The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 130: what you’re looking at

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e ee _ you have sold yourself to the Whigs.” THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “* Oh, certainly, my lord !’’ cried the honourable gentleman. “I will make a speech that shall put matters all to rights, ’pon my honour !” “ And I, Mr. Hyde, shall send you in good time Hyde, savoured of treachery, and thero is positively @ rumour afioat—I must speak out plainly—that “ Astonishing—quite astonishing, ‘pon my ho- nour!’ ejaculated the honourable gentleman. ‘ Really, my lord, I am syrprised that your Grave should give credit to sueh rumours.” a fow strong sentences which you will take care to deliver against the Ministry. When I have lei- sure I will write down what I think you ought to say on the occasion “Pray do so, my lord: I shall be delighted to profit by your Grace’s inspirations! It ie as- “Take care that they do nof prove true, Mr. Hyde. Remember the understanding on which vou were first brought in for Viviandale—the con- ditions on which I paid your electioneering e#penses | tonishing how keen is your Grace's perception— —the terms on which for three Parliaments you | | how shrewd your Grace’s judgment in respect to have represented my borough. By heaven, sir, if the leading topics of the day —astonishing, © pon you deceive me, you shall be turned out next time; py honour !’ and I will put in my steward or my butler aye, | | Hereupon Mr. Fenwick Finnikin Hyde roge or even one of my footmen, rather than stand the from his seat : the Duke’s hand was now stretched chance of being turned round upon. You solemnly : out to him—the honourable gentleman pressed it pledged yourself to stand by Church and State in | with every appearance of enthusiastic devotion— all things—to denounce the people generally as a | and obsequiously bowed himself out. base ignorant mob—to hold up the working classes in particular as an unwashed rabble—to oppose everything in the shape of progress—to support all aristocratic privileges—in as word, to conduct yourself as a staunch Tory in all questions where there could be no doubt as to the course you were to pursue, while m all dubious matters you were to vote precisely according to my dictation. Now, Mr. Hyde, during the last session you did not act up entirely to these pledges: but I then said no- thing on the subject. Your recent speech at Viviandale has however enhanced my misgivings ; end the rumours which are afloat almost seem to confirm them. What am I to understand, sir? and what am I to expect ?”’ “Understand, my lord, nothing against me. Expect, my lord, that I shall serve your Grace in all thinge. But the fact is,” continued Mr. Fen- wick Finnikin Hyde, with a smile half blandly complacent and half smirkingly sycophantic, “a man must now and then make a show of indepen- dence——” “ Stuff and noneense!’’ excluimed the Duke in- dignantly. ‘The borough of Viviandale is my own —as well as those of Rottentown and Mongerrville ; and depend upon it I shall do as I like with my own. Independence indeed—it is ridiculous! The five seats which those boroughs have in the Houge of Commons are mine ; and I mean that ' “ You will note down the heads of this conver- sation,” said the Duke of Marchmont to Christian, when the door had closed behind the Member for Viviandale. ‘I am now going out; and when you have taken the notes I speak of, the remainder of the day is at your own disposal.” ! ‘With these words the Duke of Marchmont quitted the library, Raving Ghristian in a state of no ordinary amazement at the scene which he bad just witnessed. He had hitherto ‘fancied that Great Britain was the freest country on the faco of the earth, and that the Huuse of Commons was composed of an independent set of men, honestly, fairly, and impartially representing the whole people. He had now learnt a lesson to the con. trary; and he was astonished at the corruption of the system which allowed the Duke of Marchmont the control of those boroughs—enabling him to bestow them upon his own creatures. Not less was Christian surprised and disgusted at the abject servility with which one of those creatures had just abnegated all political independence, though faintly making a show to the contrary. When the young secretary had committed to papex the notes of the conversation at which he had been present, he issued forth to take a walk,—intending to gill upon Christina. He was proceeding through Hyde Park on his ‘way towards Regent's Park, pundering on the the occupants of them shall do my bidding. What , character of the Duke of Marchmont—and in no will beoome of our blessed Constitution if the pro- prietors of pocket-boroughs were to allow inde- pendence? No such thing, sir! you have been coquetting with the Whigs—you have been endeavouring to sell yourselt—they But the fact is ) ! Redcliffe. very comfortable mood reflecting on the scene of the preceding night,—when he beheld a tall gentle- man approaching. He was enveloped in a cloak ; and Christian immedfately knew him to be Mr. The youth was walking slowly in one would not buy you at your own price—and now ' direction—Redcliffe was advaneing as slowly from you wish to get back into my favour. Pledge | yourself that henceforth you will fulfil your com- | pacts—and I will pardon you.” “Your Grdco is really too hard upon me,” sat Mr. Hyde, simpering and smiling, but unable to prevent himself from looking foolish. “It is as- tonishing how false rumours do get about—aston- hing, "pon my honour! However, as your race proposes to stretoh forth the hand of friend- ahip, pray suffer me to take it.” “And at the opening of the Session,” observed Marchmont, “ you wil take the earliest oppor- ‘tunity to make such a speech as shall neutralize the evil effect of the one you delivered the otber day to my voters at Viviandale ?” The latter was evidently absorbed in The air was chill: the other. thought, as was the former. is mgntie was closely wrap ound him—tbe collar reached high up, indced almost to his chgek- bones—and his hat was drawn somewhat over the upper part of his coyntenance. He did not at first see Christian, and was about to pass him: but the youth addressed Mr. Redcliffe in cour- teously, pecoming terms. “ Ab, 1 gid not perceive you,” said this gentle. man; “ang.fam glad you spoke :"—aft the same time he proffered the youth his hand. {Jtisa long. while since we last mét,” “It is nearly ten weeks, sir,” ’ replied Christian. *T recollect,” observed Redcliffe. “Tt was when a 4 ~—— ~~ ie egy ee oe eg ee ee". * rm 3:9 OO - oe, sagunr eggs' “ump - ~~? oo ° ma — pee eee ee Ee an (SOL (C DOO Col