IntheMorningofLifetheTruthfulwooedtheBeautiful,andtheiroffspringwasLove。LikehisDivineparents,Heiseternal。HehashisMother’sravishingsmile;hisFather’ssteadfasteyes。Heriseseveryday,freshandgloriousastheuntiredSun-God。HeisEros,theeveryoung。Dark,darkwerethisworldofourshadeitherDivinityleftit——darkwithouttheday-beamsoftheLatonianCharioteer,darkeryetwithoutthedaedalSmileoftheGodoftheOtherBow!Dostknowhim,reader?
Oldishe,Eros,theeveryoung。HeandTimewerechildrentogether。Chronosshalldie,too;butLoveisimperishable。
BrightestoftheDivinities,wherehastthounotbeensung?Otherworshipspassaway;theidolsforwhompyramidswereraisedlieinthedesertcrumblingandalmostnameless;theOlympiansarefled,theirfanesnolongerriseamongthequiveringolive-grovesofIlissus,orcrowntheemerald-isletsoftheamethystAegean!Thesearegone,butthouremainest。Thereisstillagarlandforthytemple,aheiferforthystone。Aheifer?Ah,manyadarkersacrifice。Otherbloodisshedatthyaltars,RemorselessOne,andthePoetPriestwhoministersatthyShrinedrawshisauguriesfromthebleedingheartsofmen!
WhileLovehathnoend,CantheBardeverceasesinging?InKinglyandHeroicages,’twasofKingsandHeroesthatthePoetspake。
Butinthese,ourtimes,theArtisanhathhisvoiceaswellastheMonarch。ThepeopleTo-DayisKing,andwechroniclehiswoes,asTheyofolddidthesacrificeoftheprincelyIphigenia,orthefateofthecrownedAgamemnon。
IsOdysseuslessaugustinhisragsthaninhispurple?Fate,Passion,Mystery,theVictim,theAvenger,theHatethatharms,theFuriesthattear,theLovethatbleeds,arenotthesewithusStill?arenotthesestilltheweaponsoftheArtist?thecolorsofhispalette?thechordsofhislyre?Listen!Itelltheeatale——
notofKings——butofMen——notofThrones,butofLove,andGrief,andCrime。Listen,andbutoncemore。’Tisforthelasttimeprobablythesefingersshallsweepthestrings。
E。L。B。L。
NOONDAYINCHEPE。
’TwasnoondayinChepe。HighTideinthemightyRiverCity!——itsbankswellnighoverflowingwiththemyriad-wavedStreamofMan!
Thetopplingwains,bearingtheproduceofathousandmarts;thegildedequipageoftheMillionary;thehumbler,butyetlargervehiclefromthegreenmetropolitansuburbstheHangingGardensofourBabylon,inwhicheverytravellermight,foramodestremuneration,takearepublicanseat;themercenarycaroche,withitsprivatefreight;thebriskcurricleoftheletter-carrier,robedinroyalscarlet:theseandathousandotherswerelaboringandpressingonward,andlockedandboundandhustlingtogetherinthenarrowchannelofChepe。Theimprecationsofthecharioteerswereterrible。Fromthenoble’sbroideredhammer-cloth,orthedriving-seatofthecommoncoach,eachdriverassailedtheotherwithfloodsofribaldsatire。ThepavidmatronwithintheonevehiclespeedingtotheBankforhersemestrialpittanceshriekedandtrembled;theangryDiveshasteningtohisofficetoaddanotherthousandtohisheap,thrusthisheadovertheblazonedpanels,anddisplayedaneloquenceofobjurgationwhichhisveryMenialscouldnotequal;thedauntlessstreeturchins,astheygaylythreadedtheLabyrinthofLife,enjoyedtheperplexitiesandquarrelsofthescene,andexacerbatedthealreadyfuriouscombatantsbytheirpoignantinfantilesatire。AndthePhilosopher,asheregardedthehotstrifeandstruggleoftheseCandidatesintheraceforGold,thoughtwithasighoftheTruthfulandtheBeautiful,andwalkedon,melancholyandserene。
’TwasnooninChepe。Theware-roomswerethronged。Theflauntingwindowsofthemercersattractedmanyapurchaser:theglitteringpanesbehindwhichBirminghamhadglazeditssimulatedsilver,inducedrusticstopause:althoughonlynoon,thesavoryodorsoftheCookShopstemptedtheoverhungrycitizentothebunofBath,ortothefragrantpotagethatmockstheturtle’sflavor——theturtle!OdapibussuprimigratatestudoJovis!IamanAldermanwhenIthinkofthee!Well:itwasnooninChepe。
Butwereallbattlingforgainthere?AmongthemanybrilliantshopswhosecasementsshoneuponChepe,therestoodoneacenturybackaboutwhichperiodourtaleopensdevotedtothesaleofColonialproduce。Arudelycarvedimageofanegro,withafantasticplumeandapronofvariegatedfeathers,decoratedthelintel。TheEastandWesthadsenttheircontributionstoreplenishthewindow。
Thepoorslavehadtoiled,diedperhaps,toproduceyonpyramidofswarthysugarmarked”ONLY61/2d。”——Thatcattybox,onwhichwastheepigraph”STRONGFAMILYCONGOONLY3s。9d,”wasfromthecountryofConfutzee——thatheapofdarkproduceborethelegend”TRYOURREALNUT”——’TwasCocoa——andthatnuttheCocoa-nut,whosemilkhasrefreshedthetravellerandperplexedthenaturalphilosopher。Theshopinquestionwas,inaword,aGrocer’s。
Inthemidstoftheshopanditsgorgeouscontentssatonewho,tojudgefromhisappearancethough’twasadifficulttask,as,insooth,hisbackwasturned,hadjustreachedthathappyperiodoflifewhentheBoyisexpandingintotheMan。OYouth,Youth!
HappyandBeautiful!Ofreshandroseatedawnoflife;whenthedewyetliesontheflowers,eretheyhavebeenscorchedandwitheredbyPassion’sfierySun!Immersedinthoughtorstudy,andindifferenttothedinaroundhim,sattheboy。Acarelessguardianwasheofthetreasuresconfidedtohim。ThecrowdpassedinChepe;henevermarkedit。ThesunshoneonChepe;heonlyaskedthatitshouldilluminethepageheread。Theknavemightfilchhistreasures;hewasheedlessoftheknave。Thecustomermightenter;buthisbookwasallinalltohim。
AndindeedacustomerWASthere;alittlehandwastappingonthecounterwithaprettyimpatience;apairofarcheyesweregazingattheboy,admiring,perhaps,hismanlyproportionsthroughthehomelyandtightenedgarmentshewore。”Ahem!sir!Isay,youngman!”thecustomerexclaimed。”Tond’apameibomenosprosephe,”readonthestudent,hisvoicechokedwithemotion。”Whatlanguage!”hesaid;”howrich,hownoble,howsonorous!prosephepodas——”
Thecustomerburstoutintoafitoflaughtersoshrillandcheery,thattheyoungStudentcouldnotbutturnround,andblushing,forthefirsttimeremarkedher。”Aprettygrocer’sboyyouare,”shecried,”withyourapplepiebomenosandyourFrenchandlingo。AmI
tobekeptwaitingforhever?””Pardon,fairMaiden,”saidhe,withhigh-bredcourtesy:”’twasnotFrenchIread,’twastheGodlikelanguageoftheblindoldbard。
InwhatcanIbeserviceabletoye,lady?”andtospringfromhisdesk,tosmoothhisapron,tostandbeforehertheobedientShopBoy,thePoetnomore,wastheworkofamoment。”Imighthavepriggedthisboxoffigs,”thedamselsaidgood-
naturedly,”andyou’dneverhaveturnedround。””TheycamefromthecountryofHector,”theboysaid。”Wouldyouhavecurrants,lady?TheseoncebloomedintheislandgardensoftheblueAegean。Theyareuncommonfineones,andthefigureislow;they’refourpence-halfpennyapound。Wouldyemayhapmaketrialofourteas?Wedonotadvertise,assomefolksdo:butsellaslowasanyotherhouse。””You’repreciousyoungtohaveallthesegoodthings,”thegirlexclaimed,notunwilling,seemingly,toprolongtheconversation。”IfIwasyou,andstoodbehindthecounter,Ishouldbeeatingfigsthewholedaylong。””Timewas,”answeredthelad,”andnotlongsinceIthoughtsotoo。
IthoughtInevershouldbetiredoffigs。Butmyoldunclebademetakemyfill,andnowinsoothIamawearyofthem。””Ithinkyougentlemenarealwaysso,”thecoquettesaid。”Nay,saynotso,fairstranger!”theyouthreplied,hisfacekindlingashespoke,andhiseagleeyesflashingfire。”Figspall;butoh!theBeautifulneverdoes。Figsrot;butoh!theTruthfuliseternal。Iwasborn,lady,tograpplewiththeLoftyandtheIdeal。MysoulyearnsfortheVisionary。Istandbehindthecounter,itistrue;butIponderhereuponthedeedsofheroes,andmuseoverthethoughtsofsages。Whatisgroceryforonewhohasambition?WhatsweetnesshathMuscovadatohimwhohathtastedofPoesy?TheIdeal,lady,Ioftenthink,isthetrueReal,andtheActual,butavisionaryhallucination。Butpardonme;withwhatmayIservethee?””Icameonlyforsixpenn’orthoftea-dust,”thegirlsaid,withafalteringvoice;”butoh,Ishouldliketohearyouspeakonforever!”
Onlyforsixpenn’orthoftea-dust?Girl,thoucamestforotherthings!Thoulovedsthisvoice?Siren!whatwasthewitcheryofthineown?Hedeftlymadeupthepacket,andplaceditinthelittlehand。Shepaidforhersmallpurchase,andwithafarewellglanceofherlustrouseyes,shelefthim。Shepassedslowlythroughtheportal,andinamomentwaslostinthecrowd。ItwasnooninChepe。AndGeorgedeBarnwellwasalone。
Vol。II。
WehaveselectedthefollowingepisodicalchapterinpreferencetoanythingrelatingtothemerestoryofGeorgeBarnwell,withwhichmostreadersarefamiliar。
UptothispassageextractedfromthebeginningofVol。II。thetaleisbrieflythus:
TherogueofaMillwoodhascomebackeverydaytothegrocer’sshopinChepe,wantingsomesugar,orsomenutmeg,orsomefigs,halfadozentimesintheweek。
SheandGeorgedeBarnwellhavevowedtoeachotheraneternalattachment。
ThisflameactsviolentlyuponGeorge。Hisbosomswellswithambition。Hisgeniusbreaksoutprodigiously。HetalksabouttheGood,theBeautiful,theIdeal,&c。,inandoutofallseason,andisvirtuousandeloquentalmostbeyondbelief——infactlikeDevereux,orP。Clifford,orE。Aram,Esquires。
InspiredbyMillwoodandlove,Georgerobsthetill,andminglesintheworldwhichheisdestinedtoornament。Heoutdoesallthedandies,allthewits,allthescholars,andallthevoluptuariesoftheage——anindefiniteperiodoftimebetweenQueenAnneandGeorgeII——dineswithCurllatSt。John’sGate,pinksColonelCharterisinaduelbehindMontagueHouse,isinitiatedintotheintriguesoftheChevalierSt。George,whomheentertainsathissumptuouspavilionatHampstead,andlikewiseindisguiseattheshopinCheapside。
Hisuncle,theowneroftheshop,asurlycurmudgeonwithverylittletastefortheTrueandBeautiful,hasretiredfrombusinesstothepastoralvillageinCambridgeshirefromwhichthenobleBarnwellscame。George’scousinAnnabelis,ofcourse,consumedwithasecretpassionforhim。
Sometriflinginaccuraciesmayberemarkedintheensuingbrilliantlittlechapter;butitmustberememberedthattheauthorwishedtopresentanageataglance:andthedialogueisquiteasfineandcorrectasthatinthe”LastoftheBarons,”orin”EugeneAram,”
orotherworksofourauthor,inwhichSentimentandHistory,ortheTrueandBeautiful,areunited。
CHAPTERXXIV。
BUTTON’SINPALLMALL。
ThosewhofrequentthedismalandenormousMansionsofSilencewhichsocietyhasraisedtoEnnuiinthatOmphalosoftown,PallMall,andwhich,becausetheyknockyoudownwiththeirdulness,arecalledClubsnodoubt;thosewhoyawnfromabay-windowinSt。
James’sStreet,atahalf-scoreofotherdandiesgapingfromanotherbay-windowovertheway;thosewhoconsultadrearyeveningpaperfornews,orsatisfythemselveswiththejokesofthemiserablePunchbywayofwit;themenabouttownofthepresentday,inaword,canhavebutlittleideaofLondonsomesixoreightscoreyearsback。Thoupudding-sidedolddandyofSt。
James’sStreet,withthylacqueredboots,thydyedwhiskers,andthysuffocatingwaistband,whatartthoutothybrilliantpredecessorinthesamequarter?TheBroughamfromwhichthoudescendestattheportalofthe”Carlton”orthe”Travellers’,”islikeeverybodyelse’s;thyblackcoathasnomoreplaits,norbuttons,norfancyinitthanthyneighbor’s;thyhatwasmadeontheveryblockonwhichLordAddlepate’swascast,whohasjustenteredtheClubbeforethee。Youandheyawntogetheroutofthesameomnibus-boxeverynight;youfancyyourselvesmenofpleasure;
youfancyyourselvesmenoffashion;youfancyyourselvesmenoftaste;infancy,intaste,inopinion,inphilosophy,thenewspaperlegislatesforyou;itisthereyougetyourjokesandyourthoughts,andyourfactsandyourwisdom——poorPallMalldullards。
Stupidslavesofthepress,onthatgroundwhichyouatpresentoccupy,thereweremenofwitandpleasureandfashion,somefive-
and-twentylustresago。
WeareatButton’s——thewell-knownsignofthe”Turk’sHead。”Thecrowdofperiwiggedheadsatthewindows——theswearingchairmenroundthestepstheblazonedandcoronalledpanelsofwhosevehiclesdenotetheloftyrankoftheirowners,——thethrongofembroideredbeauxenteringordeparting,andrenderingtheairfragrantwiththeodorsofpulvillioandpomander,proclaimthecelebratedresortofLondon’sWitandFashion。ItisthecornerofRegentStreet。CarltonHousehasnotyetbeentakendown。
Astatelygentlemanincrimsonvelvetandgoldissippingchocolateatoneofthetables,inearnestconversewithafriendwhosesuitislikewiseembroidered,butstainedbytime,orwinemayhap,orwear。Alittledeformedgentlemaniniron-grayisreadingtheMorningChroniclenewspaperbythefire,whileadivine,withabroadbrogueandashovelhatandcassock,istalkingfreelywithagentleman,whosestarandribbon,aswellastheunmistakablebeautyofhisPhidiancountenance,proclaimshimtobeamemberofBritain’saristocracy。
Tworaggedyouths,theonetall,gaunt,clumsyandscrofulous,theotherwithawild,careless,beautifullook,evidentlyindicatingRace,aregazinginatthewindow,notmerelyatthecrowdinthecelebratedClub,butatTimothythewaiter,whoisremovingaplateofthatexquisitedish,themuffinthennewlyinvented,atthedesireofsomeoftherevellerswithin。”Iwould,Sam,”saidthewildyouthtohiscompanion,”thatIhadsomeofmymotherMacclesfield’sgold,toenableustoeatofthosecatesandminglewithyonspringaldsandbeaux。””Tovauntaknowledgeofthestoicalphilosophy,”saidtheyouthaddressedasSam,”mightelicitasmileofincredulityuponthecheekoftheparasiteofpleasure;buttherearemomentsinlifewhenHistoryfortifiesendurance:andpaststudyrenderspresentdeprivationmorebearable。Ifourpecuniaryresourcesbeexiguous,letourresolution,Dick,supplythedeficienciesofFortune。Themuffinwedesireto-daywouldlittlebenefitusto-morrow。Poorandhungryasweare,arewelesshappy,Dick,thanyonlistlessvoluptuarywhobanquetsonthefoodwhichyoucovet?”
AndthetwoladsturnedawayupWaterlooPlace,andpastthe”Parthenon”Club-house,anddisappearedtotakeamealofcow-heelataneighboringcook’sshop。TheirnameswereSamuelJohnsonandRichardSavage。
MeanwhiletheconversationatButton’swasfastandbrilliant。”ByWood’sthirteens,andthedivvlegowid’em,”criedtheChurchdignitaryinthecassock,”isitinblueandgooldyearethismorning,SirRichard,whenyououghttobeinseebles?””Who’sdead,Dean?”saidthenobleman,thedean’scompanion。”Faix,meeLardBolingbroke,assureasmeename’sJonathanSwift——
andI’mnotsosureofthatneither,forwhoknowshisfather’sname?——there’sbeenamightycruelmurthercommittedentirely。A
childofDickSteele’shasbeenbarbarouslyslain,dthrawn,andquarthered,andit’sJoeAddisonyondtherhasdoneit。Yeshouldhavekilledoneofyourown,Joe,yethiefoftheworld。””I!”saidtheamazedandRightHonorableJosephAddison;”IkillDick’schild!Iwasgodfathertothelast。””Andpromisedacupandneversentit,”Dickejaculated。Josephlookedgrave。”ThechildImeanisSirRogerdeCoverley,KnightandBaronet。
Whatmadeyekillhim,yesavageMohock?Thewholetownisintearsaboutthegoodknight;alltheladiesatChurchthisafternoonwereinmourning;allthebooksellersarewild;andLintotsaysnotathirdofthecopiesoftheSpectatoraresoldsincethedeathofthebraveoldgentleman。”AndtheDeanofSt。
Patrick’spulledouttheSpectatornewspaper,containingthewell-
knownpassageregardingSirRoger’sdeath。”Iboughtitbutnowin’WellingtonStreet,’”hesaid;”thenewsboyswerehowlingalldowntheStrand。””WhatamiracleisGenius——Genius,theDivineandBeautiful,”saidagentlemanleaningagainstthesamefireplacewiththedeformedcavalieriniron-gray,andaddressingthatindividual,whowasinfactMr。AlexanderPope。”Whatamarvellousgiftisthis,androyalprivilegeofArt!TomaketheIdealmorecrediblethantheActual:toenchainourhearts,tocommandourhopes,ourregrets,ourtears,foramerebrain-bornEmanation:toinvestwithlifetheIncorporeal,andtoglamourthecloudyintosubstance,——thesearetheloftyprivilegesofthePoet,ifIhavereadpoesyaright;andIamasfamiliarwiththesoundsthatrangfromHomer’slyre,aswiththestrainswhichcelebratethelossofBelinda’slovelylocks”——Mr。Popeblushedandbowed,highlydelighted——”these,I
say,sir,aretheprivilegesofthePoet——thePoietes——theMaker——
hemovestheworld,andasksnolever;ifhecannotcharmdeathintolife,asOrpheusfeignedtodo,hecancreateBeautyoutofNought,anddefyDeathbyrenderingThoughtEternal。Ho!Jemmy,anotherflaskofNantz。”
Andtheboy——forhewhoaddressedthemostbrilliantcompanyofwitsinEuropewaslittlemore——emptiedthecontentsofthebrandy-
flaskintoasilverflagon,andquaffeditgaylytothehealthofthecompanyassembled。’Twasthethirdhehadtakenduringthesitting。Presently,andwithagracefulsalutetotheSociety,hequittedthecoffee-house,andwasseencanteringonamagnificentArabpasttheNationalGallery。”Whoisyonsparkinblueandsilver?HebeatsJoeAddisonhimself,indrinking,,andpiousJoeisthegreatesttoperinthethreekingdoms,”DickSteelesaid,good-naturedly。”HispaperintheSpectatorbeatsthybest,Dick,thousluggard,”
theRightHonorableMr。Addisonexclaimed。”HeistheauthorofthatfamousNo。996,forwhichyouhaveallbeengivingmethecredit。””Therascalfoiledmeatcappingverses,”DeanSwiftsaid,”andwonatenpennypieceofme,plaguetakehim!””Hehassuggestedanemendationinmy’Homer,’whichproveshimadelicatescholar,”Mr。Popeexclaimed。”HeknowsmoreoftheFrenchkingthananymanIhavemetwith;andwemusthaveaneyeuponhim,”saidLordBolingbroke,thenSecretaryofStateforForeignAffairs,andbeckoningasuspicious-
lookingpersonwhowasdrinkingataside-table,whisperedtohimsomething。
Meantimewhowashe?wherewashe,thisyouthwhohadstruckallthewitsofLondonwithadmiration?HisgallopingchargerhadreturnedtotheCity;hissplendidcourt-suitwasdoffedforthecitizen’sgabardineandgrocer’shumbleapron。
GeorgedeBarnwellwasinChepe——inChepe,atthefeetofMarthaMillwood。
VOLIII。
THECONDEMNEDCELL。”Quidmemollibusimplicaslacertis,myElinor?Nay,”Georgeadded,afaintsmileillumininghiswanbutnoblefeatures,”whyspeaktotheeintheaccentsoftheRomanpoet,whichthoucomprehendestnot?BrightOne,therebeotherthingsinLife,inNature,inthisInscrutableLabyrinth,thisHeartonwhichthouleanest,whichareequallyunintelligibletothee!Yes,myprettyone,whatistheUnintelligiblebuttheIdeal?whatistheIdealbuttheBeautiful?whattheBeautifulbuttheEternal?AndtheSpiritofManthatwouldcommunewiththeseislikeHimwhowandersbythethinapoluphloisboiothalasses,andshrinksawe-struckbeforethatAzureMystery。”
Emily’seyesfilledwithfresh-gushingdew。”Speakon,speakeverthus,myGeorge,”sheexclaimed。Barnwell’schainsrattledastheconfidinggirlclungtohim。EvenSnoggin,theturnkeyappointedtositwiththePrisoner,wasaffectedbyhisnobleandappropriatelanguage,andalsoburstintotears。”Youweep,mySnoggin,”theBoysaid;”andwhy?HathLifebeensocharmingtomethatIshouldwishtoretainit?hathPleasurenoafter-Weariness?AmbitionnoDeception;WealthnoCare;andGlorynoMockery?Psha!IamsickofSuccess,palledofPleasure,wearyofWineandWit,and——nay,startnot,myAdelaide——andWoman。I
flingawayallthesethingsastheToysofBoyhood。LifeistheSoul’sNursery。IamaMan,andpinefortheIllimitable!Markyoume!HastheMorrowanyterrorsforme,thinkye?DidSocratesfalterathispoison?DidSenecablenchinhisbath?DidBrutusshirktheswordwhenhisgreatstakewaslost?DidevenweakCleopatrashrinkfromtheSerpent’sfatalnip?AndwhyshouldI?
MygreatHazardhathbeenplayed,andIpaymyforfeit。Liesheathedinmyheart,thouflashingBlade!WelcometomyBosom,thoufaithfulSerpent;Ihugthee,peace-bearingImageoftheEternal!Ha,thehemlockcup!Fillhigh,boy,formysoulisthirstyfortheInfinite!Getreadythebath,friends;preparemeforthefeastTo-morrow——bathemylimbsinodors,andputointmentinmyhair。””Hasforabath,”Snoggininterposed,”they’renottobe’adinthiswardoftheprison;butIdussayHemmywillgityoualittlehoilforyour’air。”
ThePrisonedOnelaughedloudandmerrily。”Myguardianunderstandsmenot,prettyone——andthou?whatsayestthou?Fromthosedearlipsmethinks——plurasuntosculaquamsententiae——Ikissawaythytears,dove!——theywillflowapacewhenIamgone,thentheywilldry,andpresentlythesefaireyeswillshineonanother,astheyhavebeamedonpoorGeorgeBarnwell。Yetwiltthounotallforgethim,sweetone。Hewasanhonestfellow,andhadakindlyheartforalltheworldsaid——””That,thathehad,”criedthegaolerandthegirlinvoicesgurglingwithemotion。Andyouwhoread!youunconvictedConvict——
youmurderer,thoughhaplyyouhaveslainnoone——youFeloninposseifnotinesse——dealgentlywithonewhohasusedtheOpportunitythathasfailedthee——andbelievethattheTruthfulandtheBeautifulbloomsometimesinthedockandtheconvict’stawnyGabardine!……
Inthematterforwhichhesuffered,Georgecouldneverbebroughttoacknowledgethathewasatallinthewrong。”Itmaybeanerrorofjudgment,”hesaidtotheVenerableChaplainofthegaol,”butitisnocrime。WereitCrime,IshouldfeelRemorse。Wherethereisnoremorse,Crimecannotexist。Iamnotsorry:
therefore,Iaminnocent。Isthepropositionafairone?”
TheexcellentDoctoradmittedthatitwasnottobecontested。”Andwherefore,sir,shouldIhavesorrow,”theBoyresumed,”forriddingtheworldofasordidworm;*ofamanwhoseverysoulwasdross,andwhoneverhadafeelingfortheTruthfulandtheBeautiful?WhenIstoodbeforemyuncleinthemoonlight,inthegardensoftheancestralhallsoftheDeBarnwells,IfeltthatitwastheNemesiscometooverthrowhim。’Dog,’Isaidtothetremblingslave,’tellmewherethyGoldis。THOUhastnouseforit。IcanspenditinrelievingthePovertyonwhichthoutramplest;inaidingScience,whichthouknowestnot;inupliftingArt,towhichthouartblind。GiveGold,andthouartfree。’Buthespakenot,andIslewhim。””Iwouldnothavethisdoctrinevulgarlypromulgated,”saidtheadmirablechaplain,”foritsgeneralpracticemightchancetodoharm。Thou,myson,theRefined,theGentle,theLovingandBeloved,thePoetandSage,urgedbywhatIcannotbutthinkagrievouserror,hastappearedasAvenger。Thinkwhatwouldbetheworld’scondition,weremenwithoutanyYearningaftertheIdealtoattempttoreorganizeSociety,toredistributeProperty,toavengeWrong。””ArabbleofpigmiesscalingHeaven,”saidthenoblethoughmisguidedyoungPrisoner。”PrometheuswasaGiant,andhefell。””Yes,indeed,mybraveyouth!”thebenevolentDr。Fuzwigexclaimed,claspingthePrisoner’smarbleandmanacledhand;”andtheTragedyofTo-morrowwillteachtheWorldthatHomicideisnottobepermittedeventothemostamiableGenius,andthattheloveroftheIdealandtheBeautiful,asthouart,myson,mustrespecttheReallikewise。””Look!hereissupper!”criedBarnwellgayly。”ThisistheReal,Doctor;letusrespectitandfallto。”Hepartookofthemealasjoyouslyasifithadbeenoneofhisearlyfestals;buttheworthychaplaincouldscarcelyeatitfortears。
*Thisisagrossplagiarism:theabovesentimentisexpressedmuchmoreeloquentlyintheingeniousromanceofEugeneAram:——”TheburningdesiresIhaveknown——theresplendentvisionsIhavenursed——thesublimeaspiringsthathaveliftedmesooftenfromsenseandclay:thesetellme,thatwhetherforgoodorill,IamthethingofanimmortalityandthecreatureofaGod……I
havedestroyedamannoxioustotheworld!withthewealthbywhichheafflictedsociety,Ihavebeenthemeansofblessingmany。”
CODLINGSBY。
BYD。SHREWSBERRY,ESQ。
I。”Thewholeworldisboundbyonechain。Ineverycityintheglobethereisonequarterthatcertaintravellersknowandrecognizefromitslikenesstoitsbrotherdistrictinallotherplaceswherearecongregatedthehabitationsofmen。InTehran,orPekin,orStamboul,orNewYork,orTimbuctoo,orLondon,thereisacertaindistrictwhereacertainmanisnotastranger。WheretheidolsarefedwithincensebythestreamsofChing-wang-foo;wheretheminaretssoarsparklingabovethecypresses,theirreflectionsquiveringinthelucidwatersoftheGoldenHorn;wheretheyellowTiberflowsunderbrokenbridgesandoverimperialglories;wherethehutsaresquattedbytheNiger,underthepalm-trees;wheretheNorthernBabellies,withitswarehouses,anditsbridges,itsgracefulfactory-chimneys,anditsclumsyfanes——hiddeninfogandsmokebythedirtiestriverintheworld——inallthecitiesofmankindthereisOneHomewhithermenofonefamilymayresort。
Overtheentireworldspreadsavastbrotherhood,suffering,silent,scattered,sympathizing,WAITING——animmenseFree-Masonry。
Oncethisworld-spreadbandwasanArabianclan——alittlenationaloneandoutlyingamongstthemightymonarchiesofancienttime,theMegatheriaofhistory。ThesailsoftheirrareshipsmightbeseenintheEgyptianwaters;thecamelsoftheircaravansmightthreadthesandsofBaalbec,orwindthroughthedate-grovesofDamascus;theirflagwasraised,notingloriously,inmanywars,againstmightyodds;but’twasasmallpeople,andononedarknighttheLionofJudahwentdownbeforeVespasian’sEagles,andinflame,anddeath,andstruggle,Jerusalemagonizedanddied……
Yes,theJewishcityislosttoJewishmen;buthavetheynottakentheworldinexchange?”
MusedthusGodfreydeBouillon,MarquisofCodlingsby,ashedebouchedfromWychStreetintotheStrand。HehadbeentotakeaboxforArmidaatMadameVestris’stheatre。ThatlittleArmidawasfolleofMadameVestris’stheatre;andherlittlebrougham,andherlittleself,andherenormouseyes,andherprodigiousopera-glass,andhermiraculousbouquet,whichcostLordCodlingsbytwentyguineaseveryeveningatNathan’sinCoventGardenthechildrenofthegardenersofSharonhavestillnorivalforflowers,mightbeseen,threenightsintheweekatleast,inthenarrow,charming,comfortablelittletheatre。Godfreyhadthebox。Hewasstrolling,listlessly,eastward;andtheabovethoughtspassedthroughtheyoungnoble’smindashecameinsightofHolywellStreet。
TheoccupantsoftheLondonGhettosatattheirporchesbaskingintheeveningsunshine。Childrenwereplayingonthesteps。Fathersweresmokingatthelintel。Smilingfaceslookedoutfromthevariousanddarklingdraperieswithwhichthewarehouseswerehung。
Ringletsglossy,andcurly,andjetty——eyesblackasnight——
midsummernight——whenitlightens;haughtynosesbendinglikebeaksofeagles——eagerquiveringnostrils——lipscurvedlikethebowofLove——everymanormaiden,everybabeormatroninthatEnglishJewryboreinhiscountenanceoneormoreofthesecharacteristicsofhispeerlessArabrace。”Howbeautifultheyare!”musedCodlingsby,ashesurveyedtheseplacidgroupscalmlytakingtheirpleasureinthesunset。”D’youvanttolookatanishecoat?”avoicesaid,whichmadehimstart;andthensomeonebehindhimbeganhandlingamasterpieceofStultz’swithafamiliaritywhichwouldhavemadethebarontremble。”RafaelMendoza!”exclaimedGodfrey。”Thesame,LordCodlingsby,”theindividualsoapostrophizedreplied。”Itoldyouweshouldmeetagainwhereyouwouldlittleexpectme。Willitpleaseyoutoenter?thisisFriday,andwecloseatsunset。Itrejoicesmyhearttowelcomeyouhome。”SosayingRafaellaidhishandonhisbreast,andbowed,anorientalreverence。AlltracesoftheaccentwithwhichhefirstaddressedLordCodlingsbyhadvanished:itwasdisguise;halftheHebrew’slifeisadisguise。Heshieldshimselfincraft,sincetheNormanboorspersecutedhim。
Theypassedunderanawningofoldclothes,tawdryfripperies,greasyspangles,andbatteredmasks,intoashopasblackandhideousastheentrancewasfoul。”THISyourhome,Rafael?”saidLordCodlingsby。”Whynot?”Rafaelanswered。”IamtiredofSchlossSchinkenstein;
theRhineboresmeafterawhile。ItistoohotforFlorence;
besidestheyhavenotcompletedthepicture-gallery,andmyplacesmellsofputty。Youwouldn’thaveaman,moncher,buryhimselfinhischateauinNormandy,outofthehuntingseason?TheRugantinoPalacestupefiesme。ThoseTitiansaresogloomy,I
shallhavemyHobbimasandTenierses,Ithink,frommyhouseattheHaguehungoverthem。””Howmanycastles,palaces,houses,warehouses,shops,haveyou,Rafael?”LordCodlingsbyasked,laughing。”Thisisone,”Rafaelanswered。”Comein。”
II。
Thenoiseintheoldtownwasterrific;GreatTomwasboomingsullenlyovertheuproar;thebellofSaintMary’swasclangingwithalarm;St。Giles’stocsinchimedfuriously;howls,curses,flightsofbrickbats,stonesshiveringwindows,groansofwoundedmen,criesoffrightenedfemales,cheersofeithercontendingpartyasitchargedtheenemyfromCarfaxtoTrumpingtonStreet,proclaimedthatthebattlewasatitsheight。
InBerlintheywouldhavesaiditwasarevolution,andthecuirassierswouldhavebeencharging,sabreinhand,amidstthatinfuriatemob。InFrancetheywouldhavebroughtdownartillery,andplayedonitwithtwenty-fourpounders。InCambridgenobodyheededthedisturbance——itwasaTownandGownrow。
Therowaroseataboat-race。TheTownboatmannedbyeightstoutBargees,withtheredoubtedRullockforstrokehadbumpedtheBrazenoselightoar,usuallyattheheadoftheriver。Highwordsaroseregardingthedispute。AfterreturningfromGranchester,whentheboatspulledbacktoChristchurchmeadows,thedisturbancebetweentheTownsmenandtheUniversityyouths——theirinvariableopponents——grewlouderandmoreviolent,untilitbrokeoutinopenbattle。SparringandskirmishingtookplacealongthepleasantfieldsthatleadfromtheUniversitygatedowntothebroadandshiningwatersoftheCam,andunderthewallsofBalliolandSidneySussex。TheDukeofBellamontthenadashingyoungsizaratExeterhadacoupleofroundswithBillyButt,thebow-oaroftheBargeeboat。VavasourofBrazenosewasengagedwithapowerfulbutcher,awell-knownchampionoftheTownparty,when,thegreatUniversitybellsringingtodinner,trucewascalledbetweenthecombatants,andtheyretiredtotheirseveralcollegesforrefection。
Duringtheboat-race,agentlemanpullinginacanoe,andsmokinganarghilly,hadattractednoordinaryattention。Herowedaboutahundredyardsaheadoftheboatsintherace,sothathecouldhaveagoodviewofthatcuriouspastime。Iftheeight-oarsnearedhim,withafewrapidstrokesofhisflashingpaddleshisboatshotafurlongahead;thenhewouldwait,surveyingtherace,andsendingupvolumesofodorfromhiscoolnarghilly。”Whoishe?”askedthecrowdswhopantedalongtheshore,encouraging,accordingtoCambridgewont,theeffortsoftheoarsmenintherace。TownandGownalikeaskedwhoitwas,who,withaneasesoprovoking,inabarquesosingular,withaformseeminglysoslight,butaskillsoprodigious,beattheirbestmen。Noanswercouldbegiventothequery,savethatagentlemaninadarktravelling-chariot,precededbysixfourgonsandacourier,hadarrivedthedaybeforeatthe”HoopInn,”oppositeBrazenose,andthatthestrangerofthecanoeseemedtobetheindividualinquestion。
Nowondertheboat,thatalladmiredso,couldcompetewithanythateverwaswroughtbyCambridgeartificerorPutneyworkman。
Thatboat——slim,shining,andshootingthroughthewaterlikeapikeafterasmallfish——wasacaiquefromTophana;ithaddistancedtheSultan’soarsmenandthebestcrewsoftheCapitanPashaintheBosphorus;itwastheworkmanshipofTogrul-Beg,CaikjeeBasheeofhisHighness。TheBasheehadrefusedfiftythousandtomaunsfromCountBoutenieff,theRussianAmbassador,forthatlittlemarvel。Whenhisheadwastakenoff,theFatherofBelieverspresentedtheboattoRafaelMendoza。
ItwasRafaelMendozathatsavedtheTurkishmonarchyafterthebattleofNezeeb。BysendingthreemillionsofpiastrestotheSeraskier;bybribingColoneldeSt。Cornichon,theFrenchenvoyinthecampofthevictoriousIbrahim,themarchoftheEgyptianarmywasstopped——themenacedempireoftheOttomanswassavedfromruin;theMarchionessofStokepogis,ourambassador’slady,appearedinasuiteofdiamondswhichoutblazedeventheRomanoffjewels,andRafaelMendozaobtainedthelittlecaique。Henevertravelledwithoutit。Itwasscarcelyheavierthananarm-chair。
Baroni,thecourier,hadcarrieditdowntotheCamthatmorning,andRafaelhadseenthesingularsportwhichwehavementioned。
Thedinnerover,theyoungmenrushedfromtheircolleges,flushed,full-fed,andeagerforbattle。IftheGownwasangry,theTown,too,wasonthealert。FromIfflyandBarnwell,fromfactoryandmill,fromwharfandwarehouse,theTownpouredouttomeettheenemy,andtheirbattlewassoongeneral。FromtheAddenbrook’shospitaltotheBlenheimturnpike,allCambridgewasinanuproar——
thecollegegatesclosed——theshopsbarricaded——theshop-boysawayinsupportoftheirbrothertownsmen——thebattleraged,andtheGownhadtheworstofthefight。
AluncheonofmanycourseshadbeenprovidedforRafaelMendozaathisinn;buthesmiledattheclumsyeffortsoftheuniversitycookstoentertainhim,andacoupleofdatesandaglassofwaterformedhismeal。Invainthediscomfitedlandlordpressedhimtopartakeoftheslightedbanquet。”Abreakfast!psha!”saidhe。”Mygoodman,Ihavenineteencooks,atsalariesrisingfromfourhundredayear。Icanhaveadinneratanyhour;butaTownandGownrow”abrickbathereflyingthroughthewindowcrashedthecaraffeofwaterinMendoza’shand——”aTownandGownrowisanoveltytome。TheTownhasthebestofit,clearly,though:themenoutnumberthelads。Ha,agoodblow!Howthattalltownsmanwentdownbeforeyonderslimyoungfellowinthescarlettrenchercap。””ThatistheLordCodlingsby,”thelandlordsaid。”Alightweight,butaprettyfighter,”Mendozaremarked。”Wellhitwithyourleft,LordCodlingsby;wellparried,LordCodlingsby;
claretdrawn,byJupiter!””Oursiswerryfine,”thelandlordsaid。”WillyourHighnesshaveChateauMargauxorLafitte?””Henevercanbegoingtomatchhimselfagainstthatbargeman!”
Rafaelexclaimed,asanenormousboatman——nootherthanRullock——
indeed,themostfamousbruiserofCambridge,andbeforewhosefiststheGownsmenwentdownlikeninepins——foughthiswayuptothespotwhere,withadmirablespiritandresolution,LordCodlingsbyandoneortwoofhisfriendsweremakingheadagainstanumberofthetown。
Theyoungnoblefacedthehugechampionwiththegallantryofhisrace,butwasnomatchfortheenemy’sstrengthandweightandsinew,andwentdownateveryround。Thebrutalfellowhadnomercyonthelad。HissavagetreatmentchafedMendozaasheviewedtheunequalcombatfromtheinn-window。”Holdyourhand!”hecriedtothisGoliath;”don’tyouseehe’sbutaboy?””Downhegoesagain!”thebargemancried,notheedingtheinterruption。”Downhegoesagain:Ilikeswappingalord!””Coward!”shoutedMendoza;andtoflingopenthewindowamidstashowerofbrickbats,tovaultoverthebalcony,toslidedownoneofthepillarstotheground,wasaninstant’swork。
Atthenexthestoodbeforetheenormousbargeman……
Afterthecoroner’sinquest,Mendozagavetenthousandpoundstoeachofthebargeman’stenchildren,anditwasthushisfirstacquaintancewasformedwithLordCodlingsby。
ButwearelingeringonthethresholdofthehouseinHolywellStreet。Letusgoin。
III。
GodfreyandRafaelpassedfromthestreetintotheoutershopoftheoldmansioninHolywellStreet。Itwasamasqueradewarehousetoallappearance。Adark-eyeddamselofthenationwasstandingatthedarkandgrimycounter,strewedwitholdfeathers,oldyellowhoots,oldstagemantles,paintedmasks,blindandyetgazingatyouwithalookofsaddeath-likeintelligencefromthevacancybehindtheirsockets。
Amedicalstudentwastryingoneofthedoubletsoforange-tawnyandsilver,slashedwithdirtylightblue。Hewasgoingtoamasqueradethatnight。HethoughtPollyPattenswouldadmirehiminthedress——PollyPattens,thefairestofmaids-of-all-work——theBoroughVenus,adoredbyhalftheyouthofGuy’s。”Youlooklikeaprinceinit,Mr。Lint,”prettyRachelsaid,coaxinghimwithherbeadyblackeyes。”ItISthecheese,”repliedMr。Lint;”itain’tthedressthatdon’tsuit,myroseofSharon;it’stheFIGURE。Hullo,Rafael,isthatyou,myladofsealing-wax?Comeandintercedeformewiththiswildgazelle;shesaysIcan’thaveitunderfifteenbobforthenight。Andit’stoomuch:cussmeifit’snottoomuch,unlessyou’lltakemylittlebillattwomonths,Rafael。””There’sasweetprettybrigand’sdressyoumayhaveforhalfdemonish,”Rafaelreplied;”there’sasplendidclownforeightbob;
butfordatSpanishdress,selpmaMoshesh,MistraerLint,ve’daskaguineaofanybutyou。Here’sagentlemanshjustcometolookatit。Look’ear,Mr。Brownsh,didyoueversheeanishertingdandat?”Sosaying,RafaelturnedtoLordCodlingsbywiththeutmostgravity,anddisplayedtohimthegarmentaboutwhichtheyoungmedicuswashaggling。”Cheapatthemoney,”Codlingsbyreplied;”ifyouwon’tmakeupyourmind,sir,Ishouldliketoengageitmyself。”ButthethoughtthatanothershouldappearbeforePollyPattensinthatcostumewastoomuchforMr。Lint;heagreedtopaythefifteenshillingsforthegarment。AndRafael,pocketingthemoneywithperfectsimplicity,said,”Disvay,Mr。Brownsh:dere’ssometingvillshootyouinthenextshop。”
LordCodlingsbyfollowedhim,wondering。”Youaresurprisedatoursystem,”saidRafael,markingtheevidentbewildermentofhisfriend。”Confessyouwouldcallitmeanness——
myhucksteringwithyonderyoungfool。Icallitsimplicity。Whythrowawayashillingwithoutneed?Ourraceneverdid。A
shillingisfourmen’sbread:shallIdisdaintodefilemyfingersbyholdingthemoutreliefintheirnecessity?Itisyouwhoaremean——youNormans——notweoftheancientrace。Youhaveyourvulgarmeasurementforgreatthingsandsmall。Youcallathousandpoundsrespectable,andashekeldespicable。Psha,myCodlingsby!
Oneisastheother。Itradeinpenniesandinmillions。Iamaboveorbelowneither。”
Theywerepassingthroughasecondshop,smellingstronglyofcedar,and,infact,piledupwithbalesofthosepencilswhichtheyoungHebrewsareinthehabitofvendingthroughthestreets。”I
havesoldbundlesandbundlesofthese,”saidRafael。”MylittlebrotherisnowoutwithorangesinPiccadilly。IambringinghimuptobeheadofourhouseatAmsterdam。Wealldoit。IhadmyselftoseeRothschildinEatonPlacethismorning,abouttheIrishloan,ofwhichIhavetakenthreemillions:andasIwantedtowalk,Icarriedthebag。”YoushouldhaveseentheastonishmentofLaudaLatymer,theArchbishopofCroydon’sdaughter,asshewaspassingSt。Bennet’s,Knightsbridge,andasshefanciedsherecognizedinthemanwhowascryingoldclothesthegentlemanwithwhomshehadtalkedattheCountdeSt。Aulair’sthenightbefore。”SomethinglikeablushflushedoverthepalefeaturesofMendozaashementionedtheLadyLauda’sname。”Comeon,”saidhe。Theypassedthroughvariouswarehouses——theorangeroom,thesealing-waxroom,thesix-bladedknifedepartment,andfinallycametoanoldbaizedoor。Rafaelopenedthebaizedoorbysomesecretcontrivance,andtheywereinablackpassage,withacurtainattheend。
Heclappedhishands;thecurtainattheendofthepassagedrewback,andafloodofgoldenlightstreamedontheHebrewandhisvisitor。
CHAPTERXXIV。
Theyenteredamoderate-sizedapartment——indeed,HolywellStreetisnotaboveahundredyardslong,andthischamberwasnotmorethanhalfthatlength——itwasfittedupwiththesimpletasteofitsowner。
Thecarpetwasofwhitevelvet——laidoverseveralwebsofAubusson,Ispahan,andAxminster,sothatyourfootgavenomoresoundasittrodupontheyieldingplainthantheshadowdidwhichfollowedyou——ofwhitevelvet,paintedwithflowers,arabesques,andclassicfigures,bySirWilliamRoss,J。M。W。Turner,R。A。,Mrs。Mee,andPaulDelaroche。Theedgeswerewroughtwithseed-pearls,andfringedwithValencienneslaceandbullion。Thewallswerehungwithclothofsilver,embroideredwithgoldfigures,overwhichwereworkedpomegranates,polyanthuses,andpassion-flowers,inruby,amethyst,andsmaragd。Thedropsofdewwhichtheartificerhadsprinkledontheflowerswerediamonds。Thehangingswereoverhungbypicturesyetmorecostly。Giorgionethegorgeous,Titianthegolden,RubenstheruddyandpulpythePanofPainting,someofMurillo’sbeatifiedshepherdesses,whosmileonyououtofdarknesslikeastar,afewscorefirst-classLeonardos,andfiftyofthemaster-piecesofthepatronofJuliusandLeo,theImperialgeniusofUrbino,coveredthewallsofthelittlechamber。Divansofcarvedambercoveredwitherminewentroundtheroom,andinthemidstwasafountain,patteringandbabblingwithjetsofdouble-distilledottoofroses。”Pipes,Goliath!”RafaelsaidgaylytoalittlenegrowithasilvercollarhespoketohiminhisnativetongueofDongola;andwelcometooursnuggery,myCodlingsby。Wearequieterherethaninthefrontofthehouse,andIwantedtoshowyouapicture。I’mproudofmypictures。ThatLeonardocamefromGenoa,andwasagifttoourfatherfrommycousin,MarshalManasseh:thatMurillowaspawnedtomyunclebyMarieAntoinettebeforetheflighttoVarennes——thepoorladycouldnotredeemthepledge,youknow,andthepictureremainswithus。AsfortheRafael,Isupposeyouareawarethathewasoneofourpeople。Butwhatareyougazingat?
Oh!mysister——Iforgot。Miriam!thisistheLordCodlingsby。”
Shehadbeenseatedatanivorypianoforteonamother-of-pearlmusic-stool,tryingasonataofHerz。Sherosewhenthusapostrophized。MiriamdeMendozaroseandgreetedthestranger。
TheTalmudrelatesthatAdamhadtwowives——Zillahthedarkbeauty;
Evathefairone。TheringletsofZillahwereblack;thoseofEvaweregolden。TheeyesofZillahwerenight;thoseofEvaweremorning。Codlingsbywasfair——ofthefairSaxonraceofHengistandHorsa——theycalledhimMissCodlingsbyatschool;buthowmuchfairerwasMiriamtheHebrew!
Herhairhadthatdeepglowingtingeinitwhichhasbeenthedelightofallpainters,andwhich,therefore,thevulgarsneerat。
Itwasofburningauburn。Meanderingoverherfairestshouldersintwentythousandminuteringlets,ithungtoherwaistandbelowit。
Alightbluevelvetfilletclaspedwithadiamondaigrettevaluedattwohundredthousandtomauns,andboughtfromLieutenantVicovich,whohadreceiveditfromDostMahomed,withasimplebirdofparadise,formedherhead-gear。Asea-greencymarwithshortsleeves,displayedherexquisitelymouldedarmstoperfection,andwasfastenedbyagirdleofemeraldsoverayellowsatinfrock。
Pinkgauzetrousersspangledwithsilver,andslippersofthesamecolorasthebandwhichclaspedherringletsbutsocoveredwithpearlsthattheoriginalhueofthecharminglittlepapooshdisappearedentirelycompletedhercostume。Shehadthreenecklaceson,eachofwhichwouldhavedoweredaPrincess——herfingersglistenedwithringstotheirrosytips,andpricelessbracelets,bangles,andarmletswoundroundanarmthatwaswhiterthantheivorygrandpianoonwhichitleaned。
AsMiriamdeMendozagreetedthestranger,turninguponhimthesolemnwelcomeofhereyes,Codlingsbyswoonedalmostinthebrightnessofherbeauty。Itwaswellshespoke;thesweetkindvoicerestoredhimtoconsciousness。Mutteringafewwordsofincoherentrecognition,hesankuponasandalwoodsettee,asGoliath,thelittleslave,broughtaromaticcoffeeincupsofopal,andalabasterspittoons,andpipesofthefragrantGibelly。”Mylord’spipeisout,”saidMiriamwithasmile,remarkingthebewildermentofherguest——whointruthforgottosmoke——andtakingupathousandpoundnotefromabundleonthepiano,shelighteditatthetaperandproceededtore-illuminetheextinguishedchiboukofLordCodlingsby。
IV。
WhenMiriam,returningtothemother-of-pearlmusic-stool,atasignalfromherbrother,touchedthesilverandenamelledkeysoftheivorypiano,andbegantosing,LordCodlingsbyfeltasifhewerelisteningatthegatesofParadise,orwerehearingJennyLind。”LindisthenameoftheHebrewrace;soisMendelssohn,thesonofAlmonds;soisRosenthal,theValleyoftheRoses:soisLoweorLewisorLyonsorLion。Thebeautifulandthebravealikegivecognizancestotheancientpeople:youSaxonscallyourselvesBrown,orSmith,orRodgers,”Rafaelobservedtohisfriend;and,drawingtheinstrumentfromhispocket,heaccompaniedhissister,inthemostravishingmanner,onalittlegoldandjewelledharp,ofthekindpeculiartohisnation。
AlltheairswhichtheHebrewmaidselectedwerewrittenbycomposersofherrace;itwaseitherahymnbyRossini,apolaccabyBraham,adeliciousromancebySloman,oramelodybyWeber,that,thrillingonthestringsoftheinstrument,wakenedaharmonyonthefibresoftheheart;butshesangnootherthanthesongsofhernation。”Beautifulone!singever,singalways,”Codlingsbythought。”I
couldsitatthyfeetasunderagreenpalm-tree,andfancythatParadise-birdsweresingingintheboughs。”
Rafaelreadhisthoughts。”WehaveSaxonbloodtooinourveins,”
hesaid。”Yousmile!butitisevenso。AnancestressofoursmadeamesallianceinthereignofyourKingJohn。HernamewasRebecca,daughterofIsaacofYork,andshemarriedinSpain,whithershehadfledtotheCourtofKingBoabdil,SirWilfredofIvanhoe;thenawidowerbythedemiseofhisfirstlady,Rowena。
ThematchwasdeemedacruelinsultamongstourpeoplebutWilfredconformed,andwasaRabbiofsomenoteatthesynagogueofCordova。Wearedescendedfromhimlineally。ItistheonlyblotupontheescutcheonoftheMendozas。”
Astheysattalkingtogether,themusicfinished,andMiriamhavingretiredthoughhersongandherbeautywerestillpresenttothesoulofthestrangeratasignalfromMendoza,variousmessengersfromtheouterapartmentscameintotransactbusinesswithhim。
FirstitwasMr。Aminadab,whokissedhisfoot,andbroughtpaperstosign。”HowisthehouseinGrosvenorSquare,Aminadab;andisyoursontiredofhisyachtyet?”Mendozaasked。”Thatismytwenty-fourthcashier,”saidRafaeltoCodlingsby,whentheobsequiousclerkwentaway。”Heisfondofdisplay,andallmypeoplemayhavewhatmoneytheylike。”
EnteredpresentlytheLordBareacres,ontheaffairofhismortgage。TheLordBareacres,struttingintotheapartmentwithahaughtyair,shrankback,nevertheless,withsurpriseonbeholdingthemagnificencearoundhim。”LittleMordecai,”saidRafaeltoalittleorange-boy,whocameinattheheelsofthenoble,”takethisgentlemanoutandlethimhavetenthousandpounds。Ican’tdomoreforyou,mylord,thanthis——I’mbusy。Good-by!”AndRafaelwavedhishandtothepeer,andfelltosmokinghisnarghilly。
Amanwithasquareface,cat-likeeyes,andayellowmoustache,camenext。Hehadanhour-glassofawaist,andwalkeduneasilyuponhishigh-heeledboots。”Tellyourmasterthatheshallhavetwomillionsmore,butnotanothershilling,”Rafaelsaid。Thatstoryaboutthefive-and-twentymillionsofreadymoneyatCronstadtisallbosh。Theywon’tbelieveitinEurope。Youunderstandme,CountGrogomoffski?””ButhisImperialMajestysaidfourmillions,andIshallgettheknoutunless——””GoandspeaktoMr。Shadrach,inroomZ94,thefourthcourt,”
saidMendozagood-naturedly。”Leavemeatpeace,Count:don’tyouseeitisFriday,andalmostsunset?”TheCalmuckenvoyretiredcringing,andleftanodorofmuskandcandle-greasebehindhim。
Anorange-man;anemissaryfromLolaMontes;adealerinpipingbullfinches;andaCardinalindisguise,withaproposalforanewloanforthePope,wereheardbyturns;andeach,afterarapidcolloquyinhisownlanguage,wasdismissedbyRafael。”ThequeenmustcomebackfromAranjuez,orthatkingmustbedisposedof,”Rafaelexclaimed,asayellow-facedamabassadorfromSpain,GeneraltheDukeofOllaPodrida,lefthim。”Whichshallitbe,myCodlingsby?”Codlingsbywasaboutlaughinglytoanswer——forindeedhewasamazedtofindalltheaffairsoftheworldrepresentedhere,andHolywellStreetthecentreofEurope——whenthreeknocksofapeculiarnaturewereheard,andMendozastartingup,said,”Ha!thereareonlyfourmenintheworldwhoknowthatsignal。”Atonce,andwithareverencequitedistinctfromhisformernonchalantmanner,headvancedtowardsthenew-comer。
Hewasanoldman——anoldmanevidently,too,oftheHebrewrace——
thelightofhiseyeswasunfathomable——abouthismouththereplayedaninscrutablesmile。Hehadacottonumbrella,andoldtrousers,andoldboots,andanoldwig,curlingatthetoplikearottenoldpear。
Hesatdown,asiftired,inthefirstseatathand,asRafaelmadehimthelowestreverence。”Iamtired,”sayshe;”Ihavecomeinfifteenhours。IamillatNeuilly,”headdedwithagrin。”Getmesomeeausucree,andtellmethenews,PrincedeMendoza。Thesebreadrows;thisunpopularityofGuizot;thisodiousSpanishconspiracyagainstmydarlingMontpensieranddaughter;thisferocityofPalmerstonagainstColetti,makesmequiteill。Givemeyouropinion,mydearduke。
Butha!whomhavewehere?”
Theaugustindividualwhohadspoken,hadusedtheHebrewlanguagetoaddressMendoza,andtheLordCodlingsbymighteasilyhavepleadedignoranceofthattongue。ButhehadbeenatCambridge,wherealltheyouthacquireitperfectly。”SIRE,”saidhe,”IwillnotdisguisefromyouthatIknowtheancienttongueinwhichyouspeak。ThereareprobablysecretsbetweenMendozaandyourMaj——””Hush!”saidRafael,leadinghimfromtheroom。”Aurevoir,dearCodlingsby。HisMajestyisoneofUS,”hewhisperedatthedoor;”soisthePopeofRome;sois……”——awhisperconcealedtherest。”Graciouspowers!isitso?”saidCodlingsby,musing。HeenteredintoHolywellStreet。Thesunwassinking。”Itistime,”saidhe,”togoandfetchArmidatotheOlympic。”
PHILFOGARTY。
ATALEOFTHEFIGHTINGONETY-ONETH。
BYHARRYROLLICKER。
I。
Thegabionwasours。Aftertwohours’fightingwewereinpossessionofthefirstembrasure,andmadeourselvesascomfortableascircumstanceswouldadmit。JackDelamere,TomDelancy,JerryBlake,theDoctor,andmyself,satdownunderapontoon,andourservantslaidoutahastysupperonatumbrel。ThoughCambacereshadescapedmesoprovokinglyafterIcuthimdown,hisspoilsweremine;acoldfowlandaBolognasausagewerefoundintheMarshal’sholsters;andinthehaversackofaFrenchprivatewholayacorpseontheglacis,wefoundaloafofbread,histhreedays’ration。
Insteadofsalt,wehadgunpowder;andyoumaybesure,wherevertheDoctorwas,aflaskofgoodbrandywasbehindhiminhisinstrument-case。Wesatdownandmadeasoldier’ssupper。TheDoctorpulledafewofthedeliciousfruitfromthelemon-treesgrowingnearandroundwhichtheCarabineersandthe24thLegerhadmadeadesperaterally,andpunchwasbrewedinJackDelamere’shelmet。”’Faith,itneverhadsomuchwitinitbefore,”saidtheDoctor,asheladledoutthedrink。Weallroaredwithlaughing,excepttheguardsman,whowasassavageasaTurkatachristening。”Buvez-en,”saidoldSawbonestoourFrenchprisoner;”cavousferadubien,monvieuxcoq!”andtheColonel,whosewoundhadbeenjustdressed,eagerlygraspedattheprofferedcup,anddraineditwithahealthtothedonors。
Howstrangearethechancesofwar!ButhalfanhourbeforeheandIwereengagedinmortalcombat,andourprisonerwasallbutmyconqueror。GrapplingwithCambaceres,whomIknockedfromhishorse,andwasabouttodespatch,Ifeltalungebehind,whichluckilywasparriedbymysabretache;aherculeangraspwasatthenextinstantatmythroat——Iwasontheground——myprisonerhadescaped,andagiganticwarriorintheuniformofacoloneloftheregimentofArtoisglaringovermewithpointedsword。”Rends-toi,coquin!”saidhe。”AllezanDiable!”saidI:”aFogartyneversurrenders。”
Ithoughtofmypoormotherandmysisters,attheoldhouseinKillaloo——Ifeltthetipofhisbladebetweenmyteeth——Ibreathedaprayer,andshutmyeyes——whenthetableswereturned——thebutt-
endofLantyClancy’smusketknockedtheswordupandbrokethearmthatheldit。”Thonamoundiaoulnabochlish,”saidtheFrenchofficer,withacurseinthepurestIrish。ItwasluckyIstoppedlaughingtimeenoughtobidLantyholdhishand,forthehonestfellowwouldelsehavebrainedmygallantadversary。Wewerethebetterfriendsforourcombat,aswhatgallantheartsarenot?
Thebreachwastobestormedatsunset,andliketruesoldierswesatdowntomakethemostofourtime。TherogueofaDoctortooktheliver-wingforhisshare——wegavetheothertoourguest,aprisoner;thosescoundrelsJackDelamereandTomDelaneytookthelegs——and,’faith,poorIwasputoffwiththePope’snoseandabitoftheback。”Howd’yelikehisHoliness’sFAYTURE?”saidJerryBlake。”Anyhowyou’llhaveaMERRYTHOUGHT,”criedtheincorrigibleDoctor,andallthepartyshriekedatthewitticism。”Demortuisnilnisibonum,”saidJack,holdingupthedrumstickclean。”’Faith,there’snotenoughofittomakeusCHICKEN-HEARTED,anyhow,”saidI;”come,boys,let’shaveasong。””Heregoes,”saidTomDelaney,andsungthefollowinglyric,ofhisowncomposition——”DearJack,thiswhitemugthatwithGuinnessIfill,AnddrinktothehealthofsweetNanofthehill,WasonceTommyTosspot’s,asjovialasot,Ase’erdrewaspigot,ordrain’dafullpot——
Indrinkingallround’twashisjoytosurpass,Andwithallmerrytipplersheswigg’doffhisglass。”Onemorninginsummer,whileseatedsosnug,Intheporchofhisgarden,discussinghisjug,SternDeath,onasudden,toTomdidappear,Andsaid,’HonestThomas,cometakeyourlastbier;’
Wekneadedhisclayintheshapeofthiscan,FromwhichletusdrinktothehealthofmyNan。””Psha!”saidtheDoctor,”I’veheardthatsongbefore;here’sanewoneforyou,boys!”andSawbonesbegan,inarichCorkagianvoice——”You’veallheardofLarryO’Toole,OfthebeautifultownofDrumgoole;
Hehadbutoneeye,Toogleyeby——
Oh,murther,butthatwasajew’l!
AfoolHemadeofdegirls,disO’Toole。”’Twashewastheboydidn’tfail,Thattuckdownpatatiesandmail;
HeneverwouldshrinkFromanysthrongdthrink,WasitwhiskyorDroghedaale;
I’mbailThisLarrywouldswallowapail。”Oh,manyanightatthebowl,WithLarryI’vesotcheekbyjowl;
He’sgonetohisrest,Wherethere’sdthrinkofthebest,AndsoletusgivehisoldsowlAhowl,Fortwashemadethenoggintorowl。”
IobservedtheFrenchColonel’seyeglistenedasheheardthesewell-knownaccentsofhiscountrybutweweretoowell-bredtopretendtoremarkhisemotion。
Thesunwassettingbehindthemountainsasoursongswerefinished,andeachbegantolookoutwithsomeanxietyforthepreconcertedsignal,therocketfromSirHusseyVivian’squarters,whichwastoannouncetherecommencementofhostilities。Itcamejustasthemoonroseinhersilversplendor,anderetherocket-
stickfellquiveringtotheearthatthefeetofGeneralPictonandSirLowryCole,whowereattheirpostsattheheadofthestorming-parties,ninehundredandninetyninegunsinpositionopenedtheirfirefromourbatteries,whichwereansweredbyatremendouscanonnadefromthefort。”Who’sgoingtodance?”saidtheDoctor:”theball’sbegun。Ha!
theregoespoorJackDelamere’sheadoff!Theballchoseasoftone,anyhow。Comehere,Tim,tillImendyourleg。Yourwifehasneedonlyknithalfasmanystockingsnextyear,Doolanmyboy。
Faix!theregoesabigonehadwellnighstoppedmytalking:bedad!
ithassnuffedthefeatheroffmycockedhat!”
Inthisway,witheighty-four-poundersroaringoveruslikehail,theundauntedlittleDoctorpursuedhisjokesandhisduty。Thathehadafeelingheart,allwhoservedwithhimknew,andnonemoresothanPhilipFogarty,thehumblewriterofthistaleofwar。
Ourembrasurewasluckilybomb-proof,andthedetachmentoftheOnety-onethundermyorderssufferedcomparativelylittle。”Becool,boys,”Isaid;”itwillbehotenoughworkforyouerelong。”
ThehonestfellowsansweredwithanIrishcheer。Isawthatitaffectedourprisoner。”Countryman,”saidI,”Iknowyou;butanIrishmanwasneveratraitor。””Taisez-vous!”saidhe,puttinghisfingertohislip。”C’estlafortunedelaguerre:ifeveryoucometoParis,askfortheMarquisd’O’Mahony,andImayrenderyouthehospitalitywhichyourtyrannouslawspreventmefromexercisingintheancestralhallsofmyownrace。”
Ishookhimwarmlybythehandasatearbedimmedhiseye。Itwas,then,thecelebratedcoloneloftheIrishBrigade,createdaMarquisbyNapoleononthefieldofAusterlitz!”Marquis,”saidI,”thecountrywhichdisownsyouisproudofyou;
but——ha!here,ifImistakenot,comesoursignaltoadvance。”Andinfact,CaptainVandeleur,ridingupthroughtheshowerofshot,askedforthecommanderofthedetachment,andbademeholdmyselfinreadinesstomoveassoonastheflankcompaniesoftheNinety-
ninth,andSixty-sixth,andtheGrenadierBrigadeoftheGermanLegionbegantoadvanceuptheechelon。Thedevotedbandsoonarrived;JackBowserheadingtheNinety-ninthwhenwasheawayandastorming-partytothefore?,andthegallantPotztausend,withhisHanoverianveterans。
Thesecondrocketflewup。”Forward,Onety-oneth!”criedI,inavoiceofthunder。”Killalooboys,followyourcaptain!”andwithashrillhurray,thatsoundedabovethetremendousfirefromthefort,wesprunguponthesteep;
BowserwiththebraveNinety-ninth,andtheboldPotztausend,keepingwellupwithus。Wepassedthedemilune,wepassedtheculverin,bayonetingtheartillerymenattheirguns;weadvancedacrossthetwotremendousdemiluneswhichflankthecounterscarp,andpreparedforthefinalspringuponthecitadel。SoultIcouldseequitepaleonthewall;andthescoundrelCambaceres,whohadbeensonearlymyprisonerthatday,trembledashecheeredhismen。”On,boys,on!”Ihoarselyexclaimed。”Hurroo!”saidthefightingOnety-oneth。
Buttherewasamovementamongtheenemy。Anofficer,glitteringwithorders,andanotherinagraycoatandacockedhat,cametothewall,andIrecognizedtheEmperorNapoleonandthefamousJoachimMurat。”Wearehardlypressed,methinks,”Napoleonsaidsternly。”Imustexercisemyoldtradeasanartilleryman;”andMuratloaded,andtheEmperorpointedtheonlyhundred-and-twenty-four-pounderthathadnotbeensilencedbyourfire。”Hurray,Killalooboys!”shoutedI。Thenextmomentasensationofnumbnessanddeathseizedme,andIlaylikeacorpseupontherampart。