Ten Thousand a-Year Volume Ii Part 16

"Mr.--I beg pardon--_Sir_ Hark--away, and gentlemen--gentlemen and ladies, am most uncommon, monstrous--particular happy to--to--(eh?

_what_ d'ye say, Mr. Gammon?) see you all here--at this place--here--at Yatton.--(_Applause._) Ladies and gentlemen--I say--hem!--unaccustomed as--(_much applause_, during which t.i.tmouse stooped and whispered to Gammon--"Curse me if I can catch a word you say!") Happy and proud to see you all here--at Yatton--homes of my ancestry--known to you all--centuries. Enjoyed yourselves, I hope--(_great applause_)--and hope you'll often come and do the same--(_still greater applause._) Particular glad to see the ladies--(_applause_)--often heard of the beauties of Yatton--never believed it--no--beg pardon, mean I now see them--(_applause._) Am fond of horses--(_applause_)--racing, hunting, and all that. (Here Sir Harkaway, extending his hand, publicly shook that of the eloquent speaker.) Sorry to turn out the--the--old bird--but--nest not _his_--mine all the while--(_sensation_)--bear him no ill-will--(_applause._) Political principles--(_profound silence._) Liberal principles--(_loud applause_)--rights of the people--religious liberty and all that--(_vociferous applause_)--found at my post in the hour of danger--enemy stole a march on me--(_great laughter and applause._) Won't detain you--ladies and gentlemen--drink your good healths, and many happy returns of the day." Down sat Mr. t.i.tmouse, exhausted by his maiden speech; and quite overpowered, moreover, by the extraordinary applause with which he was greeted at its conclusion. In due course, many other toasts were drunk; among them were--"_Lady Wildfire and the married ladies._" "_Miss Wildfire and the single ladies._" "_Sir Harkaway Rotgut Wildfire._" "_Religious Liberty_," (to which Mr. Mudflint responded in a very eloquent speech.) "_The Liberty of the Press;_" "_Messrs Quirk, Gammon, and Snap, the enterprising, skilful, and learned professional advisers of Mr. t.i.tmouse._" Dancing was now loudly called for; and the hall was speedily prepared for it. By this time, however, it was past eleven o'clock; the free potations of all the gentlemen, and indeed (to be candid) of more than one of the ladies, were beginning to _tell_, and the noise and confusion were very great. Fierce confused sounds issued from the servants' hall, where it proved that a great fight was going on between Pumpkin the gardener, and a man who insisted on shouting "t.i.tmouse forever--down with Aubrey!"

Pumpkin, I am not sorry to say, had much the best of it, and beat his opponent, after a severe encounter, into silence and submission. Then there were songs sung in all the rooms at once--speeches made, half-a-dozen at the same time; in short, never before had such doings been witnessed, or such uproar heard, within the decorous, dignified, and venerable precincts of Yatton. Scenes ensued which really baffle description. Mr. t.i.tmouse, of course, drank prodigiously, although Mr.

Gammon never left his side, and checked him fifty times when he was about to fill his gla.s.s. The excitement thus produced by wine will, I trust, in some measure mitigate the reader's indignation at hearing of a little incident which occurred, in which t.i.tmouse was concerned, and which, about half past three or four o'clock in the morning, served to bring that brilliant entertainment to a somewhat abrupt and rather unpleasant termination. Scarcely knowing where he was, or what he was about, I am sorry to say, that while standing, as well as he could, beside Miss Wildfire, to dance for the fifth time with her--a plump, fair-faced, good-natured girl of about nineteen or twenty--he suddenly threw his arms around her, and imprinted half-a-dozen kisses on her forehead, lips, cheek, and neck, before she could recover from the confusion into which this monstrous outrage had thrown her. Her faint shriek reached her father's ears, while he was, in a distant part of the room, persecuting Miss Quirk with drunken and profligate impertinence.

Hastily approaching the quarter whence his daughter's voice had issued, he beheld her just extricated from the insolent embrace of the half-unconscious t.i.tmouse, and greatly agitated. With flaming eye and outstretched arm, he approached his unfortunate little host, and seizing hold of his right ear, almost wrung it out of his head, t.i.tmouse actually yelling with the pain which he experienced. Still retaining his hold, uttering the while most fearful imprecations--Sir Harkaway gave him three violent kicks upon the seat of honor, the last of them sending him spinning into the arms of old Mr. Quirk, who was hurrying up to his relief, and who fell flat on the floor with the violent concussion. Then Miss Quirk rushed forward and screamed; a scene of dreadful confusion ensued; and at length the infuriated and half-drunken baronet, forced away by his wife and his daughter, aided by several of the company, quitted the Hall, and got into his carriage, uttering fearful threats and curses all the way home; without once adverting to the circ.u.mstance, of which also Lady Wildfire and her daughter were not aware, that he had been himself engaged in perpetrating nearly the same sort of misconduct which he had so severely and justly punished in poor t.i.tmouse. As for Mr. Yahoo and Mr. Fitz-Snooks, they had been in quest of similar sport the whole night; and had each of them, in pursuing their adventures in the servants' hall, very narrowly escaped much more serious indignities and injuries than had fallen to the lot of the hospitable owner of the mansion.

About half-past four o'clock, the sun was s.h.i.+ning in cloudless splendor, the air cleared, and all nature seeming freshened after the storm of the preceding day; but what a scene was presented at Yatton! Two or three persons, one with his hat off, asleep; another grasping a half-empty bottle; and a third in a state of desperate indisposition, were to be seen, at considerable distances from each other, by the side of the carriage-road leading down to the park gates. Four or five horses, ready saddled and bridled, but neglected, and apparently forgotten by both servants and masters, were wandering about the fine green old court opposite the Hall door, eating the gra.s.s, and crus.h.i.+ng with their hoofs the beautiful beds of flowers and shrubs which surrounded it. Mr.

Glister's gig had got its wheels entangled with the old sundial--having been drawn thither by the horse, which had been put into it at least two hours before; opposite the Hall door stood the post-chaise which had brought Mr. and Mrs. Mudflint and their daughter. The latter two were sitting in it, one asleep--the other, Mrs. Mudflint, anxiously on the look-out for her husband, from time to time calling to him, but in vain; for about half an hour before, he had quitted the room where he, Mr.

Fleshpot, Mr. Going Gone, and Mr. Centipede had been playing a rubber at whist, till all of them had nearly fallen asleep with their cards in their hands, and made his way to the stables; where, not finding his chaise in the yard, or his horses in the stalls, he supposed his wife and daughter had gone home, whither he followed them by the footpath leading through the fields which stretched along the high-road to Grilston; and along which said fields he was, at that moment, staggering, hiccuping, not clearly understanding where he was, nor where he had last seen his wife and daughter. Candles and lamps were still burning and glimmering in some of the rooms; and in the servants' hall there were some dozen or so of the lower kind of guests, who, having awakened from a deep sleep, were calling for more ale, or wine, or whatever else they could get. Some of the old family servants had fled hours before from scenes of such unwanted riot, to their bedrooms, and, having locked and barricaded the doors, had gone to sleep. Mr. Griffiths sat in an old armchair in the library, the picture of misery; he had been repeatedly abused and insulted during the night, and had gone thither, unable to bear the sight of the disgusting revelry that was going forward. In short, at every point that caught the eye, were visible the evidences of the villanous debauchery which had prevailed for the last seven hours; and which, under the t.i.tmouse dynasty, was likely to prevail at all times thereafter. As for Mr. t.i.tmouse, half stunned with the treatment which he had experienced at the hands of Sir Harkaway, he had been carried to bed--where his excessive, miscellaneous, and long-continued potations aggravating the effect of the serious injuries which he had sustained, he lay sprawling, half undressed, in a truly deplorable condition. Mr. Glister, who had been summoned to his bedside upwards of an hour before, sat now nodding in his chair beside his patient; and pretty nearly in a state of similar exhaustion were his valet and the housekeeper, who had, from time to time, wiped her eyes and sobbed aloud when thinking of past times, and the horrid change which had come over old Yatton. Mr. Yahoo, Mr.

Fitz-Snooks, Mr. Snap, Mr. Quirk, and Miss Quirk, (the last having retired to her bedroom in the utmost terror, at the time of t.i.tmouse's mischance,) were in their respective chambers, all of them probably asleep. Poor Hector, chained to his kennel, having barked himself hoa.r.s.e for several hours, lay fast asleep, no one having attended to him, or given him anything to eat since Mr. t.i.tmouse's arrival. Gammon had retired from the scene, in disgust and alarm, to his bedroom, some three hours before; but unable to sleep--not, however, with excess of wine, for he had drunk very little--had arisen about four o'clock, and was at that moment wandering slowly, with folded arms and downcast countenance, up and down the fine avenue of elm-trees, where, it may be recollected, Mr. Aubrey had spent a portion of the last evening of his stay at Yatton.

Such is _my_ account of that memorable entertainment--and as fair an account as I know how to give of the matter; but it is curious to observe how very differently the same thing will strike different people. As soon as the grateful Mr. Centipede had recovered from the excitement occasioned by the part which he had borne in the splendid festival, he set to work, with the pen of a ready writer, and in the next number of the "YORKs.h.i.+RE STINGO," there appeared the following interesting account of the

"FESTIVITIES _at_ YATTON HALL, _on the occasion of_ POSSESSION _being taken by_ t.i.tTLEBAT t.i.tMOUSE, ESQUIRE.

"Yesterday this interesting event came off with signal _eclat_.

Notwithstanding the very unfavorable state of the weather, about five o'clock in the evening an imposing cavalcade, comprising many of the leading gentry and yeomanry of this part of the county, on foot and on horseback, preceded by an admirable band, and a large and splendid banner, bearing the inscription--'_Welcome to Yatton_,' went out to meet the above distinguished gentleman, whose _cortege_, in two carriages, made its appearance in the village about half-past five. The band immediately struck up 'See the Conquering Hero comes!' which inspiriting air, however, was nearly drowned in the shout which welcomed the new proprietor of the n.o.ble estate of Yatton. His carriage was of the most tasteful, splendid, and unique description, and attracted universal admiration. Mr.

t.i.tmouse repeatedly bowed through the carriage-windows, in graceful acknowledgment of the cordial welcome and congratulations with which he was received. He was dressed in a light blue surtout, with velvet collar, full black stock, and a rich velvet waistcoat of plaid pattern. His countenance is handsome and expressive, his eye penetrating, and his brow strongly indicative of thought. He appears to be little more than twenty-five years old; so that he has before him the prospect of a long and brilliant career of happiness and public usefulness. Tables were spread in all the chief apartments, groaning beneath the most costly viands. All the luxuries of the season were there; and the wines (which we believe were those of Mr. Aubrey) were of the first description. Grace was said by the exemplary vicar of Grilston, the Rev. Mr. Fleshpot; and the Rev. Mr. Mudflint returned thanks. Sir Harkaway Rotgut Wildfire (whose amiable lady and accomplished daughter were present) proposed the health of Mr. t.i.tmouse in a brief, but manly and cordial address; and the manner in which Mr. t.i.tmouse acknowledged the toast, which was drunk with the greatest possible enthusiasm--the simplicity, point, and fervor which characterized every word he uttered--were such as to excite lively emotion in all who heard it, and warrant the highest expectations of his success in Parliament. Nothing could be more touching than his brief allusions to the sufferings and privations which he had undergone--nothing more delicate and forbearing than the feeling which pervaded his momentary allusion to the late occupant of Yatton. When, however, he distinctly avowed his political principles as those of a dauntless champion of civil and religious liberty among all cla.s.ses of his Majesty's subjects--the applause was long and enthusiastic. After dinner, the great hall was cleared for dancing, which was opened by Mr. t.i.tmouse and Miss Wildfire; Lady Wildfire being led out by the Honorable [!] Mr. Yahoo, an intimate friend of Mr. t.i.tmouse. We should not omit to mention that Miss Quirk (the only daughter of Caleb Quirk, Esq., the head of the distinguished firm of Quirk, Gammon, and Snap, of London, to whose untiring and most able exertions is owing the happy change which has taken place in the owners.h.i.+p of the Yatton property) accompanied her father, at the earnest request of Mr. t.i.tmouse, who danced several sets with her; and it is whispered--but we will not antic.i.p.ate family arrangements. Sir [!] Algernon Fitz-Snooks, a distinguished fas.h.i.+onable, also accompanied Mr. t.i.tmouse, and entered with great spirit into all the gayeties of the evening. The 'light fantastic toe' was kept 'tripping' till a late, or rather very early hour in the morning--when the old Hall was once more (for a time) surrendered to the repose and solitude from which it has been so suddenly and joyously aroused."

[In another part of the paper was contained an insulting paragraph, charging Mr. Aubrey with being a party to the "flagrant and iniquitous job," by which Sir Percival Pickering had been returned for the borough; and intimating pretty distinctly, that Mr. Aubrey had not gone without "_a consideration_" for his share in the nefarious transaction.]

A somewhat different account of the affair appeared in the "YORK TRUE BLUE" of the same day.

"YATTON HALL.--We have received one or two accounts of the orgies of which this venerable mansion was yesterday the scene, on occasion of Mr. t.i.tmouse taking possession. We shall not give publicity to the details which have been furnished us--hoping that the youth and inexperience of the new owner of Yatton (all allowance, also, being made for the very natural excitement of such an occasion) will be deemed a palliative in some measure of the conduct then exhibited. One fact, however, we may mention, that a very serious _fracas_ arose between Mr. t.i.tmouse and a certain well-known sporting baronet, which is expected to give employment to the gentlemen of the long robe at the ensuing a.s.sizes. Nor can we resist adverting to a circ.u.mstance, which our readers will, we trust, credit, on being a.s.sured that we witnessed it with our own eyes--that Mr. t.i.tmouse positively travelled in the cast-off state carriage of the Lord Mayor of London!!!! Nothing, by the way, could be more absurd and contemptible than the attempt at a 'Procession'

which was got up--of which our accounts are ludicrous in the extreme. Will our readers believe it, that the chief personages figuring on the occasion, were the editor and publisher of a certain low Radical print--which will no doubt, this day, favor its readers with a flaming description of this 'memorable affair!'"

t.i.tmouse, a.s.sisted by his attentive valet, made a desperate attempt to get up, and present himself the next day at dinner. Aided by a gla.s.s of pretty strong brandy and water, he at length got through the fatiguing duties of the toilet, and entered the drawing-room, where his travelling companions were awaiting his arrival--dinner being momentarily expected to be announced. He was deadly pale; his knees trembled; his temples throbbed; his eyes could not bear the light; and everything seemed in undulating motion around him, as he sank in silent exhaustion on the sofa. After a few minutes' continuance, he was compelled to leave the room, leaning on Gammon's arm, who conducted him to his chamber, and left him in charge of his valet, who got him again into bed, and there he lay, enduring much agony, (Dr. G.o.ddart being sent for,) while his friends were enjoying themselves at dinner.

Snap had set off the ensuing day for town, by the first coach, pursuant to the arrangements already spoken of; but I think that old Mr. Quirk would have made up his mind to continue at Yatton until something definite had been done by t.i.tmouse, in two matters which absorbed all the thoughts of the old gentleman--his daughter and the _Ten Thousand Pounds_ bond. Miss Quirk, however, intense as was her anxiety to become the affianced bride of t.i.tmouse, and as such the mistress of the delightful domain where at present she dwelt only as a guest, and in a very embarra.s.sing position--was not so blind to all perception of womanly delicacy as to prolong her stay; and at length prevailed upon her father to take their departure on the day but one after that on which they had arrived. Mr. Quirk was perfectly miserable. He vehemently distrusted t.i.tmouse--and feared and detested Gammon. As for the former gentleman, he had not made any definite advances whatever towards Miss Quirk, nor afforded to any one the slightest evidence of a promise of marriage, either express or implied. He chattered to Miss Quirk an infinite deal of vulgar absurdity--but that was all, in spite of the innumerable opportunities afforded him by the lady and her anxious parent. Was t.i.tmouse acting under the secret advice of that deceitful devil Gammon?--thought Mr. Quirk, in an ecstasy of perplexity and apprehension. Then as to the other matter--but there Gammon had almost as deep a stake, in proportion, as Quirk himself. On the morning of his departure, he and Gammon had a very long interview, in which they several times came to high words; but in the end Gammon vanquished his opponent as usual; allayed all his apprehensions; and accounted for all t.i.tmouse's conduct in the most natural way in the world. "Look at his position just now," quoth Gammon--"the excitement, the novelty, the bewilderment, the indisposition he is experiencing: surely, surely _this_ is not a moment to bring him to book!" In short, Gammon at length brought Quirk, who had received the first intimation of the matter with a sudden _grunt_ of surprise and anger, to acknowledge the propriety of Gammon's remaining behind, to protect t.i.tmouse from the designing Yahoo that had got hold of him; and solemnly pledged himself, as in the sight of Heaven, to use his utmost efforts to bring about, as speedily as possible, the two grand objects of Mr. Quirk's wishes. With this the old gentleman was fain to be satisfied; but entered the chaise which was to convey Miss Quirk and himself to Grilston, with as rueful a countenance as he had ever exhibited in his life. Mr. t.i.tmouse was sufficiently recovered to be present at the departure of Miss Quirk, who regarded his interesting and languid looks with an eye of melting sympathy and affection. With half a smile and half a tear, she slipped into his hand, as he led her to the chaise, a little sprig of heart's ease, which he at once stuck into the b.u.t.ton-hole of his coat.

"'Pon my soul--must you go? Devilish sorry you can't stay to have seen some fun!--The old gent" (meaning her father) "don't quite seem to like it--he, he!" said he, in a low tone; then he handed her into the chaise, she dropping her veil to conceal the starting tear of mingled disappointment, and desire, and disgust, and they drove off, t.i.tmouse kissing his hand to her as he stood upon the steps; and, as soon as they were out of sight, he exchanged a very significant smile with Mr.

Gammon.

The next day, t.i.tmouse rose about ten o'clock, almost entirely recovered from his indisposition. Accompanied by Mr. Yahoo and Mr. Fitz-Snooks, with whom he was conversing as to the course he should take with reference to Sir Harkaway--whom, however, they advised him to treat with silent contempt, as he, t.i.tmouse, was clearly in the wrong--he took a stroll about noon, down the path leading to the park gates. They all three had cigars in their mouths, t.i.tmouse walking between them, as odious-looking a little puppy, sure, as man ever saw--puffing out his smoke slowly, and with half-closed eye, his right hand stuck into his coat-pocket, and resting on his hip. These three figures--Heaven save the mark!--were the new lord of Yatton and his select friends!

"By jingo, surely here comes a parson," quoth t.i.tmouse; "what the devil can he want here?"--'Twas Dr. Tatham, who slowly approached them, dressed in his Sunday suit, and leaning on his old-fas.h.i.+oned walking-stick, given him many, many years ago by the deceased Mrs.

Aubrey.

"Let's have some sport," said Fitz-Snooks.

"We must look devilish serious--no grinning till the proper time," said Yahoo.

"Hallo--you sir!" commenced t.i.tmouse, "who are you?" Dr. Tatham took off his hat, bowed, and was pa.s.sing on.

"_Devilish_ cool, upon--my--soul--sir?" said t.i.tmouse, stopping, and staring impudently at the worthy little doctor, who seemed taken quite by surprise.

"My worthy old gentleman," said Yahoo, with mock respect, "are you aware who it was that asked you a question?"

"I am not, sir," replied Dr. Tatham, quietly but resolutely.

"My name is t.i.ttlebat t.i.tmouse, at your service--and you are now in my grounds," said t.i.tmouse, approaching him with an impudent air.

"Am I really addressed by Mr. t.i.tmouse?" inquired Dr. Tatham, somewhat incredulously.

"Why, 'pon my life, I _think_ so, unless I'm changed lately; and by Jove, sir--_now_, who are you?"

"I am Dr. Tatham, sir, the vicar of Yatton: I _had_ intended calling at the Hall, as a matter of courtesy; but I fear I am intruding"----

"Devil a bit--no, 'pon honor, no! you're a very good old fellow, I don't doubt!--Pray--a--is that little church outside, yours?"

"It is, sir," replied Dr. Tatham, seriously and sternly; his manner completely abas.h.i.+ng the presumptuous little c.o.xcomb who addressed him.

"Oh--well--I--I--'pon my soul, happy to see you, sir--you'll find something to eat in the Hall, I dare say"----

"Do you preach in that same little church of yours next Sunday?"

inquired Mr. Yahoo, whose gross countenance had filled Dr. Tatham with unspeakable aversion.

"I preach there _every_ Sunday, sir, twice," he replied gravely and distantly.

"You see, sir," lisped Fitz-Snooks, "the prayers are so--so--_devilish_ long and tiresome--if you could--eh?--shorten 'em a little?"--

Dr. Tatham slowly turned away from them, and, disregarding their calls to him, though their tone of voice was greatly altered, walked back again towards the gate, and quitted the park for the first time in his life, with feelings of mortal repugnance. On reaching his little study, he sat down in his old armchair, and fell into a sad revery, which lasted more than an hour; and then he rose, and went to see the old blind stag-hound fed--and looked at it, licking his hands, with feelings of unusual tenderness; and the doctor shed a tear or two as he patted its smooth gray old head.

On Sat.u.r.day morning, Mr. t.i.tmouse, at Mr. Gammon's instance, had fixed to go over the estate, accompanied by that gentleman, and by Mr. Waters and d.i.c.kons, to give all the information required of them, and point out the position and extent of the property. To an eye capable of appreciating it, in what admirable order was everything! but t.i.tmouse quickly tired of it, and when about a mile from the Hall, discovered that he had left his cigar-box behind him; at which he expressed infinite concern, and, greatly to the annoyance of Gammon, and the contempt of his two bailiffs, insisted on returning home; so they re-entered the park. How beautiful it was! Its gently undulating surface, smooth as if overspread with green velvet; trees great and small, single and in clumps, standing in positions so picturesque and commanding; the broad, babbling, clear trout-stream winding through every part of the park, with here and there a mimic fall, seen faintly flas.h.i.+ng and glistening in the distance; herds of deer suddenly startled amid their green pastures and silent shades, and moving off with graceful ease and rapidity; here and there a rustic bridge over the stream; here an old stone bench placed on an elevation commanding an extensive prospect; there a kind of grotto, or an ivy-covered summer-house; then the dense, extensive, and gloomy woods, forming a semicircular sweep round the back of the Hall; all around, nearly as far as the eye could reach, land of every kind in the highest state of cultivation, plentifully stocked with fine cattle, and interspersed with snug and substantial farms.

All this, thought t.i.tmouse, might do very well for those who fancied that sort of thing; but as for _him_, how the devil could he have thought of leaving his cigars behind him? Where, he wondered, were Yahoo and Fitz-Snooks? and quickened his pace homeward.

On Gammon the scene which they had been witnessing had made a profound impression; and as his attention was now and then called off from contemplating it, by some ignorant and puerile remark of the proprietor of the fine domain, he felt a momentary exasperation at himself for the part he had taken in the expulsion of the Aubreys, and the introduction of such a creature as t.i.tmouse. That revived certain other thoughts, which led him into speculations of a description which would have afforded uneasiness even to the little idiot beside him, could he have been made aware of them. But the cloud that had darkened his brow was dispelled by a word or two of t.i.tmouse. "Mr. Gammon, 'pon my soul you're devilish dull to-day," said he. Gammon started; and with his winning smile and cheerful voice, instantly replied, "Oh, Mr. t.i.tmouse, I was only thinking how happy you are; and that you deserve it!"

"Yes; 'pon my soul it ought all to have been mine at my birth!--Don't it tire you, Mr. Gammon, to walk in this up-and-down, zig-zag, here-and-there sort of way? It does _me_, 'pon my life! What would I give for a cigar at this moment!"

The next day was the Sabbath, tranquil and beautiful; and just as the little tinkling bell of Yatton church had ceased, at half-past ten o'clock, Dr. Tatham rose, in his reading-desk, and commenced the service. The church was quite full, for every one was naturally anxious to catch a glimpse of the new tenants of the squire's pew. It was empty, however, till about five minutes after the service had commenced, when a gentleman walked slowly up to the church door; and having whispered an inquiry of the old pew-opener which was the squire's pew, she led him into it--all eyes settled upon him; and all were struck with his appearance, his calm keen features, and gentlemanly figure. 'Twas, of course, Gammon; who, with the utmost decorum and solemnity, having stood for half a minute with his hat covering his face, during which time he reflected that Miss Aubrey had sat in that pew on the last occasion of his attendance at the church, turned round, and behaved with the greatest seriousness and reverence throughout the service, paying marked attention to the sermon. Gammon was an unbeliever, but he thought Dr. Tatham an amiable and learned enthusiast, but who was most probably in earnest; and he felt disposed to admit, as his eye glanced round the attentive and decent congregation, that the sort of thing was not without its advantages. Almost all present took him for t.i.tmouse, and watched every turn of his countenance with intense interest; and, in their simplicity, they rejoiced that Mr. Aubrey's successor was, at all events, so grave and respectable-looking a man; and they fancied that he frequently thought, with kindness and regret, of those whose seat he was occupying. About the middle of the service, the main-door of the church standing wide open, the congregation beheld three gentlemen, smoking cigars, and laughing and talking together, approaching the porch. They were dressed very finely indeed; and were supposed to be some of the great friends of the new squire. They stopped when within a few yards of the church; and after whispering together for a moment, one of them, having expelled a mouthful of smoke, stepped forward to the door, holding his cigar in one hand, and with the other taking off his hat.

There was a faint smirk on his face, (for he did not catch the stern countenance of Gammon anxiously directed towards him,) till he beheld Dr. Tatham's solemn eye fixed upon him, while he made a momentary pause.

t.i.tmouse blushed scarlet; made a hesitating but most respectful bow; and, stepping back a few paces, replaced his hat on his head, and lit his cigar from that of Mr. Fitz-Snooks, within view, perhaps unconsciously, of more than half the congregation. Then the three gentlemen, after Mr. t.i.tmouse had spoken a word or two to them, burst out into a laugh, and quitted the churchyard.

CHAPTER VII.

Aubrey's sudden plunge into the cold and deep stream of trouble, had--the first shock over--served, as it were, to brace his nerves. 'Tis at such a time, and on such an occasion, that the temper and quality of the soul are tried; whether it be weak in seeming strength, or strong in seeming weakness. How many are there, walking with smiling complacent confidence along the flowery bank, who, if suddenly bidden to strip and enter, would turn pale and tremble as they reluctantly prepared to obey the stern mandate; and, after a convulsive shudder, a faint shriek, a brief struggle, disappear from the surface, paralyzed, never to be seen again! In such a point of view, let me hope that the situation of Aubrey, one of deepening difficulty and danger--the issue of which, hid in the darkness of the future, no earthly intelligence could predict--will excite in the thoughtful reader an anxiety not unmingled with confidence.

The enervating effects of _inactivity_ upon the physical structure and energies of mankind, few can have failed to observe. Rust is more fatal to metal than wear. A thorough-bred racer, if confined in stable or paddock, or a boxer, born of the finest muscular make, if prematurely incarcerated in jail, will, after a few years, become quite unable to compete with those vastly their inferiors in natural endowments and capabilities; however they may, with careful training, be restored to the full enjoyment and exercise of their powers. Thus is it with the temper and intellect of man, which, secluded from the scenes of _appropriate_ stimulus and exercise, become relaxed and weakened. What would have become of the glorious spirit and powers of Achilles, if his days had all melted away in the tender, delicate, emasculating inactivity and indulgence of the court of Lycomedes? The language of the ancient orator concerning his art may be applied to _life_, that not only its greatness, but its enjoyment, consists in action--_action_--ACTION. The feelings, for instance, may become so morbidly sensitive, as to give an appearance of weakness to the whole character; and this is likely to be specially the case of one born with those of superior liveliness and delicacy, if he be destined to move only in the realms of silent and profound abstraction and contemplation--in those refined regions which may be termed a sort of paradise; where every conceivable source of enjoyment is cultivated for the fortunate and fastidious occupants, to the very uttermost, and all those innumerable things which fret, worry, and hara.s.s the temper, the head, and the heart of the dwellers in the rude regions of ordinary life--most anxiously weeded out; instead of entering into the throng of life, and taking part in its constant cares and conflicts--scenes which require all his energies always in exercise, to keep his place, and escape being trodden under foot. Rely upon it, that the man who feels a tendency to shrink from collision with his fellows, to run away with distaste or apprehension from the great practical business of life, does not enjoy moral or intellectual health; will quickly contract a silly conceit and fastidiousness, or sink into imbecility and misanthropy; and should devoutly thank Providence for the occasion, however momentarily startling and irritating, which stirs him out of his lethargy, his _cowardly_ lethargy, and sends him among his fellows--puts him, in a manner, upon a course of training; upon an experience of comparative suffering, it may be of sorrow, requiring the exercise of powers of which he had before scarcely been conscious, and giving him presently the exhilarating consciousness that he is exhibiting himself--a MAN.

"It is probable," says the late Mr. Foster, in his Essay on "Decision of Character"--"that the men most distinguished for decision, have not, in general, possessed a large share of tenderness: and it is easy to imagine that the laws according to which our nature is formed, will with great difficulty allow the combination of the refined sensibilities, with a hardy, never shrinking, never yielding constancy. Is it not almost of the essence of this constancy, to be free from even the _perception_ of such impressions as cause a mind, weak through susceptibility, to relax, or to waver?--No doubt, this firmness consists partly in overcoming feelings--but it may consist partly, too, in not having them." The case I am contemplating is perhaps the difficult, though by no means, I am persuaded, uncommon one--of a person possessing these delicate sensibilities, these lively feelings; yet with a native strength of character beneath, which, when the occasion for its display has arisen--when it is placed in a scene of constant and compulsory action, will fully evince and vindicate itself. It is then "that another essential principle of decision of character," to quote from another part of the same essay, "will be displayed; namely, a total incapability of surrendering to indifference or delay the serious determinations of the mind. A strenuous will accompanies the conclusions of thought, and constantly urges the utmost efforts for their practical accomplishment.

The intellect is invested, as it were, with a glowing atmosphere of pa.s.sion, under the influence of which the cold dictates of reason take fire, and spring into active powers."