '* Libct
di Vrniu,"175. 17«.
tao.
I
^4
627
Loibenie. Mi. 329. 41?. IM.
l.i>*«, llopa, ant) Juy. ■ po«nn,, &3S.
Luwiitpry, in ihrwcliaplcn, 3;jl.
M.
Alackar. C. PofiuUr anii Nalional Poeby
b;. No. 1.361 4 Mo. II.4B.'>.
Micmdj-, Mr. linrt un wiiucHia^ lii>
petfornttoM of Claude Mclcotie, 32tl.
ftlatlrtgal of th« }>«uoiu. 83.
MaaiiiD, Dr. SiiakipMn l*ap«rs bj, No.
VI. 2M; No. VII.470.
ftlaiatenon, UAil&ma de. nmatks mpect*
iii^-. 260.
M«nurdp, iha. No. 111. orAtLvgnturM in
Fmu, 401.
Huiiiicript-hnQitr, diiuy oft, «m Diary.
'lariMr'* Dieam, the. or ibo Siurm-D'e*
nan. 346.
'UwOm UUcv, who cared for b«ne]f, sUFry
or. 380.
Madiria. Captain, Tl)« Three Sinlon,
lDoVmp<r t»f ApdwniAtt, and 'Ihc Two
SiMen. bj. Gti. U3. 378 ; hi* remailu
on Jean Slrio'a Ctutina Mupe, 367>
Idcrting, the, apocm. 41S.
UcfiyuiouglittTristruD, "Tbere**Bonu»>
lake in diat I" sod A Mmleiu Eolosva
bstwMM Jinitiy Ooftbhioiicli sod Pal
Marvin, by, 343. »-J9.
Ui>fortitnn anil CanwUtioiu of FetCgrilMi
T««)l*, 516.
Miln, Maitlii, iIdt^ of, u* Manha MiUt,
ftUtnoaania^tlr, KliiiM-'hunbTudi, 2€7.
Himtnpan , Madams da , ciiamciar of, 249.
Moatinardicy. Mvpiertia dc, deMnpiion
of, hVi : her marnage with the lautco
afCoMl^, &14.
MoBtpaiHiaf, lUxlaKie dn, her arrount of
Uw datUi of ihichcM of Oilcaiu, 127.
Hon. Maraaia do. his aiiaduncBi lo
MadMMiMUa VEopnouc, •».
Uoryan, Joaldo, hia acroant of tlie fin at
tiic Roval Escbao|e, 13£.
Sluk'uSwcM, 341.
Uulltn, Major.WhfdidliGbmp* Pano(I
443.
Murnlijr. Mr. ode lo, 366.
, Mj niere'i Albtiu, No. I. Mjiliology
Ida oaajr, 339.
N.
■dM of John Ward Cibwo, 3Sk
KaTal SpofUBCn, tloi; ftf, (m Ai^Au M
Sm.
>e« Yrar, IImb on llw. 104.
Nt|;hii m Sea, or Skuwiw* of Naval Lif«
during ihe ^\ar, No.Vll.llx! Hum;—
Ilia i)u«ll»— and the NutjI l^porli-
oian, 191 -, No. VIII. Itu H*iilc of
the Nile— Tt>« Dyiue I'tiMMw*, 378 :
No. IX. lU burial al ISea — Ming
ihe ^lnuk«;.— I1u) Pitaie Cnft, 686.
Nig 111 ufTcitor, 33.
Nijipot Aiuiy, »wij told by, iff).
NiHiil), Thooiaa, K«|. ditiy uf, 4ili9.
Nurw't Suwy. i'^ >'MMifii Sl*v-m.
NMttl>rK> fur N li;hbliKaUs, ho. I- 4<>3 t
Mu. U.ULaad IV. 4(i4.
Cidt— to Mr. Murphy, 366 ; U> ihc (jnt«n
of Spring. 577.
Old Honntain Drw. ireraea ia prabe nf.
684.
" Old Nicliolaa," S»nncl lo Fncadahip,
Sonnet iu a ChurL-hyard, and 'I'lio Itc*
ooaciliauon, by. I&8. 30B. 369.
•' IJIJSaili>r,">iKtibat S«a,t>y iho, 191.
378.
Oliver IVisl, or Uie Pariih Bov'* P(0-
EKsa ; delivered over to M>. iSUei. 1 ;
ia adtciiiutr* witli hint. 7. 13. 16;
con««r>aiuiti l)«twcati Toby Cnukri and
llic Jew ret|)e«iin|{ him, iltf ; miticu*
Ian relative lo hit ht>loi7. 309 ; coo-
venaliiiD retpcctiag him, 213. 317;
coQiinualioa of hi* adveuliua, 313.
916; ini^niry into hii conftectioo Milb
the rol>b«rr)- at ^lrt.M»lia*i,334.417 :
Danimlan of his residence wiih Mnt,
Slayiie. 43&. fifll ; a new advciitniv,
fi3&.
Oporali*c. n^lccwd. One of Many Tales,
hj, 305.
Orleau, Philip Duke of, his morhaM,
132 ; sDSpiciMu coiir.>niin|( him on bis
irife's d«aik by poi*uu, 130 { remarlu
on the eienuoacy of bis educatioo, 132.
^ - Henrieiui Anne, UucboM of, ae-
countof ber, 131 ; h« death b^potton,
120 1 lemailitoii her ajsatnoabon, ISOj
on the perpeiraMn, 132.
P.
Paaiomime, firu Introduction of into
EDgUiid,&l9.
Pauago of (he S«b«to, IkiIIkI oq the, 39.
Poel, 8ii Robert, bis colieciwn of pajat-
iBfi. IBO.
Pcoiusula, a tale of tlie, itt GhgmM.
i""Ti
Truilr,
I'cnian IJarber, story of;
W ^ d
PicrroE, leinarkt on the eharaclet of an
ai:U>ruf,(>33,
Puatc Crufi, jc« (ii^klt el Smu
plain Caw, a. C43.
I'laiam, Mamnia, aion mpectiar, 190 i
bitiiorl wiUi Caum Lamont, 197.
Poeini — I'be Laniri, llw Kom), and thv
Vine. 120 ; 'llie At^lcr*! Ad«yw. 134 ;
I'oel'* Fmn. Ui> : Ihe Ihrte Dtni*
wU. 'JtU i iltat 's DO .MikUle in rlial.
342, The Uyii>{( Child, 36tl v The
]UiBii.469;Lo<«, Hope, and Joy.&U.
TeMical Eptalle to ■■ liai," 71.
PoeOT, pofMla/ and nalinnai of f m
3&7 ; of &«ritieriBMl. 48&.
Poet's Fniuy, ilie, n pwaii, 149.
I'ouoOMs of the 17th I'l-ntrtrr, un
iiatiuo of the DnrlwM • < '
Poloaiaa, cfiticums mi tFii
Shakimiv Papers, No.
I'oppV.tM!; ItawUtMH frill
I'onnlBj aud NatiuuJ IV---,, >. .^-
iS\ . K«>ti(^lB:id.4IUi.
Poninii Cialli-iy, ^0*. V. awl VI.
ri28
INDEX.
AdTCOtniM of tin* Cuaoo Faauij in
BaslogiM. 150. 4M.
fottnua. Ike, itfecdeDi «b. 604.
Pmate AccDunl at the Ulo Fin St tlu)
Kuyal l-'ichann, 136.
Pfv(«Mor of ToImd. ■torj of. tm Fi'ctfM*
^tli* MidMU Agtt.
PiMi. Fuller. Poeiicil bpiaUe to " Bob."
by. 71.
Pu«'b, Kpislb Expoatulaloty to ■ dtot
Fniad. bj. 4tf.
Q.
Queen of Sfting^, ode to ibe, 677.
H.
Hsvcn, the, a poetn, 469.
RMonciluiiunii th«, k ilojy from leal life,
369.
KnhiAi, M(. Geori^e, s Utile lot for. 606.
Keyni-'lib, J. hamluin, Moououia^Mr,
KliiDchuobriick. by, 367.
RooiuiM of Real Life, m Tkut Situn.
Stofai EichaDee, » piirale accaunt of Ibe
Ule fire 10, 135.
St. Anlhooy, MmpUliou of. mi Tntpiii-
tivnt.
8Mh, a. chRptnr on, 78.
Sebtto, ballad on the pauag* of iHc. ter
P<UM^(.
Sbakmwre Paper*— No. VI. TimoD of
Atheiu.SUA; Na.Vll.l'Dl4)t>iini,4TO.
SbaMD Ciow amt lite Liille ijivy Maa uf
ilic Fairies ailA.
Skviilan, Lnuia4 II. Plain Cawi b^, £43.
Sieue vf llclgnde. a tpectmen of alliioni-
tion. 312.
Sling llii: Mnnkey. tn« Kigklt m 5m.
Slocumb. Mr., IW.
Snutf-but. ttie, • ule of Wb.I(«, 342.
Sponittg Kmnble in the liighlauda, ut
Highhiiufi.
S'pnnf, line* on, 484.
SuiuoDS, Counie&t of. tier iDti[na.cy witb
the I>uchcit of Orlcaiu, iH; uitleJ i«
Ohainn.-i^.ne, I'lh ; hit dtitnu-Wt. 133.
8onx> — NalJuual Soogi in t'luncr, 2&U.
m. '2^: H«c|inirt, do! I 'U call my
MmW. 390 ; > Sun^, 471).
SonD«u— In > liiMulkliip. MttiioftCltuicb-
yuni. 208 ; lo , 6CI0.
Soiitliliy, tlieikiwn, Kiniirki on hi* pet.
fonnaucc*. tiil.
ytatiMsaii cuntcmplAiini; iboUureDK at
KLduigbl, 166.
Swil), Jvnii, roroork* on bit pictute, llta
Cuisine Mutfie, $G7.
Stirkleback Funilyt aceount of ihe )wivue
tb«aiiicaboflhc. D6.
" Siario* (if U ■ti.-rLi>n," Memoir a( ibp
Rov. Robini IIoi;s by tiiii uuilioi of
(he. m.
Slorm- r lemon, the. »« MuriNtr't Jittam.
TiutiirtltnA, Dtike of, lii* ci>lI«L-tiDti of
WDlUDflll, 173.
SwitjeHand, popnUr and
or,4ea.
T.
T^c of GnmnvTC. 91.
Tale* of an Anbqiufy, Famitj Diaawb*
call, by ibo Kuthnr of, 83.
T«ll nw, geoik Laura, wby. Noincn lot
NigbtitigalMNo.IV.464.
TentpUtioai of St. Antbimy, a poem. 100.
I'tial Knniin N'oae. Nwiiiwp w fi'tghaa-
^nNo.l]l.464.
'Ihc Laore), ibe Row, and tbe Vtoe. a
poem. ISO-
liter* '» no niitUkc in tbnt ! a poem, 3
rU Riut ^ Ibe L>u«llo— an4 the K
Spotuniu. Mf Xighu M 5m.
ThoiM, Vi. J. V«rMuU<^. and a Cbipttf
OD CLowtu 117,214. 617.
ThrM DuBjeb. Uw. a |ueni. ^03.
TbtM SiiUn, tb«. romancv of nai lifc, ffi-
TinMin of Alltttia, Mf SfuilujiMn Pn^m.
Toulmin CantUJo, Ode Id tbe ijuecn li
Sfiiins by, 677.
I'wMiJe, PcngriBo. IblufarDUM and C*-
•elation* of, &!<>.
Twi»l. Olivet, ne Ottvtr.
Tm of a Trade— lbs Panua Bubat.
alorj of, 159.
TmiSi»l«rv,th«,'i78.
L.
UMand, innaUitoD* from, 334. 43S.
Upt nod Doiriia of Life, cbapici do, 391-
Vftltiere, Duchen* de k, reinaiks i«i|wcl-
ing. 248.
Vailyn. tioty of Mr. Bagrglu by, 563.
VerMillcs. palace »r. (etnaili un Ibe
lilutEUTii in, 244 ; NapoltMi'a deHgntif
reuuTAiins, 346; review of lln ecc«-
jMcn, 347 i ch« Oiubna de la V'altirr^
';4lt; .MndJinic <ia .Votttespdw, 249
Madawc de MainUoon, 'i&H.
\'vnw— on ihe rwil, 3M ; on Sb«nd»
Knowica* 463 ', on Uld UwuUub 1>cv,
&84.
Vinreoin, F<ii1icr Don, Ibe bibUppktbit,
Octy ol, 565.
W.
U'ad«, J. A., Villue Bride's F«kmII,
and Critiijues un Ciilic*. by, 396, 3'
Vitgra. Ur. Aititfi and Worik erf An
England by. 173
Muljvle, ll»n. Horace, his ucouU of
a riol in Drury.Laoe HimIic, &i\,
^ValMu Cluldn. Ugead of, ta Child*.
Hoilgcwatnl ll>«n)|ilyiA, liwe Hirtoiyof
ti ibo lUM catlwl the Wdlow I'uion,
fJl.
^^oln)1I>e Back, ibe, 377.
^Vbiiehcad. C. Natnlive of John Ward
bibMO by. 3SIi.
U'iikn* Cured, or mort tlutn (be Uodee
at rinlt, 5&3.
nindaor bell of the latcsl fii»lii»D, til
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