The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 337: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

382 THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. a“ awe —Dr. Swinton advancod towards the visitors, only ono of who rose at his approach ;—and this was Mr. Smithson, the oldor of thetwo. The other re- mained in an apparent state of apathstic laziness on tho sofa, where he had taken his seat. “Your most obedient, Mr. Smithson,” said the Doctor, proffering his hand to the individual whom he thus addressed, “ This is your friend Mr. Granby, I presume—the gentleman of whom you made men- tion when you honoured me with oa visit this morning.” “Yos, Doctor—that is indeed my unfortunate friend Granby,” responded Smithson, drawing the physician into the window-recess, and speaking in a whisper, TI is a fine, handsomo young man,” observed the mad-doctor, glancing towards tho subject of his remark, and Jikewiso adopting a low tone. ‘ What a pitvitis!”’ ho added, turning towards Mr. Smith- son, and placing his fore-finger significantly to his forehead. “A thousand—thousand pities, Doctor!” was the reply, delivered in a mournful voice. “Such a splendid intellect to be thus clouded !—sucha genius to be thus crushed—annihilated !” “ No—do not anticipate such a calamity,” hastily interposed tho physician. “ Rather Iet us hope that a judicious system—my system, Mr. Smithson—will crontually succecd in effecting a cure. But have you the regular certificates, my dear sir ?—because you aro well awaro that a heavy responsibility rests upon gentlemen of my profession, who reccive pa- tients ——.” “Everything is straightforward, Doctor,” inter- rupted Mr. Smithson, producing two papers from his pocket. “These certificates are signed by me- dical mon of eminence, and whose honour is unim- peachable.” “Oh! assuredly,” exclaimed Swinton, plancing over tho documents: “ Dr. Prince is an ornament to the profession—and Mr. Spicer is equally well known, I have not tho pleasure of their persona! acquaintunce—but I am no Stranger to their high reputation and rigidintegrity. So far, so good, my dear sir,” continued the mad-doctor, restoring the certificates to Smithson. ‘And now, I think, wo havo little more to sayin respect to arrange- rocnts , “ Nothing that I am awaro of,” interrupted Mr. Smithson. “When I saw you this morning, you told mo that sour usual terms for first-class pa- tients wero six hundred a-year——” “ Each quarter payable in advance, you will pleaso to recollect, my dear sir,” said the physician, ina tone of bland insinuation. “ Itis a mere matter of form, you know—just tho baro troublo of writing a cheque at the beginning instead of tho close of tho threo months ——” “Oht pray offer no apology for such an ex- cellent regulation,” intcrrupted Smithson: “ short accounts make long friends.” “Ah! ab! very good—very good indeed!” said the Doctor, with a jocutar cachinnation. ‘ You aro quite right, my dear sir—quite right. Shall I give you a stamped receipt?” he asked, as Smithson placed in his hands two bank notes—ono for a hundred and the other for fifty pounds. “You can send me the acknowledgment at your leisure,” answered Smithson. “And now, as I must tako my leave, permit me to beseech vou to bestow all possible attention upon my unhappy friend, and to sparo no expense in rendering him as comfortable as possible. His relations, who have empowered me thus to placo him in your establish- ment, are very wealthy, and will cheerfully augment the allowance, if required. No coercion is necossary with him: he is very tractable and by no mearc dangerous. At the same time, any thing resembling restraint would only induce him to move heaven and earth to escape. He cannot cren endure to have his chamber-door locked at night; and you may safely trust him with a candice. Indeed, he will have a light. As for placing a keeper in his room, such a step would bo as unwise as it is un- called for. But I need not attempt to counsel a gontleman of ycur great experience and well-known skil} ——” - “Pardon me, my dear sir,” interrupted Dr. Swin- ton, drawing himself up at the compliment thus paid to his professional ability ;—“ but Iam alwayr delighted to receive any hints which the friends oY my patients are kind enough to give me; and I can assure you that your suggestions shall bo fully borne in mind. Of course you will call upon Mr. Granby occasionally?” asked the Doctor,in a tono which was as much as toimply that the less fre- quent such visits were, tho better he thought it would be. “Yes—I shall call now and then,” responded Smithson, catching the physician’s meaning in a moment: “ but not too often—as the visits of friends Bro likely, no doubt, to produco aon injurious effect on those minds which, under the influenco of your admirablo system, aro becoming settled and tran- quil. Itis however my intention to return in a few days, just to assuro myself that Granby is comfort- able, and likewiso that you aro not displeased with your patient.” “Very good,” said the Doctor; “I shall bo de- lighted to seo you. But will you not remain and partake of supper with us? You will then have an opportunity of judging how I treat my pationts— for wo all sit down to table together,—at Icast, those who belong to tho first class, and who may be termed the parlour boarders. Besides, I forgot*to mention to you this morning that tho religious principles of my patients are not neglected, and that I keep a regular chaplain in the establishment. If you will stay to supper, you will have the plea- suro of hearing him say grace beforo meat, and do- liver a most soul-refreshing exhortation afterwards. Indeed, I may consider myself highly fortunate in having secured tho spiritual serviccs and tho con- stant companionship of sucha worthy man as tho Reverend Mr. Sheepshanks.” “ET should be much gratified by remaining to par- take of your hospitality,” answered Smithson,— “and even still more rejoiced to form the acquain- tanco of such an estimablo character as Mr. Shoep- shanks; but, unfortunately, my timo is precious— and I must depart ut once.” With theso words Smithson turned away from tho window; and approaching Mr. Granby, who v's lounging upon the sofa, seemingly gazing on va- cancy, he touched him on the shoulder, Baying, “Good bye, my dear friend: you are going to stay here for a fow days with Dr. Swinton—and vou wil] find yourself very comfortable.” ; “J am already very comfortable,” observed Granby, beginning to play with his fingers in a stolid, silly manner. “Can you talk with the hands, Smith son 7 EConnicloooks (CO)