Burlesques

第13章

ItwasonthefairplainsofTouraine,bythebanksofsilverLoire,thatthearmiessatdownbeforeeachother,andthebattlewastotakeplacewhichhadsuchaneffectuponthefortunesofFrance。’TwasabriskdayofMarch:thepractisedvalorofNemoursshowedhimatoncewhatusetomakeofthearmyunderhisorders,andhavingenfiladedhisNationalGuardbattalions,andplacedhisartilleryinechelons,heformedhiscavalryintohollowsquaresontherightandleftofhisline,flingingoutacloudofhowitzerstofallbackuponthemaincolumn。HisveteraninfantryheformedbehindhisNationalGuard——politelyhintingtoOdillonBarrot,whowishedtoretireunderpretenceofbeingexceedinglyunwell,thattheregulartroopswouldbayonettheNationalGuardiftheygavewayaninch:onwhichtheirGeneral,turningverypale,demurelywentbacktohispost。Hismenweredreadfullydiscouraged;theyhadsleptonthegroundallnight;theyregrettedtheirhomesandtheircomfortablenightcapsintheRueSt。Honore:theyhadluckilyfalleninwithaflockofsheepandadroveofoxenatToursthedaybefore;butwhatwerethese,comparedtothedelicaciesofChevet’sorthreecoursesatVefour’s?Theymournfullycookedtheirsteaksandcutletsontheirramrods,andpassedamostwretchednight。

ThearmyofHenrywasencampedoppositetothemforthemostpartinbetterorder。Thenoblecavalryregimentsfoundavillageinwhichtheymadethemselvesprettycomfortable,Jenkins’sFoottakingpossessionofthekitchensandgarretsofthebuildings。

TheIrishBrigade,accustomedtolieabroad,werequarteredinsomepotatofields,wheretheysangMoore’smelodiesallnight。Therewere,besidesthetroopsregularandirregular,aboutthreethousandpriestsandabbeswiththearmy,armedwithscourging-

whips,andchantingthemostlugubriouscanticles:thesereverendmenwerefoundtobeahindranceratherthanotherwisetotheoperationsoftheregularforces。

Itwasatouchingsight,onthemorningbeforethebattle,toseethealacritywithwhichJenkins’sregimentsprungupattheFIRST

reveilleofthebell,andengaged(thehonestfellows!)inofficesalmostmenialforthebenefitoftheirFrenchallies。TheDukehimselfsettheexample,andblackedtoanicetythebootsofHenri。Athalf-pastten,aftercoffee,thebrilliantwarriorsofthecavalrywereready;theirclarionsrungtohorse,theirbannersweregiventothewind,theirshirt-collarswereexquisitelystarched,andthewholeairwasscentedwiththeodorsoftheirpomatumsandpocket-handkerchiefs。

JenkinshadthehonorofholdingthestirrupforHenri。”MyfaithfulDuke!”saidthePrince,pullinghimbytheshoulder-knot,”thouartalwaysatTHYPOST。””Here,asinWellingtonStreet,sire,”saidthehero,blushing。AndthePrincemadeanappropriatespeechtohischivalry,inwhichallusionstothelilies,SaintLouis,BayardandHenriQuatre,were,asmaybeimagined,notspared。”Ho!standard-bearer!”thePrinceconcluded,”flingoutmyoriflamme。NoblegentsofFrance,yourKingisamongyouto-day!”

ThenturningtothePrinceofBallybunion,whohadbeendrinkingwhiskey-punchallnightwiththePrincesofDonegalandConnemara,”Prince,”hesaid,”theIrishBrigadehaswoneverybattleintheFrenchhistory——wewillnotdepriveyouofthehonorofwinningthis。Youwillpleasetocommencetheattackwithyourbrigade。”

BendinghisheaduntilthegreenplumesofhisbeavermingledwiththemaneoftheShetlandponywhichherode,thePrinceofIrelandtrottedoffwithhisaides-de-camp;whorodethesamehorses,powerfulgrays,withwhichadealeratNantzhadsuppliedthemontheirandthePrince’sjointbillatthreemonths。

ThegallantsonsofErinhadwiselysleptuntilthelastminuteintheirpotato-trenches,butroseatonceatthesummonsoftheirbelovedPrince。Theirtoiletwastheworkofamoment——asingleshakeanditwasdone。Rapidlyformingintoaline,theyadvancedheadedbytheirGenerals,——who,turningtheirsteedsintoagrass-

field,wiselydeterminedtofightonfoot。BehindthemcamethelineofBritishfootundertheillustriousJenkins,whomarchedinadvanceperfectlycollected,andsmokingaManillacigar。Thecavalrywereontherightandleftoftheinfantry,preparedtoactinpontoon,inechelon,orinricochet,asoccasionmightdemand。

ThePrincerodebehind,supportedbyhisStaff,whowerealmostallofthembishops,archdeacons,orabbes;andthebodyofecclesiasticsfollowed,singingtothesound,orratherhowl,ofserpentsandtrombones,theLatincanticlesoftheReverendFranciscusO’Mahony,latelycanonizedunderthenameofSaintFrancisofCork。

Theadvancedlinesofthetwocontendingarmieswerenowinpresence——theNationalGuardofOrleansandtheIrishBrigade。

ThewhitebeltsandfatpaunchesoftheGuardpresentedaterrificappearance;butitmighthavebeenremarkedbythecloseobserver,thattheirfaceswereaswhiteastheirbelts,andthelonglineoftheirbayonetsmightbeseentoquiver。GeneralOdillonBarrot,withacockadeaslargeasapancake,endeavoredtomakeaspeech:

thewordshonneur,patrie,Francais,champdebataillemightbedistinguished;buttheGeneralwasdreadfullyflustered,andwasevidentlymoreathomeintheChamberofDeputiesthaninthefieldofwar。

ThePrinceofBallybunion,forawonder,didnotmakeaspeech。”Boys,”saidhe,”we’veenoughtalkingattheCornExchange;

bating’sthewordnow。”TheGreen-Islandersrepliedwithatremendoushurroo,whichsentterrorintothefatbosomsoftheFrench。”GentlemenoftheNationalGuard,”saidthePrince,takingoffhishatandbowingtoOdillonBarrot,”willyebesoigsthramelyobleegingastofirefirst。”ThishesaidbecauseithadbeensaidatFontenoy,butchieflybecausehisownmenwereonlyarmedwithshillelaghs,andthereforecouldnotfire。

ButthisproposalwasveryunpalatabletotheNationalGuardsmen:

forthoughtheyunderstoodthemusket-exerciseprettywell,firingwasthethingofallotherstheydetested——thenoise,andthekickofthegun,andthesmellofthepowderbeingveryunpleasanttothem。”Wewon’tfire,”saidOdillonBarrot,turningroundtoColonelSaugrenueandhisregimentoftheline——which,itmayberemembered,wasformedbehindtheNationalGuard。”Thengivethemthebayonet,”saidtheColonel,withaterrificoath。”Charge,corbleu!”

Atthismoment,andwiththemostdreadfulhowlthateverwasheard,theNationalGuardwasseentorushforwardswildly,andwithimmensevelocity,towardsthefoe。Thefactis,thatthelineregimentbehindthem,eachselectinghisman,gaveapokewithhisbayonetbetweenthecoat-tailsoftheNationals,andthosetroopsboundedforwardwithanirresistibleswiftness。

Nothingcouldwithstandthetremendousimpetusofthatmanoeuvre。

TheIrishBrigadewasscatteredbeforeit,aschaffbeforethewind。ThePrinceofBallybunionhadbarelytimetorunOdillonBarrotthroughthebody,whenhetoowasborneawayintheswiftrout。Theyscatteredtumultuously,andfledfortwentymileswithoutstopping。ThePrincesofDonegalandConnemaraweretakenprisoners;butthoughtheyofferedtogivebillsatthreemonths,andforahundredthousandpounds,fortheirransom,theofferwasrefused,andtheyweresenttotherear;whentheDukeofNemours,hearingtheywereIrishGenerals,andthattheyhadbeenrobbedoftheirreadymoneybyhistroops,whohadtakenthemprisoners,causedacomfortablebreakfasttobesuppliedtothem,andlentthemeachasumofmoney。Howgenerousaremeninsuccess!——thePrinceofOrleanswascharmedwiththeconductofhisNationalGuards,andthoughthisvictorysecure。HedespatchedacouriertoPariswiththebriefwords,”WemettheenemybeforeTours。TheNationalGuardhasdoneitsduty。Thetroopsofthepretenderarerouted。ViveleRoi!”Thenote,youmaybesure,appearedintheJournaldesDebats,andtheeditor,whoonlythatmorninghadcalledHenriV。”agreatprince,anaugustexile,”denominatedhiminstantlyamurderer,slave,thief,cut-throat,pickpocket,andburglar。

CHAPTERVI。

THEENGLISHUNDERJENKINS。

ButthePrincehadnotcalculatedthattherewasalineofBritishinfantrybehindtheroutedIrishBrigade。Borneonwiththehurryofthemelee,flushedwithtriumph,puffingandblowingwithrunning,andforgetting,intheintoxicationofvictory,thetriflingbayonet-prickswhichhadimpelledthemtothecharge,theconqueringNationalGuardsmenfoundthemselvessuddenlyinpresenceofJenkins’sFoot。

Theyhaltedallinahuddle,likeaflockofsheep。”UP,FOOT,ANDATTHEM!”werethememorablewordsoftheDukeJenkins,as,wavinghisbaton,hepointedtowardstheenemy,andwithatremendousshoutthestalwartsonsofEnglandrushedon!——

Downwentplumeandcocked-hat,downwentcorporalandcaptain,downwentgrocerandtailor,underthelongstavesoftheindomitableEnglishFootmen。”AJenkins!aJenkins!”roaredtheDuke,plantingablowwhichbroketheaquilinenoseofMajorArago,thecelebratedastronomer。”St。GeorgeforMayfair!”shoutedhisfollowers,strewingtheplainwithcarcasses。NotamanoftheGuardescaped;theyfelllikegrassbeforethemower。”Theyaregallanttroops,thoseyellow-plushedAnglais,”saidtheDukeofNemours,surveyingthemwithhisopera-glass。”’Tisapitytheywillallbecutupinhalfanhour。Concombre!takeyourdragoons,anddoit!””RememberWaterloo,boys!”saidColonelConcombre,twirlinghismoustache,andathousandsabresflashedinthesun,andthegallanthussarspreparedtoattacktheEnglishmen。

Jenkins,hisgiganticformleaningonhisstaff,andsurveyingthehavocofthefield,wasinstantlyawareoftheenemy’smanoeuvre。

HispeoplewereemployedriflingthepocketsoftheNationalGuard,andhadmadeatolerablebooty,whenthegreatDuke,takingabelloutofhispocket,(itwasusedforsignalsinhisbattalioninplaceoffifeorbugle,)speedilycalledhisscatteredwarriorstogether。”TakethemusketsoftheNationals,”saidhe。Theydidso。”Forminsquare,andpreparetoreceivecavalry!”BythetimeConcombre’sregimentarrived,hefoundasquareofbristlingbayonetswithBritonsbehindthem!

TheColoneldidnotcaretoattempttobreakthattremendousbody。”Halt!”saidhetohismen。”Fire!”screamedJenkins,witheagleswiftness;butthegunsoftheNationalGuardnotbeingloaded,didnotinconsequencegooff。

Thehussarsgaveajeerofderision,butneverthelessdidnotreturntotheattack,andseeingsomeoftheLegitimistcavalryathand,preparedtochargeuponthem。

Thefateofthosecarpetwarriorswassoondecided。TheMillefleurregimentbrokebeforeConcombre’shussarsinstantaneously;theEau-

de-Rosedragoonsstuckspursintotheirbloodhorses,andgallopedfaroutofreachoftheopposingcavalry;theEau-de-Colognelancersfaintedtoaman,andtheregimentofConcombre,pursuingitscourse,hadactuallyreachedthePrinceandhisaides-de-camp,whentheclergymencomingupformedgallantlyroundtheoriflamme,andthebassoonsandserpentsbrayingagain,setupsuchashoutofcanticles,andanathemas,andexcommunications,thatthehorsesofConcombre’sdragoonsinturntookfright,andthosewarriorsintheirturnbrokeandfled。Assoonastheyturned,theVendeanriflemenfiredamongstthemandfinishedthem:thegallantConcombrefell;theintrepidthoughdiminutiveCornichon,hismajor,wascutdown;Cardonwaswoundedalamoelle,andthewifeofthefieryNavetwasthatdayawidow。Peacetothesoulsofthebrave!Indefeatorinvictory,wherecanthesoldierfindamorefittingresting-placethanthegloriousfieldofcarnage?OnlyafewdisorderlyanddispiritedridersofConcombre’sregimentreachedToursatnight。Theyhadleftitbutthedaybefore,athousanddisciplinedandhigh-spiritedmen!

KnowinghowirresistibleaweaponisthebayonetinBritishhands,theintrepidJenkinsdeterminedtocarryonhisadvantage,andchargedtheSaugrenuelightinfantry(nowbeforehim)withCOLD

STEEL。TheFrenchmendeliveredavolley,ofwhichashottookeffectinJenkins’scockade,butdidnotabidethecrossingoftheweapons。”AFrenchmandies,butneversurrenders,”saidSaugrenue,yieldinguphissword,andhiswholeregimentwerestabbed,trampleddown,ormadeprisoners。ThebloodoftheEnglishmenroseinthehotencounter。Theircurseswerehorrible;theircouragetremendous。”On!on!”hoarselyscreamedthey;andasecondregimentmetthemandwascrushed,poundedinthehurtling,grindingencounter。”AJenkins,aJenkins!”stillroaredtheheroicDuke:”St。GeorgeforMayfair!”TheFootmenofEnglandstillyelledtheirterrificbattle-cry,”Hurra,hurra!”Ontheywent;regimentafterregimentwasannihilated,until,scaredattheverytrampleoftheadvancingwarriors,thedismayedtroopsofFrancescreamingfled。Gatheringhislastwarriorsroundabouthim,Nemoursdeterminedtomakealastdesperateeffort。’Twasvain:theranksmet;thenextmomentthetruncheonofthePrinceofOrleanswasdashedfromhishandbytheirresistiblemaceoftheDukeJenkins;hishorse’sshinswerebrokenbythesameweapon。

Screamingwithagonytheanimalfell。Jenkins’shandwasattheDuke’scollarinamoment,andhadhenotgaspedout,”Jemerends!”hewouldhavebeenthrottledinthatdreadfulgrasp!

Threehundredandforty-twostandards,seventy-nineregiments,theirbaggage,ammunition,andtreasure-chests,fellintothehandsofthevictoriousDuke。HehadavengedthehonorofOldEngland;

andhimselfpresentingtheswordoftheconqueredNemourstoPrinceHenri,whonowcameup,thePrinceburstingintotears,fellonhisneckandsaid,”Duke,Iowemycrowntomypatronsaintandyou。”

Itwasindeedagloriousvictory:butwhatwillnotBritishvalorattain?

TheDukeofNemours,havingdespatchedabriefnotetoParis,saying,”Sire,allislostexcepthonor!”wassentoffinconfinement;andinspiteoftheentreatiesofhiscaptor,washardlytreatedwithdecentpoliteness。Thepriestsandthenobleregimentswhorodebackwhentheaffairwasover,wereforhavingthePrinceshotatonce,andmurmuredloudlyagainst”cetAnglaisbrutal”whointerposedinbehalfoftheprisoner。HenriV。grantedthePrincehislife;but,nodoubtmisguidedbytheadviceofhisnobleandecclesiasticalcounsellors,treatedtheillustriousEnglishDukewithmarkedcoldness,anddidnotevenaskhimtosupperthatnight。”Well!”saidJenkins,”Iandmymerrymencansupalone。”And,indeed,havinghadthepickoftheplunderofabout28,000men,theyhadwherewithaltomakethemselvesprettycomfortable。Theprisoners(25,403)wereallwithoutdifficultyinducedtoassumethewhitecockade。Mostofthemhadthosemarksofloyaltyreadysewnintheirflannel-waistcoats,wheretheysworetheyhadwornthemeversince1830。Thiswemaybelieve,andwewill;butthePrinceHenriwastoopoliticortoogood-humoredinthemomentofvictory,todoubtthesincerityofhisnewsubjects’protestations,andreceivedtheColonelsandGeneralsaffablyathistable。

Thenextmorningaproclamationwasissuedtotheunitedarmies。”FaithfulsoldiersofFranceandNavarre,”saidthePrince,”thesaintshavewonforusagreatvictory——theenemiesofourreligionhavebeenovercome——theliliesarerestoredtotheirnativesoil。

Yesterdaymorningateleveno’clockthearmyundermycommandengagedthatwhichwasledbyhisSERENEHighnesstheDukedeNemours。Ourforceswerebutathirdinnumberwhencomparedwiththoseoftheenemy。Myfaithfulchivalryandnoblesmadethestrength,however,equal。”TheregimentsofFleur-d’Orange,Millefleur,andEau-de-Colognecoveredthemselveswithglory:theysabredmanythousandsoftheenemy’stroops。Theirvalorwasablysecondedbythegallantryofmyecclesiasticalfriends:atamomentofdangertheyralliedroundmybanner,andforsakingthecrosierforthesword,showedthattheywereofthechurchmilitantindeed。”MyfaithfulIrishauxiliariesconductedthemselveswithbecomingheroism——butwhyparticularizewhenalldidtheirduty?Howrememberindividualactswhenallwereheroes?”TheMarshalofFrance,Sucred’Orgeville,CommanderoftheArmyofH。M。ChristianMajesty,recommendedaboutthreethousandpersonsforpromotion;

andtheindignationofJenkinsandhisbravecompanionsmaybeimaginedwhenitisstatedthattheywerenotevenmentionedinthedespatch!

AsforthePrincesofBallybunion,Donegal,andConnemara,theywroteoffdespatchestotheirGovernment,saying,”TheDukeofNemoursisbeaten,andaprisoner!TheIrishBrigadehasdoneitall!”OnwhichhisMajestytheKingoftheIrish,convokinghisParliamentattheCornExchangePalace,Dublin,madeaspeech,inwhichhecalledLouisPhilippean”oldmiscreant,”andpaidthehighestcomplimentstohissonandhistroops。TheKingonthisoccasionknightedSirHenrySheehan,SirGavanDuffy(whosejournalshadpublishedthenews),andwassodelightedwiththevalorofhisson,thathedespatchedhimhisorderofthePigandWhistle(1stclass),andamunificentpresentoffivehundredthousandpounds——inabillatthreemonths。AllDublinwasilluminated;andataballattheCastletheLordChancellorSmith(EarlofSmithereens)gettingextremelyintoxicated,calledouttheLordBishopofGalway(theDove),andtheyfoughtinthePhoenixPark。HavingshottheRightReverendBishopthroughthebody,Smithereensapologized。HewasthesamepractitionerwhohadrenderedhimselfsocelebratedinthememorabletrialoftheKing——

beforetheActofIndependence。

Meanwhile,thearmyofPrinceHenriadvancedwithrapidstridestowardsParis,whithertheHistorylikewisemusthasten;forextraordinaryweretheeventspreparinginthatcapital。

CHAPTERVII。

THELEAGUEROFPARIS。

Byasingularcoincidence,ontheverysamedaywhenthearmiesofHenriV。appearedbeforeParisfromtheWesternRoad,thoseoftheEmperorJohnThomasNapoleonarrivedfromtheNorth。Skirmishestookplacebetweentheadvanced-guardsofthetwoparties,andmuchslaughterensued。”Bon!”thoughtKingLouisPhilippe,whoexaminedthemfromhistower;”theywillkilleachother。Thisisbyfarthemosteconomicalwayofgettingridofthem。”Theastutemonarch’scalculationswereadmirablyexposedbyacleverremarkofthePrinceofBallybunion。”Faix,Harry,”sayshe(withafamiliaritywhichthepunctilioussonofSaintLouisresented),”youandhimyandther——theEmperor,Imane——areliketheKilkennycats,dear。””Etquefont-ilsceschatsdeKilkigny,MonsieurlePrincedeBallybunion?”askedtheMostChristianKinghaughtily。

PrinceDanielrepliedbynarratingthewell-knownapologueoftheanimals”atingeachotherallupbuttheirTEELS;andthat’swhatyouandImparialPopyondtherwilldo,blazingawayasyeare,”

addedthejocoseandroyalboy。”JeprievotreAltesseRoyaledevaguerasespropresaffaires,”

answeredPrinceHenristernly:forhewasanenemytoanythinglikeajoke;butthereisalwayswisdominrealwit,anditwouldhavebeenwellforhisMostChristianMajestyhadhefollowedthefacetiouscounselsofhisIrishally。

Thefactis,theKing,Henri,hadanunderstandingwiththegarrisonsofsomeoftheforts,andexpectedallwoulddeclareforhim。However,ofthetwenty-fourfortswhichwehavedescribed,eightonly——andbythemeansofMarshalSoult,whohadgrownextremelydevoutoflateyears——declaredforHenri,andraisedthewhiteflag:whileeightothers,seeingPrinceJohnThomasNapoleonbeforetheminthecostumeofhisreveredpredecessor,atonceflungopentheirgatestohim,andmountedthetricolorwiththeeagle。Theremainingeight,intowhichthePrincesofthebloodofOrleanshadthrownthemselves,remainedconstanttoLouisPhilippe。

NothingcouldinducethatPrincetoquittheTuileries。Hismoneywasthere,andhesworehewouldremainbyit。Invainhissonsofferedtobringhimintooneoftheforts——hewouldnotstirwithouthistreasure。Theysaidtheywouldtransportitthither;

butno,no:thepatriarchalmonarch,puttinghisfingertohisagednose,andwinkingarchly,said”heknewatrickworthtwoofthat,”

andresolvedtoabidebyhisbags。

Thetheatresandcafesremainedopenasusual:thefundsrosethreecentimes。TheJournaldesDebatspublishedthreeeditionsofdifferenttonesofpolitics:one,theJournaldel’Empire,fortheNapoleonites;theJournaldelaLegitimiteanother,verycomplimentarytotheLegitimatemonarch;andfinally,theoriginaledition,boundheartandsoultothedynastyofJuly。Thepooreditor,whohadtowriteallthree,complainednotalittlethathissalarywasnotraised:butthetruthis,that,byalteringthenames,onearticledidindifferentlyforeitherpaper。TheDukeofBrittany,underthetitleofLouisXVII。,wasalwaysissuingmanifestoesfromCharenton,butofthesetheParisianstooklittleheed:theCharivariproclaimeditselfhisGazette,andwasallowedtobeverywittyattheexpenseofthethreepretenders。

Asthecountryhadbeenravagedforahundredmilesround,therespectivePrincesofcoursewereforthrowingthemselvesintotheforts,wheretherewasplentyofprovision;and,whenoncethere,theyspeedilybegantoturnoutsuchofthegarrisonasweredisagreeabletothem,orhadaninconvenientappetite,orwereofadoubtfulfidelity。Thesepoorfellowsturnedintotheroad,hadnochoicebutstarvation;astogettingintoParis,thatwasimpossible:amousecouldnothavegotintotheplace,soadmirablywerethefortsguarded,withouthavinghisheadtakenoffbyacannon-ball。Thusthethreeconflictingpartiesstood,closetoeachother,hatingeachother,”willingtowoundandyetafraidtostrike”——thevictualsintheforts,fromtheprodigiousincreaseofthegarrisons,gettingsmallereveryday。AsforLouisPhilippeinhispalace,inthecentreofthetwenty-fourforts,knowingthatasparkfromonemightsetthemallblazingaway,andthatheandhismoney-bagsmightbeblownintoeternityintenminutes,youmayfancyhissituationwasnotverycomfortable。

Buthissafetylayinhistreasure。NeithertheImperialistsnortheBourboniteswerewillingtorelinquishthetwohundredandfiftybillionsingold;norwouldthePrincesofOrleansdaretofireuponthatconsiderablesumofmoney,anditspossessor,theirreveredfather。Howwasthisstateofthingstoend?TheEmperorsentanotetohisMostChristianMajesty(fortheyalwaysstyledeachotherinthismannerintheircommunications),proposingthattheyshouldturnoutanddecidethequarrelswordinhand;towhichpropositionHenriwouldhaveacceded,butthatthepriests,hisghostlycounsellors,threatenedtoexcommunicatehimshouldhedoso。Hencethissimplewayofsettlingthedisputewasimpossible。

Thepresenceoftheholyfatherscausedconsiderableannoyanceintheforts。EspeciallythepoorEnglish,asProtestants,weresubjecttomuchpettypersecution,tothenosmallangerofJenkins,theircommander。AnditmustbeconfessedthattheseintrepidFootmenwerenotsoamenabletodisciplineastheymighthavebeen。RememberingtheusagesofmerryEngland,theyclubbedtogether,andsworetheywouldhavefourmealsofmeataday,wax-

candlesinthecasemates,andtheirporter。Thesedemandswerelaughedat:thepriestsevencalleduponthemtofastonFridays;

onwhichageneralmutinybrokeoutintheregiment;andtheywouldhavehadaFOURTHstandardraisedbeforeParis——viz。,thatofEngland——butthegarrisonprovingtoostrongforthem,theywerecompelledtolaydowntheirsticks;and,inconsiderationofpastservices,werepermittedtoleavetheforts。’Twaswellforthem!

asyoushallhear。

ThePrinceofBallybunionandtheIrishforcewerequarteredinthefortwhich,incomplimenttothem,wascalledFortPotato,andwheretheymadethemselvesascomfortableascircumstanceswouldadmit。ThePrinceshadasmuchbrandyastheyliked,andpassedtheirtimeontherampartsplayingatdice,orpitch-and-toss(withthehalfpennythatoneofthemsomehowhad)forvastsumsofmoney,forwhichtheygavetheirnotes-of-hand。Thewarriorsoftheirlegionwouldstandrounddelighted;anditwas,”Musha,MasterDan,butthat’sagoodthrow!””Goodlucktoyou,MistherPat,andthrowthirteenthistime!”andsoforth。Butthissortofinactioncouldnotlastlong。TheyhadheardofthetreasuresamassedinthepalaceoftheTuileries:theysighedwhentheythoughtofthelackofbullionintheirgreenandbeautifulcountry。Theypantedforwar!Theyformedtheirplan。

CHAPTERVIII。

THEBATTLEOFTHEFORTS。

Onthemorningofthe26thOctober,1884,ashisMajestyLouisPhilippewasatbreakfastreadingtheDebatsnewspaper,andwishingthatwhatthejournalsaidabout”CholeraMorbusintheCampofthePretenderHenri,”——”Chicken-poxragingintheFortsoftheTraitorBonaparte,”——mightbetrue,whatwashissurprisetohearthereportofagun;andatthesameinstant——whiz!cameaneighty-

four-poundballthroughthewindowandtookofftheheadofthefaithfulMonsieurdeMontalivet,whowascominginwithaplateofmuffins。”Threefrancsforthewindow,”saidthemonarch;”andthemuffinsofcoursespoiled!”andhesatdowntobreakfastverypeevishly。

Ah,KingLouisPhilippe,thatshotcosttheemorethanawindow-

pane——morethanaplateofmuffins——itcosttheeafairkingdomandfiftymillionsoftax-payers。

TheshothadbeenfiredfromFortPotato。”Graciousheavens!”saidthecommanderoftheplacetotheIrishPrince,inafury,”WhathasyourHighnessdone?””Faix,”repliedtheother,”DonegalandI

sawasparrowontheTuileries,andwethoughtwe’dhaveashotatit,that’sall。””Hurroo!lookoutforsqualls,”herecriedtheintrepidHibernian;foratthismomentoneofPaixhans’shellsfellintothecounterscarpofthedemiluneonwhichtheywerestanding,andsentaravelinandacoupleofembrasuresflyingabouttheirears。

FortTwenty-three,whichheldoutforLouisPhilippe,seeingFortTwenty-four,orPotato,openafireontheTuileries,instantlyrepliedbyitsguns,withwhichitblazedawayattheBourbonitefort。Onseeingthis,FortTwenty-two)occupiedbytheImperialists,beganpummellingTwenty-three;Twenty-onebeganatTwenty-two;andinaquarterofanhourthewholeofthisvastlineoffortificationwasinablazeofflame,flashing,roaring,cannonading,rocketing,bombing,inthemosttremendousmanner。Theworldhasneverperhaps,beforeorsince,heardsuchanuproar。Fancytwenty-fourthousandgunsthunderingateachother。Fancytheskyredwiththefiresofhundredsofthousandsofblazing,brazenmeteors;theairthickwithimpenetrablesmoke——theuniversealmostinaflame!forthenoiseofthecannonadingwasheardonthepeaksoftheAndes,andbrokethreewindowsintheEnglishfactoryatCanton。Boom,boom,boom!

forthreedaysincessantlythegigantic——Imaysay,Cyclopeanbattlewenton:boom,boom,boom,bong!Theairwasthickwithcannon-balls:theyhurtled,theyjostledeachotherintheheavens,andfellwhizzing,whirling,crashing,backintotheveryfortsfromwhichtheycame。Boom,boom,boom,bong——brrwrrwrrr!

Ontheseconddayabandmighthavebeenseen(hadthesmokepermittedit)assemblingatthesally-portofFortPotato,andhavebeenheard(ifthetremendousclangofthecannonadinghadallowedit)givingmysterioussignsandcountersigns。”Tom,”wasthewordwhispered,”Steele”wasthesibilatedresponse。(Itisastonishinghow,intheroarofelements,THEHUMANWHISPERhissesaboveall!)

ItwastheIrishBrigadeassembling。”Nowornever,boys!”saidtheirleaders;andstickingtheirdoodeensintotheirmouths,theydroppedstealthilyintothetrenches,heedlessofthebrokenglassandsword-blades;rosefromthosetrenches;formedinsilentorder;

andmarchedtoParis。Theyknewtheycouldarrivethereunobserved——

nobody,indeed,remarkedtheirabsence。

ThefrivolousParisianswere,inthemeanwhile,amusingthemselvesattheirtheatresandcafesasusual;andanewpiece,inwhichArnalperformed,wastheuniversaltalkofthefoyers:whileanewfeuilletonbyMonsieurEugeneSue,kepttheattentionofthereadersofascinatedtothejournal,thattheydidnotcareintheleastforthevacarmewithoutthewalls。

CHAPTERIX。

LOUISXVII。

Thetremendouscannonading,however,hadasingulareffectupontheinhabitantsofthegreatpublichospitalofCharenton,inwhichitmayberememberedLouisXVII。hadbeen,asinmockery,confined。

Hismajestyofdemeanor,hiscalmdeportment,thereasonablenessofhispretensions,hadnotfailedtostrikewithaweandrespecthisfourthousandcomradesofcaptivity。TheEmperorofChina,thePrincessoftheMoon,JuliusCaesar,SaintGenevieve,thepatronsaintofParis,thePopeofRome,theCaciqueofMexico,andseveralsingularandillustriouspersonageswhohappenedtobeconfinedthere,allheldacouncilwithLouisXVII。;andallagreedthatnoworneverwasthetimetosupporthislegitimatepretensionstotheCrownofFrance。Asthecannonsroaredaroundthem,theyhowledwithfuriousdelightinresponse。Theytookcounseltogether:Dr。Pinelandtheinfamousjailers,who,underthenameofkeepers,heldtheminhorriblecaptivity,werepounceduponandovercomeinatwinkling。Thestrait-waistcoatsweretakenofffromthewretchedcaptiveslanguishinginthedungeons;theguardianswereinvestedintheseshamefulgarments,andwithtriumphantlaughterplungedundertheDouches。Thegatesoftheprisonwereflungopen,andtheymarchedforthintheblacknessofthestorm!……

Onthethirdday,thecannonadingwasobservedtodecrease;onlyagunwentofffitfullynowandthen……

Onthefourthday,theParisianssaidtooneanother,”Tiens!ilssontfatigues,lescannoniersdesforts!”——andwhy?Becausetherewasnomorepowder?——Ay,truly,thereWASnomorepowder。

Therewasnomorepowder,nomoreguns,nomoregunners,nomoreforts,nomorenothing。THEFORTSHADBLOWNEACHOTHERUP。Thebattle-roarceased。Thebattle-cloudsrolledoff。Thesilvermoon,thetwinklingstars,lookedblandlydownfromthesereneazure,——andallwaspeace——stillness——thestillnessofdeath。

Holy,holysilence!

Yes:thebattleofPariswasover。Andwherewerethecombatants?

Allgone——notoneleft!——AndwherewasLouisPhilippe?ThevenerablePrincewasacaptiveintheTuileries;theIrishBrigadewasencampedaroundit:theyhadreachedthepalacealittletoolate;itwasalreadyoccupiedbythepartisansofhisMajestyLouisXVII。

ThatrespectablemonarchandhisfollowersbetterknewthewaytotheTuileriesthantheignorantsonsofErin。Theyburstthroughthefeeblebarriersoftheguards;theyrushedtriumphantintothekinglyhallsofthepalace;theyseatedtheseventeenthLouisonthethroneofhisancestors;andtheParisiansreadintheJournaldesDebats,ofthefifthofNovember;animportantarticle,whichproclaimedthatthecivilwarwasconcluded:——”Thetroubleswhichdistractedthegreatestempireintheworldareatanend。Europe,whichmarkedwithsorrowthedisturbanceswhichagitatedthebosomoftheQueenofNations,thegreatleaderofCivilization,maynowrestinpeace。Thatmonarchwhomwehavelongbeensighingfor;whoseimagehaslainhidden,andyetoh!howpassionatelyworshipped,ineveryFrenchheart,iswithusoncemore。Blessingsbeonhim;blessings——athousandblessingsuponthehappycountrywhichisatlengthrestoredtohisbeneficent,hislegitimate,hisreasonablesway!”HisMostChristianMajestyLouisXVII。yesterdayarrivedathispalaceoftheTulleries,accompaniedbyhisaugustallies。HisRoyalHighnesstheDukeofOrleanshasresignedhispostasLieutenant-Generalofthekingdom,andwillreturnspeedilytotakeuphisabodeatthePalaisRoyal。ItisagreatmercythatthechildrenofhisRoyalHighness,whohappenedtobeinthelatefortsroundParis,(beforethebombardmentwhichhassohappilyendedintheirdestruction,)hadreturnedtotheirfatherbeforethecommencementofthecannonading。Theywillcontinue,asheretofore,tobethemostloyalsupportersoforderandthethrone。”Nonecanreadwithouttearsintheireyesouraugustmonarch’sproclamation。”’Louis,by&c——”’Mychildren!Afterninehundredandninety-nineyearsofcaptivity,Iamrestoredtoyou。ThecycleofeventspredictedbytheancientMagi,andtheplanetaryconvolutionsmentionedinthelostSibyllinebooks,havefulfilledtheirrespectiveidiosyncrasies,andended(asalwaysinthedepthsofmydungeonsIconfidentlyexpected)inthetriumphofthegoodAngel,andtheutterdiscomfitureoftheabominableBlueDragon。”’Whenthebombardingbegan,andthepowersofdarknesscommencedtheirhellishgunpowderevolutions,Iwascloseby——inmypalaceofCharenton,threehundredandthirty-threethousandmilesoff,intheringofSaturn——Iwitnessedyourmisery。Myheartwasaffectedbyit,andIsaid,”Isthemultiplication-tableafiction?arethesignsoftheZodiacmereastronomers’prattle?””’Iclappedchains,shriekinganddarkness,onmyphysician,Dr。

Pinel。ThekeepersIshallcausetoberoastedalive。Isummonedmyalliesroundaboutme。ThehighcontractingPowerscametomybidding:monarchsfromallpartsoftheearth;sovereignsfromtheMoonandotherilluminedorbits;thewhitenecromancers,andthepaleimprisonedgenii。Iwhisperedthemysticsign,andthedoorsflewopen。WeenteredParisintriumph,bytheCharentonbridge。

OurluggagewasnotexaminedattheOctroi。Thebottle-greenoneswerescaredatourshouts,andretreated,howling:theyknewus,andtrembled。”’MyfaithfulPeersandDeputieswillrallyaroundme。IhaveafriendinTurkey——theGrandVizieroftheMussulmans:hewasaProtestantonce——LordBroughambyname。Ihavesenttohimtolegislateforus:heiswiseinthelaw,andastrology,andallsciences;heshallaidmyMinistersintheircouncils。Ihavewrittentohimbythepost。Thereshallbenomoreinfamousmad-

housesinFrance,wherepoorsoulsshiverinstrait-waistcoats。”’IrecognizedLouisPhilippe,mygoodcousin。Hewasinhiscounting-house,countingouthismoney,astheoldprophecywarnedme。Hegavemeupthekeysofhisgold;Ishallknowwellhowtouseit。Taughtbyadversity,Iamnotaspendthrift,neitheramI

amiser。Iwillendowthelandwithnobleinstitutionsinsteadofdiabolicalforts。Iwillhavenomorecannonfounded。Theyareacurseandshallbemelted——theirononesintorailroads;thebronzeonesintostatuesofbeautifulsaints,angels,andwisemen;thecopperonesintomoney,tobedistributedamongmypoor。Iwaspooronce,andIlovethem。”’Thereshallbenomorepoverty;nomorewars;nomoreavarice;nomorepassports;nomorecustom-houses;nomorelying:nomorephysic。”’MyChamberswillputthesealtothesereforms。Iwillit。Iamtheking。

(Signed)’Louis。’””SomealarmwascreatedyesterdaybythearrivalofabodyoftheEnglishFoot-GuardundertheDukeofJenkins;theywereatfirstabouttosackthecity,butonhearingthatthebannerofthelilieswasoncemoreraisedinFrance,theDukehastenedtotheTuileries,andofferedhisallegiancetohisMajesty。Itwasaccepted:andthePlushGuardhasbeenestablishedinplaceoftheSwiss,whowaitedonformersovereigns。””TheIrishBrigadequarteredintheTuileriesaretoenterourservice。TheircommanderstatesthattheytookeveryoneofthefortsroundParis,andhavingblownthemup,wereproceedingtoreleaseLouisXVII。,whentheyfoundthataugustmonarch,happily,free。NewsoftheirgloriousvictoryhasbeenconveyedtoDublin,tohisMajestytheKingoftheIrish。Itwillbeanewlaureltoaddtohisgreencrown!”

AndthushavewebroughttoaconclusionourhistoryofthegreatFrenchRevolutionof1884。Itrecordstheactionsofgreatandvariouscharacters;thedeedsofvariousvalor;itnarrateswonderfulreversesoffortune;itaffordsthemoralistscopeforhisphilosophy;perhapsitgivesamusementtothemerelyidlereader。Normustthelatterimagine,becausethereisnotaprecisemoralaffixedtothestory,thatitstendencyisotherwisethangood。Heisapoorreader,forwhomhisauthorisobligedtosupplyamoralapplication。Itiswellinspelling-booksandforchildren;itisneedlessforthereflectingspirit。ThedramaofPunchhimselfisnotmoral:butthatdramahashadaudiencesallovertheworld。Happyhe,whoinourdarktimescancauseasmile!

Letuslaughthen,andgladdeninthesunshine,thoughitbebutastherayuponthepool,thatflickersonlyoverthecoldblackdepthsbelow!

COX’SDIARY。

THEANNOUNCEMENT。

Onthe1stofJanuary,1838,IwasthemasterofalovelyshopintheneighborhoodofOxfordMarket;ofawife,Mrs。Cox;ofabusiness,bothintheshavingandcuttingline,establishedthree-

and-thirtyyears;ofagirlandboyrespectivelyoftheagesofeighteenandthirteen;ofathree-windowedfront,bothtomyfirstandsecondpair;ofayoungforeman,mypresentpartner,Mr。

OrlandoCrump;andofthatcelebratedmixtureforthehumanhair,inventedbymylateuncle,andcalledCox’sBohemianBalsamofTokay,soldinpotsattwo-and-threeandthree-and-nine。Thebalsam,thelodgings,andtheold-establishedcuttingandshavingbusinessbroughtmeinaprettygenteelincome。Ihadmygirl,Jemimarann,atHackney,toschool;mydearboy,Tuggeridge,plaitedherhairbeautifully;mywifeatthecounter(behindthetrayofpatentsoaps,&c。)cutashandsomeafigureaspossible;anditwasmyhopethatOrlandoandmygirl,whoweremightysoftupononeanother,wouldonedaybejoinedtogetherinHyming,and,conjointlywithmysonTug,carryonthebusinessofhairdresserswhentheirfatherwaseitherdeadoragentleman:foragentlemanmeandMrs。C。determinedIshouldbe。

Jemimawas,yousee,aladyherself,andofveryhighconnections:

thoughherownfamilyhadmetwithcrosses,andwasratherlow。

Mr。Tuggeridge,herfather,keptthefamoustripe-shopnearthe”PigtailandSparrow,”intheWhitechapelRoad;fromwhichplaceI

marriedher;beingmyselfveryfondofthearticle,andespeciallywhensheservedittome——thedearthing!

Jemima’sfatherwasnotsuccessfulinbusiness:andImarriedher,Iamproudtoconfessit,withoutashilling。Ihadmyhands,myhouse,andmyBohemianbalsamtosupporther!——andwehadhopesfromheruncle,amightyrichEastIndiamerchant,who,havingleftthiscountrysixtyyearsagoasacabin-boy,hadarrivedtobetheheadofagreathouseinIndia,andwasworthmillions,weweretold。

ThreeyearsafterJemimarann’sbirth(andtwoafterthedeathofmylamentedfather-in-law),Tuggeridge(headofthegreathouseofBudgurowandCo。)retiredfromthemanagementofit;handedoverhissharestohisson,Mr。JohnTuggeridge,andcametoliveinEngland,atPortlandPlace,andTuggeridgeville,Surrey,andenjoyhimself。Soonafter,mywifetookherdaughterinherhandandwent,asindutybound,tovisitheruncle:butwhetheritwasthathewasproudandsurly,orshesomewhatsharpinherway,(thedeargirlfearsnobody,letmehaveyoutoknow,)adesperatequarreltookplacebetweenthem;andfromthatdaytothedayofhisdeath,heneverseteyesonher。Allthathewouldcondescendtodo,wastotakeafewdozenoflavender-waterfromusinthecourseoftheyear,andtosendhisservantstobecutandshavedbyus。Alltheneighborslaughedatthispoorendingofourexpectations,forJemmyhadbraggednotalittle;however,wedidnotcare,fortheconnectionwasalwaysagoodone,andweservedMr。Hock,thevalet;Mr。Bar,thecoachman;andMrs。Breadbasket,thehousekeeper,willinglyenough。Iusedtopowderthefootman,too,ongreatdays,butneverinmylifesawoldTuggeridge,exceptonce:whenhesaid”Oh,thebarber!”tosseduphisnose,andpassedon。

Oneday——onefamousdaylastJanuary——allourMarketwasthrownintoahighstateofexcitementbytheappearanceofnolessthanthreevehiclesatourestablishment。Asme,Jemmy,mydaughter,Tug,andOrlando,weresittingintheback-parloroverourdinner(itbeingChristmas-time,Mr。Crumphadtreatedtheladiestoabottleofport,andwaslongingthatthereshouldbeamistletoe-

bough:atwhichproposalmylittleJemimarannlookedasredasaglassofnegus):——wehadjust,Isay,finishedtheport,when,allofasudden,Tugbellowsout,”La,Pa,here’suncleTuggeridge’shousekeeperinacab!”

AndMrs。Breadbasketitwas,sureenough——Mrs。Breadbasketindeepmourning,whomadeherway,bowingandlookingverysad,intothebackshop。Mywife,whorespectedMrs。B。morethananythingelseintheworld,setherachair,offeredheraglassofwine,andvoweditwasverykindofhertocome。”La,mem,”saysMrs。B。,”I’msureI’ddoanythingtoserveyourfamily,forthesakeofthatpoordearTuck-Tuck-tug-guggeridge,that’sgone。””That’swhat?”criesmywife。”What,gone?”criedJemimarann,burstingoutcrying(aslittlegirlswillaboutanythingornothing);andOrlandolookingveryrueful,andreadytocrytoo。”Yes,gaw——”Justasshewasatthisvery”gaw”Tugroarsout,”La,Pa!here’sMr。Bar,uncleTug’scoachman!”

ItwasMr。Bar。Whenshesawhim,Mrs。Breadbasketsteppedsuddenlybackintotheparlorwithmyladies。”Whatisit,Mr。

Bar?”saysI;andasquickasthought,Ihadthetowelunderhischin,Mr。Barinthechair,andthewholeofhisfaceinabeautifulfoamoflather。Mr。Barmadesomeresistance——”Don’tthinkofit,Mr。Cox,”sayshe;”don’ttroubleyourself,sir。”ButIlatheredawayandneverminded。”Andwhat’sthismelancholyevent,sir,”saysI,”thathasspreaddesolationinyourfamily’sbosoms?Icanfeelforyourloss,sir——Icanfeelforyourloss。”

Isaidsooutofpoliteness,becauseIservedthefamily,notbecauseTuggeridgewasmyuncle——no,assuchIdisownhim。

Mr。Barwasjustabouttospeak。”Yes,sir,”sayshe,”mymaster’sgaw——”whenatthe”gaw”inwalksMr。Hock,theownman!——thefinestgentlemanIeversaw。”What,YOUhere,Mr。Bar!”sayshe。”Yes,Iam,sir;andhaven’tIaright,sir?””Amightywetday,sir,”saysItoMr。Hock——steppingupandmakingmybow。”Asadcircumstancetoo,sir!Andisitaturnofthetongsthatyouwantto-day,sir?Ho,there,Mr。Crump!””Turn,Mr。Crump,ifyouplease,sir,”saidMr。Hock,makingabow:”butfromyou,sir,never——no,never,splitme!——andIwonderhowsomefellowscanhavetheINSOLENCEtoallowtheirMASTERStoshavethem!”Withthis,Mr。Hockflunghimselfdowntobecurled:Mr。

Barsuddenlyopenedhismouthinordertoreply;butseeingtherewasatiffbetweenthegentlemen,andwantingtopreventaquarrel,IrammedtheAdvertiserintoMr。Hock’shands,andjustpoppedmyshaving-brushintoMr。Bar’smouth——acapitalwaytostopangryanswers。

Mr。Barhadhardlybeeninthechaironesecond,whenwhircomesahackney-coachtothedoor,fromwhichspringsagentlemaninablackcoatwithabag。”What,youhere!”saysthegentleman。Icouldnothelpsmiling,foritseemedthateverybodywastobeginbysaying,”What,YOU

here!””YournameisCox,sir?”sayshe;smilingtoo,astheverypatternofmine。”Myname,sir,isSharpus,——Blunt,HoneandSharpus,MiddleTempleLane,——andIamproudtosaluteyou,sir;

happy,——thatistosay,sorrytosaythatMr。Tuggeridge,ofPortlandPlace,isdead,andyourladyisheiress,inconsequence,tooneofthehandsomestpropertiesinthekingdom。”

AtthisIstarted,andmighthavesunktotheground,butformyholdofMr。Bar’snose;Orlandoseemedputrifiedtostone,withhisironsfixedtoMr。Hock’shead;ourrespectivepatientsgaveawinceout:——Mrs。C。,Jemimarann,andTug,rushedfromthebackshop,andweformedasplendidtableausuchasthegreatCruikshankmighthavedepicted。”AndMr。JohnTuggeridge,sir?”saysI。”Why——hee,hee,hee!”saysMr。Sharpus。”Surelyyouknowthathewasonlythe——hee,hee,hee!——thenaturalson!”

YounowcanunderstandwhytheservantsfromPortlandPlacehadbeensoeagertocometous。Oneofthehouse-maidsheardMr。

Sharpussaytherewasnowill,andthatmywifewasheirtotheproperty,andnotMr。JohnTuggeridge:thisshetoldinthehousekeeper’sroom;andoff,assoonastheyheardit,thewholepartyset,inordertobethefirsttobearthenews。

Wekeptthem,everyoneintheiroldplaces;for,thoughmywifewouldhavesentthemabouttheirbusiness,mydearJemimarannjusthinted,”Mamma,youknowTHEYhavebeenusedtogreathouses,andwehavenot;hadwenotbetterkeepthemforalittle?”——Keepthem,then,wedid,toshowushowtobegentlefolks。

IhandedoverthebusinesstoMr。Crumpwithoutasinglefarthingofpremium,thoughJemmywouldhavemademetakefourhundredpoundsforit;butthisIwasabove:Crumphadservedmefaithfully,andhavetheshopheshould。

FIRSTROUT。

Wewerespeedilyinstalledinourfinehouse:butwhat’sahousewithoutfriends?JemmymademeCUTallmyoldacquaintancesintheMarket,andIwasasolitarybeing;when,luckily,anoldacquaintanceofours,CaptainTagrag,wassokindastopromisetointroduceusintodistinguishedsociety。Tagragwasthesonofabaronet,andhaddoneusthehonoroflodgingwithusfortwoyears;whenwelostsightofhim,andofhislittleaccount,too,bytheway。Afortnightafter,hearingofourgoodfortune,hewasamongusagain,however;andJemmywasnotalittlegladtoseehim,knowinghimtobeabaronet’sson,andveryfondofourJemimarann。Indeed,Orlando(whoisasbraveasalion)hadononeoccasionabsolutelybeatenMr。Tagragforbeingrudetothepoorgirl:aclearproof,asTagragsaidafterwards,thathewasalwaysfondofher。

Mr。Crump,poorfellow,wasnotverymuchpleasedbyourgoodfortune,thoughhedidallhecouldtotryatfirst;andItoldhimtocomeandtakehisdinnerregular,asifnothinghadhappened。

ButtothisJemimaverysoonputastop,forshecameveryjustlytoknowherstature,andtolookdownonCrump,whichshebidherdaughtertodo;and,afteragreatscene,inwhichOrlandoshowedhimselfveryrudeandangry,hewasforbiddenthehouse——forever!

SomuchforpoorCrump。TheCaptainwasnowallinallwithus。”Yousee,sir,”ourJemmywouldsay,”weshallhaveourtownandcountrymansion,andahundredandthirtythousandpoundsinthefunds,toleavebetweenourtwochildren;and,withsuchprospects,theyoughtsurelytohavethefirstsocietyofEngland。”TothisTagragagreed,andpromisedtobringusacquaintedwiththeverypinkofthefashion;ay,andwhat’smore,did。

First,hemademywifegetanopera-box,andgivesuppersonTuesdaysandSaturdays。Asforme,hemademerideinthePark:meandJemimarann,withtwogroomsbehindus,whousedtolaughalltheway,andwhoseverybeardsIhadshaved。AsforlittleTug,hewassentstraightofftothemostfashionableschoolinthekingdom,theReverendDoctorPigney’s,atRichmond。

Well,thehorses,thesuppers,theopera-box,theparagraphsinthepapersaboutMr。CoxeCoxe(that’stheway:doubleyournameandstickan”e”totheendofit,andyouareagentlemanatonce),hadaneffectinawonderfullyshortspaceoftime,andwebegantogetaveryprettysocietyaboutus。SomeofoldTug’sfriendssworetheywoulddoanythingforthefamily,andbroughttheirwivesanddaughterstoseedearMrs。Coxeandhercharminggirl;

andwhen,aboutthefirstweekinFebruary,weannouncedagranddinnerandballfortheeveningofthetwenty-eighth,Iassureyoutherewasnowantofcompany:no,noroftitlesneither;anditalwaysdoesmyheartgoodeventohearonementioned。

Letmesee。Therewas,first,myLordDunboozle,anIrishpeer,andhissevensons,theHonorableMessieursTrumper(twoonlytodinner):therewasCountMace,thecelebratedFrenchnobleman,andhisExcellencyBaronvonPunterfromBaden;therewasLadyBlancheBluenose,theeminentliterati,authorof”TheDistrusted””TheDistorted,””TheDisgusted,””TheDisreputableOne,”andotherpoems;therewastheDowagerLadyMaxandherdaughter,theHonorableMissAdelaideBlueruin;SirCharlesCodshead,fromtheCity;andField-MarshalSirGormanO’Gallagher,K。A。,K。B。,K。C。,K。W。,K。X。,intheserviceoftheRepublicofGuatemala:myfriendTagragandhisfashionableacquaintance,littleTomTufthunt,madeuptheparty。Andwhenthedoorswereflungopen,andMr。Hock,inblack,withawhitenapkin,threefootmen,coachman,andaladwhomMrs。C。haddressedinsugar-loafbuttonsandcalledapage,wereseenroundthedinner-table,allinwhitegloves,IpromiseyouI

feltathrillofelation,andthoughttomyself——SamCox,SamCox,whoeverwouldhaveexpectedtoseeyouhere?

Afterdinner,therewastobe,asIsaid,anevening-party;andtothisMessieursTagragandTufthunthadinvitedmanyoftheprincipalnobilitythatourmetropolishadproduced。WhenI

mention,amongthecompanytotea,herGracetheDuchessofZero,hersontheMarquisofFitzurse,andtheLadiesNorthPoleherdaughters;whenIsaythattherewereyetOTHERS,whosenamesmaybefoundintheBlueBook,butshan’t,outofmodesty,bementionedhere,IthinkI’vesaidenoughtoshowthat,inourtime,No。96,PortlandPlace,wastheresortofthebestofcompany。

Itwasourfirstdinner,anddressedbyournewcook,MunseerCordongblew。Iboreitverywell;eating,formyshare,afillydysolallamaterdotell,acutletsoubeast,apullybashymall,andotherFrenchdishes:and,forthefriskysweetwine,withtintopstothebottles,calledChampang,ImustsaythatmeandMrs。Coxe-

TuggeridgeCoxedrankaverygoodshareofit(buttheClaretandJonnysberger,beingsour,wedidnotmuchrelish)。However,thefeed,asIsay,wentoffverywell:LadyBlancheBluenosesittingnexttome,andbeingsogoodastoputmedownforsixcopiesofallherpoems;theCountandBaronvonPunterengagingJemimarannforseveralwaltzes,andtheField-MarshalplyingmydearJemmywithChampagne,until,blessher!herdearnosebecameasredashernewcrimsonsatingown,which,withablueturbanandbird-of-

paradisefeathers,madeherlooklikeanempress,Iwarrant。

Well,dinnerpast,Mrs。C。andtheladieswentoff:——thunder-under-

undercametheknocksatthedoor;squeedle-eedle-eedle,Mr。

Wippert’sfiddlersbegantostrikeup;and,abouthalf-pasteleven,meandthegentsthoughtithightimetomakeourappearance。I

feltaLITTLEsqueamishatthethoughtofmeetingacoupleofhundredgreatpeople;butCountMaceandSirGormanO’Gallaghertakingeachanarm,wereached,atlast,thedrawing-room。

Theyoungonesincompanyweredancing,andtheDuchessandthegreatladieswereallseated,talkingtothemselvesverystately,andworkingawayattheicesandmacaroons。IlookedoutformyprettyJemimarannamongstthedancers,andsawhertearingroundtheroomalongwithBaronPunter,inwhattheycallagallypard;

thenIpeepedintothecircleoftheDuchesses,where,incourse,I

expectedtofindMrs。C。;butshewasn’tthere!Shewasseatedatthefurtherendoftheroom,lookingverysulky;andIwentupandtookherarm,andbroughtherdowntotheplacewheretheDuchesseswere。”Oh,notthere!”saidJemmy,tryingtobreakaway。”Nonsense,mydear,”saysI:”youaremissis,andthisisyourplace。”ThengoinguptoherladyshiptheDuchess,saysI,”Meandmymissisaremostproudofthehonorofseeingofyou。”

TheDuchess(atallred-hairedgrenadierofawoman)didnotspeak。

Iwenton:”Theyoungonesareallatit,ma’am,yousee;andsowethoughtwewouldcomeandsitdownamongtheoldones。YouandI,ma’am,Ithink,aretoostifftodance。””Sir!”saysherGrace。”Ma’am,”saysI,”don’tyouknowme?Myname’sCox。Nobody’sintroducedme;but,dashit,it’smyownhouse,andImaypresentmyself——sogiveusyourhand,ma’am。”

AndIshookhersinthekindestwayintheworld;but——wouldyoubelieveit?——theoldcatscreamedasifmyhandhadbeenahot’tater。”Fitzurse!Fitzurse!”shoutedshe,”help!help!”UpscuffledalltheotherDowagers——inrushedthedancers。”Mamma!

mamma!”squeakedLadyJuliaNorthPole。”Leadmetomymother,”

howledLadyAurorer:andbothcameupandflungthemselvesintoherarms。”Wawt’stheraw?”saidLordFitzurse,saunteringupquitestately。”Protectmefromtheinsultsofthisman,”saysherGrace。”Where’sTufthunt?hepromisedthatnotasoulinthishouseshouldspeaktome。””MydearDuchess,”saidTufthunt,verymeek。”Don’tDuchessME,sir。Didyounotpromisetheyshouldnotspeak;

andhasn’tthathorridtipsywretchofferedtoembraceme?Didn’thismonstrouswifesickenmewithherodiousfamiliarities?Callmypeople,Tufthunt!Followme,mychildren!””Andmycarriage,””Andmine,””Andmine!”shoutedtwentymorevoices。Anddowntheyalltroopedtothehall:LadyBlancheBluenoseandLadyMaxamongtheveryfirst;leavingonlytheField-Marshalandoneortwomen,whoroaredwithlaughterreadytosplit。”Oh,Sam,”saidmywife,sobbing,”whywouldyoutakemebacktothem?theyhadsentmeawaybefore!IonlyaskedtheDuchesswhethershedidn’tlikerum-shrubbetterthanallyourMaxarinosandCurasosos:and——wouldyoubelieveit?——allthecompanyburstoutlaughing;andtheDuchesstoldmejusttokeepoff,andnottospeaktillIwasspokento。Imperence!I’dliketotearhereyesout。”

AndsoIdobelievemydearestJemmywould!

ADAYWITHTHESURREYHOUNDS。

OurballhadfailedsocompletelythatJemmy,whowasbentstilluponfashion,caughteagerlyatTagrag’ssuggestion,andwentdowntoTuggeridgeville。Ifwehadadifficultytofindfriendsintown,heretherewasnone:forthewholecountycameaboutus,ateourdinnersandsuppers,dancedatourballs——ay,andspoketoustoo。Weweregreatpeopleinfact:Iaregularcountrygentleman;

andassuch,JemmyinsistedthatIshouldbeasportsman,andjointhecountyhunt。”But,”saysI,”mylove,Ican’tride。””Pooh!

Mr。C。”saidshe,”you’realwaysmakingdifficulties:youthoughtyoucouldn’tdanceaquadrille;youthoughtyoucouldn’tdineatseveno’clock;youthoughtyoucouldn’tlieinbedaftersix;andhaven’tyoudoneeveryoneofthesethings?Youmustandyoushallride!”AndwhenmyJemmysaid”mustandshall,”Iknewverywelltherewasnothingforit:soIsentdownfiftyguineastothehunt,and,outofcomplimenttome,theverynextweek,IreceivednoticethatthemeetofthehoundswouldtakeplaceatSquashtailCommon,justoutsidemylodge-gates。

Ididn’tknowwhatameetwas;andmeandMrs。C。agreedthatitwasmostprobablethedogsweretobefedthere。However,Tagragexplainedthismattertous,andverykindlypromisedtosellmeahorse,adelightfulanimalofhisown;which,beingdesperatelypressedformoney,hewouldletmehaveforahundredguineas,hehimselfhavinggivenahundredandfiftyforit。

Well,theThursdaycame:thehoundsmetonSquashtailCommon;Mrs。

C。turnedoutinherbarouchetoseeusthrowoff;and,beinghelpeduponmychestnuthorse,Trumpeter,byTagragandmyheadgroom,Icamepresentlyroundtojointhem。

Tagmountedhisownhorse;and,aswewalkeddowntheavenue,”I

thought,”hesaid,”youtoldmeyouknewhowtoride;andthatyouhadriddenoncefiftymilesonastretch!””AndsoIdid,”saysI,”toCambridge,andontheboxtoo。””ONTHEBOX!”sayshe;”butdidyouevermountahorsebefore?””Never,”saysI,”butIfinditmightyeasy。””Well,”sayshe,”you’remightyboldforabarber;andIlikeyou,Coxe,foryourspirit。”Andsowecameoutofthegate。

Asfordescribingthehunt,Iown,fairly,Ican’t。I’vebeenatahunt,butwhatahuntis——whythehorsesWILLgoamongthedogsandridethemdown——whythemencryout”yooooic”——whythedogsgosnuffingaboutinthreesandfours,andthehuntsmansays,”GoodTowler——goodBetsy,”andweallofusafterhimsay,”GoodTowler——

goodBetsy”incourse:then,afterhearingayelphereandahowlthere,tow,row,yow,yow,yow!burstout,allofasudden,fromthreeorfourofthem,andthechapinavelvetcapscreechesout(withanumberofoathsIshan’trepeathere),”Hark,toRingwood!”

andthen,”Therehegoes!”sayssomeone;andallofasudden,helterskelter,skurryhurry,slapbang,whooping,screechingandhurraing,blue-coatsandred-coats,baysandgrays,horses,dogs,donkeys,butchers,baro-knights,dustmen,andblackguardboys,gotearingalltogetheroverthecommonaftertwoorthreeofthepackthatyowlloudest。Whyallthisis,Ican’tsay;butitalltookplacethesecondThursdayoflastMarch,inmypresence。

Uptothis,I’dkeptmyseataswellasthebest,forwe’donlybeentrottinggentlyaboutthefielduntilthedogsfound;andI

managedtostickonverywell;butdirectlythetow-rowingbegan,offwentTrumpeterlikeathunderbolt,andIfoundmyselfplayingamongthedogslikethedonkeyamongthechickens。”Back,Mr。

Coxe,”holloasthehuntsman;andsoIpulledveryhard,andcriedout,Wo!”buthewouldn’t;andonIwentgallopingforthedearlife。HowIkeptonisawonder;butIsqueezedmykneesinverytight,andshovedmyfeetveryhardintothestirrups,andkeptstiffholdofthescruffofTrumpeter’sneck,andlookedbetwixthisearsaswellaseverIcould,andtrustedtoluck:forIwasinamortalfright,sureenough,asmanyabettermanwouldbeinsuchacase,letaloneapoorhairdresser。

Asforthehounds,aftermyfirstridinginamongthem,Itellyouhonestly,Ineversawsomuchasthetipofoneoftheirtails;

nothinginthisworlddidIseeexceptTrumpeter’sdun-coloredmane,andthatIgrippedfirm:riding,bytheblessingofluck,safethroughthewalking,thetrotting,thegalloping,andneversomuchasgettingatumble。

TherewasachapatCroydonverywellknownasthe”SpicyDustman,”

who,whenhecouldgetnohorsetoridetothehounds,turnedregularlyoutonhisdonkey;andonthisoccasionmadeoneofus。

Hegenerallymanagedtokeepupwiththedogsbytrottingquietlythroughthecross-roads,andknowingthecountrywell。Well,havingagoodguesswherethehoundswouldfind,andthelinethatslyReynolds(astheycallthefox)wouldtake,theSpicyDustmanturnedhisanimaldownthelanefromSquashtailtoCutshinsCommon;

acrosswhich,sureenough,camethewholehunt。There’sasmallhedgeandaremarkablyfineditchhere:someoftheleadingchapstookboth,ingallantstyle;otherswentroundbyagate,andsowouldI,onlyIcouldn’t;forTrumpeterwouldhavethehedge,andbehangedtohim,andwentrightforit。

Hoop!ifeveryouDIDtryaleap!Outgoyourlegs,outflingyourarms,offgoesyourhat;andthenextthingyoufeel——thatis,I

did——isamosttremendousthwackacrossthechest,andmyfeetjerkedoutofthestirrups:meleftinthebranchesofatree;

Trumpetergonecleanfromunderme,andwallopingandflounderingintheditchunderneath。Oneofthestirrup-leathershadcaughtinastake,andthehorsecouldn’tgetaway:andneitherofus,I

thought,everWOULDhavegotaway:butallofasudden,whoshouldcomeupthelanebuttheSpicyDustman!”Holloa!”saysI,”yougent,justletusdownfromthisheretree!””Lor’!”sayshe,”I’mblestifIdidn’ttakeyouforarobin。””Let’sdown,”saysI;buthewasallthetimeemployedindisengagingTrumpeter,whomhegotoutoftheditch,tremblingandasquietaspossible。”Let’sdown,”saysI。”Presently,”sayshe;andtakingoffhiscoat,hebeginswhistlingandswishingdownTrumpeter’ssidesandsaddle;andwhenhehadfinished,whatdoyouthinktherascaldid?——hejustquietlymountedonTrumpeter’sback,andshoutsout,”Gitdownyourself,oldBearsgrease;you’veonlytodrop!I’LL

giveyour’ossahairingarterthem’ounds;andyou——vy,youmayridebackmyponytoTuggeridgeweal!”Andwiththis,I’mblestifhedidn’trideaway,leavingmeholding,asforthedearlife,andexpectingeveryminutethebranchwouldbreak。

ItDIDbreaktoo,anddownIcameintotheslush;andwhenIgotoutofit,IcantellyouIdidn’tlookmuchliketheVenusesortheApollorBelvideariswhatIusedtodressandtitivateupformyshopwindowwhenIwasinthehairdressingline,orsmellquitesoelegantasourrose-oil。Faugh!whatafigureIwas!

Ihadnothingforitbuttomountthedustman’sdonkey(whichwasveryquietlycroppinggrassinthehedge),andtomakemywayhome;

andafteraweary,wearyjourney,Iarrivedatmyowngate。

Awholepartywasassembledthere。Tagrag,whohadcomeback;

theirExcellenciesMaceandPunter,whowereonavisit;andanumberofhorseswalkingupanddownbeforethewholeofthegentlemenofthehunt,whohadcomeinafterlosingtheirfox!”Here’sSquireCoxe!”shoutedthegrooms。Outrushedtheservants,outpouredthegentsofthehunt,andontrottedpoorme,diggingintothedonkey,andeverybodydyingwithlaughteratme。

JustasIgotuptothedoor,ahorsecamegallopingup,andpassedme;amanjumpeddown,andtakingoffafantailhat,cameup,verygravely,tohelpmedown。”Squire,”sayshe,”howcameyoubythattherehanimal?Jistgitdown,willyou,andgiveittoitshowner?””Rascal!”saysI,”didn’tyourideoffonmyhorse?””Wasthereeversichingratitude?”saystheSpicy。”Ifoundthisyear’ossinapond,Isaveshimfromdrowning,Ibringshimbacktohismaster,andhecallsmearascal!”

Thegrooms,thegents,theladiesinthebalcony,myownservants,allsetuparoaratthis;andsowouldI,onlyIwassodeucedlyashamed,asnottobeabletolaughjustthen。

Andsomyfirstday’shuntingended。TagragandtherestdeclaredIshowedgreatpluck,andwantedmetotryagain;but”No,”saysI,”IHAVEbeen。”

THEFINISHINGTOUCH。

Iwasalwaysfondofbilliards:and,informerdays,atGrogram’sinGreekStreet,whereafewjollyladsofmyacquaintanceusedtomeettwiceaweekforagame,andasnugpipeandbeer,Iwasgenerallyvotedthefirstmanoftheclub;andcouldtakefivefromJohnthemarkerhimself。Ihadagenius,infact,forthegame;

andnowthatIwasplacedinthatstationoflifewhereIcouldcultivatemytalents,Igavethemfullplay,andimprovedamazingly。

IdosaythatIthinkmyselfasgoodahandasanychapinEngland。

TheCountandhisExcellencyBaronvonPunterwere,Icantellyou,astonishedbythesmartnessofmyplay:thefirsttwoorthreerubbersPunterbeatme,butwhenIcametoknowhisgame,Iusedtoknockhimalltosticks;or,atleast,winsixgamestohisfour:

andsuchwasthebettinguponme;hisExcellencylosinglargesumstotheCount,whoknewwhatplaywas,andusedtobackme。Ididnotplayexceptforshillings,somyskillwasofnogreatservicetome。

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