The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

Ce a ee ner es wep wme~ =p oop os = cy 2 7 —_ 7: = & = THE MYSTERIES OF THR COURT. eae aS — = == a oar 7 eee OUT eD i838 aD a a a a eter the slender graces of the sylph to constitute the'fawned upon a lord—never played tho sycophant perfection of her shape. In her toilet she was —never forced himself unasked upon the society ‘simplo and modest—never seeking by means of | of great personages. Wherever he went in that low-bodied dresses for a meretricious digplay of her charms, nor caripg much to avail herself of the sumptuous presents of gems and jewellery made . by her husband for the embellishment of her per- 000. Such was Andetatjp Latham; and we must now say a few words in ryspect to her husband. Sir Frederick was a tall man—somewbat inclined to stoutness, without being actually corpulent: he was perfectly upright, and carried bimself with a certain stiffness,—whiob, together with his gene- ral.appearance, impressed every one with the sense of cold formality on his part. Handsome he cer- tainly was not: but he was equally far from being ill:favoured. His features were large: his fore- head, exceedingly high and massive, gradually rounded off into the crown of the head, all the front of which was bald. Thus his iton-grey hair being worn away from that part, gave him a cer- tain dignity of appearance, which by his manne? he evidently stfove to sustain. His blue eyes were of that cold expression which denotes calculating, business-habits: they moved steadily in their orbits— never turning nor flashing restlesaly. There was something gpvere too in the expression of his thin lips, which if not actually compressed, were generally rotained closo and immovable— except of course when he was speaking. To look at him no one would give Sir I’rederick Latham credit for genius, nor even talent: but at the same time there was a vast amount of worldly know- ledge evidenced in the expression of that counte- nance. No designing man possessed of the least discrimination, would think of selecting Sir Frede- rick as his victim: wariness, shrewdness, and ex- treme caution were displayed in his looks as well as in his speech. Without knowing who he was, a atranger would say, “That is a man who never does anything inoonsiderately, buy who coldly and dispessionately weighs every proposal that may be submitted to him.” Sir Frederick was rich and ofccedingly fond of money,—not however for the purpose of hoarding it, much less of spending it extravagantly—but to enjoy it according to the common notions of that enjoyment which money can procure. He lived handsomely — kept fine equipages—gave sump- tuous entertainments; but nevertheless was always careful to assure himself that he was not merely living strictly within bis income, but that he would have a large surplus at the end of each year. As ho had risen from comparatively nothing, he was proud of his position. He scorned all civic honours, and sought to draw himeelf pearer towards the Aristocraey of the country. He would not lrave aceepted the post of Lord Mayor of London for a single hour: but in his heart he was infinitely clated, though outwardly he showed it not, when he was created a Buronet. He would have held it as a positive degradation t®@become an Alderman .of London: but he was flattered and gratified when pleced in ‘the commission of the peace for the County of Surrey. Jie was proud of belonging to the great Moseyooracy of Eng- land; and if.he by shrewd and cautious stgps atvove ‘to introduce himeelf more and more into patrician sphere, his demeanour indicated tho calm self-possession of one who felt that ho was by no means ouf of place, and that he was rceciving no -favour by being invited there. Coldly calculating as Sir Frederick Latham was —endowed with common sence and worldly know- ledge in.the most aecurate meaning of those terms —it may be a matter of surprise to the reader that after having reniained so long unmarried, ho should at length have conduoted to the altar a lady who was young enough to be his daughter. On the other hand — considering Anaatatia’s excéeding beauty, ber youth, and her accomplishments, her fascinating manners and her patrician birth—it may be also a matter of marvel that she should have failed to captivate any wealthy suitor in her own sphere. The dowerless daughter of an Earl and Cauntess—who, partly from extravagance and partly from the depreciation of property in the West Indies, where they had large estates, had barely enough to maintain themeelvcs, — Lady Anastatia’s position was one which had rendered fortune indispensable on tho part of whomsoever ‘she might accompany to‘the altar. Stillthere wae many 4 rich sciof of the aristocracy who might perchance have sought to wed a young lady in every way his equal except on the acore of riches: but to the astonisimont of everybody the fashion- able newspapers one day announced that “ Sir Frederick Latham, partner in one of the most eminent city mercantile firme, was ab ut to con- duct to the hymeneal altar the young, lovely, and accomplished daughter of the Earl and Countess of Fordwich.” And the marriage took place: nor on the wed- ding-day did there seam on Anastatia’s part to be any partioular eonso of self-sacrifice —no in ication of efforts being made to crush other affections which her young heart might possibly have formed. Her demeanour was serene ; and those wh kuew her pest, declared that there could be no dissimulation on her part—for hat it wae impossible the soul of one 80 pure could be infected with bhypvcrisy or guile. There were not however wanting at the time certain busy tongues to whisper that Sir Frederick Latham had rendered great pecuviary assistance to tho Fordwich family, especially to Anastatia’s only brother, Viscount Rushbrook, the heir to the Harldom. But on this point nothing was certain: that is Wo say, no pusitive details could be rehed upon— though, as a matter of course, it was patent to everybuly that tho mar- riage was one of expediency on the part of Anas. tatia’s family,—the great wealth of Sir brederick Latham being th) idol on whose altar the young lady was sacrifice. $—though she herself might pos- aibly feel that it w+s.no sacrifice at all. This marriage had «en placo about two years previous to the tine of which we are writing. Sir Frederick was then building his palatial mansion at Balham Hill; and it wae not finished until the lapse of some months after tho solemnization of those nuptials. Dut wheh.comploted, Sir Frederick and his wife removed to their new howe, where they had sineo maintained « sunptuous establish- ment. The.aristucratic marriage which Sir Frede- the region of the Bisth Asistocracy, he never|sick .sad sontzacted, fulfilled the darling bape = o @ jew eS See = =—8 Ee eo om eee eaeeeeeeere eee nrae reer a a aA Sa ae TSE <EIp, wie SS ED Se a D SS EE ,, CE iniiS, ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)