The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 385: what you’re looking at

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870 a man with a countenance unnaturally elongated by continuous studied attempts to assume a sanctimo- nious aspect; and thus the corners of his mouth were 60 drawn down that he always seemed as if he were inwardly whimpering. In fact he appeared to have clothed himself in moral sackcloth and ashes, if we may be allowed the expression; and whenever he spoke, it wasin such a whining, drawling, canting tone that a stranger would have fancied he was ready to burst out crying. Between this meek and Jowly vessel and the plu- ralisnt Mr. Tumpkins, sate the Rev. Unthank Snag, Mr. Sneaksby’s pious assistant in the performance of the duties at Salem Chapel; and when we assure our readers that in Jooks, voice, dress, manner, and character, he was fully worthy to form an item in the influential Society of New Lights, we shall be par- doned if we enter into no detailed description of his many qualifications. : * Brother Paxwax,” said the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Sneaksby, “open the door gently—peep forth—and let us know whether the godly are assembling in their tens, their twenties, and their hundreds.” ! owded,” answered THE MYSTERIES. wait one minute—for my brethren here are at this moment under the inspiration of the spirit and can- not be disturbed.” Having thus spoken, Mr. Ichabod Paxwax closed the door: whereupon he himself and his sanctimo- nious companions hastened to gulp down the re- mainder of their rum-punch—having disposed of which, they hastily concealed the glasses in a cup- board. Mr. Paxwax then returned to the door, and gave admittance to Mra. Piggleberry and her niece— the former of whom was struck with awe and the latter with confusion on thus entering into the pre- sence of this solemn conclave. The five saints fixed their eyes upon the counte- nance of the blushing girl; and Mr. Unthank Snag’s mouth watered as he observed her cherry lips—while Mr. Jonathan Crick looked as suddenly pleased as an antiquated goat. Mrs. Piggleberry repeated her desire that her young relative should be brought “to a state of grease,” ag sha denominated the procedure whatever it might be: and Mr. Nathaniel Sneaksby, after con- sulting hig watch, observed, “ There is verily time ta cammence the good work, Mra. Piggieberry: re- | thi ifter he had satis- | tira thau back again into the chapel—and leave thy fie he way suggested, | niece fur q short time in the holy atmosphere of this th “TI hape, Brother | council-taam af the elect.” Sr ll be as strong, as The worthy widow curtseyed and withdrew ac- po ” cordingly : and if every one of her senses bad not kly observed Mr jhe © ~ ~° ° ~*~ awe which swayed the Ci [wax was ata lass | ig a, she eay'd nat pas fo. si segious odour of rum ly dearly -heloyed | in br Ichabod. ‘ ¥aa, ¢ being thus suddenly ve le this compaund | le ame moments rooted w) jnued, addressing | te ecovering herself, she hi gth must prepon- | wi . Piggleberry, had not de Jlassea, where the | th jnterposed his gaunt sugar likewise typifieth the sweetnesg of expression | fo he door, exclaiming, which will pervade thine exhortation; and the dash | #. u art with the godly ° of the lemon will have its parallel in the glight sar- inged inta g sense of casm which thou wilt deal against all othor sects save | ¢! fa to hurs¢ aut lsugh- our own.” in spiritual leader of the ‘ Brother Paxwax,” said the Rev. Mr. Sneaksby, | N er hand, said, * Come in a tone of awful solemnity; “ ja likening the! w whom the good sheep features of my intended discourse unto the ingre- |hi. ____.._ _ _. ..-, _ a I will become thy dients of thy punch, thou hast omitted all mention | shepherd!” of the hot water.” “T am justly rebuked,” returned Ichabod, with an air of contrite humility. “ But even as the boiling element maketh bubbles rise to the surface, so will thy discourse cause the shillings to ascend from the pockets of the godly.” At this moment there was a low, respectful, and timid knock at the vestry-door; and Mr. Paxwax hastened to respond to the summons, Opening the door a few inches, he beheld Mrs. Piggleberry in compaiy with a pretty young woman of modest ap- pearance and whose age might be about twenty. “This dear creetur, good sir,” said the widow, in a subdued and lachry mose tone, as she glanced towards the girl, “is my niece—my own brother’s darter; and she’s got no care or thought for her futur’ state: so it struck me that I'd bring her with me this blessed Saturday afternoon to see if there wasn't no means of convertin’ her into a state of grease.” “Yes, my good woman,” answered Paxwax, peer- ing through tbe narrow space to which he had opened the door; “we'll assuredly find means to bring your niece to a state of grace. But you must i \ { t | | Thus speaking, he led her into a small inner room | where the surplices and black gowns were hanging, and where all the crockery was kept for the “tea- meetings ”’ and “love-feasts” of the New Lights ; and closiug the door behind him, the reverend gentleman | bade the young woman be seated. This invitation she accepted—entertaining no alarm at being in the company of so pious an individual, but being rather curious ta hear what he could have to say to her. “Fearing that thou would’st be confused, poor lamb, in the presence of my brethren,” he com- menced, once more taking her hand and keeping i in his own as he placed himself in a chair close by her side,—“ I did bring thee inta this privacy that we might converse in a blessed security and a holy peace. Tell me, young maiden, what is thy name! * Ann Jones, please sir,” was the prompt reply: and as she spoke, her cherry lips revealed two rows of large but white and even teeth. “ And hast thou ever felt the spirit stirring withm | thee, Ann?” inquired Mr. Sneaksby, approaching hu countenance towards her own. “I don’t know what you mean, sir,” she said, > COMING BOOKS COMM