The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

THE SCHOOLMASTER 43 able to pay money, it was not always a proof of respecta- bility. Thereupon our hero immediately mentioned the name of Mrs. Macaulay, upon hearing which Mrs. Chubb was re- minded that Christian was a guest at that lady’s house on the memorable night when he conducted her husband home, and this was a sufficient guarantee that he must be well known to Mrs. Macaulay aforesaid. ‘“‘ Well,”’ she observed, “‘ the reference will do, sir; indeed, there is no call whatsomever to take it. You can pay the week in advance, and if you come this way, Mr. Chubb will give you a receipt.” Christian accordingly followed Mrs. Chubb across the yard, and she opened the door of the schoolroom, — the boys’ entrance to which was in the next street. It was a small, ill-ventilated place, excessively dirty, and the atmosphere so close and unpleasantly hot that Christian stopped short on the threshold. There a most edifying sight burst upon his view. Ata desk sat Mr. Chubb, in an old dressing-gown, the pattern of which, before it was faded and soiled, had been a blue ground with black stripes; his feet were thrust into slippers, down at the heels; and as he was in the middle of hearing a class, he held a swinging cane in his right hand. Suspended to a nail in the wall against which he sat, a huge _ birch had a most ominous appearance, — enough to provoke a tingling sensation on the part of the urchins who con- templated it. There might be altogether about forty scholars packed in this stifling place, and averaging from five to ten years of age. When the door opened, Mr. Chubb looked slowly and solemnly toward it, for he always maintained a very grave and dignified bearing in the presence of his scholars, never giving way to any excitement except when he used the cane or applied the birch, and these he inflicted in the manner in which rowers are sometimes urged by the steersmen to “‘ give way ’—‘‘ namely with a will.”’ Mr. Chubb, therefore, preserving his wonted solemnity, merely bestowed a bow upon Christian, and went on hearing the class. Mrs. Chubb did not immediately interrupt him, for she was doubtless anxious to impress our young hero with the wonderful disci- pline which prevailed in the school, the admirable educa- tional qualifications possessed by her husband, and the CORNICLOO ‘S (EO) im