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B ENTLEY'S
MISCELLANY.
VOL. LI.
LONDON: CHAPMAN AND HALL,
193, PICCADILLY. 1862.
Tie riffU qffubUthiig Tranilatioiu o/Jrtiek* m tUt MagcuiMe is rettrved.
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CONTENTS.
PIOS
The Lord Major of London ; or, City Life in the kst Centnrr. By Wl-
Uam Harrison Ainsworth . . .1, 127> 237, 347| 4&7, 667
The Late Pnnoe Consort . . . . . • .26
On the Lamented Death of his Royal Highness the Prince Consort . 81
Madame la Marquise . • . . . • .82
Stage Emotion. By Monkshood . . . . • .45
The Moral Condition of the Trench . . . . • 65
The Conntcss of Albany . . . . . . ,67
¥iye Months in a French Pine Forest . . • . . 78 '
England getting ready . . . . . • .83
To the most H&strioos Monmer in the New Year. By Mrs. Acton Tindal 91 The Worries of a Chaperone; or. Lady Marabout's Troubles. By
Ouida. Season the Third.— The Climax . • • .92
Population and Trade in France. By Frederick Marshall :
No. X. — ^Merchant Shipping ...... 104r
Crooked Usage ; or. The Adventures of Lorn Loriot. By Dudley Cos-
teUo 116, 173, 271), 406, 650
Social Science and Sunny Scenes in Ireland .... 162
Table-Talk. By Monkshood .... 189,812,423
Scandinavian Travel . . . . . • .199
Chant for little Mary. By Mrs. Acton Tindal . . . .209
A Beal American ........ 210
Cecil Castlemaine's Gage ; or. The Story of a Broidered Shield. By Ouida 221 The Death-^. From the Danish of !B. S. Ingemann. By Mrs.3ushby 267 The Forgotten Dead . . . . . . .283
An Arab Village 292
An Autumn at Oedt 800
Edward Forbes the Naturalist 823
Favette and Thargelie ; or. My Pastel-Portrait by La Tour. By Ouida . 883
Travels in Equador 371
A Dark Mood. By Mrs. Acton Tindal 879
Slavery in America ....••• 881
Eecreations in Switzerland. An Ascent of Mont Combin from St. Pierre . 889 History of the First Battalion of Koyal Marines in Chma, from 1857 to
1859 898
Canterbury and its Archbishops ...... 482
The Beauty of Vicqd'Azir. By Ouida 440
A Day with the AlUgators 491, 650
A Summer in America ...... 501, 661
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VI CONTENTS.
PA6B Dreamland ••...... 610
The Conyict System in the Colonies. By Captain ÂŁ. F. Du Cane, E.E. . 613 The Irish Widow. A Stonr founded on Facts .... 528^
The Diet and Dainties of Australian Aborigines. By Alexander Andrews 544
All Saints' Eve. By Mrs. Acton Tindal 598
The World's May Meeting 601
The last Coquetry of Lady Caprice. By Ouida . .610 The Millionnaire of Saintonge. By Dudley Costello . . . 621 A Glance at Borne in 1862 • . . . . .637 The Poet's Dream. From the German of Heine. By Edgar A. Bowring, C.B 647
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BENTLErS MISCELLANY.
THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON;
OR, CITY LIFE IN THE LAST CENTURY * By Williah Habbisok Aikswobth.
QUILDHALL. I.
LORD HArOE's DAT, A HTJNDRID TEAB8 AGO.
Ok the Ninth of November^ 1761| there was great jubilation in the City of London*
On that day, the Right Hon. Sir Gresham Lorimer, Knight, draper, alderman for Cheap ward, and member of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Tailors, entered upon his duties as first magistrate of the first city In the world. Most auspiciously did his mayoralty commence. Called by the po{>ular voice to the dvic chair, his election had been almost unanimous, there being only one vote for the brother alderman, nominated with him by the livery; and when the choice of the court was made known by the Recorder, the announcement was received with great cheering. The applause was even more vehement when, being called forth, the Lord Mayor elect was invested withthe chain, and retumea thanks for the great honour done him. Subsequently, on hjf being presented to the Lord Chancellor by the Recorder, the approbation of the crown was very ^ciously communicated to him by his lordship. The fitrewell dmner given by Sir Gresham in conjunction with Sir Matthew Blakiston, the retiring Lord Major was remarkable, even in the City, for splendour and pro- fusion, gave promise of many a glorious banquet to follow.
Special circumstances conspired to give additional lustre to our Lord M^yor^s Day. Not only was he {generally respected by his fellow citizens; not only was he certain of an enthusiastic reception from the thousands assembled to greet him on his way to Westi^nlnster; not only had unwonted care been bestowed on the procession destined to attend him; not only were some of the old divic pageants^-the delight of the multitude — to be revived for t^e occasion; but on that day the young and newly*'
• Ml TigkU remved.
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2 THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON.
married George III. was about to honour the City with his pre- sence— according to custom, it being the first Lord Mayor^s Day after his coronation — ^to view the show, and partake afterwards of the grand civic feast at Guildhall.
As the young monarch would be accompanied on this occasion by his queen, the whole of the royal family and the court, extra- ordinary preparations were made for their reception. As usual, the day was kept as a general holiday. The shops were closed, and business altogether suspended. Bells were rung, guns fired, and other noisy demonstrations of delight made. Scaffoldings were erected by the City companies for the accommodation of their wardens and liverymen at various points calculated to command a good view of the procession. Many of the houses were richly de- corated and hung with flags and banners, and arrangements were made for a general illumiBaticm at night. Four regiments of the London Militia were ordered to line the way from Temple-bar to the top of Ludgate-hill, and took up their position betimes. The Mounted Train Bands were stationed at intervals from Saint Paul's Churchyard to the Mansion House. All public vehicles were prohibited in the principal thoroughfares, and no private car- riages were allowed to pass along Cheapside, or approach Guild- hall, whence the procession was to start at eleven o'clock, except those belonging to the aldermen and sheriffs, or other personages connected with the show.
A vast and continually-increasing concourse filled Qieapside and the streets leading to Blackfriars, where the Lord Mayor was to embark in his state barge and proceed by water to Westminster, and a good inany brawls and disturbances took place, which the combined eflrorts of the militia and the peace-officers scarcely sufficed to check — the mobs in those days being very turbu- lent and pugnacious, and exceedingly ready, not only with sticks and bludgeons, but with such weapons as nature had provided them withal. Broken pates, dama^d noses, or darkened orbs of vision generally followed these conflicts. However, as on this occa- sion the bulk of the crowd consisted of decently-behaved citizens^ who had brought their wives and daughters with them to see the lord mayor's show, the quarrels were of rarer occurrence than usual, and more speedily subdued. High and low, masters and appren- tices, were dressed in holiday attire, and, to judge from their looks, full of glee, and bent upon enjoyment.
Fortunately for all concerned in the show, whether as actors or spectators, the day was remarkably fine. The mn shone forth brilliantly, gladdening every heart, while the preipcriptive fogs of November held good-naturedly aloof. \
Before proceeding further, it may be proper to say a few words concerning the hero of the day. Sir Gt^ham Lorimiei^s previous history is soon told, being unmarked by any exciting incid^t or ad- venture. His career had been simply that of a citizenT, who, by in-
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THE LOBD ICAYOR OF LONDON. 3
dnstry and inte^ty, has risen from a humble position to wealth and distinction. Circomstances no doubt favoored him in hig promes, but 80 they generally do the deserving. Bom in BuckleraDury, about sixty years before the present important epoch in his history, Grresham was the third son of a drysaltery who had got into diffi- culties, and never recovered from tliem, but who was able to five his son a good education by placing him at Merchant Tailors' School, where the lad remained until his father's death, when he was apprenticed to Mr. Tradescant, a prosperous draper in Cheap- side, wno knew the family, and had taken a &ncy to the youtn. Gbesham did not disappoint the expectations formed of him by his worthy master. Discreet, diligent, and shrewd, he soon became Mr. Tradescant's right hand. On the expiration of his term, he was made head clerk, and in a few years afterwards was taken into partnership by his employer, the firm thenceforward being TbadÂŁSgant and Lobimeil
Before attaining this position, which established his success in Ufe, Gresham had lost his mother, to whom he was tenderly attached, and to whose support he had of late mainly contributed. His brothers, Godfrey and Lawrence, neither of whom was distin- guished by the same good qualities as himself, had left London to seek a fortune elsewhere, and had not since been heard o£ It was then that Mr. Tradescant judged it the fitting season to put in execution a design he had long since entertained. The worthy draper was a widower, with an only child, a daughter, on whom all his hopes and afiections were fixed, and there was no one, he thought, to whom her happiness could be more securely confided than Gresham Lorimer. Ciuia Tradescant responded to her father^s wishes. Her heart was entirely disengaged; or, if she had any preference, it was for the very person sdected for her. A few years younger than Gresham Lorimer, she had not failed to admire him« as they sat together in Mr. Tradescant's large pew in Bow Church, and looked over the same prayer-book. But to Gresham's credit, it must be stated that he had never ventured to raise bis eyes towards his master's fair daughter, and it was only when placed on an equality with her that he thought it possible he might obtain such a prize. Even then it was necessary for Mr. Tradescant to Bsake his intentions manifest before the young man dared to comprehend them. At last, however, the event so much. desired by all parties was satisfactorily brought about. The young couple were married at the altar of the church where they had so often knelt together, and a very grand wedding it was. All Cheapside was alive that morning; musicians played before Mr. Tradescant's dwelling, and alms and viands were liberally distributed among the poor.
Who so happy now as Gresham Lorimer ! — blessed with a very
Sretty wife, and partner in a very lucrative concern, which must one ay be entirely his own. Brilliant, indeed, were his prospects, and
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they continued undimmed to the very time of which we treat, except by such few mischances as are inseparable from human affiurs. Having arranged matters to his satisfaction, good Mr. Tradescant committed the management of his business entirely to his son-in-law, and passed the remainder of his days in calm con- tentment with his beloved daughter, living long enough to see his grandchildren springing around him.
Several chilaren were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Lorimer, but of these the only survivors at the time of our narrative were three daughters and a son. Of these and- their mother more anon, our present business being with Sir Gresham. His probity and honourable conduct gained him a very high character in the City. Necessarily, he had served as shenff, or he could not have been elevated to the civic chair, and he had displayed ,80 much efficiency in the discharge of his duties while holding that im- portant office, coupled with so much liberality and hospitality, that he was then marked out for a still higher dignity, in case he should aspire to it.
It was during his shrievalty that he received the honour of knighthood from the late kin^, George II., and this circumstance was not less gratifying to himself than to his spouse, who had become much more consequential since her husband hiad risen in importance. Sir Gresham's next step towards the object of his ambition — ^for ambitious he undoubtedly was of becoming Lord Mayor — ^was his election as alderman. A vacancy having occurred in the court by the death of the alderman for Cheap Ward, Sir Ghresham was chosen out of three candidates to fill the office. In this new position he speedily distinguished himself as an active and intelbgent magistrate, a lealous administrator of the affiiirs of the City, and a watchful guardian of City rights and interests. No man, except perhaps his brother alderman, Mr. Beckford, had more weight with the common council than he, and as the City exercised considerable political influence at that time, his power was felt by the government.
Sir Gresham's elevation to the mayoralty was accelerated by an important political event, to wliich allusion must now be bnefly made. During the late reign, and especially towards its close, Pitt's vigorous and successful conduct of the wars in which we were then engaged, had raised the national pride to such a pitch, that the mere idea of a peace — unless our foes should be thoroughly humbled — was distasteful to the country. Pitt was the people 8 minister, and the idol of the City. But on the accession of George III. it soon became apparent that a new influence was at work. Before mounting the throne this young prince had been entirely guided by his mother, the Princess Dowager of Wales, a woman of ambitious character and passionate temperament, who. in her turn, was governed by her confidential aaviser the Earl of Bute. It was foreseen that, by the double influence possessed by this parvenu Scotch peer over the mother and the son, he must
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needs play an Important part in the direction of state afl&irs, and events speedily justified the correctness of these suppositions. Bute^s aim ?ras to be supreme in the cabinet, but speedily dis- coyering that Pitt was an unsurmountable obstacle to his designs, and that so long as he continued in the ministry, uncontroUed sway would be impossible, he determined to remove him. With the exception of Lord Temijle, Pitt's brother-in-law, all the other members of the administration, including its ostensible head, the old Duke of Newcastle, showed themselves sufficiently complaisant, so that the "Favourite's'* task did not appear particularly difficult. With the view of supplanting his rival, he contrived to inspire the young king with an inclination for peace, persuading him it would be most beneficial to the country, and well Knowing that any such proposition made to Pitt in the present posture of affiiirs would encounter his violent opposition, and if persisted in, and carried in his despite, would infallibly cause his resignation.
The scheme proved successful. But the indignation of the whole country was roused a^gainst the intriguing " favourite" by whose arts it had been deprived of a minister to whom it owed its great- ness. Loud was the clamour against Bute throughout the land, and the Duke of Newcastle and his colleagues came m for a share of the popular obloquy. Even the young king himself was severely censured.
Of alL Pitt's partisans in the City, and their name was legion, the most zealous and devoted were Sir Gresham Lorimer and Mr* Beckford, both of whom enjoyed a certain degree of his con- fidence, and when the patnotic minister resigned the seals as secretary, because his bold and judicious counsels of a prompt declaration of war against Spain, and the seizure of the Plate fleet before it could get into port, would not — owing to the wily machinations of Bute — be listened to by the cabinet, a meeting of the common council was summoned by Sir Gresham, and an address proposed to the retiring minister, another to the king praying Pitt's recal. Such a representation of the sentiments of the City could not be disregarded by his majesty. The indignant secretary, however, refused to return to office. But while declining his royal master^s solicitations, he accepted the pension graciously ofilered him — an act that temporarily lowered him in the estimation of his City friends. A letter, however, subsequently addressed to them in justification of his conduct, completely restored him to theirgood opinion.
"There!" exclaimed Sir Gresham, after reading this letter to the members of the City senate. " 1 hope you are satisfied with our great statesman's explanation. I never doubted him for a moment, knowing him to oe incorruptible, and solely influenced by the noblest and most patriotic motives. As to the pension, he deserves all that a grateful country can bestow upon him — infinitely more than he has yet obtained. His foresight and prudence will soon be made manifest. Government will be forced to follow out
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6 THE LORD MAYOB OF LOKDOH.
his plans. But they can't get on without him* We must have him back again — in spite of my Lord Bute— and at the head of the administration. The sooner the ^ Favourite ' is 4ismissed the better. I hope he naay hear what we think of him in the City."
The ^^ Favourite" did hear of it, and contemptuously remarked that Sir Gresham Lorimer was a meddlesome blockhead, who had better stick to his shop, instead of interfering in matters that didn't concern him, and about which he knew nothing.
These few disparaein^ words served Sir Gresham more than the highest commendation could have done. From that mo- ment die City resolved to avenge him upon the ^^ Favourite." His name was in every man's mouth. They would have no other Lord Mayor. L(^d Bute should learn what they thought of him and his sneers. If he treated the City with scorn, the Citv would pay him in his own coin — and with interest. He had sneered at oir Gresham Lorimer, and called him ^^ a meddle- some blockhead." Very well. "The meddlesome blockhead" should be Lord Mayor, and no other. The City was unanimous on this point So Sir Gresham was triumphantly elected, as we have alr^dy descril;^, and the laugh was then on his side.
As Lord Bute must needs accompany his royal master on his visit to the City, an opportunity would be afforded the citizens of showing the estimation in which they held him. They would likewise be able to manifest their opinion of Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple, who were also to be the Lord Mayor's guests at (juildhall. It was plain that the day would be one of triumph to the late ministers^ and of humiliation and mortification to the " Favourite."
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THE LADY HAYOBESS AKD HE! FAMILY.
Constant to the City, where he was bom and bred, where the happiest hours of his life were spent and his fortune made, Sir Gresham Lorimer, on becoming wealthy and important, would not desert it, but proof against the solicitations of Lady Lorimer and his family, who would willingly have moved west^ ward, continued to dwell in Cheapside, in the house where his business was conducted, and where his worthy and highly-respected father-in-law, Mr. Tradescant, had so long resided.
Situated on the same side as Bow Church, at the comer of Queen-street, the house was old-fashioned, having been built soon after the great Fire of London, but it was large and commodious, with extensive premises at the rear, and answered perfectly well the double purpose of a private dwelling and a place of business. The lower noor was devoted to the shop and warehouse, and entirely separated from the upper part of the house; an arrangement idightly differing from that observed during Mr. Tradescant's time, when the
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iq>prentice8 lodged and boarded with their master. The habitation had a solid and rather heavy look, being totally devoid of ornament^ unless the wide balcony on the first-floor coold be termed oma- mentaL The private entrance was firom Queen-street, and the foitch over the ooorway was handsome, its far-projecting roof bdi^ supported by carved pillars, and embellished with a scutcheon di^laying the arms of the Tradescants. Within, a wide staircase conducted to a gallery opening upon several spacious apartments; in one of the largest of which, ÂŁEu;ing CheMside, the ^mily of the Lord Mayor, with his chaplain and some other guests, presently to be described, were assembled at breakfitft about ten o'clock on the morning in question. His lordship himself had not made his impearance, being engaged with two of the aldermen and the sneriffi in another room, but was momentarily expected.
As it may perhi4)s surprise those unacquainted with civic usages to learn that the Lord Mayor had not yet quitted his private residence, it maj be mentioned that time is always cour- teously allowed the retiring City magnate to remove, without haste or inconvenience, from the scene of his late grandeur. Sir Matthew Blakiston was therefore permitted to occupy the Man- sion Hot^e for a few days longer.
At this juncture, our Lord Mayor's residence presented a much more imposiDg aspect than it ordinarily wore. The shop, of course, was closed. The balcony was overhung by a rich canopy, fiom which curtains of crimson damask were suspended, while m front were displayed two banners, on one of which the City arms were gorgeously emblazoned, and on the other the arms with which the heralds had furnished Sir Gresham. The upper windows were likewise decorated and hung with flags. The street was kept clear in front of the house, and for a considerable space on either side, by mounted troopers, and by a posse of peace-officers and staves-men. Queen-street was also kept clear as far as Watling-street for the Lord Mayor's state-coach, and for the sheriff's carriages. The whole of King-street, and the large area in front of Guildhall, were occupied hj a throng of equipages of various kinds, and by a vast number of persons, some on foot and some on horseback, and many in extraordinary habits, connected with the procession, which was to start from this point. Here were drawn up the standard-bearers of the City companies, the bargemen in their liveries, the watermen carrying various colours, the beadles, the mounted trumpeters, the mounted guard, the ancient herald, esquires, armourers, ancient knights, armed cap k pie, yeomen of the guard, with a crowd of grotesque and fantastic personages belonging to the pageants. Besides these, and many others too numerous to particularise, there were three or four military bands, one of which, stationed in Cheapside nearly opposite the Lord Mayor's residence, enlivened the multitude collected there- aboats by the airs they played. Tall footmen in state liveries
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8 THE LORD MAYOR OF LOimON.
wearing large three-cornered hats, laced and feathered, and carry- ing lonff ^old-headed canes, congregated at Sir Gre^m's door, which, being thrown wide open, admitted a view of other laoaueys and porters lining the passage, or standing at the foot of the staircase, all quite as grandly arrayed as their fellows outside, and quite as proua in Iook and deportment.
But let us now repair to the room where the breakfast party were assembled, and bestow a glance at its occupants.
The Lady Mayoress, it has been intimated, was a few years younger than her husband, and being still in remarkably good pre- servation, might be termed a fine woman. Her person was rather on a large scale, it is true, her features fat and rounded, and her once dimpling chin doubled, but her teeth and eyes were good, and she had an agreeable smile, and a generally pleasing ex-
Eression of countenance. Her size, however, was vastljr exaggerated y the outrageous dimensions of the hoops sustaining her pink satin gown, which was decorated to profusion with large bows of ribbon, cords, tassels, and wreaths of flowers, and festooned with great bands of parti-coloured silks; while her stature was in^ creased in the same ratio by a surprisingly lofty head-dress, which rose full three feet above her brows, and might have over-balanced a less substantially-built frame. This monstrous '^ head," the interior of which (if we may venture to reveal the secrets of the toilette), was formed of tow, rose up smooth and straight as a wall in front, being stiflened with powder and pomatum, while the sides and back were covered with ranges of enormous curls, likewise plentifully besprinkled with powder. Some of these curls descendea upon her ladyship's ample shoulders. But we have not yet done. The towering head-dress in question, which reminds one of Queen Hunoamunca'^ was hung over with ropes of pearls, and other jewels, decorated with ribbons in bobs ana ties, and surmounted by a plume of ostrich feathers. There seems little danger of such a moae as this being revived, but it may be well to remark, by way of caution, that, independently of the time occupied in its construction, the shape, whicn was calculated to last for a fortnight, could only be pre- served by the wearer sleeping in a chair during the whole of the time.
Such, ladies, was a Lady Mayoress in the times of your great- grandmothers.
Separated from her mother by the Lord Mayor^s phaplain, Dr. Dipple, — a fat<, rubicund-visaged divine, attired in cassock and band, who looked as if he did not despise the good things of this world, and had assisted at many a civic feast, — was Lady Lorimex^s eldest daughter. Lady Dawes, a lively, dark-eyed, coc[uettish, and very pretty widow of some three or four-and- thixty. I^dy Dawes's rather full figure — for her ladyship pro- mised in due time to attain to her mother^s goodly proportions — was arrayed in a polonese of garnet-coloured lustring, made very high behind, and very low in front Open from the waist, and
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looped back so as to display a rich diamond-quilfced petticoat, this very becoming dress was puffed at the sides with ribbons, and ed^ed with kce. The half moon toupee, in which form her ladyship's raven tresses — now chapged in nue by powder — ^were arranged, suited her to a marveL Lady Dawes's features were by no means classical in outline. There was nothing severe, or chiselled, in their style. But without being regular, they were prettv, and their expression was eminently pleasing. She was the reuct of Sir John Dawes, a rich old goldsmith in GracechurchnBtreet, whom we suspect she must have married for his money, for he had no other recommendation, and who had died a few years before, leaving her all Ais treasures. With her personal attractions and her wealth it will not be supposed that Lad^ Dawes lacked suitors — ^in fact, she had a great many — ^but she did not seem inclined to assume the matrimonial yoke for the second time.
The Lady Mayoress's second daughter, Mrs. Chatteris, who was likewise present with her husband Captain Chatteris, of the Ho- nourable City Artillery^— Tom Chatteris, as he was familiarly called — was also a very pretty woman, though in quite a different style firom Lady Dawes, being a blonde, with soft blue eyes, a de* licately fair complexion, and languishing looks. Lady Lorimer had been heard to declare that she did not know which of her two mar« ried daujzhters was the handsomest — she sometimes gave the palm to dearest Olivia, sometimes to dearest Chloris. But she never com- pared her youngest daughter, Millicent, with either of them. Mrs, Chatteris, however, was pretty enough to make any mother vain, and any husband jealous, though Tom Chatteris neitner doted upon her nor was jealous. In fact, ne rather liked to see her admired, and as Mrs. Uhatteris had no objection to admiration, this did very well. Provided he was allowed to flirt as much as he pleased, Tom never thought of interfering with his wife's proceedings, and this mutual good understanding being arrived at, they lived together on the best terms possible. Sir Gresham would have liked to see a little more real conjugal regard on both sides, but as Lady Lorimer assured him that dearest Chloris was perfectly happy, he was fain to be content, simply remarking that ^^this was not the way married fbik used to Uve together in former days."
^^ Ah I but habits of life have greatly changed since our time, Sir Gresham," observed Lady Lorimer.
^^ So it aeems," he replied, dryly ; ^^ but I am dull enough to like old manners best. I could never have borne to see any one make downright love to you, as I perceive some of those scented fops do to Chloris; and for all your pretended indifference, I don't think you would have liked me to run after every pretty woman I met, as seems to be Uie case with Tom Chatteris."
"I don't think I should, my d^r," Lady Lorimer rejoined, quickly agitating her fan. "But imr case is very diff*erent. Wr, you know, marned from love."
" Then you don't think people do marry from love now-a-days,
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eh? At all events, I hope Millj won't follow her sisters' example in that respect"
^ I shall be rery glad if Millj marries as well as either of them, rejoined Lady Lorimer, somewhat sharply. ^ Dearest Olivia was the envy of all our City belles when she married that Croesus, old Sir John Dawes ^"
^ Well, I can't say that was a bad match, regarded in a pecuniary point of view," Sir Gresham interrupted; ^^but it was entirely your making, my love."
" So it was," she rejoined. " I take the entire credit of it. And dearest Olivia is greatly obliged to me, if you are not. Sir Gresham. What could she desire better?" ft
** Why, Sir John Dawes was twelve years older than myself, cried Sir Gresham, ^ I remember him when I was a boy and dwelling in Bucklersbury."
^^ Don't refer to that period, I beg of you. Sir Gresham. Sir John's years were a recommendation rather than otherwise, since they gave his wife the assurance of becoming the more speedily a widow. And he was obliging enough to gratify her, and to leave her ten thousand a year in testimony of his affection. If that can't be termed marrying well, I don't know what can."
"Well, well, my dear, I won't contradict you. Ten thousand a year is a jointure not to be despised, and OUvia may please her- self, if she marries again, that's quite certam. But you can't say there were any such worldly advantages as those in Chloris's case, and you were as eager to bring about that match as the other. You know I objected to Captain Chatteris, and thought him too gay, too fond of pleasure — not quite steady enough, in short — ^but I suffered myselt to be overruled by yon."
" And very properly so, too. Sir Grresham. Where a daughter's happiness is concerned, no one is so ^ood a judge of the means of ensiiring it as a mother. Captain Chatteris and dearest Chloris seemed made for each other, lou remember I said so when he danced with her at the ball at Goldsmiths' Hall, where they first met."
" I remember he was very assiduous in his attentions to you, my dear, and paid you nearly as much court as he paid Chloris."
" Mere iancy on your part, Sir Gresham. Captain Chatteris is the best-bred person I know. He has been brought up in a good school, which teaches that assiduous attention to our sex is the primary duty of man."
" The lessons he learnt at that school have not been thrown away u^ him, it must be owned," laughed Sir Gresham. " He rarely fiuls to profit by them."
" And much to his credit, if he does," Lady Ghresham rejoined. " To my mind, people can never be too polite. You would be none the worse yourself Sir Gresham, if you imitated Obtain Chatteris in that respect a little. However, let that pass. Tom's agreeable manners and good looks won dearest Chlons's heart, as you know,
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THE LORD MAYOR OF MHDON. 11
and I could not refuse my consent to the umon, though he wam't quite 8o well off as might have been deaired."
''Well off!" exclaimed Sir Greaham. ''Zounds! he had less than nothing. He was over head and ears in debt."
"But he confessed his positioii so charminglj, and promised amendment so earnestly, that one could not &il to be {leased with him, and take him at his word. And you behaved nobly, as you always do, Sir Gresham. Tou not only paid his debts, but agreed to make th^m a handsome allowance on tneir marriage.''
" Which they have always exoeededt" observed Sir Gresham. "I hope Tom isn't in debt again. I shan't help him out of his difficulties a second time, I can promise him."
" If he owes anything 'tis a mere trifle. A few hundreds, which you will never miss, Sir Ghresham, will set all right."
" Then he is in debt ! " cried her husband, angrily. " Fire and fury ! I've a good mind to turn my back upon him."
" No ^ou won't, Sir Grresham," she rejoined, in the coaxing tone which seldom failed in effect. " Tou are fiir too kind, too fi;enerou8 for that Set him clear once more, and I'll imswer for his good conduct in future."
" I won't promise anything till I know precisely how much he owes, and whom he owes it to/' said Sir Grresham. " When I am satisfied on these points I will decide. But it is not merdy of Tom's extravagance that I complain, but of the bad example he sets to our son, Tradescant, who, I fear, is disposed to tread in his steps. Use all the arguments I [Jease, I can't get the young scape- graoe to attend to business."
'* No wonder. Sir Grresham. Tradescant knows he is an only son, and he likewise knows you are very rich."
"Tom Chatteris takes care to impress that upon him pretty fordbly. What is more, he tries to niake a fine gentlenotfui ot him, and teaches him to despise his father^s business."
" Why you wouldn't have Tradescant a draper, Sir Gresham?" cried Lady Lorimer. " Surely, you intend him for something better than that I"
"And what better could he do than follow the business which his father and gnmdfather have conducted before him? Zounds! I'll have none of these fine airs. Tradescant is a son of a trades- man, and ought not to be ashamed of his ori^. If he is, I'm ashamed of kirn. But he sluill attend to busmess. He shall be seen in the shop. He shall stand behind the counter."
" He will die first What I our son, Tradescant, measure out a few 'yards of cloth for a customer! Dreadful! — ^not to be endured!"
"And why not?" cried Sir Gresham. "Tve measured many a yard of cloth in my day, and thought it no disgrace. But times are chai^^ now. oons begin where fathers leave off"
" And very natural too, Sir Gresham. Don't lower your son, I
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14 THE LORD MATOR OF LONDOH.
ihftt. be thoi^ht her poeidy^j handsome-^far handsomer, indeed, than either of bis other daughters. But this no doabt was a mistake, and entirely attribotaole to hk partiaHtj. No one else diaooyered these beauties, beeavse poor, retiring Millioent, who, kept in the background — ^^ the proper pUice for her," Lady Lorimer aaicU-was eenecally overlookea. It cannot be denied, however, that she had a Tery good figure; tall, slight, and perfectly formed. Her rich dark tiesses were tak^i back nrom her smooth brow so as to form a very pretty toupee of moderate size, while her profuse back locks, which, when unfSsurtened, fell down almost to her feet, were clubbed behind, and secured by a broad pink ribbon, tied in a bow. Her gown was of dove-coloured silk, long waisted, kced over the stomacher, and had short sleeves to the elbow, adorned with large ruffles. There was no other ornament about it. Her feet w^re quite as small and as pretty as those of her sisters, and this was the only point of resemblance between them.
Having thus completed the survey of the female members of our Lord Mayor's family, we will next glance at his only son, Tradescant It will not be thought surprising that Lady Lorimer should deem it d^rading in such a smart young gentleman as we are about to present, to pay any personal attention to his father's business. Tradescant was a beau of the first wat^. A richly- laced, maroon-coloured vdvet coat, made in the extremity of the mode, with large cuffs, and without collar, and a long-skirted satin waistcoat, embroidered and laced like the coat, set off his really fine person; while cobweb silk stockings of a ruby colour, and shoes with diamond buckles in them, were equally advantageous to the display of his leg and foot, of both of which tlite young fellow was not a little vain. Ruffles of the finest Mechlin lace, a deep frill of the same material, and a muslin cravat completed his costume. A dishevelled peruke of flaxen hair assisted the rakish look and deportment he affected. But for this dissipated expression, and his extreme foppery of manner, Tradescant Lorimer might have been termed a very handsome, elegant fellow; but his graces, such as they were, were all external, for though not devoid of spirit, he was shallow-pated and frivolous, devoted to pleasure, led by his equally dissolute brother-in-law. Captain Chatteris, and preyed upon and duped by his other profligate associates. With the worst side of his son's character Sir Gresham was entirely un- acquainted. He knew him to be idle and extravagant, but he did not know the sort of company he kept. He was aware that he frequented Ranelagh, Vauxhall, and Marybone Gardens, the Opera and the theatres, and he saw no great harm in this, bat he never dreamed that he haunted taverns and gaming- houses, consorted with racing-men, and betted at the cock-pit. Had these proceedings come to his father's ears, Tradescant would have felt the full weight of the old gentleman's displeasure.
Conspicuous among the party at the breakfast-table was the
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THE LOW) IIATOR OP LONDOK. 15
Sy and good-looking Captain ChatteriB, whose example and precepts d produced such pernicious effects upon his brotner-in-law. A person of singularly fascinating manners, rery lax in morals, very showy in appearance, possessed of high animal spirits, always engaged in pleasurable pursuits, Tom Chatteris was one of the most dangerous companions that any young man, constituted like Tradescant, could have found, and no wonder he was led astray. On the present occasion Tom's yenr handsome figure was invested in the uniform of the Honourable City Artillery, to which he belonged, and remarkably well it became him.
In addition to the Lord Mayor^s Chaplain, Doctor Dipple, already casually mentioned, the breakfast party comprised some five or six gentiemen, all of whom were very elegantly attired— much in the same style as Tradescant himself, whose intimates they were. All these gay-looking personages were distingubhed by easy and agreeable