any

a

knight-errant, but as a plain Euglish gentle. | that Mr Darnel had lodged his niece in the man, jealous of his honour, and resolute in new buildings by May Fair; that, on the his purpose."

second night after their arrival, a very warm To this address Mr Sycamore made no expostulation had passed between Aurelia reply, but with a sullen aspect ordered the and her uncle, who next morning dismissed carriage to proceed; and it moved accord- Dolly, without permitting her to take leave ingly to the right, our hero's road to London of her mistress, and that same day moved to lying in the other direction.

another part of the town, as she afterwards Sir Launcelot had already exchanged his learned of the landlady, though she could armour for a riding-coat, hat, and boots; and not inform her whither they were gone: Crowe, parting with his skull-cap and leath. that, when she was turned away, John ern jerkin, regained, in some respects, the Clump, one of the footmen, who pretended appearance of a human creature. Thus to have a kindness for her, had faithfully metamorphosed, they pursued their way in promised to call upon her, and let her know an easy pace; Mr Clarke endeavoured to what passed in the family; but as he did not amuse them with a learned dissertation on keep his word, and she was an utter stranthe law, tending to demonstrate that Mr Sy- ger in London, without friends or settlement, camore was, by his behaviour on that day, she had resolved to return to her mother, liable to three different actions, besides a and travelled so far on foot since yesterday commission of lunacy; and that Dawdle morning. might be prosecuted for having practised Our knight, who had expected the most subtle craft to the annoyance of his uncle, dismal tidings from her lamentable preamover and above an action for assault and ble, was pleased to find his presaging fears battery; because, for why? The said Crowe disappointed; though he was far from being having run away, as might be easily proved, satisfied with the dismission of Dolly, from before blows were given, the said Daw- whose attachment to his interest, joined to dle, by pursuing him even out of the high her influence over Mr Clump, he had hoped road, putting him in fear, and committing to reap such intelligence as would guide him battery on his body, becane, to all intents to the haven of his desires. After a minute's and purposes, the aggressor; and an indict. reflection, he saw it would be expedient to ment would lie in banco regis.

carry back Mrs Cowslip, and lodge her at the The captain's pride was so shocked at place where Mr Clump had promised to visit these observations, that he exclaimed with her with intelligence; for, in all probability, equal rage and impatience,-“ You lie, you it was not from want of inclination that he dog, in bilkum regis-you lie, I say, you had not kept his promise. lubber, I did not run away ; nor was I in Dolly did not express any aversion to the fear, d'ye see. It was my son of a b_h of scheme of returning to London, where she a horse that would not obey the helm, d’ye hoped once more to rejoin her dear lady, to see, whereby I cou’dn't use my metal, d'ye whom by this time she was attached by the

As for the matter of fear, you and fear strongest ties of affection; and her inclinamay kiss my--So don't go and heave your tion in this respect was assisted by the constink-pots at my character, d’ye see, or- sideration of having the company of the agad I'll trim thee fore and aft with a-1 young lawyer, who, it plainly appeared, had wool.” Tom protested he meant nothing made strange havoc in her heart, though it but a little speculation, and Crowe was ap- must be owned, for the honour of this bloompeased.

ing damsel, that her thoughts had never once In the evening they reached the town of deviated from the paths of innocence and Bugden without any further adventure, and virtue. The more Sir Launcelot surveyed passed the night in great tranquillity. this agreeable maiden, the more he felt him.

Next morning, even after the horses were self disposed to take care of her fortune ; ordered to be saddled, Mr Clarke, without and from this day he began to ruminate on a ceremony, entered the apartment of Sir scheme which was afterwards consummated Launcelot, leading in a female, who proved in her favour. In the mean time he laid into be the identical Mrs Dolly Cowslip. This junctions on Mr Clarke to conduct his adyoung woman, advancing to the knight, dresses to Mrs Cowslip according to the cried, -" O Sir Launcelot ! my dear leady, rules of honour and decorum, as he valued my dear leady!"_but was hindered from pro- his countenance and friendship. His next ceeding by a flood of tears, which the tender- step was to procure a saddle-horse for Dolly, hearted lawyer mingled with a plentiful who preferred this to any other sort of carshower of sympathy.

riage, and thereby gratified the wish of her Our adventurer starting at this exclama-- admirer, who longed to see her on horsetion,—“O Heavens !” cried he, “where is back in her green joseph. my Aurelia ? speak, where did you leave The armour, including the accoutrements that jewel of my soul? answer me in a mo- of the novice and the squire, were left in the ment—[ am all terror and impatience ?". care of the innkeeper, and Timothy Crab

Dolly having recollected herself, told him Ishaw was so metamorphosed by a plain

see.

even

livery-frock, that even Gilbert with difficulty gardens of Rotherhithe. Sir Launcelot was recognised his person. As for the novice not insensible to the beauties of this landCrowe, his head had almost resumed its na- scape, but, his pursuit lying another way, he tural dimensions, but then his whole face contented himself with a less enchanting was so covered with a livid suffusion, his situation, and Crowe accompanied him out nose appeared so flat, and his lips so tume- of pure friendship. fied, that he might very well have passed for At night, Mr Clarke arrived at our hero's a Caffre or Ethiopian. Every circumstance house with tidings that were by no means being now adjusted, they departed from Bug- agreeable. He told him, that Clump had den in a regular cavalcade, dined at Hatfield, left a letter for Dolly, informing her, that and in the evening arrived at the Bull-and- his master, Squire Darnel, was to set out Gale inn in Holborn, where thev established early in the morning for Yorkshire ; but he their quarters for the night.

could give no account of her lady, who had the day before been conveyed, he knew not

whither, in a hackney-coach, attended by her CHAPTER XX.

uncle and an ill-looking fellow, who had

much the appearance of a bailiff or turnkey, In which our hero descends into the man- so that he feared she was in trouble. sions of the damned.

Sir Launcelot was deeply affected by this

intimation. His apprehension was The first step which Sir Launcelot took in roused by a suspicion that a man of Darnel's the morning that succeeded his arrival in violent temper and unprincipled heart might London, was to settle Mrs Dolly Cowslip in have practised upon the life of his lovely lodgings at the house where John Clump niece; but, upon recollection, he could not had promised to visit her; as he did not suppose that he had recourse to such infadoubt that, though the visit was delayed, mous expedients, knowing, as he did, that an it would some time or other be perform- account of her would be demanded at his ed, and in that case he might obtain some hands, and that it would be easily proved he intelligence of Aurelia. Mr Thomas Clarke had conveyed her from the lodgings in which was permitted to take up his habitation in she resided. the same house, on his earnestly desiring he His first fears now gave way to another might be intrusted with the office of convey- suggestion, that Anthony, in order to intimi. "ing information and instruction between date her into a compliance with his propoDolly and our adventurer. The knight him- sals, had trumped up a spurious claim against self 'resolved to live retired, until he should her, and, by virtue of a writ, confined her in receive some tidings relating to Miss Darnel some prison or spunging-house. Possessed that would influence his conduct; but he with this idea, he desired Mr Clarke to proposed to frequent places of public resort search the sheriff's office in the morning, incognitio, that he might have some chance that he might know whether any such writ of meeting by accident with the mistress of had been granted; and he himself resolved his heart.

to make a tour of the great prisons belonging Taking it for granted, that the oddities of to the metropolis, to inquire, if perchance Crowe would help to amuse him in his hours she might not be confined under a borrowed of solitude and disappointment, he invited name. Finally, he determined, if possible, that original to be his guest at a small house, to apprise her of his place of abode, by a which he determined to hire ready furnished, paragraph in all the daily papers, signifying, in the neighbourhood of Golden-square. The that Sir Launcelot Greaves had arrived at his captain thanked him for his courtesy, and house near Golden-square. frankly embraced his offer, though he did not All these resolutions were punctually exemuch approve of the knight's choice in point cuted. No such writ had been taken out in of situation. He said he would recommend the sheriff's office; and therefore, our hero him to a special good upper deck hard by St set out on his jail expedition, accompanied Catherine's in Wapping, where he would be by Mr Clarke, who had contracted some acdelighted with the prospect of the street for- quaintance with the commanding officers in wards, well frequented by passengers, carts, these garrisons, in the course of his clerkship drays, and other carriages ; and having back- and practice as an attorney. The first day wards an agreeable view of Alderman Par- they spent in prosecuting their inquiry son’s great brewhouse, with two hundred through the Gate-house, Fleet, and Marshalhogs feeding almost under the window. As sea ; the next day they allotted to the King's a further inducement, he mentioned the vici- Bench, where they understood there was a nity of the Tower guns, which would regale great variety of prisoners. There they prohis hearing on days of salutation ; nor did posed to make a minute scrutiny, by the help he forget the sweet sound of mooring and of Mr Norten, the deputy-marshal, who was unmooring ships in the river, and the pleas- Mr Clarke's intimate friend, and had nothing ing objects on the other side of the Thames, at all of the jailor, either in his appearance displayed in the oozy docks and cabbage- Tor in his disposition, which was remarkably humane and benevolent towards all his fellow- | Mr Felton, a prisoner of a very decent apcreatures.

pearance, who paid his complimients with a The knight having bespoke dinner at a good grace, and invited the company to tavern in the borough, was, together with repose themselves in his apartment, which Captain Crowe, conducted to the prison of was large, commodious, and well furnished. the King's Bench, which is situated in St When Sir Launcelot asked the cause of that George's fields, about a mile from the end of uproar, he told him that it was the prelude Westminster bridge, and appears like a neat to a boxing-match between two of the priso. little regular town, consisting of one street, ners, to be decided in the ground or garden surrounded by a very high wall, including an of the place. open piece of ground, which may be termed. Captain Crowe, expressing an eager cu. a garden, where the prisoners take the air, riosity to see the battle, Mr Felton assured and amuse themselves with a variety of di- him there would be no sport, as the combat. versions. Except the entrance, where the ants were both reckoned dunghills :—“but in turnkeys keep watch and ward, there is no- half an hour,” said he, “there will be a battle thing in the place that looks like a jail, or of some consequence between two of the bears the least colour of restraint. The demagogues of the place, Dr Crabclaw and street is crowded with passengers. Trades- Mr Tapely, the first a physician, and the men of all kinds here exercise their different other a brewer. You must know, gentleprofessions. Hawkers of all sorts are ad- men, that this microcosm, or republic in mitted to call and vend their wares as in any miniature, is, like the great world, split into open street of London. Here are butchers' factions. Crabclaw is the leader of one stands, chandlers' shops, a surgery, a tap- party, and the other is headed by Tapely; house well frequented, and a public kitchen, both are men of warm and impetuous temin which provisions are dressed for all the pers, and their intrigues have embroiled the prisoners gratis, at the expense of the pub- whole place, insomuch that it is dangerous lican. Here the voice of misery never com- to walk the street on account of the conplains; and, indeed, little else is to be heard tinual skirmishes of their partizans. At but the sounds of mirth and jollity. At the length some of the more sedate inhabitants further end of the street, on the right hand, having met and deliberated upon some remis a little paved court leading to a separate edy for these growing disorders, proposed building, consisting of twelve large apart that the dispute should be at once decided ments, called state rooms, well furnished and by single combat between the two chiefs, fitted up for the reception of the better sort who readily agreed to the proposal. The of crown prisoners; and on the other side match was accordingly made for five guineas, of the street, facing a separate division of and this very day and hour appointed for ground called the common side, is a range the trial, on which considerable sums of of rooms occupied by prisoners of the lowest money are depending. As for Mr Norton, order, who share the profits of a begging it is not proper that he should be present, box, and are maintained by this practice, and or seem to countenance such violent prosome established funds of charity. We ceedings, which, however, it is necessary to ought also to observe, that the jail is provi- connive at, as convenient vents for the evaded with a neat chapel, in which a clergyman, poration of those humours, which, being in consideration of a certain salary, performs confined, might accumulate and break out divine service every Sunday.

with greater fury in conspiracy and rebellion." Our adventurer, having searched the books, The knight owned he could not conceive and perused the description of all the female by what means such a number of licentious prisoners who had been for some weeks ad- people, amounting, with their dependents, mitted into the jail, obtained not the least to above five hundred, were restrained withintelligence of his concealed charmer, but in the bounds of any tolerable discipline, or resolved to alleviate his disappointment by prevented from making their escape, which the gratification of his curiosity.

they might at any time accomplish, either by Under the auspices of Mr Norton, he stealth or open violence, as it could not be made a tour of the prison, and, in particular, supposed that one or two turnkeys, continuvisited the kitchen, where he saw a number ally employed in opening and shutting the of spits loaded with a variety of provision, door, could resist the efforts of a whole consisting of butchers' meat, poultry, and multitude. game: he could not help expressing his “ Your wonder, good sir," said Mr Felton, astonishment with uplifted hands, and con- “will vanish, when you consider it is gratulating himself in secret, upon his being hardly possible that the multitude should coa member of that community which had pro operate in the execution of such a scheme; vided such a comfortable asylum for the un- and that the keeper perfectly well underfortunate. His ejaculation was interrupted stands the maxim divide et impera. Many by a tumultuous noise in the street; and Mr prisoners are restrained by the dictates of Norton declaring he was sent for to the gratitude towards the deputy-marshal, whose lodge, consigned our hero to the care of one friendship and good-offices they have expe

1

rienced ; some no doubt are actuated by that, should he have the good-fortune to motives of discretion. One party is an overturn him in the first assault, it would effectual check upon the other; and I am not be an easy task to raise him up again, firmly persuaded that there are not ten and put him in a capacity of offence. But prisoners within the place that would make the momentum of Crabclaw's head, and the their escape, if the doors were laid open. concomitant efforts of his knuckles, had no This is a step which no man would take, effect upon the ribs of Tapely, who stood unless his fortune was altogether desperate; firm as the Acroceraunian promontory ; and because it would oblige him to leave his stepping forward with his projected fist, • country for life, and expose him to the most something smaller and softer than a sledgeimminent risk of being re-taken, and treated hammer, struck the physician to the ground. with the utmost severity. The majority of In a trice, however, by the assistance of his the prisoners live in the most lively hope of female second, he was on his legs again, being released by the assistance of their and grappling with his antagonist, endeafriends, the compassion of their creditors, voured to trip him a fall: but instead of acor the favour of the legislature. Some who complishing his purpose, he received a are cut off from all these proposals, are be- cross-buttock, and the brewer throwing him. come naturalized to the place, knowing they self upon him as he fell, had well-nigh smocannot subsist in any other situation. I thered him on the spot. The amazon flew myself am one of these. After having re- to his assistance, and Tapely showing no signed all my effects for the benefit of my inclination to get up, she smote him on the creditors, I have been detained these nine temple till he roared. The male second years in prison, because one person refuses hastening to the relief of his principal, made to sign my certificate. I have long outlived application to the eyes of the female, which all my friends from whom I could expect the were immediately surrounded with black least countenance or favour; I am grown circles ; and she returned the salute with a old in confinement, and lay my account with blow, which brought a double stream of ending my days in jail, as the mercy of the blood from his nostrils, greeting him at the legislature in favour of insolvent debtors is same time with the opprobrious appellation never extended to uncertified bankrupts of a lousy son of a b—h. A combat more taken in execution. By dint of industry furious than the first would now have enand the most rigid economy, I make shift to sued, had not Felton interposed with an live independent in this retreat. To this air of authority, and insisted on the man's scene my faculty of subsisting, as well as leaving the field, an injunction which he my body, is peculiarly confined. Had I an forthwith obeyed, saying,—“Well, damme, opportunity to escape, where should I go? Felton, you're my friend and commander; All my views of fortune have been long I'll obey your order—but the b—h will be blasted. I have no friends nor connections foul of me before we sleep.” Then Felton in the world. I must, therefore, starve in advancing to his opponent,—" Madam," some sequestered corner, or be recaptivated said he, “ I'm very sorry to see a lady of and confined forever to close prison, deprived your rank and qualifications expose yourself of the indulgences which I now enjoy.".

in this manner- --for God's sake, behave with Here the conversation was broken off by a little more decorum, if not for ihe sake of another uproar, which was the signal to your own family, at least for the credit of battle between the doctor and his antago- your sex in general.”. “ Hark ye, Felton," nist. The company immediately adjourned said she, “decorum is founded upon a deli. to the field, where the combatants were alcacy of sentiment and deportment, which ready undressed, and the stakes deposited. cannot consist with the disgraces of a jail, The doctor seemed of the middle age and and the miseries of indigence. But I see middle stature, active and alert, with an the dispute is now terminated, and the money atrabilarious aspect, and a mixture of rage is to be drank ; if you'll dine with us, you and disdain expressed in his countenance. shall be welcome; if not, you may die in The brewer was large, raw-boned, and your sobriety, and be damned.". round as a butt of beer, but very fat, un- By this time the doctor had given out, wieldy, short-winded and phlegmatic. Our and allowed the brewer to be the better man; adventurer was not a little surprised when yet he would not honour the festival with he beheld, in the character of seconds, a his presence, but retired to his chamber, male and a female stripped naked from the exceedingly mortified at his defeat. Our waist upwards, the latter ranging on the hero was reconducted to Mr Felton's apartside of the physician; but the commence- ment, where he sat some time without openment of the battle prevented his demanding ing his mouth, so astonished he was at of his guide an explanation of this pheno- what he had seen and heard. menon. The doctor retiring some paces “I perceive, sir," said the prisoner, "you backwards, threw himself into the attitude are surprised at the manner in which I acof a battering ram, and rushed upon his an- costed that unhappy woman; and perhaps tagonist with great impetuosity, foreseeing, I you will be more surprised when you hear

66

that within these eighteen months she was ports of her grief and mortification; but theso actually a person of fashion, and her oppo- subsiding, she had recourse to personal soli. nent, who by-the-bye is her husband, uni- citation. She went with her only child in versally respected as a man of honour and her arms, a lovely boy, to her father's door, a brave officer.” “I am indeed,” cried our and being denied admittance, kneeled down hero, “overwhelmed with amazement and in the street, imploring his compassion in concern, as well as stimulated by an eager the most pathetic strain; but this hardcuriosity to know the fatal causes which have hearted citizen, instead of recognizing his produced such a deplorable reverse of charac-child, and taking the poor mourner to his ter and fortune. But I will rein my curiosity bosom, insulted her from the window with till the afternoon, if you will favour me with the most bitter reproach, saying, among other your company at a tavern in the neighbour- shocking expressions,— Strumpet, take your. hood, where I have bespoke dinner, a favour self away with your brat, otherwise I shall send which I hope Mr Norton will have no ob- for the beadle, and have you to Bridewell.' jection to your granting, as he himself is to “ The unfortunate lady was cut to the be of the party' The prisoner thanked him heart by this usage, and fainted in the street, for his kind 'invitation, and they adjourned from whence she was conveyed to a public immediately to the place, taking up the house by the charity of some passengers. deputy-marshal in their passage through the She afterwards attempted to soften the barlodge or entrance of the prison.

barity of her father by repeated letters, and by interesting some of his friends to inter

cede with him in her behalf; but all her en. CHAPTER XXI.

deavours proving ineffectual, she accompa

nied her husband to the prison of the King's Containing further anecdotes relating to Bench, where she must have felt, in the the children of wretchedness. severest manner, the fatal reverse of circum

stances to which she was exposed. Dinner being cheerfully discussed, and our “ The captain being disabled from going adventurer expressing an eager desire to to sea, was superseded, and he saw all his know the history of the male and female who hopes blasted in the midst of an active war, had acted as squires or seconds to the cham- at a time when he had the fairest prospects pions of the King's Bench, Felton gratified of fame and fortune. He saw himself rehis curiosity to this effect:

duced to extreme poverty, cooped up with “ All that I know of Captain Clewline, the tender partner of his heart in a wretched previous to his commitment, is, that he was hovel, amidst the refuse of mankind, and on commander of a sloop of war, and bore the the brink of wanting the common necessaries reputation of a gallant officer; that he mar- of life. The mind of man is ever ingenious ried the daughter of a rich merchant in the in finding resources. He comforted his lady city of London, against the inclination, and with vain hopes of having friends who would without the knowledge, of her father, who effect his deliverance, and repeated assurenounced her for this act of disobedience : rances of this kind so long, that he at length that the captain consoled himself for the began to think they were not altogether void rigour of the parent, with the possession of of foundation. the lady, who was not only remarkably beau- “Mrs Clewline, from a principle of duty, tiful in person, but highly accomplished in recollected all her fortitude, that she might her mind, and amiable in her disposition. not only bear her fate with patience, but Such, a few months ago, were those two even contribute to alleviate the woes of her persons whom you saw acting in such a vul- husband, whom her affection had ruined. gar capacity. When they first entered the She affected to believe the suggestions of prison, they were undoubtedly the hand- his pretended hope ; she interchanged with somest couple tnine eyes ever beheld, and him assurances of better fortune ; her aptheir appearance won universal respect even pearance exhibited a calm, while her heart from the most brutal inhabitants of the jail. was torn with anguish. She assisted him in

“ The captain, having unwarily involved writing letters to former friends, the last himself as a security for a man to whom he consolation of the wretched prisoner; she had lain under obligations, became liable for delivered these letters with her own hand, a considerable sum; and his own father-in- and underwent a thousand mortifying relaw being the sole creditor of the bankrupt, pulses, the most shocking circumstances of took this opportunity of wreaking vengeance which she concealed from her husband. She upon him for having espoused his daughter. performed all the menial offices in her own He watched an opportunity until the capain little family, which was maintained by pawn. had actually stepped into a post-chaise with ing her apparel; and both the husband and his lady for Portsmouth, where his ship lay, wife, in some measure, sweetened their cares, and caused him to be arrested in the most by prattling and toying with their charming public and shameful manner. Mrs Clewline little boy, on whom they doated with an enhad liked to have sunk under the first trans- Ithusiasm of fondness. Yet even this plea

а