I。
I’mnotatlibbatytodivuljthereelnamesofthe2EroesoftheigstrawnyTailwhichIamabowttorelaittothoseunlightndpaytronsofletaratureandtrueconnyshuresofmerrit——thegreatBrittishpublic——ButIpledjmyvaracitythatthissinglarstoryofrewmanticlove,absobbingpashn,andlikewiseofGENTEELLIFE,is,inthemainfax,TREW。ThesuckmstanzasIeludeto,ocurdintherainofourpresntGratiousMadjistyandherbeluvdandroilConcertPrinceHalbert。
Welthen。Sometimeintheseazenof18——morIdarnotrewheel
therearrivedinthismetropulus,persekndclassoftheLondonandDoverRailway,anellygantyoungforinggentleman,whomIshalldanomminateMunseerJoolsDeChacabac。
Havingreadthrough”TheVickerofWackfield”inthesameoridganalEnglishtunginwhichthisveryharticleIwriteiswrotetoo,andhalwaysbeenremarkyble,bothatcollidgeandintheestamminy,forhisaytredandorrorofperfidgusHalbion,MunseerJoolswasconsideredbytheprapriretorsofthenewspaperinwhichhewrote,atParris,theverymantocometothiscountry,igsaminitsmannersandcustoms,castaniuponthepolitticleandfinalshlestatoftheHempire,andigsposethemackynationsoftheinfyamousPalmerston,andtheebomminableSirPill——bothenemiesofFrance;
asiseveryotherBrittenofthatgreat,gloarus,libberal,andpeasablecountry。Inoneword,JoolsdeChacabacwasapenny-a-
liner。”IwillgoseewithmyownI’s,”hesaid,”thatinfimushilandofwhichtheinnabitantsareshopkeepers,gorgedwithroastbeefandtreason。IwillgoandseethemurderersoftheHirish,thepisonersoftheChynese,thevillianswhoputtheHemperortodeathinSaintyleany,theartfuldodgeswhowishtosmotherEuropewiththeircotton,andcan’tsleeporrestheasyforhenvyandhatredofthegreatinwinsableFrenchnation。Iwilligsammin,facetoface,thesehottyinsularies;IwillpennytrateintothesecretsoftheirJessywhitticklecabinet,andbeardPalmerstoninhisdenn。”WhenhejumptonshoratFoaxtonafterhavingbeentremenguouslysickinthefourcabbing,heexclaimed,”Enfinjetetiens,Ilemaudite!
jetecrachealafigure,vieilleAngleterre!Jetefouleamespiedsannomdumondeoutrage,”andsoproseadedtoinwadethemetropulus。
Ashewishttomickswiththeverychicestsosiaty,andgitthebestofinfamationaboutthiscountry,MunseerJoolsofcoarsewentandlodgdinLesterSquare——LesterSquarr,ashecallsit——which,ashewasinfommedintheprintedsuckularpresentedtohimbyaverygreasybutpolitecomishnerattheCustumusStares,wasinthescenterofthetown,contiggustotheOusesofParlyment,theprinspletheayters,theparx,St。JamsPallice,andtheCortsofLor。”Icansurwheythemallatonecutoftheeye,”Joolsthought;”theSovring,theinfamusMinistersplottingthedestructionofmyimmortialcountry;thebusinessandpleasureofthesepusprondLondonersandaristoxy;Icanlookroundandseeall。”Sohetookathree-pairbackinaFrenchhotel,the”Hoteldel’Ail,”kepbyMonsieurGigotot,CranbourneStreet,LesterSquarr,London。
Inthisotellthere’sabilliard-roomonthefirstfloor,andatabble-doatateighteenpencepereddat5o’clock;andthelandlord,whokemintoJools’sroomsmoakingasegar,toldtheyounggentthatthehousewasfriquentedbyalltheBrittishnobillaty,whoreglartooktheirdinnersthere。”Theycan’tebidetheirownquiseen,”hesaid。”You’llseewhatadinnerwe’llserveyouto-
day。”Joolswroteofftohispaper——”ThemembersofthehaughtyandluxuriousEnglisharistocracy,likealltherestoftheworld,areobligedtoflytoFrancefortheindulgenceoftheirluxuries。ThenoblesofEngland,quittingtheirhomes,theirwives,miladiesandmistriss,sofairbutsocold,dineuniversallyatthetavern。ThatfromwhichIwriteisfrequentedbyPeelandPalmerston。IfremistothinkthatImaymeetthemattheboardto-day。”
Singlartosay,PeelandPalmerstondidn’tdineatthe”Hoteldel’Ail”onthatevening。”It’squiteigstronnarytheydon’tcome,”
saidMunseerdel’Ail。”Perapsthey’reingagedatsomeboxing-matchorsomecombawdecock,”MunseerJoolssejested;andthelandlordegreedthatwasverylikely。
InsteddofEnglishtherewas,however,plentyofforingsociaty,ofeverynationunderthesun。Mostofthenoblemenweregreathamaturesofhaleandporter。Thetableclothwasmarkedoverwithbrownsuckles,madebythepewter-potsonthatandthepreviousdays。”Itistheusagehere,”wroteJoolstohisnewspaper,”amongtheAnglaisofthefashonnetoabsorbimmensequantitiesofaleandporterduringtheirmeals。Thesestupefying,butcheap,andnotunpalatableliquorsareservedinshiningpewtervessels。Amugoffoaminghafanafsoacertainsortofbeeriscalledwasplacedbythesideofmostoftheconvives。IwasdisappointedofseeingSirPeel:hewasengagedtoacombatofcockswhichoccursatWindsor。”
NotonewordofEnglishwasspokeduringthisdinner,excepwhenthegentlemensaid”Garsongdel’afanaf,”butJoolwasverymuchpleasedtomeettheeleetoftheforingersintown,andasktheiropinionaboutthereelstateofthinx。WasitlikelythatthebishopsweretobeturnedoutoftheChambredesCommunes?WasittruethatLorPalmerstonhadboxedwithLorBroghammintheHouseofLords,untiltheyweresepparaytedbytheLorMaire?WhowastheLorMaire?Wasn’thePremierMinister?andwasn’ttheArchevequedeCantorberyaQuaker?Hegotanswerstothesequestionsfromthevariousgentsroundaboutduringthedinner——
which,heremarked,wasverymuchlikeaFrenchdinner,onlydirtier。Andhewroteoffalltheinfamationhegottohisnewspaper。”TheLordMaire,LordLansdowne,isPremierMinistre。HisGracehashisdwellingintheCity。TheArchbishopofCantaberyisnotturnedQuaker,assomepeoplestated。Quakersmaynotmarry,norsitintheChamberofPeers。TheminorbishopshaveseatsintheHouseofCommons,wheretheyareattackedbythebitterpleasantriesofLordBrougham。Aboxerisinthehouse;hetaughtPalmerstonthescienceofthepugilate,whoconferreduponhimtheseat,”&c。&c。
Hiswritinghover,JoolscamedownandadagaymatpoolwithtwoPoles,aBulgian,and2ofhisowncountrymen。Thisbeingdoneamidstmorehafanaf,withoutwhichnothinkisdoneinEngland,andastherewasnoFrenchplaythatnight,he&thetwoFrenchgentswalkedroundandroundLesterSquarrsmokingsegawsinthefacesofotherFrenchgentswhoweresmoaking2。AndtheytalkedaboutthegranjerofFranceandtheperfidgusnessofEngland,andlookedatthealuminatedpicturofMadameWhartonasHaryadneytillbedtime。
Butbeforheslep,hefinishedhisletteryoumaybesure,andcalledithis”FustImprestiunsofAnglyterre。””Mindandwakemeearly,”hesaidtoBoots,theonyBrittishsubjectinthe”Hoteldel’Ail,”andwhothereforedidn’tunderstandhim。”IwishtobeatSmithfieldat6hourstoseeTHE
MENSELLTHEIRWIVES。”Andtheyoungroagfellasleep,thinkingwhatsortofaonehe’dbuy。
ThiswasthewayJoolspassedhisdays,andgotinfamationaboutHenglandandtheHenglish——walkingroundandroundLesterSquarrallday,andeverydaywiththesamecompany,occasionallydewussifiedbyanOprerChorus-singeroraJewortwo,andeveryafternoonintheQuadrantadmiringthegentealsosiatythere。
MunseerJoolswasnotoverwellfunnishtwithpocket-money,andsohispleasurewasofthegratissortcheafly。
Well,onedayasheandafriendwastakingtheirturnamongthearistoxyundertheQuadrant——theywerestruckallofaheapbyseeing——But,stop!whoWASJools’sfriend?Hereyouhavepicturesofboth——buttheIstoryofJools’sfriendmustbekepforanotherinnings。
II。
NotfurfromthatknowbleandcheerflieSquearwhichMunseerJoolsdeChacabachadselactedforhiseboadinLondon——notfur,Isay,fromLesterSquarr,isarainjeofbildingscalledPipping’sBuildings,leadingtoBlueLionCourt,leadingtoSt。Martin’sLane。YouknowPipping’sBuildingsbyitsgreatestornament,anamandbeefoucewhereJoolshasoftenstoodadmiringthedegstaratyofthecarvera-cuttinthevarousjints,andbythelittlefishmungur’s,whereyouremarkthemouldylobsters,thefly-blownpicklesammon,theplaybills,andthegingybearbottlesinthewindow——aboveall,bythe”Constantinople”Divan,kepbytheMissesMordeky,andwellknowntoeveryloverof”aprimesigawandanexlentcupofreelMokyCoffyfor6d。”
TheConstantinopleDivannisgreatlyusedbytheforinggentsofLesterSquar。IneveradthegoodfortntopassdownPipping’sBuildingswithoutseeingahafaduzenof’emonthethresholeoftheextablishment,givingthestreetanoppertunityoftestingtheodaroftheMissesMordeky’sprimeAvannas。Twoorthreemormaybevisableinside,settnonthecounterorthechestis,indulgingintheirfav’ritwhead,therichandspisyPickwhick,theripeManilly,ortheflagrantandarheumaticQby。”TheseDivannsare,asisverywellknown,theknightlyresottoftheyoungHenglishnobillaty。ItisearayoungPier,afteranarjusdayattheHouseofCommons,solazeshimselfwithaglasofgin-and-waterthenationalbeveridge,withcheerfulconversationontheewentsoftheday,orwithanarmlessgaymofbaggytellintheback-parlor。”
SowroteatleastourfriendJoolstohisnewspaper,theHorriflam;
andofthisback-parlorandbaggytell-bord,ofthiscounter,ofthis”Constantinople”Divan,hebecamealmostasreglarafrequenterastheplasterofParishTurkwhositssmokingahookeybetweenthetwobluecoffee-cupsinthewinder。
Ihaveoftin,smokinmyownshrootinsilentsinacorneroftheDiwann,listenedtoJoolsandhisfriendsinwayingaginstHingland,andboastinoftheirownimmortialcountry。HowtheydidgoonaboutWellintun,andwhatanartycontamptheyadforhim!——howtheyusedtoprovethatFrancewastheLight,theScenter-pint,theIgsampleandhadmirationofthewholeworld!AndthoughIscarcelytakeaFrenchpapernow-a-daysIlivedinearlydaysasgroominaFrenchfamlythreeyears,andthereforeknowsthelanguidg,though,Isay,youcan’ttakeupJools’spaper,theOrriflam,withoutreadinthataministerhascommittedbriberyandperjury,orthatalitterymanhascommittedperjuryandmurder,orthataDukehasstabbedhiswifeinfiftyplaces,orsomestoryequallyhorrible;yetforallthatit’sadmiraltoseehowtheFrenchgentswillswagger——howtheywillbethescentersofcivilization——howtheywillbetheIgsamplesofEurop,andnothinkshallprevent’em——
knowingtheywillhaveit,IsayIlisten,smokinmypipinsilence。Buttoourtail。
Reglareveryeveningtherecametothe”Constantanople”ayounggentetiredintheigthoffashn;andindeadpresentingbythecleanlynessofhisappearantsandlinningwhichwasgenerallyapinkorblewshurt,withacricketeroradansusepatternratheracontrasttothedinjyandwhistkcardsosaityoftheDiwann。Asforwiskars,thisyoungmannhadnonebeyondalittleyallowtoughttohischin,whichyouwoodnnotas,onlyhewasalwayspullingatit。
Hisstatuewasdiminnative,buthiscoschumesupubb,forhehadthetippiestJaneboots,theivoryheadestcanes,themostgawjusscarlickJonvilleties,andthemostScotch-plaidesttrowseys,ofanycustomerofthatestablishment。HewasunivusalycalledMilord。”Queestcejeuneseigneur?Whoisthisyounghurlwhocomesknightlytothe’Constantanople,’whoissoproddiglofhisgoldforindeedtheyounggentwouldfrequinlypropoasegininwatertothecompany,andwhodrinkssomuchgin?”askedMunseerChacabacofafriendfromthe”Hoteldel’Ail。””HisnameisLordYardham,”answeredthatfriend。”Henevercomesherebutatnight——andwhy?””Y?”igsclaimedJools,istonisht。”Why?becauseheisengaygdallday——anddoyouknowwhereheisengaygdallday?””Where?”askedJools。”AttheForingOffice——NOWdoyoubegintounderstand?”——Joolstrembled。
Hespeaksofhisuncle,theheadofthatoffice——”WhoIStheheadofthatoffis?——Palmerston。””ThenephewofPalmerston!”saidJools,almostinafit。”LorYardhampretendsnottospeakFrench,”theotherwenton。”Hepretendshecanonlysayweeandcommongportyvoo。Shallowhumbug!——Ihavemarkedhimduringourconversations——WhenwehavespokenofthegloryofFranceamongthenations,Ihaveseenhiseyekindle,andhisperfidiouslipcurlwithrage。Whentheyhavediscussedbeforehim,theImprudents!theaffairsofEurope,andRaggybritchovichhasshownusthenextCircassianCampaign,orSapousnehaslaidharetheplanoftheCalabrianpatriotsforthenextinsurrection,Ihavemarkedthisstranger——thisLorYardham。
Hesmokes,’tistoconcealhiscountenance;hedrinksgin,’tistohidehisfaceinthegoblet。Andbesure,hecarrieseverywordofourconversationtotheperfidiousPalmerston,hisuncle。””Iwillbeardhiminhisden,”thoughtJools。”Iwillmeethimcorps-a-corps——thetyrantofEuropeshallsufferthroughhisnephew,andIwillshoothimasdeadasDujarrier。”
WhenLorYardhamcametothe”Constantanople”thatnight,Joolsi’dhimsavidgelyfromeddtofoot,whileLordYardhamrepliedthesame。Itwasn’tmuchforeithertodo——neytherbeingmorethan4
foottenhi——JoolswasagrannydearinhiscompanyoftheNashnalGard,andwasasbrayvasalion。”Ah,l’Angleterre,l’Angleterre,tunousdoisunerevanche,”saidJools,crossinghisarmsandgrindinghisteethatLordYardham。”Wee,”saidLordYardham;”wee。””DelendaestCarthago!”howledoutJools。”Oh,wee,”saidtheErlofYardham,andatthesamemomenthisglasofginawatercomingin,hetookadrink,saying,”Avoternsanty,Munseer:”andthenheoffereditlikeamanoffashntoJools。
AlightbroakonJools’smindasheigseptedtherefreshmint。”Sapoase,”hesaid,”insteddofslaughteringthisnephewoftheinfamousPalmerston,Iextracthissecretsfromhim;supposeIpumphim——supposeIunveilhisschemesandsendthemtomypaper?LaFrancemayhearthenameofJoolsdeChacabac,andthestarofhonormayglitteronmybosom。”
SoaxeptingLordYardham’scortasy,hereturneditbyorderinganotherglassofginathisownexpence,andtheybothdrankitonthecounter,whereJoolstalkedoftheaffaersofEuropallnight。
Toeverythinghesaid,theEarlofYardhamanswered,”Wee,wee;”
exceptattheendoftheevening,whenhesqueegedhis&andsaid,”Bongswore。””There’snothinglikegoinamongst’emtoequirethereelpronounciation,”hislordshipsaid,ashelethimselfintohislodgingswithhislatch-key。”Thatwasaveryeloquentyounggentatthe’Constantinople,’andI’llpatronizehim。””Ah,perfide,jetedemasquerai!”Joolsremarkedtohimselfashewenttobedinhis”Hoteldel’Ail。”Andtheymetthenextnight,andfromthatheavningtheyoungmenwerecontinyuallytogether。
Well,oneday,astheywerewalkingintheQuadrant,Joolstalking,andLordYardhamsaying,”Wee,wee,”theywerestruckallofaheapbyseeing——
Butmypaperisigshosted,andImustdixcribewhattheysorinthenexnumber。
III。
THECASTLEOFTHEISLANDOFFOGO。
ThetravlerwhopesewshisdaliteflecoarsethroughthefairrellumofFranseasagreatromanticlandskippistandneamsackofmindwouldsayneverchaumedhisi’swithinasitemorelovely,orvu’dapallismoremagniffizntthanthatwhichwasthebuthplaceoftheEroingofthisTrewTale。PhansyacountrythroughwhosewerdantplanestheselveryGaronnewines,like——likeabenevvolentsarpent。
Initsplasidbusumantientcassles,picturaskwillidges,andwavingwoodsarereflected。Purplehills,crowndwithinteakruings;rivviletsbabblingthroughgentlegreenwoods;wightfarmouses,hevvywithhoverhangingvines,andfromwhichtheappyandpeasefulokupiercancasthisglansovergooldenwavingcornfealds,andM。Heraldmeddowsinwhichthelazycattlearegraysinn;whilethesheppard,tendinghissnoughyflox,wilesawaytheleisuremominxonhisloot——thesehofferbutaphaintpicturoftherurialfelissatyinthemidstofwidgeCrinolineandHesteriadeViddlerswerebawn。
TheirPar,theMarcusdeViddlers,ShavilearoftheLegendofHonorandoftheLionofBulgum,theGoldenFlease,GrandCrossoftheEflantandCastle,andoftheCatinbagpipesofHostria,GrandChamberlengoftheCrownd,andMajor-GenarilofHoss-Mareens,&c。
&c。&c——isthetwenty-fothorfithMarquisthathasbawntheTittle;isdisendedlenyallyfromKingPipping,andhasalmostasantientapaddygreeasanywhichtheOllywellStreetfrendsoftheMemberofBuckinumsheercansupply。
HisMarchyniss,thelovely&ecomplishtEmilydeSt。Cornichon,quittedthismortialspearverysoonaftershehadpresentedherlordwiththetwolittledawlingCherrybinsabovedixcribed,inwhomb,afterthelossofthatanglehiswife,thedisconslitwiddererfoundhisonlyjyonhuth。Inallhisemusemintstheyecumpaniedhim;theiredjacationwashissolebisniss;heatcheaveditwiththeassistnceoftheugliestandmostlernidmasters,andthemosthidjusandegsimplarygoverniceswhichmoneycouldprocure。R,howmusthispeturnlearthavebet,astheseBudds,whichhehadnurrisht,bustintobuty,andtwinedinbloomingflagranceroundhispirentleBusm!
ThevillidgesallroundhishancestralAllsblessedtheMarcusandhislovelyhoffsprig。Notonevillidgeintheirnaybroodbutwasedawnedbytheirelygintbenifisns,andwheretheinhabitntswern’trenderedappy。Itwasapatternpheasantry。Alltheoldmeninthedistrickwerewertuous&tockative,adredstockinsandi-eeleddrabshoes,andbeautifulsnowyair。Alltheoldwomenhadpeakedats,andcrookedcains,andchincegownstuckedintothepockitsoftheirquiltidpetticoats;theysatinpictaraskporches,pretendintospinn,whiletheladsandlassisofthevillidgesdanstunderthehellums。O,tisanoblesighttowhitnissthatofanappypheasantry!NotoneofthoserusticwassalsoftheOuseofWiddlers,butadhisaircurledandhisshirt-sheavestiedupwithpinkribbingasheledtothemacydancesomeappycountrygal,withablackvelvitboddiceandareddoryallerpetticoat,ahormylucrossonherneck,andasilverharrowinherair!
WhentheMarcus&theryoungladiescametothevillidgeitwouldhavedonethei’softheflanthropistgoodtoseehowallreseaved’em!Thelittlechildrenscatteredcalicoflowersontheirpath,thesnowy-airedoldmenwithredfacesandrinklestookofftheirbrownpaperatstoslewtthenobleMarcus。Youngandoldledthemtoawoodnbankpaintedtolooklikeabowerofroses,andwhentheyweresettdowndanstballysbeforethem。O’twasanoblesitetoseetheMarcustoo,smilinellygintwithfethersinhiseddandallhisstarson,andtheyoungMarchynisseswiththeirploomes,andtrains,andlittlecoronicks!
Theylivedintremenjussplendorathomeintheirpyturnlealls,andhadnoendofpallises,willers,andtownandcountryresadences;buttheirfayvoritresadencewascalledtheCastleoftheIslandofFogo。
AddIthepennofthehawtherofaCodlingsbyhimself,Icoodntdixcribethegawjusnessoftheiraboad。Theyaddtwenty-fourfootmeninlivery,besidesaboyincodroysfortheknives&shoes。
Theyhadninemeelsaday——Shampayneandpineappleswereservedtoeachoftheyoungladiesinbedbeforetheygotup。WasitPrawns,Sherry-cobblers,lobster-salids,ormaidsofhonor,theyhadbuttoringthebellandcallforwhattheychose。Theyhadtwonewdresseseveryday——onetorideoutintheopencarriage,andanothertoappearinthegardensoftheCastleoftheIslandofFogo,whichwereilluminatedeverynightlikeVoxhall。TheyoungnoblemenofFranceweretherereadytodancewiththem,andfestifsuppersconcludidthejawyusnight。
ThustheylivedinellygantratirementuntilMissfortunebustuponthishappyfammaly。EtachedtohisPrincesandabommanatingtheojusLewyphlip,theMarcuswasconspiringforthebenefickofthehelderbranchoftheBorebones——andwhatwastheconsquince?——OnenightafleatpresenteditselfroundtheCastleoftheIslandofFogo——andskeweringonlyacoupleofchestsofjewils,theMarcusandthetwoyoungladiesindisgyise,fledfromthatislandofbliss。Andwhitherfledthey?——ToEngland!——Englandtheomeofthebrave,therefugeoftheworld,wheretheporeslaveneversettshisfootbutheisfree!
Suchwastheramantictailwhichwastoldto2friendsofoursbytheMarcusdeViddlershimself,whosedaughters,walkingwiththeirpagefromUngerfordMarketwheretheyhadbeentopurchisapaperofsrimpsfortheumblesupperoftheirnoblefather,Yardhamandhisequaintnce,MunseerJools,hadremarkedandadmired。
ButhowhadthosetwoyoungErowsbecomeequaintedwiththenobleMarcus?——Thatisamistrywemustelucydateinafuturvollam。
THESTARSANDSTRIPES。
THEAUTHOROR”THELASTOFTHEMULLIGANS,””PILOT,”ETC
I。
TheKingofFrancewaswalkingontheterraceofVersailles;thefairest,notonlyofQueens,butofwomen,hungfondlyontheRoyalarm;whilethechildrenofFrancewereindulgingintheirinfantilehilarityinthealleysofthemagnificentgardenofLeNotrefromwhichNiblo’sgardenhasbeencopiedinourownEmpirecityofNewYork,andplayingatleap-frogwiththeiruncle,theCountofProvence;gaudycourtiers,emlazonedwithorders,glitteredinthegroves,andmurmuredfrivoloustalkintheearsofhigh-bredbeauty。”Marie,mybeloved,”saidtherulerofFrance,takingouthiswatch,”’tistimethattheMinisterofAmericashouldbehere。””YourMajestyshouldknowthetime,”repliedMarieAntoinette,archly,andinanAustrianaccent;”isnotmyRoyalLouisthefirstwatchmakerinhisempire?”
TheKingcastapleasedglanceathisrepeater,andkissedwithcourtlygracethefairhandofherwhohadmadehimthecompliment。”MyLordBishopofAutun,”saidhetoMonsieurdeTalleyrandPerigord,whofollowedtheroyalpair,inhisqualityofarch-
chamberlainoftheempire,”Iprayyoulookthroughthegardens,andtellhisExcellencyDoctorFranklinthattheKingwaits。”TheBishopranoff,withmorethanyouthfulagility,toseektheUnitedStates’Minister。”TheseRepublicans,”headded,confidentially,andwithsomethingofasuperciliouslook,”arebutrudecourtiers,methinks。””Nay,”interposedthelovelyAntoinette,”rudecourtiers,Sire,theymaybe;buttheworldboastsnotofmoreaccomplishedgentlemen。IhaveseennograndeeofVersaillesthathasthenoblebearingofthisAmericanenvoyandhissuite。TheyhavetherefinementoftheOldWorld,withallthesimpleeleganceoftheNew。Thoughtheyhaveperfectdignityofmanner,theyhaveanengagingmodestywhichIhaveneverseenequalledbythebestoftheproudEnglishnobleswithwhomtheywagewar。IamtoldtheyspeaktheirverylanguagewithagracewhichthehaughtyIslanderswhooppressthemneverattained。Theyareindependent,yetneverinsolent;elegant,yetalwaysrespectful;andbrave,butnotintheleastboastful。””What!savagesandall,Marie?”exclaimedLouis,laughing,andchuckingthelovelyQueenplayfullyundertheroyalchin。”ButherecomesDoctorFranklin,andyourfriendtheCaciquewithhim。”
Infact,asthemonarchspoke,theMinisteroftheUnitedStatesmadehisappearance,followedbyagiganticwarriorinthegarbofhisnativewoods。
KnowinghisplaceasMinisterofasovereignstate,yieldingeventhenindignitytonone,asitsurpassesallnowindignity,invalor,inhonesty,instrength,andcivilization,theDoctornoddedtotheQueenofFrance,butkepthishatonashefacedtheFrenchmonarch,anddidnotceasewhittlingthecanehecarriedinhishand。”Iwaswaitingforyou,sir,”theKingsaid,peevishly,inspiteofthealarmedpressurewhichtheQueengavehisroyalarm。”ThebusinessoftheRepublic,sire,musttakeprecedenceevenofyourMajesty’swishes,”repliedDr。Franklin。”WhenIwasapoorprinter’sboyandranerrands,noladcouldbemorepunctualthanpoorBenFranklin;butallotherthingsmustyieldtotheserviceoftheUnitedStatesofNorthAmerica。Ihavedone。Whatwouldyou,Sire?”andtheintrepidrepublicaneyedthemonarchwithasereneandeasydignity,whichmadethedescendantofSt。Louisfeelillatease。”Iwishedto——tosayfarewelltoTatuabeforehisdeparture,”saidLouisXVI。,lookingratherawkward。”Approach,Tatua。”AndthegiganticIndianstrodeup,andstoodundauntedbeforethefirstmagistrateoftheFrenchnation:againthefeeblemonarchquailedbeforetheterriblesimplicityoftheglanceofthedenizenoftheprimaevalforests。
TheredoubtedchiefoftheNose-ringIndianswasdecoratedinhiswar-paint,andinhistop-knotwasapeacock’sfeather,whichhadbeengivenhimoutofthehead-dressofthebeautifulPrincessofLamballe。Hisnose,fromwhichhungtheornamentfromwhichhisferocioustribetookitsdesignation,waspaintedalight-blue,acircleofgreenandorangewasdrawnroundeacheye,whileserpentinestripesofblack,white,andvermilionalternatelyweresmearedonhisforehead,anddescendedoverhischeek-bonestohischin。Hismanlychestwassimilarlytattooedandpainted,androundhisbrawnyneckandarmshunginnumerablebraceletsandnecklacesofhumanteeth,extractedoneonlyfromeachskullfromthejawsofthosewhohadfallenbytheterribletomahawkathisgirdle。Hismoccasins,andhisblanket,whichwasdrapedonhisarmandfellinpicturesquefoldstohisfeet,werefringedwithtuftsofhair——theblack,thegray,theauburn,thegoldenringletofbeauty,theredlockfromtheforeheadoftheScottishortheNorthernsoldier,thesnowytressofextremeoldage,theflaxendownofinfancy——allwerethere,dreadfulreminiscencesofthechief’striumphsinwar。Thewarriorleanedonhisenormousrifle,andfacedtheKing。”AnditwaswiththatcarabinethatyoushotWolfein’57?”saidLouis,eyingthewarriorandhisweapon。”’Tisaclumsylock,andmethinksIcouldmendit,”headdedmentally。”ThechiefoftheFrenchpale-facesspeakstruth,”Tatuasaid。”Tatuawasaboywhenhewentfirstonthewar-pathwithMontcalm。””AndshotaWolfeatthefirstfire!”saidtheKing。”TheEnglisharebraves,thoughtheirfacesarewhite,”repliedtheIndian。”TatuashottheragingWolfeoftheEnglish;buttheotherwolvescausedthefoxestogotoearth。”AsmileplayedroundDr。
Franklin’slips,ashewhittledhiscanewithmorevigorthanever。”Ibelieve,yourExcellency,TatuahasdonegoodserviceelsewherethanatQuebec,”theKingsaid,appealingtotheAmericanEnvoy:”atBunker’sHill,atBrandywine,atYorkIsland?NowthatLafayetteandmybraveFrenchmenareamongyou,yourExcellencyneedhavenofearbutthatthewarwillfinishquickly——yes,yes,itwillfinishquickly。Theywillteachyoudiscipline,andthewaytoconquer。””KingLouisofFrance,”saidtheEnvoy,clappinghishatdownoverhishead,andputtinghisarmsa-kimbo,”wehavelearnedthatfromtheBritish,towhomwearesuperiorineverything:andI’dhaveyourMajestytoknowthatintheartofwhippingtheworldwehavenoneedofanyFrenchlessons。IfyourreglarsjineGeneralWashington,’tistolarnfromHIMhowBritishersarelicked;forI’mblestifYUknowthewayyet。”
Tatuasaid,”Ugh,”andgavearattlewiththebuttofhiscarabine,whichmadethetimidmonarchstart;theeyesofthelovelyAntoinetteflashedfire,butitplayedroundtheheadofthedauntlessAmericanEnvoyharmlessasthelightningwhichheknewhowtoconjureaway。
TheKingfumbledinhispocket,andpulledoutaCrossoftheOrderoftheBath。”YourExcellencywearsnohonor,”themonarchsaid;”butTatua,whoisnotasubject,onlyanally,oftheUnitedStates,may。NobleTatua,IappointyouKnightCompanionofmynobleOrderoftheBath。WearthiscrossuponyourbreastinmemoryofLouisofFrance;”andtheKingheldoutthedecorationtotheChief。
UptothatmomenttheChief’scountenancehadbeenimpassible。Nolookeitherofadmirationordislikehadappeareduponthatgrimandwar-paintedvisage。Butnow,asLouisspoke,Tatua’sfaceassumedaglanceofineffablescorn,as,bendinghishead,hetookthebauble。”Iwillgiveittooneofmysquaws,”hesaid。”Thepapoosesinmylodgewillplaywithit。Come,Medecine,Tatuawillgoanddrinkfire-water;”and,shoulderinghiscarabine,heturnedhisbroadbackwithoutceremonyuponthemonarchandhistrain,anddisappeareddownoneofthewalksofthegarden。FranklinfoundhimwhenhisowninterviewwiththeFrenchChiefMagistratewasover;beingattractedtothespotwheretheChiefwas,bythecrackofhiswell-knownrifle。Hewaslaughinginhisquietway。HehadshottheColoneloftheSwissGuardsthroughhiscockade。
Threedaysafterwards,asthegallantfrigate,the”Repudiator,”
wassailingoutofBrestHarbor,thegiganticformofanIndianmightbeseenstandingonthebinnacleinconversationwithCommodoreBowie,thecommanderofthenobleship。ItwasTatua,theChiefoftheNose-rings。
II。
LeatherlegsandTomCoxswaindidnotaccompanyTatuawhenhewenttotheParisianmetropolisonavisittothefatheroftheFrenchpale-faces。NeithertheLegsnortheSailorcaredforthegayetyandthecrowdofcities;thestoutmariner’shomewasintheputtock-shroudsoftheold”Repudiator。”ThesternandsimpletrapperlovedthesoundofthewatersbetterthanthejargonoftheFrenchoftheoldcountry。”IcanfollowthetalkofaPawnee,”hesaid,”orwagmyjaw,ifsobenecessitybidsmetospeak,byaSioux’scouncil-fireandIcanpatterCanadianFrenchwiththehunterswhocomeforpeltriestoNachitochesorThichimuchimachy;
butfromthetongueofaFrenchwoman,withwhiteflouronherhead,andwar-paintonherface,theLorddeliverpoorNattyPumpo。””Amenandamen!”saidTomCoxswain。”Therewasawomaninouraft-
scupperswhenIwenta-whalininthelittle’Grampus’——andLordloveyou,Pumpo,youpoorland-swab,sheWASasprettyacraftaseverdowsedatarpauling——therewasawomanonboardthe’Grampus,’
whobeforewe’dstruckourfirstfish,orbiledourfirstblubber,setthewholecrewinamutiny。Imindmeofhernow,Natty,——hereyewassichapiercerthatyoucouldseetosteerbyitinaNewfoundlandfog;hernosestoodoutlikethe’Grampus’s’jibboom,andherwoice,Lordloveyou,herwoicesingsinmyearsevennow:——
itsettheCaptaina-quarrelinwiththeMate,whowashangedinBostonharborforharpooninofhisofficerinBaffin’sBay;——itsetmeandBobBuntinga-pouringbroadsidesintoeachother’soldtimbers,whereasmeandBobwasworthallthewomenthatevershippedahawser。Itcostmethreeyears’payasI’dstowedawayfortheoldmother,andmighthavecostmeeversomuchmore,onlybadlucktome,shewentandmarriedalittletailoroutofNantucket;andI’vehatedwomenandtailorseversince!”Ashespoke,thehardytardashedadropofbrinefromhistawnycheek,andoncemorebetookhimselftosplicethetaffrail。
ThoughthebravefrigatelayoffHavredeGrace,shewasnotidle。
ThegallantBowieandhisintrepidcrewmaderepeateddescentsupontheenemy’sseaboard。ThecoastsofRutlandandmerryLeicestershirehavestillmanyalegendoffeartotell;andthechildrenoftheBritishfishermentrembleevennowwhentheyspeakoftheterrible”Repudiator。”ShewasthefirstofthemightyAmericanwar-shipsthathavetaughtthedomineeringBritontorespectthevaloroftheRepublic。
Thenovelisteverandanonfindshimselfforcedtoadoptthesternertoneofthehistorian,whendescribingdeedsconnectedwithhiscountry’striumphs。ItiswellknownthatduringthetwomonthsinwhichshelayoffHavre,the”Repudiator”hadbroughtmoreprizesintothatportthanhadeverbeforebeenseenintheastonishedFrenchwaters。Heractionswiththe”Dettingen”andthe”Elector”frigatesformpartofourcountry’shistory;theirdefence——itmaybesaidwithoutprejudicetonationalvanity——wasworthyofBritonsandoftheaudaciousfoetheyhadtoencounter;
anditmustbeowned,thatbutforahappyfortunewhichpresidedonthatdayoverthedestiniesofourcountry,thechanceofthecombatmighthavebeeninfavoroftheBritishvessels。Itwasnotuntilthe”Elector”blewup,ataquarterpastthreeP。M。,byaluckyshotwhichfellintohercaboose,andcommunicatedwiththepowder-magazine,thatCommodoreBowiewasenabledtolayhimselfonboardthe”Dettingen,”whichhecarriedswordinhand。EvenwhentheAmericanboardershadmadetheirlodgmentonthe”Dettingen’s”
binnacle,itispossiblethatthebattlewouldstillhavegoneagainstus。TheBritishwerestillseventoone;theircarronades,loadedwithmarline-spikes,sweptthegun-deck,ofwhichwehadpossession,anddecimatedourlittleforce;whenarifle-ballfromtheshroudsofthe”Repudiator”shotCaptainMumfordunderthestaroftheGuelphicOrderwhichhewore,andtheAmericans,withashout,rushedupthecompaniontothequarter-deck,upontheastonishedfoe。Pikeandcutlassdidtherestofthebloodywork。
Rumford,thegiganticfirst-lieutenantofthe”Dettingen,”wascutdownbyCommodoreBowie’sownsword,astheyengagedhandtohand;
anditwasTomCoxswainwhotoredowntheBritishflag,afterhavingslaintheEnglishmanatthewheel。Peacebetothesoulsofthebrave!Thecombatwashonorablealiketothevictorandthevanquished;anditnevercanbesaidthatanAmericanwarriordepreciatedagallantfoe。Thebitternessofdefeatwasenoughtothehaughtyislanderswhohadtosuffer。ThepeopleofHerneBaywereliningtheshore,nearwhichthecombattookplace,andcruelmusthavebeenthepangtothemwhentheysawtheStarsandStripesriseovertheoldflagoftheUnion,andthe”Dettingen”falldowntheriverintowoftheRepublicanfrigate。
AnotheractionBowiecontemplated:theboldestandmostdaringperhapseverimaginedbyseaman。ItisthiswhichhasbeensowronglydescribedbyEuropeanannalists,andofwhichtheBritishuntilnowhavemaintainedthemostjealoussecrecy。
PortsmouthHarborwasbadlydefended。Ourintelligenceinthattownandarsenalgaveuspreciseknowledgeofthedispositionofthetroops,theforts,andtheshipsthere;anditwasdeterminedtostrikeablowwhichshouldshaketheBritishpowerinitscentre。
Thatafrigateofthesizeofthe”Repudiator”shouldentertheharborunnoticed,orcouldescapeitsgunsunscathed,passedthenotionsofevenAmericantemerity。Butuponthememorable26thofJune,1782,the”Repudiator”sailedoutofHavreRoadsinathickfog,undercoverofwhichsheenteredandcastanchorinBonchurchBay,intheIsleofWight。TosurprisetheMartelloTowerandtakethefeeblegarrisonthereunder,wastheworkofTomCoxswainandafewofhisblue-jackets。Thesurprisedgarrisonlaiddowntheirarmsbeforehim。
Itwasmidnightbeforetheboatsoftheship,commandedbyLieutenantBunker,pulledofffromBonchurchwithmuffledoars,andinanotherhourwereofftheCommonHardofPortsmouth,havingpassedthechallengesofthe”Thetis”andthe”Amphion”frigates,andthe”Polyanthus”brig。
TherehadbeenonthatdaygreatfeastingandmerrimentonboardtheFlag-shiplyingintheharbor。AbanquethadbeengiveninhonorofthebirthdayofoneoftheprincesoftheroyallineoftheGuelphs——thereaderknowsthepropensityofBritonswhenliquorisinplenty。Allonboardthatroyalshipweremoreorlessovercome。TheFlag-shipwasplungedinadeathlikeanddrunkensleep。Theveryofficerofthewatchwasintoxicated:hecouldnotseethe”Repudiator’s”boatsastheyshotswiftlythroughthewaters;norhadhetimetochallengeherseamenastheyswarmedupthehugesidesoftheship。
AtthenextmomentTomCoxswainstoodatthewheelofthe”RoyalGeorge”——theBritonwhohadguarded,acorpseathisfeet。Thehatchesweredown。Theshipwasinpossessionofthe”Repudiator’s”
crew。Theywerebusyinherrigging,bendinghersailstocarryheroutoftheharbor。Thewell-knownheaveofthemenatthewindlasswokeupKempenfeltinhisstate-cabin。Weknow,orratherdonotknow,theresult;forwhocantellbywhomthelower-deckportsofthebraveshipwereopened,andhowthehaughtyprisonersbelowsunktheshipanditsconquerorsratherthanyieldherasaprizetotheRepublic!
OnlyTomCoxswainescapedofvictorsandvanquished。HistalewastoldtohisCaptainandtoCongress,butWashingtonforbadeitspublication;anditwasbutlatelythatthefaithfulseamantoldittome,hisgrandson,onhishundred-and-fifteenthbirthday。
APLANFORAPRIZENOVEL。
INALETTERFROMTHEEMINENTDRAMATISTBROWNTOTHEEMINENT
NOVELISTSNOOKS。”CAFEDESAVEUGLES。”MYDEARSNOOKS,——Iamonthelook-outhereformaterialsfororiginalcomediessuchasthoselatelyproducedatyourtheatre;
and,inthecourseofmystudies,Ihavefoundsomething,mydearSnooks,whichIthinkwillsuityourbook。Youarebringing,I
see,youradmirablenovel,’TheMysteriesofMayFair,’toanend——
bytheway,thescene,inthe200thnumber,betweentheDuke,hisGrandmother,andtheJesuitButler,isoneofthemostharrowingandexcitingIeverread——and,ofcourse,youmustturnyourrealgeniustosomeotherchannel;andwemayexpectthatyourpenshallnotbeidle。”TheoriginalplanIhavetoproposetoyou,then,istakenfromtheFrench,justliketheoriginaldramasabovementioned;and,indeed,IfounditinthelawreportoftheNationalnewspaper,andaFrenchliterarygentleman,M。EmanuelGonzales,hasthecreditoftheinvention。Heandanadvertisementagentfelloutaboutaquestionofmoney,theaffairwasbroughtbeforethecourts,andthelittleplotsogotwind。Butthereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnottaketheplotandactonityourself。Youareaknownman;thepublicrelishesyourworks;anythingbearingthenameofSnooksiseagerlyreadbythemasses;andthoughMessrs。Hookey,ofHolywellStreet,payyouhandsomely,Imakenodoubtyouwouldliketoberewardedatastillhigherfigure。”Unlesshewriteswithapurpose,youknow,anovelistinourdaysisgoodfornothing。Thisonewriteswithasocialistpurpose;
thatwithaconservativepurpose:thisauthororauthoresswiththemostdelicateskillinsinuatesCatholicismintoyou,andyoufindyourselfallbutaPapistinthethirdvolume:anotherdoctorsyouwithLowChurchremediestoworkinwardlyuponyou,andwhichyouswallowdownunsuspiciously,aschildrendocalomelinjelly。
Fictionadvocatesallsortsoftruthandcauses——doesn’tthedelightfulbardoftheMinoriesfindMosesineverything?M。
Gonzales’splan,andtheonewhichIrecommendtomydearSnooks,simplywastowriteanadvertisementnovel。LookoverTheTimesorthe’Directory,’walkdownRegentStreetorFleetStreetanyday——
seewhathousesadvertisemost,andputyourselfintocommunicationwiththeirproprietors。Withyourrings,yourchains,yourstuds,andthetiponyourchin,Idon’tknowanygreaterswellthanBobSnooks。Walkintotheshops,Isay,askfortheprincipal,andintroduceyourself,saying,’IamthegreatSnooks;Iamtheauthorofthe”MysteriesofMayFair;”myweeklysaleis281,000;Iamabouttoproduceanewworkcalled”ThePalacesofPimlico,ortheCurseoftheCourt,”describingandlashingfearlesslythevicesofthearistocracy;thisbookwillhaveasaleofatleast530,000;itwillbeoneverytable——intheboudoirofthepamperedduke,asinthechamberofthehonestartisan。ThemyriadsofforeignerswhoarecomingtoLondon,andareanxioustoknowaboutournationalmanners,willpurchasemybook,andcarryittotheirdistanthomes。So,Mr。Taylor,orMr。Haberdasher,orMr。Jeweller,howmuchwillyoustandifIrecommendyouinmyforthcomingnovel?’
Youmaymakeanobleincomeinthisway,Snooks。”Forinstance,supposeitisanupholsterer。Whatmoreeasy,whatmoredelightful,thanthedescriptionofupholstery?Asthus:——”’LadyEmilywasrecliningononeofDownandEider’svoluptuousottomans,theonlycouchonwhichBelgravianbeautynowreposes,whenLordBathershinsentered,steppingnoiselesslyoveroneofTomkins’selasticAxminstercarpets。”Goodheavens,mylord!”shesaid——andthelovelycreaturefainted。TheEarlrushedtothemantel-piece,wherehesawaflaconofOtto’seau-de-Cologne,and,’
&c。”Orsayit’sacheapfurniture-shop,anditmaybebroughtinjustaseasily,asthus:——”’Wearepoor,Eliza,’saidHarryHardhand,lookingaffectionatelyathiswife,’butwehaveenough,love,havewenot,forourhumblewants?TherichandluxuriousmaygotoDillow’sorGobiggin’s,butwecangetourroomscomfortablyfurnishedatTimmonson’sfor20L。’Andputtingonherbonnet,andhangingaffectionatelyonherhusband,thestoker’sprettybridetrippedgaylytothewell-knownmart,whereTimmonson,withinhisusualaffability,wasreadytoreceivethem。”Thenyoumighthaveatouchatthewine-merchantandpurveyor。
’Wheredidyougetthisdeliciousclaret,orpatedefoisgras,orwhatyouplease?’saidCountBlagowskitothegayyoungSirHoraceSwellmore。ThevoluptuousBartanswered,’AtSo-and-So’s,orSo-
and-So’s。’Theanswerisobvious。Youmayfurnishyourcellaroryourlarderinthisway。Begad,Snooks!Ilickmylipsattheveryidea。”Then,astotailors,milliners,bootmakers,&c。,howeasytogetawordforthem!Amranson,thetailor,waiteduponLordPaddingtonwithanassortmentofhisunrivalledwaistcoats,orcladinthatsimplebutaristocraticstyleofwhichSchneiderALONEhasthesecret。ParvyNewcomereallylookedlikeagentleman,andthoughcorpulentandcrooked,Schneiderhadmanagedtogivehim,&c。
Don’tyouseewhatastrokeofbusinessyoumightdointhisway。”Theshoemaker——LadyFannyflew,ratherthandanced,acrosstheball-room;onlyaSylphide,orTaglioni,oraladychausseedbyChevillettofBondStreetcouldmoveinthatfairyway;and”Thehairdresser——’CountBarbarossaisseventyyearsofage,’saidtheEarl。’IrememberhimattheCongressofVienna,andhehasnotasinglegrayhair。’Wigginslaughed。’MygoodLordBaldock,’
saidtheoldwag,’IsawBarbarossa’shaircomingoutofDucroissant’sshop,andunderhisvalet’sarm——ho!ho!ho!’——andthetwobon-vivanschuckledastheCountpassedby,talkingwith,&c。&c。”Thegunmaker——’Theantagonistsfacedeachother;andundismayedbeforehisgiganticenemy,Kilconnelraisedhispistol。ItwasoneofClicker’smanufacture,andSirMarmadukeknewhecouldtrustthemakerandtheweapon。”One,two,THREE,”criedO’Tool,andthetwopistolswentoffatthatinstant,andutteringaterrificcurse,theLifeguardsman,’&c——Asentenceofthisnaturefromyourpen,mydearSnooks,would,Ishouldthink,bringacaseofpistolsandadouble-barrelledguntoyourlodgings;and,thoughheavenforbidyoushouldusesuchweapons,youmightsellthem,youknow,andwecouldmakemerrywiththeproceeds。”Ifmyhintisofanyusetoyou,itisquiteatyourservice,dearSnooks;andshouldanythingcomeofit,Ihopeyouwillrememberyourfriend。”
THEDIARYOFC。JEAMESDELAPLUCHE,ESQ。,WITHHISLETTERS。
ALUCKYSPECULATOR。”ConsiderablesensationhasbeenexcitedintheupperandlowercirclesintheWestEnd,byastartlingpieceofgoodfortunewhichhasbefallenJamesPlush,Esq。,latelyfootmaninarespectedfamilyinBerkeleySquare。”Onedaylastweek,Mr。Jameswaiteduponhismaster,whoisabankerintheCity;andafteralittleblushingandhesitation,saidhehadsavedalittlemoneyinservice,wasanxioustoretire,andtoinvesthissavingstoadvantage。”Hismasterwebelievewemaymention,withoutoffendingdelicacy,thewell-knownnameofSirGeorgeFlimsy,ofthehouseofFlimsy,Diddler,andFlash,smilinglyaskedMr。Jameswhatwastheamountofhissavings,wonderingconsiderablyhow,outofanincomeofthirtyguineas——themainpartofwhichhespentinbouquets,silkstockings,andperfumery——Mr。Plushcouldhavemanagedtolaybyanything。”Mr。Plush,withsomehesitation,saidhehadbeenSPECULATINGIN
RAILROADS,andstatedhiswinningstohavebeenthirtythousandpounds。Hehadcommencedhisspeculationswithtwenty,borrowedfromafellow-servant。HehaddatedhislettersfromthehouseinBerkeleySquare,andhumblybeggedpardonofhismasterfornothavinginstructedtheRailwaySecretarieswhoansweredhisapplicationstoapplyatthearea-bell。”SirGeorge,whowasatbreakfast,instantlyrose,andshookMr。P。
bythehand;LadyFlimsybeggedhimtobeseated,andpartakeofthebreakfastwhichhehadlaidonthetable;andhassubsequentlyinvitedhimtohergranddejeuneratRichmond,whereitwasobservedthatMissEmilyFlimsy,herbeautifulandaccomplishedseventhdaughter,paidtheluckygentlemanMARKEDATTENTION。”WehearitstatedthatMr。P。isofaveryancientfamilyHugodelaPluchecameoverwiththeConqueror;andthenewbroughamwhichhehasstartedbearstheancientcoatofhisrace。”HehastakenapartmentsintheAlbany,andisadirectorofthirty-threerailroads。HeproposestostandforParliamentatthenextgeneralelectionondecidedlyconservativeprinciples,whichhavealwaysbeenthepoliticsofhisfamily。”Reportsays,thateveninhishumblecapacityMissEmilyFlimsyhadremarkedhishighdemeanor。Well,’Nonebutthebrave,’saywe,’deservethefair。’”——MorningPaper。
Thisannouncementwillexplainthefollowinglines,whichhavebeenputintoourbox*withaWestEndpost-mark。If,aswebelieve,theyarewrittenbytheyoungwomanfromwhomtheMillionnaireborrowedthesumonwhichheraisedhisfortune,whatheartwillnotmeltwithsympathyathertale,andpitythesorrowswhichsheexpressesinsuchartlesslanguage?
Ifitbenottoolate;ifwealthhavenotrendereditspossessorcallous;ifpoorMaryanneBESTILLALIVE;wetrust,wetrust,Mr。
Plushwilldoherjustice。
*Theletter-boxofMr。Punch,inwhosecolumnsthesepaperswerefirstpublished。”JEAMESOFBUCKLEYSQUARE。”AHELIGY。”Comeallyegentsvotcleanstheplate,Comeallyeladiesmaidssofair——
VileIastoryvillrelateOfcruelJeamesofBuckleySquare。
Atighterlad,itisconfest,Neervalkedwithpowderinhisair,Orvoreanosegayinhisbreast,ThanandsumJeamesofBuckleySquare。”OEvns!itvasthebestofsights,BehindhisMaster’scoachandpair,ToseeourJeamesinredplushtights,AdrivinghofffromBuckleySquare。
Hevelbecamehishagwilletts,HecockedhisatwithSUCHahair;
HiscalvesandviskersVASsuchpets,ThathalllovedJeamesofBuckleySquare。”Hepleasedthehup-stairsfolksasvell,Ando!Ivitheredvithdespair,MissisVOULDringtheparlerbell,AndcallupJeamesinBuckleySquare。
Bothbeerandsperritsheabhord,SperritsandbeerIcan’tabear,
YouwouldhavethoughthevasalordDowninourAllinBuckleySquare。”Lastyearhevisper’d’MaryAnn,VenI’veanunder’dpoundtospare,Totakeapublicismyplan,AndleavethishojousBuckleySquare。’
Ohowmygentleheartdidbound,TothinkthatIhisnameshouldbear。
’DearJeames。’saysI,’I’vetwentypound;
AndgevthemhiminBuckleySquare。”OurmastervasaCitygent,Hisname’sinrailroadseverywhere,Andlord,votlotsoflettersventBetwigsthisbrokersandBuckleySquare:
MyJeamesitwastheletterstook,Andreadthemall,Ithinkit’sfair,
AndtookaleaffromMaster’sbook,AsHOTHERSdoinBuckleySquare。
Encouragedwithmytwentypound,OfwhichpoorIwasunavare,HewrotetheCompaniesallround,AndsignedhisselffromBuckleySquare。
AndhowJohnPorterusedtogrin,Asdaybyday,shareaftershare,Camerailvayletterspouringin,’J。Plush,Esquire,inBuckleySquare。’”Ourservants’Allwasinarage——
Scrip,stock,curves,gradients,bullandbear,Vithbutler,coachman,groomandpage,VasallthetalkinBuckleySquare。
ButO!imaginevotIfeltLastVensdayveekaseverwere;
Igitsaletter,whichIspelt’MissM。A。Hoggins,BuckleySquare。’”Hesentmebackmymoneytrue——
Hesentmebackmylockofair,Andsaid,’Mydear,IbidajewToMaryHannandBuckleySquare。
Thinknottomarry,foolishHann,Withpeoplewhoyourbettersare;
JamesPlushisnowagentleman,Andyou——acookinBuckleySquare。”’I’vethirtythousandguineaswon,Insixshortmonths,bygenusrare;
YoulittlethoughtwhatJeameswason,PoorMaryHann,inBuckleySquare。
I’vethirtythousandguineasnet,PowderandplushIscorntovear;
Andso,MissMaryHann,forgetForheverJeames,ofBuckleySquare。’”……
TherestoftheMS。isillegible,beingliterallywashedawayinafloodoftears。
ALETTERFROM”JEAMES,OFBUCKLEYSQUARE。””ALBANY,LETTERX。August10,1845。”SIR,——Hasareglarsuscribertoyouremusingpaper,IbegleaftostatethatIshouldneverhavedoneso,hadIsupposedthatitwasyourabbittoigsposethemistariesofprivitlife,andtohinjerthedelligitfeelingsofumbleindividyoualslikemyself,whohaveNOIDEERofbeingmadethesubjectofnewspapercriticism。”Ielude,sir,totheunjustafiableusewhichhasbeenmadeofmynameinyourJournal,wherebothmymuccantilespeclationsandtheHINMOSTPASHSNOFMYARThavebeenbrotforrardsinaridickluswayforthepublicemusemint。”Whatcall,sir,hasthepublictoinquireintothesuckmstansiesofmyengagementswithMissMaryHannOggins,ortomeddlewiththeirrupsher?WhyamItobemaidthehobjickofyourREDICULEIN
ADOGGRILBALLITimpewtedtoher?IsayIMPEWTED,because,inMY
timeatleast,MaryHanncouldonlysignhermarkhasI’vehoftenwitnistitforherwhenshepaidhinattheSavingsBank,andhasforSACRIFICINGTOTHEMEWSESandmakingPOATRY,shewasasHINCAPIBLEasMr。Wakleyhimself。”Withrespecttotheballit,mybaleafis,thatitiswrotebyafootmaninalowfamly,aporeretchwhoattemptedtorivlemeinmyaffectionstoMaryHann——afellernotfivefootsix,andwithnomorecalvestohislegsthanadonkey——whowasalwaysa-ritinhavingbeenadoctor’sboyandwhoInocktdownwithapintofporterashewellrecklexatthe3TunsJermingStreet,fordaringtotrytomakeabutofme。HehassignedMissH’snametohisNONSINCEANDLIES:andyoulayyourselfhopentoahactionforlibelforinsuttingtheminyourpaper。”ItisfalsethatIhavetreatedMissH。hillinHANYway。ThatI
borrowed20lbofherisTREW。ButsheconfessesIpaiditback。
CanhallpeoplesayasmuchofthemoneyTHEY’VElentorborrowed?
No。AndInotonlypaiditback,butgivhertheandsomestpres’nts:WHICHINEVERSHOULDHAVEALLUDEDTO,butforthisattack。Fust,asilverthimblewhichIfoundinMissus’swork-
box;secknd,avollomofByrom’spoems;third,IhalwaysbroughtheraglasofCurasore,whenweadaparty,ofwhichshewasremarkablefond。ItreatedhertoHashley’stwice,andhalwaysasrimporahoysterbytheway,andaTHOWSNDDELIGITATTENTIONS,whichIsaposecountforNOTHINK。”Hasformarridge。Halteredsuckmstanciesrenderedithimpossable。
Iwasgoneintoanewspearoflife——minglingwithmynativearistoxy。IbreathenosallibleofblameagainstMissH。,buthisahilliteritcookmaidfittosetatafashnabletable?DoyoungfellersofrankgenrallymarryoutoftheKitching?Ifwecastouri’suponalow-borngal,Ineednsayit’sonlyatemporydistraction,porepassyletong。SomuchforHERclaimsuponme。
HasforTHATBEESTOFADOCTOR’SBOYhe’sunwuthythenotasofaGentleman。”ThatI’veonethirtythousandlb,ANDPRAPSMORE,Idontdeny。OwmuchhastheKilossusofRailroadsone,Ishouldliketoknow,andwhatwashiscappitle?Ihenteredthemarketwith20lb,specklatedJewdicious,andhamwhatIham。Somayyoubeifyouhave20lb,andprapsyouhaven’t——Somayyoube:ifyouchoosetogoin&
win。”IformypartamjuslyPROWDofmysuxess,andcouldgiveyouahundredinstancesofmygratatude。Forigsample,thefustpairofhossesIboughtandabetterpairofsteppersIdafyyoutoseeinhanycurracle,Icrisn’dHullandSelby,ingratefulelusiontomytransackshnsinthatrailroad。MyridingCobIcalledveryunhaptlymyDublinandGalway。Hecamedownwithmetheotherday,andI’vejestsoldhimat1/4discount。”AtfustwithprudenceandmodrationIonlykeptwogroomsformystables,oneofwhomlickwisewaitedonmeattable。Ihavenowaconfidenshleservant,avallydeshamber——Hecurlsmyair;inspexmyaccounts,andhansersmyhinvitationstodinner。IcallthisVallymyTRENTVALLY,foritwastheprophitIgotfromthatexlentline,whichinjuicedmetoingagehim。”BesidesmyNorthBritishPlateandBreakfastequipidge——Ihavetwohandsomsuvvicesfordinner——thegooldplateforSundays,andthesilverforcommonuse。WhenIaveagreatparty,’Trent,’Isaytomyman,’wewillhavetheLondonandBumminghamplateto-daythegoold,orelsetheManchesterandLeedsthesilver。’Iboughtthemafterrealizingontheabuflines,andifpeoplesupposethatthecompanysmademeapresntoftheplate,howcanIhelpit?”InthesamwayIsay,’Trent,bringusabottleofBristolamidHexeter!’or,’PutsomeHeasternCountiesinhice!’HEknowswhatImean:it’sthewinesIboughtuponthehospicioustumminationofmyconnexshnwiththosetworailroads。”Sostrong,indeed,asthisabbitbecome,thatbeingaskedtostandGodfathertotheyoungestMissDiddlelastweak,IhadherchristenedprovisionallyRosamell——fromtheFrenchlineofwhichIamDirector;andonlytheotherday,findingmyselfraytherunwell,’Doctor,’saysItoSirJeamesClark,’I’vesenttoconsultyoubecausemyMidlandsareoutofhorder;andIwantyoutosendthemuptoapremium。’TheDoctorlafd,andIbeleavetoldthestorysubsquintlyatBuckinumP-ll-s。”ButIwilltroubleyounofather。MysoleobjictinwritinghasbeentoCLEARMYCARRATER——toshowthatIcamebymymoneyinahonrableway:thatI’mnotashaymdofthemannerinwhichIgaynedit,andhamindeedgratefulformygoodfortune。”Toconclude,IhaveadmypodigreemaidoutattheEraldHoffisI
don’tmeantheMorningErald,andhavetookformyarmsaStagg。
YouarecorrictinstatingthatIamofhancientNorminfamly。
ThisismorethanPealcansay,towhombIappliedforabarnetcy;
buttheprimmierbeingoflowigstraction,natrallysticklesforhishorder。ConsurvativethoughIbe,IMAYCHANGEMYOPINIONS
beforethenextElection,whenIintendtohoffermyselfasaCandydickforParlymint。”Meanwhile,Ihavethehonortobe,Sir,”YourmostobeajntSurvnt,”FITZ-JAMESDELAPLUCHE。”
THEDIARY。
Onedayinthepanicweek,ourfriendJeamescalledatouroffice,evidentlyingreatperturbationofmindanddisorderofdress。Hehadnoflowerinhisbutton-hole;hisyellowkidgloveswerecertainlytwodaysold。Hehadnotabovethreeofthetenchainsheusuallysports,andhisgreatcoarseknotty-knuckledoldhandsweredeprivedofsomedozenoftherubies,emeralds,andothercameoswithwhich,sincehiselevationtofortune,thepoorfellowhasthoughtfittoadornhimself。”How’sscrip,Mr。Jeames?”saidwepleasantly,greetingouresteemedcontributor。”Scripbe——,”repliedhe,withanexpressionwecannotrepeat,andalookofagonyitisimpossibletodescribeinprint,andwalkedabouttheparlorwhistling,humming,rattlinghiskeysandcoppers,andshowingothersignsofagitation。Atlast,”MR。
PUNCH,”sayshe,afteramoment’shesitation,”Iwishtospeaktoyouonapintofbusiniss。Iwishtobepaidformycontribewtionstoyourpaper。Suckmstancesisalteredwithme。I——I——inaword,CANyoulendme——L。fortheaccount?”
Henamedthesum。Itwasonesogreatthatwedon’tcaretomentionithere;butonreceivingachequefortheamountonMessrs。PumpandAldgate,ourbankers,tearscameintothehonestfellow’seyes。Hesqueezedourhanduntilhenearlywrungitoff,andshoutingtoacab,heplungedintoitatouroffice-door,andwasofftotheCity。
Returningtoourstudy,wefoundhehadleftonourtableanopenpocket-book,ofthecontentsofwhichforthesakeofsafetywetookaninventory。Itcontained——threetavern-bills,paid;atailor’sditto,unsettled;forty-nineallotmentsindifferentcompanies,twenty-sixthousandsevenhundredsharesinall,ofwhichthemarketvaluewetake,onanaverage,tobe1/4discount;
andinanoldbitofpapertiedwithpinkribbonalockofchestnuthair,withtheinitialsM。A。H。
Inthediaryofthepocket-bookwasajournal,jotteddownbytheproprietorfromtimetotime。Atfirsttheentriesareinsignificant:as,forinstance:——”3rdJanuary——OurbeerintheSuvnts’hallsoPRECIOUSsmallatthisChristmastimethatIreelyMUSSgivewarning,&wood,butformydearMaryHann。”February7——
ThatbrootScrew,theButler,wantedtokisher,butmydearMaryHannboxthisholdhears,&servedhimright。IDATESTScrew,”——
andsoforth。ThenthediaryrelatestoStockExchangeoperations,untilwecometothetimewhen,havingachievedhissuccesses,Mr。
JamesquittedBerkeleySquareandhislivery,andbeganhislifeasaspeculatorandagentlemanupontown。ItisfromthelatterpartofhisdiarythatwemakethefollowingEXTRAX:——”WenIanouncedintheServntsAllmyaxeshnofforting,andthatbytheexasizeofmyowntalinceandingianiutyIhadreerlizedasummof20,000lb。itwasonly5,butwhat’stheuseofamanndepreshiatingthequalatyofhisownmackyrel?——wenIenouncedmyabrupintentiontocut——youshouldhaveseanthesensationamonghallthepeople!CookwantedtoknowwhetherIwoodnlikeasweatbred,orthesliseofthebreastofaColdTucky。Screw,thebutler,wombIalwaysdetestedasahinsalanthoverbaringbeest,
beggedmetowalkintotheHupperServntsAll,andtryaglassofShuperiorShattoMargo。HevenVisp,thecoachmin,eldouthisand,&said,’Jeames,Ihopestheresnoquarralingbetwigstyou&me,&
I’llstandapotofbeerwithpleasure。’”Thesickofnts!——thatweryCookhadsplitonmetotheHousekeeperonylastweekcatchinmeprigginsomecoldtuttlesoop,ofwhichI’mremarkablefond。Hasforthebutler,IalwaysEBOMMINATEDhimforhisprecioussnearsandimperencetoallusGentswhowoarlivryheneverwouldsitinourparlor,fasooth,nordrinkoutofourmugs;andinregardofVisp——why,itwasonythedaybeforethewulgarbeesthofferedtofiteme,andthretndtogivemeagoodidingifIrefused。Gentlemenandladies,’saysI,ashaughtyasmaybe,’there’snothinkthatIwantforthatIcan’tgofortobuywithmyhownmoney,andtakeatmylodginsinHalbany,letterHex;
ifI’mungryI’venoneedtorefreshmyselfintheKITCHING。’Andsosaying,Itookadignifiedajewoftheseminnialdomestics;andascendingtomyepartmentinthe4pairback,brushedthepowderoutofmyair,andtakingoffthosehojouslivriesforhever,putonanewsoot,madeformebyCullinofSt。JeamesStreet,andwhichfittedmymanlyfiggerastightaswhacks。”TherewasONEpussoninthehousewithwombIwasraytheranxioustoevoidapersnalleave-taking——MaryHannOggins,Imean——formyartisnaturaltender,andIcan’tabideseeingaporegalinpane。
I’dgivenherprevioustheinfamationofmydeparture——doingtheansomthingbyheratthesametime——payingherback20lb。,whichshe’dlentme6monthsbefore:andpayingherbacknotonlytheinterest,butIgaveheranandsomepairofscissarsandasilverthimbil,bywayofboanus。’MaryHann,’saysI,’suckimstancieshashalteredourrellatifpositionsinlife。IquittheServntsHallforever,forhasforyourmarryingapersoninmyrank,that,mydear,ishallgammin,andsoIwishyouagood-by,mygoodgal,andifyouwanttobetteryourself,halwaysrefertome。’”MaryHanndidn’thansermyspeechwhichIthinkwasremarkablekind,butlookedatmeinthefacequitewildlike,andbustintosomethinkbetwigstalaugh&acry,andfelldownwithheredonthekitchingdresser,whereshelayuntilheryoungMissisrangthedressing-roombell。Wouldyoubleaveit?Sheleftthethimbil&
things,&mycheckfor20lb。l0s。,onthetabilwhenshewenttohanserthebell。AndnowIheardhersobbingandvimperinginherownroomnexbutonetomine,viththedoreopen,perapsexpectingIshouldcomeinandsaygood-by。But,assoonasIwasdressed,I
cutdownstairs,honydesiringFrederickmyfellow-servnt,tofetchmeacabb,andrequestingpermissiontotakeleafofmylady&thefamlybeforemydeparture。”……”HowMissHemlydidhoglemetobesure!Herladyshiptoldmewhatasweetgalshewas——hamiable,fondofpoetry,playsthegitter。
ThenshehaskedmeifIlikedblondbewtiesandhaubinhair。
Haubin,indeed!Idon’tlikecarrits!asitmustbeconfestMissHemly’shis——andhasforaBLONDBUTY,shehaspinkI’slikeaHalbino,andherfacelooksasifitwerediptinabrannmash。