Real Life In London, Volumes I. and II.
and boisterous as usual; the consumption of gin and gingerbread was
apparently prodigious, and the great luxury amongst the fashionables was
fried sausages and the bolting of oysters with sugar for wagers. Having
lost their wipes, the two friends resolved at least to save ~201~~ their
tattlers; and having seen a sufficiency of Westminster jollification,
they left the fair to those visitors who might better appreciate its
enjoyment.
Returning home, they were not encountered by farther mischance, and
having shortly reached their destination, and dressed for the evening
gala, a chariot was ordered, and they were set down at the lodgings of
Sir Felix O'Grady.
The baronet introduced his two friends to his aunt, with much affected
form, and with an arch leer of expression, which, on an occasion of
minor import, would have excited the risibility of Bob, but this was no
laughing affair; the presentation therefore was conducted with all due
solemnity, and Miss Judith Macgilligan received him with a maidenish
diffidence and complacency, yet with the dignity becoming a descendant
of O'Brien, King of Ulster.
Having partaken of a slight repast, the party drove off, in the lady's
temporary vehicle, and rattling rapidly along the streets, were in a
very short time arrived at the Mansion-house. The company was select and
elegant; the ladies particularly, might vie in splendour of ornament and
fascination of personal charms, with first rate beauties of the west;
and what gave the entertainment a superior zest above every other
consideration, was the condescending affability of the Civic Queen, who
received her numerous and delighted guests with a truly hospitable, yet
dignified politeness; nor was there any deficiency on the part of her
lord; all that the most excellent arrangements and the most minute
attention could accomplish was done, to the entire gratification and
comfort of the company.{1}
1 Easter Amusements.--Mansion-house. The customary Easter
Civic Dinner and Ball were given at the Mansion-house. A
material alteration was effected in the entertainment upon
this occasion, by considerably abridging the number of
cards, which it was the practice hitherto to issue. The Lady
Mayoress received the company before dinner in the ball
room; in dis-charging which office her ladyship displayed
much ease and elegance of manner. The company adjourned to
the Egyptian Hall to dinner, at about half-past six o'clock.
They consisted of Lord Viscount Sidmouth, the Earl of
Shaftesbury, Mr. Peel, and some other members of the
Ministry, the Lords Bishop of London and Landaff, and other
church dignitaries; the Lords Chief Justices of England, and
the Court of Common Pleas; the Vice Chancellor, several of
the diplomatic corps, as well as the leading Members of the
Senate and the Army, and other gentlemen of distinction, her
Grace the Duchess of Rutland, and several ladies of rank, in
all about three hundred and fifty individuals of both sexes.
There were five tables laid out in the hall, which from
being prettily ornamented with festoons of flowers attached
to pillars along the centre of each, had an extremely
picturesque appearance upon entering the room. After dinner
the usual toasts were drank, and the respective parties
present returned thanks. Messrs. Pyne, Broadhurst, and other
professional gentle-men, sung several songs and glees in
their happiest style. At a little after nine o'clock the
Lady Mayoress and the ladies with-drew, and the gentlemen
shortly afterwards rejoined them in the ball-room.
At a little before ten o'clock, the ball-room was prepared,
and in a short time the most distinguished of the guests
repaired thither. The dresses of the ladies were in general
particularly elegant. The ball was opened by two of the
younger daughters of the Lord Mayor, Misses Ann and Harriett
Magnay, who danced the minuet de la cour in so elegant and
finished a manner, as elicited general approbation. The
quadrilles were led off by the Duke de Cazes and Baron
Langsdorff, and were continued with the greatest spirit
throughout the night. The centre tables in the Egyptian Hall
were removed for the accommodation of the company, but the
side tables were retained, and refreshments served out from
them in abundance.
We believe that in the general participation of pleasure
there existed one solitary exception only, in the person of
Miss Judith Macgilligan. It unfortunately happened that an
opportunity offered not for the display of her graces in the
dance. She then became peevishly taciturn, complained of
indisposition, and expressing a desire of returning home,
the gentlemen consequently assented, and the party left the
Mansion-house at an earlier hour than they had either
anticipated or desired.
VOLUME II. Part 2
CHAPTER XV
“All London is full of vagaries,
Of bustle of splendour and show,
At every turn the scene varies,
Whether near, or still further we go.
Each lane has a character in it,
Each street has its pauper and beau:
And such changes are making each minute,
Scarce one from the other we know.
The in and out turnings of life,
Few persons can well understand;
But in London the grand source of strife,
Is of fortune to bear the command.
Yet some who are high up to day,
Acknowledged good sober and witty,
May to-morrow be down in decay,
In this great and magnanimous city.”
~~203~~~ “Apropos,” said the Hon. Tom Dashall, laying down the Times
newspaper after breakfast, “a fine opportunity is offered to us to day,
for a peep at the Citizens of London in their Legislative Assembly, a
Court of Common Council is announced for twelve o'clock, and I think I
can promise you much of entertaining information, by paying a visit at
Guildhall and its vicinity. We have several times passed it with merely
taking a view of its exterior, but the interior is equally deserving of
attention, particularly at a period when it is graced by the personages
and appendages which constitute its state and dignity. London is
generally spoken of as the first commercial city in the known world, and
its legislators, as a corporate body, becomes a sort of rallying post
for all others in the kingdom. We have plenty of time before us, and
may lounge a little as we march along to amuse or refresh ourselves at
leisure.” “With all my heart,” said Tallyho, “for I have heard much
about the Lord Mayor, the Sword Bearer, and the Common Hunt, all in a
bustle,--though I have never yet had an opportunity of seeing any of
them.”
~~204~~ “They are interesting subjects, I can assure you, so come along,
we will take a view of these _Gogs_ and _Magogs_ of civic notoriety,”
and thus saying, they were quickly on the road for the city. The morning
being fine, they took their way down St. James's Street, at the bottom
of which their ears were attracted by the sounds of martial music
approaching.
“We have nicked the time nicely indeed,” said Dashall, “and may now
enjoy a musical treat, before we proceed to the oratorical one. The
Guards in and about the Palace, are relieved every morning about this
time, for which purpose they are usually mustered at the Horse-Guards,
in the Park, where they are paraded in regular order, and then marched
here. It forms a very pleasing sight for the cockney loungers, for those
out of employ, and those who have little inclination to be employed; and
you see the crowds that are hastening before them, in order to obtain
admission to Palace Yard, before their arrival--let us join the throng;
there is another detachment stationed there ready to receive them,
and while they are relieving the men actually on duty, the two bands
alternately amuse the officers and the bye-standers with some of the
most admired Overtures and Military Airs.”
They now passed the gate, and quickly found themselves in a motley group
of all descriptions, crowding to the seat of action, and pouring in
from various avenues. Men, women, and children, half-drill'd drummers,
bandy-legged fifers, and suckling triangle beaters, with bags of books
and instruments in their hands to assist the band. The colours were
mounted as usual on a post in the centre, the men drawn up in ranks, and
standing at ease, while the officers were pacing backwards and forwards
in the front, arm-in-arm with each other, relating the rencontres of the
preceding day, or those in anticipation of the ensuing. This order of
things was however quickly altered, as the relieving party entered,
and at the word “attention,” every officer was at his post, and the men
under arms. Our friends now moved under the piazzas so as to be in the
rear of the party who had the first possession, and after hearing with
great admiration the delightful airs played by the two bands, which
had been the principal object of attraction with them--they proceeded
through the Park and reached Charing Cross, by the way of Spring
Gardens.
~~205~~~ “Zounds,” said Tallyho, “this is a very unworthy entrance to a
Royal Park.”
“Admitted, it is so,” was the reply, “and a degradation to the splendid
palace, I mean internally, which is so close to it, and which is the
present residence of Majesty.” They now proceeded without any
thing further of consequence worthy of remark, till they reached
Villiers-street.
“Come,” said Tom, “I perceive we shall have time to take a look at the
world below as well as the world above; “when crossing into the Adelphi,
and suddenly giving another turn, he entered what to Bob appeared a
cavern, and in one moment was obscured from his sight.--“Hallo,” said
Tallyho, “where the devil are you leading me to?”--“Never mind,” was the
reply; “keep on the right side, and you are safe enough; but if you get
into the centre, beware of the Slough of Despond--don't be afraid.”
Upon this assurance Bob groped his way along for a few paces, and at a
distance could discover the glimmering of a lamp, which seemed but to
make darkness more visible. Keeping his eye upon the light, and more
engrossed with the idea of his own safety in such a place than any thing
else, for he could neither conjecture where he was nor whence he was
going, he presently came in violent contact with a person whom he could
not see, and in a moment found himself prostrate on the ground.
“Hallo,” cried a gruff voice, which sounded through the hollow arches
of the place with sepulchral tone--“who the devil are you--why don't
you mind where you go--you must not come here with your eyes in your
pocket;” and at the same time he heard a spade dug into the earth, which
almost inspired him with the idea that he should be buried alive.
“Good God protect,” (exclaimed Bob,) “where is Dashall--where am I?”
“Where are you--why you're in the mud to be sure--and for aught I know,
Dashall and all the rest may be in the clouds; what business have you
dashing here--we have enough of the Dandies above, without having them
below--what have you lost your way, or have you been _nibbling_ in the
light, and want to hide yourself--eh?”
~~206~~~ “Neither, neither, I can assure you; but I have been led here,
and my friend is on before.”
“Oh, well, if that's the case, get up, and I'll hail him,
--ey-ya-ap”--cried he, in a voice, which seemed like thunder to our
fallen hero, and which was as quickly answered by the well known voice
of his Cousin, who in a few minutes was at his elbow.