Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 341: what you’re looking at

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

| | | — ee ee —_—_—— oe ee eee ew ee 328 box managed to pick himself up—but not before, by way of diversifying the scene and adding to the interest thereof, he had pulled his chair down upon himself. However, up he did get at last, and with the evident intention of making a speech. Amidst a perfect succession of hiccoughs, he expressed himself to the effect that he had known his friend John Brobscomb going on for thirteen years—that he yielded to no man in that room, nor in any other room in England, Ireland, or Scotland, in admiration of his friend John Brobs- comb’s personal character and good qualities— that he had even felt for that man a brotherly attachment—that he could testify to the urbanity, the conviviality, and the liberality of his friend John Brobscomb’s disposition ; but for all this, he felt himself aggrieved and insulted by Mr. Brobs- comb’s observations. It pained him more than he could express (and heaven knows it was with difficulty he could express himself at all) to be compelled to adopt the present course—but he must in justice to himself proclaim his friend John Brobscomb to be no gentleman; and he wound up with the firm resolution of punching his friend John Brobscomb’s head unless he apologized for his conduct then and there. Having thus acquitted himself, Mr. Tarbox sank back into his seat, holding with both hands to the table to steady himself in that perilous descent ; and he then sat gazing upon Mr. Brobs- comb with a look of inane grimness. As for Mr. Erobscomb, who was a funny looking little man, with spectacles—he rose and expressed his desire to throw himself upon the Chair. He made 2 speech of a quarter of an hour’s duration, in which he expatiated upon the many excellent qualities of his friend Tarbox; and after this varied and interesting eulogy, he sat down with the express determination of seeing Mr. Tarbox in the very hottest place he could think of at the moment, before he would make any apology what- soever. Much confusion followed. The chairman, Mr. Squiggle, was convinced Mr. Tarbox would with- draw his accusation to the effect that Mr. John Brobscomb was no gentleman: but Mr. Tarbox was equally convinced that he could zo¢ withdraw it. Then Mr. Brobscomb himself was appealed to—but with equal fruitlessness. Mr. Smudge rose to order—a proceeding which only increased the disorder. There were cries of “ Chair! chair!” but when the Chair rose, he could not get a hear- ing, because Mr. Tarbox and Mr. Brobscomb thought fit to exchange compliments across tlte table,—those very dear friends mutually threaten- ing in most unmistakable terms to inflict serious damage on each other’s nose, eyes, and head. So the Chair sat down, and another gentleman rose up. He was a sleek, oily-looking, smooth-tongued, but consequential personage; and he rose with the air of one who felt certain of obtaining a hearing, for he was evidently a favourite. A hearing too he did obtain;- and in a very neat speech he exhorted the gentlemen present to be mindful of their position. Commercial travellers never occupied so high a standing in the country as they did at the present time. He was happy to felicitate them on this fact; and he was sure that they would not impair the advantages they had thus gained. The eyes of the world were JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. upon them at that moment. When he looked around him and behold those friends with whom it had been his pride and satisfaction to associate for so many years, he could not find words to express all he felt. (Here the gentleman’s emotions were so overpowering that he was compelled to imbibe half a tumbler of hot brandy-and-water; while cries of “Bravo, Honeysett!” echoed around.) Mr. Honeysett continued. He felt that he en- joyed the confidence of those present. Perhaps his deeds had acquired it: perhaps they had not. At all events he could lay his hand upon his heart, and solemnly declare that he had never shrunk from upholding the rights, privileges, and prerogatives of gentlemen travelling in the com- mercial line. He now met his reward: it was conveyed by the approval of the enlightened and intelligent company whom he was then addressing. (Cheers; and a hiccoughed “ Hear, hear!” from Mr. Tarbox). Mr. Honeysett, resuming his eloquent speech, considered that he belonged toa most important and influential class of the com- munity. There were two kinds of travellers. There were the travellers who visited foreign parts, came home, and wrote books: there were travellers who were engaged in promoting the commerce of the country. Well, without for an instant drawing invidious comparisons, Mr. Honeysett was nevertheless bound conscientiously to express his opinion that the latter, as a class, were far more useful, more valuable, more influen- tial, more important—and he would even say more patriotic, than the other class to which he had alluded.. For these reasons, Mr. Honeysett con- sidered that Messrs. Tarbox and Brobscomb ought to shake hands; and having arrived at this logical deduction from his preceding remarks, Mr. Honeysett sat down, leaving it to the honour and good feeling of those gentlemen to act upon his advice. This eloquent speech was greeted with a tre- mendous thumping of the knuckles on the table; and it produced such an impression on Mr. Tarbox that he was moved to tears (though Mr. Smudge did most uncharitably whisper to me, that it was not the speech, but that Tarbox was “erying drunk”). However, the result was that the belligerents shook hands, Mr. Tarbox vowing that he loved Mr. Joseph Brobscomb better than his own brother—and Mr, Joseph Brobscomb as warmly declaring that if there were any one in the world for whom he would gladly and cheerfully go through fire and water, his friend Tarbox was that man. Thus, at the end of half-an-hour’s interlude, matters were placed upon the most pleasant and amicable footing imaginable: the waiter was sum- moned—the glasses were refilled—and Mr. Squiggle, the chairman, intimated to Mr. Mummery that he would now be permitted to enter upon his recita- . tion. Mr. Mummery however broke down at the end of the first minute; and after seven different attempts—each one carrying him on a trifle far- ther than before—he was compelled to give 1t up altogether. I whispered to Mr. Henley a few words, to re- mind him of the object for which he had brought me thither: but he responded that it wasn’t yet time, and that we had better wait till the com- pany had got to the end of the fresh supply of LLL LL LLL LLL LLL A — ems ee ee ———— ee CORNIC OO@ <S) (CO) im