The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

146 THE COURT OF LONDON dign punishment await thee, O prince, in the world to come.” Such was the terrible address which rolled sonorously upon the ears of the heir apparent to the throne, as he lay locked in profound slumber; and then, as the unknown voice died away like departing thunder, a form blacker than the dark- ness appeared to stand out from the dense cloud surrounding the bed. And the prince fancied that he was gazing stead- fastly upon the appalling phenomenon, and that the sable shape expanded into colossal proportions, until it became a mighty giant of hideous mien and terrible aspect. Then again the voice rolled on the ears of the Prince of Wales, while the portentous phantom stretched out its ebon arm with menacing gesticulation. “‘ As yet thou hast traced thy path amidst the roses and fairest flowers of the earth,” spoke the colossal being, “‘ and thou hast wooed and courted pleasure in every shape. All that is loveliest of female beauty, all that is most luxurious of banqueting and festivity, all thatismost sumptuousandsplen- did, most magnificent and gorgeous, in palaces and equipages, all, all hast thou made thine own. The four corners of the earth have been ransacked to bring together the means and materials for thy enjoyments. Wert thou a deity, thy pomp and thy state could not be exceeded. The millions toil in starvation to maintain thee in luxury; and it would seem as if those millions were created only to serve thee as slaves. Thine egotism has ranged over the whole world to find food for its aliment, and it remains insatiate still. Thy whole life is pleasure, thy whole existence luxury and love. Instead of there being a morrow, and a morrow, and a morrow for thee, each having new duties and bringing with it new cares, it seems as if thine entire existence were a mere continuous dream of soft indolence and voluptuous enjoyment. Such is thy career upon earth: but what will be thy doom here- after? Oh, hideous and appalling contrast, a contrast beyond the conjecture of even the wildest and most horrified imagin- ing. But thou hast feasted almost to satiety upon earthly pleasures, thou hast bathed to the very hair of thine head in the world’s fount of bliss. Now, then, behold the doom which awaits thee after death.” Thus speaking, the colossal phantom encircled the prince with his huge sable arm, and his Royal Highness shrieked CORMMIELOOOLK (©)