totake
place
,
"
replied
the
banker
,
solemnly
.
"
Ah
!
Signor
Markham
,
"
exclaimed
the
lady
;
"
have
you
well
weighed
the
contingencies
?
Do
not
imagine
that
I
would
attempt
to
dissuade
you
from
so
generous
,
—
so
noble
an
undertaking
!
—
Oh
!
no
,
—
I
should
be
the
last
to
do
so
.
And
yet
—
"
"
My
dear
madam
,
"
interrupted
Richard
,
with
a
smile
,
"
I
appreciate
all
your
kind
anxiety
in
my
behalf
;
but
I
must
fulfil
my
duty
towards
those
unfortunate
creatures
who
embarked
in
an
enterprise
of
which
I
was
one
of
the
chiefs
.
"
"
It
would
be
improper
in
me
to
urge
a
single
argument
against
so
noble
a
purpose
,
"
said
the
banker
's
sister
.
"
May
God
prosper
you
,
Richard
.
"
The
old
lady
wiped
the
tears
from
her
eyes
as
she
spoke
.
It
was
now
quite
dusk
;
and
our
hero
signified
his
intention
of
taking
his
departure
.
He
confided
the
morocco
case
containing
Armstrong
's
letter
,
to
his
excellent
friend
,
the
banker
,
and
at
the
same
time
expressed
his
deep
gratitude
for
all
the
kindness
he
had
experienced
at
the
hands
of
that
gentleman
and
his
sister
.
"
Do
not
talk
thus
,
my
noble
boy
,
"
ejaculated
the
old
man
;
"
it
makes
me
melancholy
—
as
if
I
were
never
to
see
you
more
;
whereas
,
I
feel
convinced
that
there
are
many
,
many
happy
days
in
store
for
us
all
!
Here
,
Richard
—
take
this
pocket-book
:
it
contains
bank-notes
to
some
amount
.
But
if
you
require
more
,
hesitate
not
to
draw
upon
me
for
any
sum
that
you
need
.
And
now
,
farewell
—
and
may
all
good
angels
watch
over
you
!
"
Signora
Viviani
,
on
her
side
,
felt
as
acutely
in
parting
with
our
hero
as
if
she
were
separating
from
a
near
relative
—
so
much
had
his
amiable
qualities
,
generous
disposition
,
and
noble
character
endeared
him
alike
to
the
banker
and
his
kind-hearted
sister
.
And
now
the
door
of
that
hospitable
mansion
closed
behind
Richard
Markham
,
who
was
accompanied
by
his
faithful
Morcar
.
They
pursued
their
way
,
the
gipsy
acting
as
the
guide
,
through
the
streets
of
Pinalla
,
and
passing
out
of
the
town
by
the
north-eastern
gate
,
followed
the
course
of
the
river
Usiglio
for
upwards
of
two
miles
and
a-half
.
The
night
was
clear
with
the
pure
lustre
of
the
chaste
moon
;
and
the
air
was
mild
,
though
fresh
enough
to
be
invigorating
.
At
length
they
reached
the
confines
of
a
forest
,
into
which
Morcar
plunged
,
closely
followed
by
his
master
.
They
now
continued
their
way
amidst
an
almost
total
darkness
,
so
thick
was
the
foliage
of
the
evergreens
through
the
mazes
of
which
they
pursued
their
course
.
Presently
lights
glimmered
among
the
trees
;
and
in
a
few
minutes
more
,
Morcar
conducted
our
hero
into
a
wide
open
area
,
where
a
spacious
gipsy-encampment
was
established
.
Markham
caught
his
companion
by
the
arm
,
and
held
him
back
for
a
few
moments
while
he
contemplated
that
scene
so
strange
—
so
wild
—
and
yet
so
picturesque
.
A
space
,
probably
an
acre
in
extent
,
had
been
cleared
in
the
midst
of
the
forest
;
and
the
tall
trees
all
around
constituted
a
natural
barrier
,
defining
the
limits
of
the
arena
formed
for
the
encampment
.
A
hundred
tents
,
of
the
rude
gipsy
fashion
,
swarmed
with
life
.
Dark
countenances
bent
over
the
cheerful
fires
,
above
which
mighty
caldrons
were
simmering
;
and
the
lurid
light
was
reflected
from
dark
eyes
.
The
tall
athletic
forms
of
men
and
the
graceful
figures
of
women
,
were
thrown
out
into
strong
relief
by
the
lambent
flames
;
and
the
sounds
of
many
voices
fell
in
confused
murmurs
upon
the
ears
.
"
There
are
four
hundred
brave
men
,
who
will
welcome
you
as
their
leader
,
sir
!
"
exclaimed
Morcar
,
stretching
forth
his
arm
towards
the
encampment
.
"
Oh
!
my
dear
friend
,
"
cried
Markham
,
all
the
enthusiasm
of
his
soul
aroused
by
the
hopes
which
those
words
conveyed
:
"
by
what
magic
were
you
enabled
to
collect
this
band
in
so
short
a
time
?
"
"
My
influence
as
the
son
of
Zingary
was
sufficient
to
induce
them
to
make
our
cause
their
own
,
sir
,
"
replied
Morcar
;
"
and
the
extensive
organization
of
the
fraternity
was
already
well
calculated
to
gather
them
thus
together
.
I
have
moreover
informed
you
that
they
are
all
well
armed
;
for
their
funds
have
been
devoted
to
the
purchase
of
the
weapons
and
ammunition
necessary
for
the
undertaking
.
"
"
Which
outlay
it
will
be
my
care
immediately
to
reimburse
,
"
said
Richard
.
"
But
you
speak
of
me
as
the
chief
of
this
band
,
Morcar
?
No
—
that
honour
is
reserved
for
you
,
whose
energies
and
influence
alone
could
have
brought
those
four
hundred
men
together
.
"
"
That
may
not
be
,
sir
,
"
returned
Morcar
,
seriously
.
"
These
men
have
assembled
with
the
hope
that
you
will
be
their
chief
:
it
is
your
name
which
is
enthusiastically
spoken
of
in
Castelcicala
;
and
it
is
your
presence
which
will
animate
this
gipsy-band
with
courage
.
Come
—
let
me
introduce
you
to
the
chiefs
of
the
tribe
.
"
"
Is
the
King
amongst
them
?
"
asked
Richard
.
"
No
,
sir
:
the
King
of
the
Cingani
,
or
Italian
gipsies
,
is
at
present
in
Tuscany
;
but
the
chiefs
,
to
whom
I
will
now
conduct
you
,
are
his
relations
.
"
Morcar
led
our
hero
through
the
mazes
of
the
encampment
to
a
tent
more
conveniently
contrived
and
spacious
than
the
rest
;
and
as
they
passed
along
,
the
groups
of
Cingani
surveyed
Richard
with
curiosity
and
respect
.
They
evidently
divined
who
he
was
.
In
the
tent
to
which
Morcar
conducted
his
master
,
three
elderly
men
were
seated
upon
mats
,
smoking
their
pipes
,
and
discoursing
gravely
upon
political
affairs
.
They
welcomed
Richard
with
respectful
warmth
,
and
instantly
assigned
to
him
the
place
of
honour
at
the
upper
end
of
the
tent
.
A
council
was
then
held
;
but
as
the
results
will
explain
the
decision
to
which
the
members
came
,
it
is
not
necessary
to
detail
the
deliberations
on
this
occasion
.
We
must
,
however
,
observe
that
Markham
accepted
the
responsible
and
difficult
post
of
commandant
of
the
entire
force
;
and
he
immediately
handed
over
to
the
gipsies
an
amount
in
bank-notes
equivalent
to
a
thousand
pounds
,
for
the
purpose
of
reimbursing
the
outlay
already
effected
by
the
Cingani
chiefs
,
and
of
supplying
an
advance
of
pay
to
all
the
members
of
the
band
.
At
about
eleven
o'clock
the
fires
were
all
extinguished
throughout
the
encampment
;
and
,
sentinels
having
been
posted
at
short
intervals
round
the
open
space
,
those
who
were
not
on
duty
laid
down
to
rest
.
At
day-break
the
scene
was
once
more
all
bustle
and
life
:
the
morning
meal
was
hastily
disposed
of
;
and
Richard
then
issued
the
necessary
orders
for
breaking
up
the
encampment
.
It
was
arranged
that
the
men
who
bore
arms
should
proceed
by
forced
marches
towards
Estella
;
while
the
women
and
children
might
follow
at
their
own
pace
.
The
farewells
between
husbands
and
wives
,
brothers
and
sisters
,
fathers
and
children
,
sons
and
mothers
,
took
place
in
silence
,
but
in
profound
sincerity
;
and
the
corps
,
consisting
of
four
hundred
men
,
all
well
armed
with
muskets
and
cutlasses
,
and
some
few
with
axes
also
,
was
soon
in
motion
amidst
the
dense
mazes
of
the
forest
.
Markham
,
with
a
sword
by
his
side
and
a
pair
of
pistols
in
the
breast
of
his
coat
,
advanced
in
front
of
the
column
,
attended
by
the
three
chiefs
and
Morcar
.
It
was
at
day-break
on
the
29th
of
December
,
that
the
sentinels
posted
on
the
southern
bastion
of
the
citadel
of
Estella
,
observed
a
small
but
compact
body
of
men
suddenly
emerge
from
the
forest
which
stretches
along
the
Usiglio
,
from
the
neighbourhood
of
Pinalla
almost
up
to
the
very
walls
of
Estella
.
An
alarm
was
given
throughout
the
citadel
;
for
the
beams
of
the
rising
sun
glistened
on
the
weapons
of
the
small
force
that
was
approaching
;
and
although
no
uniform
attire
characterised
the
corps
,
it
was
easy
to
perceive
that
it
advanced
with
a
hostile
intention
.
But
ere
the
garrison
could
be
got
under
arms
,
Richard
's
followers
had
already
cut
an
opening
in
the
palisades
which
protected
the
glacis
,
and
were
advancing
up
the
inclined
plane
towards
the
rampart
.
On
they
went
,
their
youthful
leader
at
their
head
:
the
glacis
was
passed
—
the
covered
way
was
gained
—
and
then
the
sentinels
on
the
bastion
discharged
their
muskets
at
the
besiegers
.
Two
of
the
Cingani
fell
dead
,
and
one
was
very
slightly
wounded
.
"
Follow
me
!
"
cried
our
hero
;
and
rushing
along
the
covered
way
,
he
reached
the
wooden
bridge
which
communicated
with
the
interior
of
the
citadel
.
And
now
commenced
an
interval
of
fearful
peril
,
but
for
which
Markham
was
not
unprepared
.
The
soldiers
of
the
garrison
had
by
this
time
flocked
to
the
rampart
of
the
bastion
,
and
commenced
a
terrific
fire
upon
the
besiegers
.
The
latter
,
however
,
replied
to
it
with
rapidity
and
effect
,
while
half
a
dozen
of
the
foremost
cut
down
with
their
axes
a
huge
beam
from
the
wooden
bridge
,
and
,
under
the
superintendence
of
Markham
,
used
it
as
a
battering-ram
at
the
postern-gate
.
The
Cingani
,
however
,
lost
eight
or
nine
of
their
men
while
this
task
was
in
progress
;
and
their
position
,
exposed
as
they
were
to
a
murderous
fire
,
would
soon
have
become
untenable
,
had
not
the
postern-gate
shortly
yielded
to
the
engine
employed
against
it
.
Then
,
with
his
drawn
sword
in
his
hand
,
Markham
precipitated
himself
into
the
citadel
,
closely
followed
,
and
well
supported
by
the
brave
and
faithful
Cingani
.
The
tunnel
beneath
the
rampart
,
into
which
the
postern
opened
,
was
disputed
for
some
minutes
with
desperate
valour
on
both
sides
;
but
our
hero
was
so
ably
backed
by
Morcar
,
the
three
chiefs
,
and
the
foremost
of
his
corps
,
that
he
eventually
drove
the
soldiers
before
him
.
"
Constitutional
freedom
and
Prince
Alberto
!
"
shouted
Richard
,
as
he
rushed
onward
,
and
entered
the
court
of
the
citadel
.
The
cry
was
taken
up
by
the
Cingani
;
and
although
the
conflict
continued
in
the
court
for
nearly
half
an
hour
longer
,
it
was
evident
that
the
note
of
liberty
had
touched
a
chord
in
the
hearts
of
the
Castelcicalan
soldiers
,
for
they
resisted
but
feebly
and
,
though
superior
in
numbers
to
the
besiegers
,
rapidly
gave
way
.
On
the
farther
side
of
the
court
stood
a
large
but
low
and
straggling
building
,
the
windows
of
which
were
defended
with
iron
bars
.
"
Friends
,
"
exclaimed
Markham
,
pointing
with
his
blood-stained
sword
towards
that
structure
,
"
there
is
the
prison
of
the
patriots
!
"
These
words
operated
like
an
electric
shock
upon
our
hero
's
followers
;
and
they
rushed
onward
,
driving
the
soldiers
like
chaff
before
them
.
The
gate
of
the
prison
was
reached
,
and
speedily
forced
:
Richard
entered
the
gloomy
stronghold
,
and
the
work
of
liberation
commenced
.
Five
hundred
Castelcicalan
patriots
were
restored
to
freedom
in
a
short
half-hour
;
and
when
they
recognised
in
their
deliverer
him
who
had
been
one
of
the
chiefs
of
the
first
expedition
,
and
whose
valour
was
so
signalised
in
the
battle
near
Ossore
,
their
enthusiasm
knew
no
bounds
.
The
name
of
"
Markham
"
was
shouted
to
the
sky
:
the
patriots
flocked
around
him
,
with
heart-felt
thanks
and
the
most
fervent
outpourings
of
their
gratitude
;
and
they
hailed
him
as
a
deliverer
and
a
chief
.
There
was
not
,
however
,
much
time
for
congratulation
or
explanation
.
Though
the
garrison
of
the
citadel
was
weak
,
that
of
the
town
itself
was
strong
;
for
the
Captain-General
had
concentrated
the
greater
part
of
his
force
in
the
heart
of
Estella
in
order
to
over-awe
the
inhabitants
.
This
fact
had
been
previously
gleaned
by
the
spies
whom
Morcar
had
sent
out
while
Richard
was
yet
an
inmate
of
the
banker
's
house
;
and
hence
the
attack
upon
the
most
exposed
part
of
the
citadel
in
preference
to
an
attempt
upon
the
town
.
Richard
was
now
master
of
the
citadel
.
A
portion
of
the
garrison
had
fled
into
Estella
;
but
by
far
the
larger
part
,
about
three
hundred
in
number
,
declared
its
readiness
to
join
the
cause
of
liberty
.
This
offer
was
joyfully
accepted
.
The
armoury
was
then
visited
,
and
arms
were
distributed
to
the
patriots
who
had
been
delivered
from
their
dungeons
.
Thus
Richard
Markham
found
himself
at
the
head
of
an
effective
force
of
nearly
twelve
hundred
men
—
a
triumphant
position
,
which
had
fortunately
cost
no
more
than
about
twenty
lives
on
the
side
of
the
Cingani
.
It
was
now
mid-day
;
and
while
his
forces
were
obtaining
refreshment
,
and
putting
the
citadel
in
a
proper
state
of
defence
,
in
case
of
an
attack
on
the
part
of
the
Captain-General
of
Estella
,
Richard
called
a
council
of
the
three
Cingani
chiefs
,
Morcar
,
the
leading
patriots
whom
he
had
released
,
and
the
officers
of
the
garrison-troops
that
had
declared
in
favour
of
"
Constitutional
liberty
and
Prince
Alberto
.
"
At
this
council
it
was
resolved
that
Richard
should
issue
a
proclamation
to
the
inhabitants
of
Estella
,
declaring
the
real
objects
for
which
the
standard
of
civil
liberty
had
been
raised
—
namely
,
to
release
the
imprisoned
patriots
,
to
expel
the
Austrians
from
the
land
,
and
to
place
Prince
Alberto
upon
the
ducal
throne
.
This
resolution
was
carried
into
effect
;
and
the
document
was
forwarded
to
the
Mayor
of
Estella
.
The
corporation
was
immediately
assembled
;
and
while
the
Captain-General
prepared
to
attack
the
citadel
,
the
municipal
body
remained
in
close
deliberation
.
Three
hours
elapsed
;
when
a
rumour
prevailed
throughout
the
town
that
the
troops
had
refused
to
leave
their
barracks
at
the
command
of
the
Captain-General
.
This
proof
of
sympathy
with
the
successful
Constitutionalists
decided
the
opinions
of
the
members
of
the
corporation
;
and
the
Mayor
,
attended
by
several
of
the
municipal
authorities
,
waited
upon
Richard
Markham
and
presented
him
with
the
keys
of
the
city
.
No
sooner
were
these
tidings
bruited
throughout
Estella
,
than
the
Captain-General
,
the
Political
Prefect
,
and
one
regiment
which
remained
faithful
to
the
Grand
Duke
's
cause
,
left
the
town
with
extraordinary
precipitation
:
the
remainder
of
the
garrison
sent
a
deputation
to
Markham
's
head
quarters
in
the
citadel
to
announce
their
readiness
to
join
his
cause
;
and
at
seven
o'clock
in
the
evening
of
that
eventful
day
the
roar
of
the
artillery
on
the
walls
of
Estella
saluted
the
tri-coloured
flag
of
liberty
which
was
hoisted
on
the
Town-Hall
.
By
this
grand
and
decisive
blow
,
Richard
possessed
himself
of
one
of
the
principal
towns
of
Castelcicala
,
and
found
himself
backed
by
a
force
of
three
thousand
men
.
His
first
care
,
when
order
and
tranquillity
were
restored
that
evening
,
was
to
forward
a
courier
with
a
letter
to
Signor
Viviani
at
Pinalla
.
That
letter
not
only
detailed
the
events
of
the
day
,
but
contained
a
request
that
the
banker
would
lose
no
time
in
writing
an
account
of
the
proceedings
direct
to
Prince
Alberto
(
under
the
name
of
Count
Alteroni
)
in
England
.
Richard
also
enclosed
a
letter
to
be
forwarded
to
Mr.
Monroe
,
and
one
from
Morcar
to
Eva
.
The
corporation
had
assembled
in
the
Town
Hall
,
immediately
after
the
tri-coloured
flag
was
hoisted
,
and
remained
in
deliberation
until
past
ten
o'clock
.
The
Mayor
then
published
a
proclamation
in
which
there
were
three
clauses
.
The
first
declared
the
sittings
of
the
municipal
body
permanent
,
under
the
title
of
"
Committee
of
Administration
for
the
Province
of
Estella
.
"
The
second
nominated
Richard
Markham
General-in-chief
of
the
army
of
that
province
.
The
third
called
upon
all
good
and
faithful
Castelcicalan
patriots
to
take
up
arms
in
the
cause
of
Constitutional
liberty
and
Prince
Alberto
,
and
against
the
Austrian
army
of
occupation
.
A
copy
of
this
proclamation
was
forwarded
to
Richard
Markham
,
who
highly
approved
of
the
first
and
last
clauses
,
and
accepted
the
rank
conferred
upon
him
by
the
second
.
Early
on
the
following
morning
uniforms
,
taken
from
the
store-rooms
in
the
arsenal
,
were
distributed
amongst
the
Cingani
and
the
patriots
who
had
been
liberated
;
and
Richard
then
made
his
entry
into
Estella
,
in
compliance
with
the
request
of
the
corporation
.
Wearing
the
uniform
of
a
General-officer
,
and
mounted
upon
a
handsome
charger
,
our
hero
never
appeared
to
greater
advantage
.
The
garrison
of
the
town
lined
the
streets
,
and
presented
arms
to
the
youthful
commander
whose
extraordinary
skill
and
prowess
had
so
materially
contributed
to
the
victory
of
the
preceding
day
,
and
who
was
hailed
as
a
champion
raised
up
by
Providence
to
deliver
Castelcicala
from
the
tyranny
under
which
it
groaned
.
He
was
attended
by
two
officers
whom
he
had
appointed
his
aides-de-camp
,
and
by
the
faithful
Morcar
,
whom
nothing
could
induce
to
accept
any
definite
rank
,
but
who
,
in
the
uniform
of
a
private
,
was
proud
to
follow
his
valiant
master
.
The
windows
were
crowded
with
faces
,
anxious
to
obtain
a
glimpse
of
the
youthful
hero
;
and
while
bright
eyes
shone
upon
his
way
,
fair
hands
waved
handkerchiefs
or
threw
nosegays
of
exotics
and
artificial
flowers
from
the
casements
.
The
bells
rang
merrily
;
the
artillery
saluted
the
entrance
of
the
General
into
the
town
;
the
crowds
in
the
streets
welcomed
him
with
enthusiastic
shouts
;
and
the
civic
authorities
,
in
their
official
robes
,
received
him
as
he
alighted
at
the
Town-Hall
.
There
he
was
complimented
on
his
gallant
deeds
,
and
invited
to
partake
of
a
sumptuous
banquet
in
the
evening
.
But
Richard
's
answer
was
firm
though
respectful
.
"
Gentlemen
,
"
he
said
,
"
pardon
me
if
I
decline
your
great
kindness
.
There
remains
so
much
to
be
done
,
to
restore
happiness
to
Castelcicala
,
that
I
should
deem
myself
unworthy
of
your
confidence
,
did
I
waste
valuable
time
in
festivity
.
A
detachment
of
the
Austrian
army
occupies
and
overawes
the
province
of
Abrantani
:
in
two
hours
,
with
your
permission
,
I
propose
to
set
out
in
that
direction
with
all
the
forces
that
you
will
spare
me
.
Should
Providence
prosper
my
arms
in
this
new
expedition
,
my
course
is
simple
.
I
shall
proceed
to
Montoni
,
and
either
deliver
the
capital
from
the
besieging
force
,
or
perish
beneath
its
walls
.
"
This
short
but
pithy
speech
was
received
with
enthusiastic
cheers
by
the
municipal
body
.
"
Go
,
sir
,
"
said
the
Mayor
,
when
silence
was
obtained
once
more
,
"
and
fulfil
your
grand
mission
.
Take
with
you
the
force
that
you
deem
necessary
for
your
purposes
;
and
it
shall
be
our
duty
to
supply
you
with
a
treasury-chest
that
will
not
be
indifferently
furnished
.
Go
,
sir
:
God
has
sent
you
to
us
in
the
time
of
our
bitter
need
;
and
you
are
destined
to
deliver
Castelcicala
from
its
tyrant
.
"
Markham
bowed
,
and
withdrew
.
His
return
to
the
citadel
was
a
signal
for
the
renewal
of
that
enthusiasm
which
had
greeted
his
entrance
into
the
town
.
But
he
was
not
proud
!
No
—
he
had
no
room
in
his
heart
for
pride
:
hope
—
delicious
,
burning
,
joyous
hope
,
—
the
hope
of
accomplishing
his
mighty
aims
and
earning
the
hand
of
Isabella
as
his
reward
,
—
this
was
the
only
sentiment
which
filled
his
soul
!
On
his
arrival
at
the
citadel
once
more
,
he
issued
immediate
orders
to
prepare
for
a
march
.
He
proposed
to
leave
a
garrison
of
one
thousand
men
in
Estella
,
and
take
two
thousand
with
him
;
for
he
calculated
that
this
number
would
be
considerably
increased
,
by
volunteers
,
on
his
way
to
Abrantani
.
The
evident
rapidity
with
which
he
intended
his
movements
to
be
characterised
,
created
a
most
favourable
impression
not
only
amongst
the
inhabitants
of
Estella
,
but
also
with
the
troops
under
his
command
;
and
though
they
all
deemed
him
eminently
worthy
of
the
post
to
which
he
had
been
raised
,
yet
few
foresaw
the
future
greatness
of
that
hero
who
was
destined
to
take
his
place
amongst
the
most
brilliant
warriors
of
the
age
.
It
was
at
two
o'clock
in
the
afternoon
that
the
Constitutional
army
,
consisting
of
two
thousand
men
,
defiled
through
the
western
gate
of
the
citadel
,
towards
the
bridge
over
the
Usiglio
.
A
squadron
of
four
hundred
cavalry
led
the
way
:
next
came
the
corps
of
Cingani
;
then
the
horse-artillery
,
with
twelve
field-pieces
;
next
the
liberated
patriots
;
and
the
rear-guard
consisted
of
the
regular
infantry
of
the
garrison
.
As
soon
as
the
river
was
crossed
,
Richard
formed
his
little
army
into
three
columns
,
and
then
commenced
a
rapid
march
towards
Villabella
,
which
he
knew
to
be
well
affected
in
favour
of
the
Constitutional
cause
.
But
while
he
was
leading
a
gallant
band
over
the
fertile
plains
of
Castelcicala
,
incidents
deserving
notice
occurred
in
his
native
land
far
away
.
CHAPTER
CLXXXV
.
ANOTHER
NEW
YEAR
'S
DAY
.
It
was
the
1st
of
January
,
1841.
If
there
be
any
hour
in
the
life
of
man
when
he
ought
to
commune
with
his
own
heart
,
that
proper
interval
of
serious
reflection
is
to
be
found
on
New
Year
's
Day
.
Then
,
to
the
rightly
constituted
mind
,
the
regrets
for
the
past
will
serve
as
finger-posts
and
guides
to
the
hopes
of
the
future
.
The
heathen
mythology
depicted
Janus
with
two
faces
,
looking
different
ways
:
—
so
let
the
human
heart
,
when
on
the
first
day
of
January
,
it
stands
between
two
years
,
retrospect
carefully
over
the
one
that
has
gone
,
and
combine
all
its
solemn
warnings
for
use
and
example
in
the
new
one
which
has
just
commenced
.
This
also
is
the
day
that
recalls
,
with
additional
impressiveness
,
the
memory
of
those
dear
relatives
and
friends
whose
mortal
forms
have
been
swept
away
by
the
viewless
and
voiceless
stream
of
Time
.
Nor
less
do
fond
parents
think
,
amidst
tears
and
prayers
,
of
their
sons
who
are
absent
in
the
far-off
places
of
the
earth
,
—
fighting
the
battles
of
their
country
on
the
burning
plains
of
India
,
or
steering
their
way
across
the
pathless
solitudes
of
the
ocean
.
But
,
alas
!
little
reck
the
wealthy
and
great
for
those
whose
arms
defend
them
,
or
whose
enterprise
procures
them
all
the
bounties
of
the
earth
.
An
oligarchy
has
cramped
the
privileges
and
monopolised
the
rights
of
a
mighty
nation
.
Behold
the
effects
of
its
infamous
Poor-Laws
;
—
contemplate
the
results
of
the
more
atrocious
Game-Laws
;
—
mark
the
consequences
of
the
Corn-Laws
.
The
Poor-Laws
!
Not
even
did
the
ingenuity
of
the
Spanish
or
Italian
Inquisitions
conceive
a
more
effectual
method
of
deliberate
torture
and
slow
death
,
than
the
fearful
system
of
mental-abasement
and
gradient
starvation
invented
by
England
's
legislators
.
When
the
labourer
can
toil
for
the
rich
no
longer
,
away
with
him
to
the
workhouse
!
When
the
old
man
,
who
has
contributed
for
half
a
century
to
the
revenue
of
the
country
,
is
overtaken
by
sudden
adversity
at
an
age
which
paralyses
his
energies
,
away
with
him
to
the
workhouse
!
When
the
poor
widow
,
whose
sons
have
fallen
in
the
ranks
of
battle
or
in
defence
of
the
wooden
walls
of
England
,
is
deprived
of
her
natural
supporters
,
away
with
her
to
the
workhouse
!
The
workhouse
is
a
social
dung-heap
on
which
the
wealthy
and
great
fling
those
members
of
the
community
whose
services
they
can
no
longer
render
available
to
their
selfish
purposes
.
The
Game-Laws
!
Never
was
a
more
atrocious
monopoly
than
that
which
reserves
the
use
of
certain
birds
of
the
air
or
animals
of
the
earth
to
a
small
and
exclusive
class
.
The
Almighty
gave
man
"
dominion
over
the
fish
of
the
sea
,
and
over
the
fowl
of
the
air
,
and
over
every
living
thing
that
moveth
upon
the
earth
;
"
and
those
who
dare
to
monopolise
any
of
these
,
to
the
prejudice
of
their
fellow-creatures
,
fly
in
the
face
of
the
Lord
of
all
!
The
Game-Laws
have
fabricated
an
offence
which
fills
our
prisons
—
as
if
there
were
not
already
crimes
enough
to
separate
men
from
their
families
and
plunge
them
into
loathsome
dungeons
.
That
offence
is
one
of
human
construction
,
and
exists
only
in
certain
countries
:
it
is
not
a
crime
against
God
—
nor
is
it
deemed
such
in
many
enlightened
states
.
The
selfish
pleasures
of
a
miserably
small
minority
demand
the
protection
of
a
statute
which
is
a
fertilising
source
of
oppression
,
wretchedness
,
ruin
,
and
demoralization
.
The
Game-Laws
are
a
rack
whereon
the
aristocracy
loves
to
behold
its
victims
writhing
in
tortures
,
and
where
the
sufferers
are
compelled
to
acknowledge
as
a
heinous
crime
a
deed
which
has
in
reality
no
moral
turpitude
associated
with
it
.
The
Corn-Laws
!
Were
the
Russian
to
boast
of
his
freedom
,
Common
Sense
would
point
to
Siberia
and
to
the
knout
,
and
laugh
in
his
face
.
When
the
Englishman
vaunts
the
glory
of
his
country
's
institutions
,
that
same
Common
Sense
comes
forward
and
throws
the
Corn-Laws
in
his
teeth
.
What
!
liberty
in
connexion
with
the
vilest
monopoly
that
ever
mortal
policy
conceived
?
Impossible
!
England
manufactures
articles
which
all
the
civilised
world
requires
;
and
other
states
yield
corn
in
an
abundance
that
defies
the
possibility
of
home
consumption
.
And
yet
an
inhuman
selfishness
has
declared
that
England
shall
not
exchange
her
manufactures
for
that
superfluous
produce
.
No
—
the
manufactures
may
decay
in
the
warehouses
here
,
and
the
grain
abroad
may
be
thrown
to
the
swine
,
sooner
than
a
miserable
oligarchy
will
consent
to
abandon
one
single
principle
of
its
shameless
monopoly
.
The
Corn-Laws
are
a
broom
which
sweeps
all
the
grain
on
the
threshing-floor
into
one
corner
for
the
use
of
the
rich
,
but
which
leaves
the
chaff
scattered
every
where
about
for
the
millions
of
poor
to
use
as
best
they
may
.
The
aristocracy
of
England
regards
the
patience
of
the
masses
as
a
bow
whose
powers
of
tension
are
unlimited
:
but
the
day
must
come
,
sooner
or
later
,
when
those
who
thus
dare
to
trifle
with
this
generous
elasticity
will
be
struck
down
by
the
violence
of
the
recoil
.
Although
our
legislators
—
trembling
at
what
they
affect
to
sneer
at
under
the
denomination
of
"
the
march
of
intellect
"
—
obstinately
refuse
to
imitate
enlightened
France
by
instituting
a
system
of
national
education
,
—
nevertheless
,
the
millions
of
this
country
are
now
instructing
themselves
!
Honour
to
the
English
mechanic
—
honour
to
the
English
operative
:
each
alike
seeks
to
taste
of
the
tree
of
learning
,
"
whose
root
is
bitter
,
but
whose
fruits
are
sweet
!
"
Thank
God
,
no
despotism
—
no
tyranny
can
arrest
the
progress
of
that
mighty
intellectual
movement
which
is
now
perceptible
amongst
the
industrious
millions
of
these
realms
.
And
how
excellent
are
the
principles
of
that
self-instruction
which
now
tends
to
elevate
the
moral
condition
of
the
country
.
It
is
not
confined
within
the
narrow
limits
which
churchmen
would
impose
:
it
embraces
the
sciences
—
the
arts
—
all
subjects
of
practical
utility
,
—
its
aim
being
to
model
the
mind
on
the
solid
basis
of
Common
Sense
.
To
the
millions
thus
enlightened
,
Religion
will
appear
in
all
its
purity
,
and
the
objects
of
Government
in
all
their
simplicity
.
The
holy
Christian
worship
will
cease
to
be
regarded
as
an
apology
for
endowing
a
Church
with
enormous
revenues
;
and
political
administration
must
no
longer
be
considered
as
a
means
of
rendering
a
small
portion
of
the
community
happy
and
prosperous
to
the
utter
prejudice
of
the
vast
remainder
.
There
breathes
not
a
finer
specimen
of
the
human
race
than
a
really
enlightened
and
liberal-minded
Englishman
.
But
if
he
be
deserving
of
admiration
and
applause
,
who
has
received
his
knowledge
from
the
lips
of
a
paid
preceptor
—
how
much
more
worthy
of
praise
and
respect
is
the
self-instructed
mechanic
!
But
to
resume
our
narrative
.
It
was
the
1st
of
January
,
1841.
The
time-piece
on
the
mantel
in
Mr.
Greenwood
's
study
had
just
struck
two
in
the
afternoon
.
That
gentleman
himself
was
pacing
the
apartment
in
an
agitated
manner
.
His
handsome
dressing-gown
of
oriental
pattern
was
not
arranged
,
with
the
usual
contrived
air
of
negligence
,
to
display
the
beautiful
shirt-front
,
over
which
hung
the
gold
chain
of
his
Breguet-watch
:
—
on
the
contrary
,
it
had
evidently
been
hurried
on
without
the
least
regard
to
effect
.
The
writing-table
was
heaped
with
a
confused
pile
of
letters
and
accounts
—
not
thrown
together
for
show
,
but
lying
in
the
actual
disorder
in
which
they
had
been
tossed
aside
after
a
minute
investigation
.
Though
not
absolutely
slovenly
in
his
present
appearance
,
Mr.
Greenwood
had
certainly
neglected
his
toilet
on
that
day
;
and
the
state
of
his
room
moreover
proved
that
he
was
too
much
absorbed
in
serious
affairs
to
devote
time
to
the
minor
considerations
of
neatness
and
the
strict
propriety
of
order
.
There
was
a
cloud
upon
his
brow
;
and
his
manner
was
restless
and
unsettled
.
"
Curses
—
eternal
curses
upon
that
Lafleur
!
"
he
exclaimed
aloud
,
as
he
walked
up
and
down
with
uneven
steps
.
"
To
think
that
I
should
have
lost
so
much
at
one
blow
!
Oh
!
it
nearly
drives
me
mad
—
mad
!
If
it
had
only
been
the
twenty
thousand
pounds
of
which
the
black-hearted
French
villain
and
his
confederates
plundered
me
,
I
might
have
snapped
my
fingers
at
Fortune
who
thus
vented
her
temporary
spite
upon
me
!
But
the
enormous
amount
I
lost
in
addition
,
by
failing
to
pour
that
sum
of
English
notes
and
gold
into
circulation
in
the
French
capital
,
—
the
almost
immediate
fall
in
the
rates
of
exchange
,
and
the
fluctuation
of
the
French
funds
,
—
Oh
!
there
it
was
that
I
was
so
seriously
injured
.
Fifty
thousand
pounds
snatched
from
me
as
it
were
in
a
moment
,
—
fifty
thousand
pounds
of
hard
money
—
my
own
money
!
And
the
thirty
thousand
pounds
that
I
had
first
sent
over
to
Paris
were
so
judiciously
laid
out
!
My
combinations
were
admirable
:
I
should
have
been
a
clear
gainer
of
five-and-twenty
thousand
,
had
not
that
accursed
robbery
taken
place
!
May
the
villain
Lafleur
die
in
a
charnel-house
—
may
he
perish
the
most
miserable
of
deaths
!
"
Mr.
Greenwood
ground
his
teeth
with
rage
as
he
uttered
these
horrible
maledictions
.
He
did
not
,
however
,
recall
to
mind
that
Lafleur
was
an
honest
man
when
he
entered
his
service
;
—
he
did
not
pause
to
reflect
upon
all
the
intrigues
,
machinations
,
plots
,
duplicities
,
and
villanies
,
in
which
he
had
employed
his
late
valet
,
—
thus
gradually
initiating
him
in
those
paths
which
could
scarcely
have
led
to
any
other
result
than
the
point
in
which
they
had
actually
terminated
—
the
robbery
of
the
master
by
the
servant
whom
he
had
thus
tutored
.
"
The
villain
!
"
continued
Greenwood
.
"
And
I
was
so
kind
to
him
—
constantly
increasing
his
wages
and
making
him
presents
!
Such
confidence
as
I
put
in
him
,
too
!
Filippo
,
whom
I
did
not
trust
to
half
the
same
extent
—
save
in
my
intrigues
with
women
—
is
stanch
and
faithful
to
me
!
"
He
paused
and
glanced
towards
the
time-piece
.
"
Half-past
two
;
and
Tomlinson
does
not
come
!
What
can
detain
him
?
Surely
that
affair
cannot
have
gone
wrong
also
?
If
so
—
—
"
And
Greenwood
's
countenance
became
as
dark
and
lowering
as
the
sky
ere
the
explosion
of
the
storm
.
In
a
few
moments
a
double-knock
at
the
door
echoed
through
the
house
.
"
Here
's
Tomlinson
!
"
ejaculated
Greenwood
;
and
with
sovereign
command
over
himself
,
he
composed
his
features
and
assumed
his
wonted
ease
of
manner
.
The
stock-broker
now
entered
the
room
.
"
You
are
an
hour
behind
your
time
,
Tomlinson
,
"
said
Greenwood
,
shaking
him
by
the
hand
.
"
I
could
not
come
before
,
"
was
the
answer
:
"
I
was
detained
on
your
business
.
"
"
What
news
?
"
asked
Greenwood
,
scarcely
able
to
conceal
his
profound
anxiety
.
"
Bad
,
"
replied
Tomlinson
.
"
You
have
sent
sixteen
thousand
pounds
to
look
after
the
fifty
you
have
already
lost
.
Fortunately
you
are
a
rich
man
,
and
can
stand
reverses
of
this
kind
.
Besides
,
one
who
speculates
so
enormously
as
you
have
done
of
late
,
must
meet
with
occasional
losses
.
For
my
part
,
I
should
advise
you
to
leave
Spanish
alone
.
It
seems
that
you
are
doomed
to
fail
in
your
ventures
in
the
foreign
securities
:
—
first
,
your
French
scheme
was
totally
ruined
by
the
villany
of
your
servant
;
and
now
your
Spanish
one
,
so
far
from
enabling
you
to
retrieve
your
losses
,
has
increased
them
.
"
This
long
speech
enabled
Greenwood
to
recover
from
the
shock
which
the
announcement
of
a
new
reverse
had
produced
.
"
My
dear
Tomlinson
,
"
he
said
,
"
I
am
resolved
to
follow
up
my
speculations
in
Spanish
.
The
private
information
I
received
from
an
intimate
friend
of
the
Spanish
Ambassador
is
correct
—
I
am
convinced
it
is
;
and
I
am
sure
that
Queen
Christina
,
by
the
advice
of
Espartero
,
will
appropriate
a
sum
to
pay
the
interest
on
the
passives
.
The
announcement
must
be
made
in
a
few
days
.
Of
this
I
am
certain
.
But
all
my
resources
are
locked
up
for
the
present
:
—
in
fact
,
I
do
not
hesitate
to
tell
you
,
Tomlinson
,
that
I
have
over-speculated
of
late
.
Still
—
remember
—
I
have
plenty
of
means
remaining
;
but
they
are
not
instantly
available
.
"
"
What
,
then
,
do
you
propose
to
do
?
"
inquired
the
stock-broker
.
"
You
have
raised
yourself
during
the
past
year
to
a
confidential
position
in
the
City
,
Tomlinson
,
"
continued
Greenwood
:
"
and
people
no
longer
remember
your
bankruptcy
.
"
"
But
I
do
,
"
observed
the
stock-broker
bitterly
.
"
Oh
!
that
is
nothing
,
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
.
"
I
was
about
to
say
that
you
could
probably
borrow
me
fifteen
or
twenty
thousand
on
my
bond
—
say
for
three
months
.
"
"
I
doubt
it
,
"
returned
Tomlinson
.
"
You
have
no
mercantile
establishment
—
you
are
known
as
a
great
speculator
—
—
"
"
And
as
a
great
capitalist
,
I
flatter
myself
,
"
added
Greenwood
,
playing
with
his
watch-chain
in
the
easy
complacent
manner
which
had
so
characterised
him
until
lately
.
"
That
you
were
a
capitalist
,
there
can
be
no
doubt
,
"
said
Tomlinson
,
in
his
usual
quiet
way
;
"
but
ill
news
fly
fast
—
and
your
losses
—
—
"
"
Are
already
known
in
the
City
,
you
mean
?
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
,
with
difficulty
concealing
his
vexation
.
"
I
care
not
a
fig
for
that
,
Tomlinson
.
I
have
ample
resources
left
;
but
,
as
I
ere
now
observed
,
they
are
not
immediately
available
.
"
"
I
understand
you
.
It
is
well
known
that
you
accommodate
the
members
of
the
aristocracy
and
heirs-expectant
with
loans
;
I
presume
that
you
have
a
mass
of
their
bills
,
bonds
,
and
acknowledgments
?
Now
if
you
were
to
deposit
them
as
collateral
security
,
I
know
where
I
could
obtain
you
an
equivalent
loan
in
twelve
hours
.
"
"
Indeed
!
"
ejaculated
Greenwood
:
then
,
after
a
moment
's
pause
,
he
said
,
"
And
you
think
there
can
be
no
difficulty
in
managing
the
business
in
that
way
?
"
"
None
,
"
answered
the
stock-broker
.
Again
Greenwood
appeared
to
reflect
.
"
And
yet
,
"
he
observed
,
"
all
these
pecuniary
accommodations
of
which
you
spoke
,
are
strictly
confidential
;
and
I
dare
not
violate
—
—
"
"
You
know
best
,
Greenwood
,
"
said
Tomlinson
,
coolly
.
"
At
the
same
time
,
I
can
assure
you
that
my
friend
will
not
betray
you
.
The
whole
thing
lies
in
a
nut-shell
:
you
deposit
,
say
twenty
thousand
pounds
'
worth
of
securities
,
for
a
loan
of
that
amount
,
to
be
repaid
in
three
months
;
you
redeem
the
documents
by
the
day
appointed
,
and
none
of
your
aristocratic
debtors
will
be
one
whit
the
wiser
.
The
transaction
could
only
become
known
to
them
if
you
failed
to
refund
the
money
,
in
which
case
the
holder
of
the
documents
would
send
them
into
the
market
.
"
"
I
comprehend
,
"
said
Greenwood
.
"
Well
—
I
have
no
objection
to
the
arrangement
.
When
will
you
ascertain
whether
your
friend
will
advance
the
money
?
"
"
This
afternoon
,
"
returned
Tomlinson
;
"
and
should
the
reply
be
in
the
affirmative
—
of
which
I
have
no
doubt
—
I
will
make
an
appointment
for
four
to-morrow
.
"
"
Be
it
so
,
"
cried
Greenwood
.
"
You
will
,
perhaps
,
send
me
word
between
five
and
six
this
evening
.
"
"
I
will
not
fail
,
"
said
the
stock-broker
.
"
Any
thing
new
in
the
City
?
"
"
Nothing
particular
.
"
"
And
your
late
cashier
—
what
has
become
of
him
?
"
inquired
Greenwood
.
"
He
is
still
living
in
an
obscure
street
in
Bethnal-Green
,
"
was
the
answer
.
"
The
poor
old
man
never
stirs
abroad
;
and
his
health
is
failing
fast
.
"
"
Ah
!
it
will
be
a
good
thing
when
he
is
gone
altogether
,
"
said
Greenwood
.
"
If
he
had
had
to
do
with
me
,
I
should
have
shipped
him
to
New
Zealand
or
Van
Diemen
's
Land
long
ago
.
"
Tomlinson
turned
away
in
disgust
,
and
took
his
leave
.
Greenwood
never
moved
from
his
seat
until
he
heard
the
front
door
close
behind
the
stock-broker
.
Then
he
started
from
his
chair
,
and
all
his
apparent
composure
vanished
.
"
Sixteen
thousand
pounds
more
gone
!
"
he
exclaimed
,
in
a
hoarse
,
hollow
tone
,
while
he
clenched
his
fists
with
rage
.
"
Loss
upon
loss
!
All
this
is
enough
to
ruin
any
man
!
And
I
—
who
have
been
even
far
more
unfortunate
of
late
than
I
chose
to
admit
to
Tomlinson
!
Nothing
short
of
one
bold
and
successful
hit
can
now
retrieve
my
tottering
fortunes
.
Securities
for
twenty
thousand
pounds
,
indeed
!
Ha
!
ha
!
I
have
not
bills
nor
bonds
in
my
possession
to
the
amount
of
three
thousand
!
"
—
and
he
laughed
wildly
.
"
But
I
will
have
them
,
though
—
aye
,
and
such
ones
as
shall
fully
serve
my
purposes
.
"
Then
he
paced
the
room
in
a
singularly
agitated
manner
.
"
Yes
—
one
more
bold
stroke
,
and
I
shall
retrieve
myself
,
"
he
continued
.
"
My
good
star
cannot
have
altogether
deserted
me
.
No
—
no
!
These
vicissitudes
are
only
temporary
.
Accursed
Lafleur
!
To
think
that
he
should
have
served
me
thus
!
Instead
of
proceeding
to
Paris
—
with
the
means
of
following
up
those
schemes
which
I
had
combined
so
well
,
and
in
which
I
had
already
risked
so
much
—
but
with
such
absolute
certainties
of
immense
gain
,
—
instead
of
pursuing
my
career
of
success
,
—
to
be
plundered
—
robbed
at
the
last
moment
—
and
compelled
to
return
to
London
to
raise
fresh
funds
!
Then
,
when
in
four
days
I
was
prepared
with
the
necessary
sum
once
more
—
with
another
twenty
thousand
pounds
—
to
receive
letters
which
convinced
me
that
the
delay
was
fatal
,
and
that
all
was
lost
!
Yes
—
Fortune
did
indeed
persecute
me
then
!
But
I
will
be
even
with
her
yet
.
My
information
concerning
the
Spanish
debt
is
accurate
;
and
on
that
ground
I
can
build
a
fortune
far
more
colossal
than
the
one
I
have
lost
.
Shall
I
hesitate
,
then
,
in
obtaining
this
money
through
Tomlinson
's
agency
?
No
—
no
!
"
Having
thus
buoyed
himself
up
with
those
hopes
which
invariably
urge
on
the
gambler
—
whether
at
the
actual
gaming-table
or
in
the
public
funds
(
for
there
is
little
difference
in
a
moral
light
between
the
two
modes
of
speculation
)
,
—
to
put
down
fresh
stakes
on
the
chance
aimed
at
,
Greenwood
recovered
his
wonted
calmness
.
He
busied
himself
in
arranging
his
papers
,
and
restoring
neatness
to
his
writing-table
.
Thus
passed
the
time
until
six
o'clock
,
when
Filippo
entered
the
room
with
a
letter
.
It
was
from
Tomlinson
.
Greenwood
tore
it
open
:
the
contents
were
favourable
.
The
stock-broker
's
friend
had
agreed
to
advance
any
sum
up
to
twenty-five
thousand
pounds
on
the
terms
proposed
,
and
had
promised
to
observe
the
strictest
secrecy
in
the
transaction
.
"
The
rest
now
depends
upon
myself
!
"
ejaculated
Greenwood
.
"
Fortune
has
not
altogether
deserted
me
.
"
CHAPTER
CLXXXVI
.
THE
NEW
CUT
.
At
nine
o'clock
on
the
same
evening
,
Mr.
Greenwood
,
muffled
in
a
cloak
,
alighted
from
a
hackney-cab
in
the
Waterloo
Road
at
the
corner
of
the
New
Cut
.
That
wide
thoroughfare
which
connects
the
Waterloo
and
Blackfriars
'
Roads
,
is
one
of
the
most
busy
and
bustling
,
after
its
own
fashion
,
in
all
London
.
Nowhere
are
the
shops
of
a
more
miscellaneous
nature
:
nowhere
are
the
pathways
so
thronged
with
the
stalls
and
baskets
of
itinerant
venders
.
The
ingenuity
of
those
petty
provision-dealers
adapts
the
spoilt
articles
of
the
regular
fishmongers
and
butchers
to
serviceable
purposes
in
the
free
market
of
the
New
Cut
.
The
fish
is
cut
in
slices
and
fried
in
an
oil
or
butter
whose
rancid
taste
obviates
the
putrid
flavour
and
smell
of
the
comestible
;
and
the
refuse
scraps
from
the
butchers
shops
are
chopped
up
to
form
a
species
of
sausage-balls
called
"
faggots
.
"
Then
the
grease
,
in
which
the
racy
slices
of
fish
and
savoury
compounds
of
lights
and
liver
have
been
alike
cooked
,
serves
to
fry
large
rounds
of
bread
,
which
,
when
thus
prepared
,
are
denominated
"
sop
in
the
pan
.
"
Of
course
these
culinary
refinements
are
prepared
by
the
venders
in
their
own
cellars
or
garrets
hard
by
;
but
when
conveyed
to
the
miscellaneous
market
in
the
New
Cut
,
the
luxuries
impart
a
greasy
and
sickening
odour
to
the
air
.
It
is
perfectly
wonderful
to
behold
the
various
methods
in
which
the
poor
creatures
in
that
thoroughfare
endeavour
to
obtain
an
honest
livelihood
;
and
although
their
proceedings
elicit
a
smile
—
still
,
God
pity
them
!
they
had
better
ply
their
strange
trades
thus
than
rob
or
beg
!
There
may
be
seen
,
for
instance
,
a
ragged
urchin
holding
a
bundle
of
onions
in
his
hand
,
and
shouting
at
the
top
of
his
shrill
voice
,
"
Here
's
a
ha'porth
!
"
—
and
,
no
matter
how
finely
dressed
the
passer-by
,
he
is
sure
to
thrust
the
onions
under
his
or
her
very
nose
,
still
vociferating
,
"
Here
's
a
ha'porth
!
"
Poor
boy
!
he
thinks
every
one
must
want
onions
!
The
immediate
vicinity
of
the
Victoria
Theatre
is
infested
with
women
who
offer
play-bills
for
sale
,
and
who
seem
to
fancy
it
impossible
that
the
passers-by
can
be
going
elsewhere
than
to
the
play
.
Here
an
orange-girl
accosts
a
gentleman
with
two
or
three
of
the
fruit
in
her
hand
,
but
with
a
significant
look
which
gives
the
assurance
that
her
real
trade
is
of
a
less
innocent
nature
:
—
there
a
poor
woman
with
an
array
of
children
before
her
,
offers
lucifer
matches
,
but
silently
appeals
for
alms
.
A
little
farther
on
is
a
long
barrow
covered
with
toys
;
and
a
tall
man
without
a
nose
,
shouts
at
intervals
,
"
Only
a
penny
each
!
only
a
penny
each
!
"
Some
of
these
gimcracks
excite
astonishment
by
their
extreme
cheapness
;
but
they
are
chiefly
made
by
the
convicts
in
Holland
,
and
are
exported
in
large
quantities
to
England
.
In
the
middle
of
the
road
a
man
with
stentorian
voice
offers
"
A
hundred
songs
for
a
penny
;
"
and
,
enumerating
the
list
,
he
is
sure
to
announce
the
"
Return
of
the
H
admiral
"
amongst
the
rest
.
Nearly
opposite
the
Victoria
Theatre
there
is
an
extensive
cook's-shop
;
and
around
the
window
stands
a
hungry
crowd
feasting
their
eyes
on
the
massive
joints
which
are
intended
to
feast
the
stomach
.
In
front
of
the
butchers
'
shops
the
serving-men
keep
up
a
perpetual
vociferation
of
"
Buy
!
buy
!
"
—
a
sort
of
running
fire
that
denotes
the
earnestness
with
which
competition
is
carried
on
amongst
rivals
in
that
delectable
trade
.
Perhaps
a
new
baker
's
shop
is
opened
in
the
New
Cut
;
and
then
a
large
placard
at
the
window
announces
that
"
a
glass
of
gin
will
be
given
to
every
purchaser
of
a
quartern
loaf
.
"
The
buyers
do
not
pause
to
reflect
that
the
price
of
the
cordial
is
deducted
from
the
weight
of
the
bread
.
The
pawnbrokers
'
shops
seem
to
drive
a
most
bustling
trade
in
the
New
Cut
;
and
the
fronts
of
their
establishments
present
a
more
extensive
and
miscellaneous
assortment
of
second-hand
garments
,
blankets
,
handkerchiefs
,
and
sheets
,
than
is
to
be
seen
elsewhere
.
The
influx
and
efflux
of
people
at
the
public-houses
and
gin-shops
constitute
not
the
least
remarkable
feature
of
that
neighbourhood
,
where
every
thing
is
dirty
and
squalid
,
yet
where
every
one
appears
able
to
purchase
intoxicating
liquor
!
On
the
southern
side
of
the
New
Cut
there
are
a
great
many
second-hand
furniture
shops
,
the
sheds
wherein
the
articles
are
principally
exposed
being
built
against
the
houses
in
a
fashion
which
gives
the
whole
,
when
viewed
by
the
glaring
of
the
gas-lights
,
the
appearance
of
a
bazaar
or
fair
.
The
New
Cut
is
always
crowded
;
but
the
multitude
is
not
entirely
in
motion
.
Knots
of
men
congregate
here
,
and
groups
of
women
there
—
the
posts
at
the
corners
of
the
alleys
and
courts
,
or
the
doors
of
the
gin-shops
,
being
the
most
favourite
points
of
such
assembly
.
The
edges
of
the
pathways
are
not
completely
devoted
to
provision
dealers
.
Penny
peep-shows
,
emblazoned
with
a
coloured
drawing
representing
the
last
horrible
murder
,
—
itinerant
quacks
with
"
certain
remedies
for
the
toothache
,
"
—
stalls
covered
with
odd
numbers
of
cheap
periodical
publications
,
—
old
women
seated
on
stools
,
behind
little
trays
containing
combs
,
papers
of
needles
,
reels
of
cotton
,
pack-thread
,
stay-laces
,
bobbin
,
and
such-like
articles
,
—
men
with
cutlery
to
sell
,
and
who
flourish
in
their
hands
small
knives
with
innumerable
blades
sticking
out
like
the
quills
on
a
porcupine
,
—
these
are
also
prominent
features
in
that
strange
market
.
In
some
conspicuous
place
most
likely
stands
a
caravan
,
surmounted
by
a
picture
representing
a
colossal
giant
and
a
giantess
to
match
,
with
an
assurance
in
large
letters
that
the
originals
may
be
seen
inside
:
—
then
,
as
the
eye
wanders
from
the
enormous
canvass
to
the
caravan
itself
,
and
compares
their
sizes
,
the
mind
is
left
in
a
pleasing
state
of
surprise
how
even
one
of
the
Brobdingnag
marvels
—
let
alone
two
—
could
possibly
stow
itself
away
in
that
diminutive
box
.
Branching
off
from
the
New
Cut
,
on
either
side
,
are
numerous
narrow
streets
,
—
or
rather
lanes
,
of
a
very
equivocal
reputation
;
their
chief
characteristics
being
houses
of
ill-fame
,
gin-shops
,
beer-shops
,
marine-store
dealers
,
pawnbrokers
,
and
barbers
'
establishments
.
There
are
two
facts
connected
with
low
neighbourhoods
which
cannot
fail
to
attract
the
attention
of
even
the
most
superficial
observers
in
their
wanderings
amidst
the
mazes
of
the
modern
Babylon
.
The
first
is
that
the
corner
shops
of
nearly
all
the
narrow
and
dirty
streets
are
occupied
by
general
dealers
or
people
in
the
chandlery-line
;
and
the
second
is
that
all
the
barbers
'
establishments
are
ornamented
with
a
blind
or
placard
conveying
an
assurance
that
each
is
"
the
original
shaving
shop
.
"
Here
,
again
,
the
mind
enjoys
the
excitement
of
uncertainty
,
as
in
the
matter
of
the
caravan
and
the
giants
;
for
it
is
impossible
to
arrive
at
any
satisfactory
decision
whether
the
aforesaid
placard
means
you
to
infer
that
the
shop
to
which
it
belongs
was
the
first
ever
opened
in
the
world
for
tonsorial
purposes
,
or
only
the
first
that
shed
the
light
of
its
civilisation
upon
that
especial
neighbourhood
.
We
may
also
observe
that
some
of
the
proprietors
of
those
establishments
are
not
altogether
unacquainted
with
the
mysteries
of
puffing
;
inasmuch
as
we
frequently
read
upon
their
shop-fronts
the
truly
exhilarating
and
inspiring
words
,
"
Hair-dresser
to
the
Queen
.
"
Such
are
the
New
Cut
and
its
tributary
lanes
.
And
it
was
now
along
the
New
Cut
that
Mr.
Greenwood
,
enveloped
in
his
cloak
,
was
pursuing
his
way
.
He
scarcely
noticed
the
turmoil
,
bustle
,
and
business
of
that
strange
thoroughfare
;
for
he
was
too
much
absorbed
in
his
own
meditations
.
The
truth
was
,
that
his
affairs
—
once
so
gloriously
prosperous
—
were
now
rendered
desperate
by
various
reverses
;
and
he
was
about
to
seek
a
desperate
means
of
retrieving
them
.
The
reader
cannot
have
failed
to
observe
that
the
characters
of
George
Montague
Greenwood
and
Richard
Markham
stand
out
from
our
picture
of
London
Life
in
strong
contrast
with
each
other
;
and
it
is
not
the
less
remarkable
that
while
the
former
was
rising
rapidly
to
wealth
,
rank
,
and
eminence
,
the
latter
was
undergoing
persecutions
and
sinking
into
comparative
poverty
.
Now
—
at
the
epoch
which
we
are
describing
—
the
tables
seem
to
have
turned
;
for
while
George
Montague
Greenwood
is
about
to
seek
a
desperate
remedy
for
his
desperate
affairs
,
Richard
Markham
is
leading
a
gallant
army
over
the
fertile
plains
of
Castelcicala
.
The
former
,
then
,
may
be
deemed
the
personification
of
vice
,
the
latter
the
representative
of
virtue
.
They
had
chosen
separate
paths
:
—
the
sequel
will
fully
demonstrate
which
of
the
two
characters
had
selected
the
right
one
.
In
the
meantime
we
will
continue
our
narrative
.
Mr.
Greenwood
pursued
his
way
,
and
,
having
crossed
over
to
the
southern
side
of
the
New
Cut
,
repaired
to
a
small
row
of
private
houses
of
which
this
famous
thoroughfare
can
boast
at
the
extremity
joining
the
Blackfriars
'
Road
.
There
he
stopped
for
a
moment
beneath
a
lamp
to
consult
a
memorandum
in
his
pocket-book
;
and
,
having
thereby
refreshed
his
memory
in
respect
to
the
address
of
which
he
was
in
search
,
he
proceeded
to
knock
at
the
door
of
a
house
close
by
.
A
dirty
servant-girl
opened
it
just
as
far
as
a
chain
inside
would
permit
;
and
protruding
her
smutty
face
,
said
,
with
strange
abruptness
,
"
Well
,
what
is
it
?
"
"
Does
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
live
here
?
"
demanded
Greenwood
.
"
No
—
he
do
n't
;
and
,
if
he
did
,
you
would
n't
come
in
—
'
cos
I
know
it
's
all
your
gammon
,
"
returned
that
most
uninteresting
specimen
of
the
female-domestic
race
.
"
Why
not
?
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
,
indignantly
.
"
Whom
do
you
take
me
for
?
"
"
For
what
you
are
,
"
replied
the
girl
.
"
And
what
am
I
,
then
?
"
"
Why
—
a
execution
,
to
be
sure
.
"
And
,
with
these
words
,
the
girl
banged
the
door
in
Mr.
Greenwood
's
face
.
"
I
must
have
taken
down
the
wrong
number
in
my
memorandum
,
"
thought
the
Member
of
Parliament
,
as
he
turned
away
from
the
house
,
which
was
evidently
in
a
state
of
siege
.
"
This
is
very
provoking
!
"
He
then
knocked
at
the
door
of
the
next
house
.
A
woman
with
a
child
in
her
arms
answered
the
summons
;
and
,
without
waiting
for
any
question
,
said
abruptly
,
"
You
had
better
walk
in
.
"
Greenwood
entered
accordingly
,
supposing
that
the
woman
had
overheard
his
inquiry
next
door
,
and
that
he
had
now
found
the
abode
of
the
person
whom
he
sought
.
The
woman
led
the
way
into
a
back
room
,
almost
completely
denuded
of
furniture
,
smelling
awfully
of
tobacco-smoke
,
and
very
feebly
lighted
with
a
single
candle
that
wanted
snuffing
.
In
the
midst
of
a
dense
cloud
of
that
vapour
,
a
man
without
a
coat
was
sitting
on
a
trunk
;
but
the
moment
Greenwood
entered
,
this
individual
threw
down
his
clay-pipe
,
and
advancing
towards
the
visitor
,
exclaimed
in
a
ferocious
voice
,
"
So
you
're
going
your
rounds
at
this
hour
,
are
you
?
Well
—
I
'm
as
far
off
from
having
the
tin
as
I
have
been
all
along
;
and
as
I
am
going
away
to-morrow
,
I
do
n't
mind
if
I
give
you
a
good
drubbing
to
teach
you
how
to
pester
a
gentleman
with
shabby
bits
of
paper
in
future
.
"
Thus
speaking
,
the
ferocious
individual
advanced
towards
Greenwood
,
squaring
away
like
clock-work
.
"
Really
,
sir
—
you
must
labour
under
some
mistake
,
"
exclaimed
the
Member
of
Parliament
.
"
I
have
never
called
here
before
in
my
life
.
"
"
Then
who
the
devil
are
you
?
"
demanded
the
pugilistic
phenomenon
.
"
That
is
quite
another
question
,
"
said
Greenwood
.
"
I
—
—
"
"
Do
you
mean
to
tell
me
,
then
,
"
exclaimed
the
man
,
"
that
you
ai
n't
the
Water
Rates
?
"
"
No
—
I
am
not
,
"
answered
Greenwood
,
unable
to
suppress
a
smile
.
"
I
thought
that
a
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
lived
here
.
"
"
Then
he
do
n't
—
that
's
all
,
"
was
the
rejoinder
.
"
Blowed
if
I
do
n't
believe
it
's
a
plant
,
after
all
.
Come
—
ai
n't
you
a
bum
?
no
lies
,
now
!
"
Greenwood
turned
indignantly
away
from
the
room
,
and
left
the
house
,
muttering
to
himself
,
"
This
is
most
extraordinary
!
Every
one
appears
to
be
in
difficulties
in
this
street
.
"
He
was
not
,
however
,
disheartened
:
it
was
highly
necessary
for
him
to
see
the
person
of
whom
he
was
in
search
;
and
he
accordingly
knocked
at
another
door
.
"
Tell
him
I
'll
send
round
the
money
to-morrow
,
"
shouted
a
masculine
voice
inside
.
"
I
know
it
's
the
collector
,
because
he
's
rapping
at
every
house
.
"
Greenwood
did
not
wait
for
the
door
to
be
opened
;
he
knew
very
well
that
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
could
not
live
there
.
The
fourth
house
at
which
he
knocked
was
the
right
one
.
A
decent-looking
servant
girl
replied
in
the
affirmative
to
his
inquiry
;
and
he
was
forthwith
conducted
to
a
well-furnished
room
on
the
first
floor
,
where
he
found
Mr.
Pennywhiffe
seated
at
a
table
covered
with
papers
.
This
individual
was
about
fifty
years
of
age
.
In
person
he
was
short
,
thin
,
and
by
no
means
prepossessing
in
countenance
.
His
eyes
were
deeply
set
,
grey
