The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 332: what you’re looking at

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

AN ADVISER 301 generally as a base, ignorant mob, to hold up the working classes in particular as an unwashed rabble, to op- pose everything in the shape of progress, to support all aristocratic privileges, — in a 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 in all dubious matters you were to vote precisely ac- cording to my dictation. Now, Mr. Hyde, during the last session you did not act up entirely to these pledges, but I then said nothing on the subject. Your recent speech at Viviandale has, however, enhanced my misgivings, and 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 things. But the fact is,’ continued Mr. Fenwick Finnikin Hyde, with a smile half-blandly complacent and half-smirkingly syco- phantic, ‘‘a man must now and then make a show of in- dependence — ”’ “Stuff and nonsense,’ exclaimed the duke, indignantly. ‘The borough of Viviandale is my own, as well as those of Rottentown and Mongerville, and depend upon it I shall do as I like with my own. Independence, indeed; it is ridic- ulous. The five seats which those boroughs have in the House of Commons are mine, and I mean that the occupants of them shall do my bidding. What will become of our blessed Constitution if the proprietors of pocket-boroughs were to allow independence? No such thing, sir. But the fact is you have been coquetting with the Whigs, you have been endeavouring to sell yourself, they would not buy you at your own price, and now you wish to get back into my favour. Pledge yourself, that henceforth you will fulfil your compacts and I will pardon you.”’ ‘Your Grace is really too hard upon me,”’ said Mr. Hyde, simpering and smiling, but unable to prevent himself from looking foolish. ‘‘ It is astonishing how false rumours do get about, — astonishing, ’_pon my honour. However, as your Grace proposes to stretch forth the hand of friendship, pray suffer me to take it.”’ “And at the opening of the session,’’ observed March- mont, “ you will take the earliest opportunity to make such 3 7) ECORNICLOOOKS (C(O)